• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5847-5852
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• 2015

Background: Smoking behavior is related to numerous factors, including psychosocial parameters. This study investigated the association between family context factors and smoking among male adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted during 2014. The study sampled 900 students from intermediate and secondary schools in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Data concerning smoking status, sociodemographic, parental and friends' smoking behavior, and family factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. These data were employed to estimate the prevalence of smoking using appropriate statistical analyses including multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of 900 students, 870 completed the study questionnaire (96.7%). Of the respondents, 181 students (20.8%, 95% CI=18.1%-23.5%) were current smokers, and a much higher prevalence was observed among adolescents with most or all of their friends smoking (48.1%) and those living with neither parent (47.4%). The adjusted risk of smoking increased significantly among adolescents who lived with neither parent (OR=3.3; 95% CI=1.1-9.2) and among those who reported little or no parental supervision (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.0-2.1). Conclusions: Family context factors are associated with an increased risk of smoking behavior among male adolescents in Saudi Arabia.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.473-484
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• 2021

This study aims to examine the role of training and absorptive capacity as a mediator to examine the impact of human capital dimensions on the performance of an organization. This study employs the quantitative approach for analysis. A sample of 208 respondents was collected from the textile factories based in Karachi and Faisalabad. Data was analyzed using the PLS-SEM technique. PLS-SEM algorithm was used to check the validity and reliability of the data. PLS-SEM bootstrapping was used for studying the impact. The results show that the skills have an insignificant impact on organizational performance. Education and skills have an insignificant indirect impact on the performance of an organization. The research findings show that the human capital dimensions are full and partially mediated via absorptive capacity and training. The findings revealed that if we implement one by one dimension of human capital then it will not cause any increase in the organization's performance but if we implement all dimensions then it results in optimal performance. Thus, this study suggests adopting effective training techniques and creating absorptive capacity in an organization to increase the performance of an organization. The findings of this study significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

• Communications of the Korean Mathematical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.187-199
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• 2024

In the present paper, following the pullback approach to Finsler geometry, we study intrinsically the C^v-reducible and generalized C^v-reducible Finsler spaces. Precisely, we introduce a coordinate-free formulation of these manifolds. Then, we prove that a Finsler manifold is C^v-reducible if and only if it is C-reducible and satisfies the 𝕋-condition. We study the generalized C^v-reducible Finsler manifold with a scalar π-form 𝔸. We show that a Finsler manifold (M, L) is generalized C^v-reducible with 𝔸 if and only if it is C-reducible and 𝕋 = 𝔸. Moreover, we prove that a Landsberg generalized C^v-reducible Finsler manifold with a scalar π-form 𝔸 is Berwaldian. Finally, we consider a special C^v-reducible Finsler manifold and conclude that a Finsler manifold is a special C^v-reducible if and only if it is special semi-C-reducible with vanishing 𝕋-tensor.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6741-6747
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• 2015

Background: Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of disease and death, including cancer, and quitting at an early age can reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify factors affecting the "intention to quit" among intermediate and secondary school current cigarette smoker students in Al Madinah city, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This study cohort included 307 current smoker students in a school-based survey. The intention to quit and its related determinants were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: More than half of the participants were ${\geq}17$ years, and of male gender (54.7%, 77.9% respectively). An intention to quit smoking was reported in 71.7% of participants, and was been significantly associated with: male gender (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.65-6.41): age at 1st trial of smoking. 10-15 years (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.03-4.32) along with age of ${\geq}15$ years (OR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.88); days of smoking in the past 30 days (days <10 (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.23-4.35) along with days ranging from 10-19 days (OR= 3.42, 95% CI=1.18-9.91); knowing that smoking is hazardous to health (OR=3.04, 95% CI=1.42-6.47); and finally, supporting smoking bans in public places (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.11-3.25). Conclusions: A substantial number of participants were willing to quit smoking. Effective interventions focusing on providing information about the hazards of smoking and prohibiting smoking in public places could help initiate the intention to quit among youth smokers.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.547-557
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• 2022

Dune sands are poorly graded collapsible soils lacking fines. This experimental study explored the technical feasibility of sustainable invigoration of fine waste materials to improve the geotechnical properties of dune sand. The fine waste considered in this study is fine marble waste. The fine waste powder was mixed with dune sand at different contents (5, 10,15, 20, 25, 50%), where the gradation, void ratio, compaction, and shear strength characteristics were assessed for each fine marble waste -dune sand blend. The geotechnical properties of the dune sand-fine marble waste mix delineated in this study reveal the enhancement in compaction and gradation characteristics of dune sand. According to the results, the binary mixture of dune sand with 20% of fine marble waste gives the highest maximum dry density and results in shear strength improvement. In addition, a numerical study is conducted for the practical application of the binary mix in the field and tested for an isolated shallow foundation. The elemental analysis of the fine marble waste confirms that the material is non-contaminated and can be employed for engineering applications. Furthermore, the numerical study elucidated that the shallow surface replacement of the site with the dune sand mixed with 20% fine marble waste gives optimal performance in terms of stress generation and settlement behavior of an isolated footing. For a sustainable mechanical performance of the fine marble waste mixed sand, an optimum dose of 20% fine marble waste is recommended, and some correlations are proposed. Thus, for improving dune sand's geotechnical characteristics, the addition of fine marble waste to the dune sand is an environment-friendly solution.