Search Results (15)

Chili (Capsicum annuum) consumption is often suggested, and using functional food cultivars is the most effective strategy post COVID-19 pandemic. Controlling chili breeding activity is one of the most effective methods to produce new hybrid varieties. However, the general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA), and heterotic effect of functional biochemicals (polyphenol content, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds) remain poorly known in C. annuum. This study aimed to estimate these parameters in C. annuum by using five different genotypes and their hybrid combinations based on growth characteristics, yield, yield components, and fruit functional biochemicals. The F1 and F1R progenies were obtained from crosses in a greenhouse with a full diallel mating design. Each parent used in this study had a GCA advantage for each characteristic. The hybrid combination of IPB074 × IPB005 and IPB435 × IPB367 displayed the best yield results. However, the results indicated the opposite regarding α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds. The heterotic effect of functional biochemicals was observed for traits related to genotypes, polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory compounds, and similar properties related to yield and yield components, indicating their use in hybrid chili production. Full article

Nowadays, Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) are widely deployed in communication areas due to their ease of implementation, dynamic self-organization, and cost-effectiveness. The design of routing protocols is critical for ensuring the performance and reliability of WMNs. Although there have been numerous experimental works on WMNs in the past decade, only a few of them have been tested in real-world scenarios. This article presents a comparative analysis of three proactive routing protocols, OLSR, BATMAN, and Babel, using Raspberry Pi 4 devices. The evaluation, conducted at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, covers both indoor and outdoor scenarios, focusing on key metrics such as bandwidth, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), and jitter. In outdoor scenarios, OLSR achieved the highest bandwidth at 2.9 Mbps, while BATMAN and Babel lagged. Indoor tests revealed that Babel initially outperformed with the highest bandwidth of 57.19 Mb/s but suffered from scalability issues, while BATMAN and OLSR exhibited significant declines in performance as network size increased. For PDR, BATMAN performed best with a decline from 100% to 42.8%, followed by OLSR with a moderate drop, and Babel with the greatest decrease. For jitter, OLSR showed the most stable performance, increasing from 0.281 ms to 2.58 ms at eleven nodes, BATMAN exhibited moderate increases, and Babel experienced the highest rise. Full article

Exploring phytochemicals from ethnomedicinal plants for pharmacological applications is a promising research area. By studying ethnomedicine, researchers can identify plants used for centuries to treat ailments and investigate their phytochemicals. Consequently, phytochemicals can be isolated, characterized, and tested for pharmacological activities, leading to new drug development. This research also helps preserve traditional knowledge and biodiversity. Lithospermum officinale L., found in Eurasia, Argentina (South), Colombia, and the United States, is valued for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. The current review emphasizes L. officinale L. as a significant reservoir of bioactive phytochemicals, with alkaloids, quinones, glucosides, phenolics, flavonoids, and lipids identified as the principal metabolites. It also unveils the unexplored potential of this plant for future research endeavors. Continued research on L. officinale L. can unlock its full potential, providing insights into its medicinal uses and contributing to biodiversity preservation. Full article

Introduction: Teledentistry is an emerging tool to exchange medical information and clinical images to facilitate the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases and patient assurance and education. Considering the shortage of oral medicine specialists in Saudi Arabia, this study aims to assess the experiences of dental specialists with tele-oral medicine and its potential applicability in addressing this shortage. Materials and methods: This was a pilot, cross-sectional study conducted among specialists in the field of oral medicine from January 2020 to March 2020. A total of 16 preselected cases with oral lesions, including clinical history and images, were developed, validated, and shared via email with study participants. Each case included questions on differential diagnosis, provisional diagnosis, and management. The responses were recorded, analyzed, and presented as means and percentages. Results: A total of 49 subjects participated in this study and more than half were under 40 years of age and two-thirds were women. A total of 23 participants had prior experience with tele-oral medicine, mainly via WhatsApp (95.7%), and these cases were received from patients, their families, friends, or other dentists. For all study cases, the correct diagnosis score ranged between 73.50 and 100%, and correct management ranged between 51 and 98%. Conclusions: Tele-oral medicine is an effective tool that may play an important role in patient management in rural regions with a shortage of oral medicine services. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in collaboration with international centers are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Radon is a major source of naturally occurring radioactivity, and its measurement is considered extremely important in radiation protection, given its association with lung cancer. This pilot study aimed to estimate the annual effective dose received by students and staff based on monitoring data on the concentration of radon in the buildings of al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan), based on the distance to the tectonic fault. The measurements were recorded daily from February 2021 to September 2022 using a RAMON-02 radiometer (SOLO LLP, Almaty, Kazakhstan). All measurements were taken from the basement to the top floor under normal conditions of use. The average accumulated concentrations of radon in the studied buildings ranged from 16.34 to 78.33 Bq/m³, which is below the maximum level of 100 Bq/m³ established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (200 Bq/m³). Relatively high values were recorded in the basement of the Faculty of Physics and Technology building (282.0 Bq/m³ in winter, 1742.0 Bq/m³ in spring, 547.7 Bq/m³ in summer, and 550.7 Bq/m³ in autumn), which is located closest to the tectonic fault and poorly ventilated. In almost all rooms (94%), radon levels were within the WHO-recommended reference level. The averaged results show the influence of the distance to the fault on the average indoor radon levels. The annual effective dose of radon for university students and staff ranged from 1.09 mSv/year to 1.53 mSv/year. The excess lifetime risk of developing cancer ranged from 0.44% to 0.61%. Full article

Philosophy and religion were the two important sources of knowledge for medieval Arab Muslim polymaths. Owing to the difference between the nature of philosophy and religion, the interplay between philosophy and religion often takes the form of conflict in medieval Muslim thought as exemplified by the Al-Ghazali versus Averroes (Ibn Rusd) polemic. Unlike the Al-Ghazali versus Averroes (Ibn Rushd) polemic, the interplay between philosophy and religion in the political philosophy of Abu Nasr Alfarabi takes the form of harmonious co-existence. Although, for Alfarabi, religion is an inferior form of knowledge as compared to philosophy, the present article will show that philosophy and religion play equally significant roles in Alfarabi’s virtuous city and that in the absence of either philosophy or religion, the political system proposed by Alfarabi cannot exist. Full article

Chili (Capsicum annuum), economically important, is one of the world’s most popular horticultural plants. Functional biochemical components, such as polyphenol content, antioxidants, and α-glucosidase inhibitory properties, are found in chili. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a chili hybrid that resulted through full diallel crosses for its yield components, total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidants, and α-glucosidase inhibitory (AGI) activities. The Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl₃-colorimetric assays were, respectively, used for TPC and TFC analyses. Using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) techniques, the antioxidant activity of a sample was determined. The bioassay of α-glucosidase inhibition was used to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the sample. The twenty-five genotypes (hybrid and parent) have diverse yield components and biochemical contents. The highest fruit weight per plant was found in IPB074005 (1008.85 g). IPB114367 showed a high AGI (80.25%), antioxidant FRAP (43.42 µmol TE g⁻¹ DW), TFC (3.97 mg QE g⁻¹ DW), and TPC (37.51 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW). These findings suggested that hybrid plants that suppress α-glycosidase and oxidative stress may prevent diabetes and its complications. This vital information could help design replacement drugs and diabetes diets. Full article

Physics is a difficult subject in which to trigger interest in pupils, particularly in junior high school classes: this reflects in the results of maturity exams. Therefore, teachers, educators (and authorities deciding on CV contents) should search for new efficient methods, techniques, and contents corresponding to particular topics in physics. What can be done at the level of a single university (even if big) or school is to enrich standard lessons with new elements and observe how the responses of pupils change. In this article, the results of an implementation of interactive plays and games are presented for enhancing pupils’ interest and rate of understanding in physics, astronomy, and engineering. The games were designed by authors and the contents were developed jointly at Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland and al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan. Implementation was carried out both in schools (a secondary school in Almaty and one primary school in Torun) and in extra-school (secondary school students in Almaty, elementary and secondary school students in Torun, during university-based activities) environments. A preliminary analysis of the didactical efficiency is given. We observed a positive reception of the majority of the didactical means that we proposed. These observations will serve us for further (and possibly permanent) enrichment of forms and contents of teaching physics and astronomy. Full article

Happiness is one of the main topics that dominates the discourse of ethical philosophy. The concept of happiness began to be discussed from the emergence of philosophy in classical Greece to the present day in both Western and Islamic perspectives. This study aims to analyze the views of scholars in debating the topic of happiness. This study is a descriptive study using a qualitative systematic literature review method. The main source of data collection for this study is by highlighting previous works obtained from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) online databases and it is also supported by data obtained from Google Scholar. The analysis was done based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA). The results of the SLR analysis identified fifteen (15) articles featuring discussions on the topic of happiness among scholars, among them Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Maimonides, and Jeremy Bentham representing the West and Ibn Sina, al-Ghazali, al-Farabi, Ibn Miskawayh, HAMKA, al-Attas, and Said Nursi representing Islamic scholars. The findings also highlighted three main elements discussing the topic of happiness, namely the spiritual, intellectual, and material elements. These three elements are not discussed in a balanced way in Western civilization causing confusion in uniting various views, but in Islam, although scholars’ opinions differ, they are however united in the principle of revelation that balances the three elements to explain the topic of true happiness. This study is important from the point of view of understanding the topic of happiness traced from the history of thought of scholars. Full article

The study goal was to analyze the impact of using modern technologies and pedagogical innovations based on the University 4.0 model on the educational process effectiveness, the development of professional competencies (in humanities and engineering) and skills in students (abstract-logical thinking, critical thinking, strategic thinking, imagination, creativity, motivation), and learners’ readiness and motivation to shift to University 4.0. The experiment was conducted in the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University among 464 undergraduate students of different academic years. All the study respondents were distributed into two groups, one of which did not change the training program (control group), and the other studied under the program grounded on the University 4.0 model using modern technologies (experimental group). According to the results of the survey addressed to the students of both groups after the experiment ended, the indicators for all parameters were higher among the individuals of the experimental group. The practical significance of the results obtained and further research prospects are in the possibility of using the developed training program in different universities and departments worldwide to compare both students’ readiness for the transition to University 4.0 and the program’s impact on educational outcomes. Full article

The article points out some of the challenges faced by students at the University of Ostrava, Comenius University in Bratislava and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, who had almost no previous practice in online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The students from the mentioned universities were interviewed to share their experiences with online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. In this paper, qualitative pedagogical research in the local conditions of the three mentioned universities is used, with the processing of answers of selected students who were interviewed as an available sample. The students were also asked to describe their impressions of this situation from their social and personal points of view. The focus is on the positive and negative aspects, boundaries, and problems of online university teaching during the pandemic situation, as well as changes in the personal life of the students. The aim of this introductory small-scale study is to provide a basis for future research on the impact that the COVID-19 situation has had on the educational process at the above-mentioned universities, as well as to assist educational providers in foreseeing and eliminating the possible problems of lecturers when establishing an online educational environment. Some conclusions are drawn from the interviews that offer potential for further research in educational science, because many difficulties from the students’ point of view are related to their social status, lack of social contact, technical problems with Internet connections, the carrying out of lectures and the exams of students. The students’ answers are categorized, and each category is described. Full article

In this contribution, I discuss some less well-known premodern and early modern antecedents of Spinoza’s concepts and claims in the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus. On the one hand, I will argue, Spinoza’s notion of prophecy owes more to Moses Maimonides than to any Christian author; and through Maimonides, Spinoza may be linked to the discussion of prophecy in The Virtuous City by the tenth-century Islamic philosopher al-Farabî. Spinoza’s concern with prophecy as a popular formulation of the Divine Law may be fruitfully seen in the light of these two authors. On the other hand, Spinoza’s notion of pietas has arguably been shaped by a number of early modern authors from the Low Countries, including Thomas a Kempis and Erasmus: it does not consist in merely obeying the law, but also has a clear devotional and theist dimension of love for God and for one’s neighbors. As such, it may be associated with recent ideas on philosophy and spiritual exercises. These findings have a number of non-trivial implications for Spinoza’s place in the rise of modern, academic Western philosophy. I will discuss these implications in the context of Pierre Hadot’s influential views on philosophy as a way of life and Michel Foucault’s notion of spirituality. Full article

Makkah city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), contains many of the world’s mosquito vectors of parasitic and arboviral disease and is the site of the Hajj mass gathering. As such there is a risk of exportation and globalization of vector-borne viruses, including the re-emerging Zika virus (ZIKV). There was international concern regarding the introduction of ZIKV to KSA and potential international spread of the virus following the 2016 Hajj which took place few days after the Rio summer Olympics at the height of the ZIKV pandemic. We aimed to detect flaviviruses, including ZIKV, circulating among mosquito hosts in the city of Makkah during and post the 2016 Hajj pilgrimage. Mosquitos (adults and larvae) were sampled from 15 sites in Makkah city during and post the 2016 Hajj and identified to species by morphological keys. Mosquitos were pooled according to date of collection, location, and species. A Pan-Flaviviruses RT-PCR assay that enables identification of 51 flaviviruses species and three tentative species was used to detect flavivirus RNA directly from mosquito homogenates. Between the 10 September and 6 October 2016, 9412 female mosquitos were collected. Of these, 81.3% were Aedes aegypti, 18.6% were Culex species, and 0.1% were Anopheles species. Of the total 493 mosquito pools generated, 242 (49%) were positive by the Pan-Flaviviruses primer set. Sequence analysis revealed that none of the mosquitos carried a pathogenic flavivirus, including ZIKV, but were infected with a novel insect-specific flavivirus. We found no pathogenic flaviviruses circulating in Makkah city during and post the 2016 Hajj and no evidence of introduction of ZIKV through the pilgrimage. Enhanced vector-borne diseases surveillance, prevention, and control are crucial in KSA especially during international mass gatherings such as the annual Hajj to prevent outbreaks and the spread of viruses with epidemic and pandemic potentials. Full article

The application of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in dentistry has rapidly expanded. This survey aimed to investigate attitudes and current practice of dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia regarding chair-side CAD/CAM technology. An online questionnaire was prepared and sent to a convenience sample of dentists in Riyadh. Questions related to practice aspects of chair-side CAD/CAM system, attitudes and training were presented. A total of 114 questionnaires were completed (77.6% response rate). Study population comprised dentists of a wide range of clinical experience who are working in the various regions of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Of the participants, 27.2% indicated the presence of a chair-side CAD/CAM system at their current workplace and 57% used the chair-side CAD/CAM in the fabrication of dental crowns. The vast majority of participants (81%) believe that the overall quality of chair-side CAD/CAM restorations is at least as good as those fabricated by a lab technician or much better. Most responding dentists considered the chair-side CAD/CAM system as important in terms of time saving, boosting the number of visiting patients and income improvement. The willingness to dedicate the time and effort to learn the chair-side CAD/CAM technology was apparent amid a high proportion of dentists (75.4%). The findings of this pilot survey reflect broad satisfaction and positive attitude among the surveyed dentists towards use and outcome of chair-side CAD/CAM technology in the dental clinical practice. It seems that the CAD/CAM technology has infiltrated into the workflow of Saudi dental practices with speculations of growing implementation among the wider sector of dental practitioners in the future. Full article

Dental professionals have a major role in the fight against the spread and transmission of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate awareness and practice of dentists in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19 and the utilization of infection control methods. A 24-item questionnaire was developed and distributed through social media to 627 dentists working in Saudi Arabia. 177 questionnaires were completed (28.2% response rate). Most dentists were aware about the transmission, incubation time and main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Almost 83% of the respondents appreciate the risk of droplets, aerosols and airborne particles in transmission of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Among the common practices of participants are measuring patient’s body temperature before undertaking a dental treatment (88.7%), cleaning the environmental surfaces at the dental clinic after each patient (91.5%) and restriction of dental treatment to emergency cases (82.5%). It seems that practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia are fairly aware about COVID-19. The practices of the surveyed dentists appear to be mostly consistent with the current guidelines and recommendations for infection control of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. Some drawbacks in knowledge and a number of inappropriate practices can be identified and require the attention of health authorities. Full article