representations of hecke algebra of type a

We give some new results about representations of the Hecke algebraHF,q(Sn) of type A. In the first part we define the decomposition numbers dλν to be the composition multiplicity of the irreducible module Dν in the Specht module Sλ. Then we compute the decomposition numbers dλν for all partitions of the form λ = (a, c, 1b) and ν 2–regular for the Hecke algebra HC,−1(Sn). In the second part, we give some examples of decomposable Specht modules for the Hecke algebra HC,−1(Sn). These modules are indexed by partitions of the form (a, 3, 1b), where a, b are even. Finally, we find a new family of decomposable Specht modules for FSn when char(F) = 2

The ability of Islamic Religious Education to deliver Citizenship Education in elementary schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This empirical study endeavours to shed light on the ability of Islamic Religious Education to deliver Citizenship Education in elementary schools (pupils aged 13 to 15) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The aims of the study are to explore teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that Saudi citizens need in the 21st century. As part of this, it investigates the views of Social Studies and Islamic Religious Education teachers and students with a view to understanding where in the curriculum they think Citizenship Education should best occur. The study identifies and explores the challenges and opportunities of including Citizenship Education within both Islamic Religious Education and Social Studies. The merits of each approach are discussed. There then follows a series of recommendations regarding the sort of changes to the curriculum that may be required. The research underpinning this study followed a mixed-method approach. It employed an closed-ended questionnaire with two parts of open questions completed by over 266 students (ages 13 to 15), and 20 Islamic Religious Education and 20 Social Studies teachers. Semi-structured interviews were also undertaken with nine students, and nine Islamic Religious Education and nine Social Studies teachers. The findings from this study indicate that participants linked many of the knowledge components, skills, values and attitudes associated with Saudi citizenship to the Islamic religion. Responses from the participants indicate that students’ voices are absent in school, as they are anxious about expressing their opinions and believe their sole purpose for coming to school is to acquire knowledge. In addition, this study provides evidence of different views amongst the participants that reflect current tensions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding tolerance, outside influences, faith and extremism. Many students, for example, appeared to be intolerant towards other faiths or ideas, which is arguably not in accordance with the Islamic religion. The study argues that, as it is currently taught, Citizenship Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can be perceived as limited in comparison to Western conceptions of Citizenship Education, and that it is not meeting the needs of future Saudi citizens. The study proposes that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs to change its education system to keep pace with change in the wider world and within Saudi society, and concludes by making recommendations for such change and for future research in Islamic Religious Education and Citizenship Education

Role of Serum Follicle-Stimulating Hor¬mone Level as Predictor of Sperm Retrieval in Patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value and use of noninvasive, pre-operative estimation of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on sperm retrieval rate (SRR) during microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of the charts of 74 patients (mean age of 36.7±6.7 years) with NOA who underwent mTESE was performed. Pre-operative serum levels of FSH, total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin and mTESE results were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the mTESE results: Group A (positive sperm retrieval) and Group B (negative sperm retrieval). Results: Sperm was retrieved from 29 patients (positive SRR 39%). The mean serum FSH levels were 24.83±10.09 mIU/mL in Group A and 31±4.24 mIU/mL in Group B, without statistically significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). In addition, there were no observed statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding serum LH, total testosterone, estradiol and prolactin levels. Conclusion: The study found that pre-operative measurement of serum FSH level has no significant predictive value on SRR at mTESE in men with NOA

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor’s degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor’s degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms

Mobile Phone Service Providers in Saudi Arabia : Students' Customer Satisfaction

The mobile phone services sector in Saudi Arabia, whether in terms of its total subscription numbers or volume of usage, is a booming market with extensive reach across all sections of consumers. There are now three mobile phone providers in the KSA and the competitive environment will require careful management by the companies to attract and retain customers, especially young customers, as the industry continues to be privatised. But the Saudi mobile phone services market has not yet been subjected to a comprehensive study outlining the factors that influence Saudi customers in their choice of service provider and their decision to either retain or terminate their subscription with a particular provider. This study examines customer satisfaction, choice of service provider and usage characteristics of young Saudis, with a crosssectional survey of data gathered through self-reported questionnaires from 323 students at universities in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and other cities. The results show that STC was the most popular provider followed by Mobily and Zain. Majority of the students were dissatisfied with their service providers due to poor pricing and service quality, and one-third of the customers intended to terminate their contracts after expiration date. Minimum cost service packages, lower rates of call, and free allowances on the contract for social calls were significant predictors of the intention to change provider. Inferential statistics revealed that gender is a relevant demographic factor in determining the respondents' satisfaction and usage characteristics, whereas location is was tangentially related to satisfaction due to a gender skew in some locations. Males tended to pay their own bills and use their phone more than females for social calls than business/education, and males were more likely to change their providers when their contract expired

Citizenship Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: History and Current Instructional Approaches

This review article attempts to review current studies related to Citizenship Education (CE) in order to shed light on the provisions of citizenship education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The review examines the significance of   CE in the KSA. It also explores the history of CE in the KSA followed by its national identity, as this too, affects the nature of the CE offered in the country. Then the article identifies and explores the implementation of CE in the KSA. In addition, the article discusses the approaches of introducing Citizenship Education in the KSA, its content and implementation. It can be argued that Islam has played a crucial role in shaping Saudi citizens’ private and national identities and their national values. The study also found that CE in Saudi Arabia faces multiple challenges. It emphasizes citizens’ responsibilities, duties, identity formation, and obedience towards the system and how one can achieve them. It also appears that promoting freedom, equality, fairness, freedom of expression and participation in the decision making process is poorly addressed. Moreover, lack of teaching aids and lack of specialist teachers and training are some major challenges to implement CE in the KSA. The article ends by drawing some conclusions

Customer Choice in Mobile Service Providers in Saudi Arabia

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Airborne dust in Saudi Arabia : source areas, entrainment, simulation and composition

Spatial and temporal characteristics of dust storm activity in Saudi Arabia has been established using coarse-particle (PM10) dust concentrations recorded by the KACST monitoring network during the 2000-2003 period, backward trajectory analysis and satellite imagery. Thirty three major dust episodes impacted Riyadh city during the 2000-2003 period. The majority of these intense dust episodes are experienced during the March-August period with interannual and monthly variability in both intensity and frequency. Using TOMS images in conjunction with the backward trajectories corresponding to these 33 major episodes, the dust source regions have been identified. The most vulnerable dust source areas within these identified source regions have also been determined by compiling satellite images of dusty days from the true color SeaWiFs and high resolution MODIS archives over a six-year period (2000-2005). In total 45 dust-source areas have been identified in 9 local source regions and 4 external ones. Furthermore, 38 episodes of high fine-particle (PM2.5) and PM10 dust concentrations were observed at Riyadh city and 16 and 6 episodes of elevated PM10 dust concentrations were observed at Dammam and Jeddah cities, respectively, during March-September 2006, corresponding to the dust season in Saudi Arabia. During these episodes, Riyadh city was significantly impacted by dust from the southern Iraqi source areas and the eastern source areas located to the north and to the northeast of the city, respectively. Moreover, Dammam city was also significantly impacted by dust from the southern Iraqi source areas whereas Jeddah city was evenly impacted by dust from northeastern-northwestern sources to the city, with somewhat higher PM10 concentrations from African dust source areas, located to the northwest of the city. Analysis of meteorological maps of surface pressure as well as upper air data associated with high airborne dust concentrations in Saudi Arabia was successfully performed. This analysis revealed seven common types of dust storms, triggered by a clear seasonal distribution of meteorological conditions: (1) frontal, (2) Haboob, (3) jets convergence, (4) jet streak, (5) Shamal, (6) cyclonic, and (7) gap. The majority of dust episodes that impacted Riyadh city during the study period were triggered by Haboob (~ 42 %) and Shamal (~ 37 %). Additional analyses, including elemental, ionic and biological analyses as well as model analyses were used to further characterize the airborne dust in Saudi Arabia