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Abstract This study examines the relationship between inflation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in three major economies: the United States of America (USA), the European Union (EU), and China. The analysis spans from 1960 to 2021 for the USA and EU, and from 1971 to 2021 for China. A feedforward neural network model, optimized using the Levenberg–Marquardt backpropagation algorithm, was employed to predict GHG emissions based on annual inflation rates and fossil fuel energy consumption. The study integrates historical data on inflation trends with GHG emissions, measured in CO2 equivalents, and fossil fuel energy consumption, expressed as a percentage of total energy use. This multidimensional approach allows for a nuanced understanding of the economic-environmental interplay in these regions. Key findings indicate a nonlinear response of GHG emissions to inflation rates. In the USA, GHG emissions begin to decrease when inflation rates exceed 4.7%. Similarly, in the EU, a steep reduction in emissions is observed beyond a 7.5% inflation rate. China presents a more complex pattern, with two critical inflection points: the first at a 4.5% inflation rate, where GHG emissions start to decline sharply, and the second at a 7% inflation rate, beyond which further increases in inflation do not significantly reduce emissions. A critical global insight is the identification of a uniform inflation rate, around 4.4%, across all regions, at which GHG emissions consistently increase by 1%, hinting at a shared global economic behavior impacting the environment. This discovery is vital for policymakers, emphasizing the need for tailored regional strategies that consider unique economic structures, energy policies, and environmental regulations, alongside a coordinated global approach.

When we talk about futuristic architecture we are talking about a new concept of aesthetics through technological progress. It is not based on old views but has new directions and unclear horizons. The goal is to achieve maximum performance with minimum environmental impact. The use of modern materials has changed the architectural concept to make materials lighter, more efficient and less environmentally friendlyThe emergence and rapid development of nanotechnology led to the discovery of modern materials that influence the architectural concept and change its style. The research highlights nanomaterials that have made a great development in the field of nanotechnology, this material is gold nanoparticles. It is a wonderful material with nanotechnology. When this material is injected into the tree leaves, it produces a good efficient light similar to lighting electric lamps without the use of toxic chemicals such as phosphor powder. Scientists stimulate chlorophyll in leaves to produce a red emission. The idea of ​​using incandescent trees as an alternative to street lighting will save electricity costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and this is a new trend towards achieving the principles of sustainability in modern architecture.This research proposes the use of gold nanoparticles to light trees and make it an alternative to street lighting lamps. This idea can be applied to the pedestrian streets of the Green River in the new administrative capital because of its future supportive of the latest methods of modern technology.SEARCH PROBLEM:1- The shortcomings in the use of nanotechnology in Egypt and its failure to apply it in most fields despite its importance.2- The use of toxic chemicals such as phosphorous powder for the manufacture of LED street lighting and its negative impact on the environment3- The consumption of large electrical energy to light the pedestrian paths, we need it.OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:1- Supporting the modern architecture system by using light trees that are environmentally friendly and generate light in the corridors and streets for pedestrians.2- Benefiting from modern technologies such as gold nanoparticles to light trees and beautify the corridors in the Green River area.3- produces highly efficient LED-like illumination, but without the use of toxic chemicals such as phosphor powder.

Türkiye’s earthquake zone, primarily located along the North Anatolian Fault, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, frequently experiencing devastating earthquakes, such as the one in Hatay in 2023. Therefore, reconstructing energy-efficient buildings after major earthquakes enhances disaster resilience and promotes energy efficiency through retrofitting, renovation, or demolition and reconstruction. To this end, this study proposes implementing energy-efficient design solutions in dwelling units to minimize energy consumption in new buildings in Hatay, Southern Turkiye, an area affected by the 2023 earthquake. This research focused on a five-story residential building in the district of Kurtlusarımazı, incorporating small-scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) with thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with the application of a green wall surrounding the building. ANSYS Fluent v.R2 Software was used for a numerical investigation of the small-scale IceWind turbine, and DesignBuilder Software v.6.1.0.006 was employed to simulate the baseline model and three energy-efficient design strategies. The results demonstrated that small-scale VAWTs, PV panels, and the application of a green wall reduced overall energy use by 8.5%, 18%, and 4.1%, respectively. When all strategies were combined, total energy consumption was reduced by up to 28.5%. The results of this study could guide designers in constructing innovative energy-efficient buildings following extensive demolition such as during the 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Türkiye.

Objective:Seroma after mastectomy is a bothersome problem. Topical sclerosants are one method used to reduce seroma. The aim of this study was to evaluate if spraying flaps before closure with doxycycline or bleomycin after total mastectomy can prevent seroma.Materials and Methods:After institutional review board approval, using a computer-based randomization program, a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized, superiority study was conducted during the period from the first of August 2017 to the first of August 2018. IRB proposal code was MS/17.08.66 and the trial was approved at 15/8/2017. The trial is available publicly at http://www.eulc.edu.eg/eulc_v5/Libraries/Thesis/BrowseThesisPages.aspx?fn=PublicDrawThesis&BibID=12553049. The primary outcome of the study was to assess the incidence of seroma following total mastectomy after intervention comprising spraying of skin flaps with doxycycline or bleomycin versus placebo. Patients who were candidates for total mastectomy were randomized into control, doxycycline, and bleomycin groups. The postoperative data included length of the hospital stay, pain score among the three groups, post-operative drained fluid volume, post-operative day of drain removal, complication rates including infection, flap necrosis and hematoma, the incidence of seroma and aspirated seroma volume, and total number of postoperative visits.Results:Of 125 patients, 90 were candidates for total mastectomy. Analysis of these 90 showed that the incidence of seroma was similar; 43.4%, 40% and 40% in the control, doxycycline, and bleomycin groups, respectively (p = 0.99). Furthermore, wound complication rates were similar among all groups.Conclusion:Despite improved recognition and management of risk factors, seromas remain a common clinical concern in the postoperative setting of total mastectomy. These results suggest that sclerosant agents, specifically bleomycin and doxycycline, have no utility for prevention of post mastectomy seroma.

The purpose of this research is to formulate a theory of self-transformation based on Avicenna’s psychology. The research method used is descriptive qualitative analysis. Self-transformation is the process of changing the soul quality as to produce better changes in perception and behavior. The background of the research includes the weaknesses of the existing self-transformation methods; Avicenna’s psychology directs the soul to perfect the transformation; Avicenna’s psychology does not discuss his self-transformation theory explicitly; Avicenna has a better formulation of self-transformation theory than Aristotle implicitly; and it provides alternative self-transformation method.

Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) have attracted the attention of researchers because of their influence on circulatory levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our objective was to review systematically and Meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effects of omega-3 FAs supplementation on serum BDNF concentration. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched until April 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was utilized to evaluate the quality of the studies. A random-effects model was employed to estimate the overall effect size of BDNF levels, using the Standard Mean Difference (SMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using chi-squared and I2 statistics. A total of 12 studies involving 587 subjects were included. The supplementation of PUFA was found to be associated with a significant increase in serum levels of BNDF in the group receiving the supplements, as compared to the placebo group (SMD: 0.72 pg/mL, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.15; P < 0.001) (I2 = 84.39%, P < 0.001). Sub-group analyses revealed similar findings in trials with fewer than 10 weeks, which utilized both animal (fish oil) and herbal (flaxseed) forms of omega-3 supplements with a high daily dosage of 2000mg. The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicate the efficacy of omega-3 FAs in increasing the serum concentration of BDNF. Therefore, omega-3 FAs should be prioritized as agents for increasing BDNF in interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) are characterized by an expected malignancy ranging from 5% to 30%, with most patients undergoing a diagnostic, rather than therapeutic, operation. The aim of our study was to compare the approach to ITNs across different regions of the world. In this retrospective, multicentric, international study, according to the WHO classification, we identified the South East Asian Region (SEAR), the Americas Region (AMR), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), the Europe Region (EUR), and the Western Pacific Region (WPR). One high-volume thyroid centre was included for each region. Demographic, preoperative, and pathologic data were compared among the different regions. Overall, 5737 patients from five high-volume thyroid centres were included in this study. We found that the proportion of ITNs over the global activity for thyroid disease was higher in the EUR (37.6%) than in the other regions (21.1–23.6%). In the EMR, the patients were significantly younger (with a mean of 43.1 years) than in the other regions (range, 48.8–57.4 years). The proportion of lobectomy was significantly higher in the WPR, where 83.2% (114/137) of patients received this treatment, than in the other regions, where lobectomies were performed in 44.1–58.1% of patients. The pathological diagnosis of malignancy was significantly higher in the SEAR centre, being over 60%, than in centres of the other regions, where it ranged from 26.3% to 41.3%. The occurrence of lymph node metastases was higher in the WPR (27.8%), AMR (26.9%), and EMR (20%) centres than in the EUR and SEAR centres, where it was lower than 10%. In summary, we found in our study different approaches and outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of ITNs among countries. Overall, almost 60% of patients with ITNs who underwent surgery actually presented a benign disease, potentially undergoing an unnecessary operation.

Although the systematic emergence of the fuzzy functional analysis theory has started in the last few years, we are starting to construct a new theory of fuzzy operator ideals inspired by the classical (crisp) operator ideals theory. We define the concept of fuzzy operator ideal and present some basic examples and introduce a significant class of fuzzy operator ideals, namely the class of absolutely fuzzy p-summing between arbitrary complete fuzzy normed spaces, which is a natural generalization of the notion of absolutely (crisp) p-summing between Banach spaces defined by Albrecht Pietsch. We initiate to define fuzzy norm of the aforementioned notion and prove its fuzzy norm is fuzzy real number. It shows that the resulting class of fuzzy bounded operators is a complete fuzzy normed fuzzy operator ideal. It then establishes an important fundamental characterization of bsolutely fuzzy p-summing. This is done by proving a fuzzy version of Pietsch Domination Theorems. Finally, the paper presents some open problems which the researchers finds interesting.

Hybrid transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) has shown great promise for patients with severe mitral annular calcification. However, there have been limited reports of its use as a bailout for planned surgical MVR. Here, we present a bailout TMVR with an excellent patient outcome. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

This study aimed to identify the impact of the employees’ performance on the competitive advantage in the mobile phone-run companies in Sana’a. The population of this study was (1648) employees (male and female) from different administrative levels. The required sample for the study, according to Krejcie and Morgan, is (313) employees and the actual sample of the present study was (302) employees with a rate of (96.5%) of the required sample. The descriptive analytical approach was adopted and a questionnaire was used to collect the data. The findings revealed that the employees’ performance has an effect on achieving the competitive advantage, but it still does not meet the aspirations of the companies under consideration. Furthermore, the study found out that there are statistically significant differences in the average answers of the sample on achieving competitive advantage due to organizational variables represented in the number of employees and the name of company while these companies have not achieved differences in achieving the competitive advantage in terms of excellence, flexibility, innovation and responsiveness, according to the age variable. The study recommended that more attention should be paid to the reinforcement of the employees’ performance which can lead to the achievement of the competitive advantage in the companies instead of seeking external resources that are difficult to keep pace with.

Sustainability's global importance has amplified the role of universities in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, education, and community engagement. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the role of Arab universities in promoting sustainability within the context of global higher education. This study analyzes the performance of 200 universities from 15 Arab countries in the THE IMPACT Rankings. Their performance was compared to 135 universities from three of the leading world-class higher education systems: Canada, UK, and USA. Results: A global demand for sustainable development, Arab universities face challenges in improving their contributions to the SDGs and sustainability rankings. Despite the impressive growth in the participation of Arab universities in THE IMPACT Rankings yet lags in quality and impact of Arab universities contributions towards SDGs. The policy implications underscore the importance of institutional commitment to sustainability in Arab universities, urging the alignment of policies, funding, and curriculum with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Arab universities need to bridge performance gaps, promote green initiatives, and contribute effectively to the achievement of SDGs while recognizing the diverse socio-economic context and priorities of the Arab region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcortical approaches, encompassing various surgical corridors, have been employed to treat an array of intraparenchymal or intraventricular brain pathologies, including tumors, vascular malformations, infections, intracerebral hematomas, and epileptic surgery. Designing cortical incisions relies on the lesion location and characteristics, knowledge of eloquent functional anatomy, and advanced imaging such as tractography. Despite their widespread use in neurosurgery, there is a noticeable lack of systematic studies examining their common lobe access points, associated complications, and prevalent pathologies. This scoping review assesses current evidence to guide the selection of transcortical approaches for treating a variety of intracranial pathologies. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, searching PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Studies were included if =5 patients operated on using transcortical approaches, with reported data on clinical features, treatments, and outcomes. Data analysis and synthesis were performed. Results: A total of 50 articles encompassing 2604 patients were included in the study. The most common primary pathology was brain tumors (60.6%), particularly gliomas (87.4%). The transcortical-transtemporal approach was the most frequently identified cortical approach (70.48%), and the temporal lobe was the most accessed brain lobe (55.68%). The postoperative course outcomes were reported as good (55.52%), poor (28.38%), and death (14.62%). Conclusion: Transcortical approaches are crucial techniques for managing a wide range of intracranial lesions, with the transcortical-transtemporal approach being the most common. According to the current literature, the selective choice of cortical incision and surgical corridor based on the lesion's pathology and anatomic-functional location correlates with acceptable functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We investigated the potential relationship between endometriosis and risk of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and breast cancers using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Methods: We utilized the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) system to identify relevant codes from the NIS database (2016–2019). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses (adjusted for age, race, hospital region, hospital teaching status, income Zip score, smoking, alcohol use, and hormonal replacement therapy) were conducted to evaluate the association between endometriosis and gynecologic cancers and summarized as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: In the examined dataset, there were 1164 and 225,323 gynecologic cancer patients with and without endometriosis, respectively. Univariate analysis showed endometriosis was significantly associated with a higher risk of ovarian (OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 3.05–3.84, p < 0.001) and endometrial (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 2.97–3.79, p < 0.001) cancers. There was no significant association between endometriosis and cervical cancer (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.85–1.28, p = 0.663). Interestingly, endometriosis was significantly associated with a low risk of breast cancer (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.10–0.17, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.006) showed that endometriosis was significantly associated with a high risk of ovarian (adjusted OR = 3.34, 95% CI: 2.97–3.75, p < 0.001) and endometrial (adjusted OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 3.12–4.08, p < 0.001) cancers. Conversely, there was no significant association between endometriosis and cervical cancer (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65–0.99, p = 0.036). Conclusions: Patients with endometriosis exhibited unique gynecologic cancer risk profiles, with higher risks for ovarian and endometrial cancers, and no significant risk for cervical cancer. The observed connection between endometriosis and a reduced risk of breast cancer remains a perplexing phenomenon, which cannot be put into context to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle vermiculite (VMT) clay was prepared by treatment with hydrochloric acid. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposites were prepared by mixing different contents (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 phr) of untreated (VMT) and acid-treated (DVMT) vermiculite clay, respectively. In addition, different contents (3, 7, and 10 phr) of maleic anhydride (MA) as compatibilizer were mixed via direct melt compounding in internal mixer. The effect of gamma irradiation, VMT clay, and MA contents on the mechanical properties was studied. The acid-treated VMT clay was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the SBR/VMT composites, SBR/DVMT, and SBR/DVMT/MA nanocomposites were characterized via crosslinking density and tensile mechanical testing and FT-IR spectroscopic analysis. The results indicated that good yield of nanoparticle vermiculite was achieved when the acid treatment was carried out for 120 h. In addition, the results showed that the presence of DVMT clay improved the chemical bonding in the SBR nanocomposites and hence their mechanical properties. The highest improvement was obtained when the contents of DVMT clay, MA, and irradiation dose were 10 phr, 3 phr, and 100 kGy, respectively., INTRODUCTION Polymer nanocomposites have attracted considerable attention as a method of improving polymer properties and extending their utility for different applications. These are particle filled polymers, in which at least [...]

Four-wave mixing (FWM) is an important nonlinear effect severely limiting the performance of optical fiber networks. In this paper, FWM impact on the uplink performance of dense wavelength division multiplexing gigabit passive optical networks (DWDM-GPONs) using standard single mode fibers (SSMFs) has been analyzed. Simulations have been carried out on the center uplink channels of 7-, 15-, 29- and 35-channel DWDM-GPON systems that have 12.5 GHz, 25 GHz, 50 GHz and 100 GHz channel spacing values. Signal-to-crosstalk ratio (SXR) variations occurring due to FWM impacts have been considered in evaluating the uplink performance. Simulation results exhibit worst-case values under FWM impacts and therefore are important in giving clues about choosing system parameters satisfying a minimum 23 dB SXR, which is an appropriate value for current GPON applications showing system reliability under FWM impacts.

Objective: This work aimed for using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to map the bronchial tree and assess the exact site, direction, airway findings and bronchial measurements to guide trans-bronchial lung biopsy from an inaccessible lung lesion. Patients and methods: This study was carried on 26 patients. It was conducted in the Radiology Department, in collaboration with Chest Department, in the period from January 2015 to April 2016. All patients were subjected to Virtual Bronchographic (VB) examination and Trans-Bronchial lung biopsy (in selected cases guided by the VB results). Results: In this study, MSCT-VB maps guided the fiber-optic bronchoscopy in 30 bronchial lesions in 26 patients to the proper sampling site for different lung lesions with success rate 100% and CT maps were done, reaching 3rd to 7th order bronchial generation with mean distance from central bronchi was 21.3 mm and mean target bronchial diameter was 1.9 mm. Right sided lesions encountered in 57.7% and left sided lesions in 42.3% with the most common segmental affection was the right upper lobe in 36.7% of bronchial lesions and the apico-posterior subsegment of left upper lobe in 23.3% of lesions, then planning according to the site of the lesion in relation to the bronchial tree in the VB was done. Histopathological assessment was done with 61.5% neoplastic lesions and 38.5% inflammatory lesions. Conclusion: Multiplanar reconstruction images together with virtual bronchographic images were accurate in the detection of lesion’s site, depiction of degree of narrowing, and distal visualization of airways. This CT map should be used to guide bronchoscopy or to direct trans-bronchial needle biopsy to guarantee positive histopathological results.

Evidence suggests that air pollution, specifically the particulate matters PM2.5 and PM10, plays a key role in exacerbating the risk of prolonged symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Aim: This study endeavors to elucidate the potential interaction between chronic air pollution exposure and the manifestation of long COVID symptoms within a cohort based in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Participants included residents from the Makkah region who had recovered from COVID-19 between 2022 and 2023. A comprehensive questionnaire was utilized to gather detailed demographic data and assess the persistent symptoms seen during the post-COVID period. To gauge the environmental exposure to potential risk factors, air sampling for PM10 and PM2.5 was systematically conducted in various locations in Makkah over a year. Results: Significant positive associations were found between PM2.5 and PM10 exposure and long COVID. Furthermore, specific symptom analysis revealed a significant association between air pollution and shortness of breath (for PM2.5). Only PM2.5 exposure remained statistically significant (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.67). In contrast, the association with PM10 remained on the cusp of significance, with an RR of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.61). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of reducing air pollution levels to mitigate the long-term health consequences of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analysed the activities of some selected prominent first ladies in northern Nigeria and how they impacted on the lives of the needy within the societies around them and beyond. The paper focused on the activities of their pet projects which served as a means of providing development projects through fund raising from public and private institutions. The funds realised was geared towards human development and capacity building to empower the communities and societies around them. The paper analysed both primary and secondary sources of data in order to extract reliable information for the purpose of this study. Through the exercise of their influence, First Ladies have been able to establish pet projects with funds raised from public institutions, corporate organisations and international donor agencies. In the light of this, the paper studies the efforts of first Ladies which have contributed significantly to human development index of the target group and has provided strategic platform for women mobilization and consciousness in public affairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Indeterminate thyroid nodules are characterized by a low-moderate risk of malignancy, which ranges from 5% to 40%. The management of these nodules is uneven among the current guidelines, with some being more prone to surgery, and others being more accommodating for conservative management. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules across different world regions. We found the Asian region to be more prone to active surveillance and Eastern regions to a more aggressive approach. Furthermore, current clinical practice seems to be diverging from current guidelines particularly regarding indications of fine-needle aspiration cytology. Our study underlines the need for homogenous guidelines and to discover new tools to assess the actual risk of malignancy in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) are characterized by an expected malignancy ranging from 5% to 30%, with most patients undergoing a diagnostic, rather than therapeutic, operation. The aim of our study was to compare the approach to ITNs across different regions of the world. In this retrospective, multicentric, international study, according to the WHO classification, we identified the South East Asian Region (SEAR), the Americas Region (AMR), the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), the Europe Region (EUR), and the Western Pacific Region (WPR). One high-volume thyroid centre was included for each region. Demographic, preoperative, and pathologic data were compared among the different regions. Overall, 5737 patients from five high-volume thyroid centres were included in this study. We found that the proportion of ITNs over the global activity for thyroid disease was higher in the EUR (37.6%) than in the other regions (21.1–23.6%). In the EMR, the patients were significantly younger (with a mean of 43.1 years) than in the other regions (range, 48.8–57.4 years). The proportion of lobectomy was significantly higher in the WPR, where 83.2% (114/137) of patients received this treatment, than in the other regions, where lobectomies were performed in 44.1–58.1% of patients. The pathological diagnosis of malignancy was significantly higher in the SEAR centre, being over 60%, than in centres of the other regions, where it ranged from 26.3% to 41.3%. The occurrence of lymph node metastases was higher in the WPR (27.8%), AMR (26.9%), and EMR (20%) centres than in the EUR and SEAR centres, where it was lower than 10%. In summary, we found in our study different approaches and outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of ITNs among countries. Overall, almost 60% of patients with ITNs who underwent surgery actually presented a benign disease, potentially undergoing an unnecessary operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]