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Biodegradable mulch (BDMs) films are ecologically safe substitutes for polyethylene mulches (PEMs) in agricultural systems. However, since it is an innovative technology on the market, it is not easy for farmers to adopt it. Understanding farmers' familiarity with BDM and their willingness to adopt it in the future could play a crucial role in the design and implementation of effective agricultural interventions for promoting the adoption of BDM to reduce environmental pollution. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess farmers' familiarity with BDM and their willingness to adopt it in the future. Data were collected fromfruit and vegetable growers located in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, using a simple random sampling approach with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The findings revealed that most of the farmers were not familiar with BDM. Despite the lack of awareness, a considerable portion indicated their willingness to adopt BDM in the future. The farmers' education level, farm size, and membership in agricultural cooperatives significantly influenced their familiarity with BDM. Education level, farming experience, and membership in agricultural cooperatives also showed significant relationships with their willingness to adopt BDM in the future. Moreover, the farmers were not aware of the potential benefits of this new innovation. The study recommends that extension education programs through the active involvement of agricultural cooperatives should be implemented to make farmers aware of the advantages of BDM over PEM. In addition, the government should facilitate the adoption of this promising innovation by enhancing its availability on the market and affordability to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aims to explore various factors that affect students' satisfaction regarding postgraduate agricultural programs and the likelihood of recommending such programs to others. Methods: Data were collected using structured paper-based questionnaires from a random sample of 127 students who were undertaking master and doctoral programs in eight different disciplines within agricultural sciences at King Saud University. Results: The findings showed that majority of the students expressed high academic learning experiences and were satisfied with their program of study. Multiple regression analysis revealed that students' academic learning experience, faculty support, and the rationale for attending the university had significant positive influence on their satisfaction with the enrolled programs. Moreover, the students' satisfaction and faculty support also showed significant positive correlation with their likelihood to recommend agricultural programs to others. Suggestions: In order to further enhance the impact of agricultural programs, we suggest improvements in the university curriculum as well as faculty services to make current agricultural programs up-to-date and relevant to meet the kingdom's national agricultural and human resource development goals. There should be a particular focus on enhancing students' research and written communication skills as postgraduate agricultural programs entail a significant component of these highly essential skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sports fanaticism seems to be a social and national concern in Saudi Arabia. This paper aims: 1) to identify the metaphorical manifestations and highlight the discursive construction of disease as associated with sports fanaticism in a corpus of Saudi newspapers articles; and 2) to seek plausible explanations for the emergence and use of disease metaphors in newspapers articles addressing sports fanaticism. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology Arabic Corpus (KACSTAC) served the data for the current study. The analytical procedures were informed by the discourse dynamics approach and metaphor-led discourse analysis. Findings show that sports fanaticism could be associated with the following systematic metaphors: 1) disease, in general; 2) disease causes; 3) disease symptoms; 4) disease evaluations; and 5) disease needs for medical solutions, interventions, treatments, and/or prescriptions. The discussion evokes a number of aspects: sports fanaticism emerges as a key topic; disease metaphors seem to be shaped and developed by the societal context and the nature of newspapers texts and discourse; they are enriched and influenced by the discourse situation and the needs to jointly construct and communicate intense experiences through specific evaluations and referential functions, which have a powerful resonance for the Saudi national and social levels; the use of disease metaphorical frames can structure our understanding and can simplify the concept of fanaticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Sentiment Analysis (SA) automates the classification of the sentiment of people's attitudes, feelings or reviews employing natural language processing (NLP) and computational approaches. Deep learning has recently demonstrated remarkable success in the field of SA in many languages including Arabic. Arabic sentiment analysis, however, still has to be improved, due to the complexity of the Arabic language's structure, the variety of dialects, and the lack of lexicons. Moreover, in Arabic, anxiety as a psychological sentiment has not been the target of much research. Aim: This paper aims to provide solutions to one of the challenges of Arabic Sentiment Analysis (ASA) using a deep learning model focused on predicting the anxiety level during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A psychological scale to determine the level of anxiety was built and validated. It was then used to create the Arabic Psychological Lexicon (AraPh) containing 138 different dialectical Arabic words that express anxiety, which was used to annotate our corpus (Aranxiety). Aranxiety comprises 955 Arabic tweets representing the level of user anxiety during COVID-19. Bi-GRU model with word embedding was then applied to analyze the sentiment of the tweets and to determine the anxiety level. Results: For SA, the applied model achieved 88% on accuracy, 89% on precision, 88% on recall, and 87% for F1. A majority of 77% of tweets presented no anxiety, whereas 17% represented mild anxiety and a mere 6% represented high anxiety. Conclusion: The proposed model can be used by the Saudi Ministry of Health and members of the research community to formulate solutions to increase psychological resiliency among the Saudi population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Saudi Arabia, limited studies have evaluated factors including epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory findings that are associated with COVID-19 disease. The aim of this paper was to identify laboratory parameters used in King Abdulaziz University Hospital which show an association with disease severity and patient outcome in the form of mortality. Methods: Age, gender, medical history, and laboratory parameters were all retrospectively assessed concerning disease severity and disease outcome in a total of 111 COVID-19 patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between July 2020 and August 2020. Patients were categorized into mild disease if they did not require ward admission, moderate if they met the Ministry of Health criteria for isolation ward admition, and severe if they were admitted to the ICU. Results: Age but not gender was associated with the disease severity X2 (4, N = 110) = 27.2, p <0.001. Of all laboratory parameters on admission, only the levels of Albumin appeared to be significantly associated X2 (2, N =70) = 6.6, p <0.05 with disease severity. Age but not gender was also significantly associated with disease outcome X2 (2, N = 110) = 12.8, p < 0.01. Interestingly, RBC count also showed a significant relation with disease outcome X2 (2, N = 71) = 6.1, p <0.05. Discussion: This study provides more understanding of the laboratory characteristics in our part of the world to efficiently manage the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of critical thinking for improving the writing skill of undergraduate Arab students who study English Literature at Saudi universities under lockdown circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it explores the impact of implementing Facebook as an online Constructivist tool to improve this skill. A general overview of the status of English language education in Saudi Arabia is briefly presented to shed light on the ongoing English language challenges in learning writing for undergraduate students in the English language and literature departments, which got more manifested due to the current status of education mode with the emergence of the pandemic. Two-group posttest-only randomized experiment was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model, using the infusion and constructivism approaches. A total of 40 students enrolled in a literature course at a private university in Saudi Arabia participated in the experiment. The treatment was conducted through utilizing Facebook. The results demonstrated that students' improvement in English writing was due to the combination of the infusion of a set of critical skills and the constructivist teaching and learning mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saudi Arabia is currently passing through a transformational phase. There is a huge demand on the Saudi healthcare system to provide better healthcare facilities to the rapidly increasing Saudi population, as well as the growing elderly population. Lack of trained healthcare professionals and heavy reliance on foreign workers are significant aspects for policymakers to consider and deal with. It is also important to re-examine the healthcare Human Resource Development (HRD) initiatives so as to provide a huge reserve of healthcare professionals with appropriate learning and competence. Method: This paper is a critical review based on secondary data collected from various sources including databases, reports, articles, books, government documents and earlier research undertaken in this regard. The paper is an attempt to document and evaluate the various steps suggested and undertaken by the new strategic plan, Vision 2030, and consequently documented in the National Transformation Program (NTP) adopted in April 2016 in the healthcare HRD sphere in Saudi Arabia. Results: It has been shown that appropriate HRD capacity building needs to be adopted along with the aggressive policy regulation. It is also important to ensure that future health sector investment meets the needs of local healthcare HRD. Saudization and the adoption of the 'Nitaqat' program have played an effective role in pushing the Saudization targets in the private sector, and there is a huge scope for the absorption of young trained Saudi boys and girls in the healthcare sector. Conclusion: Vision 2030 adopted in 2016 is a testimony to a revolutionary step undertaken by the government and that the healthcare sector is also passing through a major shift in its approach and execution. Vision 2030 has come out with a very clear sense of direction to the healthcare sector, and the projected shift from the existing one-third to two-third Saudi-to-foreigner workforce ratio by the year 2030 needs to be adopted carefully to turn the healthcare HRD challenges into opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental degradation and global warming are major challenges to humankind in the twenty-first century. Thus, businesses are now adopting and incorporating more sustainable manufacturing methods to produce environmental products and services. It is inevitable for organizations to adopt green practices and achieve sustainable performance. This extant research addresses how to obtain sustainable development (SD) through green innovation (GRIN). The main purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive model by integrating natural resource-based view (NRBV) and triple bottom line (TBL) framework. Three antecedents namely green absorptive capacity (GAC), sustainable human capital (SHC), and organization support (OS) were selected, and their influence was checked on GRIN of the SMEs from manufacturing sector. This study included all three factors of TBL: environmental, economic, and social sustainability in terms of GRINs possible consequences. Data were randomly collected from 304 firms in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia through questionnaire. Convergent and discriminant validity analyses were conducted to assure validity and reliability, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to assess the relationships between variables using smartPLS 3.0 software. Further, firms were categorized into two groups based on company size—small and medium—to explore group differences. Hence, firm size was included as a moderator in the proposed model and multi-group analysis (MGA) was performed. The results indicate that GAC, SHC, and OS have positive influence on GRIN within SMEs. Further, results reveal GRIN had strong significant impact on all three variables of sustainable performance. The study concludes with MGA results that provided evidence of significant group differences, with a stronger relationship between GAC and GRIN in medium-sized firms compared to small-sized firms. Similarly, the relationship between GRIN and environmental performance was stronger in medium-sized firms than small-sized firms. This study is unique and provides practical and theoretical implications. This paper offers an integrative model for sustainability which may be of interest to scholars, marketers, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laws and regulations are needed to regulate the growing online pharmacy (OP) services. The main objective of this work was to provide an overview of the laws and regulations for OP services in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In addition, the perception of how these laws and regulations in Saudi Arabia (SA) affect the online ordering of medications and health-related products from national and international OPs was explored. Methods: A secondary data collection through emails and a qualitative descriptive analysis was used to gain insight into the OP regulations in the GCC countries. Then, a qualitative study was carried out with semi-structured interviews to investigate the impact of these regulations on the practice and the market from the OP service providers' perspective. The interviews were carried out with a sample of major OP service providers in SA, to represent the GCC countries. During the interviews, multiple open-ended questions were used to explore opinions about the OP regulations and how these regulations affected the practice. The interviews were then transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: Responses were mainly received from regulators in SA, Bahrain, Oman and United Arab Emirates (UAE). SA and UAE allow for offering of OP services as add-on service for existing community pharmacy, while UAE also allows for standalone OP providers. SA, Bahrain, and Oman allow online ordering of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-only medications (POM) from international OP; a prescription is required for POM and quantities allowed should be no more than 3 months' supply in case of SA and Oman while this was not specified in case of Bahrain. Invoice of purchase was also required for any POM to be released from customs in SA and Bahrain but not in Oman and UAE. Controlled medications were prohibited to be ordered online in SA, UAE, and Bahrain while it was allowed in Oman if the prescription was issued within 6-month, and the quantity dispensed was for 1 month only. Apart from online ordering of medications in these countries, no specific regulations existed to regulate ordering of other health-related products from local or international OPs. Whether Kwait and Qatar have regulations for OP could not be established due to lack of response. Two of the four interviewed representatives of OP service providers in SA were not aware of the existence of specific regulations for OP services. The representatives who were aware of these regulations were satisfied with them and found them beneficial for their business and for the patients at the same time. However, representatives raised concerns regarding the enforcement of regulations on international OP providers. Conclusion: The existing regulations for online ordering of medications are somewhat comparable between the GCC countries, with no specific regulations for ordering of other health-related products from local or international OPs. In SA, there is limited awareness of the existing regulations for OP services by providers. Nevertheless, the need for detailed regulations on certain aspects of OP services was highlighted, such as regulations for international OPs and importing medications for personal use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is undergoing massive and rapid urbanization as part of Vision 2030. This includes development projects along Saudi Arabia's coastline across the Red Sea. Coastal areas, especially the ones along Saudi's western regions are susceptible to natural disasters such as flooding. NEOM, a futuristic city currently being developed in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, exemplifies a potential flooding hazard due to its geographic location and proposed urbanization plans. This research aims to enhance flood hazard assessment in NEOM by applying the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) in combination with Geographic Information System (GIS). Acknowledging traditional limitations related to data availability and parameter selection consensus, the study carefully selects parameters such as drainage density, elevation, slope, rainfall, land use/land cover (LULC), soil type, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and topographic wetness index (TWI). The 30 m DEM was used to derive Drainage Density, Slope, and TWI while LULC data helped assess land cover changes. Rainfall data and soil type information are integrated to evaluate their impact on flood susceptibility. NDVI is employed to analyze vegetation cover. Utilizing ArcGIS Pro's weighted overlay model, the criteria were combined to generate the final flood susceptibility map. The research outcomes manifest in a flood susceptibility map categorizing areas into seven distinct susceptibility classes, ranging from 'very low' to 'very high.' A quantitative breakdown in a summary table provides insights into the proportional distribution of flood risk. Results indicate a significant portion of NEOM falls within varying degrees of moderate susceptibility range with relatively limited distribution of flood susceptibility on the extremes, equating to areas with 'low to moderate' susceptibility is 4,322.8 km2, areas with 'moderate' susceptibility is 5,109.69 km2, areas with 'moderate to high' is 4,081.39 km2. The flood susceptibility map developed in this study can shed insights on potential optimum areas for flood mitigation measures (i.e., optimum locations for establishing stormwater collection points). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English is increasingly being used as a medium of instruction (EMI) in many institutions for teaching academic subjects, such as physical science and medicine. Although research evidence is emerging to support the positive effects EMI has on student learning such as preparing them for professional careers and improving their English language proficiency, students also encountre challenges when studying through EMI, particularly linguistic related challenges. This study aims to investigate the challenges that medical students face when learning medicine through EMI in medical context in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this aim, a mixed-method research approach was adopted.A questionnaire was distributed to 373 students studying at four medical schools, and follow-up with semi-structured interviews with 60 students. The findings revealed that students encountered numerous challenges when studying medicine through EMI including reading medical materials, understanding lectures taught purely in English, giving presentaions and speaking fluently. Notably, these challenges were more salient in the students' first or second years of their university studies, however dissipated as students progressed in their studies. Pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how the English language was and is today perceived within Saudi Arabia, with the help of a historical analysis and qualitative content analysis of the Human Capability Development Programme (HCDP) of the Saudi Vision 2030. Based on historical analysis of Saudi-British relations, and works of Tzvetan Todorov and Jacques Lacan, it is concluded that the English language, as a part of the Western culture, is potentially experienced in Saudi Arabia in the intersection of the mirroring dimensions of Idealisation-Demonisation and Mimicry-Disgust. The content analysis of the HCDP yielded the following conclusions: Islam has a place in the Saudi future as long as it is moderate and non-extreme; the preservation of Saudi culture will rely heavily on the preservation of Arabic language, and it will be a carrier of national identity. The Programme is for the most part silent with respect to the English language. It is hypothesised that this conflict is removed from the official discourse, but still might be present in the Saudi culture. Future studies should examine this issue by conducting interviews and analysing relevant social media content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper animal feeding practices play a fundamental role in enhancing livestock health and maximizing output. Given the governmental restrictions on green fodder cultivation in Saudi Arabia (SA) due to water conservation efforts, the use of compound feed could serve as a viable alternative for livestock farmers. This study aimed to investigate livestock farmers' farming objectives, their feeding management strategies, and the uptake of compound feed in the country. Data from 650 randomly selected livestock farmers were collected through an online survey with the assistance of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The findings showed that most farmers raised sheep and goats for trade purposes using specialized farms and desert grazing. Alfalfa hay was widely used as a fodder along with barley grain. While approximately 47% of the farmers did not utilize compound feed, 44% reported its usage. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that formal education, farming experience, and income level significantly influenced the adoption of compound feed among livestock farmers. These results underscore the critical role of education and financial resources in promoting the use of compound feed among livestock farmers in SA. It is recommended that government institutions should develop initiatives to educate farmers on proper animal nutrition practices and provide financial support to make compound feed more affordable for low-income farmers. The widespread use of compound feed has the potential to enhance livestock health and productivity, thereby positively contributing to the food security of SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy has reported an unprecedented increase in growth rates over the last 2 decades, due to rapid evolution in transportation and communications. The rapid growth of international trade has increased the demand for fossil fuel, leading to exacerbated environmental risks. Air transportation is an essential operational practice in trade openness and has many economic benefits. However, its effect on CO2 emissions is not well understood. Studies on the causal relationships between air transportation, trade openness, economic growth, and CO2 emissions are lacking, especially across Middle Eastern countries. This study targets Saudi Arabia, one of the largest countries in the Middle East region in terms of economic capabilities and geographical area, to investigate the impact of air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions. To this end, data was derived from the World Development Indicators (WDI) established by the World Bank for the period 1991-2023. An autoregressive, distributed lag autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was used to analyze associations among the study variables; the empirical findings confirm that air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth have positive and statistically significant effects on CO2 emissions in both long- and short-run scenarios. However, the results illustrate that economic growth alone is unable to sufficiently reduce CO2 emissions in Saudi Arabia, indicating a lack of connection between economic policies and environmental goals. Thus, these results indicate that the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is not valid for Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study provides useful insights for policymakers to mitigate CO2 emissions. Suggestions include attracting foreign investment, modifying the structure of trade, mitigating the reliance on imports and enhancing exports, while focusing on green strategies for economic growth, replacing fossil fuels with clean and renewable sources, subsidizing environmentally friendly technologies, and enacting decarbonizing regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a priority for public health. Inappropriate patient demand is an important driver of unnecessary antibiotic use. To develop an effective intervention to reduce inappropriate demand for antibiotics in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), it is important to identify patient perceptions that influence demand for, and appropriate use of antibiotics. Aim: To identify and describe the beliefs about antibiotics necessity and concerns that patients with URTIs have, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: An exploratory qualitative approach was used. One-to-one, face-toface or telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants recruited using purposive sampling (based on age and gender) from primary healthcare centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were conducted. Only adult patients who currently experience URTIs symptoms and agreed to participate were recruited. Recruitment for interviews continued until data saturation point was reached. The interview guide explored patients' necessity beliefs and concerns about antibiotics, AMR perceptions, and expectations from URTIs consultation. Interview transcripts were coded using QSR NVivo 12 using framework analysis informed by the Necessity-Concerns Framework to identify key motivations driving antibiotic requests and consultations. Results: the study interviewed 32 participants (44% were male, average age was 36.84). Results identified that the patients often relate their personal need for antibiotics when encountering an URTIs symptoms to the type, severity and duration of symptoms. Patients also linked antibiotics with quicker recovery, generally expressing few concerns about antibiotics mainly because of its short duration of use. However, some conveyed their concern about frequent administration of antibiotics and effect on the body's immune system function, which may make them more prone to infections in the future. Participants varied widely in their awareness of AMR; this was associated with many misconceptions, such as confusing AMR with antibiotics efficacy and tolerance. Interestingly, the interplay between necessity beliefs and concerns was observed to influence the decision to start and stop antibiotic, potentially impacting inappropriate antibiotic demand and unnecessary use. Conclusion: This study highlighted important beliefs and misconceptions about antibiotics and AMR in Saudi population which can be targeted in future interventions to reduce inappropriate demand for antibiotics and optimise appropriate usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The culture of active transportation (walking or cycling) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is less prevalent than in other societies. This study aims to understand the perceptions of people in the KSA about the role of cultural dimensions on active transportation. The study was conducted in Jeddah, prominent urban city in Saudi Arabia. The city suffers from rapid growth in vehicle users compared to active transportation. An online survey was employed with around 800 individuals participating from King Abdulaziz University. The results were analysed based on participants' sex. Few participants reported walking as the mode of transportation from home to work/school and no participants reported using a bicycle as daily commute. Females identify societal tradition and norms as the main factors that impede their engagement in active transportation. Males, who were embarrassed to walk/cycle, defined clothing and social status as the main barriers. Most males and females identify climate (high temperature throughout the year) as one of the main obstacles to walk/bike. Significant social, environmental, and infrastructural predictors of participants' modal choice were the distance from home to school/ workplace, age, social values, family size, citizenship, and road safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the variations in comprehensive exam results in the English department at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia across six semesters, focusing on average score, range, and standard deviation, as well as overall student achievements. Additionally, it sought to assess the performance levels of male and female students in comprehensive tests and determine how they differ over the past six semesters. The research design utilized both analytical and descriptive approaches, with quantitative analysis of the data using frequency statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and range. The data consisted of scores from six consecutive exit exams. The findings reveal that male students scored slightly higher on average than female students, with minimal difference (p = 0.07). Moreover, male scores exhibited more variability and spread, indicating varying performance levels. These results suggest the need for further investigation into the factors that contribute to gender-based differences in test performance. Furthermore, longitudinal studies tracking individual student performance over multiple semesters could offer a more indepth understanding of academic progress and the efficacy of comprehensive exam practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between gratitude and prosocial tendency and the potential mediating role of psychological resilience in this association. Six hundred and seventy-six Saudi Arabia and Egyptian students completed the Gratitude Scale, Prosocial tendency Scale and Psychological Resilience Scale. The results showed no significant differences in gratitude, prosocial tendency and psychological resilience according to culture or gender in both countries. Moreover, gratitude positively correlated with prosocial tendency and psychological resilience. Furthermore, the results revealed that psychological resilience significantly mediated the association between gratitude and prosocial tendency. We conclude that gratitude predicts prosocial tendency and psychological resilience plays a mediating role in this association among Arab societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Participation in sports represents a potent means of empowerment and social inclusion. Nevertheless, women with physical impairments encounter specific challenges in accessing Para sports. The main aim of this study is to present the experiential participation and achievements in sports of women with physical impairments in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Twenty women athletes with physical impairments who engaged in competitive Para sports in Saudi Arabia were interviewed. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed to extract themes elucidating the experiences of women athletes with physical impairments in Para sports. Results: Four dimensions were identified: (i) Exploring participation in sports; (ii) The positive impact of participation in sports; (iii) obstacles in participation in sport; and (iv) hopes and aspirations to improve participation in Para sports. Conclusion: In Saudi Arabia, participation in Para sports functions as a powerful tool for empowering and socially integrating women with physical impairments. However, these women encounter challenges in accessing sports. Achieving empowerment in Para sports necessitates the establishment of an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates diversity and equality. Collaborative efforts from governments, sports organizations, communities, and individuals are indispensable in creating an environment where women with impairments can flourish in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review investigates the potential benefits of integrating ChatGPT in higher education. Focusing on ChatGPT's impact, the study identifies themes such as ChatGPT's role in teaching and instruction, enhancing student learning and engagement, aiding language learning, and promoting inclusivity. The review underscores ChatGPT's ability to reshape the educational landscape, improve research and writing, bridge language gaps, and address specific challenges. ChatGPT emerges as a transformative tool empowering educators and students, aligning with Saudi Arabia's pursuit of academic excellence and future workforce readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of cost pressure, substituting generic drugs represents one of the main cost-containment strategies of healthcare systems. Despite the obvious financial benefits, in a minority of cases, substitution may require caution or even be contraindicated. In most jurisdictions, to obtain approval, the bioequivalence of generic products with the brand-name equivalent needs to be shown via bioavailability studies in healthy subjects. Rare diseases, defined as medical conditions with a low prevalence, are a group of heterogenous diseases that are typically severe, disabling, progressive, degenerative, and life-threatening or chronically debilitating, and disproportionally affect the very young and elderly. Despite these unique features of rare diseases, generic bioequivalence studies are typically carried out with single doses and exclude children or the elderly. Furthermore, the excipients and manufacturing processes for generic/biosimilar products can differ from the brand products which may affect the shelf-life of the product, its appearance, smell, taste, bioavailability, safety and potency. This may result in approval of generics/biosimilars which are not bioequivalent/comparable in their target population or that meet bioequivalence but not therapeutic equivalence criteria. Another concern relates to the interchangeability of generics and biosimilars which cannot be guaranteed due to the phenomenon of biocreep. This review summarizes potential concerns with generic substitution of orphan drugs and discusses potentially problematic cases including narrow therapeutic index drugs or critical conditions where therapeutic failure could lead to serious complications or even death. Finally, we put forward the need for refining regulatory frameworks, with emphasis on Saudi Arabia, for generic substitution and recent efforts toward this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the levels of techno-anxiety and technosatisfaction 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 FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the competence of elementary school teachers in Saudi Arabia in recognizing and supporting gifted students with learning disabilities. Two research questions guided the inquiry: RQ1: How do elementary school teachers in Saudi Arabia perceive the impact of professional development, on increasing awareness about students with giftedness and learning disabilities? RQ2: How do elementary school teachers in Saudi Arabia perceive the academic challenges addressed by the series of workshops that created collaborative groups for the discussion of student needs? Using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 certified elementary teachers in Medina City. The study identified two key themes through thematic analysis. The first theme emphasizes the impact of professional development on increasing teachers' awareness of students with giftedness and learning disabilities. Training provided insights into identifying students with learning disabilities and recognizing those with giftedness, emphasizing the need for ongoing training and collaboration. The second theme emerged from workshops creating collaborative groups for discussing student needs, highlighting the power of recognizing individual differences and collaborative efforts for supporting diverse needs. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing professional development and collaboration in improving the capacity of elementary school teachers in Saudi Arabia. These insights have implications for enhancing teacher training programs and developing inclusive educational policies for twice-exceptional learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although researchers actively study women’s experiences in STEM fields, few do so from women’s perspective. We thematically analyzed life narrative semi-structured interview data (46-item open-ended instrument, 90–120  Min) from eight STEM pioneering Saudi Arabian women careerists (mathematics, medicine, and biology) (convenience sample summer 2023). The objective was to glean their insights to discern self-reported influences (internal and external), struggles, and challenges in launching and advancing their careers. The extremely accomplished participants (all married, most with children) averaged age 65+, had 40+ years of experience and came from the three largest Saudi provinces. Important factors influencing choosing STEM included personality traits (e.g., deep desire to academically succeed; problem focused); secondary school peer/academic learning experiences; and male family member support, especially fathers. Struggles and challenges (often viewed as opportunities) included the mud (not glass) ceiling; male colleagues’ harsh, prejudiced treatment; and unsupportive administration. Participants were research driven and willing to relocate, re-educate, and change direction to establish and advance their careers. Implications for future research and policy initiatives are woven into the discussion and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irrigation sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) confronts a range of obstacles, such as scarce water resources, the elevated salinity and alkalinity of irrigation water, inefficient irrigation practices, and inter-sectoral competition for water resources. These challenges have led to diminishing agricultural yields and abandonment of arable lands. Internet of Things (IoT)-based irrigation systems present a promising remedy for these issues. By curbing water wastage and ensuring precise water delivery to crops, IoT-based irrigation systems offer a viable solution to the challenges entrenched in traditional irrigation methodologies in KSA. However, the widespread implementation of an IoT-based Smart Irrigation System (I-SIMS) poses a multifaceted and intricate challenge in KSA. This study is focused on the identification of the factors and challenges through a systematic review and ranking of the challenges/factors that exert a significant influence on the adoption of I-SIMS. Ranking aids in determining the importance of various alternatives. It enables locating the best options that support the required objectives in complex decision situations. The study employs both Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) methodologies to prioritize these factors. The study's conclusive findings indicate that among the challenges, technical expertise and security measures emerge as the foremost concerns that demand attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides various other potent efforts to contain and consolidate, post-pandemic crisis management requires an adequate display of green transformational leadership. Green transformational leaders exhibit a formidable commitment to sustainability in making managerial choices and subsequently inspiring and motivating their employees to participate vigorously in the ensuing green initiatives. Such initiatives could profoundly help organizations adjust to shifting market situations, follow requirements, and preserve stakeholder trust. While making appeals to the central tenants of the transformation leadership theory, social exchange theory, and the social cognition theory, the study examines the impact of green transformational leadership on employees' green behaviors during times of crises using employees' self-esteem as a mediator and work engagement as the critical moderator. The relevant context of the study has been the small and medium enterprises of Saudi Arabia. Data from 232 SMEs employing less than 250 employees selected through convenience sampling was collected using structured questionnaires. After performing hierarchical regression modeling using SPSS 23, macro V4 model 58, and Amos 24, it has been found that green transformational leadership is positively associated with employees' green behaviors, with self-esteem and work engagement acting as significant mediating and moderating conditions, respectively. Besides, providing firsthand empirical evidence on the impact of green transformational leadership on employees' green behaviors, in unique industrial (SMEs), contextual (times of crises), and regional (Middle Eastern) settings, the study offers useful implications to the managers aspiring to enhance the sustainable performance of their firms through maturing green behaviors among their employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With English being the modern lingua franca, educational policies in Saudi Arabia were recently changed in order to provide better English language education to Saudi students. In spite of the government's efforts to improve English proficiency, most Saudi students do not benefit sufficiently from the new curricula. Language 2 Learning Motivation Self-System (L2MSS), proposed by Dörnyei, provides a potential framework for understanding determinants of English proficiency among Saudi students. The pilot study first addressed the internal reliability, factor structure and item-level performance (classical model and IRT) of two new questionnaires developed to complement L2MSS with measures of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of attitude towards English. The main study focused on relationship between L2MSS and related variables with performance on an English test based on TOEIC. The study has shown that, while Saudi students tend to be motivated to learn English, L2MSS scores are not related to performance on an objective test of English proficiency. Moreover, the two new questionnaires, while associated with L2MSS, are not associated with English test performance. Exploratory factor analysis (with maximum likelihood extraction and direct oblimin rotation) of all L2MSS items resulted in a general L2MSS factor (29% variance), factors 2 (7% variance) and 3 (3%) had mixed loadings of "ought-to self" and L2 experience items, while factor 4 (2.7%) mainly had unique ideal self-loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soils contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) pose a risk to human health via the food chain, as many edible plants absorb these metals. In turn, some of these plants could be used as phytoremediators for such soils. Calligonum comosum is an indigenous medicinal shrub that grows naturally in wide swaths of sandy soil in Saudi Arabia and has many advantages that render it a promising candidate for the treatment of HM- contaminated areas. But the impact of HM on this plant remains unknown, especially in the early stages of its development. Objective: This investigation aimed to study the effects of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) on the germination of C. comosum seeds under laboratory conditions, and assess the seeds' response to these metals. Methods: The C. comosum seed germination was monitored in Petri dishes containing Pb and Cd at increasing concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 µM) for up to 3 weeks. SDS-PAGE was used to examine the protein profile of germinated seeds and the western blot was used to assess the influence of HMs on the activities of the catalase enzyme and the beta subunit of ATP synthase (Atp B). Results: The germination rate and speed of C. comosum seeds were delayed by increasing concentrations of either Pb or Cd, but this effect was dose- dependent. SDS-PAGE analysis results revealed that exposure to both metals led to altered protein profiles as indicated by the resulting band intensities and disappearance of some proteins compared with the untreated controls. Further, the western blot analysis detected greater activity of catalase enzyme as well as AtpB in the Cd- and Pb-treated seeds. Conclusion: C. comosum seeds treated with Cd or Pb enhance protein degradation and denaturation beside oxidative stress, leading to reduced seed viability. These results suggest oxidoreduction proteins and those involved in ATP synthesis are enhanced in C. comosum seeds in response to Cd and Pb stressors, which is a probable mechanism by which seeds may tolerate heavy metal stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a view to understanding the dynamics of ancient trade and agrobiodiversity, archaeobotanical remains provide a means of tracing the trajectories of certain agricultural commodities. A prime example is cotton in Arabia, a plant that is nonnative but has been found in raw seed and processed textile form at Hegra and Dadan, in the region of al-'Ulā, north-western Saudi Arabia -- sites of critical importance given their role in the trans-Arabian trading routes during Antiquity. Here, we demonstrate that the measurement of strontium isotopes from pre-cleaned archaeological cotton is methodologically sound and is an informative addition to the study of ancient plant/textile provenance, in this case, putting forward evidence for local production of cotton in oasis agrosystems and possible external supply. The presence of locally-grown cotton at these sites from the late 1st c. BCE-mid 6th c. CE is significant as it demonstrates that cotton cultivation in Arabia was a Pre-Islamic socio-technical feat, while imported cotton highlights the dynamism of trade at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding antibiotic consumption patterns over time is essential to optimize prescribing practices and minimizing antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to determine whether the antibiotics restriction policy launched by the Saudi Ministry of Health in April 2018 has impacted antibiotic use by assessing changes and seasonal variations following policy enforcement. Methods: Quarterly sales data of J01 antibacterial for systemic use in standard units were obtained from the IQVIA-MIDAS database, spanning from the first quarter of 2016 to the last quarter of 2020. Antibiotics consumption was measured in defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitant per day- in a quarter (DDDdq). A comparative analysis of antibiotic consumption pre- and post-policy periods introduction was conducted by computing the average consumption values for each period. Statistical comparison of the mean differences between the two periods were then made using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U Test where needed. Time series analysis was employed to estimate the projected antibiotic consumption in the post-policy period if the restriction policy had not been implemented, which was then compared to actual consumption values to evaluate the effectiveness of the restriction policy. Results: During the pre-policy, there were seasonal trends of the total and oral antibiotic consumption through quarters, with higher consumption observed in the first and fourth quarters. In contrast, parenteral antibiotic consumption did not appear to follow a clear seasonal pattern. Following the restriction policy, there was a significant reduction in total and oral antibiotic use, with mean reductions of -96.9 DDDdq (p-value = 0.002) and -98 DDDdq (p-value = 0.002), respectively. Conversely, a significant increase in parenteral antibiotic consumption was observed with a mean increase of +1.4 DDDdq (p-value < 0.0001). The comparison between the forecasted and actual models showed that the actual antibiotics consumption for total, oral, and parenteral were lower than the corresponding forecasted values by 30%, 31%, and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our analysis of antibiotics consumption from 2016 to 2020 displays great success for the policy implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Health in significantly reducing the total and oral use of antibiotics. However, future studies are needed to explore the increased consumption of the parenteral antibiotics as well as the persistent high consumption patterns during the fall and winter months even after the implementation of the restriction policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the performance of a wind-solar generator (WSG) in the Hail region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with a fractional order PI controller (FOPI) applied to the grid connection line. The proposed hybrid generator consists of a wind turbine with a PMSM machine and a PV panel connected to a secondary distribution grid by a DC link, three-phase inverter, and an RL filter. The line currents injected into the grid and/or loads are controlled by calculating the output reference voltage of an inverter and by the reference active and reactive requested powers. For this purpose, control loops around the RL filter were developed with fractional-order proportional-integral (FOPI) controllers, and a comparison with classic PI controllers was made. The system was simulated using the MATLAB/Simulink software. The results showed that the generator satisfied the power demand under the climatic conditions of the Hail region. They also demonstrated the good performance of the proposed controllers, which had good tracking accuracy and robustness to variations in wind speed and power demanded by loads in a very short time. The FOPI controller exhibited faster dynamic response and less overshoot than the classic PI controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physicians face diagnostic dilemmas upon reports indicating disease variants of unknown significance (VUS). The most puzzling cases are patients with rare diseases, where finding another matched genotype and phenotype to associate their results is challenging. This study aims to prove the value of updating patient files with new classifications, potentially leading to better assessment and prevention. Methodology: We recruited retrospective phenotypic and genotypic data from King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Between September 2020 and December 2021, 1,080 patients' genetic profiles were tested in a College of American Pathologists accredited laboratory. We excluded all confirmed pathogenic variants, likely pathogenic variants and copy number variations. Finally, we further reclassified 194 VUS using different local and global databases, employing in silico prediction to justify the phenotype-genotype association. Results: Of the 194 VUS, 90 remained VUS, and the other 104 were reclassified as follows: 16 pathogenic, 49 likely pathogenic, nine benign, and 30 likely benign. Moreover, most of these variants had never been observed in other local or international databases. Conclusion: Reclassifying the VUS adds value to understanding the causality of the phenotype if it has been reported in another family or population. The healthcare system should establish guidelines for re-evaluating VUS, and upgrading VUS should reflect on individual/family risks and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rare diseases (RDs) create a massive burden for governments and families because sufferers of these diseases are required to undergo long-term treatment or rehabilitation to maintain a normal life. In Saudi Arabia (SA), the prevalence of RDs is high as a result of cultural and socio-economic factors. This study, however, aims to shed light on the genetic component of the prevalence of RDs in SA. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted between September 2020 and December 2021 at King Saud Medical City, a tertiary hospital of the Ministry of Health (MOH), SA. A total of 1080 individuals with 544 potentially relevant variants were included. The index was 738, and the samples were tested in a commercialized laboratory using different molecular techniques, including next-generation sequencing. Result: A total of 867 molecular genetics tests were conducted on 738 probands. These tests included 610 exome sequencing (ES) tests, four genome sequencing (GS) tests, 82 molecular panels, 106 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, four methylation studies, 58 single-gene studies and three mitochondrial genome sequencing tests. The diagnostic yield among molecular genetics studies was 41.8% in ES, 24% in panels, 12% in SNP array and 24% in single gene studies. The majority of the identified potential variants (68%) were single nucleotide variants (SNV). Other ascertained variants included frameshift (11%), deletion (10%), duplication (5%), splicing (9%), in-frame deletion (3%) and indels (1%). The rate of positive consanguinity was 56%, and the autosomal recessive accounted for 54%. We found a significant correlation between the ES detection rate and positive consanguinity. We illustrated the presence of rare treatable conditions in DNAJC12, SLC19A3, and ALDH7A1, and the presence of the founder effect variant in SKIC2. Neurodevelopmental disorders were the main phenotype for which genetics studies were required (35.7%). Conclusion: This is the sixth-largest local study reporting next-generation sequencing. The results indicate the influence of consanguineous marriages on genetic disease and the burden it causes for the Kingdom of SA. This study highlights the need to enrich our society’s knowledge of genetic disorders. We recommend utilising ES as a first-tier test to establish genetic diagnosis in a highly consanguineous population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous reports have highlighted the core issues with the intelligence of the national pharmacy workforce reliance on non-native pharmacists, despite the increasing supply of local pharmacy graduates; limited participation of female pharmacists in the workforce; and inadequate proportions of pharmacists in primary healthcare centres, resulting in pharmaceutical services being provided without a pharmacist's supervision. Methods: The current study used a retrospective cross-sectional design and data was collected from January to May 2023. Data was retrieved from the Health Statistics Yearbook, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The data included the total number of pharmacists, the number of Saudi pharmacists, the number of foreign pharmacists, the distribution of the proportions of male and female pharmacists, and the distribution of the workforce by region, sector and nationality. Data was also obtained relating to pharmacy education, including the number of pharmacy colleges, the number of pharmacy students and the number of pharmacy graduates. Results and conclusion: The capacity of the pharmacy workforce, meaning the number of pharmacists per 10,000 population, fluctuated between 2017 and 2021, with the lowest number being in 2020, a mere 7.9 pharmacists per 10,000 population. However, in 2021, the overall density of pharmacists increased to (9.04), which is above the global average (7.36 per 10,000 population). The proportion of women working in the pharmacy profession increased from 12% to 22%, and in community pharmacies from 0.3% to 7.2%, between 2016 and 2021. Another issue that still exists is a lack of proportionate and imbalance in the distribution of the pharmacy workforce across the regions. The renationalisation initiatives increased the overall proportion of Saudi pharmacists to 39% in 2021, compared to 22% in 2016. There is a need for a policy mechanism that will overcome the identified issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the recognition of social work in health care, the number of social workers has dramatically increased. The proved association between psychosocial conditions and biophysical features encouraged in social work drove its professionalism and made social workers an essential part of the health care team in hospitals. Today, social workers are involved in medicine as specialised practitioners who share their knowledge and care along with other professionals to provide multi-disciplinary interventions and services to people in need. Using a self-administered questionnaires, this study aims to examine the relationship between two organisational-contextual aspects (i.e., organisational structural, and organisational resources) among social workers in health care in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global incidence of fungal infection has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Fungal diseases threaten both immunocompetent, and immunocompromised patients. The current fungal diagnostics status in Saudi Arabia needs to be evaluated, especially with the increase of the immunosuppressed population. This cross-sectional study investigated the gaps in mycological diagnosis on a national level. Materials and methods: The call interview questionnaire responses were collected to evaluate the demand for fungal assays, diagnostic methods’ quality, and mycological expertise of laboratory technologists in both public and private medical intuitions. The data were analyzed using (IBM SPSS ® software version 22.0). Results: A total of 57 hospitals from all Saudi regions participated in the questionnaire; however, only 32% received or processed mycological samples. Most participants were from the Mecca region (25%), Riyadh region (19%), and Eastern region (14%). The top fungal isolates identified were Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and dermatophyte. Fungal investigation is highly requested by intensive care, dermatology, and obstetrics and gynecology units. Most laboratories rely on fungal culture and microscopic examination, which mostly identify Candida to the genus level, and use 37°C incubators for culture (67%). Antifungal susceptibility testing (AST) and serological and molecular methods are rarely performed and mostly outsourced. Using accurate identification and AST are the primary factors to improve fungal diagnosis in respect to turnaround time and cost. The three major obstacles identified were availability of facility (47%), reagents and kits (32%), and good training (21%). Conclusions: The results indicated that fungal diagnosis demand was relatively higher in high-population regions. This study highlighted the gaps in fungal diagnostics reference laboratories to encourage their improvement in Saudi hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several anticancer drugs have been developed from natural products such as plants. Successful experiments in inhibiting the growth of human cancer cell lines using Saudi plants were published over the last three decades. Up to date, there is no Saudi anticancer plants database as a comprehensive source for the interesting data generated from these experiments. Therefore, there was a need for creating a database to collect, organize, search and retrieve such data. As a result, the current paper describes the generation of the Saudi anti-human cancer plants database (SACPD). The database contains most of the reported information about the naturally growing Saudi anticancer plants. SACPD comprises the scientific and local names of 91 plant species that grow naturally in Saudi Arabia. These species belong to 38 different taxonomic families. In Addition, 18 species that represent16 family of medicinal plants and are intensively sold in the local markets in Saudi Arabia were added to the database. The website provides interesting details, including plant part containing the anticancer bioactive compounds, plants locations and cancer/cell type against which they exhibit their anticancer activity. Our survey revealed that breast, liver and leukemia were the most studied cancer cell lines in Saudi Arabia with percentages of 27%, 19% and 15%, respectively. The current SACPD represents a nucleus around which more development efforts can expand to accommodate all future submissions about new Saudi plant species with anticancer activities. SACPD will provide an excellent starting point for researchers and pharmaceutical companies who are interested in developing new anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause depression and anxiety. This study evaluated the factors associated with depression and anxiety in patients with RA and examined the effect of conventional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a regional hospital in Riyadh between March and November 2022 and included 213 patients with RA. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and data about patients' DMARDs use was obtained from the hospital's medical records. Results: Based on the HADS scores, 35 (16.4%) and 49 (23%) patients with RA had depression and anxiety, respectively. There was a significant association between the level of depression and anxiety and the use of leflunomide and tocilizumab among patients with RA (p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively). Patients with RA who took leflunomide had significantly higher scores for anxiety (ß = 0.158, value of p = 0.037) when compared to patients who did not take leflunomide. Patients with RA who took etanercept showed a significantly lower depression score even after adjusting for confounders, including sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors (ß = -0.189, p = 0.043). Conclusion: The present study highlighted the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients with RA and the level of depression and anxiety may differ between patients with RA depending on the type of DMARDs used. We recommend patients with RA be screened regularly for depression and anxiety to avoid further extraarticular systemic complications associated with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) have the potential to result in severe adverse drug events and profoundly affect patient outcomes. The pivotal role community pharmacists assume in recognizing and effectively managing these interactions necessitates a comprehensive understanding and heightened awareness of their implications. Such knowledge and awareness among community pharmacists are fundamental for ensuring the delivery of safe and efficacious care to patients. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of community pharmacists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, regarding drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Method: A cross-sectional survey was administered to a cohort of 147 community pharmacists through the utilization of a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire encompassed a comprehensive range of 30 multiple-choice questions, encompassing various facets pertaining to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Results: A total of 147 community pharmacists working in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia, completed the survey. The majority of them were male (89.1%, n = 131), and had bachelor's degrees in pharmacy. Results showed that the lowest correct response of DDIs was between Theophylline/Omeprazole, while the highest was between amoxicillin and acetaminophen. Results revealed that among the 28 drug pairs, only six pairs were determined correctly by most participants. The study found that majority of the studied community pharmacist could not determine the correct answer on drug-drug interaction knowledge, as also seen with the measured below half mean DDIs knowledge of 38.22 ± 22.0 (min = 0, max = 89.29, median = 35.71). Conclusion: The study highlights the need for ongoing training and education programs for community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia to enhance their knowledge and understanding of DDIs, ultimately leading to improved patient care and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The west coast of the Arabian Peninsula borders the Red Sea, a water body which maintains high average temperatures and increased salinity compared to other seas or oceans. This geography has many resources which could be used to support algal biotechnology efforts in bio-resource circularity. However, summer conditions in this region may exceed the temperature tolerance of most currently cultivated microalgae. The Cyanidiophyceae are a class of polyextremophilic red algae that natively inhabit acidic hot springs. C. merolae 10D has recently emerged as an interesting model organism capable of high-cell density cultivation on pure CO2 with optimal growth at elevated temperatures and acidic pH. C. merolae biomass has an interesting macromolecular composition, is protein rich, and contains valuable bio-products like heat-stable phycocyanin, carotenoids, ß-glucan, and starch. Here, photobioreactors were used to model C. merolae 10D growth performance in simulated environmental conditions of the mid-Red Sea coast across four seasons, it was then grown at various scales outdoors in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia during the Summer of 2022. We show that C. merolae 10D is amenable to cultivation with industrial-grade nutrient and CO2 inputs outdoors in this location and that its biomass is relatively constant in biochemical composition across culture conditions. We also show the adaptation of C. merolae 10D to high salinity levels of those found in Red Sea waters and conducted further modeled cultivations in nutrient enriched local sea water. It was determined that salt-water adapted C. merolae 10D could be cultivated with reduced nutrient inputs in local conditions. The results presented here indicate this may be a promising alternative species for algal bioprocesses in outdoor conditions in extreme coastal desert summer environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology in higher education now includes a substantial amount of mobile learning (M-learning). M-learning also enables students to use the internet and technology for research, teamwork, and idea sharing. Additionally, in order to use M-learning systems, both students and teachers must accept M-learning. However, not enough research has been done in Saudi Arabia to determine how satisfied students are with their real use of mobile learning for educational purposes. As a result, the current study intends to investigate students’ behavioral intentions to utilize mobile learning, their happiness with the technology, as well as their impressions of how they actually use mobile learning systems. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new model by integrating social cognition theory and the technology acceptance model to better understand the elements that influence the adoption of mobile learning in higher education (TAM). The majority of the information was gathered through a survey, with 412 university students’ randomly assigned questionnaires. The data analysis tools utilized were SPSS and Smart-PLS3.3.3. The studies proposed research model could, according to the study’s findings, account for 52.5% of the variation in how mobile learning systems were actually used. This information is crucial for understanding how social and educational technology factors affect the actual use of mobile learning systems. With only two hypotheses being rejected, this study created a new model that supported 16 of them. The findings indicated a beneficial relationship between 10 social and educational technology elements. The findings also indicated a favorable impact on students’ behavioral intentions to use and student happiness, which favorably impacts the actual use of M-learning in higher education. In order to improve students’ academic performance via mobile learning, social cognitive theory and the TAM model are combined as a consequence of the study’s empirical results. Therefore, we encourage students to collaborate with their colleagues at higher education institutions and use M-learning in their classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to examine the dimensionality of the BCFQOL-AR using Rasch analysis. Method: The sample consisted of 320 families having a member with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Rasch analysis was used to validate the dimensionality of the scale. The participants were from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: The BCFQOL-AR 25-item scale was multidimensional. Rasch analyses support the unidimensionality of the five subscales. There were no indicators of differential item function for any of the items, regardless of sex or age. Conclusion: The BCFQOL-AR is a multidimensional scale that measures families with members who are satisfied with their quality of life. Therefore, obtaining a total score at the subscale level is supported and showed that each of the five subscales of the BCFQOL can be used alone. This study partially supports the practices used with other versions of the scale, by providing the statistical base, where means were used at the subscale level in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The big five personality traits and entrepreneurial mindset (EM) are crucial individual-level elements that determine entrepreneurial intention (EI). This study examines the impact of big five personality traits and EM, on EI using the theory of planned behavior. Besides, this study examined the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and attitude toward entrepreneurship (ATE) influences EI. To achieve the research objectives, a quantitative approach was used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis were conducted using SmartPLS software. Data were collected from 270 respondents through online questionnaires. Findings of the study revealed that big five personality traits influence ESE and ATE which led to EI. Finally, the moderating role of entrepreneurial passion was also found to have strong effect on influence ESE and ATE. This study offers evidence and insights that academics, educators, and others involved in the creation or expansion of entrepreneurial knowledge can use as a reference point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity and the relationships among sesame cultivars were investigated using physiological and cyto/molecular analysis. To our information, no studies have yet been conducted on the genetic evaluation of sesame genotypes based on cyto/molecular analysis in Saudi Arabia. This study showed that genotype Bah-312 had the highest values from physiological and biochemical traits (plant height, harvest index, total plant dry matter, seed yield, oil content, and fatty acids content). Using 20 ISSR and 25 SCoT primers, the studied genotypes amplified 233 and 275 alleles, while the average polymorphism percentage (P%) was 65.32% (ISSR) and 77.8% (SCoT) across all the studied genotypes, respectively. To assess the markers efficiency analysis the polymorphism information contents (PIC), Marker Index (MI), Effective Multiplex Ratio (EMR), Resolving Power (Rp) were estimated. In general, primers (ISSR 2 & SCoT 21) and (ISSR 4 & SCoT 3) revealed the highest and lowest values for P %, PIC, MI, and EMR%. Furthermore, 188 positive and negative unique bands were detected, out of which ISSR generated 84, while 104 were amplified by SCoT analysis. In this regard, genotype Bah-312 generated 41 unique amplicons, and Jiz-511 genotype 23 unique amplicons. In the same context, the population genetics parameters, number of different alleles (Na), number of effective alleles (Ne), Shannon's index (I), expected heterozygosity (He), and Unbiased Expected Heterozygosity (uHe), were calculated. ISSR marker showed the highest values for all the estimated parameters. In this regard, genotype Bah-312 exhibited the highest values (1.35, 1.37, 0.31, 0.21, 0.29) & (1.31, 1.35, 0.30, 0.20, 0.27) while, genotype Ahs-670 revealed the least values (1.29, 1.31, 0.26, 0.16, 0.23) &(1.14, 1.26, 0.22, 0.15, 0.20) for ISSR and SCoT markers respectively. For cytological data, according to the highest asymmetry index (AsK%) and lowest total form percentage (TF%) values, genotype Ahs-670 was the most advanced cultivar, and genotype Bah-312 was the most primitive one. According to the degree of asymmetry of karyotype (A) and intrachromosomal asymmetry index (A1), sesame genotype Ahs-670 was the most asymmetrical, and Bah-312 was the most symmetrical genotype. This study gives some helpful information about the genetic diversity of six sesame landraces. The variation harbored by these landraces could be used in sesame breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation resistance research remains in its early stages. Efforts to define and comprehend consumer resistance to innovation necessitate in-depth studies that consider the contextual factors of resistance to innovation. To address this challenge, this research explored consumer resistance to innovation in a low-income population, namely, university students on financial support. The innovation under this study is the productivity applications provided for free by the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia, to all students. This study explores variables such as value barrier, risk barrier, tradition barrier, and image barrier and how they impact consumer resistance to innovation in a low-income population. We extend the theory by investigating the moderating roles of consumer characteristics (motivation, self-efficacy, emotion, and attitude toward existing products). The current study is based on an online survey of low-income students at a Saudi Arabian University; 258 cases were gathered. We found that all the direct effects of the variables (i.e., Value Barrier, Risk Barrier, Tradition Barrier, and Image Barrier) were positively related to consumer resistance to innovation. Importantly, consumer characteristics significantly moderate this relationship, as the relationship is stronger when the measurements for consumer characteristics are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study makes an original contribution to knowledge by investigating the impact of Just-in-Time (JiT) teaching and peer instruction (PI) strategies on the promotion of students’ achievement, interaction, and motivation in English language learning. Students were recruited from an undergraduate TESOL program in the first semester of 2019 at a University in Saudi Arabia. A multiple method research design was used to address the research questions robustly and rigorously. First, a twogroup quasi-experimental design was implemented. In the first group, a lecturebased strategy was used (n = 28), while in the second group, JiT and PI strategies were used (n = 27) in English language lessons. An innovative research method was used in this study: a private Instagram account was created, serving as a platform through which teacher and students could communicate using interactive posts and comments. Second, students filled out a survey reflecting on this medium of language teaching and learning. Finally, focus group interviews were conducted to determine students’ views on the use of Instagram as an educational tool in terms of its flexibility and usefulness. The findings of the study suggest that JiT teaching, and PI promoted students’ achievement and enhanced students’ motivation, particularly in relation to fluency and novelty in the second language. Furthermore, students viewed Instagram as a successful educational tool that significantly facilitated their collaboration. Nevertheless, this study also highlights the challenges of using JiT teaching and PI to facilitate language learning. Suggestions for practitioners are specified; including providing adequate e-learning tools for students to enhance language learning motivation and achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have investigated the effect of multilingualism on improving personality traits, namely cultural empathy, open-mindedness, flexibility, emotional stability, and social initiative of international students, or students in an international degree program. However, few studies have examined such an issue for EFL learners as they further their academic levels in English as a medium of instruction (EMI) setting. The main tool used in this exploratory descriptive study was the short version (40 items) of the multicultural personality questionnaire (MPQ) that was developed by Van der Zee et al. Five hundred and seventy-seven Saudi female EFL undergraduates participated voluntarily across various academic levels (1-8), as well as recently graduated students; all of whom were exposed to various amounts of EMI. Prior to the study and before administering the questionnaire, the IELTS test was used to measure language proficiency of EFL learners to make sure that the collected data of the MPQ were analyzed statistically to generate means and standard deviations. The results of ANOVA test revealed that not only did all participants improved in cultural empathy followed by open-mindedness, but their improvement of the other dimensions of flexibility, social initiative, and emotional stability appeared to be randomly similar between only two or three groups of academic levels. The results also showed that there was no gradual sequence of developments or deterioration of any multicultural personality dimensions as students advanced in their academic levels or as a result of getting exposed to various amounts of EMI. Finally, this research provides some implications related to widening the scope of the study for further research such as comparing trilingual and bilingual learners and modifying the diagnostic ability of the MPQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities contribute to shaping the identity of a nation with their major university social responsibility (USR) in addition to their academic purposes and corporate strategies. In Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030, universities are facing a transformation in adapting to the societal changes and implementing a socially responsible management, considering the satisfaction of their most important stakeholders (i.e., the students) and the quality of services offered to them. This study aims to explore how USR fulfills the societal changes in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of university students in addition to inspecting USR’s relationships with the students’ satisfaction and the quality of services offered to them. A self-report study was conducted with 350 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Social Sciences in a Social Work program at a University in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. An inside– outside (I–O) map of USR was applied to investigate the relationships among USR’s aspects. The study results demonstrated a moderate level of agreement by students toward the university’s fulfillment of its USR, quality of services offered to them, and their satisfaction. In contrast, the results of a regression analysis revealed that all USR aspects could explain only 13% of the students’ satisfaction. Legal responsibilities, among all USR aspects, exhibited the highest influence on students’ satisfaction. Gender differences existed in favor of female students’ perceptions toward the university’s fulfillment of its USR. The I–O map provided interesting insights to interpret the correlations among all USR aspects under the influence of societal changes that have occurred under Saudi Vision 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was threefold: First, to examine the dimensionality of the construct of General Academic Ability (GAA) at the subscale level providing additional insights over and above on the conceptualization of the construct. Second, to explore different degrees of measurement invariance of the GAA across gender using more recent advancements in the examination of Measurement Invariance (i.e., Bias-Corrected bootstrap Confidence Intervals). Third, to examine gender differences across the different facets of the GAA at the latent mean level. The sample consisted of 1,800 high school graduates who applied for higher education in Saudi Arabia. The results from the analysis indicated that the hierarchical model with one higher-order factor (i.e., general academic ability) and four lower-order cognitive factors (i.e., verbal ability, quantitative ability, scholastic aptitude, and GPA) exhibited an excellent fit to the data. In terms of the measurement invariance hypothesis, it was found that the hierarchical model exhibits full configural and metric invariance and partial scalar invariance. Finally, using the Latent Mean Difference procedure, the results showed gender differences in the Verbal and GPA domains. Although significant differences were also found in the Scholastic aptitude domain, this finding is not stable due to several non-invariant items within the domain. In both cases, females scored higher than males. Finally, regarding the higher-order factor (GAA), the results showed that females scored higher than males. There were no significant differences in the Quantitative domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to illustrate the impact of teachers' implementation of differentiation and individualization (perceived by students) on students' perception of their inclusion regarding their social inclusion, emotional wellbeing and academic self-concept. The study sample comprised 824 third-to-eighth-grade students [255 males (31%) and 569 females (69%)]. Around 10% of the sample (82) had special educational needs (SEN). Students' perceived inclusion levels and academic self-concept were examined with the Arabic version of the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire (PIQ-S-AR). Students' ratings of inclusive practices in their classroom were examined using the Arabic version of the Inclusive Teaching Practices Scale (ITPS). SEN students expressed lower perceived social inclusion, emotional inclusion, and academic self-concept in comparison with non-SEN students. Moreover, high levels of inclusive teaching practices strongly predicted students' perceived emotional inclusion, social inclusion, and academic self-concept. The results of the study supported the importance of school-level inclusive teaching practices and their relation to students' school experiences. It also highlighted the need for schools and teachers to work towards improved school-level inclusion experiences for SEN students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]