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Aftab Ahmed Khan,1 Abdulaziz Abdullah AlKhureif,1 Manal Almutairi,2 Abrar Nasser bin Nooh,3 Saeed Awod bin Hassan,4 Yasser M Alqahtani5 1Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Restorative Dentistry Department, College of Dentistry, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Restorative Dental Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; 5Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry Department, Ministry of Health, Abha, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Aftab Ahmed Khan, Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Room &num; 2307, Building &num; 24, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia, Email aftkhan@ksu.edu.saIntroduction: There is a critical need to address concerns surrounding the potential impact of bleaching gels specifically on the tooth substrate. Therefore, this laboratory investigation aimed to assess the impact of a hydrogen peroxide (HP)-free bleaching (HiSmileTM) in comparison to an HP-based bleaching (Opalescence RegularTM) on the surface and mechanical characteristics of tooth substrate.Methods: Sixty sound human premolar teeth were sectioned to produce dentin fragments and divided into two primary groups based on the bleaching agent used. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups (n = 10) per distinct bleaching regimens: (T1) fragments underwent a 7-day immersion in distilled water at 37°C without any bleaching treatment, (T2) fragments underwent a 7-day immersion in distilled water at 37°C, with the application of bleaching gel occurring on the seventh day for 10 minutes, and (T3) fragments underwent a bleaching regimen for seven consecutive days, each session lasting for 10 minutes. The initial and final evaluations of surface roughness, nano-hardness, and elastic modulus were performed. Following the bleaching regimens of T3, a composite stub was fabricated on the dentin fragments for the shear bond strength (SBS) test. Statistical testing was accomplished using the analysis of variance (P < 0.05).Results: HP-based bleaching gel showed significant differences between measurement intervals in surface roughness, elastic modulus, and SBS parameters (P < 0.05). In contrast, HP-free bleaching gel showed insignificant differences within the group (P > 0.05). The SBS between dentin-composite was significantly affected with the use of HP-based bleaching gel, while HP-free bleaching gel showed insignificant difference between measurement intervals. The qualitative validation of the treatment’s impact was further demonstrated using the scanning electron microscopy.Conclusion: The findings suggest that the bonding stability of composite restorations to dentin may be compromised after bleaching with an HP-based gel, whereas immediate bonding procedures can be safely conducted following the application of an HP-free bleaching gel.Keywords: dental bleaching gel, dentin, hydrogen peroxide, mechanical properties, phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, nanohydroxyapatite

Digital transformation and the digitalization of economic activity are ongoing trends profoundly shaping the global economy. Digitalization reflects digital inputs in the production process and new household and government consumption modes, investment possibilities, and financial instruments, increasingly envisaged by digital technologies and tools. This is also impacting the labour markets, on the one hand substituting machines to labour for routinized tasks and thus decreasing the demand for soft skills labour, but on the other hand, increasing the need for new professions revolving around new production and consumption modalities and digital skills. Considering these contrasting effects, it is essential to estimate the overall impact of digitalization on employment. Therefore, this study captures the impact of economic growth and digitalization on unemployment change, evaluating a modified version of Okun’s Law on a balanced panel data set for 58 countries between 2013 and 2019. The results from the estimation of a fixed-effect model show the empirical validity of Okun’s law for the sampled countries and a significant contribution of digitalization on unemployment reduction.

Background: Ethylmalonic encephalopathy (EE) is a devastating early-onset inborn error of metabolism, and heterogenous disorders manifest as chronic diarrhea, petechial rash, and neurological manifestations. The mutation in the ETHE1 gene leads to hydrogen sulfide accumulation and eventually results in mucosal cell damage in the large intestines and vascular endothelial cells system. Case presentation: Here, we describe four patients from three different tribes in Oman, and the clinical data revealed that the four patients shared an early-onset phenotype and the neurological manifestations were variable. The biochemical markers, specifically the urine organic acid and hyperlactimic acidosis, supported and tailored the diagnosis. Molecular diagnosis was confirmed by full gene sequencing of the ETHE1 gene in the index case and followed by target variant testing for others. Interestingly, all four patients identified to harbor the same homozygous missense pathogenic variant (c.487c > t) in the ETHE1 gene, and their parents were all heterozygous. These findings indicate that we probably have a founder variant associated with EE in our area. Conclusion: These findings are of great importance for diagnosis and surveillance for Omani families with EE. Given the relatively high number and frequency of genetic diseases in the region and the limited resources, screening for these founder mutations should provide a rapid and cost-effective tool for molecular diagnosis. Additionally, these findings should help in designing appropriate measures for carrier screening measures at the regional level. [JBCGenetics 2021; 4(1.000): 51-55]

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging threat to public health worldwide. A significant evidence has suggested that the knowledge and attitude trends among the community, pharmacists and physicians can play a critical role in managing the ever increasing threat of AMR. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed using three specific self-administered questionnaires for community members, pharmacists/pharmacy owners and physicians on a randomly selected sample population of 473, 424 and 308 respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and Pearson chi-square tests were performed during data analysis. Result A response rate of 81.2% (n = 385), 37.7% (n = 160) and 53.9% (n = 166) was achieved for general community, pharmacists/pharmacy owners and physicians respectively. More than half of the community participants (55.6%; n = 214) possess poor knowledge of AMR. Furthermore, knowledge and attitude of the community participants were also found to be significantly correlated (r2 = 0.02) with each other. In 90.6% (n = 145) of the pharmacies included in the survey, a qualified pharmacist was not present at the time of the operations. Only 36.9% physicians (n = 60) knew about the environmental route of dissemination of AMR. Majority of the physicians agreed that AMR is a global problem and also recognize the need for initiating AMR stewardship programs. Conclusion Our study will provide effective assessment and potential insights in designing tri-faceted interventions for rationalizing antibiotics consumption thus controlling the development and dissemination of AMR.

The purpose of this article is to assess the relationship between employment intensity and sectoral output growth, to examine whether economic growth was jobless or has created more jobs. Using panel data for 10 sectors over the period 1983-2010 for two Middle Eastern countries; Egypt and Jordan, we estimate employment-value added elasticities at the sectoral level using a random coefficient estimation technique. Our main findings show that while manufacturing is the most important sector that creates jobs in Egypt, services are more important in Jordan. For both countries, the mining sector is insignificant. Indeed, this shows to what extent this sector is capital intensive, does not have a significant value-added and thus does not create jobs. A more detailed look at the decomposition analysis shows that the contribution of employment growth to value-added was higher than that of labor productivity. For Jordan, its growth was mainly attributed to employment growth while its productivity growth was negative.

A Shipyard is trying to change, but facing employee Resistance to Change (RTC). Resistance is attributed to the dysfunctional organisational context in the form of technical and political/structural issues giving rise to non-conformance behaviour. An action research was conducted with the author as a participant researcher to understand and identify the underlying behaviour of the employees. Lean production was used as an intervention to re-couple tasks to behavioural elements. Resistance is due to incoherency of a person’s belief in established standards, giving rise to cognitive dissonance. Lean principles reduces dissonance, creating psychological flow in the workforce and the momentum for change. As a result, the shipyard managed to recovered the delay of a ship and delivered it on-time, with cost avoidance of RM63 million in liquidated damage. The Shipyard also managed to reduce the average delay for ships undergoing repair to 6 months, compared to previous average delay of 17 months. This research was a collaboration between the employees and the researcher to identify the source of RTC. The outcome is both, insightful in creating change and contribution to knowledge. The significance of this study is the realisation of how individuals and groups’ past behaviour can subconsciously challenge the existence of the organisation and better methods. The study provides an exploratory model on the workings of human behavioural elements in Lean production. The knowledge of how the researcher gained utility from resistance and mediate through the application of these techniques would be of considerable benefit to leaders of change management.

The local automotive suppliers are facing a number of important challenges such asglobalisation, new requirement in market specifications and the competition brought about by theAsean Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreements. In an effort to enhance the competitiveness of themanufacturing sector, the government has implemented the Second Industrial Master Plan, IMP2(1996-2005). The focus of the IMP2 is more on innovation and applications of new technologies, sothat industries can move up the value chain of their activities. Innovative capabilities achieved fromcompanies’ new product development activities have been recognized to be crucial for companies tosustain their competitiveness and organisational success. The importance of product development ismost obvious in the context of the discussion on the competitiveness of the Malaysian automotivesuppliers. The study will focus on the small medium enterprises (SMEs) that make up more than 60 %of these automotive suppliers. The study is to determine the extensiveness of the suppliers’ productdevelopment activities by examining the involvement of the suppliers in customer’s productdevelopment activities. Consequently, the impact of this involvement to the competitiveness of thesuppliers is examined. The results were established based from a survey to parts and componentssuppliers of Proton, the Malaysian car national assembler. The study has shown that the SMEs wereinvolved from the early stages of the product development process that is during the design stage. Theproduct development efforts have shown to contribute towards increasing firms’ market share andfirms were also able to gain a better understanding of future product demand. A significant number ofthe suppliers have managed to penetrate the export market. Unfortunately, among the respondents,there is only one system supplier. This indicates that, either the technological capabilities of theSMEs still needed upgrading for the requirement as a system suppliers or it may not be the onlydeciding factor for suppliers to be chosen as system suppliers. It is intended that this paper shouldserve to inform management in particular the suppliers on the present status of the SMEs in seekingto improve their competitiveness from product development effort.Keywords: Product development, SMEs, automotive suppliers, competitiveness

Thanks to the popular literature on the global expansion of neoliberalism, the concepts of Precariat, Precarity, and Precariousness have been accepted, in both the academic and the public spheres, to describe the essence of contemporary labor relations. This critical turn, however, has not sufficed to discredit traditional left concepts like Proletariat and Class Conflict. The turn has not yet provided the context for a decisive theoretical shift. The advocates of the orthodox Marxist framework have cast doubts on the significance of contributions made by such neologisms. Using a combination of qualitative methods, including participant observation, problem-centered interviews, and focus groups, this study has gone beyond the proletariat/precariat dichotomy to explore the lived experience of Iranian temporary workers. Based on the results, the precarious workers in Iran cannot reduce their demands to distributive fairness because their productive redundancy is the result of both precarian and proletarian moments. The supplementary themes of Marginality, Invisibility, and Centricity are also useful to explain the mechanisms through which the Iranian subalterns are dealing with precarity., Author(s): Hamid Gheissari [sup.1] , Nooh Monavvary [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412266.5, 0000 0001 1781 3962, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, , Tehran, Iran (2) grid.46072.37, [...]

Ulnar variance is a relative length difference in the wrist between the ulna and radius bones. It is a critical factor in helping to diagnose wrist disorders. The typical standard classification of length difference (ulnar variance) is divided into three major types: positive ulnar variance, negative ulnar variance, and neutral ulnar variance. Conventional or manual methods of measuring ulnar variance are long and time-consuming. With the urgent need for high efficiency and high speed, achieving more accurate diagnoses has become essential. In this paper, a deep learning-based methodology is used to automatically detect ulnar variance from radiographic images. Advanced Convolutional Neural Networks are exploited instead of traditional manual methods. Specifically, U-Net is used in the segmentation of ulna and radius bones, while DenseNets are applied to classify the type of ulnar variance. The essential contribution of this work is collecting a dataset of fully annotated wrist radiographs that are specific to this topic, which can be used as a resource to train and validate our models. Another contribution of this paper is optimizing the DenseNets model's hyperparameters to enhance its performance. Our model achieved a segmentation accuracy of 97.7% and an ulna variance classification accuracy of 92.1%. It outperformed previous deep learning-based methods in automatically segmenting the ulna and radius. This advancement not only reduces diagnosis time but also improves result reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization reports that 600 million cases of food-borne illnesses occur every year. Additionally, it is estimated that upto 30% of people in developed countries experience food-borne illnesses annually, while developing countries suffer around 2 million deaths from these diseases each year. Inadequate sanitation and challenges in maintaining proper food handling practices are the major contributing factors of food-borne illnesses in developing countries including Somaliland. Aims: The aim of the study was to assess food safety practices and its associated factors among food handlers working in food and drinking establishments in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 20 to October 20, 2024, involving 306 randomly selected food handlers in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 22. Descriptive analysis summarized respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, while bivariate and multivariable analyses examined relationships in the data. Independent variables with a p-value below 0.25 were included in multivariable logistic regression to identify significant factors, using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and a 95% confidence interval (CI), with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: In this study, a total of 306 food handlers participated. The majority (85.3%) of food handlers was males and 84% had non-formal education. The prevalence of poor food safety practices among food handlers was at 52.3%. Lack of food safety training (AOR = 0.172; 95% CI: 0.070, 0.420), less working experience (AOR = 1.757; 95% CI: 1.026, 3.009), lack of appropriate water storage equipment (AOR = 0.602; 95% CI: 0.364, 0.996), lack of regular sanitary inspection (AOR = 1.691; 95% CI: 1.028, 2.783), and poor knowledge (AOR = 0.589; 95% CI: 0.353, 0.983) were statistically associated with poor food safety practices. Conclusion: The study found low level of poor food safety practices; attributed to factors like food handler training, work experience, water storage equipment, sanitation inspections, and knowledge. However, enhancing food handling practices, particularly training is crucial to minimize food-borne diseases and promote optimal food safety practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancements in musculoskeletal oncologic treatment have allowed for longer survival of patients with malignant bone tumors and the associated longer use of tumor endoprostheses in those who have had such reconstructions. Several studies have reported on increased serum metal ions with the use of such implants. Modularity in these implants introduces the risk of taper junction corrosion and subsidence resulting in metal wear particle release that may cause an adverse local tissue reaction or systemic toxicity. Additionally, these implants contain a large surface area of cobalt and chromium. It is unclear whether the source of the increased serum ion levels was due to the taper junction corrosion or the implant itself. To our knowledge, no prior study has reported on taper junction subsidence. Questions/purposes: In this study we sought (1) to determine survivorship free from radiographic taper junction subsidence in a femoral modular tumor endoprosthesis, and (2) to identify the implant characteristics in the endoprostheses associated with taper subsidence. Methods: Between January 1996 and February 2020, the senior author performed 150 proximal or distal femur replacements following resections of soft tissue or bone tumors of the thigh and femur. Of those, 6% (9 of 150) of patients were lost to follow-up before 2 years, 25% (37 of 150) could not be analyzed due to absence of plain radiographs during follow-up, and 13% (20 of 150) died before 2 years follow-up, leaving 56% (84 of 150) for analysis in this retrospective study, with a median time for analysis of 14 years (range 2 to 31 years) after the index resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction for patients with distal femur replacements and 5 years (range 2 to 19 years) for patients with proximal femur replacement. Radiographs involving the entire implant were evaluated for the presence or absence of subsidence of the taper junction that was evident and clear to see if present. The association between the number of taper junctions, the length of resection, the number of collapsed junctions, and the time to collapse from the initial surgery were examined using regression analysis. Results: Overall, 14% (12 of 84) patients with a distal femur replacement had radiographic collapse of at least one of the modular tapers. Survivorship free from taper subsidence was 91% (95% CI 86% to 96%) at 10 years and 84% (95% CI 78% to 90%) at 20 years. All patients were in the distal femur replacement group. The median follow-up of patients with subsidence was 15 years (range 5 to 26). Fifty-eight percent (7 of 12) of patients had two junctions involved, 25% (3 of 12) had three junctions, and 17% (2 of 12) had one junction involved. All but one patient had subsidence in a single junction. The median time to subsidence was 15 years (range 4.5 to 24.0 years). The subsidence was progressive in all patients who demonstrated it. The taper junction subsidence was complete in 75% (9 of 12) of patients and partial in 25% (3 of 12). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses did not show that the risk factors we studied were associated with subsidence. Two patients with junction subsidence were revised, one for taper fracture and one during busing exchange for distal junction subsidence. Conclusion: Taper damage with late and progressive subsidence of the intervening junction is not uncommon after distal femur replacement. The impact of such a complication is still unknown. Further studies should examine the long-term outcomes and correlate them with metal ion levels. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Green Deal (EGD) marked the commitment of the European Union (EU) to a carbon-free, socially inclusive economic system. Even if conceived as an essentially domestic growth strategy, the EGD is inspiring EU diplomacy, as economic cooperation will be needed to realize the EGD's ambitious vision. This profile aims to investigate and reflect on the potential implications of the EGD for the countries in the EU's Southern Neighbourhood, especially in the energy sector, agriculture and food system, trade in raw materials, climate action, and circular economy. We expect the EGD to result in an increased investment in renewable energy, a reduction in emissions, green diplomacy, and funding opportunities for green projects and green infrastructures. The EGD brings with it attractive opportunities for a better cooperation on climate action and opportunities for job creation, green growth, and sustainable development. We believe that the EGD has the potential to be a win–win deal for the EU and its Southern Neighbours, with the EU goal to supply green inputs and of creating a market for green products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The fourth most frequent type of cancer and a major cause of death is cervical cancer. Because of its lengthy pre-invasive course, pap smears can be used as a routine screening tool to identify it. Aim: utilizing the Pap test to identify cervical dysplasia and colposcopy to confirm the diagnosis, as a way of prevention and early detection of premalignant cervical cancer lesions. Methods: 60 women using combined oral contraceptive pills undergo examination in outpatient clinics of the hospital of Zagazig University. This examination includes a PAP smear with colposcopic visualization if there are abnormal findings in the PAP smear to all involved patients. Results: 43.3% of cases were normal, 38.3% showed inflammatory changes, and 18.3% were abnormal. Among the abnormal results, 3.3% were classified as Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LG SIL), 11.7% were identified as Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS), and 3.3% showed both ASCUS and atypical endocervical glands. There's no relation between the delivery method and PAP outcomes (p-value 0.49). Parity shows no significant association with abnormal PAP (P = 0.43). Prolonged use of OCP is significantly associated with abnormal PAP (P =0 .0022). Conclusions: Abnormal cytology is related substantially to longterm oral contraceptive pill use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptography serves as the cornerstone for safe communication and data security in today's digital environment. Because they feature substitution boxes, substitution-permutation networks (SPNs) are crucial for cryptographic algorithms such as the popular Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The structure and properties of S-boxes have a significant impact on the overall security of cryptographic systems. This article aims to improve cryptographic security through unique S-box construction methodologies. The proposed S-boxes improve the security features by employing chaotic maps and Galois fields, which go beyond traditional design approaches. The S-boxes were analyzed and the weaknesses were removed to design strong candidate S-boxes. The efficiency of the proposed S-boxes in increasing cryptographic resilience is thoroughly explored thereby taking nonlinearity, strict avalanche requirements, bit independence constraints, linear approximation, and differential approximation into account. The dynamic S-boxes have average scores of nonlinearity, strict avalanche criteria(SAC), nonlinearity of Bit Independence Criteria (BIC Nonlinearity), SAC of Bit Independence Criteria (BIC SAC), Linear Approximation Probability (LAP) and Differential Approximation Probability (DAP) is 111.1025, 111.1022, 0.5014, 0.5024, 111.1082, 111.0964, 0.5024, 0.5022, 0.0726, 0.0729 and 0.0214, 0.0219, respectively. Furthermore, given the prevalence of images in modern communication and data storage, this work studies the seamless incorporation of advanced S-boxes into image encryption systems. With its thorough research, the paper contributes to the current discussion on cryptographic security by providing theoretical understandings and practical solutions to improve digital communication and data security in an era of rising cyber dangers and ubiquitous connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of talent management on organizational performance with mediating role of employees' resilience. The mechanisms on which talent management impacts performance remain underexplored, mainly in context of employees' ability to adapt to challenges (resilience) and broader organizational environment. Using the quantitative research approach, data was collected from teachers in various public sector higher institutions hailing from southern region, KP, Pakistan to assess relationship amid talent management, and employee resilience and how these factors collectively affect performance. Thus, findings confirmed the existence of association, cause-and-effect and mediation relationships that were thus hypothesized from the theoretical framework of study & reaching toward desired conclusions thereby making decisions about the acceptance and rejection of the hypotheses. In this linking, some recommendations have been extracted from the conclusion as study offers valuable insights for human resource professionals and leaders aiming to optimize performance over strategic talent management. This study is expected to contribute the existing knowledge from diverse perspectives that may be generalized to other sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]