Search

Abstract The operation and effectiveness of a solar-powered underground water pumping system are affected by many environmental and technical factors. The impact of these factors must be investigated to be considered when developing these systems and to ensure their dependability. This study evaluated the dependability and performance of photovoltaic water pumping system (PVWPS) under real operating conditions by examining the effects of solar irradiance, panels’ temperature, and components' efficiency. From December 2020 to June 2021, experiments were conducted on a 10 hp PVWPS located in Bani Salamah, Al-Qanater-Giza Governorate, Egypt, at latitude 30.3° N, longitude 30.8° E, and 19 m above sea level. The irradiance values reached 755.7, 792.7, and 805.7 W/m2 at 12:00 p.m. in December, March, and June, respectively. Furthermore, the irradiance has a significant impact on the pump flow rate, as the amount of pumped water during the day reached 129, 164.1, and 181.8 m3/day, respectively. The panels' temperatures rose to 35.7 °C, 39.9 °C, and 44 °C, respectively. It was observed that when the temperature rises by 1 degree Celsius, efficiency falls by 0.48%. The average efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels reached its highest value in March (13.8%) and its lowest value in December (13%).

Thin films of Nb2O5 were synthesized by RF sputtering. The effect of annealing, at different temperatures (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 °C), on the structural and optical properties was studied. The crystallinity and structural characteristics of the Nb2O5 thin films were examined employing the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD and SEM analyses showed an amorphous nature for the as-deposited and annealed samples from 100 to 350 °C and crystalline structure for the annealed sample at 400 °C. The high values of the transmittance and low reflection make these films used as a window layer in solar cell systems. Upon increasing annealing temperature, the energy band gap Eg increased from 4.039 to 4.175 eV. Eg high values again make these films suitable to be used as a window layer in solar cell system. Urbach tail, EU, decreased with increasing annealing temperature. The refractive index showed the normal dispersion. The dispersion energies were found to have the same behavior with respect to annealing temperature, besides, the single oscillator energy Eₒ had a lower value compared to the dispersion energy Ed. The plasma frequency ω p was found to increase with annealing temperature. The first and third optical moments had peak values depending on the incident photon energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MnSmO3 thin films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering method with pure argon flow rate (20, 30, 45, 50, and 60 sccm). The crystalline and morphological structures of MnSmO3 thin films were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealing amorphous nature. Optical properties MnSmO3 thin films showed direct transition and normal dispersion of the refractive index at all rate of flow. The optical energy gap decreased with increasing the rate of flow, whereas the plasma behaved contrary to that of the optical gap. The dispersion energies deduced from Drude models are found to be larger than that of the single-oscillator energies. Non-linear refractive index is found to decrease with increasing the rate of flow. The linear and non-linear optical susceptibilities showed a tendency of decreasing with increasing the rate of flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adaptive seating is commonly used as an intervention method to enhance postural control. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of using therapy ball as a seat alternative to using typical chair on grasping and visual motor integration in the children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. For this aim, thirty children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy from both sexes were included in this study. The children ages ranged from 3 to 6 years old. The degree of spasticity was 1 to 1+ according to modified Ashworth scale. The children were able to sit independently and follow instructions. Children were randomly assigned into two groups (experimental group and control group). Each child was evaluated before and after 3 successive months of selected occupational therapy exercises program. All the children of both groups received the same selected occupational therapy exercises program, but the children in the experimental group performed the exercises while sitting on therapy ball, and the children in the control group performed the exercises while sitting on typical chair. Results There was a significant improvement in the measured variables for both groups after treatment. The post-treatment results of the two groups of grasping and visual motor integration for age equivalent scores revealed significant difference (p=0.008 and p=0.011 respectively) in favor of the experimental group. Conclusions Therapy ball could be used as a seat alternative to using typical chair to facilitate visual motor integration and grasping in the children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

COVID-19 has resulted in the deferral of major surgery for genitourinary (GU) cancers with the exception of cancers with a high risk of progression. We report outcomes for major GU cancer operations, namely radical prostatectomy (RP), radical cystectomy (RC), radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN), and nephroureterectomy performed at 13 major GU cancer centres across the UK between March 1 and May 5, 2020. A total of 598 such operations were performed. Four patients (0.7%) developed COVID-19 postoperatively. There was no COVID-19–related mortality at 30 d. A minimally invasive approach was used in 499 cases (83.4%). A total of 228 cases (38.1%) were described as training procedures. Training case status was not associated with a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (p = 0.194) or hospital length of stay (LOS; p > 0.05 for all operation types). The risk of contracting COVID-19 was not associated with longer hospital LOS (p = 0.146), training case status (p = 0.588), higher ASA score (p = 0.295), or type of hospital site (p = 0.303). Our results suggest that major surgery for urological cancers remains safe and training should be encouraged during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic provided appropriate countermeasures are taken. These real-life data are important for policy-makers and clinicians when counselling patients during the current pandemic. Patient summary: We collected outcome data for major operations for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These surgeries remain safe and training should be encouraged during the ongoing pandemic provided appropriate countermeasures are taken. Our real-life results are important for policy-makers and clinicians when counselling patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Background Indirect hyperbilirubinemia is frequently encountered during neonatal period. Although it has different causes, in some cases it can’t be explained. Previous studies have illustrated that jaundice could be a major sign of urinary tract infection (UTI) in neonates. Aim of the work We aimed to determine the association between UTI and significant unexplained neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Methods This prospective controlled study was performed on 150 neonates divided in two groups (100 as cases and 50 as controls) to investigate the incidence of UTI in neonates with significant unexplained hyperbilirubinemia. Urine sample was obtained using urine catheterization technique from neonates and full urine analysis was done and cases with pyuria had urine culture to confirm UTI. Immediate renal ultrasonography (USG) was performed for neonates with UTI. Results UTI incidence was 11% in cases while none of neonates in control group had UTI with statistical significance between cases and controls (P value

Background: The use of hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease has increased patient life span significantly. Infectious diseases caused by viruses that are commonly found in the liver include hepatitis C virus (HCV), SEN virus (SENV), and the Teno virus (TTV). This work aimed to find out the frequency of SENV & TTV infections and to correlate their viral load with their clinical condition among hemodialysis patients in Zagazig University Hospitals. Methods: In a case-control study we included 44 patients divided into 2 groups; 22 hemodialysis patients attending to hemodialysis unit and 22 apparently healthy individuals served as control group. Detection of anti HCV antibodies & anti HBsAg was done by ELISA. Detection of SENV DNA and TTV as done by nested PCR analysis. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups regarding prevalence of SEN D, SEN H, coinfection SEN D and H, TTV and combined SEN/TTV genotypes (p=0.048, 0.021, 0.048, 0.026, and 0.021 respectively). SEN D, SEN H, TTV prevailed in 22.7%, 45.5% and 50% of patients on HD. Combined SEN V D and H prevailed in 22.7% while 45.5% of HD patients had coinfection with SENV and TTV. Also, statistically significant differences were revealed between the studied groups regarding prevalence of combined SEN H/D and TTV genotypes among hemodialysis patients and comorbid hypertension, diabetes ALT, AST, and hemodialysis duration (p=0.004, <0.001, 0.002,0.002 and 0.008 respectively). Conclusions: We found a significantly higher prevalence of SEN virus D, SEN virus H, TTV, and concurrent infections involving combinations of these viruses among hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls. The viral infections associated strongly with comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and liver enzyme abnormalities as well as longer duration on hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerating skin lesions are manifestations of human ISG15 deficiency, a type I interferonopathy. However, chronic inflammation may not be their exclusive cause. We describe two siblings with recurrent skin ulcers that healed with scar formation upon corticosteroid treatment. Both had a homozygous nonsense mutation in the ISG15 gene, leading to unstable ISG15 protein lacking the functional domain. We characterized ISG15–/– dermal fibroblasts, HaCaT keratinocytes, and human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived vascular endothelial cells. ISG15-deficient cells exhibited the expected hyperinflammatory phenotype, but also dysregulated expression of molecules critical for connective tissue and epidermis integrity, including reduced collagens and adhesion molecules, but increased matrix metalloproteinases. ISG15–/– fibroblasts exhibited elevated ROS levels and reduced ROS scavenger expression. As opposed to hyperinflammation, defective collagen and integrin synthesis was not rescued by conjugation-deficient ISG15. Cell migration was retarded in ISG15–/– fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes, but normalized under ruxolitinib treatment. Desmosome density was reduced in an ISG15–/– 3D epidermis model. Additionally, there were loose architecture and reduced collagen and desmoglein expression, which could be reversed by treatment with ruxolitinib/doxycycline/TGF-β1. These results reveal critical roles of ISG15 in maintaining cell migration and epidermis and connective tissue homeostasis, whereby the latter likely requires its conjugation to yet unidentified targets.

Future transportation will replace the current mechanical combustible engines with chargeable electric vehicles (EVs). The DC-Dc boost converter is an essential part of such systems that not only helps to generate the required level but also helps to regulate the load voltage. In conventional boost converter topologies, their gain, switching losses, and high voltage stress across switches are the main reason for limiting the output power. Coupled inductor-based isolated converters increase the system weight and cost. Therefore, in this paper, a transformerless adjustable gain and non-isolated DC-DC boost converter with multi-port flexible power supply, reduced switch voltage stress, and considerable good range efficiency is proposed. The proposed converter is tested with the 100 W resistive load to test the desired characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diffusion weighted MRI (DW MRI) in the differentiating between benign and malignant pancreatic masses. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients (36 men, mean age, 62 years; range, 48–72 years], 24 women (mean age, 64 years; range, 54–69 years] suspected to have solid pancreatic masses were examined by conventional and DWI. None of our patients had a history of pancreatic disease. DWI of the pancreas was performed in addition to the routine liver MR. Final diagnosis was obtained by diagnostic biopsy, lab. data and follow up. Results: 38 patients had a benign lesion and 22 patients had a malignant lesion. Using DWI, 36 cases were diagnosed to have benign lesions and 24 cases were diagnosed to have malignant lesions. There were two false positive cases due to low ADC value. The mean ADC values of malignant lesions were lower compared with benign lesion. The mean ADC value for malignant lesions was 1.1 +/− 0.201 × 10−3 mm2/sec, and for benign lesions it was 1.6 + l − 0.121 × 10−3 mm2/sec. Conclusion: DWI and ADC values can help differentiate between benign and malignant pancreatic masses. Also DWI can be used for investigating patients for whom contrast-enhanced CT or MRI studies are contraindicated.

Ulcerating skin lesions are manifestations of human ISG15 deficiency, a type I interferonopathy. However, chronic inflammation may not be their exclusive cause. We describe two siblings with recurrent skin ulcers that healed with scar formation upon corticosteroid treatment. Both had a homozygous nonsense mutation in the ISG15 gene, leading to unstable ISG15 protein lacking the functional domain. We characterized [ISG15.sup.-/-] dermal fibroblasts, HaCaT keratinocytes, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived vascular endothelial cells. ISG15-deficient cells exhibited the expected hyperinflammatory phenotype, but also dysregulated expression of molecules critical for connective tissue and epidermis integrity, including reduced collagens and adhesion molecules, but increased matrix metalloproteinases. [ISG15.sup.-/-] fibroblasts exhibited elevated ROS levels and reduced ROS scavenger expression. As opposed to hyperinflammation, defective collagen and integrin synthesis was not rescued by conjugation-deficient ISG15. Cell migration was retarded in [ISG15.sup.-/-] fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes, but normalized under ruxolitinib treatment. Desmosome density was reduced in an [ISG15.sup.-/-] 3D epidermis model. Additionally, there were loose architecture and reduced collagen and desmoglein expression, which could be reversed by treatment with ruxolitinib/doxycycline/TGF-[beta]1. These results reveal critical roles of ISG15 in maintaining cell migration and epidermis and connective tissue homeostasis, whereby the latter likely requires its conjugation to yet unidentified targets., Introduction Monogenic type I interferonopathies are a heterogeneous group of autoinflammatory and autoimmune disorders characterized by persistently elevated levels of type I interferons (IFN-I) (1-3). The underlying molecular mechanisms are [...]

Introduction The conventional method for teaching removable partial denture (RPD) design using a pencil drawing on a solid cast has always been the basis for teaching RPD design in most dental schools at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This does not apply to RPD fabrication technology, as more laboratories have recently adopted more efficient and versatile digital techniques to design and fabricate RPD frameworks. Methods At the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, we created a pilot workshop to assess the efficiency of a new approach to teaching RPD design utilizing this new digital RPD technology as a teaching tool for graduate prosthodontics residents. Three first-year prosthodontics residents were enrolled in the workshop, which involved learning the new digital workflow of designing RPD. Results This new teaching approach very successfully achieved its educational goals. The residents reported that the digital RPD teaching approach enriched their knowledge and deepened their understanding of RPD design. Discussion The technique garnered significant interest from the students and seemed to also increase their understanding of the steps involved in RPD fabrication as well as the different components of the RPD.

Optical, magnetoresistance, and thermoelectric properties of La1−xKxMnO3 (x = 0.05, 0.15, and 0.25) compounds have been investigated. The crystallography demonstrates that the samples x = 0.05 and 0.15 are a single‐phase rhombohedral (R3¯C$R \overset{\cdot}{3} C$) structure, while x = 0.25 is near to a single rhombohedral phase with a minor amount of Mn3O4 (with a ratio of ≈2%). The optical properties manifest that the reflectivity decreases slightly with increasing x‐doping, where the sample of x = 0.05 has the lowest reflection value, making it a promising material for photovoltaic applications. Electrical resistivity measurements show that the samples have a metal–semiconductor transition, and the transition temperature Tms decreases with the K content. The thermoelectric data show a remarkable coincidence behavior of the ρ–T relationship, which has a peak at a transition temperature (TS). Magnetic susceptibility data show that the samples undergo ferro‐paramagnetic transition at a certain temperature (Curie temperature). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of using some selfregulatory writing strategies on developing writing skills and reducing writing anxiety among EFL majors. The study used the pre-posttest quasi-experimental one group design. The Participants were forty-five first year EFL majors enrolled in Aswan Faculty of Education. The instruments of the present study included an EFL writing skills test prepared by the researcher and an EFL writing anxiety scale. The test and the scale were administered to the participants before and after the treatment. Data were treated statistically using SPSS. Results of the study revealed that using some self-regulatory writing strategies was found to be effective in developing EFL writing skills and reducing writing anxiety among the participants of the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Invasive measures of microvascular resistance in the culprit coronary artery have potential for risk stratification in acute ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction. We aimed to investigate the pathological and prognostic significance of coronary thermodilution waveforms using a diagnostic guidewire. Methods and Results Coronary thermodilution was measured at the end of percutaneous coronary intervention, (PCI) and contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was intended on day 2 and 6 months later to assess left ventricular (LV) function and pathology. All‐cause death or first heart failure hospitalization was a pre‐specified outcome (median follow‐up duration 1469 days). Thermodilution recordings underwent core laboratory assessment. A total of 278 patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction EMI (72% male, 59±11 years) had coronary thermodilution measurements classified as narrow unimodal (n=143 [51%]), wide unimodal (n=100 [36%]), or bimodal (n=35 [13%]). Microvascular obstruction and myocardial hemorrhage were associated with the thermodilution waveform pattern (P=0.007 and 0.011, respectively), and both pathologies were more prevalent in patients with a bimodal morphology. On multivariate analysis with baseline characteristics, thermodilution waveform status was a multivariable associate of microvascular obstruction (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=5.29 [1.73, 16.22];, P=0.004) and myocardial hemorrhage (3.45 [1.16, 10.26]; P=0.026), but the relationship was not significant when index of microvascular resistance (IMR) >40 or change in index of microvascular resistance (5 per unit) was included. However, a bimodal thermodilution waveform was independently associated with all‐cause death and hospitalization for heart failure (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=2.70 [1.10, 6.63]; P=0.031), independent of index of microvascular resistance>40, ST‐segment resolution, and TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) Myocardial Perfusion Grade. Conclusions The thermodilution waveform in the culprit coronary artery is a biomarker of prognosis and may be useful for risk stratification immediately after reperfusion therapy.

This paper presents a study conducted to examine the effect of cutting parameters, namely standoff distance, nozzle traverse speed (TS), abrasive flow rate (AFR), and material type on cutting performance for two types of marble workpieces, Carrara white and Indian green. Statistical analysis was undertaken to assess the influence of the cutting parameters on the process performances in terms of surface roughness, surface waviness, and Kerf taper ratio. The results showed that the TS and material type were the most significant factors that affected surface roughness and Kerf taper ratio. Also, although AFR was found to have significant effect on surface waviness, it had no noticeable influence on surface roughness nor Kerf taper ratio.

Most silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET models are application-specific. These are already defined by the manufacturers and their parameters are mostly partially accessible due to restrictions. The desired characteristic of any SiC model becomes highly important if an individual wants to visualize the impact of changing intrinsic parameters as well. Also, it requires a model prior knowledge to vary these parameters accordingly. This paper proposes the parameter extraction and its selection for Silicon Carbide (SiC) power N-MOSFET model in a unique way. The extracted parameters are verified through practical implementation with a small-scale high power DC-DC 5 to 2.5 output voltage buck converter using both hardware and software emphasis. The parameters extracted using the proposed method are also tested to verify the static and dynamic characteristics of SiC MOSFET. These parameters include intrinsic, junction and overlapping capacitance. The parameters thus extracted for the SiC MOSFET are analyzed by device performance. This includes input, output transfer characteristics and transient delays under different temperature conditions and loading capabilities. The simulation and experimental results show that the parameters are highly accurate. With its development, researchers will be able to simulate and test any change in intrinsic parameters along with circuit emphasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe time course and relationships of myocardial hemorrhage and edema in patients after acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are uncertain. Methods and ResultsPatients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on 4 occasions: at 4 to 12 hours, 3 days, 10 days, and 7 months after reperfusion. Myocardial edema (native T2) and hemorrhage (T2*) were measured in regions of interest in remote and injured myocardium. Myocardial hemorrhage was taken to represent a hypointense infarct core with a T2* value

A high sensitivity, low power and low cost sensor has been developed for photoplethysmography (PPG) measurement. The PPG principle was applied to follow the dilatation and contraction of skin blood vessels during the cardiac cycle. A standard light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been used as a light emitter and detector, and in order to reduce the space, cost and power, the classical analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) replaced by the pulse-based signal conversion techniques. A general purpose microcontroller has been used for the implementation of measurement protocol. The proposed approach leads to better spectral sensitivity, increased resolution, reduction in cost, dimensions and power consumption. The basic sensing configuration presented is capable of detecting the PPG signal from a finger or toe, and it is very simple to extract the heart rate and heart rate variability from such a signal.

In this paper, an enhanced version of whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) is presented to be applied in adaptive control techniques as a parameter tuner. One weakness point in this control scheme is the low efficiency of its objective function. Balloon effect (BE) is a modification introduced to increase the efficiency of the objective function of the optimization method and the ability of the controller to deal with system problems increase consequently. Controlling of the temperature of electric furnaces is considered as one of the important issues in several industrial applications. Conventional controllers such as PID controller cannot deal efficiently with the problem of parameters variations and step disturbance. This paper proposes an adaptive controller, in which the gain of the temperature controller is tuned online using EWOA supported by balloon effect. System responses obtained by the proposed adaptive control scheme using EWOA + BE have been compared with an electric furnace temperature control (EFTC) scheme response using both the PID controller-based modified flower pollination algorithm (MoFPA) and PID-accelerated PIDA-based MoFPA. From the results, it can be observed that the proposed controller tuned by the EWOA + BE method improves the time performance compared with the other techniques (PID and PIDA-based MoFPA) in case of EFTC application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex crystal and magnetic structure of strontium-doped ytterbium manganites using high-resolution neutron diffraction at low temperature starting from 2.6 K has been studied. Yb0.6Sr0.4MnO3 was crystallized with the mixed phases of crystal structure: orthorhombic with Pbnm space group enclosing Jahn–Teller Mn3+ ions, and hexagonal crystal system of P63cm space group describing JT ions free phase over the whole temperature range. From the refinement of the neutron diffraction patterns, a distinguished difference in the behaviors of the two phases was observed with a variation in temperature where opposite lattice—temperature-dependent behavior was found. The magnetic ordering in hexagonal symmetry was frustrated and was having a canted spin of Mn magnetic moments in the plane of the Г2-type symmetry. Mn ions were arranged together in the well-separated triangular layers parallel to (ab) plane as a result of the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the spins of atoms in the most nearest neighbors, which make the Mn spin subsystem of low-dimensional and frustrated at TN≈150 K. The other phase of the orthorhombic crystal system showed the C-type antiferromagnetic at TN≈70 K. The contribution of Yb atom in the magnetic ordering down to T = 2.6 K has not been registered. The magnetization–temperature dependence of Yb0.6Sr0.4MnO3 at different applied magnetic field was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation based on Ising model. Theoretically calculated model and experimental data were in good agreement. The complex magnetic ordering of the Yb0.6Sr0.4MnO3 for the mixed crystal structure was well described by Ising model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]