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Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) pedagogies, platforms, and tools are prevalent in higher education due to their pervasive capabilities to enhance students' engagement, communication, and learning. However, it is reported that CSCL tools, media, and platforms may not yield the desired results if not planned, utilized, and managed strategically. Facilitating students' learning through CSCL may require a non-hierarchical approach, such as peer mentoring, for sustainably valuable outcomes. Using this approach successfully will also require contextual diagnostic analysis and exploration. This study was, therefore, conducted to explore the means to effectively deploy peer mentoring to enhance CSCL involving 227 undergraduate students in an Emirati university. Data were collected using a questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative elements. Data analyses were done using descriptive statistics and thematic coding. Findings show that students are well-disposed to peer mentoring as a measure for enhancing CSCL regardless of their demographic characteristics, as they could learn from each other and develop transferrable skills. However, students indicated that the process could be challenging with language barriers, technological issues, and distractions. Even so, the findings show that peer mentoring in CSCL could be enhanced with students' participation in the exercise made voluntary and the availability of different CSCL platforms, among others.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is considered one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in NICUs. To avoid unnecessary treatment of non-infected neonates, emergence of multidrug resistance organisms, prolonged hospitalization and a considerable economic burden, particularly in developing countries with poorly-equipped NICUs, an early, sensitive and specific laboratory test would be helpful to guide clinicians in neonatal units to decide whether or not to start antibiotics. Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were measured in an attempt to identify a set of tests which can confirm or refute the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis at an early stage before administration of antibiotics. Methods: Assessment of serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 was done using quantitative enzyme immunoassay sandwich technique in 116 neonates (36 newborns with clinically suspected sepsis, 48 newborns with culture-proven sepsis and 32 infection-free neonates). Results: The cutoff levels for CRP at >12 mg/l had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 100%, for TNF-α at >113.2 ng/ml had a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 100%, for IL-6 at >16.8 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 47%, and for IL-1 at >15 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 47% for the diagnosis of infection before antibiotics. Conclusion: The area under ROC curve (AUC) of TNF and CRP in the diagnosis of sepsis was superior to determinations of IL-1 and IL-6. From our data analysis and based on our financial backgrounds, we can conclude that abnormal of CRP levels together with immature-to-total neutrophil ratio above 0.2 with or without elevated IL-1, IL-6 or TNF can be used as early markers of sepsis in neonates.

The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in co-activation around the knee joint during different walking speeds in healthy females using the co-activation index. Ten healthy females (age: 21.20 ± 7.21 years, height: 164.00 ± 4.00 cm, mass: 60.60 ± 4.99 kg) participated in this study and performed three walking speeds (slow, normal, and fast). A Qualisys 11-camera motion analysis system sampling at a frequency of 200 Hz was synchronized with a Trigno EMG Wireless system operating at a 2000 Hz sampling frequency. A significant decrease in the co-activation index of thigh muscles was observed between the slow and fast, and between the normal and fast, walking speeds during all walking phases. A non-significant difference was observed between the slow and normal walking speeds during most walking phases, except the second double support phase, during which the difference was significant. A negative relationship was found between walking speed and the co-activation index of thigh muscles in all speeds during walking phases: first double support (r = −0.3386, p < 0.001), single support (r = −0.2144, p < 0.01), second double support (r = −0.4949, p < 0.001), and Swing (r = −0.1639, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated high variability of thigh muscle co-activation in healthy females during the different walking speeds, and a decrease in the co-activation of the thigh muscles with the increase of speed.

Predicting the results of soccer competitions and the contributions of match attributes, in particular, has gained popularity in recent years. Big data processing obtained from different sensors, cameras and analysis systems needs modern tools that can provide a deep understanding of the relationship between this huge amount of data produced by sensors and cameras, both linear and non-linear data. Using data mining tools does not appear sufficient to provide a deep understanding of the relationship between the match attributes and results and how to predict or optimize the results based upon performance variables. This study aimed to suggest a different approach to predict wins, losses and attributes’ sensitivities which enables the prediction of match results based on the most sensitive attributes that affect it as a second step. A radial basis function neural network model has successfully weighted the effectiveness of all match attributes and classified the team results into the target groups as a win or loss. The neural network model’s output demonstrated a correct percentage of win and loss of 83.3% and 72.7% respectively, with a low Root Mean Square training error of 2.9% and testing error of 0.37%. Out of 75 match attributes, 19 were identified as powerful predictors of success. The most powerful respectively were: the Total Team Medium Pass Attempted (MBA) 100%; the Distance Covered Team Average in zone 3 (15–20 km/h; Zone3_TA) 99%; the Team Average ball delivery into the attacking third of the field (TA_DAT) 80.9%; the Total Team Covered Distance without Ball Possession (Not in_Poss_TT) 76.8%; and the Average Distance Covered by Team (Game TA) 75.1%. Therefore, the novel radial based function neural network model can be employed by sports scientists to adapt training, tactics and opposition analysis to improve performance.

Information retrieval systems like web search engines can be used to meet the user's information needs by searching and retrieving the relevant documents that match the user's query. Firstly, the query is inputted to the web search engine and assumed to be a good representative for the user's intention and reflecting specifically his information needs and thus it should be long enough, discriminative, specific and unambiguous. Secondly, the web search engine typically respond to the query by sending back a long flat list of web search results and each search result represents a relevant document. Typically, that list may contain thousands or millions of web search results and thus it is difficult to navigate and locate a specific document relevant to a specific topic. As a postretrieval process, web search results clustering may be a solution for this issue where web search results can be categorized as clusters. These clusters supposed to contain topically related documents and labelled by descriptive and concise labels. These labels supposed to correctly describe the contents of each cluster. Thus the users can easily choose a cluster representing the intended topic and navigate through relatively few documents inside that cluster. High-quality labelling for clusters is crucial for users who can now gain insight into that clusters'; contents, general structure, and distribution of the topics among documents in the clusters. This make the user able to preview and navigate easily and fast. To this end, the authors in this paper introduced a methodology to enhance labels for clusters of web search results. The proposed methodology is founded on the idea of using the existing labels nominated by the original Suffix Tree Clustering (STC) algorithm and adapting these labels and/or clusters so that it become more concise and descriptive. The propose methodology was conducted on the original STC algorithm to produce an enhanced version of the classical STC algorithm. The enhanced algorithm was experimented and the produced clusters and labels were evaluated and compared with respect to the classical STC algorithm. For evaluation, the authors used clusters labelling performance measure considered five parameters f1: Comprehensibility, f2: Descriptiveness, f3: Discriminative Power, f4: Uniqueness, and f5: Nonredundancy. The reported results shown that the new enhanced labels outperformed the original labels and the overall performance has been enhanced. The recorded results indicated that: (i) The proposed methodology achieved better performance and the overall average recorded values for the used performance measure (f6) was 0.921. (ii) Number of clusters was decreased from 15 to 9 clusters only. (iii) Number of duplicated results was decreased from 143 to 121 only, and (iv) average number of phrases per label was increased from 1.67 to 2.00 phrases.

Outdoor aerosol particles were characterized in industrial area of Samalut city (El-minia/Egypt) using low pressure Berner cascade impactor as an aerosol sampler. The impactor operates at 1.7 m3/h flow rate. Seven elements were investigated including Ca, Ba, Fe, K, Cu, Mn and Pb using atomic absorption technique. The mean mass concentrations of the elements ranged from 0.42 ng/m3 (for Ba) to 89.62 ng/m3 (for Fe). The mass size distributions of the investigated elements were bi-modal log normal distribution corresponding to the accumulation and coarse modes. The enrichment factors of elements indicate that Ca, Ba, Fe, K, Cu and Mn are mainly emitted into the atmosphere from soil sources while Pb is mostly due to anthropogenic sources.

BACKGROUND: Up to one third of survivors of AKI that required dialysis (AKI-D) during hospitalization remain dialysis dependent at hospital discharge. Of these, 20%-60%, depending on the clinical setting, eventually recover enough kidney function to stop dialysis, and the remainder progress to ESKD. METHODS: To describe the challenges facing those still receiving dialysis on discharge, the AKINow Committee conducted a group discussion comprising 59 participants, including physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and patients. The discussion was framed by a patient who described gaps in care delivery at different transition points and miscommunication between care team members and the patient. RESULTS: Group discussions collected patient perspectives of ( 1 ) being often scared and uncertain about what is happening to and around them and ( 2 ) the importance of effective and timely communication, a comfortable physical setting, and attentive and caring health care providers for a quality health care experience. Provider perspectives included ( 1 ) the recognition of the lack of evidence-based practices and quality indicators, the significant variability in current care models, and the uncertain reimbursement incentives focused on kidney recovery and ( 2 ) the urgency to address communication barriers among hospital providers and outpatient facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The workgroup identified key areas for future research and policy change to ( 1 ) improve communication among hospital providers, dialysis units, and patients/care partners; ( 2 ) develop tools for risk classification, subphenotyping, and augmented clinical decision support; ( 3 ) improve education to providers, staff, and patients/care partners; ( 4 ) identify best practices to improve relevant outcomes; ( 5 ) validate quality indicators; and ( 6 ) assess the effect of social determinants of health on outcomes. We urge all stakeholders involved in the process of AKI-D care to align goals and work together to fill knowledge gaps and optimize the care to this highly vulnerable patient population.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis primarily affecting the genitalia, commonly characterized by pearly-white papules and plaques. Although predominantly affecting females, LS can manifest across all age groups, with a bimodal distribution observed in prepubescent girls and postmenopausal women. This case report presents an unusual instance of exclusive extragenital LS in a 10-year-old girl, showcasing hyperpigmented patches and wrinkled plaques resembling lichen planus on her forearms and lower legs. Histopathological analysis confirmed LS, revealing distinctive epidermal changes and lymphocytic infiltrates. The absence of mucosal involvement and unique clinical presentation differentiated this case from typical LS manifestations. Treatment with topical clobetasol propionate demonstrated significant improvement in pruritus. Extragenital LS is infrequent, particularly among children, and its diagnosis necessitates a comprehensive clinicopathological correlation. The reported case contributes valuable insights into this uncommon variant, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies. Additionally, it highlights the efficacy of high-potency topical corticosteroids in managing this condition.

Inferring mental states from faces during social perception is sensitive to context and higher-level semantic information. This is vividly observed in captioned humor, like memes, where a single line can dramatically reshape scene perception and understanding. This EEG-study explores the real-time neural dynamics of these sudden insights in social perception. Across three experimental phases (pre-insight, insight, post-insight), 40 participants viewed images of 120 scenes showing public figures. During the insight phase, humorous captions (e.g., "trying to set somebody on fire with his mind") either matched or mismatched the following image (e.g., a politician, mid-speech, rubbing his temples). Comparing event-related potentials between trials with vs. without sudden insight revealed distinct changes in the N170, early posterior negativity (EPN), and N400 components from pre-insight to insight phase. These results link sudden, humorous insight in social perception to instant alterations in visual processing, fast affective responses, and higher-level semantic processing.

AKI survivors experience gaps in care that contribute to worse outcomes, experience, and cost.Challenges to optimal care include issues with information transfer, education, collaborative care, and use of digital health tools.Research is needed to study these challenges and inform optimal use of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to promote recovery AKI affects one in five hospitalized patients and is associated with poor short-term and long-term clinical and patient-centered outcomes. Among those who survive to discharge, significant gaps in documentation, education, communication, and follow-up have been observed. The American Society of Nephrology established the AKINow taskforce to address these gaps and improve AKI care. The AKINow Recovery workgroup convened two focus groups, one each focused on dialysis-independent and dialysis-requiring AKI, to summarize the key considerations, challenges, and opportunities in the care of AKI survivors. This article highlights the discussion surrounding care of AKI survivors discharged without the need for dialysis. On May 3, 2022, 48 patients and multidisciplinary clinicians from diverse settings were gathered virtually. The agenda included a patient testimonial, plenary sessions, facilitated small group discussions, and debriefing. Core challenges and opportunities for AKI care identified were in the domains of transitions of care, education, collaborative care delivery, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and digital health applications. Integrated multispecialty care delivery was identified as one of the greatest challenges to AKI survivor care. Adequate templates for communication and documentation; education of patients, care partners, and clinicians about AKI; and a well-coordinated multidisciplinary posthospital follow-up plan form the basis for a successful care transition at hospital discharge. The AKINow Recovery workgroup concluded that advancements in evidence-based, patient-centered care of AKI survivors are needed to improve health outcomes, care quality, and patient and provider experience. Tools are being developed by the AKINow Recovery workgroup for use at the hospital discharge to facilitate care continuity.

This paper investigates the energy performance of new design air-conditioning system combined with energy audit in KSA governmental building since air conditioning is responsible for more than 60 % of electricity consumption. Alternative solutions are provided. Based on the results, the old conditioners will be replaced for 113 rooms in three floors of the MUAB. The applied methodology uses Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSAN) for sensing and measuring technique characteristics of the conditioners and compares them with the ones available on the market, which were selected according to ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007 specified by the manufacturers. Energy balance examination proves that operational conditioners have greater electric consumption and power factor comparing to the known standards. Energy audit applied in the MUAB provided a saving of 10% in the average consumption of electric energy. More than that an exploration is performed to insert Stirling engine in air conditioning cycle proving that it can be a promoted solution and can reduce significantly energy consumption; an alpha Stirling engine has been tested numerically for the same temperature and pressure reigned in the refrigeration cycle proving that it can work with energy efficiency around 42%.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disorder with clinical manifestations ranging from mild dysfunction to complete kidney failure. The published literature on the incidence and outcome of AKI in the critically ill neonatal population is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types, the associated risk factors and short-term outcome of AKI in the critically ill neonates. A cohort study was conducted including 100 critically ill neonates successively admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The inclusion criteria were a gestational age ≥28 weeks and body weight ≥1 kg. Exclusion criteria included those with multiple congenital anomalies or on drugs altering glomerular filtration rate or AKI developing postoperatively. Neonates were evaluated for the development of AKI [creatinine >1.5 mg/dL and/or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) >20 mg/dL] and were assigned as group A (who developed AKI) and group B (who did not develop AKI). Forty-one patients developed AKI (group A) among whom nine (22%) showed oliguric AKI. The most common risk factors among group A patients were sepsis (75.6%) and nephrotoxic drug administration (75.6%), followed by shock (39%). There were no statistically significant differences between both groups except for male sex predominance and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which were significantly higher among group A (P

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the relationship between the kinematic variables of the right hand and left leg with ball velocity during jump-throwing phases in handball for better-informed training. We investigated ball velocity and the key kinematic variables of jump throwing during different throwing phases in three strides. Ten right-handed male handball professional players who had competed in the Egyptian Handball Super League participated in this study. Jump throwing performance was divided into three phases (cocking, acceleration and follow-through), which included eight events during the throwing. Five trials were captured for each player, and a 3D analysis was performed on the best trial. Results indicated that the velocity of the throwing hand was the most important variable during jump throwing, which was correlated with ball velocity during the three phases of performance in four events: Initial contact (IC) (r = 0.66*), initial flight (IF) (r = 63*), maximum height of the throwing hand (Max-HH) (r = 0.78*) and ground contact (GC) (r = 0.83*). In addition, the initial flight was the most important event in which players need to be using the best angles during performance, particularly the shoulder angle.

This study determines the critical success factors for students and academic staff when applying and evaluating online delivery methods in colleges and universities in Kuwait. The recently implemented eLearning systems and methods in the country, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are evaluated and the perception of the eLearning system is gauged. Targeted surveys are distributed to a representative sample of undergraduate engineering students and academic staff. The following critical success factors are considered: benefits of the eLearning system, educational system quality, information quality, instructor quality, learner quality, service quality and technical system quality. Results show that there is a correlation between the perceptions of students and academic staff, particularly regarding instructor quality, information quality and benefits of the eLearning system. Both groups of respondents agreed on the high importance of instructor quality and the low importance of benefits.

Aim of the Study: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and levels of bone turnover markers in Egyptian children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by 21-hydroxylase deficiency and its relationship with disease-related variables. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of 28 children from Upper Egypt with classic CAH, their mean age 8.3 ± 2.4 years and 28 age and sex matched healthy control. They were subjected to measurement of BMD of lumbar spines (L1-L4) and femoral neck using dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and laboratory evaluation of bone turnover markers including Osteocalcin and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor αB-ligand (RANKL). Result: Children with CAH had significantly lower bone-mineral density (BMD) for both, vertebrae and femoral neck than controls. This difference is more obvious in children with poor control and in those receiving prednisone therapy. There was a significantly lower serum osteocalcin, and significantly higher serum RANKL levels in patients with CAH than the healthy controls. This differences is more obvious in children with poor control and in those receiving prednisone therapy. Total bone mineral content (BMC [gm]) have significant negative correlations to age (r = −0.81, P < 0.001), disease duration (r = −0.881, P < 0.001), 17 OH Progesterone level (r = −0.543, P < 0.05), RANKL level (r = −0.635, P < 0.05), and significant positive correlation with osteocalcin (r = 0.576, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Children from Upper Egypt with classic CAH may have reduced BMD and increase bone turnover compared with controls. This difference is more obvious in children with poor control and in those receiving prednisone therapy. Recommendations: Active monitoring of BMD in CAH children using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning. Furthermore, effort should be done to bring hydrocortisone to Upper Egypt to replace prednisone in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Background: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Upper Egypt and its relationship with disease-related variables. Design: Cross-sectional controlled study. Patients and Methods: The study included 94 children and adolescents with T1DM (Group 1) attending for regular follow-up in the diabetes clinic of Assiut Children University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt were enrolled in the study and 60 healthy subjects matching in age and sex were taken as a control (Group 2). History taking, clinical examination, measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies levels as well as HbA1c were measured Results: Mean TSH levels were significantly higher in (Group 1) when compared to control (P < 0.01). Six children (6.3%) were found to have subclinical hypothyroidism in Group 1 compared with two children (2.1%) in the control group (P < 0.001) two children (2.1%) were found to have clinical hypothyroidism in Group 1 compared with non in the control group. Positive levels of anti-TPOAb and anti-TgAb were found in 9 (9.5%) and 6 (6.3%) in Group 1 compared with 2 (3.3)% and 1 (1.6%) of controls respectively (P < 0.01). Cases with hypothyroidism were significantly older, had longer duration of DM, higher body mass index and higher HbA1c compared with those without hypothyroidism. TSH had significant positive correlations to age (r = 0.71, P < 0.001), diabetes duration (r = 0.770, P < 0.001), Anti-TPO level (r = 0.678, P < 0.01), HbAIc level (r = −0.644, P < 0.01) and significant negative correlation with FT4 (r = −0.576, P = 0.01). Conclusion: The present study reported high prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in children and in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Upper Egypt. The study recommended yearly evaluation thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies in all children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes commencing from the onset of diabetes.

Context: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is known to be elevated in different clinical situations including hypercholesterolemia, acute coronary syndromes, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Data about the relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and sCD40L is limited. In addition, the potential role ofsCD40Lin the pathogenesis of vascular complications in children and adolescents with T1DM is to be clarified. Hence, the study aimed at assessment of sCD40L levels in children and adolescents with T1DM and correlation of these levels with glycemic control and microalbuminuria. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional controlled study. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Assuit University Children Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. It included 70 children and adolescents with T1DM (mean age 14. 76 ± 2.21 years). Cases were further subdivided into 43 cases with normoalbuminuria and 27 cases with microalbuminuria according to presence or absence or microalbuminuria in fresh urine samples. Twentyfive healthy subjects, age- and sex-matched were included as control group (mean age = 13.62 ± 2.11 years). Studied cases were subjected to medical history, clinical examination, and laboratory assessment of fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and sCD40L were performed. Results: Mean HbA1c and sCD40L were significantly higher in diabetic children (n = 70) compared to control (n = 25) (P < 0.001 for each). Mean HbA1c and sCD40L levels were significantly higher in microalbuminuric cases (n = 27) compared to normoalbuminuric cases (n = 43) (P < 0.05 and

Background/Aim: To study the oxidative stress status in children with cholestatic chronic liver disease by determining activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver tissue. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 children suffering from cholestatic chronic liver disease were studied. They were selected from the Hepatology Clinic, Cairo University, and compared with seven children who happened to have incidental normal liver biopsy. The patients were divided into three groups: extrahepatic biliary atresia (n=13), neonatal hepatitis (n=15) and paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts (n=6); GPx, SOD and CAT levels were measured in fresh liver tissue using ELISA . Results: In the cholestatic patients, a significant increase was found in mean levels of SOD, GPx and CAT in hepatic tissue compared to control children. The three enzymes significantly increased in the extrahepatic biliary atresia group, whereas in the groups of neonatal hepatitis and paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts, only GPx and CAT enzymes were significantly increased. Conclusion: Oxidative stress could play a role in the pathogenesis of cholestatic chronic liver diseases. These preliminary results are encouraging to conduct more extensive clinical studies using adjuvant antioxidant therapy.