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Abstract In light of the increasing investor interest in cryptocurrencies (CR) as alternative financial assets in financial markets, we sought to examine the connection between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and cryptocurrencies. To do so, monthly data for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (THT) from January 2021 to April 2023 were employed. We utilized quantile regression and Granger causality analysis to investigate the relationship between EPU and cryptocurrencies. The initial results of this study suggest that EPU has little effect on the cryptocurrency market in the short-term. To enhance the strength and validity of these findings, we performed separate evaluations tailored to the unique contexts of the United States and China. The results revealed that the effects of EPU were adverse and statistically insignificant for China, while the situation differed slightly for the United States. Given that the United States has the most developed economy, its policies have a significant influence globally. As a result, cryptocurrencies have the potential to serve as efficient hedging tools. Furthermore, we incorporated nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) analysis to assess the asymmetric impact of EPU on cryptocurrencies by adopting both short-term and long-term perspectives. The outcomes demonstrated that both Bitcoin and Ethereum can serve as hedging tools in the short-term, although this utility diminishes in the long-term. Conversely, Tether displayed a positive association with EPU in the long-term. The findings of this study hold significance for policy-makers, offering valuable insights related to structuring efficient policies. The recommendations include fostering a rational framework for active participation from various stakeholders, including investors, governmental bodies, central banks, stock exchanges, and financial institutions. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate irrational fluctuations and enhance the acceptability of cryptocurrencies. In essence, this research underscores the potential of cryptocurrencies as a secure hedge against short-term EPU. However, we caution against assuming that any single cryptocurrency can consistently serve as a dependable investment haven.

An antenna array having a size of 45 40 cm2 (5.7 5 2) and consisting of four pairs of printed U-shaped dipoles positioned above a metal reflector, for 5G Sub-6 GHz base station applications, is designed and tested. The array consists of eight excitation ports, one port for each dipole. Four parasitic square patches are etched on the bottom side of the dipole arms for producing radiations in 2.2 GHz and 3.8 GHz bands. The size of the reflector and height of the dipoles are optimized in order to enhance antenna gain up to 11.5 dB at 2.2 GHz and 14.5 dB at 3.8 GHz. Beam steering up to 20 is achieved, using phase shifted simultaneous excitation of different ports. The proposed antenna array not only fulfills 5G base station requirements but is also simple and compact as it only requires eight ports to achieve dual-band, high-gain and beam steering operation in a single design. It also offers a unique feature of dual-sector coverage per panel, which results in an increased coverage capacity of the base station without increasing the system resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilized a two-phase analysis using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) to create an automated technology that enabled us to detect and count saigas (Saiga tatarica) in satellite images with a resolution of 0.3–0.5 m/pixel (Eros-B 2012; 2013 and Beijing KA 2022 satellites). In the first phase, the satellite image is automatically divided into sections and checked for the presence or absence of clusters of objects (the "classification" phase). Then, during the second phase, only the fragments of the satellite image where at least one saiga was previously found are analyzed (the "detection" phase). The method was calibrated by training a neural network on the results of the preliminary processing of archival satellite images from 2012 and 2013, carried out manually by zoological experts. When we tested the DCNN work with a "confidence threshold" of 0.3, we identified 1284 saigas on the entire model satellite image, while a zoological expert manually identified 1412 saigas. For practical use and to assess the effectiveness of this method, we counted saigas on a 2022 image covering two adjacent specially protected natural areas (PAs) located in the Republic of Kalmykia and the Astrakhan region (Russian Federation). The results are presented with different "thresholds of confidence." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a worldwide problem, particularly among critically ill patients. Since it is not anticipated that any new treatments will be available in the near feature, our research aims to assess the efficacy and safety of colistin in the treatment of infections caused by P. aeruginosa in neutropenic leukemia patients. A study was conducted at two hospitals (i.e., Beit-Jala Hospital/Bethlehem; n = 78 and Augusta Victoria Hospital/Jerusalem; n = 61) over a period of 18 months. Using a confidence interval of 95%, a margin of error of 5%, and a response rate of 50%, demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed. One of the major results of our study was that colistin-treated patients had a favorable clinical response at day six and less nephrotoxicity outcomes compared to the control group. Data analyses revealed a high incidence (50–63%; n = 79) of leukemia in both hospital groups. Microbiologic response, infection-related mortality, and relapse rates were not statistically significant between both groups. Our study demonstrated that colistin is highly useful and effective in the treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa in blood cancer patients. Colistin has proven superior to control group in terms of clinical response at day six. Our study has also shown lower nephrotoxicity rates, which is further encouraging and could support the potential of using colistin as an alternative therapy for such infections. As multidrug resistance continues to be a worldwide concern, the need for effective therapies such as colistin remains of great importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)-based real-time telemedicine systems, patients can utilize a wide range of medical devices and sensors, which leads to the continuous generation of massive amounts of data. The high speed of data generation poses challenges in collecting, organizing, processing, and making decisions about patients' emergency levels. Existing methods for classifying (triaging) patients in such environments often yield inaccurate triage levels, necessitating a computational approach to enhance accuracy. This research aims to handle data from multiple heterogeneous sources in IoMT-based real-time telemedicine systems, analyze the data to accurately triage patients with the most urgent cases, and provide swift healthcare services. The proposed solution, the Data Processing with Triaging Model (DPTM), employs a hybrid approach that combines principal component analysis and decision tree algorithms. The model was tested using 55,680 patients with two chronic diseases: heart disease and hypertension. The computational results demonstrate the promising effectiveness of DPTM in accommodating and managing the requests of 55,680 patients. The proposed system achieves an impressive accuracy of 93%, surpassing four other algorithms. In conclusion, DPTM enhances medical services, reduces hospital overcrowding, and ensures accurate services for all patients, with a 93% accuracy rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA modifications are pivotal in the development of newly synthesized structures, showcasing a vast array of alterations across various RNA classes. Among these, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5HMC) stands out, playing a crucial role in gene regulation and epigenetic changes, yet its detection through conventional methods proves cumbersome and costly. To address this, we propose Deep5HMC, a robust learning model leveraging machine learning algorithms and discriminative feature extraction techniques for accurate 5HMC sample identification. Our approach integrates seven feature extraction methods and various machine learning algorithms, including Random Forest, Naive Bayes, Decision Tree, and Support Vector Machine. Through K-fold cross-validation, our model achieved a notable 84.07% accuracy rate, surpassing previous models by 7.59%, signifying its potential in early cancer and cardiovascular disease diagnosis. This study underscores the promise of Deep5HMC in offering insights for improved medical assessment and treatment protocols, marking a significant advancement in RNA modification analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of time-sensitive illnesses that require emergency care, such as heart diseases, respiratory tract infections, and road traffic injuries, is the leading cause of premature deaths. The healthcare providers of the emergency care system lack the essential knowledge and skills across different healthcare levels in our country. In this paper, we aim to describe the development and initial implementation of a blended learning curriculum for teaching and training non-EM-trained physicians working in the emergency departments of our country. Methods: We used a previously articulated curriculum designed by Patricia Thomas and David Kern. The model included general and specific need assessment, defining goals and objectives, selecting teaching and learning strategies, and implementation and evaluation plans. Results: Based on the need assessment, a module-based blended learning model has been designed with well-defined goals and objectives covering knowledge and skills. This ten-week module-based course focuses on four areas of critically emergent conditions, i.e., trauma, shock, difficulty in breathing, and altered mental status. Evaluation will be made by comparing the pre and post-test scores of the participants. Conclusion: We have developed a blended course to teach non-EM-trained physicians working in the ED of our country. We hope that through this blended learning model, we will be able to adequately train our physicians working in the emergency department without any formal training in EM, which will lead to improved patient care and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite-based DSSCs were manufactured using Sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) as a photoanode and their performance was extended studied by doping NBT perovskite with iron. The hydrothermal method was used to prepare pure NBT, and iron-doped NBT perovskite, which was deposited by spin coating on titanium oxide films previously prepared by screen printing. Pure and iron-doped NBT films were studied structurally, morphologically, and optically using X-ray diffraction, Field emission scanning electron microscope, photoluminescence spectra, and Fourier transform infrared. FESEM images showed some nanosheets appeared between agglomerated particles at the 8% Fe-doped NBT. The lead-free perovskite dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on pure NBT showed highest conversion efficiency of 6.041%, highest external quantum efficiency, highest electron lifetime (2.17 s) and lowest ideality factor (3.52) compared to those DSSCs in which iron-doped NBT was used. This study proposes a nanoscale lead-free inorganic perovskite material that has been used in photovoltaic applications, and whose efficiency could be improved through future research.The current study was expanded to include studying the effects of photoresponse, response time and recovery timeof DSSCs based on Na0.5Bi0.5FexTi1−xO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compression experiments are widely used to study the mechanical properties of materials at micro- and nanoscale. However, the conventional engineering stress measurement method used in these experiments neglects to account for the alterations in the material's shape during loading. This can lead to inaccurate stress values and potentially misleading conclusions about the material's mechanical behavior, especially in the case of localized deformation. Objective: Our goal is to calculate true stress in cases of localized plastic deformation from standard experimental data (displacement-force curve, aspect ratio, shear band angle and elastic strain limit). Methods: We use a simple mechanical-geometrical approach based on reasonable physical assumptions to get analytic formulas of true stress and eliminating the need for finite element computations. Furthermore, in numerical simulations of pillar compression, the formula-based true stress demonstrates strong alignment with the theoretical true stress. Results: We propose analytic formulas for calculating true stress in cases of localized plastic deformation commonly encountered in experimental settings for a single band oriented in arbitrary directions with respect to the vertical axis of the pillar. Conclusions: The true stress computed with the proposed formulas provides a more precise interpretation of experimental results and can serve as a valuable and simple tool in material design and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polydatin, a natural derivative of resveratrol, has shown many anticancer properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of its anticancer properties including its effect on the epigenetic landscape are not well understood. Here, we explored the effect of polydatin on histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) activity. We used in silico approaches to assess the possible binding of polydatin to the active site pockets of HDAC1 and in vitro approaches to test the potential effects of the interaction on its enzymatic activity. As compared to SAHA, an approved drug, the polydatin showed stronger and stable binding to the HDAC1. The binding energy, conformational changes, formation of extra hydrogen bonding, and other interactions within and outside the active site all favour largely stable and strong polydatin binding to the enzyme. Further, the ADME and toxicity prediction values are encouraging for the evaluation of polydatin as a drug. The laboratory leg of the study substantiated that the polydatin binding was strong and stable enough to inhibit HDAC1 activity in UMS-CC-22B cells as demonstrated by an increase in H3K9 acetylation. In addition, polydatin treated cells showed attenuated proliferation. The in vitro tube formation and migration by HUVEC and UM-SCC-22B cells were inhibited by polydatin. The decreased tube formation due to HDAC1 inhibition is possibly due to up-regulation of the anti-angiogenic gene - TSP1 in UM-SCC-22B cells. As compared to SAHA, more promising results were shown both in its computational calculations and on the cell physiology features. Stronger and stable binding, more anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic potential were observed with respect to polydatin. Further, the cell death was more pronounced with SAHA treatment. Therefore, polydatin might be a better anticancer drug and can have a potential to replace SAHA in combinational therapeutic regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the research on the FAO56 single and basal crop coefficients of fruit trees and vines performed over the past twenty-five years and focus on Mediterranean and warm temperate trees and vines. Two companion papers (López-Urrea et al., (2023) Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water use of tree and vine woody crops with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system for temperate climate fruit crops. Irrig Sci (submitted); Paredes et al. (2023) Single and basal crop coefficients for estimation of water use of tree and vine woody crops with consideration of fraction of ground cover, height, and training system for tropical and subtropical fruit crops. Irrig Sci (submitted)) are dedicated, respectively, to Temperate and to Tropical and Subtropical trees and vines. The main objective of the paper is to update available information on single (Kc) and basal (Kcb) standard crop coefficients, and to provide for updating and completing the FAO56 tabulated Kc and Kcb. The Kc is the ratio between non-stressed crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and the grass reference evapotranspiration (ETo), while Kcb is the ratio between crop transpiration (Tc) and ETo. The selection and analysis of the literature were performed considering only studies that adhere to the FAO56 method, thus computing ETo with the FAO Penman–Monteith ETo equation, the ASCE grass ETo, or another equation that could be properly related with the former, and ETc, or Tc, was obtained using properly accurate field measurements on crops under pristine or eustress conditions. The crops considered refer to Mediterranean (grapes and olive) and warm temperate areas (avocado, citrus, persimmon, loquat, and tea) fruit and leaf crops. Papers satisfying the above conditions were selected to provide for standard Kc and Kcb data. Preferably, studies should report on the crop cultivar and rootstock, planting density or plant spacing, fraction of ground cover (fc), crop height (h), crop age and training systems. Additional information was collected on pruning and irrigation method and strategy. The ranges of reported Kc and Kcb values were grouped according to crop density in relation with fc, h, and the training system, namely vase, hedgerow, or trellis systems. Literature collected Kc or Kcb values were compared with previously tabulated Kc and Kcb values, namely in FAO56, to define the standard Kc and Kcb values for the referred selected crops. The tabulated values are, therefore, transferable to other locations and aimed for use in crop water requirement computations and modeling, mainly for irrigation planning and scheduling, and for supporting improved water use and saving in orchards and vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural and planted grasslands play a very important role in agriculture as source of various ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity, and are responsible for a large fraction of agricultural water use in rainfed and irrigated fields. It is, therefore, relevant to precisely know their water use and vegetation requirements with consideration of relevant climate, from extremely cold, dry, with long winter seasons, to tropical humid and hot climates, thus with a large variability of vegetation. Semi-natural grasslands are basically used for grazing and mainly refer to highland pastures and meadows, steppes, savannas, pampas, and mixed forest systems. The FAO method to compute crop (vegetation) evapotranspiration (ETc) through the product of a crop coefficient (Kc) by the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is adopted. The selected papers were those where actual ETc (ETc act) was derived from field observations and ETo was computed with the FAO56 definition, or with another method that could be referred to the former. Field derived ETc act methods included soil water balance, Bowen ratio and eddy covariance measurements, as well as remote sensing vegetation indices or surface energy balance models, thus reviewed Kc act (ETc act/ETo) values were obtained from field data. These Kc act refer to initial, mid-season and end season (Kc act ini, Kc act mid, Kc act end) when reported values were daily or monthly; otherwise, only average values (Kc act avg) were collected. For cases relative to cold or freezing winters, data refer to the warm season only. For grasses cut for hay, Kc act ini, Kc act mid, and Kc act end refer to a cut cycle. Kc act values rarely exceeded 1.25, thus indicating that field measurements reported did respect the available energy for evaporation. Overall, Kc actmid for semi-natural grasslands in cold climates were lower than those in hot climates except when available water was high, with Kc act mid for meadows and mountain pastures generally high. Steppes have Kc act mid values lower than savannas. Grasses commonly planted for hay and for landscape generally showed high Kc act mid values, while a larger variability was observed with grasses for grazing. The collected Kc act values were used to define standard Kc values for all grassland and grasses. Nevertheless, the tabulated Kc act are indicative values of Kc to be used for actual water management purposes and/or irrigation scheduling of planted grasslands. It is expected that a better knowledge of the standard and/or indicative Kc values for a wide variety of grasslands and grasses will support better management aimed to improve grass productivity and ecosystem services, including biodiversity and carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a role in assessing retears of previously treated lateral menisci (LM). We aim to characterize the rate and pattern of arthroscopically confirmed LM retears in children with and without discoid morphology. 288 patients (312 knees) who underwent arthroscopic repair of isolated LM tears between 2018 and 2023 were identified. 20 patients (21 knees) had arthroscopically confirmed isolated LM retear. This included 11 retears of discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) and 10 retears of non-DLM. MRI correctly identified retear in 81.8% of DLM cases (n = 9) and 100% of non-DLM cases (overall 90.5%, P = 0.476). 78% of DLM cases (n = 7) had residual discoid elements. MRI is highly accurate in diagnosing retears in isolated LM injuries (90.5%). We suggest that the radiological approach to assessing meniscal retears can be similarly applied to treated discoid and non-discoid menisci. However, special attention to residual discoid elements is crucial in previously treated DLMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates non-migration of fishermen communities living adjacent to the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. While analysing the regular livelihood patterns of these communities, this article explores a symbiotic relationship among livelihoods, risks, and natural resources in understanding fishermen's choice of locations in the vulnerable areas. We have adopted a mixed method approach in conducting questionnaire survey, interviews, and focus group discussion at household level. We have employed a triangulation system in the study, i.e. collected data from different sources to compare and then used diverse methods to check whether the information was consistent. Upon analysing the data obtained from field investigation, it can be concluded that the critical relationships exist among livelihoods, risks, and immobility of fishermen community in the Sundarbans. Therefore, fishing households' non-migration can be explained in-between voluntary and in-voluntary decision-making process. The study claims that the decision-making process depends on a symbiotic relationship between livelihoods, vulnerability, and natural resources management. The findings reveal that fishing households utilise assets and opportunities to build a blended livelihood strategies including natural resource extraction; diversifying income sources; borrowing and investment; asset pooling; and building social capital. Finally, this study concludes that this process of combining and transforming different assets for livelihood strategies can be explained as an autonomous adaptation process in the face of climate change. Particularly, the study accomplishes that this autonomous adaptation process defines the nature and dynamics of non-migration strategies of fishing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Qaa plain is one of the promising areas for agriculture projects, owing to its soil and groundwater resources. So, 14 groundwater samples were collected, chemically analyzed, hydrochemical (ratios, models and plots) and GIS techniques were applied, to evaluate the factors governing this water chemistry and suitability for irrigation. The results indicated the expansion of the agricultural area 8 times in the last 2 decades. The water can be divided into two groups; (A) freshwater (TDS ≤ 1000) in the eastern part of the study area within the clastic weathered basement rocks part of the aquifer, and (B) saline water (TDS > 1000) in the western part within the carbonates and evaporites rich sediments and close to the Gulf of Suez. The deduced factors controlling groundwater chemistry were precipitation, evaporites dissolution, seawater intrusion and ion exchange process. The calculated sodium absorption ratio (SAR) was < 10 indicating the good quality of this water for irrigation without sodicity hazard. Water of Group (A) (electric conductivity < 2250µS/cm) can be used safely for irrigation without any impact of salinity on all types of soil and plants. Group (B) water (electric conductivity > 2250µS/cm) has salinity hazard and can be used for irrigation on well-permeable soils and salt-tolerant plants. The concentrations of the studied potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were within the permissible limit for irrigation. Expansion in agricultural activities has adverse impact on groundwater quality. So, eco-friendly fertilizers should be applied in this promising area with the application of hydrologic pumping advises to safe aquifer quality from the degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters, including heritability and repeatability, for milk yield and prolificacy in sheep. It included 3682 records from 1837 ewes across various breeds: Awassi, Assaf, and Awassi x Assaf crosses, two Awassi lines: Improved Awassi, AFEC Awassi. The study measured total milk yield (TMY), yield up to 120 days (TMY120), and yield up to 150 days (TMY150), alongside reproductive traits: litter size (LS), number of lambs born alive (NLBA), and lambing interval (LI). The analysis utilized a mixed model and the REML procedure to estimate genetic parameters. Results indicated that litter size (LS) had no significant impact on milk traits, whereas breed, location, ewe parity, and lambing season showed significant effects. Lactation length also significantly influenced TMY. For reproductive traits, treatment was significant for NLBA, with location associated with breed, parity, and season affecting all traits. Heritability estimates for TMY ranged from 0.00 in Awassi x Assaf crosses to 0.11 in Awassi, and for TMY120 and TMY150, from 0.00 in Awassi x Assaf crosses to 0.16 in Awassi. Estimates for LS and NLBA varied similarly. The heritability for LI was 0.03 in Awassi and zero in other breeds and crosses. The findings suggest that in the northern West Bank regions of Nablus and Jenin, Assaf or Awassi x Assaf breeds are preferable. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive performance and pedigree recording for effective sheep farm management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient waste management poses a significant challenge to solid-waste management at the household level. A comprehensive understanding of current practices and perceptions of solid-waste management at this level is crucial for making informed decisions and establishing an integrated, sustainable waste-management system. Rawalpindi, the fourth most populous city in Pakistan, faces obstacles in infrastructure development and the effective delivery of utility services, including solid-waste management, due to its rapidly growing population and unplanned expansion of peri-urban areas. While limited studies have explored household solid-waste-management practices in urban centers, peri-urban zones have been largely overlooked. This study focuses on comprehensive assessment and comparison of household waste management under both public and private sector systems in the peri-urban areas of Rawalpindi. The data collection was done employing a household survey and cross-sectional questionnaire, utilizing a simple random sampling technique. Analysis involved cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. The results indicate that the private sector outperforms the public sector in waste management operations. However, there is a minimal difference in waste segregation activities between households under public (46%) and private (54%) sector waste-management systems. Residents generally perceive waste, under both waste-management systems, as esthetically unpleasant and harmful to health, with 21.7% considering waste negatively compared to 11.7% who hold a different view. Our findings suggest that socio-demographic characteristics significantly influence household waste practices and perceptions in peri-urban areas of Rawalpindi, particularly under different waste-management systems. There is an opportunity for improvement in waste segregation at the household level through targeted awareness programs, aiming to foster the development of a sustainable waste-management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines AISI630 steel to gain insight into the chip morphology. Chip morphology provides useful information about the plastic shear deformation involved in the machining process. The presented study aims to integrate the innovative artificial intelligence driven method to efficiently analyse the saw-tooth chip geometry. The paper used an artificial intelligence inspired algorithm based on the image processing of segmented chips that quantifies various output responses, including peak, valley, pitch, chip segmentation ratio, chip compression ratio, and shear angle. In order to generate chips related data, a finite element-based machining model was prepared for the stainless steel AISI630 workpiece. The performance of data collected using artificial intelligence (AI) inspired technique has been re-evaluated using manual image processing tool Image J software. The peaks and valleys of the chip's morphology are used to calculate the chip segmentation ratio. The study showed valleys can introduce average percentage errors of 7.3%. The shear angle is computed using the chip compression ratio, with an average percentage error of 2.4%. In addition, pitch values obtained from chip morphology have a percentage error of 5.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantile estimates of extreme wind speed are needed for various areas of interest using regional frequency analysis (RFA) and extreme value theory. These calculations are crucial for the coding of wind speed. The data was taken from the NASA official website at a 10-meter distance and measured in meters per second (m/s). RFA of annual maximum wind speed (AMWS) using L-moments is performed utilizing annual maximum wind speed data from sixteen sites (16) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. There are no sites that are found to be discordant. The wards method is used to construct a homogenous region and make two homogenous regions from 16 sites. The heterogeneity test justifies that both clusters are homogeneous. The most appropriate probability distribution from the Generalized Normal (GNO), Generalized Logistic (GLO), Pearson Type-3 (P3), Generalized Pareto (GPA), and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distributions is chosen to calculate regional quantiles. According to the L-moments diagram and Z statistics, the GEV for Cluster- Ι and GLO for Cluster- ΙΙ are the best suggestions from the others. Both clusters' robustness is measured utilizing relative bias (RB) and relative root mean square error (RRMSE). Overall, GEV distribution is fit for cluster-Ι, and the GLO distribution is fit for cluster-ΙΙ. Utilizing the site mean and median as index parameters, we can also find at-site quantiles from regional quantiles. The study's quantile estimates can be employed in codified structural designs with policy consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric kidney transplantation is unique when compared to adults. They need optimum post-transplant care to achieve longer graft and patient survival. Infections, rejection, recurrence, malignancy, bone problems, hypertension, and surgical complications are the most important challenges that require prevention, early detection, and management. Chronic allograft nephropathy needs different approaches based on its related causes, allograft pathology, graft function, and availability of re-transplantation. Aim/objectives: This national adapted guideline aims to frame evidence-based post-transplant recommendations adopted or adapted from EB source guidelines to optimize post-transplant patient care. Methods: Our guideline is evidence based adapted from four national and international source guidelines with permissions [KDIGO 2020, RA/BTS 2022–2018, EAU 2018] that were appraised with AGREE II instrument tool. We followed the "adapted ADAPTE" CPG formal adaptation methodology that consists of 3 phases and 24 steps and tools. Virtual monthly meetings all through the year 2023 were activated for reviewing and validation of final adaptation of evidence-based guideline draft, considering all comments of external reviewers. This guideline was registered in the practice guideline registration for transparency (PREPARE), number: PREPARE-2023CN364. Results: Recommendation statements in guidelines stand for results in articles. Discussion of important recommendations and the rationale behind selection of adopted statements and tailoring of others to suit our local facilities, expertise, and renal native disease profile was presented in the text with reasons and references. Conclusion: The provided guidelines aim to improve graft and patient outcome through prevention and early management of complications and suggest research areas lacking validated research recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical treatments for metastatic spine tumors have evolved tremendously over the last decade. Improvements in immunotherapies and other medical treatments have led to longer life expectancy in cancer patients. This, in turn, has led to an increase in the incidence of metastatic spine tumors. Spine metastases remain the most common type of spine tumor. In this study, we systematically reviewed all available literature on metastatic spine tumors and spinal instability within the last decade. We also performed further systematic reviews on cervical metastatic tumors, thoracolumbar metastatic tumors, and minimally invasive surgery in metastatic spine tumors. Lastly, the results from the systematic reviews were presented to an expert panel at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) meeting, and their consensus was also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body image has gained increasing importance in recent times due to the fact that it is commonly recognized that having body dissatisfaction is a major indicator of eating disorders. The development of dissatisfaction with the body can often be attributed to perceived societal expectations and pressures to adhere to idealized appearance standards. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between social media usage and family attitude influences on eating behavior and body image satisfaction in both male and female students. The design of this study was cross-sectional to collect data from 620 students in different faculties and academic disciplines within King Abdulaziz University. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire to measure the Eating Attitude Test, social media exposure, Body Shape Questionnaire, family influence scale, and body satisfaction. Results: Among the participants, 41.1% of students are at risk of eating disorders, and 25.2% have marked concern with body shape. The correlational analysis identified significant correlations as eating disorder score demonstrated negative correlations with the Family Influences Scale, Body Shape Questionnaire, body satisfaction, and social media (r = 0.455, r = 0.388, r = 0.388, and r = 0.373, respectively) and positive correlations with the with body mass index (r = 0.166). The Family Influences Scale score displayed positive correlations with the body shape questionnaire (r = 0.487), body satisfaction (r = 0.487), and media (r = 0.582) and negative correlations with body mass index (r = 0.289). Conclusion: The study highlighted the influential roles of both the media and family in shaping eating habits and body image satisfaction. Also, the results indicated that eating disorders and concerns related to the body are highly prevalent among students. Accordingly, parents and educators should identify the risks of media and eating disorders and encourage them in seeking therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the effects of Mastery Learning Strategy (MLS) on senior school students' performance in Mathematics in Osogbo, Nigeria. The quasi-experimental study's goals were to investigate how MLS affected mathematics students' performance according to their gender and score levels. A purposive sampling technique was used to select two intact classes of 191 SS II students from two co-educational government senior secondary schools in Osogbo. The Geometric Constructions Test (GCT) which was made up of five theory questions adapted from WAEC mathematics past questions was used as the research instrument. GCT was revalidated by experts from the Department of Mathematics, University of Ilorin. The reliability index of 0.75 was obtained by test–retest method and Cronbach Alpha. Three research questions were raised from which three hypotheses were formulated. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that MLS significantly improved students' performance (t(189) = 10.22, p < 0.05) while there was a significant difference in the performance of male and female students in favour of males (F(1, 94) = 33.06, p < 0.05). The strategy apparently helped to bridge the gap among students' scoring levels (F(2, 94) = 6.72, p < 0.05). The study found that, in comparison to the conventional method, MLS greatly enhanced students performance in mathematics. Hence, it was recommended that mathematics teachers should endeavour to adopt MLS in teaching Mathematics, especially in the perceived difficult topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of CrxV2−xO4 materials with varying ratios of vanadium and chromium (1:1, 0.75:1.25, 0.5:1.5, 0.25:1.75) and novel CrxV2−xO4 were synthesized. The co-incorporation of sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S–g–C3N4) with vanadium oxide and chromium for supercapacitor applications has not, as far as we are aware, been considered. Based on a comparative study of the XRD spectra, the produced nanocrystallites are of the monoclinic phase, with an average size of 67 nm. A very high specific capacitance of 554 F/g is shown by the Cr0. 25V1.75O4-based electrode at a current intensity of 1 A/g, according to the CV, GCD, and EIS tests conducted in 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Conversely, the composite 50% Cr0.25V1.75O4@S–gC3N4-based electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 717 F/g at 1 A/g current density. Accordingly, the addition of S–g–C3N4, which has an increased surface area and porosity, results in a larger specific capacitance of this new electrode material than the previous one. Furthermore, as shown by the EIS plots below, both the parent sample and the composite have low charge transfer resistance and high conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has caused the death of millions of domestic birds and thousands of wild birds in the USA since January 2022 (refs. 1–4). Throughout this outbreak, spillovers to mammals have been frequently documented5–12. Here we report spillover of the HPAI H5N1 virus to dairy cattle across several states in the USA. The affected cows displayed clinical signs encompassing decreased feed intake, altered faecal consistency, respiratory distress and decreased milk production with abnormal milk. Infectious virus and viral RNA were consistently detected in milk from affected cows. Viral distribution in tissues via immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed a distinct tropism of the virus for the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the mammary gland in cows. Whole viral genome sequences recovered from dairy cows, birds, domestic cats and a raccoon from affected farms indicated multidirectional interspecies transmissions. Epidemiological and genomic data revealed efficient cow-to-cow transmission after apparently healthy cows from an affected farm were transported to a premise in a different state. These results demonstrate the transmission of the HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus at a non-traditional interface, underscoring the ability of the virus to cross species barriers.Spillover of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle and the findings of a clinical, pathological and epidemiological investigation in nine affected farms are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imperative to decarbonize the energy sector has prompted substantial advancements in clean electricity generation, with hydrogen emerging as a promising low-carbon energy carrier. While hydrogen synthesis from renewable sources is crucial, challenges persist, necessitating innovative approaches for efficient and sustainable production. This study leverages diverse artificial neural network (ANN) models to assess and predict system efficiency based on key operational variables in membrane reactor systems. The multilayered perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) methodologies are employed, with the MLP models optimized across twelve training algorithms and eight activation functions, exploring up to three hidden layers with variable neuron counts. The MLP model, utilizing the Levenberg-Marquard training algorithm and Tangent-Sigmoid activation function, achieved a high correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9975 for training and 0.9962 for testing, and a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.00425 for training and 0.23951 for testing, indicating precise and accurate efficiency predictions. The Log-Sigmoid activation function also performed well, with R² values of 0.9971 (training) and 0.9961 (testing), and MSE values of 0.004086 (training) and 0.17694 (testing). Optimization of the RBF network identified the best performance with a spread parameter of 1 and 35 neurons, although the MLP model demonstrated superior accuracy and reduced computational time. Statistical analysis, encompassing correlation coefficient, mean squared error, Root Mean Squared error, absolute average deviation, absolute average relative deviation, and runtime, confirms the network's consistent and accurate estimation of system efficiency across various input variables. The study highlights that applying tansig and logsig activation functions, configured with neuron counts of 20, 17, 6 and 23, 20, 2 at the first, second and third hidden layers, respectively, offers enhanced accuracy and reliability. The MLP model's high performance underscores its potential to identify optimal conditions for H2 generation based on system efficiency, thereby advancing membrane reactor technology for hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short communication explores the urban geology sub-field, which emerges as a crucial discipline to address the dynamic interaction between human activities, geological processes, and environmental sustainability. It aims to guide land use planning, assess and mitigate the impacts of urbanization on natural resources, evaluate geological hazards, address geoenvironmental problems, and enhance public awareness. The correspondence also touched upon urban geochemistry, a relatively nascent interdisciplinary sub-field, elucidating its role in studying trace element characteristics, human activities' impacts on the environmental quality, and the influence on biogeochemical cycles. Despite its significance, urban geology faces underappreciation and challenges, particularly in African megacities. Inadequate funding, data collection difficulties, and a lack of awareness hinder its promotion. Therefore, we advocate for increasing the collaboration between academic institutions, research centers, and governmental authorities to overcome these barriers and promote multidisciplinary research projects for a holistic understanding of the complexities of the urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological formations rich in clay tend to undergo expansion upon contact with water-based drilling fluids. The principal mechanism responsible for the disintegration and swelling of these formations is the migration of hydrogen ions into the nano-scale gaps between layers of shale platelets. Effectively mitigating the challenge of clay swelling involves introducing various materials tailored for shale stabilization into water-based drilling mud. In this article, flaxseed mucilage is used as an environmentally friendly drilling fluid additive in a water-based mud system, with the goal of enhancing the rheological, filtration, and hydrophobic characteristics of the water-based mud. The flaxseed extract was added in the mud in four different concentrations (5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL, and 50 mL). The result of the study reveals that the rheological properties at 38 and 65 degree centigrade after the addition of 10 mL and 20 mL flaxseed extract remained well within the recommended range set by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Both these samples also demonstrated transport index > 1.5 at both the temperatures. Moreover, the flaxseed extract was also effective in minimizing the fluid loss from the base mud. The 20 mL of flaxseed extract causes only 15 mL of fluid loss from the base mud, which was also three times lower than the base mud. Additionally, the flaxseed extract muds were also tested on the Ranikot shale sample for its stability. According to the immersion test, samples collected from flaxseed mud demonstrated a smooth surface with no cracks and fractures. Furthermore, these immersed shale pellets also revealed high hydrophobic behavior when tested through contact angle measurement. The 20-mL sample showed the highest hydrophobic behavior with contact angle of 56.056 degrees. Besides this, the 20-mL sample also displayed the highest cutting recovery of 70% out of all the samples. In addition, the 20-mL flaxseed sample also showed less shale swelling behavior in linear dynamic swell-meter test. Almost 1.5 times reduction in shale swelling was recorded with the addition of 20 mL flaxseed extract in the base mud. In light of these compelling findings, the study underscores flaxseed's potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional clay stabilizers in drilling operations, with the aim of minimizing formation damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bullying is a universal problem among school-aged adolescents, characterized by recurrent and destructive behavior toward peers. Bullying victimization has a strong impact on self-esteem. Students diagnosed with communication disorders are more likely to experience low self-esteem. The study's main goal is to detect a correlation between victimization and self-esteem in teenage students diagnosed with communication disorders. Methods: From October 2023 to March 2024, we conducted this cross-sectional study in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The study included 150 teenage students of both genders diagnosed with communication disorders. Rosenberg's self-esteem scale was used to measure self-esteem, and the multidimensional peer victimization scale was used to measure bullying victimization. We analyzed the data using independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression analysis. Results: This study found that students with communication disorders experience high levels of bullying victimization (M = 18.63) and report low self-esteem (M = 13.56). A significant negative correlation was observed between bullying victimization and self-esteem (r2 = 0.21), indicating that bullying accounts for 21% of the variance in self-esteem. Male students were more likely to experience higher levels of bullying victimization and lower self-esteem compared to female students. Conclusion: The study determined the severe impact of bullying on the self-esteem of adolescent students with communication disorders, particularly among males and those with stuttering. The long-term effects of bullying and potential protective factors that could mitigate its impact on self-esteem require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates an oil/water two-phase system to assess the potential efficacy of a novel passive mixer in enhancing the liquid-liquid interfacial area within a micro-channel contactor. In this system, two fluids are introduced into a microchannel with a diameter of 800 μm and a length of 20 cm, which is equipped with a stainless-steel helical wire measuring 250 μm in diameter. Throughout the experiments, both fluids are supplied at equal flow rates, and the dominant forces, including attachment and detachment forces, are examined. The results reveal a critical Weber number of 3.8 × 10−³, at which the first detachment occurs. A comparison between microchannels with and without the passive micromixer demonstrates that greater slug breakup occurs in the system incorporating the helical wire micromixer. This innovative configuration results in a significant reduction in slug/droplet size compared to a microchannel without a barrier, decreasing from approximately 600 μm to 390 μm at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Additionally, a flow map is presented, illustrating three distinct flow regimes: flow contains long slug, Slug-droplet flow, and droplet flow regimes, with the droplet flow regime covering the largest area. The findings indicate that the implementation of this innovative passive mixer substantially increases the interfacial area, providing significant advantages for mass transfer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the electronic and optical properties of an asymmetric double delta doped quantum wells structure formed within GaAs. The electronic structure of system is obtained within effective mass and envelope wave function approximations. Optical responses are calculated in the framework of the compact density matrix approach. The roles of distance between wells, varying one well electron concentration, as well as length parameter of position-dependent mass, on the total optical absorption coefficients and the relative refractive index changes are investigated. The findings of this study indicate that prominence of optical coefficients occurs at higher energies for position-dependent mass, compared to constant mass case. Augmented right well electron concentrations lead to blue-shifts on the optical properties not only with constant mass but also with position-dependent mass. However, the increase in the wells' separation results the absorption peaks to move towards lower energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Bilateral chylothoraces are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of neck dissections (ND). The condition is generally treated with a combination of dietary, medical, procedural, and surgical approaches. The aim of this review is to highlight the management options currently utilized in clinical practice and propose a management algorithm for this condition. Methods: In accordance to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines; utilizing the Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, a systematic review of all available literature on bilateral chylothoraces was conducted. Primary outcomes measures included clinical presentations and type of neck dissection performed with interventions employed to manage the condition. Secondary outcome measures included the time to resolution alongside patient outcomes. Results: We identified 37 patients (female n = 27, male n = 10) who presented with bilateral chylothoraces within the years 1951–2018. The mean age was 51.4 ± 16.5 years within the age ranges of 17–78 years. Most common pathologies included papillary thyroid carcinoma (n = 16), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx (n = 3), supraglottic SCC (n = 3). Left sided ND was done in (n = 18); bilateral ND in (n = 17); central/left ND in (n = 2). Chylothorax was treated by surgery in n = 10, n = 5 of which performed lymph node embolization; and n = 5 used lymph node ligation. Resolution was found in all cases. Discharge times ranged from 2 to 40 days. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the different management modalities in treating bilateral chylothoraces alongside providing a decision algorithm in treating the condition by suggesting diagnostic tools and management modalities to optimize patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing highly efficient catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OER) in complex water environments is crucial for promoting the photovoltaic electrolysis of water splitting for hydrogen production in arid areas. However, traditional catalysts often exhibit limitations in terms of reaction kinetics and electrode corrosion resistance. In this work, we successfully prepared a self-supporting perovskite complex oxide La0.7Sr0.3CoO3-δ/NF (LSC/NF) catalyst by means of simple hydrothermal synthesis combined with programmed annealing, and successfully applied to OER reaction in oilfield wastewater. In alkaline oilfield wastewater, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, LSC/NF requires only 411 mV of overpotential, which is lower than that of LSC (493 mV) and traditional catalyst RuO2 (451 mV), suggesting a high OER catalytic activity. The good electrocatalytic activity can be attributed to its superhydrophilicity, increased electrochemical active surface area, faster reaction kinetics and higher oxygen vacancy concentration. This research offers valuable new insights for the development of OER electrocatalysts with high catalytic activity in complex water systems in arid areas. A self-supporting perovskite oxide catalyst La0.7Sr0.3CoO3-δ/NF was synthesized by a simple process combining hydrothermal and annealing. The growth of perovskite oxide nanosheets directly on the conductive nickel foam matrix gives the catalyst a strong hydrophilicity and significantly expands its electrochemical active surface area, thus enhancing the OER activity of LSC/NF in oilfield wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hazards are the extreme events that significantly distress life on Earth. To mitigate the detrimental impacts of these extreme events, it is essential to examine and model them using a probabilistic approach. Probability distributions are competent enough to analyze the exponential behavior and estimate the pattern of randomness in these real-life phenomena. We use the generalized Pareto-exponential distribution (GPED) and find it to be an appropriate model for extreme events that involve exponentially decaying variables. Interestingly, the GPED also comprises the features of both the well-known exponential and Pareto distributions and approaches several other well-known distributions after certain transformations. We derive its various probabilistic characteristics and provide an empirical study for different parametric values to observe their behavior. We follow the maximum likelihood method to estimate the unknown model parameters and conduct a simulation study for different sample sizes and different combinations of the model parameters to examine their stability. We also demonstrate the applicability of our model by using a data set from the field of seismology and establish its better performance by comparing it with some extant distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scavenger receptor type B (SR-BI) is a receptor that binds both native and altered lipoproteins. It was revealed to facilitate utilization of high-density lipoprotein HDL and significantly affect the reverse transport of cholesterol. Therefore, the objectives were to identify the possible role of the genetic variant rs4238001 in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) on serum lipid level, and how this variant could impact the response of rosuvastatin drug. The genotyping of the rs4238001 genetic polymorphism of the SR-B1 gene was performed in 300 participants, including 150 MI patients treated with 20mg/day/4 weeks of rosuvastatin and 150 healthy control using Taq man probes (FAM and VIC) by Real-time PCR technique. The concentrations of the lipid profile were evaluated. The significance of the anthropometric data was revealed in the ejection fraction and smoking status (p < 0.05) between groups. The lipid profile shows either significant differences between control and MI patients (pre-treatment) or between pre-and post-treatment of MI patients (p < 0.05), but not HDL-c (p > 0.05). The minor allele frequency MAF% of the T allele and TT genotype were more frequent in MI patients than in controls (P = 0.173; OR = 3.62; 95% CI = 0.74–17.64). CC genotype was found to be associated with response to rosuvastatin therapy with a change of % (29.08 ± 53.2; p = 0.021). In the Iraqi population, the rs4238001 polymorphism of the SR-B1 gene is associated with variations in serum lipids, and the CC genotype of the SNP is related to higher HDL-C in the lipid-lowering rosuvastatin response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SSDSSCs) are part of the thin-film solar cell category, garnering substantial research attention for over two decades. This enduring interest is fuelled by their cost-effectiveness, straightforward preparation techniques, minimal toxicity and manufacturability. The device is depicted using SCAPS-1D simulation. SSDSSCs employing X60, also known as octakis (4-methoxyphenyl) spiro [fluorene-9,9′xanthene]-2,2′7,7′-tetraamine, as the hole transport layer (HTL) are introduced. The initial outcomes of the study demonstrated an efficacy of 7.34%, a fill factor (FF) of 81.19%, a short-circuit current (Jsc) 6.778 mA/cm2 and an open-circuit voltage (Voc) 1.335 V. Various electron transport layers (ETLs; ZnO, PCBM, SnO2 and CdS) are simulated in conjunction with the proposed device configuration to determine the optimal power conversion efficiency (PCE). Results show that utilizing ZnO as the ETL for SSDSSC yields superior performance compared with alternative ETLs such as PCBM, SnO2 and CdS. Through the optimization of thickness, donor and acceptor doping density, defect density, temperature and back contact, the PCE, FF, Jsc and Voc were optimized to 9.60%, 84.83%, 7.318 mA/cm2 and 1.5457 V, respectively. ZnO was used as ETL, N719 dye as absorber and X60 as HTL for enhanced performance. The fluorine-doped tin oxide/ZnO/N719 dye/X60/Au device structure enhances the advancement and manufacturing of SSDSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrimental effects of nitrite (NO2−) on environment as well as living organisms have attracted immense interest to sensitively detect it in the drinking water system. So, for this purpose, we have developed a highly sensible and portable colorimetric NO2− sensor based on the CZ-2 nanocomposite (NC). The three dimensional (3D) with large hierarchical structure CZ-2 NC sensor was formed by the coupling of g-C3N4 nanosheets (NSs) and ZIF-67 nanoparticles (NPs) by a simple hydrothermal process. The prepared sensor was successfully employed to detect NO2−, which manifests higher sensing characteristics like extensive sensitivity with large detection linear range of (1 × 10−3–7.20 × 10−1 μM) having a R2 of 0.999 and a lowest limit of detection (LOD) value of 0.16 ± 0.05 nM. Further, it also manifests excellent reversibility, better stability and durability, optimal reproducibility and superior repeatability. In addition, the sensor also depicts large selectivity towards NO2− and improved practicability in real water sampling. These commendable sensing properties were mainly ascribed to the large conductive structure and highest surface area of the CZ-2 NC structure. Thus, as a result, we analyzed that our fabricated colorimetric sensor was highly potent, its applications in the sensing fields can be explored for future perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building defects are a common phenomenon in the construction industry. The negative consequences of building defects are not limited to waste generation or low resource efficiency. This challenge can have several direct and indirect implications such as cost overruns, unforeseen delays in project completion time, building occupants' dissatisfaction and health and safety risks. Despite the increase in the number of studies investigating building defects in recent years, little is known about the prioritisation of their causes by considering the interaction among the causes of defects. Therefore, this study employed the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to bridge this gap. Experts' opinion was sought using a questionnaire developed in the form of a matrix and semi-structured interview questions. Thereafter, the interactions among the causes of building defects were analysed and the most prominent causes are identified. The study showed that materials, workmanship and design are the major causes of building defects. Despite being specific context, the findings can be the basis for further research in this area with a focus on a range of different building typologies. Furthermore, the recommendations provided will act as a facilitator to minimise the occurrence of building defects. Lastly, the research findings can be considered in the planning stage of any construction project, to ensure the construction quality, reduce potential waste and enhance the circular economy and resource efficiency in the built environment sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Phytophthora contains more than 100 plant pathogenic species that parasitize a wide range of plants, including economically important fruits, vegetables, cereals, and forest trees, causing significant losses. Global agriculture is seriously threatened by fungicide resistance in Phytophthora species, which makes it imperative to fully comprehend the mechanisms, frequency, and non-chemical management techniques related to resistance mutations. The mechanisms behind fungicide resistance, such as target-site mutations, efflux pump overexpression, overexpression of target genes and metabolic detoxification routes for fungicides routinely used against Phytophthora species, are thoroughly examined in this review. Additionally, it assesses the frequency of resistance mutations in various Phytophthora species and geographical areas, emphasizing the rise of strains that are resistant to multiple drugs. The effectiveness of non-chemical management techniques, including biological control, host resistance, integrated pest management plans, and cultural practices, in reducing fungicide resistance is also thoroughly evaluated. The study provides important insights for future research and the development of sustainable disease management strategies to counter fungicide resistance in Phytophthora species by synthesizing current information and identifying knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity within germplasm holds significant importance in the context of okra breeding programs. However, the limited knowledge regarding the genetic diversity of okra in Palestine poses a challenging obstacle to enhancing the local cultivar. Characterization of Palestinian okra landraces using phenotypic or molecular approaches is limited. Crop characterization usually provides knowledge on diversity within and among crop accessions, which is crucial for breeding efforts and the conservation of germplasm. This study was carried out to evaluate genetic variation in seven okra local landraces. Seven Palestinian okra landraces were grown. DNA was extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 27 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The banding pattern for each primer was scored. The data matrix was created to facilitate cluster analysis employing the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method. From the 15 RAPD markers tested, 92 DNA fragments were identified in total, of these fragments, 76% were polymorphic and 24% were monomorphic, in addition, at least two and no more than eleven DNA fragments were identified. The average resolving power recorded was 2.8. The dendrogram derived from RAPD data categorized the genotypes into two primary clusters. Cluster-I consisted of a single genotype (PARC-OKRA-1). In contrast, Cluster-II further subdivided the genotypes into two subclusters, sub-cluster-II.a represented one genotype accession (UB 405-19), and sub-cluster-II.b included five genotypes (UB 457-19, UB 280-15, UB 457-14, UB 280-12, and UB 457-20). The generated similarity matrix indicated that the similarity coefficients among okra genotypes, as determined by 15 RAPD markers, ranged from 0.226 to 0.678. The present study represents the first application of molecular markers to assess genetic diversity within Palestinian okra landraces. The detection of a high level of polymorphism among RAPD markers demonstrated the efficacy of RAPD markers for identifying polymorphism in Palestinian okra genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of saving a portion of the high-quality energy consumed in mechanical vapor compression systems for air conditioning applications, the present work focuses on utilization of low-quality energy conversion processes due to fluid evaporation. The conventional indirect evaporative cooler is selected based on its preference for further modification compared to a regenerative indirect evaporative cooler. It is configured to be operated with two identical stages in series. This task is achieved by developing a thermodynamic model to analyze the performance of the cooling unit and to indicate the extent of its development compared to the cooler in one stage. Preliminary results show that the best operating condition is when the ratio of primary air to secondary air is 1. The cooling unit produces fairly comfortable air within limited climatic conditions. It delivers air at 26 °C and lower even at climatic temperatures as high as 48 °C, but within a very low relative humidity range. The relative humidity range extends to less than 58% as the outdoor air temperature decreases. At high humidity levels (64 to 80% depending on climate temperature), cool air cannot be obtained at 26 °C, and the cooling unit performance is limited only by what the first stage produces. The average performance of the cooling unit exceeds that of the first stage by 42.6%. Increasing air flow rate leads to an increase in cooling capacity, but it also has a negative impact on supply temperature and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long COVID is defined as the continuation of symptoms, unexplainable by alternative diagnosis, longer than four weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These symptoms might hinder daily activities and overall well-being, ultimately impacting quality of life (QoL). Several studies have reported fatigue as the most common symptom, followed by dyspnoea, headache and myalgia. Although it is assumed that long COVID affects 10–20% of SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, recently numbers up to 60% were described for patients with cancer. This study uncovers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on QoL of patients with cancer and how long COVID manifests in this cohort. Methods: A group of 96 patients with cancer was followed from March 2022 till March 2023. Online questionnaires assessing symptoms associated with long COVID, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and cognitive functioning (CFQ) were sent every three months during this period. Furthermore, a semi-structured focus group was organised for qualitative data collection. Results: Overall, these patients reported a negative impact of the enforced COVID-19 restrictions on the emotional and psychological wellbeing. Forty nine patients with cancer (51.0%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2 over the course of the study, of which 39 (79.6%) reported long COVID symptoms. The most commonly reported symptoms were myalgia (46.2%), fatigue (38.5%) and disturbed sleep (35.9%) and it was observed that male sex is associated with poor long COVID outcomes. Conclusion: While patients with cancer experience similar long COVID symptoms as healthy controls, the prevalence is remarkably higher possibly due to their compromised immune system and weakened physiological reserve. Plain English Summary: Since the outbreak in Wuhan (China) at the end of 2019, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused instability at various levels of society. While most patients completely recover from their SARS-CoV-2 infection, 10–20% of infected persons and up to 60% of infected patients with cancer develop long COVID. Long COVID is defined as the continuation of symptoms, which cannot be explained by alternative causes, that last longer than four weeks after initial infection. Even though it is generally accepted that patients with cancer are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, it is still unclear how long COVID manifests and whether long COVID impacts quality of life in this cohort. Hence, this study observed that patients with cancer reported a negative impact of the enforced COVID-19 restrictions on the emotional and psychological wellbeing. While patients with cancer experience similar long COVID symptoms as healthy controls, the prevalence is remarkably higher possibly due to their compromised immune system and weakened physiological reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial discusses the current state of theranostics and molecular imaging training in the Arab world. The use of theranostics has increased due to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and financial investments in the field. Adequate training is crucial for the safe and effective use of theranostics, and international organizations have published guidelines for training programs. However, the Arab world faces challenges due to its diverse development and instability, resulting in varying access to nuclear medicine physicians and a lack of reliance on local training programs. Efforts are being made to establish a regional nuclear medicine certification board to standardize practice and integrate theranostics into patient care. [Extracted from the article]

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A vertical plate experiences a dynamic flow of fractionalized Brinkman fluid governed by fluctuating magnetic forces. This study considers heat absorption and diffusion-thermo effects. The novelty of model is the fractionalized Fourier's and Fick's laws. The problem is solved using the constant proportional Caputo derivative and Laplace transform method. The resulting non-dimensional equations for temperature, mass, and velocity fields are solved and compared visually. We explore the influence of various parameters like the fractional order, heat absorption/generation (Q), chemical reaction rate (R), and magnetic field strength (M) through informative graphs. Additionally, we contrast the velocity fields of fractionalized and regular fluids. The visualizations reveal that diffusion-thermo and mass Grashof number enhance fluid velocity, while chemical reaction and magnetic field tend to suppress it. For the interest of engineering, physical quantities such as Sherwood number, skin friction, and Nusselt number are computed. The present study satisfying all initial and boundary condition can be reduced to to previous published work which shows the validity of present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many industries and telecommunication system there is a need for digital signal processing for fast transfer of data between two points or devices with low power consumption and considerable hardware resources (circuit size and speed). Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters play an important role in many signal processing applications and telecommunication systems. This paper propose the design and implementation of 4-bit FIR Filter using Distributed Arithmetic (DA) Algorithms, which substitute, multiply and accumulate operation with series of Look Up Table (LUT). The proposed FIR filter is implemented in high-density field programmable logic devices (FPGAs) and designed using very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL) and verified using Xilinx ISE 14.7 tool and simulator. The proposed, modified and optimized DA provided the multiplication and accumulation free calculation of inner product data of FIR filter and this consecutively reduces the size and power dissipation of circuit. DA is one of the methods to implement FIR filters that impact the storage resource and the calculating speed, which make the memory size smaller and the operation speed faster. The simulated proposed structure required nearly 40% less cells, 35% less LUT pairs and 4% less power consumption with existing structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]