COVARIANCE MATRIX ADAPTATION EVOLUTIONARY STRATEGY OPTIMIZATION OF PATCH ANTENNA FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Covariance matrix adaptation evolutionary strategy algorithm is applied to optimize a dielectric loaded microstrip patch antenna. The optimization process performance is enhanced by not considering the symmetrical factor of the antenna structure. The antenna is optimized to work for IEEE 802.11a WLAN 5-6 GHz band. Experimental measurements have also been performed to validate the performance of the proposed antenna

Very Compact Open-Slot Antenna for Wireless Communication Systems

A new very compact open slot antenna for wireless communication systems application has been designed and fabricated. With antenna overall dimension of 9.2 × 9.8 mm2, the proposed design can be used in many modern communication devices with size constraints. Experimental measurements have also been performed to validate the performance of the proposed antenna. The measured results show that the antenna provides a wide bandwidth of 48% (5–8.17 GHz) with an average size reduction of about 88% with respect to a conventional microstrip patch antenna

The Impact of Simulation-Based Learning on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Satisfaction and Self-Confidence at the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman

Simulation-based learning has been implemented in nursing education to help students experience the real world of nursing, increase their self-confidence, and allow them to practice safely. Through simulation practice, students can be exposed to different patient care situations without waiting for opportunities to arise at their clinical placement. This study aims to explore students’ satisfaction and self-confidence as learning outcomes associated with the simulation experience through the lens of the Jeffries theoretical framework. A descriptive correlation study was conducted from October to December 2020 at the College of Nursing in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. A convenience sample of 52 nursing students in their fourth and fifth academic year were recruited for the study. Student satisfaction and self-confidence in learning instrument was adopted from the National League for Nursing (NLN, 2006). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used to analyze the data. Overall, the respondents from both academic years were satisfied with simulation practice as a learning method, and students’ self-confidence was found to improve by learning through simulation practice. No significant relationship was found between students’ satisfaction and demographic data, including age and gender. Students’ self-confidence was found to have a significant relationship with students’ age only. The results of this study indicate that simulation-based learning is an effective method in nursing education. Keywords: simulation-based learning, undergraduate nursing students, simulation impact DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-9-11 Publication date:March 31st 202

Preventing the Future Pandemic of Diabetes Mellitus in Oman

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DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ANALYTICAL SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC AND RP-HPLC METHODS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF HYDROQUINONE, HYDROCORTISONE AND TRETINOIN TERNARY MIXTURE IN TOPICAL FORMULATION

Objective: Development and validation of spectrophotometric and RP-HPLC methods for the simultaneous determination of Hydroquinone (HQ), Hydrocortisone (HC) and Tretinoin (TRT) ternary combination in pharmaceutical preparation. Methods: The proposed spectrophotometric method was able to determine TRT directly from its absorption spectrum at 362 nm, however, HQ and HC from their first derivative spectra at 284 nm and 252 nm, respectively, without any separation step. The RP-HPLC method was developed using a C18 Sunfire© waters column with a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile: phosphate buffer (adjusted to pH 6.1 using ortho-phosphoric acid) in the ratio of 30:70 %, v/v, respectively at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min. Quantification was based on measuring peak areas at 260 nm. Results: The spectrophotometric method was able to selectively quantify each of HQ, HC and TRT in the ranges of 10-50 µg/ml, 2-10 µg/ml and 0.5-5 µg/ml, respectively. The RP-HPLC method was able to produce well-resolved peaks after 3.0, 8.2 and 20.2 min, in the ranges of 2-10 µg/ml, 0.1-1 µg/ml and 0.05-2 µg/ml, for HQ, HC and TRT, respectively. The obtained A, D1 or peak areas values plotted against the concentration of each of the three components showed linear response in the stated ranges. Both methods were validated in terms of linearity, LOD, LOQ, precision, accuracy and selectivity. Conclusion: Both developed proposed methods were applied for the determination of the active ingredients in the pharmaceutical formulation and the common excipients did not interfere in the analysis. The RP-HPLC method proved to be more sensitive when compared to the applied spectrophotometric method. However, the applied spectrophotometric methods, considered as green analytical chemistry, is a simple, time-saving method that requires minimal use of a hazardous solvent

HAIER: “Beat the Heat”

© 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Title: HAIER: “Beat the Heat”. Subject area: Marketing, brand management, promotion management and corporate social responsibility. Study level/applicability: Undergraduate and postgraduate. Case overview: How does the “country‐of‐origin” issue affect brands, and what do brands need to do? The case of unique and small corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and their impact on creating brand awareness.Aamer Khan, Managing Director Hafet Electrical LLC, the sole distributor for of Haier in United Arab Emirates (UAE) was reviewing their half yearly results. Among the more unconventional strategies they had adopted was one where they used community engagement to get an insight into the local market and develop brand awareness as a caring top quality brand. The CEO of Haier, Zhang Ruimin stressed that “quality is and will remain the essence of business sustainable, whether in the past, present or future”. Aamer was evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy and considering its impact. Should he use a similar strategy next year?This case deals with the “country‐of‐origin” issue, an important aspect in branding a key strategy of marketing. The Haier brand and its country‐of‐origin were investigated among the Emirati (UAE nationals) consumers. This was done as part of a capstone research project by Meerah, Sara and Azza at Zayed University, Dubai. Further, the group created a unique CSR program for the Haier, whereby they invited people to join them in a Walkathon to raise money for a charitable cause. Haier donated various products like refrigerators, air coolers and air conditioners towards this charity. By creating this event, the group raised awareness of the Haier brand among the local population. Expected learning outcomes: What is: “Country of origin” (coo) in marketing and its effect on brands? The role of CSR in corporate marketing communication? The role of small events in building brands? Supplementary materials: Teaching notes

Foreigner-directed speech and L2 speech learning in an understudied interactional setting: the case of foreign-domestic helpers in Oman

Ph. D. (Integrated) ThesisSet in Arabic-speaking Oman, the present study investigates whether speech directed to foreign domestic helpers (FDH-directed speech) is modified when compared with speech addressed to native Arabic speakers. It also explores the FDH’s ability to learn the sound system of their L2 in a near-naturalistic setting. In relation to input, the study explores whether there are any adaptations in native speakers’ realizations of complex Arabic consonants, consonant clusters, and vowels in FDH-directed speech. By doing so, it compares the phonetic features of FDH-directed speech in relation to other speech registers such as foreigner-directed speech (FDS), infant-directed speech (IDS) and clear speech. The study also investigates whether foreign accentedness, religion and Arabic language experience, as indexed by length of residence (LoR), play a role in the extent of adaptations present in FDH-directed speech. In relation to L2 speech learning, the study investigates the extent to which FDHs are sensitive to the phonemic contrasts of Arabic and whether their production of complex Arabic consonants and consonant clusters is target-like. It also examines the social and linguistic factors (LoR, first and second language literacy) that play a role in the learnability of these sounds. Speech recordings were collected from 22 Omani female native Arabic speakers who interacted 1) with their FDHs and 2) with a native-speaking adult (the order was reversed for half of the participants), in both instances using a spot the difference task. A picture naming task was then used to collect data for production data by the same FDHs, while perception data consisted of an AX forced choice task. Results demonstrate the distinctiveness of FDH-directed speech from other speech registers. Neither simplification of complex sounds nor hyperarticulation of consonant contrasts were attested in FDH-directed speech, despite them being reported in other studies on FDS and IDS. We attribute this to the familiarity of the native speakers with their FDHs and the formulaic nature of their daily interactions. Expansion of vowel space was evident in this study, conforming with other FDS studies. Results from perception and production tasks revealed that FDHs fell short of native-like performance, despite the more naturalistic setting and regardless of LoR. L1 and L2 literacy played varying roles in FDHs’ phonological sensitivity and production of certain contrasts. The study is original is terms of showing that FDS is not an automatic outcome of interactions with L2 speakers and links these results with the unusual social setting

A cost effectiveness analysis of salt reduction policies to reduce coronary heart disease in four Eastern Mediterranean countries.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is rising in middle income countries. Population based strategies to reduce specific CHD risk factors have an important role to play in reducing overall CHD mortality. Reducing dietary salt consumption is a potentially cost-effective way to reduce CHD events. This paper presents an economic evaluation of population based salt reduction policies in Tunisia, Syria, Palestine and Turkey. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Three policies to reduce dietary salt intake were evaluated: a health promotion campaign, labelling of food packaging and mandatory reformulation of salt content in processed food. These were evaluated separately and in combination. Estimates of the effectiveness of salt reduction on blood pressure were based on a literature review. The reduction in mortality was estimated using the IMPACT CHD model specific to that country. Cumulative population health effects were quantified as life years gained (LYG) over a 10 year time frame. The costs of each policy were estimated using evidence from comparable policies and expert opinion including public sector costs and costs to the food industry. Health care costs associated with CHDs were estimated using standardized unit costs. The total cost of implementing each policy was compared against the current baseline (no policy). All costs were calculated using 2010 PPP exchange rates. In all four countries most policies were cost saving compared with the baseline. The combination of all three policies (reducing salt consumption by 30%) resulted in estimated cost savings of $235,000,000 and 6455 LYG in Tunisia;$39,000,000 and 31674 LYG in Syria; $6,000,000 and 2682 LYG in Palestine and$1,3000,000,000 and 378439 LYG in Turkey. CONCLUSION: Decreasing dietary salt intake will reduce coronary heart disease deaths in the four countries. A comprehensive strategy of health education and food industry actions to label and reduce salt content would save both money and lives

HUBUNGAN KADAR ASAM URAT DENGAN DERAJAT STENOSIS BERDASARKAN SIGNIFIKAN DAN NON SIGNIFIKAN Studi Observasional Analitik di Rumah Sakit Islam Sultan Agung Semarang

Salah satu penyakit kardiovaskular yang menyebabkan kematian terbanyak di dunia adalah penyakit jantung koroner (PJK). Salah satu faktor risiko penyakit kardiovaskular adalah kadar asam urat yang tinggi atau hiperurisemia.   Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menentukan hubungan antara asam urat dan derajat stenosis berdasarkan signifikan dan non signifikan pada pasien PJK yang dirawat di Rumah Sakit Islam Sultan Agung Semarang. Penelitian  ini adalah penelitian observasional analitik dengan metode cross sectional dilakukan pada 524 pasien PJK selama periode Januari 2019 – Desember 2023 di Rumah Sakit Islam Sultan Agung Semarang. Kadar asam urat didapatkan dari rekam medis dibedakan menjadi hiperurisemia jika kadar asam urat lebih dari sama dengan 7mg/dl (pria) dan lebh dari samad dengan 6mg/dl (wanita). Derajat stenosis didapatkan dari pemeriksaan angiografi diklasifikasikan sebagai signifikan (penyempitan leboh dari sama dengan 50%) dan non signfikan (penyempitan kurang dari 50%). Pada penelitian ini, dari kelompok Hiperurisemia terdapat 318 orang yang mengalami derajat stenosis signifikan (60,7%). Sedangkan dari kelompok Nonhiperurisemia terdapat 41 orang yang mengalami derajat stenosis signifikan (7,8%). Kadar asam urat pada uji korelasi chi square didapatkan nilai p yaitu 0,036  (p kurang dari 0,05). Hasil analisis  multivariat yang paling dominan berhubungan dengan derajat stenosis pada pasien PJK adalah riwayat DM dengan nilai p yaitu 0,000 (p kurang dari 0,05). Kesimpulan penelitian ini, terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara kadar asam urat dengan derajat stenosis berdasarkan signifikan dan non signifikan pada pasien penyakit jantung koroner (PJK) dan riwayat DM merupakan faktor risiko paling dominan berhubungan.Kata kunci : Asam Urat,  PJK, Derajat stenosis,Signifikan dan Non signifika