Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits

Training Neural networks for Experimental models: Classifying Biomedical Datasets for Sickle Cell Disease

This paper presents the use of various type of neural network architectures for the classification of medical data. Extensive research has indicated that neural networks generate significant improvements when used for the pre-processing of medical time-series data signals and have assisted in obtaining high accuracy in the classification of medical data. Up to date, most of hospitals and healthcare sectors in the United Kingdom are using manual approach for analysing patient input for sickle cell disease, which depends on clinician’s experience that can lead to time consuming and stress to patents. The results obtained from a range of models during our experiments have shown that the proposed Back-propagation trained feed-forward neural network classifier generated significantly better outcomes over the other range of classifiers. Using the ROC curve, experiments results showed the following outcomes for our models, in order of best to worst: Back-propagation trained feed-forward neural net classifier: 0.989, Functional Link neural Network: 0.972, in comparison to the Radial basis neural Network Classifiers with areas of 0.875, and the Voted Perception classifier: 0.766. A Linear Neural Network was used as baseline classifier to illustrate the importance of the previous models, producing an area of 0.849, followed by a random guessing model with an area of 0.524

A Framework on A Computer Assisted and Systematic Methodology for Detection of Chronic Lower Back Pain using Artificial Intelligence and Computer Graphics Technologies

Back pain is one of the major musculoskeletal pain problems that can affect many people and is considered as one of the main causes of disability all over the world. Lower back pain, which is the most common type of back pain, is estimated to affect at least 60% to 80% of the adult population in the United Kingdom at some time in their lives. Some of those patients develop a more serious condition namely Chronic Lower Back Pain in which physicians must carry out a more involved diagnostic procedure to determine its cause. In most cases, this procedure involves a long and laborious task by the physicians to visually identify abnormalities from the patient’s Magnetic Resonance Images. Limited technological advances have been made in the past decades to support this process. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on these technological advances and presents a framework of a methodology for diagnosing and predicting Chronic Lower Back Pain. This framework will combine current state-of-the-art computing technologies including those in the area of artificial intelligence, physics modelling, and computer graphics, and is argued to be able to improve the diagnosis process

Accreditation Perceptions and Involvement in Saudi Arabian Schools of Nursing

“Accreditation is a voluntary program in which trained external peer reviewers evaluate an academic institution and compares it with pre-established performance standards” (Alkhenizan & Shaw, 2012, p. 407). Those standards need to be applied by the faculty and administrators working at institutions of higher education. To understand, evaluate, and improve the quality of higher education, it is crucial to explore and examine how those implementing accreditation perceive the process of accreditation and whether it has any association with their motivation and involvement. This quantitative descriptive correlational study used a survey method to examine whether there is a relationship between perceptions about the academic accreditation process and its purpose, with motivation and level of involvement among faculty and administrators responsible for introducing accreditation into nursing schools in Saudi Arabia. Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is new to the concept of applying national accreditation standards, the study provided unknown information about perceptions and motivation associated with accreditation in KSA universities and colleges. Further, the data gained from this study suggested a statistically significant difference between the faculty and administrators’ perception of process, perception of purpose, and level of education. There was a statistically significant difference in the level of involvement based on age category, type of institution, years in teaching and level of education. In contrast, there was no statistical significance in the participant’s motivation. The findings of this research study contributes to the lack of data regarding the schools of nursing faculty and administrators’ perceptions, motivation and involvement level in the academic accreditation process and what could significantly change educational perception and practices in KSA nursing education

FACTORS INFLUENCE SAUDI CONSUMERS TO INTENT USING DIGITAL PAYMENT

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate factors that influence consumers to intent use digital payment. Shopping online through E-commerce has experienced rapid growth worldwide, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer behavior. In Saudi Arabia, this growth is particularly significant due to the nation’s Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes digital transformation.   Theoretical Framework: Understanding the consumers in-depth of how perceived factors including consumer trust, attitude, and other perceived benefits influence consumer intent to use digital payment with other challenges related to competition and the emergence of globalization, the information and technology revolution significantly influenced the decisions of the consumer to use such as digital payment. Interplay is critical for enhancing e-commerce platforms and meeting the expectations of tech-savvy, cautious, and culturally distinct Saudi consumers.   Method: A quantitative approach was conducted to collect data through a questionnaire which helped us clarify the relationships between the independent variables including ease to use, perceived usefulness, trust, and benefits on attitude and intent to use digital payment in Saudi Arabia's e-commerce market. By examining the construction equation model, the study provided a comprehensive framework that guides platform optimization, improves consumer engagement, and enhances conversion rates.   Results and Discussion: The results indicate that digital payment are influenced by perceived usefulness, trust, and perceived benefits when shopping on Saudi e-commerce. Platforms will benefit from these features as e-commerce becomes more competitive. The study reveals that perceived usefulness, trust, and perceived benefits are the most significant predictors of consumer intent to use digital payment mediated by consumer's attitude. By offering secure and convenient payment options, building trust through transparency and communication, and increasing desktop and mobile websites easy to use and perceived usefulness, e-commerce platforms can improve browsing and purchase decisions.   Research Implications: The implications of this study enhance marketing managers' and researchers' understanding of the significance of factors that influence consumers to use digital payment. Digital payment systems facilitate electronic transactions, making them safe, easy, and fast, which enhances consumer trust and perceptions. Privacy protection and simplifying transactions and benefits which should be mentioned clearly on websites encourage digital payment usage.   Originality/Value: The primary data and significant results of this study provide insight into consumers' attitudes with regard to factors that motivate them to use digital payment in Saudi e-commerce. The future research should investigate other factors that might influence consumer attitudes and digital payment such as cultural and social benefits. that is not only but also should apply in other forms such as mobile APPs

Shear Behaviour of Slender RC Beams with Corroded Web Reinforcement

This research study examined the effect of corrosion of web reinforcement (stirrups) on the shear behaviour of slender reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The experimental program consisted of seventeen slender shear-critical RC beams: five uncorroded and twelve corroded beams. The test variables included: 1) corrosion level (0%, 7.5% and 15%); 2) type of stirrups (smooth and deformed); 3) stirrup diameter (D6, D12 and 10M); 4) stirrups spacing (100mm and 200mm); and 5) the presence of CFRP repair. The corroded beams had their stirrups subjected to corrosion using an accelerated corrosion technique and the mass loss in the stirrups was estimated based on Faraday’s law. All of the beams were monotonically tested to failure in three point bending. The corrosion cracks formed were parallel to the locations of stirrups as evidence of the corrosion damage in the corroded beams. The maximum decrease in the ultimate shear strength ranged from 11% to 14.4% for beams with high corrosion level of 15.6% mass loss. At a low corrosion level (4.39% mass loss), the shear strength of beams with smooth stirrups increased up to 35% due to the enhancement of shear friction at the concrete-corroded stirrups interface. The stiffness of the corroded beams was enhanced in comparison to the control beams. The ultimate deflection of the corroded beams was decreased up to 25% in comparison to the control beams. The CFRP repair increased the shear strength by 36% and improved the overall stiffness by 39% in comparison to the corroded unrepaired beams. All of the unrepaired beams failed in diagonal tension splitting, while the CFRP repaired corroded beams failed in diagonal tension splitting in addition to debonding of the FRP or concrete cover delamination. The actual corrosion mass loss results were in good correlation with Faraday’s law for the D12 and 10M stirrups. Poor correlation between actual and estimated mass loss was obtained for D6 smooth stirrups, possibly due to errors in the impressed corrosion. iv The analytical model used the modified compression field theory (MCFT) to predict the shear strength of uncorroded and corroded slender RC beams. In the corroded beams, two reduction factors were added to the MCFT model including the mass loss factor and the effective web width. Predictions based on the model revealed that the control beams gave a very good correlation with the ratio of experimental to predicted values that ranged from 0.94 to 1.02. On other hand, the ratio of experimental to predicted strength in the corroded beams ranged between1.06 to 1.4. The poor correlations were obtained for the beams with the D6 smooth stirrups. This study demonstrates that corrosion of web reinforcement can have a detrimental effect on the shear strength and ductility of slender shear-critical RC beams. The experimental results and analytical approach will be very useful for practicing engineers and researchers dealing with corrosion damage in slender RC members

The role of online learning in enhancing the performance of introverted female Saudi students in translation

Purpose – The purpose of the current study was to examine the role of distance learning in enhancing introverted students’ lack of communication and social interaction to improve their performance in translation class. Cain (2013) and Kuzeljevich (2017) agreed that identifying “introverted” and “extroverted” students is important for meeting their learning needs. While extroverted students have strong social skills that allow them to interact comfortably in different learning environments, introverted students tend to be more shy, quiet, and silent, thus, requiring more careful planning in classroom settings. Therefore, educators need to support introverted students in reaching their full academic and social potential. Design/methodology/approach – The present case study adopted a qualitative research method to explore the role of online/distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in enhancing introverted students’ performance and communication abilities in translation classes. The researcher of the current study spent a considerable time observing and set herself as part of the group (i.e. translation students of level 6 class) to understand the phenomenon, events and the new situation of having translation students interact in online settings. Data collection was based on this observation, interviews with the participants and archival documents. To enhance the validity and credibility of this research, the researcher employed the method of triangulation. Findings – The results (see Appendixes A, B and C) revealed the level of students interactions in translation classes and their attitudes toward online learning. Based on the observations made by the instructor, the researcher found that the involvement of the introverted students during online translation learning was remarkable, as they provided their translation outputs in the chat window of Microsoft Teams with no hesitation. Consequently, 65% of the students were providing their translation output through the chat window, which indicates that they are more introverted and preferred not to speak. Comparing this result to face-to-face translation class, the researcher found that 25% of the students provided their translation outputs through oral participation. Originality/value – This study contributes to the field of translation and education. Previous studies have not sufficiently examined the role of distance learning in enhancing the performance and communication of introverted students in translation classes. The current study is also expected to provide insight into the field of technical translation in remote teaching and learning settings