Al-Kindi Center for Research and Development (KCRD) (E-Journals)
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Introducing Research into Practice: Establishing the Evidence-based Moving on Programme as Part of Standardized Cancer Care
No full textThe Moving On Programme (MOP) was developed as a specific intervention to fill an identified service need. This programme was piloted and analyzed by previous research and this paper outlines the process and challenges of introducing the MOP to become part of standardized cancer care. Any adaptations that were required due to the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are outlined. Health economic analysis outlines the cost of the MOP and participants’ evaluations are presented. MOP has the potential to be far reaching in its appeal and could easily be transferred to other regions.
Heart Disease Risk Prediction Using Machine Learning: A Data-Driven Approach for Early Diagnosis and Prevention
No full textCardiovascular diseases continue to be a major cause of death worldwide and a major challenge to healthcare systems in both the developing and developed world. In the US alone, nearly a fifth of all deaths in a year are caused by cardiovascular diseases, which imposes a huge burden on public and economic resources. The chief aim of this work was to create and rigorously test machine learning models that are effective in the prediction of heart disease risk for various populations. Based on well-annotated datasets and well-labeled variables like age, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol level, type of chest pain, and electrocardiogram results. We used the publicly accessible Cleveland Heart Disease data for this study on Heart Disease Risk Prediction Using Machine Learning. The data consisted of 303 patient records and 14 important attributes typical for cardiovascular health: age, sex, resting blood pressure, serum cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, resting electrocardiographic results, maximum heart rate achieved, exercise-induced angina, and ST depression caused by exercise, among others. The target variable marks the presence or absence of heart disease as labeled in the data using five categories, later binarized for classification purposes (1 = disease, 0 = no disease). To develop a strong predictive model for the identification of people vulnerable to heart disease, three established supervised classification algorithms have been adopted: Logistic Regression, Random Forest Classifier, and XG-Boost Classifier (Extreme Gradient Boosting). To determine the accuracy and reliability of the designed machine learning models for heart disease risk prediction, a battery of evaluation metrics was utilized that presented distinct insights into model performance. The XG-Boost model had a substantial training accuracy, followed very closely by a high test accuracy, which indicated good generalization to the unseen test data. The deployment of machine learning-based heart disease risk prediction models in preventive care represents a major push in the U.S. public healthcare sector. These models can easily be implemented within electronic health record systems utilized in clinics, hospitals, and primary care to automatically indicate high-risk individuals using real-time clinician data. Machine learning-driven heart disease prediction models also have transformative value in remote monitoring of health and telemedicine, which have emerged as big trends in the U.S., particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the key strengths of machine learning models is that they can provide customizable risk scores that are attuned to the multifaceted demographic profile of the United States. As machine and AI technologies continue to mature, there is increasing potential to expand their use to predict not only heart disease but also associated comorbid conditions such as stroke, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes.
From Screen to Classroom: Exploring the Impact of Online CPD Programmes in Enhancing Literature Teaching Practices in Iraqi Schools
No full textThe potential of continuous professional development (CPD) programmes to drive change and improve teaching practices is frequently restricted by the contextual challenges, particularly in contexts described as challenging EFL environments. Furthermore, CPD programmes delivered through online modes are often deemed less effective than conventional face-to-face programmes. This study sought to explore the potential of improving Iraqi English teachers’ practices in teaching literature. Nine secondary school teachers were recruited in the study and took the online training for a period of six weeks. Data were collected through two rounds of class observation and follow-up interviews with the participants. First data collection round was conducted prior to the training, and the second round followed its completion. The results indicate that the training led to significant improvements, including shifting from teacher-centred informational methods to more interactive and engaging teaching methods, reducing the excessive reliance on direct translation, minimizing the amount of teacher talk and maximizing the amount of students talk, implementing some technology-based activities, and assigning different types of tasks and classroom games. This change is also manifested through the rise in students’ engagement and their motivation to participate in speaking and writing activities. However, the study identified several factors that impact the effectiveness of online CPD programmes in Iraq. These included the gap between the objectives of teaching and the students’ exam-driven motivation, the need to recognize and reward teachers’ commitment and efforts, and the lack of IT facilities and infrastructure limitation in the local context. The reported findings underscore the importance of contextualizing the training material to fit the local educational realities and overcoming local barriers to facilitate change making and improving teaching practices
A Pragmatic Analysis of Refusal Strategies in Management Communication
No full textThis study examines the refusal strategies employed in superior-subordinate communication during departmental meetings. It aims to reveal these strategies\u27 function, specifically exploring why individuals use particular refusal techniques in their interactions. Data is collected through observation of participants\u27 turn-taking patterns in departmental meetings. The findings indicate that both heads of departments and department members utilized direct and indirect refusal strategies. Participants employed two direct refusal strategies, as defined in the Beebe et al. (1990, pp. 55-73) framework, and five indirect refusal strategies: explanation, statement of alternatives, attempts to dissuade, acceptance functioning as a refusal, and silence. The most frequently used direct strategy is the non-performative statement, while the most common indirect strategies are explanation and statements of alternatives. Social power dynamics are evident in the heads of departments\u27 speech, as they seek to control dissenting opinions. Department members, however, exercise social power by forming coalitions to support specific viewpoints discussed in the meetings. Future research could investigate the politeness strategies used by superiors and subordinates in these meetings and their impact on influencing heads of departments
Strategies Adopted by Libyan Students in the Production of English Onset clusters: An Acoustic Study
No full textThis acoustic study investigates how Libyan second-semester university students at the Department of English, University of Tripoli, produce English word-initial three-consonant clusters. The study seeks to explore vowel epenthesis as one of the strategies adopted by those students to facilitate the production of these consonant clusters which do not exist in their mother tongue. The study also aims to investigate the site where the epenthetic vowel is inserted and its acoustic characteristics, such as duration and quality. Twenty Libyan second-semester students were recorded while reading nine sentences with the clusters /spl/, /spr/, /spj/, /str/, /skj/, /skr/, /skl/, /skw/ and /stj/ in word-initial position. Results of the acoustic analysis showed significant variability in participants\u27 performance, with vowel epenthesis as the most preferred strategy to simplify the production of problematic clusters. In addition, the findings revealed that Tripolitanian Libyan Arabic shows features of both VC and CV dialects. As for the duration and quality of the epenthetic vowel, the results showed that epenthetic vowels are shorter than neighbouring vowels, and their quality is that of the short high-front unrounded vowel [ɪ]. These results highlight the importance of recognising phonological differences between first and second language and they could improve our understanding of phonological adaptation in second languages and the role it plays in improving learners’ proficiency level and communication skills
Translating Medical Terminology
No full textTranslating medical terminology presents unique challenges due to its complexity, specificity, and reliance on Latin and Greek roots. This paper explores strategies such as morphological decomposition—breaking terms into prefixes, roots, and suffixes—to enhance comprehension and accuracy. An interdisciplinary approach integrating morphology, translation, and semantics is proposed to address linguistic and cultural barriers. The study also examines the role of foreignization in contexts where target-language equivalents lack precision. Findings emphasize the importance of structured methodologies for learners, educators, and translators in the medical field
The Australian Model of Multiculturalism for Anti-tribalism Education in African Schools: Focus on Liberia and Sierra Leone
No full textThe Australian style of multiculturalism could be a remedy for chronic tribal conflicts in Africa. Ethiopia and Sudan are only the latest cases in more than 20 African countries, including Liberia and Sierra Leone, that have burst into civil wars over the last 40 years. Researchers generally view tribalism as a leading suspect in the causes of the conflicts in Africa. The overall goal of this study was to ascertain the understandings of the diaspora communities of Liberia and Sierra Leone in Australia of the relationship between tribalism, conflict and education back home. Fifty (50) participants across Australia were asked: “Drawing from your experience in Australia, how would you reform the educational systems back home to nurture and promote peace and harmony among the various citizens?” The thematic content analysis technique was used to identify patterns across the various interviews. In total, 80% of Liberians and 72% of Sierra Leoneans recommended that Liberia and Sierra Leone should consider the integration of Australian multicultural values and ideals into their school curriculums as a long-term measure towards the birth of a diversity-accommodating generation of citizens back home. This is a novel idea in the difficult battle against tribalism on the African continent. Additionally, there is no previous study of the Liberian and Sierra Leonean diaspora in Australia vis-a-vis peace-building efforts in their home countries. Thus, this study is an original academic undertaking in the scholarly debates on the subject-matter
Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative effects of Atorvastatin and Roflumilast against Methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in Rats
No full textBackground: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antagonist of folic acid, frequently recommended as a cytotoxic medication to treat a number of illnesses, including leukemia and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. However, because of its severe adverse effects, particularly hepatotoxicity, its usage in clinical practice has been restricted. Members of the Statins category, sometimes referred to as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, include atorvastatin (ATR), which is frequently used to treat excessive cholesterol and lower the risk of cardiovascular illnesses. Roflumilast (ROF), a phosophdiestrase 4 inhibitor, assuming in treatment the chronic obstructive lung disease and has been revealed to be necessary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study investigated the potential hepatoprotective benefits associated with ATR and ROF in preventing MTX-induced damage to the liver in rats. Methods: 24 Wistar rats (male) were separated to four groups. Acute liver injury was induced by a dose of 20 mg/kg MTX intraperitoneally (ip.) administration for seven consecutive days . Control group: The usual intravenous saline injections were given daily. Induction group: daily IP injection of MTX (20 mg/kg). Third group (ATR+MTX) once daily (15 mg/kg, oral + 20 mg/kg, IP. Fourth (ROF+MTX) group ; Every day (5 mg/kg, oral plus 20 mg/kg; i.p) was administered to ten days. Treatment groups (third and fourth) began three days with ATR and ROF, orally before MTX injection, and continued for ten days consecutively. Results: When MTX (20 mg/kg, IP) was administered for 7 days consecutively, the levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, for instance glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT], were significant reduced. However , the levels of malondialdehyde [MDA] and inflammatory markers; Interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-a], and the liver enzymes significantly rose; alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST]. The changes in these measures were considerably reduced after ten days of ATR and ROF treatment. In conclusion, the results suggest that ATR and ROF may be useful therapeutic agents for reducing the effects of MTX-induced liver damage in rats. It look like from our outcomes that the treatment groups appear to alleviate MTX-induced liver damage by moderating inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver
Teaching Drama in Moroccan Higher Education: Examining the Disparity between Curriculum Intentions and Pedagogical Practices: The Case of Moulay Ismail University
No full textThe present study examined the significant disparity between curricular intentions and pedagogical practices in drama education at Moulay Ismail University in Morocco. This research uncovered a substantial gap between the designed curriculum and its practical implementation through a comprehensive analysis of official course descriptions and systematic classroom observation. The findings revealed that while course documents demonstrate thoughtfully articulated objectives and genre-specific considerations, actual classroom practices remain largely tied to traditional teaching methods, hampered by various infrastructural and pedagogical challenges. The research identified critical areas requiring intervention at different levels, especially curriculum design, resource allocation and teacher professional development, particularly in professional development. These findings contributed significantly to our understanding of implementation challenges in specialized educational programs and provided practical recommendations for improving drama education delivery in higher education. The study’s implications extended beyond Moulay Ismail University, offering valuable insights for other departments of English nationwide facing comparable challenges in drama education implementation
Entrepreneurship Education: A Pathway to Enhancing Employability within the Evolving Market Landscape
No full textIt has been established in the body of knowledge that a knowledge-based economy requires educational institutions to provide knowledge and to instill entrepreneurial intentions among its students and young graduates. Universities in the developed economy provide highly skilled and qualified human capital and help develop new ideas, innovation, and enterprising knowledge. A considerable number of high-ranked and well-rated universities and business schools have developed and run entrepreneurial programs (Babson, USA; Cranfield) despite the conventional approach adopted by the public and private providers of knowledge, entrepreneurship is stated as a priority in the Fifty Economic Plan (FEP) of the UAE. The entrepreneurial gap is partially responsible for the high unemployment rate in the Gulf, and the UAE is of no exception. Based on intensive review of the related body of knowledge and meaningful benchmarking, the paper has proposed an employable program along the way to transform business education to impactful and applied education