research-compendium-en-2005-2006

Ajman University of Science and Technology Network

(AUST Network) Research, Information and Training Council

(RIT Council)

ANNUAL RESEARCH COMPENDIUM 2005/2006

Volume 2 Ajman, United Arab Emirates December 2006

Revised by: Research and Working Team chaired by Mrs. Nuha Hashimi Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Architectural Engineering & Interior Design, AUST Network

Contact:

Dr. Omer A. Attef General Secretary, Research, Information and Training Council Ajman University of Science and Technology Network PO Box: 346, Ajman, UAE Tel.: +971-6-7056213 Fax: +971-6-7438888 Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

AUST Network - RIT Council

Annual Research Compendium: 2005/2006 1

The Exalted Said:

" O my Lord ! increase me in knowledge."

020.114



Message From His Excellency,

The President of AUST Network In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, His Family and His Companions. Dear Scholars and researchers, Greetings, We take pleasure today in introducing to you the second publication of the Research Compendium of Ajman University of Science and Technology Network containing staff research findings published in local and international periodicals, journals and presented at conferences during the academic year 2005 -2006. We gave our blessings to the remarkable achievement of our first publication and we now offer you our second publication. Our insistence on the continuity of the publication aims to document AUST Network research findings collected over a whole academic year, to make them known both in and out of the Network in order to explore future research topics. Research in AUST Network is characterized by the Network’s comprehensive vision which is based on three dimensions: education, information and investment and an education philosophy that considers research as a field for practice and as a standard for assessment as well as for teaching, training, expertise and practice. Research is the scientific instrument for scrutinizing and distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong. As a matter of fact, as previously stated, any educational, informational and investment institution that does not undertake



research is like a body without a soul. The AUST Network model is interwoven in a unique way, producing networking in the three dimensions: tertiary education, information and investment. These dimensions integrate, interact and match together in the Network in order to allow outputs to recycle the dimensions: education, information and investment. The recycling of concepts and content in this context is indeed to foster knowledgeable readers and research semantics through the research abstracts. We would like to take this opportunity to emphasize an important issue which should be considered carefully when undertaking research. It pertains to clarity of thought and vision as well as assimilation to ensure quality in achieving objectives. We, in AUST Network, strive to study deep methodical research culture according to sound standards and, at the same time, to avoid shallow cultures and mediocre theses. Research methodological standards must be channeled through research teams to enhance their roles and consequently to consolidate the team spirit and to link research findings to experimentation and implementation. May Allah Bless You.

Dr. Saeed Abdullah Salman President, Ajman University of Science & Technology Network

President, Association of Arab Private Institutions for Higher Education

President, Euro-Arab Research Network



Table of Contents Faculty Of Engineering: 15

- MATHEMATICS FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMS: AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE: Fahar G. Hayati and Anas N. Ali 17

- DEVELOPING CAPSTONE PROJECT AS A PLATFORM FOR INTEGRATING TEACHING RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Fahar G. Hayati 18

- SIGNAL BEHAVIOR OF ADAPTIVE FILTERING ALGORITHMS IN A NONSTATIONARY ENVIRONMENT WITH SINGULAR DATA COVARIANCE MATRIX: E. Eweda 19

- CONTRIBUTION OF DESIGN PROJECTS IN ENHANCING THE OUTCOME OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM COURSE: Mustahsan Mir 20

- ROLE OF STUDENTS' SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES IN COMMUNITY SERVICE: Mustahsan Mir and Tazeen Sharif 21

- A WEB-BASED LABORATORY FOR PERFORMING EXPERIMENTS IN BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES: Mustahsan Mir, T. Sharif, Z. Ahmadian, and A. Hassanpour 22

- DEVELOPING DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION SKILLS IN DATA ACQUISITION AND CONTROL THROUGH SERIAL DESIGN PROJECTS: Mustahsan Mir 23

- MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A SMART TWO-DIRECTIONS MOSFET MAGNETIC SENSOR: Ali Abou-Elnour 24

- MODELING OF A PRECISE MOS SENSOR ARRAY SYSTEM FOR 2D DETECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS: Ali Abou-Elnour, Ossama Abo-Elnor, Essam Y. Mohamedand and M. Marzouk Ibrahim 25

- THE NEW ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING GCC ELECTRICITY MARKET: Amir Majid 26



- AN INFORMATION ARM OF UNIVERSITY; TECHNOLOGY CITIZEN ADVISOR AND SECOND OPINION CENTERS: Amir Majid 27

- STUDENT GRADUATION PROJECTS AND FIELD TRAINING IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY: Amir Majid 28

- MEMS AD/DA CONVERTERS: Amir Majid 29

- INTEGRATION OF FIELD TRIPS INTO SELECTED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES: Kifah Al-Ansari and Anas N. Ali 30

- MICROCLIMATE EFFECT AND THE DESIGN PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN’S OUTDOOR SPACES IN U.A.E.: Sabah A.L. Mushatat and Mohammed F. Sherzad 31

- THE EVALUATION OF TYPOLOGY IN TEACHING OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIOS IN AJMAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NETWORK: Sabah A.L. Mushatat and Mohammed F. Sherzad 32

- DUBAI CITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF CREATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS: Mohammad S. Arar 33

- SUSTAINABILITY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY: Claude Bérubé 35

- HOUSING DESIGN PERFORMANCE AFFECTED BY SAND DEPOSITS IN THE SAHARA DESERT: Mohammed Sherzad 37

- THE STRATEGY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING EDUCATION - MARKET NEEDS INTERACTION: Nabil Ashry Ibrahim and Bassim M.K Saleh 38

- POST-OIL CITY: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PETROLEUM DEPLETION ON URBAN FORM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE OF SUSTAINABILITY: Faisal Hamid 39

- THE IMPACT OF THE URBAN GROWTH ON THE QUALITY OF SPACES IN AJMAN: Bouzid Boudiaf 40

- FROM THE PRACTICE OF A DESIGN KNOWLEDGE TO THE DESIGN OF NEW KNOWLEDGE IN ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN DESIGNS: Bouzid Boudiaf 41

- HOMES, DWELLINGS AND THE QUALITY OF THE URBAN SPACES: ALGIERS AS A CASE STUDY: Bouzid Boudiaf 43



- HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF UNSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES: NOISE EFFECT EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: Rizeq Hammad and Ali Amayrah 44

- COLOR IN THE UAE PUBLIC HOUSE: Ali Amayrah 45

- MODERN DESIGN OF COMMERCIAL BANKING HALLS AND ITS EFFECT ON CUSTOMERS AND BANKING TRANSACTIONS-CASE STUDY IN UAE: Ali Amayrah 46

- INTEGRATING DESIGN ELEMENTS IN THE INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT: Nuha Hashimi 47

Faculty Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences: 51

- SMOKING CESSATION CAMPAIGN AND THE NEW ROLES OF PHARMACIST IN DIABETES MANAGEMENT: Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem 53

- PATIENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS SERVICES PROVIDED IN DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY: Abduelkarem, A.R., Yousif, A.M. and Alnahawi, K.M 55

- MAJOR DRIVERS OF PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBING CHOICES: Abduelkarem, A.R., ElGharably, A.F., and ElGharably, M.F. 57

- OUR CHILDREN ... OUR LIFE, THEIR HEALTH … OUR CONCERN: Abduelkarem, A.R., Kataya, Y.M., Al-Shakarchi MM, Abdulal HM, and Pacha R. 59

- ANTIOXIDANTS: Yaman Kassab, Abduljalil Albetar and Omer Attef 61

- KOHL: A COSMETIC HAZARDOUS PRODUCT: Basma Jamal Al Najjar and Omer Attef 62

- A SUGGESTION FOR THE NEW CLINICAL APPLICATIONS FOR TAURINE AND BROMOCRIPTINE: Abdulrahim Abu Jayyab 63

- MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE U.A.E: Ibrahim M. Abu-Al-Futuh and Aisha Ibrahim Saad 65



- EFFECT OF ABOUTHIOULINE, A NOVEL DRUG WITH THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AS ANTITHYROID ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN MICE AND RATS: Hisham S. Abou-Auda

and Rafiq R. A. Abou-

Shaaban 66

- AEROALLERGEN SENSITIVITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Taki Almosawi and Tarik Al Zubaidi 67

- TESTS FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA: Hasna Al-Mohammad and Samir Essa Bloukh 68

- BREAST CANCER IN THE U.A.E.: Maisaa Omer, Lina Ahmad and Nihal Abdalla 69

- DETERMINING STUDENT AWARENESS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI DISEASE AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA: Tarik AlZubaidy and Syed Azhar 70

- GHRELIN, APPETITE AND WEIGHT CONTROL: Dareen Abdulhadi, Hdaia Al Najjar, Noha Allam and Nihal Abdalla 72

- MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC MIRACLES OF THE HOLY QURAN: Heba Ahmed Ibrahim 73

- QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP STUDIES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL N2- SUBSTITUTED PHENAZINES: Khairi M. Salem 74

- NASAL CARRIAGE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND METHICILLIN-RESISTANT S AUREUS IN THREE CAMPUSES OF AJMAN UNIVERSITY IN EMIRATES, 1998-2006: Tarik AlZubaidy and Syed Azhar 75

- AVIAN INFLUENZA: Ali Alqallaf, Zakia Metwali and Yasser Elshabrawy 77

- HYPERTENSION: M. Mahmud, D.Michel, A. Mohammad and Y. El-shabrawy 78

- SICKLE CELL ANEMIA: Roqiya Hamid Alhabsi, Marium Mostafa Mohamed and Yasser El-Shabrawy 79



Faculty of Business Administration: 81

- UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MODUS OPERANDI OF PR DEPARTMENTS: Rubeena Cetin 83

- GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY: Srinivas Inguva 84

- SERVICE OPERATING COSTS AND EFFICIENCY, A CASE STUDY ON UAE BANKS: Srinivas Inguva 85

- ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING PRACTICES IN UAE: Srinivas Inguva 87

Faculty of

Computer Science and Computer Engineering: 89

- SIMULATION STUDY FOR ROUTING PROTOCOLS IN SENSOR NETWORKS: Abdelaziz Araar, Hakim Khali, and Ryadh Mehdi 91

- JOINT MULTIPLE SIGNATURE SCHEME FOR GROUP-ORIENTED AUTHENTICATION AND NON-REPUDIATION: Ahcene Farah and Hakim Khali, IEEE Members 92

- A HYBRID HEURISTIC ALGORITHM FOR THE TRAVELING SALESPERSON PROBLEM: Hend F. Kendela, M. Ayman Al-Ahmar and El-Sayed M. El Horbaty 93

- RECOGNIZING ISOLATED HANDWRITTEN ARABIC CHARACTERS USING HYBRID OF MODIFIED DIRECTIONAL ELEMENT FEATURE AND GENERAL AUTOASSOCIATIVE MEMORY: Amer AL-Nassiri 94

- MPL VS. LVQ NEURAL NETWORKS FOR ARABIC PHONEMES RECOGNITION: Manal EL-Obaid, Amer AL-Nassiri 95

- ARABIC PHONEME RECOGNITION USING NEURAL NETWORKS: Manal EL-Obaid, Amer AL-Nassiri, and Iman Abuel Maaly 96

- A SYSTEM-LEVEL ARCHITECTURE FOR HASH MESSAGE AUTHENTICATION CODE: H. Khali, MIEEE, R. Mehdi and A. Araar 97



- ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: A CASE STUDY: Mahmoud AbouNaaj, Riyadh A.K. Mehdi, Hakim Khali, and Mirna Nachouki 98

- NEW FUZZY RANKING ALGORITHM FOR DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION: Riyadh Mehdi, Abdulaziz Araar, and Hakim Khali 99

Faculty of Dentistry: 101

- INTRA-ORAL MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS TUMORS: A REVIEW OF 75 CASES IN A LIBYAN POPULATION: Mohammed Abdullah Jaber 103

- EFFECTS OF COMPOSITE THICKNESS ON SHEAR BOND STRENGTH TO DENTIN: Abdul-Haq Abdul-Majeed Suliman and Sabah Abdul-Wahab Ismail 104

- LONG-TERM WATER SORPTION OF THREE RESIN-BASED RESTORATIVE MATERIALS: Abdul-Haq A. Suliman, Ma’an M. Nayif, Toru Nikaido, Masaomi Ikeda, Richard Foxoton, and Junji Tagami 105

- WATER FLUORIDATION: INDICATIONS, EFFICACY IN CARIES PREVENTION AND SAFETY: Abdul-Haq A. Suliman, and Karam H. Jazrawi 106

- CHANGING THE FACE OF DENTISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH OZONE THERAPY: Mohammed A Al Sayyab 107

- MOTHER'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS DIGIT-SUCKING HABIT IN CHILDREN OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Afraa Salah Hussian and Asma Amir 108

- IS FORM AND SHAPE OF THE UPPER DENTAL ARCH CONTRA-INDICATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMPLETE DENTURE? Abdelfattah Senussi El-gheriani and Sameh Atalla Duaibis 109

- DENTAL CAUSES OF HEADACHES: Sam Thomas 110

- LASERS IN DENTISTRY: Sam Thomas 111

- QUANTITATIVE MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE SKELETAL MUSCLES OF NORMAL AND STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS: Aughsteen AA, Khair AM, and Suleiman AA 112



- A COMPARISON BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL VISUAL & SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHODS FOR SHADE SELECTION: IN-VITRO & IN-VIVO STUDY: Ahmad Talal Judeh 114

Faculty of Information,

Mass Communication and Public Relations: 117

- INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION AND PALESTINIAN CASE: ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NEWS VALUES EMBEDDED IN THE NEWS BROADCAST OF THE FRENCH TV CHANNEL TFJ: Khaled Zamoum 119

- THE SOCIAL MARKETING BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE: Khaled Zamoum 120

Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences 121

- THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING CORT THINKING PROGRAM ON DEVELOPING CREATIVE THINKING FOR ARABIC LANGUAGE AND ISLAMIC STUDIES STUDENTS IN AJMAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NETWORK: Majed Zaki Al-Jallad 123

- THE EFFECT OF USING CONCEPT MAPS ON THE ACQUISITION OF ISLAMIC LAW CONCEPTS AND ON DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION: Majed Zaki Al-Jallad 124

- THE DEGREE OF ACQUISITION OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION TEACHING COMPETENCIES BY STUDENTS OF DIPLOMA PROGRAM FOR TEACHING METHODS OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION: Majed Zaki Al-Jallad 125

- EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR PREPARING ISLAMIC EDUCATION TEACHERS IN AJMAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK: Majed Zaki Al-Jallad 127

- TRANSLATION AS INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION (EXPERIENCE FROM THE ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION IN THE FOURTH CENTURY HIJRI): Abdulhakim Ajhar 128

- USING INTENTIONAL INFORMATION SEARCH TOOLS AS MIND TOOLS FOR MEANINGFUL LEARNING: Ulku Koymen, Zuhrieh Shanaa, and Askin Asan 129



- COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EQUIVOCAL AND THE AMBIGUOUS IN THE HOLY QURAN: Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy 130

- PARRYING THE SUSPICION OF CONTRADICTION BETWEEN THE QURA'N AND THE SUNNAH: Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy 131

- THE LEGITIMATE ISLAMIC DRESS: Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy 132

- THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE THAT HE NEEDS AFTER GRADUATION: Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy 133

- THE EDUCATIOH OF DIVORCE: Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy 134

- GRADUALISM IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ISLAMIC SHARI’A IN ACCORDANCE WITH GRADUALISM DESCENDING OF SHARI’A: Ali Abduljabar Alsrori 135

- CONNOTATIONS OF THE BELIEF SIGNS FOR THE VERSES OF PROSTRATION IN THE HOLY QURAN: Abubaker El Sedique and El Makky Aqlainah 136

- THE “QURANEON” AND THE “SUNNAH”: Abubaker El Sedique 137

- EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE AND UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO): Yusuf Mahmud 138

Faculty of Foreign Languages & Translation: 139

- HEMINGWAY IN ARABIC: A STUDY OF LITERARY TRANSFORMATION: Adnan K. Abdulla 141

- T.S. ELIOT’S THE WASTE LAND A POETIC TRANSLATION AND ANALYTIC STUDY: Adnan K. Abdulla and Talal A. Rahman 142

Faculty of Law: 143

- THE TENDENCY OF U.A.E. COURTS REGARDING COMPENSATION FOR TRAFFIC LABOR ACCIDENTS AND EXTENT OF ITS ADEQUACY TO PROTECT THE LABOR AND HIS HERITORS: Al Shehabi I. Al Sherqawi 145



Institute of Environment, Water and Energy 147

- THE INFLUNECE OF MAJOR LINEAMENTS ON GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE EASTERN REGION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRTAES: Zeinelabidin S. Rizk and Hassan K. Garamoon 149

- CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION CHALLENGES AND CONFRONTATION: Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh 151

- SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES FACING ARAB UNIVERSITIES: Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh 152

- UNIVERSITY OF THE FUTURE: Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh 153

The authors alone are responsible for the views expressed in their articles and for the validity of the results herewith published which do not necessarily

reflect the opinion of AUST Network.



Faculty of Engineering



MATHEMATICS FOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMS: AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE

Fahar G. Hayati and Anas N. Ali

Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, AUST Network

METSMaC 2006, Abu Dhabi, March 14-16, 2006

This paper introduces the problems associated with content, timing and delivery of mathematics courses to electrical engineering undergraduate programs within the Faculty of Engineering at Ajman University of Science and Technology. A case study is presented whereby, through a survey, the mathematics courses are assessed by both lecturers and senior students from the Department of Electrical Engineering. Some recommendations are provided to enhance these mathematics courses in order to satisfy programs’ objectives. This work, however, is still in its initial phase and would be developed further to cover the performance of students in mathematics and its correlation to their overall performance in engineering courses.



DEVELOPING CAPSTONE PROJECT AS A PLATFORM FOR INTEGRATING TEACHING RESEARCH

AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Fahar G. Hayati


Fourth International Forum on Engineering Education (IFEE),

Sharjah University, April 25-27, 2006.

Engineering graduation project is one of the key courses whose outcome reflects most of the a-k skills defined by ABET, EC2000 Criterion. In addition to being an effective learning tool, graduation project can be used as a platform for enhancing faculty research and for reaching out to community. The success of the project in achieving these depends on how well the course is designed and is executed. A successful project requires the participation of the faculty, the student and the community and the definition of the role each has to play. A lot depends on the faculty, who is expected to be the main player in the design of the course and to have the leading role in its success. Based on this, it is proposed that the project be used not only as a tool for assessing the student, but also as an indicator of the performance of the faculty as a teacher and a researcher, as well as of his effectiveness in reaching out to community. The paper surveys the views of the engineering faculty members at AUST network, on the issue. The paper discusses the key elements which need addressing and recommends the measures to be taken in order to realize the additional objectives of the graduation project.



SIGNAL BEHAVIOR OF ADAPTIVE FILTERING ALGORITHMS IN A NONSTATIONARY ENVIRONMENT

WITH SINGULAR DATA COVARIANCE MATRIX

E. Eweda Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering,

AUST Network

Signal Processing, vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 1263-1274, 2005 The paper analyzes the signal behavior of adaptive filtering algorithms when the target weights of the adaptive filter are time varying and the covariance matrix of the filter input is singular. The signal behavior is evaluated in terms of moments of the excess output error of the filter. Two algorithms are considered: the LMS algorithm and the sign algorithm. The analysis is done in the context of adaptive plant identification. The plant parameters vary according to a random walk model. The plant input, plant noise, and plant parameters are assumed mutually independent. Under these assumptions, it is found that the signal behavior of the algorithms is the same as the signal behavior in the case with positive definite input covariance matrix.



CONTRIBUTION OF DESIGN PROJECTS IN ENHANCING THE OUTCOME OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEM COURSE

Mustahsan Mir Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering,

AUST Network

Proceedings of the 3rd AUS International Symposium on Mechatronics, American University of Sharjah,

UAE, April 18-20, 2006. This paper describes the educational effectiveness of comple-menting laboratory experiments with practical projects in an industrial control systems course. While laboratory experiments are helpful in validating the theoretical concepts and providing practical experience, it is mainly the course projects that enhance the design, implementation, and troubleshooting skills of students. Some of the course projects completed by students in this course are described and an analysis of their feedback about course projects is presented. The results of this analysis reaffirm the significance of course projects in enhancing the desired outcomes.



ROLE OF STUDENTS' SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

Mustahsan Mir and Tazeen Sharif


Proceedings of the 4th International Forum on Engineering Education, University of Sharjah, UAE, April 25-27, 2006

This paper presents a strategy for offering community service through the active involvement of scientific societies in an educational institution. It offers the advantages of both service-learning and voluntary community service. An additional benefit of this strategy is that it provides an opportunity to engineering faculty members to contribute towards community service without excessive extra load. Application of this strategy is described in terms of ongoing activities of the IEEE Students Branch at Ajman University of Science & Technology (AUST) for two community service programs. The first program is termed as CAUSE (Community Activities by Undergraduate Students in Engineering), while the second program is called SMART (Student Mentors for Awareness Raising Tasks).



A WEB-BASED LABORATORY FOR PERFORMING EXPERIMENTS IN BASIC

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES Mustahsan Mir, T. Sharif, Z. Ahmadian, and A. Hassanpour


Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE-GCC Conference,

Bahrain, March 19-22, 2006 This paper describes the development and testing of a web-based remote laboratory for performing experiments in basic electrical engineering courses. The prototype experiments are from a variety of courses including circuit analysis, logic design, analog electronics, digital electronics, and industrial control. In addition to observing the waveforms and reading the measured voltage and current values, the remote user can also change certain parameters of the experiment such as signal frequency, amplitude, gain, and digital inputs. A digital camera in the laboratory provides the remote user updated video images of the experimental setup. Audio instructions about the selected experiment are also provided. Some test results are described and limitations of the presented laboratory setup are discussed.



DEVELOPING DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION SKILLS IN DATA ACQUISITION AND CONTROL

THROUGH SERIAL DESIGN PROJECTS

Mustahsan Mir Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering,

AUST Network

Journal of IEEEP, Vol. 47, pp. 87-90, March 2005. This paper presents an approach adopted at Ajman University of Science and Technology Network (AUSTN) to develop practical skills of electrical engineering students in data acquisition and control through a series of project courses, each utilizing different method for developing a data acquisition and control system. An assessment of this approach is also presented.



MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A SMART TWO-DIRECTIONS MOSFET MAGNETIC SENSOR

Ali Abou-Elnour


International Symposium on Smart Structures and Material 26

Feb – 2 March 2006, San Diego, California, USA In the present work, D.C. and A. C. characteristics of a magnetic sensor, based on Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) structure, have been investigated. The effects of the device geometric parameters, the bias conditions, and the magnetic field on the current deflection due to magnetic field and on the magnetic sensor relative sensitivity are accurately determined. The MOSFET magnetic sensor capability is further enhanced by using an integrated smart structure which is able to fully detect the magnetic field variations in two-directions. The current deflection and relative sensitivity for the smart two-directions magnetic sensor under different operating conditions are finally investigated.



MODELING OF A PRECISE MOS SENSOR ARRAY SYSTEM FOR 2D DETECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS

Ali Abou-Elnour, Ossama Abo-Elnor, Essam Y.

Mohamedand and M. Marzouk Ibrahim Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering,

AUST Network 2006 IEEE International conference on Information Acquisition

Shandong University, Weihai, Shandong, China 20-23 August ٢٠٠٦

In the present work the performance of a precise two-directional MOSFET magnetic sensor is investigated using an efficient physical simulator. The efficient physical simulator used in the present work allows accurate determination of the effects of the device and circuit parameters on the device sensitivity and consequently it can be used as CAD tool to optimize the device structure and operating voltages for maximum sensitivity. The suggested sensor is found to have very high sensitivity, very good linearity, wide dynamic range of operation, and excellent resolution. Moreover the present detector overcomes the challenging problem of inability to determine the orientation of the magnetic field in conventional magnetic sensors.



THE NEW ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING GCC ELECTRICITY MARKET

Amir Majid


GCC REGIONAL COMMITTEE For High Voltage Electric Systems

GCE CIGRE 15th, Abu-Dhabi 29th – 30th November 2006 Due to the present high oil prices, prices fluctuations and their future upward trend, some investments can be now directed to the utilization of solar and other renewable energy systems, such as hydrogen cells and cyclic hydro systems. It is believed that the infrastructure of these systems is particularly feasible through the already large constructions and investments in real estate industry throughout GCC countries. It is also feasible in rural areas such as farms and small villages due to the relatively low power demand and load characteristics. This can also lead to the disintegration, liberalization and privatization of energy systems. The electric energy and power disintegration of such small corporations would save resources, reduce interactions and increase reliability. This paper focuses on suggested new regulations needed to control the utilization of renewable energy systems in rural areas in order to make benefit of high oil prices. It also focuses on the category and types of renewable energy systems that can be implemented in this project.



AN INFORMATION ARM OF UNIVERSITY; TECHNOLOGY CITIZEN ADVISOR AND SECOND OPINION CENTERS

Amir Majid


IFEE 2006; 4th International Forum on Engineering Education

Faculty of Engineering, Sharjah University, Sharjah, UAE; 25/26 April 2006

Due to recent advances in many fields of engineering, complexities in systems and standards, and the large number of home and office appliances that use latest technologies of electrical, electronics, communication and computer engineering, there is a constant need to establish technology citizen advisor and second opinion centers by non profit institutions such as universities in order to:

1. Help the public getting acquainted with technologies 2. Develop new opportunities in business and technology. 3. Link with the community and secure appropriate jobs for

graduates. 4. Assist distance-learning students, similar to open

universities structure. 5. Establish a university information arm.

Apart from the familiar education and business arms of universities, these centers constitute the information arms of universities that will help the community in resolving daily technical problems which are currently resolved by commercial agents and monopolies. Their task is also to provide specifications, power rating capacities and protocols of many applications of electronic, communication and computer engineering. In this paper, the mechanisms of establishing these centers are outlined with a short feasibility study.



STUDENT GRADUATION PROJECTS AND FIELD TRAINING IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY

Amir Majid


IFEE 2006; 4th International Forum on Engineering Education

Faculty of Engineering, Sharjah University, Sharjah, UAE; 25/26 April 2006

The majority of student graduation projects are based on theoretical ideas which have no link to local industries and usually are ended at university laboratories and libraries without implementation. Most of student field training, on the other hand, are planned and conducted without coordination with site industries. This will not help in developing business industries or assisting graduates to get appropriate jobs. Therefore, there is a need to offer fully or partially sponsored industrial projects to students and to maintain links with such industries throughout. In a similar way, universities must sponsor field training, which are planned concisely with the site resources and needs. The goals of using these 2 methods are to:

1. Serve community market. 2. Familiar with up to date technology. 3. Help students getting jobs. 4. Maintain society contacts.

This paper outlines AUST experience in this field and points out to the major steps in achieving these goals.



MEMS AD/DA CONVERTERS

Amir Majid Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering,

AUST Network

18th International Conference On Microelectronics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran, Saudi Arabia,

December 2006. MEMS Analog -to-digital and digital-to- analog converters are proposed using parallel plate electrostatic actuators under bias. Deformable plates supported by springs are used with bias applied voltage which determines the amount of static displacement needed for equilibrium condition. In analog-to-digital arrangement, eight different spring displacements are tapped off the spring corresponding to eight binary decoded voltages. At spring tapped connections, MOS switches are switched on connecting a digital high voltage level at these locations so that when a certain analog voltage is applied on the moving plate of the capacitor, the spring is displaced to one of these locations, enabling different binary voltages to all switches up to that level. The digital binary voltages are fed to an 8-3-priority encoder to obtain the digital value. In digital-to-analog arrangement, the input binary voltage is decoded to different spring locations which correspond to resistances making up a potentiometer circuit for the output analog voltage.



INTEGRATION OF FIELD TRIPS INTO SELECTED ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES

Kifah Al-Ansari and Anas N. Ali


4th International Forum on Engineering Education,

University of Sharjah, 25-27 April 2006 This paper proposes a procedure for integrating field trips into selected electrical engineering courses in the Faculty of Engineering at Ajman University of Science & Technology (AUST) Network. In this work, the selection of courses that require field trips is based on feedback from course lecturers. The procedure details are explained, and the results of a case study are presented; where the procedure has been applied in course Communication Systems. Anonymous student feedback clearly indicates the impact of such trips on the learning process. However, this procedure is still in its initial phase and can be developed through further case studies.



MICROCLIMATE EFFECT AND THE DESIGN PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN’S OUTDOOR SPACES IN U.A.E.

Sabah A.L. Mushatat and Mohammed F. Sherzad

Faculty of Engineering, Dept. of Architectural Engineering & Interior Design,

AUST Network Planning and designing healthy public outdoor spaces for young

people in the 21st century, 5-7 July 2006, Bristol, UK. The effect of climate on the use of public outdoor spaces in the residential environment is particularly important for the children activities that are carried out. The study examines the relationship between climate conditions and the design performance of children’s outdoor spaces and activities in U.A.E. Due to the hot climate conditions and the inadequate design for such spaces, most of the children’s or young people’s recreational facilities are concentrated in the indoor spaces particularly in the shopping malls. The study aims to reach into design guides to quantify thermal comfort conditions and type of children playing activities to stimulate healthy outdoor physical activities. Filed surveys with extensive microclimatic monitoring and interviews with users of open spaces regarding, usage period, children behavior and type of activities were carried out.



THE EVALUATION OF TYPOLOGY IN TEACHING OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIOS IN AJMAN

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY NETWORK

Sabah A.L. Mushatat and Mohammed F. Sherzad Faculty of Engineering,

Dept. of Architectural Engineering & Interior Design, AUST Network

The International Conference of the Center for the Study of

Architecture in the Arab Region (CSAAR) The paper studies the role of typology in architectural design education clarifying its importance. It defines this role by adopting the educational objectives like; knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, as a base for inducing the behaviours that students gained in studios taken on typology in their design education. The research depended on the definitions of student’s behaviours in a pilot study to discover the role of typology in architectural design education in Ajman University of Science& Technology. It concluded that this role is limited level of educational objectives, neglecting the upper levels of them. The paper has recommended activating this role of typology by adopting it as basic educational strategy aims to provide students with the cumulative knowledge when comprehensively taking in the educational objectives.



DUBAI CITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF CREATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS

Mohammad S. Arar


AUST Network

Sharjah Urban Development Conference, American University of Sharjah, April 2-4 2006

Dubai, the new contemporary city in the Arabian Gulf. Physically, it is growing so fast with constructed projects around the clock to satisfy the urge for new investment, new life style, and the pressure of urban growth. These new projects expand more than triple the size of old Dubai city. The developments are fragmented along one major access which is Sheikh Zaid road as the main connector route between all these projects. This area of urban development covers more than (185 S. K.M.) of site developments with different types of projects. As this urban growth in Dubai is taking place, the challenge to create sustainable developments is real in the near future for the following reasons: First, the population growth and the size of urban developments are not compatible. Second, the size of urban growth does not meet the size and the layout of the infrastructure. Third, the contents of these developments are not coordinated. Finally, the environmental impact assessment of these urban developments is not applied accurately to reflect the real environmental problems that might occur. The study will discuss the issue of sustainability in these urban developments projects and their challenges, it will suggest ways to solve and face these obstacles, and it will provide recommendations, policy framework to adapt new strategy, and to orient the new projects toward sustainable approach. It is time to integrate the sustainability as a theme for Dubai city’s urban developments, to create projects that will last for generation to come, and to protect the environment from any wrong doing. Dubai City has accomplished unique developments in the last few years. However, the momentum now has to be



focused toward a comprehensive sustainable policy and to use it as a guide line for any new projects in the city of Dubai.



SUSTAINABILITY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY

Claude Bérubé Faculty of Engineering,


The Seven Star Conference of the Hotel Show, Dubai

(conferences), World Trade Center, 5th & 6th of June 2006 Some of the leading philosophers of environment believe that only one in 10,000 products is designed with the environment in mind. Some uninformed Interior Designers are using these products and are contributing in polluting not only our living environment but all together our visual surroundings. This gets me to ask the question: What is the greatest challenge facing interior designers and architects today? The creation of a sustainable society or … is it the creation of a nanotechnology society? This means new approaches to design, architecture, engineering, new businesses, new products and services and new ways of organizing space to create wealth for all partners and enhance the environment and quality of life. What can interior designers do to contribute to sustainability? How could your own work or activities achieve this? Is that not a way to elevate the design philosophy and find the road for future development of our profession by: - Not compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their needs. - Recognizing the dynamic needs of a society and the

environment as a whole. - Encouraging individual responsibility for the state of the

planet and society as a whole. But overall it is nanotechnology that might bring major changes to the basic principles of sustainability and to our profession.



The nanotechnology scientists have achieved a major technological breakthrough that should soon lead to the production of futuristic strong, light and flexible 'smart' yarns for clothing and covering materials; fabrics with the ability to conduct electricity and heat, eliminate pest, have hygienic surfaces and provide self cleaning coatings. There are no doubts that these technological developments will have a major impact on how we design hotels and public places.



HOUSING DESIGN PERFORMANCE AFFECTED BY SAND DEPOSITS IN THE SAHARA DESERT

Mohammed Sherzad Faculty of Engineering,


Eighth International Conference on Dry Lands Development, February 25-28, 2006, Beijing, People's Republic of China

The aim of the paper is to investigate the effect of aeolian sand deposits on the built environment of human settlements in the Sahara Desert. The flow of sand and dust presents a complex problem to the architects, as it demands attention not only to certain aspects of building design but also to planning the settlement as a whole. In addition, control of wind-blown dust and sand involves many different factors affecting vital aspects of environmental design. These include such planning measures such as layout and the orientation of buildings. The use of specific layout and building forms in a few existing traditional towns in desertificated areas in the Sahara desert (region of Souf in Algeria) at least been partially successfully in mitigating the particular problem of sand depositing. Region of Souf in Algeria is an example of an area suffering from sand erosion and deposition. It is situated in the southeast Algeria, a vast territory consisting mainly of sand dunes (the grand oriental ergs). Its traditional housing has special design features, which help to mitigate the problem. In addition, it has and area of modern housing. To improve the standard of architectural design for use in the design of new settlements in such areas, the study and comparison of the vernacular and the modern housing schemes were carried out in addition to the laboratory testes using wind tunnels in order to identify the physical features of the traditional housing which mitigate sand deposits, and assess how these features can be adapted into the new housing design to combat the problem.



THE STRATEGY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING EDUCATION - MARKET NEEDS INTERACTION

Nabil Ashry Ibrahim1 and Bassim M.K Saleh2

1 Dept. of Arch. Faculty of Engineering, Shubra University, 2 Dept. of Architectural Engineering & Interior Design,

Faculty of Engineering, AUST Network

Engineering Research Journal, Faculty of Engineering, Shubra, October 2006

The architecture and urban planning education are the motive power of the comprehensive development movement as well as the instrument for the development and progress of nations within an economic, intellectual, behavioral, political and social development. Hence, it is crucial that the new graduate participate should have a complete faith and belief in his academic abilities which would enable him to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, and to lead his society to progress whether (locally or internationally) within the fierce constant international changes which are rapidly taking place in all aspects of life (globalization). Therefore, the research paper aims at studying the mechanisms of Architecture and Urban planning International Work Market (AUIWM) and its impact on academic curricula of both the public and private Egyptian universities. Hence, it analyses the current Academic Curricula of Architecture and Urban Planning (ACAUP) departments in public and private Egyptian universities, as well as in abroad (e.g. American Universities) taking into consideration its interaction and integration with AUIWM.



POST-OIL CITY: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PETROLEUM DEPLETION ON URBAN FORM

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Faisal Hamid


AUST Network

Ninth Sharjah Urban Planning Symposium April 2-4 2006, Sharjah, UAE.

This paper aims to contribute to the current debate regarding global dependency on cheap petroleum energy through exploring the effects of the approaching oil and gas depletion on urban form. It proposes a tentative framework for the study of the relationship between oil and gas depletion, and urban form, within the context of environmental sustainability. The understanding of the relationship between can be achieved through empirical studies of energy consumption in divergent urban environments. The paper selects four urban environments located in China, the Middle East, and Britain. From the preliminary judgment on the relationship between energy consumption and urban form in these cited urban environments, the paper identifies three built-environment related sets of variables, which have relationship with energy consumption:

1. Personal and commercial transport. 2. Land use. 3. Design of buildings.

In addition, the paper detects a number of requirements for the study of the above-mentioned relationship, especially those related to the issue of sustainability.



THE IMPACT OF THE URBAN GROWTH ON THE QUALITY OF SPACES IN AJMAN

Bouzid Boudiaf


AUST Network

Urban Planning Symposium, Sharjah, 2nd to 5th April 2006 The United Arab Emirates today are marked by the extraordinary changes brought about by urbanization. For almost one decade, more than 80% of the population consists of town dwellers. Compared with other developing countries, this rate of urbanization is one of the highest in the world. The urban « explosion » that has occurred in most of the emirates is shown not only in the spectacular growth of the major cities (particularly in Dubai and Sharjah), but also in the rapid development of medium-sized towns (Ajman, Ras El Khaima and El Fujairah) during the last decade. Although these changes show a sustained increase in the Emirates, they give rise to a process of urbanization that is far from uniform. Nowadays, this urbanization leads to consider Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman as a Megacity. The heterogeneity of this megacity in terms of urban fabric and activities explain the fact that the priority is given to the local development, and the master plans of Dubai and Sharjah are limited to the Emirates. The coordination at the regional level (between the Emirates) is one of the weaknesses. This development leads to a very strong physical segregation to such a point that Ajman is now considered just as a cite dortoir. If the city is the place of conviviality, culture and concentration of opportunities for activities and services, the city is also the place for insecurity, precariousness, stress and all sorts of pollution. In this communication, our aims are to orient the debate on the following issues and by taking Ajman as an example:

1) Criteria of ordering of the urban space; 2) The role of the economical and sociological dimensions in

the fabric and composition of the urban space.



FROM THE PRACTICE OF A DESIGN KNOWLEDGE TO THE DESIGN OF NEW KNOWLEDGE IN ARCHITECTURAL

AND URBAN DESIGNS

Bouzid Boudiaf Faculty of Engineering,


4th Engineering Education Forum 2005-2006 – College of Engineering - University of Sharjah, 25-27 April, 2006

Urban space often evokes a multitude of pictures and concepts which can be divergent if not contradictory. This multitude of concepts illustrates the multidimensional and interdisciplinary nature of the urban space. The appreciation and the assessment of the quality of the urban space vary from one period to another, from one culture to another, from a social group to another, from one person to another. Most of the researches on architectural and urbanism in the Algerian case are concentrated on the socio economic values, the exchange and use values, while putting in exergue the historic measurements and/or symbolic of the urban and ethnics entities. The urban growth of a city like Algiers reveals a discontinuity in instruments and strategies. This discontinuity is the origin of the total disorganization to such a point that the urban project and the project of the society are reconsidered periodically. This communication considers how we create a relation between the University (in this case we will present the LGAT: Laboratoire de Geographie, d Amenagement et du Territoire in the U.ST.H.B.: Universite des Sciences et Technologies Haouari Boumediene, Algiers) and the Municipality of Algiers. In this paper, our aims are to orient the debate on the following questions: 1) What is the nature of the research? 2) How does this research help the Municipality in making

decision?



3) How does research function as a source of knowledge ( in the post-graduate studies)?

4) What are the sources of the research? 5) What is the relation of this research with the others in the

laboratory? 6) How do we move from theory to practice? 7) What are the main obstacles in the development of this

research: remarks and recommendations?



HOMES, DWELLINGS AND THE QUALITY OF THE URBAN SPACES : ALGIERS AS A CASE STUDY

Bouzid Boudiaf


AUST Network

5th International Symposium on Architectural Development: Architecture and Housing Development

(AUST). 25th March 2006 The setting of life and the image of the city are often evaluated through the urban space quality. If the city is the place of conviviality, culture and concentration of opportunities for activities and services, the city is also the place for insecurity, precariousness, stress and all sorts of pollution. Urban space often evokes a multitude of pictures and concepts which can be divergent if not contradictory. This multitude of concepts illustrates the multidimensional and interdisciplinary nature of the urban space. The appreciation of the quality of the urban space varies from one period to another, from one culture to another, from a social group to another, from one person to another. The urban growth of a city like Algiers reveals a discontinuity in instruments and strategies. So in this communication, we will express points for discussion on the analysis of the existing types of fabric, concerning three urban models set up during the development of the city of Algiers: the traditional city, now damaged, the interrupted colonial city and the unfinished metropolis cohabit and make the contemporary Algerian capital an extremely hybrid urbanistic and architectural reality.



HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF UNSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION POLICIES:

NOISE EFFECT EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Rizeq Hammad and Ali Amayrah Faculty of Engineering,


International Conference on sustainable transportation in

developing countries, Abu Dhabi, 29th January-2nd Feb 2005 Panning and implementing transportation, in the developing countries, is a major and a great challenge to planners and policy-makers. This is due to the fact that transportation means are doubling or tripling every few years (doubling every 3 years in Jordan) compared to developed countries where they double every ten years. Their main concern is to construct new routes or to widen existing roads to cope with the huge number of people moving daily between urban and rural areas. It is a very difficult mission in cities, which plan to use traditional means of transportation. Within that mission, the pollution due to transportation means is neglected or delayed to later stages. This air and noise pollution is taken into consideration in developed countries, but almost neglected in developing ones. Noise pollution is the main challenge to our cities and the most neglected factor in transportation planning and design. This noise affects almost every one living in cities and negatively affects human life and communications. Researchers from different countries concluded that noise could be harmful to human health; therefore building codes and regulations are imposed on transportation means, road nd airport design to reduce noise level in urban areas. People who live near noisy areas in developed countries force civil authorities to isolate their building against noise or to reduce the effect of noise on their life.



COLOR IN THE UAE PUBLIC HOUSE

Ali Amayrah Faculty of Engineering,


Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, spring 2006

This paper aimat studying the color of the United Arab emirates (UAE) public houses. It is divided into two main parts. The first part is an introduction about the color of the old traditional houses, such as the Bedouin tent (baital-shaar), and the urban traditional house. The second part discusses the color of the public houses (al-Shabiaat) that are built by the UAE government for gathering the Bedouin and rural citizens to allow them to share effectively in building the country. The research revealed that most of the colors used in the traditional houses were vivid colors and bright hues, and most of the residents of public houses have changed the original natural colors of their houses into vivid colors. The peoples preference for vivid color is inherited from their old life in the traditional houses. It is found that much care is given to the main entrance of the hours and the external wall, and people used color on them to indicate a sort of self expression, title of the owner, status, and family pride. Also, they used color as a symbol of their traditions and hospitality. However, the new generation has never experienced the old traditional houses and now follows a new life style that totally differs from that of their forefathers; hence they prefer the use of natural light colors in their houses. The research concludes with some recommendations and guidelines that could be beneficial in putting together a proper color plan for the new public houses to achieve the residence satisfaction and enhance the appearance of UAE architecture.



MODERN DESIGN OF COMMERCIAL BANKING HALLS AND ITS EFFECT ON CUSTOMERS AND BANKING

TRANSACTIONS-CASE STUDY IN UAE

Ali Amayrah Faculty of Engineering,


Journal of Engineering Sciences, Assuit University,

Vol. 34, pp. 991-1008, May 2006 This study attempted to invistigate the perceptions of managers; employees and customers with regards to designed to serve commercial banks transactions and also to reinforce interactive relations based on the “ Customers Banking Needs”, variable in the UAE. The study was conducted on twenty commercial banks in UAE. The sample of the study was selected randomly and consisted of 407 persons included ( 25 managers, 116 employees and 266 customers). The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were verified. Data were collected and analyzed on the basis of “Mean analysis” and “One Way ANOVA” as well. The item of the questionnaire are highly rated by the study sample. It shows that the modern design of customers halls inside banks attracts more customers “expedites the transactions process, saves time and effort, diminishes errors, enhance reputation, and provides relaxed and work-conductive atmosphere. Moreover, the “Bank Transaction” variable is not affected.



INTEGRATING DESIGN ELEMENTS IN THE INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

Nuha Hashimi


AUST Network

Seminar Towards Environmental Totality of Interior Design Aesthetic Elements – AUSTN, October 2nd, 2005

Interior design is an exciting and expanding profession. The responsibilities of an interior designer encompass all spaces, components, and elements within environments built for human needs and to express human aspirations. PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR Interior designers must understand the perception and use of color and its resulting effects on human behavior. Studies have shown that color can create excitement, relaxation, calmness, or cheerfulness and can even increase productivity in working environments. The way a person feels about color can vary according to experiences, education, and cultural association with color. Color symbolism, is generally based on person's individual personality or cultural background. For example, in Western cultures, black generally symbolizes death and morning, whereas in Eastern civilizations, the symbolic color of death is white. THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT: INFLUENCES ON INTERIORS Interior design looks at the contents of a structure and at the building as a container, within the context of the environment and society. Interior designers cannot effectively develop interior spaces without considering external influences. For example, it is difficult to develop an interior primarily illuminated by natural lighting techniques if the project is located in a region that is mostly overcast and rainy. Successful interiors make good buildings, and successful buildings make good interiors – the two are inter-related.



INTERIOR LIGHTING Lighting design involves selecting and locating the appropriate lamps and fixtures to satisfy stated needs. The designer develops a concept to determine what the lighting should be not only to satisfy the needs but also to complement the occupants, the architectural features, and the character of the interior space. The best general guideline is to mix different types of lighting for different activities and moods. MATERIALS Materials provide the physical and psychological form to the space, structure, finishes, and contents for human beings to use. Materials such as stone and wood can be used as construction elements to enclose space and provide protection and privacy, yet supply color, texture, pattern, and durability as a finish to the space. FURNITURE Furniture is an integral element in the design of an interior space because it affects human functions and desires, such as sitting, working, sleeping, and relaxing. Furniture also provides the personalization of space as it reflects individual preferences, activities, and needs. FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT Secondary elements support and enrich a space to make it "feel" completed. These supporting elements are referred to as furnishings. They can be utilitarian or decorative, enhance the architectural features of a building. Furnishings should be suited to an interior in terms of space, form, style, texture, scale, and color, in addition to serving a specific function and enhancing the overall design concept. Plants have become as important as artwork for interior design elements. Plants are living art, like sculpture. They bring color, texture, and a variety of forms and shapes into our interiors. HEALTH CONCERNS Low levels of indoor pollutants may be the cause of what is called the sick building syndrome, in which workers in a new or poorly ventilated building experience eye, nose, and throat irritations, as well as headaches, and lack of concentration.



Plants are currently being tested for their effectiveness in "cleaning" the air. Studies conclude that a small ratio of plants–to–area can do an effective job.



Faculty of Pharmacy

and Health Sciences



SMOKING CESSATION CAMPAIGN AND THE NEW ROLES OF PHARMACIST IN DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem

Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice,

AUST Network

UAE Pharma Journal, 2005, 2(1), 16-17 Smoking is a chronic problem and, like hypertension or dyslipidaemia, requires long-term management. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for CHD and stroke, and has an impact on the development and progression of the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Among teenagers aged 15-18 years, the prevalence of smoking across Europe is 30% and is "a well established behaviour" with "almost no signs of a decrease". It causes more than 120,000 deaths annually in the UK and is the largest single preventable cause of death and disability in any country. It has been reported that the prevalence of smoking is significantly higher among diabetic patients (33%) than the non-diabetic population (27%). Furthermore, in a recent study, the results have shown that current cigarette smoking was associated with a substantial increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. A causal relationship between cigarette smoking and type 2 diabetes is attributed to the fact that smoking may increase blood glucose levels after an oral glucose challenge and may impair insulin sensitivity. However, smokers are more resistant than non-smokers to insulin mediated glucose uptake and are more hyperinsulinemic and dyslipidaemic in response to an oral glucose load. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to increased abdominal fat distribution and greater waist to hip ratio, which may affect glucose tolerance. Vascular changes and reduced blood flow to skeletal muscle may also contribute to insulin resistance. Finally, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other chemical components of tobacco may have direct toxic effects on



the pancreas, beta cell function, insulin receptor sensitivity, and produce interference with insulin activity. Continuation of smoking among diabetic patients can be attributed to different factors such as absence of advice to quit smoking, priority usually given to other treatment objectives, and weight concerns. It is well known among the population that cessation of smoking will lead to significant weight gain, and smokers with diabetes appear to view smoking as a strategy for weight control. The mechanisms by which smoking decreases body weight include insulin homeostasis, lipoprotein lipase activity, and preferences for food consumption. Weight gain averages 2.3 to 4.5 kg (5 to 10 lbs) after smoking cessation and it, therefore, a concern for many smokers who are contemplating quitting, especially women. However, large weight gains (more than 13kg [29lb]) are uncommon, but are more likely in women, non-whites, and former heavy smokers than in other groups. A strategy aimed at rectifying such beliefs showing that cessation of smoking does not result in a significant worsening of fat distribution, despite weight gain, might be useful in inducing smokers to quit. Community pharmacists can play an important role in their community within the framework of pharmaceutical care. Bearing in mind the new guidelines on effective individual smoking cessation advice: pharmacists should ask patients about smoking at every opportunity, advise all smokers to stop, and assist the smoker in stopping. Routine recommendation of nicotine replacement therapy is encouraged.



PATIENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS SERVICES PROVIDED

IN DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY

Abduelkarem, A.R., Yousif, A.M. and Alnahawi, K.M. Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice, AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE*

Patient satisfaction is a concept that is receiving increasing attention in medical care. In a community pharmacy the patient has free access to the pharmacist, i.e. there are no fees for registration, documentation or consultation. Although enjoying these conveniences, patients may not be satisfied with the services provided, either because of the way that the service is presented, or because a better standard of services is expected. The aim of the present study was therefore to assess, through the use of a questionnaire, the satisfaction of patients with the services and practice (explanation, consideration, technical competence, and new roles) provided by a representative sample of the community pharmacists in Dubai Health Authority. A questionnaire was developed and the face validity of the instrument was checked. The final version of the questionnaire consisted of 22 items, each represent a different dimension of services. The results from 133 patients completed the study demonstrate that there are now real opportunities for pharmacists to play a greater role in helping people to maintain their own health. However, a radical change in the public view of the pharmacist is needed. The responses, in addition to the fact that patients (56%) have loyalty to a particular pharmacy, is encouraging and provides the pharmacist with an opportunity to extend his/her role as health care adviser. The major implication of this study is the necessity * Awarded the best scientific paper certificate of The 2nd Approach Students’ Scientific Conference, AUSTN-RIT Council: 13 May 2006, Ajman, UAE



to consider the patients’ perspective when planning patient care in the future within the frame of pharmaceutical care.



MAJOR DRIVERS OF PHYSICIAN PRESCRIBING CHOICES*

Abduelkarem, A.R., ElGharably, A.F., and ElGharably, M.F. Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences


The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE*

The main objective of the study was to understand the factors influence physician’s drug selection. A total of 56 of the 71 questionnaires were returned, fifteen of which were uncompleted, giving a response rate of 78.8 per cent. All the fifteen doctors who declined to take part in the study due to insufficient time. The average age of 56 doctors interviewed was 46±10.87 years. Twenty fife percent of doctors studied were female. Almost 28 (50%) of doctors interviewed qualified between 1980 and 1990 (20 years in practice). Several drivers were identified to influence doctor in their drug selection. Patient’s choice and pressure, patient’s economic situation, patient-doctor relationship, drug efficacy, convenient dosage form, and low side effects of a drug all were reported to be important with different percentage. More than 90% of the doctors reported that they consider the economic state of their patients before they select a medication. However, still more than 30% of respondents reported that they advice their patients to use a medication despite the fact that the medication is not available in t he market. Almost, all of the doctors interviewed agreed that drug companies and their representatives could play an important role regarding their drug preferences. Invitation to conferences, seminars or even for a night out was not reported by pooled sample to be important for their drug choices. There were clear disparities between doctor’s views on the importance of the promotional materials and free samples in influencing their drug * Awarded the third trophy of the best posters of the 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE



selection. MIMS was found to be the main source of information in most doctors’ clinic interviewed. More than 60% of doctors reported that they would prefer a drug that is included in MIMS.



OUR CHILDREN ... OUR LIFE THEIR HEALTH … OUR CONCERN*

Abduelkarem, A.R., Kataya, Y.M., Al-Shakarchi MM,

Abdulal HM, and Pacha RM. Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences


The 1st Kuwait Pharmaceutical Sciences Conference and

the 10th Conference of Scientific Association of Colleges of Pharmacy in the Arab World, Kuwait, December 2006

Although obesity is not considered as a disease, yet it is accompanied by worse complications, and despite the fact that it is spreading vigorously, people do tend to ignore it. What is alarming is that obesity did not only invade the adults, but it has also reached our innocent children, resulting with the manifestation of diseases that were once uncommon amongst kids. Against this background the research has been extruded to observe the extent of this phenomenon, and to detect the influence and roles played by the schools and families in children’s lifestyle. The research is based upon developing questionnaires and distributing them on students in four different emirates in the country (Abu Dhabi, Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman). The target student ages are between 5 – 15 years old. A total of 2000 questionnaires were distributed and 1315 forms were returned. Of these 1315 questionnaires, 200 were not included in the final analysis due to the fact that some important information was missing. This gives a total of 52% response rate. Almost 50% of polled sample in Ajman and Abu Dhabi were classified as either overweight or at risk of overweigh compared with 35% in Sharjah and 40% in Dubai. The average BMI for student’s mother and father were above the ideal * Awarded the best scientific paper certificate of The 2nd Approach Students’ Scientific Conference, AUSTN-RIT Council: 13 May 2006, Ajman, UAE



category. More than 40% of the sample in 4 emirates reported that their children are not taking breakfast. Sweets, chips and cola were used more than 4 times a day with different high ratio. Despite the fact that the sample was small in the present study, the high prevalence of bad habits may illustrate the potential ill health of the surveyed population. Over eating and sedentary life-style were the most recognized factors associated with the high prevalence of obesity in the Arabic countries over the last few years.



ANTIOXIDANTS

Yaman Kassab, Abduljalil Albetar and Omer Attef Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Dept. of Pharm. Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE

Free radicals are highly reactive compounds that are created in the body during normal metabolic functions or introduced from the environment. Environmental sources of free radicals include exposure to ionizing radiation (from industry, sun exposure, cosmic rays, and medical X-rays), ozone and nitrous oxide (primarily from automobile exhaust), heavy metals (such as mercury, cadmium, and lead), cigarette smoke (both active and passive), alcohol, unsaturated fat, and other chemicals and compounds from food, water, and air. Antioxidants (AO) come to the rescue and neutralize free radicals. Although the body produces its own antioxidants to deal with free radicals produced each day as part of normal oxidation in the cells, an overload - caused by smoking, alcohol excess, exercise excess, pollution, radiation from the sun or x-rays - may leave the body's system unable to cope. That is when you need plenty of AO in your diet. Antioxidants work in several ways: they may reduce the energy of the free radical, stop the free radical from forming in the first place, or interrupt an oxidizing chain reaction to minimize the damage caused by free radicals. The present study was designed to review recent literature regarding the effect of free radicals and their health hazards on biological systems, and to describe the effects of antioxidants.



KOHL: A COSMETIC HAZARDOUS PRODUCT

Basma Jamal Al Najjar and Omer Attef Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Dept. of Pharm. Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, AUST Network


The traditional eye cosmetic to be put around the eyes is commonly known as KOHL. The kohl products previously analyzed for their chemical contents, and it showed that some of the inorganic or organic colorants present or potentially present in these products are prohibited in cosmetic products. Several studies have found increased levels of lead and other constituents in the blood of infants to whom kohl was applied. The present study was designed to achieve the following aims and objectives: - to describe some of the health hazards associated with

chemicals found in kohl products, and - to assess the extent of knowledge and to raise awareness

among medical students of Ajman University regarding the expected health hazards of consuming kohl containing products, such as eyeliner, and eye makeup products.

To achieve these objectives a field survey was conducted and 160 final-year medical and health students (Pharmacy and Dentistry) were interviewed. It has been shown that 78% of respondents are using Kohl products frequently, and the majority of them do not know about the possible health hazards that may be caused by frequent exposure of lead products. The study concludes that medical students need to play their role to the fullest in society as health educators. They need to be well informed and trained by keeping up to date with all of the established as well as the recent health information.



A SUGGESTION FOR THE NEW CLINICAL APPLICATIONS FOR TAURINE AND BROMOCRIPTINE

Abdulrahim Abu Jayyab

Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences AUST Network

Jordan International Pharmaceutical Conference 2006 "Toward

New Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences" Amman Jordan 15-17 November. No 37 (2006)

Purpose, Our previous work has shown that high plasma taurine levels was found in hyperprolactinaemic patients; these levels returned to normal after bromocriptine (dopaminergic agonist, D2) treatment for three months. Furthermore we reported that bromocriptine decreased the myometrial PGI2 release in rats; whereas taurine increased the content of the myometrial PGI2 concomitant with the content of the mymetrum TXA2 in the rats as indicated in their metabolites. It was suggested that the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase could modulate the production of PGs in several tissues. Bromocriptine is shown to stimulate Na+ /K+ -ATPase in the liver of rats, meanwhile taurine inhibits sperm plasma membrane Na+/K+-ATPase. It is therefore, thought of interest to investigate the effect of bromocriptine, taurine or their combination on the isolated rabbit jejunum and on the rat uterus in vitro and their effect on the activety of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the uterus was also examined in vivo. Methods, the effect of bromocriptine on the isolated tissues and after pretreatment of the tissue with sulpiride, haloperidol, cyproheptadine or taurine were studied in vitro. Rabbit jejunum and rat uterus (in estrus) were obtained by the usual methods and suspended at 37°C in oxygenated Tyrode's and DeJahlon's solutions respectively. Isotonic contractions were measured using Bioscience Isotonic Transducers. In Vivo treatment was also carried out to study the effects of bromocriptine mesylate 10mg/kg, taurine 200 mg/kg; or bromocriptine mesylate 10mg/kg + taurine 200 mg/kg, compared to a control group, in order to measure uterine Na+,K+-ATPase activity. The drugs were injected intraperitoneally daily for 14 days.



Results, Bromocriptine 0.1 - 0.26 mM stimulated the isolated rabbit jejunum and the rat uterus. Sulpiride and haloperidol failed to antagonize the induced contractions. The latter were abolished by pretreating the tissues with cyproheptadine or taurine. Na+,K+-ATPase activity ATPase from rats uterus, pretreated with bromocriptine, showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher activity compared to controls. Taurine, on the other hand, caused a significant inhibition of the uterus Na+/K+ -ATPase activity. Pretreatment with both taurine and bromocriptine abolished completely the effects of either bromocriptine or taurine alone on the uterus Na+/K+-ATPase activity. In conclusion, Activation of serotonergic receptors may underlie the appearance of some side effects such as hallucinations observed in Parkinson's disease patients ingesting large doses of bromocriptine. Furthermore, on a wider basis, these results showed that bromocriptine and taurine were acting by clearly antagonistic mechanisms in the uterus in vivo and in vitro. The ability of taurine to inhibit uterine Na+,K+-ATPase activity, together with the role of taurine its role as an endogenous regulator of PGs, and with the suggestion of the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase modulates the production of PGs in several tissues, point to the functional correlations between taurine, PGs and K+-ATPase activity in the uterus. Thus, the result of the present study gives strong evidence for physiological and pharmacological roles of taurine in protection and implantation of embryo in different clinical fields. Therefore, on the base of these results of the present study, Bromocriptine could be used as postcoital contraceptive where taurine could be clinically used for protection and implantation the embryo especially in vitro fertilization.



MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE U.A.E

Ibrahim M. Abu-Al-Futuh and Aisha Ibrahim Saad Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE Herbal treatment using medicinal plants in local environment was and still is considered as first choice for a significant number of U.A.E Nationals. In this poster we present plants of the U.A.E classified according to their medicinal uses; i.e. G.I.T disturbance, oral cavity problems, urinary system disorders, eye problems, dermatological problems, earache, sedation, insomnia, epilepsy, fevers, circulatory system ailments, infections, respiratory tract problems, Gynecological problems, liver diseases, Diabetes mellitus, rheumatism, gout, poison anti-dotes, abortion, infertility, headaches, hypertension, & tumors. The presentation includes plants used for non-therapeutic purposes such as spices, animal fodder, in honey production, cosmetics, tanning of hides, insecticides, & fuel (fire wood). This presentation emphasis the modern trend of Medicine: - Back to Nature, which is gradually increasing through the entire world. It also draws the attention for possible research & utilization of U.A.E natural environment, i.e. the medicinal plants.



EFFECT OF ABOUTHIOULINE, A NOVEL DRUG WITH THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL AS ANTITHYROID,

ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGIC PARAMETERS IN MICE AND RATS

Hisham S. Abou-Auda1 and Rafiq R. A. Abou-Shaaban

2

1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King

Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1 January 2006

Abouthiouline (1-Cyclohexyl-3(3-quinolyl)-2-thiourea) is a novel compound with antithyroid activity. Abouthiouline (ABL) was designed based on structure-activity relationships (E-state indexes) aimed at reducing the antioxidant properties of the compound by modification of acyclic thiourylene moiety. Antioxidant effects of currently available treatments such as propylthiouracil (PTU), methimazole (MTM) are associated with an incidence of agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. In the present study, the preclinical toxicology of ABL was determined in mice and rats and compared with two reference compounds, namely, propylthiouracil, methimazole. Following short-term administration (7 days) to mice, ABL had minimal effects on biochemical parameters, although significant reductions in both total protein and albumin were noted. Long-term studies (30 days) in rats revealed significant effects of Abouthiouline, propylthiouracil and methimazole on serum electrolyte and glucose levels. Abouthiouline had no detrimental effects on hematologic parameters. However, total WBC count (propylthiouracil) and neutrophil levels (propylthiouracil and methimazole) were significantly decreased among other treatment groups. The results of this investigation suggest that Abouthiouline is a promising new antithyroid therapy with a reduced risk of hematologic toxicity that is associated with PTU and MTM. Further studies are warranted to assess the safety and efficacy of Abouthiouline.



AEROALLERGEN SENSITIVITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Taki Almosawi1 and Tarik Al Zubaidi2

1 Allergy Clinic, Al-Jazeira Hospital, Abu Dhabi UAE

2 Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network

Emirates Medical Journal: Volume 23 number 3 Dec. 2005 Abstrac-Two and sixty- nine patients (127 male and 142 female), aged 3-59 years, attending the Allergy Clinic, at Al Jazeira Hospital, of Abu Dhabi with rhinitis symptoms, were investigated for the presence of serum specific IgE antibodies for the common aeroallergens by (immunoCAP) method and by skin prick test. 71% of the cases showed positive reactions to one or more of the allergen tested and considered to have allergic rhinitis. The rest 29% showed negative results. Adolescent and young adults showed the highest level of allergenicity. No significant statistical differences were observed between males and females of similar age group. The most common culprit allergens were found to be; house dust mite (63%) followed by grass pollen (20%) and Moulds (17%), animal dander (7%), mixed tree (6%) and Feathers (1.4%). Older patients showed relatively lower allergenicity with higher sensitivity to moulds allergens. This study adds further evidence to the role of house dust exposure in the development of respiratory allergy in UAE.



TESTS FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA

Hasna Al-Mohammad and Samir Essa Bloukh Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE Avian influenza has a huge pandemic risk for the humanity. Birds, ducks, swans, humans and even cats today, can be infected with the H5N1 virus. So what are the possible solutions to detect this type of virus and can we rely on the available tests to detect its presence? In the mean time, rapid influenza testing can be done at the point of care, providing a result in less than 30 min. The diagnostic tests for influenza include: Viral culture, immunofluorescent antibody staining, enzyme immunoassay, serologic testing and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Time is an important factor in the event of a pandemic of avian flu and considered inevitable by most experts. So are these tests enough to give us information about the detection of this virulent and extremely contagious virus? And will they allow us to produce new antiviral agents to fight the unknown future? But one question remains unanswered: When will the pandemic event happen?



BREAST CANCER IN THE U.A.E.

Maisaa Omer, Lina Ahmad and Nihal Abdalla Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE As in developed countries, cancer breast is the commonest cancer affecting females in the UAE. Cancer breast represent about 12% of all malignancies among UAE nationals. The highest incidence rate is at the 45- 60 years age group (about 30%). The majority of cases (47.9%) have regional lymph nodes involvement, 27.5% have localized tumors, while 9% of cases are observed with distant metastasis. Women tend to seek medical advice late with more advanced disease when their chances for successful treatment are greatly reduced. Prevention and early detection of cases is the most effective way for fighting cancer breast.



DETERMINING STUDENT AWARENESS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI DISEASE AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS IN

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

Tarik AlZubaidy1 and Syed Azhar2 1Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network

2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unveriti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

6th Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy.

Gobalization of Clinical Pharamcy; East & West Collaboration. Bangkok, Thailand. July 6th-9th, 2006

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) organisms are spiral- shaped, gram-negative bacteria with multiple unipolar flagella. The bacteria, inhabiting gastric mucosal layer, or adherent to epithelial lining stomach. The disturbing news about these bacteria is that approximately two-third of the world population are infected with it. Studies showed that H. pylori causes more than 90% of duodenal ulcer and up to 80% of gastric ulcers. Not only that, but infected persons showed a 2-6-fold increased risk of developing gastric cancer and mucosal- associated lymphoid type (MALT) compared with their non-infected counterparts. Conducting national educational program to inform the society about the association between H. pylori and peptic ulcer disease would have a very positive effect in reducing infection rate and would ultimately result in decreasing health care costs. In order to determine the knowledge of the students about the impact of H. pylori on health, this study was conducted. A questionnaire was designed with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions and was distributed among the students. Only 123 respondents were valid for statistical analysis, using SPSS.program.which revealed the following data: 119 pharmacy students, (96.7%), and 4 students (3.3% taking other courses.92 students (74.8%) read articles/books related to gastrointestinal problems. 79 students (64.2%) heard about H. pylori. While seventy eight (63.4%) new its relationship with gastric (stomach cancer). 111studnets (90.2%) had an idea about ulcers. 73 students (59.5%) heard about its relation with



stomach cancer. Four mothers (3.3%) and five fathers (4.1%) were diagnosed as H. pylori carriers. 77 students (62%) had an idea about transmission of bacteria. Dyspepsia was heard by fifty six students (45.5%). Only 87 students (70.7%) had an idea about peptic ulcers. 44 students (35.7%) had an idea about diagnosis of H. pylori.45 students (36.6%) had an idea about treatment. Only sixteen students (13% new the size of its infection at world level. Nineteen students (15.4%) knew that WHO considerer H. pylori as carcinogenic in the stomach as the cigarette smoking in the lungs. Doctor diagnosed six students as H. pylori carriers (4.9%). 24 students (19.5%) new that H. pylori can live in the stomach. 47 (38.2%) students had pain or discomfort in upper abdomen. 41 students (33.3%) experienced bloating. 52 students (42.3%) had a feeling of fullness. 47 students (38.2 %) had hunger and empty feeling in the stomach, often three hours after a meal. 22 (17.9%) students had a mild nausea. 24 students (19.5 %) experienced regurgitation, and only ten students (8.1%) experienced belching. Conclusion: Students should have more knowledge about certain areas about H.pylori, such as, its carcinogenicity for the stomach as is the carcinogenicity of cigarette smocking in the lung. Also their knowledge about its prevalence among population of the world should receive their attention, as well as the dyspepsia symptoms which should be well known to them.



GHRELIN, APPETITE AND WEIGHT CONTROL

Dareen Abdulhadi, Hdaia Al Najjar, Noha Allam and Nihal Abdalla



Ghrelin, an acylated 28-amino acid peptide, was isolated from the human and rat stomach as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptors. Circulating ghrelin is produced predominantly in the stomach, the majority of circulating Ghrelin is secreted from its oxyntic glands, lesser amounts are released from small intestine and other tissues as the pituitary, kidneys, placenta, lungs & testes. Ghrelin is a potent stimulator of GH release and feeding. In addition, the plasma Ghrelin level correlates inversely with obesity. A recent study suggests that GH exhibits feedback inhibition on Ghrelin. Obesity is a major health problem; it is related to type II D.M, Hypertension and ischemic heart diseases. About 30% of the population in the US suffer from obesity. However, no accurate figures are available in the UAE. A recent study shows that active vaccination of mature rats against the endogenous hormone Ghrelin decreases feeding efficiency, and body weight gain. Suggesting a possible role of a future Anti Ghrelin vaccine in the treatment of obesity.



MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC MIRACLES OF THE HOLY QURAN

Heba Ahmed Ibrahim



The Quran cannot be produced by any creature. It is the word of the Almighty God, the Originator of everything and the One Who encompasses everything with His knowledge. As how could any creature reveal such scientific facts and signs, as indicated in some Quranic verses, that were impossible to be known with the level of knowledge at the time of revelation? The Quran, with the description of all these scientific facts in accurate terms that fit with the modern rules of science, affirms that this is revealed by Allah. Man only unfolded these signs so many centuries after it had been revealed by Allah, with the help of modern technology. The Quran is the word of Allah Who has created everything and knows the slightest details of His creation. “If the whole of mankind and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran, they would never produce its like, not though they backed one another.” (17:88) " ق ل ل ئن إجتمع ت األن س

.والجن على أن یأتوا بمثل ھذا القرآن ، ال یأتون بمثلھ ولو كان بعضھم لبعض ظھیرا " )٨٨: اإلسراء(



QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP STUDIES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL N2- SUBSTITUTED PHENAZINES

Khairi M. Salem


International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS. 2006)

The increased availability of iminophenazines with polar substitute in the N2- side chain (notably B826 with a (3-diethylaminopropyl) imino substituent) in spleen of mice following oral administration prompted an investigation of possible correlation between the partition coefficient (log P) values and electronic properties expressed by σ* with the concentration of the iminophenazines in spleen of mice. The correlation studies between log P values and the concentration of the iminophenazines in spleen of mice showed poor correlation coefficient (r = 0.515), while much better correlation was obtained using the electronic parameter σ*, where the correlation coefficient was 0.911, indicating the significance of the electronic factor in relation to the transport of the compounds to spleen of mice, despite the high lipophilicity of the iminophenazines



NASAL CARRIAGE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND METHICILLIN-RESISTANT S AUREUS IN THREE CAMPUSES

OF AJMAN UNIVERSITY IN EMIRATES, 1998-2006

Tarik AlZubaidy1 and Syed Azhar2 1Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network

2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Unveriti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

6th. Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy.

Gobalization of Clinical Pharamcy; East & West Collaboration. Bangkok, Thailand. July 6th-9th, 2006

Without question Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) is the most virulent species of staphylococci encountered. In humans, the nose is the primary reservoir of S aureus. Approximately 30-40% of healthy population harbor S aureus, in the nose, which is an important risk factor for S aureus infection. S aureus nasal carriers have three fold –increased risk for nosocomial S aureus bacterimia compared to non-carrier. Methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), created disturbances; among clinicians in finding efficient antibacterial drugs against it. Nasal swabs, were obtained from 525 apparently healthy females, and 86 apparently healthy males students from Pharmacy and dentistry colleges in Ajman University campuses where located at three different Emirates. Using sterilized cotton swabs. For this purpose, the cotton swabs were gently introduced in interior nares, and rubbed gently a long the walls of nasal cavity. The swabs were streaked onto manitol salt agar plates and incubated at 37 C. for 48 hours. S aureus identification was based on Gram staining, catalase, and slid/tube coagulase tests. The students were considered as nasal carriers for S aureus based on presence of this organism in the nasal swab specimen. Oxacillin (methicillin) resistance was determined; by disk diffusion method using disks containing one microgram oxacillin. All isolates were considered as oxacillin resistant (methicillin resistant) if diameter of inhibition zone was equal to or less than 8 mm. when the swab.



Mupirocin (Bactroban) disk was used in the same way as oxacillin method and the diameter of inhibition zone was determined. If the diameter of inhibition zone was more than 8 mm considered as sensitive and equal to or less than 8mm considered resistant. The result of 416 swabs was studied. It was found that in Abu Dhabi campus; out of 12 male students; 4 (33.3%) were S aureus positive and 3(25%) were (MRSA), and (33.3%) were mupirocin sensitive. Out of 65 females,20 (30.76%) were S aureus carriers and 13 (20%) were (MARSA), 10 (15.38) were mupirocin sensitive Among dentistry students (males) in Abu Dhabi, out of 20, 6 males (30%) were S aureus positive, and 5 (25%) were MARSA and 6 (30%) were mupirocin positive. Out of 75 females 24 (30%0) were S aureus positive, and 20 (26.6%) were MARSA, and 24(32%) were mupirocin sensitive. In Al AIN campus Pharmacy, out of 8 males, 3 (37.5 %) were S aureus positive, and 2(25%) were MARSA and 3 (37.5.%) were mupirocin sensitive. Out of 65 females, 21 (32.3%) were S aurerus positive and 19 (29.2%) were MARSA.and 20 (30%76) were mupirocin sensitive. Out of 20 males (Dentistry) 7 (35%) were S aureus positive and 6 (30%) were MARSA, and 7 (35%) were mupirocin sensitive.Out of 70 female students 24 (34.2%) were S aureus positive and 23 (32.85) were MARSA,and 24 (34.2) were mupirocin sensitive. In Fujaira campus (Pharmacy), out of 95 female students, 30 females (31.5%) were S aureus postive and 28(29.4%) were MARSA and 29 (30.5%) were mupirocin sensitive. Among Dentistry students; out of 25 male students 8 (32%) were S aureus positive and 7 (28%) were MARS, and 8 (32%) were mupirocin sensitive. Among female students, out of 70 students 22 (31.4%) were S aureus positive and 20 (28.57%) MARSA and 22 (31.2%) were mupirocin sensitive. Conclusion: One should pay great heed to the high prevalence of Methicillin resistant S aureus among both male and females in all campuses which may be due to antibiotics misuse. The high percentage of sensitivity to mupirocin may offer a solution for decolonization of S aureus.



AVIAN INFLUENZA

Ali Alqallaf, Zakia Metwali and Yasser Elshabrawy Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,

AUST Network

The 7th DUPHAT, 13-15 March 2006, Dubai, UAE Avian Influenza (bird flu) infection caused by avian influenza viruses. These flu viruses naturally among bird. Wild birds’ world ship carries the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them. Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997.influenza A (H5N1) virus-also called (H5N1) virus – is influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds. It was first isolated from birds (terns) in South Africa in 1961. Like all bird flu viruses, H5N1 virus circulates among birds worldwide, is very contagious among birds, and can be deadly.



HYPERTENSION

M. Mahmud, D.Michel, A. Mohammad and Y. El-shabrawy

Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network


Hypertension or high blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery. Although the causes are not always known, high blood pressure can often run in families, indicating a strong genetic component. Risk factors for high blood pressure include smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity, a high salt intake, lack of exercise and stress and a family history of hypertension and stroke. Arteriosclerosis, or a thickening, hardening and narrowing of the walls of arteries is also often associated with high blood pressure. Warning signs of hypertension can include nosebleeds, racing or irregular heartbeat, headaches, and dizziness. It is a mistake to conclude that you do not have high blood pressure because you do not have any symptoms.



SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Roqiya Hamid Alhabsi, Marium Mostafa Mohamed and Yasser El-Shabrawy

Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, AUST Network


Sickle cell anemia is also known as hemoglobin S disease. It affects the red blood cells,, the red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like sickles or crescents. When these hard and pointed red cells go through the small blood vessels, they tend to get stuck and block the flow of blood. This can cause pain, damage and low blood count or anemia. The change in amino acid sequence of DNA causes hemoglobin molecules to crystallize when oxygen levels in the blood are low. As a result, red blood cells sickle and get stuck in small blood vessels. It occurs as fatigue, abdominal swelling, bone chang, yellowing eyes. As it is a genetic disease it can partially be treated by blood transfusions, oral antibiotics, folic acid, nitric oxide, but it could be prevented by a genetic pre-marriage examination.



Faculty of Business

Administration



UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE MODUS OPERANDI

OF PR DEPARTMENTS

Rubeena Cetin Faculty of Business Administration,

AUST Network

5th Global Conference On Business & Economics Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK. July 6-8, 2006

Conference proceedings CD, ISBN: 09742114-3-5 The research indicates that universities have fundamentally different approaches of implementing marketing strategies. Universities formulate marketing strategies for various reasons and it is usually based on previous strategies, threats from the competitors or on an impromptu basis. However, strategic planning process of the universities is examined wherein, if marketing strategies are embedded then it becomes a process that can be effectively realized in the higher educational institutions. The empirical evidence highlights the PR departments functions through which university administrators and the other members of the university can interact to put into practice marketing aspirations of various magnitudes.



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Srinivas Inguva

Faculty of Business Administration, Dept. of Accounting AUST Network

Accounting, Commerce and Finance Conference: “The Islamic Perspective – VII International Conference organized by the

Islamic Perspective Research Association, Australia, and hosted by Arab Open University, Bahrain: 28-30 March 2006

Islam is a universal Religion followed by over one billion people in different areas of the world. The literal meaning of Islam is the submission to the will of god. Islam has been one of the world’s major movements of civilization. Islamic institutions such as Islamic banks, Tabung Haji etc., or established to meet the socio economic objectives of shariah (Islamic law) through implementation of an Islamic economic system. Modern banking system was introduced into the Muslim country at the time when they were politically and economically at low ebb, in the late 19th century. The main banks in the home countries of the imperial powers established local branches in the capitals of the subject country and they created mainly to the import export requirements of the foreign businesses. The banks were generally confined to the capital cities and the local population remained largely untouched by the banking system. The local trading community avoided the foreign banks both for nationalistic as well as religious reasons. However, as the time went on it became difficult to engage in trade and other activities with out making use of commercial banks. Even then many banks confined their indolent to transaction activities such as current accounts and money transfers. Borrowing from the banks and depositing their savings with the bank were strictly avoided in order to keep away from dealing in interest which is prohibited by religion. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate contrawise growth and development of Islamic banks and financial institutions by age and capital in the Middle East in general and UAE in particular.



SERVICE OPERATING COSTS AND EFFICIENCY A CASE STUDY ON UAE BANKS

Srinivas Inguva

Faculty of Business Administration, Dept. of Accounting AUST Network

International Conference on Service Industry: Challenges and

Opportunities, Muscat, Oman, 13-14 September 2006 In today's rapidly moving business environment, agility and responsiveness have become critical factors in the race for survival and growth. Most businesses have some experience in eliminating waste and controlling cost, but there is one area of significant cost that remains a black hole for many organizations to reduce their efficiency. In the present day's economically strapped corporate environment, managers must take much care to eliminate waste and control cost to improve efficiency and to stay themselves afloat. All organizations face pressures to offer cost efficient services in the face of accelerating demands. These pressures have led to many initiatives to improve the management by analyzing efficiency versus cost. Firms must actively manage their cost of services provided to the customers, if they want to prevent competition from other firms and to reduce future risk of reducing demand for their products/services. There are 21 national and 25 foreign banks are functioning in the UAE with 344 and 87 branch offices respectively with 16408 numbers of workers. The performance of banks in the UAE has been showing steady growth and despite the size of the market the UAE banking sector is likely to become a top player in the region. All the UAE national banks are positively competing with the international banks in terms of providing services, efficiency in terms of profitability. The purpose of the present paper is to examine some of the available basic service costs of the National Banks of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to observe the service cost variations in the national banks and efficiency in terms of profitability. The data for the period 2004/05 have been drawn from the popular web sites related to national banks are considered for the purpose of



the study. Data drawn from the secondary sources has been analyzed and interpreted wherever required. The study is limited to the service costs and efficiency in terms of profitability of national banks of United Arab Emirates only.



ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING PRACTICES IN UAE

Srinivas Inguva Faculty of Business Administration, Dept. of Accounting

AUST Network

International Academy of Business and Technology Conference-2006, Connecticut, USA, May 31st -June 3rd 2006*

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Public enterprises in the UAE are of recent origin and their establishment was encouraged after national independence in 1971 not only to provide more efficient and effective services but also to promote economic growth and help in generating state revenue. Public enterprises in the UAE are maintaining their accounts in accordance with the accounting standards contained in their respective laws and regulations and prepare their financial statements on historical cost basis in accordance with Internationally Accepted Accounting Standards. In many countries, accounting regulation is based on a system of detailed rules prescribed in standards and law. In UAE the State Audit Institution has been set up as an independent authority attached to the federal national council by Federal Law of 1971.The State Audit Institution carries out concurrent audit and post audit of all financial operations relating to jointly own public enterprises. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate and analyze the present accounting and auditing practices in the United Arab Emirates in general in the light of Auditing Standards and from the view of State Audit Institution.

* Received Best Paper Award in the accounting track.



Faculty of Computer Science and Computer Engineering



SIMULATION STUDY FOR ROUTING PROTOCOLS IN SENSOR NETWORKS s

Abdelaziz Araar, Hakim Khali, and Ryadh Mehdi

Faculty of Computer Science and Computer Engineering AUST Network

12th IEEE International Conference ICECS 2005, 11-14 December, Tunisia, Vol. 2, pp 385-388

A wireless sensor network refers to a group of sensors, or nodes/bluetooth, linked by a wireless medium to perform distributed sensing tasks. Traditional routing protocols developed for wireless ad hoc networks cannot be used for sensor. This is because conventional protocols focus on avoiding congestion or maintaining connectivity when faced with mobility and not on the limited energy supply. We develop a simulation model in order to establish a comparison between the following protocols in term of packet loss with different numbers of sources for Sensor Protocols for Information via Negotiation (SPIN), Directed Diffusion (DD) and Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH).



JOINT MULTIPLE SIGNATURE SCHEME FOR GROUP-ORIENTED AUTHENTICATION AND NON-REPUDIATION

Ahcene Farah and Hakim Khali, IEEE Members


The 3rd IEEE- GCC 2006 International Conference, Bahrain, 19-

22 March 2006, E-systems and Services Part This paper presents a scheme for joint signing/verifying a message by many signers to provide data authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation for a group of people. The signature security is based on the computational intractability of the discrete logarithm problem (DLP) in prime order subgroup of Z*

P as in digital signature algorithm (DSA) scheme. The proposed scheme is an extension of DSA to a group of signers who jointly sign the message. The signature of a message can be verified individually for each signer, or collectively for a subgroup or entire group. Moreover, the scheme can be used for group membership authentication. Finally, the proposed scheme can be used in many applications, such as E-Commerce and E-Government.



A HYBRID HEURISTIC ALGORITHM FOR THE TRAVELING SALESPERSON PROBLEM

Hend F. Kendela, M. Ayman Al-Ahmar

and El-Sayed M. El Horbaty Faculty of Computer Science and Computer Engineering

AUST Network

The International Conference on Interactive Mobile and Computer Aided Learning (IMCL), Princess Sumaya University for

Technology (PSUT), Jordan, April 18-22, 2006, pp. 112-12١. The traveling salesperson problem (TSP) has been studied by many researchers and a great variety of heuristics and implementations with varying solution quality/running time tradeoffs have been proposed. It has many applications and has been utilized in the optimization of the pedagogic success of E-learning software. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid heuristic algorithm that uses nearest neighbor heuristic first to find an initial tour and then uses a local search component to improve the quality of the solution. The implementation of our algorithm is given. The local search consists of a hybrid method that utilizes brute force and 2-Optimal techniques on small parts of the tour. The results of our implementation are compared with corresponding results using nearest (cheapest) insertion heuristic on the same instances. The effectiveness of our algorithm derives from the improved tour quality achieved with reasonable running times.



RECOGNIZING ISOLATED HANDWRITTEN ARABIC CHARACTERS USING HYBRID OF MODIFIED

DIRECTIONAL ELEMENT FEATURE AND GENERAL AUTOASSOCIATIVE MEMORY

Amer AL-Nassiri


ACIT2005, AL-Isra University, Jordan, Dec. 2005.

This paper describes a novel technique for recognizing already segmented handwritten Arabic characters. Directional Element Feature (DEF) extraction and Sample Learning Algorithm (SLA) of General Auto Associative Memories (GAM), GAM-SLA, on a large data, contribute to improvement of recognition rate. A directional element feature extraction and modification is discussed and compared with others in the literature. GAM model shows a storage capacity suitable for storing all handwritten Arabic characters. The modified DEF and GAM combination, without adding in any significant complexity, affords better recognition rate. Recognition results above 99.35% are reported using handwritten Arabic characters from different writers.



MPL VS. LVQ NEURAL NETWORKS FOR ARABIC PHONEMES RECOGNITION

Manal EL-Obaid, Amer AL-Nassiri,


WSEAS transaction on Signal Processing,

Issue 5, Vol. 2, May 2006. In this paper, Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Network MLP and SOM with Learning Vector Quantizing (LVQ), is applied to the problem of Arabic phoneme classification system. Given a sequence of acoustic observations and 34 Arabic phoneme targets, the task is to classify each observation to one of these targets. The technique in this paper can be divided into three major steps: firstly the preprocessing in which the original speech is transformed into digital form. Two methods for preprocessing have been applied, FIR filter and normalization. Secondly, the global features of the Arabic speech phoneme are then extracted using Spectral coefficients, with frame size of 512 samples, 170 overlapping, and hamming window. Finally, recognition of Arabic speech using supervised learning method with two types of Neural Networks having completely different strategies is presented. These networks are Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Network MLP, based on Feed Forward Back propagation and Kohonen Self Organized Feature Maps (SOM) with (LVQ). The results of recognition have reached 96.3 for most of the 34 phonemes using Backprobagation Neural Network, and 68% using Learning Vector Quantizing Neural Network. The database used in this paper is KAPD (King AbdulAziz Phonetics Database), and the algorithms were written in MATLAB.



ARABIC PHONEME RECOGNITION USING NEURAL NETWORKS

Manal EL-Obaid, Amer AL-Nassiri, and Iman Abuel Maaly


5th WSEAS International Conference on Signal Processing,

Istanbul, Turkey, May 27-29, 2006 (pp99-104). The main theme of this paper is the recognition of isolated Arabic speech phonemes using artificial neural networks, as most of the researches on speech recognition (SR) are based on Hidden Markov Models (HMM). The technique in this paper can be divided into three major steps: firstly the preprocessing in which the original speech is transformed into digital form. Two methods for preprocessing have been applied, FIR filter and Normalization. Secondly, the global features of the Arabic speech phoneme are then extracted using Cepstral coefficients, with frame size of 512 samples, 170 overlapping, and hamming window. Finally, recognition of Arabic speech phoneme using supervised learning method and Multi Layer Perceptron Neural Network MLP, based on Feed Forward Backprobagation. The proposed system achieved a recognition rate within 96.3% for most of the 34 phonemes. The database used in this paper is KAPD (King AbdulAziz Phonetics Database), and the algorithms were written in MATLAB.



A SYSTEM-LEVEL ARCHITECTURE FOR HASH MESSAGE AUTHENTICATION CODE

H. Khali, MIEEE, R. Mehdi and A. Araar


ICECS 12th International Conference,

Tunisia, December 11th-14th 2005 Modern network-based applications continuously raise the demand for secure data communications. This demand has motivated the development of new cryptographic standards and encryption algorithms. The hash message authentication code (HMAC) has been adopted as a standard for robust authentication with enhanced security features. HMAC makes use of well-known hash functions. Hash function security levels have been considerably improved by introducing a new standard, named SHA-2. The major strength of the new SHA-2 standard relies in its variable-size hash value (256, 384, 512 bits). In this paper, a new system architecture is proposed to implement HMAC using SHA-2 hash functions. This architecture aims to maximize the throughput and it follows a CODESIGN approach, where the critical computations of SHA-2 hash algorithms are implemented in hardware, while the non-critical ones are kept in software. Finally, the proposed architecture is very flexible and can efficiently implement complex digital signature algorithms and keyed-hash message authentication codes.



ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

A CASE STUDY

Mahmoud AbouNaaj, Riyadh A.K. Mehdi, Hakim Khali, and Mirna Nachouki


The 1st Arab Conference on Higher Education Quality and

Accreditation Requirements, Sharjah University, Sharjah, UAE: Arab Administrative Development Organization

23-26 April 2006 Program objectives (outcomes) assessment and evaluation is becoming an important process in providing improved education to students through modified curriculum and instruction. It has also become an important element of any academic program accreditation review. To this end the department of Computer Science has started in the second semester 2004/2005 in establishing procedures and tools for assessing and evaluating the objectives of the Computer Science program. This case study outlines the procedures and tools that will be used in assessing the achievements of the Computer Science program objectives. This task is part of a pilot study conducted by the University of Ajman of Science and Technology in order to establish well-defined procedures and tools for assessing the effectiveness of all programs offered by the University. Assessment of support services will be the responsibility of the respective units offering these services.



NEW FUZZY RANKING ALGORITHM FOR DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION

Riyadh Mehdi, Abdulaziz Araar, and Hakim Khali


ICECS 12th International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and

Systems, Gammarth, Tunisia, December 11th-14th 2005 Discrete event simulation requires modeling input parameters using probability distributions. However, in some cases it may not be possible to obtain a probability distribution for an input parameter because of lack of data. Fuzzy set theory may be used in these cases to model the input parameters using fuzzy sets. The event list will contain events with fuzzy time sets that usually overlap and the problem becomes how to rank these fuzzy sets and advance the simulation clock. In this paper the authors present a ranking algorithm that can generate all possible system evolutions. The algorithm was applied to a single server model where the inter-arrival time and the service time were modeled as triangular fuzzy numbers. Results obtained were compared with results obtained from a comparable triangular distribution and a normal distribution used as benchmarks. Performance parameter used is the utilization percentage of the facility. Results show similar utilization rates and convergence.



Faculty of Dentistry



INTRA-ORAL MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS TUMORS: A REVIEW OF 75 CASES IN A LIBYAN POPULATION

Mohammed Abdullah Jaber

Faculty of Dentistry AUST Network

Int. J. Oral Maxillofa. Surg. 2006; 35:150-154

Minor salivary gland carcinomas are uncommon but most often occur in the oral cavity, particularly the hard palate. Dental examination may provide an opportunity for early detection. During the period of 1977 to 2000 a group of 75 patients (31 males and 44 females median age 44.2 years and range 15-86 years) with minor salivary gland tumors were diagnosed. The diagnosis of each case based on the 1991 WHO classification. The peak occurrence of the tumors being in the 5th decade for males and 6th decade for females. The frequency of the benign tumors was 38.6% (n=29) and malignant tumors 61.3% (n= 46). Pleomorphic adenomas were the most commonly histological type of the benign tumors identified whereas mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) were the most common malignant tumors. The most common primary location of the tumors was the palate followed by the cheek. In general, benign tumors presented as an asymptomatic swelling and ulceration, pain were more frequently associated with malignant tumors. This study has shown that intraoral tumors of minor salivary glands have a wide variation in presentation and medical and dental practitioners should consider them in any differential diagnosis when assessing intra-oral pathology. Any lesion arising from the hard palate (most common site in our series) should be considered as a possible minor salivary gland tumor. Referral to a multidisciplinary head and neck clinic following diagnosis is strongly recommended.



EFFECTS OF COMPOSITE THICKNESS ON SHEAR BOND STRENGTH TO DENTIN

Abdul-Haq Abdul-Majeed Suliman and

Sabah Abdul-Wahab Ismail Faculty of Dentistry

AUST Network

Mustansiria Dental Journal 2: 150-156, 2005 Sixty no-carious extracted human molars were used in this study. The enamel on the occlusal surface of the crown of the tooth was removed by a diamond bur then the surfaces of the teeth were ground flat. The teeth were randomly divided into six groups each of ten and then stored in distilled water at 37 degree Celsius. Two types of composite were used in the study, Definite and Tetric. The bonding agents Etch and Prime were prepared and applied according to manufacturer directions and applied to the dentin surface on the first three groups and light cured for 20 seconds. The composite definite was packed into 2, 3 and 4 mm thick using split metal mold in the first, second and third groups respectively and bulk cured from top of the composite for 40 seconds, the same procedure was repeated in the remaining three groups but the composite Tetric was used with its corresponding bonding agent (Excite). The bond strength was measured with Universal Compression Machine. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two types of composite. The shear bond strength was affected by composite thickness; the 2 mm increment showed higher bond strength than the 3 mm and 4 mm increments in both composites. In conclusion under the condition of this study and for better bond strength of resin composite to dentin it should not be used in an increment more than 2 mm.



LONG-TERM WATER SORPTION OF THREE RESIN-BASED RESTORATIVE MATERIALS

Abdul-Haq A. Suliman, Ma’an M. Nayif, Toru Nikaido, Masaomi Ikeda, Richard Foxoton, and Junji Tagami


International Chinese Journal of Dentistry 5: 1-6, 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the water sorption of three resin-based restorative materials over 180 days of storage in de-ionized water. Three disks (12.0 mm in diameter and 1.25 mm in thickness) were prepared for each light-cured resin based materials: a polyacid- modified resin composite (élan), an organically modified ceramic (Definite), and a hybrid resin composite (Prodigy). The disks were immersed in de-ionized water at 37 degree Celsius for 180 days. The weight of the disks was measured at intervals of 1, 7, 14, 60, and 180 days. The results were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni comparison test at 95% level of confidence. Significant differences were found among the materials and storage time. Over 180 days, élan showed earlier and higher water sorption compared with the other materials. Prodigy exhibited the least water sorption over the test period. In conclusion water sorption of the resin based restorative materials was material and storage time dependent. Prodigy resin composite was the most stable material with the lowest water sorption. The clinical significance of this study is that the polyacid-modified resin composite (élan) showed earlier and higher water sorption behavior than the other materials. It was suggested that undesirable properties may appear subsequent to water sorption.



WATER FLUORIDATION: INDICATIONS, EFFICACY IN CARIES PREVENTION AND SAFETY

Abdul-Haq A. Suliman, and Karam H. Jazrawi


Alshifa’a Quarterly Medical Magazine 3: 2-4, 2005

Fluoride is important for the integrity of bone and teeth. Fluoride increases tooth mineralization, reduces the risk and prevalence of dental caries and helps promote enamel remineralisation throughout life for individuals of all ages. When fluoride is provided in optimal amounts in water (0.7-1.2 ppm), it potentially conveys major dental health benefits to all age groups and is not associated with any known adverse health effects. The value of water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries has been unquestionably demonstrated. Fluoridation of public water supplies has been recognized by over 90 professional health organizations as the most effective dental public health measure in existence.



CHANGING THE FACE OF DENTISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITH OZONE THERAPY

Mohammed A Al Sayyab


The 1st International Primary Health Care Conference

Abu Dhabi- January 21-23/2006. The introduction of new techniques in clinical dentistry has changed the face of dental practice in the past few years, one of the most promising approaches is the use of ozone in prevention of dental caries giving hopes for giving up classical invasive and time consuming methods in this presentation focus will be put on new advances with regards to using ozone for preventing the onset of dental caries as well as stopping already carious lesions in an attempt to make dental treatment more acceptable.



MOTHER'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS DIGIT-SUCKING HABIT IN CHILDREN OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Afraa Salah Hussian and Asma Amir


This research was awarded the Awais Scientific & Cultural

Corporation Fist Prize 2006. Dubai – UAE. Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude and the knowledge of the mothers towards digit sucking habit and investigate the association between certain factors and the existence of this habit. Methods: a cross-sectional sample of 150 mothers were interviewed in the primary care centers whom they had children currently practicing digit sucking habit. A questionnaire was distributed to obtain information regarding mother’s age, nationality, education level, employment status and their attitude towards this habit, in addition to the required information about their children in relation to sex, age and the number of the children practicing this habit in the family. Results: the analyzed data revealed different nationalities of the participating mothers, younger ones represent (52.7%),(47.3%)of the mothers were educated and (70.o%)were un employed. Females(65.3%) practicing this habit more than males and(45.3%)of the children were less than 3-year-old. Significant factors associated with mothers attitude towards digit sucking habit,(88.6%)of them were never tolerated this habit,instruction was given by unemployed mothers (75.0%) and (89.9%)of the mothers never ask for dental advice. Conclusion: mothers did not find digit-sucking habit an acceptable behavior regardless their nationalities, they try to stop the habit using different techniques without any scientific basis or professional advice. Mothers need a motivational program, scientific advice and certain tips to discourage this habit.



IS FORM AND SHAPE OF THE UPPER DENTAL ARCH CONTRA-INDICATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF

COMPLETE DENTURE? Abdelfattah Senussi El-gheriani and Sameh Atalla Duaibis


Ajman University Publication 17: 24-25, 2006

Patient was hit by car in 1978, which lead to multiple fractures in his upper jaw and lost all upper natural teeth. Since that time all dentists he consulted refused to replace the upper missing teeth because of the great loss of bone and the irregularity of the dental arch. All dentists insist on the surgical correction of the dental arch first then prosthodontic treatment. The patient refused the surgical correction due to the multiple surgeries that were done to him previously and the expenses of the treatment. On clinical examination at AUST Network we find that the treatment can be done without any surgical correction. Upper complete denture and lower removable partial dentures are inserted into the patient’s mouth with successful functional and esthetic results.



DENTAL CAUSES OF HEADACHES

Sam Thomas Faculty of Dentistry

AUST Network

The Association of Kerala Medical Graduates Symposium, Sharjah, May 2006

One of the most common reasons for seeking care is because of pain and/or dysfunction, usually involving the teeth or periodontal tissues. However, musculoskeletal, vascular, and neuropathic causes of orofacial pain occur frequently precipitating as headaches. The need to understand pain and all of its ramifications is of utmost importance in diagnosis and case-specific, evidence-based management of conditions afflicting the masticatory system. This presentation reviews the common dental causes of headache. The rationale for consideration of multidisciplinary evaluation and management is highlighted.



LASERS IN DENTISTRY

Sam Thomas Faculty of Dentistry

AUST Network

Presented at GITEX, Dubai April 2006. The term laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. This explains most but not all the critical physical interactions that occur within a laser-generating cavity. Lasers by no means supplant traditional surgical armamentaria but can be used in combination with conventional techniques and have found extraordinary success in various surgical and non-surgical procedures. Technology has advanced so much that the light in its purest form can be used to diagnose early dental cavities not visible to the naked eyes. Oral surgeries are carried out with less scar and faster healing. Lasers are also gaining popularity in the beauty conscious society. Lasers are being used by many to brighten their smiles. Lasers are routinely used to remove diseased areas of gums, which improve the looks of the patient. Lasers are used in a sort of “plastic surgery for the mouth.” These are only some of the advantages of the ‘light-machine’. Future aspects of lasers in dentistry show many interesting trends and possibilities. The ideal laser would be to work well not only in soft tissue but in hard tissue also. This presentation makes an attempt to highlight the various uses of laser in the dental specialty practice.



QUANTITATIVE MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE SKELETAL MUSCLES OF NORMAL AND

STREPTOZOTOCIN-DIABETIC RATS

Aughsteen AA, Khair AM, and Suleiman AA Faculty of Dentistry

AUST Network

J. Pancreas (Online) 2006; 7(4): 382-389. OBJECTIVES: Quantitative morphometry under light microscope was applied to analyze changes in the number and the diameters of skeletal muscle fibers and their myonuclei in the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. ANIMALS: Twelve adult male albino Fischer rats each weighing 300 g were used in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of STZ (75 mg/kg body weight) via the tail vein. Six normal and 6 STZ-diabetic rats were sacrificed; samples of the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles were taken, fixed in modified Bouin's fluid and processed for paraffin sectioning. The muscle samples were properly oriented during paraffin embedding for cross and longitudinal sectioning. Sections from each block were cut, processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Randomly selected samples from normal and STZ-diabetic rats were analyzed using a 100x objective lens of a light microscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diameters of the fibers and the length of the myonuclei were determined from the longitudinal sections while the diameters and number of fibers and myonuclei were measured from the cross sections. A length measuring 10x reticule fitted to the microscope eye piece was used for the direct measurement of the fibers and myonuclei profiles. Morphometric measurement from each rat was determined and the data were pooled for the control and diabetic groups of rats. All data presented are means with standard error and were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test.



RESULTS: Histological examination of the stained sections from diabetic rats revealed the presence of areas of inflammation and necrosis in the myofibers of both muscles. The estimated mean diameter of the muscle fibers in the STZ-diabetic rats was reduced by 36% and 31% respectively in the longitudinal and cross sections of the extensor digitorum longus. Similarly, the diameter of the fibers of the rectus femoris in the longitudinal and the cross sections were reduced by 44% and 31%, respectively. On the other hand, a corresponding increase in the number of fibers per unit area was recorded in both muscles of the STZ-diabetic rats which amounted to 13% and 16%, respectively as compared to those of normal rats. Analysis of the myonuclei in normal and diabetic rats revealed a slight decrease in their length and diameter which amounted to 4% and 6%, respectively for the extensor digitorum longus and to 4% and 18%, respectively for the rectus femoris. The estimated numerical density of myonuclei per unit area was 10% lower in both muscles of the diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal muscular atrophy is a well-documented complication in longstanding diabetes and has been attributed to the direct effect of low serum insulin on the motor end plates and on the synthesis of contractile proteins. The present morphometric study illustrates a reduction in the diameter of the myofibers of the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles of STZ-diabetic rats. A slight but significant decrease in the length and diameters of the myonuclei between the diabetic and the normal rats was recorded. The results also indicate more evident morphologic changes in the myofibers of the hindlimb muscle.



A COMPARISON BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL VISUAL & SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHODS FOR SHADE

SELECTION: IN-VITRO & IN-VIVO STUDY

Ahmad Talal Judeh Faculty of Dentistry

AUST Network

The "20th Jordanian Dental Congress" Amman-Jordan, 9th-12th of May 2006

Inconsistencies among individual dentists in matching natural tooth shades and the inability of some dentists to duplicate their own shade selections reliably from one time to another has been documented. Some of the errors in color matching are attributed to the human variables. Instrumental measurement of tooth color would provide objective, quantifiable data to match natural teeth to clinical shade guides. The purpose of this study was to examine (in-vitro & in-vivo) the reliability of a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade) in shade selection compared to visual method (Vitapan Classical shade guide) when shade was taken by different levels of dental observers. Materials & Methods: Nine observers with normal color vision were asked to -visually & digitally- match shades of nine maxillary models with their incisor teeth being replaced by randomly selected shade tabs of a Vitapan Classical shade guide and mounted in a phantom head model. The same test was carried out in-vivo by the same observers on nine subjects upper central incisors. The observers were senior prosthodontists, senior dental technicians, and senior postgraduate students. Shade selections using both methods were then compared and correlated. Recorded data were analyzed statistically using binary logestic regression analysis. Results: In-vitro test results showed no significant difference between observers in shade selection regardless of the selection method used. However, there was a significant difference between digital and visual method in shade selection (p =



0.000). Digital method was 5 times more likely to match the original shade color compared to visual method. In-vivo test results showed 25.9% of shade selections performed matched the digital selections and 74.1% mismatched. When shade tabs were arranged according to value, a moderate agreement (K=0.433) between the two methods of shade selection was found. Conclusion: Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer proved to be clinically reliable easy to use apparatus, although it had color errors when compared to original shade tabs. Sometimes it was ineffective in producing repeatable readings of tooth color clinically.



Faculty of Information, Mass Communication and Public Relations



INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION AND PALESTINIAN CASE:

ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NEWS VALUES EMBEDDED IN THE NEWS BROADCAST OF THE FRENCH TV CHANNEL TFJ

Khaled Zamoum

Faculty of Information, Mass Communication and Public Relations, AUST Network

AUST Network Journal,

Vol. 10, No. 3 (2005- 2006), pp: 175-203 This study analyzes the content of TFJ News Broadcast on the Palestinian Cause. The study tries to answer a pair of questions: 1. What are the political, military, social and security values

embedded in TFJ News Broadcast? 2. How does these embedded values match up with the nature

and methods of distorting the Francophone public opinion? I used the “Content Analysis” method so as to pinpoint and locate the “desired values” and the “undesired values” within the TFJ news content. The conclusions of this study are as follows: - The most important point in my conclusions is the fact that

my research assumptions proved to be correct, because I discovered that the message forwarded by TFJ through its News Broadcast is alien to objectivity and credibility, especially when it regards the Palestinian cause. I also discovered that even the images accompanying the news reports do not reflect either the reality of Palestinian society, or the nature of the oppression it suffers from.

- The study concludes that 44.1% of the analyzed 100 values were political values. This is testimony that TFJ has an established political line it believes in, and that is supporting Israel’s political stance and defending its interests.

In the end, and in order to expand the study of this subject, I suggested a field study on a representative sample of TFJ’s audience to enable the understanding of the influence exerted by its media message, thus the political line delivered by TFJ.



THE SOCIAL MARKETING BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE

Khaled Zamoum

Faculty of Information, Mass Communication and Public Relations, AUST Network

A book published by: University Book House, UAE, 2006, 20٦ P

This book is considered the first of its kind in the social marketing area, and it’s a distinguished addition to the Arabic library that is in desperate need for Arabic books and references that address the subject in scientific and methodological manner. The social marketing is only addressed in articles and sometimes in small chapters within books addressing more abroad subjects. For those reasons, I decided to dedicate a whole book to the subject in order for the Arab universities to use it as reference for the curriculum related to the Media and Public Relations specialty, which is a relatively new area in most Arab universities. This book elaborates a comprehensive and independent Arab concept in the social marketing field taking in consideration the specificities of the Arab societies and also the challenges raised by the emergence of the Internet and global satellite TV. The book tends also to highlight the importance of the social marketing, in both theory and practice, as an efficient tool to resolve all kind of problems in those societies. In its first chapters, the book elaborates the different dimensions and factors of the social marketing: The marketing factor; the social factor and the media and communication factor. It ends with addressing the different practical aspects of social marketing.



Faculty of Education

and Basic Sciences



THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING CORT THINKING PROGRAM ON DEVELOPING CREATIVE THINKING FOR

ARABIC LANGUAGE AND ISLAMIC STUDIES STUDENTS IN AJMAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NETWORK

Majed Zaki Al-Jallad Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences

AUST Network

Journal of Education, Social and Human Sciences, Um Al Qura University. Vol. 18, No. 2: July 2006, pp 147-180

The present study was designed to explore the effectiveness of using CoRT Thinking Program (Breadth and Interaction units) on Developing Creative Thinking for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies Students in Ajman University of Science and Technology Network. The sample of the study consisted of (111) female students who were enrolled in Bachelors program for teaching of Arabic language and Islamic Studies, the sample was distributed into two groups: the experimental group used CoRT Program, while the control group used the normal way of teaching. Creative thinking skills were measured by using verbal aspect of Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT). The main result showed that there was statistically significant differences on developing creative thinking skills both in the total results of the test and in each single skill examined (fluency, flexibility and originality) in favour of experimental group. The study recommendations stated the importance of developing teachers competencies on methods and techniques of teaching thinking in general and on CoRT and creative thinking in particular, and the necessity to revise learning and teaching styles used in preparing teachers for more substantial use of theories and practice in teaching thinking.



THE EFFECT OF USING CONCEPT MAPS ON THE

ACQUISITION OF ISLAMIC LAW CONCEPTS AND ON DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS

IN ISLAMIC EDUCATION


AUST Network Journal of King Saud University, Education and Islamic Studies,

Vol 18, No. 2: 2006, pp 607-635 The present study was designed to explore the effect of using concept maps on the acquisition of Islamic Law concepts and on developing critical thinking skills of students in Islamic Education. The sample of the study consisted of (106) 10th grade students, the sample was distributed into two groups: the experimental group used concept maps in learning Islamic Law concepts, while the control group used the normal way of teaching. The main results showed that there were statistically significant differences on acquisition of Islamic Law concepts in favour of experimental group, while there was no statistically significant differences on acquisition of Islamic Law concepts due to variable of sex, and that there were no statistically significant differences in developing critical thinking skills due to method of teaching.



THE DEGREE OF ACQUISITION OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION TEACHING COMPETENCIES BY STUDENTS OF DIPLOMA

PROGRAM FOR TEACHING METHODS OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION

Majed Zaki Al-Jallad

Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences AUST Network

Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 3:

July 2005, pp 135-164 This study aimed at identifying the degree of students acquisition of Islamic Education teaching competencies, and specifically students who was enrolled in Diploma program for methods of teaching Islamic Education. The sample of the study consisted of (199) students (75 male, 124 female) who were enrolled in Diploma program for teaching methods of Islamic Education, the sample were distributed randomly to three Jordanian Universities: Jordan University, Yarmouk University and Mu`tah University. The research instrument (questionnaire) was constructed by the researchers, it was cosseted of (99) items as indicators for acquisition of the competences divided into seven domains including: recitation of the Holy Quran, interpretation of the Holy Quran, Hadeeth (A record of the sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him), Aqidah (Faith, doctrine), Fiqh: (Islamic jurisprudence), Sira The biography of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Akhlaq (Morals). The main results of the present study showed that students responses revealed a high degree of acquisition of Islamic Education teaching competencies in all of the study domains, it is also showed that the Sira domain acquired the highest degree of responses where the interpretation of the Holly Quran got the Lowest degree. The analysis also revealed that there were significant differences regarding the sex on acquisition of Islamic Education teaching competencies in the favor of female students, Besides,



differences concerning the variables of university and students general average were statistically significant.



EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR PREPARING ISLAMIC EDUCATION TEACHERS IN AJMAN UNIVERSITY OF

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK


AUST Network

Journal of Educational and Psychological Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 1: March 2006, pp 135-158

This study aimed at evaluating the program for preparing Islamic Education teachers in Ajman University of Science and Technology Network from students point of view, in the light of variable of sex, students academic level and students general average. The sample of the study consisted of (176) students who were enrolled in the program for preparing Islamic Education teachers in the university campus in Al-Fujairah. The research instrument (questionnaire) was constructed by the researcher, it was cosseted of (44) items divided into three domains including: the objectives of the program, the theoretical element of the program, and the practical element of the program. The main results of the present study showed that students responses revealed a high degree for the whole domains of the program, it is also showed that the second domain (Theoretical Element of the program) acquired the highest degree of responses, followed by the first domain (the objective of the program) with high degree in both of them, on the other hand the third domain (practical element of the program) got the lowest and moderate degree. The analysis also revealed that there were no significant differences regarding the variable of sex and students general average on students' perceptions on the program. Besides, differences concerning the variable of students academic level were statistically significant in the favor of third year students.



TRANSLATION AS INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION (EXPERIENCE FROM THE ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

IN THE FOURTH CENTURY HIJRI)

Abdulhakim Ajhar Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences

AUST Network

University of Sharjah Journal for Shari’a, Sciences and Humanities, Vol. 3, No. 1: Feb 2006

This study discusses translation as a process that entails an exchange between two cultures. It takes examples from philosophy, logic and technical terminology, which reflect a process involving the subjugation of one culture over another. The paper focuses on the great translation movement of the Islamic civilization that took place in the fourth century Hijri (10 CE) as reflecting this concept in the translation of Arabic to and from Greek, Persian, Syriac and Hindi. The paper demonstrates that the process of translation is not merely a transferal of texts from language to another but involves a greater exchange between two cultures often at the expense of one or the other.



USING INTENTIONAL INFORMATION SEARCH TOOLS AS MIND TOOLS FOR MEANINGFUL LEARNING

Ulku Koymen1, Zuhrieh Shanaa1, and Askin Asan2

1 Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences, AUST Network 2 Sultan Qaboos University, OMAN

The 6th SEAAIR CONFERENCE (Malaysia, September, 2006)

Using computer as “a mind tool” engages learners in critical thinking about the subjects they are studying, acquisition of useful learning skills, as well as, enhanced understanding of the subject matter. The purpose of the study is to assist students through providing guidance in their use of intentional information search tools in order for them to articulate their objective and effectively use the World Wide Web (internet) as a means to have answers to their inquiries. The study investigates also whether there are developmental differences in the use of intentional information search tools as a mind tool between students of two educational levels, namely undergraduate and graduate student samples. The participants were recruited from two universities (Ajman University of Science and Technology, UAE and Sultan Qaboos University, Oman), which also allowed regional and institutional comparisons.



COMPARISON BETWEEN THE EQUIVOCAL AND THE AMBIGUOUS IN THE HOLY QURAN

Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy

Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences, AUST Network

University of Sharjah Journal

Vol 3. No 2: 1427 H / June 2006 Researching in the Quran is the noblest kind of researches. One of the topics that can be examined in it is the science of equivocal and ambiguous. This topic has confused the common people and even the scholars. Because of this I have divided my research into an introduction and two essays. In the introduction I have shown the importance of such science. In the first essay I have dealt with the Quran, Hadith and jurisprudence scholars’ definition concerning the linguistic and conventional meanings, and I have shown the preponderant definition with clarifying the wisdom of their existence in the Holy Quran. The second essay is dealing with the reasons of the equivocal and the ambiguous verses that exist in the Holy Quran, besides the methods of removing the contradiction between them. Finally, I have concluded with some of the important findings and gave some recommendations, in addition to the footnotes and references.



PARRYING THE SUSPICION OF CONTRADICTION BETWEEN THE QURA'N AND THE SUNNAH



Journal of Islam in Asia / International Islamic University

Malaysia 2006. Vol. 3, No 1 All praises are due to Allah. Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad. A great number of Islam's enemies used to attack Islam in different ways. One of these ways was the claim that some of the Sunnah texts contradict the Holy Qura'n. Although such claimed contradiction was at the surface level, many Muslim scholars were able to refute such a claim through methods of texts congruence, interpretation and abrogation, or nullifying such a claim. The research paper discussed such a topic providing necessary examples of the claim and the arguments against it.



THE LEGITIMATE ISLAMIC DRESS

Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences,

AUST Network

Alazhar University Islamic Journal No: 12 Novembe 2006 All praises are due to Allah. Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad. The concept of dress was socially known in the habits and customs before Islam that was socially enforced. However, it was not connected to faith or rewards and punishment, and some people used to violate it, walking undressed. When Islam came, it ordained certain dress with certain specifications. The research paper is an attempt to show the Islamic instructions in such a matter, explaining the legitimate Islamic dress.



THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE THAT HE NEEDS AFTER GRADUATION



Alaqsa University Journal November 2005, No: 2

I would like to participate in the 4th conference that would be held at Al-Aqsa University in Palestine state. I will present an educational paper deals with a topic entitled “The development of student skills and experience that he needs after graduation.” This paper includes an introduction and two essays. The introduction discusses the necessity of developing skills of university student. The first essay is designated to define the student skills and its sorts, and sheds light on each kind’s importance. The second essay discusses, in particular, the university role in providing student with skills, since university is more important than school in this regard. I have explained in this essay the responsibilities of both student and university in acquiring needed skills, and have shown the methods and means that lead to develop such skills. In the conclusion I call for drawing serious plans in order to teach student all skills in accordance with his specialization.



THE EDUCATIOH OF DIVORCE

Mohamed Ahmed Eid Alkurdy Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences,

AUST Network

University of Sharjah Journal 1426 H / 2005, No 1, 2 Islam insists on built of the family and gare alkation to all which conserve and protect family structure. Islam refered all duties duties and rights about this matar add advised us to avoid divorce because it is the cause of destruction of family and society and the cause of the failure children education and socialization.



GRADUALISM IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ISLAMIC SHARI’A IN ACCORDANCE WITH GRADUALISM

DESCENDING OF SHARI’A

Ali Abduljabar Alsrori Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences,

AUST Network Islamic University Journal-Islamic University League- AL-Azhar

University- Cairo, Vol.39- 1427 H – 2006 Gradualism in Islamic Law (Shari’a) is a historical reality clearly documented in the Quran and the Sunnah (the traditions of the Prophet (PBU). This gradualism, which is agreed upon by all the scholars, stimulates an issues deserved to be carefully studied and intensively examined. Thus the question to be asked, is there a really gradualism in the descending and implementation of Shari’a? This is what this study tries to assert via three main points:

1) Clarifying the meaning of gradualism; 2) The evidence gradualism in Shari’a; 3) The meaning gradualism in the implementation and some

of its aspects; and 4) The conditions of implementing gradualism in the

Shareea’ implementation. The research concludes with results and recommendations.



CONNOTATIONS OF THE BELIEF SIGNS FOR THE VERSES OF PROSTRATION IN THE HOLY QURAN

Abubaker El Sedique1 and El Makky Aqlainah2

1 Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences, AUST Network 2 University of Sharjah

Journal of Al Azhar University, Al Mansoura, Egypt: March 2006

This piece of research is a structured study of the Quranic chapters which include the verses at the recitation of which has to prostrate. This was done by linking those verses with the main theme of the chapter which deals with the Islamic creed terms. In these verses, prostration is the ultimate way of submission and conformity to the will of, Allah (Exalted be Him). It is an expression of the feelings of worshiping, and the glorifying for Allah. The study also includes stating the benefits of prostration and its effects on the worshipper in this life as feeling of comfort and gaining the pleasure from Allah as well as removing one’s sins and gaining higher positions in the hereafter.



THE “QURANEON” AND THE “SUNNAH”

Abubaker El Sedique Faculty of Education and Basic Sciences,

AUST Network

University of Sharjah Symposium on: Efforts to serve Sunnah: form 14th Hijri Century till present time. 2006

This research paper includes the place of the “Sunnah” (the

sayings and actions of the Prophet Mohammad ) in Islam and the role it plays in the explanation and the interpretation of the Holy Quran; this research paper also addresses the topic of the “Quraneon” (a Muslim sect that believes Muslims must take their legislations only from the Holy Quran and ignore the Sunnah); their ideas, the groups that they worked through, and their domains of existence in the Islamic world are also mentioned. It includes a detailed and scrutinizing view of their ideas; it introduces some of their pioneers and points out their effect and danger on the Islam.



EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE AND UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO)

Yusuf Mahmud


Ajman University Network Journal, April, 2006

Investigating the possibility of the presence of extraterrestrials was one of the most exciting subjects of research in the past half a century. A tangible number of research institutes and universities are still supporting research in this subject even though Nasa has stopped interest in this field since the beginning of the nineties of the past century. Lot of different opinions prevail scientific circles concerning different aspects of this subject and the benefit of funding it. A related subject, which is considered a pseudoscience anyway, is the UFO. In this article, we survey the historical interest in this subject and we show that the results concerning the presence of extraterrestrial life, in the near space (solar system) and far space (stars and galaxies) are all negative with the exception of interpreting the microscopic structure found in a rock believed by some scientists to be of Martian origin and found in the south pole even though most scientists deny such a connection. Connection of UFO with extraterrestrial life has nothing to do with science; it is just a pseudoscience. UFOs are man made here on earth.



Faculty of Foreign

Languages and Translation



HEMINGWAY IN ARABIC: A STUDY OF LITERARY TRANSFORMATION

Adnan K. Abdulla

Faculty of Foreign Languages & Translation AUST Network

Identity and Difference: Translation Shaping Culture, ed. Maria

Sidiropoulou. Peter Lang, 2005, pp. 151-165. Ernest Hemingway’s fame can be attributed basically to his vision and style. The vision is tragic and it emphasizes the inevitability of loss but not defeat. His style is his contribution to modernism and it reflects his world view, philosophy of literature, and its function. Arabic translations of Hemingway fail to show that his idiosyncratic sentence structure, word choice, and linguistic aberrations are related to the essence of his achievement and creative ability. The Hemingway that is read in Arabic is verbose, inexact, given to repetitions, and quotes from the Qura’an! This is in contrast to the real Hemingway who is exact, terse, and secular. These translations attempt to assimilate him to the Arab culture and subject him to the standards of Arab poetics and modern prose.



T.S. ELIOT’S THE WASTE LAND A POETIC TRANSLATION AND ANALYTIC STUDY

Adnan K. Abdulla and Talal A. Rahman Faculty of Foreign Languages & Translation

AUST Network

Cairo: Int’l Publishing Co., 2006 This is the first poetic translation into Arabic of the famous poem The Waste land, which is considered a landmark of twentieth-century modernity and poetics. The translation includes a chapter on the achievement of the poet, the literary merits of the poem, and an analysis of its language and imagery. The final chapter deals with the circumstances and horrors of World War l and its devastating effects on people and values. Besides, the chapter locates Eliot’s life and suffering within that period and tackles the issue of the influence of his personal suffering on the formation of the poem.



Faculty of Law



THE TENDENCY OF U.A.E. COURTS REGARDING COMPENSATION FOR TRAFFIC LABOR ACCIDENTS AND

EXTENT OF ITS ADEQUACY TO PROTECT THE LABOR AND HIS HERITORS

Al Shehabi I. Al Sherqawi

Faculty of Law AUST Network

Conference on Traffic Safety, University of Sharjah,

13-15 March 2006 The necessity of this research comes out due to the difference in legal rules to which a labor accident is subjected and that to which a traffic accident is subjected. This difference has reflected various aspects to differentiate between them. It was very important to consider the tendency of courts related to these aspects and whether one aspect will prevail or they should be combined. This research consists of a preface, four chapters and a conclusion. In the preface I define the labor accident and the traffic accident and the importance of the above - mentioned research. In the first chapter under the title: the definition of the labor traffic accident, I stated - through two chapters - that the concept of such accidents would mean traffic accidents when a labor is injured during his work or due to his work, I give greater value to expand the concept of the work relation in order to include – in research scope – The Employer regardless of its nature and the Employee/Labor regardless of his job nature or description. The second section was allocated to State the remedies resulting on traffic labor accidents where I concluded - through two chapters too - that some of these remedies are borne by employer’s which are legal compensation related to specific damages and another compensation which will be borne by the party who caused the accident and will be governed by general rules of civil liability.



The third section was allocated to the tendency of courts regarding remedies for traffic labor accidents where I concluded through first chapter that, the basis of compensation varies in compensation paid by employers from that paid by the party who caused the accident. The Second Chapter shows that in some cases law had combined the two remedies, where the nature of damages to be remedied varies, so that no remedy shall be made two times for the same damage. The Third Chapter had dealt with two problems taken from factual law judgments. I concluded with the principle accredited by courts, namely; prevalence of application of rules of civil liabilities in traffic labor accidents and that it is permissible to join remedies where the nature of damages to be remedied varies. The last section was allocated to check the extent of adequacy of courts attitude to protect labor and his heritors, where I concluded, according to our opinion that, its adequacy requires that the following points shall be put in consideration:- 1- The remark made to the Supreme Federal Court decision where it prohibits combination of legal compensation and money blood “ Diaya”, if the employer is bound to pay, as damage varies in the two cases. 2- The remark made to Dubai Court of Cassation, where it allowed combination of blood money “ Diaya” and compensation for moral damages incurred by heirs, as damages is the same in both cases. Restriction of courts attitude to cases where labor enjoys insurance coverage for accidents other than cases where insurance coverage is not included.



Institute of Environment,

Water and Energy



THE INFLUNECE OF MAJOR LINEAMENTS ON GROUNDWATER RESOURCES IN THE EASTERN REGION OF

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRTAES

Zeinelabidin S. Rizk1 and Hassan K. Garamoon2

1 Institute of Environment, Water and Energy, AUST Network 2 Geology Department, Faculty of Science, UAE University

University of Sharjah Journal of Pure and Applied Science, Vol.3,

No.3: Ramadan 1427 H./ October 2006. ISSN: 1811-1645

The hydraulic heads and groundwater chemistry of the Al Dhaid super basin in the Eastern Region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are largely controlled by three major lineaments; the NE-SW Dibba zone, NW-SE Wadi Ham line and ENE-WSW Hatta zone. These lineaments act as conduits accelerating groundwater-flow velocity from the Northern Oman Mountains (recharge area) in eastern UAE towards the Arabian Gulf (discharge area) in the west. The Al Dhaid super basin includes five wadis; Al Dhaid, Kadrah, Shawkah, Meleiha and Hamdah, with a total area of 1,525 km2. These wadis originate in the Northern Oman Mountains in the east, cross the central agricultural region and converge into a single wadi channel (Wadi Lamhah) that reaches the Arabian Gulf in the northwestern part of the study area. Although large amounts of groundwater are withdrawn for agricultural purposes in the Al Dhaid area, the hydraulic heads in lineament-affected wells (such as wells no. GP-1, GP-3 and GP-7) remained nearly constant during the last 15 years, while others (such as wells no. GP-14), away from the major lineaments, showed sharp decline in groundwater level. The electrical conductance (EC) of the groundwater in the Al Dhaid super basin is low (<1.5 mS/cm) in the east and along the major lineaments, increasing in the directions of groundwater flow towards the northwest (4.5 mS/cm) and southwest (7.5 mS/cm). Chemically, recharge water dissolves Mg2+ from the ophiolitic rocks forming the Northern Oman Mountains in the



east, introducing low-temperature, low-salinity and Mg2+-rich groundwater along the lineaments of Dibba zone, Wadi Ham line and Hatta zone. Due to their influence on groundwater potentiality, the traces of major lineaments in the study area, especially their intersections, represent preferable locations for establishment of new urban centers, farms and high production water wells.



CULTURAL GLOBALIZATION CHALLENGES AND CONFRONTATION

Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh

Institute of Environment, Water and Energy, AUST Network

Conference of the Faculty of Education,

Hussain Bin Talal University, Jordan (2005) Globalization is considered as the age distinguished phenomenon resulted from a political, economical, social, cultural, technological, and informative development. All of which were struggling all over the world with their all numerous contradicting factors, conditions and hidden ambitions to overcome and master the others. However, globalization is not a modern phenomenon of the 20th century innovation. But it is a new term to express an old fact accompanying the whole nations and great power countries and Kingdoms. For example, the Roman Empire has mastered the known world at that time and has spread her laws, disciplines and her political, social, and cultural life styles by acting so, it practiced a method of globalization.



SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL CHALLENGES FACING ARAB UNIVERSITIES

Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh

Institute of Environment, Water and Energy, AUST Network

AUST Network Journal Vol.10, No.3 (2005)

The present Century is witnessing unparalleled human accomplishments in various fields surpassing, no doubt, all the achievements of the preceding periods. It also projects man's ability to monitor nature and utilize its enormous potentialities for his future needs. Our Century is also witnessing growing problems and dilemmas amidst strong competitions on life opportunities. As a result, such competitions turned to be intense. In line with this, individual empires transformed into collective ones; human thought, both socialist and capitalist, could direct economic, then political and military activities. One can observe as well continuous preparedness for emergency to keep away from any breakdown or decline.



UNIVERSITY OF THE FUTURE

Riadh H. Al-Dabbagh Institute of Environment, Water and Energy,

AUST Network

Ajman University Network Magazine, No. 15, June 2005 Information inevitability has become a global reality that cannot be overlooked. Consequently, it has made it imperative to revise the scientific and educational plans to face the speedy developments, which will characterize the structure, nature and, qualities of the university of the future, since it will be open to the universe with all its merits. It receives the electronic cyber space with its current advantages in addition to future developments.

research-compendium-en-2005-2006

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