Myopia progression in school children with prolonged screen time during the coronavirus disease confinement

Background: Myopia, the most common refractive error, is a global public health problem with substantial visual impairment if left untreated. Several studies have investigated the association between increased near-work and restricted outdoor activities in children with myopia; however, such studies in children without myopia are scarce. We aimed to monitor the effect of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) home confinement and mandatory virtual learning on myopic progression among myopic and non-myopic school-aged children. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children aged 6 – 12 years attending regular visits to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic in a tertiary eye hospital in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Cycloplegic refraction was determined from three visits at least six months apart: two visits before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and one during the COVID-19 home confinement. Parents were asked about the time spent in near-work and outdoor activities, the devices used during virtual learning, and the demographic characteristics of the children. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare myopia progression before and during the COVID-19 home confinement. Results: A total of 160 eyes of 80 children were analyzed. The boy (n = 46) to girl (n = 34) ratio was 1.4:1. The hyperopia (n = 131 eyes) to myopia (n = 29 eyes) ratio was 4.5:1. Most eyes exhibited a hyperopic shift before the confinement; however, all eyes displayed a myopic shift during the confinement. When comparing both eyes of the same individual, the more myopic or less hyperopic eye in the same child had a significantly greater myopic shift than the fellow eye (both P < 0.05). Children who used tablets showed a significant myopic shift (P < 0.05). Likewise, children in both age categories (less than or equal to 8 and > 8 years), boys, those living in an apartment, and those having parents with bachelor’s degrees experienced a significant myopic shift during COVID-19 home confinement compared to before (all P < 0.05). The mean myopic shift was greater in children aged > 8 years than in those aged less than or equal to 8 years. Children with and without a family history of myopia had a myopic shift in the mean spherical equivalent during COVID-19 home confinement; however, that of children with no family history was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Progression of myopia accelerated in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Excessive time spent on digital screen devices at near distances is considered a substantial environmental contributor to myopic shift in children. Further multicenter studies with extended follow-up periods are needed to assess the factors contributing to myopic progression in our population

Psychosocial Determinants of Living Kidney Donors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Arwa Alumran,1 Eman Hussain Aljanoubi,1 Amal Salman Bureqa,1 Reem Alturki,2 Saja A Alrayes,1 Zahra Alakrawi,1 Fatima Alshakhs,1 Mona Aljuwair1 1Health Information Management and Technology Department, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 34221, Saudi Arabia; 2Clinical Excellence, Eastern Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, 11176, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Arwa Alumran, Email [email protected]: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a global health issue that significantly impacts patient mortality and morbidity. Living kidney donors play a crucial role in addressing the shortage of available organs for transplantation.Objective: This study aims to identify the characteristics of potential kidney donors at King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam (KFSH-D), Saudi Arabia and to assess the psychosocial factors influencing their willingness to proceed with the donation process.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1523 individuals who applied to donate kidneys at KFSH-D. Data were retrieved from the hospital’s transplant department electronic database, encompassing psychosocial variables such as gender, marital status, and age, along with the outcomes of donation intentions (ie, proceeded with donation, did not proceed due to unwillingness). Descriptive data analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests.Results: Of the 1523 potential donors, 997 proceeded with the donation. Key factors influencing the willingness to donate included gender (χ 2=5.098, P=0.024), age (t=2.175, P=0.030), and existing relationships with recipients (χ 2=162.664, P=0.001). However, marital status, nationality, blood group, BMI, weight, and height were not significantly associated with the decision to donate.Conclusion: Several psychosocial factors significantly influence the willingness of potential donors to complete the donation process. Understanding these factors can enhance predictive models and improve donor recruitment strategies, ultimately increasing the availability of kidneys for transplantation.Keywords: end-stage renal disease, living kidney donation, donor characteristics, psychosocial factors, donor willingness, kidney transplantation, healthcare policy, risk management, predictive model

Dynamic Video Wall Tile Creation Using Raspberry Pi3

The video wall technology has many useful applications. However, the high cost of the video wall might make it unavailable when needed. The PiWall is a low-cost alternative for a traditional video wall. The PiWall project was built to meet very specific requirements, and therefore it has very limited applications. The most recognizable problem on the current system is that it needs to restart every time when a change on content being displayed is needed. Developing the PiWall system will widen the scope of its applications. The path to developing an enhanced PiWall system starts by examining the existing PiWall system and understanding its current limitations. Then defining the new requirements. After that proposing the design of the system. In addition, analyzing the source code and understanding how the system works. The next step is building the current system, and then gradually adding features and improvements. At the end, it is expected to have an improved PiWall system that has a variety of useful applications

A Novel Algebraic Inverse Kinematics Based Approach to Gaze Control in Humanoid Robots

The vision system of humanoid robots is one of the essential components that allow them to do complex activities. This has led to numerous studies on artificial gaze stabilization, many of which are based on biological vision system reflexes. The gaze stabilization solution includes image capture and processing, inverse kinematics, and feedback control to achieve the desired gaze behavior. Generally, the multi-solution problem of finding the desired gaze direction and the inverse kinematics problem of finding the desired joints are solved by using cost functions and numerical solvers. This results in disadvantages that include long processing time, uncertain number of iterations, and risk of numerical instability. In this work, an alternative algebraic method is introduced by exploiting the cascading structure of the neck and eye. By using direct equations instead of numerical solving, the multi-solution and inverse kinematics problems are solved utilizing the geometrical structure and the proposed virtual configurations. Moreover, a sliding mode controller is designed to move the neck-eye joints to their desired positions. The developed scheme is simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. Results for various scenarios show that the system can effectively gaze at different stationary and moving targets, showing human-like gaze behavior. In terms of timing, the desired gaze direction is quickly achieved and stabilized, whereas the neck-eye system dynamics stay longer. For one of the simulation cases presented, it took 0.3 seconds to achieve the desired gaze direction for the dynamics of more than 1 second

Completion Optimization for Unconventional Reservoir

Abstract The success in producing from unconventional reservoirs is made possible by horizontal drilling and reservoir stimulation through multi-stage hydraulic fracturing along the laterals. Although hydraulic fracturing techniques have been widely used for unconventional shale gas stimulation, a considerable percentage of perforations do not contribute to production. Reservoir characterization and computation of completion parameters are essential for effective completion design to improve staging and perforation placement. Challenges in hydraulic fracture design are the proper placement of fracturing ports or perforations and location of isolation packers due to the large variability of fracture gradient, mechanical and reservoir properties, and petrophysical characteristics existing along the lateral. Industry experiences show that injection pressures required to fracture the formation (fracture gradient) oftentimes vary significantly along a well, and there can be intervals where the formation cannot be fractured successfully by fluid injection due to the existence of high in-situ stress. Geomechanical and Petrophysical evaluations providing rock anisotropy and anisotropic stress properties along the wellbore play a fundamental role in completion and hydraulic fracture design. In this paper, geomechanical and petrophysical properties from open-hole logs and sonic anisotropy evaluations have been integrated to compute reservoir quality and completion quality. Intervals with similar properties are then grouped in a manner to better understand and optimize hydraulic fracture design and operations. This procedure is applied in a borehole within a potential shale-gas reservoir targeting the hot shale facies formation in Saudi Arabia resulting in a successful completion optimization and hydraulic fracture performance.</jats:p

The scope of frailty assessment tools in the middle east: unraveling gaps and trends

Background: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults. As Middle Eastern populations age, validated frailty assessment tools (FATs) are essential to inform care planning. However, regional uptake and validation remain unclear. Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the use and validation of FATs among adults aged 55 and above in the Middle East, identify research gaps, and explore cross-country trends. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in May 2022 and updated in December 2024 across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Search terms targeted “frailty,” “geriatric,” and 17 Middle Eastern countries. Inclusion criteria comprised primary studies using or discussing FATs among adults aged 55+, conducted in or including a Middle Eastern country. Non-English/Arabic texts, non-primary literature, and studies lacking frailty definitions or tools were excluded. In total, 103 studies were included. Results: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) were the most commonly used tools, appearing in 36 and 32 studies respectively. However, only 12 studies reported tool validation, and just 7 conducted cultural adaptation. Research output was highest in Turkey (28 studies), Iran (17), and Saudi Arabia (14), while 6 countries had no studies. Most studies used FATs in hospital settings. Conclusion: Frailty research is growing in the Middle East but remains fragmented and under-validated. Standardized tools adapted to local contexts are urgently needed. Strengthening clinical care and policy will require greater regional collaboration and investment in culturally relevant researc

Pediatric Sinonasal Rhabdomyosarcoma: Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Role

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. It represents 5-8% of pediatric tumors. Head and neck is considered the most common site of RMS origin (40%). Parameningeal, orbital and non parameningeal RMS approximately represent 50%, 25% and 25% respectively. Histopathological evaluation demonstrates small round cells with high cytological variability which stain positive with desmin, myogenin and MyoD1. The mainstay treatment of RMS depends on chemotherapy and radiation therapy with a limited role of surgery. Method: A retrospective chart review for pediatric sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosed and managed at King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and a literature review of pediatric sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma was conducted. Results: A total of four cases were identified for the period (2011-2017), and a thorough review of their medical records and radiological imaging were done. Conclusion: Pediatric sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma may initially present with symptoms mimicking rhinosinusitis. Biopsy and histological evaluation are the most essential steps to exclude malignancy. Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies (IRS) established a staging system based on tumor extension and resectability. The role of surgery in RMS may be limited for obtaining biopsies for diagnosis and for palliative purposes. Popular antineoplastic agents used to treat RMS include vincristine, cyclophosphamide, actinomycin D, and adriamycin. Chemotherapy with alkylating agents has achieved a relapsed free survival 90% for nonparameningeal tumors and 65% for parameningeal tumors.</jats:p