Investigating Iraqi EFL College Students' Attitude towards Using Cooperative Learning Approach in Developing Reading Comprehension Skill

This study aims at investigating Iraqi EFL college learners’ attitudes toward using cooperative Learning approach on developing reading comprehension skill. The study is restricted to third– year college students of the English language in Misan Governorate during the second term of the academic year 2015–2016. The number of the whole population is (200) which is distributed into two types: pilot and main. The sample of the study consists of 40 students. To achieve the aim of the study, students' questionnaire consisting of (46) items is applied as an instrument. In order to get required data, a t-test analysis shows a statistically significant difference about learners’ attitudes toward using cooperative learning approach on developing reading comprehension skill. The obtained results are that: which refer to (Cooperative learning helps everyone reach the goal equally) from cooperative learning and (Reading in English is difficult for me) form Reading comprehension. Gain the low effectiveness. They got a weighted mean 56% and 40%. Items number (11, 29, 37, 43) which refer to (Cooperative learning requires much more time to study) & (I think reading the texts is easier if I study within a group) from cooperative learning and (I forward to coming to my reading class.)& (I m a afraid of making mistakes in my reading class) form Reading comprehension. All got (96%)

Assessment of medication adherence in Helicobacter pylori positive patients on standard triple therapy: a prospective study

Background: In the current study patient compliance to the standard triple therapy were assessed. The objective behind this research was to assess the patient medication adherence to the standard triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori infection.Methods: A prospective study was carried out for a period of 1 year and samples were taken from the gastroenterology department. Patient who was RUT (rapid urease test) positive by endoscopy were considered as H. pylori infected and they were prescribed with standard triple therapy. This regimen involves amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice a day for 14 days. Adherence to this triple therapy was assessed during the study. Medication adherence assessed using Morisky, Green and Levine (MGL) adherence scale. MGL adherence questionnaire was given to patients during first week and second week of therapy. The patients will be counselled regarding the drug administration, drug related problems and the infection. They were also provided with written instructions in leaflets. 88 patients were analyzed.Results: In this study, 84 patients had a good adherence 95.5%; but other 4.5% didn't fully comply with the physician's order. After the first week of standard triple therapy, adherence was increased to a mean score from 2.193±0.1301 to 3.5227±0.0704 in the second week. The medication adherence score significantly increased along with patient counselling.Conclusions: Medication adherence was improved in the 14 days course along with patient education helped to comply with the standard triple therapy

Optical Tomography System Using Charge-Coupled Device for Transparent Object Detection

This research presents an application of Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) linear sensor and laser diode in an optical tomography system. Optical tomography is a non-invasive and non-intrusive method of capturing a cross-sectional image of multiphase flow. The measurements are based on the final light intensity received by the sensor and this approach is limited to detect solid objects only. The aim of this research is to analyse and demonstrate the capability of laser with a CCD in an optical tomography system for detecting objects with different clarity in crystal clear water. Experiments for detecting transparent objects were conducted. The object’s diameter and image reconstruction can also be observed. As a conclusion, this research has successfully developed a non-intrusive and non-invasive optical tomography system that can detect objects in crystal clear water

Use of low-cost bubble continuous positive airway pressure in neonates with respiratory distress at a tertiary care hospital Quetta

Introduction: Respiratory distress is a prevalent and serious consequence of neonatal sepsis, premature birth and neonatal pneumonia which is responsible for more than half of all neonatal fatalities worldwide. Objective: To assess the use of low-cost bubble continuous positive airway pressure in neonates with respiratory distress at a tertiary care hospital Quetta. Methodology: The current study was cross sectional study carried out at the pediatrics department, Sandeman Provencial Hospital Quetta from 16th May 2017 to 16th Nov 2017. All in patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria in the Department of pediatrics, Sandeman Provinvical Hospital Quetta were included in the study. After taking informed written consent, bubble continuous positive airway pressure was used in all the included patients to assess the outcome variable i.e survival. All the collected information was entered in the prescribed Performa. Results: In the current study, totally, 138 patients with respiratory distress were included. 84 patients (60.9%) were males & 54 (39.1%) were females, with the mean age of 6.98+2.78 years. The mean gestational age of mother was 38.5±1.26 weeks, the mean duration of achieving 21% O2 was 81.60 (±0.81) hours, mean stay in hospital was 22.07 (±1.7) days. In our study 95 neonates (68.8%) survived.&nbsp

Post-treatment of secondary treated effluent by Electrocoagulation: Nutrients removal and process optimization

The leve of nutrients in the treated effluent should be maintained at a low level to mitigate the rapid algal bloom and the associated risks in the receiving water bodies. Electrocoagulation (EC) was proven to be an effective method to remove a broad range of impurities in different water matrices. This study evaluated the EC technique as a polishing step for the treated effluent targeting phosphate, nitrate, and dissolved organic matter (DOM). A factorial design was implemented to evaluate the effects of two factors (voltage, and treatment time) at three levels (high, centre, and low) on the EC process. Two electrode types (Fe and Al) performances were compared. The results revealed that both electrodes were capable of high removal of phosphate (100%) from the treated effluent within 10 minutes for both tested voltages 3 and 5 volts. However, the nitrate showed a high persistence for both electrode types and the removal never exceed 10%. Interestingly, aluminum electrodes achieved higher removal (54.5%) of DOC compared to 25.7% by iron electrodes. The main drawback of using the iron electrode was its contribution to the original turbidity which makes it less favourable compared to the Al electrode. The results of this study revealed that the aluminum-based EC process could achieve the target level of nutrient removal without compromising the water quality

Reasons for non-vaccination in pediatric patients visiting tertiary care centers in a polio-prone country

BACKGROUND: The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was initiated by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974 in order to save children from life threatening, disabling vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). In Pakistan, this program was launched in 1978 with the main objectives of eradicating polio by 2012, eliminating measles and neonatal tetanus by 2015, and minimizing the incidence of other VPDs. However, despite the efforts of government and WHO, this program has not received the amount of success that was desired. Hence, the objectives of this study were to elucidate the main reasons behind not achieving the full immunization coverage in Pakistan, the awareness of children’s attendant about the importance of vaccination, their attitudes, thoughts and fears regarding childhood immunization, and the major hurdles faced in pursuit of getting their children vaccinated. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted during a one year period from 4th January, 2012 to 6th January, 2013 at the pediatric outpatient clinics of Civil Hospital (CHK) and National Institute of Child Health (NICH). We attempted to interview all the parents who could be approached during the period of the study. Thus, convenience sampling was employed. The parents were approached in the clinics and interviewed after seeking informed, written consent. Those patients who were not accompanied by either of their parents were excluded from the study. The study instrument comprised of three sections. The first section consisted was concerned with the demographics of the patient and the parents. The second section dealt with the reasons for complete vaccination or under-vaccination. The last section aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of the respondents. RESULTS: Out of 1044 patients, only 713(68.3%) were fully vaccinated, 239(22.9%) were partially vaccinated while 92(8.8%) had never been vaccinated. The vaccination status showed statistically significant association with ethnicity, income, residence, number of children and paternal occupation (p < 0.05 for all). The most common provocative factor for vaccination compliance was mass media (61.9%). The most common primary reason for non-vaccination was lack of knowledge (18.1%), whereas the most common secondary reason for non-vaccination was religious taboos (31.4%). Majority of the respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of EPI schedules or VPDs. However, most believed that there was a need for more active government/NGO involvement in this area. CONCLUSION: The most common primary reason for non-vaccination, i.e. lack of knowledge, and the most common secondary reason, i.e. religious taboos, imply that there is dire need to promote awareness among the masses in collaboration with NGOs, and major religious and social organizations

How frequent is routine use of probiotics in UK neonatal units?

Objective There is a lack of UK guidance regarding routine use of probiotics in preterm infants to prevent necrotising enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis and death. As practices can vary, we aimed to determine the current usage of probiotics within neonatal units in the UK.Design and setting Using NeoTRIPS, a trainee-led neonatal research network, an online survey was disseminated to neonatal units of all service levels within England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in 2022. Trainees were requested to complete one survey per unit regarding routine probiotic administration.Results 161 of 188 (86%) neonatal units responded to the survey. 70 of 161 (44%) respondents routinely give probiotics to preterm infants. 45 of 70 (64%) use the probiotic product Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM/Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-06/B. infantis Bi-26 (Labinic™). 57 of 70 (81%) start probiotics in infants ≤32 weeks’ gestation. 33 of 70 (47%) had microbiology departments that were aware of the use of probiotics and 64 of 70 (91%) had a guideline available. Commencing enteral feeds was a prerequisite to starting probiotics in 62 of 70 (89%) units. The majority would stop probiotics if enteral feeds were withheld (59 of 70; 84%) or if the infant was being treated for necrotising enterocolitis (69 of 70; 99%). 24 of 91 (26%) units that did not use probiotics at the time of the survey were planning to introduce them within the next 12 months.Conclusions More than 40% of all UK neonatal units that responded are now routinely administering probiotics, with variability in the product used. With increased probiotic usage in recent years, there is a need to establish whether this translates to improved clinical outcomes

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research