University Of Khartoum Research Articles

Evaluation of an ODL Contemporary Novel Program for Sudanese EFL University Students During the Wartime: A Case Study of Khartoum University

Evaluation of an ODL Contemporary Novel Program for Sudanese EFL University Students During the Wartime: A Case Study of Khartoum University

The Mycetoma Research Center, University of Khartoum, Sudan's experience in community engagement initiatives spans 3 decades.

Mycetoma profoundly affects marginalised communities, especially in impoverished and remote areas with limited access to healthcare. This chronic and debilitating inflammatory disease highlights the typical issues of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as insufficient attention, funding, and resources, which perpetuate neglect and suffering. Patients often delay seeking medical help, leading to advanced disease stages, severe complications, and lasting disabilities. The lack of medical infrastructure and skilled healthcare professionals worsens the situation, causing delays in diagnosis and inadequate treatment. Engaging affected communities in tailored interventions is essential to tackle these challenges, promote collaboration, raise awareness, and mobilise resources to improve healthcare access and enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Since 1991, the Mycetoma Research Center (MRC) at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, has led community engagement initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for mycetoma-affected individuals through education, advocacy, and local collaboration. In this communication, the MRC shares its extensive experience in community engagement to benefit mycetoma-affected communities.

Malevolent Creativity among students at the University of Khartoum and the differences according to the variables of age, academic achievement, gender, and academic subject

Malevolent Creativity among students at the University of Khartoum and the differences according to the variables of age, academic achievement, gender, and academic subject

The role of social media in public health awareness during times of war in Sudan: snakebites and scorpion stings

BackgroundSnakebite envenomation (SBE) and scorpion sting envenomation (SSE) are significant neglected tropical diseases that primarily affect impoverished communities in rural areas of developing nations. A lack of understanding about snake and scorpion species and their distribution exacerbates the disabilities and fatalities caused by SBE and SSE. In Sudan, particularly in regions affected by ongoing conflicts where healthcare resources are scarce, social media platforms offer a cost-effective approach to addressing public health challenges. Our aim in this study is to highlight the benefits of using social media for data collection and health promotion in such environments.MethodsWe present a cost-effective communication and data collection strategy implemented at the Toxic Organisms Research Centre (TORC) of the University of Khartoum, focusing on a Facebook group, “Scorpions and Snakes of Sudan”, as our primary social media platform. Additionally, we discuss the lessons learned and the initial impact of this strategy on enhancing population health literacy.ResultsThe group community is composed of ~ 5000 members from 14 countries. During the period from January 2023 to January 2024, we received 417 enquiries about snakes and scorpions belonging to 11 families and composed of 55 species. In addition, 53 other enquiries covered a range of organisms and their tracks (e.g., spiders, skinks, chameleons, foxes, sun spiders, centipedes, lizards, moth larvae, and insect tracks). The first photographic evidence of Malpolon monspessulanus in Sudan was via the group activities. The rare species Telescopus gezirae, the Blue Nile cat snake, is also documented via the group member’s queries. Recognizing the evolving nature of social media use in public health, we also address the current limitations and evidence gaps that need to be addressed to effectively translate best practices into policy.ConclusionIn conclusion, utilizing Facebook as an institutional platform to share scientific information in simple Arabic language underscores the proactive roles that citizens, scientists, and public health stakeholders can play in leveraging social media for eHealth, eAwareness, and public health initiatives. This approach highlights the potential for collaborative efforts, particularly during crises, to maximize the benefits of social media in advancing public health.

The Impact of Synthetic Auxin on Correlation Between Leaf Carotenoids and Mortality Percentage of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora Swarz) DC.

In the Faculty of Agriculture - University of Khartoum – Sudan, experiments were conducted in both winter and rainy seasons to assess the impact of the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichloro phenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) on the relationship between leaves carotenoid content and the mortality percentage of mesquite trees (Prosopis juliflora). Mesquite trees of small, medium, and large sizes were treated with the 2,4-D at four weights 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-grams’ active ingredient, each dissolved in either diesel oil or water. The results indicated that the three sizes treated with different weights of herbicide dissolved in diesel showed a high mortality percentage and fewer leaf carotenoid levels, compared to the same weights of 2,4-D dissolved in water. During the rainy season, the high weight of 2,4-D (24 grams a.i.) dissolved in water resulted in a high mortality percentage and lower carotenoid levels, compared to the other 2,4-D weights dissolved in water. The study concluded that; 2,4-D increased the negative relationship between mesquite mortality percentage and the leaf's carotenoid content.

Epidemiological observations and management challenges in extrapedal mycetoma: A three-decade review of 420 cases.

Mycetoma is a serious, destructive, disfiguring chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease affecting the subcutaneous tissues that spread to involve the skin, deep tissues and bone. The disease predominately affects the limbs, and extrapedal mycetoma is rarely reported. The reported extrapedal ones are characterised by high morbidity and mortality. This communication reports on 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma seen and managed at the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), University of Khartoum, between January 1991 and December 2021. In this descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study, the electronic records of all mycetoma-confirmed patients seen during the study period were carefully and meticulously reviewed. The confirmed patients with extrapedal mycetoma were included in this study. The study included 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma, 298 (70.7%) had eumycetoma, and 122 (29.3%) had actinomycetoma. There were 343 male patients (81.7%) and 77 (18.3%) females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. Their ages ranged between 1.5 and 95 years, with a median of 28 years. Most of the patients were students and farmers. The majority of patients were from El Gezira, North Kordofan, and the White Nile States. Mycetoma was painful in 21%, and a family history of mycetoma was recorded in 11.5% of patients. The buttocks (37.9%) and head and neck (16.9%) were affected most. Less frequently affected sites were the trunk and back (12%) each, abdominal and chest walls (4.5%) each and loin (1%). The prominent clinical presentation findings were multiple sinuses discharging grains (55%), massive swellings (46%), and lymphadenopathy (11.5%). Less commonly observed clinical findings were local hyperhidrosis (5.3%) and dilated tortuous veins close to mycetoma lesions (0.5%). The study showed that 204 patients (48.6%) had clinical improvement in terms of decreased lesion size and healing of sinuses following medical therapy. Sixty-six patients (15.7%) had no noticeable improvement. The lesion continued progressing despite treatment in 44 patients (10.5%). In the study, 118 patients were on regular follow-up, and in this group, a cure was documented in 25 patients (21.1%) with eumycetoma and 23 (19.4%) with actinomycetoma. Post-operative recurrence among eumycetoma patients was 40%, with a 1% mortality rate. The treatment outcome was unsatisfactory, characterised by a low cure rate, high recurrence (40%) and follow-up dropout (57%) rates. This emphasises the importance of early case detection and management, objective health education programmes and thorough patient counselling to urge people to seek treatment early and reduce dropouts.

Attitude and Practice of Pharmacy Students Toward Traditional Herbal Medicines, Sudan.

Traditional herbal medicines (THMs) are widely used in Sudan, but there is scarcity of research on pharmacy students' attitudes and utilization of THMs. This study aims to assess the attitudes and practices of pharmacy students toward THM. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Khartoum (Sudan). Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous studies. A statistical package for the social sciences was used for data analysis. Among the 264 respondents, the average age was 21.8 years, and 84.8% of them were females. Nearly 85% of respondents were residents of Khartoum. The overall respondent's attitudes towards THMs were positive, it ranged from high (19.7%), moderate (79.9%). About 87.8% of respondents are interested in learning more about THMs. In addition, 36.4%, and 50.4% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that THMs should be officially licensed and controlled. A 17.8% and 63.3% of respondents, respectively, reported using traditional herbal remedies either alwaysor occasionally. Supermarkets (35.2%) and friends/family (36.4%) were the main sources of THMs for the participants, and oral administration was the most used route (87.1%). More than 90% of respondents said they would suggest THMs to others, and the most common justifications for doing so were their accessibility (46.6%) and affordability (16.3%). The most widely used herbs were Mentha spicata, Zingiber officinale, Acacia nilotica, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Syzygium aromaticum. Data revealed a significant association between attitude levels and respondents' gender (p=0.046), year of study (p=0.000), and residence (p=0.017). Most undergraduate pharmacy students had a positive attitude and utilized THMs. Development of effective educational initiatives, research, and regulations are recommended to ensure the appropriate utilization of traditional herbal remedies.

Artificial Neural Networks Predict Discharge Pressures of ESPs

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 216598, “Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Predicting Discharge Pressures of Electrical Submersible Pumps for Performance Optimization and Failure Prevention,” by M.A. Mahmoud, M. AbuObida, and O. Mohammed, University of Khartoum, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ This paper presents a novel approach using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the discharge pressure of electrical submersible pumps (ESPs). A data set of more than 12,000 data points collected from 40 different wells was used to train and test various ANN models with different input parameters. The ability to predict discharge pressure accurately can lead to the early detection of possible anomalies. Methodology Data Collection. The data-collection process for ESP sensor data involved collecting data from 40 wells operational during 2019–2023 with starting dates from 2019 through 2022. The data included key parameters provided in the complete paper. Data Cleaning and Integration. The data-cleaning process was performed to ensure that the accuracy and reliability of the data were maintained. Scatter plots were used to visualize the distribution of each variable in the data set, and outliers were identified and removed or smoothed. Missing values were addressed by fill-in using statistical methods or by removing them from the data set if the percentage of missing values was significant. Inconsistencies in the data were dealt with by removing duplicates, fixing errors, and ensuring that the data was consistent across all sources. The data-integration process involved combining data from different sources to create a single data set for analysis. Data were labeled and formatted to facilitate analysis, including assigning meaningful names to the variables and ensuring that data were in the correct format. Data Analysis and Physical Relationship. The MATLAB program was used to analyze the data statically. A code was made to generate charts and statistical calculations to gain insights into characteristics such as minimum, maximum, mean, variation, standard deviation, skewness, and covariance. Understanding the physical relationship between the various operating parameters and the pump-discharge pressure is crucial. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between 18 key parameters and the pump-discharge pressure. Model Development and Optimization. The 18 input parameters were used to build an ANN using MATLAB. The neural network was trained using a set of known input/output pairs and tested on a separate set of data. The performance of the neural network was evaluated using various metrics such as mean squared error and correlation coefficient. After the ANN model was built, its performance was evaluated to determine the best configuration of the model. This was achieved by varying the number of input parameters, hidden layers, and neurons in each layer. The best model configuration was then identified that provided the most-accurate predictions and minimized the errors in the model.

Association between sleep hygiene awareness and practice with sleep quality among medical students at University of Khartoum, 2022

Association between sleep hygiene awareness and practice with sleep quality among medical students at University of Khartoum, 2022

A study on the soil seed bank of Nyala area, south Darfur, Sudan

This research is an ecological study on the vegetation of Nyala area, South Darfur State, Sudan. The main objectives of this research is determination of soil seed bank of species in the study area. The collected plant species were identified checked via the aid of the herbarium of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Khartoum. Twenty-seven plant species have been identified from the study of soil seed bank. The most dominant of these species were Euphorbia aegyptiaca, Dactyloctenium eagypticum, Eragrostis tenella, Corchorus trilocularis and Amaranthus graecizans. The number of dead seeds/m2 on the upper soil surface layer (0-5 cm) was 12150, while that of live seeds was 5560. The number of dead seeds/m2 for the lower soil depth (5-10 cm) was 9707 and that of live seeds was 3254 seeds/m2. Statistical analysis of the data of the soil seed bank showed that there were statistically significant differences between the number of dead and live seeds/m2 at the same soil depth and among different soil depths.

The nutritional status of mycetoma affected patients seen at the Mycetoma Research Center, Sudan.

Nutrition plays a critical and crucial role in addressing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and their complications, as they often contribute to malnutrition, which can worsen the impact of these conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the nutritional status of mycetoma patients, which has not been explored previously. This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at the Mycetoma Research Center (MRC), University of Khartoum, Sudan. The study included 179 confirmed mycetoma patients and an equal number of age- and sex-matched normal controls. The nutritional status of the mycetoma patients was assessed and compared with that of the control group. The majority of the patients were young adults with varying educational levels, predominantly from Central Sudan. The foot was the most commonly affected part; most patients had lesions more than 10 cm in diameter. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for both study groups, revealing that 43.5% of the patients and 53.6% of controls had a normal BMI. Furthermore, 36% of patients were underweight, contrasting with only 11% in the control group. Correlation analyses indicated no significant associations between BMI and age groups, educational levels, daily meals, food quantity, and appetite in the study population (p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant differences were observed in BMI concerning disease duration and affected sites (p = 0.0577). The Kruskal-Wallis test did not reveal significant differences in BMI means among the groups. The study revealed that most participants consumed three meals daily, and the control group showed a more robust appetite and consumed more food than the patient group (p = 0.005). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in the consumption of different food types between the patient and control groups and among different BMI categories (p = 0.025 and 0.040, respectively).

Chemical Characteristic of Yoghurt Produced by Small Scale levels and House Hold in Middle of Sudan

The quality of fermented dairy product is a delicate subject, it large depends on pre-and post-process handling. Yoghurt is usually produced by small scale and house hold levels The aim of this study was to evaluate the current situation of Yoghurt produced by small-scale levels and house hold in middle of Sudan. and determine chemical analysis of collected raw milk and yogurt samples from different sits in Khartoum and Gezira State in two seasons winter and summer. (32) sample were collected divided in to equal number (16). Yoghurt samples were collected during winter and summer season from different sites (two sites small scale and tow house hold levels, the study included five produced Yoghurt samples and one industrial samples, this study was conducted in the laboratory of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum. Sudan in the period from December. 2018 to June 2019. The results of the chemical composition analysis of collected Yogurt samples from different sites (Bahari, Omdurman, Khartoum and Eastern Nile) during winter and summer season presented no significantly different between moisture, total solids, fat, protein, and lactose in Khartoum and Gezira State during winter and summer season for chemical analysis. We concluded that Yoghurt samples collected from different areas has high nutritive value, it contains of good amount of protein, fat, lactose, moisture and there is no significant difference in chemical characteristic of yoghurt collecting from different sites in two states for both seasons.

A bibliometric analysis of the research outcome of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum 2019-2023.

Using two databases, this bibliometric analysis was done for the papers published by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum (FMUK), from 2019 to 2023. Data were extracted from SCImago for all Sudan, and from PubMed for the publications by FMUK and its associated research centres, the Institute of Endemic Diseases, and the Mycetoma Research Center. The analysis of publications included the count and type of publications, the journals, and national and international collaboration assessment. The publications from FMUK show improvement over time in number and quality, a growth that is significantly influenced by national and international collaboration. These partnerships have proven to be a key driver of FMUK's research output, together with the valuable contributions of the specialized research institutions. However, there is room for improvement in the research output by increasing institutional capacity to support research and scientific communication. The Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics is an example where open access has a positive impact by allowing peripheral journals to be established despite the constraints.

Effect of the Psychiatric Co-Morbidities of Migraine in Medical University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common neurological disorder with significant psychiatric co-morbidities and impact on quality of life. Medical students routinely have triggers, notably stress and irregular sleep, which are typically associated with migraine. The present study aimed to assess the effect of the psychiatric co-morbidities of migraine on medical university students. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at Khartoum University on 356 students chosen by a multi-stage stratified sampling for the batch and gender, followed by a simple random sampling using self-administered questionnaires. Our survey consisted of the Patient Health Questionnaire 4-item (PHQ-4) to examine the effect of the psychiatric co-morbidities of migraine on medical students at Khartoum University. Migraine diagnosis was made according to ID Migraine. We analyzed the data using SPSS Software version 26. RESULTS: The participants included 63.8% females and 36.2% males. The age of the participants ranged from 17–26-year-old, with the majority between 20-23 years old. Additionally, 73.6% of the students were caffeine consumers, and 6.5% were smokers. In addition, 66% of medical students confirmed having two or more general headaches during the past three months. The prevalence of migraine was 27.25% in the whole study group. According to the PHQ-4 scoring system, (36%) had mild psychological distress (score: 3-5), (28.9%) reported severe distress (score: 9-12), while (24.7%) and (10.3%) reported moderate (score: 6-8) and none (score: 0-2) psychological distress, respectively. There was a significant association between the intensity of migraine without medications and the psychological status of the patient (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the effect of the psychiatric co-morbidities of migraine was variable among medical students at Khartoum University. Our study findings revealed a significant association between the intensity of migraine without medications and the psychological status of the patient. However, these results need to be affirmed by furthermore research with a large sample of medical students in different universities in Sudan.

Social networking and fear of missing out (FOMO) among medical students at University of Khartoum, Sudan 2021

BackgroundWith students becoming more involved in the internet and social networking sites, they become more prone to their consequences. This study focuses on measuring the social networking intensity and the fear of missing out among the medical students of University of Khartoum, then examining the association between them.MethodsFacility-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Faculty of Medicine, Khartoum University between January and March 2021. A total of 333 students were selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected from the participants using a structured self-administered questionnaire that involved the social networking intensity (SNI) scale and fear of missing out (FOMO) scale. The data was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 26.ResultsModerate positive correlation between social networking intensity and fear of missing out was found (p-value < 0.01). Of the total participants; 51 participants (15.4%) experienced low SNI and low FOMO. Another 78 participants (23.6%) had moderate SNI and moderate FOMO and only 16 Participants (4.8%) showed high SNI and high FOMO. There were no significant differences in SNI or FOMO scores among the different socio-demographic variables, except for the SNI score which was positively correlated to the monthly income.ConclusionAn association between SNI and FOMO was found. SNI was not affected by socio-demographic factors except for the monthly income.

Body image dissatisfaction and its relation to body mass index among female medical students in Sudan: across-sectional study 2020-2021

BackgroundBody image is mainly determined by biological, social, psychological and cultural factors thus it is a multifaceted vigorous construct. Body image is an essential aspect of girls' self-definition and individual identity. Excessive concern about body image and body image misconceptions leads to dissatisfaction, disturbed eating patterns, affecting the nutritional status and also leading to depression and anxiety disorder.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional university-based study aiming to investigate body image dissatisfaction and its relation to BMI among female medical students at the University of Khartoum, faculty of medicine. The study was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021. Simple random sampling was applied and a two-sectioned questionnaire was used. The first part consisted of socio-demographic data and the second part contained questions to assess body image the data was. A total of 277 participants were enrolled in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsWe enrolled 277 female medical students the majority of participants (53%) were considered of normal weight according to BMI, 7% considered obese, and 18% underweight. Large number of participants thought that they are not in the ideal weight according to their height (62%). (21% to 17%) of participants always feel pressure from people or society to get to a certain weight. With respect to attitude towards weight, (29%) of participants always wear clothes that don't reveal their body shape, (35%) of them always tend to wear clothes that hide their excess weight.ConclusionsThe study concluded that participants who were overweight, obese or underweight have significant increase risk for poor body image perception with odd ratio of 39, 11, and 59 respectively. Thus early and proper interventions are necessary to circumvent the impact and future repercussion of body image distortion.

Physical Activity Among Medical Students at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, 2022: Knowledge, Practice, and Barriers.

Introduction Physical inactivity is a highly prevalentmodifiable risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the leading causes of death. Many health institutes have issued and adopted guidelines and recommendations on physical activity. This study aims to study the knowledge, practice, and barriers of medical students enrolledat the University of Khartoum, Sudan, regarding physical activity. It aimed to assess the students' knowledge about physical activity, to determine the levels of physical activity and compare it with the WHO recommended levels and data from other countries, to compare the activity and sedentary levels between males and females, and to take a look on the barriers to physical activity. Methods An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum in December 2022. A total of 336 students wereincluded using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Levels of physical activity were described and compared between males and females. Results Around 40.5% of the students achieved the recommended level of physical activity. The mean level of vigorous-intensity physical activity was 50.9 minutes/week (SD= 125.7), the mean level of moderate-intensity physical activity was 156.5 minutes/week (SD= 316.1), the mean level of total physical activity was 207 minutes/week (SD= 356). Between males and females, there was a significant mean difference in the level of vigorous-intensity physical activity and total physical activity. The mean level of sedentary behavior was 7.61 hours/day (SD= 4.62) with no significant difference between males and females (p=0.127). Students showed good knowledge about the cardiovascular and mental benefits of physical activity but not about its protective benefits against cancer. Only 19.4% knew the WHO-recommended levels of physical activity. The most common major barriers toward physical activity reported by the students were lack of time (43.8%), and lack of suitable facilities (31.3%) among others. Conclusion More than half (59.5%) of the students were insufficiently active. Levels of physical activity were significantly associated with the participants' sex but not their knowledge of the recommended levels of physical activity. Males showed higher levels of physical activity. Lack of time was the most common barrier to exercise. More knowledge and education about physical activity should be provided as well as suitable facilities.

Enstatite meteorite clasts in Almahata Sitta and other polymict ureilites: Implications for the formation of asteroid 2008 TC3 and the history of enstatite meteorite parent asteroids

AbstractThe anomalous polymict ureilite Almahata Sitta (AhS) fell in 2008 when asteroid 2008 TC3 disintegrated over Sudan and formed a strewn field of disaggregated clasts of various ureilitic and chondritic types. We studied the petrology and oxygen isotope compositions of enstatite meteorite samples from the University of Khartoum (UoK) collection of AhS. In addition, we describe the first bona fide (3.5 mm‐sized) clast of an enstatite chondrite (EC) in a typical polymict ureilite, Northwest Africa (NWA) 10657. We evaluate whether 2008 TC3 and typical polymict ureilites have a common origin, and examine implications for the history of enstatite meteorite asteroids in the solar system. Based on mineralogy, mineral compositions, and textures, the seven AhS EC clasts studied comprise one EHa3 (S151), one ELb3 (AhS 1002), two EHb4‐5 (AhS 2012, AhS 26), two EHb5‐6 or possibly impact melt rocks (AhS 609, AhS 41), and one ELb6‐7 (AhS 17), while the EC clast in NWA 10657 is EHa3. Oxygen isotope compositions analyzed for five of these are similar to those of EC from non‐UoK collections of AhS, and within the range of individual EC meteorites. There are no correlations of oxygen isotope composition with chemical group or subgroup. The EC clasts from the UoK collection show the same large range of types as those from non‐UoK collections of AhS. The enstatite achondrite, AhS 60, is a unique type (not known as an individual meteorite) that has also been found among non‐UoK AhS samples. EC are the most abundant non‐ureilitic clasts in AhS but previously were thought to be absent in typical polymict ureilites, necessitating a distinct origin for AhS. The discovery of an EC in NWA 10657 changes this. We argue that the types of materials in AhS and typical polymict ureilites are essentially similar, indicating a common origin. We elaborate on a model in which AhS and typical polymict ureilites formed in the same regolith on a ureilitic daughter body. Most non‐ureilitic clasts are remnants of impactors implanted at ~50–60 Myr after CAI. Differences in abundances can be explained by the stochastic nature of impactor addition. There is no significant difference between the chemical/petrologic types of EC in polymict ureilites and individual EC meteorites. This implies that fragments of the same populations of EC parent bodies were available as impactors at ~50–60 Myr after CAI and recently. This can be explained if materials excavated from various depths on EC bodies at ~50–60 Myr after CAI were reassembled into mixed layers, leaving relatively large bodies intact to survive 4 billion years. Polymict ureilites record a critical timestep in the collisional and dynamical evolution of the solar system, showing that asteroids that may have accreted at distant locations had migrated to within proximity of one another by 50–60 Myr after CAI, and providing constraints on the dynamical processes that could have caused such migrations.

776 “Doses of Human Anatomy”: A Telegram Channel Augmenting Anatomy Education

Abstract Introduction Telegram has become one of the most popular messaging applications. Its multiple features enable its use for different educational purposes. This study aimed to explore the role of a Telegram’s channel in Anatomical education. Method A Telegram channel was created and shared to first year medical students of University of Khartoum. Subscription to the channel was optional. The Thorax module was covered through different types of daily online posts and quizzes which were posted over one month, in line with the formal practical sessions. At the end of the module, an online test shared to both subscribers and non-subscribers, a feedback questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to assess the effects of the channel and students’ reflection on it. Results 336 students subscribed to the channel by the time of the test. There was a significant association between subscription status and test score (p = 0.01, t = 2.79). Frequency of viewing did not affect test score. Students reported that written posts with images and quizzes were the two most helpful types of posts. Students reported that the channel made it easier for them to understand anatomy (86.4%), aided retention of information (92%) and encouraged engagement (81.6%). Continuation of the channel was recommended by 95.2% of students. Conclusions The channel provided concise and structured material that acted as a blueprint for students during studying and exam preparations. It proved itself as a useful complementary tool for students in the anatomy module. We recommend formal integration of Telegram channels in anatomy curricula.

The Extent of Applying the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation "CAEP" Standards in Teacher Education Programs in the Faculty of Education, University of Khartoum

This study aimed at identifying the extent of applying the "CAEP" Standards in the teacher preparation programs in the Faculty of Education, University of Khartoum. To achieve the aim of the study, a descriptive method was used, and it relied on a questionnaire that was applied to a sample of (97) faculty members, which consisted of (66) items divided into (5) standards: content and pedagogical knowledge; clinical partnerships and practice; candidate quality (recruitment and selectivity); program impact; and provider quality assurance and continuous improvement. The results showed a moderate level of applying the "CAEP" standards in teacher preparation programs in the Faculty of Education, University of Khartoum. There were no differences in the level of application the "CAEP" standards attributed to gender.