Job Satisfaction among Saudi Arabian Respiratory Therapists

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction has been a significant issue for healthcare organizations in recent years due to job satisfaction’s influence on performance and the quality of patient care. Although job satisfaction has a strong association with respiratory therapists\u27 performance, the job satisfaction of Saudi Arabian respiratory therapists (RTs) has not previously been examined. PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed to measure the job satisfaction level among Saudi Arabian RTs. This study aimed to identify the occupational and personal characteristic factors that influence job satisfaction. The study also investigated the educational background\u27s influence on job satisfaction. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional survey that consist of two sections: the sociodemographic section and the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), which was developed by Paul Spector in 1985. RESULTS: A total of 140 responders participated and completed the research survey. The research found that payment, promotion, fringe benefits, and contingents rewards were associated with dissatisfaction among RTs. In contrast, the nature of work and coworkers were found to be associated with improving job satisfaction in Saudi Arabian RTs. The study findings found no significant association between personal factors and overall job satisfaction. In addition, the study found that RTs who work for 8 hrs were found to be more satisfied with their job compared to RTs who work for 12 hrs. The study found that RTs who studied in the US were more satisfied with their nature of work compared to RTs that studied in Saudi Arabia. CONCLUSIONS: RTs were not satisfied with their payment, promotion, fringe benefits, and contingent rewards, while they were satisfied with coworkers\u27 relationships and nature of work. Further study is needed to understand job satisfaction among Saudi Arabian RTs and factors that could influence job satisfaction since these studies will increase healthcare organizations\u27 and respiratory care departments\u27 awareness about the job satisfaction of their RT employees

Reconstruction of the thermal properties in a wave-type model of bio-heat transfer

Purpose: This study aims to at numerically retrieve five constant dimensional thermo-physical properties of a biological tissue from dimensionless boundary temperature measurements. Design/methodology/approach: The thermal-wave model of bio-heat transfer is used as an appropriate model because of its realism in situations in which the heat flux is extremely high or low and imposed over a short duration of time. For the numerical discretization, an unconditionally stable finite difference scheme used as a direct solver is developed. The sensitivity coefficients of the dimensionless boundary temperature measurements with respect to five constant dimensionless parameters appearing in a non-dimensionalised version of the governing hyperbolic model are computed. The retrieval of those dimensionless parameters, from both exact and noisy measurements, is successfully achieved by using a minimization procedure based on the MATLAB optimization toolbox routine lsqnonlin. The values of the five-dimensional parameters are recovered by inverting a nonlinear system of algebraic equations connecting those parameters to the dimensionless parameters whose values have already been recovered. Findings: Accurate and stable numerical solutions for the unknown thermo-physical properties of a biological tissue from dimensionless boundary temperature measurements are obtained using the proposed numerical procedure. Research limitations/implications: The current investigation is limited to the retrieval of constant physical properties, but future work will investigate the reconstruction of the space-dependent blood perfusion coefficient. Practical implications: As noise inherently present in practical measurements is inverted, the paper is of practical significance and models a real-world situation. Social implications: The findings of the present paper are of considerable significance and interest to practitioners in the biomedical engineering and medical physics sectors. Originality/value: In comparison to Alkhwaji et al. (2012), the novelty and contribution of this work are as follows: considering the more general and realistic thermal-wave model of bio-heat transfer, accounting for a relaxation time; allowing for the tissue to have a finite size; and reconstructing five thermally significant dimensional parameters

SYNTHESIS, MOLLUSCICIDALAND ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALITIES OF IRON TRIAD MONONUCLEAR METAL COMPLEXES INCORPORATING TRIDENTATE ASYMMETRICAL SCHIFF BASE LIGANDS CONTAINING SOFT SULFUR COORDINATING ATOM

Objective: This work aimed at synthesizing tridentates asymmetrical Schiff base ligands containing sulfur atom and using them for preparing metal complexes with the iron triad metals. The prepared compounds were assayed in vitro for antimicrobial potential and in vivo molluscicidal activity. Methods: The unsymmetrical tridentate Schiff bases (SL1, SL2, and SL3) were prepared using 2-aminothiophenol as primary amine and condensed with 2-carboxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, and 7-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline. These ligands were used in preparing metal complexes with iron triad metals. The synthesized Schiff base ligands and their corresponding metal complexes were characterized and their proposed structures were confirmed using different physical and spectroscopic analytical techniques. All ligands and their corresponding metal complexes were assayed against different bacterial and fungal strains using the agar disk-diffusion technique. The molluscicidal activity was performed according to the standard reported methods as cited in the literature and by observing the toxicity and lethal dose according to the WHO guidelines. Results: The synthesized ligands behave as tridentate (NOS) ligands and form mononuclear complexes with the general formula [M(SL)2] with an octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. Metal complexes were non-electrolytic in nature. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal examination results showed weak activity of the ligands, and there was enhanced activity with the complexes. The in vivo molluscicidal activity of the tested compounds showed good activity. Conclusion: The targeted compounds were prepared successfully, characterized, and showed some biological activity but lower than the standard reference drugs

In situ acetonitrile/water mixed solvents: An ecofriendly synthesis and structure Explanations of Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes of thioxoimidazolidine

ABSTRACT. The bidentate oxoacetate derivative of 4-oxo-2-thiazolidine 4ligand (L1) synthesized by the reaction of 1-(1-(Pyridin-3-yl)ethylideneamino)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one 3 with diethyl oxalate with both traditional and microwave irradiation methods. The metal ion complexes of mixed ligands L1 and L2 (acetonitrile) were prepared by condensation a solution mixture of Co(II) Ni(II), and Cu(ІІ) metal chloride salts with the ligands (L1 and L2) in distilled water with stirring. The complexes were characterized by the micro analysis (C, H, N), chloride content, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectra, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), molar conductivity as well as magnetic susceptibility measurement. According to the obtained data the suggested coordination geometries of these complexes were suggested as octahedral structure. All the synthesized complexes were found to be electrolyte due to the presence of chloride ions outside the coordination sphere. The antibacterial activity of the L1 ligand and their metal ion complexes have been studied by screening against various microorganisms, G+ bacteria (Bacillus subtillis, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Staphyloccoccus aurease), G-bacteria (E. coli, and Pesudomonas Sp.) and fungi (Aspergillus nigaer, and Penicillium Sp.). The metal ion complexes gave the formulae: [M(L1)(L2)2(H2O)2]Cl2where M = Co(II) Ni(II), and Cu(ІІ).                     KEY WORDS: Imidazolidine, Microwave irradiation, Transition metals complexes, Biological activity   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 351-364. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.1

Solvent free synthesis of hydrazine carbothioamide derivatives as a precursor in the preparation of new mononuclear Mn(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes: Spectroscopic characterizations

ABSTRACT. Over the last few years considerable attention has been devoted to the study of Schiff base complexes of metal(II) containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur donor ligands due to their diverse biological activities. Therefore, the Schiff base thiosemicarbazone derivatives of 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazine carbothioamide (HL1) and 2-(4-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazine carbothioamide (HL2) were synthesized with solvent free technique using silica gel as material support for the reaction. The structures of the precursor’s organic products confirmed with their 1H, 13C NMR, IR and microanalysis data. Six new manganese(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes of HL1 and HL2 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazinecarbothioamide derivatives with the general formulation [ML1Cl] and [ML2Cl], where M = Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ were prepared and well discussed by using elemental analyses, magnetic moments, molar conductance, infrared and electronic spectral techniques. The assignments data of spectroscopic analysis confirm that the synthesized thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases of acts as a tridentate ligand as sulfur-oxygen-nitrogen donating atoms. The values of magnetic moments agreed with the data of electronic spectra which both suggested a four-coordination geometry of the synthesized complexes.                     KEY WORDS: Schiff base, Thiosemicarbazone, Manganese(II) complex, Copper(II) complex, Zinc(II) complex   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2021, 35(2), 413-424. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v35i2.1

Group piano pedagogy at the College of Basic Education, Kuwait

The study presents an exploration of students’ and teachers’ attitudes and beliefs towards group piano pedagogy at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. A mixed-methods research design using observation, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires gathered data which was analysed to develop understanding of group piano pedagogy at CBE. This was viewed in relation to international practice through comparison with piano pedagogy for group learners in UK education contexts. The findings from the UK context suggested potential ways in which the CBE pedagogy could be developed, and the overall findings reveal challenges for teachers and learners within group piano pedagogy relating to resources, curriculum content, learner engagement and institutional provision

Feasibility and clinical utility of Bates-Jensen wound assessment tool among nurses caring of patients having pressure ulcers

Aims: One of the vital roles of nurses is to perform pressure ulcer risk assessment that enables them to appropriately assess and track healing progress of wound and pressure ulcers among patients. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and clinical utility of the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) among nurses caring of patients with pressure ulcer. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design used to collect data from 177 registered nurses caring of patients who developed or have a risk of developing pressure ulcers working in three hospitals in Jordan. Results: The mean feasibility score of the BWAT was 28.3 out of 36 (SD=3.4) with a median score of 29. Most of nurses reported that the BWAT was easy to use on a scale of 1-4 (best) (M=3.40/4, SD=0.62) and can successfully assess wound characteristics (M=3.40/4, SD=0.59). The mean utility score of the BWAT was 21.3 out of 28 (SD=2.7) with a median of 21. Nurses had a perception that using the BWAT enhances care of patients with wounds (M=3.36/4, SD=0.61) and makes communication easier between nurses and physicians.  Conclusion: This study provided evidence that support the use of the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool for patients with pressure ulcer. Nurses perceived BWAT as easy to use, understandable, and relevant for assessing patients with pressure ulcers. Funding statement: This work was supported by supported and funded by The Deanship of Scientific Research at The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan [number1953/2017/19]

People with diabetes need a lower cut-off than others for depression screening with PHQ-9

Aims: This study evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the Polish version of the PHQ-9 in detecting major depression (MDD) and ‘MDD and/or dysthymia’ in people with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: Participants were randomly selected from a diabetes outpatient facility (N = 216) and from among patients admitted to a medical center and psychiatric hospital (N = 99). The participants completed the PHQ-9. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were used to identify the presence of psychiatric symptoms. The optimal cut-offs for PHQ-9 in people with and without type 2 diabetes were investigated based on two methods: 1) Youden’s index which identifies cut-off points useful in scientific research; 2) a second method of two-stage screening for depressive disorders to provide guidance for clinical practice. Results: The Polish version of the PHQ-9 is a reliable and valid screening tool for depression in people with and without type 2 diabetes. An optimal cut-off of ≥ 7 was indicated by Youden’s index and ≥ 5 by the two-stage method for screening for MDD and ‘MDD and/or dysthymia’ in the group with type 2 diabetes. A cut-off of ≥ 11 was optimal for screening for both MDD and ‘MDD and/or dysthymia’ among people without diabetes (Youden’s index). The two-stage approach suggested a ≥ 10 score for screening for MDD and ≥ 9 for screening for ‘MDD and/or dysthymia’ in people without diabetes. Conclusions: A lower cut-off score of the PHQ-9 is recommended for people with type 2 diabetes as compared to the general population