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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 40‐hour computer course for beginners provided to a group of unemployed women learners with no/minimum computer literacy skills who can be characterized as digital immigrants. The aim of the study is to identify participants' perceptions and experiences regarding technology, any barriers and challenges faced throughout the computer course and the extent to which the computer course assisted them in becoming computer literate and employable. This case study was based on the European Commission's EQUAL program.

A case study approach was employed making use of qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data were collected using three different questionnaires (the background questionnaire, the Loyd/Gressard Computer Attitude Scale questionnaire and the Computer Skills Tests questionnaire) and qualitative data were collected through two focus groups. A total of nine unemployed women with no/minimum computer literacy skills were the focus of investigation. The 40‐hour computer literacy course and the data collection process took place in May‐June 2007.

Results demonstrated the effectiveness and necessity of computer courses for digital immigrants. The participants developed an acceptable level of computer literacy skills and a more positive attitude towards technology. They further realized the importance of possessing computer literacy skills specifically in relation to their employability, professional path and career development. Their self‐esteem in relation to technology was also increased on professional, educational, and personal levels.

The study confirms the necessity to explore further instructional design and implementation of digital immigrants' education and training regarding computer technology.

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that motivate women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to become self‐employed.

Different factors, documented in previous research, that affect women's decisions to start their own businesses were included in a questionnaire. A total of 750 women entrepreneurs in the UAE were asked to express the degree of agreement with the factors listed in the questionnaire. Of them, 449 completed the questionnaire.

Financial support from the government especially in the start‐up capital is an important factor that motivates women to establish their own businesses. Self‐fulfillment, knowledge, skills and experience, including relationship to spouse/father business, are all important factors in the development of women entrepreneurs. Unlike previous research factors such social norms, market network, and competition do not seem to be barriers for women in becoming entrepreneurs.

Questionnaires were mainly distributed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. To give a clear picture of factors affecting women's decision to start their own businesses in the UAE, the opinion of women located in other Emirates needs to be investigated. The questionnaire survey targeted women entrepreneurs. To give a clear picture, future studies should target women who chose not to start their own businesses.

The outcome of this study will be used by researchers and policy makers to motivate women to become entrepreneurs. Women involvement in developing their businesses provides job opportunities and ensures that women are taking active part in the development of the national economy.

This is the first study that uses empirical evidence to identify factors that motivate women in the UAE to become self‐employed.

The general objective of this paper is to investigate the mathematics achievement of middle grade students in Pakistan. Specifically: to determine whether mathematics achievement varies systematically across students and schools; to what extent the mathematics curriculum and frameworks are implemented in schools; to what extent gender and location account for differences in mathematics achievement (at item and test scores levels); to what extent student demographics, home background, and homework variables predict mathematics achievement; to what extent schools' physical and academic resources predict mathematics achievement; and to what extent student‐ and school‐level variables interact to predict achievement indirectly.

The approach was to undertake a quantitative survey of 14,440 students from 770 schools across the country. The analytic strategy included item‐level Rasch analysis, DIF analysis across gender and regional location, and MLM analysis to test various student‐ and school‐level models.

Rasch analysis indicated that students were able to pass low‐rigour items requiring simple mathematical skills. The DIF analysis indicated that items favouring female students in either content domain belonged to knowledge of concepts to recall basic facts, terminologies, numbers, and geometric properties. Items favouring male students in either domain belonged to the problem solving level. MLM analysis revealed that at the student level, gender, location, and some home background and homework variables contributed towards mathematics achievement. At the school level, availability of learning resources and better physical facilities were found to be associated with increase in achievement scores.

Only a few major variables with policy and research implications were tested to keep the interpretations clear and simple. The next stage of this study could examine the more complex pattern of relationships and interactions among relationships for subgroups.

The study has implications for a review of the gender gap in school enrolment, the national curriculum for mathematics, homework policy, the role of regional languages as a medium of instruction in schools, the provision of school resources, and learning aids in schools.

The paper shows that the estimated models were successful in explaining the variation in average achievement in terms of proportion of variance explained and significance of estimates of the effects.

Many studies revealed positive health impacts of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), especially on metabolic disorders. Conversely, in Lebanon, recent information about determinants of adherence to the MedDiet are limited. This study aimed to examine the individual determinants of MedDiet adherence among adults in Lebanon.

A cross-sectional study was carried out during July 2021 among a convenient sample of 326 Lebanese adults. Data from participants were collected via an online survey developed by study researchers, composed of two well-structured questionnaires: a background questionnaire and a 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (14-MEDAS).

The mean MedDiet score in the total sample was 7.59 ± 2.22, reflecting moderate/fair MedDiet adherence. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and olive oil met the recommended MedDiet intake among most participants. Older age and having a regular routine of physical activity emerged as significant independent determinants of better MedDiet adherence.

Future public health interventions aiming at promoting MedDiet adherence shall target predominantly younger age groups of the Lebanese population and incorporate strategies to boost physical activity among target groups.

South African companies have, in the past, not recognised an asset for unused Secondary Tax on Companies (“STC”) credits. AC 501, Accounting for “Secondary Tax on Companies (STC)”, which is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2004, now requires South African companies to recognise a deferred tax asset for unused STC credits, to the extent that it is probable that an entity will declare dividends of its own, against which the unused STC credits can be utilised. In terms of AC 501 and IAS 12 (AC 102), Income Taxes (the local and international accounting standard on income taxes), the recognition of a liability to pay STC has to be postponed until the declaration of a dividend. Some accounting commentators have indicated that they find it anomalous to recognise a deferred tax asset in respect of unused STC credits, while no liability is recognised for the STC that would be payable on the future distribution of retained earnings. The objective of the study is to consider whether it is conceptually anomalous to recognise a deferred tax asset for unused STC credits while no liability is raised for the STC that would become payable on future dividend declarations on profits already recognised in the financial statements. The study concludes that it is conceptually anomalous to recognise a deferred tax asset for unused STC credits when no corresponding liability is raised.

The aims of this study are to assess the prevalence and timings of heartburn symptoms in a Sri Lankan population living in the UK and to identify diet and lifestyle symptom triggers.

A total of 60 Sri Lankan adults, aged between 18 and 66 years completed a background questionnaire and a nine‐item gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) impact scale.

Application of the GORD impact scale verified that all participants experienced heartburn symptoms on a weekly basis. Episodes of heartburn tend to occur post‐prandially. Diet and lifestyle factors were found to trigger heartburn symptoms particularly consuming spicy foods.

The incidence of heartburn in Sri Lankans may be due to the process of acculturation to the Western diet and lifestyle.

This paper shows that Sri Lankans are susceptible to symptoms of heartburn.

To introduce a cognitive approach – cognitive task analysis (CTA) – for the usability evaluation of evidence‐based nursing (EBN) websites.

With the justification of the need for new evaluation methodologies for the usability of EBN websites and the provision of the theoretical framework and implications of CTA, the author proposes detailed steps for the usability evaluation of EBN websites.

CTA is a new approach that can be used for the evaluation of the usability of EBN websites. It has the advantages that conventional evaluation methods lack in characterizing the aspects of websites useful to nurses in carrying out evidence‐based practices.

This paper, with the introduction of a new cognitive approach, helps ensure the effective evaluation of the EBN websites, which can then be improved to adequately meet the requirements and information processing needs of the nurses practising evidence‐based nursing.

This study aims to examine the effect of socio-demographic, lifestyle and dietary factors on body composition among students from a private Lebanese University.

In this cross-sectional study, socio-demographic and lifestyle variables were collected. Height and waist circumference were measured. Inbody 720 (Biospace, Korea) was used to assess body composition (percentage body fat [PBF], visceral fat area [VFA], skeletal muscle mass [SMM]) and fitness score. Diet was assessed using the MEDFICTS (meats, eggs, dairy, fried foods, fat in baked goods, convenience foods, fats added at the table and snacks) questionnaire.

Out of 392 students, 3.1 per cent were underweight, 59 per cent were normal and 40 per cent were overweight and obese. In women,10.5 per cent adhered to the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) compared to men (2.5 per cent), while 52.5 per cent of men needed dietary changes compared to 39.5 per cent of women, (p < 0.01). The most important predictors of PBF were being a woman, older age, lower fitness score and lower MEDFICTS score. The predictors of VFA were being a man, older age, less sleep time and lower fitness score. Being a man, smoking, higher fitness score and higher MEDFICTS score were predictors of SMM.

Upon university acceptance and as part of usual health screenings in universities, the authors’ study recommends screening of lifestyle and dietary habits of students, identifying students at risk and providing appropriate health interventions tailored to students’ needs.

This study is the first, in Lebanon, to assess the effects of sleep, stress, fitness and dietary habits on body composition of Lebanese university students.

Polymorphisms in taste receptor genes may be associated with taste sensitivity and possibly with food consumption and body weight. Previous studies relating bitter taste sensitivity to body mass index (BMI) had inconsistent findings. This paper aims to investigate the weight and body composition indicators among the TAS2R38 bitter taste receptor genotype groups.

Adults participating in the STEPS study (steps to the healthy development and well-being of children) cohort in Southwest Finland have been investigated. DNA has been extracted from buccal cell samples, and alleles of the gene TAS2R38 have been determined. Measurements at the follow-up visit include weight and height to calculate BMI, waist circumference (WC) and body composition with bioimpedance (women n = 757, men n = 714).

The mean BMI was 25.3 (SD 5.4) kg/m² among women and 26.7 (SD 3.9) kg/m² among men. BMI, WC and body fat percentage did not differ significantly between the TAS2R38 genotype groups in either gender. The proportion of subjects classified as overweight (BMI ≥ 25) did not vary significantly between the genotype groups.

The TAS2R38 genotype is not associated with being overweight in this cohort. Determinants of body weight are complex, and the role of other taste genotypes and phenotypes should be investigated in the future.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between political instability upon destination image and perception and tourism consumer behavior.

The paper takes a case study approach and uses cross‐sectional and qualitative methods to measure and contrast the perceptions of respondents who have and have not, visited Thailand.

The study affirms the power of image as a subjectively‐held, but important lever of consumer behavior. The findings reinforce the popularity of Thailand as a tourist destination, by both those who have and have not visited, and suggest that its image is a strong one.

The paper concludes that destination managers need to work with governments to ensure political stability, which can lead to continued tourism revenues.

The paper suggests that the effects of adverse publicity on political instability to tourism receipts may be temporary, providing a destination has a strong perceived image (such as Thailand) and the disruption does not last too long.