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Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is associated with coagulation abnormalities and a higher risk for blood clots due to changes in the clotting factors and platelet function. This study aimed to assess blood clotting parameters in T2DM patients within a single research center in the UAE. Methods and Results: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 158 patients (112 men and 46 women) diagnosed with T2DM in Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, UAE. Blood samples were properly labeled and used for screening tests. The HbA1c and platelet tests were performed using the Beckman Coulter DxC 700 and DxH 900 analyzers. Coagulation profile tests, including D-dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and prothrombin time (PT), were performed using an ACL TOP 300 CTS analyzer. All patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 68 patients with controlled diabetes (cT2DM), and Group 2 included 90 patients with uncontrolled diabetes (uT2DM). The assessment of the blood clotting parameters showed a lower level of INR in the uT2DM group than in the cT2DM group (1.06±0.10 and 1.53±1.13, respectively, P=0.0001). Platelet count, PT, APTT, and D-dimer levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. Men had a higher HbA1c than women (7.30±2.07% and 6.52±2.02%, respectively, P=0.0318), indicating poor diabetes control. Higher HbA1c in men was accompanied with a higher D-dimer level (409.1±44.4 ng/mL for men and 388.7±42.1 ng/mL for women, P=0.0086) and a lower level of INR (1.09±0.10 and 1.73±1.13, respectively, P=0.0001). Platelet count, PT and APTT levels did not differ significantly between male and female patients. Evaluation of the studied parameters, considering age groups, showed increased HbA1c with age (P=0.0018), indicating an increase in poor diabetes control. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the D-dimer levels in the age group above 45 (P=0.0000).The levels of other indicators did not differ significantly depending on the age group. Conclusion: Patients with T2DM have a cumulative thrombotic risk. The prothrombotic state in T2DM is primarily mediated by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Good glycemic control (HbA1c

Ultrasonic metal welding machines are suitable for various complex applications (e.g., battery tabs) through unique mechanical design, special pressure application methods and high-precision welding. This work reports the weldability, forming quality and fractographic analysis of copper multilayered welded joints which were studied by SEM-EDS characterization, micro-hardness testing and tensile testing based on ultrasonic double roller welding (UDRW). Three groups of process parameters (A, B and C) were established to investigate the performance, production quality and welded joint surface interconnections. The tensile testing results of sample under parameter 3 in group A [S-P3(A)] indicate the maximum tensile strength of 69.859 N in T-peel test while the average tensile strength has increased by 58.525 N due to rise in welding time from 2 sec to 5 sec. The results analysis indicates that welding quality features in S-P3(A) joints under 4 bar, 100 mm/s, 45 % have been exploited. The over-welded zone was transformed into good-welded zone. The micro-cracks, fatigue stations and peeling texture in multilayers were reduced. It was found that when the welding energy was 10000 J then the tearing edges and interlayers cracks were minimized while keeping the other parameters constant. Moreover, when the amplitude increased up to 50 %, then numerous micro-cracks and micro-fissure stations were created, which leads to the occurrence of fracture in multi-layer welded joint. The EDS study investigated that the complex features are formed at the interface junction of sample 3 S3(A) in multilayer welds. The complex multilayer microstructures can induce and produce unique hardness properties for battery manufacturing. It leads to high quality and durable welds. Eventually, it is experimentally demonstrated that robust 40 layer welded joints can be obtained by the UDRW process. Data availability: The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Abstract Hybrid oils ensure multifaceted technological (self‐lubricating and favorable fatty acid properties), and sustainable (environmental, economic, and societal) benefits towards biodiesel conversions. The hybrid oils (Hydnocarpus wightiana oil and waste cooking oils [40:60 v/v]) were synthesized to methyl ester with alkaline catalyst sodium hydroxide through the base‐transesterification process. The resulting hybrid oil methyl ester (HOME) is 96.68%. The crude oil (CO) and its HOME underwent characterization using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and hydrogen‐1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of crude oils and hybrid biodiesel were analyzed and compared to pure diesel. Different blends of biodiesel–diesel, including binary (20% HOME + 80% diesel [D]), ternary (60% D + 20% HOME + 20% heptanol [H]), and quaternary (20% HOME + 20% H + 10% CO + 50% D) blends, were tested in a single‐cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine under various load conditions to assess their performance, emissions, and combustion properties. Experimental findings indicate that the addition of heptanol to diesel or hybrid biodiesel (ternary blend) enhances brake thermal efficiency, reduces brake‐specific fuel consumption, and leads to longer ignition delays, resulting in higher internal combustion pressure and thermal energy release rates compared to the quaternary blend. Additionally, compared to pure diesel, the ternary blend exhibits decreased emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC), with a slight increase in nitrous oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Notably, the ternary blend emerges as a distinct alternative biodiesel blend suitable for direct use in CI engines without requiring any engine modifications.

Husain Yahya Alkhaldy,1 Ayel Omar Yahya,2 Abdullah Mohammed Algarni,3 Omayma SE Bakheet,4 Mohammed Assiri,3 M Saboor5,6 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 2Division of Adult Hematology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine and Blood Bank, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 6Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Husain Yahya Alkhaldy; M Saboor, Email halkhaldy@kku.edu.sa; M.Ahmed@sharjah.ac.aeIntroduction: Thrombosis stands as a significant contributor to both morbidity and mortality in individuals afflicted with myeloproliferative neoplasms. This retrospective study investigated the association between JAK2 mutations and venous thrombosis at unusual sites, and in young individuals with ischemic stroke, residing at high altitudes in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia.Patients and Methods: Data were collected from two high-altitude referral hospitals over three years (2020– 2022). Records of all JAK2 mutation tests were reviewed. Those requested as part of evaluation of thrombosis events, without known myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) were analysed.Results: Among the 208 JAK2 tests, 40 (19.2%) were linked to thrombotic event evaluations. The cohort, with a median age of 41, included 17 (42.7%) males and 23 females, with 57.5% having completely normal complete blood counts (CBC). Thrombotic events were divided between splanchnic vein thrombosis (36.6%) and cerebral thrombosis (34.1%), while the remaining cases involved unprovoked deep vein thromboses/pulmonary embolisms and portal vein thrombosis. Only 2 (5%) participants tested positive for JAK2 mutations: a 17-year-old male diagnosed concurrently with polycythemia vera after renal vein thrombosis and a 31-year-old woman with hepatic vein thrombosis and a normal CBC.Conclusion: This study reveals that JAK2 mutations are infrequently found in high-altitude patients with unprovoked DVT, PE, or atypical thrombosis. While JAK2 testing is notably relevant for splanchnic vein thrombosis, its routine use for other thrombotic events, particularly with normal CBC results, remains uncertain. Given the study’s limitations, further prospective research with larger cohorts is needed to refine guidelines for JAK2 mutation testing in various thrombotic contexts.Keywords: thrombosis, JAK2, myeloproliferative neoplasm, deep vein thrombosis

Objective: This review summarizes evidence pertaining to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological health of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted using four major databases--PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Using an umbrella methodology, the reference lists of relevant papers were reviewed, and citation searches were conducted. The study included articles written in English between January 2020 and March 2021 that focused on the psychological health of autistic children and adolescents. Results: All eight studies included in the final review were cross-sectional. Three of the eight studies were conducted in Italy, two in Turkey, and one study each in Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with a total of 1,407 participants. All studies used a mixture of standardized and non-standardized questionnaires to collect data. The total number of patients were 1407 at a mean age of 9.53 (SD = 2.96) years. Seven studies report gender; male 74.7% (657/880) and female 25.3% (223/880). The finding showed that behavioral issues in children and adolescents with ASD have significantly increased; 521 (51.9 percent) of the 1004 individuals with ASD presented with behavioral changes, including conduct problems, emotional problems, aggression, and hyperactivity. Some studies also found increased anxiety and difficulties managing emotions. Only one study reported clinical stabilization in children with ASD during COVID-19. Finally, 82.7% of families and caregivers of children with ASD (544 out of 658) faced challenges during COVID-19. Conclusion: Although the studies in this review suggest a general worsening of ASD children's clinical status, it remains difficult to draw definitive conclusions at this moment, with newer COVID-19 variants on the rise worldwide. During this difficult pandemic period, caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals are recommended to pay more attention to the ASD patients' health and care needs.

Abstract Introduction Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) can occur due to disruption to the enterohepatic circulation such as following cholecystectomy. However, the mechanism behind this is as yet unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of post-cholecystectomy diarrhoea and to assess whether FGF19 within the gallbladder was associated with the development of BAD. Methods This was a prospective case-control study in which patients were assessed pre- and post- cholecystectomy (study group) and compared with patients also having laparoscopic surgery but not cholecystectomy (control group). Their bowel habits and a GIQLI questionnaire was performed to compare the pre- and post-operative condition of the two groups. Gallbladder tissue sample was tested for FGF19 and PPARα in the study group patients. A subset had serum lipid levels, FGF19 and C4 measurements. Results Gallbladder PPAR α was found to have a significant correlation with stool consistency, with the lower the PPARα concentration the higher the Bristol stool chart number (i.e. looser stool). There were no significant correlation when assessing the effect of gallbladder FGF19 concentration on bowel habit, stool consistency, lipid levels, BMI or smoking. The study group showed a significant increase in triglycerides post-operatively, however there were no changes in cholesterol, HDL and LDL levels. Correlation of the increased triglyceride levels with stool consistency and frequency showed no significant results Discussion and conclusion We did not find any direct evidence that FGF19 levels within the gallbladder impact the development of post-cholecystectomy diarrhoea. There was however a significant increase in triglycerides postoperatively. There was also no correlation of bowel habits with PPARα suggesting the observed rise is independent of this pathway. Further work is required particularly relating to the gut microbiome to further investigate this condition.

Abstract Soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) is crucial to atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic environments as well as human life. Here, by characterizing DOM from 89 grassland soils throughout China, we reveal the spatial association between DOM geochemistry in the dry season vs annual ecosystem exchange and cancer cases. The humic-like and high molecular weight (3.4–25 kDa) fractions with lower biodegradability, decline from the northern to the southern regions of China, and are correlated with lower soil respiration and net ecosystem productivity at the continental scale. The

There is no doubt that the sudden migration to online learning amid COVID-19 has caused a degree of stress to students and faculty in higher education globally. Although several studies have reported on the challenges that faced the academic world during the pandemic and lessons learnt from some of the practices adopted through the delivery of online education, limited studies have been conducted to look into the most significant factors that impact students' perception of the online delivery amid COVID-19. As such, this paper is based on a quantitative study targeting a highly rated higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to identify the most significant pedagogical, psychological, and technological factors that impacted on students' online learning experience amid COVID-19 and model the relationship between these factors and students' perception of successful online learning, using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study also investigates the relationship between the students' background and their satisfaction with the online delivery of teaching amid COVID-19. In addition, RII (relative importance index) analysis is used to identify the most important factors that impact students' satisfaction with the online delivery. The study concludes that there are at least twenty-six factors that impact on students' perception of successful online delivery, and that there is a positive relationship between the instructors' teaching style and use of technology and the students' perception of successful online delivery.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, show great potential in advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a collection of 17 worldwide targets outlined by the United Nations (UN) to tackle diverse social, economic, and environmental issues and foster sustainable development by 2030. As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), UAVs can significantly improve areas of sustainability like wildlife and wildfire monitoring, precision agriculture, as well as healthcare. Furthermore, drones with communication capabilities are seen as key elements of non-terrestrial networks, and as enabling technologies for future 6G communication networks. This systematic literature review focuses on the role of UAV-enabled communications to achieve the SDGs. Our study is based on a thorough selection and analysis of scientific articles. Initially, we performed a broad search across three major databases: IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Scopus, yielding a set of 10,499 papers. Following a strict selection methodology (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PRISMA), we narrowed this set down to 28 key journal articles. Our analysis highlights six global targets that greatly benefit from UAV-enabled aerial communication. In order of impact, these are: “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” where UAVs improve security and disaster management; “Life on Land,” where drones help with wildlife monitoring and reforestation; “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure,” where UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) aid in infrastructure inspection; “No Hunger,” where drones improve agricultural practices; “‘Good Health and Wellbeing,” where UAVs assist with disease prediction and monitoring; and “Clean water and sanitation,”where drones play a crucial role in efficiently monitoring water quality and distribution. In summary, this paper offers a detailed look at the applications of UAVs in achieving the SDGs through aerial communications. By identifying areas of major impact and spotting gaps and weaknesses in current research, this review article aims to guide future research and policy-making in sustainable drone applications.

Beyond its core role in iron metabolism, erythroferrone (ERFE) has emerged as a key player with far-reaching implications in various hematologic disorders. Its regulatory effect on hepcidin underlines its significance in conditions characterized by disrupted iron homeostasis. In β-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, its dysregulation intricately contributes to the clinical challenges of anemia and iron overload which highlights its potential as a therapeutic target. In anemia of chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia, ERFE presents a unique profile. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the intricate interplay between ERFE, erythropoietin, and hepcidin undergoes dysregulation, contributing to the complex iron imbalance characteristic of this condition. Recent research suggests that ERFE plays a multifaceted role in restoring iron balance in CKD, beyond simply suppressing hepcidin production. The potential to modulate ERFE activity offers a novel approach to treating a spectrum of disorders associated with iron dysregulation. As our understanding of ERFE continues to evolve, it is poised to become a key focus in the development of targeted treatments, making it an exciting and dynamic area of ongoing research. Modulating ERFE activity presents a groundbreaking approach to treat iron dysregulation in conditions like iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, and hemochromatosis. As new research unveils its intricate roles, ERFE has rapidly emerged as a key target for developing targeted therapies like ERFE agonists and antagonists. With promising studies underway, this dynamic field holds immense potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and offer personalized treatment options in hematology research. This comprehensive overview of ERFE’s role across various conditions underscores its pivotal function in iron metabolism and associated pathologies.

Abstract. The article focuses on the dissemination and development of Chinese medicine in Pakistan. Religious records show that Chinese medicine was introduced to Pakistan as early as 1,400 years ago, while Hijama (Chinese cupping) was used by Prophet Hazrat Muhammad to cure different types of diseases. Exchanges and cooperations between China and Pakistan continue to the present day. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, cupping therapy and herbal medicine are practiced with significant merits in today’s Pakistan. In the future, with the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative and the landmark project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Chinese medicine can be strengthened through cooperations at the herbal medicine trade level, the research and development level, the educational level, and the social association level.

Abstract Neurodegenerative diseases represent one of the utmost imperative well-being health issues and apprehensions due to their escalating incidence of mortality. Natural derivatives are more efficacious in various preclinical models of neurodegenerative illnesses. These natural compounds include phytoconstituents in herbs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and marine and freshwater flora, with remarkable efficacy in mitigating neurodegeneration and enhancing cognitive abilities in preclinical models. According to the latest research, the therapeutic activity of natural substances can be increased by adding phytoconstituents in nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, nanogels, and nanostructured lipid carriers. They can enhance the stability and specificity of the bioactive compounds to a more considerable extent. Nanotechnology can also provide targeting, enhancing their specificity to the respective site of action. In light of these findings, this article discusses the biological and therapeutic potential of natural products and their bioactive derivatives to exert neuroprotective effects and some clinical studies assessing their translational potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Graphical Abstract Common mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and molecular pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. It is focused on the biological and therapeutic potential of natural products and their bioactive derivatives to exert a neuroprotective effect on the pathologies of neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: Calcium is an essential electrolyte with critical physiological functions. Recently, it has been implicated in the pathogenesis and outcomes of COVID-19. This retrospective study was conducted to estimate serum ionic calcium and its correlation with clinical severity, inflammatory markers, and in-hospital outcomes in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 377 COVID-19 patients, aged between 23 and 79 years, with a mean age of 54.17±11.53 years. Severity of the disease was determined using ICMR criteria. Parameters including age, gender, inflammatory markers, calcium levels, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Results: The study showed a prevalence of moderate and severe COVID-19 in 58.1% and 41.9% patients, respectively. Severity was significantly associated with younger age, higher mean inflammatory markers, notably IL-6, procalcitonin, D-Dimer, and lower ionic and total calcium levels, as well as vitamin D levels. Mortality and referral rate were significantly higher in the severe group. Hypocalcemia was prevalent in 39% of the patients and was significantly associated with disease severity, ARDS, and mortality. On multivariate assessment, only age and ionic calcium were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity. Conclusion: Lower serum ionic calcium levels are associated with increased severity and poor outcomes, including higher mortality in COVID-19 patients, underscoring the potential role of calcium as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in COVID-19 pneumonia and may be an important factor in various other forms of pneumonia.

This article aims to analyze the two-dimensional (2D) nanofluid (Ag/C2H6O2) flow past an exponentially stretched sheet. The magnetic field impact, heat source/sink, and convection in the thermal profile are taken into account. The complexity of the problem is reduced by introducing a dimensionless group of functions. The reduced model is transformed into a system of first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This system is further analyzed with the artificial neural network (ANN), which is trained using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The whole dataset is sub divided into three parts: training (70%), validation (15%), and testing (15%). The impact of nonlinear heat source/sink parameter, magnetic parameter, volume fraction of nanoparticles, and Prandtl number is displayed through graphs. The heat source, volume fraction, and the Prandtl number cause an increase in the thermal profile with its larger values. The magnetic parameter causes a decline in both the thermal and momentum boundary layers with its higher values. The analysis shows that the thermal energy profile is enhanced with the larger values of the volume fraction of silver nanoparticles and heat source. For each case study, the residual error (RE), regression line, and validation of the results are presented. The performance of the proposed methodology is numerically tabulated for the nanoparticle volume fraction shown in Table 3, where the minimum absolute error (AE) is 5.3373e−11 at ϕ=0.05. Based on this, we recommend ϕ=0.05 for better performance. The AEs for the ANN and bvp4c are computed for the state variables in Tables for the magnetic parameter M=5,10, and 15. These tables show the overall performance of the ANN and further validate the present study. We have also validated the results of the ANN through the mean squared error graphically, where the accuracy of the proposed methodology is proven.

This paper develops a novel two-parameter unit probability model which is the generalized form Kumaraswami distribution that exhibits greater flexibility compared to well-known existing distributions, attributed to its distinct hazard and density function shapes. Extensive analysis has been conducted to explore numerous statistical features of the specified distribution, specifically moments, and order statistics providing explicit expressions for these measures. The maximum likelihood estimation is employed to estimate the model parameters and a numerical simulation analysis confirms the consistency of this estimation approach. Furthermore, the applicability of the specified model is demonstrated by considering four real data sets, showcasing its effectiveness in capturing the characteristics of real life data. The proposed model shows promise as a versatile tool for analyzing diverse data sets in a wide range of fields.

BackgroundThe rising prevalence of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and young adults has become an escalating public health issue, impacting approximately 10%-20% of young people on a global scale. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) can act as powerful mental health promotion tools to reach wide-ranging audiences that might otherwise be challenging to access. This increased access would enable prevention of mental disorders and promotion of widespread well-being by enhancing self-efficacy, thereby supporting the achievement of tangible objectives. ObjectiveWe aimed to conduct a comprehensive synthesis of all randomized controlled trials and controlled trials involving children, adolescents, and young adults, encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations, to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital PPIs in this age group. MethodsAfter a literature search in 9 electronic databases until January 12, 2023, and gray literature until April 2023, we carried out a systematic review of 35 articles, of which 18 (51%) provided data for the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled trials mainly based on web-based, digital, or smartphone-based interventions using a positive psychology framework as the main component. Studies included participants with a mean age of

IntroductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD), postpartum depression (PPD), and insomnia are neuropsychological conditions in which zuranolone is used to improve symptoms and prognosis of the disorder. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of zuranolone in comparison to other drugs used for treating these conditions.MethodsThis meta-analysis included patients aged between 18 and 75 years who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder and postpartum depression with or without insomnia and were administered zuranolone for treatment. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and animal studies were excluded. The databases used were PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov, with MeSH terms and relevant keywords for (Zuranolone) and (Depression). The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used for quality assessment.ResultsThe meta-analysis included eight RCTs that analyzed data from 2031 patients. The meta-analysis revealed statistically significant changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and treatment-emergent adverse effects (TEAE) scores in the PPD subgroup. HAM-D and TEAEs scores were also significant in the MDD subgroup, but the changes in the MADRS, HAM-A, and Bech-6 scores were insignificant. Serious adverse events were insignificant in all subgroups.ConclusionMeta-analysis found a significant improvement in depressive symptoms with zuranolone treatment, especially on day 15. This suggests that zuranolone is a promising therapeutic option for patients with MDD and PPD with or without insomnia.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=459554, identifier CRD42023459554.