Search

In this paper, we analyze and provide innovative soliton solutions for a (2+1)-dimensional generalized Korteweg-de Vries (gKdV) problem. We obtain phase shifts and dispersion relations by using the generalized Arnous technique and the Riccati equation approach, thus allowing different soliton solutions to be developed. Several precise solutions with special structural properties, including kink and solitary soliton solutions, are included in our study. This detailed examination demonstrates the complex behavior of the model and its capability to explain a large scale of nonlinear wave occurrences in many physical settings. Thus, in scientific domains such as fluid mechanics, plasma physics, and wave propagation in media ranging from ocean surfaces to optical fibers, our results are crucial to comprehend the principles behind the production and propagation of many complicated phenomena. Finally, we provide 2D and 3D graphs for various solutions that have been obtained using Maple.

Abstract Background Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in children is frequently associated with sleep disorders. The prevalence of these disorders varies by region attributable to variations in co-sleeping customs, nocturnal rituals, and environmental influences. This study aims to assess sleep problems and their related characteristics among children diagnosed with T1DM in the Upper Egypt region. This cross-sectional study involved 118 children with T1DM, aged 6 to 12 years. The outcomes from the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire-Abbreviated (CSHQ-A) were utilized to categorize the subjects into two groups: the first group comprised individuals with sleep problems (N = 70), and the second group included individuals with non-sleep problems (N = 48). All participants were evaluated using the Socioeconomic Scale, the Clinical Evaluation of Emotional Regulation–9 (CEER-9), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and the Children’s Alexithymia Measure (CAM). Results Sleep problems were prevalent in 59.3% of participants. Children with sleep problems had elevated rates of overweight/obesity, ocular problems increased medication usage, exercise difficulties, diminished quality of life, higher mean scores on the emotional regulation scale, and greater levels of alexithymia as compared to those without sleep disorders. The prevalence of conduct and hyperactivity problems was greater in children with sleep problems compared to those without sleep problems. Regression analysis revealed that increased BMI, presence of ocular issues, higher alexithymia scores, and poor quality of life were associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing sleep problems. Conclusions Nearly two-thirds of children with T1DM in Upper Egypt experienced sleep problems. These issues were associated with higher BMI, ocular problems, elevated alexithymia scores, and poorer quality of life.

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening disorder of the pulmonary vascular system that can lead to right-sided heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. Still, more knowledge is needed to understand this complex disease. The study objective is to evaluate the clinicolaboratory characteristics of group 1 pulmonary hypertension patients and their survival in the Assiut University pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study time. Patients and methods Consecutive patients were referred to the Assiut University Chest Department Pulmonary Hypertension unit in collaboration with the cardiology department for diagnosis and management. Patients were diagnosed as group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) included in the study. Patient demographic data, clinical presentation, electrocardiography, laboratory data, and invasive and noninvasive hemodynamics at presentation were recorded. The patients were followed through the study time to identify their survival. Results Out of 40 patients referred to the pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study period, 29 patients have group 1 PH and were included. Their mean age was 44.10 ± 15.14 years, most of them were females (86.2%), 44.8% of patients presented with WHO functional class II, 48.3% of patients with FC III, and 6.9% of patients with FC IV. The mean 6 min walking distance was 256.97 ± 89.46 m. Pulmonary artery catheterization hemodynamic parameters were mean pulmonary artery pressure 52.48 ± 18.24 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance 13.32 ± 7.31 WU, cardiac index 2.32 ± 0.83 L/min/m2, and mixed venous oxygen saturation 59.6 ± 7%. The mean follow-up duration is 12.6 ± 8.8 months, and their survival at the end of study time was 82.35%. Serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are predictors of disease progression and mortality. Conclusion Group 1 pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon complex disease with a difficult early diagnosis. Its clinical presentation varies from insidious breathlessness, syncope, palpitation, and obvious right heart failure. Some factors as serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are associated with prognosis. One-year survival was 82.35%. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0479145.

Abstract Background Substance use disorders are often accompanied by irrational beliefs and unfavorable attitudes that contribute to their development and persistence. Metaphor therapy, utilizing stories and imagery, has emerged as a potential intervention to reshape thoughts. This study aimed to investigate the impact of metaphor therapy on irrational beliefs and attitudes among individuals with substance use disorders. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital’s substance use inpatient unit from April to December 2023. A non-probability purposive sample of 115 individuals with substance use disorders was selected but only 100 were recruited and randomly assigned to study and control groups. The study group (n = 50) received six 90-min group metaphor therapy sessions over 6 months, while the control group (n = 50) received no intervention. Irrational beliefs and attitudes toward substance use were assessed using the Irrational Beliefs Scale and Attitude Toward Substance Abuse Questionnaire at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Results The metaphor therapy group demonstrated significant decreases in mean irrational belief subscale and total scores at post-treatment and follow-up compared to pre-treatment. Additionally, this group exhibited higher mean attitude scores, indicating more negative attitudes (rejection of substance use) during post-treatment and follow-up assessments. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusions Metaphor therapy was effective in reducing irrational beliefs and fostering more favorable attitudes toward substance use among individuals with substance use disorders. The finding suggests metaphor therapy could be a valuable intervention for addressing cognitive and attitudinal factors contributing to substance use.

Prolonged air leak (PAL) represents the most commonly encountered complication following pulmonary resection. This review aims to show the role of autologous blood pleurodesis (ABPP) in the management of PAL. A search was conducted on the Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for English-language articles until September 15, 2023, with titles containing the related phrase “autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP), and prolonged air leaks.” Included studies comprised four randomised controlled trials, ten cohort studies, a case series, and nine case reports from various countries. Patients undergoing ABPP had a mean age of 52.7 years. Autologous blood volumes for pleurodesis varied (50 mL to 250 mL). Approximately 73.8% of cases responded to ABPP in 1 to 30 days (mean 3.75 days), and in-hospital complications were infrequent (3.9%). Follow-up durations post pleurodesis were up to 20 months. The evidence presented in this systematic review supports the role of ABPP as an effective and safe intervention for managing PAL, particularly after pulmonary resection.

ABSTRACTIn this article, an idea has been presented that utilizes the heat produced from the petroleum gas burning accompanying the process of oil extraction to enhance the solar chimney performance. The simulation software tool ANSYS Fluent 2020R1 was used to know the possibility of exploiting this waste energy of gas and combining it with a solar chimney. Seven gas channel configurations were tested on the solar chimney to determine which can produce the most electricity. The simulation results showed that this idea could be exploited to produce higher electric energy, and the efficiency of the solar chimney was increased so that the electric energy production process continues for 24 hours instead of production during the sunshine period only. Different designs were considered for the channels inside the solar collector. Case1 and Case2 were meant for validation purposes only. Good agreement was achieved with the previous research with a maximum error of 2%. The results showed that the circular design of the two-ring burner was the best choice which gave the optimum electric power from the system of about 121.1 kW. It was noted that the circular design of the two-ring burner achieved the highest thermal efficiency, which amounted to 0.523%.

Abstract Introduction Beta-thalassemia is a prevalent autosomal recessive haemolytic disorder, particularly in the Middle East. Patients with beta-thalassemia major (βTM) require iron chelation therapy and regular blood transfusions, while those with beta-thalassemia intermedia (βTI) exhibit milder symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate cognitive function, behavioural problems, quality of life, and related aspects in individuals with βTM and βTI. Methods The cross-sectional study included 20 βTM participants, 20 βTI participants, and 19 healthy controls. Participants underwent psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III), Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90R), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Clinical data and laboratory investigations were also collected. Results βTM participants exhibited lower vocabulary and picture completion scores on the WAIS-III compared to other groups. βTI participants had significantly higher scores on SCL-90R subscales for somatization, depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Both patient groups reported poorer quality of life across all SF-36 domains compared with controls. Longer disease duration correlated with lower levels of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and paranoid ideation. Less frequent blood transfusions were associated with better physical and mental health summary scores but also higher somatization. Elevated serum iron levels corresponded with increased anxiety, hostility, and psychoticism symptoms, while higher serum ferritin related to more obsessive–compulsive behaviours but less somatization and psychoticism. Conclusions Individuals with thalassemia exhibit cognitive deficits, psychological disturbances, and diminished quality of life, with distinct patterns depending on disease severity. Regular monitoring and appropriate interventions are crucial for optimizing their overall well-being and functioning.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a serious neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder that places a considerable strain on the healthcare system on a national, regional, and global scale. This study's objective was to measure the level of self-care among individuals with schizophrenia. In addition, to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of 3 month group therapy on self-care skills in this specific group of patients. The sample comprised 120 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, with 60 assigned to study group (receiving group therapy) and 60 to control group (without group therapy). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCAS) were administered to all subjects. The study group observed a substantial decrease in the mean score of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and symptoms of general psychopathology from baseline assessment to follow-up assessment. Results During the follow-up assessment, the study group exhibited a reduction in the mean of PANNS subscales by more than half and increase more than double in total score of ESCAS compared to the baseline assessment. Consequently, only the study group achieved a 70% increase in self-care in follow-up assessment. Increased self-care was more likely in patients who participated in the program, as indicated by the regression model. Conclusions Individuals with schizophrenia who underwent group therapy exhibited a significant decrease in positive, negative symptoms, and symptoms of general psychopathology. In addition, the implementation of group therapy led to a noticeable improvement in self-care skills compared to those without group therapy.

Abstract Background Psychiatric mental health nurses often work in highly demanding environments and situations and are exposed to multiple work-based stressors simultaneously. We aimed to explore the influence of self-compassion on fatigue and psychological wellbeing, and to evaluate the possible contributing factors for self-compassion, fatigue, and psychological wellbeing among psychiatric nurses. A descriptive correlational study using a convenience sample was used to employ 50 psychiatric nurses. Participants categorized into three groups based on their scores on The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF): Group 1: low self-compassion, Group 2: moderate self-compassion, and Group 3: high self-compassion. All participants were assessed by socio-demographic data questionnaire, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Psychological Wellbeing Scale. Results Regarding FAS and wellbeing, group 1 had the highest mean of both scores, whereas group 3 had the lowest mean of both scores. Psychiatric nurses with high self-compassion were significantly more likely to be male, have a lower overall fatigue score, and have better psychological wellbeing. Psychiatric nurses with high fatigue scores were more likely to be female, married, have diploma, have less self-compassion, and have poorer psychological wellbeing. Conclusions Psychiatry nurses with higher self-compassion had lower fatigue score and better psychological wellbeing. Gender and education level were significant factors for self-compassion and fatigue.

Aim To compare the gel stent to trabeculectomy in the Gold-Standard Pathway Study (GPS) patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods In the GPS, patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) poorly controlled with IOP-lowering medication were randomised (2:1, gel stent:trabeculectomy). Aggregate primary endpoint: patients (%) at month 12 achieving ≥20% IOP reduction from baseline without medication increase, clinical hypotony, vision loss to counting fingers or secondary surgical intervention (SSI). Secondary endpoints included changes in mean IOP and medication count from baseline; postoperative interventions; visual recovery; postoperative complications; and the Symptom and Health Problem Checklist (SHPC-18) questionnaire.Results Of 130 eyes with POAG treated/analysed (gel stent, n=88; trabeculectomy, n=42); 61.4% and 69.0% met the primary endpoint, respectively (p=0.394). At month 12, the change from baseline in mean IOP was statistically greater post-trabeculectomy (by 2.8 mm Hg; p=0.028) than post-gel stent. Postoperative intervention and postoperative complication rates were 39.8% and 75.0% (gel stent) versus 76.2% and 92.9% (trabeculectomy), respectively. Hypotony (IOP ≤6 mm Hg at two consecutive visits) rates were 14.8% (gel stent) and 28.6% (trabeculectomy). Visual recovery was faster/better (per the mean and time to first return to baseline best corrected visual acuity) and SHPC-18-related improvements were greater post-gel stent than post-trabeculectomy.Conclusion Similar proportions of eyes with POAG achieved the primary endpoint post-gel stent and post-trabeculectomy. The mean IOP reduction was statistically greater post-trabeculectomy. The gel stent resulted in fewer postoperative interventions, faster/better visual recovery, favourable patient-reported outcomes and fewer specific adverse events, although more SSIs and IOP elevations were observed.

Stochastic optical solitons are a fascinating phenomenon in nonlinear optics where soliton-like behavior emerges in systems affected by stochastic noise. This study investigates the influence of Brownian motion on wave propagation in optical fibers. The propagation is modeled using a stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation incorporating quintuple power-law nonlinearity and nonlinear chromatic dispersion. To explore this, the improved modified extended tanh (IMET) scheme, leveraging the extended Riccati equation, is employed. This technique facilitates the extraction of various stochastic solutions, including bright, dark, and singular solitons. Furthermore, solutions in the shapes of exponential, singular periodic, and Weierstrass elliptic forms are investigated. The study looks at how the strength of noise impacts various solutions, and Matlab software is used to create 2D and 3D graphs that show the results. It has been noted that when noise intensity rises, signal level falls and surface flattens.

An extended version of (3+1)-dimensional non-linear Schrödinger equation that has a cubic–quintic nonlinear component under the stochastic effects is examined in this investigation. Several stochastic exact solutions of this model is acquired through the application of the improved modified extended tanh-function scheme (IMETFS). This method offers a practical and effective approach to finding precise solutions to several kinds of nonlinear partial differential equations. In addition, these solutions include stochastic soliton solutions (bright, singular, combo dark-singular), and exact solution such as singular periodic, Jacobi elliptic function, Weierstrass elliptic doubly periodic solution, rational, and exponential functions. Since it is the first study of its sort to examine multiplicative white noise’s impacts in this particular setting, it offers fresh insights and innovative research approaches for the field’s future studies. The work adds much to our understanding of soliton theory and how it relates to optical fiber technology while illuminating hitherto unknown facets of multiplicative white noise. To illustrate the impact of the noise, a few recovered solutions with varying noise strengths are given graphically as examples.

Abstract Background During the Coronavirus disease pandemic “COVID-19”, epilepsy was one of many chronic neurological diseases in which treatment was neglected. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on people with epilepsy and identify potential predictors of seizure worsening through a face-to-face hospital survey. During the study period, 245 participants were recruited: 124 people with epilepsy (PwE) and 121 people without epilepsy (PwoE) age and sex-matched. Both groups were compared using sociodemographic COVID-19-related questionnaires and Hamilton Anxiety and Depression scales. PwE also completed epilepsy-specific questionnaires. Subsequently, we subdivided the PwE group into people with worsening epilepsy (WPwE) and those without (NWPwE). Results Compared with PwoE, PwE had significantly higher rates of COVID-19 infection (59.7% versus 41.3%, p = 0.004), and 69.4% of them (86/124) reported WPwE. WPwE had significantly higher rates of COVID-19 infection (75.6% versus. 23.7%, p

Abstract Background Post-stroke psychosis (PSP) is a rare but serious neuropsychiatric condition characterized by delusions and/or hallucinations following a stroke. Despite its impact on prognosis and quality of life, PSP remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, with limited data on its prevalence and risk factors. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and determinants of post-stroke psychosis (PSP), as well as to compare PSP and non-PSP patients in terms of improvement and daily living outcomes. This nested case–control study included 2,624 acute stroke patients from a university hospital between May 2017 and April 2022. Patients who developed PSP within 6 months post-stroke were identified as cases (n = 108), and 119 patients without PSP were randomly selected as controls. Comprehensive assessments included clinical, laboratory, and imaging evaluations at baseline. After 6 months, follow-up evaluations were conducted, including neurological examinations, psychiatric assessments, and stroke severity assessments using the Barthel index (BI). The psychiatric assessments included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for depression and the Mini-Mental State Examination for cognitive status. Results The prevalence of PSP was 5.4%. risk factors significantly associated with PSP included older age, male patients, lower education level (≤ 5 years), hemiplegia, sphincter affection, cortical lesion, brain atrophy, small vessel disease, ischemic stroke, post-stroke dementia, and seizures. Non-specified psychosis and delusional disorder were the most common psychosis subtypes. There was a significantly higher percentage of excellent patients in the non-PSP group compared to those who had PSP regarding the observed improvement in the patient's condition. Also, there is a higher percentage of deteriorated patients in the PSP group (46.6%) compared to another group (18.9%) regarding BI. Conclusion PSP is a prevalent post-stroke complication associated with distinct risk factors and poor functional outcomes. Early screening and identification of high-risk patients, along with multidisciplinary management strategies, are crucial for optimizing recovery and quality of life in stroke survivors.

Abstract Background Due to growing global concerns regarding the management of construction waste, this study investigates the feasibility of creating engineered geopolymer composites by replacing traditional industrial by-products (slag) with construction waste, specifically recycled brick waste powder. Results Polyvinyl alcohol fibers were incorporated into the engineered geopolymer composite mixtures. The substitution of slag with recycled brick waste powder was carried out at varying percentages: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%, resulting in six different engineered geopolymer composite mixtures. The study evaluated the flexural strength, sorptivity, water absorption, and abrasion resistance of the engineered geopolymer composites, and also, microstructural characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. The findings demonstrated that incorporating recycled brick waste powder into the engineered geopolymer composite mixes resulted in a decrease in flexural strength by 35.59% and a notable increase in midspan deflection by 339% when slag was replaced. Concurrently, there was a significant rise in water absorption and sorptivity by approximately 304 and 214%, respectively, when slag was entirely substituted with recycled brick waste powder. Conversely, abrasion resistance decreased, with the inclusion of recycled brick waste powder resulting in an 84% increase in volume change. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed active geopolymerization of recycled brick waste powder within the engineered geopolymer composite mixtures. Conclusions The results of this investigation demonstrate that it is feasible to produce engineered geopolymer composites using recycled brick waste powder instead of slag. The greater ductility and increased midspan deflection point to areas that require further optimization, even in spite of the observed decreases in flexural strength and abrasion resistance. The SEM examination reveals an active geopolymerization, highlighting the potential of recycled brick waste powder to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable construction materials. These results offer a good starting point for further studies that try to maximize the durability and performance of these composites.

Abstract As delays are common, persistent, and ingrained in daily life, it is imperative to take them into account. In this work, we explore the averaging principle for impulsive Atangana–Baleanu fractional stochastic delay differential equations driven by Lévy noise. The link between the averaged equation solutions and the equivalent solutions of the original equations is shown in the sense of mean square. To achieve the intended outcomes, fractional calculus, semigroup properties, and stochastic analysis theory are used. We also provide an example to demonstrate the practicality and relevance of our research.

Objective: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, responsible for 17.5 million deaths each year, 80% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries, including countries in Africa. Cardiothoracic surgery, with its heavy financial outlay, is unavailable in many African countries. Many African healthcare givers are under the erroneous impression that the cardiovascular surgical landscape of Africa is blank. This review aims at describing the cardiothoracic surgery practice in Africa, the different training programs in the region, and its future prospects. Method: Through a literature review, the authors elaborate on key points, such as healthcare and cardiothoracic surgery in Africa, African cardiothoracic practice and training, and the future of cardiothoracic surgery in Africa. Results: African countries with established cardiothoracic surgery capacity and training programs still face several challenges across multiple levels, including a persistent low enrollment rate in residency programs, insufficient local expertise, a lack of financial resources, an inadequate health infrastructure, and a skewed health insurance reimbursement system. Thus, there is still a growing burden of surgically correctable cardiovascular disease in these countries. Conclusions: Cardiothoracic surgery in Africa has faced great challenges due to resource constraints, but it has demonstrated resilience and growth through diverse models and initiatives. The burden of cardiovascular diseases in Africa remains high, yet the capacity to provide cardiothoracic surgery is limited. With investment, support, and the implementation of comprehensive healthcare policies, cardiothoracic surgery practice can improve in this region and this can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of its population.

IntroductionEchinococcosis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by tapeworms of the Echinococcus genus, manifesting in mature or larval forms. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are the primary types affecting humans, linked, respectively, to Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk factors associated with CE and AE in humans.MethodsRelevant English publications were found through a thorough search of eligible databases. The inclusion criteria focused on cross-sectional and case–control studies investigating risk factors for human echinococcosis. Collected data included author, country, study design, demographics, sample size, literacy, occupation, drinking water source, dog ownership, and hand hygiene.ResultsA total of 1,594 studies were found in the initial search, with only 36 papers (involving 1,207,436 cases) meeting the inclusion criteria. Most of the study population (99.35%) showed no echinococcosis infection, while 0.65% were infected. Of the infected cases, 77.92% had CE, while 22.08% had AE. Among 629,996 (52.18%) females, 4,830 (0.76%) were infected, compared to 2,968 (0.52%) infections among 565,872 (46.86%) males (p

In the domains of fluid mechanics, hydrodynamics, and marine engineering, Bogoyavlensky–Konopelchenko equations are of great interest to mathematicians and physicists as a means of illuminating the diverse dynamics of non-linear wave events. In this study, to pique readers' interest, we investigate the soliton solutions of a dynamical model, which is the mathematical physics equivalent of the (2+1)-dimensional generalized Bogoyavlensky–Konopelchenko equation (GBKE). Utilizing the improved modified extended tanh-function scheme (IMETFS), we generate several innovative solutions. Utilizing the previously described approach, we find new types of solutions that have never been found before to demonstrate their originality for the problem at hand, such as dark, singular soliton, exponential, hyperbolic, singular periodic, Jacobi elliptic function (JEF), and rational solutions. The results show that the computational procedures are clear, informed, and effective. By integrating them with representational calculations, they may be used for more intricate phenomena. The efficacy of our method indicates that it may be utilized to tackle other non-linear challenges in many domains, particularly in soliton theory, since the examined model appears in many applications. Utilizing the computer algebra system, Wolfram Mathematica®, the propagation of the well-furnished results is visualized through contour plots, 2D and 3D visualizations for different values of the required free parameters. All of the research's conclusions are necessary to comprehend the behavior and physical significance of the examined equation, highlighting how crucial it is to examine various non-linear wave phenomena in the field of engineering mathematics and physical sciences.

Solar panels are constantly evolving, with changes occurring in the materials used, panel shapes, and the method used to attach solar cells to the panels. Solar radiation consists of two components: photovoltaic energy, which is used to generate electricity via photovoltaic panels, and thermal energy, which, on the other hand, can reduce the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. Thermal photovoltaic panels are a recent breakthrough in the industry as they use light to generate energy and heat to reheat cryogenic liquid for a variety of purposes. One subtype that is gaining popularity is hybrid photovoltaic thermal panels, which are designed to enhance heat use by adding a heat storage medium, with phase change materials being a noteworthy example. ​ Despite their numerous benefits, these materials have limited heat conductivity, necessitating substantial research efforts to improve this attribute. However, most research focus solely on enhancing conductivity without applying the findings to PV panels in a comprehensive manner. This study fills this gap by reviewing the phase change materials accessible locally, picking Iraqi wax, researching additions, selecting micro- particles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), investigating the mixing procedure, and calculating the ideal mixing ratio (6% additive to wax). The combination is then placed to a normal solar panel, resulting in a hybrid photovoltaic panel with a complicated phase transition material reinforced with aluminum oxide.

Accurately identifying the kind and amount of dissolved metal salts in wastewater used in oil refining processes is an iconic feature of ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy. This method relies on the dissolved metal salts' ability to absorb light at certain wavelengths after reacting with it. The experiments were conducted in a lab setting with a broadband source (200-800 nm) to measure the absorbance of dissolved element salts and precisely identify the lowest concentration up to 2 ppm. A mixture of the mineral salts from oil refining operations was prepared and diluted to different concentrations using a standard solution. This allowed us to study and compare this result with the absorbance behavior of the wastewater from the Al-Dora Refinery. The two results reinforced that we can accurately estimate the detection parameters for the lowest water contamination. These materials are lead nitrate (PbNO3), phenol, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), sodium chloride (NaCl2), sulfide (SO4), and nitrate (NO3). At wavelengths of 340, 404, and 741 nm, the concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100) ppm were found, and for the concentration of 10ppm, the absorbance (0.15323, 0.15326, and 0.14685) was found, respectively. The process that has been tested with varying concentrations is considered and simulates the variation in river water concentrations caused by the river's water level and flow rate changes by the effect of rain abundance and thawing. It is fast, accurate data analysis, and a lower cost compared with the other chemical analysis and conventional methods.

This study introduces and evaluates a novel design of an integrated solar collector, termed the Rhombus storage solar collector. This novel design consists of a cube whose upper side is split in two directions at 45° as an inclined angle to form the absorber surface of 0.52 m2 absorbent area and a total storage volume of 210 L. The major reasons for using this type of collector are their high efficiency and their ability to replace the traditional tanks used in Iraqi houses and developing countries. This innovative design has low costs and high efficiency because it reduces losses by removing connecting pipes. In addition, it is easy to manufacture and is made up of materials that are widely available on the market. This study is based on the maximum useful efficiency curve (MUE), and due to its large thermal mass, it cannot achieve steady-state conditions. This system is evaluated experimentally under various load conditions. The first case is the no-load condition, the second case is the intermittent condition where 50 L of hot water is withdrawn at 2 p.m., and the third case is the continuous load condition of 0.5 L/min. The system demonstrated excellent performance, particularly in low ambient temperatures. The system also showed promising efficiency levels across different load conditions.

One of the disadvantages of solar systems is their low efficiency due to weather conditions such as dust and clouds that reduce their performance. Therefore, this article examines the impact of cloudy weather on the performance of the PV/solar chimney to demonstrate the performance of these solar systems under overcast weather conditions. The PV/solar chimney system was designed and built, and two days in December were chosen for testing: 27 December with clear weather without clouds and 28 December with cloudy weather.The results showed that cloudy weather has a clear effect on the performance of the PV/solar chimney where the intensity of solar radiation is low. Clouds act as a barrier preventing access to sunlight, as the electrical power generated on a clear weather day reached 341.92 W, while on a cloudy weather day, 187.88 Watts at noon. The kinetic energy on a clear weather day reached 17.212 mW, while on a cloudy weather day, it reached 9.47 mW at noon. The electrical efficiency on a clear weather day reached 15.96 %. In contrast, on a cloudy weather day, it reached 13.2 % when the test started at 9 a.m., after which the efficiency decreased with the increase in the intensity of solar radiation to become 13.574 % in clear weather while 12.12 % in cloudy weather at noon, and the thermal efficiency on a clear weather day reached 56.06 %. In contrast, on a cloudy weather day, 42 % at noon. The total efficiency in clear weather reached 69.65 %, while on a clear weather day cloudy by 54.12 % at noon.

The performance of solar panels is significantly affected by high temperatures, leading to various cooling methods being employed to enhance their efficiency. This study utilizes comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with Ansys Fluent 2023 R1 software to evaluate the effectiveness of cooling photovoltaic (PV) panels using ground source energy in Kirkuk city, northern Iraq (35° 28′ N - E. 44.39). A 3-D model was employed to analyze the thermal behavior of the PV panel over 10 h (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The simulation demonstrates that the proposed cooling method achieved an impressive temperature reduction of approximately 28 % compared to conventional cooling methods. Moreover, the PV panel with ground-source cooling consistently outperformed the PV-only setup, showing a noteworthy improvement of approximately 6.5 % in power output, reaching a maximum of around 88 W. Examination of velocity and temperature distribution contours revealed that ambient air drawn in as hot air gradually dissipated its heat to the surrounding soil and bricks as it traversed through underground pipes, resulting in a significant reduction in temperature. This cooling process effectively enhanced the overall performance of the PV panel.

Bacteria were isolated from 250 specimens obtained from patients attending the Plastic Reconstructive and Burn Surgery Hospital in the Sulaymaniyah (Kurdistan region) and the burn and wound care units of the Azadi Teaching Hospital (Kirkuk), Iraq. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 100 (40%) of the samples which identified by BD phoenix, 66 isolates (66%) were carbapenem-resistant species, Rapidec® Carba NP test and sensitivity tests revealed 17 different genera and species of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. The BD Phoenix system was used to evaluate the susceptibility test of the isolates to 18 different antibiotics. The number of isolates that exhibited resistance to the carbapenem antibiotics, ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem, was 40 (61%), 35 (54%) and 28 (42%) respectively. Meanwhile, the number of isolates resistant to the penicillin antibiotics, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and piperacillin-tazobactam, was 61 (92%), 54 (82%) and 24 (36%) respectively. The isolates were also evaluated for their resistance to the cephalosporins, cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, and ceftolozane-tazobactam; the respective number of resistant isolates were 60 (91%), 60 (91%), 39 (59%), 48 (73%), 42 (64%) and 27(41%). In contrast, a fraction of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves that was extracted using ethyl acetate inhibited all of the carbapenem-resistant isolates studied. The zone of inhibition (ZoI) Ø was between 19 and 24 mm. The ZoI Ø of black deer musk was 11–19 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) of ethyl acetate extract of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves for Acinetobacter baumannii (PDR), CR-Citrobacter farmeri, CR-Escherichia coli, CR-Proteus mirabilis, CR-Pseudomonas fluorescens, CR-Escherichia vulneris, CR-Kluyvera ascorbata, CR-Pantoea agglomerans, CR-Pseudomonas putida and CR-Serratia marcescens, was 6.25 mg/mL. Meanwhile, the MIC for Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was 12.5 mg/mL. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyse the components of the ethyl acetate-extract of Ziziphus spina-christi leaves. The analysis found gallic acid (760.3 ppm/mL), caffeine (84.0 ppm/mL) and quercetin (2.2 ppm/mL); the total phenolic content was 846.5 ppm/mL. The evidence obtained from this study indicates that leaves of this plant (named sidr in the Middle East) have the potential to be used as a natural antibiotic against carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Thus, the leaves of this tree present an important opportunity in the development of novel therapeutic agents. The study found the MIC of deer musk for CR-Citrobacter farmeri, CR-Citrobacter freundii, CR-Enterobacter cloacae, CR-Escherichia vulneris, CR-Klebsiella pneumoniae, CR-Kluyvera ascorbata, CR-Morganella morganii, CR-Pantoea agglomerans, CR-Proteus mirabilis, CR-Pseudomonas fluorescens, CR-Pseudomonas putida and CR-Serratia marcescens to be 50 mg/mL. In contrast, the MIC of deer musk was 100 mg/mL for Acinetobacter baumannii (PDR), CR-Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex, CR-Escherichia coli, CR-Pseudomonas aeruginosa and CR-Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The results of the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) indicate that the primary constituents of musk were1,4,4-tetramethyltetralin, 7-acetyl-6-ethyl-1, diethyl phthalate and tonalid; their contribution to the whole ranged from 12.2% to 19.6%. Black musk exhibits considerable antibacterial activity, able to inhibit seventeen different species of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The non-natural form of black musk can be used to scent detergent.

Abstract Background To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Minimally Invasive Micro Sclerotomy (MIMS) procedure in the management of uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma. Methods A prospective, open-label, single-arm clinical evaluation with intra-subject comparisons performed at the Ophthalmologic Center after S.V. Malayan, Yerevan, Armenia. Included were adults with primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) (N = 114) or exfoliative glaucoma (N = 6) who were uncontrolled (IOP > 21) on tolerated topical medication. Mild (N = 7), moderate (N = 66) and severe (n = 47) cases were prospectively included without preselection. Following subconjunctival Mitomycin C, an ab-interno MIMS procedure was performed alone (N = 100) or combined with phacoemulsification (N = 20). Patients were followed for 52 weeks. Procedure-related complications and adverse events were recorded. Success criteria were defined as -5 21 mmHg on tolerated medication. At 52 weeks (n = 93), mean IOP decreased by 38% from baseline (P

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 pneumonia is a leading cause for worse outcome of infected patients. Factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia vary among studies; identification of most possible factors related to worse outcome might add for management. Patients and methods Consecutive COVID-19 pneumonia patients referred to the Assiut University Hospital, Egypt, from June 2020 to August 2022 were included in our study. All the included patients were followed up from admission until discharge to identify the factors that worsen the outcome. Our cohort study includes two groups: survivors and non-survivors. Clinical, laboratory, and management data of both groups were recorded. Results Two-hundred and fifty-one confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia patients were included in the study; 147 (58.6%) patients were improved (survivors’ group), and 104 (41.4%) patients were deteriorated and died (non-survivors’ group). Non-survivors’ group had significantly higher MMRC dyspnea scale, pneumonia severity index, CURB-65 score, and baseline respiratory rate. Non-survivors group had significantly lower mean lymphocytes (0.81 ± 0.61 vs. 1.25 ± 0.75; p

An ultra-wideband patch antenna (UWB) that makes use of tapered slot technology is designed and analyzed in this article. Coplanar waveguide feeds the projected antenna. The presented antenna displayed superior UWB performances with -10 dB return-loss bandwidth, ranging from 1.9 to 12 GHz. The projected slot antenna has another benefit of minimizing the interference effect of the narrow band communications conducted by two notch bands operating at 3.3–3.8 GHz (WiMAX) and 5.1-6 GHz (WLAN and HIPERLAN/2), respectively. The Dual-Bands rejection is generated by etching out a complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) from the patch and placing a trapezoidal split ring resonator (TSRR). Adaptable single or dual-band rejection characteristics have been added to the behavior of the UWB antenna, by mounting electronic switching across SRR and CSRR. Furthermore, the presented UWB slot antenna is printed on an FR4-epoxy substrate (εr = 4.4) and it has an overall size of . 55x48x1.5 mm3

This study was carried out to investigate the impact of feeding selenium (Se) and vitamin E on the physiological and reproductive performance of 18 multiparous Awassi ewes through the breeding season. The ewes received three levels of oral selenium-vitamin E for 60 days until the study was completed. The experimental ewes were assigned into three groups; the control group (SE0) received 2 mL of sterile saline per head, the second group (SE1) received 1.5 mL/head Se and vitamin E (150 mg α-Tocopherol acetate + 0.15 mg Sodium selenite), while the third group (SE2) received 3 mL/head (150 mg α-Tocopherol acetate + 0.15 mg Sodium selenite). The SE1 and SE2 groups demonstrated significant highest (p

In light of the growing global issue of construction waste management, disposal, and environmental impact, this study uniquely focuses on investigating the viability of recycled brick waste powder (RBWP) as a replacement for conventional industrial wastes like ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA) for manufacturing engineered geopolymer composites (EGC). The EGC mixes was prepared by utilizing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber with a 12 mm length, and 40 micrometers were used. The classes F of FA and GGBS replaced by the RBWP in EGC by 0%, 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. A total of 14 different EGC mixtures were prepared. The flowability, initial and final setting times, density, compressive strength, direct tensile strength, and tensile stress-strain diagrams of EGC were examined. A microstructural characterization was carried out, involving the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results indicated that the inclusion of RBWP in the FA-based EGC mixtures resulted in decreasing the flowability in terms of the extra usage of superplasticizer from 0 to 6% and the initial and final set by about 90% and 91%, respectively. Admittedly, there was a significant enhancement observed in the compressive strength, tensile strength, and tensile strain capacity, with improvements of 25%, 29%, and 172%, respectively, when RBWP completely replaced FA. However, the flowability, setting time, density, compressive strength, and tensile strength of the EGC decreased when GGBS was completely replaced by RBWP. However, there was a remarkable improvement in the ultimate tensile strain, which increased by a factor of 11 compared to fully GGBS-EGC. Moreover, the microstructural characterization analysis revealed that the RBWP exhibited effective geopolymerization within the EGC mixtures. These results demonstrate the interesting prospective application of RBWP as an effective replacement for industrial wastes in the production of EGC.

The world is currently suffering from the careless usage of fossil fuels, which is primarily responsible for global warming and pollution. As a result, researchers have looked into alternate techniques to alleviate this issue and limit the dependence on fossil fuels. Renewable energy, particularly solar energy, offers a promising and sustainable future for energy markets. Over time, researchers have discovered various novel techniques to harness solar energy, including solar water heaters (SWHs), which are made up of absorber surfaces, pipelines, storage, and other mechanical components such as pumps. Recently, there has been a significant increase in interest in SWH as a means to save expenses and enhance thermal efficiency by canceling the connecting pipes. Pipe cancellation was the result of merging the absorber and storage into a single unit. This cancellation led to the creation of a new type of solar collector called integrated collector storage (ICS). These collectors are geometric shapes filled with water and painted black to optimize solar radiation absorption. This article examines the approaches for improving storage solar collectors, specifically integrated solar water heaters (ISWHs). The study focuses on structural design improvements, PV cells, evacuated pipelines, and phase change materials (PCMs). Furthermore, the study examines the performance of ICSSWH. These improvements demonstrated that the integrated solar heater provides good and promising efficiency at a reasonable cost, in addition to meeting the desired goal of lowering polluting emissions.

BackgroundAvoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a newly classified eating disorder that requires further understanding of its presentation. There is no previous report of ARFID in a child post-tonsillectomy. ARFID may be a potential negative outcome for children following oropharyngeal surgery.Case presentationA female child aged 10 years and 2 months presented with ARFID associated with depression, anxiety and nutritional deficiency following tonsillectomy. She had more difficulty in swallowing solids than fluids and had repeated vomiting and spitting food after chewing it. She became dehydrated and malnourished with a BMI of 10.5 and was misdiagnosed with myasthenic gravis.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first case report of ARFID in a child post-tonsillectomy. We discuss the pathophysiology of ARFID, which remains elusive, and recommend psychiatric assessment when evaluating children post operative tonsillectomy.

Dragonfly naiads of the Anisoptera species were collected from shallow ponds in Basrah Province, South of Iraq, between December 2017 and November 2018. The specimens were identified based on their morphological features, with special attention to the structure of the mandibles. A total of eight species were recorded, which included Anax parthenope from the Aeshnidae family, and seven species from the Libellulidae family: Crocothemis erythraea, C. servilia, Diplacodes trivialis, Orthetrum sabina, and Selysiothemis nigra. Naiads of two species, Diplacodes lefebveri and Sympetrum striolatium, were also observed in the study region for the first time.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide. While its exact causes remain unknown, emerging evidence suggests that infections and inflammation may contribute to disease development in a subset of individuals. This review comprehensively summarizes the evidence linking infections, immune system dysfunction, and schizophrenia risk. Main body Several population-based studies have linked serious prenatal or childhood infections requiring hospitalization to increased risk of later schizophrenia diagnosis, especially in individuals with genetic predisposition. Both central nervous system infections and systemic infections appear to confer risk. Specific pathogens including Toxoplasma gondii, herpesviruses, Chlamydophila, and more have been implicated. Autoimmune diseases are also associated with increased schizophrenia susceptibility, possibly due to blood-brain barrier disruption allowing brain-reactive antibodies access. The recent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raises questions about SARS-CoV-2 as a risk factor for new-onset psychosis. The mechanisms underlying the infection-schizophrenia link likely involve inflammation, cytokines, microglial activation, and tryptophan/kynurenine pathway modulation. Treatments targeting inflammation showed some efficacy in schizophrenia, further supporting an inflammation hypothesis. While the epidemiological and mechanistic evidence is substantial, further research is needed to conclusively determine the exact mechanisms linking immune dysfunction to schizophrenia requires further study. Conclusion The evidence suggests immune system abnormalities likely play a role, perhaps by interacting with genetic and environmental factors, in instigating schizophrenia pathophysiology in a subset of patients. More research is needed to understand these connections more clearly which may aid future prevention and personalized treatment approaches tailored to specific illness subtypes.

Abstract Background Many individuals with substance use disorders face challenges in their social interactions and often have strained relationships with peers. Challenges related to problem-solving, stress management, and impulsivity often contribute to their substance use disorders. Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in assisting individuals with substance use disorders in coping with stress, enhancing peer connections, resolving problems, and preventing relapse. Consequently, our study aimed to assess emotional intelligence in individuals with substance use disorders and explore the factors influencing it. A cross-sectional study compared 50 individuals with substance use disorders and 50 healthy individuals. We assessed various factors, including clinical data, sociodemographic variables, family socioeconomic status, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) scores, and Emotional Intelligence (EI) scale scores. Results Individuals with substance use disorders had significantly lower mean scores in total EI and its subscales compared to the healthy control group. Additionally, a higher percentage of individuals with substance use disorders exhibited low EI levels, while healthy individuals demonstrated better EI. Furthermore, there was a substantial association between higher ASI scores in individuals with substance use disorders and lower EI scores. Conclusions Lower EI scores are associated with an increased risk of substance use disorders. Also, can contribute to difficulties in impulse control, and challenges in managing relationships and stress. These findings underscore EI crucial role in preventing and treating substance use disorders.

Abstract Background Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the gut-brain axis and can influence neurodevelopment and mental health outcomes. This review summarizes the current evidence on the associations between gut microbiota alterations and various psychiatric illnesses. Main body The composition of the gut microbiome evolves from birth through old age, and disruptions during critical periods may increase disease risk. Factors like diet, medications, stress, and infections can disturb the gut microenvironment and lead to dysbiosis. Dysbiosis has been linked to conditions like depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Proposed mechanisms involve microbial regulation of neurotransmitters, inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier permeability, and the immune system. Therapeutic strategies like probiotics, prebiotics, and faecal transplantation may modulate the gut-brain axis and microbial ecosystem. However, more research is needed to elucidate the causal microbiota-psychiatry relationship. Understanding gut-brain interactions may uncover new possibilities for preventing and managing psychiatric disorders. Conclusion A growing body of research points to a close relationship between gut microbiota and mental health. While the field is still emerging, dysbiosis of gut microbial ecosystem has been associated with various neuropsychiatric conditions. The underlying mechanisms likely involve the microbiota-gut-brain axis signalling pathways. Additional research with larger samples is required to establish causal links between specific microbial changes and psychiatric outcomes.

Based on self-determination theory, this study examined the mental and emotional states of final year Science and Engineering undergraduates in career change considerations. While prior work has explored students’ career choice, career change intentions particularly among the new entrants in the contemporary workforce, remains an under researched domain. A purposive sample of thirty final-year Science and Engineering undergraduates participated in a laboratory experiment in which an electroencephalogram (EEG) device was used to detect their mental states when responding to career decision stimuli involving salary and work-life balance considerations for Research and Development Specialist (scientific career) and Management Associate (non-scientific) positions. The EEG results showed significantly higher beta activation (which indicated stress levels) for participants who were less self-determined, at the point of reviewing the job description (which included work-life balance company policies) for the Research and Development Specialist (R&D) position. The manipulation of salary levels did not have a significant impact on their stress levels. While almost all participants opted for a R&D career during the experiment, the survey data revealed a stronger intention among less self-determined individuals to leave science at a later juncture due to perceived lower salary and a lack of work-life balance. Overall, this study underscores the importance of self-determination to promote sustainable scientific career. From these findings, implications towards career counselling for contemporary science and engineering workforce are further discussed.

Abstract Recent technological advances have contributed to the rapid increase in algorithmic complexity of applications, ranging from signal processing to autonomous systems. To control this complexity and endow heterogeneous computing systems with autonomous programming and optimization capabilities, we propose a unified, end-to-end, programmable graph representation learning (PGL) framework that mines the complexity of high-level programs down to low-level virtual machine intermediate representation, extracts specific computational patterns, and predicts which code segments run best on a core in heterogeneous hardware. PGL extracts multifractal features from code graphs and exploits graph representation learning strategies for automatic parallelization and correct assignment to heterogeneous processors. The comprehensive evaluation of PGL on existing and emerging complex software demonstrates a 6.42x and 2.02x speedup compared to thread-based execution and state-of-the-art techniques, respectively. Our PGL framework leads to higher processing efficiency, which is crucial for future AI and high-performance computing applications such as autonomous vehicles and machine vision.

The provision of electricity and hot water is among the most significant human requirements at present. A photovoltaic/Trombe wall (PV/TW) system concurrently provides warm water, hot air, and electrical power for domestic usage. To optimize the amount of incident solar radiation, reflective mirrors were put on each side of the front face of the PV/TW system. The current article aims to determine the optimal angle for these mirrors that improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the system.The findings indicated the utilization of DC fans, reflecting mirrors and water flowing across a heat exchanger improves thermal and electrical performance. The best angle for the impact of reflective mirrors to enhance electrical efficiency is the angle (30°) when using water cooling, which led to a decrease in the temperature of the photovoltaic panel and thus raised the electrical efficiency to reach (13.86 %). Also, the results confirmed that the system’s thermal efficiency that uses two cooling fluids is the highest relative to the other cases, and the system’s thermal efficiency that contains mirrors at 30° was higher than the other two angles. Finally, the addition of reflective mirrors is a favorable option for obtaining higher energy compared to the system without mirrors.

Abstract Background The cognitive profile among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) has varied widely across different studies. The aim of the current study was to compare different cognitive domains using psychometric and neurophysiological tests in patients with SZ to those with BD. A case–control study was conducted on 30 BD, 30 SZ and 30 age and sex matched control group. Each subject was submitted to the following: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd edition (WAIS-III), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Memory Assessment Scales (MAS), and the P300 event related potential (ERP). Results SZ and BD patients had significantly lower total and subscales of WAIS-III scores than the control group. SZ patients had significantly higher deterioration index (DI) than controls, while absence of such significant between BD and controls. SZ patients reported significantly lower MoCA scores and subitems, especially in visuospatial, naming, attention, delayed recall, and orientation subtests than controls. Only visuospatial and delayed recall scores were significantly decreased in BD than controls. SZ patients performed poorer on BVMT-R subscales than the control group. Both SZ and BD groups had lower mean values of all subscales except verbal assessment in the four memory tests. P300 latencies and amplitude had no significant difference among the three groups, although the BD group had a shorter P300 latency. Conclusion Patients with SZ and BD had significantly lower scores on various cognitive function domains in comparison to controls with more affection in SZ. The frequency of mood episodes, disease duration, and education level must be considered.

Abstract Background Setup reproducibility of the tissue in the proton beam path is critical in maintaining the planned clinical target volume (CTV) dose coverage and sparing the organs at risk (OAR). In this study, we retrospectively evaluated radiation therapy dose reproducibility for proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) treatment of breast cancer patients with and without mask immobilization. Methods Ninety-four patients treated between January 2019 and September 2022 with at least one verification CT scan (V-CT) in treatment position were included for this study. All patients were set up with arms up using the Orfit AIO patient positioning system, with (69 patients) or without (25 patients) mask immobilization in chin, neck, shoulder, upper arm, and chest areas. Two to three enface or near enface single field uniform dose PBS beams were optimized using a commercial treatment planning system. Prescription doses were 25 to 60 GyRBE in 5 to 45 fractions. Treatment plan doses re-calculated on V-CTs were compared to the corresponding planned doses. Cumulative doses were also calculated for patients with at least 3 V-CTs by deform and weighted sum doses from V-CTs to corresponding P-CTs. CTV D95%, ipsilateral-lung V40%, esophagus D0.01cc, and heart mean dose were evaluated and reported as percentages of prescription doses. Differences were large dose deteriorations (LDD) if: (1) CTV (V-CT/cumulative D95%) – (Planned D95%) 5%; or (3) Esophagus (V-CT/cumulative D0.01cc) – (Planned D0.01cc) > 10%; or (4) Heart (V-CT/cumulative mean) – (Planned mean) > 1.5%. Results On average, V-CT/cumulative and planned CTV/OAR dose parameter differences were less than 2.2%/1.7% and 3.4%/3.7% for masked and maskless patients, respectively. The percentages of patients with at least one CTV or OAR V-CT/cumulative dose LDD were 20.3%/25.0% and 72.0%/54.0% for masked and maskless patients, respectively. Conclusions On average, masked/maskless setups achieved delivered and planned CTV/OAR dose parameters agreed within 2.2%/3.7% for PBS treatment of breast cancer patients in this study. Maskless patients had higher rate of CTV/OAR LDDs compared to masked patients. Dosimetric differences large enough to raise clinical concerns in either group were able to be addressed with replannings.

Abstract Background and Aim Cholera is a life‐threatening infectious disease that is still one of the most common acute watery diarrheal diseases in the world today. Acute diarrhea and severe dehydration brought on by cholera can cause hypovolemic shock, which can be fatal in minutes. Without competent clinical therapy, the rate of case fatality surpasses 50%. The purpose of this review was to highlight cholera challenges in Africa and the Middle East and explain the reasons for why this region is currently a fertile environment for cholera. We investigated cholera serology, epidemiology, and the geographical distribution of cholera in Africa and the Middle East in 2022 and 2023. We reviewed detection methods, such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and treatments, such as antibiotics and phage therapy. Finally, this review explored oral cholera vaccines (OCVs), and the vaccine shortage crisis. Methods We carried out a systematic search in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Embase, for studies on cholera using the following keywords: ((Cholera) OR (Vibrio cholera) and (Coronavirus) OR (COVID‐19) OR (SARS‐CoV2) OR (The Middle East) OR (Africa)). Results and Conclusions Cholera outbreaks have increased dramatically, mainly in Africa and many Middle Eastern countries. The COVID‐19 pandemic has reduced the attention devoted to cholera and disrupted diagnosis and treatment services, as well as vaccination initiatives. Most of the cholera cases in Africa and the Middle East were reported in Malawi and Syria, respectively, in 2022. RDTs are effective in the early detection of cholera epidemics, especially with limited advanced resources, which is the case in much of Africa. By offering both direct and indirect protection, expanding the use of OCV will significantly reduce the burden of current cholera outbreaks in Africa and the Middle East.

Background: Green education is an essential precursor to promoting long-term sustainable practices and fostering environmentally conscious behaviours, especially among the younger generations. Such education equips individuals with the knowledge, awareness, and experiences necessary for green behavioural shifts, empowering them to engage actively in sustainable practices in the long run, which is essential for ensuring environmental sustainability. However, green education practices and policies vary among the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) owing to different levels of socioeconomic development, national priorities, and capacities of each member state. We aimed to analyse and compare the disparities in green education among pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. Methods: We used a case-study approach—a desktop analysis based on journal articles, country reports, newspaper articles, and other sources from the past 10 years—to analyse and compare the green education disparities among pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. Findings: As a pace-setter ASEAN country, Singapore has made impressive progress in promoting green education through the effective implementation of pragmatic policies and impactful green education initiatives. Furthermore, the country has established extensive formal and informal green education programmes that closely align with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. By contrast, maturing ASEAN countries are making incremental progress in incorporating green education into their formal education systems. However, challenges faced by these countries include a shortage of well-trained teachers, the lack of specific green education subjects in school syllabuses, and financial constraints. Despite these challenges, innovative approaches—such as partnerships with non-governmental organisations (eg, the World Wide Fund for Nature)—have emerged as promising strategies to promote green education within these maturing nations. Emerging ASEAN countries face the biggest challenges in promoting green education. Competing national priorities, political instability, limited funding and resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of qualified educators pose challenging barriers to advancing green education within emerging ASEAN nations. Interpretation: This study provides insights into the best practices and challenges surrounding green education within pace-setter, maturing, and emerging ASEAN countries. To address the disparities in green education among these countries, there is a need to adopt a holistic ecosystem framework characterised by the so-called 8i enablers, namely infrastructure (eg, well-equipped laboratories and learning spaces), infostructure (eg, advanced teaching technologies), intellectual capital (eg, well-trained educators), integrity systems (eg, efficient green education governance systems), incentives (eg, public and private funding for green education initiatives), institutions (ie, strong institutional leaders), interaction (ie, cooperation and collaboration among relevant stakeholders), and internationalisation (eg, leveraging regional and international partnerships to access expertise and resources). Funding: None.

Abstract Background Diabetes has evolved into a worldwide public health issue. One of the most serious complications of diabetes is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which frequently creates a significant financial strain on patients and lowers their quality of life. Up until now, there has been no curative therapy for DFU, only symptomatic relief or an interruption in the disease's progression. Recent studies have focused attention on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which provide innovative and potential treatment candidates for several illnesses as they can differentiate into various cell types. They are mostly extracted from the placenta, adipose tissue, umbilical cord (UC), and bone marrow (BM). Regardless of their origin, they show comparable features and small deviations. Our goal is to investigate MSCs' therapeutic effects, application obstacles, and patient benefit strategies for DFU therapy. Methodology A comprehensive search was conducted using specific keywords relating to DFU, MSCs, and connected topics in the databases of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The main focus of the selection criteria was on English‐language literature that explored the relationship between DFU, MSCs, and related factors. Results and Discussion Numerous studies are being conducted and have demonstrated that MSCs can induce re‐epithelialization and angiogenesis, decrease inflammation, contribute to immunological modulation, and subsequently promote DFU healing, making them a promising approach to treating DFU. This review article provides a general snapshot of DFU (including clinical presentation, risk factors and etiopathogenesis, and conventional treatment) and discusses the clinical progress of MSCs in the management of DFU, taking into consideration the side effects and challenges during the application of MSCs and how to overcome these challenges to achieve maximum benefits. Conclusion The incorporation of MSCs in the management of DFU highlights their potential as a feasible therapeutic strategy. Establishing a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between DFU pathophysiology, MSC therapies, and related obstacles is essential for optimizing therapy outcomes and maximizing patient benefits.

The Sip-39 pair’s galaxies have been investigated using photometric and spectroscopic methods; the observation data was collected from the SDSS's Data Release (DR17) and fitted to ellipses through utilizing the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF) with STSDAS Library using ELLIPS task. The surface brightness of the two galaxies in the pair, as well as total flux, ellipticities, major axis position angles, both vertical and horizontal shifts, isophotal shape factors (B4), magnitudes, and the star-forming rates (SFR), in addition to the astrometric parameters of the pair, were evaluated. It appeared through data analysis that the Sip-39 pair is a closely interacting pair with clear interaction signs, and it is deemed to be a physical system with enhanced SFR.

Purpose: Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) is a recognized technique for enhancing tumor response in radioresistant and bulky tumors. We analyzed clinical and treatment outcomes in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas treated with modern SFRT techniques. Methods and Materials: Patients with metastatic or unresectable sarcoma treated with brass collimator, volumetric modulated arc therapy lattice, or proton SFRT from December 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Consolidative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was delivered at the physician's discretion. Patient and treatment characteristics, treatment response (symptom improvement, local control, and imaging response), and toxicity data were collected. Results: The cohort consisted of 53 patients treated with 61 SFRT treatments. Median age at treatment was 60.0 years. The primary location was soft tissue in 46 courses (75%) and bone in 15 (25%). Fifty-three courses (87%) were treated for symptom relief. The most used SFRT technique was volumetric modulated arc therapy lattice (n = 52, 85%) to a dose of 20 Gy (n = 48, 79%; range, 16-20 Gy). EBRT was delivered post-SFRT in 55 (90%) treatment courses with a median time interval from SFRT to EBRT of 5 days (range, 0-14 days). Median physical EBRT dose and fractionation was 40 Gy (range, 9-73.5 Gy) and 10 fractions (range, 3-33 fractions). Median follow up was 7.4 months (range, 0.2-30 months). One-year overall survival and local control rates were 53% and 82%. Symptom relief was documented with 32 treatment courses (60%). Stable or partial response was observed with 47 treatment courses (90%). Four grade 3 to 4 acute and subacute toxicities were attributable to SFRT (8%). Conclusions: The current series is the largest to date documenting outcomes for SFRT in sarcomas. Our results suggest combined SFRT with EBRT is associated with a favorable toxicity profile and high rates of symptomatic and radiographic responses for metastatic or unresectable sarcomas.

Purpose Risk communication is an integral aspect of shared decision-making and evidence-based patient choice. There is currently no recommended way of communicating risks and benefits of cataract surgery to patients. This study aims to investigate whether the way this information is presented influences patients’ perception of how risky surgery will be.Methods and analysis Two-arm parallel randomised study and patients referred for cataract surgery were assigned to receive information framed either positively (99% chance of no adverse effects) or negatively (1% chance of adverse effects). Subsequently, patients rated their perceived risk of experiencing surgical side effects on a 1–6 scale.Results This study included 100 patients, 50 in each study group. Median (IQR) risk perception was 2 (1–2) in the positive framing group and 3 (1–3) in the negative framing group (p

Abstract Glaucoma remains a leading cause of blindness globally. Minimally invasive treatment techniques are rapidly expanding the availability of therapeutic options for glaucoma. These include devices aimed at enhancing outflow through the subconjunctival space, Schlemm’s canal, and suprachoroidal space, sustained-release drug delivery devices, and extraocular devices aiming to reduce glaucomatous progression through other novel means. In this review, we provide an overview of several novel devices either newly available or in development for the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. Further studies are required to determine the long-term efficacy of these devices and how they will integrate into the current landscape of glaucoma management.