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Exploring the Feasibility of Implementing Entrustable Professional Activities in Workplace-based Training: Insights from Pharmacy Educators
No full textObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of adapting and implementing pharmacy entrustable professional activities (EPAs) in workplace-based training. MethodsPharmacy faculty, experienced workplace-based pharmacy educators and practicing pharmacists representing various practice settings were recruited for focus group interviews to explore their perspectives on the feasibility of incorporating 15 EPAs reflecting entry-level pharmacy practice. Interview questions were derived from the validated Quality of Entrustable Professional Activities (QUEPA) rubric. Participants were also asked to provide their views on the facilitators and barriers to introducing EPAs in workplace-based training. ResultsFive focus groups were conducted with a total of 24 participants between October and November 2023. Four key themes emerged regarding the feasibility of adapting and implementing the 15 EPAs: (1) clarity and measurability of entry-level tasks, (2) limitations and restrictions in EPA implementation, (3) environmental facilitators, and (4) supervisor influence on entrustment decision-making. Participants reported that successful EPA adaptation requires addressing regulatory and contextual barriers, training supervisors in EPA usage, and ensuring EPAs remain adaptable to evolving professional and health care needs. ConclusionThe validated QUEPA rubric provided a systematic approach to exploring the incorporation of EPA statements in workplace-based training. Participants recognized the potential of EPAs to support curriculum development and expand pharmacists’ scope of practice. Supervisor-dependent influence on entrustment decision-making emerged as a notable factor that could impact the feasibility of EPA adaptation and implementation. Continuous refinement and active stakeholder collaboration are essential for the effective use of EPAs as a supportive educational framework.The authors would like to thank Qatar National Library for providing the open access funding for the publication of this manuscript
Psychological impact of AI on the Undergraduate Student’s Persistence and Career aspiration in STEM disciplines
Get PDFPurpose: This study, part of a summer internship program, evaluates the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on undergraduate students' persistence in STEM disciplines and its impact on shaping their career aspirations. It explores AI's psychological, educational, and technological effects on student engagement, satisfaction, and career pathways.
Methodology: A comprehensive literature review, following the PRISMA framework, informed the study’s foundation. A structured survey questionnaire was developed and validated using the Delphi method and distributed to undergraduate STEM students via Microsoft Forms. Reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha, and normality was assessed through the Shapiro-Wilk test. A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to explore group differences. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and databases such as Web of Science, ERIC, and SCOPUS were used to select the articles and the literature review.
Findings: Educational Level and Mother’s Profession showed the highest variances in responses, while Nationality showed the least variance. High Reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7) across the five constructs Educational Effects, Technological Effects, Educational Implications, Technological Implications, and Engagement and Satisfaction indicated the survey questionnaire’s statistical reliability. The Shapiro - Wilk test results (p < 0.05), indicating that the data distribution for these constructs deviates from normality. The Mann-Whitney U test found no significant difference in psychological impact based on gender or nationality. However, first year students showed significant, which diminished in later years. Among Qatari students, males experienced higher psychological impact compared to females, while non-Qatari students displayed no such gender disparity in psychological impact. Higher psychological impact was also observed in students aged 22-25
Exploring a Sustainable Energy Pathway: Green Hydrogen Production from Sewage
Get PDFWastewater management is a critical environmental issue, as urbanization and industrial
activities generate significant volumes of sewage that pose risks to public health and ecosystems.
Traditional treatment methods often rely on energy-intensive processes that can lead to
greenhouse gas emissions and inadequate resource recovery. Recently, the management of water
and wastewater is gaining attention worldwide as a way of conserving the natural resources on
the planet. As the demand for clean energy sources rises, converting organic waste into hydrogen
emerges as a compelling solution to both energy production and waste management issues. The
wastewater industry plays a pivotal role in this green transition, significantly advancing efforts
toward decarbonization. This integrated approach not only supports renewable energy strategies
but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fosters circular economy practices. In the Muscat
Governorate, wastewater generation increased dramatically from 66,320,737.44 m³/year in 2020
to 77,146,478.50 m³/year in 2023. This substantial rise underscores the urgent need for effective
and innovative management solutions to address the growing volume of sewage and its
associated environmental challenges. This paper investigates the feasibility of bioremediation
systems for wastewater treatment alongside solar-assisted electrolysis for green hydrogen
production. The study specifically aims to assess the efficiency and viability of electrolysis
through a comprehensive laboratory experiment designed to achieve a production capacity of 0.5
kg of hydrogen, utilizing just 9 liters of water. Additionally, the paper will discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of this approach, along with the results and challenges, as well as outline future work necessary to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of these integrated approaches.
By exploring this framework, the research seeks to contribute to innovative solutions for
sustainable energy and improved wastewater management practices, highlighting the potential
for synergy between these two critical areas
Knowledge and awareness towards the role of renewable energy in the prevention of disease
Get PDFSaudi Arabia, a nation deeply reliant on fossil fuels, faces growing environmental and health concerns due to rising energy demands and the associated carbon emissions. With globalization accelerating energy consumption, reliance on fossil fuels like oil and gas has fueled economic development but also contributed to climate change and air pollution, impacting public health. The International Energy Agency notes that global energy use doubled between 1975 and 2015, which mirrors trends in Saudi Arabia as industrial and population growth drive higher energy needs. However, the resulting emissions exacerbate issues like respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, presenting both an environmental and a healthcare challenge. [1,2]
Recognizing this, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 promotes a shift toward renewable energy to reduce fossil fuel dependence, lower carbon emissions, and improve public health. This research aims to assess the public’s knowledge and attitudes toward renewable energy's role in disease prevention, providing insights to support national initiatives aimed at sustainable and healthier energy solutions.[1,2]
Objectives:
1- To assess the Community knowledge about the renewable energey and its health benefits towards disease prevention.
2- To Recommend Strategic initiatives for Community Education about renewable energy towards health promotion.
Method.
An observational cross-sectional study will be conducted. Data will be collected through a validated self-administered questionnaire, distributed via online social media platforms to reach a broad demographic. The data will be analyzed using SPSS Statistics to obtain useful insights. Ethical approval will be sought from the Institutional Review Board at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Participation is strictly voluntary, and confidentiality will be ensured throughout the study
Microbial Electrosynthesis as Novel-Renewable Biotechnology for Resources Recovery, Decarbonization, and Wastewater Treatment
Get PDFThe global human population hit 8 billion in November 2022 and is expected to peak at 10.4 billion by 2080. The high rates of population growth also accompanied the expansion of industrialization leading to larger rates of fossil fuel consumption and waste accumulation (e.g. solid waste, wastewater, and air pollution). For instance, climate change and global warming were mainly due to the increased greenhouse gas emissions resulting from fossil fuel combustion. COR2R is known to be the source of this emerging environmental crisis because it accounts for the bulk of GHG emissions. To address this issue, the globe has implemented several mitigation strategies, including (i) reducing the use of fossil fuels, (ii) developing low-carbon renewable energy sources, and (iii) carbon capture and utilization technologies (CCU), which involves the chemical, physical, and biological processes of COR2R capture. Although chemical and physical processes including photochemical, adsorption, absorption, and electrochemical processes have made great strides, these methods usually have high energy input demands, short life cycles with leaching toxicities, and significant electrode material costs. In contrast to physical and chemical COR2R capture approaches, a biological process known as microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has been proposed as an environmentally friendly and economically viable means of decarbonization, waste treatment, and material recovery. However, MES suffers from several challenges that need to be addressed before scaling up. This research highlights the history, trends, and challenges of up-scaling MES along with investigating MES performance towards value-added chemicals production and extraction through the construction of emerging electrode materials. Eventually, the research endeavors aimed at creating an economical method for value-added product production and extraction from MES are showcased. To achieve the implementation of the MES as a chemical production platform in the context of creating a circular economy, future options to enhance product formation and lower energy costs are explored
Estimation of Origin and Destination in Erbil City
Get PDFOrigin and destination are fundamental concepts in the field of transport and logistics. Origin refers to the starting point of a journey or the place where goods are first manufactured or assembled, while destination is the end of the journey or the place where the goods are manufactured or assembled. Goods are delivered or consumed. The origin and destination of a person or object can be physical, temporal, or conceptual. The origin and destination of a journey or expedition can also have significant economic, social and environmental impacts. The main reason for this study is to collect data and then use it to decide on the overall planning of the city, including roads and transportation systems, and to know which areas of the city have the most trips such as where its origin and destination. What was found through the research was the number of trips, duration of the trip, purpose, most crowded time and number of passengers. On the other hand, results were found show the number of trips from a specific area to another area as a percentage, meaning that at least an approximate number of trips were made, which gives an indication for engineers and authorities to decide how to amend the overall plan of the city. Furthermore, regarding the results found when recording and calculating them, they are quite satisfactory and can be presented as a percentage of the movement after finding them
A promising sustainable energy pathway: Bio-hydrogen
Get PDFOman's strategic focus on environmental sustainability and reducing the carbon emission of energy sources aligns with the global shift towards net zero. As a clean energy source, green hydrogen is a promising alternative in the energy transition. Green hydrogen production can be achieved through multiple pathways, with desalinated water electrolysis being the most prevalent and widely adopted method. Specifically, water electrolysis is an electrochemical technique that splits water molecules using electricity to generate hydrogen. As technical obstacles and the high Capex cost of electrolysis system, this research focuses on environmentally friendly bio-hydrogen production. In summary, by using Anaerobic digestion of wastewater involves bacteria breaking down organic matter in biosolids in absence of oxygen, producing CH₄ (methane) and other components. The methane is then purified (scrubbing) to separate organic CO₂ and H₂, with the H₂ serving as green hydrogen. The separated CO₂ can further be converted into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), enhancing the process’s overall sustainability. The economic feasibility of using sewage for bio-hydrogen production is enhanced by lower capital costs, as it leverages existing wastewater treatment infrastructure. Operational costs, however, depend on energy prices and scale. Anaerobic digestion (AD) produces biogas with a 55-70% methane, 30-45% CO₂, and trace impurities. Direct hydrogen production is low but can be generated through steam reforming or gas separation processes. Purification methods include Pressure Swing Adsorption, Membrane Separation, and Cryogenic Distillation, achieving up to 99.999% hydrogen purity. Hydrogen production from wastewater is an innovative approach that utilizes organic matter in wastewater as a feedstock. Numerous studies have investigated waste-to-hydrogen generation, with a UK pilot waste-to-biohydrogen plant design achieving 78% gross efficiency at a cost of £71 per MWh. The plant produced 3.1 and 45.3 MW of high purity, grid-quality hydrogen, respectively. This process not only supports sustainable hydrogen generation but also enhances wastewater treatment by reducing organic loads. Moreover, this approach supports circular economy principles and contributes to greenhouse gas reduction, positioning it as a viable option for regions aiming to optimize local resources and minimize environmental impact
Enhancing Building Sustainability through Aerodynamic Shading Devices: An Integrated Design Methodology Using Finite Element Analysis and Optimized Neural Networks
Get PDFIn the quest for sustainable building solutions, attention has increasingly turned to innovative structural designs that minimize environmental impact.
Our study focuses on integrating advanced sun-breakers with aerodynamic features to enhance building sustainability through optimized shading device design. We analyze recent advancements in shading devices, specifically optimizing airflow for improved aerodynamic performance. Given the computational intensity of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), we employ an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based on Stochastic Gradient Descent (ANN-SGD) to address these challenges.
Our predictive model estimates key fluid flow variables, including wind velocity, static pressure, air density, and turbulent kinetic energy. Initially, short-run workbench simulations are conducted to validate the ANN-SGD model, which demonstrated excellent regression accuracy with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 4.66%, a Coefficient of Determination (R²) of 0.995, and a Coefficient of Variation of RMSE (CVRMSE) of 8.33%.
These findings contribute valuable perspectives to the future of sustainable building design, offering enhanced methodologies for aerodynamic shading devices
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Community Pharmacists in Qatar Towards Contraceptives: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textIn Qatar, hormonal contraceptives are available over the counter in community pharmacies. However, improper use, particularly by women with specific health conditions, can result in adverse events. Community pharmacists (CPs) play a role in counseling women and assessing eligibility for contraceptives. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of CPs in Qatar regarding hormonal contraceptives through a survey conducted from August to December 2021. Of 377 respondents, 136 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 35.3 percent). The mean knowledge score was 3.01, reflecting poor to moderate knowledge. The score fell between 3 and 4, with a maximum score of 6. CPs mostly counseled patients about contraceptives' names, instructions on administration, and when to start (82.2 percent, 90.2 percent, and 90 percent respectively). About 40 percent of CPs agreed that their religious beliefs do not affect recommendations about contraceptives. Lack of private rooms (57 percent), and limited counseling time (55.1 percent) were identified as counseling barriers. The study concluded that CPs had poor to moderate knowledge but positive attitudes and fair to good counseling practices, suggesting a need for educational programs and interventions to overcome barriers.Scopu
Exploring research ethics through the lens of critical posthumanism in the age of Artificial Intelligence
No full textDrawing on critical posthumanism, I attempt to theorize an alternative, non-linear conceptualization of graduate students’ experiences with AI ethics in the context of an educational research methodology course. The conceptual tools of assemblage, distributive agency and ethical criticality were used as the theoretical framework to examine the complex, relational processes that graduate students ought to engage in to develop AI ethics. As the advent of AI has added further complexity to research ethics, my reflections focus on three key tensions explored in this conceptual paper: (1) blurring lines of authorship, (2) relinquishing agency and (3) abating criticality. The emergent pedagogy adopted in the teaching of this course was useful in responding to the ethical challenges that graduate students, as novice researchers, face in the age of AI. The paper concludes with a discussion on how to better support graduate students in developing AI ethics through pedagogy and policy.This work was supported by Qatar Research and Development Innovation Council [grant number ARG01-0516-230177]