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Soft sets were introduced as a means to study objects that are not defined in an absolute way and have found applications in numerous areas of mathematics, decision theory, and in statistical applications. Soft topological spaces were first considered in Shabir and Naz ((2011). Computers & Mathematics with Applications 61 (7) 1786–1799) and soft separation axioms for soft topological spaces were studied in El-Shafei et al. ((2018). Filomat 32 (13) 4755–4771), El-Shafei and Al-Shami ((2020). Computational and Applied Mathematics 39 (3) 1–17), Al-shami ((2021). Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2021). In this paper, we introduce the effective versions of soft separation axioms. Specifically, we focus our attention on computable u-soft and computable p-soft separation axioms and investigate various relations between them. We also compare the effective and classical versions of these soft separation axioms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a main public health issue worldwide, with Egypt among the world’s top countries with diabetic patients. Data on the degree of selfcare behaviors of Egyptian diabetic patients is not fully reported. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the adequacy of diabetes self-management (DSM) habits among diabetic patients in Egypt and to identify associated socio-demographic factors that could negatively impact the patients’ glycemic state, using a structured questionnaire. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional observational study. The diabetes self-management questionnaire (DSMQ) was used to assess diabetes self-care activities, which is a 16-item questionnaire. The statistical analysis was conducted on SPSS software, and the data were significant with a p-value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 2,164 participants were included. The majority of the patients (83.8%) had type 2 DM. The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of the study group was 8.44±1.99. Significant differences were found between different glycemic control groups both in terms of the DSMQ sum scores and the subscale scores, with the exception of physical activity. Moreover, there was a significant weak inverse correlation between the total DSMQ sum score and HbA1c ≥9.0% (ρ=-0.116, p<0.01). The overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) was acceptable (0.756). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that patients with controlled blood glucose had significantly higher ‘glucose management’, and ‘total DSMQ sum’ scores compared to uncontrolled diabetic patients. All significant correlations between assessed parameters and DSMQ were weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of two adhesive techniques on the retentive force of four all ceramic endocrowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty maxillary first molars of approximately similar size and shape were collected. The teeth were all decoronated 2 mm above the level of proximal cement-enamel junction (CEJ) and were all endodontically treated. The teeth were then randomly divided equally into four groups (10 each) according to all ceramic material used, as follows: Group I (VE) - Ten prepared molars were restored with hybrid ceramic (Vita Enamic); Group II (LU) - Ten prepared molars were restored with resin Nano-ceramic (Lava Ultimate). Group III (CD) - Ten prepared molars were restored with zirconia-reinforced lithium di-silicate ceramic material (Celtra Duo); Group IV (LZ) - Ten prepared molars were restored with zirconia ceramic (Lava Zirconia). Each group was then subdivided into two equal subgroups (n=5) according to the type of cement (adhesive technique) used for cementation. Subgroup A (RX ARC): the endocrowns were cemented with a total-etch adhesive resin cement (RelyX ARC). Subgroup B (RXU): the endocrowns were cemented with self-adhesive resin luting cement (RelyX UniCem). The restorations were designed with an outer cylindrical handle located on buccal and palatal surfaces to provide a mean for the removal of the endocrowns during the pullout testing. The cemented endocrowns were thermocycled and then removed along the path of insertion using a universal testing machine at 0.5 mm/min. The retentive force was recorded, and the stress of dislodgement was calculated using the surface area of each preparation. RESULTS: The highest mean dislodgement stresses were 64.3 MPa for Group I (VE), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between Group I, II and III and LZ showed the lowest values with significant difference between the other three groups. Regarding the type of cement, there was a statistically significant difference between RelyX ARC (mean=60.09 MPa) and RelyX Unicem (mean=49.73 MPa). CONCLUSIONS: Retention of Vita Enamic, Lava Ultimate, and Celtra Duo are significantly higher than Lava Zirconia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the fabrication techniques of two types of glass ceramics on the marginal gap distance and the fracture resistance of endocrown restorations after cyclic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracted mandibular first molars were root canal treated. Decoronation was done for all the endodontically treated teeth 2 mm above the cemento-enamel junction. The teeth were individually fixed vertically into epoxy resin mounting cylinders. All teeth were prepared to receive endocrown restorations. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into four equal groups (n=10) according to the all-ceramic materials and technique used for endocrown construction as follows: Group I (n=10): Pressable lithium disilicate glass ceramics (IPS e-max Press), Group II (n=10): Pressable zirconia-reinforced lithium disilicate glass ceramics (Celtra Press), Group III (n=10): Machinable lithium disilicate glass ceramics (IPS e-max CAD), Group IV (n=10): Machinable zirconia-reinforced lithium disilicate glass ceramics (Celtra Duo). The endocrowns were cemented using dual-cure resin cement. All endocrowns were subjected to fatigue loading. The cycles were repeated 120,000 times to clinically simulate one year chewing condition. Marginal gap distance of all endocrowns was measured directly using a digital microscope with x100 magnification. The load required to failure was recorded in Newton. Data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Fracture resistance testing of all-ceramic crowns revealed a statistically significant difference between all different ceramic materials used in this study (p-value <0.001). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference between all the four ceramic crowns for the marginal gap distance either before or after fatigue cyclic loading. CONCLUSIONS: After considering the limitation of the current study, the following conclusions were given: endocrowns are considered one of the promising minimally invasive restorations for root canal treated molars. CAD/CAM technology revealed better results than heat press technology regarding the fracture resistance of glass ceramics. Heat Press technology revealed better results than CAD/CAM technology regarding the marginal accuracy of glass ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Monte Carlo simulations in diagnostic medical imaging research is widespread due to its flexibility and ability to estimate quantities that are challenging to measure empirically. However, any new Monte Carlo simulation code needs to be validated before it can be used reliably. The type and degree of validation required depends on the goals of the research project, but, typically, such validation involves either comparison of simulation results to physical measurements or to previously published results obtained with established Monte Carlo codes. The former is complicated due to nuances of experimental conditions and uncertainty, while the latter is challenging due to typical graphical presentation and lack of simulation details in previous publications. In addition, entering the field of Monte Carlo simulations in general involves a steep learning curve. It is not a simple task to learn how to program and interpret a Monte Carlo simulation, even when using one of the publicly available code packages. This Task Group report provides a common reference for benchmarking Monte Carlo simulations across a range of Monte Carlo codes and simulation scenarios. In the report, all simulation conditions are provided for six different Monte Carlo simulation cases that involve common x-ray based imaging research areas. The results obtained for the six cases using four publicly available Monte Carlo software packages are included in tabular form. In addition to a full description of all simulation conditions and results, a discussion and comparison of results among the Monte Carlo packages and the lessons learned during the compilation of these results are included. This abridged version of the report includes only an introductory description of the six cases and a brief example of the results of one of the cases. This work provides an investigator the necessary information to benchmark his/her Monte Carlo simulation software against the reference cases included here before performing his/her own novel research. In addition, an investigator entering the field of Monte Carlo simulations can use these descriptions and results as a self-teaching tool to ensure that he/she is able to perform a specific simulation correctly. Finally, educators can assign these cases as learning projects as part of course objectives or training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Diabetes is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide and surgery in patients with diabetic foot is becoming more common. Foot complications are a major cause of admissions in diabetic patients, and comprise a disproportionately high number of hospital days because of multiple surgical procedures and prolonged length of stay in hospital. Diabetic foot is an umbrella term for foot problems in patients with diabetes mellitus. Foot disorders such as ulceration, infection and gangrene are the most common, complex and costly sequelae of diabetes mellitus. The optimal therapy for diabetic foot ulcers remains ill-defined. Saline-moistened gauze has been the standard method; however, it has been difficult to continuously maintain a moist wound environment with these dressings. This has led to the development of various hydrocolloid wound gels, which provided more consistent moisture retention. Refinements in topical ointments have resulted in the addition of various pharmacological agents including growth factors and enzymatic debridement compounds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and culture skin substitutes are other wound therapies that have been advocated. All these therapies are associated with significant expense and are being utilized in some situations without sufficient scientific evidence demonstrating their efficacy. Therefore, the search for an efficacious, convenient and cost-effective therapy continues. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a newer noninvasive adjunctive therapy system that uses controlled negative pressure using Vacuum-Assisted Closure device (VAC) to help promote wound healing by removing fluid from open wounds through a sealed dressing and tubing which is connected to a collection container. The use of sub-atmospheric pressure dressings, available commercially as a VAC device, has been shown to be an effective way to accelerate healing of various wounds. This was aimed to compare wound outcome, limb salvage, and cost effectiveness between Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and Standard moist wound therapy (SMWT) in management of diabetic non ischemic foot ulcers. Methods: we performed a cohort study involving 30 patients with active diabetic foot ulcers, in a high volume tertiary referral vascular center. They were divided into 2 groups: 15 patients (group A) were prescribed NPWT and the other 15 patients (group B) received SMWD. During follow up visits, progress of healing was evaluated and documented in the form of change in wound diameter, depth, up or down scaling along UTWC, wound status at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and 4 weekly thereafter till complete epithelialization. Results: As regard to ulcer depth there were statistically significant difference between the 2 groups during follow up duration of the study after 4 weeks with group A showing faster decrease in ulcer depth than group B denoting faster formation of granulation tissue. As regard to complete granulation of ulcer there were statistically significant difference between the 2 groups during follow up duration of the study markedly shown after 6 weeks with group A showing complete ulcer granulation faster than group B, with statistically significant difference as regard to number of days on dressing and follow up duration in weeks between the 2 groups with group A showing lesser number of days on dressing and shorter follow up duration in weeks than group B. Conclusion: NPWT has a definitive role in promotion of proliferation of granulation tissue, reduction in the wound size, by and rapid clearing of bacterial load. Our data demonstrates that negative pressure wound dressings decrease the wound size more effectively than saline gauze dressings over the first 4 weeks of therapy. It is suggested that NPWT is a cost-effective, easy to use and patient-friendly method of treating diabetic foot ulcers which helps in early closure of wounds, preventing complications and hence promising a better outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shivering is an involuntary muscular activity. Increased muscle tone during shivering is due to temperatureinduced changes in neuronal activity in the reticular formation. Synchronization of motor neurons during shivering may be mediated by recurrent inhibition through renshaw cells. Aim of the Work: To verify the efficacy of magnesium sulfate for controlling post spinal shivering, to compare the efficacy of magnesiumsulfate and pethidine for controlling post spinal shivering and to detect the side effects of both magnesium sulfate and pethidine after their use for controlling post spinal shivering. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at El-Matarya Teaching Hospital from 2018 till 2019. After obtaining approval from the Research Ethical Committee of Ain Shams University, informed patient consent was obtained before the procedure. After giving the spinal anesthesia, only patients who developed post-spinal shivering were followed for the study. 60 patients with post-spinal shivering were included with the following criteria: Results: Regarding age, weight, height and duration of surgery; there were no statistically significant differences between the two studied groups. Comparison of the two studied groups revealed no statistically significant changes at all times of measurement. Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate in a dose of 30 mg/kg IV infusion in 100 ml normal saline over 10 min is effective for control of post spinal shivering. Pethidine in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg IV bolus is effective for control of post spinal shivering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EEC syndrome an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression and cardinal signs of ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and orofacial clefts. In this report, we describe a patient with EEC syndrome, adipsic hypernatremia without brain anomalies, and bilateral renal stones, two manifestations that were not reported before.