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This paper aimed to determine the impact of faculty communication style, student proactiveness, and academic discipline on student academic performance and student-faculty relationship quality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) higher education context. This study also aimed to contribute to the literature by verifying the mediating impact of communication effectiveness between the selected factors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, the study sample comprised 193 university students, and it was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that academic discipline and the professor’s communication style enhanced communication effectiveness, whereas student proactiveness had a minimal effect. The results also show that effective communication significantly influences students’ academic success and the quality of faculty-student interactions. The mediating role of communication effectiveness has also been proven. These findings underscore the importance of robust communication in the faculty-student dynamics and its impact on academic performance in higher education. This research provides valuable strategies for higher education institutes to develop a high-interaction learning environment to ensure a high level of performance for both professors and students.

Abstract Background Coronary slow flow (CSF) often links to inflammation and endothelial function disturbance. While conventional ejection fraction measurements fall short in identifying myocardial dysfunction, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) has shown superior efficacy in this regard. Our study aimed to explore subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction by assessing LV GLS in patients diagnosed with coronary slow flow (CSF). Methods The study included sixty patients with CSF and sixty control individuals without CSF. Coronary angiography employed the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) to identify CSF. LV GLS values were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results Significantly reduced LV GLS was evident in the CSF group compared to the control group (− 16.18 ± 1.25 vs. − 19.34 ± 1.33, p

A concept to prepare a highly hydrophobic composite with self-healing properties has been designed and verified. The new material is based on a composite of a crystalline hydrophobic fluoro wax, synthesized from montan waxes and perfluoroethylene alcohols, combined with spherical silica nanoparticles equipped with a hydrophobic shell. Highly repellent layers were prepared using this combination of a hydrophobic crystalline wax and silica nanoparticles. The novel aspect of our concept was to prepare a ladder-like structure of the hydrophobic shell allowing the inclusion of a certain share of wax molecules. Wax molecules trapped in the hydrophobic structure during mixing are hindered from crystallizing; therefore, these molecules maintain a higher mobility compared to crystallized molecules. When a thin layer of the composite material is mechanically damaged, the mobile wax molecules can migrate and heal the defects to a certain extent. The general preparation of the composite is described and XRD analysis demonstrated that a certain share of wax molecules in the composite are hindered to crystallize. Furthermore, we show that the resulting material can recovery its repellent properties after surface damage.

Abstract Background: The CHA2DS2-VASc score is utilized to order the danger of embolization in atrial fibrillation (AF). Also, it has been assessed the worse clinical scenario in acute coronary syndrome patients, regardless of having AF. The study aim was to use CHA2DS2-VASc score added to the safe contrast volume (Volume /CrCl) for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) early prediction post PCI. Patients and Methods: The study included two hundred fifty nine patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention . For each patient, The CHA2DS2-VASc score and Volume /CrCl were evaluated. The patients in our study were divided, according to CIN development into two groups. CIN was identified as a rise in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dl or >25% increase in baseline within48 to 72 hours after PCI. Statistical analysis: the receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to detect the best cut off values to predict CIN, and we concluded the predictors of CIN through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: There was a positive correlation between Mehran score and CHA2DS2-VASc score. Independent predictors of CIN were Mehran score, Volume/CrCl ratio>3.2 and CHA2DS2-VASc >3, CHF or EF < 40%, hypotension, anemia, primary PCI and weight. If the patient had (CHA2DS2-VASc score>3 or Volume/CrCl >3.2), as a single predictor, we could predict CIN with (sensitivity 96.97 %, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.82). Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score and Volume/CrCl ratio are new predictor of CIN, and we can use the CHA2DS2-VASc score , safe contrast volume for early detection of CIN after PCI.

Over the recent years, multimedia applications have begun to be used over wireless sensor networks (WSN), which hitherto has been primarily used to carry small amount of data. To meet the demand for higher throughput and real-time characteristics of multimedia contents, the routing protocol need to be simplified and optimized. In this paper, we present a routing algorithm that provides a low end-to-end packet delay and low packet loss, referred to as smart, greedy forwarding algorithm based on throughput and energy-awareness (SGFTEM). This algorithm routes multimedia packets across a WSN by choosing high- throughput paths rather than always choosing the shorter path to the sink. When it encounters network holes, a network void-bypass is applied, which enhances the reliability of the network. Energy management is also implemented to extend sensor node lifetime by way of reducing the radio transmission coverage to a suitable distance reachable by the sensor nodes The simulation results shows that, SGFTEM reduces the end-to-end delay by 40% and packet loss ratio by 35% and maintain energy consumption against other algorithms. With energy management, the residual energy of sensor nodes are made to be equally distributed across the entire network which results in load balancing. The performance of SGFTEM are also compared via simulation against AGEM, TPGF, GPSR, and AODV showing superior performance under similar scenarios i.e. low packet end-to-end delay, low packet loss and load balancing of routing paths.

A continuous protein recovery and purification system based on the true moving bed concept is presented. A novel adsorbent material, in the form of an elastic and robust woven fabric, served as a moving belt following the general designs observed in known belt conveyors. The composite fibrous material that forms the said woven fabric showed high protein binding capacity, reaching a static binding capacity equal to 107.3 mg/g, as determined via isotherm experiments. Moreover, testing the same cation exchange fibrous material in a packed bed format resulted in excellent dynamic binding capacity values (54.5 mg/g) even when operating at high flow rates (480 cm/h). In a subsequent step, a benchtop prototype was designed, constructed, and tested. Results indicated that the moving belt system could recover a model protein (hen egg white lysozyme) with a productivity up to 0.5 mg/cm2/h. Likewise, a monoclonal antibody was directly recovered from unclarified CHO_K1 cell line culture with high purity, as judged by SDS-PAGE, high purification factor (5.8), and in a single step, confirming the suitability and selectivity of the purification procedure.

The field experiments were conducted during 2017-19 at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The main aim of the study was to find out a suitable cropping system that can replace the existing rice-wheat cropping system to realize higher productivity and profitability. Four cropping systems, viz. rice (Oryza sativa L.) - mustard (Brassica juncea L.) - mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), maize (Zea mays L.) - mustard-mungbean, maize - potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) - onion (Allium cepa L.) and fodder maize+ cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) -mungbean, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results suggested that the highest system productivity was obtained from the maize-potato-onion cropping system, recording almost 150% higher system productivity over the maize-mustard-mungbean and rice-mustard-mungbean cropping systems. The next best cropping system was fodder maize + cowpea -wheat-mungbean, recording significantly higher system productivity than maize-mustard-mungbean and rice-mustard-mungbean cropping systems. The highest gross and net returns was also recorded from the maize-potato-onion cropping system, being significantly higher than all other cropping systems in the first year, and statistically at par with the fodder maize + cowpea - wheat- mungbean cropping system in the second year. Overall, the highest productivity and net returns was recorded from the maizepotato- onion cropping system, and can potentially be an option to replace the existing rice-wheat cropping system of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

تمّ تقييم التنوّع الحيوي النباتي في غابة الشوح في محمية الأرز والشوح بمحافظة اللاذقية– سورية، بناءًا على الكشوف النباتية التي تمّ تنفيذها على 46 عينة دائرية مساحة كل منها 400 م2 غطت كامل سطح الغابة. قُدر التنوّع النباتي باستخدام الغنى النوعي، ودليل شانون-وينر، ودليل التوازن، كما تمّ حساب نسبة التشابه بين مواقع الدراسة باستخدام دليل جاكارد. تمّ تسجيل 25 نوعاً نباتياً تنتمي إلى 19 جنساً و 13 فصيلة. كانت الفصيلة الوردية Rosaceae هي الفصيلة السائدة في الغابة بـ 6 أنواع، تليها الفصيلة الزانيّة أو البلّوطيّة Fagaceae بـ 5 أنواع. الأنواع ذات نسبة التغطية الأكبر هي الشوح Abies Cilicica L. (46.4%)، الشرد الشرقي Carpinus orientalis Mill. (5.9%) والصلع شردي الأوراق Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. (5.7%). تميز المعرض الشمالي الغربي بأعلى وفرة للأنواع (17 نوع) وأكبر قيمة لدليل شانون-وينر (3.19 بت) وأصغر قيمة لدليل سيمبسون (0.21)، بينما تميز المعرض الجنوبي الغربي بأقل وفرة للأنواع (10.6 نوع) وأصغر قيمة لدليل شانون-وينر (2.36 بت) وأكبر قيمة لدليل سيمبسون (0.33). وكان تشابه أنواع النباتات أعلى بين نباتات المعرضين الشمالي والشمالي الغربي بنسبة 94.1%.

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقدير الكتلة الحيوية فوق الأرضية الرطبة والمخزون الخشبي لأشجار الصنوبر البروتي Pinus brutia Ten. في موقع تحريج كفردبيل في منطقة جبلة, من أجل الحصول على قاعدة بيانات تستخدم كأساس لخطط تنظيم وإدارة الموقع وذلك من خلال إيجاد نموذج رياضي يسمح بتقدير تلك البارامترات بالاعتماد على قطر الشجرة. في صيف عام 2019 أُخذت 20 عينة مربعة الشكل بمساحة 3600 م2 لكل منها موزعة على كامل الموقع بشكل عشوائي والذي تبلغ مساحته 114 هكتار. تم قياس القطر على ارتفاع الصدر dbh)) لجميع الأشجار في العينات المدروسة، تم توزيع الأشجار المقاسة في صفوف الأقطار المناسبة. كما تم اختيار 10 أشجار (ممثلة لجميع صفوف الأقطار) وقطعها ووزنها من أجل تقدير الكتلة الحيوية والمخزون الخشبي ومعامل الشكل لهذه الأشجار ومن ثم استخدامها لتشكيل النماذج الرياضية اللازمة لتقدير الكتلة الحيوية والمخزون الخشبي على مستوى العينات. أظهرت نتائج تقدير الكتلة الحيوية قيماً عالية لمعامل التحديد للنماذج الأسية المختارة حيث بلغت قيمته 0.99=2R وبلغت قيمة متوسط الكتلة الحيوية فوق الأرضية للصنوبر البروتي 224.6 طن/ه وكانت قيمة متوسط المخزون الخشبي لجذوع الأشجار 179.1 م3/ه والمساحة القاعدية 26.5 م2/ه ومعدل النمو السنوي 4 م3/ه/سنة ومتوسط قيمة معامل الشكل 0.49 وذلك بعمر45 سنة وبكثافة شجرية 1232 شجرة/ه. يمكن استخدام النماذج الرياضية الأسية لتقدير الكتلة الحيوية فوق الأرضية لأشجار الصنوبر البروتي في الموقع المدروس. يساعد استخدام هذه النماذج على اختصار الوقت والجهد والتكلفة واعتماد النتائج في خطط تنظيم وإدارة الغابات.

هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم النمو والإنتاجية الخشبية لموقع تحريج الرستين المزروع بالصنوبر البروتي Pinus brutia Ten.) بعمر39 سنة حيث تم اختيار 13 عينة دائرية منتظمة في الموقع ومساحة 400م2 للعينة ومن ثم قياس جميع أقطار وعرض تيجان الأشجار كما تم قياس قطر وارتفاع 17 شجرة في كل العينات بحيث تغطي جميع صفوف الأقطار في الموقع وقد تم استخدام معادلات مطورة لحساب الكتلة الحيوية والمخزون الخشبي للصنوبر البروتي حيث بلغ مجموع الكتلة الحيوية الكلية 178.4 طن/هـ كما بلغ مجموع المخزون الخشبي الكلي 197.2 م3/هـ ومعدل النمو السنوي 5.07م3/ه/سنة أما بالنسبة للمساحة القاعدية فبلغت قيمتها 22.2 م2/هـ وذلك عند كثافة شجرية653 شجرة/هـ، كما بلغت قيمة الأقطار 19.5 سم بالمتوسط والارتفاعات 16.2 م بالمتوسط وأعطت معادلة Parabelأفضل نتيجة لتقدير ارتفاع الأشجار بمعامل تحديد 0.70= R².

Introduction: The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread throughout the globe, causing a pandemic. In Egypt over 115,000 individuals were infected so far. Objective: In the present study, the objective is to perform a complete genome sequence of SAR-CoV2 isolated from Egyptian coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 61 COVID-19 patients who attended at National Cancer Institute, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital and the army hospital. Viral RNA was extracted and whole genomic sequencing was conducted using Next Generation Sequencing. Results: In all cases, the sequenced virus has at least 99% identity to the reference Wuhan 1. The sequence analysis showed 204 distinct genome variations including 114 missense mutations, 72 synonymous mutations, 1 disruptive in-frame deletion, 7 downstream gene mutations, 6 upstream gene mutations, 3 frame-shift deletions, and 1 in-frame deletion. The most dominant clades were G/GH/GR/O and the dominant type is B. Conclusion: The whole genomic sequence of SARS-CoV2 showed 204 variations in the genomes of the Egyptian isolates, where the Asp614Gly (D614G) substitution is the most common among the samples (60/61). So far, there were no strikingly variations specific to the Egyptian population, at least for this set of samples.

Background. An in-silico screen identified mebendazole with potential antiviral activity that could be a repurposed drug against SARS-CoV-2. Mebendazole is a well-tolerated and cheap antihelminthic agent that is readily available worldwide and thus could be a therapeutic tool in the fight against COVID-19. Methods. This is an observational retrospective study of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients who received mebendazole with the intention-to-treat. The study included an inpatient cohort (157 inpatients) and an outpatient cohort (185 outpatients). Of the 157 inpatients and 185 outpatients, 68 (43.3%) and 94 (50.8%) received mebendazole, respectively. Patients who presented within the same timeframe but did not receive mebendazole were used as controls. Patients received standard-of-care treatment including remdesivir, dexamethasone, and anticoagulants as deemed necessary by the treating physician. The following clinical outcomes were evaluated: for the inpatient cohort, length of stay (LOS) at the hospital, need for ventilation (combined invasive and noninvasive), and mortality; for the outpatient cohort, time to symptom resolution, need for hospitalization, and mortality. Results. For the inpatient cohort, the median age did not differ between the treatment and control groups; 62 (56, 67) vs. 62 (56, 68), P, and there was a comparable proportion of males in both groups; 43 (63%) vs. 55 (62%), P=0.85. The hospital LOS was 3.5 days shorter in the treatment group compared to the control group (P

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) all round the world and, in turn, it has also increased the waste caused by disposable PPE. This has exerted a severe environmental impact, so in our work, we propose the utilization of a sustainable electrospun nanofiber based on poly lactic acid (PLA), as it is biobased and conditionally degradable. We optimized the weight percentage of the PLA-precursor solution and found that 19% PLA produces fine nanofibers with good morphology. We also introduced carbon nanodots (CNDs) in the nanofibers and evaluated their antibacterial efficiency. We used 1, 2, 3, and 4% CNDs with 19% PLA and found increased antibacterial activity with increased concentrations of CNDs. Additionally, we also applied a spunbond-nanofiber layered assembly for the medical face masks and found that with the addition of only 0.45 mg/cm2 on the nonwoven sheet, excellent particle filtration efficiency of 96.5% and a differential pressure of 39 Pa/cm2 were achieved, meeting the basic requirements for Type I medical face masks (ASTM-F2100).

يهدف هذا البحث إلى تقدير تغيرات الوزن مع الزمن للجذوع الخشبية المكدسة للصنوبر البروتي في موقع الحفة التي تبعد عن اللاذقية 37 كم، وتغيرات أوزان هذه المكادس تبعاً للظروف الجوية المختلفة على مدار عام كامل من عملية التجفيف الهوائي. كذلك يهدف هذا البحث إلى تقدير مدى تأثير الهطول المطري على أوزان هذه المكادس. في الشهر حزيران من العام 2019 تم قطع عدد من أشجار الصنوبر البروتي في موقع الحفة وتجزئة جذوع الأشجار المقطوعة إلى أجزاء بطول مترين ومن ثم وزنها وتكديسها فوق بعضها البعض على شكل مكادس عددها ثلاثة وتركت لتجف في ظروف متباينة، حيث وضع المكدس الأول تحت مظلة من القرميد ليكون شاهد بحيث لا يتأثر بالهطول المطري. وتم تعريض كل من المكدسين الثاني والثالث إلى أشعة الشمس المباشرة حيث ترك المكدس الثاني على أرضية ترابية والمكدس الثالث على أرضية إسفلتية. تمت مراقبة تغيرات أوزان المكادس على مدار عام كامل وذلك بقياس أوزانها كل شهر أو شهر ونصف تبعا لتوفر العمال والميزان وتمت دراسة هذه التغيرات مع الزمن تبعا لشروط التجفيف وللحوادث المطرية لموقع الحفة. بينت هذه الدراسة سرعة انخفاض الوزن في الفترة الأولى من عملية التجفيف الهوائي، خسرت المكادس حوالي 45% من وزنها بعد انتهاء عملية التجفيف.

Bacillus genus members are dominant in the Eastern Arabian Sea and are known for producing many industrial enzymes. Bacillus australimaris B28A, isolated from seawater, had an enzymatic activity. Here, the whole genome sequence of Bacillus australimaris B28A is reported. The 3,766,107-bp genome, with a GC content of 41.6%, comprised 3936 protein-coding genes, seven ribosomal RNA, and 75 transfer RNA. Several bioactive secondary metabolite genes in the genome, including surfactin, lichenysin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, paenilamicin, fengycin, and carotenoid, were identified using antiSMASH. The 1396 proteins were predicted using RAST, including asparaginase enzyme: an anticancer enzyme. Sequence data have been deposited in the DDBJ/ENA/GenBank database under the accession number JAGQFH000000000. The version described in this paper is JAGQFH000000000.1. The BioProject ID in the GenBank database is PRJNA670955. The raw data is publicly available at ''https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/SRR14203888''.

The quadratus lumborum (QL) block provides analgesia to the abdominal wall while sparing the side effects of neuraxial blocks. We describe a case series of eight patients treated with a continuous infusion of local anesthetic via bilateral posterior QL catheters infusion block for analgesia after abdominal surgeries. We found that the median duration of the procedure was 26 min and the median opioid consumption over the first postoperative 72 h was 110 mg of morphine equivalents. The bilateral continuous posterior QL block is a feasible analgesic intervention and can be considered as a component of multimodal analgesic pathways.

In Iraq, people prepare turshi (fermented Iraqi vegetable pickles) from different vegetables such as cucumber, turnip, eggplants, cabbage, carrot and pepper. This study investigated the effect of adding probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus), synbiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus + inulin) to Iraqi turshi product, on lactic acid bacteria counts, total count, yeasts and molds, pH values, organoleptic characteristics and the antagonistic activity of turshi against the pathogenic bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria counts were higher in synbiotic turshi log 9.68 cfu/ml comparing with log 9.54 cfu/ml and log 3.97 cfu/ml for probiotic and control turshi samples at the end of study period, respectively. Total count for control sample was higher (log 6.99 cfu/ml) comparing with probiotic and synbiotic samples (log 6.90 cfu/ml and log 6.52 cfu/ml) respectively after 30 days. It was observed that yeasts and molds counts for control sample were higher (log 2.39 cfu/ml) after 30 days, while probiotic and synbiotic samples were log 1.21 cfu/ml and log 0.71 cfu/ml respectively. pH values were close for both synbiotic (3.36) and probiotic (3.73) samples, while it was higher for control sample (4.53) after 30 days. The organoleptic characteristics were more acceptable for synbiotic sample followed by probiotic and control samples, respectively. The antagonistic activities of turshi samples against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were higher for synbiotic sample followed by probiotic and control samples, respectively. It was clear that synbiotic turshi was more desirable in all studied characteristics comparing with probiotic and control turshi and this finding reveals that synbiotic turshi could be used as a potential healthy product.

Aim of the study: At current, forest management in the Eastern Mediterranean region is largely based on experience rather than on management plans. To support the development of such plans, this study develops and compares site index equations for pure even-aged Pinus brutia stands in Syria using base-age invariant techniques that realistically describe dominant height growth. Materials and methods: Data on top height and stand age were obtained in 2008 and 2016 from 80 permanent plots capturing the whole range of variation in site conditions, stand age and stand density. Both the Algebraic Difference Approach (ADA) and the Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA) were used to fit eight generalized algebraic difference equations in order to identify the one which describes the data best. For this, 61 permanent plots were used for model calibration and 19 plots for validation. Main results: According to both biological plausibility and model accuracy, the so-called Sloboda equation based on the GADA approach showed the best performance. Research highlights: The study provides a solid classification and comparison of Pinus brutia stands growing in the Eastern Mediterranean region and can thus be used to support sustainable forest management planning. Keywords: site index; Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA); Sloboda equation.

Peptic ulcer disease is an injury of the alimentary tract that leads to a mucosal defect reaching the submucosa. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a natural potent antioxidant, has been known as a gastroprotective drug yet its low bioavailability may restrict its therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to formulate and optimize ALA using a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) with a size of nano-range, enhancing its absorption and augmenting its gastric ulcer protection efficacy. Three SNEDDS components were selected as the design factors: the concentrations of the pumpkin oil (X1, 10–30%), the surfactant tween 80 (X2, 20–50%), and the co-surfactant polyethylene glycol 200 (X3, 30–60%). The experimental design for the proposed mixture produced 16 formulations with varying ALA-SNEDDS formulation component percentages. The optimized ALA-SNEDDS formula was investigated for gastric ulcer protective effects by evaluating the ulcer index and by the determination of gastric mucosa oxidative stress parameters. Results revealed that optimized ALA-SNEDDS achieved significant improvement in gastric ulcer index in comparison with raw ALA. Histopathological findings confirmed the protective effect of the formulated optimized ALASNEDDS in comparison with raw ALA. These findings suggest that formulation of ALA in SNEDDS form would be more effective in gastric ulcer protection compared to pure ALA.

This study was carried out during 2013 – 2015 and aimed to assess the effects of applying dry sewage sludge on heavy metals accumulation (Chromium and Copper) in soil and plant tissues (leaf, trunk and litterfall) of Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation established on sandy soil in Fedio plantation-Lattakia at April -2013. Four experimental treatments were compared at age 22 months: SS1 (sewage sludge 3 kg/tree), SS2 (sewage sludge 6 kg/tree), MF (mineral fertilizer), and C (no fertilizer or sludge applications). Application of sewage sludge significantly increased Cu concentration in the different parts of E. camaldulensis (leaf, trunk and litterfall) and soil in comparison with C and MF treatments, while Cr concentration in leaf and litterfall in SS2 treatment was significant higher than in SS1, MF and C treatments. أثر تطبيق حمأة الصرف الصحي على تراكم الكروم والنحاس في التربة والأوكاليبتوس المنقاري في مزرعة فديو (اللاذقية) أجريت هذه الدراسة بين عامي 2013 – 2015, وقد هدفت إلى تقييم الآثار الناتجة عن تطبيق حمأة الصرف الصحي الجافة على تراكم العناصر المعدنية الثقيلة (الكروم والنحاس) في كل من التربة والنبات (الأوراق, الجذع والفرشة الورقية) وذلك في مشجر للأوكاليبتوس المنقاري تم إنشاؤه على تربة رملية في مزرعة فديو (اللاذقية) في نيسان 2013. قمنا بمقارنة أربع معاملات تجريبية عند عمر 22 شهراً وهي:SS1 (حمأة صرف صحي 3 كغ/غرسة), SS2 (حمأة صرف صحي 6 كغ/غرسة), MF (سماد معدني), C (دون إضافة سماد أو حمأة. حيث أدى تطبيق حمأة الصرف الصحي إلى ازدياد في كمية النحاس في الأجزاء المختلفة للأوكاليبتوس المنقاري (الأوراق, الجذع والفرشة الورقية) والتربة في المعاملتين SS1 وSS2 وذلك بالمقارنة مع المعاملتين MF وC, بينما كان تركيز الكروم في الأوراق والفرشة الورقية في المعاملة SS2 أعلى بشكل ملحوظ من تركيزه في المعاملات SS1, MF وC.

Poly- and cyclophosphazenes are excellent flame retardants but currently, are not used as textile finishing agents because water-soluble and permanent washing systems are missing. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, the successful usage of a water-soluble cyclotriphosphazene derivative for textile finishing for cotton, different cotton/polyester, and cotton/polyamide blend fabrics. A durable finish was achieved using a photoinduced grafting reaction. The flame retardant properties of the various fabrics were improved with a higher limiting oxygen index, a reduced heat release rate, and an exhibition of intumescent. Furthermore, the finished textiles passed several standardized flammability tests.

IntroductionWe previously reported that a 6-day continuous peripheral nerve block reduces established postamputation phantom pain. To provide patients and providers with the information to best inform treatment decisions, here we reanalyze the data and present the results in a more patient-centered format. We also provide information on patient-defined clinically relevant benefits to facilitate evaluation of available studies and guide future trial design.MethodsThe original trial enrolled participants with a limb amputation and phantom pain who were randomized to receive a 6-day continuous peripheral nerve block(s) of either ropivacaine (n=71) or saline (n=73) in a double-masked fashion. Here we calculate the percentage of each treatment group that experienced a clinically relevant improvement as defined by previous studies as well as present what the participants of our study defined as small, medium, and large analgesic improvements using the 7-point ordinal Patient Global Impression of Change scale.ResultsAmong patients who were given a 6-day ropivacaine infusion, 57% experienced at least a 2-point improvement on the 11-point numeric rating scale in their average and worst phantom pain 4 weeks postbaseline as compared with 26% (p

Continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB) are commonly used for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Our study aimed at describing our experience with ambulatory peripheral nerve catheters. After Institutional Review Board approval, records for all patients discharged with supraclavicular or popliteal catheters between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 were reviewed. A licensed practitioner provided verbal and written instructions to the patients prior to discharge. Daily follow-up phone calls were conducted. Patients either removed their catheters at home with real-time simultaneous telephone guidance by a member of the Acute Pain Service or had them removed by the surgeon during a regular office visit. The primary outcome of this analysis was the incidence of complications, categorized as pharmacologic, infectious, or other. The secondary outcome measure was the average daily pain score. Our study included a total of 1059 patients with ambulatory catheters (769 supraclavicular, 290 popliteal). The median infusion duration was 5 days for both groups. Forty-two possible complications were identified: 13 infectious, 23 pharmacologic, and 6 labeled as other. Two patients had retained catheters, 2 had catheter leakage, and 2 had shortness of breath. Our study showed that prolonged use of ambulatory catheters for a median period of 5 days did not lead to an increased incidence of complications.

The objective of the research is to study the possibility of intervention in natural dense pure stand of brutia pine (Pinus brutia Ten.)located in Rabiya/Lattakia/Syria; and the possibility of exploiting part of wood stock to prevent trees from arriving to a self-thiningphaseresulting from high tree density. A self- thining model and a diameter increment model were used to achieve that. The area under study is about90 hectares. Two different stands can be distinguished: An old stand(45-55 years old) with an area of​​70hectares A youngstand (20-24 years old) with an area of ​​20hectares The young plot resulted from the natural regeneration following the 1988 fire.14 circular sample plots were established with an area of 400 m2 each. The plots were established so that they cover the variation in age and stocking density per unit area. Results showed thatthecurrent density is about97.24% and 101% of max density in old and young stands, respectively, whereas thewood stock volume is 393and325.25m3/ha for old and young stands. Results also indicated that it is possible now toexploit26 and56.4m3/ha of old and young stands, respectively.

This study is considered a first step in evaluating the success of afforestation applied to some sites in Al Ghab Region. Standing wood volume was estimated for three sites: Almorouj, Hangour and karkat planted with Pinus penia, Pinus brutia and Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Seven different height curves were tested (Korsun, Michailoff, Prodan, Petterson, Parabel, Logarithmic and Freese models) to estimate the height of the planted tree species. Many statistical methods were applied (model bias, precision and accuracy) to test model Validity. The main stand dendrometric parameters of the studied sites were calculated for each tree species. The biomass function of all the tree species investigated was constructed, Almorouj site had the largest amount of biomass (242 ton /ha for eucalyptus trees). Results revealed that Almorouj site had the highest value of wood volume (232 m3/ha for Eucalyptus camaldulensis, 39 m3/ha for pinus pinea, and 59.5 m3/ha for Pinus brutia). Also the most suitable models for the estimation of tree height were Prodan for Pinus penia, freese for Pinus brutia, and parabel for Eucalyptus camaldulensis.

Phantom limb pain is thought to be sustained by reentrant neural pathways, which provoke dysfunctional reorganization in the somatosensory cortex. We hypothesized that disrupting reentrant pathways with a 6-day-long continuous peripheral nerve block reduces phantom pain 4 weeks after treatment. We enrolled patients who had an upper- or lower-limb amputation and established phantom pain. Each was randomized to receive a 6-day perineural infusion of either ropivacaine or normal saline. The primary outcome was the average phantom pain severity as measured with a Numeric Rating Scale (0-10) at 4 weeks, after which an optional crossover treatment was offered within the following 0 to 12 weeks. Pretreatment pain scores were similar in both groups, with a median (interquartile range) of 5.0 (4.0, 7.0) for each. After 4 weeks, average phantom limb pain intensity was a mean (SD) of 3.0 (2.9) in patients given local anesthetic vs 4.5 (2.6) in those given placebo (difference [95% confidence interval] 1.3 [0.4, 2.2], P = 0.003). Patients given local anesthetic had improved global impression of change and less pain-induced physical and emotional dysfunction, but did not differ on depression scores. For subjects who received only the first infusion (no self-selected crossover), the median decrease in phantom limb pain at 6 months for treated subjects was 3.0 (0, 5.0) vs 1.5 (0, 5.0) for the placebo group; there seemed to be little residual benefit at 12 months. We conclude that a 6-day continuous peripheral nerve block reduces phantom limb pain as well as physical and emotional dysfunction for at least 1 month.

Objectives: To explore the views of the family caregivers (FCGs) about the "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) discussions and decision-making processes that occurred during hospitalization in a Saudi cancer center. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, the FCGs of inpatients with advanced cancer completed a self-administered questionnaire soon after giving the patients a DNR status designation by their oncologists. Results: Eighty-two FCGs participated in the study, with a median age of 36.5 years and male preponderance (70.7%). The FCGs were mostly sons (41.5%), daughters (14%), or brothers (11%) of patients. Only 13.4% of mentally competent patients had the chance to listen to the DNR discussion. The discussion mainly occurred in the ward corridor (48.8%) or another room away from the patients' rooms (35.4%). In 36.6% of cases, the discussion took ≤5 minutes. Half of the FCGs stated that the oncologists' justifications for the DNR decision were unconvincing. The majority (84.2%) of the FCGs felt that the healthcare providers should share the DNR decision-making with patients (1.2%), families (69.5%), or both (13.4%). FCGs ≤ 30 years of age were more supportive of giving patients' families a chance to participate in the DNR decision-making process (p = 0.012). Significance of results: There is considerable room for improving the current practice of DNR discussions and decision-making processes in the studied setting. A readily feasible rectifying measure is to ensure the adequacy of time and privacy when planning for DNR discussions. We expect our findings to draw the attention of stakeholders to a compelling need for reviewing the current policies and processes, aiming to improve the experience of cancer patients and their FCGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]