2,139 research outputs found
Cross-cultural Adaption and Psychometric Properties Testing of The Arabic Anterior Knee Pain Scale
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a common condition affecting the musculoskeletal system and has a tendency of becoming chronic and is problematic in the affected people. It is the commonest cause of anterior knee pain. In over 2/3 of the patients affected it has been successfully treated through the use of rehabilitation protocols which are designed in pain reduction and returning the functionality to an individual. Many cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome can be avoided only if a clinician can make a pre-diagnosis. Preparation Screening Evaluation testing done by a certified athletic trainer can also help in prevention of this syndrome. The purpose of this topic is to be able to review the anatomy of the knee, the risk factors predisposing to patellofemoral pain syndrome, soft tissue, arterial system, innervation of the patellofemoral joint and strategies for rehabilitation. This will enable reviewing the anatomy of the knee, relationships between arterial collateralization, nerve supply and alignment of soft tissues in explaining the mechanisms that lead to this syndrome. By doing so, it will help in the future whereby using different treatments that will be aiming at the non-soft tissue that cause patellofemoral pain syndrome
UWB imaging for breast cancer detection using neural network.
This paper presents a simple feed-forward back-propagation Neural Network (NN) model to detect and locate early breast cancer/tumor efficiently through the investigation of Electromagnetic (EM) waves. A spherical tumor of radius 0.25 cm was created and placed at arbitrary locations in a breast model using an EM simulator. Directional antennas were used to transmit and receive Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) signals in 4 to 8 GHz frequency range. Small training and validation sets were constructed to train and test the NN. The received signals were fed into the trained NN model to find the presence and location of tumor. Very optimistic results (about 100% and 94.4% presence and location detection rate of tumor respectively) have been observed for early received signal components with the NN model. Hence, the proposed model is very potential for early tumor detection to save human lives in the future
Contemporary Concepts of Neutrosophic Fuzzy Soft BCK-submodules
In this paper, we introduce the concept of neutrosophic fuzzy soft translations and neutrosophic fuzzy soft extensions of neutrosophic fuzzy soft BCK-submodules and discusse the relation between them. Also, we dene the notion of neutrosophic fuzzy soft multiplications of neutrosophic fuzzy soft BCK-submodules. Finally, we investigate some resultes
Multimodal Deep Learning for Scientific Imaging Interpretation
In the domain of scientific imaging, interpreting visual data often demands
an intricate combination of human expertise and deep comprehension of the
subject materials. This study presents a novel methodology to linguistically
emulate and subsequently evaluate human-like interactions with Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, specifically of glass materials. Leveraging a
multimodal deep learning framework, our approach distills insights from both
textual and visual data harvested from peer-reviewed articles, further
augmented by the capabilities of GPT-4 for refined data synthesis and
evaluation. Despite inherent challenges--such as nuanced interpretations and
the limited availability of specialized datasets--our model (GlassLLaVA) excels
in crafting accurate interpretations, identifying key features, and detecting
defects in previously unseen SEM images. Moreover, we introduce versatile
evaluation metrics, suitable for an array of scientific imaging applications,
which allows for benchmarking against research-grounded answers. Benefiting
from the robustness of contemporary Large Language Models, our model adeptly
aligns with insights from research papers. This advancement not only
underscores considerable progress in bridging the gap between human and machine
interpretation in scientific imaging, but also hints at expansive avenues for
future research and broader application
Low temperature hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of oxygen-substituted aromatics over Rh/silica: part 1 - phenol, anisole and 4-methoxyphenol
The hydrogenation and competitive hydrogenation of anisole, phenol and 4-methoxyphenol was studied in the liquid phase over a Rh/silica catalyst at 323 K and 3 barg hydrogen pressure. The rate of conversion of the reactants to products gave an order of anisole ≫ phenol > 4-methoxyphenol with hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation products being produced. Anisole, the most reactive substrate, was rapidly converted to methoxycyclohexane, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol, while phenol was hydrogenated to cyclohexanone, cyclohexanol and cyclohexane. In both cases cyclohexanol was produced as a secondary product from cyclohexanone hydrogenation. The yield of cyclohexane, the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) product was > 20% from both reactants and was formed as a primary product from the aromatic species. Hydrogenation of 4-methoxyphenol was selective to 4-methoxycyclohexanone with no alcohol formation, while the hydrogenolysis products revealed that the catalyst was more active for demethoxylation than dehydroxylation. A comparative strength of adsorption was determined from competitive hydrogenation and gave an order of anisole > phenol > 4-methoxyphenol. Competitive, pair hydrogenation inhibited HDO and stopped cyclohexane from being produced from phenol and 4-methoxyphenol, although it was still produced from anisole. An increased rate of hydrogenation for 4-methoxyphenol was observed for competitive reactions with phenol and anisole but not when all three reactants were present. In contrast to the pair reactions, when all three reactants were present HDO occurred with all aromatics producing cyclohexane. Replacing hydrogen with deuterium revealed an inverse kinetic isotope effect for ring hydrogenation of 4-methoxyphenol but not phenol or anisole, which both had a positive KIE
Impact of Knowledge and Attitude on Saudis’ Physical Activity Practice and Inactivity Barriers: A Questionnaire-based Study
BACKGROUND: Community participation in physical activity is considered a major public health preference of WHO. Saudi Arabia in the last decades faced many tremendous economic changes leading to adoption of western dietary habits associated with sedentary lifestyle.
AIM: We aimed to study the relationship between both physical activity knowledge and attitude of community to the practice of individuals.
METHODS: We used a questionnaire consists of a mixture of closed-ended questions. Participants were recruited through direct meetings in local markets, schools, and workplaces. Seven hundred and sixty six individuals agreed to participate.
RESULTS: Overall correct answers to questions about importance of physical activity were 76.58%. The predominance of participants’ attitude was to establish public places for physical activity in each neighborhood (92.1%). Participants acknowledged that they exercise to improve their health (47.5%). Participants mainly perform light exercises (47.2%) on basis of 1–3 times weekly (48.9%). About 90.8% of participants admitted that they like to increase duration of their physical activity.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall physical activity practice of participants’ needs encourage overcoming obstacles that prevent individuals from practicing especially lack of time
Factors influencing the adoption of social media marketing in small and medium-sized enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Business Studies at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
The COVID-19 outbreak led to a global economic slowdown that affected many countries including Saudi Arabia where trade, investment, employment, and travel have all been impacted by the lockdown, especially on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The main purpose of the current study is to examine the factors that influence the adoption and use of social media marketing (SMM) in SMEs during the lockdown in Saudi Arabia. This study has used a combined developed model from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to examine whether SMEs in Saudi Arabia accept and use SMM effectively in the case such as COVID-19 pandemic, and to test its impact on improving the business performance through attracting new customers, sales, improved communication with customers, identifying customers' needs, and utilizing employees' creativity. This model succeeded to explain the Impact On Business (IOB) to a degree of 81%, since the coefficient of determination (R²) is 0.81. This study used a quantitative method by applying the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique to validate the conceptual model. The data was collected by using an online questionnaire of 146 participants from small and medium-sized enterprises. The results highlight that perceived usefulness (PEU), low cost (LCOS), and compatibility (COM) had a significant positive impact on SMEs to adopt and use SMM. The facilitating conditions and perceived ease of use had a non-significant impact on the adoption and use of SMM by SMEs. This study also found that small enterprises have been affected by the factors more than medium-sized ones. Another finding is that enterprises that were forced to close were more significantly affected by the factors (Low Cost and Compatibility) than the non-closed ones during the first lockdown starting from March 2020. In the same context, Facilitating Conditions (FCO) was not significant as 63 % of the participated enterprises were closed during the lockdown and could not use their infrastructure
High-fidelity simulation (HFS) intervention to increase advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) knowledge, skills performance and self efficacy (SE) acquisition and retention for Saudi nursing students: a feasibility explanatory sequential mixed method study
BACKGROUND:
As medical technologies advance and patient needs become more complex, care delivery models are undergoing transformation. An essential element for improving the learning experience is the shift from informative to transformative learning. While some countries have incorporated high-fidelity simulation (HFS) into nursing education as a contemporary teaching method, the majority of Saudi nursing schools still adhere to traditional teaching approaches.
AIM:
Using the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, this study sought to identify and develop a HFS advanced cardiac life support (ACLS)-focused intervention that was piloted among final-year undergraduate Saudi nursing students to investigate the acquisition and retention of ACLS knowledge and skills performance, as well as self-efficacy (SE) gains through HFS compared to traditional teaching methods.
METHODS:
This project utilised a sequential explanatory mixed-method design. A two-phased pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) with embedded qualitative evaluation was conducted. Phase I involved the intervention development and pilot RCT (n= 28), with participants randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Phase II comprised an embedded qualitative component of semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample of those from the trial (n= 10). The intervention group participants had access to HFS training, whereas the control group learned through traditional teaching methods, such as PowerPoint presentations and demonstrations on a static manikin. The educational content focused on ACLS algorithms. The knowledge variable was measured at three different time points: before the simulation, immediately after, and three months later. Skills performance was assessed twice; the first simulation was conducted at the beginning of the experiment and the second simulation session was three months later. The SE variable scores were obtained at the start of the study and at the end of the quantitative phase after the second simulation session. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted to ascertain the perceptions of the intervention and control group participants towards the received styles of learning methods at the end of the study. The research was influenced by the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This, in turn, affected the study's sample size due to government restrictions, guidelines, and the personal decisions of the participants.
RESULTS:
The study’s quantitative pilot RCT results showed that the ACLS knowledge exam total scores showed promising increases from baseline to acquisition (p < 0.001) and from baseline to retention (p < 0.004); however, this increase was not evident three months from acquisition for the intervention group (p = 1.000). With regard to skills performance, the intervention group’s ACLS skills acquisition mean score was trending higher (p < 0.001) than that of the control group. After three months, the mean ACLS skills retention score for the intervention group remained higher (p = 0.000) than for the control group. SE scores for the intervention group were moderately higher than for the control group (p < 0.001), showing initial evidence of a positive effect. The SE displayed a strong positive correlation with skills acquisition and a moderate positive correlation with knowledge.
In the qualitative phase, students conveyed that HFS offered a more authentic and enjoyable experience, facilitating the application of theoretical knowledge to advanced cases compared to the traditional method, which is more suited to basic skills. The students perceived HFS as a valuable teaching approach that effectively addresses the sensitivity of a mixed-gender working environment and the associated cultural norms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) context. They confirmed that HFS enhanced their non-technical skills, as well as their SE in handling complex cases upon graduation. The strength of the students’ interest in integrating the HFS into the curriculum further supports the acceptability of the study.
Feasibility was confirmed, as the invited students demonstrated a willingness to participate within the nursing school, there was effective communication with the heads of departments in both the nursing school and Simulation and Medical Training Centre, and the setting was prepared to accommodate a substantial number of students for a forthcoming definitive RCT. The availability of diverse materials in the simulation centre and positive perceptions of nursing students regarding the HFS intervention further support the feasibility of the study.
CONCLUSIONS:
The HFS intervention was well accepted and feasible with promising results regarding the final year undergraduate Saudi nursing students’ ACLS skills performance and SE. The recruitment methods and data collection procedures used in this study demonstrated feasibility for implementation in a larger, confirmatory RCT in a future definitive RCT. A sample size calculation was conducted to inform a future follow-up definitive RCT, evaluating the HFS intervention over the longer term. A major strength of the study was its adherence to the MRC framework, as well as using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist to guide detailed reporting of the intervention. A key limitation was the small sample size, constrained by COVID-19 impacts on subject availability and the power to make reliable inferences. More research is required to definitively determine the lasting impacts of high-fidelity ACLS simulation training on nursing education outcomes. Large-scale RCTs with larger samples, longitudinal examinations of skill translation into clinical environments, and multi-site tracking of trained nursing cohorts are recommended to further strengthen the evidence supporting wider curricular integration of simulations
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