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Abstract In this study, we analyze the vacuum stability of the economical 331 model at the one-loop level using the renormalization group equations and a single-scale renormalization method. By integrating these equations, we determine stability conditions up to the Planck scale, incorporating constraints from recent experimental data on new Higgs-like bosons, charged scalars, and charged and neutral gauge bosons. Our analysis uncovers intriguing relations between the mass of the heaviest scalar and the masses of exotic quarks, in order to ensure stability of the model up to the Planck scale. For the 331 energy scale used in this work, 18 TeV, we find an upper bound on the heaviest quark mass of the model, which is not so distant from future LHC runs, serving as bounds to be searched. Additionally, we explore relations between the scalar couplings coming stability and perturbativity conditions. These impose unprecedented constraints on the economical 331 model.

Amman, the capital of Jordan, has experienced significant traffic congestion due to the rise in private vehicle ownership and limited public transportation services. A Stated Preference (SP) survey was conducted to determine public transportation users’ willingness to use the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Another survey assessed the demand for an on-demand transit bus service with flexible and moderate costs, particularly for individuals far from the main BRT stations who need to reach them. Two models, Multinomial Logit (MNL) and Mixed Logit (ML), were utilized to understand user preferences for work-related trips. The study findings indicate that the cost of the trip and the waiting time are the two primary factors influencing public transport users’ choices. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors, such as age, income, household size, and current status, were found to have a significant impact. The results reveal that approximately 71% of participants would utilize an integrated public transportation system comprising BRT and on-demand services. The findings underscore the potential benefits of an integrated public transport system in addressing Amman’s traffic congestion. By combining BRT and on-demand services, the city can offer residents comfortable, affordable, and efficient transportation options, thus effectively mitigating congestion.

In this research, FT-IR, NMR (1H & 13C), mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction has been used to characterize the synthesized 5-((1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)methyl)quinolin-8-ol (DD2) derivative. B3LYP calculations with the 6-31G* and 6–311++G** basis sets have shown that the most stable C2 structure in gas phase and aqueous solution is in agreement with the experimental determined by X-ray diffraction. Higher dipole moments for C2 in aqueous solution, predicted with both methods, are probably related to its higher stability resulting higher volume contraction (ΔV −1.0 Å3) in solution with the B3LYP/6-31G* method. Similar behaviours in the Mulliken and NPA charges but different from MK charges are observed. Bond orders studies reveal that the O15-H16···N17 bonds are present in both media, as was experimentally observed in the solid state. MEP surfaces have evidenced nucleophilic sites on N of triazol ring while weak electrophilic ones on aromatic H of three rings being the H atom of OH the most labile. Gap values support a lower reactivity of C2 in solution, in agreement with the higher stability evidenced by AIM analyses. The higher electronic density on triazol ring could justify that C2 is unstable in solution, as revealed by NBO analyses. Complete assignments of 93 expected vibration normal modes of C2 and a set of scaled force constants were obtained in both media by using harmonic force fields. Comparisons between experimental and theoretical infrared and 1H- and 13C NMR spectra show reasonable concordances. Intermolecular interactions in the crystal packing of DD2 were studied by using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Furthermore, DD2 was investigated against two targets of SARS-CoV-2 (PDB ID: 6WCF and PDB ID: 6Y84) by using molecular docking studies. Finally, drug likeness and ADME properties of DD2 were researched and compared with hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, oseltamivir, lopinavir, ritonavir molecules associated as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.

In this research, the performance of hot mix asphalts mixes (HMA) with RAP and RCA was evaluated, in terms of their Marshall stability, flow, and volumetric properties, to verify their applicability as a replacement for the natural aggregate in the flexible pavement surface layers of HMA mixtures. The experimental work was divided into two phases; the first phase investigated the crushed limestone, white hard-rock, and basalt aggregate materials with a nominal maximum aggregate size of 19 mm. The second phase studied the replacement of crushed limestone, by weight, with the RAP and RCA at different asphalt cement contents. The coarse and fine aggregate of the recycled materials were used at four percentages of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. The experimental test results showed that replacing limestone with recycled aggregate materials affected the mechanical characteristics, mainly the volumetric properties of the HMA. Using RCA in the hot asphalt mixes violated the upper limit of 5% for the air voids property and increased the optimum asphalt content (OAC) up to 5.96% for mixes prepared with 50% RCA. The results also revealed that adding RAP aggregate to the limestone in the HMA improved their Marshall stability, and the highest value of 29.32 kN was recorded for the asphalt mixes prepared with 75% RAP at 3% asphalt content. The combination of RAP and RCA aggregates indicated that as the RCA proportion in the mix increased, lower load capacity was observed and higher OAC compared to the other asphalt mixes.

New self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures were designed to improve the interfacial bond strength in concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) at 30 days and one year. The proposed SCC mixtures involved the strengthening of bond strength by using waste steel slag aggregates (SSA). A total of thirty-six circular and squared tube specimens with different ratios (0%, 25% and 50%) of SSA as a replacement by weight of coarse and fine aggregates in SCC were initially prepared. The results revealed that the using of SSA in SCC enhanced the specimens' bond strength for both shapes of steel tubes and the bond strength was reduced with an increase of concrete's age. Additionally, the incorporating of SSA did not decrease the loss in bond strength at one year. A three-dimensional non-linear finite element (FE) analysis was further conducted to simulate the interfacial bond-slip mechanism between two surfaces of the infill concrete and inner steel tubes.

INTRODUCTION : Le diagnostic de neuropathie optique (NO) est clinique. Néanmoins l’IRM des nerfs optiques (NfO) est un outil essentiel au diagnostic étiologique et à l'évaluation pronostique. Notre objectif est de présenter les particularités radiologiques des NO et leurs implications pronostiques. MÉTHODES : Etude rétrospective de patients admis au service de neurologie Ibn Rochd de Casablanca pour un tableau de NO inaugurale, sur une période de 6 ans (janvier 2013-Décembre 2019).Nous avons analysé les données démographiques, cliniques, immunologiques, et radiologiques. RÉSULTATS : Nous avons colligé 107 cas, la moyenne d'âge était de 35 ans ± 11,7 avec un sexe ratio de 0,8. Le protocole d'étude des NfO était respecté chez 45% des patients. L’atteinte du nerf optique était caractérisée au cours de la SEP ( 37 cas) par une prédominance de l’atteinte du segment postérieur du NfO, retrouvée également au cours de la NMO. L’atteinte du segment antérieur était prédominante au cours des MOGopathies et elle était extensive au cours des neuropathies d’origine toxique. DISCUSSION : La sensibilité de l’imagerie optique dépend d’une technique adaptée mais aussi de l'étiologie. La NO inflammatoire est caractérisée par une anomalie du signal lors la phase précoce, tandis que l'imagerie peut être normale dans la neuropathie optique ischémique lors de cette phase. Les caractéristiques radiologiques des NO selon les étiologies peuvent expliquer le pronostic lors des atteintes postérieurs et chiasmatique de la NMO. CONCLUSION : L'exploration radiologique des NO est une étape déterminante du diagnostic et du pronostic visuel. En outre, l'IRM cérébrale peut révéler des lésions asymptomatiques pouvant également avoir une contribution étiologique.

Focal lesions in both white and gray matter are characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS). Histopathological studies have helped define the main underlying pathological processes involved in lesion formation and evolution, serving as a gold standard for many years. However, histopathology suffers from an intrinsic bias resulting from over-reliance on tissue samples from late stages of the disease or atypical cases and is inadequate for routine patient assessment. Pathological-radiological correlative studies have established advanced MRI’s sensitivity to several relevant MS-pathological substrates and its practicality for assessing dynamic changes and following lesions over time. This review focuses on novel imaging techniques that serve as biomarkers of critical pathological substrates of MS lesions: the central vein, chronic inflammation, remyelination and repair, and cortical lesions. For each pathological process, we address the correlative value of MRI to MS pathology, its contribution in elucidating MS pathology in vivo, and the clinical utility of the imaging biomarker.

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease has sent an ominous message to the field of innovative and advanced technology research and development (COVID-19). To accomplish this, convectional technology and recent discoveries can be combined, or new research directions can be opened up using nanotechnology. Nanotechnology can be used to prevent, diagnose, and treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. As the pandemic spreads, a thorough examination of nanomaterials' role in pandemic response is highly desirable. According to this comprehensive review article, nanotechnology can be used to prevent, diagnose, and treat COVID-19. This research will be extremely useful during the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of developing rules for designing nanostructure materials to combat the outbreak.

Due to its environmental and economic advantages, the use of recycled materials in asphalt mixes is witnessing increased interest, where the properties of those mixes are significantly affected by the properties of the recycled materials in them. This paper discusses the results of an experimental study conducted to evaluate the performance of recycled asphalt mixtures made with reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregate (RAP). These mixtures were also prepared with two filler additives, namely steel slag (SS) and silica fume (SF), at four different percentages by weight of the aggregate. A total number of 234 mixtures were tested. The laboratory results indicated the effectiveness of using such additives as a filler material. The Marshall stability showed improvement for mixes prepared with steel slag ranging from 11.73 to 32.73 kN as the RAP level increased; the highest stability load was recorded for the 75% RAP with a 50% steel slag mix. On the other hand, the silica fume depicted variance in its strength, yet the maximum load value of 31.02 kN was for the 75% RAP with 100% silica fume. The use of steel slag in the presence of water decreased the stability results, while satisfying the ASTM standards.

ObjectiveTo determine whether African American (AA) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit more retinal damage and visual impairment compared to Caucasian American (CA) MS patients.MethodsA total of 687 MS patients (81 AAs) and 110 healthy control (HC) subjects (14 AAs) were recruited at 3 academic hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Using mixed effects regression models, we compared high- and low-contrast visual acuity (HCVA and LCVA) and high-definition spectral domain optical coherence tomography measures of retinal architecture between MS patients of self-identified AA and CA ancestry.ResultsIn HCs, baseline peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was 6.1µm greater in AAs (p = 0.047), whereas ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thickness did not differ by race. In MS patients, baseline RNFL did not differ by race, and GCIP was 3.98µm thinner in AAs (p = 0.004). AAs had faster RNFL and GCIP thinning rates compared to CAs (p = 0.004 and p = 0.046, respectively). AA MS patients had lower baseline HCVA (p = 0.02) and worse LCVA per year of disease duration (p = 0.039). Among patients with an acute optic neuritis (AON) history, AAs had greater loss of HCVA than CA patients (p = 0.012).InterpretationThis multicenter investigation provides objective evidence that AA MS patients exhibit accelerated retinal damage compared to CA MS patients. Self-identified AA ancestry is associated with worse MS-related visual disability, particularly in the context of an AON history, suggesting a more aggressive inflammatory disease course among AA MS patients or a subpopulation therein.

Splenic rupture is a potentially life-threatening condition, often associated with chest or abdominal trauma. Spontaneous rupture is very rare and is usually reported as being secondary to underlying pathological conditions. We report a case of atraumatic splenic rupture in a patient with no underlying disease pathology. This case should remind the emergency physician spontaneous splenic rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained acute abdominal pain.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare opportunistic brain infection caused by the JC virus and associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Accurate MRI assessment of PML lesion burden and brain parenchymal atrophy is of decisive value in monitoring the disease course and response to therapy. However, there are currently no validated automatic methods for quantification of PML lesion burden or associated parenchymal volume loss. Furthermore, manual brain or lesion delineations can be tedious, require the use of valuable time resources by radiologists or trained experts, and are often subjective. In this work, we introduce JCnet (named after the causative viral agent), an end-to-end, fully automated method for brain parenchymal and lesion segmentation in PML using consecutive 3D patch-based convolutional neural networks. The network architecture consists of multi-view feature pyramid networks with hierarchical residual learning blocks containing embedded batch normalization and nonlinear activation functions. The feature maps across the bottom-up and top-down pathways of the feature pyramids are merged, and an output probability membership generated through convolutional pathways, thus rendering the method fully convolutional. Our results show that this approach outperforms and improves longitudinal consistency compared to conventional, state-of-the-art methods of healthy brain and multiple sclerosis lesion segmentation, utilized here as comparators given the lack of available methods validated for use in PML. The ability to produce robust and accurate automated measures of brain atrophy and lesion segmentation in PML is not only valuable clinically but holds promise toward including standardized quantitative MRI measures in clinical trials of targeted therapies. Code is available at: https://github.com/omarallouz/JCnet.