Online Communities in Saudi Arabia: an ethnographic study

This paper presents part of a research project about online communities in Saudi Arabia. The paper will address one of the research sub-questions, that is: What are the key features of participation in online communities in Saudi Arabia? The results presented in this paper are drawn from one of the techniques of data collection used in this research, that is, silent observation, which was conducted over a one-year period. In addition, the paper will discuss briefly the research design, including the research procedures. In its final section, some of the findings from this part of the project are presented

High human papillomavirus prevalence among females attending high school in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

As part of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination strategy in South Africa, it is essential to have information on HPV prevalence, and HPV types distribution among the unvaccinated population. Information on the prevalence of HPV and the distribution of HPV types in adolescents and young women in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province is minimal. Therefore, this study investigates the prevalence, distribution of HPV types, and factors associated with HPV infection amongst unvaccinated female learners. A sample composed of 213 sexually active female learners attending high schools in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa; median age 18 years, who provided self-collected vaginal specimens. Roche Linear Array HPV genotyping assay that detects 37 HPV genotypes was used to detect HPV infection. HPV infection was detected in 76.06% (162/213) of participants. Of these 14.55% (31/213) were positive for HPV types targeted by the Cervarix® HPV vaccine (HPV-16 and/or 18), 20.66% (44/213) by Gardasil®4 (HPV-6, -11, -16 and/or -18) and 37.09% (79/213) by Gardasil®9 (HPV-6, -11, -16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52 and/or -58). HPV-35, commonly detected in cervical cancer cases among women of African ancestry, was frequently detected (9.40%). Participants who reported to have ever consumed alcohol had a significantly higher risk of HPV infection (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.38–6.11, p = 0.005). High HPV prevalence was observed among participants. The high prevalence of HPV types targeted by the Gardasil®9 vaccine encourages the introduction of the Gardasil®9 vaccine. Data from this study will inform both vaccination campaigns and monitor the impact on HPV types after vaccination

Assessing the Impact of Local and Regional Influences on Nitrogen Loads to Buzzards Bay, MA

Nitrogen and chlorophyll-a concentrations in estuarine systems often correlate positively with increased nitrogen input. To determine the interactions between nitrogen load, physical drivers, and water quality indicators, we estimated nitrogen inputs to 28 estuaries within the Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts (USA) watershed from 1985 to 2013. Estimates were derived by combining parcel specific wastewater disposal, point source wastewater discharge, land use, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition data with a previously verified nitrogen loading model. Linear regression analysis was used to quantify temporal trends in individual data sets and characterize relationships between variables. The land-use data indicated that fractional coverage of impervious surfaces increased with time for all sub-watersheds at the expense of vegetation and agriculture land use classes, reflecting a growth in residential unit density. Nitrogen loads decreased with time for most watersheds on the western side of Buzzards Bay, reflecting decreased atmospheric nitrogen deposition combined with management efforts to mitigate wastewater pollution. For most of Buzzards Bay\u27s eastern watersheds, increases in nitrogen sourced from wastewater, driven primarily by the development of homes with on-site wastewater disposal, resulted in stable or overall nitrogen load increases. The relationship between nitrogen load and mean summer in situ chlorophyll a underwent a shift to more chlorophyll a per unit nitrogen input over time that was partially correlated to climatic variables such as increased precipitation and warming water column temperatures

Apparatus and method for aerodynamic levitation

An apparatus for the levitation of a liquid drop by a fluid flow comprising a profile generator, a fluid flow supply means operatively connected to the profile generator. The profile generator includes an elongate cylindrical shell in which is contained a profiling means for configuring the velocity profile of the fluid flow exiting the profile generator

Newly qualified Saudi nurses' ability to recognise the deteriorating child in hospital

Background: It is recognized that nurses' failure to recognize and respond promptly to deterioration in children's physiological status can result in increased morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the ability of Saudi-educated, newly qualified nurses, working in paediatric wards, to recognize children's deterioration.Methods: A pilot study was carried out to assess nurses' responses to three clinical vignettes (deteriorating child, improving child and ambiguous scenarios). The nurses' ability to make a correct identification was captured using a 'Think Aloud' approach and quantified using a visual analogue scale. Results: Twenty-seven nurses in two geographical regions in Saudi Arabia participated. Only half the nurses (51·8%) correctly identified the deteriorating child vignette. Of those who could not, 37% were unsure and 11% responded incorrectly. No nurses correctly identified all three vignettes, and four nurses (15%) responded incorrectly to all vignettes. Conclusions: The recognition of the deteriorating child is complex, and even in non-stressful simulated scenarios using vignettes, many newly qualified nurses working with children failed to recognize clear signs of deterioration. A focused (culturally specific) educational intervention is being developed to target this, taking into account Saudi nurses' perceived education and training needs. Relevance to clinical practice: Newly qualified nurses working in paediatric wards frequently find it difficult to identify the deteriorating child

Advocates' Immunity: Finality reigns supreme

The recent decision of D'Orta-Ekenaike v Victorian Legal Aid and Another came as a surprise to some, who expected that Australia would follow suit and abolish advocates' immunity as the House of Lords did in Arthur J S Hall & Co v Simons, and more recently, as the New Zealand Court of Appeal did in Chamberlains v Lai. However, the majority of the High Court, with only Kirby J dissenting, determined that the immunity was to remain in Australia. In the media, there was much criticism of this decision, with members of the public and the profession questioning the joint majority's rationale for retaining the immunity. Whilst the decision in D'Orta-Ekenaike raises several important issues, including the scope of the immunity post-Giannarelli v Wraith, as well as the difficulties of proving causation in lawyer negligence claims, this brief case note will concentrate upon the main justification for the retention of the immunity, that is, the 'finality' principle

Doing Ethnography From Within a Constructivist Paradigm to Explore Virtual Communities in Saudi Arabia

Większość badań w ramach współczesnej literatury skupia się na użytej przez badacza metodzie, ale nie na filozofii, która za nią stoi. W artykule tym opisujemy badanie etnograficzne, prowadzone w duchu paradygmatu konstruktywistycznego, którego celem było eksplorowanie zjawiska uczestnictwa w wirtualnych społecznościach w Arabii Saudyjskiej. Przedstawiamy, jak zostały wykorzystane określone techniki etnografii – obserwacja niejawna i uczestnictwo. Dowodzimy, że ten sposób prowadzenia etnografii pozwolił na umiejscowienie rezultatów badania w ramach społecznego i kulturowego kontekstu społeczeństwa saudyjskiego. W artykule, zilustrowanym wstępnymi wynikami, konkludujemy, że roczna obserwacja ukryta i ośmiomiesięczne uczestniczenie w dwóch różnych, lecz podobnych wirtualnych społecznościach dostarczyły wniosków, które można uznać za głębokie, znaczące i bogate w opisie.Most of the studies in the recent literature focus on the method used but not the philosophy behind it. This article focuses on doing ethnography, from within a constructivist paradigm, to explore individuals’ participation in virtual communities in Saudi Arabia. An aim of this article is to highlight how particular ethnographic techniques, viz unobtrusive observation and participation, were used in that study. The article argues that doing ethnography in this way allowed for placing the results within the social and cultural context of Saudi society. The article, which includes a sample of the findings from the two techniques involved for illustration, concludes that the one-year unobtrusive observation and the eight months’ participation in two different but similar virtual communities, during the period 2001-2002, have produced findings that are deep, meaningful and rich in descriptio

Maine Pediatric and Family Practice Survey Chartbook: Improving Health Outcomes for Children

As part of the IHOC initiative, the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine surveyed pediatric and family practices about how they use data, clinical guidelines and office systems to monitor and improve children’s healthcare quality. The purpose of the survey is to provide baseline information about quality improvement activities in primary care practices serving children in Maine. Survey data will be used to inform IHOC activities and to monitor changes over time. The web-based survey was conducted in the winter of 2011-2012 and sent to practice managers at a sample of 168 practice sites, of which 64% responded. Responding practices represent more than one-quarter of family practices and nearly two-thirds of all pediatric practices in the state. This report summarizes the results of the initial survey and assesses quality improvement activities in pediatric and family practices at baseline

Selective outcome reporting in randomised controlled trials including participants with stroke or transient ischaemic attack:A systematic review

IntroductionThe prevalence of outcome reporting bias (ORB, i.e. selective reporting according to the results observed) across primary outcomes in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) including participants with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is unknown.Materials and methodsWe searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on 3 February 2021 for reviews published 2008-2020 with at least one RCT of a therapeutic intervention, for participants with stroke or TIA, and a safety or efficacy outcome. We took a random sample of these RCTs and included those with a trial registry record or protocol published before reporting results. Two reviewers assessed discrepancies in outcome reporting across the trial registry record, protocol, statistical analysis plan, and publication for each RCT, using the classification system designed by the Outcome Reporting Bias in Trials group.ResultsOf 600 RCTs, we identified a trial registry record in 120 (20%), a protocol in 28 (5%), and a statistical analysis plan in 5 (1%) with 123 (21%) distinct RCTs being eligible for assessment: 110 (89%, 95% CI 83-94) were at no risk, 7 (6%, 95% CI 3-11) RCTs were at low risk, and 6 (5%, 95% CI 2-10) were at high risk of ORB.DiscussionThe prevalence of ORB in primary outcomes was low in stroke/TIA RCTs that were included in Cochrane reviews and had an identifiable trial registry record or protocol. Concerningly, we were unable to identify a trial registry record or protocol in most of our sample.ConclusionWork is needed to further reduce ORB in stroke/TIA RCTs and explore the generalisability of these findings to RCTs outside of Cochrane reviews or without a registry record or protocol, as well as to secondary outcomes

Alliance or acquisition? A mechanisms‐based, policy‐capturing analysis

Research summary: While alliance researchers view prior partner‐specific alliance experience as influencing firms' subsequent alliance or acquisition decisions, empirical evidence on the alliance versus acquisition decision is surprisingly mixed. We offer a reconciliation by proposing and testing an analytical framework that recognizes prior partner‐specific experiences as heterogeneous along three fundamental dimensions: partner‐specific trust, routines, and value certainty. This allows us to use a policy‐capturing methodology to rigorously operationalize and test our mechanism‐level predictions. We find that all three mechanisms can increase the likelihood of a subsequent alliance or acquisition, and in terms of the comparative choice between alliances versus acquisitions, partner‐specific trust pulls towards alliances, and value certainty pulls towards acquisitions. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and empirical implications of our approach and method. Managerial summary: This study focuses on an important corporate decision: When a firm has had an alliance with another firm, how would that experience affect the likelihood of a future alliance or acquisition with that same firm? We first suggest that it will depend on three factors: the level of trust that existed in that prior alliance, the extent to which specific work routines were developed, and the degree to which the firm was able to confidently assess the value of the partner firm's resources. We then find that trust is a particularly strong predictor of future alliances, while confidence regarding value more strongly predicts future acquisitions. In this way, we demonstrate more precisely how past corporate choices can affect (consciously or unconsciously) future ones