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Geopolymer is known to have many structural and nonstructural benefits, but the attractive characteristic of this novel material is that it depends essentially on a byproduct from different industries, and the use of Portland cement is absent. This concrete is an environmentally friendly product and is essential as the sustainability issue is considered. Compared with the material properties, the behavior of reinforced concrete members made of geopolymer has gained less importance by past researchers. Therefore, this review paper aims to summarize the evidence of the structural behavior of geopolymer concrete beams to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of reinforced geopolymer beams. A total of sixteen published works on geopolymer beams reinforced with steel rebar have been reviewed, and it found that there are 83 beams tested in flexure and 29 beams tested to highlight the shear behavior. For comparison, some researchers have tested control beams made of Portland cement concrete (PCC). It is noted that geopolymer concrete (GPC) beams have a performance, in general, better than that of PCC beams in terms of strength and ductility. Design proposals for PCC beams could be safely used for GPC beams, and the software based on the finite element method accurately predicts the load-deflection response. However, further study is recommended to provide more detailed and cost-effective design methodologies for the potential use of GPC in large-scale field applications.

Background. The work is aimed at the development and research of rigorous methods for calculating multi-element emitting and re-emitting structures, consisting mainly of the same type of elements, as well as studying the physical processes occurring in them. An iterative approach to solving the internal problem is proposed, which allows minimizing the cost of computer time and computer memory. Aim. In this work, using the proposed approach, we solve the internal and external problems of electrodynamics for a symmetrical vibrator with a reflector made of parallel straight conductors. The convergence of the iterative process is studied, the currents on the elements of the structure, its input resistance and radiation characteristics are calculated. Methods. The research is based on a strict electrodynamic approach, within the framework of which, for the specified structure in the thin-wire approximation, an integral representation of the electromagnetic field is formed, which, when considered on the surface of conductors together with boundary conditions, is reduced to a system of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind, written relative to unknown current distributions on conductors (internal task). The solution of the internal problem within the framework of the method of moments is reduced to solving a SLAE with a block matrix. Results. A mathematical model of a radiating structure is proposed, which is a symmetrical vibrator with a reflector made of parallel straight conductors. The internal and external problems of electrodynamics are formulated and solved for given parameter values. An effective algorithm for calculating the block matrix of SLAEs is proposed. Recommendations are given for the selection of systems of projection functions within the framework of the method of moments. The convergence of the iterative process for solving an internal problem of electrodynamics has been studied. The input resistance of the structure and the basic characteristics of its radiation are determined. Conclusion. A rational choice of systems of projection functions, based on the properties of the structure and its constituent elements, makes it possible to significantly reduce the size of the SLAE matrix and, accordingly, reduce computational costs. Taking into account the properties of the structure and its constituent elements also makes it possible to construct effective algorithms for calculating the SLAE matrix. It is shown that the convergence of the iterative process may be absent near resonant frequencies, therefore, when solving the internal problem, a combined approach should be used, which involves the use of both rigorous and approximate methods for solving SLAEs. At non-resonant frequencies, the iterative approach demonstrates its effectiveness. It is concluded that for such structures it is advisable to distinguish between resonant and non-resonant operating modes. In the non-resonant mode, the current functions have a fairly smooth dependence on frequency; in the resonant mode, these dependences become quite sharp and difficult to predict. In this regard, the task of developing an iterative approach to solving the internal problem of electrodynamics in resonant operating modes seems relevant.

The conceptual metaphor as a linguistic phenomenon defining our perception and evaluation has a rich research tradition. Against the background of modern selective ideologized information and information fatigue of the mass addressee, interest in conceptual metaphor as a tool for discursive construction of social reality, including the formation and replication of the media image of the country, its stereotyping, is increasing. The purpose of the study is to identify the leading conceptual metaphors in the formation of the image of Iraq in the German federal media, to characterize their nominative fields, to identify the features they introduce into the portrait of the country. Methodology. The material of the analysis is the publications of the German federal media devoted to Iraq in the period from 2019 to the present. The object of the analysis is the contexts selected by the continuous sampling method for the implementation of frequency conceptual metaphors. Contextual, definitional analysis and quantitative calculations are used. Results. As the main conceptual metaphors involved in the formation of the image of Iraq, the metaphors "Iraq is a place of uncontrolled power", "Iraq is a living being", "Iraq is an incomplete whole", "Iraq is a theater" are highlighted. The first metaphor is dominant in terms of frequency and density of the nominative field; the least productive is the last of the named metaphors. Metaphors are implemented by constituents of certain semantic fields, and they introduce significant features into the created portrait of the country. Practical implications. The results obtained contribute to the further development of imagology, the study of discursive, metaphorical construction of reality, the relationship of mental, linguistic and social processes; they can be used in the training of specialists in the field of political communication, monitoring of media and social processes, and can also be useful to political technologists.

Background: Mechanical ventilation provides essential support for critically ill patients in several diagnoses; however, extubation failure can affect patient outcomes. From Saudi Arabia, no study has assessed the factors associated with extubation failure in adults. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Adult patients who had been mechanically ventilated via the endotracheal tube for a minimum of 24 hours and then extubated according to the weaning protocol were included. Failed extubation was defined as reintubation within 48 hours of extubation. Results: A total of 505 patients were included, of which 72 patients had failed extubation (14.3%, 95% CI: 11.4%–17.7%). Compared with the failed extubation group, the successfully extubated group had significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference: −2.6 days, 95% CI: −4.3 to −1; P = 0.001), a slower respiratory rate at the time of extubation (mean difference: −2.3 breath/min, 95% CI: −3.8 to −1; P = 0.0005), higher pH (mean difference: 0.02, 95% CI: 0.001–0.04; P = 0.03), and more patients with strong cough (percent difference: 17.7%, 95% CI: 4.8%–30.5%; P = 0.02). Independent risk factors of failed extubation were age (aOR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.002–1.03; P = 0.03), respiratory rate (aOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.1; P = 0.008), duration of mechanical ventilation (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.1; P < 0.001), and pH (aOR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.0006–0.5; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Older age, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, faster respiratory rate, and lower pH were found to be independent risk factors that significantly increased the odds of extubation failure among adults.

Numerous people have died as a result of the coronavirus outbreak in 2019 (COVID-19), which also affected millions of others worldwide. The infection spreads quickly. Therefore, technology that enables quick virus detection will offer healthcare professionals much-needed assistance. This study aims to identify COVID-19 disease from X-ray images of healthy and infected people with pneumonia by using a modified VGG16 model. The proposed model achieved better results than previous studies presented with an accuracy of 99.13%, a recall of 99%, and a precision of 98.70%.

Abstract Introduction Proper diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis is critical for its treatment and prevention. Fine needle aspirate cytology (FNAC) is the mainstay method for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis in Ethiopia; however, the performance of FNAC has not been evaluated in the Eastern Region of Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of FNAC and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining compared with that of GeneXpert for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis. Methods Fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens collected from 291 patients suspected of having TB lymphadenitis were examined using FNAC, ZN, and GeneXpert to diagnose TB lymphadenitis. Gene-Xpert was considered the reference standard method for comparison. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and kappa coefficient were determined using SPSS version 25. Results The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of ZN for diagnosing TB lymphadenitis were 73.2%, 97.4%, 96.2%, and 80.1% respectively. There was poor agreement between ZN and GeneXpert (Kappa=-0.253). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of FNAC were 83.3%, 94.8%, 93.5%, and 86.3% respectively. There was moderate agreement between the FNAC and GeneXpert (Kappa = 0.785). Conclusion The fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a more sensitive test for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis than ZN. The FNAC showed a moderate agreement with the GeneXpert assay. This study recommends the FNA GeneXpert MTB/RIF test in preference to FNAC for the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis to avoid a missed diagnosis of smear-negative TB lymphadenitis.

Metabolites of oxygen are called reactive oxygen species (ROS). They are constantly synthesized by healthy cells are a consequence of aerobic respiration and are necessary for proper cellular function. These species (ROS) cause oxidative stress as a result of generation exceeding the capabilities of the antioxidant system to neutralize it. It is a bifurcating factor in controlling the reproductive system of females, as it can influence various physiological activities or contribute to infertility in females. The current review notes that several ovarian function processes, including reactive oxygen species, have a major impact on follicular formation, ovulation, and corpus luteum function. Scavenging mechanisms also occur. However, the review concentrates on the detrimental impact that elevated ROS production has on the female reproductive system. This review concludes that free radicals play a variety of roles in ovarian function and that excess has negative effects on the female reproductive system.

Abstract The global trend of advanced aging comes at the cost of amplified onset of age-related diseases. Dementia is a common multifactorial age-related neurodegenerative disorder, which manifests with progressive declines in cognitive functioning and ability to perform activities of daily living. As polices discourage institutionalized care, family members act as primary caregivers and endure increased vulnerability to physical and mental health problems secondary to care-related changes in life routine and relationships. Targeting clinically significant distress at earlier stages through valid brief measures may promote caregivers’ wellbeing and dementia care continuity/quality. This study aimed to determine the optimal cutoff score of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8) in a convenience sample of 571 European caregivers (Mean age = 53 ± 12 years, Italian = 74.4%, Swiss = 25.6%) through three methods. K-means clustering classified the sample into high- and low-distress clusters based on DASS-8 score of 19. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis using 48 and 7 cutoffs of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Three-Item University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale-version 3 (UCLALS3), revealed two DASS-8 cutoffs (12.5 and 14.5, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85 and 0.92, p values

Like-caviar molybdenum ferrite nanoparticles (MoFe2O4 NPs) have been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal route in the presence of the negative surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)). SDS acts as a template, stabilizer, and stops the aggregating process through storage. The mean crystal size of MoFe2O4 NPs rises with decorating it with Al2O3. Based on SEM analysis, the shapes of MoFe2O4, Al2O3, and their composite demonstrated like-caviar, like-brain cells, and like-grains, respectively. Al2O3 has been chosen to incorporate with spinel MoFe2O4 to make it color more light, this crucial step is necessary to enhance their optical characteristics. FTIR spectra observed the MoFe2O4 NPs are inverse spinel. The photo-decolorization test employs indigo carmine (IC) as a model pollutant. The quantum yields (Φ) of IC dye decolorization with studied photocatalysts are low, which may be created by quencher materials, dimerization of dye molecules, and photophysical deactivation processes (ISC process). Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of using MoFe2O4 raised after being decorated with alumina, which revealed an increase in the surface acidity, hydroxyl group adsorption, size, band gap, pHpzc of MoFe2O4 from 2.9–3.6 to 4.2–5.9 after decorated alumina. This pH is suitable for decolorizing IC dye, which has a pH of solution equal to 5.3.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of threshing speed and feeding weights on the maize threshing machine efficiency, threshing speed of the threshing machine included 270, 470 and 570 rpm, the feeding weights of the threshing included 4, 7 and 10 kg, in the specific productivity, specific energy consumed, threshing efficiency and broken cobs. The results showed that increasing the speed of threshing unit from 270 to 470 then to 670 rpm had a significant effect on specific productivity, specific energy consumed, threshing efficiency and broken cobs. Increasing the threshing feeding weights from 4 to 7 then 10 kg led to increasing the specific productivity along with a decreasing in the specific energy consumed, threshing efficiency and broken cobs .The highest specific productivity was 7.98 kg/kw.h. The least specific energy consumed 0.127 kwh/kg at the threshing speed of 470 rpm and the feeding weights 10 kg. While the threshing efficiency was 100% with broken cobs of 0%, at 470 rpm threshing speed for all of the feeding weights.

Background: Cardiac arrest remains a critical global health challenge, necessitating effective interventions to improve outcomes. Autopulse Mechanical Chest Compression has emerged as a potential adjunct to conventional manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the association between Autopulse use and various outcomes following cardiac arrest. Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Articles were evaluated for eligibility according to predefined criteria. The collected data was synthesized, and the findings were subsequently presented. Results: Sixteen studies were included in the study. A synthesis of diverse studies revealed nuanced perspectives on Autopulse Mechanical Chest Compression. Enhanced CPR success and improved survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were demonstrated, while potential drawbacks were suggested, warranting scrutiny of device design and implementation strategies. Meta-analyses on ROSC favored Autopulse, indicating a statistically significant advantage over Manual CPR (relative risk 1.43, 95% CI 1.07-1.92). Complication analyses showed no significant difference (relative risk 1.11, 95% CI 0.93-1.33), emphasizing comparable safety profiles. Patient survival rates exhibited variations, with Autopulse demonstrating higher rates in some studies, but nuances were observed in 30-day survival and hospital discharge rates. Conclusion: Autopulse Mechanical Chest Compression holds promise as a supplementary strategy in cardiac arrest resuscitation. However, complexities arose in longer-term outcomes, highlighting the need for contextual considerations. [SJEMed 2024; 5(1.000): 030-041]

Introduction. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of the most common human viral infections and has a double-stranded DNA genome belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Smoking is one of the leading causes of disease and premature death worldwide, responsible for the death of up to six million people annually. The purpose of the current study was to determine the seroprevalence of HSV-1 infection among smokers.‎ Methods. The search strategy was conducted in the period from December 2022 to January 2023. The study included a random sample of 94 (88 males, and 6 females) healthy participants, aged between ≤ 20 to ≥ 60 years, with 50 participants as the control group. The HSV serological testing consisted of detecting antibodies to HSV-1 IgG with the help of ELISA. Results. Most participants were university students, consisting of 45.7% males and 5.3% females, followed by employed smokers, consisting of 0.2% males and 1.1% females. The number of females was much lower than that of males reaching 6.4 and 93.6% respectively, due to customs and traditions. The seroprevalence was 24.47, 22.3 and 2.1% in males and females respectively. The seroprevalence rate was 13.8% in hookah and cigarette smokers, 9% in cigarette smokers and 1.1% in hookah smokers exclusively. The highest rate was observed in the age groups of 21-30 and 31–40 years with 12.80% and 7.40% respectively. Conclusions. The study revealed that the seroprevalence of HSV-1 IgG was 24.47%, and was higher among hookah and cigarette smokers compared to those who exclusively smoked cigarettes or hookah.

The effect of cooling rate and Nb addition on the phase transformation, microstructures, and mechanical properties of thermomechanically controlled hot-rolled low-carbon CrNiMnMoB ultrahigh-strength steel were studied. The aspects impeding Nb's benefits on hardenability, phase transformation, and mechanical properties were investigated. The hot rolling process was simulated, and a continuous cooling transformation diagram was constructed for the studied steels. Microstructures were analysed using laser scanning confocal microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, with the latter also used for in-depth investigations of the non-metallic inclusions. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate the precipitate characteristics. The concentrations of Nb in the solution and precipitates were quantified for the martensitic and granular bainitic structures. The effect of Nb in solution on phase transformation and strengthening is diminished, and the hardness is reduced by Nb precipitation at an early processing stage. Decreasing the cooling rate promotes the formation of granular bainitic structures rather than martensite. After being subjected to hot rolling followed by water quenching and air cooling, the microstructures are autotempered martensite and fully granular bainite, respectively. Various non-metallic inclusions, including Al2O3, MnS, and Al2O3–MnS, MnS·BN, Al2O3·BN and MnS·Al2O3·BN were observed. The number density and area fraction of non-metallic inclusions in the Nb-containing steel and the air-cooled samples are higher than those observed in the Nb-free and water-quenched samples. Adding 0.04 wt% of Nb slightly increased the strength, but the toughness properties dropped, mainly due to the higher number density and area fraction of non-metallic inclusions and primary large precipitates.

The stainless-steel crown (SSC) is a durable restoration and has several indications for use in primary teeth such as following a pulpotomy/pulpectomy, fractured teeth, teeth with developmental defects, or large multi-surface caries lesions where amalgam is likely to fail. Due to its durability and a lifespan like the primary tooth, it could well be the gold standard in restorative care. SSCs protect the crown from fracture, reduce the possibility for leakage, and ensure a biological seal. However, the placement of the SSC should follow a meticulous technique. There are some clinical situations where the SSC may fail, leading to plaque accumulation and gingivitis. This could be secondary to improper crimping of crown margins, which lead to poorly adapted SSC. In some clinical situations, ledge formation under the crown or failure to clean excess cement can contact the gingiva and cause gingival inflammation. This study was carried out on 41 children between the ages of 4 and 10 in Al Qassim region to study the effects of SSCs on gingiva and oral hygiene. The study also aims to establish the correlation between SSC adaptation and post-insertion inflammation. The plaque and gingival index were recorded at 3 months’ post SSC insertion. Clinical examination was undertaken, and gingival index (Loe and Silness 1967) and plaque index (Silness and Loe 1967) were used to record gingival health and plaque accumulation, respectively. The result for post-inflammation and SSC adaptation showed that there was no statistically significant difference in post-insertion inflammation and crown adaptation (P value = 0.216). The result for pre-operative inflammation and post-operative inflammation shows that there is no significant difference in post-inflammation and adaptation (P value = 0.47). We found that oral hygiene care had a heightening effect and oral hygiene maintenance plays a key role in preventing gingival inflammation irrespective of the SSC adaptation over short periods of time (3 months).

ABSTRACTReconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are anticipated to constitute a critical component of forthcoming communication networks due to their ability to establish controllable wireless environments. Furthermore, RIS can be leveraged to solve infeasible localization problems. This paper presents a novel adoption of the geometric dilution of precision (GDoP) analysis in the design of non-line of sight (NLoS) single anchor millimetre wave (mmWave) large RIS-aided localization in the near-field. Considering downlink transmission, the time difference of arrival (TDoA) is used to estimate the positioning by extracting the signal contribution of each RIS tile. Considering the enriched time of arrival (ToA) measurements provided by RIS, the RIS tiles involved in TDoA-based estimation should be selected properly. Therefore, the GDoP adopted in this context is to select RIS tile combinations that achieve minimum GDoP values. It has been shown via numerical simulation that the proposed design of the RIS-aided localization outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques that adopt the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the selection of the RIS tiles. It is demonstrated that the proposed scheme can provide sufficient localization accuracy involving only 10% of RIS tiles, whereas the SNR method requires about (70–80) % of the tiles to approximately achieve the same accuracy.

Background and objective: An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Cases of epidemic pneumonia have been linked to the Huanan Seafood Market; thus, it has been dubbed the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The global spread of thousands of deaths from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led the WHO to declare a pandemic on March 12, 2020. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of COVID-19 disease and vaccination coverage among public preparatory school teachers in Erbil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the target group of 772 teachers in 76 public preparatory schools. The study population was 3157 teachers, 1263 male and 1894 female, in Erbil city, from September 1, 2021, to March 30, 2022. A questionnaire was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews using a simple random sampling method. Results: The study sample ages ranged from 26 to 62 years; the mean age, ±standard deviation, was 40.53 ± 9.75. The prevalence rate of COVID-19 was 63.1%. Of the study samples, 58.5% received information about COVID-19 disease from social media and 23.8% from satellite channels. 68.9% of the study samples received the COVID-19 vaccine, and the majority preferred the Pfizer vaccine. Conclusion: The majority of the study samples were infected with COVID-19 disease; many of the study samples received the COVID-19 vaccine; misconceptions need further correction; an increase in updating information regarding mode of transmission; an explanation of COVID-19 disease preventive measures; raising awareness of COVID-19 vaccination; more interesting health campaigns; and using mass media and community programs to change health behavior and reduce future health consequences of COVID-19 disease.

Abstract This article examined the effect of geographical (different climate conditions) and floral origins on some quality parameters of honey including the activity of diastase enzyme. Moreover, some non-quality parameters were investigated such as the pH, fructose, glucose, ratio of fructose/glucose and invertase. The honey samples were collected from Asir (cold climate) and Jazan (hot climate) regions at the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. The geographical origin significantly affected the mean value moisture of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.02), conductivity of the polyfloral honey (p-value = 0.03), sucrose of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.02), diastase activity of the Acacia (p-value = 0.001), Ziziphus (p-value = 0.046) and polyfloral honey (p-value ≤ 0.001), fructose of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.01), glucose of the Ziziphus honey (p-value = 0.03), fructose/ glucose ratio of the Ziziphus honey (p-value = 0.035), and invertase activity of the polyfloral honey (p-value ≤ 0.001). Regarding the effect of the floral origin of the honey from Asir region, the sucrose percentage of the Acacia honey was significantly more than that of the polyfloral honey (p- value = 0.003), the diastase activity of the Acacia honey was significantly more than its activity in the Ziziphus honey (p- value = 0.044), glucose percentage of the Ziziphus honey was significantly more the glucose percentage of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.009) and the fructose/ glucose ratio of the Ziziphus honey was significantly more than that of the Acacia and polyforal honeys (p-value = 0.011 and p-value = 0.045, respectively). Concerning the significant effects of the floral origin on the quality parameters of the honey samples from Jazan region, the moisture of the Ziziphus honey was significantly increased when compared to the moisture of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.038), the acidity of the polfloral honey was significantly more than the acidity of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.049), the sum of fructose and glucose of the polyfloral honey was significantly increased compared to that of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.015), the pH of the Ziziphus hiney was significantly more than the pH of the polyfloral honey (0.011) and the fructose of the polfloral honey was significantly more than that of the Acacia honey (p-value = 0.031). The effect of the geographical origin of the honey samples on their quality parameters depends on their floral origin and the effect of their floral origin differs according to their geographical origin. This article suggests considering collectively the geographical and floral origins effect when developing honey standards. However, the Codex standards for honey started considering this issue when it changed the standard concentration of HMF in honey from not more than 80–40 mg/Kg for honeys from cold climate and 80 mg/Kg for honeys from hot climates.

In this study, minimizing entropy generation in a horizontal pipe is numerically investigated through two passive techniques: in the first mode, the helical wire inserts in the pipe were placed at three various ratios of pitch ratio. The second mode is adding cupric oxide nanoparticles at various volume concentrations. Experiments were conducted for Reynolds numbers ranging from 4,000 to 14,000 under a uniform heat flux scenario of 25,000 W/m2. The study utilized the ANSYS 14.5 software, employing the K-omega standard model, which involves three primary governing equations: continuity, momentum, and energy. According to the data, it was determined that the helical wire placed inside the pipe with a small pitch ratio decreased the entropy generation number. Cupric oxide nanoparticles also have a substantial impact on the entropy generation number. The higher volume concentration models had lower entropy generation numbers and Bejan numbers than the other models. Comparative analyses further emphasize the substantial advantages of using cupric oxide nanofluids and helical-wire inserts, with efficiency gains ranging from 5.08 to 11.7%.

The co-precipitation method was used to prepare CuO, ZnO, Co3O4 nanoparticles and CuO-ZnO-Co3O4 nanocomposite. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared samples were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and zeta potential. XRD analysis revealed that the crystal structures of CuO, ZnO, and Co3O4 nanoparticles are monoclinic, hexagonal, and cubic, with average crystallite sizes of 30.8 nm, 31.8 nm, and 32.8 nm, respectively. For CuO-ZnO-Co3O4 nanocomposites, the corresponding sizes were 24.9 nm, 13.6 nm, and 16.1 nm. The optical bandgaps of CuO, ZnO, Co3O4 nanoparticles, and CuO-ZnO-Co3O4 nanocomposites were 1.5 eV, 3.14 eV, 1.2 eV, and 1.3 eV, respectively. In this study, the antibacterial activity of CuO-ZnO-Co3O4 nanocomposite against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Klebsiella, pseudomonas, and Salmonella) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) was investigated and compared with the antibiotic Azithromycin. In addition, the effect of the nanocomposite on fungi was studied and compared with the antifungal Mystatin.

Narcissists are characterized by confidence, fragility, a desire for social approval without showing interest in others, charm, self-assurance, arrogance, and aggression. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ) among Algerian students (N = 714). Confirmatory factor and Rasch analyses were used. The NARQ consists of 18 items addressing six narcissism subscales under two main dimensions: rivalry and admiration. The results showed good saturation of the items on the six subscales and the three sub-scales on each of the two main dimensions, revealing a modest but positive correlation between rivalry and admiration. Moreover, the results of the Rasch model demonstrated that the scale aligns with the data, confirming the validity of the scale. This study offers valuable perspectives on assessing narcissism among Arabic populations and enhances our comprehension of the traits linked to narcissistic personalities.

Users' web information needs are increasingly exploratory, seeking to navigate unfamiliar domains and discover knowledge. However, existing search engines struggle with ambiguous queries, leading to irrelevant results. To address this, we propose an architecture that autonomously extracts domain knowledge from initial queries. This system transforms queries into a semantic model, suggesting relevant queries to aid exploration. Evaluated against Google, our architecture achieved 89 % accuracy in automated query recommendation, with 85.4 % system usability and an ''A'' ranking. This approach enhances exploratory search by facilitating clearer, more effective query formulation, thus improving information retrieval for users.

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known pollutant in agricultural soil, affecting human health through the food chain. To combat this issue, Ca + Mg (25 mg L−1) nanocomposite and Bacillus pumilus, either alone or combined, were applied to rice plants under Cd (5 mg kg−1, 10 mg kg−1) contamination. In our study, growth and yield traits demonstrated the beneficial influence of Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application in improving rice defense mechanism by reducing Cd stress. Combined Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application increased SPAD (15), total chlorophyll (18), chlorophyll a (11), chlorophyll b (22), and carotenoids (21%) with Cd (10 mg kg−1), compared to the application alone. Combined Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application significantly regulated MDA (15), H2O2 (13), EL (10), and O2•– (24%) in shoots under Cd (10 mg kg−1), compared to the application alone. Cd (10 mg kg−1) increased the POD (22), SOD (21), APX (12), and CAT (13%) in shoots with combined Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application, compared to the application alone. Combined Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application significantly reduced Cd accumulation in roots (22), shoots (13), and grains (20%) under Cd (10 mg kg−1), compared to the application alone. Consequently, the combined application of Ca + Mg and B. pumilus is a sustainable solution to enhance crop production under Cd stress.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the most promising structural ceramic materials because of its excellent thermal and electromechanical properties. These properties are beneficial for CMC that enhances the performance of composites, especially those containing integrated nanoadditives. In this research, SiC composites were fabricated from SiC at three concentrations, ZnO and Si. The magnetic properties of the mixtures were tested through vibratory sample monitoring. The green samples were sintered in a sintering furnace at 1600 °C in a nitrogen environment. The obtained composites have been tested and characterised using different techniques, including X-ray diffraction, surface morphology using FESEM and network analyser, and the dielectric properties of the samples were tested. On the basis of the sintering environment, silicon nitride was detected in the composite because of the nitriding process along the composite. Weak magnetic and absorbing properties were calculated for all the SiC composites. The dielectric properties of a composite were considered high when the composite tended to be a reflector at a low frequency range and a transmitter as the frequency increased along the frequency band. Therefore, the composite exerted a potential effect on the applications where shielding properties required in microwave range to prevent wave interference.

In this work, we explore the propagation of bidirectional solitary wave solutions in the generalized (2+1)-dimensional Boussinesq equation. The proposed model was recently introduced by Wazwaz and Kaur as an application to describe wave propagation in various multidimensional physical systems, including shallow water waves and similar phenomena. Via implementing a collection of effective approaches, we extract a diversity physical structures of the proposed model manifesting their propagation in a form of moving simultaneous symmetric bidirectional waves. The proposed methodologies will include the use of sine/cosine-function method, sinh/cosh-function method, tanh–coth expansion approach, and the rational form trial solutions including trigonometric and hyperbolic functions. By conducting graphical analyses, we illustrate the various physical structures and dynamic behaviors of this class of nonlinear partial differential equations. The results of this work are expected to facilitate the study of wave interactions, propagation dynamics, and soliton formation in multidimensional settings.

The oil and gas industry is known for its rapid technological advancements and the complexity of its operations, increasingly relying on data-intensive management. As subsea projects—from exploration to decommissioning—become more complex and data-driven, integrating knowledge management (KM) and database management systems (DBMS) has become essential. The research specifically explores how KM and DBMS contribute to decision-making, utilizing a quantitative methodology through a questionnaire survey. Findings reveal that KM processes significantly improve the effectiveness of non-spatial data management, highlighting KM's crucial role in facilitating technology adoption and operational efficiency. However, the influence of KM on spatial data management and overall decision-making is found to be limited, indicating the necessity for more adaptive and integrated KM strategies that serve the unique requirements of database systems. This study underscores the critical but nuanced role of KM and DBMS in the oil and gas industry, advocating for tailored KM strategies to optimize database management. It suggests future research into the interplay of KM with emerging technologies like AI and machine learning to enhance database management. This investigation stresses the importance of holistic KM practices in effectively managing the intricate data landscapes of subsea project services, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on KM, DBMS, and decision-making in complex settings.

Geopolymers are a type of inorganic substance that is created in an alkaline environment using alumina-silica gel. Although extensive research has been conducted on geopolymer concrete's mechanical and durability properties, its practical usage is limited by the constraints of attaining optimal curing conditions and the demand for high-temperature curing. These factors make it challenging to use geopolymer concrete in on-site construction projects. The current study aimed to explore the feasibility of substituting fly ash (FA) with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) in geopolymer concrete (GPC) cured at ambient temperature, as a means of resolving this problem. SCBA was utilized as a partial replacement for FA, ranging from 5 % to 20 %. Various tests, including slump test, compressive strength (Cst) test, tensile strength (Sst) test, and flexure (Fst) tests, were performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to study the microstructure. Furthermore, the effect of various curing temperatures was investigated. The results show that substituting SCBA for FA can reduce the necessity of curing at high temperatures. Furthermore, following a 28-day period of curing at ambient temperature, the geopolymer concrete mixtures made with FA-SCBA exhibited compressive strengths ranging from 40 to 56 MPa. These results imply that SCBA could be a suitable substitute for FA in GPC applications, reducing energy usage and environmental effects.

يهدف هذا البحث إلى استقصاء اتجاهات الطلبة اليمنيين بجامعة ذمار الدارسين للغة الإنجليزية بوصفها لغة أجنبية تجاه الطريقة الإيحائية. ولتحقيق هذا الهدف، تم استخدام المنهج الكمي، نظرًا لمدى ملاءمته لطبيعة الدراسة. وتكون مجتمع البحث من جميع طلاب المستوى الرابع المسجلين في قسم اللغة الإنجليزية في كلية التربية بجامعة ذمار. ونتيجة لقلة عدد طلاب المستوى الرابع، تم اخذ الكل كعينة للبحث. ولقد تم جمع البيانات، باستخدام استبيان يتكون من 14 بندا، حيث تم تقسيم الاستبيان إلى قسمين رئيسيين: القسم الأول، المكون من ثمانية بنود، استقصى اتجاهات الطلاب تجاه تقنيات الطريقة الإيحائية فيما يتعلق بتنظيم الصف الدراسي وأنشطته، أما القسم الثاني، المكون من ستة عناصر، استقصى اتجاهات الطلاب تجاه الجوانب الوجدانية لتقنيات الطريقة الإيحائية. وبعد جمع البيانات، تم تحليلها باستخدام التكرارات والمتوسطات والنسب المئوية. وكشفت البيانات التي تم تحليلها إحصائيًا أن متعلمي اللغة الإنجليزية كلغة أجنبية في جامعة ذمار يتبنون مواقف إيجابية تجاه الإيحائية كطريقة تدريس، مما يسلط الضوء على فعاليتها المحتملة في تعزيز تجربة التعلم.

Soil carbonate is considered an effective adsorbent to trace element retention. Many researchers have studied the preferential adsorption of those heavy metals on calcareous soils. In 2021- 2022, an experiment was conducted in agriculture college laboratories to assess the mono and competitive of three trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn) on three calcareous soils that differ in their CaCO3 content. Calcareous representative soil samples were collected from different Nineveh governorate and north Iraq locations. The adsorption experiment was carried out using the batch method by equilibrating 2.5 gm soil with 25 ml of a solution containing concentrations of (1.5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg. L-1) of all traced elements in the same concentrations. Sorption isotherms were characterized using linear Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Results showed huge differences in sorptions capacities and other studied parameters. All studied soils showed a high maximum adsorption capacity Qmax and strength binding for Cu than Zn and Mn. On the basis of Qmax and distribution coefficient values (Σkd) for each studied soil and element, the selectivity sequence was as follows Cu>Zn >Mn. Gibbs free energy (-ΔG) values were decreased as the sorption capacity decreased too. In mono and ternary adsorption system, Langmuir isotherms were of H-type whereas Freundlich isotherms were of C-type. The soil properties such as CaCO3, pH, Clay, C.E.C, and O.M were significantly related to trace elements adsorption.

Several reports suggest that intestinal tissue may be a natural niche for Chlamydia trachomatis infection and a reservoir for persistent infections in the human body. Due to the human specificity of the pathogen and the lack of suitable host models, there is limited knowledge on this topic. In our study, we modelled the course of the chlamydial infection in human primary gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells originating from patient-derived organoids. We show that GI cells are resistant to apical infection and C. trachomatis needs access to the basolateral membrane to establish an infection. Transmission electron microscopy analysis reveals the presence of both normal as well as aberrant chlamydial developmental forms in the infected cells, suggesting a possible cell-type specific nature of the infection. Furthermore, we show that the plasmid-encoded Pgp3 is an important virulence factor for the infection of human GI cells. This is the first report of C. trachomatis infection in human primary intestinal epithelial cells supporting a possible niche for chlamydial infection in the human intestinal tissue.

Abstract The direct electrochemical reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) results in various products, complicating the regeneration of the crucial 1,4‐NADH cofactor for enzymatic reactions. Previous research primarily focused on steady–state polarization to examine potential impacts on product selectivity. However, this study explores the influence of dynamic conditions on the selectivity of NAD+ reduction products by comparing two dynamic profiles with steady‐state conditions. Our findings reveal that the main products, including 1,4‐NADH, several dimers, and ADP‐ribose, remained consistent across all conditions. A minor by–product, 1,6‐NADH, was also identified. The product distribution varied depending on the experimental conditions (steady state vs. dynamic) and the concentration of NAD+, with higher concentrations and overpotentials promoting dimerization. The optimal yield of 1,4‐NADH was achieved under steady–state conditions with low overpotential and NAD+ concentrations. While dynamic conditions enhanced the 1,4‐NADH yield at shorter reaction times, they also resulted in a significant amount of unidentified products. Furthermore, this study assessed the potential of using pulsed electrochemical regeneration of 1,4‐NADH with enoate reductase (XenB) for cyclohexenone reduction.

Background: Medication reconciliation can include medication reviewing and providing counseling and a list of all the medications during every transition of care. Objectives: to explore in-depth the perspectives of Iraqi physicians and pharmacists regarding the necessity of medication reconciliation at hospital discharge and identify the possible benefits and challenges that could face its implementation. Subjects and Methods: A qualitative study included semi-structured interviews with pharmacists and physicians working at a public teaching hospital in Iraq. The interviews were conducted face-to-face from February to March 2023. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data generated from the interviews. Results: In this study, 18 healthcare providers were recruited: 12 pharmacists and six physicians. All participants supported medication reconciliation adoption at hospital discharge. Pharmacists can identify unintended medications discrepancies via discharge medication reviewing, patient counseling and providing discharge list. The most frequently reported challenges to establishing medication reconciliation were a lack of clear official instructions, suboptimal physician-pharmacist cooperation, and inadequate awareness. Conclusions: The implantation of medication reconciliation has numerous benefits in terms of enhancing patient safety and avoiding medication errors. However, it needs several pre-requisites to be implemented routinely, including official enforcement and training courses to raise healthcare providers’ awareness.

The use of glosses to aid vocabulary learning in second languages has been one of the most actively studied areas in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) literature. To compile research articles that examine the effect of utilizing glosses on second language (L2) vocabulary learning, the present study employed a second-order meta-analysis technique. The second-order meta-analysis is a study that synthesizes and analyzes the findings of multiple meta-analyses rather than individual primary studies, providing a higher level of abstraction and overview of existing evidence. The study synthesizes the results from seven primary meta-analyses conducted between 2008 and 2023, which included 136 original studies. Results showed that the overall mean effect size for using glosses was medium (g = 0.63 for the fixed-effect size model and 0.76 for the random-effect size model). The results showed that moderators had a significantly mitigated the effects of multimedia glosses. In particular, beginner-level students benefited greatly from being exposed to multimedia glosses, resulting in a large effect size. Additionally, the recognition test tended to produce a higher effect size compared to other types of vocabulary tests. Furthermore, glossing was found to be more effective in improving vocabulary acquisition in expository texts rather than narrative texts. Moreover, single-mode glosses were reported to be more effective than multi-mode glosses. The findings indicated that in-text glosses, out-text glosses, and bottom glosses exhibited a small effect size, whereas pop-up and margin glosses demonstrated a medium effect size. Implications for language learning and suggestions for future meta-analytic research are provided.

Utilizing plant extracts in the green synthesis of bimetallic nanoalloys receives more attention due to its eco-friendly, cheap, single-step, easy-handling method, producing highly active and biocompatible nanoalloys. Therefore, the aqueous extract of ginger rhizome was used to form bimetallic gold/silver (Au/Ag) nanoalloys. There were 37.3 mg.g−1 of total soluble carbs, 0.75 mg.g−1 of proteins, and 0.03 mg.g−1 of phenolic compounds quantified in ginger rhizome. The production of BAu/Ag-NPs relies on these components. The as-formed BAu/Ag-NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that the peak surface plasmon resonance (SPR) occurred between 440 and 545 nm. The existence of several functional groups involved in the reduction and stability of the generated nanoalloys was shown by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR). The nanoalloys, with an average size of 49.1 ± 16.2 nm, were observed to be spherical using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) indicated that the synthesized nanoalloy mainly consisted of Au and Ag ions, which made up (31.2 % and 47.1 %) and (45.9 % and 28.6 %) of the sample’s atomic and weight percentages, respectively. The crystallography of the nanoalloys was confirmed using XRD analysis. When examined for their capacity to suppress viral replication, the synthesized nanoalloys showed remarkable results, with 78.2 % inhibition against HAV and 69.6 % against Cox-B4. In addition, the anticancer activity of nanoalloys against oral epithelial cells (OEC), MCF7 adenocarcinoma cells, and HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells was investigated using the MTT assay method. While the nanoalloys exhibited moderate toxicity towards normal OEC (IC50: 502.5 ± 2.8 g.mL−1), they showed substantial cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, MCF7 and HepG2, with IC50 values of 212.6 ± 4.4 and 117.9 ± 6.6 µg.mL−1, respectively. According to these data, BAu/Ag nanoalloys show potential as antiviral and anticancer drugs that selectively kill cancer cells.

Background: The increasing global prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) has become an important challenge, leading to a heightened demand for oral medicine in developed nations. This demand arises from the recognition of the association between psychiatric disorders and other conditions, including various orofacial pain disorders. Objective: This study are to evaluate oral conditions such as recurrent aphthous ulcers, burning mouth syndrome, and altered taste and to assess salivary alpha-amylase in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Methods: This research uses a cross-sectional study design that includes a sample of 49 patients who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and who have undergone treatment for at least two weeks. The control group consists of 34 healthy subjects with no signs or symptoms of systemic disease. The study group received the diagnosis in Najaf City according to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). With respect to recurrent aphthous ulcers, the results of this study show the percentage of patients with oral ulcers is significantly higher than in the control group. Results: The results also show that the prevalence of burning mouth syndrome is significantly higher in patients with major depressive disorder than in healthy controls. A highly statistically significant difference was found between the study group and the control group regarding altered taste. There is also a significant difference in salivary alpha-amylase levels between the study and control groups (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Major depressive disorder patients have much higher incidences of reported recurrent aphthous ulcers, burning mouth syndrome, and altered taste than healthy subjects, indicating the importance of psychological factors in these conditions. Additionally, salivary alpha-amylase levels were higher in patients with major depressive disorder than in the control group.