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Generally, learning outcomes are not always as expected; instead, they show a degree of variation depending on various factors. Likewise, despite the fact of providing writing instruments in Saudi EFL classrooms, the outcomes are not always as expected. The reasons may range from classroom atmosphere to individual cognition and many other related variants around. However, it is a small attempt in teachers' perspective to see if anything is lacking in the implementation of 'teaching writing strategies' for EFL classrooms. To verify this assumption between practicality and literature, this paper intends to explore 'the implementation of writing strategies of faculty' during teaching writing skills. In addition, this paper also attempts to identify what sort of discourse tools and metacognitive strategies university faculty are incorporating in their teaching, and what is ignored or not used up to the mark while enhancing Saudi EFL students' meta-cognitive awareness. To collect responses for this study, a survey questionnaire was administered among 36 English language educators of the Jazan region. The results of this study revealed that there is a component that was given minor importance during teaching, though teachers used other strategies and tools extensively. Furthermore, one of the aims of the study is to demonstrate how discourse can be used to offer a solution in the present scenario. In a nutshell, this research recommends the significance of the neglected subcomponent and its importance in improving writing metacognition.

Purpose: It has been argued in the literature that quality assurance is a relative concept. In view of the new challenges (and opportunities) created by e-learning institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, this paper aims to explore the dimensions of quality assurance in e-learning and test the psychometric properties of the underlying dimensions. Design/methodology/approach: A sequential mixed methods approach was applied in this study. In the qualitative phase, items were generated using the inductive and deductive approaches. This was then followed by the quantitative phase where data was collected from 275 senior academics, scholars and administrators associated with e-learning institutions in Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Findings: The findings of this study revealed that e-learning quality assurance is a multidimensional construct. The dimensions of accreditation, assessment, accountability and benchmarking were identified. Further, the model demonstrated adequacy in its validity and reliability. Practical implications: In the light of proliferation of e-learning courses in GCC countries, the results of this are invaluable to enable administrators and instructors to design strategy and foster innovation in the domain of quality assurance. E-learning institutions operating in a competitive environment have to design and implement an effective strategy to achieve innovation, uniqueness and diversity in the educational sector of their countries. Originality/value: This paper has successfully validated an e-learning quality assurance questionnaire, which can be used effectively for evaluating e-learning programmes.

This paper is set out to explore the students' attitudes towards online learning effectiveness using the Blackboard platform in three public Saudi universities (Taibah, Hail, and Al-Baha) during COVID- 19 pandemic. It examines the learning activities which ensure the achievement of education quality during unprecedented online learning. The survey based- questionnaire method was used to elicit students' responses. The numbers of students who participated in the survey are 333. The main section of the questionnaire contains questions about the main online learning activities. The coefficient relation of the p-value is highly correlated when tested using Pearson's r and Spearman's. The score of Cronbach's Alpha is (0.93) which indicates (greater internal consistency) an acceptable level of reliability. The findings positively emphasize the effective influence of online learning on student's academic achievements in most of learning factors except in an assessment factor where the development of new assessment methods is needed.

Introduction: D-dimer is a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis widely used in clinical practice for assessing thrombotic activity. While it is commonly ordered in the Emergency Department (ED) for suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE), elevated D-dimer levels can occur due to various other disorders. The aim of this study was to find out the causes of elevated D-dimer in patients presenting to a large ED in Saudi Arabia and evaluate the accuracy of D-dimer in diagnosing these conditions. Methods: Data was collected from an electronic hospital information system of patients who visited the ED from January 2016 to December 2022. Demographic information, comorbidities, D-dimer levels, and diagnoses were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. The different diagnoses associated with D-dimer levels were analyzed by plotting the median D-dimer levels for each diagnosis category and their interquartile ranges (IQR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated and their area under the curve (AUC) values were demonstrated. The optimal cut-off points for specific diseases were determined based on the ROC analysis, along with their corresponding sensitivities and specificities. Results: A total of 19,258 patients with D-dimer results were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 50 years with a standard deviation of ± 18. Of the patients, 66% were female and 21.2% were aged 65 or above. Additionally, 21% had diabetes mellitus, 20.4% were hypertensive, and 15.1% had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia. The median D-dimer levels varied across different diagnoses, with the highest level observed in aortic aneurysm 5.46 g/L. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were found in 729 patients (3.8%) of our study population and their median D-dimer levels 3.07 g/L (IQR: 1.35–7.05 g/L) and 3.36 g/L (IQR: 1.06–8.38 g/L) respectively. On the other hand, 1767 patients (9.2%) were diagnosed with respiratory infections and 936 patients (4.9%) were diagnosed with shortness of breath (not specified) with median D-dimer levels of 0.76 g/L (IQR: 0.40–1.47 g/L) and 0.51 g/L (IQR: 0.29–1.06 g/L), respectively. D-dimer levels showed superior or excellent discrimination for PE (AUC = 0.844), leukemia (AUC = 0.848), and aortic aneurysm (AUC = 0.963). DVT and aortic dissection demonstrated acceptable discrimination, with AUC values of 0.795 and 0.737, respectively. D-dimer levels in respiratory infections and shortness of breath (not specified) exhibited poor to discriminatory performance. Conclusion: This is the first paper to identify multiple causes of elevated D-dimer levels in Saudi Arabia population within the ED and it clearly highlights their accurate and diagnostic values. These findings draw attention to the importance of considering the specific clinical context and utilizing additional diagnostic tools when evaluating patients with elevated D-dimer levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As early as 1983, Rossi propounded that one of the issues of particular interest and development within the foreign and second language teaching profession is that of proficiency testing or the evaluation of a learner's level of linguistic and communicative competence. This still holds true. On the contrary our pilot study using the Question Paper Evaluating Checklists (included in this paper) indicates that all is not right with the designing of EFL question papers in Saudi Arabia though EFL assessment patterns in the KSA have undergone much change from the time that English was first introduced into the curriculum as a compulsory foreign language. It is the demand of time that evaluation patterns be evaluated on the touchstone of latest research and their relationship with classroom practices be established. This will help the learner-teacher combine to plug the loopholes in language training. In other words, we have to realise as educators that good assessment forms the basis of a wealth of learner information that has direct and indirect ramifications on curriculum and pedagogy. Hence the need to study this aspect of EFL in the light of modern literatures in order come up with constructive recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animation has always occupied a special space in the hearts and minds of those that have consumed the media by making it possible to bring to life what would otherwise be impossible. It is because of the spectacle of seeing what otherwise wouldn't be possible that makes animation so magical, and the almost magical effects that can be achieved through animation has captivated the minds of many throughout history and its many different forms. Animation's development went hand in hand with the development of the movie or motion picture which captured real-life, and this interdependence is displayed through the development of shared technology that both mediums utilize. The industry's contributions towards the art of telling complex stories and narratives through gestures and different perspectives from its early days until now, This research project delves into the importance of animation and its cross-medium contributions to many of the things that are now taken for granted. This research project delves into the importance of animation This paper attempts to understand the links between culture and animation, how animation has taken place during (covid-19), how animation have been studied, Animation and how it affected society during (covid-19) and Animations industry growth during (covid-19). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the importance of delivering speech and language therapy services to children who stutter (CWS), there are barriers to accessing speech and language therapy. One way to improve access for those who may otherwise be deprived of speech and language therapy services, including CWS, is through telepractice (TP). However, there is currently no evidence as to the viability of TP stuttering assessments for CWS. Aim: To investigate the validity and reliability, and acceptability of using a TP application to assess overt stuttering behaviour children aged 6–15 years. Methods & Procedure: A total of 30 CWS, aged between 6 and 15 years, were recruited from a speech therapy clinic in King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Children were divided into two testing conditions, either face‐to‐face (f2f)‐led or TP‐led testing, and the Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI‐IV) was administered, percentage of syllables stuttered (%SS) was calculated, and severity ratings (SR) assigned, either via f2f or via TP using two laptops with webcams, video conference software and a broadband internet connection. Agreement and reliability of scoring in the two testing conditions were reported in addition to findings from questionnaires exploring children's and their caregivers' perceptions both before and immediately after the TP assessment was carried out. Outcome & Results: A total of 30 sessions were successfully carried out, with results revealing unsatisfactory levels of agreement when applying the Bland and Altman method. However, when discrepancies were found, these were comparable with those from traditional f2f studies. Generally, parents and children exhibited high levels of satisfaction and held a positive view regarding TP pre‐ and post‐assessment. Conclusions & Implications: The results of the study suggest that conducting an overt stuttering assessment via TP for 6–15‐year‐olds CWS is reliable and valid. Although the TP model posed some (mainly technical) challenges for executing the assessment, high levels of satisfaction were recorded by parents and children alike. The TP system and equipment chosen in this study has provided a basis for the delivery of TP overt stuttering assessment in a clinical setting, thus addressing the barriers to access that are present for CWS. These results are preliminary, but they can be seen as a building block for future research in TP assessment studies for CWS. What this paper adds: What is already known on the subject: Stuttering treatment via TP has been proven to be feasible and successful across a variety of treatment programs (e.g., Lidcombe, Camperdown). However, the viability of assessing stuttering via videoconferencing has never been explored in children. What this paper adds to existing knowledge: Preliminary support for the assessment of overt stuttering in CWS aged 6–15 years via video conferencing. The results justify larger scale studies of this service delivery method. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?: The TP system and equipment chosen in this study has provided a basis for the delivery of TP overt stuttering assessment in a clinical setting, thus addressing the barriers to access that are present for CWS aged 6–15 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Smoking cessation has significant health benefits. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and related factors of smoking cessation therapies in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study that took place at smoking cessation clinics in primary healthcare centers between January 2019 and January 2020. RESULTS This study enrolled a total of 103 people. The success rate for quitting smoking was 36% at three months, with a 13% relapse rate at six months. Age (p=0.017), occupation (p=0.046), daily cigarette intake (p=0.015), and number of visits (p=0.001) were all found to be significant determinants of smoking cessation. In the multivariate analysis, only the number of visits increased the likelihood to quit smoking (AOR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.15-0.63). Self-efficacy was cited as the primary reason for quitting smoking by 71% of the participants, whereas family support, smoking cessation therapies, and friends' support were cited as predictive variables by 18%, 10%, and 1% of the participants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Smokers who received the smoking cessation intervention package were three times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking when compared to those who received the routine service. Regular follow-up during smoking cessation interventions significantly enhanced the quit rate. It is recommended that pharmacotherapy strategies and intense therapy performed face-to-face with a cessation counselor be combined to improve the quit rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the variations in comprehensive exam results in the English department at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia across six semesters, focusing on average score, range, and standard deviation, as well as overall student achievements. Additionally, it sought to assess the performance levels of male and female students in comprehensive tests and determine how they differ over the past six semesters. The research design utilized both analytical and descriptive approaches, with quantitative analysis of the data using frequency statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and range. The data consisted of scores from six consecutive exit exams. The findings reveal that male students scored slightly higher on average than female students, with minimal difference (p = 0.07). Moreover, male scores exhibited more variability and spread, indicating varying performance levels. These results suggest the need for further investigation into the factors that contribute to gender-based differences in test performance. Furthermore, longitudinal studies tracking individual student performance over multiple semesters could offer a more indepth understanding of academic progress and the efficacy of comprehensive exam practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 32 questions were used to probe the attitudes of 95 Arab, 98 Natives English teachers, and of Asian (South Asian) origin ESL/EFL educators toward the assessment and evaluation of their students. The results showed more agreement than disagreement between the instructors in the three settings, although the teachers' views were inconsistent throughout the three situations. While there was a positive correlation between instructors' stated goals for using assessment and evaluation and their actual implementation of these tools, there was no such correlation between instructors' perceptions of assessment and evaluation's value in the classroom and their students' learning gains. Teachers' perceptions of the time they spent on assessment, their knowledge of and preparation for assessment, and their actual assessment practises were only moderately connected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are widely used in clinical interviews to assess the impact of medical interventions or measure the outcomes of healthcare services. The main aim of such questionnaires is the subjective assessment of health status and its impact on QoL. This study aimed to develop an efficient, short sinonasal disease assessment instrument, the sinonasal outcomes test-12 (SNOT-12), and to compare it with the preexisting SNOT-22. Methods: This was a two-phase cross-sectional study. The study was performed between June 2019 and February 2020 using the electronic files of the ORL department outpatient clinics at King Fahd University Hospital, affiliated with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The study was performed in 2 phases: an item reduction phase, which resulted in an initial SNOT-12 scale, and a validation phase, using a comparative analysis of the initial SNOT-12 and the SNOT-22. Results: The developed short-form SNOT-12 maintained the 4 latent factors extracted in EFA (nasal, Sleep/extra nasal, psychological, ear/facial). It strongly correlated with SNOT-22 (r = 0.973). It had good construct reliability (0.705-0.901) and validity and a higher discrimination power than the SNOT-22. Conclusions: The SNOT-12 is a short, valid, and reliable instrument that may prove useful for the initial screening and monitoring of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine the validity and reliability of the Saudi version of the Cyberchondria CSS-12 (short form). A convenience sample of (434) university student's were selected to evaluate the validity and reliability of Cyberchondria severity scale CSS-12. M-PLUS 7 and SPSS were used to analyze data. Cronbach's alpha, divergent validity, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted as well. The CSS-12 showed acceptable validity and reliability among the Saudi sample. The CSS-12 had positive and significant correlations with health anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The burden of diseases has changed in recent years, and chronic Non- Communicable Diseases NCD have become an emerging pandemic in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, healthcare provision is shifting from free services provided directly by the state to a privatised model of healthcare delivery. An effective referral system is fundamental to manage the potential fragmentation of privatisation, and provide the integrated care needed to meet the NCD challenge. This paper evaluates the current "Ehalati" referral system; "Ehalati" is an Arabic word means "my referral". It examines the experiences of physicians working within this referral system, from the assessment to the monitoring of referred patients. It pays particular attention to the referral processes for patients with chronic NCD in Primary Health Centres [PHCs]. Method: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted in 15 PHCs of the Ministry of Health MOH in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Nineteen physicians from these PHCs were interviewed using questions drawn from the Referral System Assessment and Monitoring RSAM evaluation tool. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Results: The current referral system falls well short of ideal integrated care. Physicians reported that the feedback procedure was almost non-existent. Although referral protocols and guidelines existed, these were not available in all PHCs. The system relies on accurate knowledge of the referral network, but directories of hospitals in the network were not available in all PHCs. When we asked physicians "how do you know the type of services provided in a hospital," their response was clearly "don't know." There is consistency between the referral information reported in the referral letters in all PHCs. Some physicians were unhappy about the patients' role in the referral letter that is generated only "Upon Patient's Request." Data of the referrals were collected and analysed in most PHCs. Most of these analyses were sent to MOH's "Ehalati" management. Some physicians reported that these analyses should be shared with and among physicians. There was no standard satisfaction measurement for referred patients. It found that uneven availability of training of physicians. Training for physicians on the referral guideline and system was not available for all of them. Most physicians reported that the current referral system and appointment time management limits the choices of referrals. Physicians cannot track or monitor their patients, and they do not know if patients completed the referral unless patients tell them verbally. Discussion: Physicians complained about not receiving feedback from hospitals, this aligns with previous studies that reported low feedback rate with poor quality 1. Conclusion: Improvement to the referral system is needed, particularly appointment time management, provision of up to date directory of hospitals, training to the physicians from primary care and an improved increased awareness of the significance of feedback from hospitals. Lessons learned: Involvement of patients in the evaluation of the referral system is essential. Limitations: Study was conducted only in one city and findings may not be applicable to other cities. Suggestion for future research: Future research should be focusing on feedback procedures from hospitals to PHCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hamstring shortening altered joint reaction forces during activities of daily living (ADL), causing knee pain. Moreover, weak quadriceps may negatively distribute the compressive and shear forces at the knee joint. PURPOSE: The study examined the effect of adding hamstring stretching to quadriceps strengthening exercises on joint space narrowing (JSN), medial joint space width (mJSW), and physical abilities in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS: A total of 42 osteoarthritis patients, aged from 50 to 65 years, were randomized and assigned into 2 groups: the study and the control groups. Quadriceps strengthening exercises were given to both groups, while static hamstring stretching was applied to only the study group. Patients of both groups were screened with a weight-bearing x-ray beam to investigate the JSN, mJSW, and functional abilities measured in the WOMAC scale. The Outcomes were evaluated at the baseline and immediately after 6 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The mJSW improved in the study group (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (p = 0.07). The OARSI JSN was enhanced significantly in both groups, but in favor of the study group (p < 0.001) over the control group (p = 0.046). Both MVIC and total score of WOMAC were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adding static hamstring stretching to quadriceps strengthening exercises provided a substantial effect on mJSW, JSN, and functional abilities in KOA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical studies comparing retention rates of pit and fissure sealants placed under Isolite, rubber dam, and cotton roll combined have not been conducted until now. Aim: To evaluate the retention rate of pit and fissure sealants (PFS) placed under three different isolation techniques (Isolite system [IS], rubber dam isolation [RDI], and cotton roll isolation [CRI]). Design: One hundred and forty‐four teeth from 48 children aged 6–15 years attending paediatric dental clinics at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia were randomized to receive three PFS using three isolation techniques. The children that met the inclusion criteria were randomized by a simple block random allocation method. All PFS were placed by an operator and evaluated by a blinded evaluator. The evaluation scores were recorded at baseline and followed up over a period of 12–22 months. Results: The children's mean age was 8.58 ± 1.93 years. Seven patients were lost to follow‐up. A total of 123 teeth were clinically evaluated; of these teeth, 22% had completely retained sealants, whereas approximately 66% had a partial loss of sealants, and approximately 12% had a complete loss of sealants. There were, however, no significant differences between the three isolation techniques on the retention rate of pit and fissure sealant. Conclusion: The types of isolation had no impact on the retention rate of pit and fissure sealant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gifted education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has developed significantly since its tentative beginnings in 1969. Increasingly, however, there are concerns that gifted education is not meeting its objectives. Based on the Ziegler-Balestrini-Stoegerian framework, we evaluate Saudi gifted education from a macro-systemic perspective, including the identification of the ten important exogenous and endogenous capitals and the six principles (law of the minimum, continuity, developmental level, support systems, control system and external management). Using information obtained from 25 source documents, we conduct an automated content analysis using Leximancer to find information related to each of the ten capitals and six principles. Our finding that the absence of a clearly articulated set of objectives and expected outcomes impact the system on many levels, and that, at best, Saudi gifted education is best described as a proto-system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public health surveillance systems should be evaluated periodically, and the evaluation should include recommendations for improving the system’s quality and efficiency. Each surveillance system may have a unique situation in which evaluating its quality depends on its methodology, aims, and other factors, such as the frequency of repeating the survey in the case of survey-based surveillance. Objective: As the consistency of the surveillance system to capture demographic data and its sensitivity to monitor the intended health-related event are important indicators of the quality of the surveillance system, the aim of this article is to evaluate the Saudi Arabia Mental Health Surveillance System (MHSS) in terms of consistency and sensitivity via the scientific hypothesis testing process. Methods: The quality of the MHSS was assessed by examining (1) the consistency of the main demographic variables and (2) the sensitivity to changes in score between the 2 mental health screening tools used in the MHSS and between the 3 waves collected in 3 consecutive months. The assessment uses all data collected via the MHSS between May 2020 and July 2020. The first null hypothesis predicted there were differences between the distributions of the demographic variables between the 3 waves. The second predicted there were no differences between the scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) between the 3 waves. Results: In terms of sampling variables (age, gender, and region), there were no significant differences between the 3 waves in age, using one-way ANOVA, nor in gender and region, using the chi-square test. In addition, there were no significant differences between the 3 waves in all other demographic variables, except in the income variable. However, in terms of the PHQ-9 score, the one-way ANOVA (F2,12334=8.05; P<.001) showed significant differences between waves. Similarly, significant differences between waves were found in the GAD-7 score (F2,12334=7.09; P=.001). Conclusions: The MHSS showed a consistent distribution of the sample demographic variables, while being sensitive to the changes in mental health scores across waves. The MHSS can generate an acceptable level of consistency and sensitivity to monitor mental health trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, peers, beliefs, practices and personal development. Mentoring methods include teaching, coaching, storytelling, discussion, and guided research. Education is often led by teachers; however, students can also engage in self-education. As education is a continuous process, it requires rectifying from time to time and that is achieved by conducting regular evaluation and assessment. The role of assessment cannot be denied in any educational process because it works as a course-correction tool. It is indeed one of the pillars of formal education. However, validation of learning results is rarely undertaken in institutions because no comprehensive method for this is available. The current study evaluates international and national best result assessment practices to prepare a balanced model for use in English language Departments in ESL/EFL situations. The criteria are applied at Mustaqbal University (MU), Saudi Arabia, and results showed that only some of the forty seven criteria are robustly applied, a few partially applied, and some not applied at all. Overall, the study establishes that result assessment needs a careful rethinking at MU to place it among the most prestigious educational institutions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 crisis, there has been insufficient reporting regarding the evaluation of students' performance in biology courses in medical schools. This study is designed to evaluate the online learning strategy by examining its effects on preparatory medical students' performance. The target population included preparatory year medical students (n = 115) at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences in Saudi Arabia. The human biology course (15 weeks) was taught using two different teaching strategies due to the lockdown and home-schooling decision. The first eight weeks were conducted on campus and the remaining seven weeks were conducted using online interactive lectures and virtual classrooms via Blackboard platform. The latter is the formal platform used by the college for online teaching. Continuous and final assessment results were used to assess student performance and to evaluate the effects of online learning on students' knowledge and skills. The results of the final examinations demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in student performance. The mean of the students' scores increased by 1.28 in the final examinations compared to the midterm examinations for female students (n = 73). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the male students' scores in the final examinations. The mean increased by 1.24 in the final compared to the midterm examination for male students (n = 42). Online assessment tools are proved to be successful assessment methods and could provide additional non-traditional methods for students' performance evaluation. Furthermore, with online learning and assessment, students' performance is enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Center for Measurement (Qiyas) was established for the purpose of conducting standardized tests in Saudi Arabia. The center has developed multiple Qiyas tests such as the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Scholastic Achievement Admission Test (SAAT). Qiyas tests are used as a pre-requisite requirement for applying to universities and to certain kinds of jobs in Saudi Arabia. Currently, students use traditional methods to prepare for these tests, e.g., studying from books and searching for available learning resources on the internet. These web-based resources are mostly static and only have general guidelines about the tests and a history of available test samples. This research proposes a computerbased collaborative learning (CL) environment that helps support learners during their preparation for the Qiyas tests. A four-stage approach is used in this research: (1) an intensive review of 30 CL platforms is carried out to investigate the available features, (2) two workshops are conducted to evaluate the appropriateness of the features identified in Stage 1 as well as to investigate what other features would be appropriate for Qiyas tests, (3) a CL platform is developed for Qiyas tests for a total of 21 features, (4) and, lastly, the platform is evaluated using two methods, in-depth interviews with experts and an empirical study with instructors and learners. The results show that the platform helps support learners in the participative, cognitive, interactive, and social dimensions of the learning processes. The results also help instructors promote the teaching experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adaptation of a patient-reported outcomes survey into a new language requires careful translation procedures as well as qualitative and quantitative psychometric testing. This study aimed to evaluate the basic psychometric properties of the new Saudi Arabian SF-36v2 and establish norm data for Saudi Arabia. Methods: Translation and adaptation of the SF-36v2 used standard methodology. Psychometric validation included two stages: 1) A qualitative study (n = 100) explored the components of health and health-related quality of life considered important in Saudi Arabia and evaluated the content validity of the SF-36v2 in Saudi Arabia, and 2) A quantitative study (n = 6166) evaluated the basic psychometric properties of the Saudi SF-36v2 and established norm data for Saudi Arabia. Comparison with US general population data (n = 4040) evaluated differential item function (DIF) and cross-national differences. Results: The qualitative study supported the content validity of the Saudi SF-36v2. Cognitive debriefing identified only few and minor problems. Psychometric analyses supported item convergence within scales and differentiation across scales of the SF-36v2. Scale level exploratory factor analyses did not support the typical distinction between physical health and mental health components. Internal consistency reliability was satisfactory for all scales except the social function scale (alpha = 0.67). Cross-national DIF was identified for 9 items. In the Saudi general population, the average vitality score was lower for women (− 2.71 points) compared to men. For men, older age groups scored lower on the physical function scale (− 3.31) and the physical health component (− 3.06). For women, older age groups scored lower on the role physical (− 3.72), bodily pain (− 3.66), and vitality (− 2.32) scales as well as the physical health component (− 3.52). Compared to the 2009 United States general population, and after adjusting for age, gender, and differential item function, persons in Saudi Arabia had lower average scores for the physical function (− 3.10), role physical (− 4.75), social function (− 4.23), role emotional (− 5.67), and mental health (− 4.82) scales, as well as the mental health component (− 4.57). Conclusion: This Saudi normative study of patient reported outcomes supported the validity and reliability of the new Saudi SF-36v2 and found cross-national differences with the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MyoRing implantation in eyes with keratoconus managed at a tertiary eye hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods. This one-armed historical cohort study included keratoconus patients operated for MyoRing implant. The cases were assessed before and 6 months after surgery. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal curvature (Kmean) were noted and measured before and 6 months after the intervention. Intra- and postoperative complications were noted. Result. We studied 12 eyes of 12 patients with moderate keratoconus. The median of Kmean was 50.6 mm (IQR 47.54; 52.5) and 44.5 mm (IQR 42.5; 46.8) before and 6 months after surgery. The change in Kmean was significant (P=0.002). The median spherical equivalent (SE) was −5.1D (interquartile range (IQR) 7.1; −3.6) and −0.6 (IQR −2.1; 0.8) before and 6 months after surgery. The difference in SE was significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test P=0.004). The CCT was 447 ± 34 μm and 444 ± 30 μm before and 6 months after surgery, respectively. The CCT change was not significant (P=0.26). The UCVA and BCVA improved by 2 or more lines in 9 (75%) eyes, remained stable in 2 (16.7%) eyes, and decreased in 2 (16.7%) eyes. Conclusion. MyoRing implant seems to be a safe and effective procedure to manage low and moderate keratoconus. The outcomes could be further enhanced by additional procedures such as collagen cross-linkage and photorefractive keratectomy if warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a computer program to choose the most suitable wind turbine for each site according to technical and economical assessments. The criterion for choosing the most suitable wind turbine for each site is according to which wind turbine and site give a maximum capacity factor and minimum cost of energy ($/kWh). This criterion is used because the decision of matching which depends only on maximum capacity factor is not enough because capacity factor is independent of rated power of wind turbine. Therefore, two wind turbines with the same performance parameters but different rated power get the same capacity factor for the same site, but it does not get the same cost of energy ($/kWh). The data of five locations in Saudi Arabia have been applied to the computer program. The five locations are Yanbou, Dhahran, Douhlom, Riyadh, and Qaisumah. The wind turbine parameters such as hub height, rated power, cut-in, rated, and furling wind speeds for ten commercial wind turbines are collected. The Weibull parameters have been estimated numerically and graphically for these five locations. The values of Weibull parameters obtained graphically are similar to the numerical one. Three methods have been used for estimating the cost of energy. The results from these three methods have been compared, and the suitable one for Saudi Arabia economics has been selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measuring the Effectiveness of Professional Development lies in arranging and assessing teacher training needs based on knowledge, skills and content. Questions designed at Jeddah Community College (JCC) analyzed and interpreted these three fundamental objectives in relation to a Business Development Unit and how this offers the way forward for faculty members as well as institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norton-Westwood D, Robertson-Malt S, Anderson R. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 461-471 A randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of an Admission Service on patient and staff satisfaction This study aims to assess the benefits of an Admission Service (AS) wherein the nurse, when fluent in the language spoken by the patient (Arabic), improves the accuracy and efficiency of acquiring key assessment data needed to guide nursing care. Patients' satisfaction with their hospital experience begins formulating from their time of admission. Dissatisfaction is frequently reported in areas requiring careful, skilled communication such as obtaining emotional support and family participation and education. Over a 3-month study recruitment, 314 patients were randomly assigned to be admitted either through the AS ( n = 150) or to the unit via the standard admission process ( n = 164). The AS improved the efficiency of admission time by > 150%. The nurse's assessment of their quality of admission was also improved: 76 vs. 26 nurses rated their quality of admission as 'very good' when assisted by the AS compared with standard admission to the unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training programmes are evaluated to verify their effectiveness, assess their ability to achieve their goals and identify the areas that require improvement. Therefore, the target of evaluators is to develop an appropriate framework for evaluating training programmes. This study adapted Kirkpatrick's four-level model of training criteria published in 1959 to evaluate training programmes for head teachers according to their own perceptions and those of their supervisors. The adapted model may help evaluators to conceptualise the assessment of learning outcomes of training programmes with metrics and instruments. The model also helps to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the training process. The adaptation includes concrete metrics and instruments for each of the four levels in the model: reaction criteria, learning criteria, behaviour criteria and results criteria. The adapted model was applied to evaluate 12 training programmes for female head teachers in Saudi Arabia. The study sample comprised 250 trainee head teachers and 12 supervisors. The results indicated that the adapted Kirkpatrick evaluation model was very effective in evaluating educational training for head teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than two decades ago in his now-classic work Bauer provided a thought-provoking conceptualisation of consumer behaviour. Bauer proposed that, "consumer behaviour involves risk in the sense that any action of a consumer will produce consequences which he cannot anticipate with anything approximating certainty, and some of which at least are likely to be unpleasant"[l]. Because consumers may be uncertain about the outcome of a choice among alternatives and may be concerned about the consequences of a poor decision they tend to develop risk handling strategies by either reducing the consequences of failure or by increasing the certainty of outcome. Recognising that perceived risk may be a deterrent to the consumers' decisions to act when confronted with choice situations such as selection of brands or products, marketers can also take several measures to help them reduce their anxiety[2]. Since the emergence of Bauer's conceptualisation, explanation of consumer behaviour as risk taking and effectiveness of alternative risk reduction methods have been examined in a variety of situations. Perceived risk is an integral component of the contemporary models or theories of consumer behaviour[3]. The purpose of this study is to assess if perceived risk is a determinant of supermarket patronage by using Saudi Arabia as a case in point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]