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Introduction Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal disease, lately appearing in the gastrointestinal system of pediatric patients. Their clinical presentation resembles that of lymphoma or granulomatous inflammations. This non-specific presentation makes Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis (GIB) a diagnostic challenge. Methods We are reporting the largest series of pediatric GIB, from Saudi Arabia. 12 patients were diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2019, between the ages of 16 months and 8 years. Results The most common symptoms were fever and abdominal pain. Further examination revealed an abdominal mass. Biopsy of the mass was the mainstay of diagnosis, with histological findings of typical filamentous fungal hyphae and zygospores, surrounded by eosinophils. Conclusion Role of surgery was limited to establishing the diagnosis and dealing with complications. Antifungal medication was the cornerstone of treatment in all our patients. Three of our patients were exceptional with complications such as entero-cutaneal fistula, entero-enteric fistula and short bowel syndrome. These complications have not been previously reported. We have discussed the challenges related to their management. The diagnosis of GIB in pediatric patients with abdominal mass, needs a high index of suspicion. We believe outcome depends on the severity of disease, involvement of surrounding tissues and presence of complications at the time of diagnosis.

One significant obstacle to the adoption of geothermal heat pump (GHP) technology is the installation costs of geothermal heat exchangers (GHE). Cost reduction through optimization of system parameter offers the potential for increased applications. In the current work, five major parameters are considered: length, radius, well numbers, the flow discharge inside the pipe, and the pipe's external radius for optimization using a genetic algorithm (GA) for a residential building in hot climatic conditions. In addition, system optimization is critical in determining values of design parameters for assessing the impact different circulating fluids on the energy consumption of GHP. A ten-year simulation is undertaken to evaluate the capacity of various circulating fluids and their effects on energy consumption reduction. The simulation shows a significant decrease in energy consumption based on varying levels of Ethylene glycol, Methanol, Potassium acetate, Sodium chloride, Freezium™ compared to pure Water in the GHP. The COP of the GHP system is also calculated with different circulating fluids. In addition, the circulating fluid with the highest performance loss during ten years of operation is identified. Based on the results, Ethylene glycol is selected as the preferred solution for use in the GHP. In the present study, we have also established the optimum configuration of GHEs according to a reliable evolutionary algorithm for investigating the effect of various circulating fluids on the system's energy consumption.

The aims of this research were (a) to characterize the particle size distribution of mist particles in a spinach-storage atmosphere influenced by the nano-mist application, and (b) to investigate the influence of the nano-mist on the respiration and qualities (leaves color and moisture content) of spinach. The particle size distribution of the mist was determined at 95% RH and 20 C in a small-scale storage chamber and its influence on respiration rate, and qualities of spinach were investigated over six days of storage by comparing it with the control (without the nano-mist application). The nano-mist was found to alter the particle size distribution of the mist in a spinach-storage chamber by decreasing the total concentration and increasing the geometric mean diameter. The results suggested that the geometric mean diameter of nano-mist was larger than the water vapor appeared in air and that evaporated from the surface of spinach leaves through transpiration; and the transpiration could minimize the influence of nano-mist in modification of particle size distribution. The respiration rate was slightly lower in the first three days, but thereafter non-significant differences on respiration rate and leaves color were observed over the storage period, mainly because the spinach was stored at 20 C. However, based on the obtained results, it could be expected that the use of nano-mist has an advantage over the conventional mist humidification that always contribute to the deterioration from the microbial growth because of the large particle size deposition onto the produce surface.

To develop a real-time and non-destructive sanitation monitoring at a meat processing plant, UV–Vis reflectance spectrum analysis was applied. The sample was the lean part of a pork loin. The UV–Vis reflectance spectra and the factors of microbial contamination (i.e. plate count and ATP content) on the pork meat surface were measured for 3 or 4 days. The 2nd derivative of reflectance at 318 and 578 nm gave a high correlation with log 10 (plate count) or log 10 (ATP content), because the reflectance spectrum at 318 nm is probably related to ATP absorption and that at 578 nm is related to myoglobin pigments. Moreover, Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was developed and log 10 (plate count) and log 10 (ATP content) were predicted from the 2nd derivative of reflectance. The determination coefficients ( R 2 ) for calibration were 0.95–0.99. These results indicate the potential of utilizing UV–Vis reflectance spectrum analysis for cleanness assessment.

Cleanliness monitoring at slaughterhouses depend on traditional methods, e.g., visual inspection or swabbing. The visual inspection is not always accurate. Swabbing requires skilled workers and further plate count or ATP bioluminescence technique. To solve these problems, a rapid technique based on non-destructive UV–Vis reflectance was developed to monitor the ATP and viable cells. Samples were lean part of pork loin. The samples stored at 15 °C were analyzed at 0, 24, 48, 72, 84 and 96 h for ATP, plate count and UV–Vis reflectance. The reflectance spectra were measured from 240 to 540 nm at 20 °C, and then the area of 40 × 40 mm2 of the sample surface was swabbed for the determination of plate count and ATP amount. The plate count on the sample surface increased from the initial count of 29 to 3.2 × 107 CFU/cm2 after 84 h. The ATP amount also increased with time from the initial amount of 9.2 × 10−15 to 2.8 × 10−10 mol/cm2 after 84 h. The linear relationship was observed between the ATP amount and plate count with the determination coefficient of 0.95. The 2nd derivative of raw spectra gave a high correlation for the first 48 h with both ATP amount and viable cell count showing the determination coefficient of 0.89 and 0.83, respectively at 318 nm. The results strongly suggested that the UV–Vis reflectance spectrum analysis could be used as the real-time monitoring of ATP and/or plate count on meat surface with the optimal wavelength.

New covalently linked sulfonic acid modified silicas have been formed and characterised and their catalytic Bronsted activity evaluated. Thus phenylmercaptoethyltrimethoxysilane, (MeO)3SiCH2CH2SC6H5 and benzylmercaptoethyltrimethoxysilane, (MeO)3SiCH2CH2SCH2C6H5, were used to prepare the corresponding T-functional silica derivatives silica ∼ CH2CH2SC6H4-4-SO3H and silica ∼ CH2CH2SCH2C6H4-4-SO3H by grafting on commercial silica, followed by sulfonation of the aryl group. Solid-state NMR, DTA and surface area characteristics of the materials are reported. The mercaptophenylsulfonic acid materials are thermally robust highly efficient solid catalysts for a range of transformations including, esterification, etherification and carbonyl group protection. An apparent pore size effect on rate of conversion was observed. The mercaptobenzylsulfonic acid materials were comparatively unstable.

In order to form large micro-droplet-arrays, we have developed a device that can merge and transport microdroplets in two directions. Transportation of droplets is performed by electrostatic actuation technique. The speciality of this method is that it uses only one electrode panel, based on standard printed circuit board (PCB), and in it, only 18 independent controls are needed. We have also developed disposable plastic films cards, which can substantialy reduce the development cost because the actuation chip has been separated into two parts: a fixed electrode panel and a less costly removable card. The droplets array is formed and analyzed in the card.

A new dispenser made of Teflon that uses electrostatic manipulation technique to dispense nano-liter size droplets based on the electrostatic actuation mechanism has been developed. Two types of dispensers were developed, viz. a single-hole type (Teflon tube) and a multiple-hole dispenser (Teflon block). The single-hole type dispenser successfully dispensed droplets of a solution supplied by a syringe pump on an electrode panel surface; and thus the droplets become available for subsequent manipulation on the electrode panel. Based on the same principle, a compact Teflon block dispenser was designed that can simultaneously dispense five different solutions in a small area (30 mm). The size of dispensed droplets can be controlled by various factors, e.g., flow rate of solution, dispensing height, applied voltage, frequency of voltage pattern. We could dispense the droplets in the range of 55–210 ± 8 nL. This technique can be applied for automation of repetitive pipetting and screening operations in protein crystallization.

This study investigates the euphemistic death expressions used in the Jordanian society. It also examines the effect of the social variables: age, gender and region on the use of these expressions. To achieve the goals of the study, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 130 male and female participants randomly selected from the governorates of Irbid and Mafraq to participate in the study. The results of the study showed that there are certain expressions which are more frequently used than others among participants irrespective of their age, gender or region. The results indicated that the social variables affect the use of these expressions only in certain situations. For instance, the above 30 year-old participants used more euphemized expressions than those who are 30 years old or under. In addition, males and females used different expressions only when trying to reduce the painful effects of someone's death. The results also showed that bedouin participants used different expressions from those used by rural participants when referring to the condoling house.

Chlorination presents one of the few chemical options available to help manage postharvest decay. Electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water, containing free chlorine, is the product of a new concept developed by scientists in Japan. The effectiveness of pear (Pyrus communis L.) immersion in EO water on the control of Bot. rot on European pear, cv. La-France, was investigated. Four independent experiments were carried out. A wound was found necessary for infection. Wounded fruit were inoculated with 20 μl spore suspension of 5×105 conidia/ml of Botryosphaeria berengeriana, incubated for 4 h, immersed in EO water, and held at 20 °C, ⩾90% relative humidity (simulated retail conditions) for ripening and disease development. No chlorine-induced phytotoxicity was observed on the treated fruit. EO water suppressed the incidence and disease severity. The minimum incidence and severity were recorded for a 10-min immersion period. This study revealed that EO water is an effective surface sanitizer.

The effect of mixed atmosphere of ozone and negative ions (MAONI) exposure on in vitro growth of Botryosphaeria berengeriana (de Notaris) and development of postharvest fruit rot on artificially inoculated European pear fruit, cv. La-France, were evaluated. In vitro mycelial plugs and pears, in separate experiments, were continuously exposed to MAONI (0.05 ppm ozone and 2.8x106 negative ions/cm3) at 4°C for 4, 8, 12, and 16 days, in a specially fabricated MAONI chamber, and then shifted to 20°C. In vitro radial growth of B. berengeriana during 5-day incubation period at 20°C was affected by the prior MAONI exposure. The 16 days MAONI exposure significantly reduced the growth of B. berengeriana and fruit rot disease.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of control in Jordanian Arabic within the framework of Lexical-Functional Grammar (LFG) as developed by Bresnan (J. Bresnan, 1982. The Mental Representation of Grammatical Relations, Cambridge: MIT Press.), Mohanan (K. Mohanan, 1983. Linguistic Inquiry 14.), Simpson (J. Simpson, 1983. “Aspects of Warlpiri Morphology and Syntax,” Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, MIT.), Simpson and Bresnan (J. Simpson and J. Bresnan, 1983. Natural Language and Linguistics Theory 1), Wager (J. Wager, 1983. “Complementation in Moroccan Arabic,” Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, MIT), Pinker (S. Pinker, 1982. The Mental Representation of Grammatical Relations, Cambridge: MIT Press) and Kaplan and Bresnan (R. Kaplan and J. Bresnan, 1982. The Mental Representation of Grammatical Relations, Cambridge: MIT Press). The researcher discusses functional and anaphoric control in complex sentences of Jordanian Arabic (JA) within the framework of Lexical-Functional Grammar (LFG). By complex sentences, we mean those in which more than one verb appears. These complex sentences in Jordanian Arabic can be produced by using: the lexical entries, phrase-structure rules, and functional structures along with the well-formedness principles: completeness, coherence and consistency (J. Bresnan, 1982. The Mental Representation of Grammatical Relations, Cambridge: MIT Press). The researcher argues that in Jordanian Arabic we have anaphoric rather than functional control.