Saudi teachers’ and university students’ attitudes toward computing

Computer technology is an important tool that enhances people’s learning, improves their education and influences the development of society. There is considerable research in Western countries studying attitudes towards computers but few studies have been performed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Therefore, it is worth measuring students’ attitudes to computer use in KSA as, if students are able to develop a positive attitude towards this during their educational years, they will increase their learning and knowledge, their future work will benefit and in turn this will benefit the national economy. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between Saudi University students’ knowledge of English, their gender, computer experience, parents’ encouragement of use computer usage, place of residence and general attitudes towards the use of computers in their daily life. The main contribution of this study is the investigation of the attitude of both teachers and students within different regions of Saudi Arabia, using a large quantitative data set triangulated with qualitative data. The results show that Saudi undergraduate students have a positive attitude toward computers, and there are no significant gender differences between male and female students in their attitudes. This study also suggests students in the capital city have a more positive attitude towards computer than students from small cities. There is also a strong relationship between attitudes towards computers and English language skills, computer experiences, parental encouragement and undergraduate students’ computer attitudes. A majority of Saudi students in the study don’t have access to computers at university, especially females. The qualitative study conducted with school teachers shows gender differences, with male teachers having a more positive attitudes towards computers, and more computer experience and skills. The evidence presented in this work suggests that the educational use of computing in KSA requires an increased availability of computers; provision of computer workshops for students and educators starting from early education; levels to higher education and encouragement of students to use computers in learning methods in order to be successful

Remote Sensing Based Analysis of Interactions between Tectonics and Landscapes in Rawanduz River, Northeastern Iraq

تعد منطقة الدراسة والتي تقع على طول الحدود الشمالية الشرقية للعراق موقعًا مثاليًا لاختبار فكرة وجود مؤشر للتنبؤ بالنشاط التكتوني النسبي. تُعتبر منطقة الدراسة هذه منطقة مميزة للغاية حيث تشمل ثلاثة أنطقة تكتونية رئيسية (نطاق الطيات العالية , نطاق التراكب ونطاق التصادم زاكروس) ، اضافة الى كونها تمتاز بمعدلات متغيرة من النشاط التكتوني الناتج عن تصادم الصفيحة العربية مع الإيرانية. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تسليط الضوء على إمكانية استخدام برامج أنظمة المعلومات في بناء قاعدة بيانات جغرافية مورفومترية لحوض نهر راوندوز، والذي يعد احد الأحواض الرئيسية لنهر الزاب الأكبر باستخدام نموذج الارتفاع الرقمي لبعثة المكوك الراداري (SRTM) ) , بيانات لتقييم حالة تصريف هذا النهر بمساعدة نظم المعلومات الجغرافية (GIS) والاستشعار عن بعد. تم إجراء التحليل المورفومتري لحوض الصرف راوندوز أثناء قياس الجوانب الخطية والمساحية والتضاريس ، كما نقدم عملية جديدة لتقدير النشاط التكتوني النسبي وفقًا لمؤشرات الجيومورفيك المفيدة في تقييم التشكل والطبوغرافيا. تم تحديد 26 حوضًا فرعيًا في حوض نهر رواندوز. تشمل المؤشرات  الجيومورفية المستخدمة ما يلي: عدم تناسق حوض الصرف (Af) ، ونسبة عرض أرض الوادي إلى ارتفاع الوادي (Vf) ، ومؤشر شكل حوض الصرف (Bs) ، ومؤشر تعرج الجبهة الأمامية الجبلية (Smf). يتم تجميع النتائج من التحليل والتعبير عنها كمؤشر للتكتونيات النشطة النسبية (Iat) ، والتي نقسمها إلى أربع فئات من النشاط التكتوني المنخفض نسبيا إلى العالي.             The study area along the northeast border of Iraq is a perfect location to test the notion of an index to predict relative tectonic activity, as well as being considered a very characteristic area as include three main tectonic zones (High Folded Zone, Imbricate Zone and Zagros Suture Zone). This study area has variable rates of active tectonics resulting from the collision of Arabian and Iranian plates. This study aims at highlighting the possibility of information systems programs in building a morphometric geographic database of the Rawanduz River Basin, which is one of the main basins of the Greater Zab River using Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM), Digital Elevation Model (DEM 90 m) data to evaluate the drainage condition of this river with the help of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. The morphometric analysis of the Rawanduz drainage basin has been executed during measurement of linear, areal and relief aspects as well as we offer a new process for estimate relative active tectonics according on geomorphic indices useful in evaluating morphology and topography. A total of 26 sub-basins were delineated in the Rawanduz River Basin. Geomorphic indices used include: drainage basin asymmetry (Af), ratio of valley-floor width to valley height (Vf), index of drainage basin shape (Bs), and index of mountain front sinuosity (Smf). Results from the analysis are accumulated and expressed as an index of relative active tectonics (Iat), which we divide into four classes from relatively low to higher tectonic activity

Comparative Study between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Regarding Variation of Liver Function Tests: Assessment of Health Literacy

Context: Pregnancy is associated with normal physiological adaptive changes. Biochemical parameters reflect these changes and are distinct from the non-pregnant state. Low levels of health literacy have been shown to result in less healthy choices, riskier behavior, poorer health, less self-management, and more hospitalization among that category of adult patients.Aim: The study aimed to examine the effect of pregnancy on liver function tests among pregnant women during various trimesters of pregnancy and compare with non-pregnant and determine the patients' level of health literacy regarding the variation of liver function tests among those patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to achieve the study aim. A random sample of 65 women was selected from an outpatient clinic in the maternity hospital; 54 out of them were pregnant women. Three tools were used to collect data, socio-demographic and clinical data assessment sheet; assessment of liver function tests by Cobas c 311; and health literacy management scale.Results: The sample's age range was between 20-40 years. This study revealed that; serum albumin levels decreased from the first trimester (3.7-4.7), and this decrease became progressively more accentuated as the pregnancy advanced (3.35-4.36 decreased significantly to 3.19-3.81). There was no significant decrease in serum AST between pregnant and non-pregnant women, but there was a significant decrease in ALT in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women (11.90 Vs. 8.60 at p 0.017). In the current study, Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly higher (P˂0.0001) during the third trimester (63-171) compared with the second trimester (33-137), and the first trimester (36-129), and with the control group (48-122). Finally, it was found that a significant decrease in total serum bilirubin concentrations during the second (0.11-0.38) and third trimesters (0.12-0.42) compared to control (0.11-1.57) and the first trimester (0.12-0.85). Moreover, most of the studied sample has a low level of health literacy for all subscales and the total scores. Conclusion: During normal pregnancy, most values of liver function tests remain below the normal upper limits compared to non- pregnant women. Any increase in serum ALT and AST activity levels and serum bilirubin should be considered pathologic and prompt for further evaluation. Moreover, most of the studied sample has a low level of health literacy for all subscales and the total scores. The study recommended that the liver function tests should be routinely investigated during pregnancy to outline any pathologic changes. Focusing on the nurse's role, she should emphasize increasing the patient's level of health literacy regarding the variation of liver function tests. So, it is a must for nurses to develop many skills to enable them to function for this category of patients with low health literacy levels. Also, those patients should be equipped with information-seeking behavior, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving approaches along their health and illness continuum

In vivo anti-tumor effects of Azadirachta indica in rat liver cancer.

The aim of the current study is to determine the effects of A. indica aqueous extract on Diethyl Nitrosamine (DEN) and 2-Acetylaminofluorene (AAF) induced-hepatocarcinogenesis on Spraque-Dawley rats. The plant, A. indica, extract was prepared into 5% w/v in distilled water. Spraque-Dawley male rats were divided into 3 groups of 7 rats each. The groups were: DEN/AAF-induced rats (C), DEN/AAF-induced rats treated with 5% A. indica (CAI) and normal control group (N). In situ detection of DNA fragmentation, TUNEL assay, was used to investigate the apoptogenic properties of A. indica. RT-PCR was used to amplify AFP mRNA. TUNEL assay supported that there was more numbers of apoptotic cells in the liver of (CAI) group compared with (C) group. AFP gene was suppressed by the supplementation of A. indica to DEN/AAF rats (CAI). A. indica (Neem) has revealed a chemopreventive capability by regressing the hepatocarcinogenesis induced by DEN/AAF carcinogens. This capability can be seen from the modulating effects of the plant in the biological indicators used in this study

Nonionic surfactant-templated mesoporous carbon as an electrocatalyst support for methanol oxidation

Two carbons were synthesized for use as platinum electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation. For both materials, furfuryl alcohol was used as the carbon precursor; however, one (CPEG) was made using poly ethylene glycol as the pore former, while the other (CSRF) was produced using Pluronic® F127 as the soft template by organic–organic self-assembly. The CPEG and CSRF carbons were estimated from nitrogen physisorption experiments to be micro- and mesoporous, respectively. Platinum nanoparticles were deposited on each carbon as well as on Vulcan XC-72 carbon by the formic acid reduction method. The physicochemical properties of electrocatalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and their electrochemical features were examined using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and impedance spectroscopy. It was found that higher methanol oxidation peak current densities as well as lesser charge transfer resistance at electrode/electrolyte interface were obtained for Pt supported on CSRF as compared to those on Vulcan XC-72 carbon, owing to the higher specific surface area and larger total pore volume (696 m2 g−1 and 0.60 cm3 g−1, respectively) together with superior electrical conductivity of mesoporous CSRF. On the other hand, the lower surface area and pore volume of microporous CPEG substrate confined Pt nanoparticles deposition and thus made CPEG-supported Pt an inefficient methanol oxidation electrocatalyst

CARD15/NOD2, CD14 and Toll-like 4 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Saudi Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial disease with a genetic component and an observed association with genes related to the innate immune response. Polymorphisms in the CARD15/NOD2 gene, in addition to functional variants of the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and CD14 genes, have been associated with the development of Crohn’s disease. There is no information about the frequency of these polymorphisms in the Saudi population. We examined the frequency of the three major CARD15/NOD2 risk alleles (Leu1007fsinsC, Arg702Trp, and Gly908Arg) and the TLR4 (Thr399Il) polymorphism as well as a functional polymorphism in the promoter of the CD14–159C/T in 46 Saudi CD patients and 50 matched controls. Genotyping was performed by allele-specific PCR or by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The mutant genotype frequencies of the Leu1007fsinsC, Arg702Trp and Gly908Arg in the patient group were 6.5, 21.7 and 6.5%, respectively, compared with frequencies of 0, 4 and 2%, respectively, in the control group. There were 15 patients who carried the mutant alleles for all three CARD15/NOD2 variants, Leu1007fsinsC, Arg702Trp and Gly908Arg, while none of the control candidates carried the three alleles. This genetic study provides evidence that the three major CARD15/NOD2 variant alleles and the CD14 –159C/T polymorphism are associated with Crohn’s disease (CD) susceptibility in the Saudi population; however, there is no evidence that the TLR4 (Thr399Il) or CARD15/NOD2 polymorphisms can be considered risk factors for Crohn’s disease

Sex disparities in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and determinants of self-reported body weight changes before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 10 Arab countries

The COVID-19 pandemic along with its confinement period boosted lifestyle modifications and impacted women and men differently which exacerbated existing gender inequalities. The main objective of this paper is to assess the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 12,447 households\u27 family members (mean age: 33.2 ± 12.9; 50.1% females) and information from participants aged 18 years and above was collected about periods before and during the pandemic. Findings showed that, during the COVID-19 period, the dietary diversity, declined by 1.9% among females compared to males (0.4%) (p \u3c 0.001) and by 1.5% among overweight participants (p \u3c 0.001) compared to their counterparts. To conclude, gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address weight gain and dietary diversity during emergent shocks and pandemics are urgently needed in the region

Call for emergency action to restore dietary diversity and protect global food systems in times of COVID-19 and beyond: Results from a cross-sectional study in 38 countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the global food system, sending shockwaves across countries\u27 societies and economy. This has presented formidable challenges to sustaining a healthy and resilient lifestyle. The objective of this study is to examine the food consumption patterns and assess diet diversity indicators, primarily focusing on the food consumption score (FCS), among households in 38 countries both before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 37 207 participants (mean age: 36.70 ± 14.79, with 77 % women) was conducted in 38 countries through an online survey administered between April and June 2020. The study utilized a pre-tested food frequency questionnaire to explore food consumption patterns both before and during the COVID-19 periods. Additionally, the study computed Food Consumption Score (FCS) as a proxy indicator for assessing the dietary diversity of households. Findings: This quantification of global, regional and national dietary diversity across 38 countries showed an increment in the consumption of all food groups but a drop in the intake of vegetables and in the dietary diversity. The household\u27s food consumption scores indicating dietary diversity varied across regions. It decreased in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including Lebanon (p \u3c 0.001) and increased in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Bahrain (p = 0.003), Egypt (p \u3c 0.001) and United Arab Emirates (p = 0.013). A decline in the household\u27s dietary diversity was observed in Australia (p \u3c 0.001), in South Africa including Uganda (p \u3c 0.001), in Europe including Belgium (p \u3c 0.001), Denmark (p = 0.002), Finland (p \u3c 0.001) and Netherland (p = 0.027) and in South America including Ecuador (p \u3c 0.001), Brazil (p \u3c 0.001), Mexico (p \u3c 0.0001) and Peru (p \u3c 0.001). Middle and older ages [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.125–1.426] [OR = 2.5; 95 % CI = [1.951–3.064], being a woman [OR = 1.2; 95 % CI = [1.117–1.367], having a high education (p \u3c 0.001), and showing amelioration in food-related behaviors [OR = 1.4; 95 % CI = [1.292–1.709] were all linked to having a higher dietary diversity. Conclusion: The minor to moderate changes in food consumption patterns observed across the 38 countries within relatively short time frames could become lasting, leading to a significant and prolonged reduction in dietary diversity, as demonstrated by our findings

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Sex disparities in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and determinants of self-reported body weight changes before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 10 Arab countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic along with its confinement period boosted lifestyle modifications and impacted women and men differently which exacerbated existing gender inequalities. The main objective of this paper is to assess the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 12,447 households' family members (mean age: 33.2 ± 12.9; 50.1% females) and information from participants aged 18 years and above was collected about periods before and during the pandemic. Results: Findings showed that, during the COVID-19 period, the dietary diversity, declined by 1.9% among females compared to males (0.4%) (p < 0.001) and by 1.5% among overweight participants (p < 0.001) compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: To conclude, gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address weight gain and dietary diversity during emergent shocks and pandemics are urgently needed in the region.This research was funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (G047518N) and Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HBC.2018.0397). These funding sources had no role in the design of the study, the analysis and interpretation of the data or the writing, nor the decision to publish the manuscript.Scopu