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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a series of new challenges to governments and healthcare systems. Testing is one important method for monitoring and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Yet with a serious discrepancy in the resources available between rich and poor countries, not every country is able to employ widespread testing. Methods and Objective: Here, we have developed machine learning models for predicting the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in a country based on multilinear regression and neural network models. The models are trained on data from US states and tested against the reported infections in European countries. The model is based on four features: Number of tests, Population Percentage, Urban Population, and Gini index. Results: The population and the number of tests have the strongest correlation with the number of infections. The model was then tested on data from European countries for which the correlation coefficient between the actual and predicted cases R2 was found to be 0.88 in the multi-linear regression and 0.91 for the neural network model Conclusion: The model predicts that the actual prevalence of COVID-19 infection in countries where the number of tests is less than 10% of their populations is at least 26 times greater than the reported numbers.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology, etiologies, and complications of playtime open globe injuries in children at the Assiut University Hospital, Egypt. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled children with open globe injury who were admitted to Assiut University Hospital during a 6-month period (January to July 2016). All causes of trauma that occurred during playtime (at home, outside home, at the club, or at school) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Eighty-one children (age = 18 years and younger; mean ± standard deviation age = 8.35 ± 4.84 years) were admitted with open globe injury, and 32 of them (39.51%) sustained ocular trauma during playtime. The majority of children were boys (n = 23, 71.88%). The causes of trauma during playtime were: playing with sharp objects (n = 11; 34.38%), playing with a wooden stick (n = 7; 21.88%), falling on the ground (n = 5; 15.63%), trauma by a stone (n = 2; 6.25%), trauma during running (n = 1; 3.13%), playing with a plastic toy (n = 1; 3.13%), and unknown causes (n = 5; 15.63%). The sites of globe perforation were corneal (n = 23; 71.88%), corneoscleral (n = 8; 25%), and scleral (n = 1; 3.13%). Conclusions: Playtime trauma that causes open globe injury and visual disability is avoidable and constituted approximately half of the open globe injuries in this study population. Corneal involvement occurred in almost all open globe injuries. Parental supervision for children during playtime is crucial to injury prevention. Children should avoid playing with sharp, dangerous objects and desist from playing or running on unsafe ground. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2021;58(6):385–389.]

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) is largely recognized as a potent therapeutic molecular target for the development of angiogenesis-related tumor treatment. Tumor growth, metastasis and multidrug resistance highly depends on the angiogenesis and drug discovery of the potential small molecules targeting VEGFR-2, with the potential anti-angiogenic activity being of high interest to anti-cancer research. Multiple small molecule inhibitors of the VEGFR-2 are approved for the treatment of different type of cancers, with one of the most recent, tivozanib, being approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the endogenous and acquired resistance of the protein, toxicity of compounds and wide range of side effects still remain critical issues, which lead to the short-term clinical effects and failure of antiangiogenic drugs. We applied a combination of computational methods and approaches for drug design and discovery with the goal of finding novel, potential and small molecule inhibitors of VEGFR2, as alternatives to the known inhibitors’ chemical scaffolds and components. From studying several of these compounds, the derivatives of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one and isoindoline-1,3-dione in particular were identified.

To describe the anterior segment AS-OCT findings of herpetic simplex keratitis. Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with proven herpetic keratitis of varying severity were included in this prospective, observational, non-comparative case series study. All subjects underwent ophthalmologic examination and AS-OCT imaging. Twenty-five of the 42 eyes (59.5%) had sub-epithelial infiltrates. In 11 of these cases, the overlying epithelium appeared intact, but in 14 cases, hydropic changes, heaping, and defects were observed. Seventeen eyes (40.5%) showed stromal involvement: six cases with scar at presentation and one case associated with uveitis. Stromal infiltrates were also seen, in ten cases, as a diffuse or local lentiform or spindle-shaped hyper-reflective area in the stroma. Herpetic keratouveitis has characteristic features on AS-OCT images. This study demonstrates that herpetic keratitis also has characteristic AS-OCT features, including sub-epithelial infiltration and specific stromal hyper-reflective patterns. These features are not unique to herpetic keratitis, but AS-OCT imaging may provide useful supplementary information for diagnosing and monitoring herpetic keratitis.

Background Several molecular mechanisms contribute to the initiation and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the exact mechanism is not completely understood. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is one of the most promising pathways that regulates various cellular functions including lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. cAMP induces gene transcription through phosphorylation of the transcription factor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The action of cAMP is tightly regulated by its level and repression. Among the repressors, Inducible cAMP Early Repressor (ICER) is the only inducible CRE-binding protein. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of hepatic CREB level in the development of experimental NAFLD model to clarify the pathogenesis of the disease. NAFLD 35 male Wistar rats fed a high fat diet for a period of 14 weeks were studied compared with 35 control rats fed a standard diet. Five fasting rats were sacrificed each 2 weeks intervals for a period of 14 weeks. Results NAFLD group revealed a remarkable duration—dependent elevation in cAMP and CREB levels in the liver tissue compared to control group (P value < 0.004, P value < 0.006, respectively). In contrast, ICER gene expression, as a dominant-negative regulator of CREB, was downregulated in the liver of NAFLD group compared to control group. We also demonstrated that CREB levels were positively correlated with liver function tests, and glucose homeostasis parameters. Conclusions Our results indicate that cAMP/CREB pathway provides an early signal in the progression to NAFLD representing a noninvasive biomarker that can early detect NAFLD and a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease as well.

Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to multiple antibacterial agents, including β-lactams, macrolides, tetracyclines, and co-trimoxazole, has emerged worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s and has emphasized the need for new therapeutic alternatives, such as newer fluoroquinolones. Older fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, have been widely used in the last 2 decades, but their activity against gram-positive pathogens is limited. Newer fluoroquinolones, such as levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gemifloxacin, have enhanced activity against most respiratory pathogens, and some are being more widely used to treat respiratory tract infections. Therefore, the emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant S. pneumoniae strains, although worldwide prevalence is low, is a concern to clinicians who manage respiratory tract infections. Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae (FQRSP) and to examine the genetic relatedness of pneumococcal isolates with parC and gyrB genes mutations in different specimens. Patients and Methods: In this study, Biometra Thermal Cyclar-T Gradient Software PCR system version 4 together with DNASIS 2.6 Sequence Analysis Programs were used to investigate the presence of mutations at quinolone resistance-determining regions of topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase on 78 S. pneumoniae strains, Among 78 isolates 37 (47.4%) of S. pneumonia isolates were Fluroquinolones susceptible, 12 (15.4%) were with variable susceptibility and 29 (37.2%) were Fluroquinolones resistant. Results: Our study illustrate the role of mutation in the parC & gyrB genes and the effect of mutations in the both genes in fluoroquinolone resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates. Conclusion: Results indicated that there is a significant correlation between quinolone resistance development and mutations in the parC gene and in less significance in the gyrB genes .

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major Gram-positive pathogen responsible for pneumonia, bactermia, otitis media, and meningitis leading to considerable morbidity and mortality among children and elderly individuals. The primary goals of antibiotic treatment of respiratory tract infections are clinical efficacy of treatment, pathogen eradication, and prevention of resistance development. Resistance to fluoroquinolones in S. pneumoniae arises in a stepwise fashion and results from alterations in the target binding site due to the acquisition of spontaneous mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of the topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase genes. Although mutations usually occur in the QRDRs of parC and gyrA, a role for mutations in the parE subunit in low-level resistance has been reported. Aim of the work: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae (FQRSP) and to examine the genetic relatedness of pneumococcal isolates with parE and gyrA genes mutations in different specimens in Sohag University Hospital. Patients and Methods: This study was prospectively conducted over a period of 24 months between October 2015 and September 2017, at Sohag university hospital. During the study period, 78 patients hospitalized for a syndrome consistent with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP ) included in this study with a mean age of 34.5 years (range, 2 to 67), 60% of whom were males. A CAP syndrome was defined as a newly recognized pulmonary infiltrate together with 2 of the following findings: subjective fever or documented temperature 37.4 °C, increased cough, sputum production, or shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, confusion, rales, leukocytosis, (according to age) (1). Patients who had taken antibiotic treatment within 3 days prior to initial visit were excluded from this study. Results: Our study illustrate the role of mutation in the gyrA&parE genes and the effect of mutations in the both genes in fluoroquinolone resistance among S. pneumoniae isolates. Conclusion: The present study provide an opportunity to view the predominant mutations conferring reduced susceptibility to FQs in clinical pneumococcal isolates. There is a strong relationship between these mutations and decrese susceptibility to the most fameous FQs to some extent, although this varies between strains and for each drug.

Introduction: The commonest bacterial agent involved in causation of UTIs is Escherichia coli. The emergence of FQ resistant uropathogenic E. coli is of great concern. Aim of the work: to study resistance towards urinary E. coli with various generations of fluoroquinolones. Patients & Methods:: our study was carried out in the Clinical Pathology Department, Sohag University Hospital during the period from June 2016 to May 2017. Our study included 140 participants. Isolates from the specimens were obtained and identified using; Gram staining, colony characteristics on different culture medias. VITEC 2 Compact 15 identification kits were be used to confirm the identification of the isolates Results: E.coli was isolated from 100 patients (71%) of all patients complaining of UTI with positive urinary culture (study or case group). By studying prevalence of Antibiotic resistance of E.coli isolates reveals that fluoroquinolones show sensitivities of 42-46%. Also Nitrofurantoin has the highest sensitivity of 87%. This is followed by meropenem (67%). Ampicillin shows sensitivity in only 6% of cases. Regarding drug sensitivity in out & inpatients, we find that all generations of fluoroquinolones show highly significant resistance ratios among inpatients compared to outpatients. Meropenem show resistance more in inpatients than outpatients, with significant difference, Ampicillin and Nitrofuratoin show non-significant difference. Conclusion: our study show an increased fluoroquinolone resistance among uropathogenic E. coli isolates mainly in hospital admitted patients.

The nuclear orphan receptor (Nurr1) has recently received a perceivable solicitude as a target for the therapeutic intervention against PD. Meanwhile, the dysregulation of autophagy, along with other processes is believed to contribute massively to PD pathophysiology. Hydroxychloroquine, a hydroxy derivative of chloroquine, is an antimalarial agent which is also used as an anti-rheumatic drug. The neuroprotective potential of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine remained controversial until recently a study showed that chloroquine exhibited an antiparkinsonian activity through Nurr1 modulation. The aim of this work is to identify whether the less toxic derivative, hydroxychloroquine, could show a similar pattern. In rat rotenone model, hydroxychloroquine effectively boosted Nurr-1 expression, exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect as verified by hindering certain pro-inflammatory cytokines and successfully reduced GSK-3β activity. Consequently, an increase in the striatal tyrosine hydroxylase content, as well as improved locomotion and muscle coordination was shown. However, this improvement was opposed by hydroxychloroquine induced autophagic inhibition as manifested by enhancing both LC3-II and P62 levels possibly through the prominent decline in sirtuin 1 level and elevated apoptotic biomarkers. In conclusion, hydroxychloroquine successfully ameliorated PD motor dysfunction in spite of the fact that both autophagy and apoptosis were deregulated through Nurr1 modulation.

To examine the effect of antioxidant administration on the oxidative parameters in both blood and placental tissue and its relation to fetal outcome in women with GDM.Two-hundred pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were randomized into 2 groups, Group1 received 1 gram L-ascorbic acid per day and Group2 received placebo.The use of antioxidants significantly lower the needed insulin dose for blood sugar control (25.6 ± 20.3 versus 40.5 ± 23.7, respectively). In placental tissue homogenates, glutathione (GSH) was 49.6 ± 5.9 versus 62.34 ± 4.99, malondialdahyde (MDA) was 165.7 ± 9.2 versus 264.15 ± 12, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was 0.3 ± 0.3 versus 0.054 ± 0.16 while catalase (CAT) was 14.06 ± 2.4 versus 15.52 ± 3.97 and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was 14 ± 4.1 versus 26.3 ± 4.26 in antioxidant group compared to the control group (p 0.001). In maternal blood, GSH was 1.5 ± 0.3 versus 0.74 ± 0.088, CAT was 380.7 ± 11 versus 325.44 ± 21.8, GPx was 52.3 ± 8.7 versus 75.82 ± 6.84 and SOD was 188 ± 15.3 versus 98.56 ± 11.05 in antioxidant group compared to control group (p 0.001). In neonatal blood, the level of MDA and SOD showed a statistically significant difference between antioxidants and control groups (4 ± 0.7 versus 6.6 7 ±0.66 and1 8 8 ± 15.3 versus 98.5 ± 11.05, respectively) (p 0.001). The neonatal blood sugar after 1 and 2 hours of delivery was more stable in antioxidant group (56.7 ± 10.9 versus 39.7 ± 11.1 and 58.5 ± 10.8 versus 41.7 ± 13.1, respectively) (p0.05). The neonates NICU admission was lower in antioxidant group (5 versus 11) (p0.05).The use of antioxidants markedly reverses the oxidative stresses in women with GDM with marked improvement on neonatal outcome.

We have proposed a scheme for segmenting image in SIST domain.Use texture features to get efficient segmented image.We use MRI images and satellite images to evaluate our scheme.We evaluate our scheme via quality measures. A hybrid scheme for the image segmentation of high-resolution images is proposed in this study. Our methodology is based on combining both supervised and unsupervised segmentation. The entire process is performed in the frequency domain, rather than the spatial domain, using the Shift Invariant Shearlet Transform (SIST). Initially, the input image is filtered using an anisotropic filter to enhance the texture features. Then, it is separated into low and high sub-band frequencies using SIST. Subsequently, we built a feature vector from coarser coefficients complemented with texture information extracted from high-frequency coefficients of the input image. SOM is used for the preliminary classification of the input image coefficients, and the network training process is performed using the previously built feature vector. Lastly, the modified PCNN is used to augment the SOM results to reduce the over-segmentation artefacts. We used the Berkeley Segmentation Database (BSR) and Quick-Bird Satellite images to validate the results. It was found that the proposed scheme is superior to the Fuzzy-C-Means-based, SOM-based, and PCNN-based segmentation algorithms in terms of quantitative criteria and visual interpretation.

The key point of the Super-Resolution (SR) process is the accurate registration of the low resolution images, i.e., accurate measuring of the fixed shift between them, to obtain high resolution image. Due to cert ain malfunction, some Egyptsat-1 images have inconsistent sub-pixel shift. Therefore, in this study we pro pose a methodology to use this kind of shift for reconstru cting a SR image of Egyptsat-1 from its low resolut ion bands. It is a trade-off between the capability of catching spatial details and the sensitivity to the erratic shift existed along the image. Firstly, this inconsistent shift between the bands is transformed into reliab le shift. Then a SR method based on image fusion scheme with multi-resolution decomposition is performed. The fusion process is conducted in steerable wavelet do main using normalized convolution technique. It all ows the recognition of objects with size approaching its li miting spatial resolution. Results show that the pr oposed methods make significant spatial resolution improve ments from 7.8 to 4 m. Different quantitative measu res of the proposed methodology were assessed and tested with some implemented commonly used SR methods. These methods are; nonparametric bayesian, POCS, iterative-interpolation, robust and iterated back pro jection. The visual and quantitative evaluations verify the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed method ology.

The following article has been retracted due to the investigation of complaints received against it. The Editorial Board found that the same contents have been published in another journal at the same time. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter, and the Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering treats all unethical behavior such as plagiarism seriously. This paper published in Vol.6 No.1 76-84, 2013 has been removed from this site. Title: Semiautomatic detection of lanes and bands in DNA gel electrophoresis images Authors: Ashraf K. Helmy, Ghada S. El-Tawel

Introduction Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and therapy with angiotensin antagonists were shown to exert significant effects on the kidney. The study aimed to investigate the protective effect, if any, of l -carnitine on the initial nephrotoxic effects of ramipril or losartan on I/R insult in rats. Methods I/R was induced through bilateral renal ischemia for 60 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Groups I and II received both 1% Tween 80 p.o. and saline i.p. and served as sham-operated and I/R control groups, respectively. Groups III–VII received 2 weeks pretreatment with ramipril (1 mg/kg; p.o.), losartan (10 mg/kg; i.p.), l -carnitine (200 mg/kg; i.p.) and l -carnitine plus either ramipril or losartan, respectively. Chosen markers included kidney function tests, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological assessment of kidney sections. Results I/R increased plasma creatinine and urea levels but decreased albumin level; meanwhile, it increased the kidney tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) content, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities. Moreover, I/R decreased kidney carnitine, glutathione, and total nitrate/nitrite contents as well as superoxide dismutase activity. Both ramipril and losartan elevated creatinine and urea levels; meanwhile, they lowered raised LDH, TNF-α and MPO as compared to I/R-control group. l -carnitine alone or combined with either agent decreased creatinine and urea levels, LDH and MPO activities as well as TNF-α content as compared to ramipril or losartan monotherapy. Conclusions l -carnitine can protect the kidney from the initial deleterious effects of either ramipril or losartan in rats subjected to I/R most probably by virtue of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

This paper presents an experimental study of the behavior of an eccentrically loaded model ring footing resting on a compacted replaced layer of sand that overlies an extended layer of loose sand. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential benefits of reinforcing the replaced sand layer with geogrid reinforcement. Load configuration was designed to simulate ring footings under vertical loads and overturning moment caused by lateral loads. Several configurations of geogrid layers, number, and stiffness were used to study ring footings with different inner-to-outer-diameter ratios and load eccentricities. The effect of the depth and the relative density of the replaced sand layer was also investigated. Test results indicate that the behavior of an eccentrically loaded ring footing significantly improves with an increase in the depth and the relative density of the replaced compacted sand layer. However, the inclusion of soil reinforcement not only leads to a significant reduction in the depth of the rep...

The present study deals with the effect of motor oil contamination on the geotechnical properties of over-consolidated clay. Contamination effect and contamination duration are achieved by storing the clay samples in pressurized tank filled with motor oil under pressure of approximately 65 kPa which is almost equivalent to the overburden pressure that affected the clay at the field. Four parameters are considered to follow the contamination effect; Atterberg limits, unconfined compressive strength, coefficient of permeability, and compressibility characteristics. The experimental study reveals that the unconfined compressive strength is reduced by about 38% as compared to the control value (uncontaminated). The reduction remains for 6 months and declines furthermore attaining constant value. The contamination of the clay with motor oil entailed substantial microstructural changes: relatively loose packing of clay particles and their detachment from grain surface. The Atterberg limits are reduced during the first 3 months of contamination. They reached almost constant limits until the clay structure attained stability state. These limits remain constant for 24 months (experiment duration). The coefficient of permeability is significantly increase and exhibits direct proportion with duration of contamination up to 3 months. Oil contamination shows minor effect on over-consolidation ratio. Both compression and swelling indexes declare positive correlation with duration of contamination up to 6 months. These indexes reach almost double the control values. After the first 6 months of contamination, these indexes remain constant.

Background and aim Hepatitis C virus is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Elevated serum a-fetoprotein (AFP) has been used as a marker for hepatic regeneration after the destruction of hepatocyte in viral hepatitis. Recently, c-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) has also been taken into account in the evaluation of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study aimed to examine the association between serum AFP and serum GGT levels, and treatment outcome in patients with CHC treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Patients and methods We examined the association between AFP and GGT levels and sustained virological response (SVR) in 150 patients with CHC in whom antiviral therapy was initiated. Serum AFP, GGT, and hepatitis C virus RNA were tested for patients completing 48 weeks of treatment and patients who responded to treatment after 6 months. Results AFP and GGT levels were lesser in patients who achieved SVR than in those who did not achieve a response. The logistic regression model (univariate analysis) of factors associated with SVR showed a significant increase in SVR when AFP ranged from 2.8 to 9.9ng/ml, GGT less than or equal to 50U/l, and Ishak fibrosis score less than or equal to F2. Serum AFP and GGTwere strongly correlated in multivariate analysis; only GGT less than or equal to 50U/l and AFP from 2.8 to 9.9ng/ml were independent predictors of SVR, whereas Ishak score of fibrosis was a dependent predictor for SVR. Conclusion AFP and GGT can be used as independent predictors of treatment response in patients with CHC receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

This paper presents the results of laboratory model tests for studying the improvement of soft clay layer by using both partially replaced sand piles with/without confinement. This research is performed to study the effect of sand pile to improve the bearing capacity and to control the settlement. Also the research aimed at investigating the variation of subgrade modulus, and the induced failure mechanism of shallow circular footing on replaced soil with/without skirts. The results show that the improvement of load bearing capacity is remarkable; using both partially replaced sand pile with and without confinement by skirts. The adopted technique can substantially modify the stress displacement curve of the footing rested on soft clay layer, significantly decreases the settlement and the replaced soil block inside the skirts behave as deep foundation. Therefore, the bearing capacity failure mechanism of a footing rested on soft clay can be modified from exclusive settlement to general bearing capacity failure at the tip of confined replaced sand column.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore different cultural dimensions of the learning climate at a business school located at Lahore, Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports the result of an empirical study of the learning climate for managerial knowledge at a business school, located in Lahore, Pakistan. A sample of 150 MBA students were asked to respond to a self‐designed learning climate scale, in order to assess their perceptions of the learning climate. The study has attempted to measure five dimensions of learning climate, which include culture, learning styles, resources, methodology and environment. In addition to that, we intend to describe the patterns of effective learning climate for business knowledge by the students of the school amid dynamic challenges of globalization and diversity.FindingsThe study revealed that students highly regarded school culture and trust of stakeholders in defining learning climate.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, this paper reports the results of a business school located in a developing country. Second, the results presented in this paper have important implications for those engaged in the strategic management of business education in Pakistan and other developing countries of South Asia and Africa due similar socio‐economic contexts.Originality/valueThe study is first of its kind conducted on a Pakistani business school. It brings forth significant cultural dimensions of learning climate in a developing country.

Problem statement: In this study researchers introduced a fuzzy time series model depending on fuzzy clustering to solve the problem in which the membership values are assumed as Song and Chissom model and to increase the performance of fuzzy time series model. Approach: Proposed model employed seven main procedures in time-invariant fuzzy time-series and time-variant fuzzy time series models. In the first step: clustering data, in the second step: determine membership values for each cluster, the third step: define the universe of discourse, in the fourth step: partition universal of discourse into equal intervals, in the fifth step: fuzzify the historical data, in the sixth step: build fuzzy logic relationships and the last step: calculate forecasted outputs to increase the performance of the proposed fuzzy time series model. Results: From the evaluations, the proposed model can further improve the forecasting results than the other model. Conclusion: The proposed model is a good model for forecasting values. Selecting membership functions based on fuzzy clustering offers an alternative approach to let the data determine the nature of the membership functions. Our results showed that this approach can lead to satisfactory performance for fuzzy time series.

Single image super resolution (SISR) is the process that obtains a high resolution image from a single low resolution (LR) image by increasing the high frequency information and removing the degradation of the noise. Sparse representation of signal assumes linear combinations of a few atoms from a pre -specified dictionary. Sparse representation has been used successfully as a prior in signal reconstruction. Dictionary design is crucial for the success of reconstruction high resolution images. This paper evaluates the performance of dictionary design models in both mathematical and learning based models, it also compares the wavelet method, Haar method, DCT method, MOD method and K-SVD method. Various experiments are conducted using a real SPOT-4 satellite image. Experimental results demonstrate that the learning based approaches are very effective in increasing resolution and compare favorably to mathematical based approaches.

The behavior of vertical anchor plates embedded in reinforced and non-reinforced cohesionless soil has been investigated with the help of small-scale model tests. Steel rods (model piles) with different lengths and diameters placed vertically or inclined at different locations relative to the anchor plate were used to reinforce the sand in front of both strip and square anchor plates. The considered parameters include pile length, pile diameter, pile spacing, position of pile row relative to the anchor plate and the inclination angle of the installed piles, the anchor embedment depth, the anchorage geometry and the relative density of sand. The test results indicate that this type of reinforcement significantly increases the stiffness of the soil and the pullout resistance of shallow anchor plates. Based on test results, critical values were discussed and recommended.

BACKGROUND Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid is the key preoperative investigation of thyroid lesions, there are overlaps in the criteria for diagnosis of certain lesions, particularly important among which are those for follicular neoplasms. A proposal for a 5-category working system for thyroid FNA diagnosis is presented, devised using clearly defined diagnostic guidelines with a prospective 2-year evaluation in 1 center. METHODS The results of FNA of 156 patients with nodular thyroid lesions are presented. All patients were observed over a 2-year period in a multidisciplinary thyroid clinic. In some cases, the aspirates were repeated before excision of the lesion. The results of the FNA are classified by worst category for each patient, according to a 5-category scheme: THY1: inadequate; THY2: benign; THY3: indeterminate; THY4: suspicious lesion; THY5: malignant. RESULTS Seventy-five of the 156 patients (48.1%) proceeded to excision, of these 50 (67%) showed multinodular goiter or adenomatoid nodule within a goiter, 7 (9.3%) showed evidence of Hashimoto thyroiditis or lymphocytic thyroiditis alone, 1 (1.3%) showed evidence of Reidel thyroiditis, and 1 (1.3%) showed evidence of a parathyroid cyst. Eight patients (11%) showed evidence of follicular adenoma, and 5 patients (6.6%) showed papillary carcinoma; 1 (1.3%) showed follicular carcinoma, and 2 (2.7%) showed lymphoproliferative disease. There was a significant difference in the number of benign as compared with neoplastic thyroid lesions excised in the indeterminate (THY3) (2 of 13 [15%]) as compared with the suspicious categories (THY4) (10 of 24 [42%]), (P = 0.05). Although no false-negative FNAs were identified in this series, there was 1 false-positive (THY5) FNA. CONCLUSIONS The use of an indeterminate (THY3) category is helpful because it improves the diagnostic efficacy of thyroid FNA. The indeterminate (THY3) category is clinically useful and may markedly reduce or eliminate false-negative FNA in many patients with thyroid nodules. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:239–44. © 2000 American Cancer Society.

To investigate the spectral domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SDAS-OCT) patterns in microbial keratitis (fungal and bacterial keratitis). Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Twenty eyes of 20 patients with proven fungal and bacterial microbial keratitis, at different stages of the disease, underwent SDAS-OCT imaging. Eight eyes presented with proven bacterial keratitis (3 Staphylococcus Aureus, 2 Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and 3 Staphylococcus Epidermidis). Twelve eyes presented with proven fungal keratitis of Aspergillus species. Twelve different SDAS-OCT presentations of fungal and bacterial keratitis were found in this study. Our findings in fungal keratitis grasped two unique patterns of early localized and diffuse necrotic stromal cystic spaces. SDAS-OCT imaging provided a range of characteristic patterns that could be used as an additional tool in diagnosis and management of bacterial and fungal microbial keratitis.

Fuzzy time series models have been used widely during the last decade. Such models have the ability to deal with historical data that are given in the form of linguistic values that can not be handled using traditional times series models. Fuzzy time series models have been used successfully in various problems such as: university enrolment, stock indices, and temperature prediction. In this paper, a fuzzy time series model based on fuzzy clustering is presented. This model is an enhanced version of original model proposed by the authors in [1], [2]. The newly proposed model has been used to forecast the Egypt Gold Reserves based on official data starting from the first quarter of 2002 up to the first quarter of 2010. The comparison result with other fuzzy time series models as well as the traditional ARIMA model shows that the proposed model provides higher accuracy and efficient performance.

In this paper, we propose a super-resolution (SR) reconstruction algorithm for Egyptsat-1 images. We recombine the lower resolution of Egyptsat-1 bands in order to obtain a super-resolution product. The algorithm is based on image fusion scheme using the multi-resolution decomposition. The fusion process is done in steerable wavelet domain using normalized convolution technique. We show the implementation of the proposed algorithm and how it can make significant spatial resolution improvements from 7.8 m to 4 m without amplifying the noise and allowing recognition of objects with size approaching its limiting spatial resolution. The experimental results and the comparative analyses using the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) and other measures verify the usefulness and effectiveness of this algorithm.

Purpose: To report ocular injuries caused by airsoft guns in children. Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who sustained ocular injuries related to airsoft guns between November 2005 and December 2007. Place of trauma, presenting symptoms and signs, surgical interventions performed, and final visual outcome were reviewed. Results: Thirty-two patients with a mean age of 8.8 ± 4.0 years (range: 1.5 to 18 years) were examined; 28 were boys (87.5%). Presenting visual acuity ranged from hand motions to 20/20 and could not be assessed in 2 patients. Hyphema was a common finding that was present in 24 cases, corneal abrasions were present in 10 cases, and raised intraocular pressure was present in 7 cases. Seven patients presented with traumatic cataract, and two had iridodialysis. Immediate surgical intervention was performed in 7 patients and 7 patients were scheduled for elective surgery. The patients presented after an average of 1.9 ± 1.9 days (range: 4 hours to 6 days) after the injury. Average follow-up was 18 days (range: 7 days to 5 months). Final visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 5 patients, 20/40 or better in 23 patients, and could not be assessed in 2 cases. Conclusion: Airsoft guns can cause a variety of serious injuries, sometimes necessitating operative intervention. The long-term morbidity from some of these injuries is significant. Airsoft guns are capable of inflicting serious and permanent ocular damage.

We propose a novel strategy, based on resampling of 3D meshes, to recognize facial expressions. This entails conversion of the existing irregular 3D mesh structure in the database to a uniformly sampled 3D matrix structure. An important consequence of this operation is that the classical correspondence problem can be dispensed with. In the present paper, in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy, we employ only spectral flow matrices as features to recognize facial expressions. Experimental results are presented, along with suggestions for possible refinements to the strategy to improve classification accuracy.

Two cases of intracorneal hemorrhage developing as a complication of aphakic contact lens use are reported. Patient 1 had a penetrating keratoplasty to restore vision and therefore the histologic examination could be performed on the corneal button. In patient 2 the contact lens use was discontinued with partial resolution of the intracorneal hemorrhage and the patient then underwent a secondary intraocular lens implantation with good visual results.

Solanum indicum ssp. distichum is used as a vegetable in some parts of Africa and claimed in folk medicine to guard against cardiovascular disorders. It was of interest to study the potential blood pressure lowering effects of a standardized extract of the fruit. An ethanolic extract of the fruit, standardized to contain > 0.15% chlorogenic acids, was tested orally in both normotensive rats and in those rendered hypertensive by twice daily intraperitoneal injection of N(W)-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) for 1 week. The extract was either given at the same time as l-NAME or after the establishment of hypertension. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured non-invasively using a tail cuff computer-aided monitoring device. Treatment of normotensive rats with the extract (30-300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks showed no hypotensive effect. Giving the extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) orally once daily during the 1 week hypertension induction period with L-NAME prevented the development of hypertension. Administration of the extract orally for 1 week after the establishment of hypertension tended to normalize the blood pressure. Pharmacological evidence for the antihypertensive activity of S. distichum is hereby reported for the first time. The extract showed good prophylactic as well as curative effect against L-NAME-induced hypertension, whereby its content of chlorogenic acids may play a minor role. Other constituents may be responsible for the antihypertensive action. The findings support further development of the extract as a potential therapeutically useful antihypertensive agent.

The potential benefits of reinforcing the active zone behind a model sheet pile wall were studied. A series of plane strain laboratory model tests were performed on both unreinforced and reinforced active zones loaded with a rigid strip footing. Parameters including the sand relative density, reinforcement embedment depth, type of reinforcement, footing location relative to the sheet pile wall, length of reinforcement, and number of reinforcing layers were varied. The sheet pile wall deflection during loading was measured. Finite element (FE) analyses were performed on a prototype sheet pile wall to supplement the results of the model tests. A two-dimensional plane strain FE model using the computer code PLAXIS was used. Close agreement between the experimental and numerical results was observed (about 4 % to 11 %). The results indicate that the inclusion of reinforcement in the active zone leads to a reduction by about 48 % to 75 % in the lateral deflection. The effectiveness of the reinforcement in decreasing the lateral deflection of the sheet pile wall is attributed to its tensile strength and type. Based on the results of the laboratory model and the numerical analyses, critical values of reinforcement parameters for maximum reinforcing effects are suggested. The results are used to development linear regression equations relating the ultimate lateral capacity of the sheet pile wall to the aforementioned parameters.

Background Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) is a recognized risk factor for developing cataract, glaucoma and lens dislocation. PXF is also associated with increased risk of complications during cataract surgery due to poor mydriasis and zonular weakness. The aim of this study is to report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation among Upper Egyptians attending the ophthalmology clinic of Assiut University Hospital. Methodology A retrospective, chart review study conducted in the period from February 2002 to August 2009. A total of 7738 patients aged 40 years or older attending the general ophthalmic clinics were included in this study. A detailed evaluation including ophthalmic and general history, slit lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy and dilated eye examination were performed. Patients with pseudoexfoliative material on the anterior lens surface and ⁄ or the pupillary margin in either or both eyes were labeled as having PXF. Results Out of the 7738 patients included, three hundred twenty (4.14%) subjects had PXF. Mean age of PXF group was 68.15 years (SD 8.16, range 40-92 years). PXF was bilateral in 82.2% of cases. It was significantly associated with cataract, glaucoma and hearing loss. Of the PXF patients, 65% had cataract, 30.3% had glaucoma and 8.1% had hearing loss. Conclusion Pseudoexfoliation appears to be a common disorder in older individuals in Upper Egypt.

Using data on hospital deliveries published by the Ministry of Health, trends in fetal mortality in the Kingdom were investigated in this study. The study spanned 1391H through 1405H, corr...

The paper presents a laboratory study of the effect of geosynthetic reinforcement on the cumulative settlement of repeatedly loaded rectangular model footings placed on reinforced sand. Repeated load tests were carried out with different initial monotonic load levels to simulate structures in which live loads change slowly and repeatedly such as petroleum tanks and ship repair tracks. Three series of tests were carried out. Tests of series 1 were performed to determine the ultimate monotonic bearing capacity. Tests of series 2 were performed on unreinforced sand under vertical repeated loads. Tests of series 3 were performed to study the effect of sand reinforcement on the footing response under the same loads. The studied parameters include the initial monotonic load levels, the number of load cycles, and the relative density of sand along with geosynthetic parameters including size and number of layers. Both the ultimate bearing load and the cumulative settlement were obtained and analyzed.

Age specific divorce rates for the United States as a whole are not available. This paper is an attempt to develop estimates of age specific incidence of divorce for the U.S. female population employing regression analyses. Certain correction factors are suggested to make the estimates built on a world divorce situation basis correspond to the American situation. Results derived in the paper reveal that the divorce curve for U.S. females is L-shaped in form. The age group below 20 years had the highest incidence of divorce (43 per 1000) followed by the age group 20 to 24 (33 per 1000) in 1969, while in 1960 these incidences were 33 per 1000 and 23 per 1000, respectively.