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Abstract Background Mobile health (mHealth) applications have been utilized in chronic diseases to improve medication adherence, though factors driving engagement remain understudied. We previously demonstrated the benefits of mHealth app utilization in increasing adherence to hydroxyurea. In the “Integration of mHealth into Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Care to Increase Hydroxyurea Utilization” (meSH) study, greater engagement with the InCharge Health app increased the percentage of days covered (PDC) for hydroxyurea. However, factors influencing app engagement were not investigated. This study aimed to identify patient-level factors associated with mHealth engagement during and post-study among adolescents and adults with SCD. Methods All meSH participants were included. The InCharge Health app use was measured for 24 weeks (study period) and 12 weeks (post-study period). Baseline demographics and validated measures of self-efficacy, financial hardship, and pain severity, impact, and frequency were evaluated as predictors of app engagement during the study period and post-study using linear models. Results Complete app use data were obtained from 284 of 293 participants, including 150 (52.8%) females and 240 (84.8%) who were HbSS/HbSβ0-thalassemia with a median age of 27 years. During the study period, 232 (81.7%) used InCharge Health at least once (median use excluding zeros: 26 days; IQR: 7–72 days). During the post-study period, 132 (46.5%) participants used the app at least once (median use excluding zeros: 16 days; IQR: 3–44 days). During the study period, the HbSS genotype, age > 25 years, higher education, higher self-efficacy score, and lower pain severity were associated with greater app engagement. Only age (p = 0.0032) and financial hardship (p = 0.0125) were significant in a multivariable model after backward elimination. During the post-study period, older age (p = 0.035), lower pain severity (p = 0.021) and lower frequency of pain (p = 0.033) predicted mHealth engagement. All three remained significant in a multivariable model after backward elimination. Conclusions Older age, lower financial hardship, lower pain severity, and greater self-efficacy were associated with increased engagement with a mHealth intervention for improving medication adherence among people living with SCD. This research can shift future app development from focusing on factors that drive patient interaction with mHealth targeting modifiable factors influencing app engagement. Trial registration The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration Identifier: NCT04080167. Registration date: November 11, 2019.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the suitability of subsurface layers for infrastructure development using geophysical and geotechnical studies. Six seismic refraction and six 2D geoelectic profiles were conducted in the study area to analyze the geotechnical characteristics of the subsoil in order to assess its suitability for construction projects. According to the geophysical investigation, there are two main geoelectric strata, each with a different lithology and thickness. The first layer has high resistivity values of more than 200 (Ωm) and its thickness is between 3.5 and 6.3 m. The second layer's resistivity ranges from 0.3 to 200 (Ωm). The findings indicate that the near-surface area of the study site is composed of two layers in addition to the surface layer, which consists of semi-consolidated wadi fill deposits of gravel, sand, and silt with rock fragments. The first layer comprises fractured limestone with clay intercalation, followed by a second layer of marly limestone, which transitions into marl and clay. Both compressional (P) and shear (S) waves were detected and analyzed. The shallow seismic refraction technique indicates that the velocity waves (Vp) in the first and second layers range from 133 to 770 and 790 to 3100 m/s respectively. Various engineering parameters for the second layer were determined, including elastic moduli (bulk modulus, Poisson’s ratio, rigidity modulus, and Young’s modulus), competence scales (stress ratio, concentration index, material index and density gradient), and bearing capacity (ultimate and allowable). The average Poisson ratio for the first and second layers is 0.235. The ultimate bearing capacity (Qu) of the first layer ranges from 379.1 to 1031.2 gm/cm2 and between 1040.8 and 1548.5 gm/cm2 of the second layer. Allowable bearing capacity (Qall) for the first layer is between 126.4 and 343.7 gm/cm2, and for the second layer, it is between 346.9 and 516.2 gm/cm2. According to the geotechnical investigation's findings, the range of liquid limit (LL) values is between 41.20 and 86.30%, the range of plastic limit (PL) values is between 18 and 35.25%, the range of plasticity index (PI) values is between 14.17 and 51.45%, and the range of free swelling values is between 60 and 170%. However, the study identified high-risk areas in the study area. These zones are located in the first and second layers represented by strongly swelling clay layers and strongly fractured limestone, which will have a major impact on the road and buildings. Therefore, this study recommends addressing these problems before any development to protect these areas from subsidence and collapse.

Abstract Bone tissue is constantly regenerated and repaired through a finely balanced process known as bone remodeling. Many miRNAs act as regulators of the signaling pathways involved in bone metabolic processes to maintain tissue homeostasis. This study aimed to assess the circulating levels of MIR21, MIR34a, and MIR155 in human serum and their bone expression, and the expression of bone turnover-related genes which can reflect the bone quality. This prospective study was conducted on 60 patients (30 males and 30 females) indicated for surgical interventions for neural decompression +/- fixation. Relative quantification of expression of MIR21, miR34a, and MIR155 and bone related genes was assayed using PCR. The serum levels of osteocalcin and Serum Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (sBAP) were assayed using a human ELISA kit. The main finding of the present work was the strong positive association between the circulating levels of only miR21 and MIR155 and their bone expression in the population under study and with bone markers and target genes Also, a positive association was found between both bone expression and circulating MIR21 levels with age and sBAP. These results suggest that the circulating levels of these microRNAs as early markers for the predication of bone quality.

Abstract Purpose This is a retrospective study of one-stage anterior sagittal sphincter saving anorectoplasty (ASSSARP) for repairing rectovestibular fistula (RVF) including operative details and postoperative complications, functional and cosmetic outcome. Patients and methods Records of 41 cases of RVF, managed between April 2010 and September 2019 by one-stage ASSSARP, were reviewed. Preoperative preparation, both early and late postoperative care & complications, hospital stay, and functional & cosmetic outcomes were reported. Results The mean age was 6.6 months. Vaginal tear occurred in 5/41 cases, and distal rectal tears in 4/41 cases. Thirteen patients suffered mild superficial wound inflammation; while Skin dehiscence; occurred in five patients. No colostomy or redo was needed. The mean hospital stay was 6.1 days. Mean follow-up was 43.13 months; (Range; 24–100 months). Subclinical anal stricture was detected in six patients. Constipation occurred in 14 cases. Soiling grade I occurred in five patients. Thirty-two patients reached past the age of three years; two of whom showed cough/diarrhea incontinence. Conclusion One-stage ASSSARP is safe and gives functional and cosmetic results comparable to other techniques. It provides better access during RVF repair. The avoidance of muscle incision protects against muscle breakdown, if infection sets in, and thus against incontinence. It avoids the morbidity, cost and psychological burden of performing a three-stage repair.

Abstract Movement is a central behavior of daily living; thus lost or compromised movement due to disease, injury, or amputation causes enormous loss of productivity and quality of life. While prosthetics have evolved enormously over the years, restoring natural sensorimotor (SM) control via a prosthesis is a difficult problem which neuroengineering has yet to solve. With a focus on upper limb prosthetics, this perspective article discusses the neurophysiology of motor control under healthy conditions and after amputation, the development of upper limb prostheses from early generations to current state-of-the art sensorimotor neuroprostheses, and how postinjury changes could complicate prosthetic control. Current challenges and future development of smart sensorimotor neuroprostheses are also discussed.

Overtaking is one of the most complex maneuvers on the two-lane two-way (TLTW) roads, where the follower vehicles use the opposing lane to bypass the leader slower vehicles. Overtaking becomes more riskier with the presence of oncoming vehicles from the opposite direction. This paper presents the development of an overtaking model for the Egyptian TLTW roads under mixed traffic conditions. About 20-h of videotaped data from 6 different TLTW roads, located in the Delta region in Egypt are studied to develop the proposed model. This model considers key factors affecting model performance that are not considered in most international state-of-the-art models. These factors include (a) acceleration of the follower vehicle (FV) during all phases of overtaking, (b) deceleration of the leader vehicle (LV), (c) length of the LV, and (d) speed change of the LV during overtaking. The proposed overtaking model is divided into two parts. The first part includes two conditions as criteria for acceptance/rejection decision of overtaking while the second part computes the overtaking duration and the corresponding distance for successful overtakes. The model is calibrated for 4 sites and validated on the remaining 2 sites. The results show that the proposed overtaking model matches closely the observed accepted and rejected overtakes by 96.45% and 95.90%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that the proposed model was consistent with the observed overtaking distances and times. In addition, the results are compared with other international models such as the Ghods, Tang, TWO-PAS, and Cirianni models.

Abstract Compressive sensing (CS) has been widely used to sense the wideband spectrum with fewer measurements by taking advantage of radio spectrum underutilization. As new smart devices, such as IoT devices, smart home devices, and wearables, use batteries and have limited memory, more research is needed to reduce the overuse of cognitive radio (CR) resources through spectrum sensing. To reduce the number of compressive measurements required for spectrum recovery, researchers proposed approaches like weighted and sequential compressive sensing. In this paper, we estimate the primary user’s (PU) behavior statistics and use the estimated information in a novel weighted sequential compressive spectrum sensing approach. Our proposed approach can reduce and adapt the number of measurements and the sensing time to the changing number of active channels in a dynamically changing wideband spectrum.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using different types of metallic and non-metallic telescopic crown attachment materials on wear resistance and surface tomography changes in implant-retained mandibular overdentures. Materials and methods Completely edentulous mandibular epoxy models were fabricated, in which two implants were placed in the canine region and retained to the implants with three different material combinations used for the construction of telescopic attachments. Thirty-three identical mandibular overdentures were fabricated using the conventional standardized technique. The study groups were divided into three categories according to the material used for the construction of the secondary copings. The primary copings in all the study groups were constructed of PEEK, while the secondary coping in group I was PEEK, group II was ZrO2 and CoCr for group III. Primary copings were cemented on a ready-made abutment. Secondary copings were placed over the primary copings in the desired path of insertion, then picked up into the intaglio surface of the overdentures. A cyclic loading machine was used to apply repeated insertion-removal cycles simulating nearly 10 years of clinical use. Stereomicroscope with a built-in camera was used to monitor the reduction in width of the primary copings to evaluate the wear resistance of each material combination. Results There was highly statistically significant difference between the study groups after the application of 1.000, 5.000 and 10.000 cycles. The highest level of wear resistance was recorded for the PEEK/PEEK combination, whereas PEEK/ZrO2 and PEEK/CoCr showed no significant differences. Conclusions Implant retained overdenture with PEEK-PEEK telescopic crown attachment is associated with the highest wear resistance among all the study groups. PEEK-PEEK combination may be the treatment of choice for fabrication of telescopic attachment in implant retained overdenture as it provides better resistance to wear. It offers the advantages for geriatric patients as it decreases the possibility for repeated repair and replacement of attachment, increase long-term patient satisfaction and shelf life of prosthesis.

Abstract Load balancing is critical for container-based cloud computing environments for several reasons. A lack of appropriate load balancing techniques could result in a decrease in performance and possible service interruptions as some nodes get overloaded, while others are left underutilized. Cloud service providers can reduce latency and boost system performance by strategically placing containers using clustering algorithms. These techniques aid in efficiently using resources and load balancing by clustering related containers together according to their shared attributes. Clustering strategies are effective in allocating and controlling resources to meet the demands of a changing workload. Algorithms for clustering combine related workloads or containers into clusters, improving performance isolation and maximizing resource usage. One popular methodology for data clustering is the K-Medoid Clustering Algorithm. It is especially helpful when working with categorical data or when the dataset contains outliers. K-medoids is an unsupervised clustering approach where the core of the cluster is made up of data points known as “medoids.” A medoid is a location in the cluster whose total distance to every object in the cluster—also known as its dissimilarity—is as small as possible. Any appropriate distance function may be used, such as the Manhattan distance, the Euclidean distance, or another one. Thus, by choosing K medoids from our data sample, the K-medoids method splits the data into K clusters. This work presents the K-Medoid clustering technique for containers, which can enhance load balancing, decrease resource execution times, and increase resource utilization rates all at the same time. The results of the experiment show that the proposed method outperforms MACO and FCFS in terms of throughput by about 70% when number of cloudlets increased. The relative improvement of execution time of the proposed K-medoid algorithm w.r.t FCFS is about 50%.

Abstract Sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) has received substantial attention for its potential to improve the electrochemical behavior and thermomechanical capabilities of direct methanol fuel cells. This study examines how the integration by solution casting of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) onto highly sulfonated PEEK (with a sulfonation degree of 80%) affects its physicochemical properties and morphological structures. The mechanical attributes and proton conductivity of the polymer matrix are impacted by MCC and DAC inclusion into SPEEK membrane. The maximum proton conductivity was seen in the SPEEK/MCC membranes at 70 °C (up to 0.1 S cm−1). The proton conductivity in methanol vapor was increased by SPEEK/DAC membranes at high temperatures as opposed to pristine SPEEK and SPEEK/MCC membranes.

Purpose A wide range of cytokines has been demonstrated to be involved in the etiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Gene polymorphisms may potentially contribute to a hereditary predisposition toward circulating cytokine levels as (high, intermediate, or low) since they can affect cytokine production or function. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of cytokine levels and the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within cytokine genes with T1DM in Saudi children. Methods Totals of 91 well-characterized T1DM patients and 91 T1DM-free control subjects were enrolled in this study. Results The levels of 3 circulating cytokines (transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1, interleukin [IL]-10, and IL-6) and 6 SNPs in 3 cytokine genes (TGF-β1 [rs1800470 and rs1800471], IL-10 [rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872], and IL-6 [rs1800795]) that contribute to genetic susceptibility were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. Our fn dings show that TGF-β1 serum levels were signifcantly lower in the children with T1DM than in the control participants. The TGF-β1 genotypes with a high-production phenotype were signifcantly less frequent and those with a lowproduction phenotype were signifcantly more frequent in the children with T1DM compared to the control participants. respectively. Furthermore, the IL-6 genotype frequency with low level of IL-6 production were signifcantly increased in the T1DM group compared to the control group. Moreover, our data demonstrated no appreciable diferences in circulating serum level or genotype and phenotype of IL- 10 between the patients and controls. Conclusions This kind of measurement, which considers the prediction of T1DM, may be useful in assessing the severity of T1DM and susceptibility to T1DM among Saudi children.

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, poses a significant threat to date palms globally, heavily relying on symbiotic microbes for various physiological and behavioral functions. This comprehensive study delves into the intricate dynamics of RPW gut microbiota, revealing a diverse microbial community consisting of seven genera and eight species from Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. The stability of gut bacteria across different life stages was observed, with notable impacts on larval metabolism attributed to shifts in bacterial composition. Bacillus subtilis emerged as a key player, producing a spectrum of metabolic enzymes. Furthermore, the gut bacteria exhibited remarkable pesticide degradation capabilities, suggesting a potential role in the host’s resistance to pesticides. The Arthrobacter sp. was identified as a promising candidate for eco-friendly pest biocontrol and biodegradation strategies. Investigating the influence of thermal stress on two groups of RPW larvae (conventional-fed and antibiotic-fed) at varying temperatures (15, 27, and 35 °C) unveiled potential survival implications. This study highlights the pivotal role of bacterial symbionts in enabling larvae adaptation and thermal stress tolerance. In essence, this research contributes crucial insights into the diversity and functions of RPW gut bacteria, emphasizing their prospective applications in pest control strategies.

This study aims to employ the extended direct algebraic method (EDAM) to generate and evaluate soliton solutions to the nonlinear, space-time conformable Estevez Mansfield-Clarkson equation (CEMCE), which is utilized to simulate shallow water waves. The proposed method entails transforming nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (NFPDEs) into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (NODEs) under the assumption of a finite series solution by utilizing Riccati ordinary differential equations. Various mathematical structures/solutions for the current model are derived in the form of rational, exponential, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions. The wide range of obtained solutions allows for a thorough analysis of their actual wave characteristics. The 3D and 2D graphs are used to illustrate that these behaviors consistently manifest as periodic, dark, and bright kink solitons. Notably, the produced soliton solutions offer new and critical insights into the intricate behaviors of the CEMCE by illuminating the basic mechanics of the wave's interaction and propagation. By analyzing these solutions, academics can better understand the model's behavior in various settings. These solutions shed light on complicated issues such as configuration dispersion in liquid drops and wave behavior in shallow water.

Abstract The study investigates the bending strength of tracks of box headers beyond AISI, which considers the capacity of individual channels alone. Both experimental and FEM are used, and the results are compared to AISI. The findings highlight tracks' significant role in the overall bending capacity. AISI is found to be conservative by 34% to 152%. Failure mode is different from code theoretical expectations for a single channel. Fastener close spacing marginally improves the capacity, while side fasteners offer significant enhancement, but track widening limits this enhancement. A modification to AISI is proposed considering track strength, with outcomes showing good accuracy.

Our previous research demonstrated that fall applications of ethephon, an ethylene-releasing plant growth regulator, delay bloom in peach, accompanied by changes in endogenous hormones, ROS, sugar metabolism, and transcriptomic profiles during bud dormancy phases (endodormancy and ecodormancy). In this study, floral bud tissues were collected from ethephon-treated and untreated trees at three time points (200, 600, and 1000 chilling hours, CH) during endodormancy and two points (1000 and 3000 growing degree hours, GDH) during ecodormancy. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS), we aimed to unravel the untargeted metabolic changes explaining ethephon-mediated bloom delay. Metabolite set-enrichment analysis (MSEA) revealed significant chemical group variations between dormancy phases, with a threefold increase in flavonoids during endodormancy and a doubling of organic and amino acids during ecodormancy. Further analysis of genes associated with the biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation of the flavonoid pathway showed that ethephon treatment upregulated genes associated with proanthocyanidin (PA) biosynthesis and downregulated genes related to anthocyanins (ACNs). We quantified PA and ACN contents in 12 peach cultivars with contrasting bloom times and chilling requirements (e.g. 727–1308 CH). Late-bloom cultivars had higher PA levels during endodormancy, while early-bloom cultivars had higher ACN levels during ecodormancy. Staining buds with 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) dye revealed a decline in the PA/ACN ratio at later ecodormancy stages, correlating with bloom time. Integrated analysis of metabolite content and gene expression in late-bloom 'KV021779' and early-bloom 'John Boy' cultivars validated that late-blooming cultivars have higher PA levels during endodormancy, extending dormancy-release periods and resulting in later blooms.

Heavy metals (HMs) contamination significantly threatens plants, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and public health. HMs’ accumulation in aquatic environments has become a serious environmental issue due to their high stability, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification properties. These metals enter ecosystems through both natural sources and/or human activities. The toxicity of HMs poses a threat to the aquaculture sector’s sustainability by negatively affecting fish growth, reproduction, and overall physiology. Exposure to HMs in various forms can cause environmental damage, which may affect human health through direct poisoning symptoms or other adverse effects. One such effect is the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), crucial metabolites that modulate the functions of pathogenic organisms and lead to oxidative stress. This, in turn, can contribute to the onset and exacerbation of numerous diseases that threaten human health. This review article examines the potential sources of HMs contamination in aquatic organisms, the impact of this contamination on the generation of ROS, and the implications for human health resulting from the consumption of contaminated aquatic products.

The relationship between obesity and the conformational structure of hemoglobin (Hb) has not been extensively investigated. This study aims to elucidate the dielectric parameters that distinguish the Hb molecule under obese conditions and following treatment with goldenberry (GB) extract, compared to a control group. The dielectric parameters analyzed include the loss factor (D), relaxation time (τ), dielectric increment (Δε), relative permittivity (έ), dielectric loss (ε''), conductivity (σ), and Cole-Cole parameters (α), measured across a frequency range of 20 Hz to 3 MHz. Significant differences in dielectric parameters were observed between obese rats and those treated with GB extract. Obese rats exhibited higher dielectric values compared to the control group, while rats treated with low and high doses of GB extract showed marked changes in Hb conformational structure. This study highlights the potential of dielectric parameters as biophysical markers for detecting hemoglobin conformational changes. Furthermore, it suggests that dielectric behavior could serve as an early indicator for assessing the severity of obesity and its related complications.

Ethylene is an important phytohormone that orchestrates a multitude of physiological and biochemical processes regulating fruit ripening, from early maturation to post-harvest. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of ethylene’s multifaceted roles in climacteric fruit ripening, characterized by a pronounced increase in ethylene production and respiration rates. It explores potential genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying ethylene’s action, focusing on key transcription factors, biosynthetic pathway genes, and signal transduction elements crucial for the expression of ripening-related genes. The varied sensitivity and dependency of ripening traits on ethylene are elucidated through studies employing genetic mutations and ethylene inhibitors such as AVG and 1-MCP. Additionally, the modulation of ripening traits by ethylene is influenced by its interaction with other phytohormones, including auxins, abscisic acid, gibberellins, jasmonates, brassinosteroids, and salicylic acid. Pre-harvest fruit drop is intricately linked to ethylene, which triggers enzyme activity in the abscission zone, leading to cell wall degradation and fruit detachment. This review also highlights the potential for applying ethylene-related knowledge in commercial contexts to enhance fruit quality, control pre-harvest drop, and extend shelf life. Future research directions are proposed, advocating for the integration of physiological, genetic, biochemical, and transcriptional insights to further elucidate ethylene’s role in fruit ripening and its interaction with other hormonal pathways.

Limited research in Saudi Arabia has devolved into the prevalence and genetic diversity of begomoviruses. Utilizing Illumina MiSeq sequencing, we obtained 21 full-length begomovirus sequences (2.7–2.8 kb) from eight cucumber plants grown in fields and greenhouses. We found that two complete begomovirus genomes were variants of the Boushehr strain of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) with nucleotide (nt) sequence identities of 94.7-95.9%. Another full-length genome was a variant of TYLCV-Iran with 94.6% identity. Five full-length sequences closely matched the DNA-A of watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV) isolates with 97.9-98.7% nt sequence identities, while five sequences had their highest nt sequence identities (95.8-96.3%) with the DNA-B of WmCSV isolates. Simultaneously, four sequences were 99.1-99.6% identical to the DNA-A of tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPalV). Four sequences matched the DNA-B of ToLCPalV reported from Iran and Saudi Arabia with identities ranging from 96.2-100%. Four plants showed a mixed infection of these begomoviruses. Most ORFs showed evidence of negative selection pressure, suggesting that purifying selection plays a crucial role in shaping the diversity of these begomoviruses. Additionally, potential intra- and interspecies recombination events were detected in the TYLCV and WmCSV DNA-B genomic regions. The ToLCPalV isolates identified in this study formed a cluster with the other ToLCPalV isolates reported from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, representing a unique lineage distinct from ToLCPalV reported from Southeast Asia. High mutation rate and robust selection facilitated the independent evolution of ToLCPalV without recombination. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of begomoviruses infecting cucumber crops in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Seismic activity in Aswan is influenced by the complex interactions of tectonic plates, the accumulation of stress, and the presence of geological fault systems. It revealed that epicenters are well distributed along four fault segments in a conjugate pattern, indicating a prominent E-W compressional stress. This research aims to explore the characteristics of seismicity and seismotectonics, with a focus on assessing their implications for risk reduction and disaster management in this densely populated region. A data review from the Egyptian National Seismological Network (ENSN) identified 464 earthquakes occurred between 2000 and 2021, with local magnitudes ranging from 0.3 to 4.4, and depths up to 25 km. The calculated Gutenberg-Richter b-value is approximately 0.87 ± 0.05, indicating a gradual stress accumulation. The current analysis shows a more consistent level of moderate seismic activity, unlike previous studies in Aswan region that reported a wide range of b-values from 0.554 to 1.07. This suggests that while earlier research captured a wider range of seismic behaviors, recent data indicates a stabilization in earthquake frequency and intensity. Additionally, the fractal dimension (Dc) calculated at 1.57 ± 0.04 shows an intermediate level of complexity and reflecting a clustering pattern of earthquakes. The variations in the b-value with different magnitudes and depths signify the involvement of active smaller faults, responsible for earthquakes up to magnitude 2.2, which then transition to fractured zones inducing earthquakes up to magnitude 2.5. This transition is followed by a decline in seismic activity, indicating regions that are potentially more likely to experience larger earthquakes. Moreover, stress disparities at various depths contribute to smaller earthquakes within the 5–10 km depth range. Return period analysis suggests that the earthquakes of magnitude 3.7 or higher are expected to occur approximately once every decade in Aswan. These findings are of utmost importance for earthquake risk reduction, hazard assessment, and the sustainable development of Aswan area.

Background: Clear and trustworthy information is crucial to improving public acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations, especially among pregnant women. Given the increased risk of severe viral pneumonia in pregnant women, it is critical to foster confidence in the vaccine’s safety and understand any potential adverse events (AEs). So, we did this study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA), from March to May 2022 to compare women who did not get any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy (Group A) to women who did get at least one dose during pregnancy (Group B) regarding (1) the frequency, types, AEs, and management of its AEs of the COVID-19 vaccination; and (2) exploring pregnancy, delivery, and fetus-related complications (e.g., miscarriage, birth defects, and preterm labor) Methods: A cross-sectional study targeted 438 women who gave birth or were pregnant within the previous 8 weeks. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with skilled nurses in 13 randomly selected primary healthcare facilities, using a validated, well-structured questionnaire that included the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination-related AEs. We analyzed the collected data using SPSS version 27. Results: Most participants were aged 25 to less than 35 (58.8%), and 287 (61.3%) were university graduates. There was no statistically significant difference among the studied groups regarding demographics. However, women in Group B had a significantly higher rate of abortions, oligohydramnios (24.4%), abnormal placentas (size and location), 103 (42.7%) abnormal fetal growth, 122 (53.7%) problems breastfeeding, blood pressure problems, and more cases of malaise, headaches, chest pain, breathing problems, and sleep problems than women in Group A. After the second and third doses, the confirmed post-vaccination COVID-19 rates in Group B were lower than those in Group A. Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduces post-vaccination COVID-19. Although COVID-19 vaccine-related AES are prevalent, analgesics and antipyretics effectively treat most of them.

Natural products have long been recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds in therapeutic agents. Thymus vulgaris, commonly known as thyme and belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is widely distributed and extensively used in Egyptian folk medicine for its antibroncholitic, antispasmodic, carminative, and diuretic properties. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of T. vulgaris seed extract in mitigating obesity-induced iron overload in rats. Given its potent bioactive constituents, this study aimed to investigate the impact of T. vulgaris seed extract on iron overload associated with obesity by evaluating lipid profiles, iron status parameters—including plasma ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), plasma transferrin, transferrin saturation percentage (TS%), and hepcidin gene expression in adipose tissue. About 30 flavonoids were identified in T. vulgaris seed extract using LC-MS. Among these, methoxyflavonoids were the most abundant metabolites. The administration of T. vulgaris seed extract to obese rats resulted in significant reductions in anthropometric features, hepcidin gene expression, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), TIBC, plasma ferritin, leptin, and iron and copper content in adipose tissue. Moreover, treatment with T. vulgaris extract led to a notable decrease in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (76.33 ± 4.31 ng/L and 40.83 ± 1.82 ng/L for low and high doses, respectively) compared to the obese control group (110.83 ± 5.82 ng/L). Conversely, plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased with T. vulgaris supplementation (123.6 ± 7.9 µg/L and 217.4 ± 6.1 µg/L for low and high doses, respectively) compared to the obese group (54.6 ± 4.9 µg/L). Additionally, adipose tissue zinc levels were significantly elevated in response to T. vulgaris supplementation (2.54 ± 0.20 µg/g and 3.75 ± 0.14 µg/g for low and high doses, respectively) compared to the obese group (1.45 ± 0.23 µg/g). Our findings suggest that T. vulgaris could be a promising novel therapeutic agent for managing obesity-induced iron overload.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, predominantly affecting patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C-induced cirrhosis. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests (assessing liver functions and HCC biomarkers), imaging procedures such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and liver biopsies requiring the removal of liver tissue for laboratory analysis. However, these diagnostic methods either entail lengthy lab processes, require expensive imaging equipment, or involve invasive techniques like liver biopsies. Hence, there exists a crucial need for rapid, cost-effective, and noninvasive techniques to characterize HCC, whether in serum or tissue samples. In this study, we developed a spiral sensor implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) technology that utilizes impedance spectroscopy and applied it to 24 tissues and sera samples as proof of concept. This newly devised circuit has successfully characterized HCC and normal tissue and serum samples. Utilizing the distinct dielectric properties between HCC cells and serum samples versus the normal samples across a specific frequency range, the differentiation between normal and HCC samples is achieved. Moreover, the sensor effectively characterizes two HCC grades and distinguishes cirrhotic/non-cirrhotic samples from tissue specimens. In addition, the sensor distinguishes cirrhotic/non-cirrhotic samples from serum specimens. This pioneering study introduces Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) spiral sensor for diagnosing HCC and liver cirrhosis in clinical serum—an innovative, low-cost, rapid (

Abstract In recent years, cold plasma (CP) has emerged as a promising preservation technology for fruit products. Several CP sources include dielectric barrier discharge, plasma jets, corona discharges, micro‐discharges, glow discharges, and gliding arc discharges. However, the effects of these different types of CP on the chemical compounds of fruits and juices are not fully understood. In this review, we summarize (I) the current knowledge on the use of CP for the preservation and processing of fruits and juices; (II) the diverse types of CP sources and explore their applications within a scientific context; (III) the physicochemical transformations that take place in fruits and juices following CP treatment; and (IV) the changes observed in antioxidant activity, vitamin C content, phenolic compounds, and their bioaccessibility. Numerous studies have explored CP's influence on microbial contamination, shelf life, enzymes, and various physicochemical changes. This review uniquely centers its attention on the impact of CP on bioactive phenolic compounds, their bioaccessibility, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity in different types of fruits and fruit juices. Additionally, this review delves into the assessment of selected sensory properties, notably color, which is an important parameter for consumer acceptance. By focusing on these particular aspects, we aim to provide a targeted and comprehensive analysis of CP's effects on essential nutritional and quality attributes of fruits and fruit juices, distinct from the broader spectrum covered in the existing literature.

Oral chemotherapy is commonly prescribed, and by using decision aids (DAs), clinicians can facilitate shared decision-making (SDM) to align treatment choices with patient goals and values. Although products exist commercially, little evidence informs the development of DAs targeting the unique challenges of oral chemotherapy. To address this gap in the literature, our objective was to review DAs developed for oral anticoagulation, DA use in oncology, and patient preference surveys to guide the development of DAs for oral chemotherapy. We focused on reviewing SDM, patient preferences, and specifically the development, efficacy, and patient experience of DAs in oral anticoagulation and oncologic conditions, ultimately including conclusions and data from 30 peer-reviewed publications in our viewpoint paper. We found that effective DAs in oral anticoagulation improved knowledge, lowered decisional conflict, increased adherence, and covered a broad range of SDM elements; however, limited information on patient experience was a common shortcoming. In oncology, DAs increased knowledge and aligned decisions with the values of the patients. Ineffective oncology DAs provided general, unclear, or overly optimistic information, while providing “too much” information was not shown to do harm. Patients preferred DAs that included pros and cons, side effects, questions to ask, and expected quality of life changes. In developing DAs for oral chemotherapy, patients should be included in the development process, and DA content should be specifically tailored to patient preferences. Providing DAs ahead of appointments proved more effective than during, and additional considerations included addressing barriers to efficacy. There is a need for evidence-based DAs to facilitate SDM for patients considering oral chemotherapy. Developers should use data from studies in oral anticoagulation, oncology, and preference surveys to optimize SDM.

Positive modulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on its multimodal neurotrophic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects addressing the complex pathophysiology of neurodegeneration. Fosgonimeton is a small-molecule positive modulator of the HGF system that has demonstrated neurotrophic and pro-cognitive effects in preclinical models of dementia. Herein, we evaluate the neuroprotective potential of fosgonimeton, or its active metabolite, fosgo-AM, in amyloid-beta (Aβ)-driven preclinical models of AD, providing mechanistic insight into its mode of action. In primary rat cortical neurons challenged with Aβ (Aβ1-42), fosgo-AM treatment significantly improved neuronal survival, protected neurite networks, and reduced tau hyperphosphorylation. Interrogation of intracellular events indicated that cortical neurons treated with fosgo-AM exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial oxidative stress and cytochrome c release. Following Aβ injury, fosgo-AM significantly enhanced activation of pro-survival effectors ERK and AKT, and reduced activity of GSK3β, one of the main kinases involved in tau hyperphosphorylation. Fosgo-AM also mitigated Aβ-induced deficits in Unc-like kinase 1 (ULK1) and Beclin-1, suggesting a potential effect on autophagy. Treatment with fosgo-AM protected cortical neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity, and such effects were abolished in the presence of an AKT or MEK/ERK inhibitor. In vivo, fosgonimeton administration led to functional improvement in an intracerebroventricular Aβ25-35 rat model of AD, as it significantly rescued cognitive function in the passive avoidance test. Together, our data demonstrate the ability of fosgonimeton to counteract mechanisms of Aβ-induced toxicity. Fosgonimeton is currently in clinical trials for mild-to-moderate AD (NCT04488419; NCT04886063).

Abstract Low-sulfonation-level polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) was blended with a layered double hydroxides (LDHs, Mg2AlCl)/sepiolite nanostructure clay as a filler to create an electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications. Comprehensive characterization of the composite membranes was conducted, encompassing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, mechanical stability assessment, thermal gravimetric analysis, ion exchange capability, swelling characteristics, water uptake performance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. In comparison to the pristine LSPSO membrane, the presence of LDHs/sepiolite nanoarchitecture material within LSPSO exhibited superior water retention and proton conductivity values, especially at elevated temperatures. The proton conductivity of the composite membranes reached approximately 250 mS/cm, while the unmodified LSPSO membrane only achieved 35 mS/cm at 100 °C. Moreover, LSPSO composite membranes demonstrated enhanced chemical and thermal stability along with higher proton conductivity when compared to pristine LSPSO membranes. These findings highlight the potential of developing tailored LSPSO composite membranes to advance the prospects of commercial applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Abstract Gold and silver nanoparticles have witnessed increased scientific interest due to their colourful colloidal solutions and exceptional applications. Comparing the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold and silver nanoparticles is crucial for understanding and optimizing their optical properties. This comparison informs the design of highly sensitive plasmonic sensors, aids in selecting the most suitable nanoparticles for applications like surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRA) and biomedical imaging, and guides the choice between gold and silver nanoparticles based on their catalytic and photothermal properties. Ultimately, the study of LSPR facilitates the tailored use of these nanoparticles in diverse scientific and technological applications. Two SEIRA methods combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) chemometric tools were developed. This development is based on the synthesis of homogeneous, high-dense deposited metal nanoparticle islands over the surface of glass substrates to be used as lab-on-chip SEIRA sensors for the determination of bisacodyl (BIS) and its active metabolite in plasma. SEM micrographs revealed the formation of metallic islands of colloidal citrate-capped gold and silver nanoparticles of average sizes of 29.7 and 15 nm, respectively. BIS and its active metabolite were placed on the nanoparticles’ coated substrates to be directly measured, then PLSR chemometric modelling was used for the quantitative determinations. Plasmonic citrate-capped gold nanoparticle substrates showed better performance than those prepared using citrate-capped silver nanoparticles in terms of preparation time, enhancement factor, PLSR model prediction, and quantitative results. This study offers a way to determine BIS and its active metabolite in the concentration range 15–240 ng/mL in human plasma using inexpensive disposable glass-coated substrates that can be prepared in 1 h to get results in seconds with good recovery between 98.77 and 100.64%. The sensors provided fast, simple, selective, molecular-specific and inexpensive procedures to determine molecules in their pure form and biological fluid.

Abstract An innovative methodology was employed to fabricate ion exchange membranes tailored for fuel cell applications. This approach entailed blending low sulfonated polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) with Hectorite (Hect) clay at varying weight percentages (1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 6 wt%). The resultant composite membranes underwent comprehensive characterization via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, aiming to assess their surface morphology and thermal resilience. Remarkably, the thermal stability of the composite membrane exhibited a substantial enhancement in comparison to the pristine LSPSO membrane. Moreover, the incorporation of 6 wt% Hectorite into the composite membrane yielded a noteworthy amplification in proton conductivity, achieving a fourfold increase (141.66 mS/cm) as opposed to the LSPSO membrane in isolation (35.04 mS/cm). Consequently, the Hect/LSPSO composite membrane exhibits remarkable potential as an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells operating at temperatures surpassing 100 °C.

Abstract Purpose Postoperative delirium (POD) is considered the most common postoperative neurological complication in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of ketofol versus dexmedetomidine (DEX) for minimizing POD in elderly patients undergoing urgent exploration for intestinal obstruction. Methods This prospective double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on 120 elderly patients undergoing urgent exploration for intestinal obstruction. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: Group C (control group) patients received normal saline 0.9%, group D received dexmedetomidine, and group K received ketofol (ketamine: propofol was 1:4). The primary outcome was the incidence of POD. Secondary outcomes were incidence of emergence agitation, postoperative pain, consumption of rescue opioids, hemodynamics, and any side effects. Results The incidence of POD was statistically significantly lower in ketofol and DEX groups than in the control group at all postoperative time recordings. Additionally, VAS scores were statistically significantly decreased in the ketofol and DEX groups compared to the control group at all time recordings except at 48 and 72 h postoperatively, where the values of the three studied groups were comparable. The occurrence of emergence agitation and high-dose opioid consumption postoperatively were found to be significant predictors for the occurrence of POD at 2 h and on the evening of the 1st postoperative day. Conclusion The administration of ketofol provides a promising alternative option that is as effective as DEX in reducing the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing urgent exploration for intestinal obstruction. Trial registration This clinical trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Zagazig University (ZU-IRB# 6704// 3/03/2021) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04816162, registration date 22/03/ 2021). The first research participant was enrolled on 25/03/2021).

This article utilizes the Aboodh residual power series and Aboodh transform iteration methods to address fractional nonlinear systems. Based on these techniques, a system is introduced to achieve approximate solutions of fractional nonlinear Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equations and coupled Burger’s equations with initial conditions, which are developed by replacing some integer-order time derivatives by fractional derivatives. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. As a result, the Aboodh residual power series and Aboodh transform iteration methods for integer-order partial differential equations may be easily used to generate explicit and numerical solutions to fractional partial differential equations. The results are determined as convergent series with easily computable components. The results of applying this process to the analyzed examples demonstrate that the new technique is very accurate and efficient.

Damped Burger’s equation describes the characteristics of one-dimensional nonlinear shock waves in the presence of damping effects and is significant in fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and other fields. Due to the potential applications of this equation, thus the objective of this investigation is to solve and analyze the time fractional form of this equation using methods with precise efficiency, high accuracy, ease of application and calculation, and flexibility in dealing with more complicated equations, which are called the Aboodh residual power series method and the Aboodh transform iteration method (ATIM) within the Caputo operator framework. Also, this study intends to further our understanding of the dynamic characteristics of solutions to the Damped Burger’s equation and to assess the effectiveness of the proposed methods in addressing nonlinear fractional partial differential equations. The two proposed methods are highly effective mathematical techniques for studying more complicated nonlinear differential equations. They can produce precise approximate solutions for intricate evolution equations beyond the specific examined equation. In addition to the proposed methods, the fractional derivatives are processed using the Caputo operator. The Caputo operator enhances the representation of fractional derivatives by providing a more accurate portrayal of the underlying physical processes. Based on the proposed two approaches, a set of approximations to damped Burger’s equation are derived. These approximations are discussed graphically and numerically by presenting a set of two- and three-dimensional graphs. In addition, these approximations are analyzed numerically in several tables, including the absolute error for each approximate solution compared to the exact solution for the integer case. Furthermore, the effect of the fractional parameter on the behavior of the derived approximations is examined and discussed.

Abstract Background One of the most prevalent malignancies among males is prostate carcinoma (PCa). For the diagnosis of PCa, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) constitutes by far the most accurate imaging technique. The PI-RADS v2.1 indications for dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence include identifying PI-RADS score 3 lesions, as clinically significant prostate carcinoma, aiding evaluation of examinations having poor quality of T2 as well as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and helping readers having relatively reduced expertise. Most articles don't provide outcomes pertaining to these indications, which weakens their conclusions. All MRI scans, even those with low quality T2 or DWI, were included in our study. Additionally, special emphasis on assessing peripheral zone lesions was made. Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the various mpMRI pulse sequences, including the T2 sequence, diffusion and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) sequences, both T2 and diffusion sequences (biparametric (bp) MRI), DCE sequence, and the entire examination (mpMRI), in the diagnosis of PCa in the peripheral as well as the transitional zone using PI-RADS version 2.1 scoring system, once when malignant lesions are considered as those having PI-RADS scores 4 and 5 and once when PI-RADS categories 3, 4 and 5 were regarded as malignant. Results In the assessment of peripheral zone lesions, when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were considered malignant, both bpMRI and mpMRI showed similar sensitivity (94.29%) and diagnostic accuracy (77.78%) while when considering scores 4 and 5 malignant, mpMRI demonstrated increased diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity but lower specificity (sensitivity was 82.86%/60%, specificity was 80%/100%, and diagnostic accuracy was 82.22%/68.89% for mpMRI/bpMRI test comparaison). Both bpMRI and mpMRI had similar sensitivity (95.83%) and diagnostic accuracy (71.05%) when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were regarded as malignant; however, mpMRI demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity considering scores 4 and 5 malignant (sensitivity was 77.08% for mpMRI compared to 60.42% for bpMRI and diagnostic accuracy was 82.89% for mpMRI compared to 75% for bpMRI). Conclusions Both bpMRI and mpMRI demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy when PI-RADS categories 3, 4, and 5 were taken into account as malignant while mpMRI had higher diagnostic accuracy considering categories 4 and 5 malignant.

Abstract Background Administration of adjuvant drugs epidurally in combination with local anesthetics offers new dimensions in the management of postoperative pain. This study aimed to compare the addition of either nalbuphine or dexmedetomidine to epidural bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in lower limb orthopedic surgeries under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. Methods This prospective randomized double-blind study included 69 patients scheduled for lower limb orthopedic surgeries. Anesthesia was started with 15 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% intrathecally, and then an epidural bolus dose of 12 ml (10 ml 0.25% bupivacaine with 2 ml normal saline in group C, 2 ml (10 mg) nalbuphine in group N or dexmedetomidine 2 ml (100 µg) in group D was administered when sensory regression to T10. Postoperatively, when visual analogue scale (VAS) was ≥ 3, an epidural top-up dose of 8 ml (6 ml 0.25% bupivacaine plus 2 ml normal saline in group C, 2 ml (2 mg) nalbuphine in group N or 20 µg dexmedetomidine (2 ml) in group D was given. The primary outcome was to evaluate the duration of postoperative analgesia and secondary outcomes were any side effects and patient satisfaction. Results The onset of epidural analgesia was 17.83 ± 2.53 versus 13.39 ± 1.27 versus 12.17 ± 1.27 min in groups C, N and D, respectively (p value

ABSTRACTBackground Supraglottic airway devices (SGA) are used as primary devices or conduits for endotracheal intubation with normal or difficult airway. The purpose of this study was to assess how the Ambu-Aura-i laryngeal mask would act as a conduit for endotracheal intubation compared to the Air-Q Intubating Laryngeal airway in adult patients in operating room.Methods Fifty-four adult patients scheduled for elective procedures under general anaesthesia were divided into air-Q and Aura-i groups. The ease and time of insertion, the number of insertion attempts, the airway leak pressure, the duration of fiberoptic endotracheal intubation, the grade of the fibre-optic laryngoscopic view, and the time to remove the device were noted.Results Comparing the Aura-i group to the Air-Q group, the Aura-i group had a considerably shorter insertion time and a longer time to remove the device (28.1 ± 3.5 vs 32.7 ± 6.9 sec P-value = 00.4 and 40.7 ± 5.1 vs 32.0 ± 5.4 sec, P-value = 0.001; respectively). Both devices were comparable regarding the number of insertion attempts and the time to insert an endotracheal tube. Compared to the Air-Q group, the Aura-i group’s airway leak pressure was considerably greater (25.9 ± 3.9 vs 23.4 ± 4 CmH2O, respectively, P-value = 0.03). Both groups had comparable fibre-optic laryngoscopic view grades.Conclusion The Ambu-Aura-i laryngeal mask and the Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway are efficient conduits for fibre-optic endotracheal intubation in adults with Ambu-Aura-i Laryngeal mask exhibiting advantages in terms of device insertion time and use during mechanical ventilation.

Due to high penetration of renewable generation in power systems, and the need to provide the interface between distributed energy resources, the split-source inverter (SSI) provides both the boosting and the conversion capabilities in one single-stage. Also the need for converter-based artificial inertia has become more important. In this paper a model-predictive control (MPC) based on virtual synchronous generator (VSG) algorithm for a parallel-connected three-phase SSI is proposed for conceiving regulation of local voltage and realizing power-sharing of an islanded AC microgrid (MG). A virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is deployed to ensure active-power-sharing and provide inertia-emulation and hence reducing the rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) that results from sudden load change. To accomplish a simple control construction, quick dynamic performance, high stability, and enhanced current limitation, a finite-set MPC (FS-MPC) is used. The analysis and modeling of the proposed technique are presented in detail. A simulation model is used to investigate the proposed system performance.

Abstract Nowadays, development projects are becoming so rapid in many developing countries worldwide. The study of interest focuses on Cairo–Suez District, which represents the most important location in Egypt for major infrastructure projects and urbanization expansion. Consequently, it is very important to reduce the hazards surrounding this area from natural disasters, so all information that supports geo-environmental hazards assessment is importantly needed. The Gabal Ataqa area has socioeconomic importance as it is considered the industrial zone in the national project for developing the northern part of the Gulf of Suez. The situation of Gabal Ataqa area for being rich with numerous geological structures, and its socioeconomic importance calls the need for the delineation of the subsurface structural features in this area using the appropriate method. The geological framework has recognized all Quaternary faults in the Gabal Ataqa area as they are exposed to the surface, at the same time, no seismic reflection data has been acquired in the Gabal Ataqa area. Accordingly, the shallow seismic reflection method is applied in the Gabal Ataqa area to detect the Quaternary faults that are not exposed to the surface and also to detect any subsurface features that may cause construction problems, such as water-wet sands, sabkhas, and limestone cavities. Three lines of 2D seismic profiles are acquired in the study area. After applying seismic data processing and interpretation, two Quaternary faults have been recognized in the first and third lines. The location of the first seismic line has been chosen to be between two historic earthquake events, increasing the probability that the sources causing these two events will be located on the newly recognized quaternary fault. A dim spot has been recognized in the second seismic line at a depth of 50 m, which may indicate the presence of a groundwater aquifer or wet sandstone layer. Based on these results, changing the industrial zone place to another side to be away from the area of the three seismic lines is highly recommended.

Biofilms currently represent the most prevalent bacterial lifestyle, enabling them to resist environmental stress and antibacterial drugs. Natural antibacterial agents could be a safe solution for controlling bacterial biofilms in food industries without affecting human health and environmental safety. A methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves was prepared and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the identification of its phytochemical constituents. Four food-borne bacterial pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Serratia marcescens) were tested for biofilm formation qualitatively and quantitatively. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of the extract were estimated using liquid cultures and a microtiter plate assay. The biofilm inhibition mechanisms were investigated using a light microscope and molecular docking technique. The methanolic extract contained 45 identified compounds, including fatty acids, ester, phenols, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, and antioxidants with antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Substantial antibacterial activity in relation to the extract was recorded, especially at 100 μg/mL against K. pneumoniae and S. marcescens. The extract inhibited biofilm formation at 100 μg/mL by 83.83% (S. marcescens), 73.12% (K. pneumoniae), and 54.4% (N. aromaticivorans). The results indicate efficient biofilm formation by the Gram-negative bacteria S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, and N. aromaticivorans, giving 0.74, 0.292, and 0.219 OD at 595 nm, respectively, while B. cereus was found to have a low biofilm formation potential, i.e., 0.14 OD at 595 nm. The light microscope technique shows the antibiofilm activities with the biofilm almost disappearing at 75 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL concentrations. This antibiofilm property was attributed to DNA gyrase inhibition as illustrated by the molecular docking approach.

(1) Background: The electroencephalogram (EEG) is frequently corrupted by ocular artifacts such as saccades and blinks. Methods for correcting these artifacts include independent component analysis (ICA) and recursive-least-squares (RLS) adaptive filtering (-AF). Here, we introduce a new method, AFFiNE, that applies Bayesian adaptive regression spline (BARS) fitting to the adaptive filter’s reference noise input to address the known limitations of both ICA and RLS-AF, and then compare the performance of all three methods. (2) Methods: Artifact-corrected P300 morphologies, topographies, and measurements were compared between the three methods, and to known truth conditions, where possible, using real and simulated blink-corrupted event-related potential (ERP) datasets. (3) Results: In both simulated and real datasets, AFFiNE was successful at removing the blink artifact while preserving the underlying P300 signal in all situations where RLS-AF failed. Compared to ICA, AFFiNE resulted in either a practically or an observably comparable error. (4) Conclusions: AFFiNE is an ocular artifact correction technique that is implementable in online analyses; it can adapt to being non-stationarity and is independent of channel density and recording duration. AFFiNE can be utilized for the removal of blink artifacts in situations where ICA may not be practically or theoretically useful.

Abstract Background Conservative treatments of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) may be unsuccessful, and the relief that is provided is frequently insufficient. This study aimed to meticulously explore the analgesic efficacy of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block when administered alone or in conjunction with the greater occipital nerve block (GONB) for the purpose of treating PDPH and with the aid of transcranial Doppler (TCD) to evaluate the cerebral hemodynamics before and after the block. This study was conducted on 63 women with post-partum PDPH randomized into the following: control group (Group C = 21 participants), received conservative management; SPG block group (Group S = 21 participants), received conservative management with SPG block; and combined nerve and ganglion block group (Group NAG = 21 participants), received conservative management with SPG block and ultrasound guided GONB. Visual analog score (VAS), modified Lybecker score, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) measures were used to determine PDPH severity at 0 (baseline), 1, 6, and 24 h. Additionally, the three groups’ needs for EBP were noted. Results VAS and modified Lybecker scores at 1, 6, and 24 h were statistically significantly lower in S and NAG groups compared to the control group with no statistically significant difference between S and NAG groups. With TCD, the mean velocity (MV) was significantly lower at 1, 6, and 24 h compared to baseline reading in both S and NAG groups. Also, the pulsatility index (PI) was statistically higher at 1, 6, and 24 h compared to baseline readings in S and NAG groups. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the need for EBP. Conclusions In terms of headache relief or the need for EBP, there is no difference between individual SPG block or combined SPG block and GONB in the treatment of PDPH.

Abstract Objectives Nationwide criteria regarding patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) are still lacking in Egypt. We aimed to present a multicenter study regarding the management and outcomes of this tumor to evaluate our national treatment strategy. Methods A retrospective analysis including all patients with SCT who were managed at four major Egyptian centers between 2013 and 2023. Clinical data, surgical approaches, and short- and long-term outcomes were discussed. Results The study included 95 patients (74 were females). Antenatal diagnosis was reported in 25% of patients. Seventy-one patients (74.7%) were classified as Altman type I/II. Surgery was performed via a perineal approach in 75 patients, whereas the remaining 20 underwent a combined abdominoperineal approach. Vertical elliptical incision with midline closure was conducted in 51.5% of patients, followed by classic or modified chevron incisions. Benign mature teratoma was detected in 82% of patients. At a median follow-up of 57 months, eight patients (8.5%) had relapsed. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of all patients were 94% and 91%, respectively. In the after-care monitoring, 19 patients (20%) had urinary or bowel dysfunctions. Nine of them were managed using medications. Clean intermittent catheterization was practiced in another five patients. The remaining five underwent further surgical interventions. Conclusion Favorable outcomes were achieved in our country during the last decade. Diverse perineal incisions were performed for resection, and vertical elliptical with midline closure was the commonest. During follow-up, 20% of patients developed urological or bowel dysfunctions that required medical and surgical treatment modalities to improve their quality of life.

Abstract The kidney flushes out toxic substances and metabolic waste products, and homeostasis is maintained owing to the kidney efforts. Unfortunately, kidney disease is one of the illnesses with a poor prognosis and a high death rate. The current investigation was set out to assess erythropoietin (EPO) potential therapeutic benefits against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced kidney injury in rats. EPO treatment improved kidney functions, ameliorated serum urea, creatinine, and malondialdehyde, increased renal levels of reduced glutathione, and slowed the rise of JAK2, STAT5, AMPK, and their phosphorylated forms induced by TAA. EPO treatment also greatly suppressed JAK2, Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases, and The Protein Kinase R-like ER Kinase gene expressions and mitigated the histopathological alterations brought on by TAA toxicity. EPO antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protected TAA-damaged kidneys. EPO regulates AMPK, JAK2/STAT5, and pro-inflammatory mediator synthesis.

Abstract Endosymbionts are known to have significant effects on their insect hosts, including nutrition, reproduction, and immunity. Insects gut microbiota is a critical component that affects their physiological and behavioral characteristics. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon, is an economically important lepidopteran pest that has a diverse gut microbiome composed of nine species belonging to three phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of gut bacteria isolated from BCW larvae and moths and their effects on metabolism and pesticide degradation. The bacterial isolates were identified using the 16 S rRNA gene. The study showed that the gut microbiome composition significantly affected the metabolism of BCW larvae. Based on the screening results of synthesis of digestive enzymes and pesticide degradation, Brachybacterium conglomeratum and Glutamicibacter sp were selected to perform the remaining experiments as single isolates and consortium. The consortium-fed larvae showed high metabolic indices compared to antibiotic-fed larvae and the control. The gut bacteria were also shown to degrade three pesticide groups. Concerns regarding the health risk of chlorpyrifos have been raised due to its extensive use in agriculture. The isolated B. conglomeratum was more effective in chlorpyrifos degradation than the consortium. Furthermore, the study also examined the presence of sex related endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia) in the reproductive tissues of adults. The outcomes demonstrated that none of the examined endosymbionts existed. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in insect physiology and behavior and its potential applications in biotechnology. It provides insights into developing eco-friendly pest control and bioremediation strategies using gut bacteria.

Split-source inverter (SSI) has been recently developed as an alternative to the commonly used ZSI where it can serve an interface between the renewable energy sources and the common grid. This paper presents a mathematical model and control strategy for grid-connected SSI system with either constant voltage source or photovoltaic (PV) source. The control strategy is based on linear PI controllers which are fine-tuned by the frequency loop shaping method with the help of the derived mathematical model to ensure the stability of the system with robust dynamic behavior. The derived mathematical model provides a straightforward and efficient understanding of the dynamics resulting from the interaction between the PV and the SSI grid-connected system. The simulation results indicate that the system has a robust dynamic behavior when subjected to various transient conditions. Finally, a downscaled prototype of SSI grid-connected system is implemented to experimentally validate both the mathematical model and control strategy.

Abstract Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is considered a serious condition and has clinical challenges in diagnosis. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is considered the gold standard in PE diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced MRA also has a strong useful role in the diagnosis. Our study aims to assess the role of non-contrast MRA in diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism compared to either CT pulmonary angiography or contrast enhanced MRA. Results In total, 50 patients with PE confirmed by either CTPA or CE-MRA were included in this study. All patients underwent non-contrast MRPA during the three consecutive days after CTPA or at the same examination setting in CE-MRA. The results were compared and statistically analyzed. The mean age of our study group was 47.80 ± 14.01 years. Males represented 56% (28/50) and females 44% (22/50). The per-vessel sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of non-contrast MRPA reached about 100% for each parameter at the level of the pulmonary trunk, main pulmonary and lobar arteries. At the segmental level, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy reached about 88%, 100%, and 94%, while at the subsegmental level, about 35%, 100%, and 66% respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of non-contrast MRPA regardless of the site were 84%, 100%, and 90% respectively. Conclusions Non-contrast pulmonary MRA has a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PE, especially in proximal pulmonary arteries. So, it can be used as an alternative to the CTA and CE-MRA, especially when the CTA and the use of gadolinium are contraindicated.

Abstract Covid-19 has brought about significant changes in people’s daily lives, leading to a slowdown in economic activities and the implementation of restrictions and lockdowns. As a result, there have been noticeable effects on the environment. In this study, we examine the impact of Covid-19 total cases on the monthly average of carbon monoxide emissions in developed economies known for heavy pollution, covering the period from 2014 to 2023. We apply the Ambiental Kuznets curve approach to analyze the data. By employing different panel estimation techniques such as fixed effects and Driscoll-Kraay regressions, we observe a marked shift in environmental dynamics during the post-Covid era. This shift alters the statistical significance of the N-shaped Kuznets curve, rendering the relationship between economic activity and environmental impact non-significant. Interestingly, the Covid-related variables utilized in the various estimations are not statistically significant in explaining the long-term environmental effects.

The condensation product of the reaction between aniline and salicylaldehyde was a 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidinemine)—aniline Schiff base bidentate ligand (L). L was used to generate complexes by interacting with the metal ions lanthanum(III), zirconium(IV), yttrium(III), and copper(II), in addition to cobalt(II). Various physicochemical techniques were utilized to analyze the synthesized L and its metal chelates, including elemental analysis (CHN), conductimetry (Λ), magnetic susceptibility investigations (μeff), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis.) spectrophotometry, and thermal studies (TG/DTG). FT-IR revealed that the L molecule acted as a bidentate ligand by binding to metal ions via both the oxygen atom of the phenolic group in addition to the nitrogen atom of the azomethine group. Additionally, 1H NMR data indicated the formation of complexes via the oxygen atom of the phenolic group. An octahedral geometrical structure for all of the chelates was proposed according to the UV-Vis. spectra and magnetic moment investigations. Thermal analysis provided insight into the pattern of L in addition to its chelates’ breakdown. In addition, the investigation furnished details on the chelates’ potential chemical formulas, the characteristics of adsorbed or lattice H2O molecules, and the water that is coordinated but separated from the structure at temperatures exceeding 120 °C. The thermodynamic parameters utilizing Coats–Redfern in addition to Horowitz–Metzger equations were studied. The antimicrobial effectiveness of L and its chelates against distinct species of bacteria and fungi was studied using the disc diffusion method. Cu(II) and Y(III) chelates had significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus.

Abstract Sensing in the mid infrared spectral range is highly desirable for the detection and monitoring of different gases. We hereby propose a CMOS compatible silicon-based sensor that operates at (3.5–10 μm) within the mid infrared range. The silicon material is doped to the level that shifts its plasmonic resonance to 3 μm wavelength. The sensor device comprises an in-line rectangular microcavity and a stub microcavity resonator. The resonance frequencies/wavelengths of the two resonators were studied with different design dimensions. When the two resonators are designed to resonate at close frequencies, the interesting Fano resonance with its distinct and sharp line shape is excited due to the interference between the two resonance profiles. Fano resonance is useful for highly sensitive measurements due to its abrupt intensity changing profile. The sensor is studied and analyzed using Finite Difference Element and 2D Finite Difference Time Domain methods. The sensor's performance is characterized by its high sensitivity of 6000 nm/RIU, FOM of 353, and limited insertion loss of 0.45 dB around 6.5 μm operation wavelength. Furthermore, we develop the sensor for simultaneously detecting formaldehyde CH2O and nitrous oxide N2O gases from their strong absorption bands at 3.6 μm and 4.46 μm wavelengths, respectively.