The study aimed to evaluate the distance learning experience in light of the spread of the Corona pandemic - Covid19 - from the teachers' point of view in Islamic Science Institutes in the Sultanate of Oman, which was applied during the second semester of the 2019/2020 academic year. The study sample consisted of (77) teachers from The Islamic Science Institutes of The Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science. The researchers prepared a questionnaire to evaluate the reality of the experience. The study results revealed, the followings: The Department of Educational Affairs and Training at The Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science was able to a moderate degree in the rapid transition to a distance learning system following the suspension of studies due to the spread of the Coronavirus - Covid19 -; the teachers see to a high degree the importance of applying the distance learning system; the Microsoft Teams educational platform that was used to teach in the distance learning system was appropriate at a high level; and that although the teachers’ readiness appeared to a high degree, the students’ readiness was low according to the teachers’ point of view. The study also found that there was a group of challenges facing the application of the distance learning system, the most important of which were the weak infrastructure for internet and communications networks and the lack of computers for teachers and students. The results of the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) also found that there were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores on the distance education questionnaire in The Islamic Science Institutes according to teachers' specializations and years of practical experience and the interaction between these two variables. This confirms that teachers’ opinions about the learning system experience are similar regardless of their specializations or years of practical experience. Finally, the researchers recommended a set of recommendations, the most important of which is the continuation of continuous training for teachers and students on modern technologies that serve the application of the distance learning system. They also suggested conducting more studies on the reality of applying the distance learning system in various educational institutions in the Sultanate of Oman.
A particle swarm optimization algorithm and neural network like self-tuning PID controller for CSTR system is presented. The scheme of the discrete-time PID control structure is based on neural network and tuned the parameters of the PID controller by using a particle swarm optimization PSO technique as a simple and fast training algorithm. The proposed method has advantage that it is not necessary to use a combined structure of identification and decision because it used PSO. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive PID neural control algorithm in terms of minimum tracking error and smoothness control signal obtained for non-linear dynamical CSTR system.
The photocatalyst process is considered the most promising method for the removal of water contamination. For excellent chemical and structural properties of Co3O4 nanoparticles, various Co3O4-based nanostructures can be applied as a photocatalyst. In this work, carbon quantum dots is prepared via an eco-friendly process and linked to Co3O4 effectively. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalyst process reveals that prepared nanocomposites can be degraded methylene blue under solar irradiation strongly. Results showed that methylene blue and methyl orange are degraded via
... Show MoreIn this study, pebble bed as an absorber and storage material was placed in a south facing, flat plate air-type solar collector at fixed tilt angle of (45°). The effect of this material and differ- ent parameters on collector efficiency has been investigated experimentally and
theoretically. Two operation modes were employed to study the performance of the solar air heater. An inte- grated mode of continuous operation of the system during the period of (11:00 am – 3:00 pm) and non-integrated mode in which the system stored the solar energy through the day then used the stored energy during the period of (3:00 pm – 8:00 pm). The results of parametric study in case of continuous operating showed that the maximum average temperatur
The present paper addresses cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae using airlift photobioreactor that sparged with 5% CO 2 /air. The experimental data were compared with that obtained from bioreactor aerated with air and unsparged bioreactor. The results showed that the concentration of biomass is 0.36 g l -1 in sparged bioreactor with CO2/air, while, the concentration of biomass reached to 0.069 g l -1 in the unsparged bioreactor. They showed also that aerated ioreactor.with CO2/air gives more biomass production even the bioreactor was aerated with air. This study proved that application of sparging system for ultivation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae using either CO2/air mixture or air has a significant
... Show MoreCar drivers hear many kinds of noise inside their vehicles' cabins, and the most annoying ones are the noise generated by tires, engines, and outside winds. Noise affects the comfort of the passengers inside the cabin, and it’s sad to say that modern cars are noisier in many kinds of noise signals due to using a lot of plastic materials in new budget cars. For expensive and luxury cars, the problem is solved by using better sound insulation materials, but for the budget ones, the approach used here is effective. It is called Active Noise Cancellation and can be done using analog or digital electronics. An operational amplifier and filters are used for the analog one, and in the digital one, signal processor chips are used. In engineeri
... Show MoreObjectives This work presents laser coating of grade 1 pure titanium (Ti) dental implant surface with sintered biological apatite beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which has a chemical composition close to bone. Materials and methods Pulsed Nd:YAG laser of single pulse capability up to 70 J/10 ms and pulse peak power of 8 kW was used to implement the task. Laser pulse peak power, pulse duration, repetition rate and scanning speed were modulated to achieve the most homogenous, cohesive and highly adherent coat layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (EDX), optical microscopy and nanoindentation analyses were conducted to characterise and evaluate the microstructure, phases, modulus of elasticity
... Show MoreIn this study, a new adsorbent derived from sunflower husk powder and coated in CuO nanoparticles (CSFH) was investigated to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of Levofloxacin (LEV), Meropenem (MER), and Tetracycline (TEC) from an aqueous solution. Significant improvements in the adsorption capacity of the sunflower husk were identified after the powder particles had been coated in CuO nanoparticles. Kinetic data were correlated using a pseudo-second-order model, and was successful for the three antibiotics. Moreover, high compatibility was identified between the LEV, MER, and TEC, isotherm data, and the Langmuir model, which produced a better fit to suit the isotherm curves. In addition, the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adso
... Show MoreSome genetic factors are not only involved in some autoimmune diseases but also interfere with their treatment, Such as Crohn's disease (CD), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriasis (PS). Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) is a most important pro-inflammatory cytokine, which has been recognized as a main factor that participates in the pathogenesis and development of autoimmune disorders. Therefore, TNF could be a prospective target for treating these disorders, and many anti-TNF were developed to treat these disorders. Although the high efficacy of many anti-TNF biologic medications, the Patients' clinical responses to the autoimmune treatment showed significant heterogeneity. Two types of TNF receptor (TNFR); 1 an
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