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Abstract In the present study, the regime of motion of fullerene molecules on graphene substrate in a specific temperature range is investigated. The potential energy of fullerene molecules is analyzed using classical molecular dynamics methods. Fullerene molecules C36, C50, C60, C76, C80, and C90 are selected due to spherical shapes of different sizes and good motion performance in previous studies. Analysis of the motion regime at different temperatures is one of the main objectives of this study. To achieve this aim, the translational and rotational movements of fullerene molecules are studied independently. In the first step of the investigation, Lennard-Jone's potential energy of fullerene molecules is calculated. Subsequently, the motion regime of different fullerenes is classified based on their displacement and diffusion coefficient. Findings indicate C60 is not appropriate in all conditions. However, C90 and C76 molecules are found to be appropriate candidates in most cases in different conditions. As far as a straight-line movement is considered, the deviation of fullerene molecules is compared by their angular velocities. Although C60 has a lower angular velocity due to its symmetrical shape, it may not move well due to its low diffusion coefficient. Overall, our study helps to understand the performance of different fullerene molecules on graphene substrate and find their possible applications, especially as wheels in nanomachine or nanocarrier structures.

Navigational decision-making tasks, such as spatial working memory (SWM), rely highly on information integration from several cortical and sub-cortical regions. Performance in SWM tasks is associated with theta rhythm, including low-frequency oscillations related to movement and memory. The interaction of the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), reflected in theta synchrony, is essential in various steps of information processing during SWM. We used a closed-loop neurofeedback (CLNF) system to upregulate theta power in the mPFC and investigate its effects on circuit dynamics and behavior in animal models. Specifically, we hypothesized that enhancing the power of the theta rhythm in the mPFC might improve SWM performance. Animals were divided into three groups: closed-loop (CL), random-loop (RL), and OFF (without stimulation). We recorded local field potential (LFP) in the mPFC while electrical reward stimulation contingent on cortical theta activity was delivered to the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which is considered one of the central reward-associated regions. We also recorded LFP in the vHPC to evaluate the related subcortical neural changes. Results revealed a sustained increase in the theta power in both mPFC and vHPC for the CL group. Our analysis also revealed an increase in mPFC-vHPC synchronization in the theta range over the stimulation sessions in the CL group, as measured by coherence and cross-correlation in the theta frequency band. The reinforcement of this circuit improved spatial decision-making performance in the subsequent behavioral results. Our findings provide direct evidence of the relationship between specific theta upregulation and SWM performance and suggest that theta oscillations are integral to cognitive processes. Overall, this study highlights the potential of adaptive CLNF systems in investigating neural dynamics in various brain circuits.

Abstract Background One of the key functions and ultimate goals of health systems is to provide financial protection for individuals when using health services. This study sought to evaluate the level of financial protection and its inequality among individuals covered by the Social Security Organization (SSO) health insurance between September and December 2023 in Iran. Methods We collected data on 1691 households in five provinces using multistage sampling to examine the prevalence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) at four different thresholds (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of the household’s capacity to pay (CTP). Additionally, we explored the prevalence of impoverishment due to health costs and assessed socioeconomic-related inequality in OOP payments for healthcare using the concentration index and concentration curve. To measure equity in out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for healthcare, we utilized the Kakwani progressivity index (KPI). Furthermore, we employed multiple logistic regression to identify the main factors contributing to households experiencing CHE. Findings : The study revealed that households in our sample allocated approximately 11% of their budgets to healthcare services. The prevalence of CHE at the thresholds of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% was found to be 47.1%, 30.1%, 20.1%, and 15.7%, respectively. Additionally, we observed that about 7.9% of the households experienced impoverishment due to health costs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the age of the head of the household, place of residence, socioeconomic status, utilization of dental services, utilization of medicine, and province of residence were the main factors influencing CHE. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that while wealthy households spend more money on healthcare, poorer households spend a larger proportion of their total income to healthcare costs. The KPI showed that households with lower total expenditures had higher OOP payments relative to their CTP. Conclusion The study findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve financial protection in healthcare and mitigate inequalities among individuals covered by SSO. It is recommended that these interventions prioritize the expansion of coverage for dental services and medication expenses, particularly for lower socioeconomic status household.

Abstract Switching functionality is pivotal in advancing communication systems, serving as a paramount mechanism. Despite numerous innovations in this field, optical switch design, fabrication, and characterization have traditionally followed an iterative approach. Within this paradigm, the designer formulates an informed conjecture regarding the switch's structural configuration and subsequently resolves Maxwell's equations to ascertain its performance. Conversely, the inverse problem, which entails deriving a switch geometry to achieve a targeted electromagnetic response, continues to pose formidable challenges and necessitates substantial time and effort, particularly under the constraints of specific assumptions. In this work, we propose a deep neural network-based method to approximate the spectral transmittance of all-optical switches. The findings substantiate the efficacy of deep learning in the design of all-optical plasmonic switches, which are renowned as the fastest switches at the nanoscale. The nonlinear Kerr effect in square resonators is leveraged to demonstrate the switching performance. Juxtaposed with conventional simulations, the proposed model showcases a remarkable improvement in computational efficiency. Furthermore, deep learning can resolve nanophotonic inverse design problems without reliance on trial-and-error or empirical strategies. Compared to simulations, the mean squared error for both forward and inverse models is meager, with values of around 0.03 and 0.02, respectively. The deep learning-proposed switches exhibit excellent suitability for integration into photonic integrated circuits, substantially influencing the progression of all-optical signal processing.

Abstract Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease associated with physical disability, psychological impairment, and cognitive dysfunctions. Consequently, the disease burden is substantial, and treatment choices are limited. In this randomized, double-blind study, we conducted repeated prefrontal electrical stimulation in 40 patients with MS to evaluate mental health variables (quality of life, sleep difficulties, psychological distress) and cognitive dysfunctions (psychomotor speed, working memory, attention/vigilance), marking it as the third largest sample size tDCS research conducted in MS to date. Methods The patients were randomly assigned (block randomization method) to two groups of sham (n = 20), or 1.5-mA (n = 20) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3) and right frontopolar cortex (Fp2) with anodal and cathodal stimulation respectively (electrode size: 25 cm2). The treatment included 10 sessions of 20 min of stimulation delivered every other day. Outcome measures were MS quality of life, sleep quality, psychological distress, and performance on a neuropsychological test battery dedicated to cognitive dysfunctions in MS (psychomotor speed, working memory, and attention). All outcome measures were evaluated at the pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments. Both patients and technicians delivering the stimulation were unaware of the type of stimulation being used. Results Repeated prefrontal real tDCS significantly improved quality of life and reduced sleep difficulties and psychological distress compared to the sham group. It, furthermore, improved psychomotor speed, attention, and vigilance compared to the sham protocol. Improvement in mental health outcome variables and cognitive outperformance were interrelated and could predict each other. Conclusions Repeated prefrontal and frontopolar tDCS ameliorates secondary clinical symptoms related to mental health and results in beneficial cognitive effects in patients with MS. These results support applying prefrontal tDCS in larger trials for improving mental health and cognitive dysfunctions in MS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06401928.

Abstract Decades of research in exercise immunology have demonstrated the profound impact of exercise on the immune response, influencing an individual's disease susceptibility. Accurate prediction of white blood cells (WBCs) count during exercise can help to design effective training programs to maintain optimal the immune system function and prevent its suppression. In this regard, this study aimed to develop an easy-to-use and efficient modelling tool for predicting WBCs count during exercise. To achieve this goal, the predictive power of a range of machine-learning algorithms, including six standalone models (M5 prime (M5P), random forest (RF), alternating model trees (AMT), reduced error pruning tree (REPT), locally weighted learning (LWL), and support vector regression (SVR)) were assessed along with six types of hybrid models trained with a bagging (BA) algorithm (BA-M5P, BA-RF, BA-AMT, BA-REPT, BA-LWL, and BA- SVR). A comprehensive database was constructed from 200 eligible people. The models employed post-exercise training WBCs counts as the output parameter and seven WBCs-influencing factors, including intensity and duration of exercise, pre-exercise training WBCs counts, age, body fat percentage, maximal aerobic capacity, and muscle mass as input parameters. Comparing the prediction results of the models to the observed WBCs using standard statistics indicated that the BA-M5P model had the greatest potential to produce a robust prediction of the number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and WBC compared to other models. Moreover, pre-exercise training WBCs counts, intensity and duration of exercise and body fat percentage were the most important features in predicting WBCs counts. These findings hold significant implications for the advancement of exercise immunology and the promotion of public health.

Abstract Background The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults is experiencing a rapid increase. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the survival of prediabetic patients using a comparison of the Cox proportional hazards model (CPH) and the Random survival forest (RSF). Method This prospective cohort study was performed on 746 prediabetics in southwest Iran. The demographic, lifestyle, and clinical data of the participants were recorded. The CPH and RSF models were used to determine the patients’ survival. Furthermore, the concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were employed to compare the performance of the Cox proportional hazards (CPH) model and the random survival forest (RSF) model. Results The 5-year cumulative T2DM incidence was 12.73%. Based on the results of the CPH model, NAFLD (HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.85), FBS (HR = 1.008, 95% CI: 1.005, 1.012) and increased abdominal fat (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04) were directly associated with diabetes occurrence in prediabetic patients. The RSF model suggests that factors including FBS, waist circumference, depression, NAFLD, afternoon sleep, and female gender are the most important variables that predict diabetes. The C-index indicated that the RSF model has a higher percentage of agreement than the CPH model, and in the weighted Brier Score index, the RSF model had less error than the Kaplan-Meier and CPH model. Conclusion Our findings show that the incidence of diabetes was alarmingly high in Iran. The results suggested that several demographic and clinical factors are associated with diabetes occurrence in prediabetic patients. The high-risk population needs special measures for screening and care programs.

Abstract Background Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS), defined as the development of MS after the age of 50, has shown a substantial surge in incidence rates and is associated with more rapid progression of disability. Besides, studies have linked tobacco smoking to a higher chance of MS progression. However, the role of smoking on the risk of developing LOMS remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the possible association between lifetime exposure to cigarette and waterpipe smoking, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption and the risk of LOMS. Methods This population-based case-control study involved LOMS cases and healthy sex and age-matched controls from the general population in Tehran, Iran. The primary data for confirmed LOMS cases were obtained from the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI), while supplementary data were collected through telephone and on-site interviews. Predesigned questionnaire for multinational case-control studies of MS environmental risk factors was used to evaluate the LOMS risk factors. The study employed Likelihood ratio chi-square test to compare qualitative variables between the two groups and utilized two independent sample t-test to compare quantitative data. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for age along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using matched logistic regression analysis in SPSS 23. Results Totally, 83 LOMS cases and 207 controls were included in the analysis. The female to male ratio in the cases was 1.5: 1. The mean ± SD age of 83 cases and 207 controls was 61.14 ± 5.38) and 61.51 ± 7.67 years, respectively. The mean ± SD expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was 3.68 ± 2.1. Although the results of waterpipe exposure had no significant effect on LOMS development (P-value: 0.066), ever cigarette-smoked participants had a significantly higher risk of developing LOMS than those who never smoked (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.44–4.60). Furthermore, people with a history of smoking for more than 20 years had 3.45 times the odds of developing MS than non-smokers. Drug and alcohol abuse were both associated with LOMS in our study; of which opioids (AOR: 5.67, 95% CI: 2.05–15.7), wine (AOR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.41–7.71), and beer (AOR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.45–6.69) were found to pose the greatest risk of LOMS, respectively. Conclusion For the first time, we identified smoking, drug, and alcohol use as potential risk factors for LOMS development. According to the global increase in cigarette smoking and alcohol use, these findings highlight the importance of conducting interventional approaches for prevention.

Objectives: This study evaluates the effects of combining aerobic running and anaerobic Pilates exercises to reduce fatigue improve cardiovascular and muscular fitness, and enhance the quality of life (QoL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: A total of 19 SLE patients with index SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores ≤4 were randomly assigned into an intervention group (n=10), undertaking the combined exercise program, and a control group (n=9), undertaking normal activities of daily living only. The combined exercise program lasted 8 weeks and consisted of three 1-h weekly sessions. In both groups, functional capacity, cardiovascular fitness, muscle endurance capacity and QoL were assessed before and following the programmed activity or ADL only. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 18 at the significance level of 0.05. Results: The results confirm that this combined exercise program provides significant benefits over activities of daily living concerning pre-test and post-test difference scores for functional capacity (VO2peak 1.86±1.45 vs -0.95±1.43 mL/min/kg, P

Multilevel inverters produce waveforms that lead to better power quality. Switched-capacitor inverters are one kind that is capable of generating boosted voltage and encourages a single-stage grid-tied inverter solution. In this paper, a four-times boost nine-level inverter with fewer switches is presented in standalone and grid-connected mode. Two switched capacitors, along with eleven switches and one diode, are employed to generate the required boosted nine-level output. The circuit modulation allows self-charging of the capacitors, with the first capacitor charging to the DC source and the second charges to twice of it by shunting it with the combination of the first capacitor voltage and the DC source. This inverter’s application can be as a solar PV microinverter due to its fewer components and small filter requirement. The topology is compared with the single-source nine-level inverters and exhibits the lowest cost of all quadruple boost inverters. The presented inverter operation is verified in Simulink and validated on the laboratory prototype. Further, to minimize the leakage current, the circuit is modified accordingly and tested in a hardware-in-the-loop environment.

Abstract Background Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is an acute coronary event of uncertain origin. SCAD occurs when the coronary artery wall dissects non-traumatically and non-atherosclerotically, leading to the formation of an intramural hematoma or intimal tear, ultimately compressing and restricting the true lumen, or even occluding it. The management of SCAD remains controversial despite modern imaging techniques. In addition to supportive drug therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is another option that can be used as an effective treatment modality. Case presentation We describe A 50-year-old male with SCAD presented to the hospital emergency department complaining of chest pain. Coronary angiography incidentally showed spiral dissection from the proximal to distal right coronary artery (RCA). Three overlapping coroflex stents were deployed from the distal to the proximal RCA. Conclusions To stabilize the coronary artery in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients due to SCAD, prompt interventions such as stenting and angioplasty are needed. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the clinical condition of patients and quick diagnosis for the recovery of patients and reduction of complications.

Abstract Background Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcosis, is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the Echinococcus tapeworm. It is endemic in various regions worldwide, particularly in rural areas of countries in southern South America, Central Asia, China, parts of Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. The disease primarily affects the liver (60–70% of cases) and the lungs (10–25% of cases), but it can involve any organ, including the brain, bones, and rarely the pelvic region, as seen in our case report. Hydatid disease typically follows an asymptomatic course in the early stages of the primary infection and may remain so potentially for years or even permanently. If symptoms occur, they depend on various factors, such as the number, size, and location among other factors. Typically, hydatid disease presents with nonspecific symptoms. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, as well as anaphylaxis in case of cyst rupture. Extrahepatic intra-abdominal isolated hydatic cyst is a rare finding (6–11%). Case presentation In our case, a 70 year-old Asian white male presented with right thigh pain radiating to the lower leg, which is an atypical presentation for an extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cyst. Primary intraabdominal hydatid cysts involving the pelvic region are relatively rare, and such cases pose diagnostic and management challenges. Conclusion This case report underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cysts, particularly in atypical presentations. A combination of clinical evaluation, serological studies, and imaging techniques facilitates accurate diagnosis.

‎ This paper introduces a modified version of the Variational Iteration Method, incorporating $\mathbb{P}$-transformation. We propose a novel semi-analytical technique named the modified variational iteration method for addressing fractional differential equations featuring tempered Liouville-Caputo derivatives. The modified variational iteration method emerges as a highly efficient and powerful mathematical tool, offering exact or approximate solutions for a diverse range of real-world problems in engineering and the natural sciences, specifically those expressed through differential equations. To assess its effectiveness and accuracy, we scrutinize the modified variational iteration method by applying it to three problems related to the heat-like multidimensional diffusion equation with a fractional time derivative in a tempered Liouville-Caputo form.

‎Suppose $G$ is a finite non-abelian group and $\Gamma(G)$ is a graph with non-central conjugacy classes of $G$ as its vertex set. Two vertices $L$ and $K$ in $\Gamma(G)$ are adjacent if there are $a \in L$ and $b \in K$ such that $ab = ba$. This graph is called the commuting conjugacy class graph of $G$. The purpose of this paper is to compute the commuting conjugacy class graph of the finite $2-$groups $G_n(m)$ and $G[n]$.

Abstract Background Troubled conscience results from the lack of attention to the voice of conscience. Regarding the fact that ICU healthcare workers are constantly faced with stressful and challenging situations, they often experience a troubled conscience. Aim This study aimed to explain the factors leading to troubled conscience and identify the consequences of troubled conscience among ICU nurses. Methods Qualitative content analysis was used to answer the research question. A total of 18 ICU nurses were selected to participate in this study using purposive sampling. Data were collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Findings Four categories of “carelessness”, “contextual challenges”, “non-supportive and unpredictable structure” and “whirlpool of troubled conscience” were shown to constitute the main causes of troubled conscience among ICU nurses. Conclusion Troubled conscience negatively impacts nurses and is associated with psychological/behavioral changes among them. The identification and explanation of troubled conscience help healthcare providers to confront it and manage its causes.

Abstract In this work, we have reported the design, synthesis, in vitro, and in silico enzymatic evaluation of new bis-4-hydroxycoumarin-based phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide derivatives 5a-m as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors. All the synthesized analogues showed high inhibition effects against α-glucosidase (IC50 values ranging between 6.0 ± 0.2 and 85.4 ± 2.3 µM) as compared to the positive control acarbose (IC50 = 750.0 ± 0.6 µM). Among the newly synthesized compounds 5a-m, 2,4-dichloro-N-phenylacetamide derivative 5i with inhibition effect around 125-folds more than the acarbose was identified as the most potent entry. A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study about the title compounds 5a-m demonstrated that the inhibition effects of these compounds depend on the pattern of substitution on the N-phenylacetamide ring. The interaction modes and binding energies in the active site of enzyme of the important analogues (in term of SAR study) were evaluated through molecular docking study. Molecular dynamics and prediction of pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity of the most potent compound 5i also evaluated and the obtained data was compared with the acarbose.

Normal-weight obesity (NWO), defined as normal body mass index (BMI) but high body fat, is related to chronic health conditions. This study aims to assess the prevalence of NWO and some possible relationships with dietary factors in an Iranian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the participants of the Employees Health Cohort Study, Shiraz, Iran. Based on the anthropometric assessments, participants were categorized into three groups: Normal-weight non-obese, NWO, and Overweight/Obese. NWO was defined as having a normal BMI but high body fat. Body fat was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Then, a 116-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to obtain food intake. Dietary factors included energy intake, macro-nutrients intake, frequency of meals, fried and grilled foods’ consumption, and salt intake. Results: Overall, 1038 participants (513 men and 525 women) were studied with a mean age of 41.04±6.98. 35.9% had normal weight and 63.0% were overweight or obese according to BMI criteria. Based on WHO criteria, the prevalence of NWO was 21.68% and 26.63% among men and women, respectively. Women were more likely to have excess body fat compared with men (P

Abstract Nonlinear optics (NLO) and its applications have attracted increasing research interest in recent years owing to their contribution to the development of photonic technology. Accordingly, in this study, we investigated the NLO response of pumpkin seed oil using the spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) method. Significant NLO characteristics have been experimentally studied at $$405\,{\text{nm}}$$ 405 nm and $$532\,{\text{nm}}$$ 532 nm continuous wave (CW) laser wavelengths, yielding second-order nonlinear refractive index ( $$n_{2,\,th}$$ n 2 , t h ) values of $$6.54 \times 10^{ - 5} \,{{{\text{cm}}^{2} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{cm}}^{2} } W}} \right. \kern-0pt} W}$$ 6.54 × 10 - 5 cm 2 / W and $$2.73 \times 10^{ - 5} \,{{{\text{cm}}^{2} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{cm}}^{2} } W}} \right. \kern-0pt} W}$$ 2.73 × 10 - 5 cm 2 / W , respectively. The findings suggest that the absorption of the material leads to higher optical nonlinearity at shorter wavelengths owing to higher thermal effects. Furthermore, we implemented a light-controlled-light system based on the spatial cross-phase modulation (SXPM) technique employing pumpkin seed oil. We successfully achieved all-optical switching by designing the 'ON' and 'OFF' modes. The results of this study can be considered for the future development of NLO applications. Moreover, our work investigates the potential of pumpkin seed oil for designing low-cost and high-efficiency NLO devices, and this contribution opens up a novel practical avenue for oil-based optical devices.

Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a chronic condition characterised by impairments in social interaction and communication. Early detection of ASD is desired, and there exists a demand for the development of diagnostic aids to facilitate this. A lightweight Involutional Neural Network (INN) architecture has been developed to diagnose ASD. The model follows a simpler architectural design and has less number of parameters than the state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) image classification models, requiring lower computational resources. The proposed model is trained to detect ASD from eye‐tracking scanpath (SP), heatmap (HM), and fixation map (FM) images. Monte Carlo Dropout has been applied to the model to perform an uncertainty analysis and ensure the effectiveness of the output provided by the proposed INN model. The model has been trained and evaluated using two publicly accessible datasets. From the experiment, it is seen that the model has achieved 98.12% accuracy, 96.83% accuracy, and 97.61% accuracy on SP, FM, and HM, respectively, which outperforms the current SOTA image classification models and other existing works conducted on this topic.

Abstract Objective In epilepsy, early diagnosis, accurate determination of epilepsy type, proper selection of antiseizure medication, and monitoring are all essential. However, despite recent therapeutic advances and conceptual reconsiderations in the classification and management of epilepsy, serious gaps are still encountered in day‐to‐day practice in Egypt as well as several other resource‐limited countries. Premature mortality, poor quality of life, socio‐economic burden, cognitive problems, poor treatment outcomes, and comorbidities are major challenges that require urgent actions to be implemented at all levels. In recognition of this, a group of Egyptian epilepsy experts met through a series of consecutive meetings to specify the main concepts concerning the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide Egyptian consensus. Methods The consensus was developed through a modified Delphi methodology. A thorough review of the most recent relevant literature and international guidelines was performed to evaluate their applicability to the Egyptian situation. Afterward, several remote and live rounds were scheduled to reach a final agreement for all listed statements. Results Of 278 statements reviewed in the first round, 256 achieved ≥80% agreement. Live discussion and refinement of the 22 statements that did not reach consensus during the first round took place, followed by final live voting then consensus was achieved for all remaining statements. Significance With the implementation of these unified recommendations, we believe this will bring about substantial improvements in both the quality of care and treatment outcomes for persons with epilepsy in Egypt. Plain Language Summary This work represents the efforts of a group of medical experts to reach an agreement on the best medical practice related to people with epilepsy based on previously published recommendations while taking into consideration applicable options in resource‐limited countries. The publication of this document is expected to minimize many malpractice issues and pave the way for better healthcare services on both individual and governmental levels.

Abstract Background In especially, low and middle-income nations (LMICs), where healthcare access may be restricted, high blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, both of which can even lead to death. Altering one's lifestyle, in conjunction with medical therapy, has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering BP. Recent research has shown that physical activity (PA), in a variety of guises and to varying degrees, can be an effective means of lowering BP. Objective The purpose of this meta-analysis and systematic review was to evaluate the impact that PA plays in the development of hypertension in LMICs nations. Methods An exhaustive search of the available research was carried out in order to locate studies that were pertinent. We searched a number of online databases, such as SCOPUS, Medline, and Web of Science, looking for clinical trials that were published before March of 2023. Studies were only considered for inclusion if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), reported on the association between PA and BP, and were carried out in LMICs countries. Results This meta-analysis incorporated a comprehensive collection of 60 studies, encompassing a total of 11,002 people, consisting of 5,630 cases and 5372 controls. The findings indicate that engaging in PA had a notable impact on decreasing systolic blood pressure (SBP), as seen by a weighted mean difference (WMD) of -7.70 mmHg, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from -9.50 to -5.91 (p

Abstract Objectives While significant evidence supports the benefits of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (NCPB) over hypothermic techniques, many institutions in developing countries, including ours, continue to employ hypothermic methods. This study aimed to assess the early postoperative outcomes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (NCPB) for complete surgical repair via the Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) within our national context. Methods We conducted this study in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) at the University Children’s Hospital. One hundred patients who underwent complete TOF repair were enrolled and categorized into two groups: the normothermic group (n = 50, temperature 35–37 °C) and the moderate hypothermic group (n = 50, temperature 28–32 °C). We evaluated mortality, morbidity, and postoperative complications in the PCICU as outcome measures. Results The demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. However, the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time were notably longer in the hypothermic group. The study recorded seven deaths, yielding an overall mortality rate of 7%. No significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning mortality, morbidity, or postoperative complications in the PCICU. Conclusions Our findings suggest that normothermic procedures, while not demonstrably effective, are safe for pediatric cardiac surgery. Further research is warranted to substantiate and endorse the adoption of this technique.

Background: The management of preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients, as well as its implications, has remained challenging for anesthesiologists. In this study, we compared the safety and efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and ketamine as surgical premedication in children.Methods: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in January 2014, on 90 children aged between 2-7 years old. The participants’ American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status was I or II, and they were scheduled for elective unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. Using the block randomization method, the patients were randomly assigned to three groups, each receiving intranasal dexmedetomidine (2 µg/Kg), midazolam (0.2 mg/Kg), and ketamine (8 mg/Kg) 60 min before induction of anesthesia. Anxiety and sedation state were evaluated before drug administration, and then every 10 min for the next 50 min. Parental separation anxiety, mask acceptance, postoperative agitation, pain, nausea, and vomiting were also recorded and compared between these groups. All the statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 21.0). P

Abstract Background Severe post-vaccination neurological complications are rare. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune-mediated polyneuropathy affecting the peripheral nerve roots, which is not well described as a post-vaccination side effect. Here, we present a rare complication of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, reaching a diagnosis of CIDP. Case presentation A 67-year-old diabetic male presented with lower extremity paresthesia and weakness following the third dose of the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccine. Despite initial dismissal as a diabetic complication, symptoms escalated, affecting all extremities. Electromyography study revealed abnormal spontaneous activity with chronic reinnervation changes, which was more significant in the lower extremities. Based on the clinical course, radiographic imaging, and laboratory data, a diagnosis of CIDP with severe axonal demyelinating features was established. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), prednisolone, and azathioprine resulted in marked improvement of the upper extremities but limited recovery in distal lower extremity muscles. Conclusion Although CIDP is a rare complication following COVID-19 vaccination, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Timely diagnosis of vaccine-induced CIDP is challenging, and any delay can adversely affect treatment response in affected patients.

Abstract The present study was aimed at showing the importance of HPV DNA status and the clinical history of the patients required by the cytologist for accurate reporting. A total of 1250 symptomatic women who attended the gynaecology outpatient department of the Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Nalanda Medical College, Patna, for pap smear examinations were screened and recruited for the study. Due to highly clinical symptoms out of the negative with inflammatory smears reported, one hundred and ten patients were randomly advised for biopsy and HPV 16/18 DNA analysis by a gynaecologist to correlate negative smears included in the study. Pap smear reports revealed that 1178 (94.24%) were negative for intraepithelial lesions (NILM) with inflammatory smears, 23 (1.84%) smears showed low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 12 (0.96%) smears showed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 37 (2.96%) smears showed an atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US). A biopsy of 110 out of 1178 (NILM) patients revealed that 15 (13.63%) women had cervical cancer, 29 women had CIN I, 17 women had CIN II + CIN III, 35 women had benign cervical changes, and 14 women had haemorrhages. On the other hand, HPV 16/18 DNA was detected as positive in 87 out of 110. The high positivity of HPV in biopsied cases where frank cervical cancer and at-risk cancer were also observed in the negative smear-screened patients reveals that the HPV status and clinical history of the patients will be quite helpful to the cytologist for accurate reporting, and suggests that a negative HPV DNA result may be a stronger predictor of cervical cancer risk than a negative Pap test.

Abstract In this paper, a new algorithm named the improved transient search optimization algorithm (ITSOA) is utilized to solve classical test functions, optimize the consumption of building energy, and optimize hybrid energy system production. The conventional TSOA draws inspiration from the fleeting behavior of electrical circuits with energy storage components. Rosenbrock’s direct rotation technique is used to improve the traditional TSOA performance against exploration and exploitation unbalance. First, the ITSOA performance is investigated in solving 23 classical benchmark functions, and the outcomes have shown the superior capability of the recommended algorithm in comparison with the conventional TSOA, DMO, SHO, GA, MRFO, and PSO methods. Also, the ITSOA proficiency is verified in solving the building energy optimization (BEO) problem for minimizing the energy usage of two simple and detailed buildings. The optimization results showed that the optimized solutions of ITSOA in single and multi-objective optimizations compared to conventional TSOA, DMO, SHO, GA, MRFO, and PSO obtained a lower value of the cost function. Also, the superiority of ITSOA has been confirmed to solve the BEO compared to previous methods. Moreover, the multi-objective optimization results have shown that ITSOA is able to determine the ultimate solution among the Pareto front set based on the fuzzy decision-making approach and building energy utilization decisions.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between government revenue and capital expenditures in Jordan from 2003 to 2022, with public debt as the moderating variable. Utilizing data from the Jordanian Ministry of Finance’s final accounts and the Central Bank of Jordan’s reports, the study employed regression analysis techniques in the statistical software E-Views to test the study’s hypotheses. The findings reveal a positive relationship between revenue and capital expenditures, indicating the significance of revenue in determining the level of capital expenditures. Additionally, a positive relationship is observed between public debt and the magnitude of capital expenditures, suggesting that a portion of capital expenditures is covered by government revenues while the remaining portion is financed by public debt. Upon introducing the moderating variable (public debt) into the analysis, the impact of public debt on the relationship between revenue and capital expenditures becomes evident, indicating that public debt strengthens the relationship between revenue and capital expenditures. In light of the study’s findings, the government should focus on enhancing and increasing revenue and financing sources while rationalizing expenditures. Moreover, it should strive to improve its services and infrastructure to attract more investments and reduce public debt.

Abstract Background Classic vitrification methods are not appropriate when there are minimal numbers of viable sperm, and the new methods emphasize the low semen volumes in these cases. The aim was to assess the efficacy of the cryotech as a device for freezing low sperm volume, through the two methods of open (OVS) and closed (CVS) vitrification systems. Methods Testicular biopsy samples from 30 men with obstructive azoospermia (OA) were assigned to three groups fresh control (FC), OVS, and CVS. Testicular sperms were selected using an ICSI injection pipette and vitrified on the cryotech straws, containing one droplet of freezing medium. After warming, sperm head morphometric characterizations were evaluated with the MSOME technique. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, chromatin quality assessment including DNA fragmentation, Chromomycine A3 staining (CMA3), and Aniline Blue (AB) were assessed. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) was done to examine sperm acrosome integrity. Results The mean sperm motility, viability, and sperm with intact acrosome reduced after vitrification, in both methods of CVS, and OVS, but the results were more promising in the closed method (p

Abstract Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) a central nervous system autoimmune disorder, mainly affecting young adults and more prevalent among women, can lead to sexual dysfunction (SD) among both males and females with MS. Female sexual dysfunction can be defined as dyspareunia, a lack of sexual desire, disorders in the arousal and orgasm phases, and sexual pain disorders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in sexual function among females with MS whose treatment was switched from first-line injectable medications to other agents after a six-month duration. And assess the changes in all three domains of SD. Methods In this longitudinal study females diagnosed with MS, aged between 18 and 50 years old, and were candidates for switching their treatment from interferon beta-1a (intra-muscular and subcutaneous), and Glatiramer Acetate (GA), to Fingolimod, Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF), or Natalizumab (NTZ) due to patients’ convenience and tolerability and adverse events were included. “Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19” was used to evaluate the SD changes before and six months after the new treatment initiation. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS V.24 software. Histograms and the Shapiro-Wilk test were used to assess the normality of the variables; due to the non-normal distribution of quantitative variables (except for age), the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the scores, before and six months after the medication change. The level of significance was considered less than 0.05. Results Out of 107 female participants (average age: 35.09 ± 5.61), The mean of overall MSISQ-19 scores, before and six months after the medication change were not significant (p-value = 0.091). However, considering the subdomains, the medication changes only affected the tertiary subdomain of MSISQ-19 (p-value = 0.017). Still, the scores of other subdomains did not change significantly (p-value = 0.761 for primary SD and 0.479 for secondary SD). Also, there wasn’t any significant difference between EDSS before and after the medication change (p-value = 0.461). Conclusions To our knowledge, this was the first study, assessing the effect of MS medication change on the improvement of SD among patients. According to the results of the presented cross-sectional study, we found that during a six-month period, the tertiary subdomain of MSISQ-19 symptoms improved significantly, while the changes in other SD domains were not significant.

Abstract Background Inbreeding and relationship coefficients are essential for conservation and breeding programs. Whether dealing with a small conserved population or a large commercial population, monitoring the inbreeding rate and designing mating plans that minimize the inbreeding rate and maximize the effective population size is important. Free, open-source, and efficient software may greatly contribute to conservation and breeding programs and help students and researchers. Efficient methods exist for calculating inbreeding coefficients. Therefore, an efficient way of calculating the numerator relationship coefficients is via the inbreeding coefficients. i.e., the relationship coefficient between parents is twice the inbreeding coefficient of their progeny. A dummy progeny is introduced where no progeny exists for a pair of individuals. Calculating inbreeding coefficients is very fast, and finding whether a pair of individuals has a progeny and picking one from multiple progenies is computationally more demanding. Therefore, the R package introduces a dummy progeny for any pair of individuals whose relationship coefficient is of interest, whether they have a progeny or not. Results Runtime and peak memory usage were benchmarked for calculating relationship coefficients between two sets of 250 and 800 animals (200,000 dummy progenies) from a pedigree of 2,721,252 animals. The program performed efficiently (200,000 relationship coefficients, which involved calculating 2,721,252 + 200,000 inbreeding coefficients) within 3:45 (mm:ss). Providing the inbreeding coefficients (for real animals), the runtime was reduced to 1:08. Furthermore, providing the diagonal elements of D in $$\textbf{A} = \textbf{TDT}^{\prime }$$ A = TDT ′ (d), the runtime was reduced to 54s. All the analyses were performed on a machine with a total memory size of 1 GB. Conclusions The R package FnR is free and open-source software with implications in conservation and breeding programs. It proved to be time and memory efficient for large populations and many dummy progenies. Calculation of inbreeding coefficients can be resumed for new animals in the pedigree. Thus, saving the latest inbreeding coefficient estimates is recommended. Calculation of d coefficients (from scratch) was very fast, and there was limited value in storing those for future use.

Abstract The rapid growth of urban populations, particularly in the global south, has led to significant challenges in urban security. Insufficient urban security measures can hinder the achievement of future development goals. This study explores the impact of rapid urbanization in capital cities on social, cultural, and environmental issues. The influx of individuals who are not fully integrated into the city can compromise urban security and increase vulnerability in certain groups and areas. The research aims to investigate urban privacy in relation to urban security, with a specific focus on privacy management in the capital city. The study utilizes an applied approach with a descriptive and analytical methodology. The statistical population consists of 856,565 individuals, with a sample of 383 people selected through simple random sampling. The questionnaire was validated by experts, and the reliability of different sections was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. The findings highlight the influence of factors such as lack of collaboration among security experts, diverse attitudes and political views, and legal and managerial differences on urban privacy vulnerability. Many studies have focused on general urban issues or specific crimes without addressing urban security. Weak regulations, inadequate plans and budgets, and a lack of security equipment are identified as variables affecting the security of the capital city. Managerial, legal, and structural vulnerabilities contribute to insecurity, lawlessness, cultural disparities, and a lack of safety and security in Tehran. The factor with the greatest impact (16.07%) is "coalition between security professionals," while the factor with the smallest impact (6.32%) is "sufficient security for investment and safety in night travel" among the total variables.

Abstract In this work, a novel series of N-phenylacetamide-1,2,3-triazole-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives 5a–n were designed by consideration of the potent α-glucosidase inhibitors containing indole and carboxamide-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenylacetamide moieties. These compounds were synthesized by click reaction and evaluated against yeast α-glucosidase. All the newly title compounds demonstrated superior potency when compared with acarbose as a standard inhibitor. Particularly, compound 5k possessed the best inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with around a 28-fold improvement in the inhibition effect in comparison standard inhibitor. This compound showed a competitive type of inhibition in the kinetics. The molecular docking and dynamics demonstrated that compound 5k with a favorable binding energy well occupied the active site of α-glucosidase.

The implementation of artificial intelligence has the scope to revolutionize e-government services by enhancing the quality of life for citizens, enhancing operational efficiency, and enabling groundbreaking applications. There is a possibility that this can be achieved through technical improvements. A wide range of artificial intelligence technologies and services are offered by Amazon Web Services, which has the potential to alter how e-government services are provided. The purpose of this abstract is to study the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence by utilizing Amazon Web Services and to highlight the benefits and possibilities that it provides to the field of e-government. The utilization of artificial intelligence in conjunction with Amazon Web Services has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of e-government services by reducing inefficiencies, enabling the development of creative applications, and enabling the customization of experiences. With the assistance of the artificial intelligence tools and services offered by Amazon Web Services, the public sector can take advantage of the revolutionary power of artificial intelligence while also ensuring that responsible and ethical practices are followed.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the global and continental positions of e-government models in countries such as Jordan by analysing their experiences. The evaluation of the progress of e-government is carried out using a multi-practice methodology, which incorporates a variety of different procedures and techniques. The performance of Jordan is evaluated using the United Nations e-government maturity index, which is comprised of the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index, the Human Capital Index, and the Online Service Index. These indexes are used to compare Jordan’s performance from 2008 to 2015. The purpose of this research is to improve the capabilities of e-government by utilising previous experiences, addressing deficiencies, and making the most of potential. In addition to this, the study investigates the influence that artificial intelligence (AI) has on the confidence of users and the quality of government services that are delivered through online platforms. Specifically, the report underlines the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of adopting and utilising artificial intelligence, as well as the potential of tools and solutions that are driven by artificial intelligence.

Abstract Quick and accurate diagnosis of COVID‐19 is crucial in preventing its transmission. Chest X‐ray (CXR) imaging is often used for diagnosis, however, even experienced radiologists may misinterpret the results, necessitating computer‐aided diagnosis. Deep learning has yielded favourable results previously, but overfitting, excessive variance, and generalization errors may occur due to noise and limited datasets. Ensemble learning can improve predictions by using robust techniques. Therefore, this study, proposes two‐fold strategy that combines advanced and robust algorithms, including DenseNet201, EfficientNetB7, and Xception, to achieve faster and more accurate COVID‐19 detection. Segmented lung images were generated from CXR images using the residual U‐Net model, and two attention‐based ensemble neural networks were used for classification. The COVID‐19 radiography dataset was used to evaluate the proposed approach, which achieved an accuracy of 98.21%, 93.4%, and 89.06% for two, three, and four classes respectively which outperformed previous studies by a significant margin considering COVID, viral pneumonia, and lung opacity simultaneously. Despite the similarity in CXR images of COVID, pneumonia, and lung opacity, the proposed approach achieved 89.06% accuracy, demonstrating its ability to recognize distinguishable features. The developed algorithm is expected to have applications in clinics for diagnosing different diseases using X‐ray images.

Abstract This paper introduces a new descriptor called orientation‐magnitude response maps as a single 2D image to effectively explore motion patterns. Moreover, boosted multi‐stream CNN‐based model with various attention modules is designed for human action recognition. The model incorporates a convolutional self‐attention autoencoder to represent compressed and high‐level motion features. Sequential convolutional self‐attention modules are used to exploit the implicit relationships within motion patterns. Furthermore, 2D discrete wavelet transform is employed to decompose RGB frames into discriminative coefficients, providing supplementary spatial information related to the actors actions. A spatial attention block, implemented through the weighted inception module in a CNN‐based structure, is designed to weigh the multi‐scale neighbours of various image patches. Moreover, local and global body pose features are combined by extracting informative joints based on geometry features and joint trajectories in 3D space. To provide the importance of specific channels in pose descriptors, a multi‐scale channel attention module is proposed. For each data modality, a boosted CNN‐based model is designed, and the action predictions from different streams are seamlessly integrated. The effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated across multiple datasets, including HMDB51, UTD‐MHAD, and MSR‐daily activity, showcasing its potential in the field of action recognition.

Abstract Soil salinity is a major nutritional challenge with poor agriculture production characterized by high sodium (Na+) ions in the soil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and biochar have received attention as a sustainable strategy to reduce biotic and abiotic stress. However, there is a lack of information regarding the incorporation of ZnO NPs with biochar to ameliorate the salinity stress (0, 50,100 mM). Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potentials of ZnO NPs application (priming and foliar) alone and with a combination of biochar on the growth and nutrient availability of spinach plants under salinity stress. Results demonstrated that salinity stress at a higher rate (100 mM) showed maximum growth retardation by inducing oxidative stress, resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate and nutrient availability. ZnO NPs (priming and foliar) alone enhanced growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange parameters by improving the antioxidant enzymes activity of spinach under salinity stress. While, a significant and more pronounced effect was observed at combined treatments of ZnO NPs with biochar amendment. More importantly, ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar significantly reduced the Na+ contents in root 57.69%, and leaves 61.27% of spinach as compared to the respective control. Furthermore, higher nutrient contents were also found at the combined treatment of ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar. Overall, ZnO NPs combined application with biochar proved to be an efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop nutritional quality under salinity stress. We inferred that ZnO NPs foliar application with a combination of biochar is more effectual in improving crop nutritional status and salinity mitigation than priming treatments with a combination of biochar.

Abstract Background Period poverty is a significant issue that impacts the physical and psychological well-being of menstruators worldwide which can further contribute to poor mental health outcomes. For menstruators living in refugee camps, access to menstrual hygiene products is often limited or non-existent, leading to increased anxiety, shame, and embarrassment. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of the period poverty and to comprehensively analyze the association between period poverty, reusing menstrual products, and depressive symptoms among menstruators living in refugee camps in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study surveyed refugee menstruators living in camps in Jordan, aged post-menarche to pre-menopause. Data collection included socio-demographics, menstrual practices, and depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Period poverty was assessed through affordability and frequency of struggles with menstrual products. Chi-squared test, independent sample t-test, One Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Post hoc, and logistic regression models were used in the analysis. Results The study included a diverse sample of 386 refugee menstruators living in camps in Jordan (mean age 32.43 ± 9.95, age range 13–55). Period poverty was highly prevalent, with 42.0% reporting monthly struggles to afford menstrual products, and 71.5% reusing menstrual products. Univariate analysis revealed that experiencing period poverty was significantly associated with a younger age of marriage, increased number of children, lower education level, lower mother and father education levels, unemployment, decreased monthly income, absence of health insurance, lower reuse need score, and increased PHQ-9 score (p

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a disease that is associated with EGFR‐mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Here we utilized a bioinformatics approach to identify genetic commonalities between these two diseases. To this end, we examined microarray datasets from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) to identify differentially expressed genes, common genes, and hub genes between the selected two diseases. Our analyses identified potential therapeutic molecules for the selected diseases based on 10 hub genes with the highest interactions according to the degree topology method and the maximum clique centrality (MCC). These therapeutic molecules may have the potential for simultaneous treatment of these diseases.

Background and objectives: Clinical studies have consistently identified depression-related disorders as the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Quercetin has garnered significant attention as a therapeutic approach for various neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly symptoms of depression in individuals. This study aimed to compare the neuroprotective effects of quercetin on depression-like behaviors and serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and galectin (Gal)-3, in a rat model of AD. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were categorized into six groups: control, sham, AD, quercetin 10, quercetin 25, and quercetin 100 mg/kg body weight through gavage for 8 weeks. The rat model of AD was induced by intra-cerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 4 mg/rat, bilaterally). Depressive-like behaviors were assessed using the forced swimming test (FST), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field test (OFT). Additionally, serum Gal-3 and TNF-α concentrations were measured. Results: STZ administration led to increased depression-related behaviors in OFT, EPM, and FST. Significant elevations in serum TNF-α, coupled with a decrease in Gal-3 concentrations in the hippocampus of AD rats, were observed. Remarkably, quercetin treatment reversed hippocampal cytokine concentrations in STZ-treated rats. Quercetin at the doses of 25 and 100 mg/kg significantly increased serum Gal-3 concentrations compared to other groups. Conclusion: The antidepressant effects of quercetin may be linked to its capacity to reduce inflammation and increase Gal-3 levels.

This paper presents a new control method for surge instability of the compressor system. Due to the importance of the active control approach in improving the efficiency of the compressor system, a new scheme based on the model predictive control (MPC) technique has been considered to control surge which gives the benefits of control signal optimization by considering the constraints on states and input. Because of designing a novel MPC by using of linear matrix inequality scheme, the optimization problem is solved in less time and with less complexity. The proposed method is able to consider the limitation of the close coupled valve actuator and also covers the uncertainty on the model. In addition, the developed model describes the nonlinear behaviour of the compressor system and handles the effects of the pipe on surge instability. Using Lyapunov theory, the stability of the closed-loop system under the proposed robust active controller is shown. The simulation results show the high pressure and high efficiency operation of the system under study in different operating conditions.

Introduction: The flexible job shop system is one of the most widely used scheduling systems in production environments, consistently attracting researchers' attention due to its diverse applications. Many studies in this field assume fixed and predetermined processing times. However, processing times can increase due to the deterioration effect, and after implementing rate-modifying activities (RMA), these times return to their original values. This study examines the flexible job shop scheduling system, considering job rejection policies, dual resource constraints (human and machine), and RMA maintenance activities.Methods: The objective of flexible job shop scheduling is to assign each operation to a machine and a worker from a set of eligible machines and workers in a way that optimizes the sequence of operations on the machines. A mathematical model based on the mixed-integer linear programming approach was developed for this purpose. Literature review classifies the problem with the stated assumptions as NP-hard, making the use of meta-heuristic methods essential for finding near-optimal solutions. Thus, Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), Simulated Annealing (SA), and a combined VNS-SA algorithm were employed to solve the problem.Results and discussion: Twenty sub-problems were analyzed, categorized into small, medium, and large-sized problems. The characteristics of each problem were defined by parameters such as the number of jobs, machines, workers, total operations, and buckets. Meta-heuristic methods, including VNS, SA, and their combination, were utilized to solve the problem. Seven neighborhood structures based on changes in assigned machines and workers, operation and job replacements, execution of RMA activities, and job acceptance/rejection were developed to enhance solution space exploration. The solution generation structure ensures feasibility within the flexible job shop system's requirements. The parameters of the meta-heuristic methods were tuned using the Taguchi method. Parameters related to the combined VNS-SA algorithm, such as initial temperature, number of neighborhood searches, and shake procedure counter, were reported. The results of the meta-heuristic methods were compared, and for small-sized problems, they were also compared with exact solutions.Conclusion: The results of the twenty sub-problems solved using the three meta-heuristic approaches were compared statistically. The combined method of simulated annealing and variable neighborhood search showed superior performance in solving the problem.

Iranian mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) include 73 species across eight genera. The fauna of mosquitoes in Guilan Province comprises 34 species classified into seven genera. A faunistic study of mosquitoes was conducted with emphasis on an aggressive biter mosquito reported by local people in Anzali and Rasht Cities of Guilan Province, northern Iran. Collections were made by hand catches using manual aspirators, light traps, BG lure traps and ovitraps during August–November 2023 in all 17 counties of the province. Species identification was carried out using morphological keys and molecular analysis of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. In total, 29 larvae and 896 adult specimens were collected which were not recognized as a species previously known to occur in the province. The aggressive biter mosquito was morphologically identified as Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895). The sequences of the barcode region of the COI gene of the species were generated for the first time in the country. This species was collected in 14 counties of the province. Thus, the mosquito fauna of Guilan Province increased to 35 species.

Stroke is a medical condition in which occluded blood flow to the brain causes cell necrosis. The main types of stroke are ischemic (due to lack of blood flow with much higher prevalence) and hemorrhagic (due to bleeding with low prevalence). Ischemic stroke is caused by the reduction of blood to the brain tissue or complete occlusion of brain vessels by a blood clot following arterial plaques rapture of cerebral arteries due to atherosclerosis, cerebral myocardial infarction and small vascular lesion infarction. Inflammatory reactions, increased oxidative stress, cell death and autophagy are the most aggravating factors in this condition. Instead, hemorrhagic stroke is caused by spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, highly common in men. To prevent the possible causes of stroke, investigators attempted to study about the ways that may decrease the risk factors such as trauma, high arterial hypertension, alcohol, low-density lipoprotein and glycerides, tobacco and drugs. Physical activity is a potent inhibitory factor which reported to be effective in prevention of stroke and post-stroke rehabilitation. Aerobic, combined or strenuous activities protect brain tissue by balancing apoptotic and anti-apoptotic pathways, stimulating angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, increasing antioxidant activity, optimizing Integrity and preservation of the blood-brain barrier, improving nerve functions and preventing neuronal death. The mechanisms involved in rehabilitation after ischemic stroke with physical activity mostly refer to improved dendrites and synapses, synaptic flexibility, regulation of inotropic receptors with glutamate, increased BDNF, GAP43 and insulin-like growth factor. In patients with cognitive impairments following acute ischemic stroke, high intensity exercise improves processing timing and attention allocation, self-independence, walking ability, aerobic power and reduces memory degradation. Moreover, early start of physical activity after ischemic stroke inhibits the initial physiological response to stroke and prevents optimal recovery. In contrary, reports show positive effects of onset of physical exercise a day after stroke. In hemorrhagic stroke, exercise reduces systolic blood pressure, moderates resting blood pressure via parasympathetic regulations and triggers angiogenesis in the nervous system. Light to moderate or long-term physical training is recommended in comparison to short-term high-intensity training. In addition, early onset of physical activity during recovery after stroke may be beneficial.

Introduction: By directly affecting the environment and creating employee satisfaction, ergonomics creates quality products or services, organizational productivity, and customer satisfaction. Participation is a kind of participation and involvement in decision-making, planning, and implementation. The present research was conducted to evaluate and measure the impact of collaborative management with macro ergonomics on organizational productivity through the mediating variable of employee empowerment and participation in the General Directorate of Technical and Vocational Training of Fars province. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive survey type. To carry out this research, 208 employees of the General Directorate of Technical and Vocational Training of Fars province were selected in 1402 by a simple sampling method based on the Karjesi and Morgan formula. Four standard questionnaires of participatory management, employee empowerment, organizational productivity, and employee participation were used to collect data. The reliability of the questionnaires was investigated using Cronbach's alpha, and the content validity ratio (CVR) was used for the validity of the questionnaires. The effect of participatory management with macro ergonomics on organizational productivity was evaluated using the paired t-test. Also, SPSS and AMOS statistical software were used for data analysis. Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the standard questionnaire of participatory management, employee empowerment, organizational productivity, and employee participation was 0.803, 0.755, 0.790, and 0.946, respectively, and the CVR value of the questionnaires was calculated 1, 0.99, 1 and 1 respectively. And therefore the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed. This research showed that participatory management has a positive and significant effect on the empowerment of employees from the perspective of macro ergonomics and productivity (p=0.034). The positive impact of empowering employees on the organization's productivity was confirmed with the perspective of macro ergonomics and employee participation (p=0.041) Finally, the mediating role of employee empowerment and employee participation on organizational productivity was confirmed (p=0.031). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the application of macro ergonomics leads to an increase in the acceptance power of employees and commitment to changes, and provides the most suitable help to improve their safety, satisfaction, and productivity.

The Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation in the Parvadeh Coal Mine (90 km south of Tabas) has been studied. The study area is structurally located on the northern Tabas Block in the north of the Parvadeh–Nayband coal-bearing basin, east-central Iran. The Hojedk Formation has a thickness of 40 meters in the studied outcrop section. Five lithostratigraphic units have been identified, which mainly consist of sandstones, shales, conglomerates, siltstones and thin bioclastic sandy limestone. Based on field and petrographic studies, four groups of lithofacies including coarse- (Gcm and Gt), medium- (St, Sp, Sh and Sr) and fine-grained clastic (Fl and Fm) as well as carbonate facies (echinoid brachiopod grainstone-packstone) have been identified in the Hojedk Formation. The architectural elements of channels and point bars of a meandering tidal creek and coastal plain swamp have been identified in the Hojedk Formation and its palaeodepositional conditions can be attributed to the tidal flat of a marginal marine siliciclastic environment. To investigate the characteristics of the Hojedk Formation in the subsurface, the electrical facies were defined in an exploration borehole in the eastern part of Parvadeh Mine. In this borehole, the Hojedk Formation is 48 meters thick, and four electro/log facies have been identified by considering the gamma-ray motif and resistivity logs. These electro facies are compatible with the sub-environments of coastal sand flats, tidal channels and coastal plain swamps.Keywords: Tabas Block, Hojedk Formation, Middle Jurassic, Facies, Log facies IntroductionCentral-East-Iranian-Microcontinent is a part of Iran Plate, which can be structurally divided into Lut, Tabas and Yazd blocks (Takin 1972; Aghanabati 2004). The tectono-sedimentary evolution of east-central Iran during the Late Triassic to the Late Jurassic is governed by the Cimmerian orogenic events (Fürsich et al. 2005; Seyed-Emami et al. 2004, 2020; Wilmsen et al. 2009, 2021). The Hojedk Formation is the last lithostratigraphic unit of the Shemshak Group in east-central Iran, which during the Middle Jurassic in this area was affected by Cimmerian tectonic events resulting in large thickness and facies variations (Wilmsen et al. 2009). Biostratigraphic studies have led to determining the age of this formation (early Bajocian) in eastern central Iran (Seyed-Emami et al. 2020). Macrofloras, palynology and sedimentary environment analysis have been conducted on the Hojedk Formation in Tabas Block, which has led to the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic conditions of this formation (Vaez-Javadi and Mirzaei-Ataabadi 2006; Vaez-Javadi 2016; Badihagh et al. 2019; Khalilizadeh et al. 2023; Salehi et al. 2023). Based on preliminary studies conducted in the northern part of Tabas Block, the Hojedk Formation was formed in different sub-environments including lakes, coastal plains, deltas, fluvial and flood plains as well as the marine environment (Seyed-Emami et al. 2006). Due to the importance of the Hojedk Formation in the reconstruction of the tectonic-sedimentary evolution of northern Tabas Block during the Middle Jurassic as well as its coal resources, this succession has been studied in the outcrop and subsurface sections in the Parvadeh Coal Mine. The facies and sedimentary environment of this formation are still less known in many areas of the northern Tabas Block, including the Parvadeh Coal Mine area. Considering the extensive coal reserve of 1.1 billion tons in the northern Tabas Block, this region is important for detailed geological studies for the exploration of workable coal seams. To reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental deposition of the Hojedk Formation, field, subsurface and laboratory studies were carried out and all the data were integrated with the geological information of the area. Furthermore, the identification of log facies of this formation in the exploration boreholes, drilled in eastern Parvadeh Mine, is useful for coal exploration, discovery and production from the coal-bearing strata of the studied area. Material & Methods The outcrop section of the Middle Jurassic Hojedk Formation was logged and measured by Jacob's staff (Sdzuy and Monninger 1985) in the western part of the Parvadeh Coal Mine. Sampling was done systematically and sometimes according to the identical facies changes. In total 25 hand specimens were collected and thin sections were prepared from the sandstone and limestone samples. Clastic facies have been identified and classified based on Miall's classification (Miall 1985, 2014). Carbonate facies have been classified based on Dunham’s scheme for carbonate rocks (Dunham 1962), and microfacies character defined based on criteria described by Flügel (2010). In addition, a subsurface study has been carried out on an exploration borehole (BH#341), which was drilled in the eastern part of the Parvadeh Mine. The lithostratigraphy and sedimentological characteristics of this formation in the borehole were compared with the adjacent studied outcrop section. Graphical and Gamma-ray well logs motifs of the borehole have been used in this study for electrical/log facies identification. Discussion of Results & ConclusionsIn this research, the Hojedk Formation is studied in the north of Parvadeh-Nayband coal basin, 90 km south of Tabas (Parvadeh Coal Mine). Based on field studies, five lithostratigraphic units have been identified. The succession mainly consists of sandstones, shales, conglomerates, siltstones and thin bioclastic sandy limestone. Clastic facies were defined in the field by considering lithology, sedimentary structure, geometry, stratal surface, palaeocurrent and fossil/trace fossil content. Four groups of facies including coarse-, medium- and fine-grained clastic facies and one carbonate facies have been identified. Two coarse- (Gcm and Gt), four medium- (St, Sp, Sh and Sr), and two fine-grained facies including Fl and Fm were identified in the field. Some medium-grained facies are bioturbated and sometimes show vertical cylindrical burrows (e.g. Skolithos). The carbonate microfacies recognized based on rock texture (echinoid brachiopod grainstone-packstone), is equivalent to the standard microfacies (SMF) 18. The latter facies were formed in carbonate bioclastic sand shoals in a marginal shallow marine mixed environment. In order to identify the architectural elements in the Hojedk Formation, features such as the lithology, stratal surface, geometry, and their associated facies have been considered. In the studied succession, three architectural elements including channel and point bars of a meandering tidal creek and coastal plain swamp have been identified in the Hojedk Formation. This formation also has been investigated in the subsurface section (exploration borehole No. 341) in the eastern part of the Parvadeh Coal Mine. In this borehole, the Hojedk Formation is 48 meters thick and consists of sandstones, shales, limestones and siltstones. In this study, four electrical facies (log facies) were identified in the Hojedk Formation, which is compatible with the sub-environments of coastal sand flats, tidal channels, crevasse splay and coastal plain swamps. According to the identified lithofacies, microfacies, architectural elements and log facies in vertical and lateral distribution, the sedimentary environment of the Hojedk Formation in the studied outcrop and borehole is attributed to a tidal flat of a marginal marine siliciclastic environment.

Introduction: One of the reproductive health challenges in breast cancer survivors is desire to childbearing that is influenced by many medical and non-medical factors. The social determinants of health are non-medical factors that affect fertility and breast cancer. This study was performed with aim to investigate mediating determinants of childbearing in breast cancer surviving women. Methods: This systematic review study was conducted based on the PRISMA checklist by searching four databases of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus using the Mesh and Emtree standardized keywords including breast neoplasm, survivorship, social determinants of health, reproductive behavior, fertility intention, and their Persian equivalents and their possible combinations in the period of 2008-2023. Results: In total, among the 4542 retrieved articles, 10 studies were included. Among the included studies, 7 were cross-sectional and 3 were cohort studies. Most of the studies used easy and accessible sampling method. The intermediating determinants of health that were examined in a larger number of studies were behavioral factors, biological factors, and psychological factors that were significantly associated with challenges such as increasing the desire and value of motherhood after treatment, the intention to get pregnant, feeling need to have children. Conclusion: The mediating factors that determine childbearing issues of survived breast cancer women include: biological factors, behavioral factors, and psychosocial factors. Considering the limited number of studies conducted in this field, it is recommended to carry out more relational studies in order to accurately diagnose these components with regard to their impact on the general health of this group of women.

Microplastics (MPs) as an emerging pollution with a size of less than 5 mm, can act as carriers of chemical and biological pollutants and have destructive effects on the environment and human health. Drinking water is one of the methods of exposure and entry of these particles into the human body. The importance of water treatment plants is to eliminate and reduce the maximum of existing microplastics and prevent them from entering water sources. Optimizing the removal of microplastics in drinking water treatment plants can reduce the risk of human exposure to these substances. This study reviews the frequency and characteristics of microplastics in water and sludge of drinking water treatment plants and the efficiency of different processes in their removal. This study is a narrative review. To identify the studies that investigated microplastics in water and sludge of a water treatment plant, Persian and English studies in the period from 2013 to 2024 with two groups of Persian keywords including microplastics, water, sludge, water treatment plant, and English keywords. Including Drinking water treatment plants, DWTP Sludge and Microplastic. Google Scholar, PubMed, John Wiley, and ScienceDirect sources were searched. A total of 816 articles were obtained. After removing duplicate articles, the number of articles was reduced to 798 articles. Then, by checking the titles and abstracts, the number of articles was limited to 38. By reviewing the articles whose full text was available, 12 articles were finally left, 9 articles were about microplastics in water, 2 articles were about microplastics in water treatment plant sludge, and 1 article was jointly about microplastics in water. Water and sludge from the water treatment plant. The results showed that the number of microplastics in raw water with the origin of surface sources (reservoirs and rivers) varied between 4.23±1.26 to 3918±425 numbers per liter and the size distribution of microplastics in water can be different depending on the source of raw water. Investigations showed that the predominant size of these particles was less than 100 micrometers. In addition, the most abundant types of microplastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate with two forms of fragment and fibers. The number of microplastics in sludge is very high and can be as high as 86,000 particles per gram of dry sludge. Also, common water purification processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and sand filtration can remove microplastics by 39-70%, but if granular activated carbon is used in the continuation of the conventional purification process, the efficiency will reach 97%. These particles can eventually be swallowed by humans or aquatic organisms as a result of water consumption or left on the ground as a result of the use of sludge in agriculture. This study showed that microplastics with different characteristics in terms of size, shape, color, and polymer are present in raw water, and most of them accumulate in sludge. Therefore, to prevent the harmful environmental effects of these particles, it is necessary to purify the sludge from the water treatment plant before entering the environment.