Domestic violence against children and adolescents in Taif, Saudi Arabia: Analytical study from the school counsellor’s perspective

The study aimed to recognise the differences, relationships, and prediction of domestic violence among school students from the school counsellors in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A mixed-methods approach was used in collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. A questionnaire and interviews were used. The sample that answered the questionnaire included 84 schools’ counsellors, whereas the sample that answered the interviews was 13 schools’ counsellors. Results showed that there are significant differences at p < .05 in the domestic violence suffered by students: students in primary school (M = 3.83; SD = .910), and in particular the students who study in schools with between 1001 and 1200 students (M = 2.301; SD = .311) and who study in schools with between 801 and 1000 (M = 2.299, SD = .419), but there was no difference regarding the experience of schools’ counsellors. There were positive correlations at p < .05 between domestic violence and both the total number of students in a school (rho = .14) and the experience of schools’ counsellors (rho = .09) but not with the stage of education. It is also impossible to predict domestic violence incidents by using the total number of students in a school, schools’ counsellors’ experience, and the stage of education. Qualitative data from the interviews were used to support the findings of the quantitative data. For example, school counsellors from secondary school stressed that they dealt with students who suffer from domestic violence, and from crowded schools agreed that they saw many students who suffer from domestic violence. The results of this article showed the importance of investigating domestic violence in under-researched societies, such as school students from Saudi Arabia. This study ended with some recommendations. One recommendation is to have enough schools’ counsellors based on the total number of students in a school. Other recommendations that enhance mental health in schools and increase the quality of a schools’ counsellor’s work

Pulmonary Annulus Growth Pattern in Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot Prior to Surgical Repair

Objectives: The size of the pulmonary valve annulus often determines the feasibility of pulmonary valve preservation at the time of intracardiac repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. Currently, there is limited available data regarding the growth pattern and the determining factors that contribute towards pulmonary valve annulus growth. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot with or without prior palliation. These patients had an echocardiogram at the time of initial diagnosis and a second echocardiogram prior to intracardiac repair. The sizes of the pulmonary annulus, the right and left pulmonary arteries with z-scores were recorded. Patients with improvement in the pulmonary annulus z-scores between the 2 echocardiographic examinations were allocated in Group I (n = 46) and Group II (n = 68) were those with no improvement. Results: A total of 114 patients were included in the study. The right and left pulmonary arteries size and z scores improved significantly between the 2 echocardiograms. Although the median size of the pulmonary annulus increased between the 2 echocardiograms (6 and 7.9 mm; P<0.001), there was no significant change in the z-score (-2.2, -2.34; P = 0.185). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, blood group, presence of collaterals, and palliation with Blalock-Taussig shunt had no impact on the improvement in pulmonary annulus z-score. Conclusion: In Tetralogy of Fallot, the pulmonary valve annulus z-score may not change significantly prior to the intracardiac repair. Although in certain subgroups there may be an improvement, there was no specific factor that could be identified and had an influence on this improvement. Keywords: Tetralogy of Fallot; Pulmonary Valve; Pulmonary Artery; Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt; Oman

Risk management in fast-track projects

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.This thesis is about risk management in fast-track construction projects. The aim of the study is to identify the risks in the UAE construction industry, understand how they are dealt with, and propose more effective frameworks for risk management in fast-track construction. A mixed method approach was used to fulfil the objectives of the study. 65 questionnaires were distributed to professionals in the construction industry, including contractors, sub-contractors, project managers and private consultants. Their responses were analysed using statistical techniques, and the results taken for discussion to a focus group of eleven experienced construction managers and experts. Secondary data was also collected via literature reviews of print and website articles, and of books and documents from company, government and industry-specific databases. The findings show that risks in construction projects can be internal or external, and that in the UAE, owner- and design-related risks are seen as the most significant. Knowledge about risk management is present, but more needs to be done to eradicate the problems associated with poorly managed fast-track construction projects. Using the suggestion of the focus group, a framework for risk mitigation was developed based on the Alien Eyes’ risk and Qualitative Risk Management models. The study discusses the implications of risk management for practitioners and academicians in the construction industry. Poor risk management, which is usually the consequence of inadequate recognition of and/or responsiveness to risks and uncertainties, can have a devastating impact upon projects. It is hoped that practitioners applying the findings and suggestions in this study will see positive change, improved profitability and greater competitive advantage as a result.Abu Dhabi Polic

Assessment of rock slope stability and structurally controlled failures along Samma escarpment road, Asir Region (Saudi Arabia)

Samma escarpment road is located in Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. It is located NW of Abha city. This escarpment road represents a major corridor in the area which connects different cities and touristic resorts in the region. It is descended from Sudah plateau at about 2700 m above sea level (asl) toward Wadi al Aws at about 1500 m asl. The total length of the road section is about 8 km which is passing through a highly mountainous area characterized by a complex geological and structural elements. This road has been exposed to frequent slope failures from time to time due to various factors such as intense rain storms, different geological and structural elements (weak rocks, shear zones, and faults), road characteristics (different horizontal/vertical curvatures and narrow road section), and human activities (uncontrolled rock cuts). Many sliding events have been documented along this escarpment road, particularly during and following rainstorms. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the geology and structures by applying the rock mass rating (RMR) and slope stability (structurally controlled failures) along the Samma escarpment road. The stability analysis was performed using two Dips and RockPack III programs with the help of RocLab software. The Summa escarpment rock cuts were classified into 51 stations which were investigated in detail. Results indicated that most rock stations are poor quality, and 31, 32, and 41 stations are stable, 4, 6, and 7 stations are marginally stable, and 16, 13, and 3 stations are potentially unstable due to planar, wedge, and toppling failures, respectively. Finally, different recommendations and remediation methods were suggested as mitigation measures

23. Does the maximum allowable contrast dose (MACD) predict the risk of contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

BackgroundCIN is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Some studies recommend the utilization of the MACD formula to guide safe contrast dosing, however the evidence supporting use of this measure is limited.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine if MACD is helpful in predicting the risk of CIN in patients with CKD.Methods8670 patients who underwent coronary angiography in our center with or without Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) (2008–2013) were included. Patients with CKD (n=144) were selected. Patients in shock, on intra aortic balloon pump, on prophylactic hemofiltration or on dialysis were excluded.Creatinine was measured 48–72h post procedure. T-test, Chi-Square and multiple regression were used to compare those patients who developed CIN and those who did not develop CIN. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine by ⩾25% or 0.5mg/dL from baseline within 48–72h after contrast exposure.ResultsCIN occurred in 28 patients (19.4%). Only 8 (5.6%) of the 144 patients exceeded MACD and 2 of these patients developed CIN. The use of biplane angiography explains the lower contrast dose. For this reason the impact of exceeding MACD could not be evaluated. Primary PCI was associated with CIN (p=0.012; OR 5.1)).ConclusionOverall it is best to limit contrast dose to the extent possible as this is a known risk factor, however MACD is not a useful variable in a risk model for predicting CIN in our population. Primary PCI was the only predictor of CIN in our population

Clinical Study Anesthesia for Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Insulin Needle, Is It Possible?

Peribulbar block is commonly used for ocular posterior segment surgery. This work aimed to compare the efficacy of using 12.5 mm to 25 mm standard needle length in performing single injection peribulbar block for retinal surgery. Peribulbar block was performed in 120 patients using either standard 25 mm or 12.5 mm 30 G needle (insulin needle). While applying digital pressure around the needle hub, 8-10 mL of local anesthetic are injected. Ocular movement was assessed at 5 and 10 min using simple akinesia score (0-8). If after 10 min score was >1, supplementary injection was given. Visual analogue scale (0-10) was used at the end of the procedure to assess surgeons' satisfaction and patients' intraoperative pain. No differences in akinesia score at 5 & 10 min (P = 0.34 and 0.36, resp.). Initial volume injected was comparable between groups (P = 0.31), however total volume of local anesthesia and supplementary injections were significantly higher in 12.5 mm group (P = 0.03 and 0.01, resp.). No difference as regard surgeons' satisfaction and patients' intraoperative pain (P = 1.0 and 0.18, resp.). Peribulbar block with 12.5 mm needle together with digital compression is a suitable alternative to the standard block with 25 mm needle length for retinal surgery

Revisiting the Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Omani Children: A multicentre study

Objectives: This study aimed to provide an updated estimate of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among Omani children. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted from December 2011 to December 2018. Data were retrieved from the three main autism diagnostic centres in Oman: Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Royal Hospital and Al-Massarah Hospital. The ASD diagnosis was made by experienced clinicians based on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The overall population prevalence estimates per 10,000 children aged 0–14 years old in Oman were calculated using the denominator of the mid-period population data. Results: A total of 1,705 ASD cases were identified with the majority of cases being male (78.1%). The overall prevalence rate of ASD was estimated at 20.35 per 10,000 children (95% confidence interval: 19.39–21.32) between 2012–2018. Boys were found to have a 3.4-fold higher prevalence of ASD than girls (31.23/10,000 versus 9.07/10,000). Regionally, the majority of cases were found in the capital, Muscat, where the highest prevalence was 36.51 cases per 10,000 children. Conclusion: The prevalence of ASD among Omani children is 15-fold higher than estimates from 2011. This increase can be attributed to improvements in diagnostic services, increased awareness of ASD, better screening programmes and changes in diagnostic criteria. In addition, this increase in prevalence suggests a need for a registry of developmental disabilities and more extensive diagnostic and rehabilitation services in Oman.Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Oman

Laying performance, digestibility and plasma hormones in laying hens exposed to chronic heat stress as affected by betaine, vitamin C, and/or vitamin E supplementation

Heat stress had a negative effect on laying hens' performance, thus this research was to study the influences of betaine (Bet, 1000 mg/kg betaine), vitamin C (VC, 200 mg/kg ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (VE, 150 mg/kg a-Tocopherol acetate) and their possible combinations on egg production, digestibility of nutrients, plasma hormones and reproductive organs of dual-purpose hens exposed to chronic heat stress. Two hundred and eighty eight hens and thirty-six cocks from 32 to 48 weeks of age were divided into nine treatment groups of four replicates, each containing eight hens and one cock. One group was kept under thermo-natural condition and the eight others were kept under chronic heat stress (CHS). One of these eight was used as a negative control, while the others were supplemented with VC, VE and/or betaine and their possible combinations. Body weights, laying rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio in hens reared under CHS rooster without any supplementation during 32 to 48 weeks of impairment (P = 0.0052) were recorded. Hens reared under heat stress and fed a diet supplemented with either Bet, VC, VE or combination of the supplements increased production traits. However, hens supplemented with VC showed the greatest production traits. Plasma glucose, estradiol-17 (E-2), progesterone (P-4), tri-iodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4) decreased in hens reared under CHS and fed a diet with no supplementation compared to the other treatments (P = 0.001). Liver weights, spleen weights, thyroid gland weights, ovary weights, oviduct weights and oviduct lengths were lowest in hens reared under CHS and fed a diet with no supplementation (P = 0.0480). In conclusion, dual purpose hens reared under CHS and supplemented with VC at 200 mg/kg diet and Bet at 1000 mg/kg enhanced the laying performance and combated CHS

Head and Neck Surgery: A Differential Diagnosis in Otolaryngology

Introduction: In otolaryngology of the head and neck surgery; differential diagnosis is a practical and comprehensive guide that is organized uniquely by signs and symptoms instead of by diseases. Aim: This study will describe the keys to diagnostic evaluation and differential diagnosis of presenting symptoms for problems affecting each otolaryngology organ system.Methods: Each symptom opens with the patient’s presentation followed by an easily accessible list of potential diagnoses and supplementary data on the features of the different diseases to help correctly identify the problem. And identify features labeled by signs and symptoms, not by disease, and then enable quick clinical reference In-depth coverage of the diagnostic and treatment evaluation of all ENT disorders.

A Single DC Source Nine-Level Switched-Capacitor Boost Inverter Topology with Reduced Switch Count

This paper presents a new boost inverter topology with nine level output voltage waveform using a single dc source and two switched capacitors. The capacitor voltages are self-balancing and thus is devoid of any sensors and auxiliary circuitry. The output voltage is twice higher than the input voltage, which eliminates the need for an input dc boost converter especially when the inverter is powered from a renewable source. The merits of the proposed topology in terms of the number of devices and cost are highlighted by comparing the recent and conventional inverter topologies. In addition to this, the total voltage stress of the proposed topology is lower and have a maximum efficiency of 98.25%. The operation and dynamic performance of the proposed topology have been simulated using PLECS software and are validated using an experimental setup considering a different dynamic operation.This work was supported in part by the Scientific Research Deanship, Taif University, Saudi Arabia, under Grant 1-439 - 6072.Scopu