AI-driven transformation: advancing information literacy at the British University in Egypt library

تبحث هذه الدراسة في معدلات الوعي المختلفة حول الذكاء الاصطناعي فيما يتعلق بطلاب البكالوريوس في الجامعة البريطانية في مصر (BUE) وتفحص القضايا التي تعيق تدريس الذكاء الاصطناعي، مثل الافتقار إلى الإجماع بشأن أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي وتطبيقها الأخلاقي في البيئة الأكاديمية. والغرض من ذلك هو دمج معرفة الذكاء الاصطناعي في برنامج معرفة المعلومات المقدم في مكتبة BUE بهدف إعداد العلماء للاستخدام المسؤول لهذه التقنيات بما يتماشى مع إرشادات الذكاء الاصطناعي. تم تبني نهج البحث العملي الذي يسمح بالتطوير المستمر من خلال التخطيط والأداء والتقييم ورد الفعل بناءً على ما حدث. كشفت النتائج عن وجود فجوات واضحة في فهم الطلاب للذكاء الاصطناعي على وجه التحديد من حيث الاعتبارات الأخلاقية والتطبيقات العملية، في حين كانت هناك تناقضات في لوائح استخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي داخل الكليات المختلفة. وهذا يعني أن هناك ضرورة لإرشادات موحدة يمكن أن تساعد في توفير أطر واضحة للأخلاق. كما يقترح البحث برنامجًا لمحو أمية الذكاء الاصطناعي تم تصميمه واختباره أثناء البحث وسيتم طرحه خلال العام الدراسي 2024/2025، مما يمكن المتعلمين من فهم الجوانب الأساسية وكذلك استخدامات الذكاء الاصطناعي. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، توصي الدراسة بتبني أدوات بحثية مدعومة بالذكاء الاصطناعي بهدف تحسين جودة العمل البحثي.This study investigates the differing rates of awareness around artificial intelligence (AI) as it relates to undergraduate students at the British University in Egypt (BUE) and examines issues that inhibit the teaching of artificial intelligence, such as lack of consensus on AI tools and their ethical application in an academic environment. The purpose is to incorporate AI literacy into the information literacy program offered at the BUE library with a view to preparing scholars for responsible utilization of these technologies in line with AI guidelines. An action research approach was adopted allowing for continuous development through planning, performing, assessing, and reaction based on what happened. Findings revealed that there were conspicuous gaps in students\u27 understanding of AI specifically in terms of ethical considerations and practical applications, while there were inconsistencies in the AI usage regulations within different faculties. This means that there is the necessity for uniform guidelines that can help to provide explicit frameworks on ethics. The research also proposes an AI literacy program which was designed and tested during the research and it will be rolled out during the academic year 2024/2025, enabling learners to grasp fundamental aspects as well as uses of AI. Besides, the study recommends adoption of AI-powered research tools with a view to improving quality of research work

Study of the gut microbiome in Egyptian patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Background Recently, an important relationship between Parkinson’s disease and the gut microbiota, through the brain-gut axis interactions, has been established. Previous studies have declared that alterations in the gut microbiota have a great impact on the pathogenesis and clinical picture of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present study aimed to identify the gut microbiome that is likely related to Parkinson’s disease as well as their possible relation to clinical phenotypes. Methods Thirty patients with Parkinson’s disease, who presented to the Parkinson’s disease Neurology Clinic of Alexandria University Hospital were enrolled in our study. A cross-matching control group of 35 healthy subjects of similar age and sex were included. Stool specimens were taken from each. Quantitative SYBR Green Real-Time PCR was done for the identification and quantitation of selected bacterial phyla, genera and/or species. Results There was a significant increase in Bacteroides and a significant decrease of Firmicutes and Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio and Bifidobacteria in PD patients. Although Prevotella was decreased among PD patients relative to the healthy control, the difference was not statistically significant. Comparing the PD clinical phenotypes with the control group, the Mixed phenotype had significantly higher Bacteroides, Tremors predominant had lower Firmicutes and Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio, and both tremors and postural instability and gait disability (PIGD) phenotypes had lower Bifidobacteria. However, there was no statistically significant difference between these phenotypes. Furthermore, when comparing tremors and non-tremors predominant phenotypes; Lactobacilli showed a significant decrease in non-tremors predominant phenotypes. Conclusions The current study showed evidence of changes in the gut microbiome of Parkinson’s disease patients compared to the healthy controls. These observations may highlight the importance of the identification of microbiome and specific bacterial changes that can be targeted for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Mental health of frontline healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 in Egypt: A call for action

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic in March 2020. Such widespread outbreaks are associated with adverse mental health consequences. Aims: To evaluate mental health outcomes among Egyptian healthcare workers (HCW) treating patients with confirmed or suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to direct the promotion of mental wellbeing, by screening for symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, depression and stress, and analyzing potential risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional, hospital-based survey study collected demographic data and mental health measurements from 502 HCW dealing with COVID-19. HCW were surveyed in 20 hospitals (Fever, Chest, and Quarantine hospitals) in different parts of Egypt, in April and May 2020. Results: Among the 502 HCW surveyed; 60.0% were physicians, 16.1% were specialized nurses, and 23.9% were non-specialized nurses. About 35.3% worked in chest hospitals, 17.5% in fever hospitals, and 47.2% in quarantine hospitals. A considerable proportion of HCW had symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, depression, and stress. Females were at higher risk of experiencing symptoms of severe anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% CI, 1.12–3.05; p = .016), severe depression (OR, 2.013; 95% CI, 1.17–3.4; p = .011), and severe stress (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.5–4.6; p &lt; .001). Fever hospital workers were at higher risk of severe depression (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.11–2.09; p &lt; .01), compared to Quarantine hospital workers. Conclusion: Ensuring proper mental health support for HCW is an important component of public health measures for addressing the COVID-19 epidemic and safeguarding the continuity of appropriate medical service. </jats:sec