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BackgroundWe analyzed the prevalence of active infection with common curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including N. gonorrhea, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, and T. pallidum, as well as active infection with HPV, herpes simplex virus types I (HSV-1) and II (HSV-2), M. hominis, M. genitalium, C. albicans, and Ureaplasma in 351 Lebanese women.MethodsA cross-sectional study, involving 351 sexually active women, 40 years or younger, who were recruited from outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic attendees between September 2016 and November 2017.ResultsThe prevalence of active infection was low at 0.3% for N. gonorrhea, 0.6% for HSV-2, 2.8% for C. trachomatis, and 2.9% for any curable STIs. Prevalence of active HPV infection was high assessed at 15.7% for high-risk and 12.2% for low-risk genotypes. Furthermore, the prevalence was 2.0% for M. genitalium, 6.8% for ureaplasma, 13.7% for Candida albicans, and 20.5% for M. hominis. No active infections with T. vaginalis, T. pallidum, or HSV-1 were observed. Significant age differences were noted in the prevalence of high-risk and low-risk HPV genotypes, but no such differences were noted in the prevalence of other infections. No appreciable variations were identified in the prevalence of key STIs based on smoking, marital status, or the number of sexual partners.ConclusionsThe study documented active infection with substantial prevalence for multiple STIs among women attending outpatient gynecology and obstetrics clinics in Lebanon. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening STI surveillance, linkage to care, and prevention interventions in reducing STI incidence among women.

Photovoltaic panels are used to generate electricity directly or indirectly. in the case of indirect, the energy should be saved in batteries and then it can be used and in this case, the inverter is required to change the direct current of the batteries(DC) to operate alternating current(AC) loads. This paper concentrates on saving energy in batteries and investigating the process of charging and discharging the batteries to operate selective loads in the paper. Using the photovoltaic panels to store energy in batteries, the results reveal that one photovoltaic panel of( 80 W) is placed towards south at a tilt angle of 36o; it could generate (224 W.hr) of energy that was obtained by charging a( 65 A.hr) lead-acid battery for 13 hours in April. Using two solar panels each of( 80 W )is connecting parallel,( 915.6 W.hr) of energy generated in May while using three units in parallel connection the electricity generated was near to that of two panels as the battery reaches nearly the full charge. Ambient temperature rise harms solar panels and leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the solar panel.

There are differences between routing in traditional and in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs). The availability of channels, periodic spectrum sensing, jammers activity, are some of these differences, etc. CRNs may contain a large number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, hence, modeling such networks with a flat graph model generates a huge graph size. Thus, the motivation behind this work is clear bearing in mind that modeling such networks with a Multi-layer Hyper-Graph (MLHG) is the idea presented in this paper, in which each hyper-edge represents a group of CR devices, and each layer represents a licensed channel. In this paper, the main aim is to consider four key factors to maximize end-to-end network throughput, which are, transmission rate, licensed users activity, jammers activity, and needed number of time sharing. In literature, considering both jamming activity and time sharing for routing exists in few papers till now. This work proposes and develops three cutting-edge routing protocols that are aware of the four aforementioned factors, namely, Jamming-Activity-Sharing-Rate-Aware protocol, Jamming-Activity-Rate-Aware protocol, and Jamming-Activity-Sharing-Aware protocol. We compare these protocols with three recent proposed protocols in CRNs. Simulation results indicate that when jammers activity and time sharing are considered, network throughput is significantly enhanced. Specifically, our proposed jamming-aware protocols significantly outperform the existing three jamming-unaware protocols by up to 127%.

Abstract Background This study examined the origin of present-day Lebanese using high-resolution HLA class I and class II allele and haplotype distributions. The study subjects comprised 152 unrelated individuals, and their HLA class I and class II alleles and two-locus and five-locus haplotypes were compared with those of neighboring and distant communities using genetic distances, neighbor-joining dendrograms, correspondence, and haplotype analyses. HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II (DRB1, DQB1) were genotyped at a high-resolution level by PCR-SSP. Results In total, 76 alleles across the five HLA loci were detected: A*03:01 (17.1%), A*24:02 (16.5%), B*35:01 (25.7%), C*04:01 (25.3%), and C*07:01 (20.7%) were the most frequent class I alleles, while DRB1*11:01 (34.2%) and DQB1*03:01 (43.8%) were the most frequent class II alleles. All pairs of HLA loci were in significant linkage disequilibrium. The most frequent two-locus haplotypes recorded were DRB1*11:01 ~ DQB1*03:01 (30.9%), B*35:01-C*04:01 (20.7%), B*35:01 ~ DRB1*11:01 (13.8%), and A*24:02 ~ B*35:01 (10.3%). Lebanese appear to be closely related to East Mediterranean communities such as Levantines (Palestinians, Syrians, and Jordanians), Turks, Macedonians, and Albanians. However, Lebanese appear to be distinct from North African, Iberian, and Sub-Saharan communities. Conclusions Collectively, this indicates a limited genetic contribution of Arabic-speaking populations (from North Africa or the Arabian Peninsula) and Sub-Saharan communities to the present-day Lebanese gene pool. This confirms the notion that Lebanese population are of mixed East Mediterranean and Asian origin, with a marked European component.

Abstract Background To investigate the age-dependent changes in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in healthy Arabic-speaking Lebanese women, and to correlate changes in serum AMH levels with serum FSH and LH values, and LH/FSH ratio. Methods Cross-sectional study, involving 1190 healthy females, age 17–54 years, with regular menses and both ovaries. Serum AMH levels (ng/ml) were measured by ELISA. Results There was an inverse proportion of AMH and subject’s age, which declined from median 6.71 (2.91) ng/ml in young subjects, to 0.68 (0.45) ng/ml in subjects older than 50 years. Average yearly decrease in median AMH levels was 0.27 ng/ml/year through age 35, but then diminished to 0.12 ng/ml/year afterwards. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of age as determinant of AMH levels. In contrast to AMH, FSH levels increased progressively from 5.89 (0.11–62.10) ng/ml in young subjects, to 38.43 (3.99–88.30) ng/ml in subjects older than 50 years. On the other hand, age-dependent changes in LH/FSH ratio paralleled those of AMH. Linear regression modeling testing the independent effect of AMH on FSH and LH, adjusted for age, showed that AMH was significant predictor of FSH and LH/FSH ratio, but not LH. This did not contribute significantly to baseline LH and FSH prediction. Conclusions Circulating AMH levels are inversely related to age as also shown elsewhere, and are predictors of LH/FSH ratio and FSH but not LH levels in eumenorrheic females.

Abstract Background A role for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in determining the pregnancy outcome was evidenced by the rise in SHBG levels during pregnancy linked with favorable pregnancy, while reduction in SHBG levels and hyperandrogenemia were linked with poor pregnancy outcome. Since SHBG production is genetically determined, this study investigated the association of SHBG polymorphisms with the susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Methods Retrospective case-control study, involving 308 women with RPL, and 310 control women RPL, defined as ≥3 consecutive miscarriages, and with the same partner, was the main outcome measure. SHBG genotyping was done by allelic exclusion method (real-time PCR). Results Of the seven tested SHBG SNP, lower MAF of rs6257 was seen in RPL cases than in control women, which was linked with lower risk of RPL, after controlling for key covariates. At the genotype level, significantly higher frequencies of heterozygous rs858521 and rs6259, and homozygous rs858521 genotype carriers, and reduced frequency of heterozygous rs6257 and homozygous rs6257 and rs6259 genotype carriers were seen in RPL cases vs. control women, respectively. Univariate regression analysis confirmed the positive association of rs858521 and rs6259 with RPL. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the positive association of rs858521 heterozygote and homozygote genotypes with RPL; only heterozygous rs6259 remained associated with RPL. Haploview analysis demonstrated marked linkage disequilibrium among 6 of the 7 tested SHBG SNP. Of the possible 6-locus haplotypes, 12 were common, and were included in subsequent analysis. Within these haplotypes, only increased frequency of CCGTGA haplotypes was seen in RPL cases, thus conferring RPL susceptibility. Conclusions Specific SHBG variants, and SHBG haplotypes are associated with altered risk of RPL, suggesting role for SHBG as RPL candidate gene.

Abstract Background This study addresses whether the association of adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) variants with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is influenced by obesity. Methods Retrospective case–control study performed in outpatient obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Study subjects comprised 308 women with RPL, defined as ≥ 3 consecutive miscarriages of unknown etiology, and 310 control women. ADIPOQ genotyping was done by allele exclusion method on real-time PCR. Results Of the 14 ADIPOQ variants tested, the minor allele frequency (MAF) of rs4632532, rs17300539, rs266729, rs182052, rs16861209, and rs7649121 were significantly higher, while rs2241767, and rs1063539 MAF were lower in RPL cases, hence assigning RPL-susceptibility and protection to these variants, respectively. Higher frequencies of heterozygous rs17300539 and rs16861209, and homozygous rs4632532, rs266729, and rs182052 genotypes, and reduced frequencies of heterozygous rs1063539 and rs2241767, homozygous rs2241766 genotypes were seen in RPL cases. ADIPOQ rs4632532, and rs2241766 were associated with RPL in obese, while rs1063539 and rs16861209 were associated with RPL in non-obese women; rs182052 and rs7649121 associated with RPL independently of BMI changes. Based on LD pattern, two haplotype blocks were identified. Within Block 1 containing rs4632532, rs16861194, rs17300539, rs266729, rs182052, rs16861209, rs822396, and rs7649121, increased frequency of CAGGACAT and TAACGAAA, and reduced frequency of TAGCGCAA haplotypes were seen in RPL cases when compared to controls, thereby assigning RPL susceptibility and protection, respectively. Conclusion This is the first study to document contribution of ADIPOQ variants and haplotypes with RPL, and also to underscore the contribution of obesity to genetic association studies.

Background: Marriage between close relatives has been practised globally since the early existence of human society. The role of consanguinity and inbreeding affecting human health is a topic of great interest in medical genetics. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the extent of consanguinity and its effects on common non-communicable diseases, the related risk factors, its role in human health and susceptibility to various chronic and complex diseases in Qatari population. Subjects and methods: The study design was a cross-sectional and multi-stage sampling based on Hospitals and primary health care [PHC] centres. A representative sample of 1626 subjects were approached and 1228 subjects (75.5%) consented to participate in the study between January 2013 and May 2014. The questionnaire based on socio-demographic data and for responses, on the Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling [PMSGC] program knowledge, attitude and practice statements. Additionally, questions were asked regarding services, activities, how to attract and motivate the genetics counseling and screening for the hereditary diseases programme. Results: The mean age ± S.D of the 1228 women interviewed was 39.25 ± 9.57 years. The rate of consanguinity in the present generation was 43.5% [95% CI = 47.7–54.4]. There were statistically significant differences between males and females with regards to age, educational status, occupation status, household income, consanguinity, BMI, cigarette smoking and sheesha (water pipe) smoking. The consanguinity rate and coefficient of inbreeding in the parental was significantly higher than the maternal rate (44.3% versus 41.4%; p

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of ambient air temperature on the performance of spark ignition engine, and exhaust gas temperature. Various factors taken that affects the performance of four- stroke petrol engine. An experimental study is carried out to investigate engine performance parameters. The experimental results demonstrate that the method proposed to measure the intake ambient air temperature at different engine speeds. The different ambient air temperature was taken (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50°C) at different climate conditions and in the different engine speeds (1500, 2000 and2500 r.pm). The results of experimental shows that increasing ambient air temperature will improve the fuel consumption and thermal efficiency about (14%- 16%) consecutively. It is also shows decrease in the volumetric efficiency with increasing ambient air temperature. However, by increasing sucked air temperature, will lead to increase exhaust gas temperature.

The adsorption of cephalexin.H2O from aqueous solution on attapulgite, bentonite and kaolin has been studied at the human body temperature (37.5ËšC) and at 5, 27, 47ËšC in 0.1M hydrochloric acid (pH 1.2). The value of pH 1.2 has been chosen to simulate the pH of stomach fluid. The clays show the following order: Bentonite > attapulgite > kaolin, for their activity to adsorb cephalexin.H2O. The charged clay particles can attract molecules either by electrostatic forces, for the molecules of oppositely charged, or by inducing dipole formation in the neutral molecule. The L-shaped adsorption isotherm indicated that drug molecules arrangement in a flat geometry on the clay surface. The results indicated the applicability of Langmuir isotherm for adsorption of drug on three clays. The amount of cephalexin.H2O adsorbed on the three clays was increased with increasing pH value from 1.2 to 5. At the acidic pH, the competition between cephalexin.H2O molecules and hydronium ions results in a reduction in adsorption process. At fixed temperature and pH, the adsorption of cephalexin.H2O on the three clays was increased with increasing the ionic strength of solution. The data showed a little increase in the amount of drug adsorbed by attapulgite and bentonite with increasing temperature, so the adsorption process appeared endothermic. The reverse was observed with adsorption of cephalexin.H2O on kaolin surface (exothermic).The extent of desorption of cephalexin.H2O from the clays increased when the concentration of drug increased. This result may refer to the difficulty of desorption of the drug at low concentrations, which reflects a relatively higher adsorbate - adsorbent interaction.

The study aimed to identify ways of attention of the team, the first Palestinian basketball according to the variables of center play, experience in the play, To achieve this, the study was conducted on a sample of (15) players from the team, the first Palestinian to basketball, which represent (100%) of the community study. And to collect study data and to achieve its objectives, the use of descriptive methodology, and test methods for attention in the design of basketball and Summers Smmmers Powered Allawi (1998). The study results showed that the methods of attention to the players the first Palestinian to basketball came medium where I got a percentage of (65.1%) It is clear from the results of the study to focus attention narrowly occupied the first rank relative weight of (68.5%), which occupied the focus of attention of internal wide second relative weight of (67.9%), followed by a reduction of focus of attention in the third relative weight of (65.6%), and occupied the focus of attention outside the wide fourth position relative weight of (64.5%), while his overload of stimuli internal fifth weight relative amount (63.7%), and came to overload external stimuli in sixth place of relative weight (63.3%), followed by the information processing in the seventh place of relative weight (63.1%). As well as is clear from the results of the study that there was no statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05) in the methods of the attention of the team, the first Palestinian to basketball due to the variables of center play, experience in the play.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most significant cause of cervical cancer. In view of the number of drawbacks associated with endocervical sampling, the gold standard for HPV detection, this study examined the utility and specificity of vaginal sampling as an alternative for endocervical sampling for the routine detection of HPV.

The aim of the present work is to study the effect of different outlet nozzle diameters, by using one or two nozzles on the performance of divergent vortex tube and also to determine the effects of various parameters on the vortex tube cooling performance such as: refrigeration capacity, coefficient of performance, isentropic efficiency. The experimental investigation was carried out on a divergent vortex tube rig manufactured for the present study covering all tests. The effect of different outlet nozzle diameters ( dn= 4 mm, dn = 5 mm, and dn= 6.5 mm) on the performance of the vortex tube is described by using one nozzle or two nozzles by varying the pressure of the inlet air and cold air mass ratio (μc) within the ranges (Pi abs=2 - 7 bar) and (μc= 0 - 1). The outlet nozzle diameter, (dn= 5 mm), and the outlet cold diameter (dc= 10 mm), when using two nozzles, give high temperature separation and may considered to be the optimum for different pressures of the inlet air regarding all the size tube diameter. The experimental study predicts two empirical results between the outlet nozzle diameter (dn), number of nozzles (N), inside vortex tube diameter (D), and length of vortex tube (L)

Background: We analyzed the prevalence of active infection with common curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including N. gonorrhea, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, and T. pallidum, as well as active infection with HPV, herpes simplex virus types I (HSV-1) and II (HSV-2), M. hominis, M. genitalium, C. albicans, and Ureaplasma in 351 Lebanese women. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 351 sexually active women, 40 years or younger, who were recruited from outpatient Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic attendees between September 2016 and November 2017. Results: The prevalence of active infection was low at 0.3% for N. gonorrhea, 0.6% for HSV-2, 2.8% for C. trachomatis, and 2.9% for any curable STIs. Prevalence of active HPV infection was high assessed at 15.7% for high-risk and 12.2% for low-risk genotypes. Furthermore, the prevalence was 2.0% for M. genitalium, 6.8% for ureaplasma, 13.7% for Candida albicans, and 20.5% for M. hominis. No active infections with T. vaginalis, T. pallidum, or HSV-1 were observed. Significant age differences were noted in the prevalence of high-risk and low-risk HPV genotypes, but no such differences were noted in the prevalence of other infections. No appreciable variations were identified in the prevalence of key STIs based on smoking, marital status, or the number of sexual partners. Conclusions: The study documented active infection with substantial prevalence for multiple STIs among women attending outpatient gynecology and obstetrics clinics in Lebanon. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening STI surveillance, linkage to care, and prevention interventions in reducing STI incidence among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]