188 research outputs found
Interactive learning systems for higher education: Learning styles and students' attitude
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This dissertation reports research concerning the adaptation of learning systems to students' different learning styles (LSs), particularly in relation to the analysis and planning of Interactive Learning Systems (ILSs). Given the primacy of Interactive Learning and its pedagogical implication on educational designs, the motivation for this research is better understanding of students' different learning preferences and perceptions of Computer Mediated Learning Interactions (CMLIs), as this may present some insights into what and how interactivity can be incorporated more purposefully and efficiently into learning systems designs. This research undertakes a review of the literature relating to LSs' theories, which have been used to explore how individual learners approach learning, as well as different Learning Interactions in relation to Interactive Learning Systems (ILSs). The work undertaken in this research makes its contribution to the field in that it represents one of the first explicit investigations of the relationship between students' LSs (Active-Reflective/Visual Verbal dimensions) and their attitude towards different CMLIs that constitute essential part of ILSs, in terms of use, perceptions and learning preferences, from the users' (learners) perspective rather than the teachers and/or designers of these systems. The research provides evidence to support the differing views of learners of different LSs as well as evidence of common attitudes towards certain CMLIs. However, it warns against and highlights some of the limitations of using the LSs in isolation and the importance of considering other factors and aspects of students' individual differences. A model is proposed to guide the planning and design of ILSs, and to raise the designers' and teachers' awareness of learners' differences and call upon them to take necessary steps to consider actual learners' LSs in the learning design. Implications of the findings in terms of interactivity design considerations are discussed; research limitations and recommendations for future work are made
Information systems for interactive learning: Design perspective
No full textThis paper aims to present and discuss educational issues and relevant research to universities and colleges in the Arabian Gulf Region. This include cultural, students’ learning preferences and the use of information and communication technology. It particularly focuses on interactive learning through the consideration of learning styles. It explores the sequential-global learning styles profile of undergraduate students as part of a continuous research in Information Systems design with a particular focus on the design of Interactive Learning Systems (ILSs). A study to examine the learning style profile of undergraduate students in a cohort of Management Information Systems at a UAE university has been conducted, and a discussion and recommendations on how these findings can be reflected on the design of ILSs are provided
inhibitors: A safeguard against hypertension, respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic kidney diseases
No full textHypertension is a serious concern as it is one of the causes of kideny failure and pulmonary fibrosis. An important therapeutic strategy for treating chronic hypertension is to inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibition reduces kidney damage, pulmonary artery pressure, and high blood pressure. Due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects, natural renin-angiotensin system inhibitors have drawn increasing attention over the past decades. Alkaloids, amino acids, anthocyanidins, flavonoids, glucosinolates, isoflavonoids, phenolic acids, polyphenolics, and triterpenoids are among the bioactive metabolites pocessing an impressive ACE inhibitory activity. Many herbs including Rosmarinus officinalis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Curcuma longa, Rauwolfia serpentina, Emblica officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Punica granatum, Mucuna pruriens, Capsicum annuum, and Moringa olifera were found having ACE inhibitory activities comparable to captopril and enalpril. These enticing natural ACE inhibitors deserve to be a safeguard medicine against hypertension, respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic kidney diseases. More clinical trials are required before new natural compounds and herbs can be used to treat chronic hypertension and its ramifications, such as respiratory distress syndrome and kidney failure
The use of cinnamon oil as antibacterial agent to eliminate some antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from water sources
No full textArticle Details: Received: 2020-07-09 | Accepted: 2020-10-14 | Available online: 2021-03-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.01.1-8Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) are enzymes produced by Gram-negative microorganisms, which may be resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The purpose of this research was to estimate the bactericidal effects of cinnamon oil on ESBLproducing bacteria. In this study, 227 water samples were collected from wells in Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. The samples were cultured on a cystine lactose electrolyte-deficient (CLED) medium. A MicroScan system was used to identify bacteria and also for antimicrobial susceptibility test. Activity of crud cinnamon oil and its fractions were detected by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the ESBL-producing bacteria. Morphological changes of the treated bacteria were observed and oil compounds was investigated. The culture was positive on the CLED medium in 170 out of 227 water samples. In 170 CLED-positive isolates, E. coli was the most common organism, followed by K. pneumoniae. The results showed that 100% of K. pneumoniae isolates were completely resistant to ampicillin (100%), then by mezlocillin (92.5%), cefazolin, and cefuroxime (77.5%). Also, 86.9% of E. coli isolates were the most resistant to ampicillin, followed by mezlocillin (83%). 82% of K. pneumoniae and 89% of E. coli isolates were confirmed by phenotypic confirmatory disc diffusion test (PCDDT) as ESBL-producers. The cinnamon oil activity was only concentrated in the oxygenated fraction. The MICs of the oxygenated fraction were 80 and 20 µl/mL at 105 CFU of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively. This study indicated the antibacterial effects of cinnamon essential oil to eliminate some antibiotic-resistant bacteria from water.Keywords: water, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, antibiotic resistance, essential oil References ADEYEMI, A.O. et al. (2014). Antibiotics susceptibility patterns of some uropathogens to nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid among pregnant women with urinary tract infections in federal medical centre, Bida, Niger-State, North Central, Nigeria. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease, 2, 88–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.12691/ajeid-2-4-1AL YOUSEF, S. A. et al. (2016). Control. Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli on water at Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Pollution Effects & Control, 4(01). http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2375-4397.1000155BRADFORD, P.A. (2001). Extended-spectrum β-lactamases in the 21st century: characterization, epidemiology, and detection of this important resistance threat. 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Community-acquired extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers, United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13(7),1121–1123. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1307.070094DORMAN, H. and DEANS, S.G. (2000). Antimicrobial agents from plants: antibacterial activity of plant volatile oils. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 88(2), 308–416. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.00969.xGASPARI, R.J. et al. (2005). Antibiotic resistance trends in paediatric uropathogens. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 26(4), 267–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.07.009JONES R.N. (1986). NCCLS standards: approved methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Antimicrobic Newsletter, 3(1), 1–3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0738-1751(86)90022-5KOHANSKI, M.A. et al. (2007). A common mechanism of cellular death induced by bactericidal antibiotics. Cell, 130(5), 797–810. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2007.06.049LAL, P. et al. (2007). Occurrence of TEM & SHV gene in extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Klebsiella sp. isolated from a tertiary care hospital. Indian J. Med. Res., 125, 173–178.LIN, L. et al. (2017). Antibacterial poly (ethylene oxide) electrospun nanofibers containing cinnamon essential oil/ beta-cyclodextrin proteoliposomes. Carbohydrate Polymers, 178, 131–140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.09.043MAcKENZIE, F. et al. (2002). Comparison of screening methods for TEM-and SHV-derived extended-spectrum β-lactamase detection. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 8(11), 715–724. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-0691.2002.00473.xMOLAND, E.S et al. (2002). Occurrence of newer β-lactamases in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from 24 US hospitals. 2002. American Society for Microbiology, 46(12), 3837–3842. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aac.46.12.3837-3842.2002NARAYANASWAMY, A. and MALLIKA M.E. (2011). Prevalence and Susceptibility of extended spectrum beta-lactamases in urinary isolates of Escherichia coli in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Chennai-South India. Internet Journal of Medical Update, 6(1), 39–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijmu.v6i1.63975OJAGH, S.M. et al. (2010). Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable film made from chitosan and cinnamon essential oil with low affinity toward water. Food Chemistry, 122(1), 161–166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.02.033PATEL, J. et al. (2001). M100-S25, Performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, 23, 35–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0196-4399(01)88009-0PESAVENTO, G. et al. (2015). Antibacterial activity of Oregano, Rosmarinus and Thymus essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in beef meatballs. Food Control, 54, 188–199. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.01.045RAEISI, M. et al. (2015). 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Bond behaviour of FRP shear reinforcement on I-sections
No full textAlthough external fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcements are easy to manipulate around any shape, their behaviour varies with respect to the geometry of the strengthened cross sections. This is in particular the case for shear strengthening of I-sections, such as prestressed concrete girders. The externally bonded (EBR) FRP shear reinforcement is susceptible to early debonding around the internal angles at the web-flange interface. Due to this early debonding, strength of the FRP is not utilized efficiently. This paper demonstrates a newly developed test configuration to study bond behaviour and debonding mechanism of externally bonded FRP shear reinforcement around the web-flange interface in I-shaped specimens. FRP spike anchors were used to protect the early debonding at the web-flange interface that increased 35% of the ultimate shear load. Further, the obtained results in terms of bond capacity, failure aspect and anchorage behaviour are discussed in comparison to the standard FRP shear design and prediction models
Design Models for Interactive Learning Systems: Students\u27 Attitude towards E-Learning Interactions
No full textOne of the main objectives of educational research in the area of e-learning is the optimisation of instructional designs to maximise learning opportunities that can be offered through different types of learning interactions for different types of learners. Designing an effective learning system requires looking at several variables and considerations. This paper reviews related literature and looks at theories and models linking technology to learning. The paper concludes with a compiled list of possible factors that may influence students’ attitude towards the use of technology for learning as well as related interactivity design guidelines
Applying dynamic information principles to higher education systems:Design perspective
No full textThis paper promotes the integration of dynamic information (DI) principles with education systems to advance curriculum and instruction from traditional static designs to build dynamic education systems. DI should stimulate and support methodological flexibility for converging learner-centred and knowledge-centred education environments. This convergence is achieved through a complex mix of connected technologies and pedagogical methods. Flexibility and diversity are important principles to permit the application of multiple scalable digital communication tools, teaching methods and decision-making to advance this direction. This paper proposes a list of DI characteristics and a model that support the design of dynamic education systems.</p
Dynamic interactive learning systems
No full textThis paper reviews and discusses the notions of interactivity and dynamicity of learning systems in relation to information technologies and design principles that can contribute to interactive and dynamic learning. It explores the concept of dynamic interactive learning systems based on the emerging generation of information as part of a continuous research process in the area of Learning Systems Design. It proposes the addition of a dynamicity dimension to interactive learning systems design to reflect the continuous changes in information technologies, learners' needs and increasing availability of information. The paper concludes with a proposed model that reflects the concept of a dynamic feedback and adjustment mechanism that is generally missing from many learning systems.</p
Sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients
No full textThe prevalence of sleep disorders is higher in patients with kidney failure than the general population. We studied the prevalence of sleep disorders in 88 (mean age; 41.59 ± 16.3 years) chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients at the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura Uni-versity, Egypt over 4-month period. The investigated sleep disorders included insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), narcolepsy and sleep walking, and we used a questionnaire in accordance with those of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group, the Berlin questionnaire, Italian version of Epworth Sleepiness Scale, International Classification of Sleep Disorders, and the specific ques-tions of Hatoum′s sleep questionnaire. The prevalence of sleep disorders was 79.5% in our pa-tients, and the most common sleep abnormality was insomnia (65.9%), followed by RLS (42%), OSAS (31.8%), snoring (27.3%), EDS (27.3%), narcolepsy (15.9%), and sleep walking (3.4%). Insomnia correlated with anemia (r=0.31, P= 0.003), anxiety (r=0.279, P= 0.042), depression (r=0.298, P= 0.24) and RLS (r=0.327, P= 0.002). Also, RLS correlated with hypoalbuminemia (r=0.41, P= < 0.0001), anemia (r=0.301 and P= 0.046), hyperphosphatemia (r=0.343 and P= 0.001). EDS correlated with OSAS (r=0.5, P= < 0.0001), snoring (r=0.341, P= 0.001), and social worry (r=0.27, P= 0.011). Sleep disorders are quite common in the HD patients, especially those who are anemic and hypoalbuminemic. Assessment of sleep quality, preferably with polysomno-graphy, is necessary to confirm our results. Interventional studies for management of sleep disor-ders in HD patients are warranted
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