The Scientific Journal of University of Benghazi

Obstacles Face Sixth-Semester English Students in Translating Proverbs from Arabic into English

Fouzia Aleskandarani — 2024-06-22

Translating proverbs is challenging, as they are culturally bound items. Thus, finding the most accurate equivalence causes problems for novice translators and learners. These problems are related to linguistic, cultural, and inaccurate use of translation techniques. Therefore, it is not reasonable to translate a proverb literally by just looking at the meaning of its individual words in a dictionary because they are culturally bound items. The current study attempts to investigate the problems that sixth-semester students encounter while translating Arabic proverbs into English and analyze the methods employed by them. The sample consists of 37 students in the English Department. The students were given a list of proverbs that contained 11 Arabic proverbs to be translated into English. The results revealed that students faced difficulties in translating proverbs due to cultural differences as well as overusing literal translation. The study recommended that students should use communicative translation, memorize some proverbs and their counterpart translations as well as practice.

Students’ Preference of Theoretical and Practical Teaching in ELT Libyan Higher Education Setting: An Action Research Study on the Impact of Integrating Technology to Language Teaching

Najla Ali Hamad Suweekar — 2024-06-22

Shifting the focus from merely theoretical teaching to balancing between theory and practicum in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Libyan Higher Education setting is a challenge, and it is the concern of this article. ELT Libyan students need to be capable enough to implement what they learn in universities and to integrate technology in language classrooms. At the Department of English Language in the University of Benghazi Al. Marj Campus, the author –a teacher and educator- investigated 47 eighth semester students to know their feedback about the style of instruction they are experiencing and what they prefer instead, their opinions about the practical and technological classes of the subject Technology and Language Learning E506 (taught by the author), and to assess their immediate performance after attending a workshop. Unlike their educational experience which relies on providing only theoretical knowledge, students expressed a desire to equate theoretical and practical education. They enjoyed participating in workshops as well as using technology in teaching and learning. Students performances were evident to be better, therefore, the current study recommends that attending workshops helps students teachers to revise and apply what they are learning to improve their teaching and technical skills.

Green Hydrogen Production from Seawater Using Metal Oxide Catalysts

Hamdy AB. Matter — 2024-06-22

In this work, five electrodes were studied to produce green hydrogen (GH) versus the graphite electrode (as a positive electrode). The electrodes are Fe, Cu, Al, Zn, and Pb. It was found that Zn electrode produces the most hydrogen from seawater, then Pb, the least ones are Fe, Cu, and Al. Oxides (Cu2O, Cr2O3, V2O5, ZnO, SnO2, Pb3O4, NiO, MnO2, Fe3O4, and SiO2) were used and added at a fixed concentration to the five electrodes, and the extent of the effect of these oxides on the production of GH were studied. Some of them were inhibitory, some were a helpful factor and worked to stimulate the production of GH, and some had no effect. However, most oxides inhibit hydrogen production at the Al electrode, most of them did not affect H2 production at the Fe and Cu electrodes, while oxides such as ZnO, SnO2, Pb3O4, NiO, MnO2, and Fe3O4 showed an increase in H2 production at the zinc electrode. On the contrary, V2O5, SnO2, and SiO2, were found to increaseH2 production at the zinc and Pb electrodes.

The Sardar sub-equation technique for obtaining some optical solitons of cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation involving beta derivatives with Kerr law nonlinearity

Abdulmalik A. Altwaty — 2024-06-22

This study investigates new optical and chirped optical solitons for the space-time fractional cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation using the Sardar sub-equation technique in the presence of Kerr law nonlinearity. The solutions are expressed in terms of hyperbolic and trigonometric functions, revealing a diverse range of behaviors within the system. The identified optical and chirped optical soliton types include dark, bright, kink, and periodic, showcasing a rich spectrum of phenomena. Representing soliton solutions using 2D and 3D graphs with varying parameters leads to a better understanding of their formation and characteristics. The findings contribute to the comprehension of nonlinear dynamics, offering insights into phenomena relevant to nonlinear optics, quantum mechanics, and condensed matter physics.

Taguchi Grey Relational Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Structural Steel Welding Made by Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Saleh Suliman Saleh Elfallah — 2024-06-22

Welding is a widely used method in industry for joining metals. Its applications include structures, fabrications, automobiles, oil and gas production, and others. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) is a common welding technique that produces higher-quality welds. Its application is mostly for stainless steel and aluminum welding due to its stable arc and focused heat source that produces a narrower heat-affected zone (HAZ). However, optimizing the welding process is a challenge for better-quality welds. This study utilizes the Grey-Taguchi method to optimize welding parameters for maximum tensile strength and hardness of structural steel welds. Structural steel, one of the most common materials involved in local industry, is normally welded by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), while this work inspects the mechanical and microstructure properties of welds made by GTAW. The results presented higher tensile strength of weldments with decreased welding current. The V-groove-shaped weldments' tensile strength was higher than that of the samples with X-groove-shaped weldments. The Taguchi method has obtained that welding tensile strength is mostly influenced by the welding current, followed by groove shape, while welding speed has the least impact on the tensile strength. The grey relational analysis (GRA)concluded that groove shape had a higher impact on multi-response analysis. The welding factor's optimum settings are 170 A, groove shape V, and a welding speed of 150 mm/min.

Experimental Investigation of Steel Corrosion in Concrete Structures by Acoustic Emission Analysis

Hisham A. Elfergani — 2024-06-22

Corrosion represents a significant issue in various structures, with reinforced and prestressed concrete particularly susceptible. In certain applications, it demands specific attention and mitigation strategies, special attention must be paid to ensure that failure does not occur, as it could lead to loss of life and incur significant financial expenses.

This paper examines the role of Acoustic Emission (AE) as a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique for reinforced concrete structures. The work focuses on the development of experimental techniques and data analysis methods for the detection, location, and assessment of AE from reinforced concrete specimens due to steel wire corrosion.

The results reveal that AE can be used to detect the onset of corrosion activity in wire in the interface between prestressed concrete and mortar as found in prestressed concrete pipes.

It has been shown that by using AE and the relationship between RA and AF value, the crack area can be located and identified. Hence, it could be possible to provide a corrosion alarm and location prior to any wire breaks. Furthermore, the results offer encouragement for the use of the AE technique to detect early corrosion and macro cracks in large concrete pipe structures.

Using the Weather Index Classification System for Canadian Forest Fires over the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar in Libya

Haifa M. Ben Miloud — 2024-06-22

Due to the noticeable change in temperatures in the world as a whole, fires in forests have become more prevalent in the summer. The current study sheds light on using the Canadian classification of forest burning on Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar in Libya, it aims to study the climatic variation of the fire weather index in Libya for the 24-27^th day of July at noon for a long period 1940-2022. For Fire Weather Index (FWI) to occur, it is necessary to go through levels and analyze their data. The first level, which is the Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) code, is high in the middle and extends to the south of the region, while the Duff Moisture Code (DMC) code decreases in the north of the region and increases in the south. However, the Drought Code (DC) code shows the increase and decrease in the south as we head north, while in the second level, the Initial Spread Index (ISI) shows that it is high in the middle of the region. The Build-Up Index (BUI ) increases to the south and decreases to the north, and for the occurrence of the Fire Weather Index (FWI) in the third level, it reaches above 60, and thus it is considered very high, and this was clear on the 24th and decreased on the 27th during the period 1940-2022 for July at 12 noon. When dividing the periods from 1940-1981 and 1982-2022, it becomes clear that the first period is more widespread than the second period, and the intensity of the second period is higher than the first period. This indicates climate change in temperatures and the occurrence of drought. Over the coming years, the fire weather index will increase in the future.

Selecting the Optimal Airfoil for Automotive Rear Wings: Performance Assessment

Osama Maddani — 2024-06-22

This study investigates the potential performance and safety improvements achievable through the application of inverted airfoils on a BMW 3-series (E36) car. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to assess the aerodynamic characteristics of three distinct airfoil designs: NACA 0012, NACA 4412, and Eppler E423. Evaluations were conducted at 0°in freestream and at 14° angles of attack (AOA) when used in the automotive application to analyze the impact on lift and drag forces. The findings revealed unique aerodynamic profiles for each airfoil. The angle of attack for the airfoils in freestream was chosen to be 0 degrees to isolate the effect of the different airfoil shapes on their performance. This allows us to better understand how their performance translates to the automotive application. Considering automotive applications, the Eppler E423 demonstrated superior potential for enhanced acceleration and cornering speeds compared to the other airfoils. The NACA 4412 also displayed comparable performance to the Eppler E423 in these aspects. Overall, the inclusion of an Eppler E423 airfoil positioned as an inverted wing at a 14° AOA emerged as the configuration offering the optimal balance between performance and safety benefits for the BMW 3-series (E36). This research underscores the significant potential of strategically incorporating aerodynamic devices, such as inverted wings, to achieve improvements in both vehicle safety and performance characteristics.

Effect of Intercritical Annealing Parameters on The Hardness Property: Statistical Study Using Taguchi

Asma F. Haiba — 2024-06-22

Dual-phase steel is characterized by good strength and hardness with high ductility. This type of steel has a wide range of uses in the modern-day industry, especially in the automobile industry. This paper reports an experimental study ofthe effect of intercritical annealing parameters such as temperature and soaking time on hardness. The Taguchi method based on L₉ was used with a temperature range from 750 ⁰C to 800 ⁰C and a soaking time range from 30 min to 60 min. All samples were treated in the furnace at a specified temperature and soaking time quenched in water. It is observed that the hardness increases with increasing the intercritical temperature and soaking time. On the other hand, temperature has a significant effect more than soaking time on the hardness.

Detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder by A Case Study Model Using Machine Learning Techniques An Experimental Analysis on Child, Adolescent and Datasets

Najat S. Bousidrah — 2024-06-22

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's social interaction and communication skills. It is typically diagnosed in childhood but can be identified at any age. Behavioral symptoms of autism usually appear in the first two years of a child's life and continue into adulthood. Recently, there has been increased interest in using machine learning algorithms for medical diagnosis, including the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using various machine learning algorithms, such as Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest, Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, and Gradient Boosting Classifier, to predict and analyze autism in children. The researchers utilized publicly available non-clinical ASD datasets for evaluation.

Different evaluation metrics, including accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, macro-average, and weighted average, were used to assess the performance of the machine learning models. The KNN-based model achieved the highest accuracy of 87.14% and outperformed the other models in terms of specificity. The Naïve Bayes model achieved an accuracy of 70.48%, while the SVM model had the highest sensitivity of 98.2%. The Decision Tree and Random Forest models achieved perfect scores of 100% in terms of macro-average, weighted average, and Mean Accuracy for all models was 85.52%.

Based on these results, the researchers concluded that the KNN-based model is the most effective for predicting and analyzing autism in children, with an accuracy of 87.14%. However, it is important to note that these findings are specific to the dataset and evaluation metrics used in the study. Further research and validation using diverse datasets are necessary to confirm the generalizability of these findings.

On Convergent Filters in Soft Topological Spaces

Rukaia Mahmoud Mohammed Rashed — 2024-06-22

This study explains the concept of soft topological spaces in the view soft filters, studying the properties of soft filters in soft topological spaces. The study aims to contribute to the development of soft mathematical concepts and structures, building on the foundations of soft set theory. During the study, we found a relation between the concepts -convergence and -Hausdorff soft topological spaces.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Safe and Hygienic Food among Food Handlers in some Benghazi Hospitals

Sara Ahmed Elsherif — 2024-06-22

Background: In the healthcare sector, hospitals play a pivotal role in patient care, with food services being a vital component.

Aim: This study focused on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of food handlers in some hospitals in Benghazi, Libya, who are instrumental in preventing foodborne illnesses through proper food safety and hygiene.

Methods: A descriptive study of a cross-sectional design was conducted in Benghazi, the research assessed 70 food handlers from Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi Children’s Hospital, and Dar-Alshifa Hospital, aged 18 to 48 years. Data was collected via interviews using a questionnaire covering socio-demographic information and KAP-related questions.

Results: The participants, encompassing various roles such as waiters, cooks, nutritionists, and cleaners, mostly had 1-5 years of experience, with 58.6% having undergone prior training. Despite a generally positive attitude towards food safety, the study uncovered a deficiency in food hygiene knowledge. However, practices for periodic analysis were commendably executed. Further scrutiny indicated that knowledge levels regarding hygiene and sanitation did not significantly differ among food handlers based on age, gender, occupation, education, experience, training, or hospital type.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that while the attitude towards food safety is commendable, there is an imperative need to enhance the food handlers’ knowledge of hygiene. This improvement is crucial for ensuring the implementation of safe and hygienic food handling practices within hospital settings, thereby safeguarding patient health against foodborne diseases.

Exploring Smell Loss Patterns and Recovery Factors Among Covid-19 Patients in Benghazi, Libya

Balgeis Elfallah — 2024-06-22

Objective: The main objective of this research is to investigate the recovery patterns and the demographic factors that affect patients with loss of smell post-COVID-19 disease in Benghazi, Libya. Besides, to examine whether the patient’s responses statistically differ according to several variables, including severity of smell loss, gender, and age.

Method: This research adopts a cross-sectional design to capture a snapshot of patient experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Benghazi. A structured questionnaire is used for data collection. The research collects 96 valid questionnaires over the period from November 2023 to February 2024 from (1) the Speciality Surgical Center; and (2) the Al-Rowad Specialised Center. Then, the research employed descriptive analysis, the One-sample Wilcoxon Signed rank, the Spearman correlation test, and the Independent Samples Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results:16 (17%) participants suffered from a mild loss of smell, 30 (31%) participants suffered a moderate loss of smell, and 50 (52%) participants suffered a severe loss of smell. Only 26 (27%) participants reported that it was gradual onset while 70 (73%) reported the opposite. Regarding the recovery pattern, 54 (56%) participants had complete recovery of loss of smell, while 18 (19%) had partial recovery, and 24 (25%) had no recovery, where 46 out of 54 participants completely recovered in the first month, and only 8 participants recovered after 60 days. There is a weakly significant relationship between the smell loss severity and recovery period. Also, there are no statistically significant differences between groups of varying smell loss severity (mild, moderate, or severe) in different genders, smell recovery periods, or age (all p-values > 0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that, although the infection with COVID-19 among the participants was generally of moderate severity, the condition of the loss of the olfactory sense was severe and occurred suddenly, but at the same time, the largest percentage of participants recovered completely from it within the first two weeks of infection. However, it cannot be relied on smell loss as an early indicator of COVID-19 infection.

Prevalence of Obesity in Adult Hypertensive Patients and its Effect on Antihypertension Drugs Polypharmacy in Primary Health Care Clinics in Benghazi

Adel Saleh — 2024-06-22

Obesity is one of the most common cardiovascular risk factors that affects blood pressure (BP) control, but there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence of overweight and obesity in hypertensive patients and their relationship in the Libyan population. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of obesity and its impact on BP control among hypertensive patients in a primary health care (PHC) unit in Benghazi, Libya. This is a cross-sectional, PHC unit-based study carried out in hypertension clinic of Al-Kish Polyclinic, Benghazi, Libya, between July and December 2017.

A total number of 207 adult patients with systemic hypertension (HTN), comprising 71 males and 136 females with age range from 27-70 years, were studied. The office BP readings along with weight and height were measured and used to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and to classify the participants into obese and nonobese. Abdominal obesity was found through waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) according to the cut-off points recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Data results were coded, entered, and analysed using SPSS version 24.

The mean age of the patients was 51.7 ± 09.0 years. Out of the 207 participants, obesity was found in 136 (65.7%) of the participants. Out of those, 66 (31.9%) had class I obesity, 45 (21.7%) had class II obesity, and class III obesity was found in 25 (12.1%) of patients. BP control was poor in 131 (63.3%) patients, of whom 70% were obese. The BMI correlated positively with each of systolic BP (SBP) with r = 0.24 and p=0.005; diastolic BP (DBP) with r=0.18 and p= 0.035; and the number of anti-HTN drugs with r=0.228 and p=0.008.

The prevalence of abdominal obesity determined by WHR and WC was 92.6% and 98.5%, respectively, and it was 88.7% in females and 54.9% in males.

The prevalence of obesity is high in hypertensive patients in Al-Kish Polyclinic and their BP control is poor including those who are obese. Public health measures aimed at reducing obesity should be incorporated into the overall management of systemic hypertensive patients.

The Analytical Descriptive Study of the Effect of Drinking Water Contamination on the Spread of Hepatitis A Virus in DARAA Governorate-Syria

Wisal Alhommada — 2024-06-22

This study aimed to find out the effect of drinking water pollution on the spread of hepatitis A virus in “Al-Sabil neighborhood” in Daraa governorate in Syria and to know the infection rate in terms of sex (male, female), and age according to age groups (0-12, 13-18, 19-40, 41-60, over 60). Also according to the onset of symptoms (0-10, 11-20 and 21-30) days, and according to the recovery period (less than 100 days - more than 100 days).

The results of the analysis showed that the number of doubtful cases was (6526), where the positive cases were (2118) and the negative cases (4408), As it was shown that males were infected more than females, and the age group from (19-40)year was more susceptible to infection compared to the rest of the age groups, and symptoms began to appear during the first ten days of infection, with a rate of 59.73%, followed by the period from (21-30) days with a rate of 27%, and recovery occurred after one hundred days of infection, at a rate of 59.96%, and it was a significant correlation between the infection and the age, also between one set symptoms and Duration of recovery.