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We report the Radiological findings in relation to the clinical features of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 37 symptomatic neonates and young infants (

This study was designed to compare the effect of non-electrical stunning and electrical stunning on bleeding efficiency, meat quality characteristics, bacterial count, and histology of longissimus thoraces, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, infraspinatus, semimembranosus, and triceps brachii muscles of goats. Forty goats were randomly divided into two groups: electrical stunning and non-electrical stunning with 20 animals each. Low frequency head-only electrical stunning of 1 Amp for 3 s at a frequency of 50 Hz was used. The slaughter was performed by severing the carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea, and oesophagus. Six muscles were kept in a chiller at 3–4 ºC for 24 h before quality measurements. Samples from the infraspinatus, longissimus thoraces, and semitendinosus muscles were preserved to evaluate histological features. Muscle samples from the non-electrical stunning group had substantially higher blood loss and lower bacterial counts after 72 h across the six muscles compared to the electrical stunning group. No significant differences in meat quality parameters were evident between the two groups. The stained sections of the electrically-stunned muscle samples detected alteration phenomena due to the presence of muscle fibres with split myofibres and myofibres with central rather than peripheral nuclei. Electrical stunning prior to slaughter increased bacterial contamination, decreased blood loss, and altered the position of muscle nuclei.

يهدف البحث الى تسليط الضوء على طبيعة استخدام تقنيات إدارة علاقات الزبون ومعرفة تأثيرها في جودة الخدمة المُـقَـدَمة من دائرة بلدية الدورة الى المواطنين. اعتمد البحث المنهج الوصفي التحليلي عبر أداة الاستبانة وقد تم التوصل الى العديد من النتائج، كان أهمها أن لتقنيات إدارة علاقات الزبون تأثيراً واضحــاً على جودة الخدمات التي تقدمها البلدية. وكانت عينة الدراسة عشوائية تتألف من (194) فرداً من العاملين البالغ عددهم (437) فرداً في الإدارات والتخصصات المختلفة (الإدارة العليا والوسطى والتنفيذية)، (الإداريين والمشرفين على الانشطة الخدمية في اقسام البلدية كافة). وتم اعتماد الادوات الإحصائية (معامل الفاكرونباخ، والوسط المرجح، والانحراف المعياري، وتحليل الارتباط، فضلاً عن تحليل الانحدار) وكانت اهم نتائج التحليل الى ان تقنيات إدارة علاقات الزبون لها التأثير الملموس في جودة الخدمة المقدمة للزبون، ويؤدي العمل بها إلى تحسين واضح في كفاءة وجودة الخدمات التي تقدمها الدائرة البلدية. ومن استنتاجات البحث وُجِدَ ان البلدية تعاني من عدم توفر البرمجيات واليد العاملة المختصة بالعمل التقني الخاص بخدمة الزبون على الرغم من توفر الاجهزة المطلوبة، واهم ما تم الايصاء به هو تطوير نظام العمل للنهوض بجودة الخدمات التي يتم تقديمها من خلال تدريب العاملين بصورة أكثر تركيز فضلاً عن الاستفادة من اليد العاملة بصفة أجير يومي الذين هم من ذوي التخصص الإداري التقني.

Introduction: The non-enzymatic protein glycation alters protein function and contributes to many biochemical disorders. The accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) is associated with the complications of diabetes, kidney disease, metabolic disorders and degenerative diseases. Objectives: This study was designed to measure the level of some glycated proteins such as glycated insulin and glycated hemoglobin in Saudi volunteers before and after dry fasting in Ramadan. Methods: Blood samples were collected twice; first sample (before) and second sample (after) dry fasting. The study included 45 Saudi male volunteers, whose ages ranged between23 and 52 years They were divided into four groups: healthy, type II diabetic patients, smokers, and obese individuals. Plasma glucose level and HbA1c were measured immediately using (Beckman coulter). Assessment of insulin resistance was determined using the equation of homeostasis model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Plasma insulin level and glycated insulin % were assayed by TSQ Vantage Triple Stage Quadruple LC/MS Mass Spectrometer from Thermo Scientific. Results: Level of HbA1c, HOMA IR and glycated insulin in healthy, type II diabetic patients, smokers, and obese individuals showed significant decrease in the second sample. The level of HbA1c showed a significant decrease (p-value

Health education (HE) is important in improving public health. Globally, the evaluation HE quality is an important obstacle to better interventions, and wider acknowledgment of As a result, the purpose of this research is to improve the quality of health education services by providing a current perspective on current evidence on the effect of the HE national program in primary health care centres (PHCCs) through the following objectives: To calculate the frequency of receiving HE To measure patient satisfaction with the provided HE service. To assess patient self-control and its determinants in chronic diseases. An analytical cross section study targeted randomly selected 1590 Saudi PHCCs visitors from the main five regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Through exit interview using a pretested, well-structured questionnaire composed of four parts. The majority of participants were females (73.5%) and married (69.1). Of those, 64.9% had chronic diseases. The frequency of receiving HE was 51.1%. The health-educated patients significantly had better self-chronic disease control and an improvement in health status. The HECs shows a significant self-patient control of chronic diseases and patient satisfaction than HE services. HE interventions must be multidimensional to be effective in improving patients’ clinical outcomes through the increase and maintenance of healthy behaviours. Keywords: health education, Saudi patients, primary health care centres, Saudi Arabia

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, it is highly valued as a culinary spice for its flavor and color properties. Since saffron is an expensive product, it is cheated by the dealers, therefore, quality control of saffron is important for the spice industries and also the consumers. This study aims to evaluate the saffron quality in Omani markets according to the ISO standard. A total of 21 saffron samples were examined; 2 in powder form and 19 in filaments. The samples of saffron were purchased from different hyper-markets and local markets in Muscat, Oman. Saffron’s commercial value is determined according to the ISO standard which include moisture, ash, acid insoluble ash, extract %, sulfuric test, artificial colors, spectrum, Flavor, aroma and color. The saffron samples were in line with standard in terms of moisture, ash, acid insoluble ash and extract %. The two powder saffron samples failed in sulfuric, spectrum and flavor tests. From the 19 samples of saffron filament, three samples were failed to achieve the flavor and color limits required by the standard. This failure to standard quality could be due to poor processing condition such as drying and packaging or due to adulteration. The standard parameters could not distinguish between low quality and adulteration due to its limited and unspecific parameters. Therefore, we recommend improving the saffron standard with parameters targeting adulteration.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical retinal optical image quality following implantation of an extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) (Vivity; Alcon Laboratories, Inc), and to compare it with a monofocal and a trifocal IOL. Methods: This prospective, comparative, case-control study included 88 eyes implanted with: (1) 19 monofocal IOLs (AcrySof SA60AT; Alcon Laboratories, Inc); (2) 38 EDOF IOLs (AcrySof IQ Vivity); and (3) 31 trifocal IOLs (AT LISA tri 839MP; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Total root mean square, ocular lower (LOA) and higher (HOA) order aberrations, point spread function (PSF) Strehl ratio (PSF with LOA), and PSF Strehl ratio excluding LOA (PSF without LOA) were analyzed using a Pyramidal WaveFront-based sensor aberrometer Osiris (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici) at two different pupil sizes (3 and 4 mm). Results: The trifocal IOL showed the highest PSF without LOA at both pupil sizes (0.52 ± 0.12 and 0.31 ± 0.07, respectively), followed by the AcrySof SA60AT (0.39 ± 0.10 and 0.27 ± 0.07) and AcrySof IQ Vivity (0.34 ± 0.11 and 0.24 ± 0.09) ( P < .001). The AcrySof IQ Vivity and monofocal IOLs were comparable ( P > .05). Despite the comparable postoperative low spherical equivalent among the IOL groups, the AT LISA tri 839MP retinal image quality (PSF with LOA) was the most severely affected by such residual refractive errors (dropped to 0.26 ± 0.06 at 3 mm; P < .001) compared to the monofocal AcrySof SA60AT (0.24 ± 0.07 at 3 mm) and EDOF Acrysof IQ Vivity (0.23 ± 0.06 at 3 mm) groups. The PSF with LOA was comparable ( P > .05) among the three groups at both the 3-and 4-mm pupil size. Conclusions: Although trifocal IOLs provided significantly better retinal image quality if influence of LOA is excluded, they also demonstrated to be the most sensitive to residual refractive errors. Both the EDOF Acrysof IQ Vivity and mono-focal AcrySof SA60AT IOLs showed a comparable retinal image quality, and they are also comparable with trifocal IOLs when considering the clinically real PSF (PSF with LOA). [ J Refract Surg . 2023;39(2):103–110.]

Cryptography is the practice of secure communication and the study of secure communication techniques. The theoretical foundations of cryptography include concepts such as cryptography, secure key exchange, digital signatures, and authentication. These technologies are used to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and reliability of information while it is being transmitted over a network or stored in digital form. The core of encryption is the concept of an encryption algorithm, which is a set of mathematical rules used to encrypt and decrypt data. The security of a cryptographic system depends on the strength of the underlying algorithm and the confidentiality of the key used to encrypt and decrypt the data. In this paper, Cryptography concepts and modern techniques are reviewed for types of encryption algorithms and the best ones, and many types of attacks and their impact on the encryption process

Coagulation is a simple and widely used method for water and wastewater treatment. Chemical coagulants, on the other hand, not only produce vast volumes of toxic sludge, but they also have negative impacts on living organisms. This study demonstrates the use of neem tree leaf and banana leaf powders as natural coagulants for the treatment of dairy effluent. The jar test was used to determine the pH, turbidity, and metal ion content of the treated samples. The biocoagulants were experimented at a rate of 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, and 300 mg/L at pH of 5, 6, and 7. The levels of turbidity, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), lithium (Li), and copper (Cu) were measured after the treatment process. Turbidity was reduced by 52%, and coagulants at 200 mg/L and 300 mg/L were more successful at removing metal ions from dairy effluent except in copper, where 100 mg/L was shown to be more effective. In the scattering between adjacent, similarly charged particles, the zeta potential reveals the strength of repulsive powers. There are more dispersion and suspension rates in the treatment of dairy wastewater using banana and neem leaf biocoagulants. Neem tree leaf and banana leaf powders were efficient and cost-effective eco-friendly biocoagulants for the treatment of dairy effluent.

The idea of the Internet of Things that everything is linked to anything and everything interacts with the other is a great idea, and that the topic of integrating these devices will add a remarkable change in this world and increase its prosperity, and this interconnection occurs through the exchange of data and information and facilitating our communication with the things around us. But questions about security and privacy remain. When this massive amount of data is exchanged, it will certainly be an attractive environment for attackers and hackers. In this paper, we will present the issues of security and privacy, their main requirements, potential risks and tools to defend these risks, and a detailed review of security attacks in order to be able to deter these attacks achieve confidentiality, security and reliability for users.

Transcatheter native mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a novel procedure that has the potential to overcome some of the current limitations associated with the transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve (MV) repair technique. The aim of this study was to describe the key steps in periprocedural echocardiographic guidance of TMVR with the Tendyne system, emphasizing potential caveats and areas of difficulty. The imaging pathway can be schematized in four fundamental steps: baseline evaluation of mitral regurgitation (MR), preprocedural screening and planning, intraprocedural guidance, and follow-up. Baseline evaluation of MR in TMVR includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of MR assessment. A dedicated preprocedure cardiac multimodality imaging screening and planning for TMVR is able to determine patient eligibility according to the anatomic characteristics and measurements, provide information for appropriate valve sizing, and detect features that can predispose to potential hazard or complications. Cardiac computed tomography and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are the main actors in this phase. The road map for intraprocedural TMVR guidance includes the following: (1) apical access assessment: 2D TEE assessment of the site for optimal left ventricular apical access as planned by the preprocedural computed tomography; (2) support for catheter and sheath localization, trajectory, and positioning; and (3) valve positioning and radial orientation. Thereafter, the prosthesis is withdrawn toward the left ventricle and deployed intra-annularly. Post-deployment includes assessment for correct clocking and hemodynamics, perivalvular leakage, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Two-dimensional and 3D TEE and fluoroscopy provide intraprocedural guidance. The follow-up of the Tendyne device includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of bioprosthesis. Knowledge of multimodality imaging use is key for the interventional imagers and crucial in the success of the procedure.

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening, invasive fungal disease that mostly affects immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical presentations and outcomes of patients with mucormycosis in a tertiary care hospital in the western region of Saudi Arabia.A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with mucormycosis was conducted from January 2009 to December 2019 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, a tertiary care facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We aimed to assess and analyze the characteristics of patients with mucormycosis, their clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes.Fifteen cases were identified as proven or probable mucormycosis according to the revised European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group criteria. Most cases (n = 11, 73.3 %) were categorized as proven, whereas four cases (26.7 %) were categorized as probable. The median patient age was 29.5 years (range, 6-79 years). The most common underlying etiology was hematological malignancies (7 cases), followed by diabetes mellitus (5 cases), and trauma from a motor vehicle accident (4 cases). Cutaneous mucormycosis was the predominant presentation, as noted in seven cases (46.6 %), followed by rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in four cases (26.7 %), and pulmonary mucormycosis in two cases (13.3 %). Rhizopus (six cases) and Mucor (four cases) were the two main fungal isolates. Eight patients were treated with amphotericin B lipid complex (53.3 %) alone, and three patients were treated with a combination of amphotericin B lipid complex and posaconazole. Overall, 11 (73.3 %) patients died, two of whom died before a confirmed diagnosis.The mortality among patients with mucormycosis was high. Relatively better survival was observed among cutaneous cases. A combination of new diagnostic technologies, optimized use of available antifungal options, development of new antifungal agents, and consistent implementation of public health policies may help reduce mortality rates from mucormycosis in Saudi Arabia.

Although the evidence base regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children has been growing, descriptions of their experiences remain scarce. In this cross-sectional study, the authors used the Child-Reported Spence Children's Anxiety Scale to collect data from 91 children visiting a pediatric emergency center in Qatar during the pandemic. Around 25% of the children reported elevated levels of overall anxiety. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were the most common, with 59.3% of children reporting elevated symptoms. The mean score of physical injury fears was significantly affected by gender, with females having higher scores. Overall rates for elevated anxiety symptoms were similar in natives and expatriate children. The findings suggest that the effects of the pandemic on children may depend on several vulnerability factors, including developmental age and gender. This study highlights the need to plan multidisciplinary strategies to enhance children's access to mental health services during and after the current health crisis.

Coronary access difficulty and stent compression by the juxtaposed aortic valve leaflet hamper percutaneous management of delayed coronary artery obstruction (CAO) after valve-in-valve (Edwards Sapien 3 in St. Jude Trifecta) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Here, we present a case of delayed post-TAVR CAO treated with intravascular lithotripsy and multistenting to overcome stent compression by the adjacent calcified leaflet.

This study was aimed to assess the impact of vermicompost, glutathione, and their interaction on beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) growth, yield, and antioxidant traits. The experiment carried out at vegetable field of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad during fall season 2019. The experiment was conducted using factorial arrangement within Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors and three replicates (3X3X3). Applying vermicompost before cultivation represented the first factor (0, 15, 30 ton.ha-1), which symbolized (V0, V1, V2). Glutathione (0, 75, 150 mg.L-1) which symbolized (G0, G1, G2) represented the second factor. Results showed the superiority of secondary interaction treatment V2G2 in producing significant increases in dry weight of vegetative growth (50 g.) chlorophyll concentration in leaves (244.6mg.100-1g FW), Betacyanins in leaves and tuber roots (52.67, 89.33 mg.100ml-1) respectively scavenging activity for DPPH in leaves and root tubers (97.33, 91.66 %) respectively, and tuber root weight (200 g).

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) made with metal halide are affordable and can give better efficiency values than older versions but their low efficiency values is still a concern. Two Perovskite solar cells were fabricated and one had Multi wall Carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in its design. The effect of the Multi-wall Carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on their performance and power conversion were studied. MWCNT and m-TiO2 materials were characterised using UV-vis spectroscopy and their optical energy band gap values were obtained. The TiO2 showed a prominent peak at 319 nm with absorbance 0.5 and its optical energy bandgap of 2.59 eV falls in the visible region showing it is a clean energy source with implications for solar energy conversion. The MWCNT has 2.19 eV and showed multiple peaks. A prominent peak at 329 nm with absorbance 0.6 which was blue shifted and a peak at 517 nm with absorbance 0.3 was red-shifted. The PSC with the MWCNT in the light had a fill factor of 0.53 but 0.47 was obtained for the PSC without the MWCNT. The PSC with MWCNT had power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 40.1 % in the dark, a value which was 2.7 % higher than the PCE of 37.4 % obtained for the same cell in light. Furthermore, the PSC without the MWCNT in the dark had a fill factor of 0.87 while the PSC with MWCNT in the dark had a fill factor was 0.51. The PSC with MWCNT had better power conversion efficiency when in the dark than in light.

الملخص: ترتكز فكرة البحث على حساب زكاة النخيل بالطريقة الحديثة في دولة قطر، وهي عملية المتوسط الحسابي؛ يُجمع فيها معدل الإنتاج الأعلى للنوع الواحد من النخلة، مع معدل الإنتاج الأدنى، ثم يقسم على اثنين، فيكون الناتج هو المتوسط الحسابي لإخراج زكاة النخيل للنوع الواحد. والجديد الذي أتى به البحث يتمحور في أمرين: الأول: إظهار الجانب النظري والتطبيقي لحساب زكاة النخيل بالطريقة الحسابية الحديثة، وذلك بعد الرجوع إلى أهل الخبرة والاختصاص لدى وزارة البلدية في دولة قطر، والثاني: الكشف عن مدى صلاحية هذه العملية الحسابية في الشريعة الإسلامية، من خلال الرجوع إلى المقاصد الكلية، والقواعد العامة، والفروع والمسائل الفقهية. وتتمثل الأسئلة المحورية في الدراسة: هل بالإمكان حساب زكاة النخيل بعملية حسابية حديثة في دولة قطر؟ وما هي حقيقتها، وكيف تتم تطبيقاتها المعاصرة؟ وما مدى صلاحيتها في ضوء الشريعة الإسلامية؟ وقد توصلت الدراسة إلى بيان هذه العملية الحسابية، وصلاحيتها في الواقع المعاصر لدى دولة قطر؛ لإمكانية ضبطها إلى حد ما، بحسب كلام أهل الخبرة والاختصاص، ونظراً للمصلحة الشرعية، والحاجة الملحة القائمة على مراعاة الجانبين، وذلك برفع الحرج الذي يلحق أرباب الثمرة، مع المحافظة على حقوق المستحقين في الزكاة المفروضة. والمنهج المتبع في البحث هو المنهج الوصفي وذلك بوصف ما تم جمعه عن الموضوع ووصفه وصفا دقيقاً، مع الاستعانة بالمنهجين التحليلي والاستنباطي. الكلمات المفتاحية: الزكاة، النخيل، الخرص، قطر، المتوسط، الحسابي.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative changes in corneal epithelium thickness and refractive power after femtosecond laser–assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia correction using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) with an integrated Placido disc topographer. METHODS: The VisuMax 500-kHz femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) and Amaris 750 excimer laser (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions) were used. Central, paracentral, and 6-mm epithelial thickness values were obtained, and the change in the value of epithelial thickness was calculated. Changes in the refractive power of the epithelium were also evaluated. The repeatability of this new measurement was also analyzed using the intraclass correlation (ICC). The total follow-up period was 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 77 LASIK eyes were matched with 77 SMILE eyes. Mean spherical equivalent was −3.92 ± 1.67 diopters (D) for LASIK versus −4.02 ± 1.63 D for SMILE ( P = .356). Epithelial thickness parameters significantly and equally thickened in both types of surgery. The change in the value of epithelial thickness was positively correlated with spherical aberration. Analysis of the refractive power of the corneal epithelial layer (ICC > 0.70) showed a tendency for the postoperative myopization of the refractive component of this layer (−0.11 D for SMILE and −0.53 D for LASIK at 3 mm) and an increase in its cylinder and aberrometry. Increasing postoperative spherical aberration and epithelial thickness increased myopization of the epithelial refractive sphere ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal epithelium thickens similarly after LASIK and SMILE, being slightly higher after SMILE. This correlates with the induced spherical aberration. Corneal epithelium thickening induces myopization of its refractive power, which accounts for a slight regression of the net refractive power change on the treated cornea. [ J Refract Surg . 2022;38(9):602–608.]

Objectives:Blended learning is a combination of online and face-to-face teaching. The current study aimed to assess the impact of a blended approach on perceptionsand achievements in orthopedics. Methods:The online component of the developed blended course comprises lectures, discussion forums, demonstrative videos, scenarios, discussion panels, and illustrated atlases. In college, activities included hands-on and bedside teaching sessions. Hybrid activities such as team-based learning, case-based learning, and seminars were included. Case discussions and roleplays were conducted as assignments. Students perceptions were identified through the survey and focus groups, while tutors opinions were expressed through personal interviews. A comparison between students achievements after the blending and that of the previous year taught in traditional form was carried out. Results:A high degree of student satisfaction, enthusiasm, and interest in the blended course was identified students recommended its use in other courses and showed appreciation for how the tutors conducted it. Tutors revealed acceptance towards blending and suggested some modifications. There was a significant improvement in students achievements in the Objective-structured-practical and Objective-structured-clinical examinations (p= 0.0005 and 0.0011) compared to the previous year, with no difference in MCQ achievements. Conclusion:It can be concluded that the blended approach enhanced students skills and enthusiasm in orthopedics. &nbsp

Humans now spend the bulk of their time on the Internet, thanks to the huge rise of social media and other applications. Organizations and individuals have a shared platform to express their thoughts and ideas on any entity in the globe. Every website has a massive amount of information about products and services. Through social media tools, we, as humans, may remark on any subject or incident. Most of the time, these public opinions are considered by organizations and individuals to better corporate operations and strategies, or in the decision-making process. Although these user opinions are practical in decision-making processes, manually analyzing and summarizing them is a difficult effort. It is a lengthy process. As a result, having automated opinion mining techniques to analyze user sentiments is critical. Since the beginning of social media, sentiment analysis has been a hot research area. Many studies have been conducted in various fields. The tourism sector is highlighted as one of the important topics for diversification in Oman Vision 2040. This study suggests an analysis of user reviews of Omani restaurants, categorizing them as positive or bad, and ranking the restaurants according to the reviews. The reviews are analyzed using opinion mining methods

The construction industry is the second largest economic sector of the Sultanate of Oman. The construction industry plays important role in infrastructural development both for the public and private sectors. The delays in construction projects impact directly the economic development of the country. The present study aimed to analyze the delays in a construction project by conducting a survey based on a questionnaire. The questionnaire survey is answered by 74 respondents and the quantitative data is further subjected to statistical analysis. The results are further tested through the Pearson chi-square test of independence and Cramer’s V tests. The results show that several factors contribute to the project delays in Oman including cultural differences, design changes, poor project management, and changes in project scope at the time of project execution. The managerial issues involved payment delays to contractors and authoritarian delays. The clients faced poor planning and execution of the project by the contractor and sub-contracting of the critical project phases.

Educational games have been employed among Omani schools but those used by local Omani schools were imported and were mostly designed based on western contexts. For Omani children, these games may be culturally inappropriate and difficult to comprehend and follow, impeding children’s learning. Three questionnaires and one observational checklist were used to gather data from 40 respondents (observers). SPSS was used in data analysis. Through experiments, the behavior of Omani students towards the use of imported educational games was examined. Five main factors, namely, efficiency, learnability, memorability, errors, and satisfaction, of educational games for a target user were measured using Hybrid User Evaluation Methodology for Remote Evaluation (HUEMRE), Training Framework for Untrained Observer (TFUO), and Framework on Educational Games Behavior Intention (EGsBI), which are specifically designed frameworks for this purpose. The results of this study explained that the Omani children are facing difficulties in using the imported educational games; furthermore, this study proves that culture, language, animation, and interaction are contributing heavily to benefiting from educational games, and, therefore, these factors shall be highly considered in the process of educational games design to facilitate and ensure children learning; furthermore, the findings of this study enrich the comprehension of how the specified factors positively affect behavioral intention of Omani students in the use of educational games and in improving the behavior intention level of these students.

'The Practice Educators' Academy Programme' is an innovative educational intervention developed following a preceptor-focussed needs assessment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the programme's effect on self-efficacy and knowledge amongst multi-disciplinary clinical preceptors who precept students across the Health Cluster in Qatar University. The secondary aim was to assess the preceptors' satisfaction with the programme's comprehensiveness, appropriateness, and relevance.This is a longitudinal study, with the same participants followed at different time points (i.e., pretest-posttest interventional design). The sample size was calculated to represent 10% of the sample expected for the main study, utilising a stratified convenience sampling technique. Preceptor self-efficacy was assessed using the Preceptor Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, a validated 21-item questionnaire. Preceptor knowledge was assessed through a 25-item multiple-choice question test. Satisfaction with programme content and delivery was assessed through a 14-item questionnaire with open comments.Thirty pretest-posttest respondents for the PSEQ assessment, and 26 pretest-posttest respondents for the knowledge assessment were appropriately matched and analysed. Participation in the self-efficacy questionnaire resulted in a statistically significant increase in their posttest median score (pretest-to-posttest: 3.3-to-3.6, p = 0.001). Participation in the knowledge assessment resulted in a statistically significant increased posttest mean score (pretest-to-posttest: 10.2-to-15.7, p 0.001). Participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with the programme (average score = 4.42/5).Our findings suggest the programme is effective as demonstrated through a significant improvement in preceptors' self-efficacy and knowledge. Recommendations for future iterations include placing greater focus on active learning strategies, and inter-disciplinary interactions.

The purpose of this study is to analyse whether the determining factors of the socio-demographic factors will affect the entrepreneur’s intention (EI) to people who want to start up new business. This study also aims to measure the type of relationship between each factor and its connection to EI. The data was analysed using SPSS program using the Pearson Chi-square analysis methods and GEM 2020. The result of this study showed that there is significant role between demographic factors such as age, gender, income, and education level. The result of this study can contribute to the benefit of studies in Oman and finding the latest method which can increase the number of firms and start up new business. In the absence of media, this study can also enhance the knowledge and create awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship and its capability to create the growth, income, and wealth and prosperity.

الأهداف: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم تجربة جامعة السلطان قابوس في التعلم عن بُعد باستخدام منصة موودل (Moodle) في ظل جائحة فيروس كورونا المستجد" كوفيد-19" من وجهة نظر أعضاء الهيئة التدريسية. المنهجية: استُخدم في الدراسة المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، بالاعتماد على استبانة لتقييم التجربة. النتائج: أظهرت النتائج أن تجربة التعلم عن بعد كانت فاعلة بدرجة متوسطة من وجهة نظر أعضاء هيئة التدريس، وكشفت كذلك عن وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا بين آراء أعضاء هيئة التدريس تعزى إلى متغير الجنس، في حين لم يوجد أثر دال إحصائيًا لمتغير الخبرة التدريسية. التوصيات: قدمت الدراسة بعض التوصيات؛ تضمنت الحاجة إلى عقد برامج وورش تدريبية لزيادة الوعي بالثقافة التكنولوجية، وتوظيف نظم إدارة التعليم الإلكتروني عن بُعد، وتصميم المقررات الإلكترونية.

Chalcid Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius), formerly known as Brachymeria fonscolombei (Dufour), is a parasitoid wasp that infests dipteran larvae of fly, Sarcophaga dux (Thomson), (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) recovered from the dead body of sheep in Bisha City, Asir region–Saudi Arabia. S. dux larvae were infested by B. podagrica. The first instar larvae and pupae of B. podagrica were found inside the larvae and pupae of S. dux. The adults of the parasitic wasp emerged from the pupae of the host. Adults and larvae of the parasitoid wasp were observed under a dissecting microscope. Identification was made by following the identification keys. It was confirmed that it was B. podagrica, which is herewith reported for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

Background The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic betacoronavirus and a global public health concern. Better undersetting of the immune responses to MERS-CoV is needed to characterize the correlates of protection and durability of the immunity and to aid in developing preventative and therapeutic interventions. Although MERS-CoV–specific circulating antibodies could persist for several years post-recovery, their waning raises concerns about their durability and role in protection. Nonetheless, memory B and T cells could provide long-lasting protective immunity despite the serum antibodies levels. Methods Serological and flow cytometric analysis of MERS-CoV–specific immune responses were performed on samples collected from a cohort of recovered individuals who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission as well as hospital or home isolation several years after infection to characterize the longevity and quality of humoral and cellular immune responses. Results Our data showed that MERS-CoV infection could elicit robust long-lasting virus-specific binding and neutralizing antibodies as well as T- and B-cell responses up to 6.9 years postinfection regardless of disease severity or need for ICU admission. Apart from the persistent high antibody titers, this response was characterized by B-cell subsets with antibody-independent functions as demonstrated by their ability to produce tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) cytokines in response to antigen stimulation. Furthermore, virus-specific activation of memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cell subsets from MERS-recovered patients resulted in secretion of high levels of TNF-α, IL-17, and IFN-γ. Conclusions MERS-CoV infection could elicit robust long-lasting virus-specific humoral and cellular responses.

Literary critics value the process of “close reading” which involves focused word-by-word and line-by-line reading of a literary work to derive meaning from the entire corpus and establish the role of different aspects of text in this process. As this strategy may yield previously unnoticed connotations, it is rarely performed using computer software. Although this is a widely established view, in this paper, we posit that “distant reading” using an appropriate combination of automatic/computer-assisted analytical methods can still achieve this purpose. While we do not undermine the value of the traditional process, we demonstrate that a detailed visualization of the literary work in focus (in our case a poem by William Wordsworth) through digital tools like “transpoemation” could augment the literary analysis process.

This paper considers the vision of how to develop an efficient value chain and development strategies to improve the value chain in Oman. The main key factors of inclusive and sustainable development of the date value chain are determined to carry out the appropriate actions for improving the date palm sector in Oman. To explore the challenges and opportunities leading to the improvement of the marketing, commercialization, and competitiveness of dates and date palm products in this country, an analytical tool guideline (SWOT) was framed. Such analysis is useful to raise awareness to create policies for improved marketing of dates. Based on the SWOT analysis, the diversification of date varieties, and orientation toward modern plantations are the most important strengths of the date value chain. However, the increasing competition in regional and global date markets is the major threat to the date sector in Oman. There is a good possibility to promote the date processing industry in Oman given the rising demand for fresh and processed dates in national and international markets. A profitable and competitive date palm sector could be achieved by focusing on high yield and commercial varieties to ensure higher date palm productivity and the orientation toward adoption of quality standards to meet international market demand.

Somatic variants data

Supplementary information concerning: laser capture microscopy (Fig S1), efficiency of siRNA knock-down (Fig S2), results of siRNA knock-down for ABC gene expression and function (Fig S3), abilities of MUC17 and PCNX1 expression to define patient outcomes (Fig S4), patient characteristics (Table S1), sequencing metrics (Table S2), statistical parameters (Tables S4 and S5) and supplementary methods.

Poor-prognosis breast cancers are treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy, but often without any guidance from therapy predictive markers because universally accepted markers are not currently available. Treatment failure, in the form of recurrences, is relatively common. We aimed to identify chemotherapy predictive markers and resistance pathways in breast cancer. Our hypothesis was that tumor cells remaining after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) contain somatic variants causing therapy resistance, while variants present pre-NAC but lost post-NAC cause sensitivity. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on matched pre- and post-NAC cancer cells, which were isolated by laser microdissection, from 6 cancer cases, and somatic variants selected for or against by NAC were identified. Somatic variant diversity was significantly reduced after therapy (P < 0.05). MUC17 variants were identified in 3 tumors and were selected against by NAC in each case, while PCNX1 variants were identified in 2 tumors and were selected for in both cases, implicating the function of these genes in defining chemoresponse. In vitro knockdown of MUC17 or PCNX1 was associated with significantly increased or decreased chemotherapy sensitivity, respectively (P < 0.05), further supporting their roles in chemotherapy response. Expression was tested for predictive value in two independent cohorts of chemotherapy-treated breast cancers (n = 53, n = 303). Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed that low MUC17 expression was significantly associated with longer survival after chemotherapy, whereas low PCNX1 was significantly associated with reduced survival. We concluded that therapy-driven selection of somatic variants allows identification of chemotherapy response genes. With respect to MUC17 and PCNX1, therapy-driven selection acting on somatic variants, in vitro knockdown data concerning drug sensitivity, and survival analysis of expression levels in patient cohorts all define the genes as mediators of and predictive markers for chemotherapy response in breast cancer.

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to assess Omani teachers’ performance on tasks related to the stages of engineering design. To achieve this, data from an engineering design test was used, and demographic variables that are correlated with this performance were identified.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study employed a cross-sectional design and the collection of quantitative data. A sample of preservice science teachers from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) (n = 70) participated in this study.FindingsFindings showed low and moderate levels of proficiency related to the stages of engineering design. Differences between males and females in terms of performance on engineering design tasks were found, with females scoring higher overall on the assessment. Biology preservice teachers scored higher than teachers from the other two majors (physics and chemistry) in two subscales. There were also differences between teachers studying in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) program and the teacher qualification diploma (TQD) program.Originality/valueThis study provides an overview, in an Arab setting, of preservice science teachers’ proficiency with engineering design process (EDP) tasks. It is hoped that the results may lead to improved instruction in science teacher training programs in similar contexts. Additionally, this research demonstrates how EDP competency relates to preservice teacher gender, major and preparation program. Findings from this study will contribute to the growing body of research investigating the strengths and shortcomings of teacher education programs in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.