Recently published Research

Researchers

Ibrahim Alnafrah, Sulaiman Mouselli, and Elena Bogdanova

Published in

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Volume 11, No.2, July 2020.

Abstract

In the era of global economic structural transitions, evaluating the trade-off costs of prioritising digitisation over improving a sustainable socio-economic development in low-income economies should be placed at the core of policymaking. This study endeavours to examine the impact of digitisation on the transition to knowledge-based economy in low-income economies, post-conflict Syria as a case study. We use the documentary research method (DSM) to analyse documents related to digitisation and ICT related activities in Syria. Then, we run autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) to investigate the short and long-run relationship between digitization process and the transition process towards knowledge-based economy in post-conflict Syria. Our results indicate that the digitisation process in Syria is not a priority at the short and long-run and cannot solely support the transition process towards knowledge-based economy in post-conflict Syria. On the contrary, digitisation, in the absence of certain conditions, may harm the transition towards knowledge-based economy.

Keywords: Digitisation; knowledge-based economy; low-income countries; post-conflict Syria; human capital; ICT; information and communication technology.

Link to Abstract

https://doi.org/10.1504/IJKBD.2020.108369

Researchers

Manal Shammout

Published in

Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Volume 10, No.7, July 2020.

Abstract

This paper aims at enhancing writing skills by using cooperative learning strategies since recent methodologies in foreign language teaching have deviated the shift of focus from traditional teacher-oriented classes to more learner-centered contexts. Among the methods endorsed in teaching writing is the application of Cooperative Learning (CL). The use of CL has become an increasingly popular method to improve the learner’s linguistic, social and communicative competence. This research investigated the effects of CL to improve the writing skill of AIU students. A questionnaire was done to spot their problems and weak points. The quasi experimental design was used, with pre-test and post-test of two different kinds of essay as an instrument. Two different kinds of studies were employed qualitatively and quantitatively to analyze the data. The students’ writing was scored on the five writing components which were content, vocabulary, organization, grammar and mechanics see (Yusuf, Jusoh, & Yusuf, 2019). After analyzing the results of the post test, it was noted that there was a significant increase in the scores of students’ writing in comparison with their marks of the pretest as a result of implementing cooperative learning. Subsequently, the results lent credence to the positive effects of cooperative learning in enhancing writing performance and teachers were able to involve more students to participate and the class environment was very encouraging and intriguing. EFL participants in a cooperative learning ambience managed to foster the linguistic competence that they need to acquire which was also tackled in the paper.

Keywords: cooperative learning, jigsaw, STAD, writing.

Link to read full paper

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1007.10

Researchers

Samer Dakak; Fouad Wahbeh

Published in

Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, Volume 7, No.1, 2020.

Abstract

The increasing population in large cities, such as Damascus, leads imperatively to upgrade the transport system to fulfill new requirements in terms of modern, effective, secure, operational and fast transport network services. Damascus future Metro network is probably one of the solutions to realize the social, economic and technological development. This paper applies Flow Capturing Location Allocation Model (FCLM) to trace the optimal lines, localize the appropriate stations, and estimate the approximate cost. It suggests changes to Damascus directorate Initial line plans based on optimal stations localization criteria.

Keywords: Transportation Management, Damascus Metro Network, Flow Capturing Location Allocation Model, Station Localization.

Link to read full paper

http://www.aasmr.org/liss/Vol.7/Vol.7%20No.1-5.pdf

Researchers

Rawa Akasha, Abdul Wahab Allaf, Mohammad Amer Al-Mardini

Published in

Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2020.

Abstract

Canagliflozin is a newly approved drug for type II diabetes mellitus, in the present work, a strategy based on high performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (HPLC-UV/MS) method was proposed to systematically characterize the in vivo metabolites of canagliflozin in Rats. After oral administration of Canagliflozin to rats in a single dose of 3mg/kg, the rat plasma, urine, feces samples were collected and used in order to to determine metabolites. As a result of that and besides the parent drug, a total of 12 metabolites of canagliflozin were detected and identified.it was indicated that the metabolic pathways of canagliflozin in rats included: oxidation (as a main rout), glucuronation, and hydroxylation The result could provide valuable information regarding the metabolism of canagliflozin in rats, which contribute to better understanding of its action mechanism.

Keywords: canagliflozin; metabolites; diabetes; HPLC-UV/MS; sodium glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor.

Link to abstract

https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2020.00078.5

Researchers

Marwan Al-Raeei and Moustafa Sayem El-Daher

Published in

Polymer Bulletin, online first article, March 2020.

Abstract

Based on solutions of the Ornstein–Zernike equation, we derive analytical formula for the specific volume of polymers interacting through Lennard-Jones potential. We use mean spherical approximation assuming that the system is of low density, homogeneous, isotropic and composed of one component. The specific volumes of some polymers in addition to the minimum volumes of Lennard-Jones potential and the specific volumes of proteinogenic amino acids: A, R, N, D, C, Q, E, G, H, I, L, K, M, F, P, S, T, W, Y and V, are calculated according to that formula. We show that the simple formula we derive is reliable and agrees well with results obtained from experimental and fitting reported in other studies. We believe that it can be used for many systems described by Lennard-Jones potential such as biological systems, soft matter systems, and large molecules such as polymers and inert gases fluids like liquid argon.

Keywords:  Ornstein–Zernike equation, Lennard-Jones potential, One-component fluid, Specific volume, Proteinogenic amino acids.

Link to abstract

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03166-8  

Researchers

Marwan Al-Raeei and Moustafa Sayem El-Daher

Published in

AIP Advances, Volume 10, Issue 3, Published online: March 2020.

Abstract

Based on methods of numerical integration and Riemann–Liouville definition of the fractional derivatives, we find a numerical algorithm to find solutions of the time independent fractional Schrodinger equation for Morse potential or the quantum oscillator potential in one dimension, and the iteration formula is applied for multiple values of the fractional parameter of the space dependent fractional Schrodinger equation and multiple values of energy. We define and use the dimensionless form of the space dependent fractional Schrodinger equation of Morse potential. We employ the iteration formula of the time independent fractional Schrodinger equation of Morse potential to find the wave functions in the case of hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride molecules for a certain value of the fractional parameter of the space dependent fractional Schrodinger equation and for many values of the dimensionless energy of each molecule.

Keywords: Fractional Schrödinger equation, space dependent fractional Schrodinger equation, Morse potential.

Link to read full paper

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5113593

Researchers

Dr. Yahyaa Qusam

Published in

Damascus University Journal for the Arts and Humanities, Volume 35, Issue 2, 2019.

Abstract

The study of the countryside is considered one of the traditional studies. First, there are many factors affecting life in the countryside. Second, phenomena that are reliable to study are diverse. Third, there phenomena are constantly changing. Farming forms the essence of the relationship between the farmer and the land. However, the work done by farmers’ children is not limited to farming. Working in the countryside, especially next to cities, became diverse with the diversity of professions and specialties, and this led to the continuous departure of the sons of countryside from work in the land causing the weakness of belonging to it, and thus the land losing its social value, which was cherished by the peasants, and becoming a commodity easy to sell and buy.

This field study focuses on a specific issue: the effect of change in the type of work in the village on the social value of land. The study took the village of “Jdeidat Artouz” as a model for the villages invaded by the city. Its residents are straying away from agricultural work, especially those who are educated, to other jobs. That leads to the continuous departure from the land. The research relied on the descriptive analytical method, which enabled benefiting from the observations obtained, which were formed as indicators in the means of study, enabling data collection and analysis and then the formulation of the results that were included at the end of the research.

Link to read full paper

http://www.damascusuniversity.edu.sy/mag/human/FCKBIH/file/2-2019/171-207ch.pdf

Researchers

Dr. Maya Hadeh

Published in

Graphè, Caïn et Abel (n°29), March 2020.

Abstract

Genesis 4 sets the scene for Abel and Cain conflict, which culminates in God’s different reaction to their sacrifices. God’s unexplained preference for the sacrifice of Abel constituted a major interpretive dilemma for the French poet Charles Baudelaire. In his eponymous poem, Baudelaire invite the reader to speculate on the omission of an explicit motive for the fratricide of Abel.

In this study, we examine how Baudelaire revise the biblical story of Cain and how the main aspects of this legend have been altered in his works. We will show how his writing, which deals with issues concerning freedom an rebellion against unfair authority, aims to metamorphose the first murderer in history to a hero of the reprobated humanity.

Key words: Charles Baudelaire, Cain and Abel, Bible, murder, rebellion.

Link to Issue

http://apu.univ-artois.fr/Revues-et-collections/Graphe/Cain-et-Abel-n-29

Researchers

Dr. Ibrahim Alghoraibi, and Sandy Alomari

Published in book

Handbook of Nanofibers, June 2019.

Abstract

Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous increase in the demand for polymeric nanofibers which are promising candidates for various applications including tissue engineering, blood vessels, nervous system, drug delivery, protective clothing, filtration, and sensors. To address this demand, researchers have turned to the development of various techniques such as several non-electrospinning and several electrospinning techniques for the fabrication of nanofibers. In this chapter, a comprehensive and systematic review covering all the techniques used to produce nanofibers have discussed. Some of the techniques include drawing techniques, spinneret-based tunable engineered parameters (STEP) method, phase separation, self-assembly, template synthesis, freeze-drying synthesis and interfacial polymerization of nanofibers. The electrospinning technique is well referenced for its effectiveness in the production of nanofibers. The past two decades have witnessed the development of the traditional electrospinning technique and many derivative methods have been emerged such as multi-jets electrospinning, needless electrospinning, Bubble electrospinning, electroblowing, cylindrical porous hollow tube electrospinning, Melt electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, force-spinning, flash-spinning, self-bundling electrospinning, nanospider electrospinning, charge injection electrospinning, etc.

This chapter also highlights some of the advantages and disadvantages of each production process. In addition, schematic diagrams of various methods for nanofibers production, and the features of nanofibers that can be produced using each technique are illustrated.

Key words: Nanofibers, Electrospinning, Electrospraying, Bubble electrospinning, Drawing, Phase separation, Self-assembly, Template synthesis, Freez drying, Interfacial polymerization, Electroblowin.

Link to abstract

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53655-2_11

Researchers

Dr. Hourieh Alkadi

Published in

Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - Infectious Disorders), Volume 20, Issue 1, 2020.

Abstract

Free radicals are generated in our body by several systems. A balance among free radicals and antioxidants is an important matter for appropriate physiological function. If free radicals become greater than the ability of the body to control them, a case known as oxidative stress appears, as a result of that, a number of human diseases spread in the body. Antioxidants can contribute to facing this oxidative stress. The present review provides a brief overview of free radicals, oxidative stress, some natural antioxidants and the relationship between them.

Key words: Free radicals, ROS, oxidative stress, antioxidant vitamins, antioxidant peptides, antioxidant flavonoids.

Link to abstract

https://doi.org/10.2174/1871526518666180628124323