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Many decoders of error-correcting codes use the Log-Likelihood Ratio (LLR) as an input, which involves the probability density function (pdf) of the noise. In impulsive noise, the pdf of the noise is not accessible in closed form and is only available through very complex numerical computation. Therefore, the LLR calculation for Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) is too complex. It becomes even more complex for high-order modulations. Moreover, the LLR computational complexity grows as the modulation order increases. The main contribution of our work lies in the LLR approximation for high-order modulations and its estimation using supervised machine learning, without requiring prior knowledge of the noise distribution model. To this end, we propose two approaches to approximate the LLR values using supervised machine learning, for high-order modulated symbols. The first approach can also be used for BPSK modulated symbols. The second approach aims to approximate the LLR for high-order modulated symbols in a more simplified manner compared to the first approach. For both approaches, we estimate the parameters of the approximate LLR under known noise channel conditions using the linear regression algorithm. To estimate these parameters without prior knowledge of the noise distribution model, we use a binary logistic regression algorithm. Our simulations focus on the second proposed approach to estimate the LLR with unknown noise distributions. The results are presented for the 4-ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying) modulation scheme, where the receiver is assumed to suffer from noise ranging from Gaussian to highly impulsive models. The proposed LLR estimation is shown to achieve a comparable performance to the one attained using the exact LLR function.

In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC), which is responsible for water pollution, was investigated in an aqueous solution by using two types of nanoparticles (NPs) based on green synthesis of ZnO NPs and CuO NPs as photocatalysts. Eucalyptus plant extract was chosen as a good reductant and capping agent because of its cost-effectiveness, nontoxic characteristics and ease of usage. Different molar ratios of Cu:Zn (1:3, 1:6, 1:9 and 1:12) were prepared, and then these ratios were evaluated to select the effective ratio for removing TC. The 1:6 ratio demonstrated the best photocatalytic performance, degrading 72.15% of TC at the ZnO/CuO nanocomposite (NC) dose of 0.5 g/L, an initial concentration of 10 mg/L, pH 7, an agitation speed of 300 rpm, a temperature of 25 °C, UV intensities of 15 W/m2 and a contact time of 180 min. The synthesis of NCs was characterised using different analysis methods. CuO/ZnO characteristics were investigated using several analytical techniques, including FTIR, FESEM, EDAX, AFM, BET and zeta potential analysis. The NP’s structure, morphology, thermal behaviour, chemical composition and optical properties were analysed. The FESEM images verified that the (1:6) CuO/ZnO NPs calcined and not calcined, with sizes of 13.92 and 26.73 nm, respectively, were crystalline and spherical. The quantity of TC degradation by metal oxide NCs was investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy. This method is sustainable and environmentally benign because it synthesises both NPs from plant sources. These hybrid nanoparticles may be used to treat other pharmaceuticals that are hazardous to reduce pollution in water.

Study region: The Miocene Fluvial Moghra Aquifer in the North Western Desert of Egypt Study focus: The study integrates stable isotope analyses with aeromagnetic and hydrogeological datasets to accomplish the following: (1) define the primary source(s) of recharge to the Moghra aquifer, (2) assess aquifer connectivity with the Nile River aquifer, and (3) investigate the vertical connectivity of the Moghra aquifer with the underlying Nubian Aquifer System (NAS) through subvertical faults. New hydrological insights for the region: The findings reveal (1) significant heterogeneity in groundwater isotopic compositions (Group A: δ18O: 1.1–13.8 ‰; δD: 4.6–73.5 ‰, B: δ18O:−0.99 to 0.85; δD: −7.58 to 4.38 ‰; and C: δ18O:−1.1 to −3.4; δD: − 6.3 to −18.2 ‰) indicative of variability in recharge sources. (2) Groundwater compositions west (up to 30 km) of the Nile River (Group A) resemble enriched modern Nile waters following the Aswan High Dam (AHD) construction that give way further west to relatively depleted groundwater (Group B) resembling historical pre-AHD Nile water compositions. (3) Further west from Group B depleted Group C samples occur along intersections of multiple fault systems (NW and NE-oriented faults) interpreted as mixtures of rising highly-depleted paleo Nubian Aquifer System (NAS) waters and pre-AHD Nile waters. (4) The advocated structural control is reported in similar settings in Egypt, suggesting that intersections of multiple fault systems provide regional connections between deep and shallow aquifers in northeast Africa, recharge overlying shallow aquifers, and should be considered in groundwater management scenarios.

As part of the development of a new organic entity, we synthesized a new series of Schiff bases belonging to the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (IMP) family, named: (E)-2-methoxy-4-(((2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)imino)methyl)phenol(IM1) and (E)-4-(((2-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-yl)imino)methyl)phenol (IM2). Molecular structures were confirmed through chemical analyses, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy. In order to develop new organic ligands to inhibit mild steel corrosion in 1M HCl solution, various weight loss and electrochemical methods, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), along with surface visualization through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were employed. EIS results revealed excellent inhibition by compounds IM1 and IM2 (98% and 92%, respectively) at a concentration of 1 mM. These findings were supported by the observation of a protective layer formation during prolonged immersion of mild steel in a corrosive solution, with or without inhibitors. Finally, theoretical studies such as density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to explore the adsorption behaviour of inhibitors IM1 and IM2 on the iron surface, providing insight into the inhibitor-metal interaction during the adsorption process.

Abstract Background: Pain is globally prevalent, affecting quality of life and driving most people to seek medical care. Nurses are essential for pain assessment and treatment. Adequate nursing awareness, attitudes, and skills are vital for optimal management. This study investigates nurses' awareness and practice toward pain assessment and management as the fifth vital sign in Sudan. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study. Convenience sampling was performed to collect information from nurses working at four government hospitals using a self-administered questionnaire 24 November 2020 and 18 April 2021. The study utilized descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis. Results: A total of 393 registered nurses participated in this study. Most (66.7%) were women, 46.6% were aged 20–25 years, and 69.2% had a bachelor degree. More than half of the nurses had low awareness of pain assessment (51.7%) and management practices (53.7%). A weak positive correlation was observed between awareness and practice (r = 0.280, P = 0.000). Women nurses showed a higher awareness (204.80, P = 0.048). Nurses with a high level of education showed higher awareness (249.32, P = 0.031) and higher practice (272.00, P = 0.029). Nurses working in the critical care unit performed significantly better than others (234.61, P = 0.001). Conclusion: There is a low level of awareness regarding pain assessment and management practices. This study suggests the need for more research and training programs, especially for nurses with low educational levels.

Abstract Background Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis of less than 20% five-year survival rate. Early diagnosis is typically challenging due to asymptomatic characteristics at the earliest stages of the disease. This study aims to assess the potential utility of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) as a CCA diagnostic biomarker in bile. In total, 100 participants were included in this case-control study. Moreover, Group I had 30 CCA patients with malignant obstruction, and Group II had 20 patients with malignant biliary obstruction other than CCA formed. Group III included 20 patients with benign biliary obstruction, and 30 individuals undergoing cholecystectomy with no evidence of biliary obstruction made up the control group (Group IV). Bile samples were collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or cholecystectomy for the control group. The CK7 levels in bile samples were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The bile level of CK7 was significantly higher in cholangiocarcinoma patients (1555.4 ± 302.7 pg/mL) than those of the patients with malignancies other than CCA (581.9 ± 227.5 pg/mL), patients with benign obstruction (439.5 ± 255.7 pg/mL), and the control group (53 ± 26.4 pg/mL) (p value < 0.001). Furthermore, CK7 was significantly higher in CCA patients than in those with other malignancies (p value < 0.001). Patients with CCA with hilar lesions had the highest values compared to those with distal lesions. ROC curve analysis revealed that bile CK7 at a cut point of >1030 pg/mL yielded an area under a curve of 1 (95% CI: 1.000–1.000) in differentiating CCA from other groups. Conclusion The bile level of CK7 demonstrates outstanding performance that could help in diagnosing CCA.

Kamal Dahan Alsultan,1 Moawia Gameraddin,1,2 Sultan Talal,1 Mohammad Osama Alhujaili,1 Sultan Abdulwadoud Alshoabi,1 Suliman Salih,3 Bushra HA Abdelmalik,4 Fahad H Alhazmi,1 Awadia Gareeballah,1 Abdulmannan Mohamed Aman5 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Radiological Sciences and Medical Imaging, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan; 3Radiology and Medical Imaging Department, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 4Diagnostic Radiology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia; 5Medical Centre, faculty of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Moawia Gameraddin, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Email gameraldinm@gmail.comIntroduction: Burnout research is limited in Saudi Arabia, particularly among radiographers. Burnout among Saudi radiographers may have a negative impact on the services offered.Objective: This study aims to assess the burnout among radiographers in Medina hospitals.Materials and Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study included 104 radiographers from government and private Medina hospitals. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, which consists of 22 questions, was used to measure the burnout level. The data were evaluated descriptively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 25), and independent t-tests and analysis of variance were applied to assess group differences and linear regression analysis to evaluate associations between the burnout level and sociodemographic variables (ie sex, age, experience, and department).Results: The emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) scores were moderate, while the personal accomplishment (PA) score was high, with total scores of 23.53 (9.32), 7.29 (5.95), and 29.70 (1.35), respectively. The DP score was influenced by the participants’ experience. Specifically, an experience of 1– 5 years yielded a substantially higher burnout score than did an experience of > 10 years (p> 0.05). Conversely, sex, age, and department did not affect the DP score (p< 0.05). Similarly, the EE and PA scores were not influenced by sex, age, experience, or department (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Burnout is prevalent among radiographers in Medina hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The EE and DP scores are moderate, while the PA score is high, indicating a suitable work environment. Policymakers should take the required steps to identify the variables contributing to employee burnout and enhance the work environment.Keywords: burnout, radiographers, emotional exhaustion, EE, depersonalization, DP, personal accomplishment, PA

Abstract Background Gabal Ras Abda area as a part of the Red Sea Mountain range, is characterized by inaccessible and rugged terrains. The exposed rock units are hardly followed in the field because of the rigid topography. Thus, the present work proposes and develops an integrated approach to map the exposed rock units and extract the geologic structures using satellite imagery data followed by both field and petrographic verification, saving time, efforts and cost. Results To achieve the target, both the measured spectral signature curves with Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data were used to develop and create the most enhanced Band Ratios and Principal Components for lithological discrimination and mapping which were (((Band7 + Band 4)/(Band 7), (Band 2)/(Band 2 + Band 5) and (Band 5) in RGB) and ((Band 9 + Band 11 + Band 12)/(Band 1), (Band 4 − Band 2) and (Band 11/Band 6) + (Band 6) in RGB)) with Principal Component Bands ((PC1, PC2 and PC3 in RGB) and (PC3, PC2 and PC1 in RGB)), respectively. Also, georeferenced Google Earth Pro, panchromatic band of Landsat-8 and ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model images were used to extract the structural lineaments. Geologic, petrographic and field structural studies were emphasized the remote sensing results, indicating that the main rock types cropped out in Ras Abda area from the oldest to the youngest are older granitoids (quartz-diorites, tonalites and granodiorites), Dokhan volcanics (andesites, rhyodacites, rhyolites and their related tuffs), younger gabbros, younger granites (monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali-feldspar granites), post-granite dykes and offshoots (acidic, microgranitic and basic types) and Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. Also, the study emphasized that the E-W trend is the main structural trend controlling the investigated area followed by WNW-ESE and NE-SW directions. Conclusions The results of remote sensing achieved compliance with the geologic, petrographic and structural investigation through distinctly differentiating the different rocks and extracting the lineaments, indicating the accuracy of the remote sensing results and emphasizing their importance and effective role in producing a precise and highly accurate geologic map. Graphical abstract

The dehydrogenase activity (DHA) in the rhizospheres of tomatoes grown in different soil types – Khor Abu-Habil (KA), Bara (B), and Greenhouse (Gr) – in North Kordofan, Sudan, was determined. In addition, the abundance of soil microbes in the tomato rhizospheres during the two growth stages, after 45 and 90 days (short and long term), was analyzed. The KA site (clay soil) showed the highest DHA (81.79 CFUs/g) followed by the B site (63.76 CFUs/g) (sandy loam) after 90 days of sowing, and the Gr site showed the lowest DHA (44.50 CFUs/g) (loamy sand soil) after 45 days. Moreover, the presence of high microbial activity (total density counts, total fungi, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, Streptomycetes sp., Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp., and Pseudomonas sp. density counts) after 90 days and minimum microbial abundance after 45 days were identified at all sites. The measured growth parameters of fresh and dry weight, in addition to the root-to-shoot ratio, increased significantly at the same KA site dominated by a higher microbial density after 90 days. During the long term, the growth stage was positively affected by the abundance of adapted microbials that improve and enhance plant growth.

The green synthesis pathway for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) used in bacterial treatment is regarded as crucial because of its cost-effectiveness, nontoxicity, and eco-friendliness. During the present work, the mangliculous marine fungi Amarenographium solium isolated from the Arabian Gulf Coast of Saudi Arabia were utilized for the synthesis of AgNP, through the bio-reduction of aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO3) solution. The success in AgNP synthesis was visually identified by the development of dark brown color in the cell-free filtrate and was further confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, which showed a peak at 425 nm. The AgNPs produced were further characterized using X-ray diffraction data analysis that proved the bioreduction of silver to 20 nm, and transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of well-dispersed spherical nanoparticles with an average mean size of 12 nm. The optimization reaction parameters of temperature, pH, and metal salt concentration were carried out and resulted in a combination of 30°C, 7 and 1.5 mM, respectively, for rapid and maximum yield production. The antibacterial activity of the produced nanoparticles was evaluated using the two-fold microdilution method and showed a minimum inhibitory concentration of 9.375 μg/mL of AgNP against multiple drug-resistant bacterial strains.

The early identification of plant diseases is essential for mitigating crop damage and promoting robust agricultural output. By implementing effective disease management strategies, particularly for crops like tomatoes, agricultural yield and sustainability can be greatly improved. This paper introduces HOWSVD-TEDA, an innovative tensor subspace learning technique designed for the detection and classification of diseases in tomato leaves. The approach utilizes advanced pre-trained Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) integrated with Higher-Order Whitened Singular Value Decomposition (HOWSVD) and Tensor Exponential Discriminant Analysis (TEDA) to capitalize on the multidimensional representation of data. Extensive testing on the PlantVillage and Taiwan datasets reveals that HOWSVD-TEDA surpasses existing methods, achieving notable accuracy rates of 98.51% and 89.49%, respectively. This advancement represents a significant improvement in the precision and effectiveness of tools for diagnosing tomato leaf diseases.

Precision Medicine is being increasingly used in the developed world to improve health care. While several Precision Medicine (PM) initiatives have been launched worldwide, their implementations have proven to be more challenging particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To address this issue, the “Personalized Medicine in North Africa” initiative (PerMediNA) was launched in three North African countries namely Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. PerMediNA is coordinated by Institut Pasteur de Tunis together with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the support of Institut Pasteur in France. The project is carried out along with Institut Pasteur d’Algérie and Institut Pasteur du Maroc in collaboration with national and international leading institutions in the field of PM including Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris. PerMediNA aims to assess the readiness level of PM implementation in North Africa, to strengthen PM infrastructure, to provide workforce training, to generate genomic data on North African populations, to implement cost effective, affordable and sustainable genetic testing for cancer patients and to inform policy makers on how to translate research knowledge into health products and services. Gender equity and involvement of young scientists in this implementation process are other key goals of the PerMediNA project.In this paper, we are describing PerMediNA as the first PM implementation initiative in North Africa. Such initiatives contribute significantly in shortening existing health disparities and inequities between developed and developing countries and accelerate access to innovative treatments for global health.

The imidazole nucleus represents a significant group of heterocyclic molecules with diverse significance in the modern world due to its exploration potential and various pharmacological applications. The relevance of imidazole and its derivatives has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the production of commercial drugs and the treatment of various conditions. The imidazole nucleus is present in many natural compounds and widely distributed in essential amino acids, such as l-histidine, whose derivatives exhibit powerful pharmacological properties. In this review, we delve into the historical timeline and development of synthetic pathways for tri- and tetra-substituted imidazoles used in the renowned Radziszewski reaction. Furthermore, we explore various bacteriological applications documented in the literature, as well as current advances in preclinical approaches to imidazole-based drug discovery. Tri- or tetra-substituted imidazole derivatives show strong potential for new synthesis methods, such as reflux or microwave, as well as various biological activities.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on assessing and ensuring the quality of horticultural and agricultural produce. Traditional methods involving field measurements, investigations, and statistical analyses are labour-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. As a solution, Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) has emerged as a non-destructive and environmentally friendly technology. HSI has gained significant popularity as a new technology, particularly for its promising applications in remote sensing, notably in agriculture. However, classifying HSI data is highly complex because it involves several challenges, such as the excessive redundancy of spectral bands, scarcity of training samples, and the intricate non-linear relationship between spatial positions and spectral bands. Notably, Deep Learning (DL) techniques have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in various HSI analysis tasks, including those within agriculture. As interest continues to surge in leveraging HSI data for agricultural applications through DL approaches, a pressing need exists for a comprehensive survey that can effectively navigate researchers through the significant strides achieved and the future promising research directions in this domain. This literature review diligently compiles, analyzes, and discusses recent endeavours employing DL methodologies. These methodologies encompass a spectrum of approaches, ranging from Autoencoders (AE) to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) (in 1D, 2D, and 3D configurations), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Deep Belief Networks (DBN), Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), Transfer Learning (TL), Semi-Supervised Learning (SSL), Few-Shot Learning (FSL) and Active Learning (AL). These approaches are tailored to address the unique challenges posed by agricultural HSI analysis. This review evaluates and discusses the performance exhibited by these diverse approaches. To this end, the efficiency of these approaches has been rigorously analyzed and discussed based on the results of the state-of-the-art papers on widely recognized land cover datasets. Github repository.

Abstract Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an infectious viral disease, primarily of small ruminants such as sheep and goats, but is also known to infect a wide range of wild and domestic Artiodactyls including African buffalo, gazelle, saiga and camels. The livestock-wildlife interface, where free-ranging animals can interact with captive flocks, is the subject of scrutiny as its role in the maintenance and spread of PPR virus (PPRV) is poorly understood. As seroconversion to PPRV indicates previous infection and/or vaccination, the availability of validated serological tools for use in both typical (sheep and goat) and atypical species is essential to support future disease surveillance and control strategies. The virus neutralisation test (VNT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been validated using sera from typical host species. Still, the performance of these assays in detecting antibodies from atypical species remains unclear. We examined a large panel of sera (n = 793) from a range of species from multiple countries (sourced 2015–2022) using three tests: VNT, ID VET N-ELISA and AU-PANVAC H-ELISA. A sub-panel (n = 30) was also distributed to two laboratories and tested using the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and a pseudotyped virus neutralisation assay (PVNA). We demonstrate a 75.0–88.0% agreement of positive results for detecting PPRV antibodies in sera from typical species between the VNT and commercial ELISAs, however this decreased to 44.4–62.3% in sera from atypical species, with an inter-species variation. The LIPS and PVNA strongly correlate with the VNT and ELISAs for typical species but vary when testing sera from atypical species.

Background and Aim: Paratuberculosis (PTB) or John’s disease is a chronic disease of ruminants impeding the reproduction and productivity of the livestock sector worldwide. Since there is a lack of pathological studies explaining the nature and development of the disease in camels, this study aimed to highlight the anatomopathological changes of PTB in camels, which may help in verifying and validating some diagnostic tests used to detect the etiology of the disease in camel tissues. Materials and Methods: In August 2017, at Alselaa border’s Veterinary Clinic of Al Dhafra Region, Western Abu Dhabi, UAE, one imported culled she-camel of 2 years old was subjected to clinical, microscopic, and anatomopathological investigations along with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) to confirm the infection and correlate between clinical signs and pathological lesions of the PTB in dromedary camels. Results: Clinically, typical clinical signs compliant with the pathognomonic gross and histologic lesions of PTB were seen in naturally infected dromedary camel. As presumptive diagnosis microscopically, acid-fast coccobacillus bacterium clumps were demonstrated in direct fecal smears as well as in scraped mucosal and crushed mesenteric lymph node films, and in histopathological sections prepared from a necropsied animal and stained by Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Free and intracellular acid-fast clump phagosomes were further confirmed as Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by q-PCR. Conclusion: Clinical signs and pathological lesions of paratuberculosis in a dromedary camel were found to be similar to those of the other susceptible hosts.

Abstract This study presents a design study and modelling of three‐to‐five phase transformer with three‐limb magnetic core. The basics of phase transformation windings are discussed. The purpose of such winding is to produce at the secondary a balanced multiphase voltage system, from multiphase primary of different number of phases, without unbalance in the primary and secondary under load conditions. In order to overcome the imbalance due to the dispositions of the winding coils on the magnetic core, simulations using aided computer design are performed. Furthermore, this study presents a model of a three‐to‐five phase three‐limbed transformer, which is suitable for modelling the behaviour of this transformer at no‐load, under load, and under unbalance load conditions. This study is conducted by simulation and experimental tests.

Bushra HA Abdelmalik,1 Musleh Mohammed Ali Leslom,2 Moawia Gameraddin,3,4 Qurain T Alshammari,1 Rehab Hussien,1 Mansour Hussain Alyami,5 Mohammed Salih,1 Mohamed Yousef,6 Elgeili Yousif1 1Diagnostic Radiology Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia; 2Najran-Hubuna Thar General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Najran, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Radiological Sciences and Medical Imaging, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan; 5King Khalid Hospital, Health Affairs of Najran Region, Najran, Saudi Arabia; 6Radiological Sciences Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442 Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Moawia Gameraddin, Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Email gameraldinm@gmail.comBackground: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common health problem. Accurate diagnosis of DVT is essential to avoid potentially fatal acute consequences of pulmonary embolism.Aim: The study aims to assess deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs and to analyze the related risk factors.Methods: This is a retrospective study including 60 patients who were examined using Triplex Doppler imaging. The patients were referred to the imaging departments with symptoms of lower limb DVT. The risk of DVT was expressed as an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect the independent risk factors. P value < 0.05 was considered a significant statistic.Results: Among the Saudi patients in Najran, acute DVT was more prevalent than chronic one (56.7% vs 38.3%), while subacute is less frequent (5%). DVTs are more prevalent in females than males (60% vs 40%) and most commonly affect patients older than 40. DVTs affect the left lower limb veins more than the right limb (75% vs 15%) and are less frequent on both sides (10%). The left popliteal vein (PV) and left common femoral vein (CFV) were the most common sites for acute DVTs. Binary logistic analysis revealed the independent risk factors for developing lower extremity DVT; malignancy (OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 0.518– 15.513), surgery (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 0.411– 17.281), trauma (OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 0.452– 11.658), and diabetes and hypertension (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 0.335– 6.969).Conclusion: Acute lower limb DVT was more prevalent than chronic one. Malignancy, surgery, trauma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were the most common risk factors for lower limb DVTs. Left popliteal and left common femoral veins were the most common sites of acute DVTs.Keywords: DVT, malignancy, pregnancy, popliteal vein, acute, surgery

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) is activated by short-chain fatty acids and expressed widely, including in white adipocytes and various immune and enteroendocrine cells. Using both wild-type human FFAR2 and a designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drug (DREADD) variant we explored the activation and phosphorylation profile of the receptor, both in heterologous cell lines and in tissues from transgenic knock-in mouse lines expressing either human FFAR2 or the FFAR2-DREADD. FFAR2 phospho-site-specific antisera targeting either pSer296/pSer297 or pThr306/pThr310 provided sensitive biomarkers of both constitutive and agonist-mediated phosphorylation as well as an effective means to visualise agonist-activated receptors in situ. In white adipose tissue, phosphorylation of residues Ser296/Ser297 was enhanced upon agonist activation whilst Thr306/Thr310 did not become phosphorylated. By contrast, in immune cells from Peyer’s patches Thr306/Thr310 become phosphorylated in a strictly agonist-dependent fashion whilst in enteroendocrine cells of the colon both Ser296/Ser297 and Thr306/Thr310 were poorly phosphorylated. The concept of phosphorylation bar-coding has centred to date on the potential for different agonists to promote distinct receptor phosphorylation patterns. Here, we demonstrate that this occurs for the same agonist-receptor pairing in different patho-physiologically relevant target tissues. This may underpin why a single G protein-coupled receptor can generate different functional outcomes in a tissue-specific manner.

BackgroundZoonotic diseases, infections transmitted naturally from animals to humans, pose a significant public health challenge worldwide. After MERS-CoV was discovered, interest in camels was raised as potential intermediate hosts for zoonotic viruses. Most published review studies pay little attention to case reports or zoonotic epidemics where there is epidemiological proof of transmission from camels to humans. Accordingly, any pathogen found in camels known to cause zoonotic disease in other animals or humans is reported.MethodsHere, zoonotic diseases linked to camels are reviewed in the literature, focusing on those with epidemiological or molecular evidence of spreading from camels to humans. This review examines the risks posed by camel diseases to human health, emphasizing the need for knowledge and awareness in mitigating these risks.ResultsA search of the literature revealed that eight (36.4%) of the 22 investigations that offered convincing evidence of camel-to-human transmission involved MERS, five (22.7%) Brucellosis, four (18.2%) plague caused by Yersinia pestis, three (13.6%) camelpox, one (4.5%) hepatitis E, and one (4.5%) anthrax. The reporting of these zoonotic diseases has been steadily increasing, with the most recent period, from 2010 to the present, accounting for 59% of the reports. Additionally, camels have been associated with several other zoonotic diseases, including toxoplasmosis, Rift Valley fever, TB, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Q fever, despite having no evidence of a transmission event. Transmission of human zoonotic diseases primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct or indirect contact with camels. The above-mentioned diseases were discussed to determine risks to human health.ConclusionMERS, Brucellosis, plague caused by Y. pestis, camelpox, hepatitis E, and anthrax are the main zoonotic diseases associated with human disease events or outbreaks. Transmission to humans primarily occurs through camel milk, meat, and direct contact with camels. There is a need for comprehensive surveillance, preventive measures, and public health interventions based on a one-health approach to mitigate the risks of zoonotic infections linked to camels.

Aim. The present study was carried out to evaluate the wound healing potential of crude Hydroalcoholic fruit extracts of Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in experimental animals.

Abstract Background: This study assesses stakeholders' awareness level of Cannabis use and the effect of an educational program on their awareness in Kabkabiya city of Sudan. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted using a pre- and posttest design between July and November 2018. A total of 203 stakeholders were recruited in the study using a convenience sampling technique. First, using a self-reported questionnaire, the pretest data were collected before the intervention. Then, the participants underwent an educational program intervention in the form of lectures and group discussions. At the end of the program, the participants were subjected to the posttest using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results showed a poor to moderate level of awareness about Cannabis use among stakeholders. A statistically significant increase in the stakeholders' awareness levels was found after the educational program intervention with a large effect size in awareness (z = –12.299, P = 0.001, r = 0.91). The results also showed that the participants who graduated from university had a significantly higher level of awareness than others at pre- and posttests stages (P = < 0.001). Conclusion: The educational program intervention effectively improved stakeholders' awareness about the risks of Cannabis use. This study suggests providing ongoing health education for the public and focusing on individuals with lower educational levels to increase awareness of the risks of Cannabis use.

Abstract Background: While treating patients during a pandemic, nurses are at risk of mental health issues caused by the stress they face. This study aimed to examine the degree of anxiety and depression among Sudanese nurses throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and demographic features and their association with depression and anxiety. Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Sudanese nurses. Data were collected from eligible nurses using a three-part questionnaire: demographic questions, the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the major depression index (MDI). We used the Chi-square test and Spearman or point biserial correlation to assess the association between demographics, anxiety, and depression. Results: Two hundred and forty-six nurses from Sudan participated in this study. Around 69.5% of participants experienced mild to severe anxiety, while26.4% revealed mild to severe depression. We found a significant association between depression and anxiety (P < 0.001). However, we did not find a significant association between depression or anxiety categories and the baseline characteristics of participants. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates high rates of anxiety and depression among Sudanese nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As we found no association between anxiety and depression with personal characteristics, psychological support should be given to all nurses' categories as all of them nearly have the same risk for anxiety and depression.

In this work, we propose an optimization scheme based on a multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (GA) for the design of orthogonal filter banks for speech compression. A parameterization is adopted to assure that the resulting filter banks satisfy perfect reconstruction and have at least two vanishing moments. We search for a parameter set that optimizes the coding gain and the frequency selectivity. As the objectives are conflicting, we investigate the solution that realizes the best compromise between the objectives criteria using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGAIII). Experimental results have shown that the optimized filter banks provide a significant gain in coding performances when comparing with the Daubechies orthogonal filter banks for test speech signals.

Nicotian glauca is a noxious invasive shrub in Saudi Arabia, and it is well known for its harmful impact on biodiversity, competing with native plants using various strategies. Among their strategies is their allelochemical activity, i.e., the use of chemicals to dominate and compete. The present study aims to evaluate the allelopathic potential of N. glauca aqueous extracts from leaves, flowers, and twigs on Acacia gerrardi seed germination and seedling growth. Petri dishes containing extracts from N. glauca parts with different concentrations were incubated in a growth chamber. The results indicated that extracts and concentrations negatively impact seed germination and hypocotyl. Relative to the control, the leaf extract with concentrations of 60 and 100 g/L reduced the seed germination rate by 81.11% and 93.33%, respectively. Flower extracts of similar concentrations decreased germination by 81.91 and 92.55%, while the twig extracts declined germination by 79.56 and 95.69%, respectively. The leaf, flower, and twig extracts (100 g/L) decreased hypocotyl radicle by 76.54, 78.05, and 65.75%, respectively. Overall, the concentrations of 20, 60, and 100 g/L showed the lowest growth indices. Generally, aqueous extracts, particularly 100 g/L, impacted the germination and protrusion of A. gerrardii hypocotyl. In conclusion, our study draws attention to the harmful impact of N. glauca on A. gerrardii regeneration.

This study uses an environmentally friendly and low-cost synthesis method to manufacture zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) by using zinc sulfate. Eucalyptus leaf extract is an effective chelating and capping agent for synthesizing ZnO NPs. The structure, morphology, thermal behavior, chemical composition, and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles were studied utilizing FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDAX, AFM, and Zeta potential analysis. The FE-SEM pictures confirmed that the ZnO NPs with a size range of (22-37) nm were crystalline and spherical. Two methods were used to prepare ZnO NPs. The first method involved calcining the resulting ZnO NPs, while the second method did not. The prepared ZnO NPs were used as adsorbents for removing acid black 210 dye (AB210) from simulated wastewater. The removal efficiency using calcinated and uncalcinated ZnO NPs was 57 % and 59 %, respectively.

This study investigates the possibility of removing ciprofloxacin (CIP) using three types of adsorbent based on green-prepared iron nanoparticles (Fe.NPs), copper nanoparticles (Cu. NPS), and silver nanoparticles (Ag. NPS) from synthesized aqueous solution. They were characterized using different analysis methods. According to the characterization findings, each prepared NPs has the shape of a sphere and with ranges in sizes from of 85, 47, and 32 nanometers and a surface area of 2.1913, 1.6562, and 1.2387 m2/g for Fe.NPs, Cu.NPs and Ag.NPs, respectively. The effects of various parameters such as pH, initial CIP concentration, temperature, NPs dosage, and time on CIP removal were investigated through batch experiments. The results showed that 10 mg/L CIP was removed by 100%, 92% and 79% within 180 min using Fe.NPs, Cu.NPs, and Ag.NPs respectively. In addition to this, kinetic models of the adsorption and mechanism of CIP removal were studied. The cinematic analysis demonstrated that adsorption is a physics adsorption mechanism with an energy of 0.846 kJ.mol-1, 1.720 kJ.mol-1, and 3.872 kJ.mol-1, while the low activation energies of 17.660 kJ.mol-1, 13.221 kJ.mol-1, and 14.060 kJ.mol-1 for Fe.NPs, Cu.NPs, and Ag.NPs respectively. The kinetic removal process follows a pseudo-first-order model following a physical diffusion-controlled reaction. The data on adsorption was analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin models, as well as thermodynamic factors, indicating that the process is appropriate and endothermic sorption. The most practical adsorbent was Fe.NPs

BackgroundThe study of coronaviruses has grown significantly in recent years.Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) replicates in various cell types, and quick development has been made of assays for its growth and quantification. However, only a few viral isolates are now available for investigation with full characterization. The current study aimed to isolate MERS-CoV from nasal swabs of dromedary camels and molecularly analyze the virus in order to detect strain-specific mutations and ascertain lineage classification.MethodsWe isolated the virus in Vero cells and adapted it for in vitro cultivation. The isolates were subjected to complete genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing followed by phylogenetic, mutation, and recombination analysis of the sequences.ResultsA total of five viral isolates were obtained in Vero cells and adapted to in vitro cultures. Phylogenetic analysis classified all the isolates within clade B3. Four isolates clustered close to the MERS-CoV isolate camel/KFU-HKU-I/2017 (GenBank ID: MN758606.1) with nucleotide identity 99.90–99.91%. The later isolate clustered close to the MERS-CoV isolate Al-Hasa-SA2407/2016 (GenBank ID: MN654975.1) with a sequence identity of 99.86%. Furthermore, the isolates contained several amino acids substitutions in ORF1a (32), ORF1ab (25), S (2), ORF3 (4), ORF4b (4), M (3), ORF8b (1), and the N protein (1). The analysis further identified a recombination event in one of the reported sequences (OQ423284/MERS-CoV/dromedary/UAE-Al Ain/13/2016).ConclusionData presented in this study indicated the need for continuous identification and characterization of MERS-CoV to monitor virus circulation in the region, which is necessary to develop effective control measures. The mutations described in this investigation might not accurately represent the virus’s natural evolution as artificial mutations may develop during cell culture passage. The isolated MERS-CoV strains would be helpful in new live attenuated vaccine development and efficacy studies.

Developing a novel change-detection approach instead classic one is imperative for better assessment of the accuracy of evaluable results. Modern generations of optical satellites, which are characterized by their high to moderate spatial and temporal resolutions enable us to continuously develop the traditional approaches. Successive changes on land with different scales, and their environmental impact needs more accurate specific approaches, which reduce the noise in the data and increase the precision of the results. Integration between many developed methods may produce a new specific one, which solves this.The present work developed a novel approach based on time series results temporally at a very short time scale “Quadruple-stacked changes concept”. The higher weight of change probability indicates a certain change. The advantage of the developed methodology is decreasing the amount of data noise; by using the weight concept of GIS layers. The NDVI “Normalized Difference Vegetation Index” was calculated for each month all over the used two years (2016 and 2021) - using Sentinel-2 imagery data - then were subjected to reclassification and weighted sum to produce the accumulated NDVI.PlanetScope imagery data were used for Quadruple image difference (4 images/2 times). The Threshold of 1/3, ½ and 1 Standard deviation were tested - this step was essential for mapping the true changes which is considered as one of the inputs of the change detection - The resulted accuracy of the real changed areas detected by the newly developed concept was 0.9662, 0.9602, and 0.9579 respectively to the used SD.

The recent emergence of anaplasmosis in camels has raised global interest in the pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of the pathogen causing it and the role of camels as reservoir hosts. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), molecular studies and genetic characterization of camel-associated Anaplasma species are limited. This study aimed to characterize molecularly Anaplasmataceae strains circulating in dromedary camels in the UAE. Two hundred eighty-seven whole-blood samples collected from dromedary camels across regions of the Abu Dhabi Emirate were received between 2019 and 2023 at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) veterinary laboratories for routine diagnosis of anaplasmosis. The animals were sampled based on field clinical observation by veterinarians and their tentative suspicion of blood parasite infection on the basis of similar clinical symptoms as those caused by blood parasites in ruminants. The samples were screened for Anaplasmataceae by PCR assay targeting the groEL gene. Anaplasmataceae strains were further characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the groEL gene. Thirty-five samples (35/287 = 12.2%) tested positive for Anaplasmataceae spp. by PCR assay. Nine positive samples (9/35 = 25.7%) were sequenced using groEL gene primers. GenBank BLAST analysis revealed that all strains were 100% identical to the Candidatus A. camelii reference sequence available in the GenBank nucleotide database. Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that the sequences were close to each other and were located in one cluster with Candidatus A. camelii sequences detected in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE. Pairwise alignment showed that the UAE sequences detected in this study were completely identical and shared 100% identity with Candidatus A. camelii from Morocco and Saudi Arabia and 99.5% identity with Candidatus A. camelii from the UAE. This study demonstrates the presence of Candidatus A. camelii in UAE dromedary camels. Further critical investigation of the clinical and economical significance of this pathogen in camels needs to be carried out.

COVID-19 analysis from medical imaging is an important task that has been intensively studied in the last years due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, medical imaging has often been used as a complementary or main tool to recognize the infected persons. On the other hand, medical imaging has the ability to provide more details about COVID-19 infection, including its severity and spread, which makes it possible to evaluate the infection and follow-up the patient’s state. CT scans are the most informative tool for COVID-19 infection, where the evaluation of COVID-19 infection is usually performed through infection segmentation. However, segmentation is a tedious task that requires much effort and time from expert radiologists. To deal with this limitation, an efficient framework for estimating COVID-19 infection as a regression task is proposed. The goal of the Per-COVID-19 challenge is to test the efficiency of modern deep learning methods on COVID-19 infection percentage estimation (CIPE) from CT scans. Participants had to develop an efficient deep learning approach that can learn from noisy data. In addition, participants had to cope with many challenges, including those related to COVID-19 infection complexity and crossdataset scenarios. This paper provides an overview of the COVID-19 infection percentage estimation challenge (Per-COVID-19) held at MIA-COVID-2022. Details of the competition data, challenges, and evaluation metrics are presented. The best performing approaches and their results are described and discussed.

Imidazopyridine and its derivatives are essential heterocycles widely utilized in medicinal chemistry, natural products, and synthetic chemicals. The unique structural characteristics of the imidazopyridine ring facilitate their interaction with various enzymes and receptors through weak interactions, leading to a wide range of biological and pharmacological effects. Many imidazole derivatives are extensively used in clinical practice to treat various diseases, highlighting their significant potential for further research. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current research on imidazopyridine or imidazopyridine derivatives in medicinal chemistry, focusing on their roles as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and other therapeutic agents.

The synthesis of bicyclic heterocycles, notably nitrogen-containing imidazopyridines, holds immense appeal due to their structural diversity and pivotal role in biological systems. These compounds are ubiquitously found in nature and are prized for their significance in both chemical and biological contexts. Imidazopyridine derivatives, among nitrogen heterocycles, serve as fundamental structures in various applications spanning pharmaceuticals to food additives. Consequently, their synthesis and modification represent a focal point in both natural and synthetic organic chemistry. This review aims to comprehensively explore conventional methodologies alongside innovative synthesis approaches, while also delving into the diverse biological properties exhibited by these versatile heterocycles. Through this examination, we endeavor to provide valuable insights that will contribute to further advancements in the synthesis and utilization of imidazopyridines in various fields.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) is a coronavirus-caused viral respiratory infection initially detected in Saudi Arabia in 2012. In UAE, high seroprevalence (97.1) of MERS-CoV in camels was reported in several Emirate of Abu Dhabi studies, including camels in zoos, public escorts, and slaughterhouses. The objectives of this research include simulation of MERS-CoV spread using a customized animal disease spread model (i.e., customized stochastic model for the UAE; analyzing the MERS-CoV spread and prevalence based on camels age groups and identifying the optimum control MERS-CoV strategy. This study found that controlling animal mobility is the best management technique for minimizing epidemic length and the number of affected farms. This study also found that disease dissemination differs amongst camels of three ages: camel kids under the age of one, young camels aged one to four, and adult camels aged four and up; because of their immunological state, kids, as well as adults, had greater infection rates. To save immunization costs, it is advised that certain age groups be targeted and that intense ad hoc unexpected vaccinations be avoided. According to the study, choosing the best technique must consider both efficacy and cost.

The earlier we can detect and identify health threats, the faster we can respond and the more lives we can save…not to mention the impact on other aspects of societies and economies, as we clearly see through COVID-19 and other infectious disease events in our history. But responding faster requires us to do something with those things that we detect earlier first. It requires us to transform what we get through surveillance systems and the other vast amounts of information available to us in our increasingly digital world to intelligence that can then lead to appropriate actions. This should inform our collective priorities for surveillance; we need to ask ourselves how we can improve our intelligence so that the decisions that are made and the policies that are put in place are better informed, more timely and, ultimately, more effective in protecting lives and livelihoods. Seeking to address this very question, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization's Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence was created. This presentation will provide an overview of some of the intelligence work preceding its creation through the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) initiative and highlight some of its key activities and ambitions moving forward.

The topic of facial beauty analysis has emerged as a crucial and fascinating subject of human culture. With various applications and significant attention from researchers, recent studies have investigated the relationship between facial features and age, emotions, and other factors using multidisciplinary approaches. Facial beauty prediction is a significant visual recognition problem in the assessment of facial attractiveness, which is consistent with human perception. Overcoming the challenges associated with facial beauty prediction requires considerable effort due to the field’s novelty and lack of resources. In this vein, a deep learning method has recently demonstrated remarkable abilities in feature representation and analysis. Accordingly, this paper proposes an ensemble based on pre-trained convolutional neural network models to identify scores for facial beauty prediction. These ensembles are three separate deep convolutional neural networks, each with a unique structural representation built by previously trained models from Inceptionv3, Mobilenetv2, and a new simple network based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for facial beauty prediction problems. According to the SCUT-FBP5500 benchmark dataset, the obtained 0.9350 Pearson coefficient experimental result demonstrated that using this ensemble of deep networks leads to a better prediction of facial beauty closer to human evaluation than conventional technology that spreads facial beauty. Finally, potential research directions are suggested for future research on facial beauty prediction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted thyroid cancer diagnosis in recent years, offering advanced tools and methodologies that promise to revolutionize patient outcomes. This review provides an exhaustive overview of the contemporary frameworks employed in the field, focusing on the objective of AI-driven analysis and dissecting methodologies across supervised, unsupervised, and ensemble learning. Specifically, we delve into techniques such as deep learning, artificial neural networks, traditional classification, and probabilistic models (PMs) under supervised learning. With its prowess in clustering and dimensionality reduction, unsupervised learning (USL) is explored alongside ensemble methods, including bagging and potent boosting algorithms. The thyroid cancer datasets (TCDs) are integral to our discussion, shedding light on vital features and elucidating feature selection and extraction techniques critical for AI-driven diagnostic systems. We lay out the standard assessment criteria across classification, regression, statistical, computer vision, and ranking metrics, punctuating the discourse with a real-world example of thyroid cancer detection using AI. Additionally, this study culminates in a critical analysis, elucidating current limitations and delineating the path forward by highlighting open challenges and prospective research avenues. Through this comprehensive exploration, we aim to offer readers a panoramic view of AI’s transformative role in thyroid cancer diagnosis, underscoring its potential and pointing toward an optimistic future.

The aim of this study was to assess carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) changes in relation to the treatment options of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods and Results: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 92 adults (57.61% female and 42.39% male) diagnosed with T2D with the mean age of 48.59±8.24 years and mean disease duration of 6.0±3.03 years. All patients were categorized into three groups according to the treatment types: Croup A included patients (n=21) treated with insulin injections; Group B included patients (n=33) treated with pills; and Group C included patients (n=38) treated with pills, dietary control, and regular exercise. The control group included 83 healthy people. High-resolution B-mode sonographic evaluations of common carotid arteries (CCAs) were performed. CIMT was measured at a point 1cm distal from the bulb of the carotid artery. The random blood glucose (RBG) test was performed at the time of the sonographic investigation. In T2D patients, the CIMT was significantly higher than in the healthy participants (P

Abstract Background DNA methylation is involved in pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of mRNA, mediated by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), is one of the well-identified mRNA modifiers associated with the pathogenesis of AML. High level of METTL3 mRNA is detected in AML cells, thus can be a potential target therapy for AML. This is a preliminary study that aimed at measuring METTL3 mRNA expression level in de novo AML patients and correlating it with clinicopathological, laboratory and prognostic markers. METTL3 expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 40 newly diagnosed AML adults and was re-measured in the 2nd month of chemotherapy. Patients were followed up for periods up to 6 months post-induction therapy. Results METTL3 expression was found to be significantly upregulated in AML patients compared to control subjects (p

Background: Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD, Gumboro disease) has become more severe than in early outbreaks in the 1980s. The present research aims to study the epidemiology of IBD in Khartoum state and compare some commonly used laboratory techniques for diagnosis Methods: We collected epidemiological data from thirty farms that showed signs suggestive of IBD, estimated the morbidity and mortality rates, and interviewed the owners about the type and the doses of the used vaccines. We collected bursas of Fabricius for virus assays and histopathology. Samples positive in the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test were inoculated onto chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell culture and embryonated chicken eggs (ECE). Twenty-two-day-old chicks were infected experimentally with three selected isolates, and morbidity and mortality rates were compared. Results: The results showed that 70% of outbreaks occurred between 6-8 weeks of age, and the mean mortality rate was 51%. Epidemiologic, clinical, gross, and histopathological findings were characteristic of the severe disease caused by the very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV). The farms that used intermediate or the intermediate plus vaccines had lowered mortality compared with the farms that used intermediate vaccines. The AGID was found more sensitive than the counter-immuno-electrophoresis (CIEP) since it detected 83.4% of the IBDV antigen in the samples while the CIEP detected 66.7% of the samples. The RT-PCR was found to be rapid, specific, and was more sensitive detecting 100% of the tested samples. Virus isolation in embryonated eggs and cell culture was not successful. Conclusion: A vvIBDV is responsible for the recent outbreaks of the disease in Sudan, resulting in a mean high mortality rate of 51%, even in vaccinated flocks. The RT-PCR and AGID are the best methods for laboratory confirmation.

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common causes of hospital admission during pregnancy. We present a 27 years old woman who was at 28 weeks of pregnancy and she urinary tract infection developed to acute pyelonephritis. This condition developed to form perirenal abscess and intrauterine fetus death. Computed tomography scan showed right perirenal abscess. Ultrasonography is the imaging modality of choice during pregnancy because of its lack of ionizing radiation. Our patient developed perirenal abscess as a complication of untreated acute pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis during pregnancy is considered a serious condition and should be treated promptly.

Early warning and response are key to tackle emerging and acute public health risks globally. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented a robust approach to public health intelligence (PHI) for the global detection, verification and risk assessment of acute public health threats. WHO's PHI operations are underpinned by the International Health Regulations (2005), which require that countries strengthen surveillance efforts, and assess, notify and verify events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). PHI activities at WHO are conducted systematically at WHO's headquarters and all six regional offices continuously, throughout every day of the year. We describe four interlinked steps; detection, verification, risk assessment, and reporting and dissemination. For PHI operations, a diverse and interdisciplinary workforce is needed. Overall, PHI is a key feature of the global health architecture and will only become more prominent as the world faces increasing public health threats.

Introduction Stroke is a significant health problem and is considered one of the leading causes of mortality and permanent disability worldwide. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for stroke. Thus, hypertensive patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are essential in preventing stroke. Objective To examine hypertensive patients’ KAP towards stroke prevention among rural population in Saudi Arabia. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional design. The data were collected using a convenience sampling technique from hypertensive patients in the northwestern rural areas of Riyadh Province. A self-administered questionnaire was adapted from the Stroke Recognition Questionnaire (SRQ) and utilized to assess KAP towards stroke prevention among rural hypertensive patients. The STrengthening of the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was used to report the study. Results A total of 196 hypertensive patients participated in the study. The total mean scores categorization into three quartiles showed that most respondents had poor levels of KAP towards stroke prevention. Weak positive correlations were found between KAP of patients. There were statistically significant differences between respondents’ attitudes and practices with their age, education, marital status, and occupational status. Discussion This study denoted poor levels of KAP towards stroke prevention among hypertensive patients living in rural areas. This study showed the importance of further considering rural population by which improving their health and quality of life. Extending health educational programs and behavior-changing strategies to rural areas is essential to increase hypertensive patients and general public awareness about their stroke prevention and other health-related concerns.

The growing interest in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from both the scientific and industrial sectors has attracted a wave of new researchers and substantial investments in this expansive field. However, due to the wide range of topics and subdomains within UAV research, newcomers may find themselves overwhelmed by the numerous options available. It is therefore crucial for those involved in UAV research to recognize its interdisciplinary nature and its connections with other disciplines. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the UAV field, highlighting recent trends and advancements. Drawing on recent literature reviews and surveys, the review begins by classifying UAVs based on their flight characteristics. It then provides an overview of current research trends in UAVs, utilizing data from the Scopus database to quantify the number of scientific documents associated with each research direction and their interconnections. This paper also explores potential areas for further development in UAVs, including communication, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, miniaturization, swarming and cooperative control, and transformability. Additionally, it discusses the development of aircraft control, commonly used control techniques, and appropriate control algorithms in UAV research. Furthermore, this paper addresses the general hardware and software architecture of UAVs, their applications, and the key issues associated with them. It also provides an overview of current open source software and hardware projects in the UAV field. By presenting a comprehensive view of the UAV field, this paper aims to enhance our understanding of this rapidly evolving and highly interdisciplinary area of research.

Considering the improvement of acacia species growth in arid and semi-arid environment, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); Funneliformis mosseae (syn. Glomus mosseae), Rhizophagus intraradices (syn. Glomus intraradices) and Claroideoglomus etunicatum (syn. Glomus etunicatum) on growth and drought tolerance of Acacia seyal Del. seedlings under drought cycles (7, 14, 21 and 28 days). AMF-inoculated seedlings showed a clear colonisation percentage (36-68%). AMF treatment significantly improved seedlings shoot and root growth under all drought cycles compared to non-AMF control seedlings. Moreover, AMF treatment enhanced seedlings drought resistance by increasing root surface area (root length increased by 483.76% and root tips number increased by 1 463.94% under 28 days of drought cycle), there was a strong linear relation between proline accumulation, AMF and drought stress (proline content decreased in treated seedlings by 31.3% and 14.3% and increased by 97.5% and 80.4% in untreated seedlings under drought cycles of 21 and 28 days, respectively). In conclusion, the AMF inoculation improved growth and enhanced drought tolerance of A. seyal seedlings and can be used as a natural biostimulator for acacias seedlings establishment in arid areas.

Detecting mineralogical alteration by hydrocarbon micro-seepage from trap to surface across the deformed structure, through Comparative analysis study of hyperspectral image (EO-1, Hyperion), and multispectral (landsat7 and Advanced land imager (Ali) to map soil alteration by petroleum seepage with applying remote sensing techniques as (band ratios, supervised, SAM classification, and hydrocarbon detection and index (HD and HI) calculation to detect the potentiality of hydrocarbon seepage in the area. The type of spectral resolution accuracy available for each space imaging platform can be used to choose which is best in determining the target and whether exploration yields oil. Hyperspectral remote sensing data are integrated with a GIS framework Weighted Sum (Spatial Analyst) classified hydrocarbon seepage prospects into five potential zones very good, good, intermediate, poor, and very poor probable potentiality. The spatial lithologic carbonaceous alteration appears closely coincident along reactivated leaking faults that cause hydrocarbon micro-seepage and altered surface lithology and mineralogical cement. The hyperspectral images have proven their worth in identifying and studying hydrocarbon leaks and the resulting environmental pollution and mineral alteration, as well as use micro-seeps as a pathfinder to locations of new oil explorations discoveries that can use as a pre-drill prediction of hydrocarbon occurrence and detected a prospect area for hydrocarbon drill.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health threat that has spread rapidly and caused morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reducing the myths about infectious diseases is vital for controlling transmission. This study explored the level of misconceptions and associated factors of COVID-19 among internally displaced persons in Sudan. This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive design and community-based study. We collected the data using a self-administered questionnaire via the convenience sampling technique among internally displaced persons in the camps of Zalingei town in the central Darfur region of Sudan. The total mean score of the respondents’ misconception was 3.1725 (SD=0.59) with 63.2%, indicating moderate misunderstanding of COVID-19. Multiple linear regression revealed the independent variables together had a significant impact on a misconception, F(14,116)=2.429, p0.005. The regression model explains 22.7% of the variance in misunderstanding. Analysis of the influence of single factors on the dependent variable showed that people aged 31–40 years had significantly higher levels of misconception, 0.381 (t=2.116, p0.037), than those aged over 60 years, and university graduates had considerably lower levels of misunderstanding, −0.061 (t=−2.091, p0.03) than non-graduates. This study found a moderate level of misconception of COVID-19. Non-graduates had higher levels of misunderstanding than graduates. The results suggest that an education campaign should focus on people with low levels of education to correct their misconceptions regarding the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Abstract Background: The lacking healthcare system services in conflict areas and the emergence of infection with a pandemic of coronavirus disease may exacerbate the humanitarian crisis among the camp residents in the central Dafur region of Sudan. Adequate knowledge and practices are vital to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19 among internally displaced persons in Sudan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected through an online survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Convenience sampling method was used for the internally displaced persons in two camps of Zalingei town, central Darfur region, Sudan. Results: In total, 143 participants responded; 75 (52.4%) of them were female, while 68 (47.6%) were male; 49 (34.3%) were between the age of 50 and 60 years; 78 (54.5%) were formally uneducated; 126 (88.1%) did not have a chronic disease; and 56 (39.2%) knew about COVID-19 from their relatives and friends. The overall mean of participants' knowledge toward COVID-19 was 3.68 (SD ± 0.60(, denoting good with a rate of 73.6% and that of the practice was 2.65 (SD ± 1.08), denoting moderate with a rate of 53%. A positive correlation was seen between knowledge and practice (r = 0.700, p < 0.000). Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean score of knowledge and practice with age, education, and information sources (p < 0.0001). While graduates showed a higher knowledge (116.29, p = 0.000), secondary respondents showed a higher practice (115.04, p = 0.000) than others. Conclusion: This study suggests educational intervention and awareness programs for uneducated and older people.