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This study focuses on the increasing disparities in STEM education achievement and long-term wage earnings of under-represented minority groups. As part of national efforts to improve the diversity of the STEM workforce, this study uses longitudinal data from the University of Houston's Education Research Center (UH-ERC) to examine the effect of participation in a STEM-focused intervention program (Houston-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation) on wage earnings across students from traditionally under-represented groups. Data analysis consisted of propensity score matching analysis, followed by an ordinal logistic regression model to measure program participation effects on wage earnings. Findings indicate a significant negative association between participation in the STEM intervention program and long-term wage earnings. Results highlight the role of structural racism and human capital on perpetuating achievement and wage gaps across race and socio-economic status. Recommendations focus on career preparedness as a tool to increase the human capital of under-represented groups and institutional shifts in policy and program components that strive to reduce the impact of structural racism on this subpopulation of students. [Note: The issue number (2) displayed on the first page of the PDF is incorrect. The correct issue number for this article is n1. The page range cited on the PDF (pp. 66-86) is incorrect. The correct page range is pp. 66-87]

Abstract Background Ghosting refers to the sudden cessation of communication in interpersonal relationships. Ghosting has gained attention as a phenomenon commonly encountered in the context of digital communication. Earlier studies on ghosting mostly focused on Western societies while, in Arab societies, research into this practice has yet to be initiated. The current study aimed to address this gap by translating and validating the commonly used Ghosting Questionnaire (GHOST) into Arabic. Methods The translation process involved forward and back translation, expert review, and pilot testing to ensure linguistic and cultural equivalence. A convenience sample of 607 participants from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Tunisia completed the Arabic version of the GHOST. Statistical analyses, including reliability testing and confirmatory factor analysis, were conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the instrument. Results The Arabic version of the GHOST demonstrated high reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.87) and McDonald’s omega (ω = 0.87) coefficients indicated strong internal consistency. Test-retest reliability coefficients confirmed the stability of the responses over time (ICC 0.89, p

Aseel AlSaleh,1 Waqar Husain,2 Khaled Trabelsi,3,4 Hadeel Ghazzawi,5 Achraf Ammar,6,7 Zahra Saif,8 Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal,9,10 Maha M AlRasheed,11 Ahmed S BaHammam,12,13 Haitham Jahrami8,14 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 2Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, 3000, Tunisia; 4Research Laboratory: Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, EM2S, LR19JS01, University of Sfax, Sfax, 3000, Tunisia; 5Nutrition and Food Technology Department, Agriculture School, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 6Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, 55099, Germany; 7Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, 3000, Tunisia; 8Department of Psychiatry, Government Hospitals, Manama, Bahrain; 9Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India; 10Division of Research and Development, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India; 11Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; 12The University Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 13King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 14Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, BahrainCorrespondence: Haitham Jahrami, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain, Email haitham.jahrami@outlook.comPurpose: The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS) is a well-recognized instrument utilized for measuring cognitive and somatic arousal before sleep. Although the PSAS is useful, an Arabic version of the scale has not yet been developed and validated. The current study aimed to translate the PSAS into Arabic language and evaluate its psychometric properties, such as reliability and validity, in an Arabic-speaking population.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 438 participants who completed the Arabic version of the PSAS, along with other validated measures of insomnia, anxiety, and sleep effort.Results: The results indicated that the Arabic version of the PSAS maintained the original scale’s two-factor structure. The factor loadings for PSAS-Cognitive ranged from 0.57 to 0.75, and for PSAS-Somatic, from 0.45 to 0.70, with all loadings being statistically significant (p < 0.001). The Arabic version of the PSAS exhibited high internal consistency (McDonald’s ω = 0.86; Cronbach’s α = 0.86; Guttman’s λ 2 = 0.86; Greatest Lower Bound = 0.90) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.88) over two weeks. The PSAS demonstrated good concurrent and convergent validity. We documented significant large differences between individuals with “no insomnia” and those with “insomnia” symptoms across cognitive, somatic, and total pre-sleep arousal (all p < 0.001). The insomnia group consistently scored higher scores for PSAP and its subscales.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the Arabic version of the PSAS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing pre-sleep arousal in Arabic-speaking individuals.Keywords: Arabic version, insomnia, pre-sleep arousal, PSAS, psychometric properties, reliability, validity

Abstract Background Preoperative anxiety is commonly found in patients who are waiting for surgery and can lead to negative surgical outcomes. Understanding the sources of surgical anxiety allows healthcare providers to identify at-risk patients and implement psychosocial interventions such as counseling, relaxation techniques, and cognitive‒behavioral therapy to minimize anxiety. Few comprehensive psychiatric measures are available to assess preoperative anxiety in Arabic. Objective Our study aimed to translate, adapt, and validate the Surgical Anxiety Questionnaire (SAQ) into the modern standard Arabic language, also known as Fusha al-Asr Arabic. Methods To translate the questionnaire, the research team used the gold standard process of forward translation by two independent translators along with back translation evaluation by four trained medical doctors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 208 Arabic speakers (mean age 38 years, 44% women) from four countries. Psychometric analyses, which included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response analysis, were performed. Convergent validity tests were performed against the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item Scale (GAD-2), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-2), Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4), and Arabic version of the Visual Analog Scale for anxiety (VAS-A). Results The mean SAQ of our sample was 19.38 ± 12.63 (possible range 0–68). The Arabic SAQ translation demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with McDonald’s omega and a Cronbach’s alpha of approximately 0.90. The test-retest reliability was also high, with an intraclass coefficient of 0.94. The SAQ showed strong convergent validity against the GAD-2 (r = 0.94, p 0.90, RMSEA

Abstract Background Sleep distrurbances involves daytime preoccupation about sleep, which plays a critical role in perpetuating sleep disturbances. Recent cognitive models highlight the importance of daytime processes, like processing sleep-related information and interpretations during waking hours, in influencing sleep quality and quantity. The Sleep Preoccupation Scale (SPS) quantifies this daytime cognitive activity related to sleep. This study aimed to translate and validate an Arabic version of the SPS for assessing sleep preoccupation among Arabic speakers. Methods 523 Arabic speakers (mean age 23.6 years, 75% female) from four countries completed the Arabic SPS alongside the Athens Insomnia Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale, and the Anxiety and Preoccupation about Sleep Questionnaire (APSQ). The sample repeated the SPS after two weeks for test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated the SPS’s two-factor structure. Internal consistency, item response theory, and convergent validity with the other scales were examined. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor model’s fit. Measurement invariance results suggest that the SPS exhibits a similar basic factor structure across both insomnia and non-insomnia groups. The Arabic SPS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92, McDonald’s ω = 0.92) and two-way mixed effects, consistency, single rater/measurement intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95). Most items exhibited satisfactory item response theory fit statistics and discrimination. The SPS total score showed strong positive correlations with insomnia severity (r = 0.48, p

This rich, longitudinally descriptive study provides an examination of program outcomes, student characteristics, and workforce outcomes of the Houston-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (H-LSAMP) program. Utilizing data from the University of Houston's Education Research Center, this study offers a detailed analysis of the long-term effects of participation in the H-LSAMP program, from high school to university and into the workforce. Findings from this study revealed that only 25% of the high school campuses attended by H-LSAMP students had a high proportion of economically disadvantaged students. In addition, nearly 75% of undergraduate students enrolled in the program graduated within the timeframe of the study, half of which were from Black and Latinx backgrounds.

Information regarding the dietary requirements and consumption of young athletes is limited. Hence, the aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive combination of research and review papers on the nutritional status of young athletes aged 5–18 years old, as well as quantitative, qualitative, wholesome foods, food choices, and eating disordered data concerning the dietary requirements for growing young athletes. This study involved systematic searches of electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. The specific criteria for identifying research papers published in English from July 1980 until May 2024 were included. Only 48 studies out of 1,262 were included in this narrative review. The findings of this study suggest that, compared with adults, junior athletes need a unique approach to meet their dietary needs. Growth, development, and general athletic performance depend on macronutrients, as they are vital nutrients for young active athletes. However, research on enhancing junior athletes’ performance is still in progress, and studies on hydration status, and eating disorders are limited.

International students in the United States have been increasingly attracted to community colleges as a starting point to higher education. Recently, their enrollment has been dropping. Research highlights the importance of student engagement to international students. However, few studies investigate their engagement experiences in community colleges. This study investigated the validity of the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) benchmarks as proxies for international student engagement in community colleges. The original CCSSE benchmarks were a poor fit for international students. Resulting constructs and underlying items differed significantly from the original benchmarks and demonstrated poor reliability. Findings highlight the inapplicability of CCSSE benchmarks in representing international student engagement. Recommendations include adding culturally relevant variables to the CCSSE structure more applicable to international student populations, and accompanying the survey with qualitative input for in-depth knowledge of international student experiences.

Abstract Background The Jenkins Sleep Scale is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances. This study aimed to translate the scale into Arabic and evaluate its psychometric properties in an Arabic-speaking population. Methods The Jenkins Sleep Scale was translated into Arabic using forward and backward translation procedures. The Arabic version was administered to a convenience sample of 420 adults along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) for validation purposes. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted to test the unidimensional factor structure. Convergent validity was assessed using correlations with PSQI and AIS scores. Results The Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega values for the Arabic Jenkins Sleep Scale were 0.74 and 0.75, respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The 2-week and 4-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were both 0.94 (p

Abstract Background The ORTO scale was developed in 2004 as a self-report questionnaire to assess symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (ON). ON is an unhealthy preoccupation with eating healthy food. The scale aims to measure obsessive attitudes and behaviors related to the selection, purchase, preparation, and consumption of pure, healthy food. Since its development, the ORTO-15 has been adapted into several shorter versions. The objective was to conduct a reliability generalization meta-analysis of the ORTO scale and its variant versions in all populations and languages. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting the internal consistency of ORTO. Random-effect models were used to evaluate summary statistics of reliability coefficients, weighting the coefficients by the inverse variance using the restricted maximum likelihood method. The heterogeneity among the reliability coefficients was evaluated and assessed using numerous statistical metrics. The tau (τ), tau2 (τ2), I2, H2, R2, df, and the Q-statistic are among those obtained. Meta-regression analyses were used to examine moderators such as age and sex. Results Twenty-one studies (k = 21) involving 11,167 participants (n = 11,167) were analyzed. The overall effect estimate on internal consistency was 0.59 (95% CI 0.49–0.68), with a minimum reliability coefficient of 0.23 and a maximum reliability coefficient of 0.83. The heterogeneity statistics were found to have an I2 of 99.31%, which suggested high heterogeneity owing to a decrease in the confidence interval (95% CI) and an increase in variability. Sensitivity analysis revealed that a few studies strongly influenced the overall estimate. Egger’s test suggested possible publication bias. Neither age nor sex significantly moderated reliability via meta-regression. Conclusions The ORTO scale has a relatively low pooled reliability coefficient. Alternative ON assessment tools with enhanced psychometric properties are needed. Clinicians should not base diagnoses or treatment decisions on ORTO alone. Comprehensive psychiatric assessment is essential for accurate ON evaluation.

Abstract Background The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide a pooled prevalence estimate of self-reported disordered eating (SRDE) in athletes based on the available literature, and to identify risk factors for their occurrence. Methods Across ten academic databases, an electronic search was conducted from inception to 7th January 2024. The proportion of athletes scoring at or above predetermined cutoffs on validated self-reporting screening measures was used to identify disordered eating (DE). Subgroup analysis per country, per culture, and per research measure were also conducted. Age, body mass index (BMI), and sex were considered as associated/correlated factors. Results The mean prevalence of SRDE among 70,957 athletes in 177 studies (132 publications) was 19.23% (17.04%; 21.62%), I 2 = 97.4%, τ2 = 0.8990, Cochran's Q p value = 0. Australia had the highest percentage of SRDE athletes with a mean of 57.1% (36.0%-75.8%), while Iceland had the lowest, with a mean of 4.9% (1.2%-17.7%). The SRDE prevalence in Eastern countries was higher than in Western countries with 29.1% versus 18.5%. Anaerobic sports had almost double the prevalence of SRDE 37.9% (27.0%-50.2%) compared to aerobic sports 19.6% (15.2%-25%). Gymnastics sports had the highest SRDE prevalence rate, with 41.5% (30.4%-53.6%) while outdoor sports showed the lowest at 15.4% (11.6%-20.2%). Among various tools used to assess SRDE, the three-factor eating questionnaire yielded the highest SRDE rate 73.0% (60.1%-82.8%). Meta-regression analyses showed that female sex, older age, and higher BMI (all p

Abdulmajeed Abdullah Alghamdi,1 Abdulmalik Abdulrahman Abanumai,1 Meshal Fawaz Althobaiti,2 Meshari Salem Alzahrani,1 Salma Yasser Abu-Saleh,3 Achraf Ammar,4,5 Hadeel Ghazzawi,6 Khaled Trabelsi,7,8 Nicola Bragazzi,9 Ahmed S BaHammam,10,11 Haitham Jahrami,1,12 Maha M AlRasheed13 1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 2Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia; 3Department Nutrition and Food Technology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 4Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 5Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology, and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health, and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS (Faculty of Sport Sciences), UPL, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France; 6Nutrition and Food Science Department, Agriculture School, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 7High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; 8Research Laboratory: Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, EM2S, LR19JS01, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia; 9Human Nutrition Unit (HNU) and Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Medical School, Building C, Parma, Italy; 10The University Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 11King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 12Department of Psychiatry, Government Hospitals, Manama, Bahrain; 13Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Maha M AlRasheed, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966-114678707, Fax +966-114677480, Email mahalrasheed@ksu.edu.saBackground: Insomnia disorder is a common health condition; it has a role in increasing the possibility of developing other psychological disorders, including anxiety and depression. Anxiety and preoccupation with sleep are two examples of common cognitive factors that contribute to the development of chronic insomnia; thus, it is important to have a tool that assesses worry in insomnia. There is no comprehensive psychiatric measure to assess anxiety and preoccupation with sleep in Arabic. We conducted this study to translate, adapt, and validate the Arabic version of the Anxiety and Preoccupation about Sleep Questionnaire (APSQ), providing a reliable psychometric tool to assess concerns regarding sleep within Arabic-speaking communities.Methods: The translation process of the scale involved several steps, including forward and backward translation. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 523 participants from various Arabic-speaking countries. Psychometric analysis was performed utilizing the R software, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, convergent and divergent against the Athens insomnia scale (AIS) and general anxiety disorder (GAD) were conducted.Results: The Arabic-translated form of the APSQ expresses excellent internal consistency with a value of 0.91 for both Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω. The test-retest reliability of a subsample showed an excellent coefficient of 0.93 (p< 0.01). A good fit of the APSQ was observed by CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.91, SRMR = 0.05, and RMSEA = 0.1. Convergent and divergent against AIS and GAD showed statistically significant correlations of 0.85 (p< 0.01) and 0.69 (p< 0.01), respectively. Our sample showed a mean APSQ score of 31.28 ± 8.31, and the mean age was 23.62 ± 7.5.Conclusion: The Arabic APSQ is reliable and valid for measuring anxiety and preoccupation with sleep in Arabic countries. Using translated APSQ for clinical diagnosis and research is currently trustworthy.Keywords: anxiety, insomnia, sleep quality, daily performance, general health

Over the last decades, concrete has been excessively prone to cracks resulting from shrinkage. These dimensional changes can be affected by the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials. This work used olive waste ash (OWA), which could substantially tackle this problem and achieve sustainability goals. For this issue, five cement paste mixes were prepared by replacing cement with OWA at different percentages varying from 0 to 20% by weight with a constant increment of 5%. The water-to-cement ratio was 0.45 for all mixes. Compressive strength and flexural strength were investigated at 7, 28, and 90 days. In addition, three shrinkage tests (drying, autogenous, and chemical) and expansion tests were also conducted for each mix and measured during 90 days of curing. The experimental findings indicated that there was a loss in compressive and flexural strength in the existence of OWA. Among all mixes containing OWA, the samples incorporating 10% OWA exhibited maximum strength values. Furthermore, the chemical and autogenous shrinkage decreased with the incorporation of OWA. However, the drying shrinkage decreased at lower levels of substitutions and increased at higher replacement levels. In addition, there was a growth in expansion rates for up to 10% of OWA content, followed by a decrease at higher levels (beyond 10%). Additionally, correlations between these volumetric stability tests were performed. It was shown that a positive linear correlation existed between chemical shrinkage and autogenous and drying shrinkage; however, there was a negative relationship between chemical shrinkage and expansion.

International students are increasingly enrolling in U.S community colleges as a starting point to their higher education. However, limited research examines the factors contributing to their successful transfer to a 4-year institution and bachelor degree attainment. Utilizing longitudinal transcript data from a large community college district in Texas, this study uses hierarchical logistical regression to compare college experiences and transfer outcomes based on region of origin. Findings demonstrate that while Sub-Saharan African students have a significantly higher probability of transfer than Asian and Latin American students, the majority of bachelor degree recipients were Asian students graduating in STEM fields. Delayed enrollment into college and academic preparedness in math were negatively associated with transfer for Latin American and Caribbean students.

Background: There are relatively few data about the association between locus of control and weight loss in Arabic populations. A tool does exist, the Dieting Belief Scale (DBS), that was designed to measure individuals’ beliefs regarding their ability to control their body weight. The aim of this study was to translate this tool into Arabic and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: The forward translation of the DBS from English to Arabic was completed by two professional bilingual translators, while the back translation from Arabic to English was independently performed by another two different professional bilingual translators. An online survey using the tool was then completed by 245 participants, fully aware of the study's purpose. Psychometric analyses were subsequently conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic DBS.Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω coefficients. Test-retest reliability was also assessed. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the fit of a three-factor model, with indices including Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR). Convergent validity was assessed by examining the correlation between the Arabic DBS and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) previously translated into Arabic, the latter identifying attitudes, feelings and behaviors related to eating. Results: The Arabic translated DBS scale demonstrated high translation accuracy and content validity estimates. Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω reliability coefficients for the translated scale were approximately 0.91. Test-retest reliability was 0.96. The three-factor model showed an acceptable fit (CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSE = 0.08, SRMR = 0.06). The Arabic version of the DBS was found to have good convergent validity, as evidenced by the significant correlation between the EAT-26 and DBS questionnaires (r = 0.53, p

Objective: To examine the knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine among Saudi women of childbearing age. Methods: An anonymous, survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. Results: Overall, 422 participants were included in the current study. Most participants were within the age group of 15–25 years old (42.9%), single (47.9%), and educated with a bachelor's degree (70%). Out of a total of 14 points, the average knowledge score for all participants was 7.3 ± 2.31 (range: 2–14). More than three-quarters of the surveyed participants correctly identified the following risk factors for cervical cancer: multiple sexual partners (78.2%), having weakened immunity (82.7%), infection with HPV (82.9%), and positive family history of cervical cancer (88.9%). Concerning HPV vaccine, 153 (36.3%) participants heard about HPV vaccine and only 20 (4.4%) of them were vaccinated. Only 128 (30.3%) participants stated correctly that 9–13 years old is the best age to start HPV vaccine, whereas 51 (12.1%) participants correctly stated the number of HPV vaccine doses to be three over six months. Overall, 167 (39.6%) participants declined to receive the HPV vaccine. The three most frequently reported reasons included not hearing about HPV vaccine (35.3%), fear from HPV-related side effects (30.5%), and apprehension from HPV vaccine injection (16.2%). Among several socio-demographic characteristics, occupation was statistically significantly associated with knowledge score (p

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a significant contributor to nosocomial infections in neonates and children. This is due to a variety of virulence mechanisms, such as the ability to form biofilms and antibiotic resistance. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of K. pneumoniae infections among children, to determine the association of their antimicrobial resistance patterns, biofilm formation ability, and their molecular genotypes. Methods: Forty-six K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from a pediatric hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. After being identified by conventional methods, they were tested for their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics, biofilm formation ability, and were genotyped by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR). Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent bacteria isolated from children (36%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that the majority of our isolates (47.8%) were extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and 41.3 % were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Among the isolates, 80.4% were biofilm producers. No statistically significant association was noticed between the biofilm-producing ability and the drug-resistance type. Based on ERIC-PCR profile results, isolates were classified into 3 main clusters and 30 different ERIC genotypes. Moreover, no statistically significant association was found between ERIC-PCR clusters and neither the ability to produce biofilm nor the drug-resistance type. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate an alarming increase in the antimicrobial resistance patterns among K. pneumoniae isolated from neonates and children. ERIC-PCR typing showed high genetic diversity among K. pneumoniae isolates, indicating a polyclonal distribution of K. pneumoniae isolates within the hospital averments.

Abstract Objective Estimate the prevalence, and associated risk factors, of high school students who are considered at risk for an eating disorder based on screening measures. Methods An electronic search of nine databases was completed from their inception until 1st September 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted, and confounder (moderator) analyses and meta-regressions examined whether the overall prevalence estimate for of screen-based disordered eating (SBDE) was moderated by student age, BMI, or gender, as well as culture and type of SBDE assessment. Results The mean estimate of the prevalence of SBDE among high school students (K = 42 (66 datapoints), N = 56282] in the sample of 25 countries was 13% ([95% CI] = 10.0–16.8%, I 2 = 99.0%, Cochran's Q p = 0.001). This effect was not moderated by features of the samples such as gender, BMI, or age. Among cultures, non-Western countries had a higher prevalence of SBDE prevalence than Western countries, but the difference was not significant. There was considerable variability in the prevalence estimates as a function of the assessment measure, but no meaningful pattern emerged. Conclusion The estimated figure of 1 in 8 high school students with SBDE—unmoderated by gender and BMI—stands out as a problem in need of attention from public health officials, psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, parents, and educators. There is a great need for innovative, integrated policy and program development all along the spectrum of health promotion and universal, selective, and indicated prevention. Further research is also needed to validate and refine this estimate by (a) conducting basic research on the accuracy of eating disorder screening measurements in samples ages 14 through 17; (b) examining representative samples in more countries in general and Latin American countries in particular; (c) clarifying the relationships between SBDE and age throughout the different phases of late childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood; and (d) investigating whether there are meaningful forms of disordered eating and whether these are associated with variables such as gender, ethnicity, and BMI.

Nutrition serves as the cornerstone of an athlete’s life, exerting a profound impact on their performance and overall well-being. To unlock their full potential, athletes must adhere to a well-balanced diet tailored to their specific nutritional needs. This approach not only enables them to achieve optimal performance levels but also facilitates efficient recovery and reduces the risk of injuries. In addition to maintaining a balanced diet, many athletes also embrace the use of nutritional supplements to complement their dietary intake and support their training goals. These supplements cover a wide range of options, addressing nutrient deficiencies, enhancing recovery, promoting muscle synthesis, boosting energy levels, and optimizing performance in their respective sports or activities. The primary objective of this narrative review is to comprehensively explore the diverse nutritional requirements that athletes face to optimize their performance, recovery, and overall well-being. Through a thorough literature search across databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, we aim to provide evidence-based recommendations and shed light on the optimal daily intakes of carbohydrates, protein, fats, micronutrients, hydration strategies, ergogenic aids, nutritional supplements, and nutrient timing. Furthermore, our aim is to dispel common misconceptions regarding sports nutrition, providing athletes with accurate information and empowering them in their nutritional choices.

Pragmatics, as a discipline within linguistics, represents the most comprehensive branch of text science. It revolves around the study of linguistic communication and delves into the intricate relationships between sentences, contexts, and conditions across various languages. Consequently, pragmatics explores language as a rhetorical, communicative, and social phenomenon, while also focusing on the analysis of verbal aspects, known as pragmatism. The primary focus of pragmatics lies in understanding the interplay between a text and its context. This entails examining the internal structure of the text and its connection to communicative elements, specifically the Autonomus Syntax, which is vital for its intelligibility. In this regard, the present study investigates the key deliberative mechanisms present in the poem "Nahj Al-Burda," such as context, background knowledge, and the verbal verb theory. The findings of this research indicate that Shauqi's poem heavily draws inspiration from Imam Busiri's "Burda" poem, and numerous intertextualities share similar characteristics without any contradictions. Despite these similarities, Shauqi's literary style emerges as distinct and novel when compared to Busiri's poem. Shauqi's poem exhibits a profound message, a fresh style, genuine expression of reality, and a skillful portrayal of meaning and significance. Moreover, it captivates with its powerful ideas, leaving a lasting impact without losing its potency. Keywords: Pragmatics, linguistics, intelligibility, ahmad shauqi, intertextualities.

Purpose: This study examines the impact of participation in a STEM Enrichment Summer Bridge Program, funded by the NSF Houston-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, on undergraduate student success outcomes, particularly for under-represented students. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis to examine the effects of participation in the STEM enrichment program on graduation and retention in STEM after matching on baseline socio-demographic and pre-college characteristics. Findings: The analysis found that program participation had a significant effect on increasing both the graduation rates and retention of under-represented minority students in STEM fields. In addition, results indicated that program participation had a particularly strong impact for Pell-eligible students in terms of course grades. Research limitations/implications: Data obtained for this study were limited to a single Hispanic-serving/Asian-serving institution, and therefore are not necessarily representative of the graduation and retention trends of the larger population of underrepresented minority (URM) students across the nation. Originality/value: This study uniquely adds to the existing body of literature surrounding the retention of URM students in STEM fields by accounting for baseline variables, such as pre-college academic achievement and socio-demographic characteristics, that could lead to bias in estimating results. Specifically, this study addresses limitations of previous studies by comparing participants and non-participants of the STEM enrichment program who are matched on a selection of baseline characteristics.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common form of eye cancer experienced in childhood. Its aggressive malignancy is associated with excellent survival rates in high-income countries; however, the prognosis in third-world countries is less favorable. Early diagnosis can maximize the patient’s visual outcomes and their survival rate. Therapy should be conducted in highly specialized treatment centers. Intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) in bilaterally affected children currently forms the majority of therapy. Local destructive procedures and local chemotherapies such as intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) or intravitreal chemotherapy can be taken into consideration depending on the extent and size of the tumor. Nonetheless, children and parents remain under constant stress, revisiting doctors for medical treatment and fearing vision loss and even enucleation of the eye. Adequate molecular patient stratification to improve targeted therapy is still lacking. This retrospective study analyzed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from a cohort of 21 RB samples. A total of 11 of those samples showed undifferentiated retinoblastoma (URB) histopathological risk features, and the other 10 showed differentiated retinoblastoma (DRB) histopathological grading. RNA from all samples was isolated and analyzed via digital gene expression patterns. Conductors of cell survival and DNA repair were dominant in the DRB samples. In contrast, the agents responsible for cell–cycle progression and apoptosis were overexpressed in URB samples. Our work reveals the importance of molecular mechanisms within the immune system subjected to histologic subtypes of RB, providing more detailed background on their genetic behavior. This is of great interest for therapeutic strategies, such as targeted immune- and gene-based therapies, for retinoblastoma.

Political conflicts can have adverse effects on the lives of people. All aspects of life are affected such as access to health, education, economics, social well-being, and human rights. How political conflicts affect the mental and physical well-being of a community is particularly concerning. This study aimed at exploring the impact of the political conflict on families’ livelihood and health. We also explored the strategies the families use to cope in their environment. This research uses qualitative research methods to explore in depth the ways political conflicts impact the lives of residents in the H2 areas of Hebron city in Palestine. The research shows that mental health mediates the effects of violence on almost all other aspects of family life. Participants in this research emphasized the importance of social support from organizations, family members, neighbors, communities, and other regions in helping them persevere. In fact, one particular outcome of this research is that when faced with oppression from external and foreign powers, the oppressed communities tend to stick together and support each other to a greater extent than during times of peace. We termed this positive outcome of political violence as the separation oppression-unification theory to show how when one group separates itself and oppresses another group, members of the oppressed group tend to set aside their differences and stick together against their common oppressor by increasing social support and cohesion.

Background: Less is understood about female’s nutrient intake’s impact on the severity of the menstrual cycle (MC) symptoms, which consequently interferes with their life quality. Objectives: The goal of this study is to look at the relationship between female nutrient consumption and the severity of MC symptoms to better understand how food affects women’s quality of life during their MCs. Design: To investigate this impact among healthy adult women, a self-administered, cross-sectional online questionnaire was obtained from 204 regularly menstruating women aged between 18 and 40. Methods: The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, a semi-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), Arabic Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (A-PMS-S) for MC symptoms. Results: Results showed intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was associated with lower no to mild versus moderate to severe physical symptoms (odds ratio (OR): 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.85; p 0.1). Thiamine prevented psychological symptoms (OR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.02–0.02; p

General food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have not been tailored for or validated in individuals with psychiatric disorders. Given the unique eating behaviors of patients with serious mental illnesses (SMIs), custom-made tools are needed. Therefore, we developed and validated an FFQ customized to individuals with SMIs. A total of 150 adults with SMIs (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression) were recruited from Bahrain. The participants completed the 50-item Dietary Intake Evaluation Questionnaire for Serious Mental Illness (DIETQ-SMI) FFQ and a 3-day food record (FR). The validity of the FFQ was assessed by comparing nutrient intake to FR intake using correlation and reliability statistics. The DIETQ-SMI demonstrated a good ranking validity compared to the FR based on correlation coefficients (rho 0.33 to 0.92) for energy and macro- and micronutrients. The FFQ had high internal consistency (McDonald’s omega = 0.84; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91) and test–retest reliability (ICC > 0.90). The FFQ tended to estimate higher absolute intakes than the FR but adequately ranked the intakes. The FFQ value was correlated with the FR for all the items (p < 0.001). The DIETQ-SMI is a valid and reliable FFQ for ranking dietary intake in individuals with an SMI. It can help assess nutritional status and, subsequently, guide interventions in high-risk psychiatric populations.

Abstract Clinical trials during public health emergencies of novel medical products such as therapeutics and vaccines in resource-limited settings are daunting due to the limited capacity for regulatory assessment. Regulating clinical trials during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone required expedited evaluation to identify medical products that could be promptly introduced to combat the epidemic in the absence of approved treatment or prevention. This article explored the decisions taken by the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone through its Expert Committee on Medicine Safety and Clinical Trials regarding clinical trials oversight during the Ebola epidemic and the lessons learned. This independent expert committee assessed and provided scientific opinions to the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone to inform approval of all clinical trials within 10–15 working days. We also requested for assisted review from the African Vaccine Regulatory Forum and support from the US Food and Drug Administration through a unilateral recognition and reliance memorandum of understanding. In addition, the Agency-ensured structures and systems were in place for reporting and reviewing adverse events and serious adverse events, management of biological samples, submission and review of progress reports, and good clinical practice inspections. Unfortunately, the Ebola epidemic revealed many weaknesses in the country’s clinical trials regulatory structure and processes. Government and partners should further offer more resources to build the clinical trial structures and systems so that the Agency will be better poised to handle future public health emergencies.