Search

الملخص: أهداف البحث: يعد الأداء المعرفي المنخفض مصدر قلق رئيسي بين أطفال الصيادين في ماليزيا. وبالتالي، هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم المدخول الغذائي، والحالة التغذوية، والنشاط البدني، والحالة الاجتماعية والاقتصادية، وربطها بالأداء المعرفي لأطفال الصيادين في تيرينجانو، ماليزيا. لقد بحثنا أيضا في المخاطر المرتبطة بالأداء المعرفي المنخفض. طريقة البحث: شملت هذه الدراسة المقطعية 94 طفلا تتراوح أعمارهم بين 7-11 سنة في تيرينجانو. تم تقييم كفاية النظام الغذائي باستخدام استرجاع النظام الغذائي لمدة 24 ساعة. تم تقييم القياسات الأنثروبومترية عن طريق حساب مؤشر كتلة الجسم للعمر والطول مقابل العمر. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، تم إجراء اختبار متوسط اليود البولي لتحديد تركيز اليود. تم قياس النشاط البدني باستخدام استبيان النشاط البدني للأطفال. تم استخدام مصفوفات رافين التقدمية الملونة لتحديد الأداء المعرفي. تم إجراء الانحدار اللوجستي ذو الحدين على العوامل التي كانت مرتبطة بالأداء المعرفي لتحديد العوامل الأكثر تأثيرا على الأداء المعرفي. النتائج: حصل أطفال الصيادين على جميع العناصر الغذائية التي يحتاجونها بشكل كافٍ باستثناء الدهون والألياف الغذائية والثيامين وحمض الفوليك وفيتامين ج وفيتامين هـ والكالسيوم والزنك والبوتاسيوم. معظم الأطفال لديهم مؤشر كتلة الجسم الطبيعي بالنسبة للعمر (الوسيط=-0,86) والطول بالنسبة للعمر (الوسيط=83,9). ومع ذلك، فإن أكثر من نصفهم يعانون من نقص اليود .16٪ من أطفال الصيادين لديهم مستوى نشاط بدني منخفض ويصنف أدائهم المعرفي على أنه متوسط درجات منخفض.أظهر المستوى التعليمي للأم، مؤشر كتلة الجسم للعمر، البروتين، والنياسين، علاقات مهمة مع الأداء المعرفي. من بين هذه المتغيرات، كان مؤشر كتلة الجسم للعمر والربيع الرابع في تناول البروتين كانت عوامل الخطر المهمة لانخفاض الأداء المعرفي بين أطفال الصيادين في تيرينجانو. الاستنتاجات: يعد النظام الغذائي المتوازن وأنماط الحياة الصحية أمرا ضروريا للنمو المعرفي للطفل. وبالتالي، ينصح بالتدخلات التي تؤكد على تعزيز أنماط الحياة الصحية التي تركز بشكل خاص على مؤشر كتلة الجسم بالنسبة للعمر وتناول البروتين. Abstract: Objectives: Low cognitive performance is a major concern among fishermen's children in Malaysia. Thus, this study was aimed at assessing dietary intake, nutritional status, physical activity, and socio-economic status, and their associations with cognitive performance among fishermen's children in Terengganu, Malaysia. We also investigated the risk associated with low cognitive performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 94 children 7–11 years of age in Terengganu. Dietary adequacy was assessed with two 24-h dietary recall surveys. Anthropometric measurements were assessed by calculation of the body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-score and height-for-age Z-score. In addition, median urinary iodine tests were conducted to determine iodine concentrations. Physical activity was measured with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). Raven's coloured progressive matrices were used to determine cognitive performance. Binominal logistic regressions were performed on factors associated with cognitive performance, to identify the risk factors with the strongest association with cognitive performance. Results: The children of fishermen had adequate intake of all necessary nutrients except for fat, dietary fibre, thiamine, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, zinc, and potassium. Most of the children had normal BMI-for-age [median = −0.86 (2.11)] and height-for-age (mean = −1.01 ± 1.03). However, more than half had iodine deficiency [median = 83.9 (102)]. In addition, 16% had low physical activity levels, and their cognitive performance was classified with a low average score [median = 80.0 (21.0)]. The mother's education level (p = 0.037), children's BMI-for-age (p = 0.012), protein (p = 0.020), and niacin (p = 0.032), exhibited significant relationships with cognitive performance (p

Background and Objectives: Cognitive performance is essential for children, given this is a critical stage of brain growth and development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to ascertain if physical activity or micronutrients impact cognitive performance in children. Materials and Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus®) were searched for relevant articles published between 2012 and 2021. We emphasized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of physical activity and micronutrients on cognitive performance. Data from eligible studies were gathered and evaluated using random-, fixed- or pooled-effects models with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Physical activity appeared to improve both Mathematics (d = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.67) and attention (d = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.15, 1.14) performances. The micronutrient vitamin B12 had a positive effect on Mathematics (d = 2.39, 95% CI: 0.79, 3.98), English (d = 5.29, 95% CI: 2.76, 7.83), Geography (d = 5.29, 95% CI: 2.76, 7.83), Science (d = 3.39, 95% CI: 2.62, 4.16) and Arts (d = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.84, 4.79). Zinc was found to positively affect English (d = 3.78, 95% CI: 0.44, 7.13), Geography (d = 4.77, 95% CI: 0.56, 8.98) and Arts (d = 2.39, CI: 0.33, 4.45). Iron positively affected Mathematics (d = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.54, 2.06), English (d = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.44, 7.13), Geography (d = 4.77, 95% CI: 0.56, 8.98) and Arts (d = 2.39, 95% CI: 0.33, 4.45). Conclusions: A more comprehensive intervention with a specific dose/level of physical activity, an increased range of cognitive performance, and a well-designed study design that accounts for dietary intake and other health outcomes are required for future studies.

Objective: Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can have a significant impact on quality of life (QOL). This study was conducted to assess the QOL and coping strategies of parents of children with ASD in Oman. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Masarra psychiatric hospital. Telephone interviews were conducted with the parents of all children diagnosed with ASD and attending Al-Masarra Hospital between January 2018 and October 2021. Data were collected using the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-Brief. Results: A total of 304 parents participated in the study (response rate: 100%), of which 59.5% were female. The mean age of the parents and children with ASD was 40.4±6.9 and 8.4 ±2.3 years, respectively. Most children with ASD were male (78.3%) and entirely dependent upon their parents (18.1%). Seeking social support was the most common coping strategy (75.53 ±13.99), while escape avoidance was the least common (51.78 ±8.04). Most parents (48.7%) rated their QOL as good to very good, with acceptable scores in the psychological (70.92 ±11.22) and social (73.27 ±11.46) domains, borderline in the physical health domain (63.51±7.77), and poor in the environmental domain (58.31 ±11.00). Conclusions: Omani parents of children with ASD utilize various coping strategies, with coping skills considered a positive index for mental health in general. No significant differences were observed between Omani fathers and mothers in terms of QOL or coping strategies.

Introduction: Traditional thoracolumbosacral orthosis fabrication involves truncal casting (traditionally fabricated [TF] Wilmington brace [WB]), whereas the newer Chêneau-style brace (computer-aided design [CAD]) involves three-dimensional truncal scanning technology. We sought to evaluate how these two brace styles affect the position of the spine in the coronal and sagittal plane. Materials and Methods: Inclusion criteria included adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated with WB or CAD Chêneau-style brace, major curve Cobb angle 20°–45°, age 10–15 years, Risser 0–3, and radiographs (prebrace and in-brace posteroanterior and lateral). Analysis included 28 CAD Chêneau-style braces and 56 WB patients. Results: There was no difference between groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, major curve location, major curve degree, sagittal plane curvature, and pelvic parameters. In-brace analysis demonstrated decreased sagittal plane curvatures and increased T1 pelvic angle in both groups; both had significantly reduced major curve correction. Coronal plane major curve correction ratio of the two groups was similar (P = 0.236). In the CAD Chêneau-style brace group, the thoracolumbar junction became more kyphotic (P = 0.03). In the WB group, both coronal balance and thoracic trunk shift were leftward (P = 0.001). Both groups had a significant increase in T1 pelvic angle, but this increase was higher in the CAD Chêneau-style brace group (P = 0.045). Conclusions: Both braces exert a flattening effect on the spine and positive global sagittal balance. Coronal plane major curve correction was similar for both groups. Coronal plane trunk shift and C7 coronal balance were significantly changed leftward after WB application. Kyphotic thoracolumbar transition and forward tilt of the spine (T1 pelvic angle) were significantly greater in CAD Chêneau-style brace than WB. Clinical Relevance: A Chêneau-style brace fabricated with CAD/computer-aided manufacturing technology can produce a brace comparable to one fabricated by traditional methods using cast molding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 transmission was significant amongst Qatar’s working population during the March–July 2020 outbreak. The study aimed to estimate the risk of exposure for COVID-19 across various workplace settings and demographics in the State of Qatar. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing surveillance data of all workplaces with 10 or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. These workplaces were categorized using a mapping table adapted from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, 2017 version. The data was then analyzed to estimate and compare the positivity rate as an indicator of the risk of developing COVID-19 infection across various workplace settings in the State of Qatar. Results The highest positivity rate was reported amongst the Construction & Related (40.0%) and the Retail & Wholesale Trade sectors (40.0%), whereas, the lowest positivity rate was attributed to the healthcare workplace setting (11.0%). The highest incidence of COVID-19 infections occurred in South Asian nationalities and in the male gender. The private funded sector employees have seen higher positivity rate than employees of the governmental funded sector. Conclusion The elevated risk of infection in Construction and Retail & Wholesale Trade is probably due to environmental and educational vulnerabilities. The predominant labor force of those workplace categories is South Asian craft and male manual workers. Alternatively, the better containment of the healthcare workplace setting can be attributed to the enforcement of infection control and occupational safety measures. These findings imply the importance of using preventive and surveillance strategies for high-risk workplace settings appropriately.

The rate of adoption of e-learning has increased significantly in most higher education institutions in the world. E-learning refers to the use of electronic media, educational technology, also; information and communication technology (ICT) in the educational process. The aim for adopting e-learning is to provide students with educational services via the use of ICT. Thus, students can access educational resources from anywhere and at any time. However, the successful implementation of e-learning relies on the readiness to be able to initiate this system because, without proper readiness, the project will probably fail. E-learning readiness refers to the assessment of how ready an institution is to adopt and implement an e-learning project. One of the most important aspects of e-learning readiness is the technological aspect, which plays an important role in implementing an effective and efficient e-learning system. There is currently a lack of arguments concerning the factors that shape the technological aspect of e-learning readiness. The focus of this study is concentrated on the technological aspect of e-learning readiness. A model is proposed which includes eight technological factors, specifically: Software; Hardware; Connectivity; Security; Flexibility of the system; Technical Skills and Support; cloud computing; and Data center. A quantitative study was conducted at six Malaysian public universities, with survey responses from 374 Academic staff members who use e-learning. The empirical study confirmed that seven of the technological factors have a significant effect on e-learning readiness, while one factor (cloud computing) has not yet had a significant impact on e-learning readiness.

E-learning is an educational method which aims to provide educational or training programs for students or trainees at any time and at any place using information and communication technology (ICT). Increasing numbers of higher education institutions have adopted e-learning in order to take advantage of the opportunities that it offers. Through e-learning, learners can access resources and information from anywhere and at any time. However, the successful implementation of e-learning relies on the readiness to be able to initiate this system because, without proper readiness, the project will probably fail. E-learning readiness refers to the assessment of how ready an institution is to adopt and implement e-learning. E-learning readiness helps higher education institutions to measure their stages of readiness, identify any gaps, and then redesign its strategy in order to adopt the e-learning system. One of the most important aspects of e-learning readiness is the technological aspect, which plays an important role in implementing an effective and efficient e-learning system. There is a lack of agreement about the factors that shape the technological aspects of e-learning readiness; hence, a clear gap has been identified in the knowledge on the technological aspects of e-learning readiness. The aim of this paper is to review the technological factors of e-learning readiness by performing the Delphi technique, and develop an initial model for technological aspects of e-learning readiness in higher education institutions. It is anticipated that this model can help institutions of higher education to identify and understand the technological aspects that must be considered when assessing the readiness to apply an e-learning project.

Let N be a near ring. An additive mapping F : N 􀀀! N is said to be a generalized semiderivation on N if there exists a semiderivation d : N 􀀀! N associated with a function g : N 􀀀! N such that F(xy) = F(x)y + g(x)d(y) = d(x)g(y) + xF(y) and F(g(x)) = g(F(x)) for all x; y 2 N. In this paper we prove some theorems in the setting of semigroup ideal of a 3-prime near ring admitting a nonzero generalized semiderivation associated with a nonzero semiderivation, thereby extending some known results on derivations, semiderivations and generalized derivations.

Pollution and the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have long been linked to the world’s increasing need for fossil fuels to generate energy. Every day, the energy consumption is increasing; therefore, it is important to improve technologies that use renewable energy sources. With the abundant availability of sustainable energy, solar power is becoming a necessity. However, solar energy has a low energy density and therefore requires a large installation area, which requires heat collection and heat storage technology. Much research is now being done on the conical solar systems to improve efficiency including calculating an optimal cone angle, finding the best flow ratio and the best absorber design, etc. Therefore, in this study, thermal performance of a conical solar collector (CSC) was assessed with a new design of concentric tube absorber (addition of a coil) and compared to the existing circular tube absorber. It was found that 6 L/min flow rate of heating medium (distilled water and CuO nanofluid) gave lower payback period and higher solar fraction of the system in both cases of absorber tube, i.e., without coil and with coil. However, comparatively, thermal efficiency of CSC with coil-based absorber was almost 10–12% higher than conventional system (without coil) regardless of type of heating medium used.