The Impact of Simulation-Based Learning on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Satisfaction and Self-Confidence at the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman

Simulation-based learning has been implemented in nursing education to help students experience the real world of nursing, increase their self-confidence, and allow them to practice safely. Through simulation practice, students can be exposed to different patient care situations without waiting for opportunities to arise at their clinical placement. This study aims to explore students’ satisfaction and self-confidence as learning outcomes associated with the simulation experience through the lens of the Jeffries theoretical framework. A descriptive correlation study was conducted from October to December 2020 at the College of Nursing in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. A convenience sample of 52 nursing students in their fourth and fifth academic year were recruited for the study. Student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning instrument was adopted from the National League for Nursing (NLN, 2006). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used to analyze the data. Overall, the respondents from both academic years were satisfied with simulation practice as a learning method, and students’ self-confidence was found to improve by learning through simulation practice. No significant relationship was found between students’ satisfaction and demographic data, including age and gender. Students’ self-confidence was found to have a significant relationship with students’ age only. The results of this study indicate that simulation-based learning is an effective method in nursing education. Keywords: simulation-based learning, undergraduate nursing students, simulation impact DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-9-11 Publication date:March 31st 202

Preventing the Future Pandemic of Diabetes Mellitus in Oman

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DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ANALYTICAL SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC AND RP-HPLC METHODS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF HYDROQUINONE, HYDROCORTISONE AND TRETINOIN TERNARY MIXTURE IN TOPICAL FORMULATION

Objective: Development and validation of spectrophotometric and RP-HPLC methods for the simultaneous determination of Hydroquinone (HQ), Hydrocortisone (HC) and Tretinoin (TRT) ternary combination in pharmaceutical preparation. Methods: The proposed spectrophotometric method was able to determine TRT directly from its absorption spectrum at 362 nm, however, HQ and HC from their first derivative spectra at 284 nm and 252 nm, respectively, without any separation step. The RP-HPLC method was developed using a C18 Sunfire© waters column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile: phosphate buffer (adjusted to pH 6.1 using ortho-phosphoric acid) in the ratio of 30:70 %, v/v, respectively at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Quantification was based on measuring peak areas at 260 nm. Results: The spectrophotometric method was able to selectively quantify each of HQ, HC and TRT in the ranges of 10-50 µg/ml, 2-10 µg/ml and 0.5-5 µg/ml, respectively. The RP-HPLC method was able to produce well-resolved peaks after 3.0, 8.2 and 20.2 min, in the ranges of 2-10 µg/ml, 0.1-1 µg/ml and 0.05-2 µg/ml, for HQ, HC and TRT, respectively. The obtained A, D1 or peak areas values plotted against the concentration of each of the three components showed linear response in the stated ranges. Both methods were validated in terms of linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, accuracy and selectivity. Conclusion: Both developed proposed methods were applied for the determination of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical formulation and the common excipients did not interfere in the analysis. The RP-HPLC method proved to be more sensitive when compared to the applied spectrophotometric method. However, the applied spectrophotometric methods, considered as green analytical chemistry, is a simple, time-saving method that requires minimal use of a hazardous solvent

HAIER: “Beat the Heat”

© 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Title: HAIER: “Beat the Heat”. Subject area: Marketing, brand management, promotion management and corporate social responsibility. Study level/applicability: Undergraduate and postgraduate. Case overview: How does the “country‐of‐origin” issue affect brands, and what do brands need to do? The case of unique and small corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and their impact on creating brand awareness.Aamer Khan, Managing Director Hafet Electrical LLC, the sole distributor for of Haier in United Arab Emirates (UAE) was reviewing their half yearly results. Among the more unconventional strategies they had adopted was one where they used community engagement to get an insight into the local market and develop brand awareness as a caring top quality brand. The CEO of Haier, Zhang Ruimin stressed that “quality is and will remain the essence of business sustainable, whether in the past, present or future”. Aamer was evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy and considering its impact. Should he use a similar strategy next year?This case deals with the “country‐of‐origin” issue, an important aspect in branding a key strategy of marketing. The Haier brand and its country‐of‐origin were investigated among the Emirati (UAE nationals) consumers. This was done as part of a capstone research project by Meerah, Sara and Azza at Zayed University, Dubai. Further, the group created a unique CSR program for the Haier, whereby they invited people to join them in a Walkathon to raise money for a charitable cause. Haier donated various products like refrigerators, air coolers and air conditioners towards this charity. By creating this event, the group raised awareness of the Haier brand among the local population. Expected learning outcomes: What is: “Country of origin” (coo) in marketing and its effect on brands? The role of CSR in corporate marketing communication? The role of small events in building brands? Supplementary materials: Teaching notes

Foreigner-directed speech and L2 speech learning in an understudied interactional setting: the case of foreign-domestic helpers in Oman

Ph. D. (Integrated) ThesisSet in Arabic-speaking Oman, the present study investigates whether speech directed to foreign domestic helpers (FDH-directed speech) is modified when compared with speech addressed to native Arabic speakers. It also explores the FDH’s ability to learn the sound system of their L2 in a near-naturalistic setting. In relation to input, the study explores whether there are any adaptations in native speakers’ realizations of complex Arabic consonants, consonant clusters, and vowels in FDH-directed speech. By doing so, it compares the phonetic features of FDH-directed speech in relation to other speech registers such as foreigner-directed speech (FDS), infant-directed speech (IDS) and clear speech. The study also investigates whether foreign accentedness, religion and Arabic language experience, as indexed by length of residence (LoR), play a role in the extent of adaptations present in FDH-directed speech. In relation to L2 speech learning, the study investigates the extent to which FDHs are sensitive to the phonemic contrasts of Arabic and whether their production of complex Arabic consonants and consonant clusters is target-like. It also examines the social and linguistic factors (LoR, first and second language literacy) that play a role in the learnability of these sounds. Speech recordings were collected from 22 Omani female native Arabic speakers who interacted 1) with their FDHs and 2) with a native-speaking adult (the order was reversed for half of the participants), in both instances using a spot the difference task. A picture naming task was then used to collect data for production data by the same FDHs, while perception data consisted of an AX forced choice task. Results demonstrate the distinctiveness of FDH-directed speech from other speech registers. Neither simplification of complex sounds nor hyperarticulation of consonant contrasts were attested in FDH-directed speech, despite them being reported in other studies on FDS and IDS. We attribute this to the familiarity of the native speakers with their FDHs and the formulaic nature of their daily interactions. Expansion of vowel space was evident in this study, conforming with other FDS studies. Results from perception and production tasks revealed that FDHs fell short of native-like performance, despite the more naturalistic setting and regardless of LoR. L1 and L2 literacy played varying roles in FDHs’ phonological sensitivity and production of certain contrasts. The study is original is terms of showing that FDS is not an automatic outcome of interactions with L2 speakers and links these results with the unusual social setting

Very Compact Open-Slot Antenna for Wireless Communication Systems

A new very compact open slot antenna for wireless communication systems application has been designed and fabricated. With antenna overall dimension of 9.2 × 9.8 mm2, the proposed design can be used in many modern communication devices with size constraints. Experimental measurements have also been performed to validate the performance of the proposed antenna. The measured results show that the antenna provides a wide bandwidth of 48% (5–8.17 GHz) with an average size reduction of about 88% with respect to a conventional microstrip patch antenna

COVARIANCE MATRIX ADAPTATION EVOLUTIONARY STRATEGY OPTIMIZATION OF PATCH ANTENNA FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy algorithm is applied to optimize a dielectric loaded microstrip patch antenna. The optimization process performance is enhanced by not considering the symmetrical factor of the antenna structure. The antenna is optimized to work for IEEE 802.11a WLAN 5-6 GHz band. Experimental measurements have also been performed to validate the performance of the proposed antenna

Peran Pembelajaran Berbasis Gamifikasi Menggunakan Wordwall dan Quizizz di SMP Negeri 1 Candi Sidoarjo

This research is motivated by the problem of student saturation in the learning process due to the monotonous teaching strategy. This study aims to determine gamification in BTQ learning and the role of this gamification-based learning. The subjects in this study were all grades VII and VIII, totaling 19 classes at SMPN 1 Candi. This research uses descriptive qualitative research methods. The results of this study are Gamification in learning lies in the development of effective strategies in the learning process implied in the depth of analysis of the conditions and available learning tools. The role of gamification in learning is able to associate feelings of fun, form collective knowledge for students, increase student motivation in doing assignments and be able to increase the tendency to actively work on assignments even with reduced accuracy due to time in games. Keywords        :           Gamification, Wordwall, Quizizz, Game-based learning.Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh permasalahan kejenuhan siswa dalam proses pembelajaran dikarenakan strategi mengajar yang monoton. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui gamifikasi dalam pembelajaran BTQ dan peran dari pembelajaran berbasis gamifikasi ini. Subjek pada penelitian ini yakni seluruh Kelas VII dan VIII yang berjumlah 19 kelas di SMPN 1 Candi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yakni metode penelitian deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil dari penelitian ini yakni Gamifikasi pada pembelajaran terletak pada pengembangan strategi yang efektif dalam proses pembelajaran tersirat pada kedalaman analisis kondisi dan perangkat pembelajaran yang tersedia. Peran gamifikasi dalam pembelajaran mampu mengasosiasikan perasaan fun, membentuk pengetahuan kolektif bagi siswa, meningkat motivasi siswa dalam mengerjakan tugas dan mampu meningkatkan kecenderungan aktif mengerjakan tugas meski dengan berkurangnya ketelitian karena time in game. Kata Kunci   : Gamifikasi, Wordwall, Quizizz, Pembelajaran berbasis game

Genetic and environmental factors associated with hypodontia

Introduction: Hypodontia, or tooth agenesis, is the most prevalent craniofacial malformation in humans. It may occur as part of a recognised genetic syndrome or as a non-syndromic isolated trait. Excluding third molars, the reported prevalence of hypodontia ranges from 1.6 to 6.9 %, depending on the population studied. Most affected individuals lack only one or two teeth, with permanent second premolars and upper lateral incisors the most likely to be missing. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the aetiology of hypodontia, with the latter playing a more significant role. Hypodontia individuals present a significant clinical challenge for orthodontists because the treatment time is prolonged and the treatment outcome is generally compromised. Hence, the identification of genetic and environmental factors may be particularly useful in the early prediction of this condition and the development of prevention strategies and novel treatments in the future. Objectives: The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to investigate the association between non-syndromic hypodontia and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate genes paired box 9 (PAX9), msh homeobox 1 (MSX1), axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2), and ectodysplasin A (EDA); and (2) to examine its association with environmental factors, such as exposure to smoking and alcohol during pregnancy. Materials and methods: Eighty-nine cases with two specific phenotypes were recruited: (1) individuals with one or more missing permanent lateral incisors; and (2) individuals with one or more missing permanent premolars. These cases were frequency-matched to 253 controls (patients with no missing teeth, excluding the third molars). Self-report data from both the participants and their mothers were collected, while DNA samples (in the form of blood or saliva) were collected from each participant. Both environmental and genetic data were analysed using conventional descriptive methods. Results: The sample had a mean chronological age of 16.6 years (SD=7.3), with most participants being female (59.6%), and of New Zealand European origin (75.4%). Using multiple logistic regression analyses, it was found that the T-allele of rs12853659 (EDA) was associated with a higher risk of hypodontia (odds ratio, OR = 2.79, P = 0.029), when adjusted for sex and ethnicity; and this was also true for the G-allele of rs2428151 (EDA), which was associated with a higher risk (OR = 2.87, P = 0.043). No statistically significant associations were found with the AXIN2 and MSX1 genes. Analysis of the environmental data revealed a significant association between hypodontia and maternal cigarette use during pregnancy (P < 0.01), as well as the number of cigarettes smoked per day (P < 0.05). To determine whether there was a biological gradient with cigarette smoking during pregnancy, maternal cigarette consumption per day was divided into three groups: none, 1 to 9, and 10 or more. A dose-response association was observed (OR = 2.05 (0.73-5.75), P = 0.232; OR = 4.18 (1.49-11.80), P = 0.007, respectively). These findings suggest that greater cigarette smoking during pregnancy resulted in higher odds of having a child with hypodontia. There were no statistically significant differences between the case and control groups in any of the other environmental factors investigated (that is, alcohol and caffeine consumption). Conclusions: Hypodontia is a complex condition that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The present study reveals some evidence that polymorphisms of the EDA and PAX9 genes are associated with specific phenotypes of non-syndromic hypodontia. Furthermore, this study is the first to date to test the association between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and having a child with hypodontia. The observed biological gradient strongly suggests an association between tobacco smoking and this dental anomaly. However, larger samples are needed to investigate the association further, as well as to confirm the genetic variants associated with hypodontia