Search

A network is an aggregation of nodes joined by edges, representing entities and their relationships. In social network clustering, nodes are organized into clusters according to their connectivity patterns, with the goal of community detection. The detection of community structures in networks is essential. However, existing techniques for community detection have not yet utilized the potential of the Fish School Search (FSS) algorithm and modularity principles. We have proposed a novel method, clustering with the Fish School Search algorithm and modularity function (FSC), that enhances modularity in network clustering by iteratively partitioning the network and optimizing the modularity function using the Fish School Search Algorithm. This approach facilitates the discovery of highly modular community structures, improving the resolution and effectiveness of network clustering. We tested FSC on well-known and unknown network structures. Also, we tested it on a network generated using the LFR model to test its performance on networks with different community structures. Our methodology demonstrates strong performance in identifying community structures, indicating its effectiveness in capturing cohesive communities and accurately identifying actual community structures.

Abstract Smart Grid (SG) technology utilizes advanced network communication and monitoring technologies to manage and regulate electricity generation and transport. However, this increased reliance on technology and connectivity also introduces new vulnerabilities, making SG communication networks susceptible to large-scale attacks. While previous surveys have mainly provided high-level overviews of SG architecture, our analysis goes further by presenting a comprehensive architectural diagram encompassing key SG components and communication links. This holistic view enhances understanding of potential cyber threats and enables systematic cyber risk assessment for SGs. Additionally, we propose a taxonomy of various cyberattack types based on their targets and methods, offering detailed insights into vulnerabilities. Unlike other reviews focused narrowly on protection and detection, our proposed categorization covers all five functions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology cybersecurity framework. This delivers a broad perspective to help organizations implement balanced and robust security. Consequently, we have identified critical research gaps, especially regarding response and recovery mechanisms. This underscores the need for further investigation to bolster SG cybersecurity. These research needs, among others, are highlighted as open issues in our concluding section.

The paper presents the design and implementation of decentralized control for a PV–wind–battery hybrid off-grid system with limited power electronics devices and sensors. To perform well without using any maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique from the wind turbine (WT) based on a permanent-magnet brushless DC generator (PMBLDCG) and solar panels (PVs) and balance the power in the system, a cascade control structure strategy based on a linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC) is developed for the two-switch DC-DC buck-boost converter. Moreover, to ensure an uninterruptible power supply to the connected loads with a constant voltage and frequency, a cascade d-q control structure based on LADRC is developed for the interfacing single-phase inverter. Furthermore, the modeling and controller parameters design are presented. The performance under all operation conditions of the hybrid off-grid configuration and its decentralized control is validated by simulation using MATLAB/Simulink and in real-time using a small-scale hardware prototype.

Architecture and interior design are an integral part of our daily lives, we interact with them, are affected by them, and they affect us. Architecture has been designed to meet human needs, and create a relationship between humans and their interior environment, but there is a general lack of Emotional considerations in contemporary architecture, most of the buildings are designed as structures with modern covers to attract attention. As a result, these designs miss the true essence of architecture, which is the experience, the real human experience within the interior space. Human beings spend most of their lives inside buildings and interior spaces, whether in their homes, at work, or in other places, such as schools, hospitals, etc. Humans go through different emotional experiences every day. Moreover, buildings, especially interior spaces, have a great impact on these experiences, whether it is a positive or negative impact. This study examines this aspect of human life and it aims to create a unique human experience in the interior spaces. By studying the principles of phenomenology and their impact on the psychological state of man. As well as studying the principles of emotional design and how to use them to design a positive human experience for the user. The study suggests a proposed methodology that combines the philosophy of phenomenology, emotional design considerations, and human-centered design to design a multisensory human experience within internal spaces, and the proposed methodology was applied to the design of an early childhood education center, “a nursery school”.

Objectives: This study aims to assess cancer patients' accessibility to healthcare services and perceived barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khartoum state, aiming to explore the consequent impact on cancer patients. It also aims to determine the coping strategies used by patients to overcome these barriers. Study design: This is a retrospective analytical cross-sectional study. Methods: Data were collected from August 2020 to March 2021, with a sample size of 316 cancer patients. Systemic random sampling and SPSS version 25 were utilized for data collection and analysis. Results: The study found that 55.7 % of the surveyed cancer patients had experienced disruptions in accessing essential cancer healthcare services during the lockdown. The study identified the most common cancers as breast (19.7 %), gastrointestinal (19 %), and ovarian (11 %). Notable barriers included governmental travel restrictions (51.6 %), outpatient service closures (41.8 %), and high costs (27.8 %). Additionally, delayed treatment was directly associated with a 33.3 % fatality rate among the participants. Conclusions: This study highlights the considerable negative impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on cancer care in Sudan. Recommendations include a focus on telemedicine as an alternative form of patient consultation, the expansion of health insurance schemes to encompass cancer treatments, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to facilitate cancer care during crises.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading is a new financial mechanism that can be adopted to incentivize the development of distributed energy resources (DERs), by promoting the selling of excess energy to other peers on the network at a negotiated rate. Current incentive programs, such as net metering (NEM) and Feed-in-Tariff (FiT), operate according to a centralized policy framework, where energy is only traded with the utility, the state-owned grid authority, the service provider, or the power generation/distribution company, who also have the upper hand in deciding on the rates for buying the excess energy. This study presents a comparative analysis of three energy trading mechanisms, P2P energy trading, NEM, and FiT, within a rural microgrid consisting of two prosumers and four consumers. The microgrid serves as a practical testbed for evaluating the economic impacts of these mechanisms, through simulations considering various factors such as energy demand, production variability, and energy rates, and using key metrics such as economic savings, annual energy bill, and wasted excess energy. Results indicate that while net metering and FiT offer stable financial returns for prosumers, P2P trading demonstrates superior flexibility and potentially higher economic benefits for both prosumers and consumers by aligning energy trading with real-time market conditions. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to optimize rural energy systems through innovative trading mechanisms.

The modern energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation towards cleaner, decentralized energy sources. This change is driven by environmental and sustainability needs, causing traditional centralized electric grids, which rely heavily on fossil fuels, to be replaced by a diverse range of decentralized distributed energy resources. Virtual power plants (VPPs) have surfaced as a flexible solution in this transition. A VPP’s primary role is to optimize energy production, storage, and distribution by coordinating output from various connected sources. Relying on advanced communication and control systems, a VPP can balance supply and demand in real time, offer ancillary services, and support grid stability. However, aligning VPPs’ economic and operational practices with broader environmental goals and policies is a challenging yet crucial aspect. This article introduces a new VPP management and optimization algorithm designed for quick and intelligent decision-making, aiming for the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE), minimum grid technical losses, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The algorithm’s effectiveness is confirmed using the IEEE 33-bus grid with 10 different distributed power generators. Simulation results show the algorithm’s responsiveness to complex variables found in practical scenarios, finding the optimal combination of available energy resources. This minimizes the LCOE, technical losses, and GHG emissions in less than 0.08 s, achieving a total LCOE reduction of 16% from the baseline. This work contributes to the development of intelligent energy management systems, aiding the transition towards a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.

The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) presents both opportunities and challenges for the electrical grid. While EVs offer a promising avenue for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, their uncoordinated charging behavior can strain grid infrastructure, thus creating new challenges for grid operators and EV owners equally. The uncoordinated nature of electric vehicle charging may lead to the emergence of new peak loads. Grid operators typically plan for peak demand periods and deploy resources accordingly to ensure grid stability. Uncoordinated EV charging can introduce unpredictability and variability into peak load patterns, making it more challenging for operators to manage peak loads effectively. This paper examines the implications of uncoordinated EV charging on the electric grid to address this challenge and proposes a novel dynamic optimization algorithm tailored to manage EV charging schedules efficiently, mitigating grid power peaks while ensuring user satisfaction and vehicle charging requirements. The proposed “Proof of Need” (PoN) charging algorithm aims to schedule the charging of EVs based on collected data such as the state of charge (SoC) of the EV’s battery, the charger power, the number of connected vehicles per household, the end-user’s preferences, and the local distribution substation’s capacity. The PoN algorithm calculates a priority index for each EV and coordinates the charging of all connected EVs at all times in a way that does not exceed the maximum allocated power capacity. The algorithm was tested under different scenarios, and the results offer a comparison of the charging power demand between an uncoordinated EV charging baseline scenario and the proposed coordinated charging model, proving the efficiency of our proposed algorithm, thus reducing the charging demand by 40.8% with no impact on the overall total charging time.

Acute dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon is an infrequent injury that is often missed. This injury is typically observed in young individuals in the course of sports. This is a case of an athlete who presented to our orthopedic clinic a week after injury to his ankle, following forceful eversion of the foot during a football game. Case reports have shown satisfactory results from surgical management, suggesting that this is the preferred treatment option. The report describes a simple and cost-effective technique for the retinaculum repair as well as adding to the small number of case reports on the description and treatment of tibialis posterior tendon dislocation.

Construction and demolition waste (CDW), produced at various stages of construction projects, is a major problem for the construction industry. This waste has led to an international issue that is widespread and enduring. This research used a quantitative method in two stages to suggest workable options to fix this significant problem. An online survey of Egyptian construction industry professionals was conducted during the first round to gauge how three key factors affected the safe disposal of CDW (SDCDW). Management of route, collection, and transportation (MRCT), determination of illegal waste dumping sites (DIWDS), and construction waste tracking and scheduling (CWTS) are the three main factors. The development of a comprehensive framework for SDCDW, in support of Egypt's vision 2030, involved multivariate statistical analysis using the structural equation modelling (SEM) method in the second stage. The findings showed that these three factors had a favourable impact on SDCDW in Egypt. This was evidenced through mentioning the acceptable effect sizes of these three factors towards SDCDW; where MRCT showed moderate effect towards SDCDW with a value of 0.16, CWTS showed small effect towards SDCDW with a value of 0.137, and DIWDS showed small effect towards SDCDW with a value of 0.052.The study also discovered that MRCT is more effective in treating SDCDW with a model path coefficient of 0.383. However, DIWDS is the least effective when it comes to SDCDW with a model path coefficient of 0.191. In support of Egypt's Vision 2030, this paper makes concrete suggestions for the government and the construction sector regarding the safe disposal of CDW.

The twentieth century is considered one of the most important centuries that witnessed a development in the field of discoveries and inventions in human history and the transition of science from the industrial age to the information age, In addition to the tremendous digital technological development witnessed in the first and second decades of the twenty-first century. Here, the importance of sustainable interior design for design halls in art faculties appears because of its fundamental impact on the integration and harmony of design with the surrounding environment to face the effects of climate change by focusing on achieving environmental, economic and social standards using plant elements, and designs that support a range of functions through Reconfiguration , and computer programs to face climate fluctuations and reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy.Therefore, the existing art faculties need to develop their capabilities to keep pace with the new educational systems with continuous development at the design and technical levels, to take advantage of the successive developments in information technology, and to prepare a graduate who meets the requirements of local and international work to support future job opportunities for him.To reach this aim, the research addresses the following points:1. The impact of sustainable design standards on the development of design halls in art faculties.2. Presenting a future vision for the development of design halls to achieve sustainable design.The research ends with a set of important results and recommendations in the field of interior design, and sustainability.

Solar energy for water pumping is a possible alternative to conventional electricity and diesel based pumping systems, particularly given the current electricity shortage and the high cost of diesel. The literary survey includes a comparison between previous studies of the pumping system by photovoltaic cells and the extent of the influence of external factors such as radiation intensity and temperature on the efficiency of the system. As well as the use of water storage to generate electrical energy through potential energy by means of hydraulic generators and the effect of the amount of flow and height on the amount of energy generated, as well as the types of generators Hydraulics. Nowadays, solar power is a major contributor to the world's electrical energy supply by generating electrical energy directly from solar cells or through water storage, which we will address through this review. When compared to electricity or diesel powered systems, solar water pumping is more cost effective for irrigation and water supply in rural, urban, and remote areas. It also makes an effort to bring to light the challenges that must be overcome in order to develop high-quality, long-lasting solar power technology for future uses.

Design decisions are usually dominated by concern for economic and material aspects, and neglect or omission of social and human aspects (human behavior), Thus, the needs and requirements of the individual users (basic education students) are ignored. This completely contradicts the views of the users of those spaces, as well as specialists in the field of psychology and sociology, about the role of design processes in achieving a suitable physical environment for the human behavior of the users of those spaces (the school building). Ignoring the requirements of the users on the one hand, and the behaviors of the users on the other hand creates an inefficient, and unfulfilled vacuum for the aesthetic, social, cultural, economic, and recreational goals. It is necessary to know the requirements needs, and behaviors of students to achieve successful spaces, as it is the main factor in the success of school buildings, given that the human being affects and is affected by the physical environment. From this standpoint, it is clear that urban designers should pay attention to the process of designing school buildings from a perspective based on behavioral human considerations, and there is a need to integrate studies of the physical environment with human studies (human behavior) in designing spaces to achieve the physical and moral functions of those spaces. educational environments affect the creation of a psychological atmosphere conducive to educating students and encouraging them to be creative, and are considered a strong basis in preparing a conscious generation that helps the renaissance and progress of society. Hence the need to pay attention to this environment (represented by educational spaces), which has become the basis for the development of the architectural educational environment, which is part of the educational and educational development. Many studies were conducted to find out the relationship between the behavioral problems of students and the geometric spaces of the educational building. Therefore, many researchers stressed the need to develop the engineering spaces of the educational building and to pay attention to their implementation and development in line with the needs of the times to produce more attractive schools for students. In light of this, the research problem was determined in the need to know the effect of interior design on students' behavior, achievement and scientific performance.

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is produced in conjunction with construction projects at various phases. In Egypt's situation, the disposal of CDW issue has grown to be a major problem, and there is an urgent need to discover a safe disposal method. Based on the exploration of the literature, three main factors that affect the safe disposal of CDW (SDCDW) were found as follows: (1) management of route, collection and transportation; (2) determination of illegal waste dumping sites; and (3) construction waste tracking and scheduling. In this paper, a wide sample of construction industry academics and practitioners were approached by an online survey questionnaire for (1) investigating the applicability and effectiveness of SDCDW factors in the Egyptian construction industry; and (2) examining the relationship between these factors and SDCDW. Different statistical methods were used such as Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the framework items. In addition, Bi-variate correlation analysis was conducted to test the effectiveness of automation techniques included in the framework with respect to the level of agreement upon reaching safe disposal of CDW. The findings showed that (1) among the various factors, “selection of the shortest path transport route” has the highest applicability, while “detection of CDW illegal disposal sites” is the most effective factor; and (2) there exist positive statistical relationships between SDCDW and all of the various factors. The findings show that creating a conceptual framework for SDCDW in Egypt, which includes these various elements, is necessary as the next research initiative.

The livelihoods of individuals in Ethiopia are severely affected by the livestock depredation from wild animals. The main objective of this study is to assess the incidences of livestock predation and pastoralist attitudes towards carnivore in the landscape of lions associated with Gambella National Park in the Abobo district of Western Ethiopia. The study was conducted between September 2017 and May 2018, utilizing a pretested semistructured questionnaire. Data analysis involved the utilization of multiple response analysis, Chi square test, Cramer’s V and Cohen’s Omega, Potential for Conflict Index2, and multinomial regression analysis. Anubis baboon (29.1%), leopard (20.5%), hyena (19.3%), lions (18.6%), and common fox (12.4%) were responsible for depriving cattle, sheep/goat, and fowls. The chi-square test, along with Cramer’s V and Cohen’s Omega, indicated a relatively smaller effect size for the anubis baboon (ω = 0.220) and the common fox (ω = 0.164), implying a consistent trend of livestock depredation across villages. In contrast, medium effect size for leopards (ω = 0.466), hyenas (ω = 0.449), and lions (ω = 0.324) indicated that livestock depredation across villages was moderately inconsistent. In terms of preventive measures, barns and active guarding were reported options to protect their livestock, with a small effect size (ω = 0.257). Moreover, increased trend of livestock predation was perceived by informants with small effect size (ω = 0.227). Many respondents expressed a negative attitude (73.51%) towards wild animals than positive (8.60%) and neutral (17.90%) attitudes with a small effect size (ω = 0.181). The Potential for Conflict Index2 revealed a low consensus for acceptance of livestock depredation by different predators and skewed responses indicating the predominance of negative attitudes, regardless of livestock losses to predators. The regression model revealed that sociodemographic elements such as age, education, and occupation influence people’s attitude. Hence, sustainable and culturally acceptable conservation measures are required to mitigate human-wildlife​ conflict.

Introduction: Inadequate physical activity is a contributing factor to various non-communicable diseases. The benefits of regular exercise have been well demonstrated, and evidence shows that adults are becoming more sedentary and obese due to a lack of opportunities and obstacles to exercise participation. Objective: The study aimed to identify physical exercise's perceived benefits and barriers among school teachers. Methods: The exercise benefits and barriers were assessed by conducting a cross-sectional design with 500 school teachers in Duhok City in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Teachers enrolled using stratified simple random sampling from 15th September 2021 to 1st April 2022. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, perceived benefits and barriers of exercise, and physical activity levels were obtained. Results: The majority of school teachers (65.8%) had a low physical activity level. Exercise improves the appearance of the body as well as a disposition; mental health, cardiovascular functioning system, flexibility, and ability to sleep better at night were the most important exercise perceived benefits. Furthermore, "too few exercise places" was the most significant barrier to exercise, followed by other significant barriers including "inconvenient exercise facility schedules," "fatigue," "too far away from exercise places," "tiredness," "time limitations," "family responsibilities," and "being embarrassed to exercise." There was a significant difference between PA levels and exercise benefit, and the barrier score was p

This paper presents a framework for the electrification of an isolated rural residential area through a decentralized hybrid renewable plus diesel energy system. Solar/wind/diesel power units have been combined to supply continuous electrical power to a small isolated rural community in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The selection of the unit rates for an optimum cost-effective solution is evaluated. The framework activities include wind/solar speed/ Radiation data collection via monitoring instruments on the test location and a time-based load forecasting calculation method. Based on the available data for the wind/solar attributes a control system is designed to manage the hourly synchronization of the three units. The system is tested by the MATLAB simulator with satisfactory results.

Abstract Purpose To compare the root mean square (RMS) of anterior corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in ametropic and emmetropic eyes. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Tishreen University Hospital, Latakia, Syria. Study eyes were divided into four groups based on refractive error: mild-to-moderate myopia, hypermetropia, myopic astigmatism, and emmetropic eyes as controls. The following anterior corneal HOAs were evaluated using the Scheimpflug-Placido Sirius (CSO, Italy) tomographer over 6 mm pupil: Root mean square (RMS) total corneal HOAs, RMS trefoil, RMS coma and RMS spherical aberrations. Results RMS values of total HOAs, trefoil and coma showed statistically significant differences in all four groups (P

Technical losses in electrical grids are inherent inefficiencies induced by the transmission and distribution of electricity, resulting in energy losses that can reach up to 40% of the generated energy. These losses pose significant challenges to grid operators regarding energy sustainability, reliability, and economic viability. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) offer promising solutions to lower technical losses by decentralizing energy generation and consumption, reducing the need for long-distance transmission and optimizing grid operation. Hence, estimating the impact of DERs on grid technical losses becomes paramount for grid operators and planners. In response, this article proposes the application of regression modeling and nonlinear curve fitting algorithms to provide a more nuanced understanding and better characterize the intricate interplay between DER deployment and technical losses. Through a comprehensive case study based on more than 1080 computer simulations, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed dynamic polynomial varying coefficient regression model in estimating the impact of DERs on technical losses within electrical grids. The proposed model offers a simple and effective methodology that allows grid operators to gain insights into the nonlinear dynamics of DER integration and make quicker and more informed decisions regarding grid management strategies, infrastructure investments, and policy interventions. Also, this research contributes to advancing the field of grid optimization by offering a simple equation that enhances our ability and haste to assess and mitigate technical losses in the context of an evolving energy landscape characterized by increasing DER adoption.

Escalating events such as extreme weather conditions, geopolitical incidents, acts of war, cyberattacks, and the intermittence of renewable energy resources pose substantial challenges to the functionality of global electric grids. Consequently, research on enhancing the resilience of electric grids has become increasingly crucial. Concurrently, the decentralization of electric grids, driven by a heightened integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and the imperative for decarbonization, has brought about significant transformations in grid topologies. These changes can profoundly impact flexibility, operability, and reliability. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of DERs on the electric grid’s resilience, as well as a simple model to simulate the impact of any disturbance on the grid. Hence, to analyze the electric grid’s resilience, this study employs an extrapolation of Leontief’s input–output (IO) model, originally designed to study ripple effects in economic sectors. Nodes are treated as industries, and power transmission between nodes is considered as the relationship between industries. Our research compares operability changes in centralized, partially decentralized, and fully decentralized grids under identical fault conditions. Using grid inoperability as a key performance indicator (KPI), this study tests the three grid configurations under two fault scenarios. The results confirm the efficacy of decentralization in enhancing the resilience and security of electric grids.

This paper attempts to investigate the syntactic-pragmatic relationship associated with vocative use in two English novels–namely, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises (1926). Leech (1999) is adopted as a model for the analysis of vocative in the selected novels. Three hundred vocatives are quantitatively analysed according to the model of analysis adopted in this study. These 300 vocatives (150 vocatives from each novel) are randomly selected from all over the novels as a representative sample of them. The results have verified all of the study hypotheses and proved the applicability of Leech’s (1999) model. In both novels, the most frequently used function of vocative is the address function whereas the least common one is emotive function. The functions that are most likely to be simultaneously combined (by bifunctional vocatives) are the call and addressee-identifying functions on one hand, and the addressee-identifying and address functions on the other hand. Besides, the syntactic position of vocative in the sentence in which it occurs matters in the sense that it is conspicuously related to its pragmatic functions.

Crop foraging is a widespread form of human-wildlife conflict adjacent to protected areas. It causes a great economic loss for subsistence communities hindering efforts in conservation endeavors. Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) occur both in the lowland and highland ecosystems of Ethiopia. The species is known for its crop foraging behavior across its ranges. However, little is known about human-hamadryas baboon interactions manifested in crop foraging in the Ethiopian highlands. Thus, this study aimed to provide data on the magnitude of hamadryas baboon conflict with the local community in and around Borena-Sayint National Park (BSNP), northern Ethiopia. We collected data from January to July 2018 using a questionnaire survey of sample households in the surrounding local communities. We analyzed the attitude and perception of the local people towards hamadryas baboons using descriptive statistics. Local people estimated that hamadryas baboons damaged 120.2 kg of crops/household/year in and around BSNP. The species caused the highest damage to wheat (45.1 kg), barley (25.5 kg), potato (24.7 kg) and maize (20.1 kg) per household per year. The respondents reported that hamadryas baboons, from all incidents of crop foraging, caused the highest proportion of damage during the vegetative (48.2%) and harvesting (33.9%) stages of the cultivated foods. Local people reported that crop foraging was significantly greater during the dry season than in the wet season. Respondents mainly depend on guarding (43.6%) and shouting (32.8%) to prevent their cultivated crops from the visit of hamadryas baboons. About 12% of the respondents who experienced crop damage killed hamadryas baboons in retaliation. The intense interaction between hamadryas baboons and humans may pose a serious threat to the survival of the species unless appropriate management actions are taken. The findings of this study are crucial for developing management plans and implementing successful conservation strategies.

Wind turbines are known to be the most efficient method of green energy production, and wind turbine blades (WTBs) are known as a key component of the wind turbine system, with a major influence on the efficiency of the entire system. Wind turbine blades have a quite manual production process of composite materials, which induces various types of defects in the blade. Blades are susceptible to the damage developed by complex and irregular loading or even catastrophic collapse and are expensive to maintain. Failure or damage to wind turbine blades not only decreases the lifespan, efficiency, and fault diagnosis capability but also increases safety hazards and maintenance costs. Hence, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods providing surface and subsurface information for the blade are indispensable in the maintenance of wind turbines. Damage detection is a critical part of the inspection methods for failure prevention, maintenance planning, and the sustainability of wind turbine operation. Industry 4.0 technologies provide a framework for deploying smart inspection, one of the key requirements for sustainable wind energy production. The wind energy industry is about to undergo a significant revolution due to the integration of the physical and virtual worlds driven by Industry 4.0. This paper aims to highlight the potential of Industry 4.0 to help exploit smart inspections for sustainable wind energy production. This study is also elaborated by damage categorization and a thorough review of the state-of-the-art non-destructive techniques for surface and sub-surface inspection of wind turbine blades.

Facial recognition is crucial for safety and security, especially for identifying people. This paper applies facial recognition to a database of facial images by analyzing the images and subsequently assigning a set of unique features to each one. The process of extracting features from the input image is accomplished using the gabor wavelet transform. t-SNE (tdistributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding) select and reduce the dimension of features, thus specifying various aspects within the input image. These features are then used in a classification step, where a multiclass Support Vector Machine (SVM) is employed to categorize the face. Three popular databases (Yale, ORL and JAFFE) were the sources of the images used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. The results show the system’s high accuracy in identifying facial images. Specifically, our method achieved a 97.78% accuracy rate on the Yale, 97.50 % in the ORL databases and 100 % in the JAFFE databases, outperforming traditional methods by 2%. These results approved the system’s accuracy in recognizing facial images.

Abstract Aim To evaluate changes in corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) following epithelium-off accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) and to explore the impact on visual acuity. Methods In this retrospective case series, 32 eyes of 24 patients with keratoconus (KC) underwent A-CXL. Treatment was delivered at 10 mW/cm2 for 9 min with a total dose of 5.4 J/cm2. The following anterior corneal HOAs: total corneal HOAs, trefoil, secondary trefoil, coma, secondary coma, secondary astigmatism and spherical aberrations were analysed using the Scheimpflug-Placido Sirius (CSO, Italy) corneal topographer at baseline and 12 months following treatment. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the independent effect of HOA subtypes on changes in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Results At one year post CXL, UDVA and CDVA were significantly improved, -0.13 ± 0.19 LogMAR (P = 0.0005) and -0.08 ± .0.11 LogMAR (P = 0.0003), respectively. The mean preoperative trefoil, secondary trefoil, secondary coma and secondary astigmatism were 0.95 ± 0.46; µm, 0.20 ± 0.11; µm, 0.29 ± 0.19; µm and 0.42 ± 0.17 µm, respectively. At one year, the mean values decreased significantly to 0.77 ± 0.47 µm, 0.15 ± 0.11 µm, 0.25 ± 0.18 µm and 0.34 ± 0.18 µm, respectively (P

Melatonin is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that reduces the adverse effects of abiotic stresses, and enhances the growth and physiological function of many plant species. Several recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of melatonin in plant functions, specifically its regulation of crop growth and yield. However, a comprehensive understanding of melatonin, which regulates crop growth and yield under abiotic stress conditions, is not yet available. This review focuses on the progress of research on the biosynthesis, distribution, and metabolism of melatonin, and its multiple complex functions in plants and its role in the mechanisms of metabolism regulation in plants grown under abiotic stresses. In this review, we focused on the pivotal role of melatonin in the enhancement of plant growth and regulation of crop yield, and elucidated its interactions with nitric oxide (NO) and auxin (IAA, indole-3-acetic acid) when plants are grown under various abiotic stresses. The present review revealed that the endogenousapplication of melatonin to plants, and its interactions with NO and IAA, enhanced plant growth and yield under various abiotic stresses. The interaction of melatonin with NO regulated plant morphophysiological and biochemical activities, mediated by the G protein-coupled receptor and synthesis genes. The interaction of melatonin with IAA enhanced plant growth and physiological function by increasing the levels of IAA, synthesis, and polar transport. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive review of the performance of melatonin under various abiotic stresses, and, therefore, further explicate the mechanisms that plant hormones use to regulate plant growth and yield under abiotic stresses.

Abstract Background Vascular anomalies are congenital lesions of abnormal vascular development, and a primary distinction have to be made between a vascular tumor and a vascular malformation, hemangiomas are considered the commonest vascular tumor, correct diagnosis is imperative for appropriate treatment. In this report, we tried to verify the role of ultrasonography and Doppler examination in the initial diagnosis, the classification of vascular anomalies and in the post-treatment follow-up. Results (main findings) This report included cases of vascular anomalies who attended the interventional radiology department as well as the vascular anomaly clinic in Abo El-Rish hospitals during the period 2019 through 2021. Data of all patients attending the clinic were prospectively examined. Files of 60 cases with vascular anomalies were available for review. The diagnosis of vascular anomalies was done according to their history and characteristic findings at clinical examination as well as U/S and color Doppler examinations, MRI and angiographic studies were done as needed. A significant female predominance was noticed. A significant predominance in the head and neck region was noticed (60%). Treatment was individualized according to each case; propranolol was chosen as the first line of treatment in IH. Intra-lesional steroids injections were done in hemangiomas, and intra-lesional bleomycin was done in venous and lymphatic malformations, endovascular embolization was done in high flow vascular malformations. Conclusion Ultrasound and color Doppler examination were effective and accurate methods in the diagnosis, the classification of superficial soft tissue vascular anomalies, the detection of early complications and in the follow-up after different treatment methods applied, it was also beneficial in the exclusion of non-vascular lesions.

Lateral torsional buckling reduces the moment capacity of steel I-girders. To redress this weakening, one approach is to replace the conventional plate flange with a rectangular tube, which has higher lateral stiffness and is thus helpful to resist lateral buckling. At the same time, web openings are introduced to enable services to pass through, but this causes a reduction in strength. Girders with tubular flange plus web openings have not yet been discussed in the literature. In this paper, finite-element method modelling is used to fill this gap, studying different slenderness classifications, as well as parameters such as size of web openings, spacing and location. The results for a solid web are found to be more comparable to the Eurocodes for steel structures than the American Institute of Steel Construction codes, enabling good prediction of the flexural capacity. By introducing web openings, the flexural capacity is reduced by 10–20%, closer to the higher side for openings with large diameters located near the compression flange. Openings with an oval shape have less reduction in strength, whereas the square is unfavourable. Tubular flange girders, even if perforated, provide flexural strength enhancement and a considerable reduction in material compared with plate flange girders. This section also behaves better in relation to carbon dioxide emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aimsHealthcare staff are at high risk of occupational exposure to Hepatitis B and other blood-borne diseases. Lack of education about the knowledge of Hepatitis B virus contributes to an increase in cases. This study aims to determine the knowledge of the Hepatitis B virus among the medical professionals in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to determine their knowledge of the importance of vaccination.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, among medical science students from November 2022 to February 2023 and a total of 511 students participated in the study. A Self-administered questionnaire comprising 22 items categorized into five sections was distributed to the students either electronically or by paper and pen method. The survey utilized a Five-point Likert scale when assessing respondents' opinions on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism 9 were used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 511 responses were collected from medical, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory students. The average age of the participants was 20.74 ±1.43 years. Among the respondents, only 96 (18.8%) were fully vaccinated against the Hepatitis B virus (received 3 or more doses of the vaccine), while 294 (57.5%) were not vaccinated. Lack of vaccination programs was the major reason for not receiving a vaccination (n = 182, 62%). About 286 (55.96%) of the participants had good knowledge, attitude, and practice on Hepatitis B, manifesting median scores of 26, 18, and 20, respectively.ConclusionIn our study, half of the students were found to be unvaccinated, mainly due to the absence of vaccination programs. Vaccinated students exhibited better knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the infection than non-vaccinated students. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of a vaccination program as well as training on infection prevention guidelines to increase awareness and encourage vaccination.

Background: Client perspectives on cosmetic surgery are often shaped by a combination of social norms, personal experiences, cultural beliefs, media exposure, and individual values. This study aimed to explore and understand the attitudes, beliefs, and motivations of individuals who seek or are considering cosmetic surgery and to identify the factors that influence their decision-making. Methods: A questionnaire was given to all patients at the plastic surgery clinics, and the results were analyzed using the likelihood of having cosmetic surgery scale, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the life happiness scale, and the physical attractiveness scale. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the investigation of correlations, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was determined to be reliable. Results: The mean age of participants was found to be 33.9 years, with 40.8% male and 59.2% female. The results of the study indicate that there is a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.25) between the likelihood of having cosmetic surgery and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Additionally, there is a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.27) between the likelihood of having cosmetic surgery and the life happiness scale. Lastly, there is a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.39) between the likelihood of having cosmetic surgery and the physical attractiveness scale. Conclusion: These results suggest that a person's self-esteem, happiness, and level of physical attractiveness may play a role in their decision to pursue cosmetic surgery.

Background: The use of natural health products has increased globally. It is important to properly regulate these products to guarantee good quality control, ensure consumers' safety, and integrate them into modern medicine. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of NHP use among university employees in Nineveh Province, Iraq, along with the employees’ awareness, usage patterns, attitudes, and information needs. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2 October and 6 December 2022 in four main universities (Mosul, Nineveh, Al- Hamdaniya, and Tal-Afar) in Nineveh Province, Iraq. Data were collected face-to-face through an interviewer-administrated structured questionnaire from a multi-stage sampling of employees. Information was gathered using a data collection form and sent to a Microsoft Office Excel® (2010) spreadsheet. Statistical significance was determined using a chi-squared test, with a p-value of less than 0.01 representing a significant finding. Results: Our results showed that (42.2% of the sample used herbal medications. However, we identified a statistically significant correlation between the female gender and herbal medicine use (p = 0.001). More than half of those surveyed (56%) felt that herbal medicines might be used to prevent and treat sickness, and 49% felt that they were safe to use. A total of 153 people (37.4%) said they felt comfortable combining herbal remedies with conventional treatments. Females were shown to have more knowledge regarding the origin of herbal medicines than males, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Further, there was a statistically significant difference between the percentage of those with no medical problems and those with chronic diseases who used herbal medicines (p = 0.001). Intriguingly, over half of all respondents (n = 204; 49.9%) initially relied on herbal remedies whenever they fell ill, and nearly as many (n = 172; 42.1%) did not even check with their doctors before using herbal remedies. Conclusion: When writing prescriptions and delivering medications to patients, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists should take care to inform patients about the effectiveness and adverse effects of herbal medicine (HMs) using evidence-based information. To increase patients’ awareness of pharmaceutical use, patient counselling and education are necessary.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the integration of theory into practice in clinical skills acquisition among nursing students in the College of Nursing at the University of Mosul. Methods: The methods used in this study included a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that there were a variety of factors that influenced the integration of theory into practice in clinical skills acquisition, such as lack of adequate resources, lack of proper guidance, and inadequate time for practice. Conclusion: The study concluded that providing adequate resources, proper guidance, and sufficient time for practice are essential for successfully integrating of theory into practice in clinical skills acquisition among nursing students.