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تتألف شبكات العربات المتنقلة بمساعدة الطائرات دون طيار من مجموعة من العقد الأرضية وهي السيارات والوحدات المحيطة ومجموعة من العقد الطائرة تدعى طائرات دون طيار تشكل فيما بينها شبكة لاسلكية، تكون عقد هذه الشبكة ذات تجهيزات خاصة تجعلها قادرة على الاتصال فيما بينها. تواجه بروتوكولات التوجيه في هذه الشبكات تحديات كبيرة تتمثل بالتغير الديناميكي لطوبولوجيا الشبكة، إضافة إلى انقطاع الوصلة. يساعد بروتوكول التوجيه المناسب والفعال بضمان وصول الرسائل إلى الوجهة المطلوبة وتحقيق الهدف المطلوب من التطبيق. يتم التركيز على الموقع الجغرافي والتنبؤ بالموقع المستقبلي للعقد في عملية اختيار عقدة الربط التالية لدى معظم بروتوكولات التوجيه الجغرافي الطماع بشكل عام والبروتوكول GPSR بشكل خاص، لينتهي المطاف بتداعيات غير مرضية متمثلة بانقطاع وصلة الاتصال وبالتالي معدل تسليم رزم متدنِ وتأخير زمني عالٍ، فهناك تهديد واضح لوثوقية وضمان استمرار عمل وصلة الاتصال بشكل فعال. نحاول في هذه الورقة البحثية التحقق من إمكانية معرفة التموضع المستقبلي للعربات والطائرات دون طيار والاستفادة منها لتحسين آلية عمل بروتوكول التوجيه GPSR في شبكات العربات المتنقلة بمساعدة الطائرات دون طيار.

إن حركة المرور المتزايدة على الشبكة وعدم قدرة الشبكات التقليدية ببنيتها الحالية على التعامل مع حركة المرور السريعة على الشبكة، أدى إلى ظهور بنية جديدة ديناميكية مرنة ومبرمجة وفقاً لسلوك تدفق البيانات عبر الشبكة، تدعى هذه البنية بالشبكات المعرفة بالبرمجيات SDN والتي تعطي مرونة في ضبط موارد الشبكة عن طريق فصل مستوى التحكم عن مستوى البيانات. تعد مشكلة دعم جودة الخدمة الشاملة (end to end Quality of Service) في الشبكات التقليدية مشكلة مستمرة، فالعديد من الباحثين قد اقترحوا مجموعة من الحلول لكن أغلبها قد فشل أو لم يتم تنفيذها، فتم اقتراح الشبكات المعرفة بالبرمجيات للحد من القيود الموجودة في البنى المعمارية للشبكات التقليدية الحالية. يمكن أن تساعد شبكات (SDN) في توفير جودة الخدمة بطرق متنوعة بسبب بعض ميزاتها مثل مفهوم التحكم بكل تدفق (per flow control) والتوجيه اعتماداً على عدة حقول في الترويسة الخاصة بالرزمة. نقدم في هذا البحث طريقتين للتحكم بعرض الحزمة باستخدام بروتوكول المرور المفتوح (open flow) والمتحكم (RYU) وهما: جودة الخدمة لكل تدفق (per-flow Qos)، وهي قادرة على التحكم بدقة بجودة خدمة كل تدفق، لكن زيادة عدد التدفقات سيؤدي إلى زيادة قواعد التدفق (flow entries) في جدول التدفق للمبدل التي يتم تعيينها للتحكم بعرض النطاق الترددي، وبالتالي هذه الطريقة غير قابلة للتوسع والتعامل مع التدفقات الكثيرة. أما الطريقة الثانية فيتم فيها تقسيم التدفقات الى عدة فئات اعتماداً على قيمة (DSCP differentiatted service codepoint)، والتي هي عبارة عن 8 بتات موجودة في ترويسة (ipv4) ضمن حقل (type of service TOS) أو ضمن حقل (traffic class) في ترويسة (ipv6)، ومن ثم يتم تخصيص قوائم انتظار حسب صنف الخدمة الذي يشمل مجموعة من التدفقات التي تملك نفس سوية جودة الخدمة المطلوبة، ونوضح كيف يمكن لهذه الطرق من التحكم بعرض الحزمة وفقاً لحاجة المستخدم وبالتالي ضبط موارد الشبكة والاستخدام الامثل لها.

تقدم برامج المحاكاة المستخدمة ضمن مجال شبكات الحساسات اللاسلكية تمثيلاً عن النظام الحقيقي دون الحاجة للقيام بعملية نشر فعلية للعقد وما يترافق مع ذلك من تكاليفٍ باهظة, وتكون العمليات المباشرة المعرفة ضمن الطبقة الفيزيائية في معظم هذه البرامج ضمنية وغير مقدمة بشكلٍ واضح، وهذا ما دفعنا إلى بناء نواة لنظام منصة محاكاة افتراضية، لنكون بذلك قادرين على محاكاة عمليات البروتوكولات والخوارزميات المطبقة ضمن شبكات الحساسات على مستوى وحدة المعالجة المركزية. تهدف منصة المحاكاة المقترحة إلى مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات على المستوى المنخفض للبنية الفيزيائية لعقد الحساسات مع القدرة على التعديل عند هذا المستوى. وباعتبار أن أمن التوجيه يشكل أحد أهم التحديات ضمن شبكات الحساسات، لذا سنطبق ضمن هذا العمل إحدى خوارزميات أمن التوجيه ضمن الواجهة المتعلقة بمنصة المحاكاة المقترحة ومراقبة التنفيذ على المستوى المنخفض لعمليات المعالج، الأمر الذي يتيح لنا إمكانية اكتشاف نقاط الضعف والعمل على تحسين الخوارزميات وتطويرها. طُبِّقت ثلاثة سيناريوهات لتقييم أداء منصة المحاكاة المقترحة، حيث بينت النتائج مرونة وفعالية عالية لهذه المنصة في تتبع سير العمليات المنجَزة ضمن عقد الحساسات على مستوى لغة الـ Assembly.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236292.].

تتكون شبكات الحساسات اللاسلكية واسعة النطاق LS-WSNs من آلاف العقد المنتشرة عبر مساحة جغرافية واسعة منتجة كمية كبيرة من القراءات المتحسسة التي يجب معالجتها بحرص لإدارة الموارد المتوفرة بفعالية. على عكس شبكات الحساسات اللاسلكية ضيقة النطاق SS-WSNs، يكلف استبدال شبكة الحساسات اللاسلكية واسعة النطاق LS-WSNs مالاً وجهداً ووقتاً وفي كثير من الأحيان يكون الاستبدال غير مجد. لذا تصبح الحاجة لحلول سماحية عطل متينة واجباً على وجه الخصوص في تطبيقات WSN الجديدة مثل التطبيقات العسكرية، مراقبة الحدود وأرض المعركة. وتطبيقات المراقبة تحت الماء لمنع الكوارث وفحص التلوث... الخ. قدمت العديد من بروتوكولات التوجيه حلولا ً لسماحية العطل في شبكات الحساسات اللاسلكية واسعة النطاق، ويمتاز البروتوكول DECROP ببنيته البسيطة والفعالة التي تجعله مرغوباً كتقنية سماحية عطل من حيث الاستجابة السريعة وتخفيض عدد رسائل التحكم (الحمل)، ولكنه يعاني من عيب أساسي يتمثل بنفاذ الطاقة السريع الناتج عن شكل بنيته الشجرية وحجم العناقيد غير المنتظم. نقترح في هذا البحث استخدام خوارزمية GTC في مرحلة تشكيل العناقيد ضمن البروتوكول DECROP. أظهرت نتائج المحاكاة تحسناً ملحوظاً في أداء البروتوكول المحسن من حيث استهلاك الطاقة وزمن حياة الشبكة مع المحافظة على مميزات DECROP الأساسية.

تعد الرعاية الصحية عن بعد تقنية واعدة في فعاليتها ودقتها وانتشارها، ونظراً لأهمية العناية والمراقبة الطبية في المناطق التي تفتقر لوجود كوادر طبية كافية أو يصعب الوصول إليها من جهة، ونتيجة لارتفاع تكاليف التطبيب خصوصاً من أجل كبار السن من جهةٍ أخرى. نالت شبكات حساسات الجسم اللاسلكية WBAN اهتماماً كبيراً من البحث والتطوير خصوصاً نتيجةً للتطور الهائل في شبكات الحساسات اللاسلكية والالكترونيات الحديثة التي أحدثت حساسات ذكية صغيرة الحجم قابلة للتموضع داخل الجسم أو عليه. سنتطرق في بحثنا هذا إلى استخدام هذه الشبكات الحديثة في المجال الطبي وتحديداً مراقبة المرضى في المشافي حيث أن المراقبة المستمرة وضبط البارامترات الحيوية هنا ذات أهمية كبيرة على حياة المرضى. تقوم الفكرة الأساسية على نشر مجموعة من الأجهزة الحساسة بتشكيل معين على جسم المريض، ولهذه الأجهزة عدة وظائف لأداء العمل المتكامل المتمثل بقياس وتحسس البارامترات المهمة، وإرسالها على شكل معلومات إلى عقدة منسقة تقوم بتجميع هذه المعطيات وإرسالها الى محطة رئيسية تقوم بمعالجة هذه المعلومات واتخاذ القرار المناسب، ومن ثم إرسال هذا القرار إلى الأجهزة المنتشرة والتي تترجم هذا القرار على أرض الواقع ليتم ضبط البارامترات من جديد.

تعد شبكات العربات المتنقلة VANETs تكنولوجيا واعدة، تأخذ المركبات كعقد لتشكّل شبكة لاسلكية. تتغير طوبولوجيا هذه الشبكة بسرعة حيث أن العقد في حركة مستمرة وبسرعات مختلفة، مما يؤدي إلى ظهور بعض المشكلات الخطيرة التي يجب معالجتها بشكل صحيح من أجل جعل هذه الشبكات فعالة. إحدى هذه المشكلات هي الانقطاع المتكرر لوصلة الاتصال التي يعاني منها البروتوكول GPSR-MA ولاسيما في بيئات الطرق السريعة. نقدم فـي هذا الـبحث البروتوكول المقترح Reliable GPSR (R-GPSR) الذي يعتمد على معلومتي سرعة وتغير سرعة العربة Ds من أجل اختيار عقدة الربط التالية المثلى والحد قدر الإمكان من حدوث مشكلة انكسار الوصلة في بيئات الطرق السريعة. لتحقيق هذا الغرض استُخدم المحاكي NS 2.35 مع وجود عدة إضافات لتنفيذ كل من البروتوكول GPSR-MA والبروتوكول المقترح، واعتماداً على نتائج المحاكاة التي حصلنا عليها وبالتحليل والمقارنة بين البروتوكولين عند كثافة عقد متوسطة، توصلنا إلى أن البروتوكول المقترح هو الأفضل من ضمن الشروط المحددة في هذه الدراسة.

BackgroundThis pilot study describes the overall design and results of the Program for the Evaluation and Management of the Cardiac Events registry for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.MethodsThis prospective, multi-center, multi-country study included patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and/or acute heart failure (AHF). We evaluated the clinical characteristics, socioeconomic and educational levels, management, in-hospital outcomes, and 30-day mortality rate of patients that were admitted to one tertiary-care center in each of 14 Arab countries in the MENA region.ResultsBetween 22 April and 28 August 2018, 543 AMI and 381AHF patients were enrolled from 14 Arab countries (mean age, 57±12 years, 82.5% men). Over half of the patients in both study groups had low incomes with limited health care coverage, and limited education. Nearly half of the cohort had a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia. Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions, 56.4% received primary percutaneous interventions, 24% received thrombolysis, and 19.5% received no acute reperfusion therapy. The main causes of AHF were ischemic heart diseases (55%) and primary valvular heart diseases (15%). The in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively, for AMI, and 5.4% and 7.0%, respectively, for AHF.ConclusionsThis pilot study revealed a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with AMI and AHF in Arab countries, and low levels of socioeconomic and educational status. Future phases of the study will improve our understanding of the impact that these factors have on the management and outcomes of cardiac events in these patient populations.

Neuroimaging refers to the techniques that provide efficient information about the neural structure of the human brain, which is utilized for diagnosis, treatment, and scientific research. The problem of classifying neuroimages is one of the most important steps that are needed by medical staff to diagnose their patients early by investigating the indicators of different neuroimaging types. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is of great importance in preventing the deterioration of the patient’s situation. In this research, a novel approach was devised based on a digital subtracted angiogram scan that provides sufficient features of a new biomarker cerebral blood flow. The used dataset was acquired from the database of K.A.U.H hospital and contains digital subtracted angiograms of participants who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, besides samples of normal controls. Since each scan included multiple frames for the left and right ICA’s, pre-processing steps were applied to make the dataset prepared for the next stages of feature extraction and classification. The multiple frames of scans transformed from real space into DCT space and averaged to remove noises. Then, the averaged image was transformed back to the real space, and both sides filtered with Meijering and concatenated in a single image. The proposed model extracts the features using different pre-trained models: InceptionV3 and DenseNet201. Then, the PCA method was utilized to select the features with 0.99 explained variance ratio, where the combination of selected features from both pre-trained models is fed into machine learning classifiers. Overall, the obtained experimental results are at least as good as other state-of-the-art approaches in the literature and more efficient according to the recent medical standards with a 99.14% level of accuracy, considering the difference in dataset samples and the used cerebral blood flow biomarker.

This study was carried out to examine the concentrations of major heavy metals in fifteen different well water in Zakho City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The studied heavy metals were iron, copper, chromium, aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, zinc and lead. The results obtained in the studied area showed that copper, chromium, cobalt, zinc, manganese, aluminum, iron and lead were within the acceptable limits as recommended by WHO for water drinking. However, in all studied areas, cadmium and nickel were mostly founded to exceed the maximum permissible limit set by WHO. It is found that zinc and copper possess a very good positive correlation between each other. The results obtained in this study confirmed the groundwater pollution and hence it is not suitable for consumption without any prior treatment.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the shaping ability of four nickel–titanium systems (iRaCe, ProTaper Next, Wave One, and TF) in simulated double-curved (S-shaped) root canals. Materials and methods: This study was conducted using simulated S-shaped root canals (n = 40). The specimens were divided into four experimental groups (n = 10 each). Each group was prepared using one of the following NiTi systems: iRaCe, ProTaper Next, Wave One, and TF. The canals were injected with black ink before instrumentation, and a series of photographs of each canal was saved to a computer using a set protocol. The canals were reinjected using red ink postoperatively to define their outlines, and images were taken in the same standardized manner. Photoshop software was used to superimpose pre- and post-instrumentation images in two different layers. Canal transportation was evaluated at five positions from the apical end (D1, D2, D3, D5, and D7) by measuring the amount of removed resin using ImageJ Software. The data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 20.0. Statistical significance was set at P 0.05) in shaping time (in seconds) among the NiTi systems, and there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in canal transportation values among the systems at D1, D2, D3, D5, and D7 among the NiTi systems. Conclusion: The iRaCe, ProTaper Next, Wave One, and TF systems preserved the original shape of the double-curved (S-shaped) canal with minimum root canal transportation. These systems produced satisfactory root canal instrumentation in S-shaped canals.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current trends and the adoption of new technologies in endodontic treatment by general practitioners in private dental clinics in Almadinah Almunawarah. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed randomly to 70 general practitioners working in private dental clinics in Almadinah Almnourah, Saudi Arabia. After one week, the questionnaires were hand-collected. Sixty-three dentists (90%) returned the questionnaire. The study was conducted between February and May 2014. Results: The results indicated that 100% of the general practitioners did not use any magnification device during root canal treatments; 11% of the respondents used digital X-ray equipment, 12.7% used an electronic apex locator, 38% used NiTi rotary instrumentation in root canal preparations, 100% did not use any adjunctive device for irrigant activation and 100% did not use new devices or techniques for root canal obturations. Conclusions: This study provides data regarding the current trends and attitudes of general practitioners in private dental clinics in Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah regarding novel technologies in endodontic treatment and reveals the gap between the new advances in endodontics and clinical practice, as well as the need to improve root canal treatment in private dental practices.

Objective: This study evaluated the quality of root canal treatment (RCT) and determined the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 630 patients (316 males and 314 females) who attended clinics at the Dental College of Taibah University seeking dental care for the first time between 2010and 2013 were assessed for the adequacy of RCT and presence of AP. Results: RCT of at least one tooth was found in 52.8% of the patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in females (28.4 vs. 24.4%; P = 0.012), and AP was found in 53.5% of the patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in females (31.9 vs 21.6%; P = 0.000). Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between AP and inadequate endodontic treatment. This study reveals the importance of improving RCT in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

Objective: We evaluated knowledge of technical aspects of non-surgical root canal treatment among general dentists in private dental clinics in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed randomly to 70 general dental practitioners who were working in private dental centers. The response rate was 88.6%. Results: The results showed that only 3% of dentists were using rubber dams for isolation during endodontic treatment. The majority (59.7%) were using radiographs to determine the length. Also, 37% were using nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments to prepare the root canal. The lateral condensation technique with gutta percha points to fill the root canal was used by most respondents (77.5%). Conclusions: This study provides important data on endodontic treatment by general dental practitioners in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah private dental centers. It shows a general lack of knowledge regarding the importance of using rubber dams as well as the new endodontic materials and methods. Continuing education programs to update their knowledge in the field of endodontics are essential.

There are several reports describing the impaction of foreign objects into the exposed pulp chambers and canals by patients, especially children as they often have the habit of inserting foreign objects in the oral cavity. These objects will become a potent source of infection.This case report describes the retrieval of a foreign object impacted into the root canal of a 12-year-old male patient who was referred to the endodontic specialty clinic at Taibah University College of Dentistry. The patient′s chief complaint was a pain in the upper left central tooth. Clinical examination revealed a complicated enamel-dentin fracture with a large caries cavity. A periapical radiographic image showed a radiopaque object in the root canal system. Stainless steel Hedstrom files were used to retrieve the object from the canal. Following a proper cleaning and shaping of the root canal system, an intra-canal calcium hydroxide dressing was placed for 1 week. The root canal system was then filled with sealer and gutta-percha using the lateral compaction technique and the tooth received an aesthetic restoration.

The main objective of performing root canal therapy is to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal system or remove inflamed pulp tissue and close it with a biologically acceptable filling material. If this treatment managed well, regardless of the number of visits, it will create a favorable environment for healing. The recent advances in Endodontic technology, attracts the dental practitioners as well as the Endodontist to perform the root canal treatment in one visit. The question that we consider in this review article focuses on the long term prognosis of one-and multiple appointment endodontic therapy for teeth with vital pulp, necrotic pulp, and apical periodontitis .

Liver cancer has become one of the major types of cancer with high mortality and liver cancer is not responsive to the current cytotoxic agents used in chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro cytotoxicity of goniothalamin on human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and normal liver Chang cells. The cytotoxicity of goniothalamin against HepG2 and liver Chang cell was tested using MTT cell viability assay, LDH leakage assay, cell cycle flow cytometry PI analysis, BrdU proliferation ELISA assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay. Goniothalamin selectively inhibited HepG2 cells [IC50 = 4.6 (±0.23) µM in the MTT assay; IC50 = 5.20 (±0.01) µM for LDH assay at 72 hours], with less sensitivity in Chang cells [IC50 = 35.0 (±0.09) µM for MTT assay; IC50 = 32.5 (±0.04) µM for LDH assay at 72 hours]. In the trypan blue dye exclusion assay, the Viability Indexes were 52 ± 1.73% for HepG2 cells and 62 ± 4.36% for Chang cells at IC50 after 72 hours. Cytotoxicity of goniothalamin was related to inhibition of DNA synthesis, as revealed by the reduction of BrdU incorporation. At 72 hours, the lowest concentration of goniothalamin (2.3 µL) retained 97.6% of normal liver Chang cells proliferation while it reduced HepG2 cell proliferation to 19.8% as compared to control. Besides, goniothalamin caused accumulation of hypodiploid apoptosis and different degree of G2/M arrested as shown in cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry. Goniothalamin selectively killed liver cancer cell through suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that goniothalamin shows potential cytotoxicity against hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells.

Abstract:- In this study we focused on adding ferrosilicon and this adding was in form of different ratio and constant size of these additive to the matrix of Iraqi cement (Om Quasar factory for cement). the prepared samples was in form of cubic and evaluated as they were treated different (water treatment, moisture treatment dry treatment). All the prepared samples had a proportion of (3/1 cement to sand) and in the form of cubes with aside (50 mm) long. they also had the weight–rate of the added ferrosilicon to the cement which was (1% - 5%). The obtained results showed that the cement mixture that had the weight rate of 1% at moisture curing is the best as it has good mechanical properties (flexural strength, splitting tensile, compressive strength). These properties have been used to study the resistance of the modified cement to the chemical agents that attack cement and concrete.

ABSTRACTBackground: dyslipidemia plays a crucial rule in the development of cardiovascular disease, which has become the leading cause of death in most developed countries as well as in developing countries (1). The effects of reducing low density lipoprotein – C (LDL-C) concentrations on the prevention of cardiovascular events and stroke have been well reported in many clinical trials.Objectives: Evidence supports the use of statins for lipid modifications in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease, morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of atorvastatin in treating dyslipidemia in Iraqi obese patients.Methods: 200 overweight and obese patients with hypercholesterolemia, according to NCEP ATP III criteria, were included. They were randomized into 3 groups according to atorvastatin dose, 10, 20, 40 mg/ day, and treated for 8 weeks. Blood lipid profile, liver enzymes ALT and AST, urea, creatinine, uric acid, calcium and glucose were measured before and after therapy.Results: There was a significant reduction of total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), but a non-significant reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL) with all atorvastatin doses. The high doses of the drug caused a significant elevation of serum levels of ALT and AST and a significant decrease of blood calcium; but there was nosignificant change in blood levels ofurea, creatinine, uric acid or glucose with any dose.Conclusion: Short-term atorvastatin therapy in dyslipidemic obese patients caused a reduction of TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL, but had no significant effect on HDL, non-significant changes in blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid or blood glucose, while there was a dose dependent elevation of ALT and AST

Background: Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a reliable method for preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules particularly if ultrasound‐guided (USG‐FNAC). The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of USG‐FNAC and its accuracy. Methods: We retrospectively studied 212 thyroidectomy cases with preoperative ultrasonography and FNAC data during the period 2015–2022 using TI‐RADS for final ultrasound diagnosis and Bethesda system for cytological diagnosis. Results: The studied cases were 200 females and 12 males. Thyroid cancer was more prevalent under 20 years old (78.5%). Papillary thyroid carcinoma comprises 84% of all cancer cases. Significant ultrasound features (p‐value <0.05) favour malignancy were hypoechogenicity (66%), mixed echogenicity (84%), irregular border (61%), microcalcification (68%) and rim halo (63.6%). Malignancy was found in 21% of TI‐RADS‐2, 65% of TI‐RADS‐4 and 100% of TI‐RADS‐5. There is a significant difference between different categories of Bethesda system. All cases in Cat‐VI were malignant (100%). Malignancy was also found in 81% of Cat‐V, 20% of Cat‐IV, 33% of Cat‐III, 16% of Cat‐II and 43% of Cat‐I. Cytological features consistent with malignancy were as follows: grooving (94%), nuclear irregularities (89%), nuclear pseudoinclusion (89%) and little colloid (82%). In our study, USG‐FNAC sensitivity was 83%, specificity 85%, PPV 85%, NPV 83% and accuracy 84%. Conclusion: Ultrasound features in favour of malignancy in thyroid nodules are hypoechoic or complex echogenicity, irregular border, punctuate calcification and presence of rim halo. Cytological features in favour of malignancy are grooving, nuclear irregularities, nuclear pseudoinclusion and little or absent colloid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intestinal tuberculosis (iTB) represents a potentially underrecognized clinical entity with limited clinical and radiological differentiating features. This study aims to assess the patterns of iTB clinical and radiological findings, along with the treatment approaches and the overall outcome. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with histopathologically confirmed iTB who presented with acute abdomen and were surgically managed between September 2005 and October 2023. Clinical and sociodemographic variables, imaging features, surgical treatments, and overall outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 96 patients with iTB were included, with a mean age of 36.1 ± 11.5 years and a relatively proportionate gender distribution. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom (45.8%). The radiological features varied by the modality. Plain imaging showed non-specific findings, while ultrasonography showed loculated ascites (25%), and lymphadenopathy (22%). In computed tomography scans, multi-segmental symmetric intestinal thickening (53.1%) was the most prevalent finding. The most commonly performed surgical procedure was adhesiolysis (29.2%), with the ileocecal junction being the most commonly involved structure (39.6%). Histopathological examination of all the tissue biopsies revealed epithelioid granulomas. Postoperative complications occurred in 19 patients (19.8%), with surgical site infection being the most common complication (10.4%). Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction is an underrecognized manifestation of tuberculosis, particularly in endemic regions. The non-specific clinical presentation, coupled with the limited utility of laboratory and radiological tests, often leads to delayed recognition and treatment. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is essential, especially in younger patients, inhabitants of endemic areas, or those with laboratory findings indicative of chronic inflammation. Prompt recognition is crucial to ensure the timely initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy and to optimize patient outcomes through appropriate follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient production is paramount for all types of institutions, hinging upon the attainment of predefined employee targets and their subsequent outcomes. In contemporary times, a pervasive issue plaguing institutions is declining production, primarily stemming from employee absenteeism due to various reasons, ultimately eroding profitability. In our research, we spotlight organizations that rely heavily on healthcare services to bolster their bottom line, focusing on the unique case of King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH). Drawing insights from surveys administered to nurses, we meticulously compiled a clean dataset using the OpenRefine tool. Subsequently, we harnessed the power of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) techniques to construct a classification model. We judiciously assessed performance metrics such as Accuracy, Precision, and Recall to discern the most effective model. Our comparative analysis unequivocally underscored the superiority of ANN in our classification task, boasting an impressive 82% accuracy rate for predicting nurse absenteeism. This research endeavors to forecast the likelihood of nurse absenteeism in the upcoming year and elucidate the key contributing factors that elevate the risk of such occurrences. The overarching objective is to equip King Abdullah University Hospital's decision-makers with a valuable tool to proactively mitigate absenteeism rates, elevate healthcare service quality, and elevate production levels, ultimately yielding optimal profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The battery pack is at the heart of electric vehicles, and lithium-ion cells are preferred because of their high power density, long life, high energy density, and viability for usage in relatively high and low temperatures. Lithium-ion batteries are negatively affected by overvoltage, undervoltage, thermal runaway, and cell voltage imbalance. The minimisation of cell imbalance is particularly important because it causes uneven power dissipation by each cell and, hence, temperature distribution that adversely impacts the battery lifetime. Several papers in the literature proposed advanced cell-balancing techniques to increase the effectiveness of basic cell-balancing approaches, reduce power losses, and reduce the number of components in balancing circuits. The new developments and optimisations over the last few years have been particularly intense due to the increased interest in battery technologies for several end-use applications. This paper reviews and discusses recent cell-balancing techniques or methods, covering their operating principles and the optimised utilisation of electrical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]