Sources of risk-taking behavior and its relationship to decision-making mechanisms among university administrators - A field study at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Mouloud Mammeri University, Tizi Ouzou State

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى الكشف عن طبيعة مصادر سلوك الإقدام على المخاطرة لدى عينة من إداريي كلية العلوم الإنسانية والاجتماعية بجامعة مولود معمري ولاية تيزي وزو، مع تحديد الآليات المعتمدة من طرفهم في صناعة القرار المهني واتخاذه، بالإضافة إلى الكشف عن طبيعة العلاقة الموجودة بين هذه المصادر وآليات اتخاذ القرار لدى هؤلاء الإداريين.  ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي التحليلي    وقد طبقت هذه الدراسة على عينة مكونة من(45)  إداري بين موظف وموظفة، تم اختيارهم بطريقة عشوائية من بين المجموع الكلي لإداريي هذه الكلية والمقدر عددهم ب (96) إداري.  وبعد المعالجة الإحصائية توصلت الدراسة إلى النتائج التالية: تعد مكانة وبيئة  العمل من أكثر  مصادر  سلوك الإقدام على المخاطرة لدى أفراد عينة هذه الدراسة. تعد مراجعة البيانات والحالات السابقة المشابهة من أكثر آليات اتخاذ القرار لدى أفراد عينة هذه الدراسة. وجود علاقة ارتباطية دالة إحصائيا بين مصادر سلوك الإقدام على المخاطرة وآليات اتخاذ القرار لدى إداريي كلية العلوم الإنسانية والاجتماعية بجامعة مولود معمري ولاية  تيزي وزو.This study dealt with the nature of the sources of risk-taking behavior among a sample of administrators of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi Ouzou State, with the identification of the mechanisms adopted by them in professional decision-making and taking, in addition to revealing the nature of the relationship between these sources and the mechanisms of decision making for these administrators. To achieve the objectives of the study, we used the descriptive analytical method. This study was applied to a sample of (45) administrative staff, who were chosen randomly from administrators of this college, the number of administrators was (96). After statistical treatment, the study reached the following results: - The position and type of work are the most important sources of risk-taking behavior among the members of the sample of this study.  Reviewing data and similar previous cases are one of the most important decision-making mechanisms for the members of this study sample. - There is a statistically significant correlation between the sources of risk-taking behavior and decision-making mechanisms among the administrators of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mouloud Maamari University, Tizi Ouzou State

Provenance Studies of Alluvial Tin Deposits in Parts of Ropp Younger Granite Complex, North Central Nigeria

The study area in this research is within the Ropp Complex, part of the Nigerian Mesozoic Younger Granite province. The study aims to interpret the depositional environment and establish the provenance of the alluvial cassiterite deposits in the study area. Boreholes/mining pits were logged for this study, and stanniferous sandstone samples were collected, which were used for textural and mineralogical studies. The mineral assemblages documented in the samples include ilmenite (3% to 27%). Cassiterite (2 to 14%), Zircon (2 to 16%), magnetite (0 to 17%), tourmaline (5 to 11%), rutile (2 to 8%) and monazite (2 to 7%).The ZTR Index calculated from the result of heavy minerals analysis for the selected pieces is 59%. Mineralogical studies revealed that quartz is the most dominant detrital mineral averaging about 93-99%, indicating that the stanniferous sandstones are compositionally matured and have experienced a high degree of chemical weathering. The quartz grains have grain sizes ranging from coarse to very coarse. They are poorly sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded, with low sphericity. This also indicates a closeness to the source and textural immaturity. The occurrence of relatively very few feldspar grains suggests a slow sedimentation rate, very high rate of chemical weathering and composition maturity. The bivariate plots, univariate grain size parameters and probability plots, and the absence of fossils and trace fossils suggest deposition in a fluvial environment. The results of the granulometric analysis indicate that the study area's stanniferous sandstone was deposited in a fluvial environment by a low-energy fluvial (river) depositional system and the deposition in proximal (close to the source). This study suggests that the Basement complex and Younger Granite are the sources of the stanniferous placer deposits

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Direct bandgap silicon through strain engineering of type-VIII silicon clathrate Si-46: A first-principles study

GUEFFAF, Hamza/0000-0003-1830-9762; Ferhat, Marhoun/0000-0003-3246-8436; Mahammedi, Nassim Ahmed/0000-0003-1903-5222WOS: 000540353500018In this work, we suggest a way to achieve a direct bandgap silicon clathrate by means of first-principles calculations. Effects of biaxial-strain on physical properties of type-VIII silicon clathrate Si-46 are investigated. For that purpose, biaxial strain tensors (-4% and in-plane directions, while the out-of-plane axis is strain-free. Under normal conditions, type-VIII Si-46 is indirect bandgap semiconductor with magnitude of about 1.152eV (GGA-PBE). For sake of comparison, the band structure was as well calculated by means of the hybrid PBE0 functional, in that case its allure and nature were not affected, whereas the bandgap's magnitude was increased to 2.62eV (Hybrid PBE0). It was observed that a tensile strain of +4% and above will induce a bandgap alteration from indirect to direct where both the conduction band minimum CBM and the valence band maximum VBM are located at the same point within the Gamma(0,0,0)-H(1/2,1/2,-1/2) symmetry segment (Delta). Optical properties revealed better spectrums for the +4% strained material with direct bandgap as the optical light absorption was increased by about 12%. These findings play in favor for this material as a candidate for future "all-Si" photonic and photovoltaic devices

Sine-Cosine Algorithm to Enhance Simulated Annealing for Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling with Setup Times

This paper presents a hybrid method of Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm and Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA) to solve unrelated parallel machine scheduling problems (UPMSPs) with sequence-dependent and machine-dependent setup times. The proposed method, called SASCA, aims to improve the SA algorithm using the SCA as a local search method. The SCA provides a good tool for the SA to avoid getting stuck in a focal point and improving the convergence to an efficient solution. SASCA algorithm is used to solve UPMSPs by minimizing makespan. To evaluate the performance of SASCA, a set of experiments were performed using 30 tests for 4 problems. Moreover, the performance of the proposed method was compared with other meta-heuristic algorithms. The comparison results showed the superiority of SASCA over other methods in terms of performance dimensions

Workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Sudan: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract Background Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a growing global issue. During the coronavirus diseases‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, violent attacks on HCWs have been documented worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude and pattern of WPV among HCWs in Sudan during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A web‐based cross‐sectional study of WPV was conducted among registered medical and health workers (pharmacists, physicians, dentists, nurses, laboratory technicians, and administrative and paramedical staff) during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Sudan. Data were collected from August to December 2021 using a self‐administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. Results A total of 792 HCWs returned the online questionnaire. The mean age was 33.5 ± 8.6 years, where more than half were females (54.9%) and working during the day shift (58.8%). During the COVID‐19 pandemic, three out of every four participants (78.3%) reported experiencing violence, with 65.8 % experiencing it more than three times. The common types of violence experienced were verbal (91.6%), physical (50.0%), and sexual abuse (11.0%). The emergency department reported the highest number of violent incidents (46.9%). Half of these violent events were not reported (50.3%), primarily due to a lack of a reporting system. The demographic factors that were significantly associated with exposure to violence were participants’ occupation (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.002), and years of working experience (p = 0.020). Conclusion WPV was rampant among the HCWs in Sudan during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The current findings are presented to draw the attention of policy leaders and stakeholders in Sudan to this alarming problem prompting the pressing need for policy and system interventions