• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.159-168
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• 2022

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic cases around the globe has affected Saudi Arabia with around 15, 00,000 confirmed cases within the initial 4 months of transmission. The present investigation analyzed the relationship between daily COVID-19 confirmed cases and meteorological parameters in seventeen cities of KSA. We used secondary published data from the Ministry of Health, KSA daily dataset of COVID-19 confirmed case counts. The meteorological parameters used in the present investigation are temperature, humidity, dew point, and wind speed. Pearson correlation and Spearman rank correlation tests were utilized for data analysis. The incubation period of COVID-19 varies from 1 day to 14 days as per available information. Therefore, an attempt has been made to analyze the effects of meteorological factors with bins of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. The results suggested that the highest number of correlations (15 cities) was observed for temperature (maximum, minimum, and average) and humidity (12 cities) (minimum and average). The dew point showed relationships for 7 cities and wind showed moderate correlations only for 2 cities. The study results might be useful for authorities and stakeholders in taking specific measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.201-212
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• 2022

Prior to the emergence of Covid-19, Saudi Arabia (SA) had never faced the challenge of dealing with a global pandemic. Significantly, the current crisis has impacted all industries and sectors in the country, including the healthcare system, and has led to an emphasis on human life being more precious and valuable than economic profit. This study focuses on the impact of Covid-19 on the health of nurses, including their quality of life, during 2020. Understanding the position of the nursing profession during the pandemic, including the most effective methods of preventing work-related stress is important. Information was acquired through an online survey method (i.e. self-completion), known as the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), which was distributed to nurses in all regions of SA. It was found that the main aspects impacting nurses' work-related stress include gender, employment type, training, and dealing with infected patients. In addition, they highlight that such stress plays a substantial role in patient safety and nurses' satisfaction at work, as well as the future survival of organizations. The emergence of Covid-19 as a novel infectious disease has increased nurses' uncertainty and work-related stress. The results of this research will provide insights into the views of both nurses and their managers, in order to identify the main indicators of stress.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제22권10호
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• pp.352-358
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• 2022

In this paper, we study the relationship between infection rates of covid 19 and the precautionary measures and strict protocols taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease and minimize the number of infected people. Based on the infection rates and the timetable of precautionary measures, the best framework of precautionary measures was identified by applying the traveling salesman problem (TSP) that relies on ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms. The proposed algorithm was applied to daily infected cases data in Saudi Arabia during three periods of precautionary measures: partial curfew, whole curfew, and gatherings penalties. The results showed the partial curfew and the whole curfew for some cities have the minimum total cases over other precautionary measures. The gatherings penalties had no real effect in reducing infected cases as the other two precautionary measures. Therefore, in future similar circumstances, we recommend first applying the partial curfew and the whole curfew for some cities, and not considering the gatherings penalties as an effective precautionary measure. We also recommend re-study the application of the grouping penalty, to identify the reasons behind the lack of its effectiveness in reducing the number of infected cases.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 6th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• pp.454-458
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• 2015

A number of practices for sharing knowledge has been recommended in the literature. These practices, however, are considered to be applicable, universally. This assumption is challenged by this paper which empirically explores the relationship between national culture and knowledge sharing practices in the context of procuring educational buildings in Saudi Arabia. The paper reports on a research study with the aim to identify whether national culture dimensions could be significant variables that impact upon staff preferences in relation to project knowledge sharing practices. The paper critically reviews the literature to identify appropriate measures for knowledge sharing practices. It explores the means by which public sectors professional exchange project knowledge; evaluates policies and level of technical support needed to facilitate knowledge sharing, then proceeds to how employees perceive the benefits they will gain by practicing project knowledge sharing, and their role in this process. The paper tests the relationships among the research constructs based on data collected from 115 project managers responsible for the procurement of educational buildings in Saudi Arabia. The paper provides empirical evidence that the national culture has a significant influence on staff preferences. In light of the research findings the paper concludes with practical recommendations for project knowledge sharing practices that are in line with staff preferences and their cultural orientation. The recommendations should facilitate a more effective application of knowledge sharing practices.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2017

A survey was conducted to determine the status of Lucerne transient streak virus (LTSV) in three high-yielding alfalfa regions in central Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail) during 2014. Three hundred and eight symptomatic alfalfa, and seven Sonchus oleraceus samples were collected. DAS-ELISA indicated that 59 of these samples were positive to LTSV. Two isolates of LTSV from each region were selected for molecular studies. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of LTSV in the selected samples using a specific primer pair. Percentage identity and homology tree comparisons revealed that all Saudi isolates were more closely related to each other but also closely related to the Canadian isolate-JQ782213 (97.1-97.6%) and the New Zealand isolate-U31286 (95.8-97.1%). Comparing Saudi isolates of LTSV with ten other sobemoviruses based on the coat protein gene sequences confirmed the distant relationship between them. Eleven out of fourteen plant species used in host range study were positive to LTSV. This is the first time to document that Trifolium alexandrinum, Nicotiana occidentalis, Chenopodium glaucum, and Lathyrus sativus are new host plant species for LTSV and that N. occidentalis being a good propagative host for it.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.6285-6288
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• 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to outline the trend in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), for comparison with previously published national CRC data. Materials and Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed on all cases of CRC diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2006 amongst Saudi patients in Jeddah using data retrieved from the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR). Descriptive analysis was performed and results were compared to national CRC data from the SCR. Results: In Jeddah, 644 cases of CRC were diagnosed during the time period, accounting for 15% of all CRC cases in KSA. Males were more commonly affected than females (58% versus 42%). The male preponderance of CRC was similar to that observed at a national level. In Jeddah, the incidence was higher among those >45 years (77.0%), and the mean age at diagnosis was 57 years. At diagnosis, 10% of patients presented with localized disease; 25% presented with distant metastasis and the remaining patients had various stages of regional extension. Adenocarcinomas accounted for 72% of cases. Statistical analysis did not reveal any clinically significant differences between cases diagnosed in Jeddah and those diagnosed throughout KSA. Conclusions: The increased trend in the incidence of CRC in Jeddah between 2000 and 2006 mirrors the recent trend in KSA. This highlights the magnitude of this healthcare hazard, not only in Jeddah, but also across the country and supports the need for preventive measures and early detection of the disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5671-5674
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• 2013

Incidence of breast cancer shows geographical variation, even within areas of ethnic homogeneity. Saudi Arabia has witnessed an increase in occurrence of breast cancer in its unexplored ethnic populations over the past few years. We aimed at determining whether any association exists between single nucleotide polymorphisms in breast cancer associated gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer associated gene 2 (BRCA2) and the risk of breast cancer. TaqMan based Real Time Polymerase chain reaction genotyping assays were used to determine the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in BRCA1 (rs799917) and BRCA2 (rs144848) in a group of 100 breast cancer patients and unaffected age matched controls of Saudi Arabian origin. The present data revealed that neither BRCA1 nor the BRCA2 studied variant show any significant association with the disease. This study failed to find any role of the concerned variants in breast cancer either as risk or as prognostic factors. The small number of patients registered was one of the limitations of this study. In summary, comparison of mutation profile with other ethnic populations and regions reflected both differences and similarities indicating co-exposure to a unique set of risk factors. The differences could be due to exposure to particular environmental carcinogens; different lifestyle, reproductive pattern; dietary or cultural practices of Saudi Arabian women that need further investigations.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.101-106
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• 2022

The Saudi Arabian Special Education Regulations define the role and requirements from teaching assistants within the educational process. Although all public special education programs are subject to such regulations, their implementation in practice sometimes appears contradictory. Therefore, special educators frequently encounter a range of problems when they fail to comply with such regulations. This article discusses how teaching assistants influence the teaching practices delivered to students with disabilities in special education settings. A qualitative case study approach was conducted using 22 semi-structured interviews. The results suggest a need to focus on the role of the teaching assistant in special education classes to ensure exposure to effective learning practices for students with disabilities. Based on these findings, a number of important implications for future practice, in terms adopting appropriate provisions are suggested.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4335-4338
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• 2015

Background: Oral cancer is the third most common malignancy in Saudi Arabia, the highest incidence of which is reported from Jazan province. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of various locally used substances, especially shamma, with oral cancer in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was designed and patient records were scanned for histologically confirmed oral cancer cases. Forty eight patients who were recently diagnosed with oral cancer were selected as cases. Two healthy controls were selected for each observed case and they were matched with age (+/- 5 years) gender and location. Use of different forms of tobacco such as cigarettes, pipe-smoking and shamma (smokeless-tobacco) was assessed. Khat, a commonly used chewing substance in the community was also included. Descriptive analysis was first performed followed by multiple logistic regression (with and without interaction) to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs). Results: Mean age of the study sample (56% males and 44% females) was 65.3 years. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that shamma use increased the odds of developing oral cancer by 29 times (OR=29.3; 10.3-83.1). Cigarette (OR=6.74; 2.18-20.8) was also seen to have an effect. With the interaction model the odds ratio increased significantly for shamma users (OR=37.2; 12.3-113.2) and cigarette smokers (OR=10.5; 2.88-3.11). Khat was observed to have negative effect on the disease occurrence when used along with shamma (OR=0.01; 0.00 - 0.65). Conclusions: We conclude that shamma, a moist form of smokeless tobacco is a major threat for oral cancer occurrence in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. This study gives a direction to conduct further longitudinal studies in the region with increased sample size representing the population in order to provide more substantial evidence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.6845-6849
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• 2015

Background: Roles of tobacco and alcohol use in etiology of cancer are well established. Alterationin in P53 have essential roles neoplastic change by preventing genome mutation; the aim of this study was to assess the association between P53 mutation and tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as to assess the epidemiology of tobacco and alcohol use as risk factors for cancer in the adult population of northern Saudi civilians. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to January 2015, covering 3,398 adults, was performed. P53 mutation molecular detection was performed for 100 tobacco and alcohol users, usingDNA extracted from buccal cells. Results: Of the 3,398 participants 3,253/3398(95.7%) responded, with a male female ratio of 1.10: 1.00. Out of these, 24.8% had smoked tobacco in their lifetime and 2.7% were consumers of alcoholic beverages. None was identified with any P53 mutation. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco smoking among the northern Saudi civilians was relatively high. Females' attitudes in tobacco and alcohol related issues were found to be affected by social stigma. Tobacco and alcohol use has no link to P53 gene mutations.