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Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an extremely rare cutaneous tumor in children, marked by local aggressiveness, slow growth, high recurrence rate, and low metastatic potential. Its prevalence is often underestimated in children due to its slow growth and frequent misdiagnosis. Diagnosing DFSP can be challenging due to nonspecific symptoms. While most cases present as nodular lesions on the trunk or proximal extremities, some lesions, such as atrophic plaques or sclerotic nodular plaques, can mimic vascular malformations and confuse clinicians. Histologic and immunohistochemical studies are essential for definitive diagnosis. The treatment of choice is complete surgical resection with wide margins to reduce the risk of recurrence. We report two pediatric DFSP cases on the trunk, including one mimicking vascular malformations. Both cases had successful 4 cm margin resections, with no recurrences observed after 6 months and 2 years of follow-up, respectively. Continuous surveillance will be maintained for at least 5 years.

This paper investigates the dynamics of a discrete-time predator-prey system in which the prey population is impacted by the Allee effect. Possible fixed points in the system are studied for their existence and topological categorization. Moreover, the presence and direction of period-doubling and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations at the interior fixed point are examined through the application of bifurcation theory and the centre manifold theorem. A hybrid approach is adopted to control chaotic behaviour and prevent bifurcations. Numerical examples are provided to substantiate our theoretical findings. The Allee effect has been shown to affect the dynamics of the system using numerical simulations. The moderate Allee effect stabilizes predator and prey populations, facilitating ecological cohabitation and persistence.

Blunt trauma is a major cause of death in children, with renal arterial injuries occurring in less than 1% of cases. Traumatic renal artery occlusion (RAO) in children is rare and results in the loss of ipsilateral renal perfusion. Clinical signs are often nonspecific, and there is a lack of information on the exact incidence and management outcomes of these rare cases in children. We report a case of unilateral RAO in a 13-year-old boy with polytrauma. He was diagnosed with right RAO and hepatic laceration after a fall. A conservative approach yielded favorable outcomes despite the loss of function in the right kidney. In stable polytrauma patients, prompt diagnosis of RAO is crucial for treatment optimization and potential kidney salvage.

The research aimed to enhance the accuracy of setting and spiking skills among the players of the University of Baghdad's volleyball team for the academic year (2022-2023) through a visual stimuli system designed by the researcher. The system works to develop the accuracy of two skills simultaneously during the operation of the system, through the accuracy of setting on an electronic board that contains numbers. Based on this, the setter prepares for the required position according to the number displayed on the board. The system also works to enhance the accuracy of spikes through lights that operate simultaneously with the numbers and within the opponent's area. Based on the location of the light that illuminates the area, the player performs a spike (either straight or diagonal) onto the illuminated area, according to the type of stimulus. This integrated approach not only improves the precision of spiking skills but also provides realistic game scenarios, enhancing training effectiveness. The researcher intentionally employed the experimental method for a single group with both pre-test and post-test. The research population and sample comprised players from the university volleyball team for the 2022/2023 season, who were students of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, totalling 18 players. The research sample was intentionally selected, excluding the libero players, of whom there were 2. In addition to excluding the two players involved in the pilot experiment, the sample size was thus (14) players, representing (77.778%) of this population. Following the procedural steps, statistical analyses, and verification of scientific principles and parameters, the researcher arrived at the final form of the study. The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS system to derive conclusions and applications aimed at improving the spatial accuracy of both researched skills based on their correlation with enhancing performance and motor control in the specific parts of each skill. The educational tool helped to define this free activity within the parameters of correct performance through the lighting controlled by the coach to direct the players' tasks and increase their attention in each part of the performance. This approach also catered to the detailed nuances required to showcase them along with proper skillful performance. Thus, the role of visual stimuli exercises is to facilitate the precise direction of the ball to the designated location through control and manipulation, by accelerating cognitive processes for players and enhancing their effectiveness. On the one hand, they support the motor pathway of the required skillful behaviour and guide it, while also accelerating cognitive processes, or more precisely, increasing their effectiveness in organized training without exaggeration in the training environment. The researcher concluded that exercises involving visual stimuli within an innovative electronic system aid in enhancing the accuracy of the setting skill and improving the accuracy of the spiking skill in volleyball among the players of the University of Baghdad team.

AbstractPostural stability is a crucial aspect of human balance and equilibrium. One way to quantify postural stability is by analyzing variations in the center of pressure under the feet. However, there are several factors involved in quantifying postural stability, and interpreting the information they provide can be challenging, especially in the context of pathological motion. The aim of this work is to reduce the confounding effects of these factors to the extent that measurable differences in results are primarily due to a pathological condition rather than secondary factors such as procedural variations. Materials and methods: The initial research conditions were established based on theoretical aspects of human standing stability. Thirteen normal subjects (5 female and 8 male) with a mean age of 21 ± 4.97 years and a mean BMI of 25.27 ± 4.53 kg/m2 were recruited for the study. Four investigations were conducted, including eyes closed-closed base, eyes open-closed base, eyes closed-open base, and eyes open-open base conditions. Data collection was performed using the AMTI AccuGait force plate and Balance Clinic software. Spectral characteristics, composite multiscale entropy, and conventional stability parameters were computed for both the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. Results: Composite multiscale entropy shows no significant difference (p > 0.05) in both AP and medial-lateral (ML) directions. Whereas the frequency of oscillations in ML is more sensitive than other parameters with relatively large effect size (>0.9). Conclusion: The resulting set of variables provides a broad range of options for selecting specific variables related to a particular study topic. The benefit of this method is that it standardizes the analysis of the center of pressure and enables the comparability of variables gathered during various research measurements. For general standing stability measurements, composite multiscale sampling entropy is the most relevant factor that can be used to discriminate the stability state in both the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions.

In Morocco, and particularly in the Doukkala irrigated perimeter, sugar beet rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a major limiting factor for the productivity of this crop. The objective of this study was to identify the relationship between the frequency of Sclerotium rolfsii infestation and the quantity of viable sclerotia in the soil on the one hand, and with the different physicochemical parameters of the soil in cropped sugar beet fields on the other hand. In total, 1794 soil samples were collected during a four years period in the whole irrigated perimeter. These samples were analyzed for their sclerotial content. In addition, laboratory analysis of physico-chemical parameters was performed for 94 sugar beet fields in 2019. The study showed that the relative frequency of infestation by Sclerotium rolfsii and the number of viable sclerotia oscillate inversely and present a relative frequency of 45.7, 57.3, 42.3 and 49.5% for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively, and a number of sclerotia of 2.01, 1.65, 2.11 and 1.25 in 250 g of soil for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The study showed that the number of viable sclerotia was positively correlated with clay and silt content, soil pH, Mg, K, Fe, Cu, and Mn and negatively correlated with sand, SOM, EC, CaCO3, Zn, B, Ca, NH4 and NO3 contents. The observed decrease in viable sclerotia between 2016 and 2019 can be attributed to the decrease of Fe and Cu in the soil. It is possible that SOM intervenes with its humified fraction in the neutralization of the redox potential of Fe and Cu which are involved in the production of sclerotia under oxidative stress. The good control of fertilization, especially organic, allows limiting the production of sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii. Data analysis allowed obtaining a significant prediction model of the number of viable sclerotia in the soil according to the physicochemical soil parameters with (R2=0.95 at P

Abstract Background The Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale is a screening tool used to diagnose patients with chronic pelvic pain. Numerous articles demonstrated the efficacy of the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale, not only as a screening tool, but additionally for complete assessment and management process. Therefore, in this article we aim to translate the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale from English to Arabic and then to validate the translated version using an innovative technique that compares the original English version to a back-translated version. Results Using back-translation method, the comparability of the language and similarity of the interpretation for each item of Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale were validated. The back-translated version showed seemingly dependable results and demonstrates an almost identical meaning to the original English version. There was no difference found statistically in the median or mean scores for all items between the English and Arabic back-translated versions. The multi-staged process we followed thoroughly and the results obtained during this process ensured the validity of the Arabic version of the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale. Conclusions The current study provides that the Arabic version of Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale is proven to be a valid tool in the assessment of Arabic-speaking patients with painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis.

The competitiveness of sugar beet in the Doukkala irrigated perimeter makes this crop the main one compared to wheat, vegetables and forage. However, the dominance of small plots drives farmers to practice 2 to 3 years rotation of sugar beet. This work, carried out on contrasting and representative soils between 2012 and 2019, aims to study the effects of sugar beet residues incorporation on the soil organic matter, soil properties, and sugar beet root yield and sugar content under reel field conditions and actual rotation system. The results showed that the rate of soil organic matter (SOM) increased by + 28.8% during eight agricultural seasons. Plots that never received crops residues experienced an average decrease in SOM rate of -19%. The maximum average increase in the SOM rate of + 194% was observed at the level of the plots, where sugar beet residues were incorporated six times. This variation in SOM is more marked in coarse-textured soils. The variations of Mg, K, P, Ca, Zn, B, CaCO3, soil pH, CEC are positively correlated with statistical significance with SOM variation. The multiple linear regression model for predicting the variation in SOM content, depending on soil texture, initial SOM content and number of residue incorporations, with (R2 = 0.81, RMSE=26.15) shows that this variation is significantly favored by coarse soil elements and the number of residues incorporation and that it is unfavorable in soils with a dominant fine texture and initially rich in organic matter. Yield and sugar content were improved by 31% (67,45 Mg. ha-1 in 2012 and 86,38 Mg. ha-1 in 2019) for root yield and by 4% (16.68% in 2012 and 17,37% in 2019) for sugar content in plots with six residues incorporations. Data from this study suggest that the use of sugar beet residues is benefical for improving soil properties and thus increasing soil organic status and crop performances.

Nephrolithiasis represents a common cause of non-obstetrical abdominal pain during pregnancy with 1 out of 200 pregnancies being affected. 20%–30% of patients require ureteroscopy. Many studies were done on safety of holmium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) during pregnancy but none on Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pregnant patient with nephrolithiasis that was treated using ureteroscopy and TFL. We present a 28 years old pregnant woman that presented to our hospital with a left distal ureteric stone. Patient underwent URS and lithotripsy using TFL. The procedure was tolerated with no complications.

In agricultural systems, the regular monitoring of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) dynamics is essential. This task is costly and time-consuming when using the conventional method, especially in a very fragmented area and with intensive agricultural activity, such as the area of Sidi Bennour. The study area is located in the Doukkala irrigated perimeter in Morocco. Satellite data can provide an alternative and fill this gap at a low cost. Models to predict SOM from a satellite image, whether linear or nonlinear, have shown considerable interest. This study aims to compare SOM prediction using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). A total of 368 points were collected at a depth of 0–30 cm and analyzed in the laboratory. An image at 15 m resolution (MSPAN) was produced from a 30 m resolution (MS) Landsat-8 image using image pansharpening processing and panchromatic band (15 m). The results obtained show that the MLR models predicted the SOM with (training/validation) R2 values of 0.62/0.63 and 0.64/0.65 and RMSE values of 0.23/0.22 and 0.22/0.21 for the MS and MSPAN images, respectively. In contrast, the ANN models predicted SOM with R2 values of 0.65/0.66 and 0.69/0.71 and RMSE values of 0.22/0.10 and 0.21/0.18 for the MS and MSPAN images, respectively. Image pansharpening improved the prediction accuracy by 2.60% and 4.30% and reduced the estimation error by 0.80% and 1.30% for the MLR and ANN models, respectively.

Graph theory is considered one of the major subjects, and it also plays a significant role in the digital world. It has numerous uses in computer science, robot navigation, and chemistry. Graph theory is employed in forming the structures of different chemical networks, locating robots on a network, and troubleshooting computer networks. Additionally, it finds applications in scheduling airplanes and studying diffusion mechanisms. The current work investigates the metric dimension of the line graphs of the Bakelite and subdivided Bakelite networks. The results prove that these families of graphs do not have a constant metric dimension. The invention of Bakelite was influential in the development of modern plastics, and it has various applications in fields such as jewelry, clocks, toys, kitchenware, electrical, and sports industries.

In this paper, a new technique is developed to estimate the states of both deterministic and stochastic discrete-time nonlinear systems. The stochastic system can be uncertain. The corrupting input and/or the output noise vectors may be either Gaussian or non-Gaussian zero-mean sequences. The proposed filter is based on pole placement technique, in which a set of constraints are imposed of the estimated outputs. The stability of the estimator is rigorously analyzed. An extension to the developed estimator is proposed to deal with constrained estimation problems. To illustrate the effectiveness and simplicity of the developed technique, illustrative examples are presented. Simulations results show that, for the deterministic case, the developed procedure leads to better results when compared with High-gain observer, Thau's filter, and the Iterative Regularized Least Square estimator. On the other hand, for the stochastic case, the proposed estimator is superior to the extended Kalman filter and the iterative constrained estimator (ICE) with non-ideal situations where the statistics of the noise signals and/or the system parameters are unknown, or the noise signals are non-Gaussian. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma (BA) is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in Saudi Arabia (SA). Most of the studies investigating the prevalence of BA in SA have focused on children and its exact prevalence in adults is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is tto investigate the prevalence and factors associated with adult BA in Aseer region, southwestern SA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of adults who attended primary health care centers. A validated Arabic version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used. The presence of wheeze in the past 12 months was used as a proxy for BA. RESULTS: The study included 960 adults. The prevalence rate of BA was 19.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.72–21.80). In a multivariable analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with BA in adults; living in low-altitude areas (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.04–2.21), being in rural areas (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.12–2.23), using analgesics (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06–2.20), residing near heavy trucks traffics (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.13–2.46), having cats in the house (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.30–5.94), and being aged 55–64-year-old (aOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.02–3.69). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of BA was high, affecting one-fifth of adults in Aseer region. The study revealed some modifiable factors significantly associated with BA in adults. There is a need to improve asthma control programs at the primary health-care level, particularly at rural and at low-altitude areas, and more focus should address the elders. In addition, enhancing community-based health promotion programs tackling the identified modifiable factors of BA are required.

Indian cinema is known for portraying social, cultural, political issues, and this also includes issues in mental health. The objective of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the portrayal of dementia in Indian cinema. The films were identified after discussion with various experts in person, telephone, e-mail correspondence and via social media. Fifteen films portraying balanced and unbalanced versions of dementia and its related issues have been identified. Caregiver issues have also been discussed in the films. However, treatment and other interventions have not been adequately portrayed. It can be concluded that these films can be used as a resource for movie clubs as a part of teaching curriculum during postgraduate and undergraduate training. They can be an excellent medium to understand cultural issues related to dementia in the community.

This study presents a well-developed optimization methodology based on the dynamic inertia weight Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (ABC) to design an optimal PID controller for a robotic arm manipulator. The dynamical analysis of robotic arm manipulators investigates a coupling relation between the joint torques applied by the actuators and the position and acceleration of the robot arm. An optimal PID control law is obtained from the proposed (ABC) algorithm and applied to the robotic system. The designed controller optimizes the trajectory of the robot’s end effector for a time-variant input and makes the robot robust in the presence of external disturbance.

Objective:Measuring serum tumour necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]) and Regulated upon Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreated (RANTES) in neonatal sepsis and determining whether early and late onset sepsis were associated with differences in their concentrations.Study Design:In 15 neonates showing clinical signs of early- or late-onset infection, serum TNF-[alpha] and RANTES were determined at first suspicion of sepsis and before starting antibiotics. Fifteen healthy neonates were included as controls.Results:Serum TNF-[alpha] white blood cells and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher, whereas RANTES was significantly lower in the septic group compared with the non-septic group. There was no significant difference in RANTES or TNF-[alpha] levels between infants having early or late-onset sepsis. Similar to term neonates, premature neonates, responded to infection with increased TNF-[alpha] and decreased RANTES, with no statistical differences between both groups.Conclusion:In this study TNF-[alpha] is the best diagnostic test of neonatal sepsis, followed by CRP, when evaluated at first suspicion of sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over-the-counter (OTC) opioid abuse, including codeine, has been a growing problem around the world. Although the majority of the abusers use it for recreational purposes, many become dependent on it after having used it a medication for pain or cough. We present a case of codeine dependence where the initial prescribed use had been as a cough medication, but the subsequent abuse of it occurred the following self-medication for premature ejaculation. There is growing need for awareness among doctors and pharmacists of OTC abuse of opioids and for preventive interventions such as restricting supply, audit of pharmacies, training pharmacists, and counter staff and dispensing knowledge about proper use of opioid-containing medications to patients.

Hyponatremia has been reported with the use of psychotropic drugs. Olanzapine does not find much mention as a cause of hyponatremia in literature; however, it has been found to be the second most frequently reported atypical antipsychotic to cause it. We report a case of hyponatremia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion which occurred at a rapid onset following the administration of low-dose olanzapine during inpatient treatment of a patient with bipolar disorder. We would like to highlight our case for the need to be vigil about such fatal side complications apart from metabolic side effects of atypical antipsychotics.

An experiment is described which tests for visible and invisible mutants in mice treated with four different doses each of the contraceptives Gynanovlar and Lyndiol. The results show that there is no reason to suppose that either substance has an appreciable mutagenic effect, expressed as an increase of antenatal and postnatal lethals or visibles. The substrain CBA/CagCam, used throughout, has an incidence of 0.27% of singly occurring abnormalities, mainly of the appendicular skeleton, which distinguishes it from the parent CBA strain and its axial variation described by Gruneberg (1963). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hypopituitarism can present with psychiatric symptoms. We report a unique case of psychosis in clear consciousness in a case of hypopituitarism due to the secondary empty sella syndrome following a Russell's viper bite which was untreated and presented with psychotic symptoms for past 13 years following the snake bite. After the diagnosis of psychosis due to hypopituitarism was made, the patient was treated with levothyroxine and prednisolone supplements and his psychotic symptoms subsided without any psychotropic drugs. Vasculotoxic snake bites can cause hypopituitarism and can present with psychosis. Further research will be needed into the prevalence of this phenomenon.