Disability in Islam: Challenging Saudi Disabled Teachers’ Perspectives

This study aims to critically explore how do Saudi disabled teachers perceive the nature of disability in relation to Islamic teachings, as this impacts on themselves as disabled teachers and how they interact, treat and teach their disabled students. The two primary sources of Islamic teachings – the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (i.e. Hadiths)- were used to conceptualise this inquiry and ground it in the literature. These sources examined to understand how they approach disability in relation to disabled participant teachers’ understandings and to understand how Islam interprets disability. Disability-first language was used in this study because it puts the problems of disability on society rather than disabled people (Aldakhil, 2020). Data were generated through conducting indepth semi-structured telephone interviews with ten disabled teachers. Findings show critical contradictions between teachers' understanding of disability and Islamic teachings, as Miles (2007) puts it, it is true that the views of people of a particular faith often do not reach the standards taught by that faith. The study also show that the right interpretation of Islamic teachings has the potential to promote an affirmative model of disability that could challenge the unquestioned assumptions of disability presented by participant teachers.Deanship of Scientific Research at Majmaah University R-2 022-32

Exploring Inclusion, Disability and the Label of Intellectual Disability: Saudi Teachers’ Experiences and Perspectives

This study aims to critically explore how Saudi teachers understand the phenomena of inclusion, disability and the label of intellectual disability. It also seeks to research the extent to which the two implemented models of inclusion/special education in Saudi mainstream schools respond to the academic and social requirements of disabled learners, to uncover the disabling barriers and to offer suggestions for ending or, at least minimising, inequalities and exclusion of children labelled disabled from and within Saudi mainstream schools. Drawing on theories from a range of disciplines, including educational psychology, critical disability studies and education theory, I explored these issues through conducting in-depth semi- structured interviews with 31 participant teachers on an individualised basis. My thematic analysis has generated four key findings. First, the vast majority of participant teachers have misconceptions around inclusion, disability and the label of intellectual disability. They conflate integration and inclusion, locate ‘the problem’ of disability within-child and view people labelled with intellectual disabilities as ‘unable’ thus less than human. Second, participant teachers have different views about the two models of inclusion/special education implemented in schools where they teach. They have positive viewpoints about the mainstream classrooms model but negative perspectives about the self-contained classrooms model. Third, the analysis also uncovers that mainstream schools where participant teachers teach are fettered with disabling barriers and practices and that the Saudi education system are bound up with ableism. Fourth, to eliminate or, at least reduce, inequalities and exclusion of people labelled disabled from and within Saudi mainstream schools, participant teachers suggest raising awareness, creating an inclusive space for all, reviewing, enforcing and developing inclusive policies and regulations and promoting the core values of inclusive education. I also offer further recommendations for the Saudi Ministry of Education to take into consideration in Chapter 8 (section 8.5)

Microwave-assisted synthesis of novel Ti/BTB-MOFs as porous anticancer and antibacterial agents

Nano compounds, especially metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), have significant properties. Among the most important properties of these compounds, which depend on their specific surface area and porosity, are biological properties, such as anticancer and antibacterial properties. In this study, a new titanium/BTB metal-organic framework (Ti/BTB-MOF) was synthesized by using titanium nitrate and 1,3,5-Tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (BTB) under microwave radiation. The structure of the synthesized Ti/BTB-MOF was characterized and confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis mapping, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The in vitro anticancer properties of Ti/BTB-MOF were evaluated using the MTT method against MG-63/bone cancer cells and A-431/skin cancer cells. The in vitro antibacterial activity was tested using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. In the anticancer activity, IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of 152 μg/mL and 201 μg/mL for MG-63/bone cancer cells and A-431/skin cancer cells, respectively, were observed. In the antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2–64 μg/mL were observed against studied pathogenic strains. The antimicrobial activity of Ti/BTB-MOF was higher than that of penicillin and gentamicin. Therefore, the synthesized Ti/BTB-MOF could be introduced as a suitable bioactive candidate

Promoting Inclusive Learning Environments: Leveraging University Websites for Digital Empowerment in the Post-COVID-19 Era

In an era of global interdependence, universities play a crucial role in promoting social responsibility and sustainable development. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities emphasizes the empowerment of individuals with disabilities, a key aspect of inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of digital platforms to ensure equitable opportunities, particularly for those with disabilities. It highlighted challenges in transitioning to remote operations and stressed the importance of accessible digital tools in maintaining inclusivity during disruptions. This study investigates how university websites promote social responsibility and empower individuals with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US. It also examines how these websites foster inclusivity, advocate for disability rights, and contribute to societal change. Using a qualitative case study design, the study evaluated university websites focusing on accessibility services, inclusive policies, and academic accommodations. Qualitative content and thematic analyses identified recurring themes and variations. The findings reveal diverse strategies in empowerment initiatives, website maintenance practices, community engagement approaches, the accessibility of support services, and the presentation of success stories. Despite differences among websites, this study underscores their significance in empowering individuals with disabilities. Recommendations aim to guide universities worldwide in enhancing their digital platforms, ensuring inclusivity, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic

Anemia, Blood Transfusion, and Filter Life Span in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury: A Case-Control Study

Background. Filter clotting is frequent during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which increases anemia risk. We studied anemia and blood transfusion in critically ill patients requiring CRRT for acute kidney injury and assessed the relationship between CRRT filter life span and PRBC transfusion. Methods. A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary-care intensive care unit (ICU) where CRRT cases were matched with controls for age, gender, admission category, and severity of illness. Daily hemoglobin levels, blood transfusions, and life span of CRRT filter were noted. CCRT patients were categorized according to the median of the filter life span (20 hours). Results. Ninety-five cases and 102 controls were enrolled. The hemoglobin level on admission was similar in the two groups, yet cases had significantly lower hemoglobin levels than controls (72.8 ± 15.3 versus 82.5 ± 20.7 g/L, p<0.001) during ICU stay. Anemia <70 g/L occurred in 50% of cases and 19% of controls (p<0.001). Most (56.3%) cases were transfused compared with 29.9% for controls (p<0.001) with higher number of transfused packed red blood cell (PRBC) units in cases (2.6 ± 4.0 versus 1.5 ± 3.2 units per patient, p=0.03). Patients with shorter versus longer filter life had similar hemoglobin level in the first 7 days of CRRT with no difference in PRBC transfusion requirement. Prefilter heparin use and hemodialysis access location were not associated with longer filter life span. The mortality was similar in patients with shorter versus longer filter life. Conclusions. CRRT in ICU was associated with larger drop in hemoglobin and more PRBC transfusion. Shorter (<20 hours) versus longer CCRT filter life was not associated with increased PRBC transfusion

Migraine and tension-type headache among undergraduate medical, dental and pharmaceutical students of University of Aleppo: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Headache disorders are among the most common 10 causes of disability worldwide according to the global burden of disease survey 2010. Headache is also wildly common among universities students when compared with other populations. The purpose of this study is to assess headache prevalence among Aleppo University medical, dental and pharmaceutical undergraduate students.Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical, dental and pharmaceutical students at Aleppo University, Syria. We determined the type of headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorder-III. The total number of participants was 2068. A χ2 test was used to evaluate the association between the categorical outcomes. P&lt;0.05 was considered significant.Results Out of 2068 participants, 1604 (77.6%) were medical students, 205 (9.9%) were dental students and 259 (12.5%) were pharmaceutical students. The effect on daily activities was higher in chronic tension headache (96.7%) and migraine without aura (94.6%) than migraine with aura (91.3) and episodic tension headache (85.1%). Out of 1191 who had a headache, only 188 (15.9%) had a medical consultation.Conclusions There was no a statistically significant difference in prevalence of tension headache and migraine according to faculties. There was a statistically significant difference in patients with migraine according to academic year, living with family and smoking. The effect on daily activities was higher in chronic tension-type headache and migraine without aura. There is a significant lack of medical consultation among students and most of them took over the counter analgesics depending on personal choice