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Learning idioms is an uphill battle for many language learners. Thus, this quantitative study aims to shed light on English as Foreign Language (EFL) college students' attitudes towards idiom learning. Specifically, the study is interested in revealing their attitudes towards (1) the importance of idiom learning, (2) the difficulties of idiom learning and (3) the learning strategies of idioms. Additionally, the study attempts to determine if there is an influence of age and/or year of study on the students' attitudes towards learning English idioms. Participants were 218 female EFL college students at the College of Basic Education (CBE) in Kuwait. A five-point Likert-scale questionnaire was employed to obtain data for the study. Data analysis of the questionnaire uncovered the learners' preferred strategies and sources of difficulties when learning idioms. Results showed that students had positive attitudes towards English idiom learning. Significant differences in the results were found when age was taken into account.

Ararso Olani,1 Lemlem Beza Demisse,2 Michael Alemayehu,3 Menbeu Sultan4 1College of Medicine and Health Science, Arba Minch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Tirunesh Beijing Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 4Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Lemlem Beza Demisse, Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Po Box 2021, Bole Road, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel +251 923-092533, Email lemnene33@yahoo.comBackground: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health has established ambulances and dispatch centers specifically designed to transport COVID-19 patients to city medical centers. Due to a lack of evidence in this area, it is critical to assess the factors that influence the willingness to call for emergency medical services.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2021 in Addis Ababa. The data were gathered through use of a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 25. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios with and without confounding variable controls, and significant associations were declared at (0.05). For the variables that show significant associations in bivariate and multivariate analyses, a 95% confidence interval is provided.Results: Three-quarters of those surveyed said they would call ambulance if they experienced worsening COVID-19 symptoms. The individual’s language was associated with the willingness to call EMS for worsening COVID-19 symptoms [AOR 0.51(95% CI: 0.28– 0.92)].; awareness of the availability of toll-free ambulance services [AOR 3.4(95% CI: 1.92– 5.95)]; recalling an EMS number [AOR 4.3(95% CI: 1.71– 10.67)]; ambulance crew quality of care perception [AOR 3.6(95% CI: 2.09– 6.10)]; ambulance service adequacy and accessibility perception [AOR 0.25(95% CI: 0.11– 0.55)].Conclusion: The study showed significant portion of the Addis Ababa community recognized the need to call EMS due to worsening COVID-19 symptoms. The individual’s language, awareness of toll-free ambulance; ability to recall an ambulance number, perception of the ambulance crew’s quality of care and adequacy and accessibility of service in the city influence the decision to call an ambulance. The finding highlights the significance of addressing problems through various media outlet, for advocacy and public awareness. More research, including qualitative studies, is needed to investigate the factors that encourage people to seek EMS.Keywords: the need to call emergency medical services, prehospital care, worsening COVID-19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT: Primary intracranial germ cell tumors are rare, occurring more frequently in children and young adults in midline locations of the brain. Teratomas are an uncommon variant of germ cell neoplasm, although they account for a high proportion of fetal brain tumors. Here, we report a 27-year-old male who presented with a heterogeneously enhancing lesion in the left thalamus, without evidence of systemic disease. Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis were consistent with immature teratoma; next-generation sequencing was negative for targetable molecular alterations. The patient received chemotherapy and radiotherapy post-excision. Following the initial resection, ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement was performed due to left temporal horn entrapment. Nine months later, imaging revealed mediastinal and hilar adenopathy as well as pleural disease, with encasement and compression of pulmonary vasculature, and multiple, bilateral pulmonary nodules. Fine needle aspiration showed malignant cells with an immunohistochemical profile similar to the original tumor, consistent with metastases. Though germ cell tumors are known to spread via cerebrospinal fluid or blood, metastasis outside of the CNS from a primary intracranial germ cell tumor is a rare complication. Spread via ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which may have occurred in the present case, has also rarely been observed.

Abstract Background The higher education institutions worldwide have been transformed unexpectedly to online teaching. This sudden movement from blended learning or traditional face-to-face teaching has severely disrupted university activities and posed many challenges for teaching staff, who were asked to develop online versions of their courses overnight. This study explores the effect of the current changes in education style and working from home on the stress and burnout levels of teaching staff. Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional design, whereby 278 participants (faculty and course instructors) from 17 campuses of one of the largest colleges in United Arab Emirates completed a web-based survey. Numerous instruments were utilized to obtain the following data: participants demographics; their perceived stress during online teaching; their perception of the impact of teaching from home on their family’s daily life, physical health, mental health and ability to cope with stress; burnout level; and their satisfaction with online teaching. Results Around 60% of participants reported moderate stress level during online teaching (moderate stress = 5 to 8) under COVID-19 (M 6.21 ± 2.26). An independent sample t-test and ANOVA tests revealed that participants with 7–10 years of online teaching experience reported more stress than participants who have 4–6 years online teaching experience (M 7.29, ±1.11 Vs. 5.30, ±2.69; P = 0.04). Moreover, multiple regression analysis showed that higher stress levels and lower satisfaction with the online teaching experience were associated with more significant personal and working burnout. Married participants with school-age children were at greater risk of personal burnout. Conclusion The transition to remote education imposed mental burdens and stress on faculty members. Supportive professional development strategies to enrich faculty with online teaching skills are urgently required.

Menbeu Sultan,1 Lemlem Beza,2 Finot Debebe,2 Getaw Worku Hassen,3 Anisha Duvvi,3 Selamawit Tilahun,4 Nura Nasser,5 Sisay Bekele6 1Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, St. Paul’s hospital millennium medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 3Department of Emergency Medicine, New York Metropolitan Hospital, New York, NY, USA; 4Department of Internal Medicine, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 5Department of Anesthesiology, St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 6Department of Surgery, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Menbeu Sultan, Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Email smenbeu@yahoo.comAbstract: Tracheal masses are rare in occurrence, but could lead to complications depending on the speed of growth, duration and degree of obstruction. Some of the complications are recurrent pneumonia and air trapping resulting in increased intrathoracic pressure. The latter phenomenon can result in obstruction of the venous return and pneumothorax. We are reporting a rare presentation of bilateral pneumothorax (presumed tensioned) in a young patient with a distal obstructive tracheal tumor. In the emergency department (ED) the patient was in respiratory distress and was found to have extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the neck, chest, and abdominal wall with hypotension. Respiratory failure from bilateral tension pneumothorax was suspected and the patient was intubated with simultaneous bilateral thoracostomy. These measures did not improve the patient’s ventilation and oxygenation status. Further fiberoptic investigation revealed a distal tracheal obstructive mass. An emergency surgical intervention was required to remove the tumor. We recommend considering alternative pathologies, such as an obstructive tracheal tumor, in a patient with respiratory distress. They should especially be considered when oxygenation and ventilation are difficult, particularly when endotracheal intubation and/or tube thoracostomy fail to improve the symptoms. A high index of suspicion and a timely multidisciplinary team approach are essential when managing the life-threatening presentation of a patient with a distal tracheal tumor.Keywords: bilateral pneumothorax, tracheal tumor, hypoventilation

Purpose: To conduct a SWOT analysis to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with trends and prospects of herbal medicine practice within the Saudi healthcare system. Methods: The analysis was conducted using a comprehensive review of various secondary data sources. These included an extensive examination of peer-reviewed journals for academic insights and public health data for statistical and epidemiological records. Data were systematically categorized and analyzed using the SWOT framework to identify key internal and external factors influencing herbal medicine in Saudi Arabia. Results: Key strengths encompass strong cultural acceptance, rich biodiversity and supportive government initiatives. The primary weaknesses identified include the absence of standardization and scientific validation, as well as public misconceptions regarding the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine. Opportunities exist in the growing global demand for natural health treatments, technological advancements and potential educational initiatives. Potential threats include strong competition from conventional medicine, strict regulatory barriers hindering herbal treatment approval and environmental sustainability concerns related to herbal medicine production. Conclusion: Although herbal medicine in Saudi Arabia holds significant potential, it is crucial to tackle challenges related to regulation, scientific research and public awareness. Strategic efforts in these areas will enhance the integration of herbal medicine into the modern healthcare system, thereby ensuring its safe, effective and sustainable use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers and practitioners typically view motivation as a key factor in successful language learning. As teachers strive to motivate their students in language classrooms, they develop divergent opinions regarding the extent to which their students are motivated. Characterizing this as a motivational divide, this study attempts to affirm the existence of this divide and closely investigate other related teachers' beliefs that may further reinforce it. A questionnaire was employed to explore 48 English teachers' beliefs about learner motivation. Three groups of teachers were identified: the largest percentage believed that students were motivated, followed by almost equal percentages of those who believed that students were unmotivated or those neutral. Several related beliefs seem to contribute to this divide, especially the stereotypical perceptions of Saudi students and beliefs that students do not appreciate the future value of studying English as a foreign language, along with judgments about the signs of student classroom engagement. Generally, a pattern was observed in the teachers' responses to most statements, indicating the existence of a motivational divide. This study concludes by stressing the importance of teachers' beliefs about learner motivation in effective motivational classroom practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust control mechanisms are needed in microgrids to ensure voltage source inverters (VSIs) effectively integrate renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into the power network. Current control approaches often have limitations regarding velocity, stability, and robustness. The paper details a newly developed method named Point of Common Coupling Direct Power Control (PCC-DPC) for renewable energy systems connected to the grid. PCC-DPC is used to instantly control voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) inside the microgrid as opposed to other conventional techniques. This leads to a simplified controller design that does not require complex Park transformations and phase-locked loop (PLL) systems, and has a lower computational burden and less power fluctuation in a stable manner. Moreover, this research critically examines power quality phenomena through comparing PCC-DPC with a Vector Current Controller (VCC). Simulations performed on an Opal Re-al-Time simulator showed improved tracking performance and overall system efficiency due to the PCC-DPC approach over others. These results demonstrate that it can effectively be used as one of the most suitable methods for integrating renewable energy into electricity grids, which is reliable in regards to changes in power grid dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a novel multi-objective technique for the Stochastic Economic Emission Dispatch Problem (SEEDP) integrating wind energy sources. To do this, the SEEDP is first formulated as a Chance Constrained Programming (CCP) problem where the randomness of the Wind Power (WP) output is obtained with the Weibull distribution function. Nevertheless, the chance constraint is employed to describe the fulfillment of the power balance constraint. In fact, after applying the probability theory, the proposed CCP issue is converted into a deterministic optimization problem. Moreover, the impact of WP penetration on the optimal solutions is investigated. To resolve the proposed multi-objective approach, the second version of the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAII) is applied. Moreover, to test the robustness of the proposed strategy, a ten-unit system is used and the acquired results are compared with those of other optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]