Measuring the extent of patient satisfacation with the services provided by health care in Madinah

The aim of this study was to identify the level of quality of healthcare services provided at the Madinah hospital and to measure the impact of the quality of healthcare services on patient satisfaction. The study also aimed to provide suggestions and recommendations to the hospital on how to improve the quality of healthcare services to positively impact patient satisfaction. The research will use a descriptive methodology, which involves identifying variables and phenomena related to the study, as well as an analytical methodology that analyzes the data obtained through research tools using statistical methods to achieve the study's purpose. The study found that there is a high level of quality of healthcare services in terms of their dimensions (tangibles, reliability, safety, empathy, responsiveness), as well as a high level of patient satisfaction with healthcare services in Madinah. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant positive correlation between the level of quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction. Specifically, for every 1% increase in the quality of healthcare services, patient satisfaction increased by 0.546%.&nbsp

Influence of natural and accelerated weathering on the mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene films

Natural and accelerated weathering tests were performed to inspect the effect of antioxidants on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films used as greenhouse covering materials. The LDPE pellets were extruded and blown into a film using a twin-screw extruder and film blowing machine, respectively. The film with 0.2 wt.% Alkanox-240 (AN-0.2) stabilizer showed the highest tensile strength (11 MPa) among all samples during 90 days of natural as well as accelerated weathering. The elastic modulus of the film with 0.5 wt.% of Good-rite (GR-0.5) increased after weathering from approximately 91.8 to 138.9 MPa, and showed the best performance. Morphological images of the neat LDPE film during weathering showed some cracks and grooves, while those of stabilized films showed fewer cracks. Moreover, the estimation of the rapidity of the accelerated method compared to the natural one was approximately nine times faster in Riyadh during the summer season (June–August). The present study suggests that the addition of antioxidants can improve the tensile strength, stability, and, hence, the effectiveness of these films. The best antioxidants were found to be 0.2 wt.% Alkanox and 0.5 wt.% Good-rite antioxidants

Community practice of using face masks for the prevention of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Community face masking is possibly of great value in reducing COVID-19 transmission, especially when universally adopted with high compliance. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, common misconceptions, barriers, and the compliance of the community with the use of face masks for the prevention of COVID-19. A validated questionnaire was administered to the participants through a web link by using various social media. The collected data were statistically analyzed for significant differences according to demographic variables. The average knowledge of face masks and their role in preventing COVID-19 transmission was 95.64%, with no differences among most of the demographical factors. Older groups and females demonstrated a better attitude towards wearing face masks than other groups did (p<0.001). Another significant difference in the participant's attitude was noticed between the various educational levels, employment, and nationality (p<0.001). Of the total respondents, 88.2% encouraged wearing face masks. Misconceptions about wearing face masks were very low. The frequency of wearing face masks at public places, workplaces, or social gatherings was 87.2%, 80.5%, and 47.5% respectively. There was a significant variation in the compliance with wearing face masks between the various groups based on age, gender, nationality, and employment status (p<0.001). The inconvenience in wearing face masks was reported by 36.3%. Face irritation and ear pain were reported by 70.2% and 43.5%, respectively. The inconvenience of wearing face masks with eyeglasses was reported by 44.3% of those wearing eyeglasses. In general, the study demonstrated a good attitude among participants towards wearing face masks. Although the respondents in the study were aware of the benefits of wearing face masks, the barriers may have decreased their desire to do so. These barriers include difficulty in breathing, discomfort, face irritation, and ear pain

Optimization of the conditions for rice bran phytate degradation by their own phytases

The rice bran by-product of rice during milling process chemically contains moisture, ash, crude protein (12%), crude fat (15%), crude fiber 7%, crude carbohydrate (31.1%), and energy. It contains high phytate and dietary fiber contents. The cereal whole paddy after milling produces 8% of rice bran. Rice bran amino acid profile has been normally suggested to be superior to cereal grain proteins. Existing phytase within the rice bran generally improves phytate phosphorus utilizations. The present study has been conducted to find the effect of phytase activity of rice bran against five different temperatures and also the effect of phytase activity of rice bran against five different temperatures at optimum pH 5.5. The results showed that as the concentration of rice bran increases from 0 to 20%, the phytase activity also increased. The optimum phytase activity was found at 10% concentration of rice bran at 37°C. Moreover, an increase in phytase activity at the same concentration of rice bran was observed while adjusting the pH at pH 5.5. The four concentrations of rice bran showed gradual increase in activity at 50°C which was directly proportional to the concentrations of rice bran and comparatively better while adjusting the pH at pH 5.5. Around two-fold increase in activity was observed at room temperature and 50°C when the concentration of rice bran was increased from 5 to 20% with and without pH 5.5 adjustments