A systematic review of usability challenges and testing in mobile health

Nowadays, the combining of advanced mobile communications and mobile account now in portable devices named "smart phones" has becomes more great uses.Among of these include health care professionals. Few studies in the challenge, blurred reality challenge facing the patient and developer alike in the usability of mobile health.Therefore, this pape

THE EFFECT OF USING POSSE STRATEGY IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COMPREHENSION READING SKILLS AMONGST SIXTH GRADERS

Purpose of the study: This study aims to measure the effectiveness of using P.O.S.S.E strategy in the development of teaching to improve reading comprehension skills for sixth-grade students. Methodology: The procedure used is an experimental method based on Stratified Sampling which consists of 43 students divided into two groups – a control group of 21 students and an experimental group of 22 students- and a lesson plan was designed as a tool. Main Findings: The outcomes of the study indicated that the POSSE strategy has a positive effect on the development of reading comprehension skills over its five levels among the representative sample of sixth graders. Applications of this study: It is an essential reference in the development of teaching and training teachers to adapt to the P.O.S.S.E strategy for teachers, student educators. Novelty/Originality of this study: The result of this study is consistent with previous studies, which investigated the efficacy of POSSE strategy on the development of reading comprehension skills

Self-Reported Study Habits for Enhancing Medical Students\u27 Performance in the National Medical Unified Examination

Background: The National Medical Unified Examination (NMUE) is currently required for graduation, joining postgraduate medical training, and practicing medicine in Syria. Objective: To investigate self-reported study habits that correlate with high performance on the NMUE. Methods: First through 3rd year residents at the three main hospitals in Damascus, Syria, were asked to complete a retrospective cross-sectional survey investigating their study habits and previous scores. Results: Significantly higher score was associated with \u3e 15 study h/day and allocating 1-40% of study time for practicing questions. Mean NMUE score was not significantly different in relation to preparation months for examination or for those who reported spending all their time studying alone compared with spending any amount of time in a group setting. Scores of 231-240 on the Syrian scientific high school exam correlated with significantly higher NMUE performance compared with fewer scores, except scores of 221-230. For every 10 point increase in medical school cumulative grades, the NMUE score increased 3.6 (95% confidence interval 2.5-4.8). Conclusion: The NMUE score was significantly affected by hours spent studying per day, number of practice questions completed, percentage of study time allocated for doing questions, Syrian scientific high school exam scores, and the cumulative medical school class grades. It was not significantly affected by preparation months or studying in a group setting. More studies are needed to further describe and investigate the factors that might affect performance in the NMUE

READABILITY OF THE SECOND GRADE ARABIC LANGUAGE BOOKS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Purpose of the study: This study aims to measure the readability of Second Grade Arabic Language books in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methodology: This paper discusses a quantitative survey conducted, based on previous studies which include Momni and Momni (2011), Nasser and Ibrahimi (2013) and Lami and Zoaeni (2014), to examine readability problems in Arabic language books used in UAE schools. The researchers developed a Cloze Test and performed the test on a randomly selected sample of 387 Second Grade students. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (T-Test, ANOVA) were analysed using SPSS version 22 and to examine the readability of Second Grade Arabic Language books. Main Findings: The result indicates that the students’ average score in all the readability levels to the total score of the Cloze Test is at an unsatisfactory level. There are significant differences in the level of the poetic and prose texts’ readability among the genders and different academic averages. Applications of this study: This study provides evidence that the long-term goal of the Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC) has yet to be achieved. The outcomes suggest that there is a need to improve students' readability of Arabic Language books in the UAE, starting from the Second Grade. Novelty/Originality of this study: Readability of Arabic Language Book was widely explained by other researchers, but there is no study conducted on Second Grade students in UAE

Freezing and thawing resistance of internally cured high performance concrete

The behavior of internally cured high performance concrete, HPC, exposed to freezing and thawing cycles, was investigated. Two saturated curing agents, Limestone dust and powder of Porcelanite rock, were used to facilitate internal curing for concrete. These agents were used as partial replacements of fine aggregate in two volumetric percentages, 20 and 30 percent. The cast concrete specimens were separated in two groups according to curing method: water-cured and sealed (only internally-cured) specimens. The concrete specimens were subjected to three exposure systems, F0: without freezing and thawing, and F1 and F2: with 50 and 100 cycles of freezing and thawing, respectively. The freezing and thawing test was done as stipulated by the ASTM C666. The conducted tests for each exposure were: compressive and flexural strengths. The results revealed that internal curing does not enhance the concrete resistance to freezing and thawing cycles. Using saturated agents has increased the moisture content of concrete and makes it more vulnerable to frost action deterioration. Sealed specimens for all investigated mixes showed lower reductions in strength than water-cured ones. The lesser water content of these mixes may be the reason for that behavior

Freezing and thawing resistance of internally cured high performance concrete

The behavior of internally cured high performance concrete, HPC, exposed to freezing and thawing cycles, was investigated. Two saturated curing agents, Limestone dust and powder of Porcelanite rock, were used to facilitate internal curing for concrete. These agents were used as partial replacements of fine aggregate in two volumetric percentages, 20 and 30 percent. The cast concrete specimens were separated in two groups according to curing method: water-cured and sealed (only internally-cured) specimens. The concrete specimens were subjected to three exposure systems, F0: without freezing and thawing, and F1 and F2: with 50 and 100 cycles of freezing and thawing, respectively. The freezing and thawing test was done as stipulated by the ASTM C666. The conducted tests for each exposure were: compressive and flexural strengths. The results revealed that internal curing does not enhance the concrete resistance to freezing and thawing cycles. Using saturated agents has increased the moisture content of concrete and makes it more vulnerable to frost action deterioration. Sealed specimens for all investigated mixes showed lower reductions in strength than water-cured ones. The lesser water content of these mixes may be the reason for that behavior

Ultra-High Early Strength Cementitious Grout Suitable for Additive Manufacturing Applications Fabricated by Using Graphene Oxide and Viscosity Modifying Agents

One of the considerable challenges in the design of cementitious mixtures for additive manufacturing/three-dimensional (3D) printing applications is achieving both suitable fresh properties and significant mechanical strengths. This paper presents the use of graphene oxide (GO) as a promising nano reinforcement material with the potential to improve the printing feasibility and quality of a 3D printed cementitious matrix. Additionally, in this study, a viscosity modifying agent (VMA) was employed as a chemical additive to attain the required consistency and flow. The printed mixture was fabricated using various cementitious materials and waste materials. This study investigated the impact of GO and VMA on the enhancement of the 3D printing of cementitious composites through several tests. A flow test was conducted using the flow table test. The results showed a high fluidity and practical consistency, which are essential for nozzle pumping and accurateness in printed shapes. Furthermore, the bleeding test showed minimal bleeding up to hardening, and a considerable self-cleaning ability was noted during handling when conducting examinations of fresh properties. For hardened properties, the mechanical strengths were exceptionally high, especially at early ages, which is crucial for the stability of sequence layers of printed composites. The tensile strengths were 3.77, 10.5, 13.35, and 18.83 MPa at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days, respectively, and the compressive strengths were 25.1, 68.4, 85.6, and 125.4 MPa at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days, respectively. The test results showed the effectiveness of the fabricated cementitious mixture design method for meeting the requirements for 3D concrete printing applications

Epidemiology and risk factors of uninvestigated dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease among students of Damascus University, Syria

Uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are common disorders universally. Many studies have assessed their epidemiological characteristics around the world. However, such information is not known for Syria. We aim to estimate the epidemiologic characteristics and possible risk factors for UD, IBS, and GERD among students at Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July–September 2015 at a campus of Damascus University. A total of 320 students were randomly asked to complete the survey. We used ROME III criteria to define UD and IBS, and Montreal definition for GERD. In total, 302 valid participants were included in the analysis. Prevalence for UD, IBS, and GERD was 25%, 17%, and 16%, respectively. Symptom overlap was present in 46 students (15%), with UD + IBS in 28 (9.3%), UD + GERD in 26 (8.6%), and IBS + GERD in 14 (4.6%) students. Eleven (3.6%) students had symptoms of UD + IBS + GERD. Each of these overlaps occurred more frequently than expected by chance. Significant risk factors included cigarettes smoking, waterpipe consumption, and body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 for UD; female gender and three cups of coffee/d for IBS; and two cups of tea and one to five cigarettes/d for GERD. Risk factors for these disorders remain poorly characterized and need further investigations

Specialty preference and intentions to study abroad of Syrian medical students during the crisis

Abstract Background Little research addresses how medical students develop their choice of specialty training in crisis and resource-poor settings. The newly graduated medical students determine the future of the healthcare system. This study aims to elucidate the factors influencing Syrian medical students’ specialty selection and students’ intentions to study abroad. Methods A cross-sectional study carried out at the universities of Damascus, Al-Kalamoon and the Syrian Private University in Syria using self-administered questionnaire to investigate medical students’ specialty preferences and plans for career future. The questionnaire included questions about students’ demographic and educational characteristics, intention to train abroad, the chosen country for training. Results Randomly selected 450 students completed the questionnaire. The two most common specialties selected were general surgery (27.6%) and internal medicine (23.5%). The most influencing factors on their decision were ‘flexibility of specialty’ (74.8%) and ‘Better work opportunities after specializing’ (69.1%). Most participants stated that they are interested in specializing abroad outside Syria (78.7%). The two most common countries of choice were Germany (35.5%) and the United States of America (24.6%). Acquiring a visa to the foreign country was the most common obstacle of specializing abroad (n = 186, 53.6%). Male gender, having a previous clinical training abroad, and having friends or relatives living abroad were significant factors in predicting students’ interest in specializing abroad. Conclusion Internal medicine and surgery are the most reported specialties of choice in this study and most of the participants reported intentions to study abroad. Their specialty preferences are influenced by both familiar epidemiological and war-driven factors. These data can be useful to design further cohort study to understand the war-related affecting factors on students’ plans for their career in the effort of improving the balance of healthcare system in Syria

Psychological distress among medical students in conflicts: a cross-sectional study from Syria

Abstract Background Medical education can be a time of great psychological distress for students. The ongoing Syrian conflict represents an additional factor potentially contributing to poor mental health among medical students. Studies revealed high levels of psychological distress among Syrians. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of depression, anxiety and stress among medical students at Damascus University during this period of war. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) in addition to questions about demographic and financial characteristics, and questions about the effects of the ongoing war on the participants’ lives. Results 350 students were included. Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 60.6%, 35.1%, and 52.6%, respectively. Depression was more likely in females and those with “intermediate” or “insufficient” personal income. Anxiety was more likely in females and those with “insufficient” personal income while less likely in fifth- and sixth-year compared to second-year students. Stress was lower in fifth-year compared to second-year students and higher in “insufficient” personal income compared to “sufficient” personal income. Conclusions We concluded that Syrian medical students suffer from high rates of psychological distress. Females, second-year students, and those with “insufficient” personal income were the most affected. Students’ perception of their own financial status, rather than the financial status per se was related to psychological distress. There was no evidence of a direct relationship between the ongoing conflict and psychological distress. Further investigations of causes and consequences of poor mental health in Syrian medical students are essential