Meeting the demands of the 21st century English Language learning through PBL-LcCRAFT

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Language Case Crafting (PBL-LcCRAFT) Model is a new PBL case design guide for language practitioners to craft PBL cases specifically for English Language teaching and learning. This paper describes five significant components in this new model that complement the 21st century learning skills. Data illustrated in this paper were drawn from an action research project on PBL case design training and model for English language practitioners. The four steps in the action research approach namely plan, act, observe and reflect were closely followed within two cycles of the research procedure. Data collection tools were observation checklist and focus group interviews with a group of English Language practitioners. The collected data were then analysed using content analysis for emerging themes and the findings were used to develop the new model (PBL-LcCRAFT). The outcome of this study is the new model which is a guide for crafting PBL cases specifically for languages. This paper discusses five interrelated components in the new model (Ill-structuredness, Language in-use, Researching, Reasoning and Reflecting) which language practitioners considered as significant components in crafting language cases. The key findings presented here are the five interrelated components in PBL-LcCRAFT that have assisted the practitioners to craft cases and the symbiosis between these five components with the 21st century skills (i.e. knowledge, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication skills)

PERCEIVED ACADEMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: ROLE OF GENDER, AGE, DEPRESSION, AND HIGH EXPECTATION OF PARENTS

Introduction: Academic learning is the most important source of stress among young students worldwide and appears to be quite severe in eastern countries. We aimed to examine the relationship between academic stress and depression among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents in United Arab Emirates using the Perceived Stress Scale – 14 (PSS-14) and Educational Stress Scale (ESS) for Adolescents (English and Arabic versions). Results: The overall PSS was high in 186 (20%) of the respondents, and moderate in 695 (76%). A multiple regression model of predictors of the PSS showed statistically significant correlations between the total PSS-14 scores and age (p<0.0004), gender (p<0.0001), and grade (p<0.001). A multiple regression model of the PSS-14 questionnaire as predictors of the ESSA revealed that Four variables on PSS-14 were statistically significant predictors of the ESSA: history of depression (p<0.0001), content with academic achievement (p<0.0001), high academic expectation of parents (p<0.003), and a believe capable of meeting parental expectations (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Adolescents with severe academic stress need to be identified early. We suggest that an interdisciplinary team in the schools including student advisors and counselors be developed to further address stressors. In addition, students should be taught different stress management techniques such as cognitive behavioral skills to improve their ability to cope with school demands. The identification of stressors may lead to strategies that might address the quality of teaching and mental health evaluation among adolescents

STUDY OF PREFRONTAL OXYGENATION DURING EMOTIONAL THINKING USING FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (FNIRS)

Introduction: This section provides an overview of the project and introduces the topic. It should include the background, objectives, and scope of the research. Literature Review: This section reviews relevant literature related to the topic to provide a better understanding of the existing research and technology available. It should include sources such as books, academic journals, and online articles. Methodology: This section outlines the methodology used to design and develop the project, including the hardware and software components, programming languages and tools used, and testing procedures. System Design: This section describes the architecture and design of the system, including the hardware and software components, communication protocols, and interfaces. It should provide a detailed explanation of how the system is structured. Implementation: This section details the process of implementing the system, including the setup of the hardware and software components, programming of the microcontroller and sensors, and integration of any external platforms. Results and Evaluation: This section presents the results of the testing and evaluation of the system, including the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the system in achieving its objectives. It should also discuss any limitations or challenges encountered during testing. Conclusion and Future Work: This section summarizes the research findings and provides recommendations for future work. It should discuss any potential for further development and improvement of the system

STUDY OF PREFRONTAL OXYGENATION DURING EMOTIONAL THINKING USING FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (FNIRS)

Introduction: This section provides an overview of the project and introduces the topic. It should include the background, objectives, and scope of the research. Literature Review: This section reviews relevant literature related to the topic to provide a better understanding of the existing research and technology available. It should include sources such as books, academic journals, and online articles. Methodology: This section outlines the methodology used to design and develop the project, including the hardware and software components, programming languages and tools used, and testing procedures. System Design: This section describes the architecture and design of the system, including the hardware and software components, communication protocols, and interfaces. It should provide a detailed explanation of how the system is structured. Implementation: This section details the process of implementing the system, including the setup of the hardware and software components, programming of the microcontroller and sensors, and integration of any external platforms. Results and Evaluation: This section presents the results of the testing and evaluation of the system, including the performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the system in achieving its objectives. It should also discuss any limitations or challenges encountered during testing. Conclusion and Future Work: This section summarizes the research findings and provides recommendations for future work. It should discuss any potential for further development and improvement of the system

Global Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair

Importance Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a well-recognized complication of inguinal hernia repair (IHR). A variable incidence of POUR has previously been reported in this context, and contradictory evidence surrounds potential risk factors.Objective To ascertain the incidence of, explore risk factors for, and determine the health service outcomes of POUR following elective IHR.Design, Setting, and Participants The Retention of Urine After Inguinal Hernia Elective Repair (RETAINER I) study, an international, prospective cohort study, recruited participants between March 1 and October 31, 2021. This study was conducted across 209 centers in 32 countries in a consecutive sample of adult patients undergoing elective IHR.Exposure Open or minimally invasive IHR by any surgical technique, under local, neuraxial regional, or general anesthesia.Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the incidence of POUR following elective IHR. Secondary outcomes were perioperative risk factors, management, clinical consequences, and health service outcomes of POUR. A preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score was measured in male patients.Results In total, 4151 patients (3882 male and 269 female; median [IQR] age, 56 [43-68] years) were studied. Inguinal hernia repair was commenced via an open surgical approach in 82.2% of patients (n = 3414) and minimally invasive surgery in 17.8% (n = 737). The primary form of anesthesia was general in 40.9% of patients (n = 1696), neuraxial regional in 45.8% (n = 1902), and local in 10.7% (n = 446). Postoperative urinary retention occurred in 5.8% of male patients (n = 224), 2.97% of female patients (n = 8), and 9.5% (119 of 1252) of male patients aged 65 years or older. Risk factors for POUR after adjusted analyses included increasing age, anticholinergic medication, history of urinary retention, constipation, out-of-hours surgery, involvement of urinary bladder within the hernia, temporary intraoperative urethral catheterization, and increasing operative duration. Postoperative urinary retention was the primary reason for 27.8% of unplanned day-case surgery admissions (n = 74) and 51.8% of 30-day readmissions (n = 72).Conclusions The findings of this cohort study suggest that 1 in 17 male patients, 1 in 11 male patients aged 65 years or older, and 1 in 34 female patients may develop POUR following IHR. These findings could inform preoperative patient counseling. In addition, awareness of modifiable risk factors may help to identify patients at increased risk of POUR who may benefit from perioperative risk mitigation strategies

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)