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Abstract Electric vehicles are considered as an emerging solution to mitigate the environmental footprint of transportation sector. Therefore, researchers and automotive developers devote significant efforts to enhance the performance of electric vehicles to promote broader adoption of such technology. One of the critical challenges of the electric vehicle is limited battery lifetime and entailed range anxiety. In his context, development of counter-aging control strategies based on precise battery modeling is regarded as an emerging approach that has a significant potential to address battery degradation challenges. This paper presents a combined trade-off strategy to minimize battery degradation while maintaining acceptable driving performance and charge retention in electric vehicles. A battery aging model has been developed and integrated into a full vehicle model. An optimal control problem has been formulated to tackle the afore-mentioned challenges. Non-dominant sorting genetic algorithms have been implemented to yield the optimal solution through the Pareto-front of three contending objectives, based upon which an online simulation has been conducted considering three standard driving cycles. The results reveal the ability of the proposed strategy to prolong the life cycle of the battery and extend the driving range by 25 % and 8 % respectively with minimal influence of 0.6 % on the driveability.

Abstract Objective In epilepsy, early diagnosis, accurate determination of epilepsy type, proper selection of antiseizure medication, and monitoring are all essential. However, despite recent therapeutic advances and conceptual reconsiderations in the classification and management of epilepsy, serious gaps are still encountered in day‐to‐day practice in Egypt as well as several other resource‐limited countries. Premature mortality, poor quality of life, socio‐economic burden, cognitive problems, poor treatment outcomes, and comorbidities are major challenges that require urgent actions to be implemented at all levels. In recognition of this, a group of Egyptian epilepsy experts met through a series of consecutive meetings to specify the main concepts concerning the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide Egyptian consensus. Methods The consensus was developed through a modified Delphi methodology. A thorough review of the most recent relevant literature and international guidelines was performed to evaluate their applicability to the Egyptian situation. Afterward, several remote and live rounds were scheduled to reach a final agreement for all listed statements. Results Of 278 statements reviewed in the first round, 256 achieved ≥80% agreement. Live discussion and refinement of the 22 statements that did not reach consensus during the first round took place, followed by final live voting then consensus was achieved for all remaining statements. Significance With the implementation of these unified recommendations, we believe this will bring about substantial improvements in both the quality of care and treatment outcomes for persons with epilepsy in Egypt. Plain Language Summary This work represents the efforts of a group of medical experts to reach an agreement on the best medical practice related to people with epilepsy based on previously published recommendations while taking into consideration applicable options in resource‐limited countries. The publication of this document is expected to minimize many malpractice issues and pave the way for better healthcare services on both individual and governmental levels.

This study examines factors affecting teachers' motivation at secondary schools in the Elliotdale Circuit. The research approach adopted was qualitative. The design used was a case study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of twenty-two (22) respondents, which comprised principals, teachers, subject advisors and teacher union representatives. Face-to-face interviews were conducted while data collected were analysed thematically. Findings revealed inadequate teacher-learner support materials in schools, non-payment of temporary teachers' salaries, lack of access roads to and from schools, lack of secured accommodations for teachers, poverty and lack of electricity and running water in some schools were the factors affecting teachers' job satisfaction and motivation in the secondary schools. Some recommendations were: School Governing Body to work with the Department of Education to provide schools with adequate teacher-learner support materials, to ensure regular and competitive salaries for teachers, to implement rural allowances for teachers and to provide teachers with secured accommodations, electricity and running water.

Early nutritional management approach greatly impacts broilers’ performance and resistance against coccidiosis. The current study explored the impact of post-hatch feeding with a combination of glutamine (Glut) and different levels of omega-3 on broiler chickens’ growth performance, muscle building, intestinal barrier, antioxidant ability and protection against avian coccidiosis. A total of six hundred Cobb 500 was divided into six groups: first group (fed basal diet and unchallenged (control) and challenged (negative control, NC) groups were fed a basal diet without additives, and the other groups were infected with Eimeria spp and supplemented with 1.5% Glut alone or with three different levels of omega-3 (0.25, 0.5 and 1%) during the starter period. Notable improvement in body weight gain was observed in the group which fed basal diet supplemented with glut and 1% omega 3 even after coccidia infection (increased by 25% compared challenged group) while feed conversion ratio was restored to control. Myogeneis was enhanced in the group supplemented with Glut and omega-3 (upregulation of myogenin, MyoD, mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase and insulin like growth factor-1 and downregulating of myostatin genes). Groups supplemented with Glut and higher levels of omega-3 highly expressed occluding, mucin-2, junctional Adhesion Molecule 2, b-defensin-1 and cathelicidins-2 genes. Group fed 1% Glut + omega-3 showed an increased total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase and super oxide dismutase enzymes activities with reduced levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and H2O2. Post-infection, dietary Glut and 1% omega-3 increased intestinal interleukin-10 (IL) and secretory immunoglobulin-A and serum lysozyme, while decreased the elevated inflammatory mediators comprising interleukin IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase. Fecal oocyst excretion and lesions score severity were lowered in the group fed 1% Glut and omega 3. Based on these findings, dietary Glut and omega-3 supplementation augmented restored overall broilers’ performance after coccidial challenge.

Milk powder is a commercial product of mass consumption. Its popularity means a variety of quality and production requirements. New methods of skimmed milk powder production are strategically important for the food industry in Russia and worldwide. Russia is currently experiencing a shortage of low-heat milk powder import. The research featured the effect of thermal treatment and pasteurization mode on the protein profile and microbiological parameters of skimmed milk powder. The research objective was to establish the thermal variables for low-heat milk powder. The study involved raw milk, skimmed milk produced under different heat treatment conditions, and skimmed milk powder obtained from this milk. The authors used standard analytical methods to define the protein profile, as well as the microbiological and physicochemical parameters. A set of experiments made it possible to classify the heat treatment of skimmed milk powder produced under various milk pasteurization modes, as well as to establish its biochemical and microbiological parameters. The optimal mode for low-heat milk powder was a combination of thermal treatment (60 ± 2°C for 10 s followed by cooling to 10°C for 10 h) and low-temperature pasteurization (72 ± 2°C for 15 s). The powder obtained met the Technical Regulations of Customs Union TR CU 033/2013 and State Standard 33629-2015. A lower thermal load maintains the microbiological safety of milk powder while preserving its quality. In this study, the optimal thermal treatment and pasteurization mode yielded milk powder of low-heat category, thus preserving the native protein and microbiological safety. As a result, the low-heat milk powder acquired some high-quality functional and consumer properties.

Abstract The diversity of consumer demand for take-out food has led to the characteristic structure of one order with multiple items, where the different food items in a single order are provided by two or more merchants. In the context of multi-item delivery for take-out orders with time windows, this study investigates vehicle routing for order delivery. This research aims to improve the service level of merchants and the efficiency of delivery vehicles. Food vendors receive orders from consumers through online platforms, then package the food items according to the orders. This method is a preliminary exploration of the issue of fulfilment of takeout orders on online platforms, and can provide preliminary theoretical support for decision-making on the delivery process of takeout orders on online platforms. In the context of online catering sales platforms and offline food sales merchants, this paper studies the delivery problem of takeaway orders with a time window and the characteristics of one order and multiple items, and constructs a method that takes the order delivery time requirements into account and minimizes the total order fulfilment cost. Taking into account the time window constraints of both physical restaurants and consumers, genetic algorithms are utilized to solve the order delivery problem. Finally, through case studies and experiments, the effectiveness and feasibility of the mathematical model are validated. Practical recommendations and insights are provided from the perspective of management and route planning.

We present a case of successful embolization of an anterior chest wall arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in a 24-year-old male patient. This report aims to highlight the efficacy and safety of using the liquid embolic agent (onyx) as well as the combined approaches (trans-femoral and trans-radial) in managing rare complex chest wall AVMs.

Abstract The rapidly growing global need for environmentally friendly energy solutions has inspired extensive research and development efforts aimed at harnessing the potential of hydrogen energy. Hydrogen, with its diverse applications and relatively straightforward acquisition, is viewed as a promising energy carrier capable of tackling pressing issues, such as carbon emissions reduction and energy storage. This study conducts a preliminary investigation into effective hydrogen generation and storage systems, encompassing methods like water electrolysis, biomass reforming, and solar‐driven processes. Specifically, the study focuses on assessing the potential of nanostructured catalysts and innovative materials to enhance the productivity and versatility of hydrogen energy systems. Additionally, the utilization of novel materials not only improves hydrogen storage capacity and safety but also opens up possibilities for inventive applications, including on‐demand release and efficient transportation. Furthermore, critical factors such as catalyst design, material engineering, system integration, and technoeconomic viability are examined to identify challenges and chart paths for future advancements. The research emphasizes the importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to advance hydrogen energy technologies and contribute to a sustainable energy future.

Abstract A structured approach to managing reactive power is imperative within the context of power systems. Among the restructuring initiatives in the electrical sector, power systems have undergone delineation into three principal categories: generation, transmission, and distribution entities, each of which is overseen by an independent system operator. Notably, active power emerges as the predominant commodity transacted within the electrical market, with the autonomous grid operator assuming the responsibility of ensuring conducive conditions for the execution of energy contracts across the transmission infrastructure. Ancillary services, comprising essential frameworks for energy generation and delivery to end-users, encompass reactive power services pivotal in the regulation of bus voltage. Of particular significance among the array of ancillary services requisite in a competitive market milieu is the provision of adequate reactive power to uphold grid safety and voltage stability. A salient impediment to the realization of energy contracts lies in the inadequacy of reactive power within the grid, which poses potential risks to its operational safety and voltage equilibrium. The optimal allocation of the reactive power load is predicated upon presumptions of consistent outcomes within the active power market. Under this conceptual framework, generators are afforded continual compensation for the provision of reactive power indispensable for sustaining their active energy production endeavors.

One kind of autonomous vehicle that can take instructions from the driver by reading their electroencephalogram (EEG) signals using a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is called a Brain-Controlled Vehicle (BCV). The operation of such a vehicle is greatly affected by how well the BCI works. At present, there are limitations on the accuracy of BCI recognition, the number of distinguishable command categories, and the execution duration of command recognition. Consequently, vehicles that are exclusively controlled by EEG signals demonstrate suboptimal control performance. To address the difficulty of improving the control capabilities of brain-controlled cars while maintaining BCI performance, a fuzzy logic-based technique called as Fuzzy Brain-Control Fusion Control is introduced. This approach uses Fuzzy Discrete Event System (FDES) supervisory theory to verify the accuracy of the driver's brain-controlled directives. Concurrently, a fuzzy logic-based automatic controller is developed to generate decisions automatically in accordance with the present state of the vehicle via fuzzy reasoning. The final decision is then reached through the application of secondary fuzzy reasoning to the accuracy of the driver's instructions and the automated decisions to make adjustments that are more consistent with human intent. A clever BCI gadget known as the Consistent State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) is utilized to show the viability of the proposed technique. We recommend that additional research should be conducted at this time to confirm that our recommended system may further improve the control execution of BCI-fueled cars, regardless of whether BCIs have special limitations.

Seaweeds or marine algae with their three main taxa are recognized as a potential pot for numerous products. This has been imperative to valorize their components at an industrial scale in the context of the sustainability goals of the United Nations (UN). Biorefinery approaches have been attempted for several decades to produce bioactive, biofuels, fine chemicals, and nutritional products from seaweeds. However, with the recent UN goals, climatic changes, and the global economic situation, it is essential to assess all the production processes involved concerning several factors. Numerous steps are performed following algae collection, including optimization of downstream processing (e.g., drying, extraction, and purification), in addition to suitable preservation to maintain products’ integrity till their usage. Moreover, breakthroughs in biotechnologies and the biological sciences are also targeted to achieve the goals of the blue circular bioeconomy which focuses on renewable resources of foods, drug discovery, and energy, while preserving the ocean ecosystem. Hence, the current article provided new insights into the various processes to valorize marine algae in the frame of circular bioeconomy and sustainability concepts.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology enables the precise analysis of individual cell transcripts with high sensitivity and throughput. When integrated with multiomics technologies, scRNA-seq significantly enhances the understanding of cellular diversity, particularly within the tumor microenvironment. Similarly, single-cell DNA sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool in cancer research, offering unparalleled insights into the genetic heterogeneity and evolution of tumors. In the context of breast cancer, this technology holds substantial promise for decoding the intricate genomic landscape that drives disease progression, treatment resistance, and metastasis. By unraveling the complexities of tumor biology at a granular level, single-cell DNA sequencing provides a pathway to advancing our comprehension of breast cancer and improving patient outcomes through personalized therapeutic interventions. As single-cell sequencing technology continues to evolve and integrate into clinical practice, its application is poised to revolutionize the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies for breast cancer. This review explores the potential of single-cell sequencing technology to deepen our understanding of breast cancer, highlighting key approaches, recent advancements, and the role of the tumor microenvironment in disease plasticity. Additionally, the review discusses the impact of single-cell sequencing in paving the way for the development of personalized therapies.

The main consequence of climate change on temperature is global warming. Over the past century, worldwide temperature has increased, rising by about 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit every year. Rising temperature negatively affects morphology, physiology, and yield of crops. Over the last 5 years, agriculture production in Pakistan affected due to temperature increase. Pakistan is an agriculture based developing country. About 2.2% GDP of Pakistan depends on wheat crop which is 1st major cereal crop and ranked as staple food. Nutritionally it provides proteins, dietary fibers, carbohydrates, calcium, and other important compounds but because of the harmful effects of a high temperature, yield of wheat crop in Pakistan has reduced to lowest levels in the last few years. Heat stress affects wheat plants by reducing growth, raised reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, denature cell membranes, and enzymes activity, decreasing photosynthetic activity and disturbing respiration processes. Improving wheat crop productivity is urgently needed to feed the rapidly growing population. Several techniques like Quantitative Trait Locus mapping, omics techniques, and application of nutrients have been used in the past to mitigate high temperature effect on wheat and other different crop plants. This review critically analyzes the response of wheat towards heat stress and its impacts on wheat crop as well as provides critical information on advanced strategies and techniques for the mitigation of heat stress.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by behavioral appearances such as impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. The prevalence of ADHD is high in childhood when compared to adults. ADHD has been significantly advanced by genetic research over the past 25 years. However, it is logically conceivable that both genetic and/or non-genetic factors, such as postnatal environmental and social influences, are associated with ADHD phenotype in Arab populations. While genetic influences are strongly linked with the etiology of ADHD, it remains obscure how consanguinity which is an underlying factor for many genetic diseases, contributes to ADHD subtypes. Arabian Gulf Nations have one the highest rates of consanguineous marriages, and consanguinity plays an important contributing factor in many genetic diseases that exist in higher percentages in Arabian Gulf Nations. Therefore, the current review aims to shed light on the genetic variants associated with ADHD subtypes in Arabian Gulf nations and Saudi Arabia in particular. It also focuses on the symptoms and the diagnosis of ADHD before turning to the neuropsychological pathways and subgroups of ADHD. The impact of a consanguinity-based understanding of the ADHD subtype will help to understand the genetic variability of the Arabian Gulf population in comparison with the other parts of the world and will provide novel information to develop new avenues for future research in ADHD.

Primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a very rare presentation of MALT lymphoma. The presence of a completely negative autoimmune and inflammatory background makes it a real challenge and very rare presentation (probably the second reported case in the literature). We report a case of primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma with negative autoimmune background, demonstrating as multifocal bulky variceal masses causing significant clinical symptoms.

Background: Identifying affecting and predictive factors of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome’s (SSNS's) outcome may greatly benefit the proper management of SSNS patients. Objectives: The current systematic review comprehensively reviews all available evidence on the risk factors of SSNS relapse in children and adolescents. Methods: An extensive search was conducted on the electronic databases of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus until February 18, 2024. Studies investigating the risk factors of relapse were included in this systematic review. Results: A total of 11 articles were included. Age, gender, and laboratory variables, such as serum creatinine and serum protein are not risk factors for relapse in these studies. Possible associations were reported for risk factors, such as the number of relapses and response time. Overall, the studies reported conflicting results on the value of relapse risk factors. Conclusions: Although factors, such as hematuria, hypertension, time from treatment to response, and number of relapses have been proposed as possible risk factors for relapse, no conclusion can be reached due to the heterogeneity of studies. Future studies should have more conforming designs to make comparisons more reliable.

Background and ObjectiveClinicians must possess a comprehensive understanding of variations in canal morphology and configuration during endodontic procedures to enhance treatment success. This study aims to assess and analyze the canal configurations of maxillary first premolars using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography within the sub-population of Western Saudi Arabia. Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, following the acquisition of ethical clearance from Batterjee Medical College in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a retrospective examination of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans of maxillary first premolars in adult patients was conducted. The study focused on quantifying the number of canals and characterizing their configurations, with classification based on Vertucci’s categorization. ResultsThe study examined 399 CBCT images of maxillary first premolars, revealing that type IV canal configurations were the predominant morphology (56.9%), followed by type V (24.6%). Significant gender-related disparities were observed, with females displaying a higher incidence of types I and V canals. At the same time, males exhibited a greater prevalence of types IV and VI canals. Notably, no substantial associations were discerned between canal types and age groups. ConclusionWithin the context of maxillary first premolars, type IV canal configuration emerged as the most prevalent. Gender-based distinctions were evident, with females predominantly presenting types I and V canal configurations, whereas males displayed a higher occurrence of types IV and VI canal configurations.

This study proposes a novel, conditionally applied neural network technique to reduce the overall peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system while maintaining an acceptable bit error rate (BER) level. The main purpose of the proposed scheme is to adjust only those subcarriers whose peaks exceed a given threshold. In this respect, the developed C-ANN algorithm suppresses only the peaks of the targeted subcarriers by slightly shifting the locations of their corresponding frequency samples without affecting their phase orientations. In turn, this achieves a reasonable system performance by sustaining a tolerable BER. For practical reasons and to cover a wide range of application scenarios, the threshold for the subcarrier peaks was chosen to be proportional to the satura-tion level of the nonlinear power amplifier used to pass the generated OFDM blocks. Consequently, the optimal values of the factor controlling the peak threshold were obtained that satisfy both reasonable PAPR reduction and acceptable BER levels. Furthermore, the proposed system does not require a recovery process at the receiver, thus making the computational process less complex. The simulation results show that the proposed system model performed satisfactorily, attaining both low PAPR and BER for specific application settings using comparatively fewer computations.

Abstract Background Syntaxin 1A is a member of a membrane-integrated nervous system-specific protein superfamily involved in the neuromediator release from synaptic vesicles and one of the proteins included in axonal integrity. Studies that discussed the role of Syntaxin 1A in multiple sclerosis are few and limited. Gene studying sometimes shows unexpected results in different populations. The aim of this work was to investigate Syntaxin 1A genetic polymorphism (rs1569061) in a sample of Egyptian patients with MS and the relation between Syntaxin 1A gene polymorphism and disease course and disability. A case–control study included 150 subjects; 75 Egyptian MS patients of different clinical courses and 75 age and sex matched healthy controls. Patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, assessment of disability, and cognition. Both patient and control groups were subjected to Syntaxin 1A genotyping. Results There was no significant difference between different genotypes distribution for Syntaxin 1A (rs 1569061) between MS patients and controls. No significant difference was found between genotypes and allele distribution for Syntaxin 1A (rs 1569061) among cases of MS regarding EDSS or results of BICAMS). There was no statistically significant difference between syntaxin genotypes among cases of MS regarding demographic or clinical characteristics of the disease. Conclusion Here we show no statistically significant difference between MS patients and control regarding Syntaxin 1A genotypes and different alleles. Syntaxin 1A genotypes have no impact on clinical characteristics of the disease, disability, or cognition. These negative findings open the floor for the study of other MS related genes in Egypt.

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of glucose intolerance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and central obesity with insulin resistance. The role of gut microbiota in metabolic disorders is increasingly considered. To investigate the effects of probiotic supplements and hypocaloric high fiber regimen on MetS in obese Egyptian women. A longitudinal follow-up intervention study included 58 obese Egyptian women, with a mean age of 41.62 ± 10.70 years. They were grouped according to the criteria of MetS into 2 groups; 23 obese women with MetS and 35 ones without MetS. They followed a hypocaloric high fiber regimen weight loss program, light physical exercise, and received a probiotic supplement daily for 3 months. For each participating woman, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, basal metabolic rate (BMR), dietary recalls, laboratory investigations, and microbiota analysis were acquired before and after 3 months of follow-up. After intervention by the probiotic and hypocaloric high fiber regimen and light exercise, reduction ranged from numerical to significant difference in the anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and BMR was reported. All the biochemical parameters characterized by MetS decreased significantly at p ≤ 0.05–0.01. Before the intervention, results revealed abundant of Bacteroidetes bacteria over Firmicutes with a low Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. After the intervention, Log Lactobacillus, Log Bifidobacteria, and Log Bacteroidetes increased significantly in both groups, while Log Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio revealed a significant decrease. In conclusion, this study’s results highlight a positive trend of probiotics supplementation with hypocaloric high-fiber diets in amelioration of the criteria of the Mets in obese Egyptian women.

Abstract Background Despite the efficacy and safety of DIGIFab, it is relatively expensive and has limited availability. In addition, alternative interventions, such as therapeutic plasma exchange, may need to be considered in massive digoxin overdoses. Although few case reports describe its efficacy. Case presentation We report a case of a 17-year-old white male patient brought by family members to our emergency department in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After intentionally ingesting 48 mg of digoxin tablets to commit suicide, the patient’s initial digoxin serum level was 8.04 ng/mL. The patient was resuscitated in the emergency department. After admission to the intensive care unit, the patient underwent therapeutic plasma exchange, because of insufficient DIGIFab doses. Afterward, the serum digoxin levels drastically decreased, and his symptoms reverted. The patient was successfully managed and discharged 7 days after admission. Conclusion Despite insufficient evidence and a limited number of case reports describing the use of extracorporeal treatment in digoxin overdose, we noted the significant impact of therapeutic plasma exchange on our patient. However, therapeutic plasma exchange’s use in routine treatment requires stronger evidence to confirm its benefits.

Attending students in many universities' lectures is still done following the traditional way, which is by passing an attendance sheet to be signed by the students or calling the students' names. Lecture time can be decreased considerably by following conventional attendance methods. This research aims to design, build, and demonstrate an IoT system of systems that automatically detects students attending a class within a classroom and updates an attendance database. In the proposed system, the system of interest is designed to detect each student entering the classroom at the doorway using a camera. This ensures, in almost all cases, the student entering the classroom is facing the camera. Then, the system of interest identifies students using an artificial intelligent method by utilizing a facial recognition technique. This way tilled or side-face images is reduced for better and faster recognition. After, the system of interest updates the roll based upon the recognition process. Nevertheless, in the case of unrecognition of any participant, the proposed system will display the total sum of the unrecognized people on a screen along with an illustration of the attendance sheet. Finally, the proposed system was tested and evaluated several times; and it has been proven it is trustable enough since its recognition accuracy is around %93 on average.

This paper proposes a fast protection scheme of a hybrid AC/DC distribution network based on features extraction of the decomposed signals. The signal decomposition is achieved using discrete wavelets transform (DWT). The proposed scheme offers three main functions, fast fault detection for both network sides, AC fault classification with the ability to identify the faulted phase/ phases, and protection coordination between AC and DC sides. In addition, the scheme is based on local measurement so no need for extra-cost for communication infrastructure. The absence of communication reduces the overall cost and, as a most important feature, it reduces the fault clearing time. The system is thoroughly analyzed under many types of faults in both AC and DC sides. Also, different disturbance conditions are considered which used in threshold determination. The simulation results show that the proposed protection scheme was not only able to protect the system but also it offers a generalized fast acting communication-less approach.

The Smart Home Energy Management System (SHEMS) presents an innovative solution for optimizing energy consumption in residential settings by harnessing the synergy between Internet of Things (IoT) technology and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. SHEMS offers a comprehensive suite of functionalities including monitoring, controlling, and optimizing energy usage while identifying wastage within smart homes. Its architecture comprises IoT sensors for data acquisition, an IoT gateway for preprocessing and storing data, and an Energy Management System (EMS) empowered by ML infrastructure for feature extraction and data transformation. Notably, the incorporation of the Gradient Boosting (GB) mechanism imbues SHEMS with intelligence, enabling it to analyze intricate datasets, detect patterns, and make data-driven decisions regarding energy optimization. Through ML capabilities, SHEMS adapts to dynamic usage patterns, predicts future consumption trends, and identifies opportunities for energy savings. Facilitating seamless data flow from sensors to the EMS, advanced ML techniques drive intelligent decision-making for enhanced energy efficiency. Additionally, SHEMS provides users with actionable insights and user-friendly interfaces for informed energy management, promising significant improvements in energy efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability. The results showcase the effectiveness of the Gradient Boosting (GB) algorithm in predicting energy consumption for smart homes, with a score of 0.95, RMSE of 6.8, and MAE of 5.2. The Gradient Boosting algorithm consistently outperforms other ML algorithms, including Simple Linear Regression, Decision Tree Regression, Random Forest Regression, K-nearest neighbor Regression, and Support Vector Machine Regression.

Salinization of water and soil presents a substantial abiotic challenge, hindering plant growth and development, causing physiological imbalances, and threatening global food security. This study aimed to investigate the effects of salinity stress at two levels (1000 and 1500 mg/L) and the potential enhancement of salinity tolerance in peas (cv. Master B) through foliar application of manganese (10 mg/L) and arginine (300 mg/L), both individually and in combination, over two consecutive seasons. Under salinity stress, various growth and yield traits of pea plants, including plant height, leaf area, plant dry weight, number of pods per plant, weight of green pods per plant, and seed dry weight, were significantly reduced compared to unstressed plants in both seasons. Physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, membrane stability, leaf CO2 and H2O2 content, stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, and transpiration rate were notably impacted. Biochemical seed analysis revealed significant alterations in total carbohydrate, crude protein, vitamin C, and NPK content under salinity stress. The application of manganese and arginine, either separately or in combination, alleviated the adverse effects of salinity on various parameters across different seasons. The simultaneous application was the most effective, mitigating salinity stress and resulting in improvements in total chlorophyll content (by 41.24%), proline content (17.48%), catalase activity (16.98%), peroxidase activity (22.84%), and fruit number per plant (52.14%) under the highest salinity level (1500 mg/L). Further research, including field trials and molecular studies, is recommended to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of the combined application.

AbstractUsing diluted seawater for irrigation presents a potential solution to tackle water scarcity and optimize water usage in regions where there is a shortage of freshwater resources. Therefore, the objective of current study was to assess the efficacy of proline and zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), either alone or in combination, in alleviating adverse impacts of diluted seawater irrigation [2.5% (EC, 1.6) and 5% (EC, 2,3)] on the growth and productivity of pea plants (cv. Master B) during the winter seasons of 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The results indicated that irrigation with diluted seawater had negative effects on several growth parameters of peas, including plant height, leaf area, plant dry weight, chlorophyll pigment (Ch a, Ch b, and total Ch) content, and seed chemical composition. In contrast, foliar application of ZnO-NPs, proline, or their combination improved plant growth, productivity, oxidative enzyme activities, net photosynthesis, and phenolic compound content under salinity stress. Furthermore, these treatments positively influenced the content of essential nutrients (NPK), vitamin C, carbohydrate percentage, and crude protein in pea seeds. The combination of ZnO-NPs and proline yielded the highest values for most parameters during the experimental seasons. Overall, the interaction between ZnO-NPs and proline showed promise in enhancing pea plant growth and productivity, especially in environments characterized by salt stress.

This research investigates the radioactivity levels of various rock types used in construction within the Kurdistan region and assesses their potential impact on human health, the measurements were performed using an HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer. The measured activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides varied from ND (Chromitite) to 78.68 ± 4.54 Bq/kg (Marly Limestone), ND (Chromitite) to 109.52 ± 10.23 Bq/kg (Mudstone), and ND (Chromitite) to 2973.6 ± 152.1 Bq/kg (Claystone), respectively. The obtained Raeq values for all rock samples are well below the UNSCEAR, 2008 recommended value of 370 Bq/kg. 71.43% of DR, 66.66% of Eout, 71.43% of Ein, 100% of Hinand Hout, 71.43% of ELCRout, 71.43% of ELCRin, and 100% of activity utilization index of the rock samples are well below the recommended values declared by UNSCEAR, 2008. The radioactivity level of rock types that are prepared as building materials should be assessed by the producers and considered by the users to reduce the overall cancer risk. The outcomes of the RESRAD-BUILD computer code indicate that the maximum external and inhalation doses were calculated to be 19.7 and 0.105 μSv for R7 and R1 samples, respectively, over a period of 70 years.

Background Falls are common in older people and individuals with neurological conditions. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is known for postural instability causing mobility disabilities, falls and reduced quality of life. The fear of falling (FOF), a natural response to unstable balance, can worsen postural control problems. Evaluating FOF relies largely on affected persons’ subjective accounts due to limited objective assessment methods available. The aim of this mixed-methods feasibility study is to develop an assessment method for FOF while in motion and walking within virtual environments. This study will assess a range of FOF-related responses, including cognitive factors, neuromuscular response and postural stability.Methods and analysis This feasibility study will consist of four phases: the first two phases will include people without PD, while the other two will include people diagnosed with PD. Participants will be assessed for direct and indirect responses to real life, as well as virtual environment walking scenarios that may induce FOF. Data from questionnaires, different neurophysiological assessments, movement and gait parameters, alongside evaluations of usability and acceptability, will be collected. Semistructured interviews involving both participants and research assistants shall take place to elicit their experiences throughout different phases of the assessments undertaken. Demographic data, the scores of assessment scales, as well as feasibility, usability and acceptability of the measurement methods, will be illustrated via descriptive statistics. Movement and gait outcomes, together with neurophysiological data, will be extracted and calculated. Exploring relationships between different factors in the study will be achieved using a regression model. Thematic analysis will be the approach used to manage qualitative data.Ethics and dissemination This feasibility study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafr El Sheikh University, Egypt (number: P.T/NEUR/3/2023/46). The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05931692).