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Aim: To assess the feasibility of video game-based trunk exercises using the Valedo® system in a chronic stroke population. Method: Ten chronic stroke survivors (eight males and two females, mean age 63 ± 15 years) were asked to complete 18 intervention sessions, each lasting 45 min., over 6–8 weeks. Feasibility was evaluated quantitatively using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) as well as through recruitment, retention, adherence, and safety measures. Qualitative data on feasibility were collected through post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize participant characteristics, recruitment, retention, and adherence. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis of the interviews. Results: Twelve stroke survivors were recruited from Southampton (United Kingdom) and Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), with two participants dropping out after the baseline assessment session. The remaining ten participants completed the study with a mean adherence of 96.11% to the planned sessions. No serious adverse effects were reported, however, four participants did experience trunk muscle tightness and fatigue. Post-intervention interviews revealed that participants encountered some physical and cognitive challenges while playing the Valedo video games. However, they felt that the implementation of trunk exercises using video games was safe, as the exercises were performed in a secure environment and in safe positions. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the Valedo system is feasible for delivering trunk exercises to chronic stroke survivors. Several factors should be considered when implementing this type of intervention in the future.

Carbon dots (CDs) derived from mandarin peel biochar (MBC) at different pyrolysis temperatures (200, 400, 600, and 800 °C) have been synthesized and characterized. This high-value transformation of waste materials into fluorescent nanoprobes for environmental monitoring represents a step forward towards a circular economy. In this itinerary, CDs produced via one-pot hydrothermal synthesis were utilized for the detection of copper (II) ions. The study looked at the spectroscopic features of biochar-derived CDs. The selectivity of CDs obtained from biochar following carbonization at 400 °C (MBC400-CDs towards various heavy metal ions resulted in considerable fluorescence quenching with copper (II) ions, showcasing their potential as selective detectors. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis validated the MBC-CDs’ consistent spherical shape, with a particle size of 0/F ratio, with the best ratio obtained with a pH of 10, for 10 min, and an aqueous reaction medium. Cu (II) was detected over a dynamic range of 4.9–197.5 μM and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 μM. Validation testing proved the accuracy and precision for evaluating tap and mountain waters with great selectivity and no interference from coexisting metal ions.

This research aims to support the goals of Oman Vision 2040 by reducing the dependency on non-renewable energy resources and increasing the utilization of the national natural renewable energy resources. Selecting appropriate energy storage systems (ESSs) will play a key role in achieving this vision by enabling a greater integration of solar and other renewable energy. ESSs allow for solar power generated during daylight hours to be stored for use during peak demand periods. Additionally, the proposed framework provides guidance for large-scale ESS infrastructure planning and investments to support Oman’s renewable energy goals. As the global renewable energy market grows rapidly and Oman implements economic reforms, the ESS market is expected to flourish in Oman. In the near future, ESS is expected to contribute to lower electricity costs and enhance stability compared to traditional energy systems. While ESS technologies have been studied broadly, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis for optimal ESS selection tailored to Oman’s unique geographical, technical, and policy context. The main objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of ESS options and identify the type(s) most suitable for integration with Oman’s national grid using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology. This study addresses this gap by applying the Hesitate Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (HF-AHP) and Hesitate Fuzzy VIKOR methods to assess alternative ESS technologies based on technical, economic, environmental, and social criteria specifically for Oman’s context. The analysis reveals pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) as the most appropriate solutions. The tailored selection framework aims to guide policy and infrastructure planning to determine investments for large-scale ESSs and provide a model for comprehensive ESS assessment in energy transition planning for countries with similar challenges.

Indole derivatives have become an important class of compounds in medicinal chemistry, recognized for their wide-ranging biological activities and therapeutic potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the evaluation of indole-based compounds in the last five years, highlighting their roles in cancer treatment, infectious disease management, anti-inflammatory therapies, metabolic disorder interventions, and neurodegenerative disease management. Indole derivatives have shown significant efficacy in targeting diverse biological pathways, making them valuable scaffolds in designing new drugs. Notably, these compounds have demonstrated the ability to combat drug-resistant cancer cells and pathogens, a significant breakthrough in the field, and offer promising therapeutic options for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. By summarizing recent key findings and exploring the underlying biological mechanisms, this review underscores the potential of indole derivatives in addressing major healthcare challenges, thereby instilling hope and optimism in the field of modern medicine.

Background and Objectives: Our objectives were to examine the association between balance confidence, functional mobility measures, and the presence of disability in older adults in Saudi Arabia and to identify the optimal cutoff scores for these measures that predict disability. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 324 community-dwelling older adults (65 ± 7 years, 59% women). Disability was assessed using the Arabic version of the basic activities of daily living (ADLs) scale. Balance confidence was evaluated using the Arabic version of the Activities -Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, and functional mobility was assessed using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30s-CST). Results: The prevalence of disability was 33.6% among the participants. Logistic regression revealed a 6% increase in disability odds for each one-unit decrease in the 30s-CST (OR: 0.94) and a 3% increase per one-point decrease in the ABC score (OR: 0.97). The optimal cutoff scores were ≤5 repetitions for the 30s-CST (sensitivity: 74.4%; specificity: 51.4%; AUC: 0.64) and ≤40 for the ABC scale (sensitivity: 80.8%; specificity: 61.4%; AUC: 0.75). Conclusions: Impaired balance and functional mobility are significantly associated with disability among older adults. The 30s-CST and the ABC scale can be used as effective screening tools, but the cross-sectional design of the current study limits its generalizability. Longitudinal research is needed to validate these findings.

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Smart contracts are programs that reside and execute on a blockchain, like any transaction. They are automatically executed when preprogrammed terms and conditions are met. Although the smart contract (SC) must be presented in the blockchain for the integrity of data and transactions stored within it, it is highly exposed to several vulnerabilities attackers exploit to access the data. In this paper, classification and detection of vulnerabilities targeting smart contracts are performed using deep learning algorithms over two datasets containing 12,253 smart contracts. These contracts are converted into RGB and Grayscale images and then inserted into Residual Network (ResNet50), Visual Geometry Group-19 (VGG19), Dense Convolutional Network (DenseNet201), k-nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Random Forest (RF) algorithms for binary and multi-label classification. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to detect and classify vulnerabilities using different performance metrics. The performance of these algorithms was outstanding, accurately classifying vulnerabilities with high F1 scores and accuracy rates. For binary classification, RF emerged in RGB images as the best algorithm based on the highest F1 score of 86.66% and accuracy of 86.66%. Moving on to multi-label classification, VGG19 stood out in RGB images as the standout algorithm, achieving an impressive accuracy of 89.14% and an F1 score of 85.87%. To the best of our knowledge, and according to the available literature, this study is the first to investigate binary classification of vulnerabilities targeting Ethereum smart contracts, and the experimental results of the proposed methodology for multi-label vulnerability classification outperform existing literature.

This article investigates the feasibility of using regenerative energy from braking trains to charge electric buses in the context of New York City’s (NYC) subway and electric bus networks. A case study centered around NYC’s system has been performed to evaluate the benefits and challenges pertaining to the use of the preexisting subway network as a power supply for its new all-electric buses. The analysis shows that charging electric buses via the subway system during subway off-peak periods does not hinder regular train operation. In addition, having the charging electric buses connected to the third rail allows for more regenerative braking energy (RBE) to be recuperated, decreasing the energy wasted throughout the system. It was also found that including a wayside energy storage system (WESS) reduces the overall substation peak power consumption.

Achieving synchronization between the central and peripheral body clocks is essential for ensuring optimal metabolic function. Meal timing is an emerging field of research that investigates the influence of eating patterns on our circadian rhythm, metabolism, and overall health. This narrative review examines the relationship between meal timing, circadian rhythm, clock genes, circadian hormones, and metabolic function. It analyzes the existing literature and experimental data to explore the connection between mealtime, circadian rhythms, and metabolic processes. The available evidence highlights the importance of aligning mealtime with the body’s natural rhythms to promote metabolic health and prevent metabolic disorders. Specifically, studies show that consuming meals later in the day is associated with an elevated prevalence of metabolic disorders, while early time-restricted eating, such as having an early breakfast and an earlier dinner, improves levels of glucose in the blood and substrate oxidation. Circadian hormones, including cortisol and melatonin, interact with mealtimes and play vital roles in regulating metabolic processes. Cortisol, aligned with dawn in diurnal mammals, activates energy reserves, stimulates appetite, influences clock gene expression, and synchronizes peripheral clocks. Consuming meals during periods of elevated melatonin levels, specifically during the circadian night, has been correlated with potential implications for glucose tolerance. Understanding the mechanisms of central and peripheral clock synchronization, including genetics, interactions with chronotype, sleep duration, and hormonal changes, provides valuable insights for optimizing dietary strategies and timing. This knowledge contributes to improved overall health and well-being by aligning mealtime with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.

A series of novel thiazole-based chalcones were evaluated for their anticancer activity as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. In vitro anticancer screening for the thiazole derivatives 2a–2p exhibited broad-spectrum antitumor activity against various cancer cell lines particularly Ovar-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells with a GI50 range from 1.55 to 2.95 μΜ, respectively. Compound 2e demonstrated significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization, with an IC50 value of 7.78 μM compared to Combretastatin-A4 (CA-4), with an IC50 value of 4.93 μM. Molecular docking studies of compounds 2e, 2g, and 2h into tubulin further supported these findings, revealing that they bind effectively to the colchicine binding site, mirroring key interactions exhibited by CA-4. Computational predictions suggested favorable oral bioavailability and drug-likeness for these compounds, highlighting their potential for further development as chemotherapeutic agents.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease that significantly impacts the quality of life. Lidocaine is known to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effect of lidocaine analogs in a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP)-induced AR mouse model. An AR model was developed using BALB/c mice via intraperitoneal sensitization with DP and intranasal challenge with DP. One hour before stimulation with DP, lidocaine analogs, EI137 and EI341 (at a dose of 0.5 or 5 ug/g), were administered intranasally. Nasal symptoms and serum total IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were evaluated. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ, as well as the expression of their mRNA transcription factors in the sinonasal mucosa. Histologic changes were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid–Schiff staining. The DP-induced AR mouse model had increased serum levels of total IgE and cytokines. EI137 and EI341 significantly suppressed the levels of total IgE, IL-4, and TNF-α. Intranasal instillation of EI137 and EI341 significantly inhibited IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ mRNA expression, as well as inflammatory cells and mucus-producing goblet cells. Lidocaine analogs also suppressed DP-stimulated IL-4, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ production by splenocytes. Intranasal instillation of EI137 and EI341 exhibited anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects, influenced by Th1 and Th2 inflammatory cytokines. These lidocaine analogs suppressed DP-induced sinonasal mucosal inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mucus hypersecretion.

This study aims to assess effective radiation doses (EDs) for pediatric computed tomography (CT) procedures in Madinah (single hospital), Saudi Arabia, and propose diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for these procedures. This retrospective study collected data from 600 pediatric patients who underwent five CT procedures. The data were categorized by the type of CT procedure and the age of the patients. EDs and proposed DRLs for the pediatric CT procedures were computed. The highest EDs were found for abdominal (6.3 mSv) and head (4.8 mSv) CT procedures in pediatric patients aged vol and DLP for abdominal and head CT procedures in pediatric patients aged

The continuous increase in solid waste materials, such as waste tires, underscores the critical importance of recycling them to mitigate environmental impact and promote sustainable resource management. This research study evaluated the effectiveness of utilizing waste tire pyrolysis oils (WTPOs) as recycling agents for asphalt materials. The chemical composition and thermal behavior of WTPO were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Mechanically, the prepared WTPO binders were assessed by measuring dynamic viscosity and changes in high- and intermediate-temperature performance grades. Additionally, the cracking susceptibility of the binders was evaluated using the Glover-Rowe (G-R) parameter. The findings indicated that WTPOs might contain water and light aromatics in varying percentages, depending on the pyrolysis process. Incorporating WTPOs enhanced the workability of asphalt mixtures and ensured a high degree of blending between recycled/aged asphalt and raw binder. A 12% WTPO dosage was identified as the most effective for enhancing fatigue and low-temperature cracking resistance, facilitating improved interactions between the virgin binder and recycled asphalt materials. Finally, utilizing WTPOs as rejuvenating agents in pavement construction supports sustainable practices by recycling waste materials and significantly improving the performance and durability of asphalt mixtures.

Mg–8Al–1Zn magnesium alloy was successfully processed using deferential speed rolling (DSR) at temperatures of 400 and 450 °C for thickness reduction of 30, 50, and 70% with no significant grain growth and dynamic recrystallization. Using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the rolled microstructures were examined. Although the results indicate a slight reduction in grain size from the initial condition, the DSR processing of alloy at an elevated temperature was associated with a significant number of twins and a distribution of the fine particles of the second phase. The strength in terms of microhardness measurements and strain hardening in terms of shear punch testing was significantly improved in the rolled microstructure at room temperature. The existence of twins and widely distributed second-phase fine particles at twin boundaries reflected positively on the extent of the elongations in terms of shear displacements when microstructures were tested at elevated temperatures in the shear punch testing.

A 3D problem in linear elasticity is considered for a thin inhomogeneous layer subject to transverse compression. For the first time, the effect of arbitrary vertical inhomogeneity is elucidated. Two sets of boundary conditions along the faces of the layer are adapted for modelling transverse compression. Robust asymptotic formulae involving repeated integrals across the thickness are derived for displacements and stresses. As an illustration, numerical results are presented for the elastic moduli having a transverse parabolic variation. The obtained results have a potential to be implemented in modern technology, including manufacturing and design of functionally graded materials.

This study aimed to investigate LRTIs in cancer patients, focusing on pathogen distribution, and outcomes based on tumor types and antimicrobial treatments. The study included 110 cancer patients exhibiting symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), consisting of 67 males and 43 females across a wide age range from under 1 year to over 60 years old. Exclusion of SARS-CoV-2 infection was conducted before admission. In addition to classical microbiological methods, fast-track detection using Multiplex Real-Time PCR was employed, utilizing the FTD-33 test kit. The findings revealed a diverse landscape of infections, notably Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. Parainfluenza 3 and 4 viruses, rhinovirus, influenza A subtype H1N1pdm09, influenza B and C viruses, HCoV-229, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1 were infrequently detected. Furthermore, the existence of mixed infection highlighted the complexity of disease conditions in cancer patients. An analysis of antimicrobial treatment highlighted significant variations in fatal outcomes for carbapenem and colistimethate sodium. It was concluded that mixed infections were commonly identified as potential causes of LRTIs among cancer patients, while viral infections were less frequently detected. It underscores the complexity of antimicrobial treatment outcomes.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), is a complex disease with increasing global incidence and prevalence. Although dairy consumption has been linked to various chronic diseases, its relationship with IBD remains uncertain. Additionally, there is a lack of data on this topic from Arab countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between dairy consumption and IBD through a case–control study among Arab populations, followed by a meta-analysis of available studies. Method: First, we used data from 158 UC patients, 244 CD patients, and 395 controls attending a polyclinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All participants were aged ≥ 18 years. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of UC and CD for individuals who reported the highest versus the lowest frequencies of dairy consumption. Next, we conducted a meta-analysis, combining our results with those from other eligible studies after searching several databases. We used the I2 statistics to examine statistical heterogeneity across studies and the regression test for funnel plot asymmetry to assess publication bias. Results: The case–control study showed a negative association between frequent dairy consumption and UC (OR (95% CI) = 0.64 (0.41, 1.00)) but not CD (OR (95% CI) = 0.97 (0.65, 1.45)). In the meta-analysis, the highest frequencies of dairy consumption were negatively associated with both UC and CD: ORs (95% CIs) = 0.82 (0.68, 0.98) and 0.72 (0.59, 0.87), respectively. A moderate heterogeneity across studies was noticed in the UC meta-analysis (I2 = 59.58%) and the CD meta-analysis (I2 = 41.16%). No publication bias was detected. Conclusions: Frequent dairy consumption could protect against the development of UC and CD, suggesting potential dietary recommendations in the context of IBD prevention.

This comprehensive review delves into the forefront of biosensor technologies and their critical roles in disease biomarker detection and therapeutic drug monitoring. It provides an in-depth analysis of various biosensor types and applications, including enzymatic sensors, immunosensors, and DNA sensors, elucidating their mechanisms and specific healthcare applications. The review highlights recent innovations such as integrating nanotechnology, developing wearable devices, and trends in miniaturisation, showcasing their transformative potential in healthcare. In addition, it addresses significant sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and data security challenges, proposing strategic solutions to overcome these obstacles. It is envisaged that it will inform strategic decision-making, drive technological innovation, and enhance global healthcare outcomes by synthesising multidisciplinary insights.

In this work, non-linear elastic deformations of beams are investigated. The kinematics of the beam is derived based on an element with four-parameter containing a through-the-thickness stretch parameter to avoid Poisson locking. Moreover, the Kirchhoff-Saint Venant model is used to derive kinetic quantities. Next, a non-linear FE formula in Total Lagrangian form is obtained, and three-node beam element with two-node reduced integration is employed to avoid shear locking. Finally, to evaluate the performance of the derived formulations, some examples are provided. The results prove that the current formulation is in very good agreement with those available in the literature. More importantly, the formulation is capable of predicting the experimental results with high accuracy.

Global warming, driven by greenhouse gases like CH4 and CO2, necessitates efficient catalytic conversion to syngas. Herein, Ni containing different molecular sieve nanomaterials are investigated for dry reforming of methane (DRM). The reduced catalysts are characterized by surface area porosity, X-ray diffraction, Raman infrared spectroscopy, CO2 temperature-programmed desorption techniques, and transmission electron microscopy. The active sites over each molecular sieve remain stable under oxidizing gas CO2 during DRM. The reduced 5Ni/CBV10A catalyst, characterized by the lowest silica–alumina ratio, smallest surface area and pore volume, and narrow 8-ring connecting channels, generated the maximum number of active sites on its outer surface. In contrast, the reduced-5Ni/CBV3024E catalyst, with the highest silica–alumina ratio, more than double the surface area and pore volume, 12-ring sinusoidal porous channels, and smallest Ni crystallite, produced the highest H2 output (44%) after 300 min of operation at 700 °C, with a CH4:CO2 = 1:1, P = 1 atom, gas hour space velocity (GHSV) = 42 L gcat−1 h−1. This performance was achieved despite having 25% fewer initial active sites, suggesting that a larger fraction of these sites is stabilized within the pore channels, leading to sustained catalytic activity. Using central composite design and response surface methodology, we successfully optimized the process conditions for the 5Ni/CBV3024E catalyst. The optimized conditions yielded a desirable H2 to CO ratio of 1.00, with a H2 yield of 91.92% and a CO yield of 89.16%, indicating high efficiency in gas production. The experimental results closely aligned with the predicted values, demonstrating the effectiveness of the optimization approach.

Vegetables accumulate considerable amounts of nitrates that enter the human body through nutrition, causing severe problems. This study aims to determine celery plants’ response to replacing mineral nitrogen fertilizers with bio-nanoparticles. Three different treatments of nano bio-nitrogen fertilizer (20, 30, and 40 ppm) in addition to traditional nitrogen (NH4NO3) treatment (100 kg N/acre) were applied on two celery cultivars (Balady and Utah Tall 52–75). Plant growth parameters, vitamin C, carotenoids, nitrate accumulation, macro-nutrient uptakes, and antioxidant activities were determined at the vegetative marketing stage. Our findings reveal a significant positive impact of replacing conventional nitrogen fertilizers with bio-nano-synthesized forms. Notably, applying bio-nanoparticles improved celery yield efficiency, ranging from 5.1 to 5.8 tons per acre, suggesting a viable alternative to traditional fertilization methods. Furthermore, transitioning from mineral to organic fertilizers in nanoparticle form reduced nitrate accumulation in fresh celery crops, decreasing nitrate levels from 342.5 ppm to as low as 100 ppm. This environmentally conscious approach offers a sustainable solution to mitigate chemical residues and enhance celery’s flavor, nutritional value, and health benefits. Specifically, our results demonstrate alleviated nitrate contents in fresh celery leaves after applying bio-nano-fertilizer. Nitrate levels in treated plants decreased by up to 70.0% compared to traditional fertilization methods. This highlights the potential of organic nano-fertilizers to address concerns related to nitrate accumulation, thereby promoting safer and healthier vegetable consumption. By advocating for organic nano-fertilizers, we propose a promising strategy to optimize celery fertilizing management, ensuring sustainable farming and consumer well-being.

The oral cavity remains an underappreciated site for SARS-CoV-2 infection despite the myriad of oral conditions in COVID-19 patients. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to replicate in the salivary gland cells causing tissue inflammation. Given the established association between inflammation and microbiome disruption, we comparatively profiled oral microbial differences at a metagenomic level in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and matched healthy controls. Specifically, we aimed to evaluate colonization by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, the etiologic agent of oral candidiasis. Comprehensive shotgun metagenomic analysis indicated that, overall, COVID-19 patients exhibited significantly reduced bacterial and viral diversity/richness; we identified 12 differentially abundant bacterial species to be negatively associated with COVID-19, and the functional pathways of certain bacteria to be highly associated with COVID-19 status. Strikingly, C. albicans was recovered from approximately half of the COVID-19 subjects but not from any of the healthy controls. The prevalence of Candida is likely linked to immune hypo-dysregulation caused by COVID-19 favoring Candida proliferation, warranting investigations into the interplay between Candida and SARS-CoV2 and potential therapeutic approaches directed toward oral candidiasis. Collectively, our findings prompt a reassessment of oral opportunistic infection risks during COVID-19 disease and their potential long-term impacts on oral health.

Background: The advent of the hepatitis B vaccine has achieved tremendous success in eradicating and reducing the burden of hepatitis B infection, which is the main culprit for hepatocellular carcinoma—one of the most fatal malignancies globally. Response to the vaccine is achieved in about 90–95% of healthy individuals and up to only 50% in immunocompromised patients. This review aimed to provide an overview of hepatitis B vaccine non-response, the mechanisms involved, B cell amnesia, and strategies to overcome it. Methods: Databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.org, were used to search and retrieve articles using keywords on hepatitis B vaccine non-response and B cell amnesia. The PRISMA guideline was followed in identifying studies, screening, selection, and reporting of findings. Results: A total of 133 studies on hepatitis B vaccine non-response, mechanisms, and prevention/management strategies were included in the review after screening and final selection. Factors responsible for hepatitis B vaccine non-response were found to include genetic, immunological factors, and B cell amnesia in healthy individuals. The genetic factors were sex, HLA haplotypes, and genetic polymorphisms in immune response markers (cytokines). Non-response was common in conditions of immunodeficiency, such as renal failure, haemodialysis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis C co-infection, and latent hepatitis B infection. Others included diabetes mellitus and HIV infection. The mechanisms involved were impaired immune response by suppression of response (T helper cells) or induced suppression of response (through regulatory B and T cells). Discussion: A comprehensive and careful understanding of the patient factors and the nature of the vaccine contributes to developing effective preventive measures. These include revaccination or booster dose, vaccine administration through the intradermal route, and the use of adjuvants in the vaccine.

The advent of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) has revolutionized the petroleum industry by providing a swift and straightforward method for the spectroscopic characterization of crude oil. This review paper delves into the significant strides made in LF-NMR technology since its inception by Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell in 1946, particularly its application in determining the composition, viscosity, and water content of crude oil, alongside SARA (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins, and Asphaltenes) analysis. LF-NMR’s ability to noninvasively quantify the total water and oil content, differentiate between bound and mobile phases, and measure the SARA fractions underscores its superiority over traditional analysis methods, which often suffer from interference and lack of precision. This manuscript not only highlights LF-NMR’s pivotal role in enhancing crude-oil characterization but also reviews recent developments that solidify its position as an indispensable tool in the petroleum industry. The convergence of empirical studies and technological advancements points toward a pressing need for further research to fully exploit LF-NMR’s potential and refine its application, ensuring its continued contribution to the efficient and accurate analysis of petroleum products.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of life among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. It also compared the difference in these levels between mothers and fathers. Additionally, it quantifies the association between parental anxiety, depression, and quality of life, with various sociodemographic factors. Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out between June and December 2022. An online questionnaire was completed by a sample of 394 parents of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) residing in Saudi Arabia. Three scales were used to assess depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QoL), respectively: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: Most parents (70.8%) were mothers with an average age of 39 years, typically ranging from 30 to 48 years. Parents’ overall quality of life was 57.72 out of 100, indicating moderate satisfaction. Anxiety levels showed that 32% had mild, 17.8% moderate, and 14.7% severe anxiety. Similarly, depression levels revealed that 34.5% had minimal, 32.2% mild, and 18% moderate depression. Higher anxiety and depression scores were linked to a lower perceived QoL (quality of life). Moreover, the socioeconomic status index (SESi) was significantly and positively correlated with higher depression and lower quality of life. Conclusions: Autism Spectrum Disorder imposes a strain on parents of the autistic child. The responsibilities linked to the disability amplify the occurrence of depression and anxiety among parents, leading to a diminished quality of life.

Background: Early mobility (EM) is vital in the intensive care unit (ICU) to counteract immobility-related effects. A multidisciplinary approach is key, as it requires precise initiation knowledge. However, physicians’ understanding of EM in adult ICU settings remains unexplored. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and clinical competency of physicians working in adult ICUs toward EM. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 236 physicians to assess their knowledge of EM. A rigorously designed survey comprising 30 questions across the demographic, theoretical, and clinical domains was employed. The criteria for knowledge and competency were aligned with the minimum passing score (70%) stipulated for physician licensure by the medical regulatory authority in Saudi Arabia. Results: Nearly 40% of the respondents had more than 5 years of experience. One-third of the respondents received theoretical knowledge about EM as part of their residency training, and only 4% of the respondents attended formal courses to enhance their knowledge. Almost all the respondents (95%) stated their awareness of EM benefits and its indications and contraindications and considered it safe to mobilize patients on mechanical ventilators. However, 62.3% of the respondents did not support EM for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilators until weaning. In contrast, 51.7% of respondents advised EM for agitated patients with RASS > 2. Only 113 (47.9%) physicians were competent in determining the suitability of ICU patients for EM. For critically ill patients who should be mobilized, nearly 60% of physicians refused to initiate EM. Conclusions: This study underscores insufficient practical knowledge of ICU physicians about EM criteria, which leads to suboptimal decisions, particularly in complex ICU cases. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced training and education of physicians working in adult ICU settings to optimize patient care and outcomes in critical care settings.

Drought stress is a group of abiotic stresses that affects plant growth and yield production. A field experiment over two successive seasons (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) in sand soil was conducted to investigate the integration effect of deficit irrigation, soil amendment “hundzsoil”, and the spraying of proline on the water use efficiency (WUE), yield, and fruit quality of 8-year-old Crimson seedless table grapes. Four application rates of soil amendment (0, 2, 4, and 6 kg hundzsoil /vine) were added during the dormancy period, and four irrigation levels at 125, 100, 75, and 60% of the field capacity were applied just before flowering until harvest. Proline at two levels (0 and 500 ppm) was applied as a foliar spray. Parameters such as bud fertility, weight of 100 berries, juice volume, and cluster number were positively affected by irrigation at 75% FC along with applying hundzsoil at 2 and 4 kg/vine under proline spray in both seasons. Irrigation at the 125% FC level with a 6 kg hundzsoil application under proline spray resulted in the highest yield, berries number, cluster length, cluster weight, and total anthocyanin in both seasons. The TSS/acidity ratio was significantly and positively affected by deficit irrigation (60% FC level) under hundzsoil at a rate of 4 kg alongside proline spray. Reducing irrigation to 60% FC without hundzsoil and proline spray negatively affected numerous growth parameters and the yield. However, irrigation at 60% FC alongside 6 kg of hundzsoil and proline showed the highest IWUE in both seasons. Proline spray was a key factor in conserving water used for irrigation. This study recommends using deficit irrigation alongside hundzsoil application under proline spray as an adequate strategy for water use efficiency and improving the yield and fruit quality of Crimson seedless grapevines cultivated in sand soil.

Sign language is an essential means of communication for individuals with hearing disabilities. However, there is a significant shortage of sign language interpreters in some languages, especially in Saudi Arabia. This shortage results in a large proportion of the hearing-impaired population being deprived of services, especially in public places. This paper aims to address this gap in accessibility by leveraging technology to develop systems capable of recognizing Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) using deep learning techniques. In this paper, we propose a hybrid model to capture the spatio-temporal aspects of sign language (i.e., letters and words). The hybrid model consists of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) classifier to extract spatial features from sign language data and a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) classifier to extract spatial and temporal characteristics to handle sequential data (i.e., hand movements). To demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed hybrid model, we created a dataset of 20 different words, resulting in 4000 images for ArSL: 10 static gesture words and 500 videos for 10 dynamic gesture words. Our proposed hybrid model demonstrates promising performance, with the CNN and LSTM classifiers achieving accuracy rates of 94.40% and 82.70%, respectively. These results indicate that our approach can significantly enhance communication accessibility for the hearing-impaired community in Saudi Arabia. Thus, this paper represents a major step toward promoting inclusivity and improving the quality of life for the hearing impaired.

Tomato bacterial spots, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv1) and X. euvesicatoria (Xe2), as well as bacterial specks, caused by two strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst1 and Pst2), represent significant threats to tomato production in the El-Sharkia governorate, often resulting in substantial yield losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various biocontrol culture filtrates, including bacteria and fungi agents, in managing the occurrence and severity of these diseases, while also monitoring physiological changes in tomato leaves, including antioxidant enzymes, phenolics, and pigment content. The culture filtrates from examined Trichoderma species (T. viride, T. harzianum, and T. album), as well as the tested bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Serratia marcescens) at concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 100%, significantly inhibited the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria In vitro. For the In vivo experiments, we used specific doses of 5 mL of spore suspension per plant for the fungal bioagents at a concentration of 2.5 × 107 spores/mL. The bacterial bioagents were applied as a 10 mL suspension per plant at a concentration of 1 × 108 CFU/mL. Spraying the culture filtrates of the tested bioagents two days before infection In vivo significantly reduced disease incidence and severity. Trichoderma viride exhibited the highest efficacy among the fungal bioagents, followed by T. harzianum and T. album. Meanwhile, the culture filtrate of B. subtilis emerged as the most potent among the bacterial bioagents, followed by P. fluorescens. Furthermore, applying these culture filtrates resulted in elevated levels of chitinase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity. This effect extended to increased phenol contents, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids in sprayed tomato plants compared to the control treatment. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of these biocontrol strategies to effectively mitigate disease incidence and severity while enhancing plant defense mechanisms and physiological parameters, thus offering promising avenues for sustainable disease management in tomato production.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) pose a substantial health burden worldwide, especially among immunocompromised groups like cancer patients. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to explore lower respiratory tract infections in cancer patients. We followed 107 cases with clinically or radiologically suspected lower respiratory tract infections until discharge or death, comprising 65 males and 42 females across diverse age groups. Clinical evaluations, including patient history, examination, and malignancy diagnosis, were conducted. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs), sputum samples, and blood samples were collected within 24 h of symptom onset. Multiplex Real-Time PCR allowed for the simultaneous detection of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, while conventional microbiological culture methods were used for bacterial and fungal analysis. SARS-CoV-2 infection was excluded in all of the enrolled patients using real-time RT-PCR. Hematological and biochemical analyses included hemoglobin, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, along with ALT, AST, creatinine, and CRP levels. Significant differences were noted in clinical presentations, management outcomes, and prognostic markers among patients with different hematological malignancies. Distinct clinical profiles were identified for leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors, with variations in age distribution and symptom prevalence. ICU admission rates varied significantly, with solid tumor patients exhibiting higher rates. The hematological and biochemical biomarkers differed across malignancies, with notable associations between lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and mortality following respiratory episodes. This study highlights the critical role of rapid pathogen detection and infection control measures in safeguarding vulnerable cancer patients from nosocomial transmission.

This study investigated the reliability of measuring the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the carpal tunnel inlet using a handheld ultrasound device (HUD) compared to a standard ultrasound system, focusing on intra- and inter-operator reproducibility among novice and expert operators. Employing a prospective cross-sectional design, 37 asymptomatic adults were assessed using both devices, with measurements taken by an expert with over five years of experience and a novice with less than six months. The CSA was determined using manual tracing and ellipse methods, with reproducibility evaluated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and agreement assessed via Bland–Altman plots. Results showed a high degree of agreement between the devices, with excellent intra-operator reproducibility (ICC > 0.80) for the expert, and moderate reproducibility for the novice (ICCs ranging from 0.539 to 0.841). Inter-operator reliability was generally moderate, indicating acceptable consistency across different experience levels. The study concludes that HUDs are comparable to standard ultrasound systems for assessing median nerve CSA in asymptomatic subjects, with both devices providing reliable measurements. This supports the use of HUDs in diverse clinical environments, particularly where access to traditional ultrasound is limited. Further research with a larger sample and symptomatic patients is recommended to validate these findings.

Compared to steam reforming techniques, partial oxidation of methane (POM) is a promising technology to improve the efficiency of synthesizing syngas, which is a mixture of CO and H2. In this study, partial oxidation of methane (POM) was used to create syngas, a combination of CO and H2, using the SAPO-5-supported Ni catalysts. Using the wetness impregnation process, laboratory-synthesized Ni promoted with Sr, Ce, and Cu was used to modify the SAPO-5 support. The characterization results demonstrated that Ni is appropriate for the POM due to its crystalline structure, improved metal support contact, and increased thermal stability with Sr, Ce, and Cu promoters. During POM at 600 °C, the synthesized 5Ni+1Sr/SAPO-5 catalyst sustained stability for 240 min on stream. While keeping the reactants stoichiometric ratio of (CH4:O2 = 2:1), the addition of Sr promoter and active metal Ni to the SAPO-5 increased the CH4 conversion from 41.13% to 49.11% and improved the H2/CO ratio of 3.33. SAPO-5-supported 5Ni+1Sr catalysts have great potential for industrial catalysis owing to their unique combination of several oxides. This composition not only boosts the catalyst’s activity but also promotes favorable physiochemical properties, resulting in improved production of syngas. Syngas is a valuable intermediate in various industrial processes.

Many croplands in the tropics of China have been converted over the last decades into areca nut plantations due to their high economic returns. This land-use transition was accompanied by changes in agricultural practices such as soil moisture regimes and fertilizer inputs, which may affect soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions, especially in tropical soils with low fertility and high nitrogen loss. Yet, how the time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations affects soil carbon dynamics and their underlying mechanisms in the tropics of China remains elusive. Here, areca nut plantation soils with different ages (2, 5, 10, 14, and 17 years) and paddy fields in the tropical region of China were investigated. The study result indicates that the contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), light organic carbon (LFOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) decreased significantly with increased time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations. Similarly, the ratios of DOC/SOC, MBC/SOC, POC/SOC, LFOC/SOC, and EOC/SOC decreased significantly with increased time since land-use transition. Compared with the paddy soil, the carbon pool management index decreased by 36.6–76.7% under the areca nut plantations, concluding that increasing the time since land-use transition from rice paddy cultivation to areca nut plantations with high application rates of chemical fertilizers resulted in reduced soil active carbon fractions and SOC supply capacity. Therefore, agricultural practices such as the use of organic fertilizers should be applied to improve the soil’s ability to supply organic carbon in managed plantation ecosystems in the tropics of China.

Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is a molecular switch that can modulate immune responses against cancer. The significance of HVEM as an immune checkpoint target and a potential prognostic biomarker in malignancies is still controversial. This study aims to determine whether HVEM is an immune checkpoint target with inhibitory effects on anti-tumor CD4+ T cell responses in vitro and whether HVEM gene expression is dysregulated in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). HVEM gene expression in tumor cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ALL patients and healthy controls was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Tumor cells were left untreated (control) or were treated with an HVEM blocker before co-culturing with CD4+ T cells in vitro in a carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-dependent proliferation assay. HVEM expression was upregulated in the chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line (K562) (FC = 376.3, p = 0.086) compared with normal embryonic kidney cells (Hek293). CD4+ T cell proliferation was significantly increased in the HVEM blocker-treated K562 cells (p = 0.0033). Significant HVEM differences were detected in ALL PBMCs compared with the controls, and these were associated with newly diagnosed ALL (p = 0.0011) and relapsed/refractory (p = 0.0051) B cell ALL (p = 0.0039) patients. A significant differentiation between malignant ALL and the controls was observed in a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with AUC = 0.78 ± 0.092 (p = 0.014). These results indicate that HVEM is an inhibitory molecule that may serve as a target for immunotherapy and a potential ALL biomarker.

Large-diameter bored piles can safely transmit loads from structures by skin friction to the surrounding soil strata and end bearing at the bedrock layer, thereby providing a high compressive capacity. High-Strain Dynamic Testing (HSDT) provides a unique alternative technique to traditional Static Load Testing (SLT) for determining the static compressive resistance of the bored piles, considering its quicker performance and significant cost reductions. This article’s main objective is to numerically explore the performance of large-diameter bored piles during the HSDT and to understand their dynamic behavior under an axial compressive impact force. This research is based on testing pile foundations for reinforced concrete mixed-use towers in the coastal zone of New Alamein City, Egypt. The tested pile is a 1.20 m diameter bored pile. Numerical modeling is performed to simulate both the HSDT and the SLT for two piles at the same site. Non-linear axisymmetric finite element modeling is employed to validate both test records and develop some sort of matching between the two tests. As lumped models, the developed numerical models use the signal-matching process, which is conducted by varying and adopting the strength parameters and deformation characteristics of the ground or soil deposit and the soil–pile interface. The predicted load-displacement curves, developed from analyzing dynamic records employing the Modified Unloading Point (MUP) method, are consistent with the field records. The verified non-linear models are utilized to accomplish a comparative parametric analysis to better understand the drop-mass system aspects. The analysis results emphasize the significance of employing adequate impact energy (i.e., dropping height and mass) to move the pile top to a sufficient extent to mobilize its full resistance. However, a longer impact duration, i.e., larger mass, is more effective for achieving a deeper high-strain wave. The impact load should be developed by a larger drop mass with a lower drop height, not a smaller drop mass with a higher drop height. The results also indicate that, for relatively longer piles, the skin friction of the upper layers surrounding the pile shaft is fully mobilized, whereas the skin resistance of the lower layers is not fully mobilized, regarding the stress wave phenomenon effect. Finally, this study’s findings can be employed to develop guidelines and design procedures for the HSDT to be effectively performed on bored piles.

Drinking water defluoridation has attracted significant attention in the scientific community, from which membrane technology, by exploring thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes, has demonstrated a great potential for treating fluoride-contaminated water. This study investigates the development of a TFN membrane by integrating titanium oxide nanosheets (TiO2 NSs) into the polyamide (PA) layer using interfacial polymerization. The characterization results suggest that successfully incorporating TiO2 NSs into the PA layer of the TFN membrane led to a surface with a high negative charge, hydrophilic properties, and a smooth surface at the nanoscale. The TFN membrane, containing 80 ppm of TiO2 NSs, demonstrated a notably high fluoride rejection rate of 98%. The Donnan-steric-pore-model-dielectric-exclusion model was employed to analyze the effect of embedding TiO2 NSs into the PA layer of TFN on membrane properties, including charge density (Xd), the pore radius (rp), and pore dielectric constant (εp). The results indicated that embedding TiO2 NSs increased Xd and decreased the εp by less than the TFC membrane without significantly affecting the rp. The resulting TFN membrane demonstrates promising potential for application in water treatment systems, providing an effective and sustainable solution for fluoride remediation in drinking water.

In recent years, the alarming number of terrorist attacks has highlighted the critical need for extensive research aimed at fortifying structures against explosion-induced loads. However, the insufficient energy absorption and brittleness of conventional concrete make it ineffective in withstanding blast loading, encouraging researchers to explore innovative strategies for augmenting the energy dissipation capabilities of construction materials. This study specifically delves into the incorporation of recycled rubber, a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to the pressing issue of scrap tire disposal. The primary focus of this research revolves around the integration of rubber recycling and steel fibers into concrete, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the dynamic response of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This novel approach not only contributes to the structural resilience required for resisting blast impacts, but also aligns with eco-friendly practices by reusing recycled rubber. A meticulous numerical investigation was undertaken to comprehensively assess the static and blast response of these augmented beams. The numerical study involved developing finite element (FE) models using ABAQUS version 6.14 for static implicit analysis and LS-DYNA R11 for blast explicit simulations. The ABAQUS model was validated against previous experimental testing for load–displacement and failure patterns. Similarly, the LS-DYNA model was validated for blast pressure in accordance with UFC-3-340 standards and for material response under blast loading, utilizing existing experimental data. The numerical models were designed to accommodate varying weight percentages of rubber, ranging from 5% to 20%, and a consistent 1.0% incorporation of steel fibers. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these materials in improving the structural integrity and blast resistance of RC beams, thereby contributing to the development of more secure and sustainable construction practices. By reducing the reinforcement ratio in order to meet the minimum code requirements, it became evident that the failures of the rubberized RC beams tended to exhibit ductility on the tension side under static loading. In addition, the increase in the reinforcement ratio correlated with a higher failure load and decreased deflection. Furthermore, the findings indicated an optimal concrete mixture characterized by improved ductility, energy absorption, and blast load capacity, achieved by combining 5–10% rubber with steel fibers.

Salinity is one of the substantial threats to plant productivity and could be escorted by other stresses such as heat and drought. It impairs critical biological processes, such as photosynthesis, energy, and water/nutrient acquisition, ultimately leading to cell death when stress intensity becomes uncured. Therefore, plants deploy several proper processes to overcome such hostile circumstances. Grapevine is one of the most important crops worldwide that is relatively salt-tolerant and preferentially cultivated in hot and semi-arid areas. One of the most applicable strategies for sustainable viticulture is using salt-tolerant rootstock such as Ruggeri (RUG). The rootstock showed efficient capacity of photosynthesis, ROS detoxification, and carbohydrate accumulation under salinity. The current study utilized the transcriptome profiling approach to identify the molecular events of RUG throughout a regime of salt stress followed by a recovery procedure. The data showed progressive changes in the transcriptome profiling throughout salinity, underpinning the involvement of a large number of genes in transcriptional reprogramming during stress. Our results established a considerable enrichment of the biological process GO-terms related to salinity adaptation, such as signaling, hormones, photosynthesis, carbohydrates, and ROS homeostasis. Among the battery of molecular/cellular responses launched upon salinity, ROS homeostasis plays the central role of salt adaptation.

We examined the immediate impact of a social media outage on nomophobia and associated symptoms using a longitudinal cohort design. Data were collected at two timepoints, baseline (T1) and during the social media outage of 4 October 2021 (T2). T1 was collected in August–September 2021 as part of the baseline of an ongoing study. The nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7), and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) were administered to 2706 healthy participants from the general Bahraini population (56% females, mean age 33.57 ± 11.65 years). Approximately one month later, during the social media outage, 306 of the study participants were opportunistically assessed using the NMP-Q. At baseline, we found that nomophobia levels strongly correlated positively with both insomnia (p = 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (p = 0.001). This is the first report to examine the impact of a social media outage on nomophobia. Our findings indicate that symptoms of nomophobia increased significantly during a social media outage. Baseline insomnia scores predicted a surge in the global scores of nomophobia symptoms during a social media outage.

Background: Understanding post-stroke fatigue (PSF) and its associated factors is crucial for effective therapy and rehabilitation. This study aimed to assess the mediating role of the excessive daytime sleepiness-related functional status (SFS) on the relationship between sleep and the severity of fatigue in subacute stroke survivors. Methods: Subacute stroke survivors (n = 50; male = 38; female = 12), completed a cross-sectional study involving the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), the insomnia severity index (ISI), the functional outcome of the sleep questionnaire (FOSQ), and the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Results: The SFS mediated the association between the severity of fatigue and sleep problems. The PSQI and FOSQ (b = −0.37, p < 0.001), and the FOSQ and FSS were correlated (b = −0.18, p < 0.05), with a significant indirect effect of the PSQI on the FSS. The ISI correlated with the FOSQ (b = −0.20, p < 0.001), with significant direct (b = 0.15, p < 0.001), as well as indirect, effects of the ISI on the FSS. The ESS correlated with the FOSQ (b = −0.23, p < 0.001), with a significant indirect effect of the ESS on the FSS. Conclusions: In subacute stroke survivors, fatigue and sleep are linked. Increased understanding of sleep-PSF may help in exploring new targets for supplement therapy.

The shortage of water stands as a global challenge, prompting considerable focus on the management of water consumption and irrigation. The suggestion is to introduce a smart irrigation system based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) aimed at minimizing water consumption while maintaining the quality of agricultural crops. In WSNs deployed in smart irrigation, accurately determining the locations of sensor nodes is crucial for efficient monitoring and control. However, in many cases, the exact positions of certain sensor nodes may be unknown. To address this challenge, this paper presents a new localization method for localizing unknown sensor nodes in WSN-based smart irrigation systems using estimated range measurements. The proposed method can accurately determine the positions of unknown nodes, even when they are located at a distance from anchors. It utilizes the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) optimization algorithm to solve a nonlinear least-squares problem and minimize the error in estimating the unknown node locations. By leveraging the known positions of a subset of sensor nodes and the inexact distance measurements between pairs of nodes, the localization problem is transformed into a nonlinear optimization problem. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, extensive simulations and experiments were conducted. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accurate localization of the unknown sensor nodes. Specifically, it achieves 19% and 58% improvement in estimation accuracy when compared to distance vector-hop (DV-Hop) and semidefinite relaxation-LM (SDR-LM) algorithms, respectively. Additionally, the method exhibits robustness against measurement noise and scalability for large-scale networks. Ultimately, integrating the proposed localization method into the smart irrigation system has the potential to achieve approximately 28% reduction in water consumption.

The components of water balance (WBC) that involve precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, irrigation, and groundwater recharge are critical for understanding the hydrological cycle and water management of resources in semi-arid and arid areas. This paper assesses temporal and spatial distributions of surface runoff, actual evapotranspiration, and groundwater recharge upstream of the New Assiut Barrage (NAB) in the Nile Valley, Upper Egypt, using the WetSpass-M model for the period 2012–2020. Moreover, this study evaluates the effect of land cover/land use (LULC) alterations in the study period on the WBC of the NAB. The data provided as input for the WetSpass-M model in the structure of raster maps using the Arc-GIS tool. Monthly meteorological factors (e.g., temperature, rainfall, and wind speed), a digital elevation model (DEM), slope, land cover, irrigation cover, a soil map, and depth to groundwater are included. The long-term temporal and spatial mean monthly irrigation and precipitation (127 mm) is distributed as 49% (62 mm) actual evapotranspiration, 15% (19 mm) groundwater recharge, and 36% (46 mm) surface runoff. The replacement of cropland by built-up areas was recognized as the primary factor responsible for the major decrease in groundwater, an increase in evapotranspiration and an increase in surface runoff between LCLU in 2012 and 2020. The integration of the WetSpass model with GIS has shown its effectiveness as a powerful approach for assessing WBC. Results were more accurate and reliable when hydrological modeling and spatial analysis were combined. The results of this research can help make well-informed decisions about land use planning and sustainable management of water resources in the upstream area of the NAB.

The paradigm of comprehensive treatment approaches for children with cerebral palsy has gained traction, prompting clinicians to deliberate between independent and integrated treatment delivery. However, this decision-making process is often hindered by the dearth of empirical evidence available to inform optimal therapeutic strategies. This study, therefore, sought to compare the effects of Pilates-based core strengthening (PsCS), plyometric-based muscle loading (PlyoML), and their combination on postural control, balance, and mobility in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (ULCP). Eighty-one children with ULCP (age: 12–18 years) were randomized to PsCS (n = 27), PlyoML (n = 27), or a combined intervention (n = 27; equated for total sets/repetitions) group. The three interventions were applied twice/week over 12 successive weeks. Postural control (directional and overall limits of stability—LoS), balance, and mobility (Community Balance and Mobility Scale—CB&M; Functional Walking Test—FWT; Timed Up and Down Stair test—TUDS) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The combined group exhibited greater increases in directional LoS compared to PsCS and PlyoML including the backward (p = 0.006 and 0.033, respectively), forward (p = 0.015 and 0.036, respectively), paretic (p = 0.017 and 0.018, respectively), and non-paretic directions (p = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively)], and this was also the case for overall LoS (p < 0.001 versus PsCS and PlyoML). In addition, the combined group displayed greater improvements compared to the PsCS and PlyoML groups regarding CB&M (p = 0.037 and p = 0.002, respectively), FWT (p = 0.012 and p = 0.038, respectively), and TUDS (p = 0.046 and p = 0.021, respectively). In conclusion, the combined PsCS and PlyoML exercise program promotes considerably greater improvements in postural control, balance, and mobility compared to unimodal training in children with ULCP.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is one of the most promising methodologies that are currently in development for the replacement of animal experiments. Bioprinting and most alternative technologies rely on animal-derived materials, which compromises the intent of animal welfare and results in the generation of chimeric systems of limited value. The current study therefore presents the first bioprinted liver model that is entirely void of animal-derived constituents. Initially, HuH-7 cells underwent adaptation to a chemically defined medium (CDM). The adapted cells exhibited high survival rates (85–92%) after cryopreservation in chemically defined freezing media, comparable to those preserved in standard medium (86–92%). Xeno-free bioink for 3D bioprinting yielded liver models with high relative cell viability (97–101%), akin to a Matrigel-based liver model (83–102%) after 15 days of culture. The established xeno-free model was used for toxicity testing of a marine biotoxin, okadaic acid (OA). In 2D culture, OA toxicity was virtually identical for cells cultured under standard conditions and in CDM. In the xeno-free bioprinted liver model, 3-fold higher concentrations of OA than in the respective monolayer culture were needed to induce cytotoxicity. In conclusion, this study describes for the first time the development of a xeno-free 3D bioprinted liver model and its applicability for research purposes.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) can reduce synthetic N fertilizer application and improve N-use efficiency. However, knowledge about the effect of biochar and water management regimes on soil diazotrophic microorganisms in tropical paddy fields remains only rudimentary. A field trial was started in the early rice season in 2019 and ended in the late rice season in 2020. We studied the effects of five treatments comprising different water management and biochar applications on the diazotrophic abundance and community composition: no N fertilizer + conventional water management, conventional fertilization + conventional water management, no N fertilizer + flooding, conventional fertilization + flooding, and application of 40 t ha−1 biochar + conventional fertilization + conventional water management. According to the results, biochar increased soil pH and organic carbon (SOC), whereas flooding decreased the soil available phosphorus (P) content. However, the addition of biochar and flooding as well as N application treatments increased nifH abundance. The nifH abundance negatively correlated with available N and P, whereas it significantly positively correlated with SOC (p < 0.05). The results of redundancy analysis unveiled that biochar stimulated the relative abundance of Pelomonas and changed the diazotrophic microbial community structure by increasing soil pH, while flooding stimulated the relative abundance of Azospirllum. Conclusively, both flooding and biochar affect soil diazotrophic microbial community and abundance in paddy fields. Reducing N and P fertilizer application clubbed with biochar amendment and flooding may be beneficial for soil N-fixing in tropical paddy fields.

In this study, a new epoxidized oil from Citrullus colocynthis seed oil (CCSO) was obtained for a potential application in the formulation of polyurethane coatings. Initially, the fatty acid composition of CCSO was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Subsequently, the epoxidation of CCSO was performed with in situ generated peracetic acid, which was formed with hydrogen peroxide (30 wt.%) and glacial acetic acid and catalyzed with sulfuric acid. The reaction was continued at a molar ratio of 1.50:1.0 of hydrogen peroxide to double bond (H2O2:DB) for 6 h at a controlled temperature of 60 °C. The resulting epoxidized oil was then used to produce a bio-based polyol by hydroxylation. The molar ratio of epoxy groups to methanol and distilled water was maintained at 1:11:2, and the reaction was carried out for 2 h at a controlled temperature of 65 °C. The major functional groups of the epoxidized oil and its polyol were validated by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopies. A polyurethane (PU) coating was produced from the synthesized polyol and 3HDI isocyanurate, keeping the molar ratio of NCO:OH at 1:1. The resulting PU coating was then applied to glass and aluminum panels (Al 1001). After the film was cured, the properties of the PU coating were evaluated using various techniques including pencil hardness, pendulum hardness, adhesion, gloss, chemical resistance, and EIS tests. The results show that the PU coating obtained from CCSO is a promising new raw material for coating applications.

Many biotechnology sectors that depend on fluids and their physical characteristics, including the phenomenon of bioconvection, have generated a great deal of discussion. The term “bioconvection” describes the organized movement of microorganisms, such as bacteria or algae. Microorganisms that participate in bioconvection display directed movement, frequently in the form of upward or downward streaming, which can lead to the production of distinctive patterns. The interaction between the microbes’ swimming behavior and the physical forces acting on them, such as buoyancy and fluid flow, is what drives these patterns. This work considers the laminar-mixed convection incompressible flow at the stagnation point with viscous and gyrotactic microorganisms in an unsteady electrically conducting hybrid nanofluid (Fe3O4-Cu/water). In addition, hybrid nanofluid flow over a horizontal porous stretched sheet, as well as external and induced magnetic field effects, can be used in biological domains, including drug delivery and microcirculatory system flow dynamics. The governing system has been reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through the use of the group technique. The current research was inspired by an examination of the impacts of multiple parameters, including Prandtl number, Pr, magnetic diffusivity, η0, shape factor, n, microorganism diffusion coefficient, Dn, Brownian motion coefficient, DB, thermophoresis diffusion coefficient, DT, bioconvection Peclet number, Pe, temperature difference, δt, and concentration difference, δc. The results show that as Pr rises, temperature, heat flux, and nanoparticles all decrease. In contrast, when the η0 value increases, the magnetic field and velocity decrease. Heat flow, bacterial density, and temperature decrease as the DB value rises, yet the number of nanoparticles increases. As the DT value increases, the temperature, heat flow, and concentration of nanoparticles all rise while the density of bacteria decreases. Even though temperature, heat flux, nanoparticles, and bacterial density all decrease as δc values climb, bacterial density rises as Dn values do although bacterial density falls with increasing, δt and Pe values; on the other hand, when n values increase, temperature and heat flow increase but the density of bacteria and nanoparticle decrease. The physical importance and behavior of the present parameters were illustrated graphically.

Fog computing is a key component of future intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) that can support the high computation and large storage requirements needed for autonomous driving applications. A major challenge in such fog-enabled ITS networks is the design of algorithms that can reduce the computation times of different tasks by efficiently utilizing available computational resources. In this paper, we propose a data-enabled cooperative technique that offloads some parts of a task to the nearest fog roadside unit (RSU), depending on the current channel quality indicator (CQI). The rest of the task is offloaded to a nearby cooperative computing vehicle with available computing resources. We developed a cooperative computing vehicle selection technique using an artificial neural network (ANN)-based prediction model that predicts both the computing availability once the task is offloaded to the potential computing vehicle and the link connectivity when the task result is to be transmitted back to the source vehicle. Using detailed simulation results in MATLAB 2020a software, we show the accuracy of our proposed prediction model. Furthermore, we also show that the proposed technique reduces total task delay by 37% compared to other techniques reported in the literature.

The metal–organic framework (MOF) is a class of materials that exhibits a notable capacity for electron transfer. This unique framework design offers potential applications in various fields, including catalysis, gas storage, and sensing. Herein, we focused on a specific type of MOF called Ti-MOF. To enhance its properties and functionality, the composite material was prepared by incorporating graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) into the Ti-MOF structure. This composite, known as g-C3N4@Ti-MOF, was selected as the active material for ion detection, specifically targeting calcium ions (Ca2+). To gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural and chemical properties of the g-C3N4@Ti-MOF composite, several analytical techniques were employed to characterize the prepared g-C3N4@Ti-MOF composite, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM-EDX, and FT-IR. For comparison, different pastes were prepared by mixing Ti-MOF or g-C3N4@Ti-MOF, graphite, and o-NPOE as a plasticizer. The divalent Nernstian responses of the two best electrodes, I and II, were 28.15 ± 0.47 and 29.80 ± 0.66 mV decade−1, respectively, with concentration ranges of 1 µM–1 mM and 0.1 µM–1 mM with a content 1.0 mg Ti-MOF: 250 mg graphite: 0.1 mL o-NPOE and 0.5 mg g-C3N4@Ti-MOF: 250 mg graphite: 0.1 mL o-NPOE, respectively. The electrodes showed high sensitivity and selectivity for Ca2+ ions over different species. The suggested electrodes have been successfully employed for Ca2+ ion measurement in various real samples with excellent precision (RSD = 0.74–1.30%) and accuracy (recovery = 98.5–100.2%), and they exhibited good agreement with the HPLC.

This study explores the impact of disinfection techniques on the mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a crucial material in the production of medical implants, tissue engineering, orthopedic devices and drug delivery systems, owing to its biocompatibility and ease of manufacturing. The focus is on evaluating the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) type C (254 nm wavelength) and the combined use of type C and B (310 nm wavelength) disinfection methods. Fifteen tensile test specimens (ASTM D638) and fifteen compression test specimens (ASTM D695) were utilized to assess PLA’s mechanical properties, including yield strength, ultimate strength, and fracture strength. The investigation involved subjecting the specimens to the specified disinfection methods and evaluating these properties both before and after the disinfection process. In the tensile test, a statistically significant difference (p = 0) in yield displacement was observed among the three groups. Additionally, a notable difference (p = 0.047) in fracture displacement was identified between the untreated group and the UVC and UVB combination group. No discernible impact on yield or fracture forces was noted. In the compression test, there was a significant difference (p = 0.04) in yield displacement and a clear difference (p = 0.05) in fracture force between the untreated group and the UVC and UVB combination group. The hybrid combination of UVC and UVB disinfection techniques did not affect yield force in both tensile and compression tests. However, it demonstrated a clear impact on displacement, suggesting its potential as a promising disinfection technique in the medical field.