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Abstract Background ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) represent a significant global health threat. In response to this growing concern and the lack of a surveillance system for ESBL-PE infections in Egypt, we conducted this meta-analysis. In this study, we aimed to quantify the prevalence of ESBL-PE based on the source of infection and characterize their molecular dissemination. Additionally, we sought to uncover temporal trends to assess the spread of ESBL-PE over time. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank to identify studies that: (1) report the prevalence of ESBL-PE in Egypt; (2) use valid detection methods; (3) involve clinical specimens; and (4) were published between 2010 and 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the “Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist”. Meta-analysis was performed using the R meta package, reporting pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) via a random effects model. Results This meta-analysis included 34 studies with 4,528 isolates, spanning 2007 to 2023. The overall prevalence of ESBL-PE in Egypt was 60% (95% CI: 54–65). The leave-one-out meta-analysis demonstrated the absence of influential outliers and Egger’s test indicated no evidence of publication bias (P = 0.25). The prevalence of ESBL-PE was 62% (95% CI: 55–68) in nosocomial infections and 65% (95% CI: 52–75) in community-acquired infections, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.68). The prevalence of ESBL producers in E. coli (64%) and K. pneumoniae (63%) is higher than in Proteus mirabilis (46%) (P = 0.06). Temporal analysis showed a stable ESBL prevalence over time. Moreover, in phenotypically confirmed ESBL-producing, E. coli harboring bla CTX−M was most prevalent (73%), followed by bla TEM (60%) and bla SHV (22%), with significant differences (P

Abstract The Mid-Atlantic region is set to be one of the first and largest contributors to the offshore wind energy goals of the United States. Yet, the same region is home to a diverse marine ecosystem comprising important marine species such as the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW). To support the responsible development and operation of the planned offshore wind farms, there is a need for high-resolution modeling of NARW presence, i.e., at the spatial and temporal resolutions relevant to farm-level operations. Towards this, we leverage highly localized observations from nine glider deployments in the Mid-Atlantic to propose a machine learning approach for modeling NARW presence conditioned on a diverse set of glider- and satellite-based oceanic, physical, and contextual information. We find that tree- and ensemble-based models achieve the highest levels of accuracy, while maintaining a sensible balance of missed and false alarms. Interpretation of the machine-learnt features reveals interesting insights on the relative value of well-resolved satellite surface measurements to well-resolved vertical information from glider sampling in explaining the species-habitat patterns of NARWs. We then discuss the value of the models proposed herein to offshore wind developers and operators in the United States and elsewhere. Our work constitutes the first machine learning attempt to jointly leverage glider- and satellite-based information for modeling of NARWs. Data and codes for producing the results of this work have been made freely available to promote the research on this timely topic.

Abstract Background Cervical cancer, though one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, holds immense potential for prevention through screening. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to assess the rate of cervical cancer screening in Arab countries and identify barriers among those who did not participate. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted from January 1st to June 1st,2024, including all observational studies that reported cervical cancer screening uptake in any Arab country. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the findings. The study followed PRISMA guidelines. Results This meta-analysis, covering 55 studies and 204,940 Arab women, found an overall cervical cancer screening uptake rate of 18.2% (95% CI: 13.9–23.6), with sensitivity analysis confirming the reliability of this estimate. Country disparities were evident, with Bahrain having the highest uptake at 44.1%, while Somalia had the lowest at 8.9%. Among women who underwent screening, the majority were ever-married (94.7%) and held positive attitudes towards screening (91.0%). Barriers to screening were common among women who did not participate, with the most frequent reasons being a lack of information (25.1%), the misconception of feeling healthy (24.5%), fear of the procedure (19.3%), and feelings of embarrassment (13.2%). Additionally, women who were screened had lower perceived barrier scores (SMD = -0.466) and higher perceived benefits scores (SMD = 0.379) than those who were not (p

Abstract Background Innate immune deficiencies can impair both cellular and humoral immune responses. In contrast, other immune functions may appear normal, leading to increased susceptibility to specific pathogens, such as severe viral infections or Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD). Studying these deficiencies is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of these infectious diseases. Main body While primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) generally cause vulnerability to multiple infections, innate immunodeficiencies increase susceptibility to specific pathogens, despite normal immune responses to others. Patients with these deficiencies show normal immunoglobulins and lymphocyte subpopulations, complicating diagnosis. This review highlights genetic susceptibility to mycobacteria, pneumococci, herpes simplex virus, and candidiasis, emphasizing recognizing this subset of PIDs. Conclusion This review highlights the diverse spectrum of genetic mutations contributing to defects in innate and intrinsic immunity, including Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD), chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, and predispositions to invasive bacterial and viral infections. Identifying key mutations in pathprovideh such as TLR3, IFN signaling, and IL-17A/F immunity provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of these conditions. Our findings underscore the need for early genetic diagnosis and targeted interventions, particularly in regions with high undiagnosed cases, to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with defects in innate and intrinsic immunity.

Abstract Background Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in older adults, even though it is commonly misdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to exacerbations of preexisting medical conditions and even a higher mortality rate. In the present systematic review with meta-analysis, we quantify the magnitude of depression and its associated risk factors among the older adult population in Egypt. Methods A thorough literature search was performed from 2010 up to October 2023. The results were presented as proportions or risk difference with a 95% confidence interval (CI) calculated using the random effects model. A sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the robustness of the results. Results Our study included 14 articles with 5857 older adults published between 2011 and 2023. All the included studies assessed depression in geriatrics using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Of the 14 studies, 5 were for community-dwelling older adults, 3 were for older adults attending primary health care (PHC) centers, 2 were for hospitalized older adults, 3 were for residing in geriatric homes, and one for residing in geriatric homes, hospitalized older adults, and community-dwelling older adults. The overall prevalence of depression among Egyptian geriatrics was 64.6%. The pooled prevalence of depression was 59.6%, 67.0%, 67.0%, and 62.0% for community-dwelling older adults, older adults people attending PHC, hospitalized older adults, and older adults residing in geriatric homes, respectively. Older adults with chronic illness, female sex, and low-income elders and elders who were not employed had a higher risk for depression with pooled risk differences of 34.9%, 17.8%, 23.8%, and 15.1% (P

Abstract Background Cardiogenic shock (CS) remains a major cause of in-hospital mortality in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, little evidence is available regarding the optimal order of intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation (IABP) insertion and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The aim of this study was to assess the hospital and short-term survival benefits of two different IABP insertion approaches, before versus after PPCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. Results Total mortality was 80 patients representing 48.4% of the total 165 studied patients; 60 patients died during the hospital admission period, while the remaining 20 patients died post-discharge. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in Post-PPCI–IABP group 40 (49.4%) versus Pre-PPCI–IABP group 20 (23.8%) (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mortality difference between the two groups was sustained over six-month follow-up period, where 15 patients (18.5%) died in the Post-PPCI–IABP group, while only 5 patients 6.0% died in the Pre-PPCI–IABP (P = 0.001). Conclusions Early IABP insertion before PPCI is associated with improved in-hospital and long-term survival when used for patients presenting with AMI complicated by hemodynamic instability.

This study utilizes density functional theory (DFT) with the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) exchange potential in the WIEN2k framework to comprehensively investigate the structural, electronic, elastic, and optical properties of Rb2TlIrF6 and Rb2TlRhF6 double perovskite compounds. Structural stability assessments affirm that both materials maintain their integrity under standard conditions, demonstrating robust frameworks. The calculated elastic constants reveal mechanical stability, elasticity, and directional anisotropy, emphasizing their resilience and adaptability in varied environments. Electronic band structure calculations categorize Rb2TlIrF6 and Rb2TlRhF6 as direct bandgap semiconductors, with respective bandgaps of 2.61 eV and 1.94 eV at the L–L symmetry points, underscoring their potential in optoelectronic applications. The optical properties were analyzed through key parameters: refractive index n(ω), optical conductivity σ(ω), reflectivity R(ω), absorption coefficient α(ω), and extinction coefficient k(ω). Additionally, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function ∊1(ω) and ∊2(ω) were evaluated, indicating effective light interaction and absorption properties in the visible to UV range. These findings suggest that Rb2TlIrF6 and Rb2TlRhF6 exhibit advantageous optoelectronic characteristics suitable for semiconductor and next-generation electronic devices.

Abstract Background Limited data is available regarding the severity and mortality of Mpox in individuals with immunocompromised conditions. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to understand the impact of HIV- or non-HIV-associated immunosuppression on the severity of Mpox requiring hospitalization and mortality. Methods A thorough literature search was performed from 2022 up to January 2024. The results were presented as odds ratios (ORs). We only included patients who required hospitalization for severity rather than isolation. Results A total of 34 studies were included in this analysis. Our analysis did not find a significant difference in the hospitalization risk between HIV-positive individuals and those who were HIV-negative (OR = 1.03; P = 0.85; 7 studies; CD4 count of fewer than 200 cells/µL was less than 0.5% across all studies). Patients with a CD4 count lower than 200 cells/µL or an unsuppressed RNA viral load (> 200 copies/ml) had a significantly higher hospitalization risk (OR = 5.3, P

Introduction . This study aims to describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of Multisysteminflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods . A retrospective study encompassing 52 children diagnosed with MIS-C according to the World Health Organization criteria, over a 3-year period at Abderrahim Harrouchi Hospital in Morocco. Results . The median age was 6 years (IQR: 1-14), with a sex ratio of 1.16 (28 boys and 24 girls). Clinical manifestations were predominantly characterized by fever in all cases (100%), respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms in 30 cases (58%) and 23 cases (44%) respectively, and shock in 9 cases (17%). We noted a myocarditis in 6 cases (12%). The treatment comprised intravenous human Immunoglobulin combined with methylprednisolone in all patients (100%). Conclusion . The characteristics of our MIS-C patients were similar to those in the literature, but more studies are needed to confirm these results.

Background: Osseointegration is critical for the success of dental implants. Surface modifications of dental implants play a crucial role in enhancing osseointegration and implant stability. This in-vitro study aims to evaluate the influence of various surface modifications on dental implant stability. Materials and Methods: Dental implants with different surface modifications were prepared and subjected to in-vitro testing. Surface modifications included sandblasting, acid etching, and plasma spraying. Implant stability was assessed using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and pull-out tests. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the stability of implants with different surface modifications. Results: The results showed that implants with sandblasted and acid-etched surfaces exhibited significantly higher stability compared with those with only a machined surface. The mean RFA values for sandblasted and acid-etched implants were 75 ± 5 and 80 ± 6, respectively, whereas machined implants recorded a mean RFA value of 60 ± 4. Similarly, pull-out tests demonstrated higher maximum tensile strengths for sandblasted and acid-etched implants compared with machined implants. Conclusion: Surface modifications, such as sandblasting and acid etching, significantly enhance dental implant stability in vitro. These modifications promote better osseointegration, which is crucial for the long-term success of dental implants in clinical practice.

Research into industrial electricity consumption reveals that electric motors are the main actuators accounting for overall consumption expenditure. This underlines the importance of minimizing and optimizing the consumption of these electric motors, to the benefit of industry and, above all, contributing to environmental preservation. We present a strategy for improving efficiency by optimizing energy losses in an induction machine for electric vehicle propulsion. This involves incorporating a speed controller and a flux reference trajectory generator. The proposed control strategy dynamically adjusts the flux reference in real time, with the aim of minimizing the currents consumed by the machine and subsequently reducing losses, such as Joule losses due to currents and iron losses due to flux. The performance of the proposed control strategy is explicitly analyzed, as is its superiority to other strategies with fixed flow references. The effectiveness of the proposed controls has been verified by simulations and experimentally on a three-phase asynchronous motor. As an application, the optimal control of an asynchronous motor, fed by an inverter, is proposed for the propulsion of electric vehicles. The reduction in current demand on the machine controlled by optimal control means lower current consumption by the vehicle's batteries.

Controlling the speed and torque of electric vehicles (EVs) under various road conditions poses a significant challenge with conventional control methods. This paper introduces a novel approach to direct torque control (DTC) by incorporating a self-tuning fuzzy speed controller specifically designed for EV applications. The self-tuning fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is devised to continually update its output scaling factor. DTC, which directly links torque and speed control to the electromagnetic state of the motor, eliminates the need for a modulator. It performs effectively at high speeds and operates without a speed sensor. However, DTC is typically employed in the medium and low-speed range of electric vehicle propulsion. This paper aims to develop a DTC structure utilizing a self-tuning fuzzy speed controller for driving a fuel cell electric vehicle in low-speed urban scenarios. Simulation results demonstrate that the adaptive fuzzy PI control ensures better efficiency compared to the conventional PI controller, affirming its superior control performance.

Coarse-grained models describe the macroscopic mean response of a process at large scales, which derives from stochastic processes at small scales. Common examples include accounting for velocity fluctuations in a turbulent fluid flow model and cloud evolution in climate models. Most existing techniques for constructing coarse-grained models feature ill-defined parameters whose values are arbitrarily chosen (e.g., a window size), are narrow in their applicability (e.g., only applicable to time series or spatial data), or cannot readily incorporate physics information. Here, we introduce the concept of physics-guided Gaussian process regression as a machine-learning-based coarse-graining technique that is broadly applicable and amenable to input from known physics-based relationships. Using a pair of case studies derived from molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the attractive properties and superior performance of physics-guided Gaussian processes for coarse-graining relative to prevalent benchmarks. The key advantage of Gaussian-process-based coarse-graining is its ability to seamlessly integrate data-driven and physics-based information.

Introduction: The global impact of the SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 pandemic has reached Morocco. Early identification of factors contributing to severity is imperative for effective management. There is, however, a notable research gap, as only a limited number of studies have systematically investigated the importance of inflammatory biomarkers in assessing COVID-19 severity in the Moroccan context. No study has included the dosage of IL-6 which represents one of the main inflammatory agents responsible for the inflammatory storm. This study attempts to fill this gap by exploring the role of inflammatory biomarkers in the severity of COVID-19 in Moroccan patients. Material and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medical Immunology Laboratory of Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, between November 2, 2020, and December 1, 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, underlying comorbidities, and laboratory tests were collected from medical records. The patients were divided into non-severe and severe groups. we performed an assay of il-6 using an automated chemiluminescence. technique. Results: The study analyzed 371 confirmed COVID-19 patients and found that lymphopenia, hyperneutrophilia, increased NLR, CRP, and IL-6 were associated with the severity of COVID-19. Significant positive correlations were found between IL-6 and other immune-inflammatory parameters, including neutrophil count, CRP, and NLR. Conclusion: our study provides evidence that NLR, CRP are potential biomarkers for predicting COVID-19 severity in Moroccans. This finding could help with the early identification of severe cases, which can lead to better management and outcomes.

A novel two-dimensional parallel sequence spread spectrum (2D-PSSS) structure for the physical layer of wireless communication systems is introduced. The proposed 2D-PSSS system partitions a data block into two groups of bits, representing the two dimensions. The first dimension represents the selected code from a predefined set of Gold codes. While the second dimension determines a shift value applied to the chosen code. The shifted Gold code will represent the data block. By design, the 2D-PSSS system overcomes the challenge of inter-code interference encountered in conventional PSSS systems without introducing additional computational complexity. Moreover, the 2D-PSSS system offers reduced encoder computational complexity compared to PSSS systems, enhancing its suitability for a wide range of wireless communication applications. The performance of the 2D-PSSS system in terms of bit error rate has been evaluated in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel and under different fading channel conditions.

The emergence of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks has sparked a demand for reliable and efficient communication systems. One promising strategy to overcome interference and coverage issues in IIoT setups is leveraging massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology in a cell-free configuration. However, implementing large antenna arrays for such systems can be impractical and expensive, especially in remote or dynamic environments. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a versatile solution, including for communication relays. This study investigates the integration of UAV swarms into cell-free massive MIMO systems for IIoT networks. The proposed approach involves deploying a swarm of UAVs equipped with multiple antennas as aerial base stations to serve ground-based IIoT devices. It examines the benefits of employing UAV swarms, such as expanded coverage, better interference management, and increased flexibility. Additionally, it addresses challenges like UAV mobility, resource allocation, and power consumption. To address these challenges, an algorithm for resource allocation is proposed. This algorithm considers factors like UAV mobility, quality-of-service requirements for IIoT devices, and interference among UAVs. It aims to optimize transmit power and antenna selection for each UAV, ensuring QoS satisfaction and enhancing overall system capacity. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm, indicating improvements in system capacity, coverage, and interference management. Moreover, the findings highlight the trade-offs between system performance and power consumption within the UAV swarm. In essence, this study contributes to understanding the potential of utilizing UAV swarms in cell-free massive MIMO systems for IIoT networks. The proposed resource allocation algorithm offers insights for planning and enhancing such nodes, paving the way for further research and development in this promising field.

Intangible cultural heritage, a vital part of our collective human legacy, faces the threat of being lost in the tide of modernization. Preserving and promoting these cultural treasures require innovative approaches that transcend traditional boundaries. In this paper, we introduce “El-FnaVR”, a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) application that captures the vibrant essence of Marrakech’s renowned UNESCO-listed Jemaa El-Fna square, Morocco. El-FnaVR immerses users in a detailed virtual replica of the square, replete with lifelike animated characters and spatial 3D audio that reproduces the locale’s unique atmosphere faithfully capturing the location’s distinctive ambiance. This paper delves into the comprehensive five-stage design and development process of the application, highlighting its unique features and demonstrating how it replicates the diverse activities and performances at the square. A user study, conducted with participants, reveals overwhelmingly positive responses, as participants laud the application’s immersive nature, ease of use, and social appeal. The study’s findings indicate that El-FnaVR successfully evokes the sensation of being present at the Jemaa El-Fna square, and offers valuable insights into the events and traditions that define it. As a significant step towards the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

Abstract As transportation electrification increases globally, new technologies emerged in the past few years to meet the growth of the electricity demand. Mobile Energy Storage Systems (MESS) offer versatile solutions, aiding distribution systems with reactive power, renewables integration, and peak shaving. An MESS can be utilized to serve electric vehicles (EVs) in different parking lots (PLs), in addition to supplying power to the grid during overloads. The task of multiple stationary units can be achieved using MESS at a relatively lower cost. This paper proposes an MESS owned by multiple PLs sharing the same geographical area and sharing its capital and operational cost. The main objective of the proposed approach is to dispatch the MESS in conjunction with optimal EVs’ charging coordination to minimize operational costs and address the extra demand of PLs. A mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem is formulated and solved. Considering electricity price variations and EVs uncertainties, three different case studies are performed to highlight the efficiency and success of the proposed approach. The simulation results in a huge reduction in the total operation cost and the savings reach up to 27.51% in comparison with the base case.

Abstract Background Previous meta-analyses estimating the prevalence of the post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) were confounded by the lack of negative control groups. This may result in an overestimation of the prevalence of those experiencing PCC, as these symptoms are non-specific and common in the general population. In this study, we aimed to compare the burden of persistent symptoms among COVID-19 survivors relative to COVID-19-negative controls. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using the following databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) until July 2023 for comparative studies that examined the prevalence of persistent symptoms in COVID-19 survivors. Given that many of the symptoms among COVID-19 survivors overlap with post-hospitalization syndrome and post-intensive care syndrome, we included studies that compare the prevalence of persistent symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients relative to non-COVID-19 hospitalized patients and in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients relative to healthy controls that reported outcomes after at least 3 months since infection. The results of the meta-analysis were reported as odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval based on the random effects model. Results Twenty articles were included in this study. Our analysis of symptomatology in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients compared to negative controls revealed that the majority of symptoms examined were not related to COVID-19 infection and appeared equally prevalent in both cohorts. However, non-COVID-19 hospitalized patients had higher odds of occurrence of certain symptoms like anosmia, ageusia, fatigue, dyspnea, and brain fog (P

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are prone to partial shading (PS) due to the environmental factors that they function in such as vegetation, nearby structures, and clouds. All types of PS scenarios can lead to power loss and hot spots in the PV system due to module mismatch and heating of shaded cells. To mitigate the power loss that occurs due to PS, it is imperative to detect PS and its characteristics, such as the number of shaded modules and the associated shading factor (SF), in a reliable manner. This paper proposes a three-step framework to detect and locate PS, the number of shaded modules, and the SF in the PV system using a random forest (RF)-based approach. The proposed approach utilizes independent string current and voltage measurements to distinguish different PS scenarios. This approach allows for a scalable data acquisition through an uncoupled modeling scheme. PS, the number of shaded modules and the SF are deduced with accuracies of 99.5%, 92.3%, 90.2%, respectively. Further, the proposed approach is validated through two testing tiers, and its ability to detect multiple PS scenarios in a PV system has been highlighted. The results observed through different PS scenarios confirm the high reliability and demonstrate the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed RF-based approach.

Abstract Recently, MAX phases have attained considerable technological interest owing to their two inherent properties metallic and ceramic properties. This study extensively examined Nb2ScAC2 MAX phases using DFT, to assess the structural, mechanical, electronic, and Thermal characteristics. Firstly, the stability of these two compounds was confirmed through the formation energy, elastic constants (Cij), and phonon band structure, which confirmed their thermodynamic, mechanical, and dynamical stability. The optimized lattice parameters of these compounds were examined and then utilized to calculate the physical properties of the Nb2ScAC2 compound. Our compounds are brittle due to their Pugh’s ratio of less than 1.75. The covalent bonding of the structure revealed by the Poisson ratio is less than 0.25 for the two compounds. The Nb2ScAC2 material is anisotropic, and Nb2ScAlC2 is harder than Nb2ScSiC2.The metallic character of the materials was affirmed by the electronic band structure analysis. Calculated thermal properties such as Debye temperature and minimum and lattice thermal conductivity reveal that both compounds have the potential to enhance their deployment in thermal barrier coating materials. On the other hand, the high melting temperatures indicate that our compounds could potentially be utilized in demanding or severe conditions. Finally, the thermodynamic characteristics, comprising the isochoric heat capacity (Cv) and Debye temperature (ϴD) were analyzed subjected to high temperatures and pressures. The optical constants such as real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, refractive index and reflectivity, are investigated. The current study recognizes these two compounds as promising candidates for utilization in modern technologies and diverse industries.

The industrial development and growth in population activity caused an annual increase in solid wastes over the past decades. The emissions of CO2 from the cement industry are the main source of air pollution. Recycling wastes as cementitious materials conserve the ecosystem in different aspects, e.g., reduction of CO2 footprint. Consequently, the pozzolanic activity of two solid wastes abundantly available in Iraq, steel slag (SS) and waste glass (WG), were evaluated. This study aimed to replace them with ordinary Portland cement. This will achieve a sustainable, eco-efficient, and environmentally friendly construction industry. The Chemical analysis of the wastes by XRF and XRD suggests a possible cementitious capability owing to the amorphous nature of WG and the presence of C3S and C2S in SS. Accordingly, due to international standards, cubic mortars were produced by replacing cement with SS at 50% and WG at 50% and 20%. The effects of such replacements on the compressive strength of mortars were evaluated by comparison with that of the control mortars. WG increases workability and results in a higher strength index (72.8%) than that of SS (48.7%) at similar replacement levels (50%). Subsequently, SS and WG replaced coarse aggregates (CA) and cement, respectively, in concrete. The results revealed positive effects of SS on compressive strength in contrast to WG influence. The compressive strength of concrete cured for 91d increased by about 20% compared to the control sample upon incorporation of 50% SS without any WG.

Abstract In recent years, due to the dramatic increase of the bacteria resistance to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic drugs, an increasing importance is given to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules, more potent than those in use. In this contest, methanol extracts of different parts of the medicinal plant Limoniastrum monopetalum (L.) Boiss. (Plumbaginaceae), widely occurring in Tunisia, were prepared to evaluate the antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. The methanol extract of the roots showed the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and E. faecalis, whereas the stem extract exhibited the highest antiproliferative effects towards a Hela cell line. Analysis of volatile fractions, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC–FID) techniques, led to the identification of camphor as the most abundant constituent, which represented from 84.85 to 99.48% of the methanol extracts. Multiple chromatographic separation of the methanol leaf extract afforded the flavonoid maeopsin-6-O-glucoside (S1) and a few fractions that were subjected to biological activity assays. One fraction exhibited interesting antibacterial activity against E. coli and E. faecalis (MIC values of 62.5 and 78.12 µg/mL, respectively), and antiproliferative effects against Hela and A549 cells (IC50 = 226 and 242.52 μg/mL, respectively). In addition, in silico studies indicated that maesopsin-6-O-glucoside, which was moderately active against Staphylococcus aureus, strongly interacted with the active site of the accessory gene regulator protein A (AgrA) of Staphylococcus aureus.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis caused by β-human papillomaviruses (HPV) in immunodeficient patients. EV is characterized by flat warts and pityriasis-like lesions and might be isolated or syndromic, associated with some other infectious manifestations. We report here three patients from two independent families, with syndromic EV for both of them. By whole exome sequencing, we found that the patients carry new homozygous variants in STK4, both leading to a premature stop codon. STK4 deficiency causes a combined immunodeficiency characterized by a broad infectious susceptibility to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Auto-immune manifestations were also reported. Deep immunophenotyping revealed multiple cytopenia in the three affected patients, in particular deep CD4+ T cells deficiency. We report here the fourth and the fifth cases of the syndromic EV due to STK4 deficiency.

Abstract Background Post-COVID-19 survivors may experience long-term symptoms known as Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). The PCAS symptom spectrum includes a wide range of symptoms affecting different organs. The prevalence and risk factors of PACS may vary across different regions, and a meta-analysis focused on Egypt can help understand the national prevalence and unique population-specific predictors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to identify studies published in Egypt that documented symptoms, signs, and post-COVID-19 outcomes in patient cohorts. The results were reported, based on the random effects model, as proportions (%) and odds ratios with 95% CI. Results A total of 16 studies with 3097 COVID-19 survivors and an age range of 3 to 94 years were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 survivors experiencing at least one persistent symptom, regardless of hospitalization status, was high at 78.3%. A total of 54 clinical symptoms or conditions were reported among the survivors. The most commonly reported symptom was fatigue, which affected approximately half of all survivors (48.1%). Bone ache or myalgia, anorexia, anxiety, dyspnea, and depression were also among the most frequently reported symptoms at 32.9%, 32.8, 31.5, 19.9, and 19.5, respectively. The pooled prevalence of Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) among hospitalized Covid survivors was 40%. The study found that female sex, severe COVID, and the presence of any comorbidity were independent risk factors for PACS (P

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data processing evolving from level-0 raw data is complicated, especially in data decoding, manifesting in obtaining a well-focused SAR image. This paper is intended to present a complete MATLAB-based SAR data processing tool, which helps the end-user to treat simply the steps of image generation. This paper would enrich the research community in the field of SAR processors, especially in the area of understanding, handling, and developing a SAR processor based on space packet protocol standard (STD 01) used in many SAR systems such as Sentinel-1, ERS-1, CubeL, JPSS-2, 3, and 4. Also, this work opens the door for researchers to decode other space packet protocol standards and even to create an algorithm based on fully understanding the image formation algorithm from its roots. Moreover, the work in this paper could be a stepping-stone for the beginner in the field of SAR signal processing to become familiarized with SAR image generation procedures. The level-0 raw data used in this paper is based on Sentinel 1 SAR satellite obtained from the European Space Agency Copernicus website, a free open-source for level-0 and level-1 data types. The MATLAB program allows users to compare their generated image with the level-1 single-look complex (S1-L1-SLC) image utilizing entropy, contrast, and sharpness image quality metrics.The results showed that the images produced by the proposed algorithm are comparable to Sentinel-1 level-1 SAR images for the same scene and achieved satisfactory accuracy under the requirements for image quality.

The Iraqi plastic movement began since the first half of the twentieth century, that is, nearly a hundred years ago. It passed through different stages and harbingers that changed its paths and the visions of the artists working from the generations of the last century. Therefore, the problem of tabulating and documenting these experiences and artistic uses that witnessed various political, unanimous and economic fluctuations during The recent decades, which constituted pressing and influencing factors on the human level and on the artistic achievement that expresses the concerns, alienation and suffering of the Iraqi plastic artist, and the loss of an important part of the formal aspect of the artistic image expressing the history and civilization of Iraq and the culture of its people, as well as the loss of much of the documentary aspect of that stage and a painful example of that It is the violation of the Museum of Arts during the American occupation in 2003 AD, and not long ago these pressures formed on the structure of the social and cultural stability of the country, which prompted many artists to migrate outside Iraq, causing the loss of an important part of the link between the generation of pioneers and the generations that follow, including some names The task from this stage is Salah Jiyad, Faisal Laibi, Noman Hadi, Ghassan Faydi, Karim Al-Asadi, Kazem Khalifa, Muhammad Faradi, Ali Fanjan, and others; Although the artistic style of these artists at this stage was clearly influenced by the methods of the pioneers, the impact of alienation and the influence of social culture and the Western environment was evident in those works later, and this does not mean that they left their Iraqi environment at all, but rather you find that their adherence to the civilization of Iraq In their different Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian forms, it is clear with clarity, and evidence can be found for their adherence to their original Iraqi roots, noting the influence of the Western environment on the expressive and formal image of their works, which calls for this paradox for study and analysis. Our research deals with one of the expatriate artists, Noman Hadi, who grew up in a stage in the middle of the history of the plastic movement, a member of the group of academics from the generation of the seventies, and through him we review the following question. What are the stylistic features in Noman Hadi's work?

Abstract Background Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is a major public health problem. The clinical importance of OBI stems from the fact that it can be transmitted to healthy individuals at extremely low viral load levels. Additionally, immunosuppression has the potential to trigger viral replication, which can result in life-threatening liver decompensation. Despite several studies examining the prevalence of OBI, the pooled prevalence of OBI in Egypt remains unknown, particularly among blood donors and high-risk individuals, to whom intervention should be targeted. Methods A comprehensive literature search of the following databases was conducted from inception to October 2022 using the following keywords: occult hepatitis B virus infection or occult HBV infection or OBI and Egypt in MEDLINE [PubMed], Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. I-squared and Cochran’s Q were used to measure the heterogeneity between the studies, and based on the random effects model, results were reported as proportions (%) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Analyses of subgroup analyses were conducted based on the target population. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the leave-one-out approach to test the robustness of the results. Results A total of 50 studies with 62 estimations of OBI were included, 19 in patients who were HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive and 43 in patients who were HBsAg-negative. The highest prevalence (41%) was among multi-transfused patients according to studies that report occult hepatitis B virus prevalence in an HBsAg-negative population, while the pooled prevalence of OBI among patients on hemodialysis, patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and patients with liver cirrhosis was 17%, 10%, 24%, and 13%, respectively. On the other hand, among studies that report OBI prevalence in HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive individuals, the pooled prevalence of OBI among blood donors, patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, and patients with HCC was 12%, 15%, and 31%, respectively. Also, the majority of studies examining the genetic background of OBI have found that genotype D is the most prevalent. Conclusion This study highlights the high prevalence in OBI among blood donors and high-risk populations in Egypt. The implementation of HBV nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) may increase the safety of blood transfusions by excluding all HBV DNA-positive donations. However, the cost-effectiveness of these tests should be investigated.

In this research, the approach of FP-LAPW (full potential linearized augmented plane wave) is employed within WIEN2K for the investigations of structural, thermodynamic, electronic, and mechanical properties of the V2ScSnC2 and Nb2ScSnC2 MAX-phases quaternary compounds. The V2ScSnC2 and Nb2ScSnC2 compounds exist in “α” and “β” polymorph structures. The formation energies (Eform) investigated insure that the α-polymorph is more stable than the β one. As it happens, Nb2ScSnC2 is more stable than V2ScSnC2. The Nb2ScSnC2 has an enhanced mechanical property compared to the V2ScSnC2 compound. The elastic constants (ECs) of interested materials fulfill all the conditions of mechanical stability and revealed a ductile nature. The predicted Cauchy's pressure and Poisson's ratio possess positive values signifying the ionic character of the V2ScSnC2 compound. The quaternary Nb2ScSnC2 compound exists as amalgamation of covalent and ionic bonds with a predominance of the ionic bonding character. The high melting temperature and high Debye temperature of V2ScSnC2 and Nb2ScSnC2 make them suitable for use in harsh environments. Furthermore, they exhibit potential as a promising material for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Electronic structure analysis confirm the metallic character of the two interested compounds. At high temperatures and pressures the thermodynamic properties including the Cv (Heat capacity) and ƟD (Debye temperature) are explored. We deem that this study of quaternary MAX-phase compounds will bring new insight for the experimentalists to employ for their future applications.

Investigating novel compounds has become necessary due to the need for sophisticated materials in optoelectronic devices and spintronics. Because of their unique properties, magnesium-based spinels MgSm2X4 (X = S and Se) are very promising for these applications. We used the spin-polarized PBEsol for structural properties and the PBEsol functional for mechanical behavior, both using the WIEN2k code. Both compounds' stability in the magnetic and non-magnetic phases was validated by the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, and their stability in the cubic phase was verified by the Born stability criterion. Their ductile character was shown by the computation of Pugh's ratio and Poisson ratio. Both MgSm2S4 and MgSm2Se4 display metallic behavior in the spin-up channel and semiconducting behavior in the spin-down channel, indicating a half-metallic nature, according to TB-mBJ potential calculations. With total magnetic moments of 20 μB, both materials showed ferromagnetic properties. Samarium ions contributed 5.27 μB for MgSm2S4 and 5.34 μB for MgSm2Se4. Furthermore, we computed optical parameters in the energy range of 0 to 15 eV, such as absorption, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, dielectric function, and refractive index. Our results demonstrate the potential of MgSm2X4 spinels for future technological developments by revealing their prospective optoelectronic and spintronic applications.

This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of combining bezafibrate with ginkgo biloba in doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty Wister albino rats were allocated into five groups: The negative control group, the positive control group, both received 1 ml of D.W, bezafibrate group received (100 mg/kg), ginkgo biloba group received (60 mg/kg) and the fifth group received bezafibrate + ginkgo biloba. All the treatments were for 14 days along with doxorubicin on days 11–14 except for the negative control. Blood samples were used for the measurement of ALT, AST, ALP, total protein, total bilirubin, albumin, globulin, GSH, catalase, and IL-6. Liver tissue was sent for histopathological examination. The combination of ginkgo biloba and bezafibrate significantly decreased AST, ALP, AST/ALT ratio, albumin/globulin ratio, and IL-6 with significant elevations of catalase, and GSH. The combination group produced more hepatoprotection. This could be attributed to the additive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the combination.

Abstract Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. For the establishment of national strategies to combat MRSA infection in each country, accurate and current statistics characterizing the epidemiology of MRSA are essential. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA among Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates in Egypt. In addition, we aimed to compare different diagnostic methods for MRSA and determine the pooled resistance rate of linezolid and vancomycin to MRSA. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods A comprehensive literature search from inception to October 2022 of the following databases was performed: MEDLINE [PubMed], Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement. Based on the random effects model, results were reported as proportions with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Analyses of the subgroups were conducted. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the results. Results A total of sixty-four (64) studies were included in the present meta-analysis, with a total sample size of 7171 subjects. The overall prevalence of MRSA was 63% [95% CI: 55–70]. Fifteen (15) studies used both PCR and cefoxitin disc diffusion for MRSA detection, with a pooled prevalence rate of 67% [95% CI: 54–79] and 67% [95% CI: 55–80], respectively. While nine (9) studies used both PCR and Oxacillin disc diffusion for MRSA detection, the pooled prevalences were 60% [95% CI: 45–75] and 64% [95% CI: 43–84], respectively. Furthermore, MRSA appeared to be less resistant to linezolid than vancomycin, with a pooled resistance rate of 5% [95% CI: 2–8] to linezolid and 9% [95% CI: 6–12] to vancomycin, respectively. Conclusion Our review highlights Egypt's high MRSA prevalence. The cefoxitin disc diffusion test results were found to be consistent with PCR identification of the mecA gene. A prohibition on antibiotic self-medication and efforts to educate healthcare workers and patients about the proper use of antimicrobials may be required to prevent further increases.

Abstract Background Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) represent a critical medical and public health concerns due to their association with serious nosocomial infections and a high risk of mortality. We aimed to reveal the pooled prevalence of VRE and antimicrobial resistance profiles among enterococci clinical isolates in Egypt. Methods A PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science literature search was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Only published studies documenting the prevalence of VRE between 2010 and 2022 were included. Using the random effects model and the 95% confidence intervals, the pooled estimate of VRE was calculated by MedCalc Version 20.113. Cochran’s Q and I 2 tests were used to evaluate the degree of heterogeneity, and publication bias was examined by visually examining the funnel plot and its associated tests (Begg’s and Egger’s tests). Results The pooled prevalence of VRE among enterococci clinical isolates in Egypt was estimated to be 26% (95% CI 16.9 to 36.3). E. faecalis had a greater pooled prevalence than E. faecium, with 61.22% (95% CI 53.65 to 68.53) and 32.47% (95% CI 27 to 38.2), respectively. The VanA gene is more frequent than the VanB gene among VRE, with a pooled prevalence of 63.3% (95% CI 52.1 to 73.7) and 17.95% (95% CI 7.8 to 31), respectively. The pooled resistance rate of linezolid was substantially lower than that of ampicillin and high-level gentamicin (HLG) 5.54% (95% CI 2.33 to 10%), 65.7% (95% CI 50.8 to 79.2%), and 61.1% (95% CI 47.4 to 73.9), respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of VRE is alarmingly high in Egypt. It is imperative that antimicrobial stewardship activities and infection control programs are strictly adhered to and implemented to prevent further escalation of the problem.

Abstract Background A urachal cyst has a rare incidence that has been reported as 1/5,000 live birth. Case presentation We report two patients with a complicated urachal cyst, a 5-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and a 3-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain and constipation. Upon laparoscopic exploration both patients had complicated urachal cysts which were adherent to the urinary bladder. Conclusion Complicated urachal cysts can present with acute abdominal pain.

Abstract Background Hepatitis B infection seriously threatens global public health, especially in developing nations. Despite several investigations on HBV incidence, the national pooled prevalence remains unknown, particularly in populations at-risk at whom interventions should be primarily aimed. Methods A comprehensive literature search of the following databases: Medline [PubMed], Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. I-squared and Cochran's Q were used to measure the heterogeneity between the studies. Publications that matched the following were included: Primary studies published in Egypt from 2000 to 2022 reported HBV prevalence based on HBsAg. We excluded any studies that were not performed on Egyptians or that were performed on patients suspected of acute viral hepatitis or studies focusing on occult hepatitis or vaccination evaluation studies, or national surveys. Results The systematic review included 68 eligible studies reporting a total of 82 incidences of HBV infection based on hepatitis B surface antigen with a total sample size of 862,037. The pooled national prevalence among studies was estimated to be 3.67% [95% CI; 3: 4.39]. Children under 20 with a history of HBV vaccination during infancy had the lowest prevalence of 0.69%. The pooled prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women, blood donors, and healthcare workers was 2.95%, 1.8%, and 1.1%, respectively. While patients with hemolytic anemia and hemodialysis patients, patients with malignancies, HCC patients, and chronic liver disease patients had the highest prevalences at 6.34%, 25.5%, 18.6%, and 34%, respectively. Studies reporting HBV prevalence in urban settings compared to rural settings revealed a similar HBV prevalence of 2.43% and 2.15%, respectively. Studies comparing HBV prevalence in males and females revealed a higher prevalence among males (3.75%) than females (2.2%). Conclusion In Egypt, hepatitis B infection is a significant public health issue. The blocking of mother-to-infant hepatitis B transmission, the scaling up of the scope of the existing vaccination program, and implementing new strategies, including screen-and-treat, may reduce the prevalence of the disease.

The security and reliability of cellular-based wireless IoT networks are often hindered by eavesdropping attacks. Existing approaches have limitations such as ineffective relay selection, untrusted relay nodes, and improper UAV positioning. This article discusses secure and reliable communication in blockchain-enabled cellular-based IoT networks. In this article, we propose a novel approach that ensures the initial level of security to the UAV relays by enrolling the UAV relay nodes to the edge-assisted base stations for initial security and enhances the optimal UAV relay selection using dual-phase optimal relay selection mechanisms. This article performs authentication of UAV relay nodes to enhance security against active eavesdroppers and mitigates the effects of passive eavesdroppers by jointly optimizing power and position based on their actions. This enables eavesdropping to resist secure communication. The proposed approach beats the state-of-the-art algorithm in terms of decreased deployment time and gradually rising efficiency with increasing UEs. The deployment time for the previously presented algorithm is fast expanding, while the proposed integrated deployment algorithm is progressively increasing. The proposed eavesdropping resisted integration technique harvests an overlay complexity tendency due to its hybrid solution, enhancing system stability and minimizing system complexity. We further integrate the blockchain with UAVs in the system and perform authentication and appropriate relay selection in the networks. We will also demonstrate secure and reliable communication in healthcare, transportation, and industry. This paper emphasizes the significance of safe and dependable IoT connectivity and how blockchain technology and appropriate relay selection techniques might be helpful. The results show that the recommended algorithm is superior in terms of both reliability and complexity. When iteration count is minimal, the proposed method and the completely distributed have a comparable but lowest complexity as they outperform one another in different scenarios. Our proposed approach provides a possible solution to existing issues and contributes to the progress of secure and reliable communication in cellular-based wireless IoT networks.

Agriculture plays the vigorous role in economy as well as it is contemplated to be the mainstay of economic system in emerging countries. Furthermore, it influences the society in huge ways including ancillary livelihoods, anyhow occurring of plant diseases impacts many farmers. Henceforth, erroneous leaf disease identification inclines to menacing effects on plants thereby curtailing product quality, productivity or quantity. To overcome these issues, we have designed Multi-agent DRL and EfficientNet assisted 3D plant leaf disease identification and severity estimation (MULTINET) framework. The main aim of this study is to effectively identify plant leaf diseases and quatify the severity of the disease. The proposed work comprehends of following four consecutive processes. At first, we have performed image pre-treatment for data cleansing using Adaptable LoW Pass Weiner (AWW) filter and then EMbellished Manta-Ray Optimization Algorithm (EMMARO) based data augmentation for enhancing image quality and balance the classes. After that, we have adopted Block Divider Model (BDM) for transfiguring 2D to 3D image which sustenance to navigate the information from multiple perceptive and bargains superior viewpoints from miscellaneous angles. Following that, we have executed dual effective segmentation on 3D image by utilizing Enhanced Deep Q-Network (EnDeep) that embrace of Haar-U-Net (HUNT) Algorithm for appropriate feature extraction and Convolution Feature Attention (CFA) Mechanism for dimensionality reduction. Here, the Multiple Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) agents are employed for segmentation and ensuring its accuracy through segmentation reliability checker which accommodates rewards entrenched on its actions. Based on those segmented regions, we have accomplished species detection and disease classification by the proposed Lightweight EfficientNet and Di-attention aided Bilinear-VGG (EBBI) Algorithm. At last, the severity enumeration is performed by contemplating lesions counts and its density. The proposed MULTINET framework is conducted in MATLAB R2020a simulation tool and the performance of proposed work is evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision, sensitivity, F1-score and ROC curve where the proposed work outperforms existing works. The accuracy of the proposed work increases from 19%-29%, precision increases from 19%-28%, sensitivity increases from 31%-38%, F1-score increases from 31%-38%, and ROC curve increases about 0.15–0.22 when compared with the existing works.

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has evolved from the classic Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks (VANETs) as a result of the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoV is used for communication among vehicles in real-time with their drivers, other vehicles, pedestrians, fleet management systems, and roadside infrastructure. High vehicular speeds and frequent network topology changes make vehicle communication extremely difficult on the IoV network. More constraints are imposed on IoV communication performance in a huge network environment due to the difficult road conditions and the enormous quantity of vehicles. A promising approach to improve the IoV communication performance is through vehicle clustering. Minimizing the number of clusters and identifying a reliable Cluster head (CH) are some of the most challenging tasks. In this paper, we propose a Swarm optimization-based and mobility-aware clustering method termed SOMACA. SOMACA consists of two phases clustering phase and the routing phase. During the clustering phase, we combine mobility measures and cluster distance to generate the minimum number of clusters having stable CHs and employ the Sparrow Search algorithm (SSA) for CH selection. The routing phase consists of two steps (1) Route Formation and (2) Route Upkeep. The main target for route formation step is to build a secure routing path between IoV nodes and base station (BS) by establishing an optimal list of links that are ordered from high to low, and in each round, it selects the best one. Moreover, the Upkeep step aims to update and maintain the existing connection. The performance of SOMACA is assessed using simulation experiments with various metrics including average cluster lifetime, transmission range, and network grid size. The simulation results show that SOMACA reduces the average number of clusters by $42\%, 48\%, 47\%, 9\%$ , 22%,31%, 16%, and 43% less than CAVDO, GOA, GWOCNET, MFCA-IOV, MOGA-AWCP, HHOCNET, AMONE, and p-WOA algorithms respectively when the transmission ranges vary between 200 and 500. Moreover, SOMACA increases the average network lifetime by $11\%, 12\%, 9\%, 6\%$ , 7%, 9%, 3%, and 13% longer than the mentioned above compared algorithms, respectively.

Abstract Background Mycobacteria include ubiquitous species of varying virulence. However, environmental and individual-specific factors, particularly host genetics, play a crucial role in the outcome of exposure to mycobacteria. The first molecular evidence of a monogenic predisposition to mycobacteria came from the study of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD), a rare inborn error of IFN-γ immunity conferring a selective susceptibility to infections even with low virulent mycobacteria, in patients, mostly children, without recognizable immune defects in routine tests. This article provides a global and updated description of the most important molecular, cellular, and clinical features of all known monogenic defects of MSMD. Results Over the last 20 years, 19 genes were found to be mutated in MSMD patients (IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IFNG, IL12RB1, IL12RB2, IL23R, IL12B, ISG15, USP18, ZNFX1, TBX21, STAT1, TYK2, IRF8, CYBB, JAK1, RORC, NEMO, and SPPL2A), and the allelic heterogeneity at these loci has led to the definition of 35 different genetic defects. Despite the clinical and genetic heterogeneity, almost all genetic etiologies of MSMD alter the interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-mediated immunity, by impairing or abolishing IFN-γ production or the response to this cytokine or both. It was proven that the human IFN-γ level is a quantitative trait that defines the outcome of mycobacterial infection. Conclusion The study of these monogenic defects contributes to understanding the molecular mechanism of mycobacterial infections in humans and to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve care and prognosis. These discoveries also bridge the gap between the simple Mendelian inheritance and complex human genetics.

Abstract Background DiGeorge syndrome (DGS), caused by a deletion del(22)(q11.2q11.2), is the most frequently observed microdeletion syndrome. There is a vast clinical heterogeneity in DGS, and several studies suggested also heterogeneity of clinical signs and phenotypic appearance to be related to ethnic differences. Here, clinical characteristics of 72 patients with molecular diagnosed deletion del(22)(q11.2q11.2) derived from different countries from Europe, America, Africa, and Asia are summarized and compared. Results Unless ethnic differences, the expected major clinical signs were present in all cases. Frequent clinical manifestations found in this study were congenital heart disease with 68% (49/72), followed by dysmorphic features found in 61% (44/72); neurodevelopmental disorders were present in 43% (31/72) and thymus hypoplasia/aplasia in 32% (23/72). However, clinical features of the patients appeared/were recognized at different times during their lives. Within the group, under 2 years predominated heart disease, dysmorphic features, and hypocalcemia and/or hypoparathyroidism. In the group older than 2 years, the following combination of clinical findings was most frequent: dysmorphic features, congenital heart disease, intellectual disability, and immunological disorders. In the eight cases detected prenatally, abnormal sonographic findings were the major clinical signs (cardiovascular malformations and renal malformations). Conclusions Despite the heterogeneous nature of the sample analyzed, a number of clinical findings could be highlighted to be useful for the clinical delineation of this DGS. Interestingly, diagnostic indicators may vary depending on the age at diagnosis. Finally, apparent differences in DGS patients from different regions seem to be rather due to applied test systems than to real differences in patients from different ethnicities.

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is considered a prevailing tool for remote sensing. It benefits working with high efficiency in all weather and all-day circumstances, making SAR is very confident compared to other types of remote sensing. The SAR platform moves with constant velocity and height, with a linear path for ideal situations. However, this assumption is not realized in satellite movement, which is an elliptical orbiting that worsens the quality of the focused image. This paper introduces a methodology of motion compensation for motion errors due to satellite elliptical orbiting and perturbations in an orbital path. It represents two major contributions applied on a low earth orbit (LEO) spaceborne SAR. First, motion errors analysis in the range and azimuth directions. Second, an algorithm for motion error compensation (MOCO) combined with a chirp scaling algorithm (CSA) is performed. Moreover, a validation for the formulated algorithm is executed using sentinel-1 level-0 real raw data input, and the result is compared with the sentinel-1 level-1 single look complex (SLC) SAR image. The validation is performed using two different metrics. First, image quality measurement by sharpness, contrast, and entropy. Second, measuring the peak-sidelobe-ratio (PSLR), impulse-response-width (IRW), and integrated-sidelobe-ratio (ISLR) for five high power reflecting points in the scene area.

Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is a rare hereditary autoinflammatory disease, with a widely variable clinical spectrum. It is characterized by febrile recurrent episodes and systemic inflammation. Data on therapeutic options for MKD are still limited and remain unknown in our country. We report Moroccan cases with MKD referred in our unit and treated with Anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Through this study, we evaluate the efficacy of this bioagent, in our 2 MKD patients, in whom Anakinra has shown a complete clinical remission, with a remaining mild inflammation for one case, and normalization of growth with rare episodes of cervical adenopathies for the second case. Our experience provides an additional argument supporting the efficacy of Anakinra treatment, demonstrated previously but still lacks of objective data.

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) require accurate navigation, but the reliability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can be degraded by signal blockage and multipath interference in urban areas. Therefore, a navigation system that integrates a calibrated Reduced Inertial Sensors System (RISS) with GNSS is proposed. The system employs a machine-learning-based Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as a novel calibration technique to improve the accuracy and reliability of the RISS. The ANFIS-based RISS/GNSS integration provides a more precise navigation solution in such environments. The effectiveness of the proposed integration scheme was validated by conducting tests using real road trajectory and simulated GNSS outages ranging from 50 to 150 s. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in 2D position Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 43.8% and 28% compared to the traditional RISS/GNSS and the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) Radar (Rad)/RISS/GNSS integrated navigation systems, respectively. Moreover, an improvement of 47.5% and 23.4% in 2D position maximum errors is achieved compared to the RISS/GNSS and the Rad/RISS/GNSS integrated navigation systems, respectively. These results reveal significant improvements in positioning accuracy, which is essential for safe and efficient navigation. The long-term stability of the proposed system makes it suitable for various navigation applications, particularly those requiring continuous and precise positioning information. The ANFIS-based approach used in the proposed system is extendable to other low-end IMUs, making it an attractive option for a wide range of applications.

Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) are one of the leading engineering materials in the 21st century, as they offer proficiency in enhancing strength, ductility, and durability in structural engineering applications. Because the recently developed basalt fiber pellets (BFP) offer combined strands of fibers encased in a polymer matrix, they are being prevalently studied to explore new possibilities when used in brittle materials such as mortar and concrete. Hence, this paper synthesizes the intensive research efforts and contributions to this novel class of fibers conducted by the authors. Specifically, it reviews the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of FRCC incorporating single BFP or hybrid with polyvinyl alcohol fibers and modified with slag/fly ash and nano-materials and its suitability for different field applications. In addition, the nano- and meso-scale modeling of such matrices are described. BFP significantly contributes to improving post-cracking flexural behavior by toughening the cementitious matrix and minimizing strength losses when exposed to harsh environments. All results show promising progress in the development of high-performance FRCC comprising BFP, with potential success for structural and pavement applications.

In this work, the effect of incompressibility modulus KNM and symmetry energy density J on charge distribution and root-mean-square radii of neutron Rn and proton Rp has been investigated for light, medium and heavy closed-shell nuclei 40, 48Ca, 90Zr, 116Sn, 144Sm and 208Pb within the framework of self-consistent Hartree-Fock (HF) with 20 types of Skyrme interactions having wide range of nuclear properties such as incompressibility modulus KNM and symmetry energy density J. The nuclear charge densities have been obtained and compared with the experiment data to give us a picture about the internal structure of the investigated nuclei. Also, the sensitivity of proton and neutron root-mean-square radii to nuclear matter properties has been examined by determining and discussion the statistical Pearson linear correlation coefficient.