Saudi EFL students’ perspectives on the influence of informal activities in learning English

This research arose from my own experiences in trying to learn English as a citizen of Saudi Arabia. I studied English as a Foreign Language (EFL) for six years in middle and high school. When I went to university, English was used in the curriculum as both subject and medium of instruction. This was when I realized that after six years of studying English, I had a weak grasp of the English language when it came to speaking, listening, writing, and reading. However, once I began to use English in informal contexts, I found that my English language skills were surprisingly getting better each day. While there has been considerable scholarly interest in informal learning globally, there has been only limited research into learning English through informal activities in a Saudi Arabian context. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding of the influence of informal English language activities on English learning by EFL learners in a Saudi Arabian higher education context. The study employs a qualitative multiple case study approach to understand the ways in which 16 EFL students from different levels and subject streams at the Western University (pseudonym) in Saudi Arabia engaged in informal activities to learn English and/or to improve their English skills. After recruitment of participants, three stages of interviews were conducted individually with each participant. The findings provide a useful window into the participants’ perspectives on the influence of informal activities on their English learning. Generally speaking, considerable differences were identified between learning English formally in class and using it informally during their daily lives. The participants believed that the informal activities had a critical positive impact on their English learning process and influenced their engagement with the language in ways that formal education did not. Overall, the findings of the thesis suggest that the learning of English should not be limited to the classroom, as the learning process can take place effectively at any time and place without being bound to specific formal instruction. Informal English language learning activities thus deserve to be considered from an EFL learners’ perspective specifically, and from that of educators and education authorities in general. This thesis also offers a number of recommendations and implications for future research

Development of a lean principles framework for ERP implementation process

The aim of this research is to develop a novel framework based on lean principles and tools to be exploited in managing ERP implementation processes in order to enhance the overall success rate of the implementation project, which in turn minimises cost and time overruns. The framework consists of three stages built in a logical sequence taking into consideration the requirements of ERP projects implementations and the lean transformation principles. The first stage starts with an assessment model to measure the organisational readiness for implementing ERP system using leanness assessment approach. The second stage of the framework introduces the use of the Obeya lean tool along with a change management model to help visualize and streamlining the process of ERP implementation. In the final stage, a value stream mapping technique is used to identify potential waste occurrence and eliminate non-value adding activities from the process. As a result, a new eight stages ERP implementation process is developed and presented with descriptions on the activities encompassed in each stage. A research methodology consisting of four major phases was employed to attain the targeted objectives of the research; beginning with project initiation and contextual definition followed by data collection and field study. The data acquired from the previous two phases were used to conduct a thorough analysis from which key findings were drawn and used in the creative development of the readiness assessment model and the framework. Finally, elementary aspects of the framework were put to scrutiny through live case studies and professional expert judgement. The author made use of both qualitative and quantitative research measures. A validation for the ERP readiness assessment model is conducted initially on three case studies, and then the whole framework is validated through two other case studies and experts’ judgments. The results and overall feedback reflected a high level of acceptance of the framework structure and approach. The novel framework has the capability to improve the ERP implementation process providing it is utilised fully. It helps organisation to successfully deliver ERP systems on time, on budget, and with the required functionalities with high-level of acceptance from all stakeholders

Optimizing cybersecurity incident response decisions using deep reinforcement learning

The main purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the role of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) in optimizing the post-alert incident response process in security incident and event management (SIEM) systems. Although machine learning is used at multiple levels of SIEM systems, the last mile decision process is often ignored. Few papers reported efforts regarding the use of DRL to improve the post-alert decision and incident response processes. All the reported efforts applied only shallow (traditional) machine learning approaches to solve the problem. This paper explores the possibility of solving the problem using DRL approaches. The main attraction of DRL models is their ability to make accurate decisions based on live streams of data without the need for prior training, and they proved to be very successful in other fields of applications. Using standard datasets, a number of experiments have been conducted using different DRL configurations The results showed that DRL models can provide highly accurate decisions without the need for prior training

Laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through for rectovestibular fistula

Purpose Laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) has been  described as an alternative to posterior sagittal anorectoplasty for the surgical  treatment of rectourethral fistula in boys. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and advantages of LAARP in the repair of  rectovestibular fistula (RVF) in girls.Patients and methods From January 2010 to January 2015, we conducted a  prospective collection of data of our patients with RVF who were treated with LAARP, regarding demographics, VACTERL (vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, limb malformations) screening, perioperative measurements, complications, and outcome. Anorectal function of these patients was evaluated using Kelly’s clinical score.Results Sixteen girls with RVF underwent LAARP at our hospital. For all these girls, umbilical colostomy had been performed at the time of their birth. The mean age at LAARP operation was 3 months (range = 2–5 months). Mean operative time was 99 min. Mean hospital stay was 3.2 days. There were no intraoperative complications.  All the patients had their colostomy reversed. No patient had a stricture at the anorectal anastomosis. The mean follow-up time was 35.7 months (range = 6–60  months). The cosmetic appearance was satisfactory. Seven patients, who were older than 3 years, achieved continence and had regular bowel movements with good  Kelly’s clinical score of 6. For the remaining nine patients, the longest follow-up was 3 years, and therefore continence could not be evaluated.Conclusion LAARP for the repair of RVF in girls is feasible, safe, and efficient. Long-term follow-up, which would remain unavailable for several years, is necessary.Keywords: anorectal malformation, imperforated anus, laparoscopically assisted anorectoplasty, rectovestibular fistul

Combined transurethral and laparoscopic partial cystectomy for the treatment of bladder endometriosis

We present a case of a 22-year-old nulliparous woman, initially investigated by a urologist after she presented with a history of urinary tract symptoms including catamenial hematuria and suprapubic pain.  Ultrasonographic and cystoscopic findings suggested a bladder mass suspicious for endometriosis. Further MRI revealed a 3 X 4 cm mass in the bladder, and the diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed by the biopsy. Consequently, the patient was offered treatment options including combined laparoscopic and transurethral resection of the bladder lesion for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Using a combination of hydrodissection and CO2 laser energy laparoscopically and monopolar electro-surgery cystoscopically, the lesion was resected uneventfully and the bladder defect was repaired laparoscopically. The patient was discharged on the same day with a Foley catheter, which was removed 10 days later. After 8 weeks follow up period, she remained free of symptoms. Histopathology confirmed endometriosis. We conclude that this combined approach is feasible, safe and effective therapy for intramural bladder endometriosis

Large scale experimental investigation of the relative drying capacity of building envelope panels of various configurations

Building envelope performance can be predicted through field investigation, laboratory investigation, modeling, or a combination of these. Large scale testing in the laboratory has been limited because of cost, but it is important in validating mathematical or empirical models since the impact of different variables on the envelope performance can be studied as other variables can be readily and reliably kept constant. In the context of a research project in collaboration with nine companies, three universities and the government, a two-story test hut, with overall dimensions of 16 ft 8 inches in length, 12 ft 5 inches in width, and 19 ft 11�$1

Milia within resolving bullous pemphigoid lesions

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disease that is characterized by pruritus, cutaneous urticarial plaques, and tense bullae, with mucosal involvement. On histopathology, a subepidermal blister is predominantly evident with eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrates in the upper dermis. In a few bullous dermatoses, milia can manifest at the scar of blistering lesions or in non-lesional skin. Milia are classically associated with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, porphyria cutanea tarda, and mucous membrane pemphigoid. We report a case of bullous pemphigoid with milia manifesting within healing blistering lesions

Examining cost measurements in production and delivery of three case studies using eLearning for Applied Health Sciences: a cross-case synthesis

The World Health Organization World Health Report conveys that a significant increase is needed in global healthcare resourcing to meet current and future demand for health professionals. eLearning presents a possible opportunity to change and optimize training by providing a scalable means for instruction, thus reducing the costs for training health professionals and providing patient education. Research literature often suggests that a benefit of eLearning is its cost-effectiveness compared with face-to-face instruction, yet there is limited evidence comparing design and production costs with other forms of instruction, or the establishment of standards for budgeting for these costs

Health information technology uses for primary prevention in preventive medicine: A scoping review protocol

Introduction The use of health information technologies (HITs) has been associated with positive benefits such as improved health outcomes and improved health services. Results from empirical studies reported potential benefits of HITs in preventive medicine measures such as primary prevention. This review will examine the broad range of HITs and their uses and effectiveness in primary prevention. Methods and analysis We will conduct searches in relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Methodology Register, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science) using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review methodology. The scoping review will include all study designs to identify the literature on HIT uses. Two reviewers will independently screen the literature following our screening criteria and using a data abstraction form. Findings will be summarised quantitatively (using numerical counts of HITs) and qualitatively (using narrative synthesis). Ethics and dissemination The study will synthesise data from published literature and will not require an ethical approval. The results of the review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal

Weighing benefits and risks in aspects of security, privacy and adoption of technology in a value-based healthcare system

Technology can potentially enable the implementation of a value-based healthcare system, where the impact of quality of care is offered at optimised cost for maximised patient benefit. Technology can deliver value by aiding in data collection to evaluate outcomes and measure costs on a patient and population level. Healthcare organisations, however, face several challenges and risks that result almost exclusively from the use of these technologies