Background and Objectives Excessive video game use, particularly among young people, is a growing problem that poses potential serious mental health risks in many parts of the world. However, there ...is a lack of research on the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Albaha region. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of IGD among a sample of intermediate and high school students in Albaha and to identify potential factors associated with the development of the disorder. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we collected data between August and November 2022 using a self-administered online Arabic questionnaire, which included a validated translation of the IGD-20 test, which is a tool based on the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing IGD. We used a multistage sampling technique, with two administrative areas as clusters, to randomly select eight intermediate and high schools with an equal distribution of male and female students. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. Results A total of 391 participants were included in the study, with an age range of 12 to 18 years. Males accounted for 51.4% (n=201) of the sample, and females accounted for 48.6% (n=190). The prevalence of IGD was found to be 3.5% (n=14), with males accounting for 64% (n=9) of affected participants. The study found that prolonged gaming duration (three or more hours per day), using mobile phones for gaming, and engaging in online gaming were significant factors associated with the diagnosis of IGD (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.004, respectively). Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence on the prevalence of IGD among intermediate and high school students in Albaha, Saudi Arabia. The results suggest a lower incidence of IGD compared to studies conducted in other regions of the country. A larger study with in-person interviews is needed to confirm the findings and extend the generalizability of the results. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for further research to explore the risk factors associated with IGD and to develop interventions to address this emerging mental health issue among Saudi Arabian youth.
Abstract
Potentiodynamic study was carried out on nickel in Na
2
SO
4
solution in the presence of ClO
4
–
, WO
4
2–
, MoO
4
2–
, NO
2
–
and NO
3
–
ions. The anodic excursion spans of the metal nickel ...in a solution of Na
2
SO
4
are marked by the appearance of clearly defined anodic peak, passive region, and transpassive shoulder. According to the data, the anodic peak current density (I
PAI
) rise from 1.82 to 8.12 mA cm
–2
as the concentration of the Na
2
SO
4
solution rises from 0.2 to 1.0 M. It is clear that as scan rate increases, the I
PAI
rises reaching to 11.8 mA cm
–2
. The apparent activation energy of nickel corrosion in Na
2
SO
4
is 33.25 kJ mol
–1
. ClO
4
–
anion addition speeds up nickel’s active dissolution, as well tends to break down the passive layer, and causes pitting penetration. It was found that, the pitting potential (E
pit
) of nickel in solutions containing the two anions ClO
4
–
and SO
4
2–
shifts to the positive direction by addition of WO
4
2–
, MoO
4
2–
, NO
2
–
anions and shifts to the negative direction by addition NO
3
-
anion. E
pit
increased by 0.67, 0.37 and 0.15 V in the presence of WO
4
2–
, MoO
4
2–
and NO
2
–
, respectively. WO
4
2–
> MoO
4
2–
> NO
2
–
was the order in which the inhibitors were most effective.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a challenging and not infrequent complication observed following spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
OBJECTIVE
To summarize ...the data from the multiple studies that have been published, addressing the risk and predictive factors for VCF post-SBRT.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted. Studies were selected if they specifically addressed risk factors for post-SBRT VCF in their analyses.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were identified, reporting both the risk of VCF post-SBRT and an analysis of risk factors based on univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 2911 spinal segments were treated with a crude VCF rate of 13.9%. The most frequently identified risk factors on multivariate analysis were: lytic disease (hazard ratio HR range, 2.76-12.2), baseline VCF prior to SBRT (HR range, 1.69-9.25), higher dose per fraction SBRT (HR range, 5.03-6.82), spinal deformity (HR range, 2.99-11.1), older age (HR range, 2.15-5.67), and more than 40% to 50% of vertebral body involved by tumor (HR range, 3.9-4.46). In the 9 studies that specifically reported on the use of post-SBRT surgical procedures, 37% of VCF had undergone an intervention (range, 11%-60%).
CONCLUSION
VCF is an important adverse effect following SBRT. Risk factors have been identified to guide the selection of high-risk patients. Evidence-based algorithms with respect to patient selection and intervention are needed.
Abstract Researchers face significant challenges because of the inadequate corrosion resistance and weak adherence of epoxy (EP) coatings. We deal with these issues here by means of a novel ...nano-composite coating (EP/nano-CoS 2 ). In order to create a composite coating (EP/nano-CoS 2 ), CoS 2 nanoparticles (nano-CoS 2 ) were prepared and incorporated to an epoxy (EP) resin. The synthesized CoS 2 was characterized using XRD and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. The mean particle size was determined using Scherer equation and found to be 19.38 nm. The zeta potential was also determined (− 9.78 mV). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopies (EIS) as well as pull-off assessments were used to quantify the EP/nano-CoS 2 coating’s anti-corrosion capabilities and adhesive power. The findings demonstrate that the EIS variables of the EP/nano-CoS 2 composite coating are markedly improved when compared to raw EP coating. The corrosion resistance or even adhesion of EP protective layer can be markedly increased by using the synthesized nanoparticles as nano-fillers.
Co3O4 nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) are synthesized using the facile solvothermal method. FT-IR and XRD spectroscopic analyses verify the creation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles with an average size of ...13.20 nm. Furthermore, Zeta potential assessments were carried out to identify the electrical charge of the surface of the produced Co3O4-NPs, which was found to be -20.5 mV. In addition, the average pore size of Co3O4-NPs is 19.8 nm, and their BET surface area is 92.4 m/g. The study also concerned the effect of Co3O4-NPs on epoxy's improvement of mechanical and corrosion protection for carbon steel in salt solution. By including Co3O4-NPs in an epoxy (EP) coating, corrosion is effectively prevented by non-permeable protective coatings that effectively reduce the transfer of corrosion ions and oxygen.
In this study, thin-film composite (TFC) membranes were prepared by interfacial polymerization using halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as an additive on the nylon (Ny) surface as a porous support. The ...prepared TFC membranes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Further, they were characterized using water uptake, surface wettability, and porosity. The effect of HNTs’ content (0.0–0.1 wt.%) on the membrane performance was studied in terms of water permeation, antifouling, and salt and organic dye rejection efficiency. SEM images revealed surface morphology changes, and AFM images indicated surface roughness changes after interfacial polymerization. The pure water permeability decreased from 30 to 16 L m
−2
h
−1
bar
−1
by increasing the HNTs’ content from 0 to 0.1 wt.%. The rejection of Na
2
SO
4
and NaCl improved by 119% and 194%, reaching 92.5% and 65% rejection, respectively. The TFC membranes were also studied for the rejection of Congo red (CR) and crystal violet (CV) dyes from water. The results showed an improvement in rejection of about 290% and 282%, with maximum rejections of 82% and 65% for CR and CV, respectively, using a TFC membrane with 0.1 wt.% HNTs.
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant hospitalizations and deaths, particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs). Various therapeutic and preventive measures have been ...introduced, with vaccination considered the primary preventive measure. This study aims to assess the perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs. Methods We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study on HCWs in hospitals located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, and radiologists who work in the Ministry of Health's general hospitals. A total of 394 participants were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results A majority of the participants (72.6%) were female, aged between 31-40 years (55.3%), and married (59.6%). More than half of the participants (55.6%) had received training on dealing with COVID-19. The mean scores for COVID-19 vaccine refusal, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and perceived effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination were 18.36 ± 7.02, 14.48 ± 3.62, 11.51 ± 2.99, 12.39 ± 3.5, 8.25 ± 2.35, and 8.40 ± 2.46, respectively. Age was found to be correlated with the perceived severity of COVID-19 in non-vaccination (p=0.048), while gender was associated with the perceived severity of COVID-19 (p=0.015). Marital status (p=0.001), years of experience (p=0.009), profession (p=0.019), and education (p=0.028) were found to be correlated with perceived susceptibility. Education levels were found to be correlated with the perceived benefits of vaccination (p=0.007), perceived barriers to vaccines (p=0.002), and vaccine views (p=0.002). Years of experience (p=0.017) were found to be correlated with perceived severity of COVID-19, while profession type was significantly associated with perceived severity of COVID-19 (p=0.016) and vaccine view (p=0.008) Conclusion The study found that participants had a positive perception and high acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. The results also indicated that various sociodemographic factors were associated with the perception and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs. These findings could help in formulating effective strategies to improve vaccination uptake rates among HCWs, thereby reducing transmission and mortality among Health Care Workers due to COVID-19.
This research aimed to develop a better understanding of the corrosion inhibition of the mild steel in acidic medium by new organic molecules. For this purpose, two new compounds namely, ...2,3-dihydrobenzo4,5imidazo2,1-bthiazole (2-BIT) and 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo4,5imidazo2,1-bthiazole (3-BIT) were synthesized and evaluated for mild steel (MS) corrosion in HCl. Analyses were carried out using weight loss measurements, electrochemical techniques, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption of inhibitors onto the steel surface follows the Langmuir adsorption model. Generally, results showed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the investigated molecules was found to increase with increased concentration of inhibitors. Electrochemical tests, i.e., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) techniques, showed that the addition of our investigated inhibitors decreases the dissolution of the metal and generally act as mixed-type inhibitors. In addition, the influence of temperature (from 303 to 333 K) on the corrosion inhibition was studied, and the results demonstrated that with an increase in temperature, the inhibition efficiency decrease. SEM results confirmed that the inhibition process is due to a protective film that prevents corrosion. Similarly, the results showed that the inhibitory efficiencies reach 93% at 5 × 10−3 M in the case of inhibitor 3-BIT. These results revealed that this compound could effectively control and reduce the corrosion rate of mild steel in the corrosion test solution.
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