A Mathematical Study for Investigation the Problems of Soft Shells Materials

Abstract The current study investigates the problems of soft shells theory for manufacturing composite products by superimposition on each 2D layers. Analytical and numerical methods are considered to study the layers imposing winding around the halffinished materials or pulling some additional shells on the surface of materials which are partly made. Based on this, the smoothness of layers, and the criteria of the absence of wrinkles and folds are obtained. Methods for calculation the deformations and residual stresses of the textile structure of used materials were established. The results obtained by the analytical and numerical methods indicated that it is possible to establish mathematical equations which can be applied to find the strains and stresses developed in the shells and bands and their pressure on the surfaces of covered solid. The results of the present work can also be implemented for manufacturing composite materials having complex geometric forms

Concurrent validity of self-rating scale of self-directed learning and self-directed learning instrument among Italian nursing students

BACKGROUND: Self-Directed Learning develops when students take the initiative for their learning, recognising needs, formulating goals, identifying resources, implementing appropriate strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. This should be seen as a collaborative process between the nurse educator and the learner. At the international level, various instruments have been used to measure Self-Directed Learning abilities (SDL), both in original and in culturally-adapted versions. However, few instruments have been subjected to full validation, and no gold standard reference has been established to date. In addition, few researchers have adopted the established tools to assess the concurrent validity of the emerging new tools. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the concurrent validity between the Self-Rating Scale of Self-Directed Learning (SRSSDL_Ita) - Italian version and the Self-Directed Learning Instruments (SDLI) in undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: A concurrent validity study design was conducted in a Bachelor level nursing degree programme located in Italy. All nursing students attending the first, second or third year (n=428) were the target sample. The SRSSDL_Ita, and the SDLI were used. The Pearson correlation was used to determine the concurrent validity between the instruments; the confidence of intervals (CI 95%) bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap (BCa), were also calculated. RESULTS: The majority of participants were students attending their first year (47.9%), and were predominately female (78.5%). Their average age was 22.5\ub14.1. The SDL abilities scores, as measured with the SRSSDL_Ita (min 40, max 200), were, on average, 160.79 (95% CI 159.10-162.57; median 160); while with the SDLI (min 20, max 100), they were on average 82.57 (95% CI 81.79-83.38; median 83). The Pearson correlation between the SRSSDL_Ita and SDLI instruments was 0.815 (CI BCa 95% 0.774-0.848), (p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirm the concurrent validity of the SRSSDL_Ita with the SDLI. The SRSSDL_Ita instrument can be useful in the process of identifying Self-Directed Learning abilities, which are essential for students to achieve the expected learning goals and become lifelong learners

Surface Retorting of Jordanian Oil Shale and Associated CO 2 Emissions

Abstract In this study, two oil shale samples, from two different deposits in Jordan, have been pyrolysed using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). The controlling parameters studied were the final pyrolysis temperature and the influence of the heating rate as well as type of purge gas employed on the process of thermal degradation of the shale sample. It is found that there are two main steps of samples' weight loss. The first one is due to conversion of organic matter to oil and gas which occurred within the temperature range of between 250 to 550 °C, while the second step represents weight loss due to carbonate decomposition releasing CO 2 and occurred at approximately higher temperature of more than 550 °C for examined samples. In directly heated systems additional quantities of CO 2 will be produced due to combustion of residual carbon in order to provide needed heat for the retorting process. Therefore, surface retorting processes aiming to produce crude shale oil from raw oil shale will release higher rates of CO 2 emissions to the environment compared with production of conventional or other synthetic fuels

Public knowledge, beliefs, psychological responses, and behavioural changes during the outbreak of COVID - 19 in the Middle East

Objective : To evaluate the knowledge, believes, psychological and behavioural impact of COVID - 19 on the general population in the Middle East, exploring how it impacted public lives. Methods : A descriptive cross - sectional online survey was sen t to a convenience sample in the Middle East through social media (Facebook and WhatsApp) between 16 th of June and 30 th of June 2020. The questionnaire was designed to collect the demographic, participant’s source of information regarding COVID - 19, knowled ge and believes about COVID - 19, the psychological consequences of COVID - 19, impact of COVID - 19 on participant’s behaviour. The final version of the questionnaire was further tested for content validity by experts in the field. Results : A total of 2,061 par ticipants completed the survey, with the majority being females (n=1394, 67.6%), from urban areas (n=1896, 92%) and the majority were from countries of The Levant (n=1199, 58.1%), followed by the Arabian Peninsula (n=392, 1 9.1%), Iraq (n=300, 14.6%) and Eg ypt (n=138, 6.7%). Few participants (3.0%) reported to have been infected and many (n=1847, 89.6%) were committed to quarantine at home. Social media platforms were the most common sources of information (41.2%). Many (63%) believed that COVID - 19 is a biol ogical weapon and were afraid of visiting crowded places (85%). The majority avoided public facilities (86.9%) such as prayer places and believed that the news about COVID - 19 made them anxious (49.5%)

COVID-19: Factors associated with psychological distress, fear, and coping strategies among community members across 17 countries

Abstract Background The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally. Objectives We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021. Levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale), and coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) were assessed. Results A total of 8,559 people participated; mean age (&plusmn;SD) was 33(&plusmn;13) years, 64% were females and 40% self-identified as frontline workers. More than two-thirds (69%) experienced moderate-to-very high levels of psychological distress, which was 46% in Thailand and 91% in Egypt. A quarter (24%) had high levels of fear of COVID-19, which was as low as 9% in Libya and as high as 38% in Bangladesh. More than half (57%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping; the lowest prevalence (3%) was reported in Australia and the highest (72%) in Syria. Being female (AOR 1.31 [95% CIs 1.09-1.57]), perceived distress due to change of employment status (1.56 [1.29-1.90]), comorbidity with mental health conditions (3.02 [1.20-7.60]) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and fear. Doctors had higher psychological distress (1.43 [1.04-1.97]), but low levels of fear of COVID-19 (0.55 [0.41-0.76]); nurses had medium to high resilient coping (1.30 [1.03-1.65]). Conclusions The extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping varied by country; however, we identified few higher risk groups who were more vulnerable than others. There is an urgent need to prioritise health and well-being of those people through well-designed intervention that may need to be tailored to meet country specific requirements. </jats:sec