Search Results (42)

Chronic pain (CP) markedly impairs quality of life (QoL) and contributes to physical, psychological, and social dysfunction. In Saudi Arabia, limited research exists on CP and its impact on QoL. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study conducted at King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, over 3 months aimed to comparatively assess CP severity and the QoL between individuals who attended specialized pain clinics and those who did not. Data were collected from 250 participants by using a five-part questionnaire, including the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0, to assess QoL. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and comparative analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v22.0, with p-values of <0.05 considered significant. Most of the participants were female (56%), aged > 18 years (94.4%), Saudi nationals (88%), and married (72%). The most frequently reported pain site was the knee (33.6%). The mean scores for QoL domains were low, especially physical functioning (18.5), emotional well-being (38.4), and social functioning (38.8). Pain severity and poor general health were significantly associated with nationality, educational level, and clinic type. In conclusion, CP profoundly diminished QoL, particularly in terms of physical, emotional, and social aspects. Outcomes were influenced by factors such as educational level, employment, nationality, and clinical care settings. Full article

Mass gatherings are associated with the spread of communicable diseases. Some studies have suggested that acquisition of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may be associated with attendance at specific mass gatherings. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on the association between attendance at mass gatherings and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and assess the prevalence of AMR at mass gatherings. A literature search of the Cochrane, Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases was performed. Studies were included if they reported original data, involved mass gatherings, and reported AMR results. Of 5559 titles screened, 44 studies met the inclusion criteria, most of which (n = 40) involved religious mass gatherings. The heterogeneity of the studies precluded a meta-analysis, hence a narrative synthesis by organism was conducted. A significant increase in antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae was reported following Hajj, as was a rise in gastrointestinal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase genes. Carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates non-susceptible to one or more antibiotics was also shown to increase from pre-Hajj to post-Hajj. There appears to be an association between attendance at mass gatherings and the acquisition of some AMR phenotypes and genotypes in some significant human pathogens, including E. coli and S. pneumoniae. Full article

Crowd counting in aerial images presents unique challenges due to varying altitudes, angles, and cluttered backgrounds. Additionally, the small size of targets, often occupying only a few pixels in high-resolution images, further complicates the problem. Current crowd counting models struggle in these complex scenarios, leading to inaccurate counts, which are crucial for crowd management. Moreover, these regression-based models only provide the total count without indicating the location or distribution of people within the environment, limiting their practical utility. While YOLOv8 has achieved significant success in detecting small targets within aerial imagery, it faces challenges when directly applied to crowd counting tasks in such contexts. To overcome these challenges, we propose an improved framework based on YOLOv8, incorporating a context enrichment module (CEM) to capture multiscale contextual information. This enhancement improves the model’s ability to detect and localize tiny targets in complex aerial images. We assess the effectiveness of the proposed framework on the challenging VisDrone-CC2021 dataset, and our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Full article

Given the prevalence of handwritten documents in human interactions, optical character recognition (OCR) for documents holds immense practical value. OCR is a field that empowers the translation of various document types and images into data that can be analyzed, edited, and searched. In handwritten recognition techniques, symmetry can be crucial to improving accuracy. It can be used as a preprocessing step to normalize the input data, making it easier for the recognition algorithm to identify and classify characters accurately. This review paper aims to summarize the research conducted on character recognition for handwritten documents and offer insights into future research directions. Within this review, the research articles focused on handwritten OCR were gathered, synthesized, and examined, along with closely related topics, published between 2019 and the first quarter of 2024. Well-established electronic databases and a predefined review protocol were utilized for article selection. The articles were identified through keyword, forward, and backward reference searches to comprehensively cover all relevant literature. Following a rigorous selection process, 116 articles were included in this systematic literature review. This review article presents cutting-edge achievements and techniques in OCR and underscores areas where further research is needed. Full article

Over the years, building appliances have become the major energy consumers to improve indoor air quality and occupants’ lifestyles. The primary energy usage in building sectors, particularly lighting, Heating, Ventilation, and Air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is expected to double in the upcoming years due to inappropriate control operation activities. Recently, several researchers have provided an automated solution to turn HVAC and lighting on when the space is being occupied and off when the space becomes vacant. Previous studies indicate a lack of publicly accessible datasets for environmental sensing and suggest developing holistic models that detect buildings’ occupancy. Additionally, the reliability of their solutions tends to decrease as the occupancy grows in a building. Therefore, this study proposed a machine learning-based framework for smart building occupancy detection that considered the lighting parameter in addition to the HVAC parameter used in the existing studies. We employed a parametric classifier to ensure a strong correlation between the predicting parameters and the occupancy prediction model. This study uses a machine learning model that combines direct and environmental sensing techniques to obtain high-quality training data. The analysis of the experimental results shows high accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of the applied RF model (0.86, 0.99, 1.0, and 0.88 respectively) for occupancy prediction and substantial energy saving. Full article

Automated crowd counting is a crucial aspect of surveillance, especially in the context of mass events attended by large populations. Traditional methods of manually counting the people attending an event are error-prone, necessitating the development of automated methods. Accurately estimating crowd counts across diverse scenes is challenging due to high variations in the sizes of human heads. Regression-based crowd-counting methods often overestimate counts in low-density situations, while detection-based models struggle in high-density scenarios to precisely detect the head. In this work, we propose a unified framework that integrates regression and detection models to estimate the crowd count in diverse scenes. Our approach leverages a routing strategy based on crowd density variations within an image. By classifying image patches into density levels and employing a Patch-Routing Module (PRM) for routing, the framework directs patches to either the Detection or Regression Network to estimate the crowd count. The proposed framework demonstrates superior performance across various datasets, showcasing its effectiveness in handling diverse scenes. By effectively integrating regression and detection models, our approach offers a comprehensive solution for accurate crowd counting in scenarios ranging from low-density to high-density situations. Full article

Open dumping threatens the environment and public health by causing soil, water, and air pollution and precipitating the deterioration of the environmental balance. Therefore, sustainable waste management practices and compliance with environmental regulations are important to minimize these negative impacts. In this context, it is very important to identify the environmental damage inflicted by open dumping areas and to take measures to prevent this damage. Makkah is among the cities that still use open dumping for solid waste disposal. The rapid increase in this city’s population is generating large quantities of municipal solid waste (MSW), making it difficult to manage waste economically without harming the environment or public health. During Umrah and Hajj, the rate of MSW generation increases to an even greater degree. The sustainable management of MSW in holy cities is of great importance. This study aimed to investigate the environmental impact of the Kakia Open Dumping Site in Makkah on air quality, soil, and nearby groundwater wells. It also conducted analyses of essential elements (Ca, Mg, and Na), heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Cr), and a metalloid (As) in leachate produced at the Kakia Open Dumpsite, enabling the development of management strategies. In addition, the correlations between the essential elements, the metalloid, and the heavy metals were also analyzed. The goal is not only to mitigate the negative effects of open dumping, but also to highlight the need to adopt sustainable management strategies for MSW in religiously significant cities like Makkah. Full article

Primary headaches are more prevalent and associated with several risk factors, such as chronic diseases, unhealthy lifestyles, smoking, caffeine intake, work, and stress. However, these factors are not associated with specific headache disorders. We investigated the prevalence of primary headache disorders and the associated risk factors in Makkah. This cross-sectional study, conducted over a 6-month period, used an anonymous survey disseminated through online platforms. The questionnaire was a modified version of a validated questionnaire used to assess headaches in relation to modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. In total, 1177 participants aged 18–65 (mean, 31.5 ± 12.6) years were included. Headaches were diagnosed among 44.2% of participants aged 20–59 years, with a high prevalence among young adults; additionally, 71.5% of participants with headaches reported experiencing headaches for <15 days per month. Chronic headaches were found in 28.5% of participants. Age, chronic diseases, work, caffeine consumption, and smoking were associated with having a significant effect on headache prevalence. The prevalence of headaches in Makkah has increased in comparison to that reported in previous studies. Certain modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been associated with headaches. Headaches impact all life aspects of individuals and communities. An educational program for professionals and patients can improve patient outcomes. Full article

The purpose of this research is to analyze and evaluate the urban furniture in the public space of Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park in Nicosia and compare it with a logical Saudi Arabian case study. As such, the focus is on sustainability and renewable energy sources, especially the application of solar energy technologies in urban furniture, in order to determine the feasibility of using sustainable energy to operate the park. A qualitative research approach was chosen, using both secondary and primary data, along with images from the park. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, and this applies to both primary and secondary data used in this study. This research used six types of urban furniture, which are lighting, public art, benches, trash cans, bike stands, and billboards. The study showed that only the lights are efficient in using solar energy in the garden, while the rest of the furniture does not have it. The study assesses the integration of solar energy technologies in urban furniture at Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park in Nicosia, contrasting it with a Saudi Arabian case. The study’s scope encompasses six urban furniture types, emphasizing sustainability. The findings suggest actionable insights for enhancing furniture to align with international sustainable development standards. Therefore, it was concluded that more efforts are needed to upgrade the urban furniture in Dr. Fazil Kucuk Park to meet international standards to achieve sustainable development. Full article

Ecotourism in Saudi Arabia (KSA) is gaining significant attention due to the country’s diverse natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and efforts to preserve and display its environmental treasures. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of urban green space (UGS) suitability in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia using a geographic information system (GIS) combined with a multiple-criteria decision-analysis-based analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The integration of various morphologic, topographic, climatic, and land use/land change (LULC) maps provided a robust framework for evaluating the suitability of UGSs. In the framework of this study, ten criteria were used to elaborate on UGS suitability. The results indicate that distance to water, distance to road, rainfall, and LULC were the most influential criteria in determining UGS suitability. Distance to road emerged as the most significant criterion, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and visibility for attracting the public to green spaces. The Taif region demonstrated fair suitability for UGS development across 56.4% of its total area. However, large areas of barren land in the central and northeastern parts were rendered unsuitable for UGS development, while the southwestern part showed higher percentages of good and excellent suitability. This study highlights the importance of considering the visibility and awareness aspects of UGS planning, as it serves as a visual reminder of the value of nature in urban settings. The results obtained by this research may help managers and decision makers with future planning for GI areas in the Taif region. Full article

Introduction: While there is a significant amount of information about invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), meningococcal carriage, and meningococcal vaccines in children and adolescents, data in older adults are limited. Studies of meningococcal carriage and transmission modeling can be utilized to predict the spread of IMD and guide prevention and treatment strategies. Our study’s main objective was to assess the prevalece of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) carriage, serogroup distribution, and associated risk factors among older adults in Türkiye. Methods: Nasopharyngeal samples were collected between December 2022 and January 2023 from a total of 329 older adults (65 years of age and above). The samples were tested via PCR for Nm, and a serogroup (A, B, C, Y, W, X, E, Z, H) analysis of the positive samples was performed. Results: In total, 329 adults over 65 years of age (150 females and 179 males; 69% were 65–75 years old and 31% were 75 years of age and older) were included in the study. Nm carriage was detected in 46 participants (13.9%), and the serogroup distribution was as follows: 2.4% MenY (n = 8), 1.8% MenB (n = 6), 0.2% MenW (n = 2), and 9.4% non-groupable (n = 31). Other serogroups were not detected. Between the meningococcal carriers and the non-carriers, there were no differences between previous vaccination histories (meningococcal, pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19), travel history for Hajj and/or Umrah, and the presence of chronic disease. Of the 16 cases positive for the serogroups Y, B, and W, 13 patients were between the ages of 65 and 74 and three patients were over 75 years old, and these three cases represented MenY. Conclusion: In our study, the percentage of meningococcal carriage was found to be 13.9%, the carriage rate for encapsulated strains was 4.8%, and the most common serogroup was MenY. Men Y was also the only serogroup detected in patients over 75 years of age. The MenY serogroup, which is one of the most important causes of IMD (especially in pneumonia cases) in people older than 65 years, was the most frequently carried serogroup in people over 65 years of age in our study. Adequate surveillance and/or a proper carriage study would help to define potential vaccination strategies for older adults. Full article

Similar to most countries, Saudi Arabia faced several challenges during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some of which were related to the religious position of the country. The main challenges included deficits in knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19, the negative psychological impacts of the pandemic on the general population and healthcare workers, vaccine hesitancy, the management of religious mass gatherings (e.g., Hajj and Umrah), and the imposition of travel regulations. In this article, we discuss these challenges based on evidence from studies involving Saudi Arabian populations. We outline the measures through which the Saudi authorities managed to minimize the negative impacts of these challenges in the context of international health regulations and recommendations. Full article

Eliminating hazardous contaminants is a necessity for maintaining a healthy environment on Earth. This work used a sustainable method to create Iron–Zinc nanocomposites with polyvinyl alcohol assistance. Mentha Piperita (mint leaf) extract was used as a reductant in the green synthesis of bimetallic nanocomposites. Doping with Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) caused a reduction in crystallite size and greater lattice parameters. XRD, FTIR, EDS, and SEM techniques were used to establish their surface morphology and structural characterization. The high-performance nanocomposites were used to remove malachite green (MG) dye using the ultrasonic adsorption technique. Adsorption experiments were designed by central composite design and optimized by response surface methodology. According to this study, 77.87% of the dye was removed at the optimum optimized parameters (10.0 mg L⁻¹ was the concentration of MG dye at a time of 8.0 min, pH 9.0, and 0.02 g of adsorbent amount) with adsorption capacity up to 92.59 mg·g⁻¹. The dye adsorption followed Freundlich’s isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic analysis affirmed the spontaneous nature of adsorption due to negative ΔG^o values. As a result, the suggested approach offers a framework for creating an effective and affordable technique to remove the dye from a simulated wastewater system for environmental conservation. Full article

The Hajj and Umrah are the annual mass gatherings of Muslims in Saudi Arabia and increase the transmission risk of acute respiratory infection. This study describes influenza infection among pilgrims upon arrival in Indonesia and the genetic characterization of imported influenza A/H3N2 virus. In total, 251 swab samples with influenza-like illness were tested using real-time RT-PCR for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and influenza viruses. Complete sequences of influenza A/H3N2 HA and NA genes were obtained using DNA sequencing and plotted to amino acid and antigenicity changes. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using a neighbour-joining method including the WHO vaccine strains and influenza A/H3N2 as references. The real-time RT-PCR test detected 100 (39.5%) samples positive with influenza with no positivity of MERS-CoV. Mutations in the HA gene were mainly located within the antigenic sites A, B, and D, while for the NA gene, no mutations related to oseltamivir resistance were observed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these viruses grouped together with clades 3C.2 and 3C.3; however, they were not closely grouped with the WHO-recommended vaccine (clades 3C.1). Sequences obtained from Hajj and Umrah pilgrims were also not grouped together with viruses from Middle East countries but clustered according to years of collection. This implies that the influenza A/H3N2 virus mutates continually across time. Full article

The holistic conceptions of multi-dimensional well-being that synergize the constructs that capture all elements of the well-being of travelers are lacking in current literature. This study aims to develop an instrument to measure religious travelers’ well-being based on multi-dimensional well-being from the perspective of Muslim travelers who traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah to gauge their level of well-being. The scale development technique was employed by creating, refining, and validating the instrument. The final survey instrument, which was administered using a purposive snowball sampling procedure, featured 30 items representing six dimensions of well-being. The final dataset included 202 Muslims who traveled to perform Umrah and were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS 21.0 software. Four low-loading items were removed, leaving 26 items with a satisfactory model fit that covered six wellness dimensions: physical, spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, and financial well-being. The findings contribute to the literature on religious tourism by providing an in-depth description of the experience of a religious pilgrimage for Muslims and their subsequent sense of fulfillment. The newly constructed instrument is believed to provide a more comprehensive view on well-being, allowing for a more nuanced assessment of a traveler’s well-being upon return. Full article