659 research outputs found
Attitudes among young adults in Palestine about peers with substance use problems: Challenges and opportunities for community intervention design
Social reintegration is necessary to support people in recovery from addiction, but it is often
difficult in Palestine due to stigma. Bin Hussein’s instrument for measuring receptivity to social
reintegration in various contexts in Saudi Arabia was employed for comparison in the West Bank.
Data were collected in 2013 at Al-Quds University at the Abu Dis campus. More than half of the
respondents have moderate attitudes toward social reintegration of people in recovery. There
were no significant relationships between perceptions about social reintegration and gender, age,
year in college, area of academic focus, and form of residence. Implications are discussed.The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
Justification of Urgent Brain CT Examinations at Medium Size Hospital, Jerusalem
We studied requested urgent Brain CT Scan procedures justification. In addition, we addressed referrer’s (physician’s) awareness of radiation risks. In doing so, we considered two aspects to the issue. First, we reviewed the records of the requested urgent CT scan procedures for a sample of 339 patients at Al-Maqassed Hospital, a major hospital in Palestine. Secondly, we surveyed a sample of forty-two referrer’s from the same hospital to test their awareness of radiation risks. Our study shows that out of the 339 urgent brain CT requests, 69.6% were justified requests and 30.4% were unjustified. Statistically, these observations implied the following general statement: At least, 25% of the CT requests at this Hospital are unjustified with a p-value of 0.011. On the other hand, our survey on referrers shows that 42% of respondents knew the effective dose of a brain CT scan, 24% of respondents knew the radiation risks and 14% of respondents knew about radiation protection. Although the study is limited, yet it shows the need to reduce the number of brain CT examinations and the need to improve their justification. Consequently, the need for regular education and guideline implementation at least in this country is of paramount importance
Increasing the Fine Structure Visibility of the Hinode SOT Ca II H Filtergrams
We present the improved so-called Madmax (OMC) operator selecting maxima of
convexities computed in multiple directions around each pixel rewritten in
MatLab and shown to be very efficient for pattern recognition.
The aim of the algorithm is to trace the bright hair-like features (for ex.
chromospheric thin jets or spicules) of solar ultimate observations polluted by
a noise of different origins. This popular spatial operator uses the second
derivative in the optimally selected direction for which its absolute value has
a maximum value. Accordingly, it uses the positivity of the resulting intensity
signal affected by a superposed noise. The results are illustrated using a test
artificially generated image and real SOT (Hinode) images are also used, to
make your own choice of the sensitive parameters to use in improving the
visibility of images.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figurs, submitted in Solar Physic
Enhancing the Stretchability of Two-Dimensional Materials through Kirigami: A Molecular Dynamics Study on Tungsten Disulfide
In recent years, the 'kirigami' technique has gained significant attention
for creating meta-structures and meta-materials with exceptional
characteristics, such as unprecedented stretchability. These properties, not
typically inherent in the original materials or structures, present new
opportunities for applications in stretchable electronics and photovoltaics.
However, despite its scientific and practical significance, the application of
kirigami patterning on a monolayer of tungsten disulfide (WS2), a van der Waals
material with exceptional mechanical, electronic, and optical properties, has
remained unexplored. This study utilizes molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to
investigate the mechanical properties of monolayer WS2 with rectangular
kirigami cuts. We find that, under tensile loading, the WS2 based kirigami
structure exhibits a notable increase in tensile strain and a decrease in
strength, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the kirigami cutting
technique in enhancing the stretchability of monolayer WS2. Additionally,
increasing the overlap ratio enhances the stretchability of the structure,
allowing for tailored high strength or high strain requirements. Furthermore,
our observations reveal that increasing the density of cuts and reducing the
length-to-width ratio of the kirigami nanosheet further improve the fracture
strain, thereby enhancing the overall stretchability of the proposed kirigami
patterned structure of WS2.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure
Rolling circle transcription-amplified hierarchically structured organic-inorganic hybrid RNA flowers for enzyme immobilization
Programmable nucleic acids have emerged as powerful building blocks for the bottom-up fabrication of two- or three-dimensional nano- and microsized constructs. Here we describe the construction of organic–inorganic hybrid RNA flowers (hRNFs) via rolling circle transcription (RCT), an enzyme-catalyzed nucleic acid amplification reaction. These hRNFs are highly adaptive structures with controlled sizes, specific nucleic acid sequences, and a highly porous nature. We demonstrated that hRNFs are applicable as potential biological platforms, where the hRNF scaffold can be engineered for versatile surface functionalization and the inorganic component (magnesium ions) can serve as an enzyme cofactor. For surface functionalization, we proposed robust and straightforward approaches including in situ synthesis of functional hRNFs and postfunctionalization of hRNFs that enable facile conjugation with various biomolecules and nanomaterials (i.e., proteins, enzymes, organic dyes, inorganic nanoparticles) using selective chemistries (i.e., avidin–biotin interaction, copper-free click reaction). In particular, we showed that hRNFs can serve as soft scaffolds for β-galactosidase immobilization and greatly enhance enzymatic activity and stability. Therefore, the proposed concepts and methodologies are not only fundamentally interesting when designing RNA scaffolds or RNA bionanomaterials assembled with enzymes but also have significant implications on their future utilization in biomedical applications ranging from enzyme cascades to biosensing and drug delivery
Assessment of the inhalation technique and adherence to therapy and their effect on disease control in outpatients with asthma
Objectives The objective of this study was to assess correct use of inhaler devices,
adherence to inhaler corticosteroid treatment and their effects on asthma control.
Methods This study was a prospective, single-centre, observational study conducted
between July and February 2016 at Al-Makased Hospital, respiratory outpatient clinic.
Inhaler technique of asthma patients using pressurized metered-dose inhalers or dry powder
inhalers (Turbuhaler (TH) and Accuhaler DiskusTM (ACC)) were assessed against
published inhaler technique checklists. Asthma control variables measured using Asthma
Control Test (maximum 25, higher score corresponding to better asthma control) were
assessed, and adherence to asthma medications was assessed by Morisky adherence scale.
Key findings Two hundred and twenty patients were recruited in the study. The mean
age was 42.3 15.2 years and 59.1% were male. One hundred and seventeen (53.2%)
were using TH, 60 (27.3%) were using ACC and 43(19.5%) were using MDIs. Only 22
(10%) were smoker and only 48 (21.8%) patients were their asthma controlled (ACT
score >20). The devices were used correctly by 79.1% of patients using MDI, 69% of
ACC and 55.6% of TH users (P > 0.001). The most common improper step was ‘forceful
inhalation’ (65.4%) made by the MDI users, ‘Not exhaling to residual volume’ (58.7%)
made by ACC users and ‘Not inhaling deeply enough’ (52.2%) made by TH users. Multivariate
analysis showed that the likelihood of having controlled asthma was significantly
higher in those with correct inhaler techniques (OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.08–4.77; P = 0.028),
high adherence to medications (OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.05–4.92; P = 0.03) and having a
higher level of education (OR 2.58; 95% CI: 1.19–3.63; P = 0.018).
Conclusions It was found that asthma control was better among correct users. Repetitive
training about using devices may contribute improving inhaler technique.This research received no specific grant from any funding
agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors
Pharmaceutical care for adult asthma patients: A controlled intervention one‐year follow‐up study
Asthma is a clinical problem with social, psychological and economic burdens. To
improve patient disease management, different education programmes have been
developed. Challenges in asthma management may be partially attributed to nonadherence
or improper use of inhalers. This study aimed to implement and assess
hospital‐based pharmaceutical care services for asthmatic patients. A 12‐month, single‐
centre, randomized, controlled study was initiated in asthmatic adult patients who
had been divided into either a control or intervention group. Patients in the control
group received the usual care, and patients in the intervention group received patient
counselling per study protocol that covered asthma knowledge, control, adherence to
treatment and inhalation techniques. The main variables compared measurements at
baseline with those at 6 and 12 months. A total of 192 patients completed the study
protocol: 90 in the control group and 102 in the intervention group. The control
group included 90 patients, and the intervention group included 102 patients. Over
the course of the 12‐month follow‐up period, a significant difference was observed
between intervention and control groups with respect to asthma control (38.2%
vs 10.0%; P < .001), mean correct inhalation technique (confidence interval [CI]:
8.1, 7.8‐8.5 vs CI: 6.1; 5.6‐6.6; P = .01) and good medication adherence (60.7% vs
50.0%, P = .02). There were 34% and 25% decreases in emergency room visits and
hospital admissions, respectively, in the intervention group compared to the control
group. This study emphasizes the importance of patient counselling in asthma management
and the significant contribution that the pharmacist's intervention can have
on asthma control
Pharmacists’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Herbal Remedies In West Bank, Palestine
Background:
There is an increasing trend towards consumption of
complementary and alternative herbal products in many parts of the
world.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowled
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ge and attitudes among pharmacists in West Bank, Palestine towards
the use of herbs.
Methods:
Self-administered questionnaire was designed as the study
instrument and distributed among 350 qualified pharmacists working
in government and private pharmacies in West Bank, Palestine.
Results:
The response rate was 82.9% (290/350). The mean age of
the pharmacists was 32.9 (SD=6.5) years. The majority of the phar
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macist 238 (82.1%) worked in the community pharmacies and their
experience in practice ranged from 1 to 26 years. Product package
instructions and product representative were the most consulted by
the pharmacists (128; 44.2% and 73; 25.2% respectively). General
health tonic preparations were the most widely dispensed drugs (142;
48.9%), followed by cough preparations (55; 19.0%) and slimming
agents (64; 22.1%). The Majority of pharmacists (195; 67.2%) belie
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ved herbal remedies were effective; however, about fifty percent of
the pharmacists had concern about their safety. The knowledge of
respondents about the indications of herbal medicine was good, but
their awareness of interactions, contraindications and adverse effects
was inadequate. The majority of Pharmacists (255; 87.9%) believed
that herbal product should undergo increased regulation and (215;
74.9%) believed that information available about herbal and natural
product isn't adequate
Vibroacoustic Efficiency Evaluation of Anti-Vibration Piping Support for Engineering Systems of Multi-Storey Buildings
The causes of low-frequency noise in high-rise building pipelines are studied. Sources of increased vibration of pipeline systems are identified. The analysis of methods of damping increased vibrations of pipelines is conducted. A description of the pipeline support structures used in the field of building construction and special anti-vibration supports is given. The advantages and disadvantages of the designs of anti-vibration supports of pipeline systems are identified. A method for improving the existing anti-vibration support consisting of all-metal elastic-damping elements pressed from spirals of wire is proposed. An anti-vibration support, consisting of a body and sealed capsules filled with a damping fluid, was developed. The design of the anti-vibration support, which allows adapting to the vibration mode due to the displacement of the pipeline relative to the support body and the redistribution of the damping fluid pressure in the capsules, is presented. The effectiveness of the proposed design support was confirmed experimentally. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
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