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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the leading countries, in the Middle East, for Additive Manufacturing (AM). The UAE government is strongly focusing on fostering innovation within the automotive supply chain of the country. AM offers a tremendous opportunity by improving adaptability and efficiency of the supply chain such as reducing lead times, decreasing the dependence on foreign suppliers, and promoting sustainability in manufacturing processes. The study used a mixed method approach to determine the interrelationship between the barriers and to prioritize them with respect to one another. 11 critical barriers were identified through comprehensive literature review analysis and were modeled using ISM-MICMAC and ANP analysis with opinions gathered from industry experts. The study represents that Lack of standardization, skilled labor shortage, and limited availability of raw materials are the important barriers in the AM adoption. The ISM analysis represented the qualitative classification of barriers levels depending on their influence and interdependence, whereas the ANP analysis provided a quantitative validation for the findings. The results of this study are beneficial in providing insights of AM adoption and the unique obstacles encountered in the UAE automotive supply chain. It also assists the decision makers and automotive industry professionals to strategically implement additive manufacturing initiatives to overcome these barriers.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Introduction: Eating out has always been associated with increasing cases of food poisoning. These problems can be minimized through mobile applications and technology development. A mobile application called MyWarung© was developed to provide an alternative, improved tool for improving food poisoning knowledge and preventive behaviour. Methods: This cross-sectional study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptance of the MyWarung© application for consumers in Terengganu. The 50 consumers were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria using convenience non-probability sampling. The data were collected through a questionnaire that included three components: socio-demographic, feasible (6 components) and acceptable (7 components). The scoring above 80.0% indicates an acceptable, while lower than 80.0% show unacceptable for both feasibility and acceptability sections. SPSS 22.0 has analyzed the data. Results: The results showed excellent feasibility with a median score of 27.5 (IQR 6.0) out of 30.0, and acceptance with 32.0 (IQR 7.0) out of 35.0. Majority of the respondents agreed that the app is easy to use (94.0%), easy to understand (88.0%), attractive (84.0%), catchy (88.0%), provides more information (96.0%), efficient (96.0%), knowledge improvement (96.0%), beneficial (100.0%), useful application (88.0%), and recommend to the other people (84.0%). The overall result showed that most respondents agreed that MyWarung© application was feasible and acceptable with 90.0% and 86.0% feasibility and acceptability rate. Conclusion: The MyWarung© application among consumers can be highly feasible and acceptable in preventing food poisoning during dining out.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causes significant health and economic burden on society. The aim of this study is to estimate households’ direct and indirect expenditures on AGE and its predicted factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020 using a bilingual proforma distributed using Survey Monkey among individuals with self-reported AGE in all 14 states of Malaysia. The finding revealed the average expenditure for a single episode of AGE was RM395.58 (± SD 798.02). The mean indirect expenditure was higher at RM259.14 (± SD 379.92) vs. direct expenditure of RM136.44 (± SD 596.47). The highest expenditure was seen among those who obtained inpatient care. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that household income (RM0.13; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27; p=0.043) and type of healthcare facility (private vs government) (RM1842.05; 95% CI: 395.13, 3288.98; p=0.014) had significant association with households’ total health expenditure on AGE. Acute gastroenteritis incurred substantial cost on all affected households regardless of care-seeking modalities. Interestingly, the main economic burden of AGE was the indirect cost of productivity loss; interpreted in terms of days away from work. In conclusion, AGE instigated economic burden on both households and employers. The household income and type of facility were found to be significant factors associated with the households’ health expenditures due to AGE. This study recommends food safety awareness among the public and enforcement of safe food handling practices among food vendors and industries.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) causes significant health and economic burden on society. The aim of this study is to estimate households’ direct and indirect expenditures on AGE and its predicted factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020 using a bilingual proforma distributed using Survey Monkey among individuals with self-reported AGE in all 14 states of Malaysia. The finding revealed the average expenditure for a single episode of AGE was RM395.58 (± SD 798.02). The mean indirect expenditure was higher at RM259.14 (± SD 379.92) vs. direct expenditure of RM136.44 (± SD 596.47). The highest expenditure was seen among those who obtained inpatient care. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that household income (RM0.13; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27; p=0.043) and type of healthcare facility (private vs government) (RM1842.05; 95% CI: 395.13, 3288.98; p=0.014) had significant association with households’ total health expenditure on AGE. Acute gastroenteritis incurred substantial cost on all affected households regardless of care-seeking modalities. Interestingly, the main economic burden of AGE was the indirect cost of productivity loss; interpreted in terms of days away from work. In conclusion, AGE instigated economic burden on both households and employers. The household income and type of facility were found to be significant factors associated with the households’ health expenditures due to AGE. This study recommends food safety awareness among the public and enforcement of safe food handling practices among food vendors and industries.

Nuhour Ali Al Shidhani,1 Asma Ali Al Kendi,1 Maisa Hamed Al Kiyumi2 1Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman; 2Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, OmanCorrespondence: Maisa Hamed Al KiyumiSultan Qaboos University Hospital, P.O.Box 35, P.C.123, Al-Khod, Sultanate of OmanTel +0096824141127Email maysa8172@gmail.comBackground: Domestic violence against women before and/or during pregnancy is a concerning public health issue. It has a deleterious impact on both the mother and the baby.Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and predictors of emotional and physical domestic violence during three periods (lifelong, one year before pregnancy and during pregnancy). Moreover, it evaluates the effects of domestic violence on the outcomes of pregnancy, including miscarriages, birth weight of the baby, gestational age at delivery, and mode of delivery.Methodology: This is a prospective observational study of literate pregnant women, attending four primary health-care centers in Muscat, from 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020. Subjects with twin pregnancies were excluded from the study. The validated Arabic NorVold Domestic Abuse Questionnaire (NORAQ) was used to determine the prevalence of emotional and physical domestic violence. The recruited subjects were re-evaluated for birth outcomes at 2– 4 weeks postpartum.Results: A total of 960 women participated in the study, with the mean age of 30.3 ± 5.4 years. Overall, experiences of lifelong domestic violence were reported by 161 women (16.8%), and the prevalence rate declined substantially in the one-year period preceding pregnancy and during pregnancy, 2.7% and 1.6%, respectively. Women who reported any type of domestic violence one year before pregnancy were at a higher risk of experiencing it again during pregnancy. A multivariate analysis of the obtained data revealed a strong association between physical domestic violence one year before p

This thesis considers the adoption of technology and perceived changing social attitudes and relations. Specifically it considers if there have been any perceived changes in family or social relations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and, if so, can this be traced to the relatively recent shift to allow more widespread access to the internet. Traditionally the KSA has been characterised as a traditional, socially conservative society with a strong reliance on extended kinship groups. These family units have traditionally been the focus for much social interaction, especially for the female members and a regular round of face to face interaction was an important part of the social norms. The adopted research design was a variant of the mixed methods methodology. In this case a questionnaire was issued to 300 young people at two universities and one high school in Riyadh. Following this, 50 interviews were conducted. These were a mixture of some under 28 (drawn from the questionnaire sample) and those over 28 (found using purposive sampling. The research was designed to explore if the internet was perceived by respondents as having an impact due to time displacement (i.e. time spent on line was reducing face to face interaction) or in terms of any perceived changes of underlying attitudes towards the norms of Saudi society. Broadly, the findings were that there was evidence that the internet was perceived as having led to significant changes in social relations due to time displacement. However, from the interviews, it was clear that to many women in the KSA the internet offered the means to sidestep traditional restrictions on social interaction. While most reported no change in social attitudes, those with relatively heavy usage did report an impact on both acceptance of existing cultural norms and social relationship.

This thesis considers the adoption of technology and perceived changing social attitudes and relations. Specifically it considers if there have been any perceived changes in family or social relations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and, if so, can this be traced to the relatively recent shift to allow more widespread access to the internet. Traditionally the KSA has been characterised as a traditional, socially conservative society with a strong reliance on extended kinship groups. These family units have traditionally been the focus for much social interaction, especially for the female members and a regular round of face to face interaction was an important part of the social norms. The adopted research design was a variant of the mixed methods methodology. In this case a questionnaire was issued to 300 young people at two universities and one high school in Riyadh. Following this, 50 interviews were conducted. These were a mixture of some under 28 (drawn from the questionnaire sample) and those over 28 (found using purposive sampling. The research was designed to explore if the internet was perceived by respondents as having an impact due to time displacement (i.e. time spent on line was reducing face to face interaction) or in terms of any perceived changes of underlying attitudes towards the norms of Saudi society. Broadly, the findings were that there was evidence that the internet was perceived as having led to significant changes in social relations due to time displacement. However, from the interviews, it was clear that to many women in the KSA the internet offered the means to sidestep traditional restrictions on social interaction. While most reported no change in social attitudes, those with relatively heavy usage did report an impact on both acceptance of existing cultural norms and social relationship.

We are concerned here with singular partial differential equations of fractional order (FSPDEs). The variational iteration method (VIM) is applied to obtain approximate solutions of this type of equations. Convergence analysis of the VIM is discussed. This analysis is used to estimate the maximum absolute truncated error of the series solution. A comparison between the results of VIM solutions and exact solution is given. The fractional derivatives are described in Caputo sense.

We implement relatively analytical methods, the homotopy perturbation method and the variational iteration method, for solving singular fractional partial differential equations of fractional order. The process of the methods which produce solutions in terms of convergent series is explained. The fractional derivatives are described in Caputo sense. Some examples are given to show the accurate and easily implemented of these methods even with the presence of singularities.

We apply the homotopy perturbation method to obtain the solution of partial differential equations of fractional order. This method is powerful tool to find exact and approximate solution of many linear and nonlinear partial differential equations of fractional order. Convergence of the method is proved and the convergence analysis is reliable enough to estimate the maximum absolute truncated error of the series solution. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. Some examples are presented to verify convergence hypothesis and simplicity of the method.

Fractional partial differential equations arise from many fields of physics and apply a very important role in various branches of science and engineering. Finding accurate and efficient methods for solving partial differential equations of fractional order has become an active research undertaking. In the present paper, the homotopy perturbation method proposed by J-H He has been used to obtain the solution of some fractional partial differential equations with variable coefficients. Exact and/or approximate analytical solutions of these equations are obtained.

We are concerned here with singular partial differential equations of fractional order (FSPDEs). The variational iteration method (VIM) is applied to obtain approximate solutions of this type of equations. Convergence analysis of the VIM is discussed. This analysis is used to estimate the maximum absolute truncated error of the series solution. A comparison between the results of VIM solutions and exact solution is given. The fractional derivatives are described in Caputo sense.

We apply the homotopy perturbation method to obtain the solution of partial differential equations of fractional order. This method is powerful tool to find exact and approximate solution of many linear and nonlinear partial differential equations of fractional order. Convergence of the method is proved and the convergence analysis is reliable enough to estimate the maximum absolute truncated error of the series solution. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. Some examples are presented to verify convergence hypothesis and simplicity of the method.

We implement relatively analytical methods, the homotopy perturbation method and the variational iteration method, for solving singular fractional partial differential equations of fractional order. The process of the methods which produce solutions in terms of convergent series is explained. The fractional derivatives are described in Caputo sense. Some examples are given to show the accurate and easily implemented of these methods even with the presence of singularities.

The homotopy perturbation method, Sumudu transform, and He’s polynomials are combined to obtain the solution of fractional Black-Scholes equation. The fractional derivative is considered in Caputo sense. Further, the same equation is solved by homotopy Laplace transform perturbation method. The results obtained by the two methods are in agreement. The approximate analytical solution of Black-Scholes is calculated in the form of a convergence power series with easily computable components. Some illustrative examples are presented to explain the efficiency and simplicity of the proposed method.

We use the fractional variational iteration method (FVIM) with modified Riemann-Liouville derivative to solve some equations in fluid mechanics and in financial models. The fractional derivatives are described in Riemann-Liouville sense. To show the efficiency of the considered method, some examples that include the fractional Klein-Gordon equation, fractional Burgers equation, and fractional Black-Scholes equation are investigated.

The homotopy perturbation method, Sumudu transform, and He’s polynomials are combined to obtain the solution of fractional Black-Scholes equation. The fractional derivative is considered in Caputo sense. Further, the same equation is solved by homotopy Laplace transform perturbation method. The results obtained by the two methods are in agreement. The approximate analytical solution of Black-Scholes is calculated in the form of a convergence power series with easily computable components. Some illustrative examples are presented to explain the efficiency and simplicity of the proposed method.

We use the fractional variational iteration method (FVIM) with modified Riemann-Liouville derivative to solve some equations in fluid mechanics and in financial models. The fractional derivatives are described in Riemann-Liouville sense. To show the efficiency of the considered method, some examples that include the fractional Klein-Gordon equation, fractional Burgers equation, and fractional Black-Scholes equation are investigated.

Introduction and Aim: Air Pollution has become a current and major concern since several disasters related to the containments of polluted air like haze episode happened in South East Asia region. The aim was to study the API trend and the effects to the human health. It was also expected that by the end of this study the relationship between the API and the human health factor would determined. Context: A series of Air Pollution Index (API) data were observed and numbers of patient suffered for diseases related to the air pollution weekly data were gathered from February to September 2005. The API data was obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia, while the number of patients suffer for illness namely asthma, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory track infection (URTI were the other parameter which were obtained from the Terengganu Hospital .The aim was to study the API trend and it's effects on human health. Methodology and sampling area: Data were analyzed by using Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) to study the trend and the relationships between the variables. The Least Square Method analysis was chosen to obtain the correlation and the regression analysis between variables. Finding and Conclusion: The API data recorded ranged from 60 to 96 with a mean of 72 which was categorized as moderate level of pollution during the study period. The high correlation value was 0.84 between the total of patients and the API. Among the parameters analyzed, the relationship between API and the asthma patients was the highest compared to API and URTI which were 0.86 and 0.60 respectively. In addition, the high values of R2 obtained in this study indicate that the adopted method on establishing the relationship to predict the impact of the API on human health is accepted. It can be concluded that the API values have strongly influenced and effected the human health in the study area. In future, it is expected that more data will be collected and will be a

This volume simultaneously attempts to consider and rethink contemporary models and concepts in the study of protest, and examine their applicability to different regional contexts. Asma Ali Farah finds the key strength of From Silence to Protest is it shifts attention towards aspects that are overlooked in social movement studies, like its consideration of “invisible” forms of activism.

Players and Arenas: The Interactive Dynamics of Protest , edited by James M. Jasper and Jan Willem Duyvendak, employs a strategic interaction perspective to the study of social movements, bringing to the fore the relational dynamics between various players across different social arenas. In the face of mounting criticism of the movement-centric nature of the scholarship in this field, this effort is an invaluable contribution, writes Asma Ali Farah.

In Blocking Public Participation: The Use of Strategic Litigation to Silence Political Expression, Byron Sheldrick contributes to social movement studies by examining how SLAPPS – or ‘strategic lawsuits/litigation against public participation’ – can be used by powerful actors to silence public debate and curtail activist work. Asma Ali Farah welcomes this book for its focus upon the counter-mobilisation strategies of opponents as well as for its practical advice on how SLAPPS can potentially be challenged.

This thesis examined the relationship between tinnitus and stress. Chapter 1 provides an overview of tinnitus and stress in terms of definitions, terminologies, mechanism, classification, assessment, and management. Chapter 2 describes the similarities between tinnitus and stress. It is divided into three sections. In the first section, I explain how both tinnitus and stress are associated with changes in brain function and structure, are associated with several diseases, and affect cognition. The second section summarises the findings of a scoping review of research on tinnitus and stress. It revealed discrepancies in the findings and limitations in the methodologies of reviewed studies. Cortisol was commonly studied. Thus, the third section describes the methods and findings of studies that assessed cortisol in tinnitus. The findings in this chapter informed the empirical studies described in the remaining chapters. Chapter 3 describes an observational study that assessed stress (as a stimulus, a response, and perceived stress) in tinnitus and non-tinnitus participants. The primary outcome measure was hair cortisol. I found no differences in stress levels between tinnitus and non-tinnitus participants. Impact of tinnitus on the sense of control and sleep was associated with cortisol level. Daily hassles and perceived stress were associated with tinnitus-related emotional distress. Changes in tinnitus levels were not associated with changes in stress levels. Recent life changes did not affect tinnitus, nor did stress have any effect on the psychoacoustic characteristics of tinnitus. Chapter 4 explored how tinnitus patients define the word ‘stress’. I conducted a concept mapping study which had a mixed-method design. It revealed that people with tinnitus expressed the meaning of the word ‘stress’ in various ways. Almost half of the participants defined stress as ‘internal factors’, the other half defined it as ‘external factors’ and an ‘individualised experience’. T

The research reported in this thesis addresses a patient's information requirements when searching the Internet for health information. A patient's lack of information about his/her health condition and its care is officially acknowledged and traditional patient information sources do not address today's patient information needs. Internet health information resources have become the foremost health information platform. However, patient Internet searching is currently manual, uncustomised and hindered by health information vocabulary and quality challenges. Patient access to quality Internet health information is currently ensured through national health gateways, medical search engines, third-party accredited search engines and charity health websites. However, such resources are generic, i.e. do not cater for a patient particular information needs. In this study, we propose personalising patient Internet searching by enabling a patient's access to their Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) and using this EPR data in Internet information searching. The feasibility of patient access to EPRs has recently been promoted by national health information programmes. Very recently, in the literature, there are reports about pilot studies on personal Health Record (PHR) systems that offer a patient online access to their medical records and related health information. However, the extensive literature searching shows no reports about patient-personalised search engines, within the reported PHR prototypes, that utilise a patient's own data to personalise the search features for a patient especially with regard to health information vocabulary needs. The thesis presents a novel approach to personalising patient information searching based on linking EPR data with relevant Internet Information resources, integrating medical and lay perspectives in a diagnosis vocabulary that distinguishes between medical and lay information needs, and accommodating a variable perspective on onlin

The research reported in this thesis addresses a patient's information requirements when searching the Internet for health information. A patient's lack of information about his/her health condition and its care is officially acknowledged and traditional patient information sources do not address today's patient information needs. Internet health information resources have become the foremost health information platform. However, patient Internet searching is currently manual, uncustomised and hindered by health information vocabulary and quality challenges. Patient access to quality Internet health information is currently ensured through national health gateways, medical search engines, third-party accredited search engines and charity health websites. However, such resources are generic, i.e. do not cater for a patient particular information needs. In this study, we propose personalising patient Internet searching by enabling a patient's access to their Electronic Patient Records (EPRs) and using this EPR data in Internet information searching. The feasibility of patient access to EPRs has recently been promoted by national health information programmes. Very recently, in the literature, there are reports about pilot studies on personal Health Record (PHR) systems that offer a patient online access to their medical records and related health information. However, the extensive literature searching shows no reports about patient-personalised search engines, within the reported PHR prototypes, that utilise a patient's own data to personalise the search features for a patient especially with regard to health information vocabulary needs. The thesis presents a novel approach to personalising patient information searching based on linking EPR data with relevant Internet Information resources, integrating medical and lay perspectives in a diagnosis vocabulary that distinguishes between medical and lay information needs, and accommodating a variable perspective on onlin