Al-Kindi Center for Research and Development (KCRD) (E-Journals)
Not a member yet
6248 research outputs found
Sort by
Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Momordica Charantia L. Fruits Induce the Phagocytosis Activity and Capacity of Rat Peritoneal Macrophages
No full textPhagocytosis is one of the body\u27s immune mechanisms in the elimination of antigens, including bacteria. Its mechanism is affected by many factors, such as the inducers. The present study aims to elaborate on the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Momordica charantia L fruits on the activity and capacity of rat peritoneal macrophages on a non-A Staphylococcus aureus, including the white blood cell percentage. A series of M. charantia ethyl acetate extract concentrations of 25 mg/kg BW, 50 mg/kg BW, and 100 mg/kg BW were used to identify the phagocytosis activity and capacity, as well as the percentage of white blood cells (WBC). The result showed that the concentration of 50 mg/kg BW had the highest phagocytic activity and capacity compared to other concentrations (P < 0.05), while for the WBC percentage, there were no significant differences among the concentrations (P > 0.05). The conclusion of the present study is M. charantia ethyl acetate extract has the potential to be used as a natural immunostimulant
Exploring Challenges Faced by Engineering Students in Graphic Preparations of Perspective Geometry
No full textPerspective geometry is a fundamental, challenging, and captivating subject within the engineering bachelor\u27s degree program. It holds significant importance in developing graphic skills, analytical abilities, sketching proficiency, and comprehension of drawings. Moreover, it plays a crucial role in organizing the architectural components of a bachelor\u27s thesis. However, the teaching and learning of perspective geometry often reveal various difficulties and shortcomings. Moreover, one of the various systems of symbols and languages created by global cultures is the graphical language, which is an exceptional and unparalleled language for understanding scientific and technical information. This language is considered the oldest international language. Every visual piece of information in various processes of human life has been formed through the graphical language, which is composed of various geometric shapes. In this research, data has been gathered from the perspectives of first-year students from the 2013 batch regarding the difficulties encountered in perspective geometry. A questionnaire was distributed to collect their opinions, and three graphical tasks with different levels of complexity were given to the students. The results obtained from this study indicate that employing suitable teaching methods and providing adequate resources can alleviate most of the learning difficulties associated with graphic skills. Instructors also play a pivotal role in resolving learning obstacles. Therefore, efforts should be made to enhance the quality of teaching graphic subjects by updating the content and curriculum of educational programs and improving teaching methods through the use of technology. In higher education institutions, conditions for fostering students\u27 professional knowledge, enhancing their ability to draw maps and create technical documents can be facilitated through computer graphics education. Updating the teaching methods plays a crucial role in improving the quality of graphic education. The mentioned factors provide a suitable environment for the growth of graphic knowledge and the implementation of projects related to professional subjects
سيميائيّة العنوان في ديوان "إلى أين" للشّاعر مانع سعيد العتيبة
No full textيعدّ المنهج السّيميائي من مناهج ما بعد البنيويّة التي كان لها الدّور الفعّال في دراسة النّصوص الأدبيّة كعلامات ورموز، ويرتبط مصطلح السّميولوجيا بالنّاقد "دي سوسير" الذي أوضح بأنّ العلامة عبارة عن دال ومدلول، ويعدّ العنوان من العتبات النّصية التي يلجأ إليها الناقد لاكتشاف آفاق النص، وفي الوقت نفسه مفتاحه الأساسي للكشف عن فنيّة النّص وشعريته. ويركز هذا البحث على دراسة سيميائية العنوان في ديوان "إلى أين" للشاعر مانع سعيد العتيبة، وعلاقة العنوان بمحيط النّص، وما مدى ارتباطه بها، ولكون العنوان العتبة الأولى للنص؛ فإنه يتميز بالإغراء تارة والاغواء تارة أخرى؛ لأنها العتبة التي تصطدم بها عيني المتلقي، ومنها جاءت العناوين تحمل وظائف مختلفة تساعد المتلقي لسبر أغوار العنوان ومحيطه، والتي من خلالها تترك للقارئ علامات قابلة للتّأويل والكشف عن معنى وجمالية الشّعر في ديوان العتيبة
Comparing Identity Crisis and Characterization between Two Colonial Protagonists: Half A Life and Season of Migration to The North
No full textThe examination of the identity crisis and the portrayal of the colonial protagonists in Tayeb Salih\u27s "Season of Migration to the North" and V.S. Naipaul\u27s "Half a Life" serve as moving reflections of the difficulties of post-colonial existence. The stories of Willie Chandran and Mustafa Sa\u27eed, two characters whose lives are significantly impacted by cultural clashes, historical legacies, and individual quests for self-understanding, are skillfully woven together in both narratives. In "Half a Life," Indian-born Willie Chandran struggles in both colonial and post-colonial settings with a complex identity crisis. His cross-continental voyage represents a turbulent attempt to balance his cultural heritage with prevailing norms and the lingering effects of colonialism. In Mustafa Sa\u27eed\u27s "Season of Migration to the North," he plays a character who is caught up in the aftermath of colonialism. As he makes his way back to Sudan from England, Mustafa struggles with his African background and the European experiences that have shaped his perspective. This illustrates the conflict between opposing cultural influences and the ensuing identity crisis. The authors employ both protagonists as means of eloquently illustrating the psychological turbulence, intricacies, and challenges intrinsic to post-colonial identities. The central themes of their characterizations are the collision of cultures, the legacy of colonialism, and the search for belonging. These perspectives provide a valuable understanding of the complexities involved in forming an identity while living with the effects of colonialism
Investigating the Impact of Cultural Awareness on Language Learners\u27 Motivation and Proficiency
No full textLearning multiple languages is advantageous for individuals engaging with diverse communities across borders. However, language barriers and miscommunication have posed significant challenges, prompting learners to improve their foreign language skills, knowledge, and expertise. A lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity has hindered learners from successfully mastering foreign languages. The inability of the UK and European populations to promote diversity and inclusion, coupled with disrespectful attitudes towards other cultures, contributes to their struggles in language acquisition. To address these issues, active engagement in cultural activities can boost motivation and proficiency in language learning. Exploring Hofstede\u27s six dimensions of cultural competency reveals that American learners exhibit lower anxiety levels than Korean learners in language training classrooms due to high individualism. Conversely, the high power distance in China, compared to Mongolia and Hungary, results in Chinese students being less interactive and assertive in classrooms. Limited interaction negatively impacts students\u27 psychological and behavioral development, highlighting the importance of fostering intercultural communication skills. Thus, cultural factors have been elaborated with the implementations of Lewis\u27s cultural competency model, which has elaborated that nations worldwide can be segregated into three categories based on their cultural beliefs such as linear-active, multi-active, and reactive. Among these three categories, reactive has been identified as the most flexible, people-oriented, and culturally aware nation, wherein most Asian countries like India, Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand belong. It has been identified that due to a lack of cultural awareness, the students have been confronting significant issues in confidently learning new languages with the inability to speak appropriate terms and pronounce them properly. Participation in cultural activities and training on intercultural communication might be helpful in mitigating cross-cultural issues in new language learning
Examining the Association between Psychosocial Support and Resilience in People Diagnosed with Infertility
No full textInfertility and infertility treatment cause great suffering for individuals and couples, particularly when they lack psychosocial support and resilience. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between the role of psychosocial support and resilience in 152 infertility patients at 2 hospitals in North Vietnam. Participants completed the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The findings demonstrated that resilience in infertility patients, both generally and specifically in women, was significantly predicted by support from friends and family. Meanwhile, psychosocial support sources have no effect on resilience in infertile men. The findings highlight the importance of psychosocial support for people diagnosed with infertility in the Vietnamese cultural context
Exploring the Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Facilitating English Learning and Optimizing Classroom Teaching
No full textMindfulness meditation is a technique for regulating attention and emotions, which can help individuals enhance self-awareness and reduce stress. This paper aims at review the positive effects of mindfulness meditation on English learners and teachers, including improving English learning abilities and enhancing motivation, confidence, and enjoyment in English learning. Through systematic literature searches and screening methods from databases such as CNKI, Wan fang, Pub Med, and Web of Science, relevant papers on mindfulness meditation and English learning from the past decade were selected. Their research purposes, methods, innovations, and conclusions were analyzed. This paper specifically explores the literature review on the impact of mindfulness meditation on English learning, summarizing both the theory and practice of mindfulness meditation, and proposing future research directions and suggestions. Mindfulness meditation has a positive impact on English learning and classroom teaching, but its specific effects are influenced by various factors such as the type, duration, and frequency of mindfulness meditation. More empirical research is needed to validate its effects on English learning and to explore the optimal integration methods
Distance learning Revisited: Students’ Preferences and Attitudes in the Post-Pandemic Era
No full textIn Spring 2020, there was a sudden shift from face-to-face (F2F) to distance learning (DL) due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. A study by Al-Jarf (2020) showed that 55% of the students and instructors preferred F2F instruction and were not satisfied with DL due to unfamiliarity, lack of training, interaction, technical problems and others. In the Fall Semester 2021, Saudi universities resumed F2F instruction in combination with some online classes. In some emergencies such as weather conditions, all students study online rather than cancelling classes. This status quo has continued until now. This study explores students’ preferences for DL vs F2F learning, their attitudes towards each and reasons for their preferences. Responses to a survey showed that 36% of the students in the sample prefer DL because it has become a necessity during emergencies such as pandemics and wars. They can check the lecture recording any time. They save commuting time. In addition, 40% of the respondents prefer F2F instruction because they get better grades. It is more suitable for science classes (labs, experiments, anatomy). Participation, interaction, and questions make a difference. In DL, students can leave Blackboard or Zoom, walk around, and take a nap, whereas in F2F, they focus better. Some health sciences, engineering, law, and/or business instructors talk about their experiences and views of the job market which is enriching and enjoyable for the students. Moreover, 17% have no preference and believe that the mode of learning depends on the instructors’ competence, teaching techniques used, integration of technologies, and online resources, interaction, engagement, and students’ participation. Participants’ views and recommendations are given in detail
Digital Narratives for Academic Success: Enhancing Student Achievement through Storytelling
No full textThis study looked at how Digital Story-telling (DST) affected high school students studying English as a second language in terms of their learning motivationm, critical thinking, and academic achievement. This year-long study included 48 10th-grade students from two English courses using a quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest assessments. Information technology-integrated instruction at two levels—lecture-style (for the comparison group) and DST (for the experimental group)—was the independent variable. In order to assess how well DST improves learning outcomes, both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. This included critical thinking and English language competence tests as well as questionnaire answers about learning motivation. The collected data underwent examination through descriptive analysis, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and qualitative content analysis. Our findings show that participants in the DST group surpassed those in the lecture-style ITII group concerning critical thinking, learning motivation, and English proficiency. Insights gathered from interviews underscore the noteworthy educational impact of DST. Both the teacher and students expressed that DST elevated their understanding of course content, heightened their curiosity, and enhanced their critical thinking abilities—essential skills for equipping students for the dynamic challenges of the 21st century. Incorporating stories from Palestinian culture, rooted in the real-life experiences of students, has been successfully undertaken to enhance the cultural relevance of DST. This addition brings a valuable dimension to the research, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how DST impacts students\u27 learning experiences. By integrating these authentic narratives, the study successfully captures the cultural richness and diversity inherent in the students\u27 backgrounds, thereby enriching the overall research findings
Balancing Acts: Exploring the Intersection of Cultural Understanding and Technical Support in Local Government Strategies for Immigrant Micro-Financing
No full textThis paper explores the relationship between cultural competency training for local government employees and technical support for micro-financing programs targeting immigrants. Utilizing a combination of literature review, theoretical framework, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and interpretation, the study examines the complexities surrounding the public sector\u27s approach to immigrant support. The research reveals a general preference for cultural competency initiatives over technical support for micro-financing among local government employees. Statistical analysis indicates a significant, albeit complex, association between attitudes towards cultural competency training and support for technical assistance in micro-financing. A multinomial logistic regression suggests a negative relationship between support for cultural competency training and the likelihood of supporting micro-financing programs, highlighting a potential disconnect between cultural understanding and financial support for immigrants. The study discusses the implications of these findings for policy-making, program design, and future research, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates cultural sensitivity with economic support. The limitations of the study, including sample representation and the challenge of establishing causation, are acknowledged, underlining the necessity for cautious interpretation of the results and further research in this area. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of considering both the cultural and economic needs of immigrant communities in public administration and support programs