The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences

Number 02, 2018

1-22
Solving Polynomial Inequalities with GeoGebra: Opportunities of Visualization and Multiple Representations

Authors: Hussein A. Tarraf; Ale J. Hejase; Hussin J. Hejase

Abstract

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Number of views: 630

The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the ways students’ instrumentation of Computer Algebra System (CAS) can help promote their algebraic reasoning while solving polynomial inequalities. In addition, the relation between students’ CAS techniques and paper-and-pencil (P&P) techniques are explored, together with the difficulties that students may face as they apply these techniques. Research participants are 33 tenth graders at a private mixed gender school in Mount-Lebanon, distributed among nine homogenous groups, five of which are selected as focus groups. The study is qualitative in nature. Data is collected from pretests, students’ written solutions of four instructional activities, laptop screen recordings, video recordings of whole-class discussions, and audio recorded interviews with students in the focus groups. The findings of the study show that students’ lack of prerequisite knowledge of the topic of functions and their low level of familiarity with GeoGebra software are determinant factors that hinder these students’ instrumentation of CAS and hence their reasoning processes as well as their implementation of the solving techniques. High and middle-achieving students’ solving techniques acquired little epistemic and some pragmatic values, whereas low achieving students’ solving techniques acquired heuristic values.

23-32
Normalized Cumulative Periodogram Method For Tuning A Regularization Parameter of The EEG Inverse Problem

Authors: Mohammed J. Aburidi; Adnan Salman

Abstract

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Number of views: 496

Investigation of the functional neuronal activity in the human brain depends on the localization of Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals to their cortex sources, which requires solving the source localization inverse problem. The problem is ill-conditioned and under-determinate, and so it is ill-posed. To find a treatment of the ill-posed nature of the problem, a regularization scheme must be applied. A crucial issue in the application of any regularization scheme, in any domain, is the optimal selection of the regularization parameter. The selected regularization parameter has to find an optimal tradeoff between the data fitting term and the amount of regularization. Several methods exist for finding an optimal estimate of the regularization parameter of the ill-posed problems in general. In this paper, authors investigate the normalized cumulative periodogram (NCP) and apply it to the source localization problem. Furthermore, authors compare its performance with other two parameter choice methods which are L-curve and Generalized-Cross Validation (GCV) in terms of accuracy and reliability. Authors opted the WMNE algorithm to solve the EEG inverse problem with the application of different noise levels and different simulated source generators. Our results indicate that NCP method gives the best estimation for the regularization parameter in general. However, for some levels of noise, GCV method has similar performance. In contrast, both NCP and GCV methods outperform the L-curve method and resulted in a better average localization error.

33-38
The Characteristics of Travel Insurance in Georgia and Its Ways of Improvement

Authors: Zurab Mushkudiani; Nana Shonia; Badri Gechbaia

Abstract

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Number of views: 271

Recent studies clearly show that the number of citizens who travel abroad is growing annually. Naturally, the main interest of tourists is sightseeing. Many tourists are focused on increasing their awareness of an interesting part of the world or going to a resort to relax or to recover for health reasons. With these intentions, tourists rarely think about the negative possibilities, accidents and hazards that can occur during travel (e.g. sudden sickness, fractures, various traumas, loss of documents, loss of luggage prior to issuing a visa. Therefore the importance of travel insurance is revealed. However, some travel problems might be arranged by the tourist agency in terms of giving clear instruction before their leaving, but no one is insured by unexpectedness that might be encountered to any tourist, etc.). Studies concerning insurance reveal that only the insurance company can assist a tourist in an extreme situation. Every developed country should require travel insurance as a basic requirement.

39-41
Knowledge and Awareness of Hazards Associated with Use Cotton Buds in Saudi Community

Authors: Akrm Ibrahem Alwassel; Osama Mansour Alateeq; Muath Salman Almuhaini; Mohammed Khalid Alruzayhi

Abstract

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Number of views: 315

Cotton buds are commonly used to clean the ears, remove wax, in case of itching in the ear, aural toilet in discharging ears and some time as a habit. The current study aims to explore the level of awareness and knowledge among the Saudi community regarding the hazards associated with using cotton buds for ears cleaning. A cross-sectional descriptive study had been performed on a sample composed of 93 individuals by administering a pre-designed questionnaire for two weeks period. Results had shown that there is a significant lack of knowledge and awareness among the community members regarding the hazards and further complications that could result from using cotton buds for ears cleaning. Moreover, findings of the study had shown that there is a weakness in providing the correct information and guidelines about the risk of using cotton buds. The study concluded that Saudi community has a poor awareness and knowledge levels regarding the hazards associated with the use of cotton buds, and recommends that intensive awareness campaigns are needed to educate people and increase their knowledge level.

42-44
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Ear Care in Saudi Community

Authors: Osama Mansour Alateeq; Akrm Ibrahem Alwassel; Muath Salman Almuhaini; Mohammed Khalid Alruzayhi

Abstract

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Number of views: 443

Ear cleaning and removing the available wax out of them is one of the most widely spread habits among the different populations despite the harmful effect and consequences that could result. Ear wax is useful and protective for the human ears, and in normal cases, it exists in healthy amounts inside the ear canal. The current study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ear care among Saudi community members through studying a sample composed of 200 participants from both rural and urban populations. A self-administered questionnaire composed of 15 items had been administered to the study groups. Findings of the study had shown that there is a lack of knowledge and a high practice of incorrect habits, besides to the low awareness level among the rural population regarding ear care compared to the urban population. The study recommends that there is a need to perform more studies and increase the awareness of the community members towards the correct and healthy way of ear care.

45-47
Public Awareness of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency Causes and Prevalence Factors

Authors: Muath Salman Almuhaini; Mohammed Khalid Alruzayhi; Akrm Ibrahem Alwassel; Osama Mansour Alateeq

Abstract

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Number of views: 587

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an x-linked disorder that consequently causes the hemolysis of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) if exposed or triggered by certain factors. The current study aims to measure the awareness and knowledge level of the Saudi community in Riyadh city. A random sample of 86 participants was asked to fill a pre-designed questionnaire examining the awareness and knowledge level about G6PD deficiency. Results of the study had shown that the Saudi community had a poor knowledge level about G6PD deficiency, especially in the pattern of inheritance, symptoms, and factors triggering this disorder. The study had recommended that there is an urgent need to carry out awareness campaigns to increase the Saudi community awareness level regarding G6PD deficiency.

48-54
The Effect of Smartphone Usage on the Upper Extremity Performance among Saudi Youth, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Authors: Mohammed Khalid Alruzayhi; Muath Salman Almuhaini; Akrm Ibrahem Alwassel; Osama Mansour Alateeq

Abstract

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Number of views: 453

The current study aims to investigate the effect of smartphones usage on the upper extremity performance among Saudi youth. A goniometer to measure the Range of Motion (ROM), the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), McGill Pain scale and Chattanooga stabilizer were used to perform the current study on a sample of 300 university students from Al-Imam Mohammed bin Saud University. Results had shown that smartphone addiction is negatively correlated to the elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder abduction, shoulder adduction, and both shoulder internal and external rotation. Furthermore, results had shown that McGill pain scores were positively correlated to elbow flexion, shoulder flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder abduction, shoulder adduction, and both shoulder internal and external rotation. The study had concluded that smartphone usage among Saudi youth is negatively affecting the upper extremity and causing a significant increase in the pain intensity. The study had recommended that there is an urgent need for a significant awareness campaign to warn the community regarding the impact of using smartphones for long periods of time.