Search

The integration of online learning tools abruptly became necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic from early 2020 onward. This study surveyed a public-school sample of teachers (N = 297) and parents (N = 403) of Kuwaiti kindergartners. The results indicated that both teachers and parents agreed that kindergarten children learned e-learning and time-management skills to some extent or a large extent. However, both groups expressed little to moderate agreement regarding the adequate implementation of online learning (such as teacher training or the translation of course content into an online format). The two groups expressed stronger agreement that children received e-homework and that parents were provided with channels for guidance and follow-up. These latter two variables and the perceived implementation of e-learning all correlated positively with perceptions of children's outcomes. Teachers were more likely to report the provision of a guide to the e-platform, the implementation of online learning, and the provision of homework than parents were, with a stronger correlation of the implementation of online learning and children's acquisition of e-learning skills among teachers than parents.

Abstract Objective Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a critical childhood disease that is associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic characteristics and outcome of critical MIS-C cases in Egyptian children during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design A retrospective, observational study. Setting A single-center tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).In Ain Shams university hospitals Cairo Egypt Methods Children admitted to the PICU diagnosed with severe MIS-C as per the Centers for Disease Control’s definition from June 23, 2020, to August 22, 2020, were included. Results The patient’s mean age was 7.45 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.23) years, and the cause of PICU admission was hypotension and shock. All patients had a fever for 4.8 (IQR, 2.5) days before shock developed. Overall, 68% had a gastrointestinal manifestation, and 55.6% had a rash. Thirty-five of 45 patients had ≥ 4 elevated inflammatory markers. The cardiac troponin I level was elevated in 35 of 45 patients. The most common cardiac condition was valvulitis (tricuspid regurgitation, 29/45; mitral valve regurgitation, 28/45; pulmonary valve regurgitation, 5/45; atrial valve regurgitation, 4/45). Twenty-one patients had an impaired ejection fraction

Abstract Background Mental disorders account for a significant proportion of the world’s disease burden and are more significant among females than males. However, most global mental health research is sex neutral, including in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study, therefore, estimated the prevalence of mental disorders and investigated the sociodemographic correlates, sex disadvantage factors, and treatment-seeking in Saudi women concerning lifetime and 12-month mental disorders. Method The Saudi National Mental Health Survey is a stratified multistage clustered area probability design. Lifetime and 12-month mental disorders were assessed through the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). The correlates considered for this study included age-at-interview, education, marital status, employment status, socioeconomic status (SES), any chronic condition and household characteristics (region, urbanicity, and income), as well as domestic violence, age at marriage and in a polygamous marriage. Data was analysed using PROC SURVEYFREQ procedure as well as logistic regression in SAS 9.2. Results Overall, 24.7% and 35.9% of Saudi women experienced at least one of the disorders in the prior 12 months and at least once in their lifetime, respectively. Anxiety disorders were the most frequently reported 12-month and lifetime disorders, followed by mood disorders. The region, urbanicity, chronic conditions, employment status, as well as certain sex disadvantage factors were significantly associated with both 12-month and lifetime disorders. Most women did not seek treatment for 12-month mental disorders (86.2%) and lifetime disorders (73.8%). Conclusion Our study confirms that mental health issues, particularly anxiety and mood disorders, are highly prevalent among Saudi women, influenced by chronic conditions and sex-related factors like domestic violence and polygamy. Future research should focus on improving mental health literacy, using rigorous study designs to explore female-specific variables, and investigating genetic and environmental factors.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of rainfall trends in the middle Euphrates region of Iraq, extending from 1980 to 2018, including wide region between the stations of Samawa, Al-Najaf, Karbala, Hilla, and Diwaniya. The research aims to fill a critical gap in the understanding of regional hydrological patterns and provide essential insights for sustainable water resource management. Using advanced statistical methods, such as the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, along with autocorrelation and cross-correlation analyses, we detected slight trends that were not previously reported. Principally, the Mann-Kendall test indicated no significant overall trends, while Sen’s slope estimator identified slight positive and negative trends at specific stations, highlighting local climatic variations. the findings reveal that all stations, except Samawa, indicated stationarity and homogeneity, with a particularly strong positive mutual correlation between Karbala and Hilla stations (0.7693 at lag 0). This research contributes new insights into rainfall variability in the Middle Euphrates, in Iraq, which presents significant data to improve water resource management strategies and inform future hydrological studies in the region.

Interactions within the classroom are essential since a conducive learning atmosphere is necessary. This study explored the relationship between lecturer-teacher interactions and learning effectiveness at universities. The survey design used in this study was correlational research design. The participants in this study were selected from universities in Kwara State. Using multi-stage sampling approaches, 350 student-teachers participated in the study. Proformas and a questionnaire designed by the researchers titled “Teacher-Student Interaction Questionnaire” were utilized to gather data. A split-half approach was utilized to determine the questionnaire’s reliability, and the gathered data was analyzed using Cronbach Alpha, which has a reliability coefficient of 0.78.Mean was used to answer the research questions, and the PPMC and t-test at the 0.05 significant level were used to test the hypotheses. According to the study’s findings, lecturer-teacher interactions in universities in Ilorin are not often vertical, antagonistic, authoritarian, or laissez-faire. This study also reported that most respondents had above-average academic engagement levels in Ilorin. The researchers recommended that lecturers prioritise building positive relationships with their students. Establishing trusting, supporting relationships with their students fosters open communication and a sense of trust that increases student engagement and motivation, which is why lecturers should prioritise developing these relationships.

The seed kernels of Caesalpinia bonducella, a traditional medicinal plant in India, are widely used to treat various disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome. The seed kernel possesses anti-bacterial properties against many pathogenic bacteria. However, their impact on Lactobacillus spp., a prominent gram-positive gut bacterium, has not been studied till date. The present study employed both in vitro and in silico methods to illustrate the effect of seed extract of C. bonducella against Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. For this, disc diffusion assay was performed with 100, 500, and 1000 µg/ml of aqueous and methanolic seed extract against L. rhamnosus and E. coli, and the zone of inhibition was measured. While both the extracts inhibited the growth of E. coli, it did not show any zone of inhibition against L. rhamnosus. The latter possess surface layer proteins, SlpX and SlpA, which prevented the influx of the phytocompounds of C. bonducella, as demonstrated by molecular docking using Autodock Vina. Docking results showed that the binding of the phytocompounds to the SlpX and SlpA proteins was not in the active pockets. These findings conclude that C. bonducella seed kernel extracts are safe against the gut bacteria L. rhamnosus.

Context: The mucociliary clearance system is an important component in the prevention of chronic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus. Aim: The study aims to establish the normal values of mucociliary clearance in our region and to study the variation in mucociliary activity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria. Settings and Design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study using consecutive consenting participants in both the control and study groups carried out at both family medicine and otorhinolaryngology clinics among patients attending the clinics. Subjects and Methods: After ethical approval was sought, informed consent was obtained from patients, a modified version of the validated health questionnaire was filled, semi-structured questionnaires were also filled after which patient undergo anterior rhinoscopy, nasal patency test and spirometry was done. The saccharine test has been used to measure nasal-mucociliary clearance time in the past. Statistical Analysis: All information were entered into SPSS version 20 and analysed descriptively, and results were presented in tables and figures. Results: Consecutive consenting 125 patients with rhinosinusitis (study group) and those without rhinosinusitis (control group) underwent naso-mucociliary clearance test. There were 34 males and 91 females with a male:female ratio of 1:2.6 among the study group and 55 males and 70 females with a male:female ratio of 1:1.3 for the control group. The age range was from 18 to 68 years with 18–40 years constituting the modal age group. The mean age for the studied group was 35.7 years while that of the control group was 33.1 years. The mean naso-mucociliary clearance time among the study group was 35.1 min standard deviation (SD = 12.32 ± 1.63), while among the control group, it was 14.8 min (SD = 5.59 ± 0.43). Conclusion: Compared to the control group, there was a roughly 200% prolonged increase in the duration of naso-mucociliary clearance time among patients with rhinosinusitis. There was also a positive correlation with increasing age. Future studies comparing the pre-operative and post-operative treatment of rhinosinusitis will contribute to knowledge.

Historically, protest has found its way into cultural domains through various genres of literature. Because of its naturally persuasive power, performance poetry or spoken word poetry has been widely employed to communicate instantly and compellingly to vast audiences. Compared to printed works, it has performative dimensions that allow the delivery of the message through emotionally charged intonation, dramatic performance, and rhythm, generating as a consequence a heightened empathic response from audiences. Rafeef Ziadah, the Palestinian-Canadian poet and ardent advocate for human rights, uses performance poetry to express her outrage against what she sees as institutionalised Zionist discrimination based specifically on the grounds of religion and race, an injustice that has resulted in the expulsion of Palestinians from their lands. Drawing insights from Stef Craps’s Decolonisation of Trauma studies and Stuart Hall’s concept of “oppositional code”, the paper is an attempt to explain how Rafeef Ziadah’s poem “We Teach Life, Sir'”, serves as a powerful counter-narrative by delivering emotional and creative expressions that challenge and vehemently oppose the mainstream media’s often biassed portrayals. As a performance poem, it contributes to the “Poetry of Resistance” genre by not only expressing the poet’s strong disapproval of Israeli actions, but also by exposing the mainstream media’s biassed coverage of them. Because of the media’s narrative, and despite strenuous efforts to “fit” into society and abide by UN resolutions, the poet maintains that Palestinians receive tags like propagators of terrorism and hate. Those mainstream views expressed by a journalist at a press meeting with Ziadah led to the birth of the poem “We Teach Life, Sir”. It also echoes Nakba and Intifada poetry in its embodiment of Palestinian outrage.

Background: Adolescence marks a critical stage of development characterized by profound physical, emotional, and social changes. This study explores the prevalence of anxiety and depression among orphan and non-orphan adolescents in a rural residential school setting, aiming to identify associated factors. Method: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 adolescents (50 orphans and 50 non-orphans) aged 10-19 years in Warudi, Jalna from August 10 to October 10, 2022. Institutional ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained. Data collection included DSM-5 criteria for anxiety and depression assessment, using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Additional parameters assessed were sleep disturbances, academic performance, social interactions, duration of stay in the residential school, and type of orphanhood. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, with qualitative parameters presented as percentages and the chi-square test used for comparisons (p

Abstract Introduction Oral hygiene is paramount for maintaining optimal oral and physical health, especially among children who are particularly susceptible to dental caries and issues due to dietary habits and inadequate hygiene practices. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of oral health among public school children, analyse their oral hygiene habits, educate parents on the importance of oral health for their children, and implement an oral hygiene educational program in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia. Methods Four public elementary schools were selected for the study, with a sample size of 200 school-going children participating. A structured questionnaire was used to assess awareness and knowledge of oral health among the participants. SPSS software version 26 was used for data analysis. Multiple regression analysis and correlation tests was employed to explore the relationships between the different variables measured in the study. Results The findings revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding oral health among school children. Oral hygiene habits were found to be inadequate in many participants. Overall, the findings highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at promoting regular dental visits, addressing dental fear, and fostering positive oral hygiene practices among school-going children to improve oral health outcomes in the studied population. Conclusion The study highlighted a critical gap in oral health awareness among school children, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. While the oral hygiene educational program has been implemented and future data will shed light on its effectiveness, preliminary observations suggest that such programs could potentially improve oral health outcomes and overall engagement among students.

This study aims to perform a thorough systematic review investigating and synthesizing existing research on defense strategies and methodologies in adversarial attacks using machine learning (ML) and deep learning methods. A methodology was conducted to guarantee a thorough literature analysis of the studies using sources such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science. A question was shaped to retrieve articles published from 2019 to April 2024, which ultimately produced a total of 704 papers. A rigorous screening, deduplication, and matching of the inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed, and hence 42 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. The considered papers were categorized into a coherent and systematic classification including three categories: security enhancement techniques, adversarial attack strategies and defense mechanisms, and innovative security mechanisms and solutions. In this article, we have presented a systematic and comprehensive analysis of earlier studies and opened the door to potential future studies by discussing in depth four challenges and motivations of adversarial attacks, while three recommendations have been discussed. A systematic science mapping analysis was also performed to reorganize and summarize the results of studies to address the issues of trustworthiness. Moreover, this research covers a large variety of network and cybersecurity applications of defense in adversarial attack subjects, including intrusion detection systems, anomaly detection, ML-based defenses, and cryptographic techniques. The relevant conclusions well demonstrate what have achieved in defense mechanisms against adversarial attacks. In addition, the analysis revealed a few emerging tendencies and deficiencies in the area to be remedied through better and more dependable mitigation methods against advanced persistent threats. The findings of this review have crucial implications for the community of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers in network and cybersecurity using artificial intelligence applications.

Abstract Consumption of high-caloric diets contributes to the alarming number of overweight and obese individuals worldwide, which in turn leads to several diseases and multiple organ dysfunction. Not only has the number of calories taken per day but also the type of fat in the diet has an important impact on health. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of different types of high-caloric fat diets on the metabolic status and the integrity of the liver and aorta in albino rats. Adult male albino rats were divided into 6 groups: Control group, long chain-saturated fat group (SFD), long chain-monounsaturated fat (MUFAs) group, long chain-polyunsaturated fat (PUFAs) group, medium-chain fat (MCFAs) group, and short-chain fat (SCFAs) group. Body mass index (BMI), Lee index, and visceral fat amount were reported. Serum levels of insulin, liver transaminases, lipid profile, and different oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were evaluated. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and adiponectin/leptin ratio were also calculated. Histopathological examinations of liver and aorta with Masson’s trichrome stain, and immune-staining for Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor-2 (Nrf2) were also done. SFD group showed significantly elevated liver transaminases, inflammatory markers, HOMA-IR, dyslipidemia, reduced adiponectin, and deficient anti-oxidative response compared to other groups together with disturbed hepatic and aortic architecture. Other treated groups showed an improvement. PUFAs group showed the highest level of improvement. Not all high-fat diets are hazardous. Diets rich in PUFAs, MUFAs, MCFAs, or SCFAs may protect against the hazards of high caloric diet.