Impacts of Scale on Geographic Analysis of Health Data: An Example of Obesity Prevalence

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Capturing a gendered transformation in society through corporate disclosures

This thesis explores Corporate Social Responsibility disclosures related to gender equality and female empowerment in a developing country context. The study identifies Saudi Arabia as a country undergoing a State-driven gendered transformation in its society, in which laws and regulations positively targeting females are embedded within its National plans and country visions. The investigation used Nvivo Pro 11 to follow voluntary corporate disclosures of eleven (11) national organisations for a period of ten years (2005-2015) to determine the extent of textual and visual disclosures related to gender equality and female empowerment communicated to the public within that time frame. An index card was developed based on the literature and best practice in reporting on gender from international and local frameworks to analyse 140 corporate reports. Findings from the content analysis fed the exploration of the drivers behind this reporting practice. Twenty-nine (29) semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 participant groups (Companies, Governing bodies, Financial analysts and CSR consultants) in addition to one focus group with female job seekers to determine the factors that influence reporting on gender in the Saudi context. Three theoretical frameworks led the analysis; Stakeholder theory (Freeman, 2010), Institutional Theory(Meyer and Rowan, 1977) and Resource Dependency Theory (Pfeffer and Salancik, 1978). By adopting triangulation in both theory and methodology, findings indicate that workplace gender equality disclosures dominate within the reports, followed by disclosures empowering females within the community. Gender equality organisational practices are led by State legislation and National plans while reporting on gender is driven by institutional factors rooted in the culture and norms of the region

Reasons for and Barriers to Attending Continuing Education Activities and Priorities for Different Dental Specialties

BACKGROUND: Continuing education (CE) activities help dentists update their knowledge and skills to ensure high standards of patient care. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the reasons for and barriers to attending CE activities including the priorities for different dental specialities. METHODS: The study involves a cross-sectional research design. After statistical consultation, a questionnaire was distributed among 323 dental practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was checked for face and content validity, and it was pilot-tested before its administration. RESULTS: The response rate was 79.5% as 257 of 323 dentists returned the questionnaire. Most dentists reported that they attended CE activities because of personal learning needs (67.3%) and career development (66.9%). Lack of clinical experience to effectively manage patients and the practice was the least common (15.2%) reason for attending CE activities. Esthetic dentistry (77.4%), restorative dentistry (70.8%), and endodontics (70%) were the three most preferred dental specialities for CE activities. Lack of time was the most common (69.3%) barrier to attending CE activities followed by the cost (62.6%) and the distance (57.2%). More male (n = 104) than female (n = 69) dentists believed personal learning needs a reason for attending CE activities (P = 0.01). Similarly, more male (n = 104) than female dentists (n = 68) considered lack of time a barrier (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Most dentists attended CE activities to fulfil their personal learning needs, and aesthetic dentistry was the most preferred dental speciality for CE activities. Lack of time and cost were important barriers to attending CE activities

In-hospital mortality rates in SARS-CoV-2 patients treated with enoxaparin and heparin

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate in-hospital mortality rates in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) according to enoxaparin and heparin use. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 962 patients admitted to two hospitals in Kuwait with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Cumulative all-cause mortality rate was the primary outcome. Results: A total of 302 patients (males, 196 [64.9%]; mean age, 57.2 ± 14.6 years; mean body mass index, 29.8 ± 6.5 kg/m2) received anticoagulation therapy. Patients receiving anticoagulation treatment tended to have pneumonia (n = 275 [91.1%]) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 106 [35.1%]), and high D-dimer levels (median [interquartile range]: 608 [523;707] ng/mL). The mortality rate in this group was high (n = 63 [20.9%]). Multivariable logistic regression, the Cox proportional hazards, and Kaplan-Meier models revealed that the use of therapeutic anticoagulation agents affected the risk of all-cause cumulative mortality. Conclusion: Age, hypertension, pneumonia, therapeutic anticoagulation, and methylprednisolone use were found to be strong predictors of in-hospital mortality. In elderly hypertensive COVID-19 patients on therapeutic anticoagulation were found to have 2.3 times higher risk of in-hospital mortality. All cause in-hospital mortality rate in the therapeutic anticoagulation group was up to 21%

Ferritin level : a predictor of severity and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Introduction: This study aims to investigate in-hоsрitаl mоrtаlity in severe асute resрirаtоry syndrоme соrоnаvirus 2 раtients strаtified by serum ferritin levels. Methods: Patients were stratified based on ferritin levels (ferritin levels ≤ 1000 or >1000). Results: Approximately 89% (118) of the patients with ferritin levels > 1000 had pneumonia, and 51% (67) had hypertension. Fever (97, 73.5%) and shortness of breath (80, 61%) were two major symptoms among the patients in this group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that ferritin level (odds ratio [OR] = 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.21–0.62; p 1000. Conclusion: In this study, higher levels of serum ferritin were found to be an independent predictor of in-hоsрitаl mоrtаlity

In-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 stratified by gamma-glutamyl transferase levels

Background: This study investigates in-hospital mortality amongst patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its relation to serum levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Methods: Patients were stratified according to serum levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (GGT<50 IU/L or GGT≥50 IU/L). Results: A total of 802 participants were considered, amongst whom 486 had GGT<50 IU/L and a mean age of 48.1 (16.5) years, whilst 316 had GGT≥50 IU/L and a mean age of 53.8 (14.7) years. The chief sources of SARS-CoV-2 transmission were contact (366, 45.7%) and community (320, 40%). Most patients with GGT≥50 IU/L had either pneumonia (247, 78.2%) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (85, 26.9%), whilst those with GGT<50 IU/L had hypertension (141, 29%) or diabetes mellitus (DM) (147, 30.2%). Mortality was higher amongst patients with GGT≥50 IU/L (54, 17.1%) than amongst those with GGT<50 IU/L (29, 5.9%). More patients with GGT≥50 required high (83, 27.6%) or low (104, 34.6%) levels of oxygen, whereas most of those with GGT<50 had no requirement of oxygen (306, 71.2%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that GGT≥50 IU/L (odds ratio [OR]: 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–3.45, p=0.009), age (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.07, p<0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.19–3.63, p=0.011), methylprednisolone (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.74–5.01, p<0.001) and fever (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.15–3.68, p=0.016) were significant predictors of all-cause cumulative mortality. A Cox proportional hazards regression model (B = −0.68, SE =0.24, HR =0.51, p = 0.004) showed that patients with GGT<50 IU/L had a 0.51-times lower risk of all-cause cumulative mortality than patients with GGT≥50 IU/L. Conclusion: Higher levels of serum GGT were found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality

In-hospital mortality in SARS-CoV-2 stratified by hemoglobin levels : a retrospective study

This study is to estimate in-hospital mortality in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients stratified by hemoglobin (Hb) level. Patients were stratified according to hemoglobin level into two groups, that is, Hb 100 g/L. A total of 6931 patients were included. Of these, 6377 (92%) patients had hemoglobin levels >100 g/L. The mean age was 44 ± 17 years, and 66% of the patients were males. The median length of overall hospital stay was 13 days [2; 31]. The remaining 554 (8%) patients had a hemoglobin level 100 g/L (52, 0.82%). Risk factors associated with increased mortality were determined by multi- variate analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed hemoglobin as a predictor of mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression coefficients for hemoglobin for the HB ≤ 100 category of hemoglobin were significant, B = 2.79, SE = 0.17, and HR = 16.34, p < 0.001. Multivariate logistic regression showed Hb < 100 g/L had a higher cumu- lative all-cause in-hospital mortality (22.4% vs. 0.8%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.33; 95% [CI]: [0.20–0.55]; p < 0.001). In this study, hemoglobin levels <100 g/L were found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality

Statically stable walking robot : Gait pattern generation for a quadruped using PID control

This report is a bachelor thesis in Mechatronics at KTH. The purpose of the thesis is to design a statically stable walking robot capable of forward movement. A quadrupedal robot is designed, as well as a PID control system. To easily control the legs with sufficient accuracy servo motors are used. The control system is used to generate an effective gait pattern that gives rise to the desired functionality. To achieve this the center of mass needs to be approximated, which is done through force sensitive resistors in its feet. The control systems and mathematical models used are tested with the help of a simulation in Simulink. A prototype is also built in order to test the models in practice. The results show that the robot is capable of upholding balance in the simulations, even with shifts in parameters such as the weight and the location of the center of mass. The prototype performed significantly worse, which is mainly accredited to the lack of quality among the force sensors. In future projects the use of different methods to approximate the location of the center of mass is recommended. If the use of sensors is preferred, strain gauges could be a viable alternative to the force sensitive resistors used. More expensive force sensitive resistors of a higher quality could also be an option.Denna rapport är ett kandidatexamensarbete i Mekatronik på KTH. Syftet med rapporten är att designa en gående robot som erhåller statiskt stabilitet vid gång framåt. En fyrbent robot samt ett PID regler system designades. För att styra benen med bra noggranhet används servomotorer. Reglersystemet används för att generera en stabil bana för fötterna att följa. Detta kräver en uppskattning av robotens masscentrum som möjliggös m.h.a. tryckkänsliga motstånd i fötterna. Reglersystemet samt framtagna matematiska modeller testas med hjälp av simulering i Simulink. Sedan byggs en prototyp av roboten för att testa modellerna i verkligheten. Resultat visar att roboten kan balansera och presterar bra i simulationen, även då parametrar så som vikt och masscentrumets läge ändras. I verkligheten fungerade roboten betydligt sämre, vilket tycks vara orsakat av opålitliga kraftsensorer i fötterna. I framtida projekt föreslås användning av olika metoder för att uppskatta positionen av robotens masscentrum. Om användningen av sensorer är föredragen kan tryckkänsliga motstånd ersättas med töjningsgivare för att mäta normalkrafterna, alternativt kan tryckkänsliga motstånd av högre kvalitet användas

Determinants of the Digitalization of Accounting in an Emerging Market: The Roles of Organizational Support and Job Relevance

Digitalization has considerable potential to help achieve the sustainability of the planetary and human systems, including organizations. As digitalization is one of the most promising factors for transformation, there is no doubt that ICT and big data can help promote sustainability. Linking digitalization with a sustainable workplace, the purpose of this investigation is to identify the determinants of the adoption of digitalization of accounting procedures by accounting professionals in Saudi Arabia, an economy rapidly moving towards digital transformation. A holistic model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), elaboration likelihood model (ELM), and social exchange theory (SET) is proposed and tested. The extension in TAM is proposed by integrating job relevance and organizational support as moderators. A survey method was used to collect data from 365 accounting professionals working in Saudi Arabia. Structural equation modeling and PROCESS macro were used as data analysis techniques. The findings reveal that perceived ease of use has both direct and indirect effects through perceived usefulness on intentions to use e-accounting. Both job relevance and organizational support act as moderators for perceived usefulness and intentions to use e-accounting when treated separately. However, job relevance becomes an insignificant moderator in the presence of organizational support. This finding highlights the importance of organizational support for the successful implementation of e-accounting in an organization

Statically stable walking robot : Gait pattern generation for a quadruped using PID control

This report is a bachelor thesis in Mechatronics at KTH. The purpose of the thesis is to design a statically stable walking robot capable of forward movement. A quadrupedal robot is designed, as well as a PID control system. To easily control the legs with sufficient accuracy servo motors are used. The control system is used to generate an effective gait pattern that gives rise to the desired functionality. To achieve this the center of mass needs to be approximated, which is done through force sensitive resistors in its feet. The control systems and mathematical models used are tested with the help of a simulation in Simulink. A prototype is also built in order to test the models in practice. The results show that the robot is capable of upholding balance in the simulations, even with shifts in parameters such as the weight and the location of the center of mass. The prototype performed significantly worse, which is mainly accredited to the lack of quality among the force sensors. In future projects the use of different methods to approximate the location of the center of mass is recommended. If the use of sensors is preferred, strain gauges could be a viable alternative to the force sensitive resistors used. More expensive force sensitive resistors of a higher quality could also be an option.Denna rapport är ett kandidatexamensarbete i Mekatronik på KTH. Syftet med rapporten är att designa en gående robot som erhåller statiskt stabilitet vid gång framåt. En fyrbent robot samt ett PID regler system designades. För att styra benen med bra noggranhet används servomotorer. Reglersystemet används för att generera en stabil bana för fötterna att följa. Detta kräver en uppskattning av robotens masscentrum som möjliggös m.h.a. tryckkänsliga motstånd i fötterna. Reglersystemet samt framtagna matematiska modeller testas med hjälp av simulering i Simulink. Sedan byggs en prototyp av roboten för att testa modellerna i verkligheten. Resultat visar att roboten kan balansera och presterar bra i simulationen, även då parametrar så som vikt och masscentrumets läge ändras. I verkligheten fungerade roboten betydligt sämre, vilket tycks vara orsakat av opålitliga kraftsensorer i fötterna. I framtida projekt föreslås användning av olika metoder för att uppskatta positionen av robotens masscentrum. Om användningen av sensorer är föredragen kan tryckkänsliga motstånd ersättas med töjningsgivare för att mäta normalkrafterna, alternativt kan tryckkänsliga motstånd av högre kvalitet användas