Workability and compressive strength of eco-friendly concrete based on waste ceramic particles

Eco-materials are becoming the one of the important matters to be addressed in industries and academics owing to reduce the impact of synthetic materials on environment. On the other hand, waste materials have becoming an equal important matter in term of disposal and their impact on environment. In civil engineering, exploring any potential eco-materials for structural components is the ambition of many engineering and environmental researchers. In this project, an attempt is made to explore the potential of using waste ceramic particles in concrete. The structure and the compressive characteristics of the developed materials with different waste ceramic particle percent are investigated. Different concrete samples were prepared and tested. The failure mechanisms were determined after the completion of the experiments. The optimum percent of waste ceramic particles in concreate were determined from workability, compressive strength and structure of the concrete. Compressive strength of the developed concretes were tested at different curing duration of 7, 14 and 28 days. Visual examination and scanning electron microscope were used to observe the failure mechanism. The experimental results were in high agreement with the published recent and related works. The content of the waste ceramic particle controlled all the characteristics of the ceramics, i.e. workability, compressive strength, and the structure. Increase in the content of the waste ceramic particles deteriorate the strength of the concrete especially at content of above 25 wt. %. Despite of that the reduction in the strength at low percent of waste ceramic particle were within the industrial recommended ranges. Also, from environmental point of view, a promising results are identified and 25 wt % of waste ceramic particles in concrete is highly recommend. The failure of the concreate was commonly due to the crack generation and/or propagation in the bonding region of the particles and the cement. At high percent of waste ceramic particles, there is micro- and mac-cracks propagated which resulted in the poor performance of the concreate at this high percent of particle

Relationships Between Cognitive Distortions And Psychological Resilience On Cyber Delinquent Behaviour Among Saudi Arabia Adolescent

This study was conducted to examine the influence of cognitive distortions and psychological resilience on cyber delinquent behaviour among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. This study also aimed to examine the moderation effect of gender between all relationships. Employing a mixed-method design, a survey study of 386 students was first conducted and data were interpreted based on structural equation modeling (SEM). Then, eight key informants were interviewed and data were analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches. Two key findings emerged from the analyses. First, blame others, self-centered, and assuming the worst was significantly positively influenced cyber delinquent behavior were significantly positive influenced cyber delinquent behavior. The results also showed that optimism, hardiness, resourcefulness were significantly negatively influenced cyber delinquent behavior. Second, gender moderated the relationship between resourcefulness and cyber delinquent behaviour such relationship was stronger for female adolescents than for males. This research contributes to the understanding of how gender differences lead to cyber delinquent behavior by demonstrating that females are dominant in the association between resourcefulness and cyber delinquent behavior. Upon theoretical implications, this study also offered several policies and practical implications

Effect of an Educational Program on Stakeholders' Awareness About Risks of Cannabis Use in Sudan: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: This study assesses stakeholders’ awareness level of Cannabis use and the effect of an educational program on their awareness in Kabkabiya city of Sudan.Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted using a pre- and posttest design between July and November 2018. A total of 203 stakeholders were recruited in the study using a convenience sampling technique. First, using a self-reported questionnaire, the pretest data were collected before the intervention. Then, the participants underwent an educational program intervention in the form of lectures and group discussions. At the end of the program, the participants were subjected to the posttest using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The results showed a poor to moderate level of awareness about Cannabis use among stakeholders. A statistically significant increase in the stakeholders’ awareness levels was found after the educational program intervention with a large effect size in awareness (z = –12.299, P = 0.001, r = 0.91). The results also showed that the participants who graduated from university had a significantly higher level of awareness than others at pre- and posttests stages (P =< 0.001).Conclusion: The educational program intervention effectively improved stakeholders’ awareness about the risks of Cannabis use. This study suggests providing ongoing health education for the public and focusing on individuals with lower educational levels to increase awareness of the risks of Cannabis use

Pattern of Congenital Dislocation of the Hip in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most widely discussed abnormalities in neonates. The etiology of DDH is unknown. There are many insights, however, from epidemiologic/demographic information. Aim of the study: To determine the incidence, risk factors and treatment modalities of congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) in Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is prospective study involve 955(19100hips) infants referred to Arar central hospital. During the period from 1 January 2014, to 31 December 2016, each infant was evaluated by history taking, clinical and sonographic examination for hip abnormality. Results: The incidence of (CDH) was 3.1% (73.3% were females), 70.0% of the affected had positive family history and in 46.7% there was consanguinity between parents. In 80.0% there was regular follow up during pregnancy. 16.7% had history of oligohydramnios. Breech presentation was found in 26.7% and 15.0% delivered by caesarian section. First born children constituted 25.0%. The left hip joint was more affected( 41.6%) , the right hip joint affected in  28.3% and bilateral CDH were involved in 13.3%. In the studied cases, 40.0% of the infants were treated surgically, 30% conservatively, 16% by both and 14% were referred to higher centers. Conclusion and recommendations: CDH in Arar, Central hospital and by inference in Northern region of Saudi Arabia was found to be 3.1%. Awareness programs, routine neonatal hip joint examination at birth and up to one year of age as well as ultrasound examination of pelvis in high-risk babies are strongly recommended

Satisfaction of Saudi board internal medicine residents with the training program in central Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe Saudi Internal Medicine (IM) residency program is a 4-year training program that qualifies competent physicians to provide optimal healthcare services. Residents’ satisfaction is a key indicator for a program effectiveness in preparing well-trained physicians. However, no national studies have investigated the perspective of IM residents. This study assessed IM resident’s satisfaction regarding the residency program in several training centers.MethodsA cross-sectional study with 194 enrolled IM residents was conducted between November 2022 and June 2023 at multiple governmental hospitals in the central region of Saudi Arabia. Data collection was done via an electronic questionnaire. The satisfaction rate was interpreted by a five-point Likert scale (1 “completely unsatisfied” to 5 “extremely satisfied”).ResultsOut of the 184 responses, residents aged 25–27 years comprised 122 (66%) of the sample with male participants being the highest in number at 109 (59%) which was highly significant in accordance to the level of satisfaction (χ2 = 10.07, p = 0.006). Additionally, 89 (54%) junior residents was found to have a significant satisfaction compared to senior residents. In total, 112 (61%) of residents would choose the same IM residency program again if they had the chance and expressed a better level of satisfaction (χ2 = 101, 28, p < 0.001). Overall, the percentage of satisfied residents was around half of the sample 100 (54%). However, workload, quality of life, and teaching opportunities were among the most frequently chosen areas for improvement.ConclusionThe study concluded that 54% of IM residents were highly satisfied with the program in their respective training center. However, residents have excessive workload, reduced quality of life, and differing unmet learning needs

Breast cancer awareness and breast self-examination among future female university graduates: comparison between medical and non-medical students

Background: Breast cancer is a common health problem among females in Saudi Arabia. The disease account for 27% of all female malignancies representing 25.1% of all newly diagnosed female cancers. The objectives of the current study were to assess the level of carcinoma breast awareness of female university students, Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia and to compare the level of awareness, breast self-examination and breast cancer screening between medical and non-medical students.Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional, conducted among female students in Majmaah University in Saudi Arabia. The stratified and the systematic sampling were employed to select the colleges and the students respectively. The sample size was calculated as 325. Data was collected by a pre tested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS.Results: The university students who acquired good knowledge were 111 (34.2%). Students who acquired average and poor knowledge were 42.2% and 23.6% respectively. Medical students who had good knowledge were 37.6% compared to 26.9% of non-medical students.  The results showed that 94 (28.9%) of the participants practice breast self-examination and 25 (7.6%) performed a screening test.Conclusions: The study concluded that Majmaah University students’ awareness of carcinoma breast is low. There is no significant difference in the level of awareness between students of medical colleges and those of non-medical colleges. The level of practicing breast self-examination and performing screening test for carcinoma breast among female university students is low. There is a significant difference in performing carcinoma breast screening test between medical and non-medical students.

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 UK Variant of Concern Lineage-Related Perceptions, COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Travel Worry Among Healthcare Workers

Background: Healthcare workers' (HCWs') travel-related anxiety needs to be assessed in light of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Methods: An online, cross-sectional questionnaire among HCWs between December 21, 2020 to January 7, 2021. The outcome variables were HCWs' knowledge and awareness of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage that was recently reported as the UK variant of concern, and its associated travel worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score. Results: A total of 1,058 HCWs completed the survey; 66.5% were female, 59.0% were nurses. 9.0% indicated they had been previously diagnosed with COVID-19. Regarding the B.1.1.7 lineage, almost all (97.3%) were aware of its emergence, 73.8% were aware that it is more infectious, 78.0% thought it causes more severe disease, and only 50.0% knew that current COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing it. Despite this, 66.7% of HCWs were not registered to receive the vaccine. HCWs' most common source of information about the new variant was social media platforms (67.0%), and this subgroup was significantly more worried about traveling. Nurses were more worried than physicians (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Most HCWs were aware of the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and expressed substantial travel worries. Increased worry levels were found among HCWs who used social media as their main source of information, those with lower levels of COVID-19 vaccine uptake, and those with higher GAD-7 scores. The utilization of official social media platforms could improve accurate information dissemination among HCWs regarding the Pandemic's evolving mutations. Targeted vaccine campaigns are warranted to assure HCWs about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines toward SARS-CoV-2 variants

Interdisciplinary Cooperation Between Medical Secretary Technicians and Pharmacist

An evaluation was conducted to determine whether or not a pharmacy technician is capable of providing assistance with the functions of a pharmacist-driven osteoporosis management service that are linked to patient screening and documentation. Evidence suggests that a healthcare provider and pharmacy technician are able to accurately identify whether or not a patient is a candidate for intervention by a pharmacist and collect clinical information to aid the establishment of a care plan. The involvement of pharmacists and medical secretaries in patient care has been shown to improve results, including a reduction in adverse drug events and medication errors, an increase in the appropriateness of prescription use, and an improvement in patient understanding of their drugs

Information literacy conceptions among medical undergraduate students: A case study of the Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University

Background: Information literacy is a critical phenomenon and is an important aspect of learning within the educational environment as well as within many other vital sectors. This importance is reflected by a considerable number of professional bodies (e.g. ACRL 2016, SCONUL, 2011) developing their frameworks to support information literacy educational practices. Most of them were developed in Western countries such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This means that these models and frameworks reflect the cultural and linguistic characteristics of the country in which they were developed. Notably, they are widely used by librarians and educators in most academic institutions in the Arabic region but it is not clear if local needs are met. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model of information literacy for the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University. Methods: A holistic single qualitative case study with embedded units of analysis (medical undergraduates in phases I, II, and III), was adopted. Data were collected using a wide range of tools, namely semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and relevant documents such as Health Science Centre Library websites, students’ assignments, undergraduate student handbook (2021-2022), Evidence-based Medicine modules’ outlines, student guide for Community Medicine & Behavioural Sciences project and computer into Medicine module outline and curriculum. They were purposively sampled from 55 participants, including medical academics (18), librarians (6), and undergraduate students (31). They were thematically analysed using both inductive and deductive (SCONUL model) approaches with the help of MAXQDA software. Results: The findings show that information literacy was conceived as (1) core competencies, (2) higher-order cognitive and critical thinking skills, and (3) taking critical decisions in a humanitarian way. They also reveal that there are three aspects that shape an information-literate individual within the context of the Faculty of Medicine, comprising knowledge (knowing), skills (doing and thinking) and attitudes (feeling). Although information literacy aspects are seen as a critical element in achieving the Faculty of Medicine’s vision and mission, medical students have few opportunities for learning information literacy skills. Originality: The contributions of this study can be used to inform a range of theoretical, methodological and practical aspects. The current study attempts to address multiple gaps in the literature and, in doing so, makes significant contributions. It is the first attempt aimed at developing an information literacy model in Arabic, Gulf Council Countries and Kuwait contexts. Therefore, it has made a significant theoretical contribution to the field of information literacy by closing the gap in the literature; that is, those in the Arabic region and Gulf Council Countries have not yet developed their own information literacy models and frameworks. Furthermore, it has also made a theoretical contribution to the SCONUL model through making significant modifications and changes in order to fit the context of the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University. For example, the “Present” pillar in the SCONUL model has been broken down into other pillars, such as “synthesising medical information and clinical evidence”, “interpersonal and communication skills”, and “Information implementation and application” in order to accommodate a wide range of context-based higher-order information abilities. The developed model can also serve as a basis for designing information literacy instructional interventions in the Faculty of Medicine setting through capturing the different aspects of what medical students are required to become information literate. It delineated the characteristics of being information literate within the context of the Faculty of Medicine by outlining the most attitudinal, cognitive, behavioural and knowledge aspects that medical students need to develop. Therefore, it can be used by librarians and educators as a guidance and a framework to inform the design and structure of information literacy teaching programs for medical students at Kuwait University. More specifically, it can be used to determine the students’ information needs and the type of training programme content based on their different learning requirements according to their different levels and phases