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Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2, comparing them according to successive waves, and to identify prognostic factors for morbidity and mortality. Materials and methods This single-center retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted from March 10, 2020, to October 17, 2021. All adult patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia presenting acute respiratory failure were included. COVID 19 diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR testing of respiratory specimens. The primary endpoint was ICU mortality. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Results Over the study period, 437 patients were included of whom 282 (65%) patients were ventilated for 9 [5;20] days. Among the studied population, 38% were treated for one or more episodes of VAP, and 22 (5%) for bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. ICU mortality was 26% in the first wave, then fell and stabilized at around 10% in subsequent waves (p = 0.02). Increased age, Charlson index, SOFA score and lactatemia on admission were predictive of mortality. Survival at 90 days was 85% (95% CI 82–88) and was unaffected by the presence of VAP. However, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis increased mortality to 36%. Conclusion In this study, we observed mortality in the lower range of those previously reported. Risk factors for mortality mainly included age and previous comorbidities. The prognosis of these critically ill Covid 19 patients improved over the four waves, underlining the likely beneficial effect of vaccination and dexamethasone.

Abstract This study introduces an optimized hybrid deep learning approach that leverages meteorological data to improve short-term wind energy forecasting in desert regions. Over a year, various machine learning and deep learning models have been tested across different wind speed categories, with multiple performance metrics used for evaluation. Hyperparameter optimization for the LSTM and Conv-Dual Attention Long Short-Term Memory (Conv-DA-LSTM) architectures was performed. A comparison of the techniques indicates that the deep learning methods consistently outperform the classical techniques, with Conv-DA-LSTM yielding the best overall performance with a clear margin. This method obtained the lowest error rates (RMSE: 71.866) and the highest level of accuracy (R2: 0.93). The optimization clearly works for higher wind speeds, achieving a remarkable improvement of 22.9%. When we look at the monthly performance, all the months presented at least some level of consistent enhancement (RRMSE reductions from 1.6 to 10.2%). These findings highlight the potential of advanced deep learning techniques in enhancing wind energy forecasting accuracy, particularly in challenging desert environments. The hybrid method developed in this study presents a promising direction for improving renewable energy management. This allows for more efficient resource allocation and improves wind resource predictability.

The functionalization of additive manufacturing (AM) powders with nucleating particles has the potential to alter the grain structure, and hence the mechanical properties of 3D printed structures. We have investigated use of hexagonal boron nitride (BN) nanosheets to modify the microstructure of Ti parts produced by laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). The components were 3D printed from commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) powders coated with small amounts (1.5 vol% ≈ 0.77 wt%) of BN nanosheets. As a comparison, pure cp-Ti parts were also built under the same processing conditions. Small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS-WAXS) analysis of the 3D printed test structures revealed that BN addition significantly refined the α-Ti grain size and randomized the α-Ti texture. It was observed that grain-refined Ti-BN samples were harder and more brittle than their pure cp-Ti counterparts. This research provides new insights for grain refining using functional powder feedstocks with relatively simple powder pre-processing, and may be applied more broadly in laser-based metal AM.

Abstract Spatially resolved transcriptomics has revolutionized RNA studies by aligning RNA abundance with tissue structure, enabling direct comparisons between histology and gene expression. Traditional approaches to identifying signature genes often involve preliminary data grouping, which can overlook subtle expression patterns in complex tissues. We present Spatial Gradient Screening, an algorithm which facilitates the supervised detection of histology-associated gene expression patterns without prior data grouping. Utilizing spatial transcriptomic data along with single-cell deconvolution from injured mouse cortex, and TCR-seq data from brain tumors, we compare our methodology to standard differential gene expression analysis. Our findings illustrate both the advantages and limitations of cluster-free detection of gene expression, offering more profound insights into the spatial architecture of transcriptomes. The algorithm is embedded in SPATA2, an open-source framework written in R, which provides a comprehensive set of tools for investigating gene expression within tissue.

Abstract: The intervention addresses the concept of experimentation in directing practice and the concept’s connection to global directing trends and the artistic and intellectual results that have resulted from it in contemporary theatrical practice .so the term appeared Theatrical Experimentation with the emergence of avant-garde movements in the late nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century as a response to a group of cultural and artistic crises in Europe. And He began to think externally about a group of theories that were linked to contemporary philosophies or experimental sciences and try to apply them to the theatrical process through showing something different from the concept of theatrical language and the physical expression of the actors, as well as the function of scenography, in order to reach the establishment of a renewed and enjoyable relationship with the recipient. In the intervention, after introducing the concept, we turn to the uses of this term in Algerian theatre, to reveal the motives for the spread of the word experimentation in contemporary theatrical practice in Algeria in its directing aspect, and we try to answer the following question: Is experimentation in Algerian theatrical direction a functional necessity or aesthetic and artistic sabotage? The answer is through analysis A collection of contemporary theatrical models in Algeria. Keywords : Theatrical experimentation; Directing trends; Avant-garde mouvements; Algerian Theater; Scenography. L'expérimentation dans la mise en scène théâtrale

The purpose of the current research is to inspect the free convection of the nanofluid (Cu–water) within a hexagonal cavity containing a square obstacle with isothermal vertical walls at Th{T}_{{\rm{h}}} and Tc{T}_{{\rm{c}}}, and insulated horizontal walls. The aim of this study is to analyze the interaction between the Rayleigh number (103

Abstract: This study aimed to measure the impact of human resource management strategies-specifically recruitment strategy, training and development strategy, performance appraisal strategy, and motivation strategy—on improving employee performance at Ahmed Medghri Hospital in Saida, Algeria. The results indicate that both recruitment strategy and motivation strategy have a statistically significant effect on enhancing employee performance, together explaining 49.9% of the variance in employee performance at Ahmed Medghri Hospital in Saida. Keywords: recruitment strategy, training and development, performance appraisal, motivation, employee performance, JEL Classification: M12, M53, M54

Entropy generation(EG) has attracted the attention of scientists and researchers worldwide due to its applications in the industrial and engineering sectors. Applications of entropy generation can be seen in chillers, air conditioners, air separates, air coolers, nuclear reactors, and vehicle engines. In the current investigation, we have analyzed entropy generation in Maxwell hybrid nanofluid(HNF) flow over a porous stretching sheet. Darcy Forchheimer(DF) relation is considered. Due to stretching of sheet flow generates. The thermal expression is reported taking influences of dissipation, radiation, and heat source. The second law of thermodynamics is utilized to obtain EG for considered flow. Boundary layer assumptions are considered in the modeling. Partial differential equations(PDEs) governing the flow are changed into dimensionless ordinary differential equations(ODEs) through transformations. The solution of reduced ODEs is constructed via NDSolve code in Mathematica software. Different influential flow variables impact on velocity, temperature, irreversibility, and Bejan number are discussed graphically. Physical quantities are examined numerically. The results show that velocity diminished for rising porosity and Forchheimer variables. Temperature field upsurges for an upturn in radiation and Eckert numbers, an opposite impact is noticed for higher Prandtl number. EG escalates for greater radiation, temperature, and Brinkman variables.

The high demand for drinking water has increased the by-products from treatment plants, notably during coagulation-flocculation, leading to substantial sludges' accumulation. This study aims to focus on the characterization of drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) batches from the three last years and statically studying it's uniformity, as exploring potential repurposing options. The samples were characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Loss On Ignition (LOI), and Granulometric analysis. The results evinced that DWTS have a sandy nature, the organic fraction takes third of the DWTS’ chemical composition, the amount of Al2O3 + SiO2 + Fe2O3 is slightly different, with 55.84, 57.47, and 56.14 % for DWTS21, DWTS22, and DWTS23 respectively, as per ANOVA results, which exhibited the consistency sludge composition among the samples, providing valuable insights into repurposing DWTS, and contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the construction industry especially DWTS21, which presents higher content of CaO with 2.95 %.

Background The severity and course of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) are correlated with the mortality rate. Early detection of SA-AKI subphenotypes might facilitate the rapid provision of individualized care.Patients and methods In this post-hoc analysis of a multicenter prospective study, we combined conventional kidney function variables with serial measurements of urine (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 [TIMP-2])* (insulin-like growth factor-binding protein [IGFBP7]) at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h) and then using an unsupervised hierarchical clustering of principal components (HCPC) approach to identify different phenotypes of SA-AKI. We then compared the subphenotypes with regard to a composite outcome of in-hospital death or the initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT).Results We included 184 patients presenting SA-AKI within 6 h of the initiation of catecholamines. Three distinct subphenotypes were identified: subphenotype A (99 patients) was characterized by a normal urine output (UO), a low SCr and a low [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] level; subphenotype B (74 patients) was characterized by existing chronic kidney disease (CKD), a higher SCr, a low UO, and an intermediate [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] level; and subphenotype C was characterized by very low UO, a very high [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] level, and an intermediate SCr level. With subphenotype A as the reference, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) [95%CI] for the composite outcome was 3.77 [1.92–7.42] (p

Objective Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge, with delayed diagnosis contributing to increased transmission and disease burden. While microbiological tests are the gold standard for confirming active tuberculosis, many cases lack microbiological evidence, necessitating additional clinical and laboratory data for diagnosis. The complete blood count (CBC), an inexpensive and widely available test, could provide a valuable tool for tuberculosis diagnosis by analyzing disturbances in blood parameters. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a machine learning (ML)-based web application, TubIAgnosis, for diagnosing active tuberculosis using CBC data. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study using data from 449 tuberculosis patients and 1200 healthy controls in Oran, Algeria, from January 2016 to April 2023. Eight ML algorithms were trained on 18 CBC parameters and demographic data. Model performance was evaluated using balanced accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The best-performing model, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), achieved a balanced accuracy of 83.3%, AUC of 89.4%, sensitivity of 83.3%, and specificity of 83.3% on the testing dataset. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was the most influential parameter in this ML predictive model. The best performing model (XGB) was made available online as a web application called TubIAgnosis, which is available free of charge at https://yh5f0z-ghermi-mohamed.shinyapps.io/TubIAgnosis/ . Conclusions TubIAgnosis, a ML-based web application utilizing CBC data, demonstrated promising performance for diagnosing active tuberculosis. This accessible and cost-effective tool could complement existing diagnostic methods, particularly in resource-limited settings. Prospective studies are warranted to further validate and refine this approach.

Abstract Negative Air Ions (NAIs), essential for environmental and human health, facilitate air purification and offer antimicrobial benefits. Our study achieves hourly estimations of NAIs using a machine learning framework, developed from a multi‐layer selection pipeline of over 200 variables, to identify the key determinants critical for adapting to high‐resolution NAIs dynamics. Addressing site sparsity and NAIs volatility, we introduced a hybrid stacking incorporating pseudo sites generated from Kriging Spatiotemporal Augmentation (KSTA) to mitigate spatial overfitting. Our approach, validated in Zhejiang, China, demonstrates exceptional accuracy, achieving R2 values of 0.90 (sample‐based), 0.85 (temporal‐based), and 0.79 (site‐based). This work not only sheds light on NAIs behavior in relation to diurnal shifts, land use, and environmental events, but also integrates a health grading system, enhancing public health strategies through precise air quality assessment.

Résumé Introduction - Le cathétérisme veineux ombilical (CVO) permet un abord veineux de choix dans le cadre de l’urgence en néonatalogie. L’abcès hépatique (AH) est une complication rare survenant après la mise en place d’un cathéter veineux ombilical. Observation - Nous rapportons le cas d’un nouveau-né prématuré admis au service de néonatalogie pour détresse respiratoire (DR), bénéficiant d’un CVO. Il a présenté un état septique à J4 de vie. L’échographie a retrouvé un AH. Le nouveau-né fût mis sous une antibiothérapie durant 6 semaines, qui fût suivie d’une amélioration de l’état clinique, d’une régression puis d’une disparition de l’bcès hépatique.L’exploration échographique abdominale est indispensable chez tout nouveau-né porteur d’un cathétérisme veineux ombilical avec des signes d’appel digestifs ou infectieux. Abstract Introduction - Umbilical venous catheterization (UVC) allows an advantageous venous approach in the neonatal emergency.Nevertheless, the liver abscess is an uncommon complication. Observation - We report the case of a pre-term infant admitted at the newborns’ unit for respiratory distress. After UVC insertion, he presented a liver abscess at day 4 of life.The newborn received an antimicrobial therapy for a duration of 6 weeks. Then, his clinical status improved. The resolution of the abscess was gradually obtained. Abdominal ultrasound is essential for newborns with UVC and digestive or infectious clinical signs.

Abstract:The article examines the utilization of sociocultural concepts within the dramatic context by writer Ahmed Hamoumi, focusing on the social and cultural references that influenced the development of his dramatic characters in the play “Qamar W’yban” * It includes an analysis and critique of the function of each character and their respective roles within the overall structure of the play as established by the playwright. Furthermore, the article draws on real-life events from the Liberation Revolution and underscores the academic influences that shaped Hamoumi's approach to dramatic writing. It emphasizes the playwright's extensive academic and practical experience in the theatrical field as foundational to the creation of the play. Keywords: Theatre, society, dramatic character, Ahmed Hamoumi, the theatrical play Qamar Wiban ________________ * The title of the play embodies a popular saying in Algerian Dialectal Arabic which means: No matter how long it takes to hide something, there will inevitably come a time when it comes to light.