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Global burden of amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and opioid use in 204 countries, 1990–2023: a Global Burden of Disease Study
No full textDrug use disorders (DUDs) are emerging global public health challenges. Here we investigated the global and regional estimates of the prevalence and burden of DUDs, including amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and opioid use disorders, from 1990 to 2023 for 204 countries and territories by using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Overall, trends in global age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years of DUDs increased from 169.3 (95% uncertainty interval (95% UI), 134.4–203.9) per 100,000 people in 1990 to 212.0 (95% UI, 179.2–245.6) in 2023. In 2023, both prevalence and burden of DUDs were higher in high-income countries, particularly in the USA. The most prevalent DUDs in 2023 were cannabis use disorder (age-standardized prevalence, 270.8 (95% UI, 201.7–350.0) per 100,000 people) and opioid use disorder (205.9 (95% UI, 178.7–235.0)). Particularly, opioid use disorder showed a nearly twofold increase in prevalence and burden between 1990 and 2023. In 2023, compared with countries where cannabis use was illegal, countries permitting both recreational and medical cannabis use had higher prevalence rates for all types of DUDs. Proactive and effective policies are essential to mitigate the increasing global burden of DUDs
Tailoring the Electrochemical Properties of Nickel-based Mixed Phosphate Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries
No full textMixed phosphate cathode materials have garnered significant research interest due to their outstanding structural properties, featuring open frameworks with 3D Na channels. These materials offer high theoretical capacity and stable three-dimensional structures that exhibit minimal volume changes during charging and discharging, ensuring good cycling stability and safety. However, their insufficient conductivity impedes their electrochemical performance and rate capability, hence limiting their widespread application. Ion substitution and carbon coating are considered as an effective strategy for improving the conductivity of these materials. This study addresses this limitation by modifying nickel (Ni)-based mixed phosphate cathode materials through iron (Fe) substitution. This approach combines the advantages of Fe-based cathodes, including lower cost, greater abundance, improved thermal stability, and reduced environmental impact, with nickel's higher energy density and voltage potential. A simple solid-state method has been used to synthesize Fe-substituted Na4Ni3-xFex(PO4)2P2O7 (x = 1,2), and thorough structural and electrochemical analyses were conducted for materials’ characterization. XRD analysis confirmed the phase-pure synthesis of the materials, while TGA analysis revealed their outstanding thermal stability. Electrochemical characterization demonstrated enhanced initial specific charge/discharge capacity of Fe-substituted carbon coated Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7 compounds compared to pristine Na4Ni3(PO4)2P2O7. Henceforth, this study presents a promising approach for developing high-performance sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) using lower-cost, highly stable mixed phosphate cathode materials
Influence of organizational culture on nursing perception of quality of healthcare services and intent to stay among nurses employed in public hospitals: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackgroundOrganizational culture significantly shapes nurses' perceptions of healthcare quality and their intention to stay, yet its specific impact on these outcomes remains underexplored in Jordanian public hospitals, where retention and healthcare quality challenges persist. AimThis study aims to investigate the influence of organizational culture on nurses' perceptions of healthcare service quality and their intention to stay in Jordanian public hospitals. MethodsA descriptive correlational design was applied. Validated scales of organization culture, quality of healthcare, and intention to stay were used to gather data on 131 nurses in a large governmental hospital in Jordan. It was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. ResultsThe sample was predominantly female (64.9 %), married (63.4 %), aged 21–30 years (47.3 %), and held bachelor's degrees (78.7 %). Organizational culture subscale scores ranged moderately high, reflecting a positive culture perception. Nurses generally perceived healthcare service quality favorably. Male gender was significantly associated with higher intention to stay, and greater nursing experience correlated with better perceived care quality. All four organizational culture types (Clan, Hierarchy, Adhocracy, Market) showed strong positive correlations with perception of healthcare quality but no significant correlations with intention to stay. ConclusionsThe findings underscore the crucial role of organizational culture in shaping perceptions of care quality but suggest that nurses' retention decisions may depend on other factors. Hospital administration should strengthen organizational culture to enhance care quality while addressing broader workforce needs to improve retention.This study was supported by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2025R386), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The research received funding from the Deanship of Scientific Research at Zarqa University, Jordan. The Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia, funded this research work through the project number “NBU-FFR-2025-112-01”
The Role of the Investment and Commerce Court in Mediation under Qatari Law
No full textتتناول هذه الدراسة بالتحليل دور محكمة الاستثمار والتجارة في تفعيل نظام الوساطة كالية بديلة التسوية المنازعات المدنية والتجارية في دولة قطر، في ضوء القانون رقم (20) لسنة 2021 بشأن الوساطة، والقانون رقم (21) لسنة 2021 بإنشاء محكمة الاستثمار والتجارة. وتنطلق من ملاحظة مؤداها أن المشرع القطري قد تبنى توجها واضحًا نحو ترسيخ الوساطة كوسيلة فعالة لتسوية النزاعات، ولم يكن هذا التوجه معزولا أو منفصلا عن الإطار القضائي، بل تجسد ضمن منظومة قانونية متكاملة. بدأ هذا المسار التشريعي بإصدار قانون الوساطة، ثم استكمل بإنشاء محكمة الاستثمار والتجارة بموجب قانون خاص، كهيئة قضائية متخصصة تتبنى تفعيل الوساطة ضمن منازعاتها الاستثمارية والتجارية المتنوعة، مع الحرص في الوقت ذاته على صون الحياد القضائي واستقلال السلطة القضائية. تسعى الدراسة إلى تحديد نطاق سلطات المحكمة في الوساطة، سواء في مرحلة اقتراحها أو الإشراف على إجراءاتها أو اعتماد اتفاق التسوية ومنحه القوة التنفيذية، مع تحليل دور الأجهزة القضائية المساندة، ولا سيما مكتب إدارة الدعوى، في تعزيز فعالية هذا النظام. يوظف الباحث منهجا تحليليًا مقارنا، يتناول من خلاله النصوص التشريعية القطرية ذات الصلة، إلى جانب دراسة تطبيقات وتجارب دولية كالتشريعات الأردنية والمصرية والفرنسية والأمريكية، بغية الوقوف على أوجه التلاقي والاختلاف في تنظيم الوساطة القضائية. وتخلص الدراسة إلى أن المشرع القطري أقر بالوساطة خيارًا قضائيا جوازيًا يهدف إلى تشجيع الحلول الودية دون المساس بولاية القضاء، كما أسس بنية مؤسسية متكاملة داخل محكمة الاستثمار والتجارة تتيح تفعيل الوساطة في المراحل التحضيرية من خلال مكتب إدارة الدعوى. غير أن الدراسة تشير إلى وجود حاجة تشريعية إلى مزيد من الوضوح في تحديد صلاحيات هذا المكتب، والنص صراحة على دوره في اقتراح الوساطة وإدارة إجراءاتها بما ينسجم مع روح القانون ومقاصده. وتوصي الدراسة بضرورة تطوير الإطار التنظيمي للوساطة في قطر عبر إصدار لوائح تنفيذية أو تعديلات تشريعية تمنحقاضي إدارة الدعوى سلطة صريحة في اقتراح الوساطة وعقد اجتماعات تحضيرية مع الخصوم إضافة إلى دراسة إمكانية جعل الوساطة إلزامية في بعض أنواع الدعاوى ذات الطبيعة البسيطة أو المتكررة. وتخلص الدراسة إلى أن ترسيخ الوساطة في النظام القضائي القطري يسهم في تخفيف العبء عن المحاكم، وتسريع الفصل في النزاعات، وتعزيز بيئة الاستثمار، وترسيخ ثقافة العدالة الرضائية في إطار قانوني ومؤسسي متطور .This study examines the role of the Investment and Commerce Court in activating mediation as an alternative mechanism for resolving civil and commercial disputes in the State of Qatar, in light of Law No. (20) of 2021 on Mediation and Law No. (21) of 2021 establishing the Investment and Commerce Court. The study proceeds from the observation that the Qatari legislator has adopted a clear legislative orientation toward consolidating mediation as an effective means of dispute resolution. This orientation was not introduced in isolation from the judicial system; rather, it was embedded within a comprehensive legal framework. This legislative path began with the enactment of the Mediation Law, followed by the establishment of the Investment and Commerce Court as a specialized judicial body equipped with modern legal procedures, enabling the activation of mediation in a variety of investment and commercial disputes, while preserving judicial impartiality and the independence of the judiciary. The study seeks to define the scope of the court’s authority in relation to mediation, whether in proposing it, supervising its procedures, or approving settlement agreements and granting them enforceability, while also analyzing the role of supporting judicial bodies, particularly the Case Management Office, in enhancing the efficiency of this mechanism. The researcher employs an analytical and comparative methodology, reviewing the relevant Qatari legislative texts alongside international experiences, such as those of Jordan, Egypt, France, and the United States, in order to identify points of convergence and divergence in the regulation of judicial mediation. The findings reveal that the Qatari legislator has recognized mediation as a discretionary judicial option aimed at promoting amicable settlements without compromising the judiciary’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, an institutional structure has been established within the Investment and Commerce Court to facilitate mediation at the preparatory stage of litigation through the Case Management Office. However, the study emphasizes the need for greater legislative clarity regarding the powers of this office and calls for explicit legal recognition of its authority to propose mediation and manage its procedures in line with the law’s purpose and spirit. The study recommends enhancing the regulatory framework for mediation in Qatar by issuing executive regulations or legislative amendments that explicitly empower the Case Management Judge to propose mediation and conduct preparatory meetings with litigants. It also suggests exploring the possibility of mandating mediation in certain types of simple or recurring disputes. Ultimately, the study concludes that embedding mediation more deeply within the Qatari judicial system would help reduce the burden on courts, accelerate dispute resolution, strengthen the investment climate, and foster a culture of consensual justice within a modern legal and institutional environment
A novel virtual patient approach for cross-patient multimodal fusion in enhanced breast cancer detection
No full textMultimodal medical imaging combining conventional imaging modalities such as mammography, ultrasound, and histopathology has shown significant promise for improving breast cancer detection accuracy. However, clinical implementation faces substantial challenges due to incomplete patient-matched multimodal datasets and resource constraints. Traditional approaches require complete imaging workups from individual patients, limiting their practical applicability. This study investigates whether cross-patient multimodal fusion combining imaging modalities from different patients, can provide additional diagnostic information beyond single-modality approaches. We hypothesize that leveraging complementary information from heterogeneous patient populations enhances cancer detection performance, even when modalities originate from separate individuals. We developed a novel virtual patient framework that systematically combines imaging modalities across different patients based on quality-driven selection strategies. Two training paradigms were evaluated: Fixed scenario with 1:1:1 cross-patient combinations (∼250 virtual patients), and Combinatorial scenario with systematic companion selection (∼20,000 virtual patients). Multiple fusion architectures (concatenation, attention, and averaging) were assessed, and we designed a novel co-attention mechanism that enables sophisticated cross-modal interaction through learned attention weights. These fusion networks were evaluated using histopathology (BCSS), mammography, and ultrasound (BUSI) datasets. External validation using the ICIAR2018 BACH Challenge dataset as an alternative histopathology source demonstrated the generalizability of our approach, achieving promising accuracy despite differences in staining protocols and acquisition procedures across institutions. All models were evaluated on consistent fixed test sets to ensure fair comparison. This dataset is well-suited for multiple breast cancer analysis tasks, including detection, segmentation, and Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) applications. Cross-patient multimodal fusion demonstrated significant improvements over single-modality approaches. The best single modality achieved 75.36% accuracy (mammography), while the optimal fusion combination (histopathology-mammography) reached 97.10% accuracy, representing a 21.74 percentage point improvement. Comprehensive quantitative validation through silhouette analysis (score: 0.894) confirms that the observed performance improvements reflect genuine feature space structure rather than visualization artifacts. Cross-patient multimodal fusion demonstrates significant potential for enhancing breast cancer detection, particularly addressing real-world scenarios where complete patient-matched multimodal data is unavailable. This approach represents a paradigm shift toward leveraging heterogeneous information sources for improved diagnostic performance
SINGLE-PHASE PFC CONVERTER WITH ACTIVE POWER DECOUPLING CIRCUIT FOR ON-BOARD EV CHARGERS
No full textThis thesis presents the design and simulation of a 2 kW single-phase totempole power factor correction (PFC) converter integrated with an active power decoupling (APD) circuit for on-board electric vehicle (EV) chargers. A peak currentmode (PCM) control method, originally developed for boost-type PFC converters, is adapted for the first time to the totem-pole topology. To adapt the PCM controller to the totem-pole converter, three sensing methods are proposed and evaluated. All methods achieved effective current shaping with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of approximately 4.4%. The inductor current sensing method demonstrated a fast dynamic response and reduced hardware complexity. To mitigate the limitations of conventional DC-bus capacitors for the totem-pole converter in on-board EV charging applications, bidirectional Buck and Buck-boost APD topologies are integrated and assessed. Simulation results show that both APD circuits reduce output voltage ripple to ±1% using only 17% of the conventional capacitance, enabling the use of long-life film capacitors and potentially extending system lifespan by up to 50 times. While the Bucktype APD cell offers lower voltage and current stress, the Buck-boost topology provides enhanced flexibility in voltage regulation. These findings support the development of compact, efficient, and reliable on-board EV charging systems
تكليف رئيس بالإنابة لقسم التصميم التعليمي وتطوير المحتوى الرقمي = Appointment of Acting Section Head of Instructional Design and Digital Learning Development & Support, Digital Learning and Online Education Office
No full textمكتب نائب رئيس الجامعة للشؤون الأكاديمية يعلن عن تكليف الدكتورة سارة جمعة دبّك، رئيسًا لقسم التصميم التعليمي وتطوير المحتوى الرقمي بمكتب التعلم الرقمي والتعليم الإلكتروني، بالإنابة، وذلك اعتبارًا من 11 يناير 2026
Potential evaluation of volatile organic compounds produced by Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as bio-fumigants for controlling Aspergillus flavus spoilage and aflatoxin contamination in dates
No full textThis study evaluated the antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic potential of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus Y7, Saccharomyces cerevisiae X19G2, and their combined culture (Y7–X19G2) as biofumigants to protect stored date fruits from contamination by the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. Ethyl acetate and ethanol were the major VOCs produced by Y7 and X19G2, respectively. Notably, co-culturing Y7 and X19G2 enhanced ethyl acetate production while reducing ethanol levels. VOCs from both individual strains and their combination significantly suppressed A. flavus mycelial growth and sporulation by up to 47 % and 95 %, respectively and completely inhibited aflatoxins B1 and B2 (AFB1 and AFB2) in vitro. Bio-fumigation of dates with VOCs from Y7, X19G2, and Y7–X19G2 effectively controlled A. flavus growth on dates, achieving more than 99.6 % inhibition. Moreover, AFB1 and AFB2 production was fully suppressed by X19G2 and Y7–X19G2 VOCs, while Y7 VOCs alone reduced AFB1 and AFB2 by 97 % and 87.8 %, respectively. These findings, along with the complete absence of sensory quality deterioration in dates, demonstrate the strong potential of VOCs from W. subpelliculosus, S. cerevisiae, and their co-culture as eco-friendly biofumigants to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in stored dates.This work was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research through the Contrat Programme 2023–2026 and the project PR2I-D1P2: GREENIA–NanoBioTechAgrifood4.0 of the Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cedria. It was also funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation) under the QNRF-MME Award [MME03-1120-210024]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
From global standards to local realities: Understanding the Granada Statements in pharmacy practice research
No full textIntroductionThe Granada Statements were developed to improve the quality and visibility of pharmacy practice research by encouraging consistency in reporting. However, little is known about how these guidelines are interpreted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where professional roles and services may differ. Examining these perspectives can highlight both barriers and opportunities for wider uptake. AimThis study explored how clinical and social pharmacy researchers perceive the Granada Statements, focusing on the challenges, enablers, and strategies that could enhance their application in resource-limited contexts. MethodA qualitative design was adopted, using focus group discussions with researchers in Türkiye. Data were thematically analyzed through collaborative coding and interpretation. Special attention was given to the Statements’ key areas, including terminology, journal selection, perceptions of relevance, and proposed improvements. ResultsParticipants regarded the Statements as a useful framework for clarifying expectations, promoting consistency, and stimulating dialogue about research quality. Barriers included difficulties applying standardized terminology in evolving service contexts, challenges in translating technical terms, undervaluation of LMIC research, financial constraints in open access publishing, and discouraging peer review experiences. Suggested enablers included templates, illustrative examples, modular adoption, culturally sensitive glossaries, and training with editors. A global classification framework for benchmarking pharmacy practice was also proposed. ConclusionThis study shows that the Granada Statements have the potential to act not only as reporting guidance but also as a framework for more intentional, theory-driven, and globally relevant pharmacy practice research. Flexibility, contextual sensitivity, and institutional support are key to achieving this vision
Dual COX/5-LOX inhibition by isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside from Anthyllis cytisoides: An integrated chemical-enzymatic-computational study
No full textEthnopharmacological relevanceAnthyllis cytisoides L. is a forage shrub native to the western Mediterranean basin, traditionally used in folk medicine to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal inflammation. However, its polar phytochemical profile and the underlying enzyme-level anti-inflammatory mechanisms involving COX-1/COX-2 and 5-LOX remain weakly documented. Aim of the studyTo integrate chemical, enzymatic, and computational evidence that links the constituents of A. cytisoides L to COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX targets, thereby contextualizing the species’ ethnopharmacological indications. Materials and methodsThe aerial parts were subjected to polarity-guided fractionation followed by LC–HRMS profiling. From the methanolic fraction, a flavonol glycoside was isolated and structurally elucidated as isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside (I3OG) using ESI–MS, IR spectroscopy, and 1D/2D NMR analyses. Enzymatic inhibition of COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX was assessed (COX via PGE2 radioimmunoassay; 5-LOX via FOX assay at 560 nm), and IC50 values were calculated using four-parameter logistic regression (95 % CI). Molecular docking (COX-1: 1EQG; COX-2: 5F19; 5-LOX: 6NCF) and 100-ns molecular dynamics simulations (GROMACS) were also performed. ResultsI3OG was successfully identified and purified from A. cytisoides. It inhibited COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX with IC50 values of 10.65 ± 1.02, 15.09 ± 0.84, and 15.24 ± 1.18 μg/mL (≈22.3, 31.6, and 31.9 μM), respectively, surpassing the inhibitory activity of the crude extracts for all targets. Docking studies and 100-ns MD simulations confirmed stable interactions with each enzyme, in agreement with the experimental inhibition ranking (COX-1 > COX-2 ≈ 5-LOX). ConclusionI3OG emerges as a promising dual COX/5-LOX candidate from A. cytisoides, providing a coherent link between detailed phytochemical analysis, enzymatic inhibition, and atomistic binding mechanisms. Although selectivity and safety considerations fall outside the scope of this enzyme-focused study, the findings highlight A. cytisoides as a valuable source of multitarget anti-inflammatory scaffolds and support SAR-driven optimization and formulation strategies aimed at enhancing bioactivity