An overview of structurally diversified anticonvulsant agents

There are several limited approaches to treat epilepsy in hospitals, for example, using medicines, surgery, electrical stimulation and dietary interventions. Despite the availability of all these new and old approaches, seizure is particularly difficult to manage. The quest for new antiepileptic molecules with more specificity and less CNS toxicity continues for medicinal chemists until a new and ideal drug arrives. This review covers new antiseizure molecules of different chemical classes, the exact mode of action of which is still unidentified. Newer agents include sulfonamides, thiadiazoles, semi- and thiosemicarbazones, pyrrolidine-2,5-diones, imidazoles, benzothiazoles and amino acid derivatives. These new chemical entities can be useful for the design and development of forthcoming antiseizure agents

MEDICAL STUDENTS’ TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND STRATEGIES IN CONNECTING TO SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Self-directed learning (SDL) is the ability to direct and regulate one's learning which is crucial to success, and it is associated with life-long learning in the medical profession.  However, medical students’ have low readiness for SDL, and therefore, it warrants improvement in the training curricula of medical and post-graduate studies. Several factors influence SDL among medical students and one of the crucial factors is the time management. However, data correlating poor time management with SDL readiness among the medical students in Saudi Arabia has remained underexplored. Thus, exploring the experiences of the medical residents based on Macan’s theory of time management would help understand the importance of time management skills as part of the SDL in Saudi Arabia. Hence, for them to be competent, skilful and self-directed lifelong learner, this study would explore the strategies which could be utilized by the Saudi Medical residents in managing their time by answering the following question: “What strategies do Family Medicine residents use to manage their time to meet the desired learning outcomes?” The study consisted of twenty-five (n=25) participants who qualified the prescribed set of inclusion criteria. Ethical principles included the informed consent, autonomy, confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity were ensured throughout the entire research. The emergent themes that were generated from the focus group discussions (FGD) were observed to be associated with the widely known model of Macan’ Time Management (1994). The management process involved four steps which included the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of time which reflected in the experiences shared by the family medicine residents in achieving the desired learning outcomes through SDL. This study concluded that there would be positive outcomes if the tested strategies of time management are used to train the medical residents

The relationship between transformational leadership, high performance work system, organizational climate, and patient safety in Saudi public hospitals

This study examined the determinants of patient safety in public hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, it aimed to investigate the effect of transformational leadership, high performance work system (HPWS), and effective reporting system on patient safety. This study also explored the mediating effect of organizational climate on the relationship between HPWS and patient safety. The motivation of this study was driven by lack of studies and inconsistent findings in the previous literature regarding the relationship between HPWS and patient safety. To achieve this purpose, this study integrated different theories such as Donabedian theory (SPO), HROT theory, and transformational leadership theory to study the interaction between process and outcomes. The study utilized a survey questionnaire which was distributed to a sample of 182 public hospitals at 20 health regions in Saudi Arabia. PLS-SEM technique was used to analyze the direct and indirect relationships between the variables in this study. Result of this study found that transformational leadership had positively significant effect on HPWS and effective reporting system. In addition, the result found that effective reporting system had significant effect on the frequency of occurrence of negative errors that may threaten patient safety. This study also revealed that the level of organizational climate mediated the relationship between HPWS and overall perception of patient safety. The findings of this study suggest that managers and policy makers should emphasize developing transformational leadership style and ensuring the use of HPWS as an important organizational strategy to improve patient safety. Finally, theoretical implications and recommendations for future research are highlighted and discussed

Effects of Long-Term Soaking on the Load-Bearing Capacity of Bitumen-Treated Saline Sabkha Soil Subgrade

This study delves into the potential of using modified sabkha soil, a low-quality material, as a cost-effective solution for road construction in Kuwait, a country grappling with resource limitations. The research evaluates the effects of adding different percentages of bitumen (0%, 4%, 8%, and 10%) to sabkha soil samples, specifically looking at their load-bearing capacity under long-term soaking conditions. The findings indicate that adding up to 8% bitumen enhances the soil's geotechnical properties and its load-bearing capacity. However, any further addition leads to a decline in these properties. Importantly, the soil's load capacity shows significant improvement under soaked conditions. These encouraging laboratory results suggest that utilizing waste sabkha soil could pave the way for effective soil waste management techniques, thereby addressing environmental concerns related to sabkha soil disposal

Incorporating the Delphi Technique to investigate renewable energy technology transfer in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a major oil-producing nation facing a rapidly-growing population, high unemployment, climate change, and the depletion of its natural resources, potentially including its oil supply. Technology transfer is regarded as a means to diversify countries\u27 economies beyond their natural resources. This dissertation examined the opportunities and barriers to utilizing technology transfer successfully to build renewable energy resources in Saudi Arabia to diversify the economy beyond oil production. Examples of other developing countries that have successfully used technology transfer to transform their economies are explored, including Japan, Malayasia, and the United Arab Emirates. Brazil is presented as a detailed case study to illustrate its transition to an economy based to a much greater degree than before on renewable energy. Following a pilot study, the Delphi Method was used in this research to gather the opinions of a panel of technology transfer experts consisting of 10 heterogeneous members of different institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including aviation, telecommunication, oil industry, education, health systems, and military and governmental organizations. In three rounds of questioning, the experts identified Education, Dependence on Oil, and Manpower as the 3 most significant factors influencing the potential for success of renewable energy technology transfer for Saudi Arabia. Political factors were also rated toward the Very Important end of a Likert scale and were discussed as they impact Education, Oil Dependence, and Manpower. The experts\u27 opinions are presented and interpreted. They form the basis for recommended future research and discussion of how in light of its political system and its dependence on oil, Saudi Arabia can realistically move forward on renewable energy technology transfer and secure its economic future

A framework for improving the performance of standard design models in the Saudi Ministry of Interior projects

Improvement of performance has become ever more critical to construction project success and has been subject to a considerable amount of research and attention over the past two decades. In this regard, the Saudi Ministry of Interior (SMoI) has adopted a new approach - Standard Design Model (SDM) - for the development of its construction programme to successfully manage its complex project portfolio and improve project performance. The SMoI-SDM approach is based on the standardisation of design, material specifications, contract documents and processes. It is anticipated that many lessons will be learnt due to the re-use of SDMs for future projects as well as sharing learning between on-going projects, thus leading to continuous project performance improvement. The aim of this research is to develop a framework for improving the performance of SDMs in SMoI projects. A qualitative case study approach was adopted to provide an in-depth insight into the current performance of SDM projects and identify critical success factors (CSFs) affecting the process of improvement of SDMs project performance. Four case studies were selected involving two on-going and two completed projects. Three key themes were identified from the case studies analysis; these are: adaptability of SDMs to context; contract management; and construction management. Consequently, a framework was developed to improve SDM projects performance as well as the expected performance improvement curve that results from the cumulative learning and experience. The framework validation was conducted through a workshop involving the same stakeholders who participated in the case studies, in which the feedback on possible improvements to the framework was obtained. The framework demonstrated its practicality, clarity and appropriateness for use across the SDM projects.Significantly, this research has the potential to direct standardisation of design and process in construction projects in particular in the public sector and could help achieve a sustained project performance improvement in the Saudi construction industry

Self-Charging System for Electric Vehicles

In this research paper is a study of a technique that is used in the charging of electric vehicles. This technique, which is registered as a patent, is represented by adding electric generators to supply the electric vehicle with a portion of the energy which is needed for it. This technique has been studied in this research paper and a number of important things have to be considered when dealing with this topic, the most important things that have been studied are the effects on the speed of the electric vehicle, the regenerative braking and the amount of energy that can be provided through this innovation. This research paper includes design of DC-DC Boost converter with two loops PID controllers and design for a Field Oriented Control (FOC) of electric AC motors. Keywords: Electric vehicles self-charging system, Boost converter with double loops controller, vector control of electric AC motors. DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/11-5-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

Effect of an Educational Intervention on the Promotion of Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for the Prevention of Breast Cancer Among Female Teachers in Selected Schools in Selangor, Malaysia

Breast cancer affects more women in the world today than any other cancer. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that diet and lifestyle play a substantial role in the development of breast cancer in women. The landmark reports by the World Cancer Research Fund (1997 & 2007) concluded that cancer is largely a preventable disease. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of an educational intervention to modify the nutrition and physical activity related to breast cancer risk among female secondary school teachers in Selangor. This study aimed to improve diet and lifestyle behaviors that included fruit and vegetable intake, the total energy from fat, physical activity and anthropometric indicators. Psychosocial factors (knowledge, attitude, barriers and self-efficacy) were examined for their relationship to change in diet and physical activity. This intervention was developed based on the guidelines of the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF, 1997; 2007) for cancer prevention, as well as the Malaysian Guidelines for Cancer Prevention of The National Cancer Society of Malaysia. A total of 210 female teachers, from eight randomly selected schools in four districts in the state of Selangor, were randomized into the intervention group (n= 108) and the control group (n= 102). The intervention group received a multi-component diet and lifestyle educational program, comprising a one-day seminar, a self-help educational module, face to face diet and lifestyle motivational counselling. The control group received only the self-help educational material after completing the final follow-up assessment. A validated and reliable questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary information, over three time points i.e: baseline, immediate (post-1) intervention and 4-months follow-up (post-2). Descriptive and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the data. The teachers were predominantly Malays, Muslims, and married with a mean age of 37 years. At baseline, the mean consumption of fruit and vegetable intakes were two servings per day in both groups, with a high proportion in both groups showing a moderate level of physical activity and body fat percentage. Both groups were at the moderate level for total knowledge and the three subscales of knowledge, attitude, barriers and self-efficacy. The results of the ANOVA - GLM Repeated Measure showed that there was a significant difference within and between the groups (p<0.05) for change in the consumption of fruit and vegetables (+0.68 serving/ day), body fat percentage (-.61%), and the multiple of resting metabolic rates (+210.56 MET), as well as for the time spent for high, moderate and walking activities, where significant changes were found within groups only. A significant difference between the groups (p<0.05) indicated an increase in knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy, as well as a reduction in barriers in the intervention group. No significant change was observed in the control group for the consumption of fruit and vegetables, and body composition, but there was significant increase in knowledge was observed. The change in self-efficacy was found to be predictors for the change in the intake of fruit and vegetables, MET and reduction in the percentage of body fat in the intervention group. The reduction in barriers and the increase in knowledge were found to be the predictors for the reduction in the percentage of body fat. These findings suggest that the strategies used in this intervention study have had some impact in promoting positive changes in the diet and lifestyle behaviours. In conclusion, this study confirmed that apparently healthy and educated women participated in short term intervention can be motivated to increase their dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, improved their physical activity and reduce their body fat percentage