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Localized cutaneous neurofibromas (cNFs) are benign tumors that arise in the dermis of patients affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome. cNFs are benign lesions: they do not undergo malignant transformation or metastasize. Nevertheless, they can cover a significant proportion of the body, with some individuals developing hundreds to thousands of lesions. cNFs can cause pain, itching, and disfigurement resulting in substantial socio-emotional repercussions. Currently, surgery and laser desiccation are the sole treatment options but may result in scarring and potential regrowth from incomplete removal. To identify effective systemic therapies, we introduce an approach to establish and screen cNF organoids. We optimized conditions to support the ex vivo growth of genomically diverse cNFs. Patient-derived cNF organoids closely recapitulate cellular and molecular features of parental tumors as measured by immunohistopathology, methylation, RNA sequencing, and flow cytometry. Our cNF organoid platform enables rapid screening of hundreds of compounds in a patient- and tumor-specific manner.

Construction contractors often rely on external funding to manage financial deficits caused by irregular cash inflows and outflows. To address these cash flow challenges, contractors typically adjust the start times of project activities to prevent shortages while minimizing the overall project duration. However, in severe cases, operations may need to halt if cash flow issues cannot be adequately resolved. This study introduces an alternative strategy to prevent cash shortages by allowing for the temporary suspension of activities, known as activity splitting. In this approach, operations are paused to conserve cash and then resumed when sufficient funds become available. The potential benefit of this method is illustrated through a simple, four-activity project. Extending the application to more complex projects with a set of splittable activities—each having different cash requirements, durations, and associated splitting costs—the challenge lies in identifying the optimal activities to split and determining the precise suspension and resumption times, all while minimizing or avoiding project delays and additional costs. To address this, we present a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that optimizes the scheduling and splitting of activities to minimize project duration without breaching financial constraints. The MILP model effectively identifies the best trade-off between activity splitting and project extension, taking into account the financial and cost implications of the contractor’s constraints. This is demonstrated through a case study that considers different scenarios related to splitting costs and financial limitations.

Higher education in the developing world is challenged by high number of students and rigid curricula. These challenges require innovative ways to support students learning. In this paper, a new extracurricular activity was designed to promote academic research and self-learning skills using undergraduate -- postgraduate peer learning. The course aims to fill the gap in active learning in the developing world. The newly designed course was delivered to 20 students from different fields of studies in Syria. Each group was mentored by a postgraduate student and supervised by an academic. Students provided positive feedback on the course design, aims and skills development. Comparison of students' academic research skills was performed through pre- and post-course evaluation. Significant improvement in literature search skills was observed (p < 0.05). The proposed course can be replicated in other developing countries creating an educational opportunity for research and self-learning skills among students at different grades of studies.

Chordomas are rare tumors of notochordal origin, most commonly arising in the sacrum or skull base. Chordomas are considered insensitive to conventional chemotherapy, and their rarity complicates running timely and adequately powered trials to identify effective treatments. Therefore, there is a need for discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. Patient-derived organoids can accelerate drug discovery and development studies and predict patient responses to therapy. In this proof-of-concept study, we successfully established organoids from seven chordoma tumor samples obtained from five patients presenting with tumors in different sites and stages of disease. The organoids recapitulated features of the original parent tumors and inter- as well as intrapatient heterogeneity. High-throughput screenings performed on the organoids highlighted targeted agents such as PI3K/mTOR, EGFR, and JAK2/STAT3 inhibitors among the most effective molecules. Pathway analysis underscored how the NF-κB and IGF-1R pathways are sensitive to perturbations and potential targets to pursue for combination therapy of chordoma.

Background Peer-assisted learning has been shown to be constructive in numerous aspects of undergraduate medical education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills to non-native English-speaking students. Methods A medical English conversation course was conducted at Damascus University by a group of students. Targeted participants were intermediate level fellow students from the same program. A longitudinal study was carried out between 1st to 31st March 2019 to assess changes in self-assessment of English language skills among course participants. Pre- and post-course appraisal involved a review of previous experience with medical English language, a self-assessment of five English language skills, and an objective measurement of medical English knowledge. In addition, participants were requested to respond to a set of statements related to the importance and the usefulness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills. Paired-sample Student t-test was used to compare pre- and post-course appraisal results. Results 42 students attended the course and completed pre- and post-course appraisals in full. Data analyses showed a statistically significant increase in participants’ confidence in speaking medical English in public (p

Chordomas are rare tumors of notochordal origin, most commonly arising in the sacrum or skull base. Primary treatment of chordoma is surgery, however complete resection is not always feasible due to their anatomic location, and recurrence rates remain high. Chordomas are considered insensitive to conventional chemotherapy, and their rarity complicates running timely and adequately powered trials to identify effective regimens. Therefore, there is a need for discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. Drug discovery efforts in chordoma have been mostly limited to cell line models. Patient-derived organoids can accelerate drug discovery studies and predict patient responses to therapy. In this proof-of-concept study, we successfully established organoids from seven chordoma tumor samples obtained from five patients presenting with tumors in different sites and stages of disease. The organoids recapitulated features of the original parent tumors and inter-as well as intra-patient heterogeneity. High-throughput screenings performed on the organoids highlighted targeted agents such as PI3K/mTOR, EGFR, and JAK2/STAT3 inhibitors among the most effective molecules. Pathway analysis underscored how the NF-kB and IGF-1R pathways are sensitive to perturbations and potential targets to pursue for combination therapy of chordoma.

This paper examines the environmental effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles used by tourists in Dubai. Unfortunately, tourists residing in Dubai hotels must depend on these single-use plastic water bottles that have negative environmental impacts associated with their production and disposal. Thus, the government of Dubai launched an initiative to reduce the usage of PET bottles, and this paper discusses whether this initiative is adequate to change hotels' dependence on PET water bottles. Therefore, this paper tries first to find the reasons that would drive hotels to comply with this initiative and then assesses the compliance of hotels with this initiative 1 year after its launch. It is found that pressures from hotels with the same and higher ratings are crucial drivers for hotels to replace PET bottles with other alternatives. Officials affiliated with the Dubai Can initiative confirmed these findings. They have also anticipated that UAE residents who spend their vacations in Dubai hotels will exert substantial pressure on hotels to abandon PET bottle use. Decision-makers affirmed that a good percentage of five-star hotels, in addition to several four-star hotels, have abolished the use of PET bottles. Moreover, it is anticipated that all hotels are expected to stop using PET bottles. Consequently, this study shows that promoting environmentally responsible behavior without enacting laws is possible.

Construction contractors often rely on external funding to manage financial deficits caused by irregular cash inflows and outflows. To address these cash flow challenges, contractors typically adjust the start times of project activities to prevent shortages while minimizing the overall project duration. However, in severe cases, operations may need to halt if cash flow issues cannot be adequately resolved. This study introduces an alternative strategy to prevent cash shortages by allowing for the temporary suspension of activities, known as activity splitting. In this approach, operations are paused to conserve cash and then resumed when sufficient funds become available. The potential benefit of this method is illustrated through a simple, four-activity project. Extending the application to more complex projects with a set of splittable activities—each having different cash requirements, durations, and associated splitting costs—the challenge lies in identifying the optimal activities to split and determining the precise suspension and resumption times, all while minimizing or avoiding project delays and additional costs. To address this, we present a novel mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that optimizes the scheduling and splitting of activities to minimize project duration without breaching financial constraints. The MILP model effectively identifies the best trade-off between activity splitting and project extension, taking into account the financial and cost implications of the contractor's constraints. This is demonstrated through a case study that considers different scenarios related to splitting costs and financial limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different sustainable technologies were used in Expo 2020 Dubai to construct the different participating pavilions. Moreover, participating countries in the Expo have presented their state-of-the-art sustainable urban planning, transportation, and energy technologies. The purpose of using and presenting these technologies was to raise the visitors' environmental awareness. Thus, this study first presents a sample of sustainable technologies that were used or presented at the Expo. It then seeks to determine if using and presenting these technologies has fulfilled the Expo goal of raising its visitors' environmental awareness. It also tries to find out which environmental dimension was raised the most. For this purpose, a questionnaire was used to measure environmental awareness before and after visiting Expo 2020 Dubai. Statistically analyzing the responses of 1,108 frequent visitors shows that Expo 2020 Dubai achieved its goal of increasing visitors' environmental awareness, particularly the environmental attitude dimension. The findings also reveal that it is essential to have a point of interest devoted to environmental issues in similar events. This positive impact on the visitors should convince upcoming mega-event planners to follow Expo 2020 Dubai's steps. However, researchers need to develop strategies to raise the willingness to act dimension of environmental awareness.

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease usually originating in the bone marrow, although other tissues may be involved. A plasmacytoma is considered to be a solitary form of multiple myeloma. Solitary bone plasmacytoma representing 3% to 7% of myelomas.We present a man 50-year-old with isolated left flank pain that progressed to back pain with acute numbness and tingling in his lower extremities.MRI detected a single malignant osteolytic process of the spine involving T12 with a pathologic fracture leading to segmental kyphosis.There were no abnormalities to be highlighted in the laboratory. Urgent surgery using Closing Posterior – Opening Anterior Wedge osteotomy was conducted.Histopathological examination specimen showed diffuse proliferation of medium to large plasmacytoid cells. The differential diagnosis included NHL, EMP, SPB, MM, and PBL.Based on the radiographic features, Serum protein electrophoresis and bone marrow, MM was ruled out. A diagnostic workup was done with a panel of following IHC markers. Final diagnosis of SPB was made.The patient recovered well. Follow-up X-ray showed the correction of kyphosis after spinal fusion.Solitary plasmacytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a solitary lytic lesion.Closing Posterior – Opening Anterior Wedge osteotomy is an effective method to correct post-plasmacytoma kyphosis.

This study aims to investigate the predictive capabilities of artificial neural networks (ANNs) for Al-glass composites, specifically in exploring the effect of glass particle size and content on hardness, porosity, and microstructure in Al-glass composites. Contents between 0-15 wt.% glass particles, with two size ranges-- less than 53µm, and between 53-75µm-- were incorporated within the pure aluminum matrix. Powder metallurgy was employed to produce the composite specimens. Pressing at 400 MPa was applied to the powders to produce the green compacts. The sintering temperature was 550 °C. Three sintering periods were used: one, two, and four hours. The results indicate that the most significant factors affecting the hardness and porosity were glass percentage and sintering time. The highest hardness value of 27.50 HRB was obtained in specimen with 10% glass content sintered for 4 hours, with glass grain size of 53-75 µm. Whereas the highest porosity percentage of 5.4% was recorded for specimen with 15% glass content sintered for 1 hour, with glass grain size of 53-75 µm. For ANN, three inputs and one output were established, where the Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm neural network had the highest accuracy of prediction. With highest value of R2= 99.96% and 99.99%, and RMSE=0.06855 and 0.007141 for hardness and porosity, respectively. As such a high prediction accuracy was obtained using the ANNs, this study proves that ANN is a significant tools for the prediction of nonlinear relationships. The novelty of this study lies in the combination of glass with aluminum as a new composite material, alongside the high predictive accuracy of the model with very small error margins, demonstrating the potential of ANNs to effectively handle nonlinear relationships in composite materials. Additionally, the ANN approach significantly saves time and costs associated with experimental testing and helps in finding the optimal combination with the best values of the mechanical properties, streamlining the development process for new composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articulation of caractère types, or variations and qualities of architectural caractère, in Beaux-Arts interiors and how they transposed when translated in another culture are infrequently explored in design historical scholarship. Discerning the theories and doctrines of caractère types in French academic architecture will help illuminate the Académie’s paramount objectives and also distinguish its intended meanings across cultures. This study asked (1) what historical and theoretical principles underlay the primary expressions of architectural caractère in the French Beaux-Arts tradition, and (2) how did caractère expressions manifest in Beaux-Arts interiors in France and abroad? It argues that the French Académie developed caractère types to communicate specific information about artistic history and contemporary society, in terms of tradition, purpose, and ingenuity. The paper’s research methodology integrated literary analysis of period works, content analysis of architects’ documents, material culture analysis of interiors, and iconographical analysis of symbolism. The study finds that preeminent caractère types in Beaux-Arts interiors, consistently reflected each room’s purpose and its social importance through a classical and art historical form language that visually persisted when interpreted beyond France. Further, the connotations of visual social hierarchies varied over time and by location, and were individualized through discreet cultural semiotics, making the French architectural tradition germane to other sovereign states. The information is of value to academicians and practitioners, including historic preservationists and contemporary Neo Beaux-Arts classicists.