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Abstract Backgrounds Healthcare providers (HCPs) in COVID-19 epidemic face stressful workload of disease management, shortage of protective equipment and high risk of infection and mortality. These stressors affect greatly their mental health. The aim is to identify working conditions among Egyptian HCPs during COVID-19 epidemic as well as stigma and worry perceptions from contracting COVID-19 infection and their predictors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 565 HCPs. Data was collected through Google online self-administered questionnaire comprised seven parts: demographics characteristics, knowledge and attitude of COVID-19, working condition, worry of contracting COVID-19 at work, discrimination intention at work for COVID-19 patients, stigma assessment using impact stigma, and internalized shame scales. Results The vast majority of HCPs (94.7%) were worried from contracting COVID-19 at work. Risk factors for perceiving severe worry from contracting COVID-19 were expecting infection as a severe illness, believing that infection will not be successfully controlled, improbability to continue working during the pandemic even if in a well/fit health, high discrimination intention and impact stigma scales. Significantly high impact stigma scores were detected among those aged < 30 years, females, workers primarily in sites susceptible for contracting COVID-19 infection, those had severe worry from contracting infection at work, and high internalized shame scale. The risk factors for perceiving higher internalized shame scores were not having a previous experience in working during a pandemic, high discrimination intention towards COVID-19 patients and high impact stigma scale. Conclusions Considerable levels of worry and stigma were detected among Egyptian HCPs during COVID-19 outbreak. The psychological aspect of health care providers should not be overlooked during epidemic; appropriate institutional mental health support should be provided especially for young HCPs, those without previous work experience in epidemic and those who work in high-risk units. Raising the community awareness about contribution of HCPs in fighting the epidemic might decrease stigmatization action toward HCPs.

Abstract Background Most autism spectrum disorder (ASD) interventions evaluated child outcomes and ignoring the role of parent and family factors on both the immediate- and long-term effects of therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stigma, parent mental health problems, and quality of life and burden in families of children with ASD in Egypt and its risk factors. Seventy parents of ASD children were recruited from two child intervention centers. Participants were divided into two groups based on burden scale: caregivers of moderate burden (n = 27) and caregivers of severe burden (n = 43). All parents were evaluated for demographic data, zarit Burden Interview, socioeconomic scale, symptom checklist–90 (SCL90), Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale (EMIC-CSS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Results Half of the parents reported significant stigma, particularly caregivers with a severe burden. Caregivers with severe burden had more depression and about twice the frequency of sensitivity and somatization problems, lower QoL (20%) as compared with caregivers with moderate burden. Parents with ASD had many associate factors such as work, male autistic children and their caregiver, age of children and parents, the severity of the condition, and disease duration with burden, stigma, QoL, and mental health problems. Conclusions This study linked the interrelationships between increased burden and stigma, impaired quality of life, and parental mental health problems; the presence of one of these variables was found to increase the risk of other variables.

Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the Indian subcontinent have increased during the last 20 years along with rapid economic growth; however, there remains a paucity of GHG measurements for policy-relevant research. In northern India and Bangladesh, agricultural activities are considered to play an important role in GHG concentrations in the atmosphere. We performed weekly air sampling at Nainital (NTL) in northern India and Comilla (CLA) in Bangladesh from 2006 and 2012, respectively. Air samples were analyzed for dry-air gas mole fractions of CO2, CH4, CO, H2, N2O, and SF6 and carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios of CO2 (δ13C-CO2 and δ18O-CO2). Regional characteristics of these components over the Indo-Gangetic Plain are discussed compared to data from other Indian sites and Mauna Loa, Hawaii (MLO), which is representative of marine background air. We found that the CO2 mole fraction at CLA had two seasonal minima in February–March and September, corresponding to crop cultivation activities that depend on regional climatic conditions. Although NTL had only one clear minimum in September, the carbon isotopic signature suggested that photosynthetic CO2 absorption by crops cultivated in each season contributes differently to lower CO2 mole fractions at both sites. The CH4 mole fraction of NTL and CLA in August–October showed high values (i.e., sometimes over 4000 ppb at CLA), mainly due to the influence of CH4 emissions from the paddy fields. High CH4 mole fractions sustained over months at CLA were a characteristic feature on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which were affected by both the local emission and air mass transport. The CO mole fractions at NTL were also high and showed peaks in May and October, while CLA had much higher peaks in October–March due to the influence of human activities such as emissions from biomass burning and brick production. The N2O mole fractions at NTL and CLA increased in June–August and November–February, which coincided with the application of nitrogen fertilizer and the burning of biomass such as the harvest residues and dung for domestic cooking. Based on H2 seasonal variation at both sites, it appeared that the emissions in this region were related to biomass burning in addition to production from the reaction of OH and CH4. The SF6 mole fraction was similar to that at MLO, suggesting that there were few anthropogenic SF6 emission sources in the district. The variability of the CO2 growth rate at NTL was different from the variability in the CO2 growth rate at MLO, which is more closely linked to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In addition, the growth rates of the CH4 and SF6 mole fractions at NTL showed an anticorrelation with those at MLO, indicating that the frequency of southerly air masses strongly influenced these mole fractions. These findings showed that rather large regional climatic conditions considerably controlled interannual variations in GHGs, δ13C-CO2, and δ18O-CO2 through changes in precipitation and air mass.

Abstract Background Epilepsy can be treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which may have psychiatric and behavioral side effects. Additionally, the availability of new AEDs has increased, and our understanding of variability to combinations of several AEDs has evolved. Based on the treatment outcomes of carbamazepine, valproate, and clonazepam, this study aims to compare the cognitive function, personality, and psychological issues associated with these drugs and evaluate seizure-related factors related to them. Only 139 participants were included. Clonazepam was used as an add-on antiepileptic drug. Participants were categorized into five groups: group 1, carbamazepine; group 2, valproate; group 3, carbamazepine and clonazepam; group 4, valproate and clonazepam; and group 5, epileptic patients without AED. All participants were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Structured Interview for the Five-Factor Personality Model (SIFFM), Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Results In the WAIS, group 1 had the worst mean of verbal intelligence quotient (IQ). Moreover, group 3 was more vulnerable in symptomatic response in all subscales of MMPI-2 except the masculinity–femininity subscale and a high percentage in moderate severity of anxiety and depression in the Hamilton scales. Conclusions The use of clonazepam and carbamazepine might increase the incidence of behavioral problems especially increased severity of anxiety and depression and decreased performance IQ compared with either clonazepam or carbamazepine alone. Moreover, patients with carbamazepine treatment might have more personality changes and lowered verbal IQ than others.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are important modulators of the tumor microenvironment. Here the authors perform transcriptome profiling of immune cells from patients with renal clear cell carcinoma to find a Treg signature that correlates with poorer prognosis, with CD177 being implicated as the main mediator for related alterations in Treg activity and tumor outcome.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a significant impact on children, adolescents, and their families. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of children’s psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association of COVID-19 infection in children and their risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 148 children aged 6–12 years old categorized into 2 groups based on COVID-19 infection history. Participants were assessed by the Socioeconomic Scale and the Checklist for Children’s Behavior (CBCL). Results Children who had COVID-19 had a high percentage of problems regarding family, school, social, financial, and parent problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding CBCL, children who had COVID-19 infection had a higher percentage of clinical rating than the other group regarding withdrawal (11.1% vs. 8.9%), anxious/depressed (33.3% vs. 25%), somatic (11.1% vs. 10.7%), internalizing (61.1% vs. 48.2%), externalizing (38.9% vs. 35.7%), and total problems (50% vs. 44.6%). Family history of psychiatric disorder and the presence of three or more offspring were at high risk for internalizing problems, while those with school problems during pandemic were more vulnerable for internalizing and total problems. Conclusion Children with COVID-19 infection had a higher risk of developing psychological problems, such as withdrawal, anxiety/depression, somatic, internalizing, externalizing, and total problems.

Abstract Background Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a severe contagious viral disease, which mainly affects small ruminants. PPR is caused by a Morbillivirus that belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae. In this study 12 suspected PPR outbreaks among sheep and goats were investigated in four localities in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, during 2015—2017. The causative agent was confirmed by a Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (sELISA), and a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) targeting a partial sequence of nucleocapsid protein gene (N- gene) and a partial sequence of fusion protein gene (F- gene). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were carried out on six N- gene based RT-PCR products selected from two outbreaks occurred on border and inner localities of Kassala State to determine the circulating lineages of PPRV strains. Identity percentages were determined between isolates in this study and previous Sudanese, and other (African and Asian) isolates which clustered along with them. Results Out of 30 samples, 22 (73.3%) were positive using sandwich ELISA. From 22 s ELISA positive samples, 17 (77.3%) were positive by Ngene based RT-PCR and only 7(43.8%) out of 16 positive samples by N gene based RT-PCR were positive using Fgene based RT-PCR. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed involvement of the lineage IV of PPRV in outbreaks among small ruminants in Kassala State and high identity percentage between our isolates and previous Sudanese and other (African and Asian) isolates. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that genetic relationship between PPRV strains circulating in sheep in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, and PPRV strains characterized as lineage IV in neighboring African countries such as Eretria,Ethiopia, Egypt, and other Asian countries

Abstract Background Depression is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is an unmeasured risk factor, yet its symptoms can be neglected in standard disease evaluations. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and the impact of depression on quality of life in SLE patients. We recruited 32 patients with SLE and 15 healthy control volunteers in the study. The following investigations were undertaken in each patient: clinical and rheumatologic assessment, SLE Disease Activity Index-2k (SLEDAI-2k), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and routine laboratory tests. Results There was a high percentage of depression (46.9%) in the SLE patients. Regarding quality of life (SF-36), there were significant affection of the physical and mental composite summary domains (PCS and MCS) scores in lupus patients compared with controls (P < 0.000 for both) with the same significant in depressed compared with non-depressed patients. SF-36 subscales (physical function, limit emotional, emotional wellbeing, and social function) were significantly affected in depressed lupus patients compared with non-depressed patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the score of MCS domain of SF-36 with BDI (P < 0.000) while positive correlation between SLEDAI score with depression score. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between MCS or PCS with age, duration of illness, or SLEDAI-2K. Conclusions Depression is common in SLE patients and had a negative impact on quality of life particularly on MCS domain and positive correlation with disease severity score. Trial registration This study was registered on clinical trial with registration number: NCT03165682 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03165682 on 24 May 2017.

This experiment was conducted to assemble and test a cooling system operating with a thermoelectric cooling system (TEC) used to preserve crops and agricultural products from April 14 to June 24, 2021 AD. The study included a test of adding Heat Sink to the cold side of the thermoelectric cooling plates (TEC) with two levels (without heat sink (A1) and with heat sink (A2)) inside the system. 6 cooling models (TEC) were used with 6 heat sinks distributed in the form of two groups, and each group includes three cooling model (TEC). The following characteristics were measured (internal temperature (Tin), temperature difference (∆T), relative humidity (RH), time required to cool (t), cooling capacity (Qc) and Coefficient of Performance (COP). The results reveated that the presence of Heat Sink (A2) was superior than without (A1) in the following characteristics: It gave the lowest temperature inside the system 6.55Cº by 35% over treatment (A1), and pointed the highest (∆T, RH, t, Qc and COP) by (24.19 Cº, 82.32%, 43.73W and 19.87%) respectively. All these obtained results give with a cooling time 4.6h which was higes about 14% than (A1). Where the electrical capacity used 220W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of minimum natural materials content in the production of concrete represents the main concern of many researchers. In addition, lightweight aggregate concrete is desired for its low weight and modified physical properties. This study aims to produce lightweight aggregate concrete with adequate strength utilizing crushed clay brick (CCB) aggregates from discarded or broken brick pieces. The CCB aggregates are utilized by replacement of natural aggregate at (10%, 20% and 30%). Three types of CCB aggregate concrete series are produced. In the first series, natural sand is replaced with similar size CCB aggregate (red and yellow). The second series is produced by the complete replacement of coarse aggregate with yellow, red and an equal two portions of yellow and red coarse CCB aggregate. The third series with 100% coarse CCB aggregate is produced by further replacement of fine aggregate up to 30% CCB aggregate. In all mixes, the CCB aggregate is used in its dry state (without pre-wetting). The workability of produced mixes are investigated. Investigations on density, water absorption and compressive strength is also presented. Results indicate the possible production of lightweight CCB aggregate concrete suitable for structural applications. Superplasticizer (SP) significantly affect the workability of crushed brick aggregate. A blend of yellow and red CCB aggregate is also suggested to produce workable lightweight concrete suitable for structural applications.

Background: Oxidative coupling reactions are among the most important reactions that have wide applications in chemistry, and the oxidative coupling process involves the interaction of two or more organic substances in the presence of an oxidizing agent, where an oxidation process occurs for these substances forming intermediate compounds that interact with each other to form a colored product that can be determined by either spectrophotometric, polarographic, or various chromatographic methods and these reactions were used to quantify many different organic and inorganic compounds. In this article, the spectrophotometric determination of salbutamol was done by an oxidative coupling reaction with the reagent 1-Naphthylamine-4-sulfonic acid in the presence of potassium per sulfate. Objective: In this study, we developed a simple, rapid, sensitive, selective, and accurate UV-visible spectrophotometric method for analyzing salbutamol in pure drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. Materials and Methods: Based on oxidative reaction with 1-Naphthylamine-4-sulfonic acid at pH 11.24, form a yellow-orange colored product in alkaline medium has a maximum absorbance at 470 nm. The Beer’s law is followed in the concentration range 5–23 μg/mL. Results: The product was stable for 60 min, molar absorptivity was found to be 0.8054 × 104 L·mol−1·cm−1, and sandal index was 0.0296 μg·cm−2 with a relative error (RE) of 0 to −0.79, and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.54%–1.84%. Detection limit (DL) was 0.227 μg/mL, quantitative limit (QL) was 0.756μg/mL, correlation coefficient was 0.9998, and recovery was 99.51%, respectively. Conclusion: The method was found to be accurate and precise, as indicated by recovery studies which is up to 100% and relative standard deviation is not more than 2 that is good result. The proposed method has been successfully applied in the determination of preparations containing salbutamol.

Education around the world has been negatively affected by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Many institutions had to transition to distance learning in compliance with the enforced safety measures. Distance learning might work well for settings with stable internet connections, professional technical teams, and basic implementation of technology in education. In contrast, distance learning faces serious challenges in less fortunate settings with inferior infrastructure. This report aims to shed light on the immediate action steps taken at a leading pharmacy school in Iraq to accommodate for the enforced changes in pharmacy education. The University of Baghdad College of Pharmacy went from less than minimal technology implementation to full distance learning in a remarkable time frame. Pharmacy students were able to finish academic year requirements and move on with the program. Final year students will graduate on time as competent pharmacists.

Abstract Background Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with epilepsy proves to be very common. Both epilepsy and ADHD impair quality of life. We aimed to evaluate cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and quality of life (QOL) among children with ADHD and epilepsy. A total of 100 children were divided into 5 groups (20 children/group) as (I) epilepsy, (II) ADHD with epilepsy, (III) ADHD with EEG changes, (IV) ADHD without EEG changes, and (V) control. Children aged between 6 and 11 years were recruited for this study. Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess), Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III), socioeconomic scale for assessment of social burden and socioeconomic classes, and PedsQL (quality of life measure) assessed. Results Children with ADHD and epilepsy had the lowest PedsQL total scores and lower scores than other groups especially in performance IQ score. The highest percentage of low socioeconomic class (25%) was observed in the group of ADHD with epilepsy and the group of epilepsy. Conclusion ADHD with epilepsy is associated with low performance IQ, poor socioeconomic level, and quality of life. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores show significant correlation with total IQ score in the group of ADHD with epilepsy.

This article aims to propose and study a new system design for renewable energy called photovoltaic/ solar pond. This new system involves cooling the arrays of the photovoltaic/thermal collectors, which are installed beside the salinity gradient solar pond with a heat exchanger that is installed behind each solar cell. Thermal energy gained by the photovoltaic/thermal collectors was stored in the heat storage zone using a heat exchanger system. An experimental assessment was performed to examine the thermal performance of the mini PV/solar pond. The experiments were carried out for five months, starting from September 2019 and ending in January 2020, in Kirkuk, Iraq. During this period, temperature, salinity, and power generation were recorded in real-time. The experimental results confirmed that the maximum total efficiency value of the system was 37.67% which was recorded in September. Besides, the highest value of the daily thermal efficiency was 30% for September, while the ultimate value of the daily electrical efficiency was 9.357% as recorded in December. The current result agrees well with other experimental studies in the same field.

Abstract Objectives Frontal sinus surgery is considered one of the more challenging aspects of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, due to the complex variations in normal sinus anatomy but also increased morbidity due to the close proximity of critical structures such as the anterior cranial fossa and orbits. We aim to investigate the medial canthal point (MCP) as an anatomical landmark for safe frontal sinus access. Methods The MCP intranasally is identified during surgery with non‐tooth forceps, with one limb just anterior to the medial canthus and the other intranasally in the same coronal plane along the skull base. This point was identified on 100 paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan reconstructions. The distance between the anterior cranial fossa and MCP was measured on imaging—medial canthal point distance (MCPD). The maximal anterior‐posterior (AP) distance was measured on all scans. Results The average MCPD for males was 13.0 mm (8.7‐20.4 mm) and for females 12.0 mm (6.8‐22.8 mm). Mean AP distance for males was 12.0 mm (4.5‐20.2 mm) and for females 10.4 mm (3.8‐15.9 mm). Mean distance for all 100 patients was 12.6 mm (range 7.5‐22.8 mm). In all cases, the MCP was anterior to the cranial fossa. Mixed effects modelling analysis showed a significant correlation between the MCPD and AP distance (P = .006). Conclusion The MCP is a consistent anatomical landmark that can serve as an adjunct to safe frontal sinus access alongside the first olfactory fiber and CT navigation systems. However, patient selection continues to be very important, with larger well pneumatized frontal sinuses being ideal to tackle earlier in a surgeon's career. Level of evidence NA

This paper examines the effects of economic growth, financial development, and trade openness on the environment quality measured by CO2 emissions over the period of 1965–2014 in the case of Egypt. In this study, the series were stationary at their first difference form, and thus, a long-run model was adopted using the vector error correction model technique. The results confirm that the variables are cointegrated, indicating the long-run relationship between the variables. The empirical findings reveal a negative influence of economic growth and financial effect of the previous period of CO2 emissions, these effects are not significant in the short run. Any deviations from the long-run equilibrium return quickly, representing 59% speed of adjustment. The study proposes new policy insights into reduce CO2 emissions, especially in the long run

A numerical study is achieved on a new shape of temperature saver solar collector using an artificial neural network. The storage collector is a triangle face and a right triangle pyramid for the volumetric shape. It is obtained by cutting a cube from one upper corner at 45°, down to the opposite hypotenuse of the base of the cube. The numerical study was carried out using the computational fluid dynamics code (ANSYS-Fluent) software with natural convection phenomenon in the pyramid enclosure. Elman backpropagation network is used for his ability to find the nearest solution with the smallest error rate. The network consists of three layers, each of different corresponding weights. The results show that the temperature and velocity distributions throughout the operating period were obtained. The influence of introducing an internal partition inside the triangular storage collector was investigated. Also the optimum geometry and location for this partition were obtained. The enhancement was best at y = 0.25 m, whereas the height of triangular collector was 0.5 m. The hourly system performance was evaluated for all test conditions. The performance of the NN to train a model for this work was 0.000207, while the error of the calculation was 1×10-2 as average.

Field study works have been carried out to investigate the diffusion rate of oily wastewater on clayey soils and measuring the degree of contamination with chemical components for both horizontal and vertical directions. Three pits have been prepared for this work with 30 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth, which are lying on a straight line and 100 cm clear distance between them. Three, 30 cm diameter plastic pipes were fixed inside the pits having the length of 50 cm, 150 cm, and 200 cm, respectively, to study the effect of the height of the spilled oily wastewater on the rate of diffusion. The pipes filled with oily wastewater separately, the diffusion rate with time has been recorded. The results showed that the vertical diffusion rate of the oily wastewater was increased with the increase of the height, while the longitudinal diffusion rate recorded lower values. The same observation has been noted for the degree of soil contamination.

Abstract Background Oshikhandass is a rural village in northern Pakistan where a 1989–1991 verbal autopsy study showed that diarrhea and pneumonia were the top causes of under-5 mortality. Intensive surveillance, active community health education and child health interventions were delivered in 1989–1996; here we assess improvements in under-5 mortality, diarrhea, and pneumonia over this period and 15 years later. Methods Two prospective open-cohort studies in Oshikhandass from 1989 to 1996 (Study 1) and 2011–2014 (Study 2) enrolled all children under age 60 months. Study staff trained using WHO guidelines, conducted weekly household surveillance and promoted knowledge on causes and management of diarrhea and pneumonia. Information about household characteristics and socioeconomic status was collected. Hurdle models were constructed to examine putative risk factors for diarrhea and pneumonia. Results Against a backdrop of considerable change in the socioeconomic status of the community, under-5 mortality, which declined over the course of Study 1 (from 114.3 to 79.5 deaths/1000 live births (LB) between 1989 and 1996), exceeded Sustainable Development Goal 3 by Study 2 (19.8 deaths/ 1000 LB). Reductions in diarrhea prevalence (20.3 to 2.2 days/ Child Year [CY]), incidence (2.1 to 0.5 episodes/ CY), and number of bloody diarrhea episodes (18.6 to 5.2%) seen during Study 1, were sustained in Study 2. Pneumonia incidence was 0.5 episodes /CY in Study 1 and 0.2/CY in Study 2; only 5% of episodes were categorized as severe or very severe in both studies. While no individual factors predicted a statistically significant difference in diarrhea or pneumonia episodes, the combined effect of water, toilet and housing materials was associated with a significant decrease in diarrhea; higher household income was the most protective factor for pneumonia in Study 1. Conclusions We report a 4-fold decrease in overall childhood mortality, and a 2-fold decrease in childhood morbidity from diarrhea and pneumonia in a remote rural village in Pakistan between 1989 and 2014. We conclude that significant, sustainable improvements in child health may be achieved through improved socioeconomic status and promoting interactions between locally engaged health workers and the community, but that continued efforts are needed to improve health worker training, supervision, and the rational use of medications. Trial registration Not Applicable.