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Technology has invaded all spheres of life, including education and providing a lot of facilities. It has played a great role in managing education during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis. However, technology might prove detrimental if there is too much of it which may negatively affect its users in some way. This study aimed to investigate final-year students' technology fatigue in distance project-based learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed an online survey approach to collect data from 86 final-year students. The results showed that technology does not highly fatigue final-year students in distance project-based learning environments. Still, the study reported some factors that contribute to increasing and decreasing final-year students' technology fatigue level, which may inform project supervisors and decisionmakers on the best practice for implementing distance project-based learning without putting students under great pressure and fatigue resulting from technology. This study adds to a limited yet growing body of literature on a very important topic, technology fatigue, that has recently arisen in the academic sector especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when technology was the quickest and most ideal response to the global lockdown.

Purpose – Sexual harassment is a pervasive and damaging issue that affects the physical and mental health and well-being of employees in the workplace. It is a serious public health concern that requires urgent attention and action and very dangerous problem in management. Our studies have shown that women are more likely to be the victims of sexual harassment and are more dissatisfied with the situation, organizations have a moral and legal obligation to take proactive measures to prevent and address sexual harassment, including implementing effective policies, providing employee training and fostering a culture of respect and accountability. By doing so, we can create safer, healthier and more productive work environments for all the employees. Design/methodology/approach – This study consisted of 344 individuals from the Syrian community who completed a questionnaire, that contained statements about harassment to gauge each gender’s perception and sensitivity toward it. The questionnaire was carefully designed to include 30 questions, including daily situations in the work environment that may occur and how they are classified by males and females. Is it harassment or not, and about the HR department have personal safety and security standards such as the code of conduct and the rules regulating these behaviors or not and our research project was a collaboration between the two nongovernmental organizations (NGOs): Stemosis and Institute of Human Resources Management (IHRM). Findings – Our research reveals a distinction between the thinking patterns and coping mechanisms of females and males when it comes to dealing with this phenomenon. We presented various scenarios to our respondents, depicting situations that an individual might face in their everyday life and asked them questions related to the definition of harassment, its root causes and strategies for addressing it. Research has shown that women are at a higher risk of experiencing feelings of fear and dissatisfaction when subjected to sexual harassment. This unfortunate reality highlights the need for greater awareness and action to combat such reprehensible behaviors. Save Women! Research limitations/implications – The study faced several limitations in collecting data due to the sensitive and shameful nature of the topic for both men and women in the Syrian Arab Republic. This caused embarrassment for some participants, leading to their unwillingness to participate in the research. Additionally, the study encountered difficulties in dealing with companies, as they did not accept exposure to such situations and failed to show any codes of conduct under the name of their company, and the participants did not consider certain factors as reasons for harassment. Specifically, 71.2% of participants did not consider inappropriate outfits as a reason for harassment. However, there was a significant difference between the opinions of men and women on this matter (p-value < 0.05). Additionally, political, social and psychological reactions were not considered a reason for harassment by 64.8% of participants. Practical implications – In our study, there was a situation that one of the respondents (male) was exposed to by the HR manager (female) who was pretending to be a professional, after he confronted her, she threatened him with expulsion from work and despite his annoyance, he ignored her because it was pointless to talk with her and during the study, (44.7%) of the participants had experienced sexual harassment. Social implications – Victims of sexual harassment experience a similar condition to post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to many mental and psychological issues. The overall organizational environment plays a critical role in the well-being of employees. It is widely accepted that victims of violence suffer from a lack of well-being. Employee well-being is based on feelings of happiness and satisfaction that come from a sense of security. According to the Maslow’s theory of needs, security is fundamental to people and a toxic workplace environment can destroy an individual’s sense of security, negatively impacting their well-being In Syria. Originality/value – In Syria, society is considered closed about sexual issues and considers it a sensitive issue despite its presence and spread in work environments, as the results showed, and this is one of the challenges we face. Therefore, our study is the first in Syria and the largest that sheds light on this phenomenon clearly, strongly, deeply and directly.

Abstract Background This hospital-based cross-sectional study aims to investigate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of rotavirus group A (RVA) infection among children with acute gastroenteritis and to detect the most common G and P genotypes in Egypt. Methods A total of 92 stool samples were collected from children under five who were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. RVA in stool samples was identified using ELISA and nested RT-PCR. Common G and P genotypes were identified utilizing multiplex nested RT-PCR assays. Results RVA was detected at a rate of 24% (22 /92) using ELISA and 26.1% (24 /92) using VP6 nested RT-PCR. The ELISA test demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 91.7%, 100%, and 97.8%, respectively. G3 was the most prevalent G type (37.5%), followed by G1 (12.5%), whereas the most commonly detected P type were P[8] (41.7%) and P[6] (8.2%). RVA-positive samples were significantly associated with younger aged children (p = 0.026), and bottle-fed (p = 0.033) children. In addition, RVA-positive samples were more common during cooler seasons (p = 0.0001). Children with rotaviral gastroenteritis had significantly more frequent episodes of diarrhea (10.87 ± 3.63 times/day) and vomiting (8.79 ± 3.57 times/day) per day (p = 0.013 and p = 0.011, respectively). Moreover, they had a more severe Vesikari clinical score (p = 0.049). Conclusion RVA is a prevalent cause of acute gastroenteritis among Egyptian children in our locality. The discovery of various RVA genotypes in the local population, as well as the identification of common G and P untypeable strains, highlights the significance of implementing the rotavirus vaccine in Egyptian national immunization programs accompanied by continuous monitoring of strains.

Abstract This study proposes an innovative approach to combat the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance in bacteria by introducing a novel ZnO-propolis nanocomposite (ZnO-P NCs). The overuse of antibiotics, particularly during events like the COVID-19 pandemic, has intensified bacterial resistance, necessitating innovative solutions. The study employs a cost-effective and controllable biosynthesis method to produce ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), with propolis extract crucially contributing to the reduction and stabilization of Zn2+ ions. A biodegradable nano-propolis matrix is then created by incorporating ZnO-NPs, forming the ZnO-P NCs. Structural stability is confirmed through FT-IR and Zeta potential analysis, while nanoscale properties are validated via TEM, SEM, and XRD analyses. The antimicrobial efficacy of various substances, including propolis, nano propolis, ethanolic propolis extract, ZnO-NPs, and ZnO-P NCs, is assessed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, alongside a comparison with 28 antibiotics. Among the bacteria tested, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 ATCC15692 was more sensitive (40 mm) to the biosynthesized nanocomposite ZnO-P NCs than to ZnO-NPs (38 mm) and nanopropolis (32 mm), while Escherichia coli was resistant to nanopropolis (0 mm) than to ZnO-NPs (31 mm), and ZnO-P NCs (34 mm). The study reveals a synergy effect when combining propolis with green-synthesized ZnO-NPs in the form of ZnO-P NCs, significantly improving their efficiency against all tested bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains like E. coli. The nanocomposite outperforms other materials and antibiotics, demonstrating remarkable antibacterial effectiveness. SEM imaging confirms the disruption of bacterial cell membranes by ZnO-NPs and ZnO-P NCs. The study emphasizes the potential applications of ZnO-NPs integrated into biodegradable materials and underscores the significance of the zinc oxide-propolis nanocomposite in countering antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this research offers a comprehensive solution to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, opening avenues for novel approaches in infection control.

Objectives Kidney diseases are considered silent killers due to the lack of well-defined symptoms. Public knowledge about chronic kidney disease (CKD) management has been shown to decrease the risk of CKD onset and progression to end-stage renal disease and renal failure. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of kidney function, CKD symptoms, etiology, prevention and treatment in the general population.Methods A cross-sectional study using a validated questionnaire was conducted in Jordan to assess public knowledge of CKD. Public knowledge of CKD was assessed using a questionnaire consisting of 32 knowledge questions, including risk factors, symptoms, treatment, protective measures and kidney function. The knowledge level was classified according to the total score: poor (0–50%), intermediate (51–70%) and good/high (71–100%). Multiple regression analysis was performed to compare knowledge scores (KS) and predict associations with the participants’ baseline characteristics.Results The level of knowledge about CKD among the 2181 participants was intermediate. The KS was significantly higher among participants with health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and heart problems, first-degree relatives working in the medical field, majors relevant to health, married, employed, highly educated, high-income and smokers. The main sources of knowledge about CKD were health professionals, TV shows, books and magazines. Multiple regression analysis showed an association between KS and age, sex, functional status, educational level and field, income, smoking status, having a family member/spouse work in the medical field, and knowledge source.Conclusions The public level of knowledge about CKD management is greatly influenced by participants’ health and social factors. Thus, improving public knowledge and perception through education and the media will significantly reduce CKD prevalence and incidence.

درست مؤشرات جدول الحياة لمنّ الحمضيات الأسود Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolomb, 1841) مخبرياً، حيث ربيت عند درجة حرارة 25±1 سْ ورطوبة نسبية 65±5٪، وفترة ضوئية 8:16 [D: L]، في مخبر الحشرات الاقتصادية بكلية الهندسة الزراعية جامعة تشرين اللاذقية، سورية موسم 2021-2022، وحسبت المؤشرات باستخدام برنامج TWOSEX-MSChart، أظهرت النتائج قيم المؤشرات التالية: معدل الزيادة الفعلية (r) 0.21±0.008 أنثى/أنثى/يوم، معدل الزيادة النهائي (λ) 1.24±0.009 يوم، معدل التكاثر الصافي(R0) 22.37± 1.9433 أنثى/أنثى/جيل، ومعدل التكاثر الإجمالي (GRR) 42.44±1.479 فرد/ الذرية، مدة الجيل(T) 14.632±0.281 يوم، والمدة اللازمة لتضاعف الجماعة (DT) 3.26 يوم، الخصوبة (F) 30.23 ±1.93حورية/انثى، معدل البقاء على قيد الحياة (lx) = 0.97، معدل تطور الأطوار غير الكاملة 7.46±0.17، فترات قبل ولادة الإناث للحوريات (APRP) 0.46 ± 0.08، إجمالي الفترة الزمنية السابقة لفترة التكاثر (TPRP) 7.96±0.19، متوسط عمر الأنثى البالغة 27.28±1.11. تفيدنا هذه الدراسة في فهم تغير أعداد منّ الحمضيات الأسود.

Abstract Objective Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Dietary interventions can directly affect several ASCVD risk factors. This study aimed to assess an association between dairy consumption and the odds of ASCVD and its risk factors in women with overweight and obesity. Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 390 Iranian women aged 18–48 years and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m². Dairy consumption was assessed using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided into tertiles based on their dairy consumption with 130 (33.3%) women in each category. Results The participants had an average age of 36.73 ± 9.18 years, and the mean BMI was 31.28 ± 4.30 kg/m2. In the unadjusted model, individuals in the third tertile of dairy consumption had 0.79 times lower odds of ASCVD compared to those in the first tertile (OR: 0.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.11, 0.41; P-value = 0.001). Additionally, we observed a significant inverse relationship between higher dairy intake and adiposity markers, blood pressure, and Triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI). Conclusion The study revealed a negative association between dairy intake and the risk of ASCVD but this association diminished after adjusting for confounding factors. It also found a negative association between dairy consumption with BMI, fat mass index, body fat, blood pressure, and TyG-BMI.

New VO(II), Co(II) and Hg(II) chelates of bi- or tetradentate isatin based ligand i.e.:-2-(((E)-2-oxo-1,4-dihydrocyclohepta [b]pyrrol-3(2H)-ylidene)amino)-N-(8-((1-(2-((E)-2-oxoindolin-3-phenyl)vinyl) amino) naphthalen-1-yl) benzamide (H2L) were synthesized and well characterized. The reaction between N,N′-(naphthalene-1,8-diyl)bis(2-aminobenzamide) and di-oxazine-2,4 dione (isatin) yielded the Schiff base (H2L). The compounds have been identified by different physicochemical and spectroscopic approaches and DFT as well. From all measurements square pyramidal, distorted octahedral or square planar configurations have been suggested for the chelates 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The Coats-Redfern equations were used to calculate and define the dynamics properties of decomposition stages from TGA (Ea, A, ΔH*, ΔS*, and ΔG*). The in vitro anticancer property of the obtained compounds towards human hepato (HepG2) and human breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell lines has been screened. Also, the biopesticidal effect of these compounds against spodoptera littoralis has been examined. Data showed that, the tested [Hg(H2L)(L)] complex (3) possesses the most anticancer efficacy against both HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, with half inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 5.78 ± 0.029, 11.24 ± 0.58 μg/mL, respectively also, this complex considered as good an insecticide with the concentration lethal to 50 percent of test organisms (LC50) = 27585.45 ppm after 72 h. The insecticide and tumor inhibition properties were compared with the theoretical molecular docking findings with the specification of the active species in the designated proteins.

Abstract Despite the high prevalence of primary headaches, the role of food in modifying clinical characteristics among migraine patients is often overlooked. The aim is to detect the correlation between adopting unhealthy dietary habits and migraine severity and identify foods that have a greater chance of triggering specific subtypes of migraine. The present study was a cross-sectional analytical study that was conducted at Kasralainy Hospital, Cairo University, headache clinic at Alexandria University Hospital, and Al-Azhar University Hospitals from January to June 2020. We included 124 patients fulfilling the ICHD-3 criteria for migraine. A full clinical profile for migraine headaches was reported using a headache sheet applied to the Al-Azhar University headache unit. A nutritionist obtained data collected about dietary habits using many reliable scales and questionnaires such as food frequently sheets questionnaire. Logistic regression and Pearson correlation coefficients have been used to identify foods that are more likely to be associated with increased clinical features of migraine. Our participants reported that the fried meat, fried chicken, processed meats, fava beans, falafel, aged cheese “Pottery salted cheese” and “Rummy cheese”, salted-full fatty cheese “Damietta cheese”, citrus fruits, tea, coffee, soft drinks, nuts, pickles, chocolate, canned foods, sauces, ice cream, smoked herring, in addition to the stored food in the refrigerator for many days were significantly associated with the diagnosis of chronic migraine CM compared to episodic migraine (EM). Margarine, pickles, and smoked herring were significantly associated with the diagnosis of migraine with aura (MA) compared to migraine without aura (MO). Adopting unhealthy eating habits was a more prevalent dietary consumption pattern among people with chronic migraines compared to those with episodic migraine.

Abstract Background Children's intelligence quotient (IQ) is influenced by various environmental and genetic variables. The current study aimed to determine how children's dietary choices and physical activity levels correlated with their IQ. Methods A total of 190 students (111 girls and 79 boys) between the ages of 8 and 10 were chosen randomly for this cross-sectional research. For all children, questionnaires were utilized to gather information on their anthropometry, socio-economic position, food habits, and 24-h memory. Children's physical activity questionnaire (CPAQ) was also used to gauge their level of physical activity. Raven's color progressive intelligence test was also used to gauge children's IQ. All the questions may be filled out online with the assistance of parents. SPSS software was used to gather and evaluate the generated data. Results Of 190 respondents, 79 (41.6%) are males, and 111 (58.4%) are girls. The results of the study showed that, a positive correlation between children's IQ and physical activity (P = 0.017, r = 0.17), if this relationship was not seen by gender. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the IQ and food habits scores in all children (P = 0.001, r = 0.24), as well as by gender, that is, male (P = 0.04, r = 0.23) and female (P = 0.006, r = 0.26), which indicates that children with better food habits were associated with higher IQ. Conclusion It was shown that elementary school children's IQ, food habits, and degree of physical activity are all positively correlated.

This article investigates the effect of the flipped learning model on university students with internal/external locus of control regarding their self-regulated learning skills and learning retention in Saudi Arabia. The sample was divided into two groups according to learning style (internal/external locus of control). Both groups were taught through a flipped learning model. A self-regulated learning skills scale and a learning retention instrument were used. Results indicate significant differences between the experimental groups in favor of the internal locus control. The study highlights the necessity of identifying students' learning styles and finding the best e-learning environments and strategies that meet their learning preferences.

Background Organ donation entails saving or transforming lives through the provision of organs, either from living donors or deceased individuals. In Jordan, low donation rates are attributed to religious misconceptions, limited education and insufficient awareness of the burden on patients with organ failure.Objectives To investigate the attitudes of the Jordanian population towards the practicality and effectiveness of introducing an opt-out organ donation system through legislative measures, with the aim of increasing donation rates.Design This cross-sectional study used a designed self-administered questionnaire. Data were subsequently analysed using IBM SPSS software.Setting The study encompassed all 12 cities located in Jordan.Participants Data were collected from 1146 Jordanian participants, excluding individuals under the age of 18.Results Approximately 36.6% reported organ or blood donation while 18.9% participated in awareness campaigns. Many (75.7%) perceived insufficient awareness about the importance of organ donation, and 67.1% noted a scarcity of online donor registration platforms. Only 12.0% of participants discussed organ donation with healthcare providers. As anticipated, only 9.0% were registered donors while 67.7% expressed acceptance of organ donation, with 55.3% willing to enrol in donor programmes. Religion influenced 54.2% of organ donation decisions. There are associations between agreement for a new enactment and prior organ or blood donation or discussions with healthcare providers. However, religion affected willingness to donate organs. Most importantly, refusal to be a donor after death was associated with religion, occupation and awareness levels.Conclusion Despite the population’s understanding and support for the concept of organ donation, the willingness towards donating their own organs is limited. To boost organ donation rates and acceptance of the new enactment, we recommend conducting educational campaigns, improving online registration platforms, enhancing healthcare provider engagement, collaborating with religious communities and advocating for supportive policies.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical players in brain development and disease. These non-coding transcripts, which once considered as “transcriptional junk,” are now known for their regulatory roles in gene expression. In brain development, lncRNAs participate in many processes, including neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and synaptogenesis. They employ their effect through a wide variety of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms through interactions with chromatin modifiers, transcription factors, and other regulatory molecules. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been associated with certain brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Altered expression and function of specific lncRNAs have been implicated with disrupted neuronal connectivity, impaired synaptic plasticity, and aberrant gene expression pattern, highlighting the functional importance of this subclass of brain-enriched RNAs. Moreover, lncRNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for neurological diseases. Here, we give a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge of lncRNAs. Our aim is to provide a better understanding of the diversity of lncRNA structure and functions in brain development and disease. This holds promise for unravelling the complexity of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, paving the way for the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) is higher in patients with diabetes. The American diabetes association (ADA) provides components of diabetes care, treatments, and guidelines to diagnose diabetic patients at risk of CKD. Herein we followed the ADA diagnosis guidelines to identify the Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients at risk of CKD which is underestimated in the region. The study main objectives are to investigate the CKD prevalence and association with risk factors according to the ADA classification, and also to identify the T2DM patients at risk of renal diseases. A descriptive retrospective study was conducted. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews and through accessing patients’ medical records from Endocrinology and Cardiology clinics in an academic tertiary care hospital. Results About 40% of the 331 T2DM outpatients were at risk of developing CKD. The majority were in CKD Stage 3, then Stage 2. The estimated GFR (eGFR) values were significantly reduced in the T2DM patients who are; older than 50 years; have diabetes for more than 10 years; and have abnormally high serum and urine creatinine, proteinuria, and albumin to creatinine ratio. Further, the eGFR values were negatively associated with; the duration of T2DM; serum creatinine, proteinuria; and albumin to creatinine ratio. Conclusions This study provides evidence of the increasing risk of CKD among T2DM patients in the region. Hence, T2DM patients especially elders and those with the long onset of diabetes need to go under regular checks on their clinical parameters to prevent CKD progression.

Abstract COVID-19 vaccines have been instrumental tools in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 helping to reduce disease severity and mortality. At the same time, just like any other therapeutic, COVID-19 vaccines were associated with adverse events. Women have reported menstrual cycle irregularity after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and this led to renewed fears concerning COVID-19 vaccines and their effects on fertility. Herein we devised an informatics workflow to explore the causal drivers of menstrual cycle irregularity in response to vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2. Our methods relied on gene expression analysis in response to vaccination, followed by network biology analysis to derive testable hypotheses regarding the causal links between BNT162b2 and menstrual cycle irregularity. Five high-confidence transcription factors were identified as causal drivers of BNT162b2-induced menstrual irregularity, namely: IRF1, STAT1, RelA (p65 NF-kB subunit), STAT2 and IRF3. Furthermore, some biomarkers of menstrual irregularity, including TNF, IL6R, IL6ST, LIF, BIRC3, FGF2, ARHGDIB, RPS3, RHOU, MIF, were identified as topological genes and predicted as causal drivers of menstrual irregularity. Our network-based mechanism reconstruction results indicated that BNT162b2 exerted biological effects similar to those resulting from prolactin signaling. However, these effects were short-lived and didn’t raise concerns about long-term infertility issues. This approach can be applied to interrogate the functional links between drugs/vaccines and other side effects.

The objective of this study was to assess the levels of techno-anxiety and techno-satisfaction that special education teachers in Saudi Arabia experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a survey to gather data from 286 teachers of students with special needs across from early intervention to secondary school (5–18 years) the Kingdom, and we interviewed 23 teachers (3 early intervention, 13 primary, 2 intermediate, 5 secondary). Quantitative analysis was employed to analyze the survey responses, while qualitative thematic analysis was used for the interview data. The findings showed that the teachers experienced moderate levels of anxiety (a mean of 2.33 out of 4). On the other hand, the teachers expressed satisfaction (a mean of 2.98 of 4) with the distance learning system they used. The study highlights the benefits and challenges associated with implementing distance learning for students with special needs. These findings could help inform the design of distance learning environments and identify the factors that influence teachers’ feelings of anxiety or satisfaction during the implementation of distance learning. Additionally, the study’s results could encourage parents of students with special needs to foster improved collaboration and cooperation with teachers.

Abstract Obesity has become a common global problem. Some obese people can be metabolically healthy. Gene-environment interaction can be important in this context. This study aimed to assess the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 women with overweight and obesity. The definition of metabolically healthy and unhealthy phenotypes was done according to Karelis criteria. Dietary assessment was done using a 147-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and dietary fat quality was assessed by cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (N6/N3) essential fatty acids. MC4R was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the MC4R gene in both crude and adjusted models. Study subjects with higher ratio of N6/N3 had higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) index (P = 0.03) and other variables showed no difference according to the tertile of CSI and N6/N3. Participants with the C allele of MC4R rs17782313 had lower height (P