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Abstract This study investigates the impact of information communication technology (ICT), economic freedom, and economic sustainability on herding behavior, and examines whether the link between economic freedom and economic sustainability depends on ICT. Using quantile regression on a sample of seven Gulf Cooperation Council stock markets from 2004 to 2020, we find that ICT and economic freedom reduce herding in lower quantiles while promoting it in higher quantiles. Conversely, open market freedom and economic sustainability appear to correct herding in all quantiles. The results show that ICT reinforces the move away from herding seen with economic freedom for the transmission channel of ICT on herding. However, ICT plays a dual role in open market freedom and economic sustainability, weakening (strengthening) the curative effect of economic sustainability (open market freedom) in the lower quantiles and strengthening (weakening) it in higher quantiles. Thus, the highest impact in reducing herding exits through the combination of ICT and economic freedom is skewed to the lower quantiles with ICT-open market freedom and skewed to the upper quantiles with ICT-economic sustainability. These results offer substantial implications for policymakers.

Abstract Solutions for scalable, high-performance optical control are important for the development of scaled atom-based quantum technologies. Modulation of many individual optical beams is central to applying arbitrary gate and control sequences on arrays of atoms or atom-like systems. At telecom wavelengths, miniaturization of optical components via photonic integration has pushed the scale and performance of classical and quantum optics far beyond the limitations of bulk devices. However, material platforms for high-speed telecom integrated photonics lack transparency at the short wavelengths required by leading atomic systems. Here, we propose and implement a scalable and reconfigurable photonic control architecture using integrated, visible-light modulators based on thin-film lithium niobate. We combine this system with techniques in free-space optics and holography to demonstrate multi-channel, gigahertz-rate visible beamshaping. When applied to silicon-vacancy artificial atoms, our system enables the spatial and spectral addressing of a dynamically-selectable set of these stochastically-positioned point emitters.

This study investigated the nonlinear effects of environmental quality (EQ) on bank risk-taking in the region and the moderating influence on the EQ risk-taking nexus. The study employed generalized quadratic quantile regression techniques to unearth nuanced relationships within 154 publicly traded banks from 10 MENA region countries between 2011 and 2023. The results suggested a U-shaped relationship between bank risk-taking and environmental quality proxied by the environmental performance index EPI. This outcome indicated that initial advances in environmental quality were associated with reduced risk-taking, which may increase beyond a certain threshold. Furthermore, the moderating influence of bank size was substantial, as larger banks typically exhibited a more robust ability to manage environmental hazards without increasing their risk-taking behaviour. The implications for policy and practice are substantial, indicating that developing effective risk management strategies should consider both the size of banks and environmental improvements.

Clostridioides difficile infections are difficult and serious problem occurring in patients staying in intensive care units. In recent years, the number and severity of these infections, as well as the mortality rate, have been increasing, posing a serious epidemiological problem. This is caused, among other factors, by stressors, artificial nutrition, and sepsis, which lead to disturbances in the patients’ microbiome. Basic method of treatment is antibiotic therapy, however some patients experience recurrences of the infection. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is one of the alternative methods used in treating recurring infections of Clostridioides difficile etiology (Clostridioides Difficile Infection, CDI). The presented case refers to a patient with severe pseudomembranous enterocolitis who underwent FMT twice. This report highlights the role of FMT in the treatment of severe Clostridioides difficile infections in critically ill patients.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) encompasses rare variants like chromophobe hepatocellular carcinoma (CHCC) characterized by distinct histological features and molecular profiles. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C, presenting pain in the right hypochondrium. Imaging revealed a solitary liver lesion, subsequently resected and histologically diagnosed as HCC. Macroscopic examination found a 4×4 cm encapsulated liver nodule with necrotic areas, surrounded by numerous smaller satellite nodules in Segment 6. The liver was in micronodular cirrhosis. Histologically, the tumor had focal trabecular or pseudoglandular patterns within a vascularized stroma. The cells were large, with clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm and hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei with focal anaplastic features. No vascular invasion was noted in adjacent cirrhotic liver tissue. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was CHCC. Due to its rarity and overlapping characteristics with other hepatic tumors, CHCC poses diagnostic challenges. Accurate diagnosis necessitates thorough histopathological assessment and molecular testing. The identification of the alternative lengthening of telomeres phenotype may distinguish CHCC from conventional HCC and hold potential implications for targeted therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of HCC variants is critical for effective management and underscores the need for continued research into its clinical behavior and therapeutic responses.

Background Pathological response of liver metastases (LM) from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) to neoadjuvant therapy is a known prognostic factor associated with recurrence and survival. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two prognostic scores in patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM), specifically in stage IV disease. Methods We conducted a study on patients with stage IV colorectal cancer who received preoperative chemotherapy (CT) followed by liver metastasis (LM) resection between 2015 and 2021. Among these patients, 57% had synchronous metastases (diagnosed at the same time as the primary tumor), while the remaining cases were metachronous (diagnosed after the primary tumor). Pathological response was evaluated using both the Rubbia-Brandt tumor regression grade (TRG) and the Blazer scoring system. We then assessed the performance of these two prognostic scores based on homogeneity (using the likelihood ratio, LR+), monotonicity, and discriminative ability (using the area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve, AUC). Results 70 cases were included in the study. Mean age was 56 years. The sex ratio (males/females) was 2.2. Forty patients were stage IV (57%) with synchronous all CRCLMs. The overall survival, all stages combined, was 85.5% at 12 months, 41.7% at 24 months and 19.3% at 36 months. The median survival was better in case of major response (TRG1/TRG2) evaluated at 40.1 and 41.1 months after diagnosis. In cases of partial response (TRG3), the median survival was 32.1 months. In cases with no response (TRG4/TRG5), survival was estimated at 29.9 and 18.5 months. The Rubbia-Brandt TRG had the highest LR+ (10.95). The LR+ of the Rubbia-Brandt score was greater than 10, so it was a test with very strong contribution. The LR+ of the Blazer score was between 5 and 10, it was a test with strong contribution. The Rubbia-Brandt TRG had the highest linearity value (10.73). With a higher AUC of the ROC curve (0.8), the Rubbia-Brandt TRG was better at predicting survival than the Blazer score. Conclusion Surgical resection is the gold standard for CRCLM, with improved prognosis from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological response to CT is a key prognostic factor, and the Rubbia Brandt TRG system enhances survival predictivity when combined with ypTN stage.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) improves the prognosis of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive factors of the histological response of CRLM after neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: A retrospective monocentric study including patients with CRLM operated after neoadjuvant treatment. Assessment of histological response was based on the Rubbia-Brandt tumor regression grading score. The scores were grouped into two types of response: Response Group (R) and No Response Group (NR). RESULTS: The study included 77 patients (mean age=56 years, sex ratio=1.57). Node metastases were noticed in 62% of cases. Synchronous liver metastasis was present in 42 cases (55%) and metachronous liver metastasis in 45%. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of CT only in 52 patients (68%) and CT with targeted therapy in 25 patients (32%). Chemo-induced lesions were present in 44 patients (57%). Histological response was presented (Group R) in 36 cases (47%) and absent (Group NR) in 41 cases (53%). The overall survival of our patients was 32 months. For Group R, survival was significantly greater (p=0.001). The predictive factors of histological response identified were delay in the onset of liver metastasis greater than 14 months (p=0.027) and neoadjuvant treatment combining CT and targeted therapy (p=0.031). In multivariate analysis, the type of neoadjuvant treatment (p=0.035) was an independent predictive factor of histological response. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive factors of histological response would allow us to identify patients who would benefit most from neoadjuvant treatment. These patients with CRLM onset of more than 14 months and treated with CT combined with targeted therapy would be the best candidates for a neoadjuvant CT strategy followed by surgical resection.

Internet technology's worldwide success and adoption have provided organizations with direct access to their constituents and customers. Especially, organizations relying on online platforms provide comparatively better services and have strong relations with their clients. This research also focused on relevant phenomena in the United Arab Emirates banking sector organizations. The researchers employed a cross-sectional design and randomly selected a sample of n=400 individuals. Results revealed a significant impact of customer support services on providing product information (p>0.008) and service quality (p>0.000). Further, the effect of service quality on Artificial Intelligence also remained significant (p>0.000). Besides, Artificial Intelligence is also found significantly impact the Public Relations of Emirati banks (p>0.006). Finally, the mediating impact of communication skills on Artificial Intelligence and Public Relations remained significant (p>0.088). Moreover, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) revealed the Sum of Square Values at 568.19, the Overall Relative Error value at 0.813, and the accuracy level at 18.7% (training). While, regarding the testing, the Sum of Square Values remained at 256.80 and the Average Overall Relative Error value remained at 0.861, indicating an overall accuracy of 13.9%. Thus, it is concluded that the importance of two-way communication can be determined because it helps determine and understand the customers' needs and demands. The more an organization understands its customers, the more it fulfills their expectations, indicating the importance of two-way communication. Finally, this research recommends more studies regarding AI-enabled Emotional Intelligence in other sectors to dig out in-depth results. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-03-020 Full Text: PDF

This study examines the linear and nonlinear impacts of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) components on bank stock returns in the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It also investigates the impact of bank size on the nexus between ESG and bank stock returns. Using a sample of 59 banks from the 12 countries in the MENA region between 2010 and 2021 and applying generalized quantile regression, we find the following. Our results suggest that ESG components and bank stock returns have a nonlinear relationship. In other words, the link between the ESG components and stock market returns could be U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, or both. Additionally, we find that size influences the link between the ESG pillars and bank stock returns. With few exceptions, large banks strengthened the positive link between ESG components and stock returns. Our findings align with the concept of “too little of a good thing” or “too much of a good thing” effects, along with the law of diminishing marginal returns.

The objective of this study is to examine the nature of the relationship between the internal work environment including its all-encompassing dimensions (organizational structure, participation in decision-making, incentives) and job alienation in Higher education institutions through focusing on faculty members at Jijel University in Algeria. That being the case, the study aims to fill a research gap by investigating the underexplored relationship between the Internal Work Environment and Job Alienation, hence while there is ample literature on work alienation, studies specifically focusing on work alienation within higher education institutions through the prism of internal work environment are notably scarce. The study utilized a descriptive approach, employing a survey sampling method to collect data from the target population with a specifically designed questionnaire for this purpose. The questionnaire consisting of 60 items was administered to a randomly selected sample of 167 faculty members at Jijel University. The collected data were analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22. The study's findings illustrate that faculty members perceive their work environment as inadequate for carrying out their activities, coupled with a notably high level of job alienation. Additionally, the research underscores a significant correlation between the internal work environment, encompassing its various dimensions, and the prevalence of job alienation among faculty members at Jijel University. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-SIED1-07 Full Text: PDF

Introduction Actinomycosis is an uncommon inflammatory bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species, especially Actinomyces Israeli. Abdominopelvic forms are relatively rare and may involve the colon as a solid mass, mimicking a malignant tumor. Case presentation A 68-year-old Tunisian man, with a history of diabetes, hypertension, penicillin allergy, and renal failure, presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. CT scan showed an acute intestinal obstruction upstream with obstructive tissular mass at the sigmoid colon. Emergency surgery revealed a sigmoid mass and a pre-perforative cecum. Subtotal colectomy was performed, with ileostomy and distal end closure. Histological examination confirmed Actinomyces infection. The patient was then placed on long-term doxycycline and Bactrim, with no recurrence over a 9-month follow-up period. Conclusion Abdominal actinomycosis, though rare, presents diagnostic challenges. It can be mistaken for malignancy, leading to unnecessary surgery in non-complicated cases, since it is effectively treated by antibiotics. In complicated cases, a combined approach involving both surgery and antibiotic therapy is necessary until the infection is completely eradicated.

Introduction Actinomycosis is an uncommon inflammatory bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species, especially Actinomyces Israeli. Abdominopelvic forms are relatively rare and may involve the colon as a solid mass, mimicking a malignant tumor. Case presentation A 68-year-old Tunisian man, with a history of diabetes, hypertension, penicillin allergy, and renal failure, presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. CT scan showed an acute intestinal obstruction upstream with obstructive tissular mass at the sigmoid colon. Emergency surgery revealed a sigmoid mass and a pre-perforative cecum. Total colectomy was performed, with ileostomy and distal end closure. Histological examination confirmed Actinomyces infection. The patient was then placed on long-term doxycycline and Bactrim, with no recurrence over a 9-month follow-up period. Conclusion Abdominal actinomycosis, though rare, presents diagnostic challenges. It can be mistaken for malignancy, leading to unnecessary surgery in non-complicated cases, since it is effectively treated by antibiotics. In complicated cases, a combined approach involving both surgery and antibiotic therapy is necessary until the infection is completely eradicated.

This study evaluated the performance of self-compacting rubberized concrete against external sulphate attack (ESA). cylinders 100 mm in diameter and 220 mm in length of control concrete (no rubber) and rubberized concrete were prepared and tested by visual inspection to identify visible degradation, length and mass variations of specimens, compressive strength, water-accessible porosity, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and thermal decomposition obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results show that the incorporation of up to 15% rubber enhances the performance against ESA. Rubber reduced the expansion strains and compressive strength. All immersed specimens did not have visible cracks around them. Water porosity was found to increase or decrease versus the time of sulphate immersion. As a result, the impact of rubber on porosity variation is significantly less than the effect of the sulphate-hydrate reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a decrease in portlandite, which is not related to rubber incorporation.

Reputation management is of more significant consideration for organizations across the globe. However, for relevant purposes, Public Relations accompanied by Artificial Intelligence further play a significant role. Mainly supported by the social exchange theory, this study also focuses on Public Relations practices and Artificial Intelligence as facilitating the pathway to reputation management for online retail organizations in the United Arab Emirates. The researchers selected a sample of n= 330 individuals and analyzed it using Structural Equation Modelling to test the proposed conceptual model. Results revealed that Public Relations practices significantly affect Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavior Change. Besides, the effect of Artificial Intelligence on Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavior Change also remained significant. Further, the three relevant factors (Online Communication and Behavior Change) significantly affect reputation management, indicating the overall effect of PR practices and AI on reputation management in online retail organizations in the UAE. Hence, it is concluded that PR practices and AI technology have a substantial role in ensuring reputation management. Besides, factors including Competitive Value, Online Communication, and Behavioral Change have a positive role in reputation management, further ensuring attaining the organizational goals. Finally, the researchers discussed the results and highlighted the theoretical implications accordingly.

Introduction Actinomycosis is an uncommon inflammatory bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species, especially Actinomyces Israeli. Abdominopelvic forms are relatively rare and may involve the colon as a solid mass, mimicking a malignant tumor. Case presentation A 68-year-old Tunisian man, with a history of diabetes, hypertension, penicillin allergy, and renal failure, presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. CT scan showed an acute intestinal obstruction upstream with obstructive tissular mass at the sigmoid colon. Emergency surgery revealed a sigmoid mass and a pre-perforative cecum. Subtotal colectomy was performed, with ileostomy and distal end closure. Histological examination confirmed Actinomyces infection. The patient was then placed on long-term doxycycline and Bactrim, with no recurrence over a 9-month follow-up period. Conclusion Abdominal actinomycosis, though rare, presents diagnostic challenges. It can be mistaken for malignancy, leading to unnecessary surgery in non-complicated cases, since it is effectively treated by antibiotics. In complicated cases, a combined approach involving both surgery and antibiotic therapy is necessary until the infection is completely eradicated.