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Four databases were searched to identify studies published by Arab researchers on parents' perceptions of autism spectrum disorder and studies conducted by US researchers and published in systematic reviews of this topic. The electronic search resulted in 14 studies published by Arab researchers and 55 studies published by US researchers. The results showed that autism spectrum disorder has many of the same effects on Arab and American families. Six major areas were identified in the results. Financial difficulties associated with raising children with autism spectrum disorder were mentioned more in Arab studies than in US studies. Arab studies had more emphasis on gender than US studies. The results related to quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Arab studies were equivocal. US studies included comparisons with families without a child with autism spectrum disorder, and addressed factors that were associated with quality of life indicators. More health, educational, and social services were available in United States than in Arab countries, but some frustration was reported by US parents in obtaining appropriate services in some studies. A higher percentage of Arab studies mentioned the role of religious faith than US studies. Finally, social stigma was evidenced in both cultures, but not much research was available.

Arab countries have undertaken various measures to develop special education programmes and services over the last three decades; nevertheless, major challenges remain regarding the expansion of these programmes and services and improving their quality. "This article provides an update on disability and special education in Arab countries". Reflections on the historical development of special education in Arab societies are briefly presented. Major challenges currently faced by Arab countries in the field of special education are described, and some recommendations for action are offered.

With the sudden emergence of many dangerous viruses in recent years and with their rapid transmission and danger to individuals, most countries have adopted several strategies, such as closure and social distancing, to control the spread of the virus in the population. In parallel with all these precautions, scientific laboratories are working on developing the appropriate vaccine, which in many cases takes many years. Until then, it is necessary to resort to many solutions, including solutions that rely on information technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). In this context, this paper proposes a new solution based on the ontology and rules of intelligent reasoning. Initially, the virus environment is analyzed, followed by the extraction and editing of the main elements of the ontology using the "Protégé" software. In the last step, the proposed solution is tested, by choosing the city of Adrar in southwestern Algeria, which was particularly affected by COVID-19. Three scenarios were shown for different cases. The efficiency of the proposed solution was confirmed through the instructions it provides in the event of symptoms appearing in a person. In addition, this solution helps the competent authorities know the location and extent of the epidemic by informing the local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algeria is characterized by extreme cold in winter and high heat and humidity in summer. This leads to an increase in the use of electrical appliances, which has a negative impact on electrical energy consumption and its high costs, especially with the high price of electricity in Algeria. In this context, artificial intelligence can help to regulate the daily consumption of electricity, by optimizing the exploitation of natural resources and alerting the individual to avoid energy wasting. This paper proposes a decision-making tool (IRRHEM) for managing electrical energy at smart home. The IRRHEM solution is based on three elements: the use of natural resources, the notification of the inhabitants in case of resources misuse or wasting behavior, and the aggregation of similar activities at same time. Additionally, based on the proposed intelligent reasoning rules, residents' behavior and activities are represented by OWL (Ontology Web Language) and written and executed through SWRL (Semantic Web Rule Language). Finally, the (IRRHEM) solution is tested in a home located in Algiers city inhabited by a family of four persons. The IRRHEM performance evaluation results are very promising and show a 3.60% rate of energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Development of an energy intelligent management based on the import of an existing ontology. • Application of the developed solution in a smart home in the Adrar city -Algeria-. • Estimation of the energy saving using the NewOSEIM. In this work, the main objective is oriented towards the development of a completed system of saving energy at a home in south Algeria. The proposed previously solution (OSEIM) is an intelligent solution based on domain ontology for the electrical energy management in the home; these are designed, built, and operated with increasingly complex technologies. However, the ontology used in this work brings together a body of knowledge that represents all the objects that can positively or negatively influence the consumption of electrical energy, all of this information is linked to each other by meaningful and useful relationships. In addition, the NewOSEIM solution comprising a knowledge base of the OWL (Web Ontology Language) and SWRL rules (Semantic Web Rule Language) providing a reasoning mechanism is developed to offer an optimal solution in energy saving. This work mainly depends on the import of the OSEIM ontology and other ontologies in the field of energy management. Finally, it is noted that the NewOSEIM solution provides an additional energy saving of 2.11 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]