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Industry Insights: Multilingualism and Safe Workplace Communication in a High-risk Industry in the Gulf
No full textWhile organizations with a linguistically and culturally diverse workforce may face communication challenges, high-risk industries are required to address barriers to effective communication. The nuclear industry is unique because small errors can lead to grave consequences. Based on a case study of language use in a multilingual nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this study reports on heightened concerns with communication flow among multilingual groups in an English-medium work environment. A hierarchy of five different working languages emerged where English serves as the dominant operating language at the site, and Arabic, the official language of the state, takes a peripheral yet strategic role. Three additional languages, Korean, Hindi, and Urdu, are lower in the hierarchy, yet important in this complex linguistic ecology involving a joint venture between the host UAE company and a Korean company, with labor from South Asia. This chapter builds on existing sociolinguistic studies on multilingual workplace communication in the Arab Gulf states but uses an interdisciplinary approach in a high-risk work domain focusing on regulatory compliance with industrial safety policies and practices. The industrial concern with “safety communication” provides the rationale for recognizing all languages, which ensures communication effectiveness
Harnessing Pharmacomultiomics for Precision Medicine in Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review
No full textType 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest-growing non-communicable disease worldwide, accounting for around 90% of all diabetes cases and imposing a significant health burden globally. Due to its phenotypic heterogeneity and composite genetic underpinnings, T2D requires a precision medicine approach personalized to individual molecular profiles, thereby shifting away from the traditional "one-size-fits-all" medical methods. This review advocates for a thorough pharmacomultiomics approach to enhance precision medicine for T2D. It emphasizes personalized treatment strategies that enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects by integrating data from genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, microbiomics, and epigenomics. We summarize key findings on candidate genes impacting diabetic medication responses and explore the potential of pharmacometabolomics in predicting drug efficacy. The role of pharmacoproteomics in prognosis and discovering new therapeutic targets is discussed, along with transcriptomics' contribution to understanding T2D pathophysiology. Additionally, pharmacomicrobiomics is explored to understand gut microbiota interactions with antidiabetic drugs. Emerging evidence on utilizing epigenomic profiles in improving drug efficacy and personalized treatment is also reviewed, illustrating their implications in personalized medicine. In this paper, we discuss the integration of these layers of omics data, examining recently developed paradigms that leverage complex data to deepen our understanding of diabetes. Such integrative approaches advance precision medicine strategies to tackle the disease by better understanding its complex biology.This research was funded by Qatar University, grant number QUCP-CHS-2024-519. The article processing charge (APC) was also covered by Qatar University.Scopu
Readiness for self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during COVID-19, Pakistan
Get PDFBackground: The field of medical sciences has continuously been changing and evolving rapidly pertaining to the newly introduced practices and guidelines according to the principles of evidence-based medicine. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the healthcare practitioners to keep themselves updated and regulated through self-directed learning. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the readiness of self-directed learning among undergraduate medical students. A total of 824 students participated both from public and private medical colleges of KPK. A self-reported validated SRSSDL scale was used to obtain data. The perception of public and private medical colleges students was compared and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Differences in SDL mean scores of student groups were analyzed through independent sample t-test for groups having two categories (e.g. gender, medical college setting etc.). Mean scores of all the five academic years were compared using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The levels of SDL readiness (e.g. good, average, poor) were cross tabulated with gender, medical college setting and academic years categories by using Chi-square test. the p – value was set at 0.05. Results: The self-rated scale for SDL readiness among undergraduate medical students showed a mean score of 226.91 ± 30.074 (Minimum score = 81, Maximum score = 300) with a range of 219. On the whole, among 824 students, 61.3% of students reported good readiness for self-directed learning, 38.2% average readiness. Students enrolled in private medical colleges were more likely to report good readiness for SDL (58.4%) compared to those enrolled in public sector medical colleges (41.6%). Conclusion: The findings of this vast survey suggest that overall undergraduate medical students are ready for self-directed learning in their prevailing circumstances at undergraduate medical education. It also finds that students enrolled in private medical colleges are more likely to be ready for self-directed learning than those studying in public medical colleges. However, further research with qualitative analysis and longitudnal designs is recomended to explore factors promoting or preventing self directed learning
The Media Message in Pharaoh's Speeches in the Qur'an
No full textلما كان الإعلام من أقوى أسلحة الطغاة في العصر الحاضر، ولأن فرعون يُعد من أشد الطغاة استبدادًا وأكثرهم ذكرًا في القصص القرآني، جاءت هذه الدراسة للكشف عن الرسائل الإعلامية في خطابات فرعون الواردة في القرآن الكريم، من خلال تحليل خطابه الخاص والعام واستخلاص رسائله الإعلامية، مع تسليط الضوء على تناقضاته، وبيان منهج القرآن في مواجهتها .
وقد مهدت الدراسة لذلك بتعريف مصطلحات الرسالة والإعلام، والخطاب، وبيان بيئة نشأة الخطاب الإعلامي، ثم استقرأت الآيات التي وردت فيها خطابات فرعون، وحللت مضامينها، وكشفت أهدافها وأساليبها واستخلصت منها الرسائل الفرعونية والتناقضات الكامنة فيها، واستنبطت منهج القرآن الكريم في التصدي لها.
وقد خلصت الدراسة إلى نتائج، من أهمها أن فرعون اعتمد في خطاباته على نموذج الحرب الإعلامية وأهم وسائله التضليل بالإغراء، وغسيل الدماغ، وتشويه الخصم ونشر الشائعات، وإثارة الشبهات، وذلك لتعزيز سلطته وكسب تأييد الملأ والسحرة وإثناءهم عن الإيمان، وقد كشف البحث تناقض فرعون في خطابه، إذ دعا إلى تقديسه، وفي الوقت ذاته طلب المساعدة والمشورة والتفويض وأظهرت الدراسة منهجية القرآن في مواجهة الخطاب الفرعوني من خلال التدرج في التأديب، وبيان أسباب استحقاق العقاب، والتحلي بالحكمة والثبات، مع تقديم نماذج عملية لصمود المؤمنين، مما يعزز مبادئ مقاومة الطغيان بالحجة والإيمان، ويفضح أساليب التلاعب والتضليل التي يستخدمها الطغاة.Since media is one of the most powerful weapons of tyrants today, and since
Pharaoh is considered one of the most oppressive and frequently mentioned tyrants in
the Quranic narratives, this study focuses on uncovering the media messages in
Pharaoh’s speeches as presented in the Quran. It analyzes both his public and private
discourse, extracts the embedded media messages, highlights their contradictions, and
examines the Quranic approach in responding to them.
To achieve this, the study begins by defining key terms, including "message,"
"media," and "discourse," while also outlining the context in which Pharaoh’s media
discourse emerged. It then systematically analyzes the Quranic verses that document
Pharaoh’s speeches, identifying their objectives, methods, contradictions, and
underlying strategies. Additionally, the study explores the Quran’s methodology in
countering Pharaoh’s discourse.
The study concludes with several key findings. Notably, Pharaoh employed a
form of media warfare, relying on tactics such as deception through enticement,
brainwashing, character assassination, rumor propagation, and the stirring of doubts
aimed at consolidating his power, securing the allegiance of the elite and magicians,
and deterring them from embracing faith. The study also reveals the contradictions
within Pharaoh’s speech, as he simultaneously called for his own definition while
seeking counsel, assistance, and authorization. Furthermore, the research illustrates the
Quranic strategy in confronting Pharaoh’s rhetoric through gradual disciplinary
measures, clarifying the reasons for deserved punishment, maintaining wisdom and
perseverance, and presenting practical examples of the steadfastness of believers. This
approach ultimately reinforces the principles of resisting tyranny through faith and
argumentation while exposing the manipulative techniques employed by oppressors
Clinical outcome of OviTex reinforced tissue matrix in hernia repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground: This review provides a comprehensive and current overview of the clinical outcomes associated with the use of OviTex reinforced tissue matrix (RTM) in hernia repair. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Our search included research publications related to clinical outcomes involving the use of OviTex RTM in hernia repair up to August 2023. We extensively examined and extracted relevant data from databases such as Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. The meta-analysis included comparisons related to body mass index (BMI) in hernia treatment, primary abdominal wall hernias treated with OviTex, and other relevant factors. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) scale. Our systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) under registration number CRD42023456009. Results: A total of 9 observational studies involving 990 patients from three countries (USA, Netherlands, and Germany) were included in our study. Pooled results show that the risk of the OviTex group was lower than that of the comparison group (pooled risk ratio (RR) = 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.05; Z = -1.514; p = 0.13). The prevalence rate of primary abdominal wall hernia among the included studies ranged from a minimum of 43% (95% CI: 30–58) to a maximum of 81% (95% CI: 64–91%), the risk was not significantly higher in the comparison group compared with the OviTex group (pooled RR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.29–4.30; Z = 0.155; p = 0.877), the prevalence of laparoscopic surgery was 12% (95% CI: 6–19%), the BMI was favorable in the comparison group but was not statistically significant (mean difference = 25; 95% CI: -0.02, 0.52; p = 0.073). Conclusion: OviTex RTM has shown promising outcomes in abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia repair. However, it is crucial to conduct further research and clinical studies to confirm these findings and unlock the capabilities of OviTex across different medical scenarios.This article was funded by the Qatar National Library
"The Purposes of Surahs According to Al-Mahāʾimī: A Comparative Study with Al-Biqāʿī"
No full textاهتم العلماء بالمقاصد القرآنية، كعنايتهم بمقاصد الشريعة واجتهدوا في بيانهما؛ نظرًا لكونها غير منصوص عليها بالكلية، ومن بينهم المهايمي المعاصر للبقاعي في تفسيره: (تبصير الرحمن وتيسير المنان ببعض ما يشير إلى إعجاز القرآن الذي تناول المقاصد، والهدف الرئيس للبحث بيان جهد المهايمي في إبراز مقاصد سور القرآن، ومقارنته مع البقاعي.
واعتمد البحث المنهج الوصفي والتحليلي والاستقرائي ، بالإضافية للمنهج المقارن.
فتضمن البحث فصلا تمهيديًا للتعريف بمفهوم المقاصد قبل المهايمي والبقاعي، وتعريفا بالمهايمي وتفسيره وتعريفا بالبقاعي، وثلاثة فصول رئيسة ابتدأت بمقاصد السور المكية، ثم مقاصد السور المدنية، وختمت بمنهج المهايمي في تسمية المقاصد.
وأبرز ما توصلت إليه تنوع تعبيرات المهايمي المتناولة للمقاصد، وتفريقه العملي دون النظري بين مقاصد المكي والمدني، وتوظيفه العناصر (اسم السورة تفسير البسملة، مطلع السورة، تعيين مقصد أو مقاصد في تشكيل رؤيته الكلية للمقاصد القرآنية، فكان مفتاحمقاصد السور تفسير البسملة، ومفتاح مقاصد القرآن مبنيًا على مقصد السورة وارتباطه باسم السورة. فالمهايمي تناول المقاصد القرآنية بينما البقاعي اكتفى بمقاصد السور، مع كونهما منطلقين من اسم السورة.
وقد انتهت الرسالة إلى أن المهايمي يرتب المقاصد وفق مستويات منتظمة تشكل صورة كلية متكاملة بتوضيح صيغة المبدأ، وتنصيص على القانون الإلهي، وإجمال لقانون أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، وتفصيل لاستعدادات أمة النبي، وتقرير لواجب أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم تجاه الوحي، مع العناية في مستوى تفصيل الاستعداد بثلاث جهات هي : المخاطب، والخطاب، والمخاطبون، متناولا بيان صفتها وفعلها والواجب تجاهها. أما البقاعي فقد تميز بسعة اطلاعه على الحديث وتوظيف فضائل السور في استنباط المقاصد ومراعاة أواخر السورة السابقة، واعتبار المكي والمدني في تعيين مقصد السورة. فأضفى تنوع منهجيهما وانضباطهما بقواعد التأويل على المقاصد غنى وتنوعا، كما أضاء على جوانب مهمة ينبغي مراعاتها في الدرس المقاصدي، والإفادة منها تأصيلا وتفعيلا.Muslim scholars have shown a profound interest in exploring the maqāṣid
(objectives) of the Qur’an, just as they have in articulating the maqāṣid of
Islamic law. Recognizing that such objectives are not explicitly codified in
their entirety, scholars endeavored to uncover and elucidate them through
interpretive effort (ijtihād). Among these scholars is al-Mahāʾimī, a
contemporary of al-Biqāʿī, whose exegesis titled Tabṣīr al-Raḥmān waTaysīr al-Mannān bimā Yushīr ilā Iʿjāz al-Qurʾān engages directly with
the thematic purposes (maqāṣid) of Qur’anic surahs. This study aims to
examine al-Mahāʾimī’s contribution in articulating these purposes and to
compare his approach with that of al-Biqāʿī.
The research adopts a multidisciplinary methodology incorporating
descriptive, analytical, inductive, and comparative approaches. It opens
with a preliminary chapter that contextualizes the concept of maqāṣid prior
to the contributions of al-Mahāʾimī and al-Biqāʿī. The study then
introduces each exegete and their tafsīr works respectively. The core
analysis is structured into three main chapters: the first explores the
objectives of Makkan surahs; the second addresses those of the Madinan
surahs; and the third investigates al-Mahāʾimī’s systematic method in
naming and defining the maqāṣid.
The study’s key findings highlight the diversity of terminological
expressions employed by al-Mahāʾimī when discussing surah-specific
objectives, as well as his applied—not merely theoretical—distinction
between Makkan and Madinan chapters. His exegetical approach
integrates multiple elements—such as the surah title, interpretation of the
basmala, the opening verse(s), and explicit statements of intent—in forming a cohesive conceptual vision of the Qur’an’s overarching
purposes. Notably, the basmala serves in his framework as a hermeneutical
gateway to the surah’s objective, while the surah title informs the surah’s
theological orientation and its relation to the Qur’an's holistic message.
While both al-Mahāʾimī and al-Biqāʿī begin their analysis from the surah
title, their trajectories diverge: al-Mahāʾimī engages with the
comprehensive theology of the Qur’an through its surahs, whereas alBiqāʿī confines his focus to the internal objectives of each chapter. AlMahāʾimī structures the maqāṣid hierarchically across multiple layers:
articulating a foundational principle, referencing divine law, presenting a
general outline of the law applicable to the Prophet’s community,
elaborating on the ummah’s preparedness, and identifying its duty toward
revelation. He further refines this analysis by examining the dimensions of
preparedness across three axes—the speaker (al-mukhāṭib), the speech (alkhiṭāb), and the audience (al-mukhāṭabūn)—each analyzed in terms of its
qualities, actions, and corresponding obligations.
By contrast, al-Biqāʿī distinguishes himself through his extensive
knowledge of ḥadīth, which he integrates into his identification of surah
objectives by leveraging traditions regarding the virtues of surahs,
considering the conclusion of preceding chapters, and taking into account
the Makkan or Madinan context.
The distinct yet disciplined methodologies of both exegetes offer richness
and plurality to the study of Qur’anic maqāṣid. Their contributions
illuminate essential dimensions that ought to be taken into account in the
theoretical development and practical application of the maqāṣid-based
tafsīr framewor
FINE-GRAINED TAINT TRACING IN CRYPTOCURRENCIES: A SUB-RANGE-BASED UTXO MODEL WITH VERKLE TREE PROOFS
No full textCryptocurrency taint analysis is critical for tracking illicit funds, but existing methods either over-taint legitimate coins or struggle with scalability. This thesis proposes a finegrained taint tracing model for UTXOs that treats each coin as a collection of indivisible sub-units (satoshis) with unique IDs. We design a sub-range-based UTXO model with the support of Verkle tree commitments to efficiently encode and prove ownership of these sub-units and to validate the correct computation. Our approach allows a user to spend arbitrary portions of a UTXO while providing succinct cryptographic proofs: a membership proof to showeach spent sub-unit existed in theUTXO, a delta proof to prove the UTXO's commitment updates correctly after removing spent parts, and a combined Vroot proof to verify multiple inputs merge consistently into newUTXO.We validate the model's correctness using Kate-Zaverucha-Goldberg (KZG) polynomial commitments ensuring that the sum of spent and remaining parts matches the original commitment with minimal verification overhead. In our design, no on-chain enumeration of sub-units is required , only short commitments and proofs. Key findings demonstrate that finegrained taint can be traced through complex transactions (including coin mixes) without false positives: taint remains tied to the exact units of illicit origin. This work bridges the gap between regulatory needs and technical feasibility by delivering a provably correct, efficient mechanism for tracking tainted cryptocurrency funds at a granular level
In-Hospital Outcomes and Temporal Trends of Surgical Versus Intravascular Ultrasound–Guided Endovascular Interventions for Femoropopliteal Disease
Get PDFBackgroundPeripheral artery disease is a global health concern, with femoropopliteal disease being a common manifestation. Recent advancements in endovascular interventions (EVI), guided by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), have introduced promising treatment options. This study aims to compare in-hospital outcomes and trends of surgical versus IVUS-guided EVI for femoropopliteal disease. MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample database (2016-2021) was analyzed. Procedures were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, and the Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess temporal trends. Propensity score matching balanced baseline characteristics between the surgical (weighted N = 6700) and IVUS-guided EVI (weighted N = 6700) groups. Multivariable regression analysis adjusting for matched covariates was conducted to compare outcomes. ResultsMultivariable logistic regression revealed that in-hospital mortality was lower in the IVUS-guided EVI group (1.6%) compared to the surgical group (3.5%) (OR, 0.386; 95% CI, 0.216-0.692). IVUS-guided EVI also had significantly fewer periprocedural complications (20.6% vs 24.7%; OR, 0.767; 95% CI, 0.636-0.924), including lower rates of bleeding, shock, infections, wound disruption, and respiratory failure. Multivariable linear regression showed that the length of stay was shorter for the IVUS-guided EVI group (β = –1.7 days; 95% CI, –2.2 to –1.1). No statistically significant differences were observed in inflation-adjusted costs, cardiac complications, major amputation, stroke, or renal failure. ConclusionsIntravascular ultrasound–guided EVI for femoropopliteal disease are associated with better in-hospital outcomes compared to surgical revascularization, including lower in-hospital mortality, periprocedural complications, and a shorter length of stay. However, future prospective studies are needed to validate these results
Towards value-based rehabilitation: an analysis of South African policies for people with disabilities
Get PDFSouth Africa has progressively established good healthcare policies and actively promotes the rights of people with disabilities. However, as the healthcare sector is moving towards value-based care to achieve universal health coverage, it remains unclear whether South African rehabilitation policies provide sufficient guidance for delivering value-based rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. This article attempts to ascertain whether the content of South African rehabilitation policies is aligned with value-based care. Rehabilitation policies were identified through a literature search (including grey literature) and discussions with stakeholders in the health policy field. A framework for value-based care was created for deductive policy content analysis. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to describe the content that correlates with the framework's components. The National Rehabilitation Policy and the Framework and Strategy for Disability and Rehabilitation Services were included in this study. Both documents aligned with the value-based framework, however, various barriers in South Africa challenge value-based rehabilitation services. We conclude that South Africa's rehabilitation policies can guide value-based rehabilitation services. However, these policies need to be operationalized and supported by empirical data on disability and rehabilitation services. A concerted effort is required from the government to ensure the allocation of resources for the implementation of policy.This article is partially based on the primary author's thesis of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the division of Physiotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, with supervisors Dr LD Morris, Associate Professor DV Ernstzen and Professor G Mji, received March 2023, available here: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http://scholar.sun.ac.za/&data=05%7C01%7C%7C5cf17236877c456357d408daff11dfdf%7Ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7C0%7C0%7C638102749503749806%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nzNKAHDLDNTb/91vlfUEXODwkd6WCTf9Eas89OT%2BtEo%3D&reserved=0. This work was supported by the National Research Fund (NRF) and Ninety-One scholarship. The views expressed by the authors are not necessarily the views of the NRF or Ninety-One.Scopu
Digital twins for the era of personalized surgery
Get PDFDigital twins can aid surgeons in training and in performing interventions with greater awareness and precision. The range and variety of digital twins in surgery are described, and their use across perioperative care is discussed. While largely experimental, they are beginning to show promise for the enhancement of personalized, adaptive, and data-driven surgical care. Issues relevant to the greater adoption and deployment of digital twins are all considered.This work was supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering under the RAEng Chair in Emerging Technologies (INSILEX CiET1919\\/19), ERC Advanced Grant \u2013 UKRI Frontier Research Guarantee (INSILICO EP\\/Y030494/1). The research was carried out at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) (NIHR203308)