Processing and Properties of Bar-Shaped Single-Seeded and Multi-Seeded YBCO Bulk Superconductors by a Top-Seeded Melt Growth Technique

© 2016 The Author(s)The fabrication of (RE)-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors, where RE is a rare-earth element such as Y, Gd and Sm, is both time consuming and expensive due to the complexity of the melt process and the slow growth rate of large, single grains. In this study, different approaches to the fabrication of bar-shaped, bulk YBCO superconductors are investigated and compared using single- and multiple-seeding techniques via top-seeded melt growth (TSMG). Both the microstructural and superconducting properties of the bulk samples are investigated, including trapped field, critical current density, critical temperature and levitation force. The results of this study indicate that, in general, the superconducting properties of YBCO fabricated by a single-seeded process are significantly better than those of samples fabricated by a four-seeded process for non-bridge seeds. The differences between the samples are less pronounced in the levitation force measurements, however. In this paper, we attempt to explain the reasons for the similarities and differences observed between bulk samples fabricated by the different single- and multi-seeded processes.This work was supported by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)

SPARC 2018 Internationalisation and collaboration : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2018 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the launch of our Doctoral School, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 100 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to take up this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas from your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers

Bi-allelic variants in HOPS complex subunit VPS41 cause cerebellar ataxia and abnormal membrane trafficking.

Membrane trafficking is a complex, essential process in eukaryotic cells responsible for protein transport and processing. Deficiencies in vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) proteins, key regulators of trafficking, cause abnormal intracellular segregation of macromolecules and organelles and are linked to human disease. VPS proteins function as part of complexes such as the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) tethering complex, composed of VPS11, VPS16, VPS18, VPS33A, VPS39 and VPS41. The HOPS-specific subunit VPS41 has been reported to promote viability of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease but to date has not been linked to human disease. Here, we describe five unrelated families with nine affected individuals, all carrying homozygous variants in VPS41 that we show impact protein function. All affected individuals presented with a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder consisting of cognitive impairment, cerebellar atrophy/hypoplasia, motor dysfunction with ataxia and dystonia, and nystagmus. Zebrafish disease modelling supports the involvement of VPS41 dysfunction in the disorder, indicating lysosomal dysregulation throughout the brain and providing support for cerebellar and microglial abnormalities when vps41 was mutated. This provides the first example of human disease linked to the HOPS-specific subunit VPS41 and suggests the importance of HOPS complex activity for cerebellar function

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Attitudes toward mental illness, mentally ill persons, and help-seeking among the Saudi public and sociodemographic correlates

Mostafa A Abolfotouh,1 Adel F Almutairi,2 Zainab Almutairi,3 Mahmoud Salam,2 Anwar Alhashem,1 Abdallah A Adlan,4 Omar Modayfer5 1Research Training and Development Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/ King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Science and Technology Unit, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/ King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Stem Cells Donor Registry, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/ King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Bioethics Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/ King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Division of Mental Health, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Background: It has been reported that the majority of individuals with mental illnesses (MIs) do not seek help. Few studies have focused on correlates of a positive attitude toward professional help-seeking for MI. This study aimed to determine levels of knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward MI, determine attitudes toward mental health help-seeking, and identify sociodemographic predictors of correct knowledge and favorable attitudes among the Saudi public. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 650 Saudi adults aged >18 years who attended the Saudi Jenadriyah annual cultural and heritage festival during February 2016. The previously validated Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire was used. Attitude to professional help-seeking was also assessed, using a tool retrieved from the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview part II. Multiple regression analyses were applied, and statistical significance considered at P<0.05. Results: The majority of the Saudi public reported lack of knowledge about the nature of MI (87.5%, percentage mean score [PMS] 45.02±19.98), negative perception (59%, PMS 59.76±9.16), negative attitudes to MI (66.5%, PMS 65.86±7.77), and negative attitudes to professional help-seeking (54.5%, PMS 62.45±8.54). Marital status was a predictor of knowledge (t=–3.12, P=0.002), attitudes to MI (t=2.93, P=0.003), and attitudes to help-seeking (t=2.20, P=0.03). Attitudes to help-seeking were also predicted by sex (t=–2.72, P=0.007), employment (t=3.05, P=0.002), and monthly income (t=2.79, P=0.005). Perceptions toward the mentally ill were not predicted by these socioeconomic characteristics (P>0.05). Conclusion: The Saudi public reported lack of knowledge of MI and stigmatizing attitudes toward people with MI in relation to treatment, work, marriage, and recovery and toward professional help-seeking. Sociodemographic characteristics predicted correct knowledge and favorable attitudes, while Saudi culture was the likely factor behind negative judgments about mentally ill persons. Efforts to challenge this negative publicity and stigma through antistigma campaigns and public education through schools and media are recommended. Keywords: psychiatric illness, discrimination, people with mental illness, PWMI, stigma, antistigma, negative publicity, judgment of mental issues, professional help-seeking, social distanc

Prevalence of severe moral distress among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia

Adel F Almutairi,1 Mahmoud Salam,1 Abdallah A Adlan,2 Abdullah S Alturki3 1Science and Technology Unit, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard health affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Bioethics Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Research operations, King Abdullah International Medical Research center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Background: Moral distress is a serious problem in healthcare environments that requires urgent attention and management. It occurs when healthcare providers are unable to provide the care that they feel is right or take, what they believe to be, ethically appropriate actions for their patients. Thus, this study aims to examine moral distress among nurses and physicians working in tertiary teaching hospitals in Saudi Arabia, as well as to evaluate the level of association between moral distress and turnover. Methods: This cross-sectional study, which employed an anonymous 21-item Moral Distress Scale, was undertaken at a large medical institution located in different regions of Saudi Arabia. The data were analyzed using bi-variate analyses, and logistic regression. Results: Of the 342 participants, 239 (69.9%) were nurses/staff physicians and 103 (30.1%) were fellows/consultants. Approximately 24.3% of respondents experienced severe moral distress, whereas 75.7% reported mild moral distress. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in terms of moral distress. Age was found to be a notable factor: moral distress was significantly higher in those younger than 37 years compared to those 37 years and older (P=0.015). Less than half of the participants (137, 42.8%) indicated their willingness to leave their jobs. A significant association was observed between severe moral distress and leaving the career (OR=3.16; P<0.01). Job category was also an important factor: nurses/staff physicians were almost two times more likely (OR =1.95, P=0.038) to leave their positions compared to fellows/consultants. Conclusion: This study revealed that moral distress, which is a serious problem that compromises the well-being of caregivers, was a predictive variable for the intention of healthcare providers to leave their jobs. Therefore, it should be routinely examined, and efficient action plans should be implemented to alleviate its consequences. Keywords: burnout, MDS-R, organizational support, nurses, physician

The public’s risk perception of blood transfusion in Saudi Arabia

Adel F Almutairi, Mahmoud Salam, Oraynab Abou Abbas, Maliha Nasim, Abdallah A Adlan King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Background: Human beings may face many circumstances, such as surgery, trauma, and ­anemia, in which they could require an urgent blood transfusion. However, only a few ­studies have examined people’s risk perception of blood transfusion. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the public’s risk perception of blood transfusion in Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with their risk perception.Methods: Self-reported questionnaires on blood transfusion risk perception were distributed to the public during a Saudi national festival in Riyadh. Data were analyzed using mean, SD, Student’s t-test, and linear regression.Results: The overall percentage mean score±SD of risk perception was 59.8±16.1. Male participants were significantly more likely to perceive blood transfusion negatively, both in terms of the dread/severity domain (β=−0.23, p=0.003) and their overall risk perception score (β=−0.17, p=0.028). Older participants were considerably more likely to have a more negative perception (β=0.12, p=0.041) of the benefits of blood transfusion compared with younger participants. Study participants who received blood in the past had a significantly better perception (β=−0.13, p=0.029) of the benefits of transfusion. Additionally, participants who had previously donated blood had a considerably more positive perception in the dread/severity domain (β=−0.18, p=0.017) and their overall score (β=−0.15, p=0.045).Conclusion: Saudi males are more likely to perceive blood transfusion as a high-risk procedure. Similarly, older Saudis will probably have a more negative perception of the benefits of blood transfusion. Previous recipients and donors will likely have a better perception of the benefits of blood transfusion and a more positive overall risk perception. Keywords: blood transfusion, perception, risk, knowledge, benefit, Saud

Effect of bitumen addition on the long-term permeability of sabkha soil

This study investigates the effect of bitumen addition on the long-term permeability of bitumen mixed sabkha soil. Results will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of using the bitumen mixed sabkha soil as hydraulic barriers to leachate percolation. Eight percent bitumen (by dry weight of sabkha) was selected as a mixing percentage based on density results obtained from modified Proctor tests carried out on sabkha soil samples mixed with different bitumen contents. Long-term permeability studies using distilled water were carried out on undisturbed, natural compacted and 8% bitumen mixed sabkha soil samples. The results displayed significant reduction in the initial and long term permeability values of the 8% bitumen mixed sabkha, as compared to the natural compacted sabkha soil. The reduced permeability values of the 8% bitumen sabkha soil are still higher than the recommended value for soil liners. The results also clearly show that sabkha soil compaction, which is the general practice for liners preparation in Kuwait, is not an effective process

Effect of bitumen addition on the long-term permeability of sabkha soil

This study investigates the effect of bitumen addition on the long-term permeability of bitumen mixed sabkha soil. Results will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of using the bitumen mixed sabkha soil as hydraulic barriers to leachate percolation. Eight percent bitumen (by dry weight of sabkha) was selected as a mixing percentage based on density results obtained from modified Proctor tests carried out on sabkha soil samples mixed with different bitumen contents. Long-term permeability studies using distilled water were carried out on undisturbed, natural compacted and 8% bitumen mixed sabkha soil samples. The results displayed significant reduction in the initial and long term permeability values of the 8% bitumen mixed sabkha, as compared to the natural compacted sabkha soil. The reduced permeability values of the 8% bitumen sabkha soil are still higher than the recommended value for soil liners. The results also clearly show that sabkha soil compaction, which is the general practice for liners preparation in Kuwait, is not an effective process

Problem-based learning: medical students’ perception toward their educational environment at Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University

Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Aldayel, Abdulrahman Omar Alali, Ahmed Abdullah Altuwaim, Hamad Abdulaziz Alhussain, Khalid Ahmed Aljasser, Khalid A Bin Abdulrahman, Majed Obaid Alamri, Talal Ayidh Almutairi College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-centered innovating instructional approach in which students define their learning objectives by using triggers from the problem case or scenario.Objectives: To assess undergraduate medical students’ perception toward PBL sessions and to compare their perceptions among different sex and grade point average (GPA) in the college of medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a self-administered anonymous online questionnaire during the first semester of the 2017–2018 academic year in IMSIU. The data were collected from male and female students of the second and third year, as well as male students of the fourth year.Results: Out of 259 students, 152 (58.7%) completed the questionnaire. The students’ perception toward PBL was more positive than negative. Most of the students reported that PBL sessions increased their knowledge of basic sciences (P=0.03). Furthermore, most students agreed that PBL provided a better integration between basic and clinical sciences which differed significantly between the different GPA groups (P=0.02). Nevertheless, only 28.3% of the students agreed that the teaching staff is well prepared to run the sessions with significant statistical difference among different GPA groups (P=0.02). Moreover, only 26.3% of the students reported that there was proper student training before starting the PBL sessions with no significant difference. Additionally, only 34.2% and 28.9% of the students felt that they learn better and gain more knowledge thorough PBL than lectures respectively, with no significant difference.Conclusion: This study showed that tutors should be trained to guide the process of PBL effectively to achieve its goals. Moreover, students should be securely introduced to PBL and experience the development of their clinical reasoning through PBL. Further improvements are needed to provide students with an effective favorable learning environment and to take the students recommendations into consideration. Keywords: medical students, problem-based learning, education, perception, curriculum &nbsp