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The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of corporate governance mechanisms, among other variables, on audit report lag (ARL) for a sample of 97 companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Market (KSE) in 2020. Audit report lag is measured as the number of days between the date of the financial year end and the date of the audit report. The descriptive statistics indicate that there is considerable variation in the ARL between the sample companies, ranging from 13 to 121 days, with an average of 69 days. A multivariate regression model was employed to examine the association between ARL and corporate governance proxies, namely: board size, board meetings, board financial expertise, non-executive directors, and institutional ownership. The results indicate that companies whose boards have considerable financial expertise are associated with lower audit delay. For other (control) variables, the results indicate that profitability, company size, type of audit opinion, and industry type are found to have a significant impact on the timeliness of financial reporting. More profitable and larger companies were found to issue their audited financial reports faster. Moreover, financial institutions show a shorter lag in releasing their annual report than other sectors, and companies which seek qualified opinions have longer ARLs. Finally, in order to improve the timeliness of annual reports of companies listed on the market, the study suggests the adoption of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). There is convincing evidence to suggest that the use of XBRL results in timelier stock market filing and shorter ARL.

Instructors in higher education face challenges getting feedback about their instructional artifacts. It could impact instructors' performance and students' learning outcomes. Exploring a better way to assist instructors to self-examine their work is important. This research investigated the creation of a framework to automatically generate individualized feedback for instructors regarding their instructional artifacts. It limited the investigation to use one instructional artifact, the course outline preparation, as the proof-of-concept experiment to demonstrate the potential of automatically providing instructors with feedback about communication, organizational, and planning instructional skills.Limited studies investigated instructors' skills. This research conducted a thorough literature review to identify the skills of successful instructors and the process used to evaluate those skills. It used a mixed approach looking for specific skills that appear more frequently and indicate clear impacts on success. The investigation concluded with a clear identification of the essential skills possessed by good instructors that can help to understand how to improve the quality of their instructions.Furthermore, this research conducted a single exploratory survey using closed-ended questions. The goal of the survey's questions is to gather opinions from participants in different departments and colleges from the University of Guelph. The results investigated the essential components in the course outlines and how they impact instructional skills. The outcomes from the survey demonstrated the data components used in data analysis. The data analysis outcomes identified the way to design the proposed framework, which can help university instructors. This research made three major contributions: a) the identification of essential skills for successful instructors; b) the necessary components to design the proposed Automated Feedback System for Instructors (AFSI) framework; and c) the exploration of data to demonstrate that feedback topics can be automatically determined. The objective of the AFSI feedback is not to judge the instructors' performance but to provide private and immediate feedback that can help instructors to adjust their work as the semester progresses. The University of Jeddah.

Recently a set of engineering charts have been developed for the time-dependent stress and pore pressure responses at the wellbore surface under the ramp-type, finite-length fluid injection conditions, based on a semi-analytical solution with the use of Laplace-Fourier integral transform technique, to facilitate the prediction of borehole breakdown pressure for hydraulic fracturing operating practice. The charts were presented in a non-dimensionalized form to cover a wide range of borehole/rock parameters, which, in combination with the approximate solution for the impermeable borehole drilling problem, can be conveniently utilized to gain a rapid estimation of breakdown pressure. In this work, a borehole breakdown pressure prediction software was developed to generalize the applications of these engineering charts. Firstly, the engineering charts for an arbitrary borehole interval length-to-radius ratio are constructed from these charts by interpolation or extrapolation. Secondly, the breakdown pressure for a given borehole, in-situ condition, formation properties and pumping schedule, is looked up automatically with higher accuracy and faster speed than the method adopted in previous work.

Rapid development in wireless communication systems at microwave and millimeter-‎wave frequencies ‎increases the demand for more efficient wideband and high-gain ‎electromagnetic radiator capable of supporting ‎the high-speed data transfer and mitigate ‎the free-space path loss. Fabry-Pérot cavity (FPC) antennas ‎are a potential candidate as ‎radiators ‎since they ‎exhibit useful radiation characteristics, such as high-‎directivity of ‎broadside beam with high radiation efficiency from a low-profile structure, and feature ‎simplicity of ‎design and low-cost fabrication.‎ This two-dimensional (2-D) class of leaky-‎wave antennas (LWAs) are ‎conventionally ‎constructed with a thin frequency selective ‎surface (FSS) (metallic patches or holes in a metallic ‎screen), forming a partially reflected ‎surface (PRS), placed half of a wavelength from a ground plane and ‎excited with a single ‎source.‎This dissertation focuses on the modal and radiation analysis of FPC antennas formed ‎by an electrically thick PRS ‎‎(single or multiple metal-dielectric layers) optimized for ‎wideband radiation. A novel set of ‎formulas is analytically derived, which relates the ‎leaky-wave parameters (phase and attenuation constants of ‎the traverse complex ‎wavenumber) to the PRS reflection coefficient and input admittance. Additionally, we ‎derived a new leaky-wave based power formula that is capable of describing the far-field ‎behavior for any ‎FPC antenna formed by an arbitrary thick PRS. The formulas are ‎validated with different examples of wideband ‎FPC antennas constructed using single-‎layer and multiple-layers of PRS structures. Moreover, we show how to efficiently radiate ‎‎circularly polarized (CP) waves from a wideband FPC antenna excited by a single ‎CP ‎source. Furthermore, a study was carried out to further enhance the broadside gain with a ‎‎sparse array implemented as a primary excitation source.‎Additionally, we have investigated the radiation performance of an extremely thin ‎‎(100th of ‎a wavelength) 2-D leaky-wave antenna constructed from a high impedance ‎surface (HIS) directly excited to work as an antenna. Physical ‎insight is provided by ‎analyzing the radiation mechanism of this class of HIS antennas and prove that radiation is ‎‎in part related to a TM-like leaky-wave supported by the structure in the vicinity of its ‎magnetic resonance. ‎Wideband broadside radiation, in addition to a beam steering ‎capability, was demonstrated. Finally, a HIS antenna with a differential feeding network ‎was designed and fabricated for K-band wireless systems.‎

A dental implant (DI) is a prime illustration of the integrated construct of science and technology involving several arenas, including surface science, biophysics, from macroscopic to nanoscopic manufacturing techniques, among other materials utilized in dentistry and their effective implementations. Since the exterior of DI is in close contact with tissues and is sensitive to biochemical as well as biomechanical environments, there are important criteria placed on dental implants systems, just as there are for many other materials and equipment used in dentistry. Numerous elements of biocompatibility profiling created for DI have been shown to be dependent on parameters related to the individual, the hard and soft tissue present, and the constituents; these factors are either connected to superficial or bulk qualities. Biological, mechanical, and morphological compatibility with adjacent critical tissues should at the very least be part of these standards. Because alloying elements are believed to only be capable of penetrating the surrounding biosystem around and producing harmful effects by converting to ions chemically or electrochemically, biological compatibility of metals fundamentally equals to their ability to resist corrosive forces under such hostile settings. Further, the technique through which mechanically acting loads undergo effective transfer from the implanted device to bony structure is a crucial factor determining whether an implant will succeed or fail. Also, any relative motion that could erode the osseous structure or cause the implants to gradually loosen must be avoided. An implant that has undergone osseointegration offers a direct and comparatively rigid link to the bone. Additionally, the surface characteristics of materials must not seep or emit substances that are active biologically or pose hazard. Clinical DI have been produced with an emphasis on topographic modifications to DI surfaces as opposed to modifications to chemical characteristics.

Background: Patients’ experience is divided into relational and functional, in which the former is related to the relationship in terms of the treatment, while the functional experience is related to healthcare facilities. Patients’ experience differs from patients’ satisfaction in which the former tests the interaction that patients have with the healthcare system in the ideal way, rather than patients’ expectation from the encounter. There are limited studies in the Middle East region regarding patients’ experience. Objective: The aim of the study was to establish a cornerstone for patients’ experience in primary healthcare centers in Bahrain. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional one where a validated questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was used. A sample of 50 patients was taken from each of the ten randomly selected healthcare centers. The patients were approached after ending their consultation at the general clinics. A total of 502 patients participated and their response was analyzed and included in the final results. Results: Patients’ experience in primary healthcare centers in Bahrain scored a mean of 42.4 out of 50, 84.8%. More than 70% of the responders answered the questions as very good and excellent. In terms of statistical significance, the timing of the consultation, nationality, and consultation fees yielded a p-value of 0.017, 0.011, and 0.005, respectively. On the other hand, results of patients’ experience scores regarding patients’ gender, doctors’ gender, age, education level, and marital status were statistically not significant. Conclusion: Bahrain’s mean score for patients’ experience in primary health centers was 84.8%. Keywords: Bahrain, Consultation, Middle East, Patients’ Satisfaction, Primary Health Care

Purpose The term muscle dysmorphia (MD) refers to the pathological desire to increase lean muscle mass coupled with a persistent belief that one is not muscular enough. The disorder was recently classified under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive disorder in DSM-5. The individuals social view and sense of self-worth are impacted by MD. Consequently, functional impairment occurs. The assessment of MD is made with the muscle dysmorphia Disorder Inventory (MDDI). The purpose of the study is to validate the Arabic version of the MDDI ensuring the availability of the instrument in Arabic-speaking nations. Methods 1118 participants (58% female, average age 28 years) participated in the translation of MDDI through an internet-based survey. Results Based on multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the three-factor structure of the English MDDI was replicated, independent of gender (TLI = 0.85, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.09). The reliability was evaluated via Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω for the total MDDI scale and the sub-scales. Cronbach´s alpha was 0.71 for DFS, 0.71 for AI and 0.82 for FI, and 0.70 for the MDDI total score. Men and women showed differences in three subscales of the MDDI (DFS, AI, FI). McDonald's Omega showed an Al of (0 .72) DFS (0.72) FI (0.83) and total MDDI (0.82). Conclusion The MDDI-13 Arabic translation proved to be valid. Thus, the results are consistent with using the measure in Arabic-speaking nations. Level of evidence: Level V descriptive cross-sectional study.

Purpose The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses worldwide. Arguably, one of the most affected industries is the hospitality sector, where the world has seen a substantial drop in personal and professional travel owing to severe lockdowns, which has particularly harmed the hotel and tourism industries by lowering occupancy and profits. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the emotional and mental well-being of hospitality workers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative cross-sectional technique was used, with 517 respondents drawn from Dubai's major hotels. Findings Fear of the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be positively connected to employees' emotional weariness, which is then positively related to their intention to leave their organizations. Practical implications The paper gives suggestions to managers on how to best deal with their employees, especially the more competent ones, as they are more likely to leave during a pandemic. Originality/value Contrary to suggestions in the literature and our predictions, this paper found that self-efficacy positively moderated the relationship between fear of COVID and emotional exhaustion such that workers with high self-efficacy were more prone to emotional exhaustion as a result of their fear of COVID. Furthermore, the results of the research suggest that it is the more competent workers who are more likely to be affected, during a pandemic, and thus their loss is expected to cause greater loss to their organizations.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are considered one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality among postoperative patient's worldwide, and increasing awareness and knowledge regarding surgical site infection will improve the quality of care. This study aims to use the appropriate tools to assess and analyze the level of awareness and understanding regarding surgical wound infection among medical and surgical interns, residents, specialists and consultants working in Riyadh city hospitals and how each of them plays a crucial role in providing the optimal healthcare for patients and prevent any unwanted devastating complications. Additionally, the objective of this study is to provide the necessary data to help identify the gaps in the participants understating of surgical site infections. In which a cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and October 2022. The Data was collected using a 20-Item multiple-choice questionnaire which was adopted and validated from a previous study. The questionnaire was randomly distributed among physicians working in Riyadh city hospitals. The sample study included 390 participants who completed the questionnaire in 5 minutes on average. The analyzed data showed that 74.8 % of the responders are medical interns, 18.2% are residents, 5.8% are specialists, and 0.12% are consultants. The Results of the study showed that only 3% of all participants have a high level of knowledge and awareness regarding surgical site infection, while the rest of the responders have moderate to low levels of knowledge and awareness regarding the subject. And we recommend improving the awareness and understanding regarding surgical site infection by offering more courses and events on infection control and prevention; in turn, it would decrease the length of hospital stay, improve healthcare out, decrease morbidity and mortality rates and economic costs caused by surgical site infection.

Aim: To assess the attitudes of clinical dental students towards the various aspects of tooth bleaching in Saudi Arabia Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study that was carried out across different universities in Saudi Arabia. The study’s questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the demographics and knowledge of dental bleaching procedures, techniques, and materials. Descriptive statistics of frequency distribution and percentages were calculated for categorical variables and the Chi-squared test was applied to assess the relationship between categorical variables. Results: A total of 674 dental students and interns from 14 different governmental and private dental colleges in Saudi Arabia completed the survey. The majority of participants were females, 461 (68.4%), attended governmental universities, 396 (58.8%), and did not use any bleaching techniques (62.8%). Dental interns had a higher level of knowledge (42%) followed by 5th-year students (33.7%), and 6th-year students (22.9%). Furthermore, participants who practiced tooth bleaching during clinical training and private universities’ students showed a significantly better bleaching knowledge Conclusion: Overall, dental schools should be encouraging their students to be involved in bleaching application. Additionally, there is a pressing need to focus more on dental bleaching material and procedures in dental school. Keywords: Tooth bleaching, bleaching, techniques, dental students, attitude.

Background: Bleaching is considered the most conservative and cost-effective aesthetic procedure. Vital and non-vital bleaching techniques commonly involve at-home, in-office, and over-the-counter techniques and can be internal (within the pulp chamber) or external (on the enamel surface). Aim: To assess the attitudes of clinical dental students towards the various aspects of tooth bleaching in Saudi Arabia Design and settings: This is an observational cross-sectional study that was carried out across different universities in Saudi Arabia. The study’s questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the demographics and knowledge of dental bleaching procedures, techniques, and materials. Results: A total of 674 dental students and interns from 14 different governmental and private dental colleges in Saudi Arabia completed the survey. The majority of participants were females, 461 (68.4%), attended governmental universities, 396 (58.8%), and did not use any bleaching techniques (62.8%). Dental interns had a higher level of knowledge (42%) followed by 5th-year students (33.7%), and 6th-year students (22.9%). Furthermore, participants who practiced tooth bleaching during clinical training and private universities’ students showed a significantly better bleaching knowledge Conclusion: Overall, dental schools should be encouraging their students to be involved in bleaching application. Additionally, there is a pressing need to focus more on dental bleaching material and procedures in dental school. Keywords: Tooth Bleaching, Dental Students, Bleaching Techniques.