Recently published Research

Researchers

Marwan Al‑Raeei and Moustafa Sayem El‑Daher

Published in

BMC Chemistry, Volume 14, Article number 47, August 2020.

Abstract

Based on solutions of the Ornstein–Zernike equation (OZE) of Lennard–Jones potential for mean spherical approximation (MSA), we derive analytical formula for the compressibility assuming that the system is of low density, homogeneous, isotropic and composed of one component. Depending on this formula, we find the values of the bulk modulus and the compressibility of air at room temperature and the bulk modulus and the compressibility of Methane, Ethylene, Propylene and Propane at nine per ten of critical temperature of each hydrocarbon. Also, we find the speed of sound in the air at various temperatures, the speed of sound in each of Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Methane, Ethylene, Propylene, Propane, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Fluorine, Chlorine, Oxygen, Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Carbon dioxide, Nitric oxide, Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide and dichlorodifluoromethane at room temperature.

Besides, we find the speed of sound in Methane, Ethylene, Propylene and Propane at nine per ten of critical temperature of each hydrocarbons depending on the formula we find. We show that the simple formula we derive in this work is reliable and agrees with the results obtained from other studies and literatures. We believe it can be used for many systems which are in low densities and described by Lennard–Jones potential.

Keywords: Compressibility, Lenard–Jones potential, Bulk modulus, One component fluid, Bulk modulus, Static structure factor, Ornstein–zernike equation and radial distribution function, Speed of sound, Critical temperature, Simple fluid.

Link to read full paper

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-020-00702-5

Researchers

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

Published in

Arab Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Journal of the Society of Arab Universities, Volume 6, Issue 3, May 2020.

Abstract

Canagliflozin is a novel, orally selective inhibitor of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In this study, a sensitive method for the separation and quantification of canagliflozin and its metabolites in rat plasma were established and validated.

Chromatographic separation of canagliflozin and its metabolites was carried out on C18 column (250×4.6 mm, i.d. 5μm) using acetonitrile–formic acid 0.1% in a gradient mode as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/ min. Canagliflozin and its metabolites were extracted from rat’s plasma by protein precipitation method using methanol. The mass spectrometric detection was performed using electrospray ionization source in negative mode ESI-.

The method was validated according to USP 35 guideline recommendations and to the ICH guidelines for validation. The method is suitable to apply in the characterization of oral pharmacokinetic profiles of canagliflozin in rats.

Keywords: Canagliflozin, metabolites, LC-MS, Plasma, validation.

Link to read full paper

http://asscph.com/issu/6-3.pdf

Researchers

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

Published in

Arab Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Journal of the Society of Arab Universities, Volume 6, Issue 1, July 2019.

Abstract

In this work, Impurities of canagliflozin in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the product are detected and identified. The related isomers are also separated using LC-MS technique, and all the applied analytical methods were validated Canagliflozin is a novel antidiabetic drug. It works by inhibiting the sodium-glucose transport protein (SGLT2). This transport protein is found in the kidney, which is responsible for reabsorbing glucose that has been filtered at kidney tubules.

This inhibition is decreasing blood sugar amount which absorbed in the body and increasing the amount of sugar that leaves the body in the urine.

The analyses and detections have been carried out using UV detector at 290 nm and Mass Spectrometer with Electro-Spray Ionization (ESI) mode. The method was validated according to USP 35 guideline recommendations and the ICH guidelines for validation.

Impurities in the investigated drug were found to be around 0.1±% according to ICH guideline and therefore no need for isolation and identification.

Keywords: Canagliflozin, Impurities, LC-MS, Isomers.

Link to read full paper

http://asscph.com/issu/1-6.pdf

Researchers

Abdulrazzak Ajaj

Published in

Damascus University Journal of Engineering Sciences, Volume 34, Issue 1, 2018.

Abstract

The development of the surveying exploitation concepts data cope with the advanced techniques of measurements, computations, drawing of maps and the proliferation of automated systems, thus enabling data to be stored and exchanged in general. The advanced methods of digital cadastral representation have replaced the traditional manual methods of the utilization of real estate maps, especially in the field of planar area computations. This goes with the increasing depend on an accuracy requirements of computation, which the traditional methods cannot achieve as a result of the increasing values of agricultural and residential real estates.

This paper presents the most important methods in the field of planar and tilted cadastral area computations, either by using field observations or others like 3-dimensional extent (3D point coordinates), and accuracy evaluation of each suggested method.

The paper also focuses on the differences in computations of horizontal and tilted planer areas related to the mean sea level, map projection, earth surface slope and the effects of all those factors on the differences mentioned above.

This research studies and highlights the different methods in computations of 3D-space planer areas which are as close as possible to the actual situation of real estate entities, thus making use of all horizontal and vertical data available about those entities, which is accomplished by the integration of cadastral data and the digital topographic ones, in order to achieve those requirements of planar tilted area computations.

Keywords: Tilted planar area, planar area, Real estate (cadastral entity), spatial data, 3-dimensional coordinates, Computation accuracy.

Link to read full paper

http://damascusuniversity.edu.sy/mag/eng/FCKBIH/file/1-2018/25-38.pdf

Researchers

Khloud Al Jallad, Mohamad Aljnidi and Mohammad Said Desouki

Published in

Journal of Big Data, Volume 7, Article number 68, August 2020.

Abstract

Anomaly-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has been a hot research topic because of its ability to detect new threats rather than only memorized signatures threats of signature-based IDS. Especially after the availability of advanced technologies that increase the number of hacking tools and increase the risk impact of an attack. The problem of any anomaly-based model is its high false-positive rate. The high false-positive rate is the reason why anomaly IDS is not commonly applied in practice. Because anomaly-based models classify an unseen pattern as a threat where it may be normal but not included in the training dataset. This type of problem is called overfitting where the model is not able to generalize. Optimizing Anomaly-based models by having a big training dataset that includes all possible normal cases may be an optimal solution but could not be applied in practice. Although we can increase the number of training samples to include much more normal cases, still we need a model that has more ability to generalize. In this research paper, we propose applying deep model instead of traditional models because it has more ability to generalize. Thus, we will obtain less false-positive by using big data and deep model. We made a comparison between machine learning and deep learning algorithms in the optimization of anomaly-based IDS by decreasing the false-positive rate. We did an experiment on the NSL-KDD benchmark and compared our results with one of the best used classifiers in traditional learning in IDS optimization. The experiment shows 10% lower false-positive by using deep learning instead of traditional learning.

Keywords: Intrusion detection systems (IDS), Security intelligence optimization, Unknown threats, big data, NSL-KDD dataset, False-positive.

Link to read full paper

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40537-020-00346-1

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