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Abstract Estimation of cochlear length is gaining attention in the field of cochlear implants (CIs), mainly for selecting of CI electrode lengths. The currently available tools to estimate the cochlear duct length (CDL) are only valid for normal inner anatomy. However, inner ear malformation (IEM) types are associated with different degrees of cystic apices, limiting the application of CDL equations of normal anatomy inner ear. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the degree to which the outer wall (OW) is observed in different malformation types and to formulate mathematical equations to estimate the OW length (OWL) from cochlear parameters, namely the basal turn diameter (A-value) and width (B-value). Three-dimensional (3D) segmentation of promontory and fluid parts of the inner ear was performed to understand the extent to which the OW is visible to measure the OWL manually. Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVAS) was diagnosed in 37 ears, which consistently showed the extent of the OW to an angular depth of 540°, beyond which the cystic apex starts. Incomplete partition (IP) type I was observed in 30 ears, with the OW extending to only 360° of angular depth. IP type II was observed in 35 ears, with the OW extending to 450° of angular depth. IP type III was identified in 24 ears, with the OW observed for 540° of angular depth. Cavity-type malformations were observed in 36 ears, and circumference was measured in the axial view. A strong positive linear correlation was observed between the manually measured OWL and cochlear parameters for all malformation types analyzed. A multiple linear regression model was applied to formulate mathematical equations, which was further used to create a software application for estimating OWLs in IEM types, using cochlear parameters as inputs.

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Purpose To determine the incidence and success of three-column osteotomies (3COs) performed in primary and revision adult spine deformity (ASD) corrective surgeries. Overview of Literature 3COs are often required to correct severe, rigid ASD presentations. However, controversy remains on the utility of 3COs, particularly in primary surgery. Methods Patients ASD having 2-year data were included and divided into 3CO and non-3CO (remaining ASD cohort) groups. For the subanalysis, patients were stratified based on whether they were undergoing primary (P3CO) or revision (R3CO) surgery. Multivariate analysis controlling for age, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, baseline pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis, and fused levels evaluated the complication rates and radiographic and patient-reported outcomes between the 3CO and non-3CO groups. Results Of the 436 patients included, 20% had 3COs. 3COs were performed in 16% of P3COs and 51% of R3COs. Both 3CO groups had greater severity in deformity and disability at baseline; however, only R3COs improved more than non-3COs. Despite greater segmental correction, 3COs had much lower rates of aligning in the lumbar distribution index (LDI), higher mechanical complications, and more reoperations when performed below L3. When comparing P3COs and R3COs, baseline lumbopelvic and global alignments, as well as disability, were different. The R3CO group had greater clinical improvements and global correction (both p

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare early visual outcomes, epithelial healing, and stromal haze between transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (Trans-PRK) using smart pulse technology (SPT) with traditional Trans-PRK. METHODOLOGY This study is a retrospective, comparative study conducted at a private eye center in “Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” investigating myopic patients who underwent either Trans-PRK with SPT (study group) or traditional Trans-PRK (control group). The patients were assessed preoperatively and followed up at 1 week and 2 months postoperatively. The main outcomes included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corneal haze, and corneal epithelial defect. RESULTS This study included 501 eyes, of them, 222 eyes (44.3%) underwent Trans-PRK with SPT. The UDVA in the study group was significantly better 1 week postoperatively (P < 0.05). For the 2-month follow-up visits, there was no significant difference between the groups. Epithelium healing and stromal haze were comparable in the two groups without significant differences between them. CONCLUSION Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy with SPT yielded better short-term visual outcomes than traditional Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

Device-to-device (D2D) communication is an essential part of the 5G system used in cellular networks, which enables devices to communicate with each other without passing the base station BS. It is likely to aid in satisfying increasing capacity and effectively offloading traffic from the BS by distributing the transmission between D2D users from one side and cellular users and the BS from the other side. It results in improved throughput, energy efficiency, and other parameters. At the same time, the introduction of D2D communication in cellular networks creates new technical challenges to be addressed. One of the major issues is the mitigation of interference between device users (DUs) and primary users (PUs). This issue leads to performance degradation if it is not managed properly. In this paper, an intelligent distributed channel selection framework (IDCSF) in D2D communication for 5G networks with hybrid selection modes of D2D is proposed to help DUs select the best channel for transmission to mitigate interference. This channel selection framework classifies the available sensed channels using self-organizing map (SOM) learning technique into four classes considering channels with sensing errors false alarm (FalsA) and miss detection (MissD) to prevent using occupied channels. Furthermore, PU activity model is adjusted to aid in recovering from bad channel selection decisions. Moreover, fuzzy logic technique is utilized to determine the reliable channels which can help the DU along with channel selection algorithm to find channel’s weight values. The channel with highest weight value is selected as the best channel. Simulation results show that the proposed framework IDCSF enhances selecting the best channel, improves throughput and spectral utilization, and reduces average delay, interference and search time compared to other approaches.

Ahmed Abdallah Salman,1 Heba Mohamed Abdallah,2 Sami Eldahdouh,3 Sally Waheed Elkhadry,4 Samah Mohamed Awad,5 Ghada M K Gaballah,6 Eman Kamal Awaad,7 Mohammed Gaber Saad,8 Ahmed E Taha,9 Nahla K Gaballa7 1Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Clinical Pathology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 3Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 4Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 5Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Department, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 6Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 7Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt; 8Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 9Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Ahmed Abdallah Salman, Email awea84@kasralainy.edu.egBackground and Aims: In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, several serum biomarkers have been identified. Upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission, these laboratory markers become more crucial to distinguish between patients with severe cases of COVID-19. It might assist doctors in predicting the course of illnesses and treating patients appropriately. This work was to investigate the role of biomarkers in patients with COVID-19 classification admitted to the hospital and identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Methods: Peripheral blood sample was taken from COVID-19 cases isolated on admission to determine C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, Fibrinogen, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), leukocytes CRP ratio (LeCR), lymphocyte–CRP ratio (LCR), interleukin-6 (IL6), leukocytes interleukin 6 ratio (LeIL6), systemic inflammatory index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor one (tPAI-1). Follow-up for IL6, Ferritin, D-dimer, and tPAI-1 were determined on the 3rd and 7th days.Results: Comparisons of severity revealed that hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Ischemia were major risk factors in COVID-19 patients. There was a statistically significant difference between the test groups for fibrinogen (p < 0.000), IL6 (p < 0.009), LeCR (p < 0.006), and LCR (p < 0.011).Conclusion: Based on laboratory test findings at the time of ICU admission, we can distinguish severe cases of COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, intensive care unit, risk factors, RT- PCR, serum biomarkers

Background. This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Persian translation of the Susceptibility to Driver Distraction Questionnaire (SDDQ) among the inner-city drivers in Tabriz. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 411 telephone taxi drivers from Tabriz city (northwest of Iran) and selected using a two-stage cluster random sampling were included. To produce an accurate Persian translation of the SDDQ, first, some bilingual specialists were asked to render the questionnaire into Persian from English and, then, another bilingual expert was asked to back-translate the produced Persian translation into English using a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure. The accurate content agreement of the translation with the above-mentioned versions was finally approved by the research team. Data management and analysis were performed using SPSS 26.0 and LISREL 8.80. Results. The internal consistency of the whole scale and subscales of the SDDQ was determined between 0.72 and 0.90 using Cronbach's α coefficient. The agreement between the original version and re-translation version was determined 0.66 to 1 using modified Kappa coefficient (k*). The results of the equal structural equation indicated that the construct validity of the six-factor model had a greater structural fit. Pearson's correlation coefficient between subscales and the whole-scale was found to be between 0.41 and 0.92. Furthermore, the correlation between SDDQ and Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) was 0.39, while the correlation between SDDQ and Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales (severity of ADHD symptoms) was 0.25 (P

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to compare the thermal performance of two flow configurations in corrugated plate heat exchanger (CPHE): vertical flow configuration (CPHEvert.) and diagonal flow configuration (CPHEdiag.). The study aims to determine the differences between these configurations and evaluate their respective thermal performance based on metrics such as heat transfer rates, pressure drop values and flow distribution. Design/methodology/approach – The study compares the thermal performance of two flow arrangements of CPHE using identical geometrical dimensions and test conditions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is employed, and a validated numerical model is used for the investigation. The comparison is based on analyzing the rate of heat transfer and pressure drop data between the two flow arrangements. Findings – The findings indicate that the diagonal flow configuration in CPHEs offers improved flow distribution, enhanced heat transfer performance and lower pressure drop compared to the vertical flow configuration. However, the differences in general in the thermal performance of CPHEvert. and CPHEdiag. are found to be minimal. Originality/value – To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study represents the first attempt to investigate the impact of vertical and diagonal flow configurations on the thermal performance of the CPHE.

Abstract Background Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology in post stroke recovery. However, its precise role in stroke rehabilitation is not well defined. The aim of this paper is to conduct an overview of systematic reviews on the role of VR in stroke rehabilitation. Methods A meta-review with results from a search of 7 databases from inception till 5th December 2022 with subsequent quality appraisal was conducted. The primary outcome was to produce a narrative review on the efficacy of VR versus usual or other care in stroke recovery. Data was synthesized in a descriptive fashion and high-quality systematic reviews were emphasized. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used for quality assessment of the included studies. Results Evidence from high-quality systematic reviews suggests that there is benefit from VR in upper limb, lower limb, gait, and balance recovery particularly when additive to conventional therapy. There is also limited evidence to suggest that VR has a positive effect in those with impaired cognition. Conclusion VR is safe and effective as an adjunct to conventional therapy for adults after stroke and should be used routinely for upper and lower limb motor recovery. Further high-quality studies that evaluate its efficacy and explore ways to increase its positive impact in areas such as cognition are required. There is also a scope for the development of stroke-specific virtual environments. (PROSPERO registration # CRD42022372926).

BACKGROUND: Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disorder causing vitamin B12 deficiency resulting from impaired absorption caused by intrinsic factor absence. Positive parietal cell and intrinsic factor antibodies confirm the diagnosis. Intravenous vitamin B12 effectively treats Pernicious anemia. Severe cytopenias (anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia) may result, sometimes requiring emergency care and hospitalization. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Case A: A 54-year-old male presented with six months of generalized fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Laboratory tests revealed severe macrocytic anemia (Hb: 4.7 g/dL, MCV: 120 fL), with a peripheral blood smear showing hyper-segmented neutrophils and macro-ovalocytes, suggestive of megaloblastic anemia. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated decreased cellularity with megaloblastic changes. Despite six-weeks of intravenous vitamin B12 therapy, there was no improvement in hematological parameters. Endoscopy revealed atrophic gastritis, and biopsy showed anti-parietal cell antibodies. Following a trial of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, no significant response was observed. Bone marrow transplantation was recommended. Case B: A 62-year-old male presented with epigastric pain, dyspepsia, fatigue, and a three-month history of anorexia. He was diagnosed with macrocytic anemia (Hb: 6.7 g/dL, MCV: 100 fL), and peripheral blood smear indicated megaloblastic changes. Bone marrow biopsy confirmed decreased cellularity and megaloblastic anemia. Despite standard intravenous vitamin B12 therapy, the patient showed no hematological improvement. Endoscopic findings revealed atrophic gastritis. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine also failed, leading to the recommendation of bone marrow transplantation. CONCLUSION: Continued efforts in understanding the pathophysiology of Pernicious anemia and autoimmune-mediated bone marrow failure syndromes may pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in the future.

Surface changes of biomaterials are essential for aligning with the biological system’s dynamics and enhancing the effectiveness of bioimplants. Customized surface alterations based on the material’s bonding ability, biocompatibility, and interactions with host cells may have a substantial impact. This investigation uses hydroxyapatite (HAp) with 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt% silver as a thin coating layer on stainless steel (SST) 316 L by electrophoretic deposition preparation at 30 V and 30 min coating duration. The coating’s crystallinity, morphology, and microstructure have been investigated using structural characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The resistance to corrosion of uncoated and coated SST substrates has been assessed using potentiodynamic polarization experiments. The results show that the HAp-nanosilver coating layer increases the SST’s resistance to corrosion in Ringer solution. The HAp 10% silver-coated SST displays a reduction in corrosion current density. These further demonstrate the potential for using HAp and silver-coated stainless steel as a surgical instrument to increase biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion.

Generation Z is a group that is very connected to digital technology, especially social media such as Twitter. Their widespread presence on these platforms creates a unique opportunity to understand their behavioural patterns and personalities. However, research on personality prediction on social media is still limited and focused on certain platforms or different age groups. Personality prediction can help to find out someone's personality by just looking at tweets on social media. This research aims at two things: first, to build a Gen-Z personality prediction model on Twitter based on the Big Five Personality Model with the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Second, test and compare the performance of previously generated personality prediction models with various evaluation metrics. The research results show that the KNN algorithm has an accuracy rate of 0.73%, precision of 0.73%, recall of 0.73%, and score of 0.72%. Based on the test results, the SVM algorithm obtained the best accuracy, which received an accuracy of 0.78%, precision of 0.82%, recall of 0.78%, and F1-score of 0.78%. This research contributes in two ways: first, scientifically, by understanding Gen-Z personalities on Twitter, and second, by developing new prediction methods and insights into Gen-Z behaviour. Second, practically, by helping with communication and marketing strategies, product/service development and social interventions for Gen-Z.

This study aims to analyze the role of digital financial literacy in mediating problem-based learning in adolescents' consumption decision-making. The research method used a survey with a quantitative approach. The population consists of tenth-grade high school students, sampled using purposive sampling from classes that had undergone problem-based learning in economics subjects covering (1) consumption and (2) financial literacy and prioritizing scales, resulting in 142 respondents. The instrument in this study was a questionnaire on Google Forms, which was distributed via QR code. The data was analyzed using SPSS 25. The results obtained by digital financial literacy can significantly mediate problem-based learning in adolescent consumption decision-making with a Z value of 3.003 > 1.96 and sig 0.002 < 0.05. Integrating digital financial literacy in problem-based learning can synergize to improve students' critical thinking, which gives them the ability to make smart consumption decisions regarding their consumption activities.

Abstract Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are fundamental to essential biological processes, exerting significant influence over gene expression, protein localization, stability, and genome replication. Sumoylation, a PTM involving the covalent addition of a chemical group to a specific protein sequence, profoundly impacts the functional diversity of proteins. Notably, identifying sumoylation sites has garnered significant attention due to their crucial roles in proteomic functions and their implications in various diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Despite the proposal of several computational models for identifying sumoylation sites, their effectiveness could be improved by the limitations associated with conventional learning methodologies. In this study, we introduce pseudo-position-specific scoring matrix (PsePSSM), a robust computational model designed for accurately predicting sumoylation sites using an optimized deep learning algorithm and efficient feature extraction techniques. Moreover, to streamline computational processes and eliminate irrelevant and noisy features, sequential forward selection using a support vector machine (SFS-SVM) is implemented to identify optimal features. The multi-layer Deep Neural Network (DNN) is a robust classifier, facilitating precise sumoylation site prediction. We meticulously assess the performance of PSSM-Sumo through a tenfold cross-validation approach, employing various statistical metrics such as the Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the Area under the ROC Curve (AUC). Comparative analyses reveal that PSSM-Sumo achieves an exceptional average prediction accuracy of 98.71%, surpassing existing models. The robustness and accuracy of the proposed model position it as a promising tool for advancing drug discovery and the diagnosis of diverse diseases linked to sumoylation sites.

This study examines residents’ perceptions of tourism development in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, focusing on its benefits and costs, guided by social exchange theory. The objective is to explore how the perceived impacts of tourism development, along with external factors such as community attachment, residents’ knowledge of tourism development, and community involvement, affect locals’ satisfaction with tourism and their intention to support tourism development. A survey of 427 locals, analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), reveals a positive correlation between community attachment and the perceived benefits from tourism. Residents’ knowledge about tourism is linked to perceived benefits, but not to perceived costs, and community involvement does not significantly impact perceptions. Perceived benefits positively influence support for tourism, while perceived costs have a negative effect. Residents’ satisfaction with tourism, shaped by their perceptions of the benefits and costs, influences their future support for tourism initiatives. The theoretical implications highlight social exchange theory’s role in understanding community perceptions, while the practical implications emphasize inclusive and transparent tourism planning to gain local support. These results underscore the importance of considering locals’ perceptions and satisfaction in both current and future tourism planning and development strategies.

Mixed reality (MR) technology has the potential to enhance building construction inspection and monitoring processes, improving efficiency, accuracy, and safety. This systematic review intends to investigate the present research status on MR in building construction inspection and monitoring. The review covers existing literature and practical case studies that scrutinize current technologies, their applications, challenges, and future trends in this rapidly evolving field. This article follows a methodology known as Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to enhance the credibility and reliability of research. The study includes articles published between 2018 and 2023, identified through a comprehensive search of Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Findings indicate that MR technology has the potential to enhance visualization, communication, and collaboration between stakeholders, as well as increase efficiency and accuracy in inspection and monitoring tasks by providing real-time interactable data and quick decision-making among the project team members. The adoption of MR technology in the construction industry will not only boost its effectiveness but also improve its productivity. However, limitations such as high costs, technical issues, and user acceptance pose challenges to the widespread adoption of MR in building construction. Future research should address these limitations and investigate MR’s long-term impact on building construction inspection and monitoring.

Abstract Globally from abiotic stresses, salt stress is the major stress that limits crop production. One of them is wheat that has been utilized by more than 1/3 of the world population as staple food due to its nutritive value. Biochar is an activated carbon that can ameliorate the negative impacts on plants under saline conditions. The present study was conducted to examine the ameliorative impact of “Biochar application” to Triticum aestivum L. plant grown under salinity stress and evaluated on the basis of various growth, yield, physiological, biochemical attributes. Preliminary experiment was done to select the Triticum aestivum L. varieties with 90% germination rate for further experiment. The selected varieties, FSD08 and PUNJAB-11 of wheat were treated with two levels of sodium chloride (0 mM and 120 mM). Two varieties of wheat included FSD08 and PUNJAB-11 were treated with two levels of sodium chloride (0 mM and 120 mM). To address the impact of salt stress two levels of biochar 0% and 5% was used as exogenous application. A three way completely randomized experimentation was done in 24 pots of two wheat varieties with three replicates. The results demonstrated that salt stress affected growth, physiological attributes, yield and inorganic mineral ions (Ca2+ and K+) in roots and shoots parameters of wheat negatively while biochar overall improved the performance of plant. SOD, CAT, APX and POD activities enhanced during salt stress as the plant self-defense mechanism against salinity to minimize the damaging effect. Salt stress also significantly increased the membrane permeability, and levels of H2O2, MDA, Cl and Na ions. Biochar treatment nullified negative impacts of NaCl and improved the plant growth and yield significantly. Hence, biochar amendment can be suggested as suitable supplement for sustainable crop production under salinization.

Maha Alnashmi,1 Nuzhat Masud Bhuiyan,2 Nour AlFaham,3 Ahmad Salman,4 Hanadi AlHumaidi,1 Nabeel Akhtar1 1Health Informatics and Information Management Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait; 2Department of Environmental Science and Management, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Bangladesh; 3Gulf University for Science and Technology, Mubarak Al-Abdullah, Kuwait; 4Public Health Practice, College of Public Health, Shadadiya, KuwaitCorrespondence: Nabeel Akhtar, Kuwait University, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, HIIM Department, Kuwait, Email nabeel.akhtar@ku.edu.kwPurpose: In 2014, the Kuwaiti parliament enacted the private health insurance law for Kuwaiti retirees ie, Afya to enhance service quality for retirees through the involvement of the private sector. The study aimed to comprehensively analyze Afya across three crucial dimensions: efficiency, inclusiveness, effectiveness, and service quality; delivery of services throughout the revenue management cycle; and its long-term sustainability in Kuwait.Methods: Conducted between June 2021 and August 2022, the study employed both web-based and hardcopy questionnaires, reaching a response rate of 78.79% from a random sample of 514 Kuwaiti beneficiaries holding Afya insurance cards. Exclusions were made for those who did not receive cards or declined participation, resulting in analysis of 405 completed surveys.Results: The findings revealed that 95% of participants frequently utilized services from private hospitals, with a corresponding 78.79% satisfaction rate. However, when seeking medical services from government hospitals, respondents often opted to repeat procedures to ensure accurate results and diagnoses. Despite a strong endorsement for enhancing Afya’s coverage plan (94%), over half of the respondents suggested a temporary suspension of the scheme to conduct thorough research and alleviate potential financial burdens on the government. Notably, a significant positive correlation (0.578, p < 0.01) was observed between beneficiary satisfaction and their experience with Afya coverage, underscoring the importance of aligning scheme operations with beneficiary needs.Conclusion: Addressing these disparities and improving access to healthcare services for retirees necessitate a thorough reformation of the Afya scheme. To address these challenges, the study recommends comprehensive reform through evidence-based research, enhanced information exchange mechanisms between public and private sectors, and broader coverage targeting younger demographics. These measures are crucial for ensuring the scheme’s efficacy, sustainability, and alignment with the evolving healthcare landscape in Kuwait.Keywords: health insurance, health policy, afya insurance scheme, Kuwait

Abstract Toxic and heavy metals cause direct and indirect damage to the environment and ultimately to humans. This study involved the isolation of indigenous bacteria from heavy metal-contaminated environments that have the ability to bioabsorb heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, and lead. The bioabsorption process was optimized by varying parameters such as temperature, metal concentration, number of bacteria, pH, and more. The bacterial isolates were investigated in terms of morphology, biochemistry, and phylogeny, with 12 strains chosen in the initial stage and one strain chosen in the final stage. It should be remembered that the metal uptake capacity of all isolates was approximately calculated. A box and reactor were designed to house these optimized microorganisms. Based on biochemical, morphological, and molecular results, the isolated strain was found to be closely related to the Bacillus genus. In the first five steps of testing, the ideal pH for removing lead alone, lead with cadmium, lead with nickel, and lead ternary (with cadmium and nickel) by Bacillus bacteria was found to be 7, 6, 5.5, and 6.5, respectively. The absorption efficiencies for single lead (unary), lead together with nickel, cadmium (binary), and ternary (lead with cadmium and nickel) were found to be 0.36, 0.25, 0.22, and 0.21 mmol/g, respectively. The ideal temperature for lead removal was around 30 °C. The adsorption isotherm for each lead metal in different states was found to be similar to the Langmuir isotherm, indicating that the surface absorption process is a single-layer process. The kinetics of the process follow the second-order kinetic model. The amount of Bacillus bacteria biomass obtained during this process was approximately 1.5 g per liter.

Abstract This study presents a computational investigation of a stochastic Zika virus along with optimal control model using the Legendre spectral collocation method (LSCM). By accumulation of stochasticity into the model through the proposed stochastic differential equations, we appropriating the random fluctuations essential in the progression and disease transmission. The stability, convergence and accuracy properties of the LSCM are conscientiously analyzed and also demonstrating its strength for solving the complex epidemiological models. Moreover, the study evaluates the various control strategies, such as treatment, prevention and treatment pesticide control, and identifies optimal combinations that the intervention costs and also minimize the proposed infection rates. The basic properties of the given model, such as the reproduction number, were determined with and without the presence of the control strategies. For $$R_01$$ R 0 > 1 , then endemic equilibrium is satisfied, in this case the disease spread in the population at higher scale. The fundamental findings acknowledge the significant impact of stochastic phonemes on the robustness and effectiveness of control strategies that accelerating the need for cost-effective and multi-faceted approaches. In last the results provide the valuable insights for public health department to enabling more impressive mitigation of Zika virus outbreaks and management in real-world scenarios.

Abstract Farmers are using municipal wastewater either treated or untreated for irrigation because of limited fresh water resources. Wastewater extensively used for irrigation purposes is enriched with many nutrients. The reuse of wastewater is imposing a negative impact on human health and the ecosystem. It is a need of the day to identify and assess issues of the reuse of wastewater. In the current experiment, impact of organic/inorganic amendments was studied to mitigate the toxic effects of pollutants present in wastewater. Soil was brought from the site having consistent use of wastewater and different treatments were applied as per plan. The experiment has 28 treatments with 04 replications. Nine different amendments were used at 3 varying levels. Incubation time of 30 days was given after the addition of all treatments. The results of the study showed the application of FYM @ 5.0% w/w soil reduced soil pH (7.44), EC (2.16 dS m−1), SAR (8.14), lead (8.48 mg kg−1), cadmium (1.14 mg kg−1), nickel (10.55 mg kg−1) and arsenic (2.03 mg kg−1) when compared with control and other treatments. Usage of compost and horse waste followed FYM. On the basis of this study, it is recommended that wastewater can be used for irrigation purpose after treating with FYM preferably and compost in general.

The main objective of this study is to examine the Islamic and Malay elements that are acculturated in the Dabus dance ritual of Perak, Malaysia. The focused group of this study is the Dabus of Tanjung Bidara village, estimated to have been established since the 1818s. However, throughout that time, the perception of the Malay community has not been strong yet, specifically regarding the ritual relationship of the Dabus dance with Islamic values. In fact, not infrequently, Dabus dance rituals are seen as contradicting the values of Islam itself. It is even seen over as skewed by some of the Malay community. However, in terms of history, meaning, practice, and ritual function, the Dabus dance itself cannot be separated from Islam. The study was designed as a field study. The data collected is qualitative and analysed critically using ritual theory, cultural symbols, and acculturation. Data was collected through interviews, field observations, and documents. Other data sources include a review of text, photos, videos, and relevant articles. The findings show that 1) the process of Malay-Islamic acculturation in Dabus dance rituals has been since the arrival of Dabus dance in the Malay peninsula and continues until now; 2) one of the most significant Islamic-Malay acculturation methods and strategies is the reinvention of the Dabus dance over time; 3) Islamic-Malay acculturation includes not only physical forms (forms, structures, and ritual elements) but also non-physical aspects (doa, zikir, selawat, berzanji, belief).

Ebeveynler çocuklarına interneti ve teknolojiyi nasıl doğru kullanacakları ile ilgili bilgi verebilmeleri, yol gösterebilmeleri, onları sanal dünyadaki tehlikelerden koruyabilmek için belli yeterliklere sahip olmalıdır. Dijital ortamlarda çocukların çeşitli risklerden korunması ve o risklere karşı tedbirlerin alınması konusu ebeveynlerin sorumluluğunda olup dijital ebeveynlik kavramı ile açıklanmaktadır. Bu araştırmada teknoloji erişimi ve sosyoekonomik açılardan birbirinden farklı olan İstanbul ve Ağrı illerinde yaşayan velilerin dijital ebeveynlik yeterlikleri incelenmiştir. Araştırmada nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden ilişkisel araştırma modeli kullanılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın çalışma grubunu iki lisenin velileri oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma grubu 252 kadın ve 183 erkek olmak üzere 435 ebeveynden oluşmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak kişisel bilgi formu ve ebeveynlerin dijital ebeveynlik yeterlikleri ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde t-testi, ANOVA ve Spearman korelasyon katsayısı kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre velilerin sosyal medya kullanımları ve dijital ebeveynlik yeterlikleri illere göre farklılaşmaktadır. Araştırma sonucunda kadın ve erkek velilerin benzer dijital ebeveynlik yeterliliğine sahip olduğu görülmüştür. İnternet kullanım deneyimi ile dijital ebeveynlik arasında Ağrı ilindeki veliler için bir ilişki gözlemlenirken İstanbul ilindeki veliler için anlamlı bir ilişki görülmemiştir. Buna göre özellikle dezavantajlı bölgeler için teknoloji sahipliği, deneyim gibi faktörler dijital uçurumu her geçen gün daha fazla derinleştirdiği ileri sürülebilir. Ayrıca bu bölgelerdeki çocukların dijital ebeveynlikten daha fazla yoksun kaldıkları da söylenebilir. Özellikle ebeveynlerin teknoloji sahipliği ve kullanımının düşük olduğu bölgelerde; çocukların dijital okuryazarlık, iletişim ve güvenlik konularında okullar tarafından desteklenmesi önerilmektedir.

Reading and literacy activities are often carried out by school institutions. In fact, reading and literacy are basic competencies that a person must have in order to survive in life. Meanwhile, reading learning and literacy activities in class do not yet have a sufficient portion to be able to provide comprehensive provisions to students. This community service activity is carried out to strengthen reading and literacy skills in the general public outside school institutions. Apart from that, this activity also aims to encourage the young generation in Tegalsari Village, Kandeman District, Batang Regency to have critical awareness in all their activities, especially in the field of education. Therefore, this service uses Participatory Action Research (PAR) as an approach method with the hope of creating social transformation carried out by the fostered partners or the youth community itself. Through PAR, this service produces three recommendations in the form of a flow of activities as the expected final achievements, namely planning, implementation and evaluation. Based on these results, the service team, youth community, community and village government discovered how important the existence of reading huts is in busy nodes or places of community activity. Through this literacy village pilot, the youth community and the people of Tegalsari Village gained a new perspective that the literacy village pilot became a symbol of progress and stability in the village community's thinking

The advent of 4D bioprinting, a technique that integrates time dimensions into the conventional 3D method, substantially changed tissue engineering. By providing a time dimension to conventional 3D printing, the innovative process of 4D bioprinting is revolutionising tissue engineering. This development allows the creation of dynamic tissues, allowing structures to change and adapt over time to reflect the complexity of natural tissues. Specifically, shape memory polymers enable customised scaffold fabrication with improved mechanical strength and biomimicry for use in bone tissue engineering. An essential additional use for soft tissue regeneration is the development of injectable thermosensitive hydrogels that react to body temperature. Within asymmetrical defect regions, these hydrogels gel, offering a flexible cure for healing injured soft tissues. In addition to structural considerations, the potential applications of 4D bioprinting include organisms, vascularisation and dynamic disease models. Despite the advancements, issues like suitable biocompatibility and long-term stability still need to be resolved. However, by creating complex, adaptable and patient-specific designs in the realm of tissue engineering, 4D bioprinting has enormous potential to transform personalised medicine and regenerative therapies. This review provides a comprehensive investigation into the future of regenerative medicine by exploring the various uses and potentially revolutionary effects of 4D bioprinting in tissue engineering.

Wheat is one of the most important crops all over the world in terms of yield, production, consumption, cultivation, and adoptability. Wheat genotypes exhibiting different yield associated traits which influence each other in many ways. Therefor genotypic and phenotypic correlations are the breeder’s utmost priority to know about the inter-relationship between two or more traits which may be either directly influencing each other in a positive direction or indirectly swaying each other in a negative direction in breeding programs. To find out phenotypic and genotypic correlations among different productive traits, this study was designed at the research area of The Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, during 2022-23. The experiment was carried out by using 27 wheat genotypes comprising of nine parents and 18 F3 populations evaluated in RCB design with three replications. Overall the study exhibited that kernel yield plant-1, which is one of the most yield contributing trait, was significantly correlated with thousand-kernel weights, tillers plant-1and biomass yield, along some other yield contributing traits. The parental genotype, Janbaz, and cross combinations Watan × AUP-5008, Pirsabak-2005 × AUP-5008, Saleem-2000 × Janbaz and Watan × Tatara were the most promising genotypes for most of quantitative traits and; hence are recommended to be evaluated in further breeding schemes. Both phenotypic and genotypic correlation study exhibited that kernel yield spike-1 was significant and positively associated with plant height, tillers plant-1, thousand-kernel weight and biomass yield. Based on correlations, yield, and production the parental genotype, Janbaz, and F3 combinations Watan × AUP-5008, Pirsabak-2005 × AUP-5008, Saleem-2000 × Janbaz and Watan × Tatara were the most promising genotypes for most of the quantitative traits, which can be incorporated in further breeding program.

The concept of concierge medicine, established in 1996, stands out for its focus on enhancing accessibility to healthcare providers and customized medical services. It is centered on key principles such as giving priority to quality and individualized care, managing a smaller group of patients to ensure improved service accessibility, and nurturing enhanced continuity in personalized treatment. This review explores various aspects of how concierge medicine impacts healthcare, encompassing areas such as patient satisfaction and involvement, health outcomes, preventive care, healthcare expenses, and ethical and legal considerations. While the affirmative influence of concierge medicine on individual healthcare has been evidenced in terms of patient contentment, active patient participation, preventive care, and early identification of illnesses, there remains a dearth of research data to firmly establish the correlation between concierge medicine and health-related outcomes. Moreover, comprehensive longitudinal studies focusing specifically on the economic and policy implications of concierge medicine are currently lacking. Therefore, further research, particularly in the domain of health economics, is crucial to comprehensively comprehend the implications of this approach. Similarly, there is a necessity for studies that can conduct a comparative analysis between the concierge medicine model and traditional healthcare models, aiming to draw more robust and definitive conclusions.

Metering fluids is critical in various industries, and researchers have extensively explored factors affecting measurement accuracy. As a result, numerous sensors and methods are developed to precisely measure volume fractions in multi-phase fluids. A significant challenge in multi-phase fluid pipelines is the formation of scale within the pipes. This issue is particularly problematic in the petroleum industry, leading to narrowed internal diameters, corrosion, increased energy consumption, reduced equipment lifespan, and, most crucially, compromised flow measurement accuracy. This paper proposes a non-destructive metering system incorporating an artificial neural network with capacitive and photon attenuation sensors to address this challenge. The system simulates scale thicknesses from 0 mm to 10 mm using COMSOL multiphysics software and calculates counted rays through Beer Lambert equations. The simulation considers a 10% interval of volume variation in each phase, generating 726 data points. The proposed network, with two inputs—measured capacity and counted rays-and three outputs—volume fractions of gas, water, and oil—achieves mean absolute errors of 0.318, 1.531, and 1.614, respectively. These results demonstrate the system’s ability to accurately gauge volume proportions of a three-phase gas-water-oil fluid, regardless of pipeline scale thickness.

Osteoporosis, a common bone disorder, increases fracture and spinal surgery complications risk. This study evaluates the potential of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based Vertebral Bone Quality (VBQ) score as an alternative for assessing bone density in lumbosacral fusion surgery patients. In a prospective cohort study from April 2021 to November 2022, 134 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases underwent lumbar Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and lumbosacral non-contrast T1-weighted MRI. VBQ scores were calculated and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics and MedCalc software. Osteopenia/Osteoporosis patients exhibited significantly higher VBQ scores than normal bone mineral density patients (3.37 ± 0.51 vs. 2.99 ± 0.44, P

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has emerged as a rapidly spreading contagious disease across the globe. Recent studies showed that people with diabetes mellitus, severe obesity, and cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of mortality from COVID-19. It has been suggested that the increased risk is due to the chronic inflammatory state associated with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pioglitazone, a strong insulin sensitizer with anti-inflammatory properties, in improving the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes admitted with moderate–severe COVID-19.MethodWe enrolled 350 patients with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to hospitals in Qatar and Kuwait with COVID-19. Patients were randomized to receive, in a double-blind fashion, pioglitazone (n = 189) or a matching placebo (n = 161) for 28 days. The study had two primary outcomes: (1) the incidence of a composite outcome composed of (a) the requirement for mechanical ventilation, (b) death, and (c) myocardial damage; and (2) an increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.ResultsThe first primary outcome occurred in 28 participants (8%), and the secondary outcome occurred in 17. Treatment with pioglitazone showed a significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-3 levels compared with placebo treatment (mean (SD) 2.73 (± 2.14) [95% CI: 0.02, 1.1], p = 0.043 vs. 2.28 (± 1.67) [95% CI: − 0.23, 0.86], p = 0.3, respectively), with no effect seen in the levels of other inflammatory markers. Even though not significant, a few of the patients on pioglitazone exhibited serum troponin levels > 3 times higher than the normal range seen in patients on placebo. On the other hand, more patients on pioglitazone were admitted to the ICU than those with placebo, and no significant difference in the CRP reduction was observed between the two groups.ConclusionThe results of the present study demonstrate that pioglitazone treatment did not independently provide any additional clinical benefit to patients with type 2 diabetes admitted with a COVID-19 infection.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04604223.

Human health is being increasingly exposed to fluoride and nitrate ingestion globally due to anthropogenic alternations in groundwater resources. In the present research work, a hazard quotient (HQ), Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), and geographic information systems (GIS) have been used to estimate the non-carcinogenic health risk of nitrate and fluoride in vulnerable adults, teenagers, and children living in far-flung areas of Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. About 110 samples from some nearby populations were collected and analyzed for nitrates by ion chromatography and fluoride by a fluoride-selective electrode. The results indicated that the concentrations of fluoride and nitrate in the sampling areas ranged from 0.21 to 1.71 mg/L and 0.4–183.54 mg/L, respectively, with mean concentrations of about 1.20 mg/L and 51.52 mg/L for fluoride and nitrate, respectively. The results indicated that 27.27 % of the fluoride samples (27 out of 110) and 45.45 % of the nitrate samples (44 out of 110) were above the standard limits set by WHO. The calculated average HQ values fluoride and Nitrate for children, teenagers and adults were 1.88, 0.98, 0.90 and 3.02, 1.57, 1.45 respectively The 95th percentile HQ values for fluoride were 2.87 for children and 1.03 for adults, while those for nitrate were 4.10 for children and 1.98 for adults. Results of the health risk assessment show that there is a high potential for both non-carcinogenic and cancer risks from fluoride and nitrate through the consumption of groundwater. The Monte Carlo simulation showed the uncertainties and increased risks for children; therefore, one can infer that rural groundwater of the Mathura region, Uttar Pradesh, India, must be treated to make it potable for consumption.

Circular Supply Chain Management (CSCM) is gaining prominence among diverse stakeholders, practitioners, and scholars. However, its adoption remains limited, particularly within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This study employs Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM), specifically tailored for SMEs, to elucidate the contextual relationships among CSCM indicators. Furthermore, it employs the Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqué à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis to categorize these indicators into driving- dependence power quadrants. Thirteen CSCM indicators are identified and classified into three sustainability dimensions: economic, environmental, and social. The ISM model comprises four levels, with employees’ exposure to hazardous materials at level one, followed by ten indicators at level two, one at level three (reuse, remanufacturing, recycling complexity), and one at level four (eco-material). MICMAC analysis reveals that none of the indicators falls into the autonomous quadrant. Employees’ exposure to hazardous materials is categorized in the dependent indicators’ quadrant, while ten indicators belong to the linkage quadrant. The independent quadrant includes two indicators: eco-material and reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling complexity. SMEs can utilize these CSCM indicators as an initial step toward circularity implementation. The recommended implementation sequence follows the ISM model hierarchy, starting with level four indicators and progressing through levels three, two, and one, acknowledging the influence of higher-level indicators on lower-level ones.

Dendritic fibromyxolipoma (DFML) is a benign, very rare, and slow-growing soft tissue tumor commonly involving the muscular fascia of the foot, calf, shoulders, back, or head and neck muscles. Many authors consider dendritic fibromyxolipoma a variant of spindle cell lipoma composed of a plexiform vascular pattern, dendritic cytoplasmic processes, and keloidal collagen. Only a few cases have been reported in the shoulder region, and the presented case represents the second case in English literature whose histopathology showed intramuscular involvement. Recognition of such an entity is essential because it is considered a scarce type of benign tumor that can be mistaken for other aggressive neoplasms of myxoid pathology. We present a case of a dendritic fibromyxolipoma around the right shoulder with intramuscular involvement to the superficial fibers of the right trapezius muscle.

Background: As a growing industry, medical tourism includes many economic opportunities. This industry is the largest and most diverse industry in the world, with a foreign currency income which is equal to the automotive and military weapons industries. The aim of the current research is to identify and prioritize economic opportunities related to medical tourism management, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision-making tool. Methods: This was a descriptive-survey research with an applied and cross-sectional approach. A survey method was used to collect data, so this study can be classified as field research. The statistical population of the research included 25 people with experience and expertise selected through purposive sampling in the fields of management, tourism, and medicine. The method of collecting data was in the form of library and field studies. The tool for collecting data was a questionnaire of paired comparisons and a check sheet. Data analysis was done with AHP method and Expert Choice 11 software. After collecting the paired comparison questionnaire and calculating the geometric mean, the inconsistency rate of the questionnaires was less than 0.1, which showed that the data had the required validity. Results: First, using library studies, economic opportunities related to medical tourism were identified. These opportunities included cash generation, technological advancements, job creation, diversification of tourism industry, development of health care infrastructure, knowledge transfer and cooperation, services and ancillary industries, and regional development and diversification of economic activity. Opportunities were prioritized using the AHP method. Cash generation with relative importance of 0.191 was ranked first, job creation with relative importance of 0.162 was second, and technological advances was ranked third with relative importance of 0.131. Diversification to economic activities with a relative importance of 0.45 was ranked ninth which was the lowest. Conclusion: Strategic marketing, delivering quality healthcare services, competitive pricing, specialized medical care, patient-centered experience, collaboration and partnership, continuous improvement, and strengthening medical tourism infrastructure are the pillars through which medical tourism management can not only generate sustainable revenue but also provide invaluable healthcare services to patients from across the globe.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating fractional calculus into stochastic delay systems due to its ability to model complex phenomena with uncertainties and memory effects. The fractional stochastic delay differential equations are conventional in modeling such complex dynamical systems around various applied fields. The present study addresses a novel spectral approach to demonstrate the stability behavior and numerical solution of the systems characterized by stochasticity along with fractional derivatives and time delay. By bridging the gap between fractional calculus, stochastic processes, and spectral analysis, this work contributes to the field of fractional dynamics and enriches the toolbox of analytical tools available for investigating the stability of systems with delays and uncertainties. To illustrate the practical implications and validate the theoretical findings of our approach, some numerical simulations are presented.

In light of fractional theory, this paper presents several new effective solitonic formulations for the Langmuir and ion sound wave equations. Prior to this study, no previous research has presented the comparision and obtained the generalized fractional soliton solutions of this kind with power law kernel and Mittag-Leffler kernel. The ion sound and Langmuir wave equations are essential in plasma physics, offering insights into the collective behavior of charged particles in plasmas and enabling diagnostics and control of these complex, ionized gas systems. The two distinct fractional order differential operators are substituted for the traditional order derivative to reshape the examined model. The Atangana-Baleanu non-singular and non-local operator and conformable fractional operator are the fractional-order operators that are used to create the fractional complex system equations for Langmuir waves and ion sound. A constructive approach new auxiliary equation method utilizes to obtain the exact analytical soliton solutions for ion sound and Langmuir wave equation. A wide range of soliton solutions is obtained, including mixed complex solitary shock solutions, singular solutions, mixed shock singular solutions, mixed trigonometric solutions, mixed singular solutions, exact solutions, mixed periodic solutions, and mixed hyperbolic solutions, dark soliton, bright soliton, trigonometric solutions, periodic results, and hyperbolic results. The solitons solution of the ion sound and Langmuir wave equations lies in their ability to maintain wave stability, their role in modeling wave propagation and nonlinear effects, their potential use as diagnostic tools, and their relevance in wave-particle interactions in plasma physics. The solitons provide a valuable framework for understanding the behavior of waves in plasmas and offer insights into the complex dynamics of these charged particle systems. A graphical comparison analysis of a few solutions is also shown here, taking into account appropriate parametric values through the use of the software package. Moreover, the results of this study have important implications for Hamilton's equations and generalized momentum, where solitons are employed in long-range interactions.

BACKGROUND: This narrative review aims to explore the current state and future perspective of artificial intelligence (AI) in respiratory care. The objective is to provide insights into the potential impact of AI in this field. METHODS: A comprehensive analysis of relevant literature and research studies was conducted to examine the applications of AI in respiratory care and identify areas of advancement. The analysis included studies on remote monitoring, early detection, smart ventilation systems, and collaborative decision-making. RESULTS: The obtained results highlight the transformative potential of AI in respiratory care. AI algorithms have shown promising capabilities in enabling tailored treatment plans based on patient-specific data. Remote monitoring using AI-powered devices allows for real-time feedback to health-care providers, enhancing patient care. AI algorithms have also demonstrated the ability to detect respiratory conditions at an early stage, leading to timely interventions and improved outcomes. Moreover, AI can optimize mechanical ventilation through continuous monitoring, enhancing patient comfort and reducing complications. Collaborative AI systems have the potential to augment the expertise of health-care professionals, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment strategies. CONCLUSION: By improving diagnosis, AI has the potential to revolutionize respiratory care, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. While challenges and ethical considerations remain, the transformative impact of AI in this domain cannot be overstated. By leveraging the advancements and insights from this narrative review, health-care professionals and researchers can continue to harness the power of AI to improve patient outcomes and enhance respiratory care practices. IMPROVEMENTS: Based on the findings, future research should focus on refining AI algorithms to enhance their accuracy, reliability, and interpretability. In addition, attention should be given to addressing ethical considerations, ensuring data privacy, and establishing regulatory frameworks to govern the responsible implementation of AI in respiratory care.

Background: Social media has become an influential tool with its usage increasing immensely in recent years. This study aimed to assess the impact of social media on the perception of dentofacial aesthetics and its gender-wise comparison among general population of Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 using an online questionnaire developed on Google Forms, distributed among 500 participants via WhatsApp and Facebook groups among males and females with 18 years or above operating any social media account, using non-probability convenience sampling. SPSS version 25 was used, and categorical variables were compared using Chi-Square Test. p< 0.05 was significant. Results: Out of a total of 455 people who responded, 125 (27.5%) were male, and 330 (72.5%) were female. Females were very frequent (n=244, 53.6%) users of social media (p=0.029), spending 4 to 6 hours every day (p=0.01). There was a significant gender disparity in social media usage, with females predominantly using Instagram (n=308, 93.3%) (p

UMKM are an important component in the economic structure in Indonesia, because of their significant presence in the economy and provide broad employment opportunities for enthusiasts. However, there are still many UMKM players who do not understand efforts to increase competitiveness, one of which is the need to have a halal certificate and also the importance of branding UMKM products. Therefore, this Student Work Lecture activity aims to be able to contribute to providing halal certification assistance and making banners for UMKM in Sukopuro Village, Jabung, Malang Regency. Assistance activities are carried out using the ABCD (Asset Base Community Developmenet) approach method. The results of this community service activity are assistance in registering halal certification and supporting banners for UMKM.

Abstract Background Studying the public perception of nurses among nursing students is vital in establishing strategic solutions to recruit and retain more students in nursing programs and to contain nurses in the health care system. Aim This study aimed to determine the mediating role of self-concept in the relationship between sociocultural and perceived public image of nurses. Methods This study employed a correlational approach using convenience sampling of 1390 participants. This study was conducted at six large universities in three regions of Saudi Arabia (central, northern, and eastern). Student nurses in their second to fourth years of study were included as participants, with an 89.7% response rate. Data were collected from January to April 2023. Results A significant positive relationship was observed between sociocultural factors and self-concept (r = .685, p = .0001). In addition, there was a significant positive relationship between self-concept and public image (PI) (r = .352, p value = 0.0001). Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between sociocultural and public image (r = .456, p = .0001); sociocultural had a direct effect on self-concept (β = 0.324, SE = 0.098, t = 9.429, p

The study aims to investigate the relationship between workplace ostracism and employee willingness to share knowledge with the moderating role of mindfulness. The data were collected from six leading private hospitals in Amman, Jordan, targeting 271 employees holding different medical and administrative positions regarding their experiences with workplace ostracism and the corresponding impact on knowledge sharing. Thus, the study sample being healthcare professionals is not by default but rather a conscious choice in light of the critical role they play in a high-stake environment; moreover, in some cases, knowledge hoarding has proven to have dire repercussions. The results revealed that workplace ostracism significantly and negatively affected degrees of knowledge sharing (p < 0.001). This indicates that ostracized workers would feel shut out and likely become a hindrance to the information and insight flow. The positive outcome is that employees engaging in mindfulness practices seem to cushion the blow that such negative experiences deliver. Those likely to become easily focused are likely to be less threatened by knowledge sharing – they expect that the impact of ostracism will be transient, which could protect a person from the potentially isolating effects of ostracism in the workplace.

Abstract The spatial movement of the human population from one region to another and the existence of super-spreaders are the main factors that enhanced the disease incidence. Super-spreaders refer to the individuals having transmitting ability to multiple pathogens. In this article, an epidemic model with spatial and temporal effects is formulated to analyze the impact of some preventing measures of COVID-19. The model is developed using six nonlinear partial differential equations. The infectious individuals are sub-divided into symptomatic, asymptomatic and super-spreader classes. In this study, we focused on the rigorous qualitative analysis of the reaction-diffusion model. The fundamental mathematical properties of the proposed COVID-19 epidemic model such as boundedness, positivity, and invariant region of the problem solution are derived, which ensure the validity of the proposed model. The model equilibria and its stability analysis for both local and global cases have been presented. The normalized sensitivity analysis of the model is carried out in order to observe the crucial factors in the transmission of infection. Furthermore, an efficient numerical scheme is applied to solve the proposed model and detailed simulation are performed. Based on the graphical observation, diffusion in the context of confined public gatherings is observed to significantly inhibit the spread of infection when compared to the absence of diffusion. This is especially important in scenarios where super-spreaders may play a major role in transmission. The impact of some non-pharmaceutical interventions are illustrated graphically with and without diffusion. We believe that the present investigation will be beneficial in understanding the complex dynamics and control of COVID-19 under various non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Abstract A serine protease called prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) hydrolyses the peptide bonds on the carboxy side of the proline ring. The excessive PEP expression in brain results in neurodegenerative illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson's disease. Results of the prior studies on antioxidant activity, and the non-cytotoxic effect of bi-carbazole-linked triazoles, encouraged us to extend our studies towards its anti-diabetic potential. Hence, for this purpose all compounds 1–9 were evaluated to reveal their anti-prolyl endo peptidase activity. Fortunately, seven compounds resulted into significant inhibitory capability ranging from 26 to 63 µM. Among them six compounds 4–9 exhibited more potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values 46.10 ± 1.16, 42.30 ± 1.18, 37.14 ± 1.21, 26.29 ± 0.76, 28.31 ± 0.64 and 31.11 ± 0.84 µM respectively, while compound 3 was the least active compound in the series with IC50 value 63.10 ± 1.58 µM comparing with standard PEP inhibitor bacitracin (IC50 = 125 ± 1.50 µM). Moreover, mechanistic study was performed for the most active compounds 7 and 8 with K i values 24.10 ± 0.0076 and 23.67 ± 0.0084 µM respectively. Further, the in silico studies suggested that the compounds exhibited potential interactions and significant molecular conformations, thereby elucidating the structural basis for their inhibitory effects.

This article discusses the development and analysis of a broadband filter capable of suppressing specific frequencies of wireless applications at 4.7 GHz for WLAN, 8.3 GHz, and 11.5 GHz (for satellite communication) by combining a T-shaped stub loaded resonator with a central square ring to achieves high performance and compact size within the bandwidth of interest. The filter achieves low signal loss of 0.4 dB across the entire passband of 14.9 GHz bandwidth, good reflection suppression exceeding 10 dB, and independently adjustable multi stopbands. It utilizes a simple planar topology for a small footprint of 0.52 λg × 0.32 λg, where λg represents the wavelength at 4.7 GHz. The proposed filter evaluated using classical method an even-odd-mode analysis, and a 3D software tool HFSS-15 is used for simulations. The physical prototype is built on a Rogers RO-4350 substrate using LPKF S63 ProtoLaser machine. To confirm the accuracy and performance of the prototype, measurements were conducted using a ZNB20 vector network analyser. The simulations and measurement results confirm its effectiveness, paving the way for applications in various fields such as radar systems, medical imaging, and wireless communication.

Hepatitis B is one of the global health issues caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), producing 1.1 million deaths yearly. The acute and chronic phases of HBV are significant because worldwide, approximately 250 million people are infected by chronic hepatitis B. The chronic stage is a long-term, persistent infection that can cause liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer. In the case of multiple phases of infection, a generalized saturated incidence rate model is more reasonable than a simply saturated incidence because it captures the complex dynamics of the different infection phases. In contrast, a simple saturated incidence rate model assumes a fixed shape for the incidence rate curve, which may not accurately reflect the dynamics of multiple infection phases. Considering HBV and its various phases, we constructed a model to present the dynamics and control strategies using the generalized saturated incidence. First, we proved that the model is well-posed. We then found the reproduction quantity and model equilibria to discuss the time dynamics of the model and investigate the conditions for stabilities. We also examined a control mechanism by introducing various controls to the model with the aim to increase the population of those recovered and minimize the infected people. We performed numerical experiments to check the biological significance and control implementation.

Abstract The fractional stochastic delay differential equation (FSDDE) is a powerful mathematical tool for modeling complex systems that exhibit both fractional order dynamics and stochasticity with time delays. The purpose of this study is to explore the stability analysis of a system of FSDDEs. Our study emphasizes the interaction between fractional calculus, stochasticity, and time delays in understanding the stability of such systems. Analyzing the moments of the system’s solutions, we investigate stochasticity’s influence on FSDDS. The article provides practical insight into solving FSDDS efficiently using various numerical techniques. Additionally, this research focuses both on asymptotic as well as Lyapunov stability of FSDDS. The local stability conditions are clearly presented and also the effects of a fractional orders with delay on the stability properties are examine. Through a comprehensive test of a stability criteria, practical examples and numerical simulations we demonstrate the complexity and challenges concern with the analyzing FSDDEs.

This study developed a mathematical model for the co-torrefaction of low-rank coal and biomass, aiming to predict the final mass of solid produced and temperature distribution within a particle. The Simple Arrhenius and Distributed Energy Activation Model (DAEM) were used as micro-modeling methods to predict kinetics data for mixtures with 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % biomass, achieving regression factors above 0.99. DAEM kinetics data were applied to macro modeling, where temperature distribution inside particles and the final solid mass were analyzed. The model showed 2.5 %–7 % deviations from experimental results, confirming its reliability in predicting co-torrefaction behavior.

The precision of process monitoring often encounters challenges in determining the exact shift size. Therefore, combined control charts have gained considerable attention because of their excellent speed to detect simultaneously small-to-moderate and large-size shifts. The effectiveness of the applied quality control methods strongly depends on the performance of the measurement system. Measurement error presence contributes significantly negatively toward the performance of the usual control charting schemes. This article proposes novel two-sided combined Shewhart-Cumulative EWMA-sum (Shewhart-CUESUM) control charts designed to efficiently monitor the mean of normally distributed processes. In addition, to address measurement errors, the M-Shewhart-CUESUM chart is proposed, incorporating an additive measurement error model. Evaluation of the charts through Monte-Carlo simulations, considering metrics such as average run length (ARL), extra quadratic loss, relative ARL, and performance comparison index. It is found that the combined Shewhart-CUESUM outperforms than CUESUM chart. The results show that the presence of measurement errors can significantly diminish the charts’ performance, which can be mitigated by utilizing a multiple measurements scheme. Among the different well-established combined charts examined, the M-Shewhart-CUESUM chart shows considerably more sensitive to detecting simultaneously detect small and large size shifts. To employ simulated datasets to illustrate the impact of measurement errors and demonstrate the implications of the proposed charts on process mean shifts.

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), defined as obstruction of the pulmonary arterial tree that leads to hemodynamic instability, is a common cause of cardiac arrest, with a mortality rate of up to 50%. The obstruction of the pulmonary circulation interferes with gas exchange and causes hemodynamic disturbances in both the right and left sides of the heart. Some international guidelines have suggested the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), in combination with definitive therapy, in patients with PE with refractory circulatory collapse or cardiac arrest. Furthermore, several observational studies have shown that ECMO may be beneficial in stabilizing patients with high-risk PE, especially as a form of bridging therapy in patients for whom common reperfusion methods may be insufficient or have delayed efficacy. We present the case of a patient with acute high-risk PE and the role of ECMO in addressing the physiologic derangements caused by PE and improving patient outcomes. We reviewed the literature reporting the experience on ECMO use in conjunction with various forms of definitive treatment for PE. We describe the various ECMO cannulation strategies applicable for patients with high-risk PE, the role of adjunct mechanical circulatory support, practical guidance on ECMO weaning, and the interaction between the PE response team and the ECMO team in the setting of high-risk PE.

Introduction: The role of palliative care services in patients with cardiac arrest complicating acute pulmonary embolism has been infrequently studied. Methods: All adult admissions with pulmonary embolism complicating cardiac arrest were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2020). The primary outcome of interest was the utilization of palliative care services. Secondary outcomes included predictors of palliative care utilization and its association of with in-hospital mortality, do-not-resuscitate status, discharge disposition, length of stay, and total hospital charges. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding. Results: Between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2020, of the 7,320 admissions with pulmonary embolism complicating cardiac arrest, 1229 (16.8 %) received palliative care services. Admissions receiving palliative care were on average older (68.1 ± 0.9 vs. 63.2 ± 0.4 years) and with higher baseline comorbidity (Elixhauser index 6.3 ± 0.1 vs 5.6 ± 0.6) (all p