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The present research was undertaken to determine the effect of application animal six models including or ignoring maternal genetic and/or maternal permanent environmental effects based on single and multi-trait animal model analyses and choose the most efficient method of selection to improve body weight traits in Rahmani lambs on genetic base. Current findings pointed to increase phenotypic variances of weight traits by increasing lamb's age. Maternal environmental effects shared approximately 13% (ranged from 11% to 20%) of the whole phenotypic variation for body weight traits in multi-trait analysis and thereafter declined significantly for all the traits especially in single-trait analysis. The results show the significance of including at least one maternal component with covariance between direct and maternal effect for genetic evaluation body weight traits and high direct heritability estimates denoted possibility to use weight traits as selection criteria due to their direct response to genetic improvement through direct selection method and their economic importance in mutton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circularly polarized (CP) transparent microstrip reflectarray antenna is integrated with solar cell for small satellite applications at 10 GHz. The reflectarray unit cell consists of a perfect electric conductor (PEC) square patch printed on an optically transparent substrate with the PEC ground plane. A comparison between using transparent conducting polymers and using the PEC in unit-cell construction has been introduced. The waveguide simulator is used to calculate the required compensation phase of each unit cell in the reflectarray. The radiation characteristics of 13 × 13 CP transparent reflectarray antenna are investigated. A circularly polarized horn antenna is used to feed the reflectarray. The solar cell is incorporated with the transparent reflectarray on the same area. The solar-cell integration with the reflectarray reduces the maximum gain by about 0.5 dB due to the increase in the magnitude of the reflection coefficient. The results are calculated using the finite integral technique (FIT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A ()-extended Rosa sequence is a sequence of length containing each of the symbols exactly twice, and such that two occurrences of the integer are separated by exactly symbols. We prove that, with two exceptions, the conditions necessary for the existence of a ()-extended Rosa sequence with prescribed positions of the symbols 0 are sufficient. We also extend the result to -fold ()-extended Rosa sequences; i.e., the sequences where every pair of numbers is repeated exactly times. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections and vaso-occlusion leading to reduced quality of life and life expectancy. SCD is caused by a point mutation in a single gene, which results in a mutant b-globin protein (HbS), in which the sixth amino acid is changed from glutamic acid to valine. In the homozygous and some compound heterozygous states, deoxygenated HbS molecules form polymers, which damage the red cell membrane and increase its rigidity. Aim of the Work: to study the AGE levels in sickle cell patients and determine its relationship to the presence of SCD-related organ complications, in addition to exploring the association of AGE levels to other clinical and laboratory data. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 Sickle cell patients, including sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and compound heterozygous states. In addition to 20 race, sex, and age matched healthy control subjects will also be included. They were recruited from patients attending Pediatric Hematology Clinic, Pediatric Hospital, Ain Shams University from September 2017 to September 2018. A verbal informed consent was taken from all patients. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between SC patients and control group as regards their CBC data; including TLC, which showed a significant statistical difference being higher in patients group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Plasma levels of pentosidine and CML are increased and associated with haemolysis and haemolysis-related organ complications in sickle cell patients, suggesting that AGEs might be implicated in vascular damage and chronic organ complications in SCD. Measurement of these AGEs might be useful in assessing disease severity and predicting organ complications in SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transitioning from mental health inpatient care to community care is often a vulnerable time in the treatment process where additional risks and anxiety may arise. Objectives: The objective of this paper was to evaluate the progression of mental health symptoms in patients six weeks after their discharge from the hospital as the first phase of an ongoing innovative supportive program. In this study, factors that may contribute to the presence or absence of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the quality of life following a return to the community were examined. The results of this study provide evidence and baseline data for future phases of the project. Methods: An observational design was used in this study. We collected sociodemographic and clinical data using REDCap at discharge and six weeks later. Anxiety, depression, and well-being symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) respectively. Descriptive, Chi-square, independent T-test, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Results: The survey was completed by 88 participants out of 144 (61.1% response rate). A statistically non-significant reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms was found six weeks after returning to the community based on the Chi-squared/Fisher exact test and independent t-test. As well, the mean anxiety and depression scores showed a non-significant marginal reduction after discharge compared to baseline. In the period following discharge, a non-significant increase in participants experiencing low well-being symptoms was observed, as well as a decline in the mean well-being scores. Based on logistic regression models, only baseline symptoms were significant predictors of symptoms six weeks after inpatient discharge. Image: Image 2: Image 3: Conclusions: In the short term following hospital discharge, no significant changes were observed in mental health conditions. A collaboration between researchers and policymakers is essential for the implementation and maintenance of effective interventions to support and maintain the mental health of patients following discharge. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The transition from hospital to community settings for most mental health service users is often hindered by challenges that affect community adjustment and continuity of care. The first few weeks and days after discharge from mental health inpatient units represent a critical phase for many service users. Objectives: This paper aims to evaluate the changes in quality of Life status, resilience, and personal recovery of individuals with mental health challenges recently discharged from acute mental health care into the community. Methods: Data for this study were collected as part of a pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster-randomized, longitudinal approach in Alberta. A paired sample t-test and Chi-squared/Fisher test were deployed to assess changes from baseline to six weeks in the recovery assessment scale (RAS), brief resilience scale (BRS), and EuroQol-5d (EQ-5D), using an online questionnaire. Results: A total of 306 service users were recruited, and 88 completed both baseline and six weeks, giving a response rate of 28.8%. There was no statistically significant change in the level of resilience, recovery and quality of life as measured with the brief resilience scale, recovery assessment scale and EQ-5D from baseline to six weeks (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The study showed that there was neither an improvement nor deterioration in resilience, recovery, or quality of life status of service users six weeks post-discharge from inpatient mental health care. The lack of further progress calls into question whether the support available in the community when patients leave inpatient care is adequate to promote full recovery. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein low-cement alumina-zirconia-silica matrices with outstanding high-temperature strength have been successfully produced for the first time from the demolished industrial trash obtained from glass melting furnaces. Different fine matrix mixes with Al2O3/SiO2 ratios of 1 to 3 were formed from the fine powders with particle sizes of less than 500 μm of ZAC, calcined alumina, refractory cement, and silica fume. The formed batches were cast with water, demolded, dried, and fired at different sintering temperatures. The experimental mixture of formula Al2O3/SiO2 = 3 presented the maximum load capacity (~132 MPa), the highest density (2.76 g/cm3), and the lowest porosity (1.42 vol.%) at 1375oC. The formulated refractory mixture from demolished wastes of glass melting furnaces with Al2O3/SiO2 = 3 can be substantially proposed as a potential matrix for synthesizing low-cement refractory castables with application temperatures up to 1375°C for the sake of lining specific parts of cement kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulating refractory bricks with different densities have been successfully produced from firing of sludge of water treatment produced from the water treatment plant at El-Kureimat power station (Giza, Egypt) and rice husk ash mixtures. Different batches from the sludge of water treatment (SWT) with varying amounts of rice husk ash (RHA) were well mixed, formed, dried, and finally fired at different temperatures ranging (800 - 1200°C). The filter pressed sludge was dried and fired at the same temperature range. The physico-mechanical properties of the fired specimens of sludge-rice husk ash batches and the filtered press sludge were investigated and evaluated. The results showed that the sludge of water treatment plant can be used successfully to produce high quality insulating refractory bricks for various thermal insulating applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is crucial in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus through angiotensin II which regulates vascular tone and endothelial functions. Objectives: To study the frequency of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and its possible relation to the renal pathology in cases with lupus nephritis. Subjects and methods: The frequency of ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism genotypes was determined in 78 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and compared to a matched group of 140 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction. Results: The DD genotype of the ACE gene was higher in systemic lupus erythematosus patients when compared to controls (P<0.0001; odds ratio (OR) 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-3.3) and the D allele was more frequent than the I allele in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in comparison to controls (P<0.0001; OR=2.2; 95% CI=(1.6-3.1). In the lupus nephritis group, the DD genotype was significantly higher in those with proliferative lupus nephritis when compared to those with non-proliferative lupus nephritis (P=0.02; OR=1.45; 95% CI=1.4-1.6). Also, patients with proliferative lupus nephritis showed a higher frequency of the D allele (P<0.001; OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.3-2.9). Conclusion: The D allele and DD genotype of the ACE gene appear to be a risk factor for the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus and occurrence of proliferative nephritis in Egyptian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Effect of some chemical pollutants on the response of chickens to vaccination," by A.A. El Meleigy and colleagues is presented.