Psychological Problems resulted from COVID-19 and its relation to E-Learning and E-Assessment Stress in a sample of College of Education Students, Sultan Qaboos University

هدفت الدراسة إلى تحديد أهم المشكلات النفسية المترتبة على فيروس كورونا المستجد وتحديد نسبة شيوعها، ومعرفة دلالة الفرق بين الذكور والإناث في إدراكهم تلك المشكلات، والكشف عن طبيعة العلاقة الارتباطية بين المشكلات النفسية المترتبة على ذلك الوباء وبين كل من: ضغوط التعلم والتقييم الإلكتروني. ولتحقيق تلك الأهداف، تم بناء وتقنين مقياس المشكلات النفسية المترتبة على COVID-19، واستبانة ضغوط التعلم والتقييم الإلكتروني، وقد تم جمع البيانات بطريقة إلكترونية من خلال Google Form من 125 طالبًا وطالبة بكلية التربية، جامعة السلطان قابوس. وأسفرت النتائج عن أن المشكلات النفسية المترتبة على فيروس كورونا (مشكلات انفعالية، ومشكلات سلوكية وجسدية، والخوف من العدوى، والعزلة الاجتماعية، ونقص الدافعية) تنتشر بين أفراد العينة بدرجة متوسطة، وَوُجِدَت علاقة ارتباطية موجبة متوسطة دالة إحصائيًّا بين المشكلات النفسية وبين كل من: ضغوط التعلم والتقييم الإلكتروني، ولم يكن ثمة فرقٌ دالٌّ إحصائيًّا بين الجنسين في كل من: المشكلات النفسية، وضغوط التعلم الإلكتروني، وضغوط التقييم الإلكتروني.The present study aimed at identifying the psychological problems resulted from the COVID-19 outbreak.  Additionally, it explored the frequency, and gender differences in those problems. The paper also investigated the correlation relationship between COVID-19 associated psychological problems and e-learning and e-assessment stress.  To achieve the objectives of the study, a COVID-19 psychological problems scale (CPPS) and an E-learning and E-assessment stress questionnaire were developed and validated. Data were collected through Google form from 125 students enrolled in the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University. Results indicated that COVID-19 associated psychological problems (Emotional problems, behavioral and health problems, fear of infection, social isolation, and lack of motivation) occupied a moderate rank. A significant positive correlation relationship was detected between COVID-19 associated psychological problems and e-learning stress r= 0.492, P > 0.01 and e-assessment stress r= 0.331, P > 0.01. No significant differences were found between both genders in COVID-19 associated psychological problems, e-learning stress, and e-assessment stress

A Realizable Quantum Three-Pass Protocol Authentication Based on Hill-Cipher Algorithm

A realizable quantum three-pass protocol authentication based on Hill-cipher algorithm is presented by encoded and decoded plaintext using classical Hill-cipher algorithm. It is shown that the encoded message transferred to the particles called quantum state where we assumed that a photon is used as a qubit and after the encoded message is transferred into photons, the polarization of each photon is rotated by an angle θj, which is chosen randomly for each qubit. The sender and receiver agree over a Hill-cipher key, the encryption occurs by utilization of the quantum three-pass protocol (QTPP), the decryption will be illustrated, and an example shows how the algorithm will work. Finally, the security of this algorithm is analyzed in detail

Physiological variables and molecular study of KLK2 and KLK3 among patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Prostatic hyperplasia is benign tumor occur in prostate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is common disease in old men. The incidence of disease arises with increase in age. The patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia are estimated 20% of men in 40s old, and 90% in of men in 80s old, and main causes of prostatic hyperplasia are unknown but there is evidence referring to genetic and hormonal disorders that may cause the disease. This study includes 60 patients with prostatic hyperplasia with an average age of 64 years old and 30 samples as a control with same age group. The study obtained that there was significant association (P ≤ 0.05) between PSA (KLK3) and prostatic hyperplasia. Result also mentions that there was significant decrease in testosterone level and significant increase in dihydrotestosterone level. The present study for KLK2 and KLK3 genes showed molecular variation in both genes, varied between polymorphism and allele polymorphism. PCR amplification of specific primers of KLK2 gene showed polymorphisms ranged between 14%, 8%, 10%, and 6% in each KLK2a, KLK2b, KLK2c, and KLK2d primers respectively, while the allele polymorphism in KLK2c amplification with primer reaches 18% of patient. PCR amplification of specific primers of KLK3 gene showed polymorphisms ranged between 10%, 6%, 2%, and 4% in each KLK3a, KLK3b, KLK3c, and KLK3d primer respectively, and allele variation was not detected in amplification product of KLK3.Keywords: Hyperplasia, Prostatic specific antigen, KLK2, KLK

Efficiency of membrane technology, activated charcoal, and a micelle-clay complex for removal of the acidic pharmaceutical mefenamic acid

The efficiency of sequential advanced membrane technology wastewater treatment plant towards removal of a widely used non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) mefenamic acid was investigated. The sequential system included activated sludge, ultrafiltration by hollow fibre membranes with 100 kDa cutoff, and spiral wound membranes with 20 kDa cutoff, activated carbon and a reverse osmosis (RO) unit. The performance of the integrated plant showed complete removal of mefenamic acid from spiked wastewater samples. The activated carbon column was the most effective component in removing mefenamic acid with a removal efficiency of 97.2%. Stability study of mefenamic acid in pure water and Al-Quds activated sludge revealed that the anti-inflammatory drug was resistant to degradation in both environments. Batch adsorption of mefenamic acid by activated charcoal and a composite micelle (otadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA)–clay (montmorillonite) was determined at 25.0◦C. Langmuir isotherm was found to fit the data with Qmax of 90.9 mg g−1 and 100.0 mg g−1 for activated carbon and micelle-clay complex, respectively. Filtration experiment bymicelle-clay columnsmixed with sand in themg L−1 range revealed complete removal of the drug with much larger capacity than activated carbon column. The combined results demonstrated that an integration of a micelle-clay column in the plant system has a good potential to improve the removal efficiency of the plant towards NSAID drugs such as mefenamic acid.Bir-zeit Pharmaceutical Co. is thanked for the supply of mefenamic acid. This work was supported by the European Commission in the framework of the Project ‘Diffusion of nanotechnology based devices for water treatment and recycling - NANOWAT’ (ENPI CBC MED I-B/2.1/049, Grant No. 7/1997)

Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment plant system and laboratory-scale micelle-clay filtration for the removal of ibuprofen residues

The efficiency of Al-Quds Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), which includes sequential elements as activated sludge, ultrafiltration, activated carbon column and reverse osmosis, to remove spiked ibuprofen, a non steroid anti inflammatory drug (NSAID), was investigated. Kinetic studies in pure water and in the activated sludge indicated that the drug was stable during one month of observation. Besides, the overall performance of the integrated plant showed complete removal of ibuprofen from wastewater. Activated carbon column, which was the last element in the sequence before the reverse osmosis system, yielded 95.7% removal of ibuprofen. Batch adsorptions of the drug by using either activated charcoal or composite micelle-clay system were determined at 25◦C and well described by Langmuir isotherms. Octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA) bromide and montmorillonite were used to prepare the micelle-clay adsorbent, for which the adsorption kinetics are much faster than activated charcoal. Results suggest that integrating clay-micelle complex filters within the existing WWTP may be promising in improving removal efficiency of the NSAID

Pathological Nipple discharge: a comparison between breast ultrasound and mammography

Background:Nipple discharge is a relatively common complaint of females in reproductive age and after menopause. Objectives: The aim of this stud was to compare the radiological findings of mammography and ultrasound in women with pathological nipple discharge of different pathology.  Methods:  mammography and ultrasound was done for a total of 50 patients attending the National center of Early detection of Breast cancer with pathological nipple discharge. Ultrasound guided FNA was performed for all cases, and histopathology was available for eleven case. Results: ultrasound was able to provide clue of possible underlying cause for all pathological nipple discharge whereas mammography was negative in 54%. Ultrasound was more sensitive in diagnosing malignant breast lesions associated with pathological nipple discharge (85.7%) but less specific (88.3%) as compared with mammography which had (71.4%) sensitivity and (90.6%) specificity. Negative predictive value of ultrasound was 97.4% , mammography was 95.1% and of non-bloody nipple discharge was 94%. Conclusion: Ultrasound is essential to complete pathological nipple discharge workup, particularly when mammography is normal, to rule out the possibility of neoplastic changes and to provide clues for nonneoplastic etiology that may guide the management

Bone Substitutes in Management of Benign Bone Tumors, Review of Literature

Intralesional excision or curettage is commonly used to treat benign and low-grade malignant bone tumors. The resulting defect can be treated with a variety of materials, such as autologous bone grafts, allografts, or synthetic materials like polymethylmethacrylate or composite alternatives. Because it is osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive, autologous cancellous bone is often considered the gold standard of transplant material. However, issues including transplant size limitations, wound-related complications, and prolonged donor site pain have limited its usage in clinical practice. Concerns about immunogenicity and infection have also hampered the use of demineralized freeze-dried allografts and xenografts.  As a result, synthetic materials have sparked substantial interest in orthopedics, and a variety of bone graft alternatives are now commercially accessible

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 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 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