Archive of Journal
Volume 77, Issue 1, Jan. 2021

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND ISLAMIC RELIGIOSITY PRACTICE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

Volume 77, Jan 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.1.5

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Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the students� level of Islamic religious practices, impact of social environment and its relationship with students� level of Islamic religious practices. This survey was a quantitative research and employed a set of questionnaires to collect data from the samples. The samples were Form Four and Lower Six students who were selected from several secondary schools in Malaysia using the multi stage cluster sampling method. Some 3,262 students were involved in this study. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. From this study, it can be concluded that the students� level of Islamic religious practices was high. It also showed that social environment has significant relationship with students� Islamic religious practices. The study found that the factor of Islamic education teachers has the strongest relationship with students� Islamic religious practices. It was followed by parents, laws, community, school environment and peers. The weakest relationship was between the influence of artists and students� Islamic religious practices.

Author(s): Zawawi Ismail, Ab. Halim Tamuri, Nur Hanani Hussin


IMPACT OF THE USE OF IRRIGATION WATER ON SOIL SALINIZATION CASE OF THE PALM GROVE OF BORDJ BEN AZOUZ BBA-BISKRA (ZIBAN OASIS, SOUTH-EASTERN ALGERIA)

Volume 77, Jan 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.1.1

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Abstract: This work deals with the physicochemical quality of water irrigation of agricultural land in the palm grove of Bordj ben Azouz. The aim is to evaluate their ability to irrigate palm groves and their effects on soil change under irrigation in the presence and / or absence of drainage. A hydro geochemical assessment of the groundwater, as well as drainage and. soil samples from irrigated and non-irrigated are performed. The electrical conductivity associated with the geochemical facies and SAR (Sodium adsorption Ratio) reflect a global salinity of the water irrigation, the drainage waters follow the same general trend as that the waters of the wells, the soils show a significant difference of the salinity between the irrigated / drained ones and the others not. The geochemical simulation was carried out using a thermodynamic model of the software Phreeqc Interactive 3.1.4-8929 indicates the supersaturation of the water with respect to the carbonate minerals and the under saturation for the evaporites where the gypsum is close to saturation even exceeds it so that it can precipitate itself by forming the gypso-limestone crust (Debdeb). To protect the environment from saline pollution, a sustainable water and salinity management plan must be installed as well as possible and continuous monitoring of the drainage system are required to remove salt water from irrigated soil.

Author(s): Rechachi Miled Zohra, Abdelhafid Youcef, Mancer Halima, Benaoune Saliha, Hiouani Fatima, Chebbah Mohamed


THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR EFFECTING CURRICULUM CHANGES IN MATHEMATICS

Volume 77, Jan 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.1.3

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Abstract: School-based instructional leaders play an important role in creating an environment suitable for the continuous professional development of Mathematics teachers. This study investigates the role of instructional leadership for implementing curriculum changes in Mathematics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Heads of Mathematics Departments (HMDs) at selected primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal served as the main participants in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data which provided answers to the two pre-determined research questions of the study. Findings revealed that HMDs are faced with the challenge of overcrowded classrooms, a lack of knowledge about their instructional roles, and the limited capacity building programmes for mathematics teachers, among others. The study recommends a significant overhauling and restructuring in the teaching, learning and assessment of Mathematics as a subject at the intermediate phase. This study employed Valsiners theory of socio-cultural learning to identify areas which Heads of Mathematics Departments should focus on in order to promote innovation and the effective implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in the teaching and learning of Mathematics.

Author(s): John Masina, Mamsie Ethel Khuzwayo


RT-PCR AND THORACIC CT COMPLIANCE IN COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS: DECISION TREE IN PCR NEGATIVE CASES

Volume 77, Jan 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.1.2

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Abstract: The present study aimed to determine PCR-Thoracic CT compliance in Covid-19 diagnosis, and to create a decision tree to make PCR negative identification based on the clinical, laboratory and radiological data of people who admitted to hospital with Covid-19 diagnosis or suspicion. The present study was a cross-sectional retrospective study, and was conducted between 12 March and 30 April 2020 at the University of Health Sciences Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital. The Study Group consisted 532 patients who admitted to the Covid-19 Clinic of the hospital and who were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 diagnosis or suspicion and not transferred to Intensive Care Units. The sensitivity of PCR test was 0.384, and the specificity was found as 0.585. The positive predictive rate of the same test was calculated as 0.893; negative predictive rate was 0.095; and the overall predictive rate of the test was 0.404. The overall predictive rate of the decision tree was found as 90%. Statistically significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of fibrinogen, LYM, Albumin and age parameters (p<0.05). The overall predictive rate of the decision tree was as 90%. Statistically significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of fibrinogen, LYM, Albumin and age parameters (p<0.05). The biochemical markers mentioned in the decision tree caught Thoracic CT positivity in PCR-negative patients with an accuracy rate of 90%. Computed Tomography is presented as a guiding method for the diagnosis patients with biochemical parameters in RT-PCR-negative individuals in decision tree.

Author(s): Suleyman Sonmez, Sevinc Dagistanli, Sule Celik, Merve Bosat, Eray Yurtseven, Ali Kocatas, Selin Berk, Mehmet Guven Gunver


A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTION OF ROMANTIC RELATIONS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN PAKISTAN

Volume 77, Jan 2021
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2021.1.4

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Abstract: The main objective of the study was to develop an understanding of young girls perception of romantic relations in collectivistic culture. On the basis of literature review, a focus group guideline was developed. Following the guidelines, two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in two different colleges of Rawalpindi. Parents of the girls were contacted to seek their permission before recruiting the volunteer girls for the FGDs. Informed consent was taken from the participants. Seven girls participated in each FGD. Age of the participating girls ranged from 16 to 18 years, and they were 11th and 12th grade students. Both focus group discussions were recorded and latter transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the FGDs data. Three main themes were identified in thematic analysis (1) Intimacy, (2) Passion, and (3) Negative evaluation. Intimacy was further classified into six sub-themes namely companionship, expectations, sharing, understanding, significance/ valuation, and closeness. Passion emerged to have three sub-themes namely attraction, fascinations, and dating. The third theme, negative evaluation, was further divided into five sub-themes i.e., lack of sincerity, lack of trust, lack of commitment, negative dating attitude, and disadvantages. Thematic map developed on the basis of results showed that perception of the construct of romantic relations is multidimensional in religious collectivist societies, consisting of a hierarchy of themes and sub-themes with positive and negative notions. Findings of the study provides a perspective of romantic relations by adolescent girls living in eastern religious collectivist society.

Author(s): Sofia T. Cheema, Jamil A. Malik