Intractable epilepsy in South African children based on criteria defined by the international league against epilepsy (ILAE)

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references

Cloud Computing Critical Factors and Investment Decision: An Empirical Investigation on Jordan Public Sector

This article investigate of the most fundamental new trendy concepts in information technology and businesses as well, and attempt to practically identify the major value factors that could affect the investment decisions in technology services and infrastructures. It explore and examine the relationship between the Cloud Computing key characteristics as a key criteria of the investment-decision on Cloud computing technology field where the case study is Jordan public sector (JPS). Making an investment decision on Cloud Computing seems to be affected by the main and most features of Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing (CC) characteristics composed of many advantages that are including decreasing the cost, ability to be expanded, security and ability to manage our business whatever the place or the time. This article presented a practical opportunity to understand the conditions of Cloud Computing characteristics using confirmatory factor analysis. It hypothesized a direct positive relationship between Cloud Computing main factors and investment decision in Cloud Computing refers to as “CCID”. Items representing the Cloud Computing key characteristics were developed from the findings of a wide review of previous related studies that are mentioned for the most common features. The main findings suggested that Cloud Computing key characteristics (mostly security and scalability) would encourage and drive Technical Information Departments (TIDs) leaders in Jordan public sector to adopt such technology in their business. Keywords: Cloud Computing key factors, Investment decision, Jordan public secto

Value Characteristics of Cloud Computing and Big Data Attributes

This study attempted to investigate and explore the nature of relations between cloud computing value characteristics and big data attributes. The telecommunication industry was chosen as the research population and the study sample covered the main leading telecommunication companies in Jordan. The study investigated number of the proposed value characteristics of cloud computing and the 3Vs attributes of big data as described by the main stream of IT literature on the subject matter, and the possible impact relationship.  The study adopted structural equation modeling and PLS bootstrapping techniques to test and validated the hypothesised model of the study. The results showed and strong significant causal effect between the two measurement models; cloud computing and big data. The results also revels interesting insights on the possible structure of the study factors. Keywords: Cloud computing characteristics, big data attributes, confirmatory factor analysis, PLS Method

Big Data Attributes and Knowledge Discovery Process: An Empirical Analysis of the Anticipated Mediating Role of Cloud Computing

This study attempt to investigate whether cloud computing can act as a facilitating agent in support of knowledge discovery from big data. The study proposed a number of propositions to investigate this possible effect and impact between computing cloud, big data and knowledge discovery.  The telecommunication industry was selected as the research population and the study sample covered the main leading telecommunication companies in Jordan. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to a selected study sample. The proposed models of the study were tested using factor analysis and PLS method.  The results indicated that there is no mediation effect as proposed by the research model between cloud computing characteristics and knowledge discovery processes via could computing.  The results also revealed that big data attributes has a direct significate impact on a selected knowledge discovery processes and a selected cloud computing characteristics. The study also advised on some interesting finding on the three domains of the study. Keywords: Cloud computing characteristics, big data attributes, knowledge discovery processes in database, PLS method.

Impact of human errors on accidents in the oil and gas industry in Bahrain

Through the last few decades, occupational accidents had increased in different workplaces around the world. One of the main causes of these accidents is human error. Human error is an improper decision or behaviour of any worker in the workplace. In the Oil and Gas (O&G) industry, human error constitutes as the largest contributor of over 80% of all accidents. Although the O&G industry is a pillar of the economy of some countries like Bahrain, few studies have paid attention to address human error accidents and reduce its occurrence particularly within this industry. Accordingly, this research aims to enhance the industrial safety strategy by considering human attributed accidents in the O&G industry in Bahrain through developing an action plan. This aim will be achieved by identifying the current Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) framework in Bahrain and by critically evaluating the challenges related to human errors specific accidents in the O&G industry in Bahrain. In order to achieve the aim and objectives of the research, a case study strategy and multiple case study design is adopted. Three case studies are selected in refining, distributing and storage units in the downstream. Data collection and data analysis were conducted following mixed methods using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys as primary data collection techniques. 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with the managerial level in three units. Whilst a total 226 questionnaires were distributed, 163 were received and valid. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive statistics through central tendency measures and inferential statistics through Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and Mann-Whitney U Test were both deployed to analyse quantitative data. Results indicate that human error accidents have common examples in the O&G industry in Bahrain like overconfidence, ignoring the importance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and carelessness and there are nine challenges that contribute to these accidents. The most critical five challenges from the managerial and operational levels viewpoints are safety training, accidents reporting system, communication, safety implementation and safety leadership. Results reveal also that OHS framework in this industry in Bahrain requires more improvement and compliance with international regulations and best safety practices. As this thesis develops an action plan, it is a powerful platform for change that focuses on the nine action areas in the developed strategy. This thesis as well gives academics and professionals unique insights and significant understanding of the setting of human error accidents in this industry in Bahrain and the related challenges

Health technology assessment in high, middle, and low-income countries: new systematic and interdisciplinary approach for sound informed-policy making: research protocole

Technological innovation has a significant role in improving health systems (HSs) and achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared resolutions on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and other global organizations emphasized on HTA systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HTA is a modern multidisciplinary decision-making framework linking knowledge and policymaking by assessing the medical, social, economic, organizational, and ethical effects, and/or impacts within health and social systems. The research significance lies in the growing need for HTA at these moments than ever as it is seen as an essential development approach to tackle the current global challenges and pandemics, particularly in developing countries. The research aims to comprehensively evaluate and understand HTA systems concerning the level of knowledge about HTA, current HTA structure, practices, application, capacity, gaps, and solutions. The project starts in January 2021 and ends in January 2022 and will be carried out in seven countries: Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Tanzania. A mixed-methods, quantitative and qualitative, along with a literature review will be applied. In each country, ten HTA-associated institutions will complete an adapted electronic survey, developed by the WHO, and ten key-informants selected purposively from the government, academia, NGOs, and private sectors to participate in ten individual indepth interviews. One government representative from each country will participate in one expanded inter-country workshop. Excel, IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and MAXQDA software programs will be used for data management and analysis. The research will form cutting-edge evidence not only for the seven countries, but also for the global, regional, and national endeavors with regards to opening a room for HTA best application and optimization. It will reveal lessons learned, determine gaps, and build a wellenabled and institutionalized HTA for better UHC, health systems, and multi-sectoral development

State of research quality and knowledge transfer and translation and capacity strengthening strategies for sound health policy decision-making in Palestine

Objectives: Over the last 2 decades, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a global strategy and initiatives to establish a Health Research System (HRS) focusing on Health Research Quality and Standardization (HRQS), Health Research Knowledge Transfer and Dissemination (HRKTD), and Health Research Translation and Utilization into Health Care Decisions and Policies (HRTUDP). Despite the increase in health research productivity over the past several decades, HRS Capacity (HRSC) in Palestine and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has rarely been objectively evaluated. This study aims at eliciting the perceptions of HRS performers in Palestine in order to understand the status of HRSC, identify gaps, and generate policies and solutions capable of strengthening HRSC in Palestine. Methods: Key informants from three sectors, namely government, academia, and local and international organizations, were selected purposively based on different sampling methods: criterion, critical case, snowball, and homogeneous sampling. Fifty-two in-depth interviews with key informants and a total of fifty-two individuals, participating in six focus groups, were conducted by the principal investigator in Palestine. Data were analyzed by using MAXQDA 12. Results: The overall pattern of the Palestinian HRSC is relatively weak. The key findings revealed that while HR productivity in Palestine is improving, HRQS is at an average level and quality guidelines are not followed due to paucity of understanding, policies, and resources. HRKTD is a central challenge with both a dearth of conceptualization of translational science and inadequate implementation. The factors related to inadequate HRKTD include lack of awareness on the part of the researchers, inadequate regulatory frameworks and mechanisms for both communication and collaboration between and among researchers and policy-makers and clinicians, and lack of availability of, and credibility in, systematized and reliable HR data. Despite the limited knowledge translation, in general, HRTUDP is not considered an essential decision-making methodology mainly due to the lack of interface between knowledge producers (researchers) and users (policymakers), understanding level, HR credibility and availability of applied research, and governance, resources, and political fluctuations. Recommendations to strengthen HRS in Palestine include: a consolidated research regulatory framework and an effective capacity strengthening strategy overseen by Palestinian authorities; the promotion of HRQS and concepts and practices of translational science; and, most importantly, the use of findings for evidence-based policies and practice. Conclusion: Strengthening HRSC is both an imperative step and an opportunity to improve the Palestinian health system and ensure it is based on research evidence and knowledge. Building a successful HRS characterized by capacities of high-quality research and well-disseminated and translated knowledge is a prerequisite to effective health systems and services. This can be achieved by political commitment to support such strengthening, a consolidated leadership and governance structure, and a strong operational capacity strengthening strategy