Effect of Monophasic Pulsed Current on the Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common soft tissue disorders that causes inferior heel and rear foot pain. Monophasic pulsed current (MPC) is a method of electrical stimulation (ES) clinically used to promote and accelerate wound healing processes. The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to investigate the effect of MPC and MPC coupled with plantar fascia specific stretching exercises (SE) in the treatment of PF. Methods: Forty four participants (twenty- two subjects were women; 22 were men with a mean age of 49 ± 10.6 years) diagnosed with PF were randomly allocated to receive MPC (n=22) or MPC coupled with plantar fascia specific SE (n=22). Prior to treatment, participants underwent a baseline evaluation. Heel pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), heel tenderness threshold was quantified using a handheld pressure algometer (PA), the functional activities level was assessed using the Activities of Daily Living subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (ADL/FAAM), and the sagittal thickness (ST) of the proximal insertion of the plantar fascia was measured with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US). Following treatment, post intervention evaluation was performed using the same outcome measures

On the Acquisition of Derivational Suffixes by Kuwaiti EFL Learners

This study aims to test the extent to which 90 Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of the correct use of derivational suffixes in English. It also identifies the mains reasons of the errors that Kuwaiti EFL learners may make. In addition, it investigates whether the English proficiency level of the participants plays a role in their answers on the test. To this end, the participants were tested twice in this study; a multiple-choice test was used to check their comprehension skills, whereas a fill-in the blank test was used to measure their ability to produce the correct derivational suffixes in English. Following data analysis, the results reveal that Kuwaiti EFL learners are fairly aware of the correct use of English derivational suffixes to a certain degree; the total mean on both tests (comprehension = 70% and production = 56%) is 63%. The participants obtained higher percentage of correct answers on the comprehension test (mean= 70%) compared to the production test (mean = 56%). Additionally, the t-test shows that the participants’ English proficiency level plays a central role in their comprehension and production of these suffixes. The performance of the Advanced Learners (ALs) (comprehension = 77% and production = 62%) is better than that of the Intermediate Learners (ILs) (comprehension = 64% and production = 48%) on the tests. In particular, there is a statistically significant difference between the answers of ALs and ILs on both tests. Regarding the types of error made by the participants, I argued that the most noticeable ones are due to: (1) the modification that non-neutral derivational suffixes cause when they are attached to the word (stems/roots); and (2) first language (L1) influence. Finally, the study concludes with some recommendations for further research

Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition of Doped Titania films; Characterisation and Functional Properties

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the leading material for self-cleaning applications due to its unique properties¸ including the fact that it exhibits high photocatalysis, mechanical robustness, chemical inertness, low cost, environmentally friendliness and abundance. The bandgap of TiO2 is relatively large, and this limits its outdoor applications. Another obstacle for its use as a photocatalyst is the high level of electron–hole recombination and low rate of photoreaction with reactants. There have been great efforts to improve the photocatalytic properties of TiO2. These have involved searching for ways of decreasing the bandgap structure and recombination rate, as well as improving the electronic structure to enhance its functional properties under visible light. One useful approach for achieving a suitable bandgap and improving electron–hole separation is combining or doping TiO2 with anionic and/or cationic species. In this study, Cu-doped TiO2 films were deposited via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). The Cu-doped TiO2 films system in both phases (anatase and rutile) were specifically investigated for improved photocatalytic and antimicrobial properties of TiO2 under UVA compared with pure TiO2 thin films. Interactions between substitutional (replacing oxygen sites) and interstitial (sitting in the TiO2 lattice) Cu in the anatase lattice may also explain the enhancement in exciton lifetimes. A range of copper concentrations (2, 5, 10 and 20%) was investigated so that the photocatalytic and antibacterial abilities (vs. S. aureus and E. coli) could be determined. Effective dopant selection and concentration control is key to providing the maximum efficiency in terms of carrier lifetimes for migration to the surface for the necessary reactions to take place in photocatalysis and antibacterial activity. Interestingly, the AACVD system could be used to deposit TiO2 in rutile form on a thin layer of ZrO2 at 500°C. Cu-doped rutile–TiO2 films using a range of copper concentrations (2, 5, 10 and 20%) were investigated as well. The films showed surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In addition, these films exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, which could have been due to SPR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the brookite thin film form has been deposited by AACVD; in using AACVD to deposit the brookite TiO2 thin films, the band structure and photocatalytic properties were investigated. The brookite films grown by AACVD showed a direct bandgap of 3.4 eV. It was found that the photocatalytic properties of the brookite form, in comparison with degradation of stearic acid, were greater than the activity of anatase TiO2 thin films, as well as active glass. In addition, transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) measurements showed that the hole–electron recombination dynamics are similar in both phases. The high surface area of the brookite form compared with the surface area of the anatase thin film could be the primary reason for the super-photocatalytic properties. Surprisingly, the brookite film exhibited superhydrophilic properties prior to any irradiation. The addition of Zn and nitrogen into the matrix of TiO2 films by AACVD was studied most extensively to improve the functional properties of TiO2 and achieve its activity under visible light. The oxygen atom in TiO2 lattice can be replaced by a nitrogen atom, which is called Ns (substitutional doping) in this case; alternatively, nitrogen atoms can be set in the TiO2 lattice, and this is called Ni (interstitial doping). These approaches create NHX and NOX surface species, which were observed using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results in this research. Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) was used to investigate the addition of (N + Zn) on the charge carrier dynamics of TiO2. Heterojunction systems of semiconductor materials are employed in different applications, such as water splitting, catalysis and electronic devices. These systems strengthen the synergistic effect, electron tunnelling and electron transfer, thereby leading to improved performance compared with the individual components. By using AACVD and APCVD processes with heterojunction systems, TiO2/Fe2O3 films were deposited, and different thicknesses of TiO2 were used on the Fe2O3 films. The resulting TiO2/Fe2O3 films exhibited enhanced performance in terms of the photocatalytic properties for the degradation of stearic acid under white light, as well as better photocurrent density and stability of the TiO2/α-Fe2O3 heterojunction. The TAS measurements showed the extent of its lifetime photogenerated charges

Gender Differences In Social Presence In Gender-Segregated And Blended Learning Environments In Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to achieve one of the goals of the Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, which is the improvement of the quality of teaching approaches and learning outcomes. Additionally, the vision strives for equality among students in all educational institutions, including equality among men and women, who are mostly segregated in all aspects of life (e.g., education). One of the major issues in the online portion of blended learning environments is the lack of social presence. Therefore, the present study used a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design to investigate the influence of gender on the perception of social presence levels in gender- segregated and blended learning environments in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this study revealed that the independent variable (gender) had an insignificant impact on dependent variable (social presence levels) in single-gender segregated and blended learning environments. Moreover, gender was not related to any of social presence four constructs (social context, privacy, interactivity, and online communication). The discussion of this study revealed that COVID-19 pandemic and technology evolution in the last decade could be two major factors that impacted the results of this study. The implications of this study are also included in the discussion section

An Analysis of Compliment Responses by Kuwaiti EFL Learners: A Pragmatic Approach

This study investigates the extent to which 80 female Kuwaiti EFL learners produce target-like compliment responses when they are communicating in English, through comparing their responses to those of British English speakers. It also examines whether the English proficiency level of Kuwaiti EFL learners plays a role in their responses to compliments in English. Essentially, this study explores whether pragmatic transfer has an impact on the Kuwaiti participants' responses. A Discourse Completion Task (DCT) was given to 50 female native speakers of British English (the control group) and to 80 female Kuwaiti EFL learners (the treatment group), in order to determine whether the responses of the latter group are similar or different to those of the former group. The results reveal that the English proficiency level of the treatment group had no effect on their answers on the DCT. In comparison with the control group, the results also demonstrate that the treatment group transferred both L1 expressions and strategies to respond to compliments in English. This has been attributed to the fact that they may not be aware of any culture-specific nature of verbal communications crosslinguistically, among other reasons. Finally, the study concludes with recommendations for further research

Racial Profiling as a counter- terrorism tool: To what extent has racial profiling contributed to the security of the United Kingdom since the London bombing of 7 June 2005?

The important fight against racial bias and discrimination in the United Kingdom is on the increase, with data showing that since the July 2005 train bombings, the police forces all over Britain have drastically increased the rates of racist assaults. Though there are currently rarer de jure practices of bias, de facto racial bias consistently plague the United Kingdom, restraining the pleasure of basic human rights among millions of people of ethnic and racial minorities. Practices and policies that seem race-neutral yet unfairly restrict the freedoms and rights of people of different racial backgrounds are hard to challenge, and inaugurating their discriminatory nature within the conscious of the public and among policymakers is a battle that is too difficult to fight. The law enforcements’ racial profiling and the related criminalization of people based on their race is a perfect example of the difficulty (Hudson, 2011). Despite the irresistible evidence about the existence of profiling, often confirmed by official data, there is still egregious and prevalent discrimination in a number of western nations.   The issue of differences in treatment of people of different ethnic background has brought a significant debate among observers and scholars, though there is no conclusion that is being adopted by the United Kingdom. This paper evaluates the application of racial profiling as a tool to counter terrorism, and the extent to which it has contributed to UK’s security since the 7 July 2005 train bombings in London. The paper defines profiling, the perspective of legality and human rights, effectiveness, and limitations

On solutions of linear differential equations with entire coefficients

AbstractThe first result of the paper concerns the effect of perturbation of the entire coefficients of certain linear differential equations on the oscillation of the solutions. Subsequent results involve the separation of the zeros of a Bank–Laine function

Tobacco Smoking Among Saudi College Students: Validation of an Arabic Health Belief Model Instrument

This dissertation intended to learn more about Saudi college students\u27 behavior in relation to the use of tobacco smoking. Multiple interrelated projects have been carried out in order to achieve this ambitious goal. The goal of the first study was to evaluate the scope of the existing smoking issue as indicated by research, by systematically estimating the prevalence of tobacco use among higher education students in Saudi Arabia. The second study aimed to systematically analyze and integrate the existing information on the determinants of smoking among Saudi college students. The last project aimed to develop a psychometric instrument to evaluate Saudi students\u27 beliefs about cigarette smoking based on a theoretical model. The meta-analysis (Project 1) estimated that the 17% of Saudi students were current smokers. In order to obtain a reliable prevalence rate over time, the study suggested implementing a nationwide surveillance system that measures and monitors Saudi students’ smoking behaviors. The second systematic review (Project 2) determined that individual level factors were the most studied. Another finding was the limited usage of theoretical frameworks. The study advocated for the use of rigorous research methodologies and for the use of multi-level frameworks. The final project (3) was intended to generate and to validate a psychometric property to evaluate students’ beliefs about cigarette smoking, using an individual level framework. The Arabic Health Belief Model questionnaire demonstrated its sound validity and reliability. Future research is encouraged, in order to expand knowledge about smoking behaviors among college students in Saudi Arabia

Best Approximation from the Kuhn-Tucker Set of Composite Monotone Inclusions

Kuhn-Tucker points play a fundamental role in the analysis and the numerical solution of monotone inclusion problems, providing in particular both primal and dual solutions. We propose a class of strongly convergent algorithms for constructing the best approximation to a reference point from the set of Kuhn-Tucker points of a general Hilbertian composite monotone inclusion problem. Applications to systems of coupled monotone inclusions are presented. Our framework does not impose additional assumptions on the operators present in the formulation, and it does not require knowledge of the norm of the linear operators involved in the compositions or the inversion of linear operators