Water scarcity is a significant challenge facing Jordan today. It is a challenge in all areas that use water, and it has become certain that water is the critical factor in the population/resources equation. The water resources in Jordan have become limited with the noticeable increase in the population, mostly resulting from forced migrations in neighboring countries because of the wars and until our time. The rising natural population growth rate, along with the massive influx of refugees, has turned into a state of disproportion between the daily consumption of the population and the amount of water available. That Jordan shares most of its surface water resources with neighboring countries has exacerbated the situation. The current use of water already exceeds its renewable supply. Excessive withdrawal from aquifers, which leads to a lowering of the water table and deterioration in water quality, covered the deficit. This paper focuses on assessing the water situation in Jordan, mainly evaluating this problem and the solution being considered, the true basis for a sustainable water solution requires awareness by the population, and several governmental and non-governmental organizations are actively involved in educating residents about water shortages. The most important and 'actionable' elements of comprehensive water solutions are discussed in this paper, and these elements exist, develop extra water supplies, water harvesting, water desalination, proper wastewater reuse in the agricultural sector, and reduce the demand for drinking water. This research provides specific recommendations to address the shortage of water resources in the Kingdom and highlights the importance of water conservation and optimal use.

This paper aims to investigate impact of employees’ gender on OCB as per the employees’ perception in Jordanian governmental hospitals. A convenient sample of 126 employees working in the three main governmental hospitals in north of Jordan has been taken for the purpose of this study. The collected data includes linguistic terms that suffer from uncertainty which, in turn, cannot be dealt with traditional numerical values. The result prove that gender impact on OCB has shown statistically significant differences at (α=0.05) as far as altruism, courtesy, and civic virtue are concerned; and this variable stands in favor of males with the total score of 0.011%. Similarly, as far as the effect of age factor on OCB is concerned, there have been statistically significant differences at (α=0.05) in relation to courtesy, sportsmanship, and civic virtue with the total score of 0.27%. Finally, the results provide a baseline data for further studies which may contribute more significant in the field of OCB.

Titania is one of the most comprehensively studied nanostructures due to its widespread applications in production of catalytic, gas- sensing and corrosion- resistance materials [1]. M-polynomial of nanotubes has been vastly investigated as it produces many degree-based topological indices which are numerical parameters capturing structural and chemical properties. These indices are used in the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) in which the biological activity and other properties of molecules are correlated with their structure like boiling point, stability, strain energy etc of chemical compounds. In this paper, we determine M-polynomials of single-walled titanium (SW TiO2) nanotubes and recover important topological degree based indices of them to theoretically judge these nanotubes. We also use Maple to plot surfaces associated to different types of single-walled titanium (SW TiO2) nanotubes.

Objectives: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a significant public health problem. It is estimated around 14,700 women affected by FGM live in Switzerland, primarily among women with a history of migration. Our qualitative research investigated the sexual health of immigrant women living with FGM in Switzerland, describing their own perception of health, reproductive life and sexuality. Methods: We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a group of eight immigrant women of African origin living in Switzerland with Type III FGM (infibulation). Results: Seven of the women were from Somalia and one from Ivory Coast. All of the Somali women were mothers and married (two separated), and the Ivorian woman was a single mother. The women in our study reported a low level of sexual satisfaction and reproductive health. They affirmed their desire to improve, or at least change, their condition. Although they rarely talk with their husbands about sexual subject matter, they would like to include them more and improve dialogue. Conclusions: Specific socio-sexual management is recommended when caring for immigrant women living with FGM in order to respond to their specific health care needs. Multidisciplinary approaches may be able to offer more comprehensive health care, including facilitated communication to improve dialogue between women and health care professionals, and eventually between women and their husbands in discussing sexual matter.

Vaccines decrease morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, their benefits depend on public response. During COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy and refusal were rampant, threatening public health. A thorough understand-ing of opponents' arguments is required to address the diffusion of unreliable information on social media and prevent vaccine hesitancy from developing into vaccine refusal. Accordingly, the article examines vac-cine opponents' justifications on social media. Textual content analysis of reader comments on three health-related Israeli Facebook pages was conducted. Data collection encompassed the Israeli COVID-19 vaccination period from October 2020 to May 2022. The comments were analyzed according to the health beliefs model (HBM). We found that vaccine opponents were characterized by low perceptions of the severity of the disease combined with high perceptions of the damages of the vaccine; low perceived benefits of vac-cine compliance; vaccine hesitancy and fear along with public distrust as barriers to change; and call for ac-tion to resist the vaccine and spread related anti-establishment views on the web. As vaccination hesitancy was found to develop into public distrust in the state systems and escalate into conspiracy beliefs and an-ti-vaccination activism, its early detection may prevent future vaccine resistance.

Within the framework of the previously proposed formulation of the quantum theory of gravity in terms of world histories, it was suggested that the universe has its own mass. This quantity is analogous to the mass of a particle in relativistic mechanics. The mass of the universe is a distribution of non-zero values of gravitational constraints, which arises and changes in time as a consequence of the initial conditions for fundamental dynamic variables. A formulation of the Euclidean quantum theory of gravity is also proposed to determine the initial state, which can be the source of the universe’s own mass. Being unrelated to ordinary matter, the distribution of its own mass affects the geometry of space and forms a dedicated frame of reference. The existence of selected reference systems is taken into account by the corresponding modification of the system of quantum gravitational constraints. A variant of such a modification of the Wheeler-De Witt equation is the operator representation of gravitational constraints, which, together with the state of the universe, determines the parameters of the reference system in the form of a distribution of the spinor field on a spatial section.

During the last century, entanglement was the bone of contention between the two main pillars of Physics: General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Mechanics (QM). This began in 1935 with the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox (EPR paradox) which concluded that although Quantum Mechanics is not wrong, it is an incomplete theory to represent physical reality. In this paper it is demonstrated that some byproducts resulting from entanglement and which we will call avatars act as a hinge that link both theories making the completeness of QM clear. Moreover, a thorough analysis of the non-locality of this effect will be carried out. Besides, it is demonstrated that entanglement is an instantaneous phenomenon and that it does not require the use of a superluminal signaling for this purpose. Finally, the avatars will also appear in each wormhole resulting from an entanglement process (WREP) demonstrating that they are traversable with an equivalent path of null length which can be crossed in a null time with all that this implies in Quantum Communications.

The mechanism of ciprofloxacin action involves interference with transcription and replication of bacterial DNA, which results in elevated oxidative stress, and bacterial cell death. Vorinostat was shown to induce oxidative DNA damage. In the current work, the possibility for interactive effect of vorinotat on ciprofloxacin-induced cytotoxicity against a number of reference bacteria was investigated. Standard bacterial strains were Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 17978, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 12459, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (ATCC 43300), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC 25923). The antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin with or without pretreatment of bacterial cells by vorinostat was examined using disc diffusion procedure and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zones of inhibition of bacterial growth. All tested bacterial strains showed sensitivity to ciprofloxacin. When pretreated with vorinostat, significantly larger zones of inhibition and smaller MIC values were observed in all bacterial strains compared ciprofloxacin alone. As a conclusion, current results showed the possible agonistic properties for vorinostat when it is used together with ciprofloxacin. Future research will be focus on molecular mechanisms possible for such interactive effect.

The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) is the most popular measure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has been recently validated in Arabic. This instrumental study aimed to determine optimal cutoff scores of the IES-R and its subscales in Arab samples of psychiatric patients (N = 168, 70.8% females) and healthy adults (N = 992, 62.7% females) from Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic as an ongoing collective traumatic event. Based on a cutoff score of 14 of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis revealed two optimal points of 39.5 and 30.5 for the IES-R in the samples (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.86 & 0.91, p values = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92 & 0.87 to 0.94, sensitivity = 0.85 & 0.87, specificity = 0.73 & 0.83, Youden index = 0.58 & 0.70, respectively). Different cutoffs were detected for the six subscales of the IES-R, with numbing and avoidance expressing the lowest predictivity for distress. Meanwhile, hyperarousal followed by the irritability expressed stronger predictive capacity for distress than all subscales in both samples. In path analysis, pandemic-related irritability resulted from direct and indirect effects of key PTSD symptoms (intrusion, hyperarousal, and numbing). Irritability contributed to traumatic symptoms of sleep disturbance in both samples while the opposite was not true. The findings suggest usefulness of the IES-R at a score of 30.5 for detecting adults prone to trauma related distress, with higher scores needed for screening in psychiatric patients. Various PTSD symptoms may induce dysphoric mood, which represents a considerable burden that may induce circadian misalignment and more noxious psychiatric problems/ co-morbidities (sleep disturbance) in both healthy and diseased groups.

Objective: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovium and articular cartilage that initiates joint damage. RA associates with a change in many inflammatory biomarkers. The present study aims to measure the levels of inflammatory adipocytokines (chemerin and visfatin) and their ratio in addition to some related biomarkers in RA patients group in comparison to healthy control group and find out their efficacy in diagnosis of RA.Methods: The study included 60 RA patients and 30 healthy control group. Serum visfatin and chemerin were measured by using ELISA technique, while other biomarkers were determined spectrophotometrically. Multivariate general linear model analysis and Receiver operating curve was used to study the opportunity of using chemerin and visfatin as diagnostic tools for RA.Results: The results indicated that there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in all lipid profile components, except HDLc that decreased, in RA patients in comparison with healthy control group; while significant decrease (p<0.001) in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol of RA patients in comparison with control group. Serum chemerin, visfatin, C-reactive protein, and uric acid levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in RA patients than those of control group. The results showed a relatively good sensitivity and specificity of chemerin (sensitivity=88.1, specificity=75.9) at a concentration=187.88ng in diagnosis of RA.Conclusions: chemerin is able to diagnose RA efficiently but this diagnoses, due to relatively small specificity, may interfere with other inflammatory disorders. However, with adjuvant with other diagnostic parameters, chemerin may represent a useful addition in diagnosis of RA.

Background: Community-based medical education (CBME) is an essential component of medical education, where primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) play a crucial role. This study explores PHPs' awareness and engagement in CBME and investigates the factors influencing their participation. Methods: This mixed study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a qual-itative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with PHPs, and thematic analysis related to their awareness and engagement in CBME. In the second phase, a quantitative survey was conducted among 72 PHPs pre- and post-training programs. Results: Primary healthcare physicians had a positive attitude toward community-based medical education. The participants have an acceptable level of awareness and engagement, which increased substantially (p-value = 0.03) and (p-value = 0.003), respectively. Logistic analysis indicated that non-Saudi physicians were likelier to participate in the CBME (p-value=0.001). Professions and academic experiences influence their willingness and engagement to participate in CBME (OR= 7.5, p-value=0.001) and (OR=0.21, p-value=0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings highlighted the importance of increased awareness and the factors that enhance PHPs' engagement in CBME. This positive perspective of the PHPs helps build effective partnerships and facilitates the extension of the curriculum to apply CBME.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis that shows the influence of fiber on ultimate compressive strength and tensile strength of ultra-high performance concrete. The internet scholarly search engines and ScienceDirect article references were used to illustrate the papers concerning the experimental investigations of mechanical properties of ultra-high strength concrete with and without fiber with clearly, completely and comparative raw data. The normal concrete test results were dismissed from this search. Seven trials were identified based on the adopted inclusion and exclusion criteria above. The meta-analysis based on standardized mean difference was carried out on the basis of a fixed-effects model for the major outcomes of the ultimate compressive and tensile properties of ultra-high performance concrete. A total of 888 test specimens were enrolled in these seven trials. The combined analysis yielded a sign of a significant improvement in ultimate compressive strength and tensile strength of ultra-high strength concrete with fiber addition of 2% by concrete volume. The summary effect size of ultimate compressive strength was 2.34 while a more improvement in term of tensile strength with effect size of 2.64. By addition fiber of 2% provides a significant benefit in mechanical properties of ultra-high performance concrete.

Over the past decade, significant developments have occurred in treatment strategies for ovarian cancer, yet targeted therapy with few side effects is still a major issue. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme family plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis process and metabolism of drugs, with a negative impact on therapy outcomes. Gaining more insight into CYP expression is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer since many isoforms are essential for the metabolism of xenobiotics and steroid hormones, which drive the disease's development. The purpose of this review is to provide a clear understanding of differential CYP expression in ovarian cancer and its implications for the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients, together with their polymorphisms' effect on chemotherapy metabolism. Finally, we provide our thoughts on opportunities to exploit metabolic CYP expression for novel therapeutic development to treat ovarian cancer.

In this project, four of fibers Bragg gratings were fabricated by injecting different volumes of liquids (star line Glass Mechanix optical adhesive material, olive oil diluted with ethanol) into the hollow core fiber. The amplitude splitting interferometric technique with a high resolution specially designed translation stage was used for the fabrication process. The fabrication was done using ultraviolet laser operated at wavelength 405nm. The fabricated Bragg length of the four fibers is equal to 3.8 cm. The results presented fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with successful fabrication at 653.3 nm Bragg reflected wavelength.

Water resources worldwide are limited, especially in desert areas like Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the rational and sustainable management of irrigation water supply is an imperative required by the conditions of space and time. This study evaluates the irrigation system through partial root-zone drying (PRD) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI). The effect of applying the PRD and RDI systems on the efficiency and rationalization of irrigation water consumption in a greenhouse and open field cucumber was studied in addition to using the surface (S) and subsurface (SB) drip irrigation methods on irrigation efficiency. The productivity of the RDI-S regular drip irrigation treatment was considered 100% as the control on which the results of all treatments are measured. The results showed that in terms of irrigation technique, the PRD-SB technique had the highest productivity during the winter season in greenhouse cucumbers, with a general average of 13.8 kg m-2 for all irrigation levels, while the RDI-SB technique had the highest productivity during the summer season, with a general average of 16.1 kg m-2. Regarding irrigation level results, the study showed that an irrigation level of 100% is the highest productivity in all irrigation techniques, with a general average of 14.9 kg m-2 for all irrigation techniques during the winter season and 16.4 kg m-2 during the summer. However, the increase in the irrigation level to 150% did not increase productivity. In comparison, the application of the deficit irrigation technique by reducing the level of irrigation to 50% was not accompanied by a similar decrease in productivity. The study results also showed that irrigation with the PRD-SB system was the most productive in the open field at all irrigation levels, with a general average of 7.3 kg m-2. The general average of the percentage decrease in productivity in all irrigation techniques compared to reducing the irrigation percentage to 50% and 75% was 22% and 3 %. The irrigation efficiencies were higher when applying the PRD (PRD-SB) in winter. In contrast, applying a deficit irrigation system (RDI-SB) in the summer season had the highest efficiency. It could be concluded that using PRD and RDI systems for indoor and outdoor cucumber can save irrigation water.

The considerable biological and medicinal activities of pyridazines has stimulated considerable research on efficient syntheses of these derivatives. In the last decade, microwave irradiation has generally been used for the energy source. As demonstrated in recent studies, pressure reactor “Q-tubes” may be used to accelerate several of these reactions in a more optimal and safer manner (compared to microwaves). In these studies there has been postulated a pathway for the formation of pyridazino[5,4,3-de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives . In this paper we consider this pathway, and an alternate pathway, for several reactions. Contrary to the suggestion in these studies the pathway in which initial dimerization of malononitrile was postulated could be excluded based on chemical evidence. The reactions performed were the reaction of arylhydrazonals 1a,b with benzylidinemalononitrile which afforded in Q-tube the 3-acyl-4-aryl-1-phenyl-6-amino-1,4-dihydropyridazines, and the reaction of arylhydrazonals 1a,b, malononitrile 9 and aromatic aldehydes 10a-g in Q-tubes which afforded the tricyclic systems 12a-n whose structure could be established by X-ray crystal structure determination. In conclusion, we have added to the work of the recent studies by excluding a reaction pathway for one of their reaction products.

This study aims at investigating the catalytic performance of Pd, Pd/Pt, and Pd/Au nanocatalysts toward the 2-propanol electro-oxidation reaction (2POR) in an alkaline medium. The catalyst components (Pd, Pt, and Au) were sequentially electrodeposited onto a glassy carbon (GC) electrode surface and further characterized using electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry (CV)) and materials (Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX)) characterization methods. The Pd/Au/GC catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity in terms of the highest oxidation current (0.386 mA) and the highest stability in terms of the highest obtained current after 1800 s of continuous electrolysis. This behaviour was attributed to the enhancement in the charge transfer kinetics where the Pd/Au/GC catalysts acquired the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct, 1.85 kΩ) during the 2POR.

Despite the effectiveness of insulin injections in managing hyperglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes, they fall short in addressing autoimmunity and regenerating damaged islets. This review aims to explore the potential of various treatment modalities for T1DM, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSC-derived exosomes, gene therapy, islet allotransplantation, and pancreatic islet cell transplantation. Results: MSCs demonstrate efficacy in T1DM treatment through immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, although further research is warranted to optimize their therapeutic potential. Gene therapy presents a promising approach despite challenges such as donor shortage and immune rejection. Pancreatic islet cell transplantation emerges as a viable option, albeit with associated risks including graft rejection and the need for immunosuppression. Teplizumab, an FDA-approved humanized monoclonal antibody, revolutionizes the treatment landscape of Type 1 Diabetes by significantly delaying its onset, offering a paradigm shift since the discovery of insulin Conclusion: Ongoing studies and technological advancements in T1DM management offer a promising outlook for improved treatments and possibly even eradication on a global scale. MSCs, MSC-derived exosomes, gene therapy, and pancreatic islet transplantation hold considerable potential.

The emergence of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in marked as the highest pathogenic coronavirus that has crossed from the hosts to the human population in the twenty-first century. The spreading of COVID-19 in different chinese cities and around the world is travel-related viral spread with the unprecedented nosocomial outbreaks. It has also shown with high case-fatality rates, indeed to urgent prophylactic and therapeutic settings. Scientific advancements of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic allowed for rapid progress to understand the epidemiology and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. This review highlights the the genomic structure of SARS-CoV-2 with the proposed roles of genotype and phenotype of SARS-CoV-2 in pathogenesis and discuss recent results supporting treatment strategies of COVID-19 with a special focus on how these new insights may facilitate rational development of SARS-CoV-2 for targeted therapies in the future.

In 1789, the Annonaceae family was cataloged by de Jussieu. It encompasses tropical and subtropical plants which are widespread in distribution across various continents such as Asia, South and Central America, Australia and Africa. The genus of Annona is one of the 120 genera of the Annonaceae family and contains more than 119 species of trees and shrubs. The majority of these species are found in tropical America with more than 105 species (26 of them are endemic). Due to its edible fruits and medicinal properties, Annona is the most important genus of Annonaceae family. Despite Annona having many species, only limited species of this family are economically important such as A. squamosa L. (sugar apple), A. cherimola Mill. (Cherimoya), A. muricata L. (guanabana or soursop), A. atemoya Mabb. (atemoya), a hybrid between A. cherimola and A. squamosa, A. reticulata L. (custard apple), A. glabra L. (pond-apple) and A. macroprophyllata Donn. Sm. (ilama). Phytochemically, several classes of secondary metabolites such as acetogenins, essential oils, alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids have been described in this genus. A variety of pharmacological activities have been reported from various parts of Annona species specially leaves and seeds including applications against antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory.

Abstract: As a low-input crop, Miscanthus offers numerous advantages that, in addition to agricultural applications, permits its exploitation for energy, fuel, and material production. Depending on the Miscanthus genotype, season, and harvest time as well as plant component (leaf versus stem), correlations between structure and properties of the corresponding isolated lignins differ. Here, a comparative study is presented between lignins isolated from M. x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara using a catalyst-free organosolv pulping process. The lignins from different plant constituents are also compared regarding their similarities and differences regarding monolignol ratio and important linkages. Results showed that the plant genotype has the weakest influence on monolignol content and interunit linkages. In contrast, structural differences are more significant among lignins of different harvest time and/or season. Analyses were performed using fast and simple methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Data was assigned to four different linkages (A: b-O-4 linkage, B: phenylcoumaran, C: resinol, D: b-unsaturated ester). In conclusion, A content is particularly high in leaf-derived lignins at just under 70 % and significantly lower in stem and mixture lignins at around 60 % and almost 65 %. The second most common linkage pattern is D in all isolated lignins, the proportion of which is also strongly dependent on the crop portion. Both stem and mixture lignins, have a relatively high share of approximately 20 % or more (maximum is M. sinensis Sin2 with over 30 %). In the leaf-derived lignins, the proportions are significantly lower on average. Stem samples should be chosen if the highest possible lignin content is desired, specifically from the M. x giganteus genotype, which revealed lignin contents up to 27 %. Due to the better frost resistance and higher stem stability, M. nagara offers some advantages compared to M. x giganteus. Miscanthus crops are shown to be very attractive lignocellulose feedstock (LCF) for second generation biorefineries and lignin generation in Europe.

The purpose of this study was to examine the problem of violent extremism among young people. Additionally, a youth violent extremism scale (YVES) was developed that takes into account the differences between and within Arab cultures. The goal was to produce a scale that could be used and tested within an Arab country or between Arab countries. The scale was developed in three stages: generation, refinement, and validation. A literature review and nomological network were utilized to show the scale's dimensions, correlations to those dimensions, and other relevant variables (such as the LSC, LSE, and criminality scale). A sample of 6726 young students from fifteen Arab countries and the authorities involved were selected. Findings showed that six factors were obtained through principal component factor analysis using Varimax and Kaiser normalization (29 items). A significant positive association was found (r=.651, p = 0.000), supporting the scale's validity. Using Cronbach's alpha, the scale reliability was strong and assessed at 0.98. The scale's construct validity was estimated by assessing the correlation between the Youth Violent Extremism scale and low self-control. A significant positive correlation (r=.651, p = 0.000) indicates the scale's validity. Findings showed significant differences between males and females in youth violent extremism (F = 13.678, α ≤0.000). Descriptive results showed, however, that females have a slightly higher mean of violent extremism than males (M =85.2 vs. 87.6), with a close variation (26 vs. 27) for males and females, respectively. In this study, a measurement tool was provided that can be used as a knowledge base for security strategies. The scale can be applied to identify legal, social, and educational policies and applications of violent extremism. Future research is needed to test the scale on different professions like teachers, police officers, and parents. Also, a need to test the scale on different age groups, settings, and cultures. A need for atheoretical and empirical framework for understanding and preventing youth violent extremism through promoting a more cohesive and resilient youth society.

The traditional standards employed for pain assessment have many limitations. One such limitation is reliability because of inter-observer variability. Therefore, there have been many approaches to automate the task of pain recognition. Recently, deep-learning methods have appeared to solve many challenges, such as feature selection and cases with a small number of data sets. This study provides a systematic review of pain-recognition systems that are based on deep-learning models for the last two years only. Furthermore, it presents the major deep-learning methods that were used in review papers. Finally, it provides a discussion of the challenges and open issues.

The field of construction materials is pivotal in developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure. This demands continuous research to understand the properties and behaviors of these materials under diverse conditions. Although advancements in material science and numerical modeling have been significant, experimental testing remains indispensable for a thorough comprehension of material characteristics, particularly under extreme stresses and environmental factors. This need has forced the development of a wide array of testing techniques, each designed to evaluate specific engineering properties, thus creating a complex and varied landscape of experimental methodologies. This study provides a comprehensive overview of both conventional and innovative experimental testing techniques used to characterize construction materials. It explores the related methodologies and identifies potential gaps in their application within the industry. The spectrum of testing covered includes mechanical, chemical, thermal, microstructural, durability, physical, rheological properties, and non-destructive testing methods. Mechanical tests assess strength, hardness, and fatigue, whereas chemical analyses utilize techniques such as spectroscopy and chromatography. Thermal properties are examined using thermogravimetric analysis, and microstructural characteristics are explored through advanced imaging techniques. Durability testing focuses on materials’ resistance to environmental challenges, while physical properties tests evaluate aspects like porosity and water absorption. Rheological and non-destructive tests further examine materials’ behavior and integrity without causing damage. By discussing these methodologies, the study sheds light on various approaches to material evaluation and aims to enhance the selection, application, and development of testing standards. This overview seeks to inform and inspire future research and innovation in the science of construction materials, contributing to the development of more resilient and sustainable construction practices.

The literature study delves into novel therapeutic strategies in transplantation medicine, highlighting unique approaches that could revolutionize current practices. It emphasizes novel patterns that have the potential to transform the current landscape. Commencing with a thorough examination of the historical environment, it traces crucial advances and changes in transplantation. The focus is on traditional techniques, emphasizing their limitations and challenges. An extensive examination of contemporary transplantation therapies offers valuable insights into the most recent progress in organ, cellular, and tissue transplantation. This analysis examines the immunological obstacles and outlines the current advancements and constraints. The exploration further navigates into novel models and concepts such as immunomodulation, developments in organ preservation techniques, gene editing, biomaterials, scaffold-based solutions, and the integration of precision medicine, artificial intelligence, and machine learning applications. Each section analyzes the potential for change and current progress in various areas, backed by relevant scientific sources up to 2023. The subsequent sections delve into innovative cellular therapies, biotechnological progress, current clinical trials, and case studies demonstrating effective applications. This examination delves into the ethical and regulatory considerations of innovative therapeutic procedures, emphasizing ethical implications, regulatory frameworks, and the importance of balancing innovation with patient welfare. The literature review concludes by offering a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing potential progress, anticipated challenges, and advocating for collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches to overcome limitations in the field of transplantation medicine.

Mothers’ own milk (MOM) for premature babies is considered a life-saving drug for its proven protective action against the complications of prematurity and for the effects on the outcome in the short and long term, especially the neurological one. We studied the use of the MOM for WLBWs over a 5-year period. Statistical comparisons concerned data on feeding with the MOM during stay in NICU and at discharge with respect to maternal and neonatal variables (gestational age, birth weight, type of pregnancy if single or twin, maternal age) and to feeding data (timing of the start of the Minimal Enteral Feeding and the availability of the MOM, the achievement of the Full Enteral Feeding, the type of nutrition at discharge). We observed an increase, between 2017 and 2021, of MOM use (p=0.003). The availability of the MOM occurred on average on the fourth day of life and improved over the years. Start of MEF with human milk averaged 1.78 days and 54.3% of VLBWs received MEF with donor milk on the first day of life (50% within the first 6 hours). The average MOM at discharge was 47.6% with 36.1% exclusive MOM (EMOM) and an increase from 45.8% in 2017 (EMOM 33.3%) to 58.82% (EMOM 41.18%) in 2021. The mean average daily growth of the weight improved (p<0.001) during this period. There is no statistical difference between infants fed with MOM and those fed with bank milk. The maternal age, the start day of the MOM feeding and gestational age have a significant impact on the type of feeding at discharge.

The preparation of transition metal salt ammine complexes having oxidizing anions is a great challenge due to the reaction between the ammonia and oxidizing anions during the synthesis of these materials. However, they have an important role in the development of new oxidants in organic chemistry and especially as precursors in the preparation of mixed metal oxides and alloys in controlled temperature thermal decomposition reactions. Therefore, the synthetic procedures to prepare the complexes of transition metal permanganate, pertechnetate, and perrhenate (VIIB group tetraoxometallates) salts with ammonia as ligand or co-ligand have been comprehensively reviewed. The available data about the structure and spectroscopic properties of these compounds, including the hydrogen bonds that act as redox reaction centers under their thermal decomposition are given and evaluated. Their thermal decomposition processes and products have been summarized. The available pieces of information about their role in organic oxidation reactions like the oxidation of benzyl alcohols, and regeneration of oxo-compounds from oximes and phenylhydrazones including the kinetics of these processes have also been collected.

In the present study. At first, some properties of r-fuzzy soft β-closed sets are introduced on fuzzy soft topological spaces based on the paper Aygunoglu et al. (Hacet. J. Math. Stat. 2014, 43, 193-208). Also, we define the closure and interior operators with respect to the classes of r-fuzzy soft β-closed and r-fuzzy soft β-open sets, and investigate some of their properties. In addition, the concept of r-fuzzy soft β-connected sets is introduced and characterized with help of fuzzy soft β-closure operators. Thereafter, some properties of a fuzzy soft β-continuity are studied. Furthermore, we introduce and study the concepts of fuzzy soft almost (weakly) β-continuous functions, which are weaker forms of a fuzzy soft β-continuity. Also, the relationships between these classes of functions are specified with the help of some illustrative examples. Finally, we explore new types of fuzzy soft functions called, fuzzy soft β-irresolute (strongly β-irresolute, β-irresolute open, β-irresolute closed and β-irresolute homeomorphism) functions, and discuss some properties of them. Also, we show that fuzzy soft strongly β-irresolute → fuzzy soft β-irresolute → fuzzy soft β-continuity, but the converse may not be true.

Demand for environmentally friendly types of energy is growing all over the world, which naturally increases the intensity of work on the production of hydrogen-containing fuel mixtures. Steam reforming of methanol is one of the most effective areas of research, as it is a process with low energy consumption. The results of steam reforming of methanol on the catalysts prepared by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and impregnation by moisture capacity are presented. Investigation of the activity of Cu-Ce-Al catalysts of different composition was carried out for production of hydrogen and comparison of SCS with traditional impregnation method. Methanol conversion reaches 99%, while the selectivity of H2 was 88%, at 500 °C. It was found that CuAl2O4 spinel formation is due to substitution of Al3+ with Cu2+ Ce3+ cations. A consequence CuAl2O4 and CeAlO3 lattice parameters increase because of difference in ionic radius of Al3+ (0.53 Å) and Cu2+ (0.73 Å), Ce3+ (1.07 Å). Advantages of SCS catalysts in steam reforming of methanol were shown. The aim of this research is to develop a new catalyst for conversion of methanol into hydrogen containing fuel mixtures, which will further promote the organization of a new era of environmentally friendly energy-saving production methods.

Batch and transport experiments were used to investigate the remediation of a loamy sand soil contaminated with Cr(VI) using zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) stabilized by the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC-nZVI). The effect of pH, ionic strength (IS), and flow rate on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) were investigated under equilibrium (uniform transport) and non-equilibrium (Two-site sorption) transport using the Hydrus-1D model. The overall removal efficiency ranged from 70 to over 90% based on the chemical characteristics of the CMC-nZVI suspension and the transport conditions. The concentration and pH of the CMC-nZVI suspension had the most significant effect on the removal efficiency and transport of Cr(VI) in the soil. The average removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was increased from 24.1 to 75.5% when the concentration of CMC-nZVI nanoparticles was increased from 10 to 250 mg L-1, mainly because of the increased total surface area at larger particle concentration. Batch experiments showed that removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was much larger under acidic conditions. The average removal efficiency of Cr(VI) reached 90.1 and 60.5 % at pH 5 and 7, respectively. The Two-site sorption model described quite well (r2 = 0.96-0.98) the transport of Cr(VI) in soil as compared to the uniform transport model (r2 = 0.81-0.98). The average retardation of Cr(VI) was 3.51 and 1.61 at pH 5 and 7, respectively, indicating earlier arrival for the breakthrough curves and shorter time to reach maximum relative concentration at lower pH. The Hydrus-1D model has proven to be an efficient tool for assessing the removal of Cr(VI) pollutants, offering innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly remediation methodologies.

Inorganic nanoparticles based on magnetite improve the mechanical, thermal, and magnetic properties of microporous cryogel polymer composites. Here we report the synthesis of microporous cryogel based on the crosslinked sodium vinyl sulfonate (Na-VS) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt (Na-AMPS). The magnetite nanoparticles were inserted into Na-VS/Na-AMPS cryogel either during its crosslinking polymerization or by in-situ technique after its crosslinking. The morphology, particle sizes, thermal stability and magnetite contents of Na-VS/Na-AMPS cryogel and its magnetite composites were investigated. The prepared Na-VS/Na-AMPS cryogel and its magnetite composites were used as adsorbents for methylene blue (MB) cationic dye using optimum conditions. The magnetite Na-VS/Na-AMPS cryogel composite prepared by in-situ technique achieved the best adsorption MB removal capacity for 7 cycles among the other adsorbents via chemical adsorption mechanism at room temperature.

In this study, the olive pomace was considered because of its importance in the environment. So, this study carried out to estimate the total nitrogen content and the fatty acids profile of olive pomace. The olive pomace samples were collected from Irbid, Jarash, Ajloun and Mafraq during the harvesting season 2014 to study the biochemical characteristics of fatty acid composition and the total nitrogen (TN) content. The total nitrogen content was determined by standard Kjeldahl method and the fatty acid profile was detected by gas chromatography (GC). The results show that the total nitrogen content ranged from (0.39 ± 0.0) to (0.62 ± 0.02) with statistically significant difference suggesting that the composition of matrices and their percentage may be responsible for composition of amendments. The calculated total protein percentage ranged between (2.43 ± 0.00) to (3.87 ± 0.17). Also, 13 different fatty acids were quantitatively profiled and quantitated. Oleic acid (C 18:1) was found to be the highest percentage of all other fatty acids and ranged between (59.03%) and (63.81%), moreover the C 18:1/C 18:2 (oil quality) was calculated and C.V% showed variation meaning that nutritional implication could affect the oxidative stability of oils. In conclusion, OP by-product could give a sustainable and alternative-cheap source for fertilizers, pharmaceutical industries, cosmetics and other industries.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an endocrine illness associate with various changes in the immune system and adaptor protein levels. Cytokine dependent hematopoietic cell linker (CLNK) is an adapter protein that regulates immune receptor signaling and acts as a regulator of the receptor signaling of T-cells and natural killer T-cell. The role of CLNK in T2DM is not studied previously. In the present study, serum CLNK level was measured and correlated with some sociodemographic and insulin resistance (IR) parameters. This is achieved by performing measurement of CLNK and insulin parameters (glucose, insulin, and HbA1c in addition to the calculation of the functions of IR (HOMA2IR), insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S), and beta-cell function (HOMA%B)) in 60 T2DM patients and 30 controls. The results indicated a significant increase (p=0.025) in serum CLNK in patients group in comparison with the controls. Multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) analysis revealed no significant effect of age, BMI, and sex on the CLNK level. The results of tests for between-subjects showed that the CLNK affects diagnosis significantly (F=7.445, p=0.008, partial η² =0.081) and its effect is approximately the same as the effect of insulin (F=8.107, p=0.006, partial η² =0.087). The correlation study showed a highly significant positive correlation between CLNK and the duration of disease (rho=0.420, p<0.001). It can be concluded that the increase CLNK in T2DM revealing the role of the adaptor proteins level in the nature of disease. Elevation of CLNK level may be used as a predictor for diabetes complications, which needs more investigations.

Water scarcity challenges have necessitated the adoption of water-saving techniques in protected and nom-protected farming. This study aimed to assess the performance of a water-saving soil-less cultivation technique and to compare it with conventional soil-based cultivation in protected farming. The soilless technique used local gravel and a mixture of peat-moss, humin-substrate, and perlite in ratios of 4:3:1.5. Three irrigation regimes were imposed using emitters 8Lh-1 design discharge (D1) emitters with 6Lh-1 design discharge (D0.75) and 4Lh-1 de-sign discharge (D0.5) for the two cultivation methods during the growth cycle of tomato by drip irrigation. The vegetative growth, fruit yield and water consumption were measured and water productivity was determined. Moreover, an economic assessment was carried out by estimating and comparing economic coefficients for the two cultivation methods. Estimated coefficients include revenues, net profit, benefit-cost ratio, break-even levels of production and prices, revenues over variable cost, and revenues on investment. The tomato fruit yield under soil-based cultivation overtopped the yield under soilless cultivation. The water productivity under the soilless cultivation was almost twice that (24.3 kg m-3) of the soil-based cultivation (15.5 kg m-3). The soilless cultivation saved 50% of irrigation water applied by the conventional soil-based method, saving energy and soil from deterioration. Revenues and net profits stimulated by higher yield coupled with lower variable cos supported the soil-based cultivation. The economic assessment showed that both cultivation methods were economically viable. However, the soil-based cultivation method was more profitable due to its higher fruit yield. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the soilless cultivation technique is a viable option for wa-ter-saving cultivation. However, the soil-based cultivation method is still more profitable due to its higher fruit yield

Innovation is rapidly growing and affecting various industries, including hydrocarbon processing. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive and organized review of the literature on innovation ecosystems and their performance. It will examine existing definitions of innovation ecosystems and related concepts and identify metrics and indicators for measuring innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The term "innovation ecosystem" has gained considerable attention from scholars and practitioners over the past fifteen years. Despite the proliferation of research in this area, there are concerns about its fragmented knowledge base. While previous reviews have highlighted the theoretical connections between innovation ecosystems and related concepts, there is still a need for a more comprehensive understanding of the current state of innovation ecosystem research. The study used a systematic literature review approach that combines bibliographic coupling and content analysis methods, drawing on over 100 studies to identify five streams of current innovation ecosystem research: technology innovation, platform innovation ecosystems, regional development, innovation ecosystem conceptualization and theorization, and entrepreneurship and innovation. The study's contribution lies in decoding the intellectual structure of current innovation ecosystem research and providing targeted recommendations for future research.

The variability of ozone over Egypt has been studied in this work. Higher values of coefficient of variation (COV) at eight stations occur at winter while lowest values occur at summer. The COV is function of latitude in annual, winter and spring where it decreases gradually from the north to south of Egypt. The trend analysis of ozone over the eight stations indicates negative trends over northern stations for both annual and seasonal time series with the greatest one at winter. The horizontal distribution of ozone trend values is negative over all Egypt in winter while it positive over middle and south Egypt in the other seasons. The long-term variability of the behavior of the annual ozone shows positive trend values in ozone are the dominant features during the period 1979- 1989 at the most stations. Negative trend values in ozone are the dominant features during the period 1990- 2014 at all stations. The Mann–Kendall test confirms that there is an abrupt change towards decreasing of ozone occurs in 1981, 1984, 2012, 1999, 2000, 1998 and 2010, while a change towards increasing of ozone appears in 2006, 2014, 1993 and 1989.

This paper introduces the complex Rayleigh-van der Pol-Duffing oscillators (RVDOs), which are hyperchaotic and can be either autonomous or non-autonomous. The fundamental dynamics of the autonomous and nonautonomous complex RVDOs including dissipation, symmetry, fixed points and their stability are studied. These oscillators are found in various important fields of physics and engineering. The paper proposes a scheme to achieve phase synchronization (PS) and antiphase synchronization (APS) for different dimensional models. These kinds of synchronization are considered as generalization of several other types of synchronization. For this scheme we use the active control method based on Lyapunov stability theory. By analytically determining the control functions, the scheme achieved PS and APS. Our scheme is applied to study PS of hyperchaotic behaviours for two distinct hyperchaotic non-autonomous and autonomous complex RVDOs. Additionally, the scheme is employed to achieve APS of chaotic real non-autonomous RVDO and hyperchaotic complex autonomous RVDO, including those with different dimensions. Our work presents numerical results that plot the amplitudes and phases of these hyperchaotic behaviours, demonstrating the successful achievement of PS and APS.

Background: The biofilm-forming bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is primarily responsible for periodontal disorders, which continue to be a global health issue. Despite the widespread use of antibiotics like metronidazole, other potent therapeutic a crucial quorum sensing molecule implicated in the formation of P. gingivalis biofilm. Approaches are now being explored due to the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. Objective: In particular, chemicals from Symphytum Officinale (S) and Panax Ginseng (G) plants will be examined in this study to assess if they have the ability to inhibit biofilm and to prevent the development of acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs), a quorum sensing molecule. Materials and Methods: With Metronidazole serving as a control, the antibacterial effects of these substances (Symphytum Officinale and Panax Ginseng) were examined against a standard strain and a clinical isolate of P. gingivalis. Dilutions of these plant extracts were used either alone (G+S) or in conjunction with metronidazole (G+S+F), to assess their antibacterial activity using antibacterial susceptibility test (inhibition zone), biofilm inhibition and disruption assay (optical density) and quorum sensing inhibition assay (AHL). Results: The combinations of Symphytum officinale, Panax Ginseng and metronidazole (S+G+F) showed the maximum effectiveness with highest zone of inhibition (25.000±0.001 mm) and biofilm inhibition (98.46%), and were comparable to G+S (inhibition zone of 24.341±0.593 mm and biofilm inhibition of 97.76%), and significantly different in the degree of biofilm inhibition with different treatment scenarios. Additionally, the plant's extracts and combinations are specific concentrations had a significant effect on the suppression of the generation of AHL (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: According to preliminary research, these plant-derived substances, especially when paired with metronidazole, significantly inhibited the growth of P. gingivalis biofilm providing valuable information for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for periodontitis and other biofilm-associated illnesses.

Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) images encompass valuable information that can facilitate extensive land cover interpretation and generate diverse output products. Extracting meaningful features from PolSAR data poses challenges distinct from those encountered in optical imagery. Deep Learning (DL) methods offer effective solutions for overcoming these challenges in PolSAR feature extraction. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) play a crucial role in capturing PolSAR image characteristics by leveraging kernel capabilities to consider local information and the complex-valued nature of PolSAR data. In this study, a novel three-branch fusion of complex-valued CNN named Shallow to Deep Feature Fusion Network (SDF2Net) is proposed for PolSAR image classification. To validate the performance of the proposed method, classification results are compared against multiple state-of-the-art approaches using the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) datasets of Flevoland, San Francisco, and ESAR Oberpfaffenhofen dataset. The results indicate that the proposed approach demonstrates improvements in OA, with 1.3% and 0.8% enhancement for the AIRSAR datasets and 0.5% improvement for the ESAR dataset. The analyses conducted on the Flevoland data underscore the effectiveness of the SDF2Net model, revealing a promising OA of 96.01% even with only 1% sampling ratio.

One of the important air pollutants is ammonia, which is mainly emitted from the agriculture sector. This sector is responsible for over 81% of global ammonia emissions. The main threat related to ammonia emissions is water eutrophication and soil acidification. The aim of the research was a preliminary assessment of the implementation status of methods for reducing ammonia emissions on farms and to learn the views and awareness of agricultural producers on reducing emissions of pollutants into the air. The research was conducted using a survey questionnaire that was made available to farmers in various ways. Based on the results of pilot surveys, it can be concluded that farmers have general knowledge of environmental protection and generally agree that people have an impact on the state of the environment. Low-emission practices to reduce ammonia emissions from agricultural sources are not widely used. The best situation is regarding reduction practices in the storage of natural fertilizers and the use of low-emission fertilizer application techniques. Some reduction activities are not obligatory, therefore it is difficult to determine the scope of application of these practices. Therefore, such periodic research will allow monitoring the activity of agricultural producers in implementing reduction methods.

Enhancing spectral efficiency, especially in Non-line-of-Sight environments, is emerging as a pivotal necessity when dealing with the evolving landscape of 5G networks and beyond, sur-passing the capabilities of previous 4G systems to achieve a high information rate combined with minimal interference. Contrary to depending on the traditional Orthogonal Multiple Access (OMA) systems to tackle the issues caused by Non-line-of-Sight (NLoS) environments, advanced wireless networks are focusing on adopting innovative models such as Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA), MIMO, IRS technology, etc. In this paper, we present technologies that can be integrated with NOMA to enhance communication reliability in environments that suffer from issues such as limited coverage and lower spectral efficiency mainly caused by huge obstacles. Our exploration includes the fundamental concepts of Cooperative NOMA (C-NOMA), Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Intelligent Reflective Surfaces (IRS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Energy Harvesting (HV), which adds a layer of sophistication, promising not only improved connectivity but also contributing to a more reliable and environmentally friendly data trans-mission landscape.

Two experiments were conducted to develop a Nano green manganese and assess its effect on grapevines. The first experiment was microbiological, where several incorporation strategies were utilized to enrich the yeast with manganese, as follows: (1) adding manganese to the liquid medium (growth phase), (2) adding after 24 h of incubation (non-growth phase). As the results, growth phase reduced the possibility of medium contamination. Manganese concentration in the yeast cells was increased as that of manganese sulphate in the medium. Manganese incorporation in yeast cells was 99.93% higher than that of the medium at 0.0195 g/l of manganese. Although the concentration of manganese in the medium raised the OD of yeast cell biomass, manganese sulphate had no passive influence on it. The second experiment was horticultural, done on Flame Seedless grapevines, since both active fresh and frozen yeast enriched with manganese resulted from the first experiment were sprayed twice a year at 10 or 20 cm3/l comparing with manganese sulphate, and manganese chelate. The results demonstrated that yeast extracts in both forms increased the yield and improved fruit properties. The most effective treatment on vegetative growth, yield and fruit properties was the frozen yeast enriched with manganese at 20 cm3/l.

From a differential geometric perspective, information geometry (IG) aims to characterise the structure of statistical geodesic models. The research done for this paper offers a novel method for modelling the information geometry of a queuing system. From the perspective of IG, the manifold of the transient M/M/infinity queue is described in this context. The Fisher Information matrix (FIM) as well as the inverse of (FIM), (IFIM) of transient M/M/infinity QM are devised. In addition to that, new results that uncovered the significant impact of stability of QM on the existence of (IFIM) are obtained. Moreover, the Geodesic equations of motion of the coordinates of the underlying transient are obtained. Also, it is revealed that stable QM is developable (i.e., has a zero Gaussian curvature) and has a non-zero Ricci Curvature Tensor (RCT). Novel stability dynamics of transient M/M/iInfinity queue manifold is revealed by discovering the mutual dual impact between the behaviour of (RCT) and the stability(instability) phases of M/M/Infinity QM. Furthermore, a new discovery that presents the significant impact of stability of queue manifold and the continuity of the unique representation between M/G/1 queue manifold and Ricci Curvature Tensor (RCT). The information matrix exponential (IME) is devised. Also, it is shown that stability of the devised (IME) enforces the instability of M/M/ Infinity QM. More interestingly, novel relativistic info-geometric queueing theoretic links are revealed .

Background: Asthma is a widespread chronic respiratory disease that poses a significant public health challenge. The current study investigated the associations between air pollution and asthma severity among individuals residing near the Sohar industrial port (SIP) in Oman. Despite the presence of multiple major industrial complexes in Oman, limited knowledge regarding their impact on respiratory health is accredited. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to offer valuable insights into the respiratory health consequences of industrial air pollution in Al Batinah North. Methods: The state health clinics' records for patient visits related to asthma were collected for the timeframe spanning 2014 to 2022. Exposure was defined as the distance from SIP, Majan Industerial Area (MIA) and Sohar Industerial Zone (SIZ) to determine high, intermediate, and low exposure zones (12 km, respectively). Exposure effect modifications by age, gender, and smoking status were also examined. Results: The conducted cross-sectional study of 410 patients (46.1% males and 53.9% females) living in over 17 areas around SIP revealed that 73.2% of asthmatics were under 50 years old, with severity significantly associated with closeness to the port. Risk ratios were estimated to be (RR:2.42; CI95%: 1.01–5.78), (RR:1.91; CI95%: 1.01–3.6), and (RR:1.68; CI95%: 0.92–3.09) for SIP, MIP and SIZ areas, respectively, compared to the control area. Falaj Al Qabail (6.4 km) and Majees (6 km) had the highest number of asthma patients (N. 69 and N. 72), and highest percentages of severe asthma cases among these patients (28% and 24%) with significant risk ratios (RR:2.97; CI95%: 1.19–7.45 and RR:2.55; CI95%: 1.00–6.48), correspondingly. Moreover, severe asthma prevalence peaked in the 25-50 age group (RR:2.05; CI95%: 1.26–3.33), and this linkage between asthma and age was much more pronounced in males than females. Smoking and exposure to certain contaminant (dust and smoke) increased also the risk of severe asthma symptoms, but their effects were less important in the high risk zone, suggesting much more important risk factor. A neural network model accurately predicted asthma risk (94.8% accuracy), with proximity to Sohar Industrial Port as the most influential predictor. Conclusion: The study highlights the High asthma burden near Sohar Industrial Port, linked to port proximity and smoking and wind direction as major risk factors. These findings inform vital public health policies to reduce air pollution and improve respiratory health in the region, prompting national policy review.

Whereas bisexuality, as it existed in modernity, has been described as a ‘floating signifier', one that was problematically conflated with gender and intersex bodies, the articulation of bisexuality is now experiencing a discursive resurgence in spaces and platforms online. Through a deliberately disparate comparison between Virginia Woolf’s modernist writing and the discussions of bisexuality on the video-sharing social networking service TikTok, this essay presents a reflective reassessment of how far bisexual representation in the popular imagination has progressed and by extension, evaluate extant limitations. To realize these ambitions, I compare the reception of sexology (the new science of sexuality) in ‘high’ modernist literature with a post-modern demographic whose bisexuality is articulated in the 2020s online via TikTok’s towards what I would demarcate as a post-queer theory user base. This essay is not intended as an overview of the advancements made in psychoanalytic institutions about bisexuality nor does it set out to comment on the refinement of bisexuality’s aestheticization through time. Instead, it uses these two temporally specific moments in the cultural zeitgeist to compare and contrast how differently two different demographics articulate bisexuality, both as a written mode in modernism and as a visual apparatus online. This is less a critique of bi-erasure, but an interrogation of why and how bisexual representation, as an aestheticized subjectivity that compromises romantic, spiritual, and erotic desires for bodies of all genders, continues to be problematically restrictive.

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are critical modulators of the metabolism. In adults, IGFBPs are associated with obesity and insulin resistance but the association of IGFBPs with metabolic homeostasis in children and adolescents is not fully characterized. In this study we investigated the association of plasma IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, 3 and 7) with weight status, central adiposity and cardiovascular disease markers Hs-CRP and Ox-LDL. A total of 420 adolescents (age 11-14 years) were randomly recruited from public middle schools in Kuwait. IGFBPs were measured using bead-based multiplexing while Hs-CRP and Ox-LDL were measured using ELISA. IGFBP-1 levels were significantly lower in obese and overweight participants compared to normal weight children. Only IGFBP-1 was negatively associated with waist circumference to height (WC/Ht) ratio. IGFBP-1 was negatively correlated with Hs-CRP while IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-7 were negatively correlated with Ox-LDL. These data demonstrate a robust negative association of IGFBP-1, but not IGFBP-3 or -7, with overweight and obesity, and the inflammation marker Hs-CRP. Central adiposity (WC/Ht ratio) was a stronger predictor of IGFBP-1 than BMI-for-age z-score. IGFBP-1 could thus be used as a sensitive predictive diagnostic tool for obesity and its subsequent effects in screening and monitoring of obesity-related metabolic complications in adolescents.

This paper presents a customized adaptive cascaded deep learning (ACDL) model for the design and performance prediction of metasurface absorbers. A multi-resonant metasurface absorber structure is introduced, with 10 target-driven design parameters. The proposed deep learning model takes advantage of cascading several sub-deep neural network (DNN) layers with forward noise mitigation capability. The inherent appearance of sparse data is completely dealt with in this work by proposing a trained adaptive selection technique. On the basis of the findings, the prediction response is quite fast and accurate enough to retrieve the design parameters of the studied metasurface absorber and with two sized patches of 4000 and 7000 datasets. The training loss taken form the second DNN of our proposed model shows logarithmic mean squared errors of 0.039 and 0.033 when using Keras and the adaptive method, respectively, with a dataset split of 4000. On the contrary, for a dataset split of 7000, the errors are 0.049 with Keras and 0.045 with the adaptive method. On the other hand, the validation loss is evaluated using the mean square error method, which results in a loss with 4000 datasets split with the Keras method of 0.044, while it is 0.020 with the adaptive method. When extending the dataset to 7000, the validation loss with the keras splitting method is 0.0073, while it is improved, reaching 0.006 with the proposed adaptive method, and achieving a prediction accuracy of 94%. This proposed deep learning model can be deployed in the design process and synthesis of multi-resonant metasurface absorber structures. The proposed model shows its advantages of making the design process more efficient in sparse dataset handling, efficient approach in multi-resonance metasurface data pre-processing, less time consuming, and computationally valuable.

In this paper, two types of the general fractional derivatives of distributed order as well as a corresponding fractional integral of distributed type are defined and their basic properties are investigated. The general fractional derivatives of distributed order are constructed for a special class of the one-parametric Sonin kernels with a power law singularities at the origin. The conventional fractional derivatives of distributed order based on the Riemann-Liouville and the Caputo fractional derivatives are particular cases of the general fractional derivatives of distributed order introduced in this paper.

In this study, we surveyed over 600 participants to determine: a) major causes to mental stress during the pandemic and its future impacts, and b) diversity in public perception and acceptance (specifically for children) of Covid-19 vaccination. Statistical results and intelligent clustering outcomes indicate significant relationships between sociodemographic diversity, mental stress causes, vaccination perception, and Covid-19 infections. For instance, statistical results indicate significant dependence between mental stress due to Covid-19 and gender (p = 1.7e-05). Over 25% of males indicated work related stress comparing 35% in females however, females indicated more stressed (17%) due to relationships comparing to males (12%). Around 30% of Asian/Arabic participants don’t feel vaccination being safe as compared to 8% of white-British and 22% of white-European indicating significant dependence (p = 1.8e-08) with ethnicity. More specifically, vaccination acceptance for children is significantly dependent to ethnicity (p = 3.7e-05) where only 47% participants show willingness towards children’s vaccination. Primary dataset in this study along with experimental outcomes identifying sociodemographic information diversity with respect to public perception and acceptance of vaccination to children and potential stress factors might be useful for public and policy makers to be better prepared for future epidemics as well as working globally to combat mental health issues and running more effective vaccination campaigns.

Sparse recovery of fluid flows using data-driven proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis is systematically explored in this work. Fluid flows are manifestations of nonlinear multiscale PDE dynamical systems with inherent scale separation that impact the system dimensionality. Given that sparse reconstruction is inherently an ill-posed problem, the most successful approaches require the knowledge of the underlying basis space spanning the manifold in which the system resides. In this study, we employ an approach that learns basis from singular value decomposition (SVD) of training data to reconstruct sparsely sensed information. This results in a set of four control parameters for sparse recovery, namely, the choice of basis, system dimension required for sufficiently accurate reconstruction, sensor budget and their placement. The choice of control parameters implicitly determines the choice of algorithm as either $l_2$ minimization reconstruction or sparsity promoting $l_1$ norm minimization reconstruction. In this work, we systematically explore the implications of these control parameters on reconstruction accuracy so that practical recommendations can be identified. We observe that greedy-smart sensor placement provides the best balance of computational complexity and robust reconstruction for marginally oversampled cases which happens to be the most challenging regime in the explored parameter design space.

The research that we are referring to examines the morphological, structural, and optical characteristics of kesterite (Cu1-xAgx)2ZnSnS4 (CAZTS) thin films, which are produced using a process known as thermal evaporation (TE). The study's main goal was to determine how different Ag contents affect the characteristics of CAZTS systems. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman Spectroscopy: were used to confirm the crystal structure of the CAZTS thin films. Using a mathematical model of spectroscopic ellipsometry, the refractive index (n) represented the part of the complex refractive index, the extinction coefficient (k) portrayed the imaginary one, and also the energy band gap of the fabricated films were all calculated. The energy band gap of the thin films was also calculated. This is a crucial parameter for solar cell applications, as it determines the wavelength of light that the material can absorb. The energy band gap was found to decrease from 1.74 eV to 1.55 eV with increasing Ag content. The ITO/n-CdS/p-CAZTS/Mo heterojunction was well constructed, and the primary photovoltaic characteristics of the n-CdS/p-CAZTS junctions were examined for use in solar cells. Different Ag contents of the CAZTS layers were used to determine the dark and illumination (current-voltage) characteristics of the heterojunctions. The study's findings collectively point to CAZTS thin layers as potential absorber materials for solar cell applications.

In this paper we introduce the concept of Nano Beta Closure, Nano Beta Interior and study the relationship between them also study some of their properties. Based on these notions we introduced the topological Approach to Decision Making and Its Application in the Medical Field" which describes the use of topological methods in decision-making, specifically through the utilization of nano beta closure and nano beta interior. These mathematical tools are applied in the medical field to improve diagnostic accuracy and aid in treatment planning. The authors demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through a case study on the diagnosis of Chronic Kidney. The results show that the topological approach using nano beta closure and nano beta interior provides a reliable and accurate method for medical decision-making. Finally, we introduce a medical application for disease groups patients of with chronic kidney. To identify the main causative agent of kidney disease. where using this approach, the medical team can identify the specific areas of the kidney that are affected by the infection, as well as the extent of damage and any potential complications. This information is used to create an individualized treatment strategy that is customized to meet the specific requirements of the patient. and medical history. We write an algorithm that can be a helpful tool for doctors to utilize in diagnosing infection disease Chronic Kidney infections. By utilizing this approach, clinicians can provide accurate diagnoses, develop effective treatment plans, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. finally, we show that fractals hold significant importance in future nano topological generation of the human factor. Their unique properties and self-similar patterns offer insights into the complex organization of biological systems and provide a foundation for designing advanced Nanosystems.

A new set of basis functions is presented. The foundation in mathematics is established. To reconstruct a signal, it is compared to the Fourier basis functions. The M-basis functions' potential applications are also presented.

Both lung adenocarcinoma and SARS-CoV-2 infection could cause pulmonary inflammation. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, not only as the functional receptor of SARS-CoV-2 but also play key role in lung adenocarcinoma. To study the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung adenocarcinoma patients, mRNA and miRNA profiles were obtained from TCGA and GEO databases followed by bioinformatics analysis. A regulatory network which regards angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as the center would be structured. In addition, via immunological analysis about key factors in lung adenocarcinoma patients, to explore the essential reasons for the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2. Compared with normal tissue, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was increased in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Furthermore, a total of 7 differently expressed correlated mRNAs (ACE2, CXCL9, MMP12, IL6, AZU1, FCN3, HYAL1 and IRAK3) and 5 differently expressed correlated miRNAs (miR-125b-5p, miR-9-5p, miR-130b-5p, miR-381-3p and miR-421) were screened followed by enrichment analysis. Interestingly, toll-like receptor signaling pathway with the most frequent occurrence was enriched by mRNA (IL6) and miRNA (miR-125b-5p) sets simultaneously. Finally through comprehensive analysis, it was assumed that miR-125b-5p-ACE2-IL6 axis in the structured regulatory network could alter risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Silicon carbide particle-reinforced aluminum matrix (SiCp/Al) composites are significant lightweight metal matrix composites extensively utilized in precision instruments and aerospace sectors. Nevertheless, the inclusion of rigid SiC particles exacerbates tool wear in mechanical machining, resulting in a decline in the quality of surface finish. This work undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the problem of tool wear in SiCp/Al composite materials throughout the machining process. Initially, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to analyze the effects of cutting velocity vc, feed per tooth fz, milling depth ap, and milling width ae on tool wear during high-speed milling under SCCO2-MQL (Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Minimum Quantity Lubrication) ultrasonic vibration conditions. Furthermore, a prediction model for tool wear was developed by employing the orthogonal test method and multiple linear regression. The model's relevance and accuracy were confirmed using F-tests and t-tests. Ultimately, through the utilization of a genetic algorithm, the milling parameters were optimized, resulting in the identification of the most optimal combination of parameters. Empirical findings suggest that the careful selection of milling parameters can significantly mitigate tool wear, extend the lifespan of the tool, and enhance the quality of the surface. This work serves as a significant point of reference for the processing of SiCp/Al composite materials.

κ Draconis is a binary system with a classical Be star as the primary component. Its emission-line spectrum consists of hydrogen lines, notably the Hα line with a peak intensity ratio (V/R) variations phase-locked with the orbital period P = 61.55 days. Among binaries demonstrating the Be phenomenon, κ Dra stands out as one of a few systems with a discernible mass of its secondary component. Based on more than 200 spectra obtained in 2014 − 2023, we verified the physical parameters and constructed the mass function. We used part of these data obtained in 2014 − 2021 to investigate regions in the circumstellar disk of the primary component that emit the Hα line using the Doppler tomography method. The results show that the disk has a non-uniform density distribution with a prominent enhancement at Vy≈ 99 km s−1 and Vx≈−6 km s−1 that corresponds to a cloud-like source of the double-peaked Hα line profile. We argue that this enhancement’s motion is responsible for the periodic variations of the Hα V/R ratio, which is synchronised in orbital phase with the radial velocity (RV) of absorption lines from the atmosphere of the primary component.

The current work reveals the fine tuning between stability zones and randomness of GI/M/1 Pointwise Stationary Fluid Flow Approximation (PSFFA) model of the non-stationary D/M/1 queueing system. More specifically, this clearly provides more insights into developing a contemporary PSFFA theory that unifies non-stationary queueing theory with chaos theory and fields in both theoretical physics and chaotic systems. This opens new grounds for stability analysis of non-stationary queueing systems. A notable application of GI/M/1 queueing model to achieve ultra-low latency of autonomous driving service is highlighted. Concluding remarks associated with future avenues of research are given.

Central adiposity is one of the significant determinants of obesity-related hypertension risk, which may arise due to the abdominal fat depot's pathogenic inflammatory nature. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines up-regulation through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in adipose tissue has been considered an essential function in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension. This study aimed to ascertain the NF-κB inhibitor (SN50) effect on TNF-α and angiotensinogen (AGT) secretion and expression in mediating the anti-inflammatory effect through its impact on NF-κB activity in humans adipose tissue. Primary human adipocytes were isolated from 20 subjects among 10 overweight and 10 obese with and without hypertension and treated with 10ng/ml LPS in the presence and absence of NF-κB inhibitor, SN50 (50μg/ml). TNF-α secretion and NF-κB p65 activity were detected in supernatants extracted from cultured cells treated and untreated with LPS (10ng/ml) and SN50 (50μg/ml) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The western blot technique detected the protein of NF-κB p65 and AGT. Gene expression of TNF-α and AGT was detected in cells and performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with LPS (10ng/ml) caused a significant increase in NF-κB p65 among overweight and obese subjects with and without hypertension (P= 0.001) at 24 hours incubation. In contrast, SN50-NF-κB inhibitor causes a reduction of NF-κB p65 in overweight (P= <0.001) and obese subjects with and without hypertension (P= 0.001) at 24 hours incubation. Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with 10ng/ml LPS caused a significant increase in TNF-α secretion in overweight and obese subjects at all-time points (P= <0.001), whereas SN50 leads to a decrease in TNF-α secretion at 3 and 12 hours incubation. Treatment of AbdSc adipocytes with LPS (10ng/ml) caused increased TNF-α and AGT gene expression twofold compared with untreated cells, whereas, in the presence of SN50, it reduces mRNA AGT levels in both groups. Taken together, these adipokines with NF-κB activation may represent essential biomarkers to evaluate hypertension risk and to provide insight into the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension.

Over the past decade, Deep Learning (DL) had been applied in a large number of optical sensors’ applications. DL algorithms can improve the accuracy and reduce the noise level in optical sensors. Optical sensors are considered as promise technology for the modern intelligent sensing platforms. These sensors are widely used to process monitoring, quality prediction, pollution, defense, security and many other applications. However, they suffer major challenges such as the large generated data and low processing speed for that data and moreover the much cost of these sensor. These challenges can be mitigated by integrating deep learning system with the optical sensor technologies. This paper presents recent studies that integrate DL algorithms with optical sensors applications. This paper also highlights several of DL algorithms directions that promise a considerable impact on use for optical sensor applications. Moreover, this study provides new directions for the future related research development.

The healthcare sector in Kuwait has been nurtured for many decades by the government where the Ministry of Health (MoH) controls up to 80 percent of the country’s health services. General and specialized public hospitals represent a significant proportion of health expenditures in Kuwait; amidst dwindling health resources, a declining global oil market in an oil-dependent welfare state, and a heavy reliance on a non-national clinical workforce. Although healthcare services in public sector hospitals are at highly subsidized rates, causing private sector involvement in healthcare to be considerably low, the growing demands for private delivery of care burgeoned participation of private hospitals in Kuwait, and improving hospital efficiency and productivity is more critical and timelier than ever. This paper aims to analyze public health system efficiency and hospital performance in the State of Kuwait, where we begin by evaluating the input-oriented technical efficiency (TE) of MoH hospitals in 2015-2019 and identifying potential areas for efficiency improvement by exploring influencing institutional and environmental factors. Over the five years between 2015 and 2019, TE in MoH hospitals has decreased by an average of 2.98% solely based on technical regress, where the six MoH general hospitals reported a pooled mean efficiency of 86.58%, and the nine sampled MoH specialized hospitals had a five-year pooled average of 65.47% efficiency. MoH policymakers should focus on improving allocative efficiency in the public health system, and healthcare policy reforms should focus on strengthening management structures in Kuwait’s public hospitals to improve production efficiency and financial sustainability.

Shale gas production is associated with significant usage of fresh water and discharge of wastewater. Consequently, there is a necessity to create the proper management strategies for water resources in shale gas production and to integrate conventional energy sources (e.g., shale gas) with renewables (e.g., solar energy). The objective of this study is to develop a design framework for integrating water and energy systems including multiple energy sources, cogeneration process, and desalination technologies in treating wastewater and providing fresh water for shale gas production. Solar energy is included to provide thermal power directly to a multi-effect distillation plant (MED) exclusively (to be more feasible economically) or indirect supply through a thermal energy storage system. Thus, MED is driven by direct or indirect solar energy, and excess or direct cogeneration process heat. The proposed thermal energy storage along with the fossil fuel boiler will allow for the dual-purpose system to operate at steady-state by managing the dynamic variability of solar energy. Additionally, electric production is considered to supply a reverse osmosis plant (RO) without connecting to the local electric grid. A multi-period mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP) is developed and applied to discretize operation period to track the diurnal fluctuations of solar energy. The solution of the optimization program determines the optimal mix of solar energy, thermal storage, and fossil fuel to attain the maximum annual profit of the entire system. A case study is solved for water treatment and energy management for Eagle Ford Basin in Texas.

Infectious diseases continue to be a significant threat to human health and civilization, and finding effective methods to combat them is crucial. In this research, we investigate the impact of awareness campaigns and optimal control techniques on infectious diseases without proper vaccines. Specifically, we develop an SIRS type mathematical model that incorporates awareness campaigns through media and treatment for disease transmission dynamics and control. The model displays two equilibria, a disease-free equilibrium and an endemic equilibrium, and exhibits Hopf bifurcation when the bifurcation parameter exceeds its critical value, causing a switch in the stability of the system. We also propose an optimal control problem that minimizes the cost of control measures while achieving a desired level of disease control. By applying the minimum principle to the optimal control problem, we obtain analytical and numerical results that show how the infection rate of the disease affects the stability of the system and how awareness campaigns and treatment can maintain system stability. This study highlights the importance of awareness campaigns in controlling infectious diseases and demonstrates the effectiveness of optimal control theory in achieving disease control with minimal cost.

In the era of mounting water scarcity, particularly in arid regions, the agricultural sector is striving to optimize the water resource management practices. Treated wastewater (TWW) has emerged as a viable alternative to freshwater for irrigation, offering a sustainable solution to water conservation. However, ensuring the safety and quality of TWW is paramount to safeguard for both crop health and environmental integrity. Electrical conductivity (EC), a critical factor in assessing TWW suitability for irrigation, can significantly impact crop yields and soil health since it is directly linked to the concentration of dissolved salts and ions. Therefore, this study delves into the development of advanced predictive models for EC assessment by employing supervised machine learning (ML) techniques like the Support Vector Regression (SVR), Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The TWW samples collected from Al-Qatif area, Saudi Arabia were assessed in the lab through a sensor-based real-time monitoring system integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) network and a multiprobe device. The key water quality parameters assessed involved, temperature (T), pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Resistivity (RES), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Salinity and Turbidity which served as the foundation for these models, given their profound influence on and their anticipated impact on EC levels. Following feature selection, two distinct model combinations were identified for the SVR, ANFIS and MLR models. Furthermore, to evaluate prediction performance, four statistical criteria, including coefficient of determination (R²), correlation coefficient (R), mean square error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE), were employed. Overall, the comparative performance results proved that ANFIS-M2 indicated the strongest predictive capability with the R² value of 0.99572 and 0.75145 and the RMSE values of 0.00965 and 0.01134, respectively in both calibration and verification stages.

Background: Despite their generally favorable prognosis, hepatic fibrosis remains a possible complication for hepatitis B virus (HBV) inactive carriers. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of significant fibrosis and associated risk factors among Omani HBV inactive carriers. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 200 Omani HBV inactive carriers visiting a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman, between January 2017 and December 2018. Significant fibrosis (stage F2 or higher) was identified using two-dimensional shear-wave elastography. Baseline clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were analyzed to determine associations. Results: Of the total sample, 106 patients (53%) were male, and the mean age was 44.6 ± 9.3 years. The prevalence of significant fibrosis was 20% (n = 40). Male gender (p = 0.007), age ≥60 years (p = 0.024), and fatty changes in liver ultrasound (p = 0.044) were found to be independent factors for significant fibrosis. Conclusion: the prevalence of significant fibrosis was relatively high among a sample of Omani HBV inactive carriers, with several sociodemographic and clinical risk factors identified. Periodic assessment of liver function is needed for patients with these risk factors; moreover, routine biochemical parameters could be useful predictors of disease prognosis. Further research is recommended to substantiate these findings.

Forty-five of intact three sheep breeds (Awassi, Harri, and Najdi) were used in this study (15 animals of each breed), with weight ranged from 23.40 to 25.87 kg. Five animals from each group at the end of growth trial were used for digestibility and nitrogen balance trials. The three groups of sheep had effect (p > 0.05) in the final live weight (FLW). Average daily feed intake (ADI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (p < 0.05) different among the three groups. For digestibility coefficients, the three breeds of sheep had no effect (p > 0.05) in dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). In the similar approach, no significant differences were founds among three breeds of sheep in digestible organic matter, digestible of crude protein, total digestible nutrients and nitrogen retention. The current study concluded that the sheep breeds affected average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Awassi breed showed the best of average daily gain and feed conversion ratio followed by Najdi then Harri breeds. The breed of sheep had no effect on digestibility coefficients and nitrogen retention.

This study aimed to investigate the fatigue performance and interfacial strengthening mechanisms of Al6061-to-Cu dissimilar lap joints via electromagnetic pulse welding (EMPW). The load-bearing capacity of the joints at discharge voltages of 14 kV and 16 kV was superior to that of 12 kV. Furthermore, the fatigue life of the 14 kV joints was one order of magnitude higher compared to the 12 kV joints. SEM observation of the fatigue fracture surface revealed the presence of typical "tire-mark" fatigue striations only in the 14 kV joint, indicating higher ductility and the ability to withstand extended plastic deformation. Notably, ultra-fine nanocrystalline Al2Cu phase, amorphous phase, and numerous dislocations hindered EBSD acquisition in the transition zone. Nevertheless, dense low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) and refined grains were examined at the bonding interface. This suggests that the high-velocity collision caused severe plastic deformation and led to the formation of substructures. The interfacial strength was attributed not only to the "wave-like" or "inverted hook-like" diffusion layer but also to the presence of refined grains along the interface and nanocrystalline Al2Cu in the transition zone. Furthermore, the hybrid nanocrystalline-amorphous microstructure strengthened the joint by regulating the balance between strength and ductility.

The objective of this research was to explore the impact of a gradual replacement of Ca2+ with Mn1+ on the crystal structure of CaHPO4·2H2O, which could be beneficial for producing Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O compounds. In order to prepare the starting solutions required for this study, Ca(NO3) 2·4H2O, (NH4)·2HPO4, and MnNO3·4H2O were used at various molar concentrations. The findings reveal that Mn substitutes Ca partly at low Mn/Ca molar ratios, and Mn doping reduces the unit cell of CaHPO4·2H2O. The produced biphasic compound was composed of monoclinic CaHPO4·2H2O and triclinic/monoclinic nanostructured Mn3PO4O11 after a continuous increase in the Mn/Ca molar ratio to 1. When the Ca/Mn molar ratio is 1.5, a triphasic compound of monoclinic CaHPO4·2H2O, triclinic Mn3P4O11, and Orthorhombic MnHPO4·(H2O)3 phases is formed. The formation of the monophasic MnHPO4·(H2O)3 compound was achieved by increasing the Mn/Ca molar ratio above 4. By adjusting the Mn/Ca molar ratio in the initial solutions, it is possible to produce biomaterials with specific and bespoke characteristics in the future. The Mn/Ca ratio of the starting solution can be modified to produce Ca1-xMnxHPO4-nH2O phases with weight percent compositions, as established. For the first time, Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O compounds were synthesized using novel methods in this manuscript.

We report on the occurrence of natural Magnesium Alumina Silicate Hydrate (M-(A)-S-H) cement at Feragen and Leka in eastern and western Trøndelag Norway, respectively. Both occurrences are located in the sub-arctic climate zone and form in glacial till and moraine material deposited on ultramafic rock during the Weichselian glaciation. Weathering of serpentinized peridotite dissolve brucite and result in a relative high pH alkaline fluid that subsequently reacts with the felsic minerals of the till (quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar) to form a cement consisting of an amorphous material or a mixture of nanocrystalline Mg-rich phyllosilicates, including illite. The presence of plagioclase in the till results in the enrichment of alumina in the cement, i.e., forms M-A-S-H instead of the M-S-H cement. Dissolution of quartz results in numerous etch-pits and negative quartz crystals filled with M-A-S-H cement. Where the quartz dissolution is faster that the cement precipitation, a honeycomb-like texture is formed. Compositionally the cemented till (tillite) contains more MgO and has a higher loss of ignition than the till, suggesting that the cement is formed by a MgO fluid that previously reacted with the peridotite. The M-(A)-S-H cemented till represent a new type of duricrust, coined magsilcrete. The study of natural Mg-cement provides information on peridotites as a Mg-source for Mg-cement and as a feedstock for CO2 sequestration.

A new class of nano-cube core-shell heterostructures containing Ag coating on the top of WO₃ was fabricated. Physical vapor deposition was used to produce WO₃ based nano-heterostructures. All kind of wet toxic chemical process was avoided to make the process simple and contaminant free. Sputtering of WO₃ and a subsequent thermal annealing process was done to create nano-cubes of WO₃. After that, sputtering of Ag was performed to form the Ag-WO₃ core-shell nano-heterostructures (CSNH). The CSNHs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The morphologies, elemental analysis, interfaces, crystallinity, phases, and chemical compositions were analyzed. The bottom-up growth of WO₃ nanocubes was studied using different time periods at 900°C. Ag coating was also studied before and after annealing. Finally, an optical property (band gap) was also analyzed using Tauc plot derive from absorption spectra. The tailoring the band gap of WO₃ from ~2.9eV to ~ 2.45 eV was observed while Ag-WO₃ CSNH formed.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is not only the biomarker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and expression activity in hepatocytes, but also contributes to viral specific T cell exhaustion and HBV persistent infection. Therefore, anti-HBV therapies targeting HBsAg to achieve HBsAg loss are key approaches for HBV functional cure. In this study, we found that YZH-106, a rupestonic acid derivative, inhibited HBsAg secretion and viral replication. Further investigation demonstrated that YZH-106 promoted the lysosomal degradation of viral L- and M-HBs proteins. Mechanistic study by Biacore and docking analysis revealed that YZH-106 bound directly to PreS2 domain of L- and M-HBsAg, thereby blocking their entry to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and promoting their degradation in cytoplasm. Our work thereby provide basis for design of novel compound therapy to target HBsAg against HBV infection.

The misuse of antibiotics during the last decades led to the emergence of multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria. This phenomenon constitutes a major public health issue. Consequently, the discovery of new antibacterials in the short term is crucial. Colicins, due to their antibacterial properties, thus constitute good candidates. These toxin proteins, produced by E. coli to kill enteric relative competitors, exhibit cytotoxicity through ionophoric activity or essential macromolecule degradation. Among the 25-colicin types known to date, colicin M (ColM) is the only one colicin interfering with peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Accordingly, ColM develops its lethal activity in E. coli periplasm by hydrolyzing the last peptidoglycan precursor, lipid II, into two dead-end products, thereby leading to cell lysis. Since the discovery of its unusual mode of action, several ColM orthologs have also been identified based on sequence alignments; all of the characterized ColM-like proteins display the same enzymatic activity of lipid II degradation and narrow antibacterial spectra. This publication aims at being an exhaustive review about what is currently known on this new family of antibacterial enzymes as well as on their potential use of food preservatives or therapeutic agents.

This paper investigates the influence of magnetic field for a two dimensional deformations on a two temperature problem at the free surface of a semi-infinite semiconducting medium under the effect of mechanical force during a photothermal theory and the effect of hydrostatic initial stress on the medium. The Harmonic Wave Method (Normal Mode Analysis) has been used to obtain the equations of elastic waves, heat conduction equation, quasi-static electric field, carrier density, two temperature coefficient, ratios, and constitutive relationships for the thermo-magnetic-electric medium. The effects of several parameters as thermoelastic and thermoelectric coupling parameters and two temperature parameter of this force on the displacement component, force stress, carrier density and temperature distribution has been depicted graphically.

Competition between cotton, winter, and summer crops is the greatest obstacle for plant breeders in Egypt. Breeders are thus seeking early maturing, high-yielding cultivars that are suited for planting following winter crops. This study was conducted during the 2016 and 2018 growing seasons at the Sakha agriculture research station, Egypt's agricultural research facility. This research used breeding material from the F2, F3, and F4 generations that resulted from crossing Giza 94 and Uzbekistan. During the 2016 growing season, the F2 population was cultivated, and the top 5% of the F2 population (75 plants) were chosen based on the selection criteria. In the summer of 2017, the F3 families were cultivated, and 5% of the superior F3 families were chosen to become the F4 fam-ilies, which were planted in the summer of 2018 at the single plant and bulk studies in a randomised full block design with three replications. The average performance of the characteristics boll weight, seed cotton yield, lint percentage, and lint index increased as generations passed from F2 to F4. In the meanwhile, the characteristic value of the first flower to open decreased, showing the accu-mulation of advantageous alleles. For all examined characteristics, the phenotypic coefficient of variance was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation. In addition, the data demonstrated that heritability in a broad sense was greater in F4 populations than in F3 and F2 populations. With a few exceptions, the phenotypic and genotypic associations for all investigated characteristics were positive and very significant. According to the data, initial opening flowering and boll weight had a substantial impact on seed cotton output per feddan. In general, five superior families No. 9, 13, 18, 19, and 20 were chosen from the F4 population, which were more significant for yield and yield component than the commercial variety, and these genotypes may be promising for the breeding programme to develop new genotypes with superior yield.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is one of the major transboundary animal diseases that severely impact livestock production and trade worldwide. An investigation was carried into the seroprevalence and risk factors of PPR in small ruminants, camels, and wild ruminants in Bahrain. A total of 1240 serum samples were collected from 119 sheep flocks and 1224 serum samples from 125 goat herds. In addition, 100 sera from camels and 38 sera from wild ruminants, were collected. Serum samples were tested for the presence of PPR specific antibodies using a competitive ELISA. Flock management and health information of the flocks and herds were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The individual prevalence of PPR in sheep and goats was 26% and 25.5%, respectively. The flock or herd level prevalence of PPR was 22.7% and 29.6% in sheep and goats, respectively. None of the tested camels or wild ruminants were positive for PPR-specific antibodies. Sheep and goats from the Northern governorate were more likely to be seropositive to PPR than in other governorates. On the individual animal level, the univariate analysis suggested; age (&lt;12 months), sex (male), and health status (weak animals) as risk factors for PPR seropositivity. On the flock/herd level, the multivariable logistic regression analysis identified large flock/herd size and semi-intensive farming as risk factors for PPR seropositivity.

This study delves into the dynamics of 'Variations' and 'Claims' within construction projects, specifically under the FIDIC-Red Book 1999 (FIDIC 1999) framework. It aims to identify, categorize, and devise mitigation strategies for key types of Variations and Claims, aligning with the FIDIC Conditions of Contract. The research, drawing on inputs from construction industry professionals including Contract Administrators and Project Managers, focuses on the MENA re-gion. This choice is driven by the region's extensive adoption of FIDIC standards and its rapidly growing construction sector. Data collection encompassed a questionnaire distributed to 80 industry experts, predominantly through interviews, focusing on countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt. These locations were chosen to reflect diverse construction practices and the involvement of international firms. Utilizing SPSS-V.25 for statistical analysis, the study uncovers the most prevalent and impactful causes of Variations and Claims, highlighting the critical need for managerial intervention. A key feature of this study is the integration of Scientometric Analysis for a quantitative review of current literature, providing a comprehensive academic context. A significant addition to the methodology is the implementation of a k-means clustering analysis. This advanced statistical technique further classifies the data into distinct clusters, each representing unique combinations of 'Frequency' and 'Impact' of Variations and Claims. The k-means analysis elucidates intricate patterns and potential solutions, offering profound insights into effectively managing these issues. These analytical advancements are crucial in identifying significant and manageable responses to reduce the frequency and impact of Variations and Claims in construction projects.

Objectives: Isolated mild neutropenia is a common clinical problem. The current study aims to validate our previous findings regarding the high prevalence of isolated neutropenia in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia and explore the effect of altitude or regional differences. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, laboratory results of a commercial laboratory were screened over a period of 5 years (2016–2020) in seven different cities in South and southwestern Saudi Arabia. Participants’ laboratory investigations were reviewed and excluded for any ab-normal complete blood count, renal profile, liver profile, lipid profile, thyroid function test, fasting blood glucose, or HbA1c findings. Descriptive analysis and 95th percentile range were calculated using standard statistical methods. Results: A total of 91,880 complete blood count results were included in the final analysis. isolated neutropenia is common laboratory finding, with a prevalence ranging from 11-23%. The 2.5th percentile of the neutrophil count was lower than 1.5×109/L in all seven cities. Conclusions: Mild to moderate neutropenia is common in Southern and Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Benign ethnic neutropenia (BEN) may explain this high prevalence. Since BEN has no clinical significance, the reference range for normal neutrophil counts needs to be adjusted to reflect the effect of BEN.

Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) encompass a spectrum of conditions characterized by abnormal trophoblastic cell growth, ranging from benign molar pregnancies to malignant trophoblastic neoplasms. This systematic review explores the molecular underpinnings of GTDs, focusing on genetic and epigenetic factors that influence disease progression and clinical outcomes. Based on 65 studies identified through systematic search and selection criteria, key findings include dysregulations in tumor suppressor genes such as p53, aberrant apoptotic pathways involving BCL-2, and altered expression of growth factor receptors and microRNAs. These molecular alterations not only differentiate molar pregnancies from normal placental development but also contribute to their clinical behavior, from benign moles to potentially malignant forms. The review synthesizes insights from immunohistochemical studies and molecular analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of GTD pathogenesis and implications for personalized care strategies.

Artificial roughness applied to the Solar Air Heater (SAH)’s absorber plate is a popular technique to increase its total-thermal efficiency (η_(t-th)). In this paper, the influence of geometrical parameters of V-down ribs attached below the corrugated absorbing plate of SAH on the η_(t-th) has been examined. The impacts of key roughness parameters, including relative pitch p⁄e (6-12), relative height e⁄D (0.019-0.043), angle of attack α (30°-75°), and Re (1000-20000), are examined under real weather conditions. The SAH η_(t-th) roughened by V-down ribs is predicted using an in-house developed conjugate heat transfer numerical model. It has been shown that the maximum SAH η_(t-th) is 78.8%, predicted under steady-state conditions of Re = 20000, solar irradiance G =1000 W/m2, p/e = 8, e/D = 0.043, and angle =60. That is 15.7% more efficient than that of the default smooth surface. Under real weather condition, the η_(t-th) of the roughened SAH with single and double glass covers are 17.7% and 20.1%, respectively, higher than those of smooth SAH.

Synthesis of new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl) phenyl) urea derivatives and its in vitro antiproliferative activities against NCI-60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types are described. Fourteen compounds 5a-n have been synthesized with three different hydrogen bondable moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl and trimethoxyphenyloxy and 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) attached to the core structure 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl) phenyl) urea. Different substituents with different π and σ values were added on the terminal phenyl group. Compounds with 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine moiety showed higher mean percentage inhibition values over the 60-cell line panel at 10-µM concentration. They showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity over many cell lines of different cancer types. For instance, compound 5a elicited some lethal rather than inhibition effects on SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer cell lines, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line by 146.1, 108.7, 136.2, 134.8, 116.6 % at 10 µM, respectively. Compounds 5a-e exhibited superior antiproliferative activity than Paclitaxel and Gefitinib against the most sensitive cell lines. Two compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions and thus were further tested at five-dose testing mode to determine their IC₅₀ values. The data revealed that 5a and 5d urea compounds are the most active derivatives with significant efficacies and superior potencies than Paclitaxel in 21 different cancer cell lines, belonging particularly to renal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Moreover, 5a and 5d had superior potencies than Gefitinib in 38 and 34 cancer cell lines, respectively; belonging particularly to colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cell lines.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent source of sleep-disordered breathing, generally caused by common factors in modern life. OSA is most commonly associated with dysfunctions in the genioglossus (GG) muscles. In this study, we present the first version of a medical device that measures the electromyogram (EMG) of the GG. The prototype is composed of a (custom-made) 3D-printed mouthpiece. Impressions were taken for the lower arch and scanned with a lab scanner to be converted into digital impressions. ExoCad software was used to design the appliance. Fusion 360 software was then used to modify the design and create tubes to house the electrodes in a bilateral configuration to secure excellent and continuous contact with the GG muscle. Silver-silver chloride electrodes were incorporated within the appliance through the created tubes to record the muscle EMG. In this preliminary prototype, the EMG amplifier was placed outside the mouth, and isolated electric wires were connected to the amplifier input. Simple tests that included a group of OSA patients and a control group were done during wakefulness to check the comfort and stability of the device, understand the nature of GG EMG, and study which OSA might affect the daytime performance of the GG. The GG EMG was acquired from the participants for 60 seconds at Rest state when the participant rested his tongue without doing any activity. Then, the subject pushes his tongue against the fontal teeth with steady force while keeping the mouth closed (Active state). Several features were extracted from the acquired EMG: The results showed that mean power and standard deviation were higher in the control group than in the OSA group (p < 0.01). Regarding the wavelength during active state, the control group had a significantly longer wavelength than the OSA group (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, the mean frequency was higher in the OSA group (p < 0.01) at rest. Future research should focus on developing the device to be more user-friendly and easily used at home during wakefulness and sleep.

Salmonella Typhimurium is a typical Gram-Negative bacterium associated with food-borne illness threatening public health. This pathogen is reported to have caused millions of infections and thousands of hospitalizations yearly in the United States alone. Salmonella Typhimurium has a sophisticated array of virulent factors, including its flagella, which contributes significantly to its pathogenicity. Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, has attracted the interest of many researchers recently because of its antimicrobial properties. With the growing interest in exploring CBD’s antimicrobial properties, we, in this study, have delved into unravelling how prolonged exposure of Salmonella Typhimurium to CBD influences the expression of the flgA gene. We hypothesized that the exposure of Salmonella Typhimurium to CBD may result in flgA upregulation, causing the bacteria to withstand various stresses and potentially enhance its survival rates and pathogenicity. We have employed several assays, such as mRNA expression, motility assays, pH induction assays, nutrient starvation interventions, and biofilm analysis, to explore the influence of CBD on the pathophysiology of Salmonella Typhimurium. Our findings reveal that CBD-resistant strains exhibit enhanced resilience to extreme pH levels and motility and survive poorly under nutrient starvation, with more robust biofilm formation compared to the susceptible strains. The results contribute to the broader comprehension of CBD resistance mechanisms in bacteria. This work provides insight into the potential therapeutic interventions for controlling CBD-resistant bacterial infections. This study also underscores the essence of exploring novel alternative antimicrobial agents to tackle the ever-persistence of bacterial antibiotic resistance.

.Background: Neither radiological phenotypic characteristics nor reconstruction CT scan to study the cranial contour in children with the so called the idiopathic type of West syndrome has been implemented to reach the etiology understanding. Material and Methods: The basic diagnostic measures and the traditional antiepileptic treatments have been applied to these children in accordance with the conventional protocol of investigations and treatment for children with West syndrome. Boys from three unrelated families were given the diagnosis of idiopathic type of West syndrome. Three boys aged 6,7,9 and three parents (age range of 28-41 year) were included in this study. These children and their parents were referred to our orthopedic departments because of variable skeletal deformities. All showed the history of intellectual disabilities, cryptogenic epileptic spasms and fragmented hypsarrhythmia. Recently, variable forms skeletal deformities of flat foot, torticollis and early onset osteoarthritis. We performed detailed clinical and radiological phenotypic characterization of every affected child, siblings and parents. All affected children underwent whole exome sequence analysis Results: The craniofacial phenotype of all children revealed apparent disruption of development of the cranial bones. Palpation of the skull bones showed unusual palpable boney ridges along different sutural locations. A-7-year-old child showed abnormal bulging over the sagittal suture associated with bilateral boney ridges over the sequamosal sutures. Examining his parents, we noticed a similar skull radiographic abnormality in his mother radiographs. A-10-year-old boy showed an extremely narrow frontal area, facial asymmetry and a well palpable ridge over the lambdoid sutures. 3D reconstruction CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of early closure . His mother showed typical radiographic skull phenotype with a history of postadulthood scoliosis. A- 12-year-old boy showed brachycephaly. Investigating his parents revealed a brachycephalic mother with border line intellegence. We affirm that the pattern of inheritance in the three boys was compatible with X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance . Whole exome sequencing showed non definite phenotype/genotype correlation. Conclusion: The aim of this study was fivefold. First, to refute the common usage of the term idiopathic and we affirm that our findings are Novel. Second, it could be possible that West syndrome is a symptom complex rather than a separate diagnostic entity. Third, to further detect the genetic carrier , we explored the connection between the cranial bones in the children with West syndrome with what is seen in parents.. Fourth, the differences in cranial bones abnormalities among every child and another seems to be heterogeneous. Fifth, it seems that the progressive deceleration in the development of this group of children is highly connected to the progressive closure of the cranial sutures.

High dimensional datasets are highly likely to have redundant, irrelevant, and noisy features that negatively affect the performance of the classification algorithms. Selecting the most relevant features and reducing the dimensions of datasets by removing the undesired features is a dimensional reduction technique called Feature Selection (FS). In this paper, we propose an FS approach based on the Black Hole Algorithms (BHO) with a mutation technique called MBHO. Generally, BHO contains two major phases. At the exploitation phase, a set of stars are modified based on some rule and according to some objective function, the best star is selected as the black hole which attracts other stars. Furthermore, when a star gets closer to the event horizon, it will be swallowed and a new one will be randomly generated in the search space which thus is the exploration phase. However, randomness may cause the algorithm to fall into the trap of local optima, and to overcome such complications, inversion mutation is used. Furthermore, we modify a widely utilized objective function in most of the proposed works for wrapper feature selection by combining two new terms that are based on the correlation among the selected subset of features and the features and the classification label. We also utilize a transfer function, known as the V2 transfer function, to convert continuous values into discrete ones to enhance search. We assess our approach via extensive evaluation experiments using fourteen benchmark datasets. We benchmark the performance of a wrapper FS approach called Binary Cuckoo Search (BCS), and three filter-based FS approaches (namely Mutual Information Maximisation (MIM), Joint Mutual Information (JMI), and minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR)). Our evaluation has shown that the proposed model is an effective approach for FS, in selecting better features that enhance the performance metrics on the classifiers. Thus, MBHO can be utilized as one alternative to the existing state-of-art-approaches. We release the source codes of our implementation for the community to build on with new methods and datasets.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex neuromodulatory network in the human body that have enormous impact in developing the central nervous system, as well as modulates various physiological processes. The ECS is made up of anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids, and enzymes such as FAAH and MAGL ensures the precise control over endocannabinoid levels. The ECS relies on CB1 receptors found in the central nervous system (CNS), and CB2 receptors found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells. Dysregulation of the ECS has been associated with several health conditions, prompting investigations into its association with phytocannabinoids to harness their therapeutic potential. The ECS is intricately linked with the nervous system, and it is known to modulate neuronal activities in the CNS, influencing pain and mood modulation. The ECS is also associated with neuropathies-peripheral nerve damage leading to symptoms such as weakness, numbness and pain as evidenced in diabetic neuropathy, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia. The focus of this review is on the interplay between 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide amidohydrolase in neuropathy, elucidating their roles in pain regulation, inflammation, and specific neuropathies. The knowledge generated is expected to have broad implications, providing comprehensive insights into neuropathic conditions and how to improve on them. Ultimately, this understanding may lead to more effective treatments and improved quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions.

This article delves into the enduring relevance of Liberal International Relations (IR) Theory amidst persistent criticisms regarding power dynamics and its applicability in emerging states. Despite its detractors, Liberal IR Theory offers a nuanced understanding of state behavior, blending social contexts with power dynamics. It recognizes the intricacies of economic interdependence and advocates for a balanced approach in advancing democracy and human rights. While nationalism poses challenges to international institutions, their adaptability endures. Leaders, albeit constrained, retain the capacity to foster peace through visionary leadership and global cooperation. By acknowledging its limitations and fostering open dialogue, Liberal IR Theory continues to evolve, poised to contribute to a just and peaceful global order.

Over the years, the need for autonomous systems such as drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has significantly increased in popularity across several industries, including the military. The Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) represents a modern technological advancement that significantly enhances the operational efficacy of defense systems. It establishes an integrated military force by connecting individuals to intelligent technology in drones, radios, equipment, antennas and ground stations. This is achieved through the utilization of cloud and edge computing, sensors, mobile devices, embedded systems, and IoT-based systems. However, IoBT security is significantly compromised by enemies that exploit the vulnerabilities and malicious intrusions that specifically target the external environment or to obtain sensitive data. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of cyberattacks and countermeasures is essential for assuring the security of IoBT. On the other hand, as cyber threats get more complicated, trust becomes increasingly important for the security of digital systems. Within this context, the zero trust architecture contends that the security of a complex network is inherently vulnerable to internal and external threats. In defense, UAV security system applications, for example, the primary purpose of the zero trust architecture is to limit the vulnerability of military UAV systems to cyberattacks, hence reducing the possibility of data breaches and illegal entry. This study conducts a systematic review aimed at identifying different aspects of cybersecurity strategies for protecting UAV systems within the IoBT domain. Furthermore, zero trust architecture is presented in the study as an effective prospective solution to the security issues that develop in defense UAV systems.

Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an important role in the entry of coronaviruses into host cells. This paper described how carnosine, a naturally occurring supplement, can be an effective drug candidate for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the basis of molecular docking and modeling to host ACE2 co-crystallized with COVID-19 spike protein. Methods: First, the starting point was ACE2 inhibitors and their structure-activity relationship (SAR). Next, chemical similarity (or diversity) and PubMed searches made it possible to repurpose and assess approved or experimental drugs for COVID-19. In parallel, at all stages, authors performed bioactivity scoring to assess potential repurposed inhibitors at ACE2. Finally, investigators performed molecular docking and modeling of the identified drug candidate to host ACE2 co-crystallized with COVID-19 spike protein. Results: Carnosine emerged as the best known drug candidate to match ACE2 inhibitor structure. Preliminary docking was more optimal to ACE2 than the known typical angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibitor (enalapril) and quite comparable to known or presumed ACE2 inhibitors. Viral spike protein elements binding to ACE2 were retained in the best carnosine pose in SwissDock at 1.75 Angstroms. Out of the three main areas of attachment expected to the co-crystallized protein structure, carnosine bind with higher affinity to two compared to the known ACE2 active site. LibDock score was 92.40 for site 3, 90.88 for site 1, and inside the active site 85.49. Conclusion: Carnosine has promising inhibitory interactions with host ACE2 co-crystallized with COVID-19 spike protein and hence could offer potential mitigating effect against current COVID-19 pandemic.

Contamination in coastal regions attributed to fluoride and nitrate cannot be disregarded, given the substantial environmental and public health issues they present worldwide. Maintaining water quality is crucial for environmental well-being. This comprehensive study was performed to assess the spatial as well as indexical water quality, identify contamination sources, and evaluate associated health risks pertaining to nitrate and flouride in AlHassa region, KSA. The physiochemical results revealed a pervasive pollution of the overall groundwater. The dominant water type was Na-Cl, indicating saltwater intrusion and reverse ion exchange impact. Spatiotemporal variations in physicochemical properties suggest diverse hydrochemical mechanisms, with geogenic factors primarily influencing groundwater chemistry. The groundwater pollution index varied between 0.8426 and 4.7172, classifying samples as moderately to very highly polluted. Similarly, the synthetic pollution index (in the range of 0.5021-4.0715) revealed that none of the samples had excellent water quality, with various degrees of pollution categories. Nitrate Health Quotient (HQ) values indicated chronic human health risks ranging from low to severe, with newborns being the most vulnerable. Household use of nitrate-rich groundwater for showering and cleaning did not pose significant health risks. Fluoride HQ decreased with age, and children faced the highest risk of fluorosis. The Hazard Index (HI) yielded moderate to high-risk values. Nitrate risks were 1.21 times higher than fluoride risks, as per average HI assessment. All samples fell into the vulnerable category based on the Total Hazard Index (THI), with 88.89% classified as very high risk. This research provides valuable insights into groundwater quality, guiding water authorities, inhabitants, and researchers in identifying safe water sources and vulnerable human populations. The results highlight the need for appropriate treatment techniques and long-term coastal groundwater management plans.

This study aimed to introduce a novel machine learning (ML) model designed to predict the need of interventions during endoscopy in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The risk stratification tools in current use, such as the Glasgow Blatchford Score (GBS) and pre-endoscopic Rockall score, have limitations in accurately predicting the need for endoscopic interventions. All patients diagnosed with UGIB from January 2013 to October 2023 who underwent endoscopy were included in the study. Variables extracted included demographics, social history ,clinical history, clinical presentation and symptoms, drug history, management prior to endoscopy, findings during endoscopy, laboratory variables and vitals, and post-endoscopic results. Three machine learning models including Random Forest Classifier (RFC), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and AdaBoost Classifier were used to evaluate the need for intervention during endoscopy in our study. A total of 1372 patients were included from three major hospitals in Jordan, of whom 242 underwent endoscopic intervention. The GBC outperformed all other models and pre-endoscopic scores in predicting the need for endoscopic intervention with an area under the curve of 0.861. Findings during endoscopy, platelet count, pulse rate and systolic blood pressure during admission were the most contributing features in predicting the need for the need of endoscopic intervention. This study highlights the potential of machine learning models in enhancing decision making for UGIB management.

The paper delineates the developed vision system of the UR5 cobot and the operating algorithm of the robotic quality control station. The hardware-software architecture of the developed robotic station was shown, consisting of a UR5 cobot equipped with a web camera and a stationary industrial camera with a lighting system. Image processing and analysis algorithms were described, the method of control and communication between the station components was discussed, and two operating scenarios were presented as a single robotic station and a robotic line. Based on the results obtained, the level of measurement noise, accuracy, and repeatability of the developed vision system were estimated.

The current study focused on reviewing the rapid growing of using magnetic water in different fields of science and measure the influence of several intensities of magnetization on the chemical and electrical properties of tap water treated by reverse osmosis. The work includes circulation of water for 24 h. in magnetic fields of intensity 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 G. The magnetization of water causes increasing some positive and negative ions in water such as (Mg, K, Na, Cl¯, Alkaline and SiO₂) and decreasing some positive and negative ions (Ca and SO₃). In the near future, the application of concepts of sustainability development in civil engineering have the to produce structures in harmony with these concepts through using of high-performance materials with less impacts on the environmental and have low cost. The main application of using magnetic water is improvement the geotechnical properties of soil through precipitation of calcite which increases the bond between soil particles and then strength of soil.

In order to establish the formation patterns of the Co–Mg oxide system, samples with different Co:Mg ratios and heat treatment temperatures were synthesized and studied. Study of the sam-ples confirmed the phase transition of MgxCo2–xO4 spinels into corresponding solid solutions at 800–900 °C. The similarity of formation patterns for different compositions is shown. The rock-salt oxide in low-temperature samples is an anion-modified paracrystalline phase that forms a “true” solid solution only upon spinel decomposition. TPR profiles of decomposed Co3O4 spinel show surface Co3O4 peaks and a wide peak corresponding to well-crystallized CoO, while par-tial Co3O4 TPR up to 380 °C results in dispersed and amorphous CoO. High-temperature non-stoichiometric samples are poorly reduced, indicating their low oxygen reactivity. Spinel reoxidation after heat treatment to 1100 °C by calcination at 750 °C showed complete regenera-tion for MgCo2O4–Co3O4 samples and its absence in case of an excess of MgO relative to stoi-chiometry. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the processes governing the formation of Co–Mg oxide systems are determined by both Co:Mg ratio and the heat treatment conditions, potentially providing the possibility of fine tuning for specific catalytic processes.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the principal catechin in green tea, exhibits diverse therapeutic properties. However, its clinical efficacy is hindered by poor stability and low bioavailability. This study investigated solid particle-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsions stabilized by whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) as carriers to enhance the bioavailability and intestinal absorption of EGCG. Molecular docking revealed binding interactions between EGCG and these macromolecules. The emulsions exhibited high encapsulation efficiencies and augmented EGCG bioaccessibility by 64% compared to free EGCG in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion model. EGCG-loaded emulsions demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity towards Caco-2 cells and facilitated EGCG transport across the intestinal epithelial layer without compromising tight junction integrity. Notably, EGCG-loaded emulsions protected Caco-2 cells against oxidative stress by suppressing intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. The results demonstrate the potential of WPI- and NaCas-stabilized S/O/W emulsions to enhance the bioavailability, intestinal absorption, and bioactivity of EGCG, expanding its applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Dietary habits, including meal frequency, meal timing, and skipping meals, have been extensively studied due to their association with the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study describes dietary habits, meal timing, meal frequency, skipping meals, and late-night eating in Kuwaiti adults. The Kuwait National Nutrition Surveillance System data was utilized to reach the objectives of this study. The findings reveal that approximately 50% of the adults in Kuwait eat after 10 p.m., 29% skip breakfast, and 9.8% skip dinner. Furthermore, adults in Kuwait consume 4.4 meals per day on average. Women skip breakfast more often and have extended night fasting than men (p&lt;0.001). Married adults skip breakfast and dinner less than unmarried adults (p&lt;0.001). In conclusion, this descriptive study provides valuable insights into the dietary habits of Kuwaiti adults, emphasizing the importance of further investigating the association between meal timing, meal frequency, and the prevalence of NCDs in Kuwait.

Background: Recently, the management of musculoskeletal disorders with the patients' own stem cells, isolated from the walls of small blood vessels, which can be found in great numbers in the adipose tissue, has received considerable attention. On the other hand, there are still misconceptions about these adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) that contain vascular-associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells) in regenerative medicine. Methods: Based on our previous publications on this topic, we have developed a concept to describe the significance of the ADRCs/vaPS cells in the field of orthobiologics as briefly as possible and at the same time as precisely as possible. Results: The ADRCs/vaPS cells belong to the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells. Because the latter can both stimulate a patient’s body's localized self-healing power and provide new cells that can integrate into the host tissue during the healing response when the localized self-healing power is exhausted, this group of orthobiologics appears more advantageous than cell-free orthobiologics and orthobiologics that are based on allogeneic cells. Within the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells, enzymatically isolated, uncultured ADRCs/vaPS cells have several advantages over non-enzymatically isolated cells/microfragmented fat as well as over uncultured bone marrow aspirate concentrate and cultured cells (adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells). Conclusions: The use of ADRCs/vaPS cells can be seamlessly integrated into modern orthopedic treatment concepts, which can be understood as the optimization of a process which - albeit less efficiently - also takes place physiologically. Accordingly, this new safe and effective type of treatment is attractive in terms of holistic thinking and personalized medicine.

.Various synthetic nematicides are currently used effectively in the control of plant parasitic nematodes. However, these nematicides have adverse effects on humans and the environment. Neem oil is eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic nematicides. The effectiveness of repeated neem oil application in suppressing the root-knot nematodes infestation in figs seedlings was therefore examined in this study, both in its natural form (10 ml/L) and in its nano-emulsion form (5 and 7 ml/L). The recorded reduction parameters of M. incognita were J2/250g soil, galls and egg masses / 5g roots of infected fig seedlings were measured at that time, and the effects of these natural additives were compared with the Fosthiazate (Krenkel 75%EC). The impact of such soil amendments on some typical plant parameters, the total microbial count of soil, and the overall enzymatic activity of the fig rhizosphere were also included. Obtained results revealed that the soil population density of root knot nematode suppressed by 80.3% , reduction of nematode egg masses (60.4%) due to the application of nano-emulsion of neem oil (at 7ml/L). Present work recommend the use of nano-emulsion of neem oil as one of the effective and eco-friendly means to reduce the root- knot nematode on fig .

The World Health Organization(WHO) in 2016 considered mHealth as: “the use of mobile wireless technologies including smart devices such as smartphones and smartwatches for public health” as an important resource for health services delivery and public health given their ease of use, broad reach and acceptance. WHO emphasizes the potential of this technology to increase access to health information, services and skills as well as promoting positive changes in health behaviors and management of diseases. In this regard, the capability of smartphones and smartwatches for m-health monitoring as well as verification of the patient the signal has become an important component of mHealth system. Most of the smartwatches could extract more than one bioelectrical signal therefore, therefore they provide suitable platform for extracting health data for e-monitoring. The existing approaches have not considered the integrity of data obtained from these smart devices. Therefore, it is important that the integrity of the collected data be verified continuously through user authentication. This could be done using any of the bioelectrical signals extracted and transmitted for e-monitoring. In this article, a smartwatch is used for extracting bioelectrical signal before decomposing the signal into sub-bands of Detail and Approximation Coefficient for user authentication. To select suitable features using biorthogonal wavelet decomposition of signal from a non-intrusive extraction, a detailed experiment is conducted extracting suitable statistical features from the bioelectrical signal from 30 subjects using different biorthogonal wavelet family. Ten features are extracted using Biorthogonal wavelet to decompose the signal into three levels of sub-band Detail and Approximation Coefficient and features extracted from each level the decomposed Detail and Approximation Coefficients. Comparison analysis is done after the classification of the extracted features based on the Equal Error Rate (EER). Using Neural Network (NN) classifier, Biorthogonal Wavelet Detail Coefficient Sub-band level 3 of bior1.1 achieved the best result of EER 13.80% with the fusion of the best sub-band three levels of bior1.1 achieving a better result of 12.42% EER.

Let R be a commutative ring with identity and m, n be positive integers. In this paper, we introduce the class of (m,n)-prime ideals which lies properly between the classes of prime and (m,n)-closed ideals. A proper ideal I of R is called (m,n)-prime if for a,b∈R, a^{m}b∈I implies either aⁿ∈I or b∈I. Several characterizations of this new class with many examples are given. Analougus to primary decomposition, we define the (m,n)-decomposition of ideals and show that every ideal in an n-Noetherian ring has an (m,n)-decomposition. Furthermore, the (m,n)-prime avoidance theorem is proved.

We report on metastable defects introduced in n-type 4H-SiC material by epithermal and fast neutron irradiation. The epithermal and fast neutron irradiation defects in 4H-SiC are much less explored compared to electron or proton irradiation induced defects. In addition to silicon vacancy (Vsi) and carbon antisite-carbon vacancy (CAV) complex, the neutron irradiation has introduced four deep level defects, all arising from the metastable defect, the M-center. The metastable deep level defects were investigated by deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), high-resolution Laplace DLTS (L-DLTS) and isothermal DLTS. The existence of the fourth deep level M4, recently observed in ion implanted 4H-SiC, has been additionally confirmed in neutron irradiated samples. The isothermal DLTS technique has been proven as a useful tool for studying the metastable defects.

The current work reports the upper bound of the state variable of the of the Pointwise Steady Fluid Flow Approximation (PSFFA) model of non-stationary M/Ek/1 queueing system.