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We report the Radiological findings in relation to the clinical features of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 37 symptomatic neonates and young infants (

Transcatheter native mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a novel procedure that has the potential to overcome some of the current limitations associated with the transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve (MV) repair technique. The aim of this study was to describe the key steps in periprocedural echocardiographic guidance of TMVR with the Tendyne system, emphasizing potential caveats and areas of difficulty. The imaging pathway can be schematized in four fundamental steps: baseline evaluation of mitral regurgitation (MR), preprocedural screening and planning, intraprocedural guidance, and follow-up. Baseline evaluation of MR in TMVR includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of MR assessment. A dedicated preprocedure cardiac multimodality imaging screening and planning for TMVR is able to determine patient eligibility according to the anatomic characteristics and measurements, provide information for appropriate valve sizing, and detect features that can predispose to potential hazard or complications. Cardiac computed tomography and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are the main actors in this phase. The road map for intraprocedural TMVR guidance includes the following: (1) apical access assessment: 2D TEE assessment of the site for optimal left ventricular apical access as planned by the preprocedural computed tomography; (2) support for catheter and sheath localization, trajectory, and positioning; and (3) valve positioning and radial orientation. Thereafter, the prosthesis is withdrawn toward the left ventricle and deployed intra-annularly. Post-deployment includes assessment for correct clocking and hemodynamics, perivalvular leakage, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Two-dimensional and 3D TEE and fluoroscopy provide intraprocedural guidance. The follow-up of the Tendyne device includes the guidelines-recommended imaging pathway of bioprosthesis. Knowledge of multimodality imaging use is key for the interventional imagers and crucial in the success of the procedure.

الأهداف: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم تجربة جامعة السلطان قابوس في التعلم عن بُعد باستخدام منصة موودل (Moodle) في ظل جائحة فيروس كورونا المستجد" كوفيد-19" من وجهة نظر أعضاء الهيئة التدريسية. المنهجية: استُخدم في الدراسة المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، بالاعتماد على استبانة لتقييم التجربة. النتائج: أظهرت النتائج أن تجربة التعلم عن بعد كانت فاعلة بدرجة متوسطة من وجهة نظر أعضاء هيئة التدريس، وكشفت كذلك عن وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا بين آراء أعضاء هيئة التدريس تعزى إلى متغير الجنس، في حين لم يوجد أثر دال إحصائيًا لمتغير الخبرة التدريسية. التوصيات: قدمت الدراسة بعض التوصيات؛ تضمنت الحاجة إلى عقد برامج وورش تدريبية لزيادة الوعي بالثقافة التكنولوجية، وتوظيف نظم إدارة التعليم الإلكتروني عن بُعد، وتصميم المقررات الإلكترونية.

Chalcid Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius), formerly known as Brachymeria fonscolombei (Dufour), is a parasitoid wasp that infests dipteran larvae of fly, Sarcophaga dux (Thomson), (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) recovered from the dead body of sheep in Bisha City, Asir region–Saudi Arabia. S. dux larvae were infested by B. podagrica. The first instar larvae and pupae of B. podagrica were found inside the larvae and pupae of S. dux. The adults of the parasitic wasp emerged from the pupae of the host. Adults and larvae of the parasitoid wasp were observed under a dissecting microscope. Identification was made by following the identification keys. It was confirmed that it was B. podagrica, which is herewith reported for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

وجهات نظر أعضاء الهيئة التدريسية نحو تحديات تجربة جامعة السلطان قابوس للتعلم عن بُعد باستخدام منصة موودل (Moodle) في ظل جائحة فيروس كورونا المستجد" كوفيد-19" ومقترحات تطويرها المستخلص هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى معرفة وجهات نظر أعضاء الهيئة التدريسية نحو تحديات تجربة جامعة السلطان قابوس للتعلم عن بُعد باستخدام منصة موودل (Moodle) في ظل جائحة فيروس كورونا المستجد" كوفيد-19" في ضوء متغيرات (الرتبة الأكاديمية، والخبرة التدريسية، والمهارات التكنولوجية)، وكذلك معرفة مقترحات التطوير. وتكونت عينة الدراسة من (144) عضو هيئة تدريس بمختلف مراكز الجامعة وكلياتها شاركوا طوعياً. وقد طورت أداة لتقييم التجربة مكونة من محورين: تحديات التعليم والتعلم عن بُعد، ومقترحات تطوير التعليم والتعلم عن بُعد، واستخدم المنهج الوصفي التحليلي في الدراسة. أسفرت النتائج عن وجود تحديات بدرجة متوسطة صاحبت التجربة من وجهة نظر أعضاء التدريس. كما وجدت فروق دالة إحصائيًّا بين آراء أعضاء هيئة التدريس تعزى لمتغيرات: المهارات التكنولوجية، والرتبة الأكاديمية، والخبرة التدريسية. كما أبدى أعضاء هيئة التدريس تجاوبهم مع عدد من المقترحات لتفعيل منصة موودل بشكل إيجابي في التدريس، وكان أهم هذه المقترحات ضرورة وجود خطة بديلة واضحة للتعامل مع الأزمات المختلفة في المستقبل، وقدمت الدراسة بعض التوصيات والمقترحات المستقبلية. الكلمات المفتاحية: التعلم عن بُعد، موودل، موفيد-19، تحديات ومقترحات، جامعة السلطان قابوس

الملخص تهدف الدراسة الحالية إلى تقصي مفهوم الهوية في أعمال الفنانين العمانيين المعاصرين من حيث الوعي بمفهوم الهوية ومدى تضمينها في أعمالهم الفنية، والرموز والأساليب والمدارس الفنية التي يستخدمونها والإشكاليات التي تحد من تضمين الهوية. تكونت عينة الدراسة من (148 (فنان وفنانة اختيروا عشوائياً، ومن أجل تحقيق أهداف الدراسة؛ استخدم الباحثان المنهج الوصفي التحليلي من خلال تصميم استبانة تكونت من (43 (بنداً موزعة على أربعة محاور رئيسية (الوعي بمفهوم الهوية، تضمين الهوية العمانية في الأعمال الفنية، رموز الهوية والأساليب والمدارس الفنية، وإشكاليات تضمين مفهوم الهوية في الأعمال الفنية). أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن تقديرات استجابات الفنانين لمستوى الوعي بالهوية بمتوسط حسابي قدره (41.3 ( وهو مستوى عام (عال (للوعي بمفهوم الهوية، وجاءت درجة تضمين الهوية العمانية في الأعمال الفنية بمتوسط حسابي قدره (91.3 (وهو أيضا مستوى (عال ،(وفي المقابل حقق كل من بعد "رموز الهوية والأساليب والمدارس الفنية" وبعد "إشكاليات تضمين مفهوم الهوية في الأعمال الفنية" مستوى تضمين (متوسط) بمتوسطات حسابية بلغت (86.2 (و (17.3 (على التوالي. كما أظهرت النتائج على المستوى العام أن الفنانين العمانيين يستخدمون أسلوب التحوير والتجريد لرموز الهوية في أعمالهم الفنية؛ حيث جاء هذا الأسلوب في المرتبة الأولى. وأخيرا أظهرت النتائج عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى الدلالة (05.0 ≤ α (بين متوسطات تقديرات عينة الدراسة من الفنانين العمانيين المعاصرين تعزى إلى متغيرات الجنس، والمجال الفني، وسنوات الخبرة الفنية. وقد خصلت الدراسة إلى عدد من التوصيات كان أهمها ضرورة نشر الوعي والتمسك بالهوية أثناء إنتاج الأعمال الفنية خصوصاً الفن المعاصر من أجل الحفاظ على الموروث وأصالة الفن التشكيلي العماني، مع ضرورة تدريب الفنانين على كيفية الاستفادة من عناصر التكنولوجيا الحديثة والأساليب المعاصرة بما يتناسب مع الثقافة العمانية وفق الأصول والمبادئ الفنية في المجال. الكلمات المفتاحية: الهوية، الفنانين العمانيين، حركة الفن التشكيلي العماني، رموز الهوية وإشكالياتها. Abstract The current study aims to investigate the concept of identity in the works of contemporary Omani artists in terms of awareness of the concept of identity, the extent to which it is included in their artworks, the symbols, styles and artistic schools they use, and the difficulties that limit the inclusion of identity. The study sample consisted of (148) male and female Omani artists who were chosen randomly. In order to achieve the aims of the study; the researchers used the descriptive analytical research design methodology by designing a questionnaire that consisted of (43 items) distributed over four main clusters (awareness of the concepts of identity, inclusion of the Omani identity in artworks, identity symbols, styles and artistic techniques, and difficulties of including the identity's concept in artworks). The results of the study showed that the estimates of the artists’ responses to the level of identity awareness was judged as being (high) level with total mean average of (3.41). In contrast, the dimensions of identity symbols, styles and techniques used and the difficulties of including the identity's concept in artworks achieved a (medium) level score of inclusion with mean averages of (2.86) and (3.17), respectively. The results also showed, on the general level, that Omani artists use the approach of transformation and abstraction of identity symbols in their artworks, where this approach came in the first place. Finally, the results showed also that there were no statistically significant differences at the significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean average of the study sample of contemporary Omani artists, due to the variables of gender, artistic field and years of artistic experience. The study reached a number of recommendations, the most important of which was the need to spread awareness and adhere to identity during the production of artworks, especially contemporary art in order to preserve the heritage and originality of Omani plastic arts, with the need to train artists in how to benefit from the elements of modern technology and contemporary art styles in line with the Omani culture according to origins and art principles in the field. Keywords: Identity, Omani Artists, Omani Fine Arts Movement, Identity samples and its difficulties.

الملخص تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى الكشف عن درجة تضمين أبعاد الهوية الوطنية في الأعمال الفنية لطلبة قسم التربية الفنية بجامعة السلطان قابوس من وجهة نظر خبراء المجال. ومن أجل تحقيق أهداف الدراسة والإجابة على الأسئلة استخدم الباحثون المنهج الوصفي التحليلي. وتم تصميم مقياس أداة تكونت من خمسة أبعاد هي: الهوية الثقافية، والهوية الاجتماعية، والهوية الجماعية الإثنية، والهوية التشاركية، وهوية الانتماء الوطني بمجموع (32 (بنداً. وتكونت عينة الدراسة من مجموعة من أعمال الطلبة بلغ عددها (42 (عملاً فنياً تم اختيارها بطريقة مقصودة، كما تم اختيار عينة عشوائية من خبراء المجال من داخل السلطنة وخارجها للحكم على مدى تضمين أبعاد الهوية الوطنية. وقد أشارت نتائج الدراسة إلى أن مستوى تضمين أبعاد الهوية الوطنية في الأعمال الفنية لطلبة قسم التربية الفنية جاءت ما بين المرتفع والمرتفع جدا، بمتوسط حسابي تراوح بين (97.3–41.4 ،(كما أظهرت النتائج أيضا أنه لا توجد فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين وجهات نظر خبراء المجال حول مدى تضمين أبعاد الهوية الوطنية في الأعمال الفنية لطلبة قسم التربية الفنية بجامعة السلطان قابوس تبعاً لمتغير النوع الاجتماعي، والرتبة الأكاديمية، والتخصص الدقيق، وسنوات الخبرة، والدولة التي ينتمي إليها الخبراء. وخلصت الدراسة بعدد من التوصيات كان أهمها ضرورة تعزيز أهداف الهوية الوطنية والانتماء الوطني من خلال مراحل التعليم الجامعي وما قبله في مجال تعليم الفنون، واقتراح أنشطة لتعليم الفنون تدعم التوجهات الاستراتيجية والمبادئ المرتبطة بالهوية والمواطنة الواردة في وثيقة عمان 2040 ،والعمل على ترجمتها إلى واقع من خلال المناهج المدرسية، والبرامج الاكاديمية التخصصية في ميادين تعليم الفنون البصرية والتربية الفنية. الكلمات المفتاحية: أبعاد الهوية الوطنية، التربية الفنية، الخبراء، أعمال الطلبة الفنية، جامعة السلطان قابوس، عمان. Abstract This study aims to reveal the degree to which the dimensions of national identity are included in the students' artworks in the Art Education Department at Sultan Qaboos University from the point of view of experts in the field. In order to achieve the aims of the study and answer the questions, the researchers used the descriptive analytical approach. A tool scale was designed consisting of five dimensions: cultural identity, social identity, ethnic group identity, participatory identity, and national affiliation identity with a total of (32 items). The study sample consisted of a group of students' artworks. A total of (42) artworks were chosen purposively, while the sample of experts in the field was chosen randomly from inside and outside the Sultanate to judge the extent to which the dimensions of national identity are included. The results of the study indicated that the level of inclusion of the national identity dimensions in the students' artworks in the Department of Art Education were between (high and very high), with the mean scores average ranging between (3.97 - 4.41), the results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the experts' views regarding the extent to which the dimensions of national identity are included in the students' artworks in the Department of Art Education at Sultan Qaboos University with respect to the variables of gender, major specialization, years of experience, the country citizenship which the experts belong. The study concluded with a number of recommendations, the most important of which was the need to enhance the goals of national identity and national belonging through the stages of pre- and post-university education in the field of arts education, and to propose activities for arts education that support the strategic directions and principles related to identity and citizenship included in the Oman Vision 2040 document, and work to translate them into reality through school curricula and specialized academic programs in the fields of visual arts education and art education. Keywords: Dimensions of National Identity, Art Education, Experts, Students’ artworks, SQU, Oman.

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to assess Omani teachers’ performance on tasks related to the stages of engineering design. To achieve this, data from an engineering design test was used, and demographic variables that are correlated with this performance were identified.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study employed a cross-sectional design and the collection of quantitative data. A sample of preservice science teachers from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) (n = 70) participated in this study.FindingsFindings showed low and moderate levels of proficiency related to the stages of engineering design. Differences between males and females in terms of performance on engineering design tasks were found, with females scoring higher overall on the assessment. Biology preservice teachers scored higher than teachers from the other two majors (physics and chemistry) in two subscales. There were also differences between teachers studying in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) program and the teacher qualification diploma (TQD) program.Originality/valueThis study provides an overview, in an Arab setting, of preservice science teachers’ proficiency with engineering design process (EDP) tasks. It is hoped that the results may lead to improved instruction in science teacher training programs in similar contexts. Additionally, this research demonstrates how EDP competency relates to preservice teacher gender, major and preparation program. Findings from this study will contribute to the growing body of research investigating the strengths and shortcomings of teacher education programs in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

In the quest to increase production in parallel with reservoir pressure maintenance and to reach the ultimate recovery factor, PDO has been developing the fluvial stacked sandstones using water injection concept under matrix condition. The reservoir is good quality sandstone formation with average porosity (14-24 %) and permeability (20-500mD). The reservoir has weak aquifer support and develops with peripheral water injection. The target VRR is 1 was maintained fairly well in the area in the past few years, until Aug 2020 when few water injectors faced injectivity issues mostly related to the formation itself rather than water quality, so there is a need to compensate for the low cumulative voidage replacement ratio (VRR). Previous study done in year 2015 recommended matrix injection in peripheral mode with possibility to go for controlled fracture injection mode with the need to understand the timeline for fracture propagation to reach the producer wells.Geomechanical modeling results were integrated with well and reservoir management (WRM) activities and surveillance technologies to optimize the injection strategy for improved waterflood performance. Formation fracture pressure data were used to provide guidance on maximum allowable injection pressure in injectors to manage the risk of induced fracture growth. A Produced Water Re-Injection (PWRI-FRAC) fracture modeling and analysis was performed to determine the potential fracture dimensions to provide input to development decisions of injection rate and water quality.Field data utilized to generate different scenarios of PWRI-FRAC fracture model containment and uncontainment in which the contained fracture scenario indicates that injection higher rates >400 m3/day and TSS=140 ppm, would result in fracture half-length exceeding 1/3 of PI distance towards the end of field life. For small thickness units, models show low risk of fracture growth for rates 100 and 200 m3/Day and TSS=18 and 80 ppm. The rate of fracture growth is primarily influenced by water quality and injection rate. Mapped well spacing for critical wells are around 800-1000m away with orientation towards NE-SW direction, fracture growth modeling results give indication that water injectors are less likely to interact or result in short circuiting with producers if injection with a rate is less than 400 m3/Day and less than 140 ppm of TSS and this is also in line with SH max direction (NE-SW) as seen from drilling induced fractures interpretation from borehole images.Fracture injection is feasible as long as the injection rate and water quality are operated under recommended limits (rates

[EN] Learning to speak in a foreign language can be a very challenging task for learners. This could be due to the way speaking is taught, the lack of motivation or limited opportunities to practice the foreign language. Visual art has been found to provide a creative and imaginative platform for communication that can stimulate learner involvement and motivation. This study attempted to measure the impact of an art-based approach on teaching English language speaking skills to intensive English language program students at Sultan Qaboos University in the Sultanate of Oman. The researchers used the one-group pretest and posttest research design. The themes of the art work were based around the 17 sustainable development goals. The results showed a significant improvement in students' speaking ability. In addition, the learners were enthusiastically involved in the language learning process. The findings of the study assert the positive impact of visual art on speaking., We thank the Deanship of Research at Sultan Qaboos University for funding this research study. We are also grateful to the Center for Preparatory Studies for allowing us to conduct the experiment.

The Ross procedure has been considered in children as an optimal surgical procedure due to potential growth of the aortic annulus, lack of anticoagulation requirement, very low morbidity rate and excellent survival. Five-hundred-thirty-six (366 male, mean age 29.4 ± 11.1 years) underwent Ross procedure between 1990 and 2016 and had complete clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. Mean follow-up was 16.3 ± 4.9 years. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to age at surgery. Group 1 consisted of 320 (60%) patients less than 18 years old (223 male, mean age at surgery of 9.5 ± 5.6 years). Group 2 consisted of 216 (40%) patients older than 18 years of age (143 male, mean age at surgery of 26.3 ± 8.2 years). One-hundred-thirty (24%) patients had a redo procedure or surgery. Freedom from all re-operation and or percutaneous reintervention on either the aortic and pulmonary valves was 99% after 1 year, 94% after 5 years, 89% after 10 years, 83% after 15 years and 78% after 20 years. Freedom from redo surgery for AV 99% after 1 year, 94% after 5 years, 90% after 10 years, 81% after 15 years and 80% after 20 years. Freedom from redo surgery for PV was 100% after 1 year, 95% after 5 years, 89% after 10 years, 78% after 15 years and 76% after 20 years. The ideal candidate for Ross operation is a patient with congenital aetiology and an aortic root diameter ≤ 15 mm/m2. A pulmonary fresh preserved homograft seems to perform better on the long term.

The purpose of this study is to identify how landscapes, places, and geographical forms of land influenced craft making identity by addressing Omani crafts enterprises in urban and rural areas. This has been done by interviewing local craftspeople and analysing their responses as a qualitative data collection method using open-ended questions to seek reliability and credibility in the study. The interviews in this research were mostly conducted with participants belonging to ten enterprises under the management of the Public Authority for Crafts Industries (PACI), Department of Art Education and the Handcrafts Centre. Consequently, this study highlights the importance of studying the influence of landscapes, places, and geographical forms in shaping local people's crafts identity by investigating their craft industries in rural and urban areas.

This is a 3-week-old female, her presenting complaints were low-grade fever and a blocked nose for one day. Eventually, she developed progressive desaturation, hypotension, and poor perfusion due to severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Then, she developed cardiac arrest and was declared dead.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), a multi-systemic disease marked by hyperglycaemia, is becoming more common around the world. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known cause of many ophthalmic problems, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), macular oedema, cataract, refractive change, and micro-vascular paralytic strabismus. A significant public health effort has been made to create ocular screening regimens for diabetic patients, beginning at a young age. Aim: to assess the knowledge of diabetic children regarding the risk of ocular complications and prevalence of ocular complications among diabetic children. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was used targeting all accessible diabetic children aged less than 18 years or their care givers in Aseer region. Data were collected from participants using an online pre-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the following data: participants’ socio-demographic data, diabetes related clinical data. The third part covered participants’ knowledge using multiple responses and mutually exclusive questions. The questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by the researchers during the period from 17 November 2021 to 2 June 2022. All accessible and eligible population in the study setting were invited to fill in the attached tool. Results: A total of 499 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Exactly 275 (55.1%) were males and 224 (44.9%) were females. None of the sampled children had other co-morbidities. Exactly 188 (37.7%) children had been diagnosed with DM for 6-10 years, 179 (35.9%) diagnosed for 11-15 years while 43 (8.65%) were diagnosed for less than 5 years. About 88% of the study participants agreed that diabetes may cause eye-related complications, and 87.6% agreed that early detection of eye diseases associated with diabetes may reduce their complications. A total of 85.2% think that the annual visit to the ophthalmologist for diabetics is important. Good control of HbA1c as the best method to prevent diabetic eye complications was known by 67.3% of the study participants. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study revealed that diabetic eye complications among children were not frequent with poor diabetic control. Participants’ knowledge regarding diabetes eye related complications was on average especially for the significance of ophthalmologist visits and early detection of the disorders. Keywords: Diabetes, eye complications, children, care givers, knowledge, awareness, Saudi Arabia

Background: Corneal transplantation is the mainstay procedure performed for sight restoration in patients with corneal blindness, which can be caused by infection, corneal dystrophy, degenerative disorders such as keratoconus or traumatic causes. Most corneal transplants in Saudi Arabia are performed using imported corneas. Aims: To determine the level of knowledge and awareness and the factors affecting corneal donation in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting the population of Aseer region aged 18 years and above. The data were collected using electronic self-administered questionnaire. The tool covered the participants’ biodemographic data, knowledge related questions and willingness of corneal donation and factors affecting such attitudes. Results: Of the 641 participants, 66.1% were males, 47.6% were in the age group 20 – 30 years and 19.2% claimed to have enough knowledge about corneal donation. The mean knowledge score (SD) was 2.13 (1.757) out of 8. Regarding participants’ attitude, 26.7% were willing to donate their own cornea. The willingness was significantly associated with good level of knowledge (p = 0.008). Females were more inclined to donate their corneas than males (30.9% vs 24.5%, p = 0.025). Conclusion: The study revealed a low level of knowledge of corneal donation in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Approximately one quarter of the participants reported willingness of corneal donation. Lack of knowledge was the main barrier, as it was reported by almost two thirds. Key words: Cornea, Donation, Awareness, Penetrating Keratoplasty, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify parental perception of household medication storage. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study utilizing a questionnaire was carried out at Hamad Medical Corporation, the solely tertiary pediatric hospital in the State of Qatar at the time of the study. Qatar is a young developing country with limited data on the awareness of medication storage among adults with children at home and on the safety practices regarding medication storage. Results: Three hundred and five questionnaires were completed. The vast majority of parents were married, one-third of them were males, and more than three quarters were college graduates and younger than 40 years of age. Almost 80% of the parents had more than three children but less than seven. In addition, 23% of participants were health-care workers. Almost 90% of the participants stored medications in a place that is easy to reach. However, the same percentage stated that those medications were stored in a locked place and that children did not have access to them. Approximately 10% of caregivers store multiple medications in one bottle, and the same percentage of participants do not check the expiration date on the medication labels. In terms of the most common medications stored at home, antihypertensives were on top of the list. Our study has shown that parental education and being a health-care worker were each associated with the difficulty in reaching medications (P = 0.006 and P = 0.011, respectively). Moreover, the percentage of participants who shared medications was significantly higher among those who were not working in the health-care section compared to those who were (P = 0.004). In addition, being a female parent and a college graduate was associated with the possibility of keeping excess or leftover medications at home (P = 0.025). Conclusion: Parents residing in the State of Qatar have some deficiencies in knowledge about medication storage. Parent's attitudes and perceptions are deemed vital objectives for population's health intervention.

Purpose: To identify parental perception of a take-back program for medications. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation, the only tertiary pediatric hospital in the State of Qatar at the time of the study. Qatar is a rapidly developing country with limited national data on the awareness of medication misuse among adults living with children at home and on the safety practices regarding medication disposal. Results: 305 questionnaires were completed (response rate = 90%). More than 80% of parents were in between 20 and 39 years of age, 70% of them were females, and 80% were college graduates. Approximately 90% of participants have immediate relatives who were taking medications for chronic diseases. Almost 60% of parents stated that they keep unused medications at home, whereas 10% were not aware of the fate of the left over medications. Approximately 95% of the parents dispose the expired medications. In terms of the mode of disposing the medications, 66% of caregivers dispose the medication bottle or package in the trash can, whereas 14% remove the medications from the bottles or packages and throw them in the trash, and 15% put them through the drain. When asked if participants read disposal measures in the medication pamphlet, only 10% answered “always,” whereas 26% answered “sometimes.” Participants were asked if they have heard of any medications take-back programs, 75% answered no, whereas 14% were not sure. However, almost 60% of them will use the take-back program if available and 18% were not sure. Conclusion: Parents residing in the State of Qatar have deficiencies in knowledge about medication disposal. Parent's attitudes and perceptions are considered indispensable targets for community health intervention. Our next step is to share our data with the ministry of health to spread awareness about the proper disposal of medicines and take-back programs in Qatar.

The “Technological Transition” has had a tremendous impact on cartographic processes and outputs. Atlases, whether national, regional or urban, were affected as they moved from a static to an animated and interactive era. The overall positive development, consolidated by map automation and map animation, has taken various forms and directions. Nevertheless, some graphic and cartographic outputs, especially atlases, still suffer from serious pitfalls, regarding some semiological aspects of the resulting maps and graphics. The Digital Urban Atlas of Jeddah (DUAJ) is a research in progress aware of such deficiencies. It tries to spare it from some frequent errors in map design related to: the choice of the base map, the use of some frequent symbols such as columns and pie charts for multivariate quantitative data, and the alternative solutions to choropleth maps. These deficiencies are selected and examined among others. The authors are convinced that the generated maps and diagrams that should be produced in digital atlases must be examined with regards to the semiological rules that drew upon the theory of signs perception. They try to incorporate the basic principles of graphic semiology reviewed, corrected and adapted to the GIS requirements. This is also meant to avoid map noises and deficiencies. The goal is to attract future Digital Atlases producers towards developing higher interest in map look and design and users to grasp messages rapidly. Specifically, the use of GIS and linked spatial databases within the DUAJ should not pay attention only to data handling and crossing, but also, to the semiological features of the outputs and relevant visual communication. In its preliminary stage, the DUAJ should give answers not only to the three questions raised in this research but also to others not examined here. This is to prevent from incorrect, irrelevant or inadequate use of the cartographic tools and, following the analysis of concrete examples, to propose a set of recommendations in establishing maps and graphics. When necessary, the DUAJ GIS-based outputs are inserted in CAD or CAC systems to benefit from some their specific visual tricks and subtleties that yield better legibility and efficiency of communication for Atlases users as recommended by authors. This experience is discussed regarding its eventual contribution to better map reading through some examples of maps and graphics from the DUAJ project (in progress).

Manuscripts are known for their historical role as explanatory drawings for medical and literary manuscripts. However, the Muslim artist had initially recourse to this Art to speak about his reality including the daily life aspects and his spiritual world. Despite the richness of Islamic manuscript paintings and the prevalence of this Art practice by Muslim artists throughout several periods and eras, both the public and scientific interest are still very limited. This current research aims to determine the artistic and aesthetic values of the manuscript paintings in both Arabic and Persian schools. The goal is to contribute to appreciating manuscript paintings, revitalize the interest and develop their aesthetic and artistic aspects. Through this research we also discuss and analyze the differences between Arabic and Persian schools through selected models from both of them.

This research aimed to examine the impact of caricature drawings in the acquisition of scientific concepts and attitudes of 4th grade students for basic education towards science. The sample of the research consisted of 162 students from 4th grade. The results revealed that there were statistically significant differences at (p = .001) between the two groups in acquisition of scientific concepts in favour of experimental group. In addition to that, females scored significantly more than males in the post-test (p = .001), whereas the interaction between group and gender was not significant. The results also indicated that there were statistically significant differences (p = .001) between the two group in the attitudes towards science in favour of experimental group scores. The gender also has a significant impact on developing positive attitudes towards science in favour of females, whereas the interaction between group and gender was not significant. Finally, there was a statistically significant difference (p = .001) between pre- and post-application of students’ attitudes towards science scale in favour of post-application for the experimental group. Accordingly, the research recommends the use of caricature drawings to help students’ in the acquisition of scientific concept and developing positive attitudes towards science. Keywords: attitudes towards science, caricature drawings, scientific concepts.

Introduction: Although patients undergoing elective surgery are assumed to have a lower level of preoperative anxiety, studies reported a high level of anxiety among those patients. . This study aimed at assessing the level of preoperative anxiety and its predictors in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional design conducted among patients admitted for elective surgery. A total of 278 patients with non-life-threatening surgeries were included and those who had mental or psychological problems were excluded from this study. Sample type and sample size. The data collected through a questionnaire about demographics, preoperative knowledge and anxiety in the preoperative room 24 hours before the operation. The frequencies, percentages, mean and SD were calculated, and t-test was used to detect significant associations. Results: The overall preoperative anxiety score had a mean ±SD of 18.2±5.8 and the questions regarding knowledge component reported higher scores than those about anxiety component. The components of anxiety about surgery reported higher scores than those of anxiety about anesthesia. Age, gender, availability of family support and type of surgery were found as significant predictors for preoperative anxiety prior to elective surgery. However, the association between preoperative anxiety and marital status and previous experience of surgery were found statistically non-significant. Conclusion: This study concluded that patients underwent elective surgery had high preoperative anxiety. The patients with younger age, female gender, patients under general anesthesia, or those who had no family support showed a higher level of preoperative anxiety.

As of late, the occurrence of appendicitis has notably diminished. However, appendicitis stays one of the more common surgical emergencies, and appendectomy stays the treatment of non-complicated appendicitis. Acute appendicitis (AA), a typical intra-abdominal surgical pathology, obliges a comprehensive understanding of its presentation, assessment, diagnosis, and overall operative administration. There are two types of surgery to remove the appendix. The standard technique is an open appendectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy. As with other laparoscopic surgical procedures, the literature defines decreased pain, earlier resumption of diet, and decreased length of hospital stay for laparoscopic appendectomy versus the equivalent open procedure. Nevertheless, this should be accurately considered in the light of the present condition of the open procedure, which already causes minimal risk and is related with an extremely short hospital stay and a low complication rate. Further disadvantages of laparoscopy incorporate increased cost and longer operating times. We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 1988, through July 28, 2017.

Scientific research today is marked by a growing differentiation and specialization in the disciplines and interdisciplinary research. This paper investigates a number of challenges of Interdisciplinary collaborations in implementation of a circular economy approach within textile and graphic designs. These challenges range from achieving economy of scale required for commercial viability and finding secondary markets for the recycled materials to developing ‘resource efficient recycling processes’ that are especially tailored to the specific needs of eco-friendly textile products. Art Education Department at Sultan Qaboos University created interdisciplinary education strategy through an artistic relevant, and engaging the textile printing and graphic design courses in a project. The aim of this project is to apply some natural waste products which contain pigments to be served as recycling sources for natural dyes in textile coloration regarding their increasing interest due to their biodegradability and environmental awareness. The research project was divided in two parts; part one depends on studying the optimum condition of extraction with different co-solvent on different textile fabrics, as the extraction can be an energy, economic and environmental friendly by waste recycling. Part two deals on studying the mixing of the resulted extractions in producing a variety of hues under the effect of different pH values, mordants and mordanting methods to promote artistic printed textile patterns assisted by the graphic design. Therefore, students are introduced to different and integrated ways of thinking, aiming to make them more aware of circular economy and sustainability issues in all of their art activities, from personal to professional environments. As a result, this research is considered as a double scientific leap in terms of development strategies for teaching art curricula through the Multidisciplinary Integration in serving the community and the environment. Keywords: Eco-friendly dyeing, Education, Extraction, Multidisciplinary, Natural dyes, Recycling

Communicative language teaching has emerged in second and foreign language pedagogy due to the inadequacy of previous language teaching methods to enhance English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ communicative competence. However, old language teaching methods, mainly, grammar-translation and audio-lingual, are still prevalent in EFL contexts. One of the reasons behind EFL teachers’ hesitance to shift entirely to communicative language teaching (CLT) is the absence of clear guidance, including examples for classroom activities appropriate for this approach. Thus, the aim of this study is, first, to bridge this gap by suggesting digital storytelling as a classroom activity that is well-aligned with the principles of the communicative language approach. Second, to assess the effectiveness of digital storytelling activity on improving some linguistic aspects of students’ communicative competence. To this end, the study incorporated a case study design using multiple qualitative methods such as participant observation, semi-structured interviews and analysis of participants’ scripts and recordings to measure the improvement, if any. Participants were a class of 32 10th graders who collaboratively created five digital stories over 12 weeks. Results showed students’ favourable views to digital storytelling activity, particularly the ample opportunities it creates for communication inside the classroom. As for communicative competence, improvement in phonology, grammar, and lexicon were the most notable. Finally, suggestions for effective integration and possible future research venues based on these findings are provided.

Left atrium and left atrial appendage thrombus is common in patients with mitral stenosis, causing significant morbidity and mortality. We described a case of rheumatic mitral stenosis, a 48-year-old female patient, who had undergone percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy 26 years back. She presented with an episode of palpitations and breathlessness on mild exertion. She found to have rapid atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Her echocardiography showed severe mitral stenosis and large left atrial thrombus intermittently obstructing the mitral valve. While she was prepared for urgent valve replacement she had cardiac arrest and died. The echocardiogram showed the thrombus was stuck and closed the mitral valve orifice. From this events we did a review in our institution about the mitral stenosis patients who found to have left atrium thrombus by routine transthoracic echocardiography in five years period. Looking for factors contributing to thrombus formation and outcome predictor, as to outline management plan. Learning objective: Our aim is to give more attention to the factors contributing for left atrium thrombus formation and thrombus character in mitral stenosis patients and its clinical impact to prevent miserable events in such high risk patients.>

The study aimed to identify the role of educational supervisors in the development of higher thinking skills in the light of Vision of 2030 for the sample of the study, which included (160) teachers of the primary grades. The researcher used the descriptive analytical method and the questionnaire was used as a study tool. After statistical processing the result showed that there is a role of educational supervisors in the development of higher thinking skills where (life skills management, student competencies management, knowledge economy support, education technology management have obtained medium degree of applicability) whereas the skill of the art of education management, management of the evaluation system have reached a high degree of applicability.

The current study aims to identify the reality of the problem of school bullying among primary school students. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method for its suitability to the current study. The study sample was randomly selected and applied to a sample of (14) leaders, (10) supervisors and (36) teachers. The questionnaire was used as a key tool for collecting information. The results of the study showed the following: the reality of bullying school among primary school students was so high that it reached the arithmetic mean (3.65), And that the causes of school bullying were high enough to reach the arithmetic mean (3.46). Also the absence of statistically significant differences in the reality of bullying problem among primary school students and the methods of prevention and treatment due to the variables "age, job title". Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended: activating the role of primary schools in developing the values ​​of tolerance and democracy, rejecting differences and accepting the other by including them in the study programs and emphasizing them in the interactions between members of the school community and activate the role of parents' councils to exchange information between family and school, and enhance confidence between the two sides, which helps to reduce the problem of bullying that hinder the educational process.

This research aims to present the most important contemporary trends in Art Education focusing on the analysis of the relationship between these trends and their related concepts. It also aims to revive some traditions of art education that are based on a scientific approach, with the aim of improving current practices to achieve quality in both art teaching and art production. The aim is also to offer recommendations for developing the teaching of art in accordance with the most recent approaches in the field. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach to review and analyze these trends. The study shows that there are a number of trends which can be adopted to improve the quality of the input, the process and the output of teaching of art. These include quality assurance standards in art education, cultural diversity in art education, making use of professional artists in schools, creating partnerships with art museums and teacher education colleges and other educational institutions, using new technologies in teaching art, and assessing students’ performance using the “art portfolio” method. Most of these techniques and approaches have proved successful in developed countries. Thus, the researcher recommends that these trends be encouraged in order to improve the curriculum and instruction of Art Education in the Arab countries.

The current study aims to explore the role of the Open Art Studio in encouraging university students to practice arts. It seeks to answer the following main research questions: What is the role of the Open Art Studio in enhancing university-students’ life in terms of educational, sociological and physiological aspects? The findings of the study show the importance of practicing art activities in the Open Art Studio in enhancing university-students’ life as well as analyzing the integrating role of the educational, physiological and sociological of practicing art in the Open Art Studio. This study ended with some important recommendations such as the importance of higher educational institutions in encouraging students’ participation in practicing all types of arts activities and supporting them and offering incentives, the necessity of art specialists participating at universities in planning policy of outside classrooms activities and supervising these activities according to their specializations, and allocating some time in the study timetable for practicing extracurricular activities in all university disciplines. Finally, it recommends the need to further study the difficulties behind the university students’ limited number of visits to Open Art Studios.

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of female morbidity and mortality, accounting for ~25% of the total cancer cases in women. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic α subunit (PIK3CA) mutations serve a major role in downstream signaling of receptor tyrosine kinases. The present study aimed to elucidate the frequency of exon 9 and 20 mutations of PIK3CA and their role in disease progression. A total of 118 tumor samples from confirmed breast cancer patients were collected from the histopathology laboratory at King Fahd Hospital of the University (Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia). Sanger sequencing was performed on extracted DNA to identify the mutations on exons 9 and 20 of PIK3CA. The results were further validated by competitive allele-specific TaqMan polymerase chain reaction. Three mutations, namely E542K and E545K within exon 9, and H1047R within exon 20, were observed in 25 patients (21.2%). Among these, 18 patients carried the H1047R mutation of the kinase domain, while the remaining 7 patients carried mutations in the helical domain. PIK3CA mutations were associated with the estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive (ER+/PR+) group of tumors in contrast to the ER−/PR− group (P=0.021). Furthermore, it was observed that the PIK3CA mutation was associated with a poor disease prognosis. Taken together, the current study emphasized the potential of PIK3CA mutations as an important biomarker for breast cancer classification and the possible use of PIK3CA inhibitor as targeted therapy for breast cancer.