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Saudi Arabia’s Nursing Faculty: A Mentorship Program for Fresh Graduate Clinical Instructors
Get PDFThere is a global shortage of nurses and nursing faculty, which impacts healthcare quality. Saudi Arabia faces similar challenges, with a high need for qualified nurses and clinical instructors. Clinical instructors are freshly graduated nurses who take on teaching roles to train nursing students in healthcare settings. They play a very important role in the education of nurses. However, novice clinical instructors usually face big challenges handling their multifaceted responsibilities. These novice instructors face heavy workloads and insufficient preparation, causing high turnover. This paper proposes designing, planning and evaluating a 6-months mentorship program for newly hired clinical instructors at Mohammad Al Mana College for Medical Sciences (MACHS) in Saudi Arabia. The program aims to facilitate the role transition and address common challenges faced by novice instructors through mentorship guidance, whereby a more experienced mentor provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced mentee to promote their professional and personal growth. A situational assessment revealed that instructors need more help with onboarding, and the literature study showed that official guidance models can be helpful. Program components include mentor recruitment, interactive workshop, co-teaching opportunities and professional development activities. Benner’s novice-to-expert model is followed which aligns mentorship contents with instructor’s development. The evaluation will assess instructors’ retention, satisfaction, teaching proficiency, and mentorship relationship quality. This program can serve as a model for supporting all clinical instructors in Saudi Arabia. With proper implementation, the mentorship program will elevate the clinical instructors’ competence, satisfaction, and retention while enriching the quality of nursing education, which is essential for training the next generation of nurses and meeting healthcare system needs
Navigating Cannabis Legalization: Analyzing Lebanon’s Shift Towards Medical and Industrial Cannabis Cultivation
No full textThis thesis explores the intricate process of legalizing cannabis for medical and industrial purposes in Lebanon, a nation with a profound historical connection to cannabis cultivation. Amidst severe economic and political crises, Lebanon legalized cannabis in 2020, aiming to revitalize its agricultural sector and align with global trends recognizing the economic and therapeutic benefits of cannabis. The study investigates how Lebanon can navigate the complexities of this legalization process, drawing from international experiences and its unique historical context to address implementation challenges and achieve economic and social benefits.
The research identifies significant challenges, including legal ambiguities, economic risks, and the marginalization of traditional farmers. Addressing these issues requires revising existing laws, fostering inclusive economic policies, and enhancing understanding of local cannabis species. The research contributes to political science, particularly in drug policy and state-economy relations, and underscores the need for future studies to focus on the interplay between Lebanon’s political realities and its moral economy in shaping effective cannabis legalization policies
Predicting if Executing Applications are Near Completion
Get PDFPredicting the running time of applications is essential for High-Performance
Computing (HPC) job schedulers and resource managers. However, accurately estimating the execution time of previously unseen applications or those operating on
variable-sized datasets remains a challenging task. When an application’s running
time is underestimated and exceeds its allocated time budget, or when a higher-priority application arrives, it can result in costly delays and resource wastage within
HPC environments.
In response to these challenges, we introduce AWTY, a comprehensive workflow designed to predict if an executing application is close to completion. AWTY
leverages historical application profiles to gain insights into the characteristics of
an application’s final phases. This data is then used to train specialized classifiers
capable of determining whether an executing application has entered its concluding
stages.
Our approach incorporates both single-application classifiers, tailored for previously encountered applications, and general classifiers, suitable for applications not
previously observed. Our evaluation shows that AWTY exhibits promising accuracy
in predicting whether applications are in their final stage of execution
Outcome of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Followed by Acute Toxoplasmosis: Protection or Exacerbation?
No full textBackground: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are common
pathogenic infections with a high incidence reaching 30% and 90% of the worldwide
population respectively. T. gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite responsible for a
spectrum of diseases grouped under toxoplasmosis. The outcome of these diseases highly
depends on the host immune system. In immunocompetent patients, acute toxoplasmosis
is often asymptomatic, and rapidly transforms, after the onset of the host immune
response, to a persistent chronic toxoplasmosis (CT) for a lifetime. CT can reactivate and
lead to a life-threatening condition in immunocompromised patients, and associates with
primary neuropathies and behavioral disorders in immunocompetent patients.
EBV, or human herpes virus 4 (HHV-4), is an enveloped linear double stranded DNA
virus that belongs to the family Herpesviridae. EBV undergoes latency in infected
memory B cells for the lifetime of an individual. EBV is the most common cause of
infectious mononucleosis, a self-limiting disease in healthy individuals. EBV also
associates with a number of tumors and autoimmune diseases. Both pathogens interact
with and activate common Toll Like Receptors (TLR), namely TLR-3, -7, and -9,
triggering a strong Th-1 response, and releasing proinflammatory cytokines such as IL17
and IFN-γ. Despite their high prevalence, the outcome of the co-occurrence of EBV and
T. gondii, remains underexplored.
Aim: A comprehensive bigger project by our team is investigating the outcome of acute
and chronic toxoplasmosis on EBV infection and vice-versa. As part of this project, we
investigated the molecular and cellular effects of an EBV infection followed by acute
toxoplasmosis in vitro and in vivo. As part of a broader project investigating the outcome
of AT and CT on EBV infection and vice-versa, this study assessed the molecular and
cellular effects and consequences of EBV infection followed by AT in vitro and in vivo.
Methods: In vitro, we infected the P3HR1 B cell line harboring EBV, with T. gondii
parasites and examined the replication of the parasite and the expression of lytic and latent
viral markers. In vivo, BALB/c mice were infected with EBV DNA, followed by T. gondii
parasites. The parasite burden in spleen and peritoneum as well as the expression of select
TLR namely 3, 7 and 9, and the proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-17) were
evaluated.
Results: We demonstrated that infection of P3HR1 with T. gondii impacts the lytic and
latent cycle of EBV. We also unveiled an effect of EBV followed by T. gondii infection
on AT in vivo. Indeed, mice injected with EBV DNA followed by T. gondii tachyzoites
exhibited a higher burden of tachyzoites in both the peritoneum and spleens, revealing an
exacerbation of AT. This higher burden of tachyzoites was concurrent with significantly
increased transcript levels of TLR-3, -7 and -9 in the spleens of these mice, and a
significant increase in the transcript levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A, further highlighting an
exacerbation of AT when it follows EBV.
Conclusion: Our study provides insights on the outcome of co-occurrence of two highly
prevalent pathogenic infections and enhances our understanding on whether one infection
exacerbates or protects from the other, shedding light on the involved cellular and
molecular players
The Relationship Between Executive Functions and Career Decision Making Efficacy of College Students
No full textInterest in the construct of executive functions (EF) witnessed an increase in the second half of the 20th century (Cole et al., 2006). Studies examining the relationship between EF and career indecision of college students are scarce. Therefore, the present study investigates whether executive functions are implicated in the career indecision of college students and the unique contribution of executive functions in predicting career indecision and its different dimensions.
The study’s participants were undergraduate university students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) aged between 18 and 23. Executive functions were measures using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions – Adult version (BRIEF – A; Roth et al., 2005) and career indecision was measured using the Career Indecision Profile – Short version (CIP-S; Xu & Tracey, 2017).
A non-experimental quantitative correlational design was used. Correlation analysis showed a negative association between executive functions and career indecision. Furthermore, the findings of the study elucidated that executive functions were significant predictors of career indecision. Particularly, emotional control, cognitive flexibility, self-monitoring, and planning were all significant predictors of neuroticism/ negative affectivity. planning/ organizing was a significant predictor of commitment anxiety while initiation, inhibition, and working memory predicted self-efficacy and career readiness
Plasma Kallikrein and Neuroinflammation in Diabetes
No full textBackground: One of the biggest health problems in the world is diabetes mellitus affecting 537 million people worldwide. It is subdivided into 4 chronic disorders, one of which is Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) characterized by β-cells destruction, resulting in hyperglycemia. The increase in blood glucose levels has different micro-complications including neuropathy and retinopathy thus causing cognitive dysfunction. As a consequence, when an individual begins to experience vision loss, reduced peripheral sensation, and cognitive decline, their risk of falling and injuring their heads increases. Thus, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) become more prevalent among these individuals. TBI can provoke the onset of many neurological and psychological problems. Further understanding of the mechanisms of neuroinflammation post-TBI is needed to address these problems. The maestro of neuroinflammation in the CNS is microglial cells. They are the residential macrophages of the brain, and have key functions in the neuroimmune response and in regeneration. In our previous work, we showed that Plasma Kallikrein system (PKall) holds significant importance in activating and regulating microglia. It facilitates the production and dissemination of inflammatory mediators, thereby contributing to the progression of neurodegenerative disorders.
Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism by which PKall activates microglial cells in a diabetic mouse model following TBI.
Methods: C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin to induce T1D. Once hyperglycemia was achieved, TBI was performed on the right parietal cortex. Our control group is the diabetic SHAM mice. Levels of blood glucose and weight is reported. From the isolated plasma, we will assess the PKall protein levels. Additionally, inflammatory biomarkers in the parietal cortex of the brain will be analyzed at transcriptomic levels. Conclusion: Our preliminary data showed that PKall is upregulated in the plasma of TBI mice versus SHAM. This study will contribute to establish the mechanism through which PKall modulates neuroinflammation. This will enhance our comprehension of neurodegenerative disease development and prevention
Dietary High Salt Intake Exacerbates Serum Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase 1 (Sgk1)-Mediated T Cell Pathogenicity in L-Name/High Salt-Induced Hypertension
No full textMost hypertensive cases are primarily associated with modifiable risk factors like salt intake. Sodium (Na+) concentrates in tissues over time and activates different immune cell subsets, including TH17 and dendritic cells, setting the stage for hypertension development. Previous data has shown that in addition to TH17 and dendritic cells, memory T cells play a vital role in the genesis of hypertension. Memory T cells survive for prolonged periods of time and are reactivated upon repeated hypertensive stimuli. Once reactivated, memory T cells infiltrate the kidney and the vasculature, releasing inflammatory cytokines, which drive organ dysfunction. Importantly, Serum Glucocorticoid Kinase 1 (SGK1), an important intracellular sensor of Na+, was shown to be necessary for NaCl-induced activation of TH17 cells and dendritic cells. To determine whether this role for SGK1 extends to memory T cells, we tested the hypothesis that SGK1 in T cells is necessary for forming memory T cells and activating salt-sensitive hypertension, and that this process is key to the initiation and progression of kidney and vascular dysfunction. We employed mice with T cell-specific deletion of SGK1, SGK1fl/fl x tgCD4cre mice and used SGK1fl/fl mice as controls. Mice were treated with L-NAME (0.5mg/ml) in the drinking water for 2 weeks, then allowed a 2-week washout interval, followed by a 3-week high salt (HS) diet (4% NaCl). L-NAME/HS significantly increased blood pressure and memory T cell infiltration in the kidney and bone marrow of SGK1fl/fl mice, compared to SGK1fl/fl x tgCD4cre mice on L-NAME/HS or in groups on a normal diet (ND). In additional studies, we found that loss of SGK1 in T cells protects from renal and vascular inflammation and injury. SGK1fl/fl mice demonstrated increased albuminuria, renal fibrosis, and IFN-γ levels after L-NAME/HS. Myography studies demonstrated an impaired relaxation in response to acetylcholine but not sodium nitroprusside in mesenteric arterioles from SGK1fl/fl mice, but not SGK1fl/fl x tg CD4cre mice, which were protected from vascular dysfunction. Bone marrow memory T cells were adoptively transferred from SGK1fl/fl x tgCD4cre or SGK1fl/fl mice that had undergone the L-NAME/HS protocol, to normotensive recipient CD45.1 mice fed HS for 3 weeks. Radiotelemetry recording of blood pressure revealed that mice that received bone marrow TEM cells from SGK1fl/fl x tgCD4cre mice did not develop salt sensitivity and were protected from developing a hypertensive response compared to mice that received the control TEM cells from SGK1fl/fl mice. Our data provide a potential mechanism by which SGK1 promotes the formation of memory T cells, their development of salt sensitivity, and their mediation of renal and vascular dysfunction
Patient Safety Knowledge and Compliance Among Physicians in Public Hospitals in Lebanon
No full textIntroduction: Patient safety (PS) remains a paramount concern within the global healthcare landscape. Among healthcare practitioners, physicians, by virtue of their central role in healthcare, have a major direct and indirect influence on PS. Their knowledge and practices shape the safety culture and the prevention of adverse events. This research aims at evaluating PS knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and their determinants among physicians in all 28 Lebanese public hospitals.
Methods: Data were obtained for analysis from a previous exhaustive survey in 2020-2021.
Results: The survey included 111 physicians, of whom 67% were men and 33% women. The average age of the group was 34 years. Most work locations (62.2%) were in rural areas. About 65% reported the absence of PS training in their medical curriculum. Six dimensions of PS knowledge were summed up in one overall score, with a mean of 60 on a scale of 0-100 (SD= 19.9). The mean actual “compliance” of participants with PS goals, was 58.8 (SD = 10.7) on a range from 0-100. On multivariate linear regression, higher compliance with PS goals was associated with the hospital’s urban location, alternating work schedule, presence of a PS office, PS knowledge score, and lower frequency of reporting events.
Discussion and conclusions: Compliance was highest in urban hospitals, often linked to a university, although some notable exceptions imply that urban location and university affiliation alone do not guarantee robust PS practices. Physicians’ engagement, institutionalized prioritization of patient safeguards, and enforced protocols on the other hand appear to be vital determinants of successful implementation. Active monitoring and oversight mechanisms specifically targeting physicians may yield an important improvement, especially since physicians are often looked upon as leaders in establishing and upholding PS standards within a hospital setting. The implementation of PS structures and protocols can be enhanced through a reformed accreditation process integrating more dimensions of PS than is the current practice. Inter-hospital collaboration within the same geographical area to create CME modules for training in PS has been reported to be a good tool for improvement in PS outcomes in Lebanon
Sarah and Epilepsy
No full textA children's book, created by AUB students from the Education Department, for the course EDUC218 as a final project.تُقدّم قصّة "سارة وداء الصّرع" موضوعًا علميًّا طبّيًّا هو داء الصّرع وأعراضه بأسلوب ذكيّ ممتع يتلائم مع حاجات التّلامذة ومستوياتهم الفكريّة. تدور القّصّة حول شخصيّة سارة، تلميذة في الصّفّ الأساسي الثّاني، الّتي تعاني من هذا الدّاء. ماذا حدث مع سارة يا ترى؟ هيّا لنكتشف معً
The Relationship between Parental Monitoring and Cyberbullying Involvement among Beirut Adolescent Students
No full textAs the internet and social media are continuously evolving with time, so are the risks of using it such as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has the ability to impact a person in numerous adverse manners especially among adolescents. According to Bronfrenbrenner’s Social-Ecological Theory (SET), child’s development is influenced by a system of different relationships. Therefore, the interaction of the child with their parents can influence the child’s interaction in the cyber world. Hence, effective parental monitoring can influence the child’s behavior online.
Most research on cyberbullying was carried in Western countries. Little is known on cyberbullying in Lebanon. Furthermore, there is shortage in literature on the relationship between cyberbullying involvement and parental monitoring that studies the four forms of parental monitoring such as: parental knowledge, adolescent disclosure, parental control, and parental solicitation. The current study will address different demographics of the Beirut population regarding cyberbullying. Furthermore, it will examine the relationship between cyberbullying involvement and parental monitoring. Finally it will examine what are the predictors of cyberbullying involvement.
Our study consisted of 238 participants, 91 male and 147 female. Their ages ranged from 13 to 17 and 11 months with mean age of 15.13, all attending private schools in Beirut and were between grades 8 to 12. Questionnaires were used to collect data.
Results indicated that a high portion of the adolescents were involved in cyberbullying with cyberbully/victims having a higher prevalence ratio than cyberbullies or cyber-victims. Verbal aggression and exclusion were the most common types of cyberbullying and cyber-victimization. Male adolescents were more likely to be cyberbully/victims than female adolescents, while female adolescents were more likely not to be involved in cyberbullying than male adolescents. Cyberbullying was negatively associated with parental control and parental monitoring. While cyber-victimization was negatively associated with parental knowledge, parental control, and parental monitoring. Adolescent’s gender and parental monitoring were both predictors of cyberbullying