Asymmetric impacts of oil price shocks on government expenditures: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

This paper investigates the effect of oil price shocks on government expenditures on the health and education sectors in Saudi Arabia. Using a quarterly dataset 1990Q1–2017Q2 and employing a non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model, our research shows evidence of a non-linear relationship between oil prices and government expenditures in Saudi Arabia, where a negative oil price shock would have a statistically significant different impact in the long run compared to a positive shock. We build upon our empirical findings and draw some policy recommendations for Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia

Arab Women: A Profile of Diversity and Change [Arabic]

The status of Arab women is the subject of much speculation, generalization, and stereotyping by those inside and outside the region. The paucity of objective, accessible information makes Arab women one of the least understood social groups. The aim of this book is to help correct misconceptions about Arab women by introducing systematic information for 21 Arab countries. Widely published international statistical data, mostly from the United Nations and the World Bank, were used for the comparisons. These datasets are compiled from country reports, national surveys, and aggregated smaller studies. They are by no means comprehensive or devoid of inaccuracies, however they remain the best available information at this time. The paucity of information on Arab countries in general, and Arab women in particular, made the task a challenge, and considerable determination and finesse were required in some instances. As stated in this book, further data collection must become a constant and collective effort at national, regional, and international levels

Arab Women: A Profile of Diversity and Change

The status of Arab women is the subject of much speculation, generalization, and stereotyping by those inside and outside the region. The paucity of objective, accessible information makes Arab women one of the least understood social groups. The aim of this book is to help correct misconceptions about Arab women by introducing systematic information for 21 Arab countries. Widely published international statistical data, mostly from the United Nations and the World Bank, were used for the comparisons. These datasets are compiled from country reports, national surveys, and aggregated smaller studies. They are by no means comprehensive or devoid of inaccuracies, however they remain the best available information at this time. The paucity of information on Arab countries in general, and Arab women in particular, made the task a challenge, and considerable determination and finesse were required in some instances. As stated in this book, further data collection must become a constant and collective effort at national, regional, and international levels

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The Effect of Incongruity in Viral Advertising Design on Digital Recipient Engagement Levels

The viral ad is based on digital recipient engagement with it, which helps the ad reach the largest audience. In the digital context such as the social networking site Facebook, there are different levels for the digital recipient engagement with the ad (i.e., click, like, comment, and Share). Sharing the ad is the highest engagement level and the most effective behavior for the ad viral success. By searching for why someone shares content with others, we found according to the emotional broadcaster theory that social sharing is driven by the emotional arousal that follows encountering information that challenges deeply held beliefs and expectations. And surprise which arises from expectations violation is the key for content diffusion.On the other hand, according to schema incongruity theory, we found that the incongruent ad with recipient expectations is more stimulating compared with the congruent one and the expectedness of the congruent ad may weaken its effect.So, we are in need to find methods for designing the ad to be incongruent with recipient expectations, and then study its effect on digital recipient engagement levels as metrics for the ad viral success.The research depends on the descriptive approach followed by an analytical study. The results suggest different incongruity methods generating surprise from not being congruent with recipient expectations. The results also reveal that incongruity will have positive effect on recipient evaluations and attitudes toward the ad, thus it will positively affect digital recipient engagement with the ad and the likelihood of going viral

The role of ultrasound in evaluating salivary glands swellings

Abstract Background Viral infection is the most common cause of salivary gland swelling as mumps which mainly affects the parotid glands. Sialolithiasis is another cause of obstruction of the salivary duct. A tumor is another cause of swelling. Around 70% of salivary gland tumors arise from the parotid glands. Benign lesions represent 57% of these tumors. Three to 5% of all tumors affecting the head and neck are represented in the salivary gland. Ultrasonography is considered a basic diagnostic tool in all salivary gland swellings. Our study is to evaluate the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of salivary glands swellings in comparison with a computed tomography scan. Results A total of 80 patients aged more than 1 year old with swellings affecting the salivary glands were collected from the out-patient clinic during the period from February 2020 to February 2021. All patients underwent ultrasonography and computed tomography examination of the neck. All submandibular gland lesions presented with sialolithiasis (40 cases) (100%), and 20 cases (50%) of parotid gland swellings presented as inflammation without stone (16 cases (40%) of acute inflammation and 4 cases (10%) with recurrent inflammation), while 4 patients only presented as sialolithiasis. Neoplastic lesions were diagnosed in 16 cases of the parotid gland group. Stones less than 3 mm were detected only by computed tomography in 5 patients (12.5%) of the submandibular group. Twenty-eight cases (70%) with stones ranged in size between 3 and 6 mm. Only 11 cases (27.5%) with stones ranged in size more than 6 mm. Of the 16 parotid swellings diagnosed with neoplastic lesions, 14 parotid cases (87%) showed well-defined margins by computed tomography and ultrasonography. Conclusions Sonography is the basic diagnostic tool in salivary glands swellings. Ultrasonography should be the initial imaging modality. Only in special cases, such as stones that could not be detected by ultrasonography or a neoplastic lesion in a deep location, or bone infiltration, computed tomography neck should be performed

Ventilatory function and oxidative-antioxidant Status in shoe makers

Abstract: Each process in shoe manufacture is associated with certain type of occupational hazard. Environmental risk factors including inhalation of leather dust, petroleum products, metals and solvents deteriorate shoe makers&apos; health. A number of studies implicated shoe manufacture with the occurrence of diffuse lung disease. Objective The aim of the study was assessment of the respiratory health problems in shoe makers and their oxidative-antioxidant status. Method It was conducted on forty-three male workers employed in different steps of shoe manufacturing. Forty subjects were recruited as a control group matched for age, sex and socio-economic status. Dietary habits of both groups were nearly the same to exclude diet as confounding factor. Results revealed that none of the measured airborne pollutants exceeded the Egyptian standards. But, the results recorded high percentages of chronic respiratory symptoms in shoe makers than in the controls (cough 39.5 %, expectoration 3.4 %, wheeze 6.7 % and dyspnea 10.3 % compared to 7.5 %, 5 %, 2.5 % and 0 % in control group respectively). Smoking was taken into consideration as a risk factor in inducing deterioration in the lung function, oxidative stress, and lowering antioxidant capacity. Ventilatory function in form of PEFR, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75 of the shoe makers (smokers and non-smokers) were significantly reduced compared to the controls (smokers and non smokers). Antioxidant activity detected by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) were also significantly lower in the workers than in their controls. On the other hand, malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher in exposed group. There were no significant relationships between oxidative-antioxidant status and the ventilatory function of the workers. Conclusion and discussion: It could be concluded that shoe workers are at risk of respiratory affection. It is reasonable to provide those workers with protective equipments and antioxidant supplements with their regular diet

Algorithms for The Detection of the Pupil and the Iris of The Human Eye

In this work we present efficient algorithms for the detection, extraction, and expansion of the iris of the human eye. The method depends on several image processing techniques, such as thresholding, edge detection, Hough transform, and geometrical transformations. The complexity of the detection of the center have been reduced from O(N 3) to O(N). Several experiments on the infrared iris of the CASIA database showed the robust extraction of the iris. The obtained results are the same as the one that uses Hough transform for all the stages of the detection of the iris center, inner and outer radii. Key Words: Iris recognition, biometric security, CASIA, iris expansion, Hough transforms. 1