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Uranium isotopes 238U, 234U, and 235U are alpha-particle emitters and can be directly measured by alpha spectrometry. To evaluate the accuracy of the determination of low concentration of U isotopes in water samples, six spiked water samples were analysed by extraction chromatography using uranium selective resin. The separated uranium isotopes were electrodeplated on a disc of stainless steel and were measured by an alpha spectrometer for the determination of radiochemical yield using 232U isotopic tracer. Three certified IAEA reference water samples (IAEA-Cu-2010-03, IAEA-420 and IAEA-421) have been analysed for method validation. The measurement uncertainty sources were identified, and the combined standard uncertainty of the measurement has been determined. Although the activity of uranium isotopes in the certified reference samples was very low, the obtained results were reliable and were within the certified range with 95% confidence level. The characteristic limits (the decision threshold and detection limit) were calculated. The combined uncertainty of the results was mostly attributed to the count rates in the region of interest of the analyte and the tracer in the blank as well as in the sample spectra. Based on the results of the acceptance criteria including Z-score, u-test, trueness and precision, the used radiochemical procedure was found accurate and precise as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families with disabled children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) face unique challenges that impact their quality of life (QoL). Saudi Vision 2030 aims to empower all citizens, including those with disabilities. This research is a review that explores how the Semantic Web (SW), a technology enabling intelligent data interoperability, can be utilized to enhance the QoL for families with disabled children within the framework of Vision 2030. Two instruments were developed and administered by the researcher for data collection in addition to a review of the literature and related studies. First, needs assessment open interviews aimed to analyze the challenges and needs of the Saudi family caregivers. Second, an SW-QoL questionnaire was conducted to explore the key features and functionalities of SW that could fulfill those needs and improve the caregivers’ QoL accordingly within the context of Saudi Vision 2030. The findings of the study propose that SW has got the promising potentials, if applied, to improve the QoL among Saudi family caregivers of disabled children. The study pinpoints that SW’s ability to empower families, improve resource access, and promote social inclusion directly aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable society. Applying SW applications in QoL programs remains a suggested area of experimentation in KSA as this research is a call to action. To improve the QoL among Saudi family caregivers of disabled children, further research is recommended to examine the SW functions on the improvement of their QoL. The SW power of linked data could be designed for promoting powerful informed decision-making, as well as SW reasoning engines could be developed for personalizing resources among family caregivers. In addition, SW virtual communities of practice could be built for enhancing resource sharing and social inclusion among those families. Studies are also needed in alignment with the aspirations of KSA Vision 2030 for determining the effect of the information accessibility function of SW on enhancing caregiver families’ access to the target information and support services. Above all, the impact of coordinated care via SW could be investigated to reduce the administrative burdens among caregiver families via data connection from different government agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the most postulated accidents in 60Co radiotherapy units is the source getting stuck, where one or more of the staff should enter the treatment room to deal with the problem. For such an accident, an emergency plan is important. A three-dimensional model of a 60Co therapy room has been done using the Monte Carlo code MCNP4B. The radiation safety measures taken and the drawings of the device are given together with suggestions for future use of the source for irradiation purposes. Moreover, the calculated results were compared with those of an experimental study dealing with this problem and were found to be in very good agreement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the root anatomy of lower first and second premolar teeth in Qatari population using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 544 CBCT images of Qatari population were analyzed to investigate tooth position, number of roots, canal configuration and number of canals in permanent lower premolars. The most common root anatomy in lower first premolar (LFP) and lower second premolar (LSP) was one root with a single canal per root (98%) for both. Type I Vertucci canal morphology was predominated in a single rooted LFP (66%) and in two-rooted LFP (75%), in addition to a single- rooted LSP (84.2%). A symmetrical pattern was observed in LFP anatomy, including the same number of roots (95.3%), number of canals per root (92.7%) and the same types of canal configuration (66.8%). In LSP teeth, the percentage of symmetry was high among number of roots (98.1%), number of canals per root (95%) but dropped to (77.1%) for the types of canal configuration. CBCT is an effective, noninvasive diagnostic tool to investigate root anatomy and canal morphology to improve endodontic treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in five intensive care units (ICUs) from October 2013 to September 2015. Design: Prospective, before-after surveillance study of 3769 patients hospitalised in four adult ICUs and one paediatric ICU in five hospitals in five cities. During baseline, we performed outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI applying CDC/NHSN definitions. During intervention, we implemented IMA and ISOS, which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions; (2) education; (3) outcome surveillance; (4) process surveillance; (5) feedback on CLABSI rates and consequences; and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results: During baseline, 4468 central line (CL) days and 31 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 6.9 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. During intervention, 12,027 CL-days and 37 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 3.1 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. The CLABSI rate was reduced by 56% (incidence-density rate, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.72; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing IMA through ISOS was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate in the ICUs of Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal complaints represent a significant occupational health issue in dentistry. In Egypt, data about the prevalence and risk factors of this problem are scarce so far. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among dental practitioners and assess the risk factors of these complaints among dentists. Methods: Cross-sectional was used for implementation of the study. Data were collected using Nordic standard questionnaire and demographics questionnaire which were filled out by 200 dental practitioners in their offices in public dental centers in Alexandria, Egypt. Results: A large percent of dentists (72.0%) reported musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one site during the past 12 months. The most commonly affected sites were low back (52.0%), upper back (44.0%), ankles and feet (30.0%) and knees (29.5%). A significant difference was observed between dental specialists regarding neck pain only as it was more prevalent among periodontics (40.9%) followed by prosthodontics (36.4%). A significant association was found between Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and duration of work ≤ 10 years (P=0.005). In addition, non - prolonged sitting was significantly associated with MSDs (P=0.026). Sick leaves from 1 - 7 days due to MSDs were reported by more than half (54.0%) of the practitioners who complained of MSD in the last twelve months. Conclusions : A high prevalence of MSD symptoms exists among dental practitioners in Alexandria, Egypt, which affects the daily practice of nearly half of them. Lower and upper back pain symptoms were particularly common. Therefore, it is recommended that an appropriate training program be implemented to improve dentists’ awareness regarding musculoskeletal symptoms and their prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]