A qualitative study of orthodontic patients' experiences in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the most formidable challenges that influenced all domains of health care delivery. This research explored the experiences and challenges orthodontic patients faced in quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak. The goal was to learn from patients about their oral health and general practices during this time to provide optimal delivery of orthodontic treatment care. METHODS: A phenomenographic qualitative design involving semistructured face-to-face interviews. A purposive sampling strategy was deployed to collect qualitative data from 24 orthodontic patients who quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviews were digitally recorded, and afterwards, they were transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Four main themes and associated subthemes were identified. The themes were (1) oral-health-related behavioral changes, (2) impact on treatment progression, (3) psychosocial impact and attitude changes, and (4) areas for future enhancements in health care delivery. Overall findings revealed both positive and negative behavioral changes in orthodontic patients regarding their adjustment during the quarantine and its implications to general health and well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study suggest that COVID-19 impacted dental health care delivery to orthodontic patients during the quarantine. Patients reported psychosocial and behavioral changes as a consequence of treatment disruption and pandemic lockdown. The implications of these findings to the clinical dental environment and patient education are pivotal to further target areas in dental health care delivery that require strengthening. As such, clinicians could expect behavioral changes from orthodontic patients and identify better strategies to mitigate clinical challenges resulting from such changes.

Exploration of radiographers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in delivering healthcare to children with autism spectrum disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) poses unique challenges in healthcare settings, including radiographic examinations. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of radiographers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards ASD children, a population with increased healthcare needs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted online, targeting radiographers across the UAE. The instrument utilized was a comprehensive and validated self-administered questionnaire developed based on relevant literature. The questionnaire incorporated sections to gauge radiographers' knowledge about ASD, their attitudes towards working with ASD children, and their adherence to recommended practices during radiographic examinations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to describe KAP and identify any influencing factors. RESULTS: Radiographers demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding ASD. Despite the knowledge, misconceptions about ASD nature were common. The radiographers generally acknowledged the need for special care for ASD children during radiographic procedures. High confidence in working with ASD children was noted, particularly among older participants, despite a clear interest in further training. Good adherence to recommended practices was observed, with physical restraints not being a common practice. However, areas for improvement were identified, such as the use of visual aids. CONCLUSION: Despite a moderate level of knowledge and good practices, there is a need to improve UAE radiographers' understanding and handling of ASD children. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study highlights the need for enhancing ASD-specific knowledge and training and integrating supportive tools in radiographic procedures. This comprehensive approach could significantly improve the radiographic service quality for ASD children in the UAE.

Evaluation of small hydropower turbines installed downstream of Nile River branches (Egypt).

The current study proposes a new strategy for using small hydroelectric turbines in downstream river branches with the least amount of construction and the lowest cost by comparing two different methods of installing the turbines, the first by installing the turbines at the river's bottom and the second by installing the turbines on floating boats. The methodology of this article is based on predicting the distribution of velocities through the watercourse using experimental data collected at various points in the river's depth, and then predicting the resulting electrical power for different sizes of turbines, as well as estimating the number of turbines for each row and the number of rows along the river. Therefore, Investigate the proposed systems. The proposed small hydropower system's economic viability and environmental impact are investigated in this article. According to the nature of the waterway, the best diameter of a turbine that can be used is 1.5 m based on water velocities and river depths. The proposed power plant generated 25.8 kW per single turbine row, with an estimated cost of produced power (0.035 USD/kWh) of approximately 20 turbines installed per row. Compared to other renewable energy sources, the proposed hydropower system is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as generating electricity with the proposed small hydropower plant could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 368 tones of CO2 per single turbine row.

Knowledge of nosocomial infection control practices among radiographers in Jordan.

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial infections add health-related and financial burdens on health systems. This study aims to evaluate the radiographers' knowledge of nosocomial infection control practices in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based assessment was conducted. The main domains of the knowledge based test were the nature of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and infection control practices specific to the radiology department. Comparison of knowledge among radiographers was assessed using the Student t-test and ANOVA. Multiple linear regression was used to find predictors of the knowledge score. RESULTS: The final analysis included 100 radiographers from educational, private, and public hospitals. Mean knowledge score was 66.2% (SD: 20.3%, range: 25.0-100%). Questions with the lowest correctly scored were about the main source of infections (17%), recapping used needles (27%), gloves use (27%), the necessity of using overshoes (26%) and a cap (26%) when there is a risk of biological fluid splashes, the necessity of using sterile gloves (7%) and protective masks (5%) during all invasive procedures, the manoeuvrability around a sterile field (54%), and the safety of passing the imaging plate to the scrub nurse in order to place it under the radiographer's direction (37%). Predictors of knowledge score were the academic degree and training status (R2 = 0.21, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of infection control practices among Jordanian radiographers was moderate. Future training should focus on handling used needles, the use of protective barriers, and the manoeuvrability around sterile fields. Improved academic curriculum and on-site training could enhance knowledge in infection control practices.

A prospective audit of emergency urology activity in a university teaching hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Urology cover is commonly available out-of-hours in most teaching hospitals. However, increased pressure to reduce hospital expenditure has forced many institutions to consider removing middle grade cover outside of normal working hours. The aim of this study was to audit the emergency urology activity in our institution over a 12-month period. METHODS: A prospective logbook was maintained for all urology referrals from the emergency department between August 2012 and March 2013. The diagnosis and patient outcome was recorded for each referral. The emergency theatre logbook was retrospectively evaluated for all emergency urology procedures carried out over the same time period. A basic cost analysis was performed to calculate the cost of providing the on-call service. RESULTS: A total of 752 patients were referred to the urology service over a 12-month period. The most common reasons for referral were renal colic and scrotal pain. Approximately 41 % of referrals were discharged directly from the emergency department. There were 167 emergency operations performed in total. The majority of emergency operations and referrals from the emergency department took place outside of normal working hours. A basic cost analysis revealed an associated cost saving of €58,120. CONCLUSION: Emergency urology activity constitutes a large proportion of the workload at our institution. Restricting emergency urology cover would limit essential training opportunities for urology trainees, increases length of stay and delay treatment of urological emergencies. Urology "out of hours" cover is a cost-efficient method of service provision.

MAGPI hypospadias repair: factors that determine outcome.

BACKGROUND: This is a review of our experience with the meatal advancement and glanuloplasty incorporated (MAGPI) hypospadias repair, and we point to some of the factors that determine outcome. METHODS: We identified all patients who underwent MAGPI repair by a single surgeon over an 8-year period. We performed a retrospective chart review followed by telephone interview to assess parent satisfaction and also functional and cosmetic outcome. Decision to undergo this type of repair was intra-operative, depending on position and mobility of the meatus and the quality of peri-urethral tissue. RESULTS: We identified 48 patients, with a median age of 19 months (8 months-13 years). Position of meatus was glanular (40) or coronal (eight cases). Chordee required correction in 40 % (12/30). Urethral stenting was required in one case. There was no case of fistula, meatal regression, stenosis, or second procedure. A single case of mucosal prolapse was encountered. The majority (47/48) were performed as a day-case. Forty parents agreed to telephone interview. Cosmetic outcome was deemed satisfactory in 95 % (38/40). With regard to unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome, one had a megameatus and the other was aged 13 years and developed a mucosal prolapse. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, the MAGPI hypospadias repair provide excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes with minimal complications, and it can safely be performed as a day-case procedure.

A nonlinear fuzzy assisted image reconstruction algorithm for electrical capacitance tomography.

A nonlinear method based on a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) to improve the images obtained from Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is proposed. Estimation of the molten metal characteristic in the Lost Foam Casting (LFC) process is a novel application in the area of the tomography process. The convergence rate of iterative image reconstruction techniques is dependent on the accuracy of the first image. The possibility of the existence of metal in the first image is computed by the proposed fuzzy system. This first image is passed to an iterative image reconstruction technique to get more precise images and to speed up the convergence rate. The proposed technique is able to detect the position of the metal on the periphery of the imaging area by using just eight capacitive sensors. The final results demonstrate the advantage of using the FIS compared to the performance of the iterative back projection image reconstruction technique.