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Background. Despite the importance of studying factors contributing to nursing students' attitudes toward artificial intelligence, yet according to our knowledge, no study has addressed the relationship between personality traits and the attitude of nursing students toward artificial intelligence. Aim. This study aimed to unveil whether nursing students' personality traits are related to their attitude toward AI. Methods. This multicenter cross‐sectional study included 218 nursing students from three governmental universities across various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were gathered online, utilizing the Big Five Inventory, the General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis were employed. The research complied with the STROBE checklist. Results. Findings indicated that nursing students with a high score in the openness trait displayed positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Conversely, those who scored high in neuroticism and agreeableness exhibited fewer positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence and more negative attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Additionally, nursing students who ranked high in conscientiousness showed a negative attitude toward artificial intelligence. Conclusion. Except for extraversion, personality traits appear to predict attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Implications for Nursing Management. The current study provides a foundation for understanding how generative AI can be integrated into nursing education and practice in a manner that is both effective and considerate of the diverse psychological profiles of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectively triaging incoming patients while preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread in any emergency department (ED) is a demanding and critical task that places a huge burden on frontline healthcare workers. The ED at our tertiary hospital utilized a slightly modified version of a formerly efficacious severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) screening tool for triaging patients presenting to the ED with respiratory illness. We conducted a retrospective chart review and included patients who were screened using the SARI screening tool and underwent a combined nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome- related coronavirus 2 to determine COVID-19 positivity. Results from our study show that it may be warranted to remove the gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) from the SARI screening tool and potentially adjusting the weights of the components in the screening tool. However, as data from additional studies become available, the current SARI screening tool could continue to be used as a screening tool to predict COVID-19 positivity and in triaging patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrological modelling of Ar Rub Al Kahli over a very regional scale using the weight of evidence based on pixel calculation and several pieces of evidences is timely consuming. This study aims to modify an approach, which calls a weight of hydrological evidence (WoHE) approach. The approach is based on calculating the logarithmic ratio of the total areas of distribution good (event) and distribution bad (non-event) of features such as faults, palaeochannels and zones of flow accumulation. The approach starts by mapping fault zones, palaeochannels, drainage basins and flow accumulation zones from the Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) DEM. The proposed approach is an effective approach to improve the hydrological modeling and summarize large datasets over a very regional scale obtained using machine learning, which is used widely in the literature. The results exhibited that the basins of Dhofar has the highest values for the WoHE of 0.0432. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) as a tool of assessment is used at various levels of education because of its validity and reliability. The objectives of the current study was to compare the differences in MCQs flaws rate, difficulty factor (DF), discrimination index (DI), and reliability (R) of the test and to compare the non functionality of MCQs distracters (NFD) before and after the implementation of medical education department guidelines, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The cross sectional longitudinal and pretest-posttest design was adopted for this study for the pathology final MCQs exam for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 (where the guidelines were not implemented yet) and 2015, 2016, 2017(where the guidelines were implemented). The flaws adopted by the Department of Medical Education (DME) were the ones derived from the national board of examiners (NBME) and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) which include (grammatical, logical clues, extra details, absolute terms, negative stem, unfocussed stem and extra details in correct options). Acceptable questions difficulty, discrimination index, nonfunctioning distractors, and reliability is ranged from 30% - 85%, 0.20-0.24 or negative, <5% and > 0.90 respectively. Flaws were reported as 66.7%, 50%, 53.3% (for exam 1, 2 and 3) respectively before and 10%, 8.3%, and 13.3% (for exam 4, 5 and 6) respectively after implementation of the MCQs guidelines, with almost disappearance of the unfocused questions. Acceptable difficulties of the questions were 34%, 57% and 71% (for exams1, 2, 3) before guidelines implantation to 69%, 77% and 73% (for exam 4, 5, 6) after guidelines implementation. Changes were observed in the discrimination index: where questions with negative and zero discrimination index, dropped from 16.9%, 11% and 12% (for exam 1, 2 and 3 respectively) before application of the guidelines to 10%, 6%, 4.5% (for exam 4, 5 and 6 respectively) after application of the guidelines. Although the tendency to make all distracters functional was observed, no changes were found in reliability before and after the implementations of the guidelines. To conclude, dramatic improvement was observed in the quality of MCQs after the adoption of guidelines by Medical Education Department reflected in: reduction in MCQs flaws, improvement in difficulty factors, advancement in discrimination index and functionality of MCQs distractors, however no progress in the reliability of the MCQs exam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We conducted this study to assess the real-world prevalence, nature, predictors, and clinical necessity of apixaban pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) drug interactions in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) at a tertiary medical institution in Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: An observational retrospective cohort analysis was conducted in adult patients diagnosed with NVAF receiving apixaban for stroke prevention from the period of June 2015 to May 2019. Results: Of the 1271 patients included in the analysis, 611 (48.1%) patients had potential PD– or PK–drug interactions with apixaban. Of those, 490 (38.6%) patients had potential PD drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and 121 (9.5%) patients had potential PK-DDIs. PD-DDIs with apixaban were mainly with antiplatelet therapy followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants. PK-DDIs with apixaban were mainly with combined P-gp/CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. History of minor bleeding was positively correlated with PD-DDIs with apixaban, ß coefficient = 0.455 (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.01– 2.45); p< 0.05. History of acute coronary syndrome was positively correlated with PD-DDIs with apixaban, ß coefficient = 0.515 (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.36– 1.99); p< 0.05. History of heart failure was positively correlated with PK-DDIs with apixaban, ß coefficient = 0.459 (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.07– 2.35); p< 0.05. Almost 15% of the included patients had no clinical indication to receive the potential interacting drug with apixaban and about 20% of them were assuming an inappropriate apixaban dose according to the product package insert. Conclusion: Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics interactions are common in more than half of the patients with NVAF receiving apixaban for stroke prevention in this real-world analysis. Some of these interacting medications are not indicated. Drug–drug interactions should always be considered and monitored with apixaban with a regular assessment of the need for any interacting medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: We hypothesized that the prevalence of electronic cigarette vaping among the medical student population is on the rise. Our aims were to assess the prevalence of electronic cigarette vaping among medical students in Saudi Arabia, to understand and analyze the reasons that led them to try it, and to investigate students' perceptions towards electronic cigarette vaping. Methods: An anonymous, paper-based, cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed amongst 401 undergraduate medical students from years 1-5 at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prevalence, intensity of e-cigarette use and reasons for it, relation of electronic cigarettes to cessation of tobacco smoking, and side effects were studied. Results: The prevalence of vaping was 49/401 (12.2%). There was a strong association between gender and vaping, with males being 3 times more likely to vape compared to females (χ2 (1) =13.62, P<.001). The three most common reasons for using electronic cigarettes were to enjoy the variability in flavours (61.4%, n = 30), to reduce or quit tobacco cigarettes (29.5%, n = 14), and to avert the public smoking ban (13.6%, n = 7). The three most common side effects experienced by users were coughing (26.7%, n = 13), dry mouth/throat (24.4%, n = 12), and dizziness (20%, n = 10). Conclusion: Use of the electronic cigarettes is not uncommon amongst medical students, mostly due to their appealing flavor variability. Further research is required to define long-term safety and side effect profiles, and to generate evidence-based guidelines concerning e-cigarette safety and efficacy for smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) comprises the normal flora of the female urogenital tract and can be transferred to neonates during delivery, causing invasive diseases. This study was performed to investigate the colonization rate, antibiotic susceptibility, and serotype of GBS among Saudi pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, vagino-rectal swabs from 400 pregnant women were collected over a period of one year. Identification of GBS isolates and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the Microscan Walk Away system. The isolates were then typed using both latex agglutination and capsular genebased multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: Sixty (15.0%) subjects were colonized by GBS, with serotype Ia as the dominant type (30.0%) followed by serotype III and V (25.0%, each). Only 43 (71.7%) isolates were typed by latex agglutination, whereas the remaining isolates were not typable or were non-specifically typed as compared to the genotyping assay, which revealed the specific type of each GBS isolate. The highest resistance rates were observed for erythromycin and clindamycin (16.7%, each), which were mainly restricted to the prevalent serotypes. Conclusion: This study is the first to report the distribution of GBS serotypes based on molecular genotyping in Saudi Arabia. GBS colonization was evident among pregnant women, and resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was predominant among serotypes Ia, III, and V. Molecular genotyping using capsular gene-based multiplex PCR provided reliable typing of the investigated GBS isolates in terms of sensitivity and specificity as compared to conventional serotyping using latex agglutination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess apixaban prescribing practices for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), and to examine the factors contributing to dosing inappropriateness at a large academic medical institution in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A retrospective cohort analysis of all adult patients with NVAF receiving apixaban for stroke prevention was conducted for the period from June 2015 to May 2019. Results: Of the 1271 patients included in the analysis, inappropriate apixaban dosing was present in 223 (17.50%) patients and absent in 1048 (82.50%) patients. Among those who received an inappropriate apixaban dosage, 103 (46.19%) and 120 (53.81%) received an over- or under-dosed apixaban regimen, respectively. Increasing age, lower body mass index, a history of minor bleeding, concomitant antiplatelet therapy with either clopidogrel + aspirin or aspirin only, reduced renal function, and elevated CHA2DS2-VASc score were significantly associated with increasing the risk of receiving an inappropriate apixaban dosage. Conclusion: In patients with NVAF receiving apixaban for stroke prevention in this real-world analysis, > 80% were prescribed an appropriate dosage of apixaban. Proactive procedures, such as integrating an electronic dosing algorithm, educating healthcare providers, and involving clinical pharmacists in medication review, may help ensure the use of appropriate apixaban dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an optimal sizing algorithm for a hybrid renewable energy system using smart grid load management application based on the available generation. This algorithm aims to maximize the system energy production and meet the load demand with minimum cost and highest reliability. This system is formed by photovoltaic array, wind turbines, storage batteries, and diesel generator as a backup source of energy. Demand profile shaping as one of the smart grid applications is introduced in this paper using load shifting-based load priority. Particle swarm optimization is used in this algorithm to determine the optimum size of the system components. The results obtained from this algorithm are compared with those from the iterative optimization technique to assess the adequacy of the proposed algorithm. The study in this paper is performed in some of the remote areas in Saudi Arabia and can be expanded to any similar regions around the world. Numerous valuable results are extracted from this study that could help researchers and decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study focused on analyzing the effectiveness of reproductive health education program for increasing awareness about reproduction among female adolescents. A questionnaire survey was conducted on a female students studying in Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. According to the results, programs are effective in improving the knowledge among students.

The Saudi society has its own unique values, morals, and ethics which are based on the religion of Islam. The social system in Saudi Arabia is very supportive of patients and their families, and in most hospitals patients have access to free healthcare services. However, there has been little discussion on how patients' rights are practiced in such healthcare systems. In this research paper the perception of physicians concerning patients' rights and their fulfillment in two governmental hospitals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is compared, using a selfadministered questionnaire which examined the physicians' knowledge, attitude and perception towards these rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping of groundwater potential in remote arid and semi-arid regions underneath sand sheets over a very regional scale is a challenge and requires an accurate classifier. The Classification and Regression Trees (CART) model is a robust machine learning classifier used in groundwater potential mapping over a very regional scale. Ten essential groundwater conditioning factors (GWCFs) were constructed using remote sensing data. The spatial relationship between these conditioning factors and the observed groundwater wells locations was optimized and identified by using the chi-square method. A total of 185 groundwater well locations were randomly divided into 129 (70%) for training the model and 56 (30%) for validation. The model was applied for groundwater potential mapping by using optimal parameters values for additive trees were 186, the value for the learning rate was 0.1, and the maximum size of the tree was five. The validation result demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) of the CART was 0.920, which represents a predictive accuracy of 92%. The resulting map demonstrated that the depressions of Mondafan, Khujaymah and Wajid Mutaridah depression and the southern gulf salt basin (SGSB) near Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) borders reserve fresh fossil groundwater as indicated from the observed lakes and recovered paleolakes. The proposed model and the new maps are effective at enhancing the mapping of groundwater potential over a very regional scale obtained using machine learning algorithms, which are used rarely in the literature and can be applied to the Sahara and the Kalahari Desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of topographical characteristics and rainfall intensity on the accuracy of satellite precipitation estimates is of importance to the adoption of satellite data for hydrological applications. This study evaluates the three GPM IMERG V05B products over the arid country of Saudi Arabia. Statistical indices quantifying the performance of IMERG products were calculated under three evaluation techniques: seasonal-based, topographical, and rainfall intensity-based. Results indicated that IMERG products have the capability to detect seasons with the highest precipitation values (spring) and seasons with the lowest precipitation (summer). Moreover, results showed that IMERG products performed well under various rainfall intensities, particularly under light rain, which is the most common rainfall in arid regions. Furthermore, IMERG products exhibited high detection accuracy over moderate elevations, whereas it had poor performance over coastal and mountainous regions. Overall, the results confirmed that the performance of the final-run product surpassed the near-real-time products in terms of consistency and errors. IMERG products can improve temporal resolution and play a significant role in filling data gaps in poorly gauged regions. However, due to the errors in IMERG products, it is recommended to use sub-daily rain gauge data in satellite calibration for better rainfall estimation over arid and semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Madinah Almonawra in KSA held during the period from March 2014-March 2015., Aim of the Study: This study aimed at analyzing the effect of population dynamics on the current situation of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Al-Madinah Almonawarah area, a holy city that attracts millions of muslims annually., Methodology: Epidemiological and clinical data were collected by especial questionnaire and laboratory specimens were collected using skin scraping and needle aspiration. Staining and direct microscopy were done. LST was conducted. Analysis was done using SPSS program., Results: The study included 164 patients, all of them were men. Saudi nationality comprised around 20% of the study group, the majority were Egyptians, 26.2%, followed by Pakistani, 21.3%., Conclusion: The presence of non-Saudi nationality as foreign workers, immigrants and refugees has worsened the current situation of the disease., (© 2019 Abdalla et al.)

Objective: To assess the epidemiologic and clinical manifestations of the first wave of H1N1 influenza A patients., Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of all patients admitted in King Saud Medical Complex, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 22nd May to 31st August 2009, with a proven diagnosis of H1N1 influenza A. Only patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab were included, and excluded when the swab was negative. Charts were then analyzed for epidemiological and clinical data., Results: A total of 153 patients with proven H1N1 infection were admitted, with a predominance of male patients (108 [71%]). Most patients were Saudis (111 [73%]), with 83 males (75%), and 28 females (25%). The mean age was 25 years (standard deviation; 9.45 years), and median age was 24 years. The most common symptoms in order of frequency were; fever (143 patients), cough (126 patients), sore throat (70 patients), headache (18 patients), shortness of breath (17 patients), myalgia (11 patients), diarrhea (9 patients), and vomiting (7 patients). Average duration of symptoms before admission was 3.55 days, and the average time of hospitalization was 4.8 days. Full recovery was obtained in 150 patients. Death occurred in 3 patients., Conclusion: True to its designation as a pandemic, H1N1 influenza A, has reached Saudi Arabia and poses a risk to the young population without immunity, and those with co-morbid disease, particularly of the lungs (bronchial asthma), and the pregnant. Despite its virulence in infecting people, deaths are far less than anticipated for such a novel virus. Social distancing can be recommended. However, further observation has to continue to substantiate these tentative preliminary findings.