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Aims: Lifestyle modification involving active engagement of specialised dietitian with diet and exercise education, can be effective as first-line treatment for diabetes., Methods: 192 patients were enrolled with diabetes in a randomised controlled trial and followed up for one year. Ninety-four patients in the intervention group participated in a comprehensive structured diet and exercise education conducted by a specialised dietitian at ambulatory centre in the United Arab Emirates., Results: The mean difference in the change in body mass index between study groups at study exit and baseline was statistically significant (BMI difference = -1.86, 95 % CI -2.68 - -1.04, P < 0.01). The intervention group reported significant decrease in total carbohydrate and daily energy intake compared to baseline (173.7 g vs 221.1 g and 1828.5 kcal vs 2177.9 kcal, respectively). Moreover, the mean metabolic equivalents (METs) in the intervention group increased significantly at study exit from baseline compared to control group METs, with mean difference between all between-group differences after baseline of 0.63 (95 % 0.29 - 0.97, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Structured diet and exercise counselling by specialised dietitian in ambulatory settings significantly reduced carbohydrate and daily energy intake, with improved anthropometric measurements and physical activity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Salmonella infection presents itself in a wide variety of ways, ranging from mild self-limited illness to severe systemic disease with multiorgan involvement. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a very rare complication that is associated with Salmonella infection, especially among the pediatric population., Case Presentation: A five-year-old boy presented with a two-day fever and experienced vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The boy was admitted as a case of acute gastroenteritis, and Salmonella was found in his stool culture. The severity of his abdominal pain during his hospital stay indicated the possibility of AP. A clinical examination and blood workup were performed and showed significant elevation in amylase and lipase, which confirmed the diagnosis of AP., Conclusion: Although abdominal pain is a common presentation of Salmonella infection, the possibility of AP must be considered when the pain is severe and the characteristics of the pain are suggestive of AP. Herein, we report a case of AP complicating Salmonella infection in an immunocompetent child., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019, and it was officially declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak and the safety measures taken to control it caused many psychological issues in populations worldwide, such as depression, anxiety, and stress., Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the psychological effects of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak on university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to investigate the students' awareness of mobile mental health care apps as well as their attitudes toward the use of these apps., Methods: A two-part self-administered web-based questionnaire was delivered to students at United Arab Emirates University. The first part of the questionnaire assessed the mental state of the participants using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), while the second part contained questions investigating the participants' awareness of and attitudes toward mental health care apps. Students were invited to fill out the web-based questionnaire via social media and mailing lists., Results: A total of 154 students participated in the survey, and the majority were female. The results of the GHQ-12 analysis showed that the students were experiencing psychological issues related to depression and anxiety as well as social dysfunction. The results also revealed a lack of awareness of mental health care apps and uncertainty regarding the use of such apps. Approximately one-third of the participants (44/154, 28.6%) suggested preferred functionalities and characteristics of mobile mental health care apps, such as affordable price, simple design, ease of use, web-based therapy, communication with others experiencing the same issues, and tracking of mental status., Conclusions: Like many groups of people worldwide, university students in the UAE were psychologically affected by the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Although apps can be useful tools for mental health care delivery, especially in circumstances such as those produced by the outbreak, the students in this study showed a lack of awareness of these apps and mixed attitudes toward them. Improving the digital health literacy of university students in the UAE by increasing their awareness of mental health care apps and the treatment methods and benefits of the apps, as well as involving students in the app creation process, may encourage students to use these tools for mental health care., (©Nidal Drissi, Ayat Alhmoudi, Hana Al Nuaimi, Mahra Alkhyeli, Shaikha Alsalami, Sofia Ouhbi. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (http://formative.jmir.org), 20.10.2020.)

Current biomarkers of renal disease in systemic vasculitis lack predictive value and are insensitive to early damage. To identify novel biomarkers of renal vasculitis flare, we analysed the longitudinal urinary metabolomic profile of a rat model of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were immunised with human myeloperoxidase (MPO). Urine was obtained at regular intervals for 181 days, after which relapse was induced by re-challenge with MPO. Urinary metabolites were assessed in an unbiased fashion using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and analysed using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and partial least squares regression (PLS-R). At 56 days post-immunisation, we found that rats with vasculitis had a significantly different urinary metabolite profile than control animals; the observed PLS-DA clusters dissipated between 56 and 181 days, and re-emerged with relapse. The metabolites most altered in rats with active or relapsing vasculitis were trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), citrate and 2-oxoglutarate. Myo-inositol was also moderately predictive. The key urine metabolites identified in rats were confirmed in a large cohort of patients using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Hypocitraturia and elevated urinary myo-inositol remained associated with active disease, with the urine myo-inositol:citrate ratio being tightly correlated with active renal vasculitis.

This study investigates the operational efficiency of the lab-scale oxidation ditch (OD) functioning in simultaneous nitrification and denitrification modes, focusing on forecasting biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) concentrations over a five-day horizon. This forecasting capability aims to optimize the operational regime of aeration tanks by adjusting the specific load on organic pollutants through active sludge dosage modulation. A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted to identify trends and seasonality alongside significant correlations between the forecasted values and various time lags. A total of 20 time lags and the "month" feature were selected as significant predictors. These models employed include Multi-head Attention Gated Recurrent Unit (MAGRU), long short-term memory (LSTM), Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average–Long Short-Term Memory (ARIMA–LSTM), and Prophet and gradient boosting models: CatBoost and XGBoost. Evaluation metrics (Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (SMAPE), and Coefficient of Determination (R2)) indicated similar performance across models, with ARIMA–LSTM yielding the best results. This architecture effectively captures short-term trends associated with the variability of incoming wastewater. The SMAPE score of 1.052% on test data demonstrates the model's accuracy and highlights the potential of integrating artificial neural networks (ANN) and machine learning (ML) with mechanistic models for optimizing wastewater treatment processes. However, residual analysis revealed systematic overestimation, necessitating further exploration of significant predictors across various datasets to enhance forecasting quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secure access to water provides incentives for farming activities and positively affects rural livelihood base, whereas insecure access to water hinders the socioeconomic status and livelihood of most of the poorest. Agriculture, as a primary source of rural livelihood, is inherently sensitive to variability and driest events of rainfall, which demand reliable access to water. However, persistent water scarcity can significantly undermine access reliability of water resources. The paper aims at addressing how rural inhabitants compose their livelihood with their limited access to water. This study was intended to analyze the differential impacts of rainfall variability and regional water accessibility on rural livelihoods, considering a C.D. block in Puruliya district (also called Purulia district) of the Indian state of West Bengal. Using household level response data, access to water for irrigation and rural livelihood impacts and adaptation strategies have been analyzed among different household groups. In this regard, we apply Kruskal–Wallis H test and Chi-square test to find out whether there are significant differences or not on households' responses to their livelihood toward variability and driest events of rainfall and low access to irrigation. Significant differences were found in terms of livelihood impacts among different socioeconomic groups. Findings reveal that household level responses on access to irrigation and adaptive initiatives on its practices significantly vary among different household groups. This study also unveils that households, partly or solely dependent upon agriculture, pursued various livelihood strategies and estimated results exposed significant differences among different household groups in their on-farm and off-farm adaptation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of authors to generate coherent articles largely relies on their proficient use of cohesive devices. This paper examines the use of reiteration by Grade 12 English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners in the Malamulele South Circuit to attain cohesiveness in their written English essays. Cohesion is an essential characteristic employed by educators when evaluating students' essays. Thus, a deficiency in consistency in writing may result in diminished grades or outright failure. The appropriate use of cohesive devices improves the logical progression and interrelation of phrases, paragraphs, and entire writings. This study employed a qualitative research methodology, sampling fifteen essays from a designated school in the Malamulele South Circuit. These essays have been assessed, reviewed, and finalised. Document analysis functioned as the principal method for data collecting. The results indicated that Grade 12 EFAL students in the Malamulele South Circuit employed many forms of reiteration, including repetition, synonyms, and antonyms, to construct cohesive writings. Nevertheless, the study emphasised that these learners frequently generated repetitive and redundant sentences due to their propensity to excessively repeat words and phrases for emphasis. Furthermore, they faced challenges in the proficient use of synonyms and antonyms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is lacking for direct pathogenicity of human anti-proteinase-3 (PR3) antibodies in development of systemic vasculitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's granulomatosis). Progress in study of these antibodies in rodents has been hampered by lack of PR3 expression on murine neutrophils, and by different Fc-receptor affinities for IgG across species. Therefore, we tested whether human anti-PR3 antibodies can induce acute vasculitis in mice with a human immune system. Chimeric mice were generated by injecting human haematopoietic stem cells into irradiated NOD-scid-IL2Rγ⁻/⁻ mice. Matched chimera mice were treated with human IgG from patients with: anti-PR3 positive renal and lung vasculitis; patients with non-vasculitic renal disease; or healthy controls. Six-days later, 39% of anti-PR3 treated mice had haematuria, compared with none of controls. There was punctate bleeding on the surface of lungs of anti-PR3 treated animals, with histological evidence of vasculitis and haemorrhage. Anti-PR3 treated mice had mild pauci-immune proliferative glomerulonephritis, with infiltration of human and mouse leukocytes. In 3 mice (17%) more severe glomerular injury was present. There were no glomerular changes in controls. Human IgG from patients with anti-PR3 autoantibodies is therefore pathogenic. This model of anti-PR3 antibody-mediated vasculitis may be useful in dissecting mechanisms of microvascular injury.

This study analyses the spatiotemporal distribution of land use and land cover (LULC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past 50 years (1972–2021) using 72 multi-temporal Landsat satellite images. Three machine learning (ML) classifiers, Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), were tested, with RF finally chosen for its higher performance. Spectral, spatial, topographic, and object aspect attributes were extracted and used as input for the RF algorithm to enhance the classification accuracy. A dataset comprising 46,146 polygons representing four LULC classes was created, with 80% allocated for training and 20% for testing, ensuring robust model validation. The algorithm was trained to develop a machine learning model that classified the data into four LULC classes namely: built areas, vegetation, water, and desert and mountainous regions, producing eight thematic maps for the years 1972, 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The results reveal the dominance of desert and mountainous regions, with their coverage gradually declining from over 97% in 1972 to nearly 91% in 2021. In contrast, built areas grew from less than 1% to nearly 6%, while vegetation cover increased from 0.71% to 2.85%. Water bodies have exhibited periodic fluctuations between 0.4% and 0.35%. These changes are attributed to extensive urbanization, agricultural expansion, forest plantation programs, land reclamation, and megaprojects. Accuracy assessment of the classified maps showed high overall accuracy, ranging from 85.11% to 98.4%. The study provides a unique long-term analysis of the UAE over 50 years, capturing key developments from the 1970s oil boom through subsequent megaprojects at the onset of the new millennium, leading to reduced reliance on oil. These findings underscore the role of machine learning and geospatial technologies in monitoring LULC distribution in challenging environments, and the results serve as a vital tool for policymakers to manage land resources, urban planning, and environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) represents a heterogeneous group of multi-system autoimmune conditions associated with chronic inflammation, characteristically affecting small blood vessels, leading to various organ and system manifestations. Although rare in paediatric populations, AAV poses challenges in early recognition, diagnosis and management of refractory cases. This review highlights the characteristics of clinical presentation and outcomes of AAV in children, as well as its current classification and progress achieved in understanding the disease pathogenesis, with a focus on adult and paediatric genetic studies. Furthermore, we discuss the management of AAV in children, as well as new emerging therapies and future research needs, while proposing a potential algorithm for a childhood-onset-AAV therapeutic approach based on the disease phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines an algorithm for collecting and analyzing data from wastewater treatment facilities, aimed at addressing regression tasks for predicting the quality of treated wastewater and classification tasks for preventing emergency situations, specifically filamentous bulking of activated sludge. The feasibility of using data obtained under laboratory conditions and simulating the technological process as a training dataset is explored. A small dataset collected from actual wastewater treatment plants is considered as the test dataset. For both regression and classification tasks, the best results were achieved using gradient-boosting models from the CatBoost family, yielding metrics of SMAPE = 9.1 and ROC-AUC = 1.0. A set of the most important predictors for modeling was selected for each of the target features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Palestinian Medical & Pharmaceutical Journal is the property of An-Najah National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the face of rapid technological developments, digital leadership in the leadership of Ki Hadjar Dewantara plays an important role in ensuring that digital technology is used effectively and efficiently for educational goals. The research aims to develop a model of digital integration of leadership in the leadership trilogy of Ki Hadjar Dewantara at Tamansiswa College. The research used a quantitative approach with survey methods. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with a total sample of 116 people. The data collection technique in this research used a questionnaire using a five-option Likert. The data analysis technique is the Structural Equation Model (SEM) using SmartPLS version 3 software. The leadership trilogy by Ki Hajar Dewantara is highly suitable for school principals to implement in their digital leadership practices for principals and teachers. The concept of Ing ngarso sung tuladha is particularly relevant to modern digital leadership. Implementing Ing ngarso sang tuladha in the digital domain, leaders may motivate their people, establish trust, and successfully traverse the intricacies of the digital era. The school principal can implement the Ing madya mangun karsa concept in a digital context. The school principal encourages collaboration and co-creation, recognizing the immense potential for collaborative work in digital domains. The Tut wuri handayani approach encourages digital leaders to cultivate a culture of autonomous learning, empowering team members to actively pursue knowledge, acquire new abilities, and adjust to the evolving digital environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs) are a group of rare diseases with a chronic and relapsing course. Recent treatment guidelines offer many therapeutic options depending mainly on the type of diagnosis and disease manifestations. Areas that remain under discussion include whether all patients diagnosed with AAV belong to a homogeneous group with a similar prognosis at baseline or if the type and duration of remission-inducing treatment should depend on factors other than just diagnosis and disease severity. The aim of this review is to present the recent literature on the tools available to use while evaluating the risk of relapse in patients upon presentation as well as potential biomarkers of proceeding flare in patients upon remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain integrated deep learning has emerged as a transformative technology fusion for the advancement of smart city applications. By combining the decentralized, immutable ledger of blockchain with the predictive power of deep learning algorithms, cities can enhance their infrastructure and services in unprecedented ways. Smart contracts can facilitate secure and transparent voting systems, efficient supply chain management, and even autonomous vehicles that prioritize safety. By integrating blockchain and deep learning, smart cities can unlock a new era of innovation, making urban life safer, greener, and more efficient. A detailed survey on blockchain integrated deep learning applications for smart cities is presented in this paper. The emerging blockchain applications, platforms, and protocols specially targeting four areas namely smart transportation, smart citizens, smart supply chain management and smart healthcare is reviewed, summarized, and tabulated along with identifying and discussing open research challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of the relationships between workplace stressors and job performance • To familiarise yourself with validated scales that can be used to measure stress, resilience and job performance • To consider measures that could be implemented to mitigate stressors, increase resilience and foster effective coping mechanisms among nurses. Background: Nurses are a crucial part of healthcare organisations, constituting around half of the global healthcare workforce. Therefore, it is important to examine the factors that may affect their job performance, which is central to the delivery of effective healthcare services. Aim: To examine the relationships between stress, resilience and job performance within the nursing context in Jordan. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. A self-administered questionnaire comprising stress, resilience and job performance scales was completed by a convenience sample of 207 nurses working in five hospitals in the northern and middle regions of Jordan. Results: Overall, respondents self-reported moderate stress levels, normal resilience levels and moderate job performance. The study identified: a moderate positive correlation between stress and resilience; a weak negative correlation between stress and job performance; and a weak positive correlation between resilience and job performance. Conclusion: It is essential that nurse managers, leaders and policymakers implement measures to mitigate the stressors encountered by nurses, increase resilience and foster effective coping mechanisms. Such measures could enhance nurses’ resilience and job performance, ultimately improving patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to identify job immersion and its impact on job compatibility by reducing organizational obesity in the Al-Wasat Refinery Company/Al-Doura Refinery Company. The research problem emerged from the possibility of a weakness in achieving employee satisfaction as a result of the impact of job immersion in the company and the increase in slackness and job laziness. The sample included 200 employees in the surveyed company, as the research aimed to test the hypotheses of the correlation and influence relationship between job immersion, organizational obesity, and job compatibility in the company, which was at the overall level and the sub-dimensions level, relying on the questionnaire to collect data and information related to the practical aspect, and using SPSS for data processing. One of the most important conclusions reached by the research is that applying a set of strategies to reduce organizational obesity in the investigated company would enhance the effect of job immersion on job compatibility, which indicates that the influential relationship between job immersion and job compatibility changes depending on the change in the level of organizational obesity in the company. The examined company led to enhancing the level of innovation among its employees in a way that contributes to increasing job compatibility by achieving satisfaction at work, reducing job laziness, providing academic qualifications for individuals working in the organization, and increasing the sense of responsibility, which leads to increasing its competitive position in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuously spreading across the world, including in Indonesia. this study investigates relationship positive mental health (PMH), psychological well-being (PWB), Growth Mindset (GM) and Grit dimensions (Consistency of Interest and perseverance of effort) among students college. A total of 802 students responded to the online questionnaires. The participants completed the Assessing positive mental health Scale, Mental Health Scale Inventory-5 (MHI-5), Growth Mindset scale, and The Short Grit Scale. Data were analysed using correlation and PLS-SEM. The findings revealed that growth mindset improves positive mental health and psychological well-being in college students. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there is a positive association between Positive Mental Health, Psychological well-being, Growth Mindset, Perseverance of Effort and Consistency of Interest. while negative association between Growth mindset and Consistency of Interest. Furthermore, this study found that Perseverance of Effort does serve as a significant mediator between Growth Mindset and Positive Mental Health as well as psychological well-being. Growth mindset leads to Positive Mental Health, but Perseverance of Effort could be a significant factor. Therefore, there is a need for parents, teachers, and peers to promote Perseverance of Effort at home and in college, which is essential in increasing growth mindset and Positive Mental Health and Psychological well-being. Based on the results of this study, the growth mindset combined with an increase in grit is critical to maintaining mental health during a pandemic. The implications of this research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores the theories of Albert Ellis and Jeffrey Young in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a therapeutic approach aimed at modifying behavior and building resilience against psychological pressures and negative thoughts. The paper discusses the key principles and techniques used in CBT, including rational thinking, challenging irrational beliefs, and modifying maladaptive schemas. It also highlights the importance of the therapeutic relationship in both theories. While CBT has been effective in improving mental health, it has faced criticisms for its focus on cognitive aspects over emotional and affective aspects. Overall, CBT has proven to be effective in addressing psychological problems and improving well-being. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress among university students. To effectively implement interventions in the UAE setting, it is crucial to have an awareness of the factors affecting the mental health of students. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence of anxiety and psychological distress and the associated factors among medical and health sciences university students amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted after two weeks from the commencement of the fall 2020 semester with a hybrid method of teaching (online and partially on-site teaching). Through the online survey, we used the generalized anxiety disorder 7-items (GAD-7) and Kessler psychological distress (K10) scales. Results: Out of 309 respondents, students reported moderate to severe GAD [26.2%, Mean=6.75, SE=0.297, 95%CI (6.165; 7.334), Cronbach a 0.898] and psychological distress [40.5%, Mean=23.05, SE=0.527, 95%CI (22.012; 24.087), Cronbach a 0.934]. Feeling lonely was a significantly predicted variable for higher anxiety (β=0.215, 95%CI (0.108; 0.322) and psychological distress (β=0.293, 95%CI (0.175; 0.412). Additionally, online learning from home and COVID-19 news updates were contributing factors to high anxiety. Conclusion: The findings signify the need for the implementation of periodic psychological counseling sessions for university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowcasting and forecasting solar irradiance are vital for the optimal prediction of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. These plants face operational challenges and scheduling dispatch difficulties due to the fluctuating nature of their power output. As the generation capacity within the electric grid increases, accurately predicting this output becomes increasingly essential, especially given the random and non-linear characteristics of solar irradiance under variable weather conditions. This study presents a novel prediction method for solar irradiance, which is directly in correlation with PV power output, targeting both short-term and medium-term forecast horizons. Our proposed hybrid framework employs a fast trainable statistical learning technique based on the truncated-regularized kernel ridge regression model. The proposed method excels in forecasting solar irradiance, especially during highly intermittent weather periods. A key strength of our model is the incorporation of multiple historical weather parameters as inputs to generate accurate predictions of future solar irradiance values in its scalable framework. We evaluated the performance of our model using data sets from both cloudy and sunny days in Seattle and Medford, USA and compared it against three forecasting models: persistence, modified 24-hour persistence and least squares. Based on three widely accepted statistical performance metrics (root mean squared error, mean absolute error and coefficient of determination), our hybrid model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy in varying weather conditions and forecast horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Gut Microbe-Derived Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus" explores the relationship between trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study found that TMAO levels were higher in healthy controls compared to SLE patients, suggesting that dietary patterns and medications may affect TMAO levels. The study also found that TMAO levels were higher in patients with lupus nephritis compared to those without, but not significantly associated with most clinical manifestations of SLE. The article provides references for further research on the gut microbiome, cardiovascular risk, autoimmune diseases, and other medical conditions. [Extracted from the article]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in an arid climate zone with low rainfall, relies on shallow aquifers for freshwater. Understanding the depth and extent of such aquifers is crucial for meeting water supply needs. The UAE's hydrogeology is influenced by neighboring mountains in Oman. The Al‐Jaww Plain in southeast of Al‐Ain city is an essential groundwater source, characterized by a large, flat area of gravel and sand deposits from the Oman Mountains. This study aims to map groundwater aquifers in the Al‐Jaww Plain by integrating the audio‐magnetotelluric (AMT) method, seismic reflection profiling, and borehole data. AMT data were collected along an 11‐km ENE–WSW profile and a 2D resistivity model was generated. The resulting model delineates three distinct geo‐electrical zones from the surface to a depth of 5 km. First, a shallow layer with low resistivity (0–15 Ωm) represents the Quaternary and Pliocene aquifers, in addition to the Upper Cretaceous Simsima and Tertiary groundwater aquifer zone, extending to a depth of 1.5 km. Second, a moderately resistive layer (15–250 Ωm) is recorded beneath the first layer, corresponding to the Upper Cretaceous Aruma foreland basin sequence. Finally, a high‐resistivity region (>250 Ωm) at depths exceeding 3 km is attributed to the allochthonous Hawasina thrust sheet, which is associated with Late Cretaceous obduction of the Semail ophiolite. These findings have practical implications for managing groundwater resources in Al‐Ain. Plain Language Summary: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a limited freshwater supply due to its arid climate and low rainfall. Understanding the location and depth of groundwater aquifers is crucial for meeting the country's water needs. This study focuses on mapping the aquifers in the Al‐Jaww Plain, an important potential groundwater source in the Al‐Ain region of the UAE. The researchers used a combination of audio‐magnetotelluric surveys, seismic reflection profiling, and borehole data to create a hydrogeological model of the subsurface. The model revealed three distinct layers at different depths. The shallow layer, with low resistivity, represents the Quaternary, Pliocene, and Upper Cretaceous groundwater aquifers. Below that, a moderately resistive layer corresponds to the Upper Cretaceous Aruma foreland basin sequence. Finally, a high‐resistivity region at greater depths is associated with the allochthonous Hawasina thrust sheet, formed during the Late Cretaceous obduction of the Semail ophiolite. This information is valuable for managing groundwater resources, selecting drilling sites, and estimating groundwater reserves in the Al‐Ain region. Key Points: Groundwater resources investigated using audio‐magnetotelluric (AMT) measurements in Al‐Jaww Plain, United Arab EmiratesIntegration of AMT, seismic, and borehole data revealed hydrogeological insightsQuaternary and Pliocene aquifers identified with resistivity values 0–15 Ωm, extending 1.5 km deep [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect the physicians' mental health differently. This study aimed to investigate the degree of changes in mental distress in physicians through two cross-sectional studies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore factors associated with the change of mental distress status of participants between two-time periods. This cross-sectional, web-based survey collected demographic data and mental health measurements with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire from 416 and 522 physicians before and during COVID-19, respectively. Mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the change of mental distress status. During the outbreak, a total of 319 of the 522 participants reported a clinically significant level of mental distress compared with 123 of 416 participants before COVID-19. Higher levels of mental distress were observed in all socio-demographic groups during COVID-19 compared with before, with more than two-fold higher prevalence of mental health deterioration in general. This study suggests a significant deterioration in mental health status after the occurrence of COVID-19 compared with before. The mental health of physicians working in all medical specialty groups, especially those in internal and surgical specialties, may require special attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is dependent on desalinated water and shallow aquifers to satisfy its freshwater requirements. Despite the paramount importance of understanding the depth and spatial extent of these aquifers, comprehensive investigations into the properties of these aquifers, as well as the underlying subsurface structures and stratigraphy, have been conspicuously lacking. This study presents the findings of integrated geophysical and borehole investigations conducted in the Al Jaww Plain, southeastern Al Ain, UAE, focusing on the properties of groundwater aquifers, the Semail ophiolite contact, and subsurface structures and stratigraphy. Through the analysis of groundwater borehole data, three interconnected types of groundwater aquifers have been identified, and characterized by their hydrogeological properties. The near-surface Quaternary unconfined aquifer, with an average thickness of 25 m, represents a fresh groundwater aquifer. The second aquifer, with an average thickness of 110 m, is connected to the upper Quaternary freshwater aquifer and is interpreted as part of the surficial aquifer system. The third aquifer has an average thickness of 200 m. By employing electrical resistivity tomography, the depth of the water table and groundwater potential in the shallow unconfined Quaternary aquifer near Jabal Mundassa have been estimated, aligning with the properties observed in the unconfined Quaternary aquifer across the entire Al Jaww Plain as depicted in the groundwater borehole cross section. In addition, this study provides insights into subsurface structures and stratigraphic features, revealing the westward extension of the Hawasina thrust sheet within the plain. Gravity and magnetic data analyses in the southeastern region of the Al Jaww Plain delineate the extent of the Semail ophiolite. Notably, magnetic data reveals the presence of an NW–SE-oriented magnetic anomaly detached from the main ophiolite thrust, which corresponds to the interpretation of the Semail ophiolite contact with sedimentary carbonate rocks on the Bouguer gravity map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dirasat: Educational Sciences is the property of University of Jordan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relevance of the study on intelligent methods in multi-agent systems right now is due to the growth of their wide application in the modern world and the need to improve the effectiveness of cooperation between agents to achieve the desired results. The purpose of the present article is to consider intellectual methods, as well as to describe and analyse various ways and methods of their application. Among the methods used, it is possible to distinguish the analytical method, the classification method, the functional method, the statistical method, the synthesis method. The application of intelligent methods in multi-agent systems leads to improved performance and better results through the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and decision-making. These methods involve modelling a system using agents, which interact and cooperate with their environment. Agents can learn to use different algorithms, such as neural networks and genetic algorithms, allowing them to adapt and improve their behaviour. The study of intelligent methods in multi-agent systems brings new approaches and innovations to science, which help to more effectively model and manage the interaction of agents to achieve optimal results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises a group of multisystem disorders with alternating periods of relapse and remission. Beyond that, a smouldering progress during apparently clinically silent phases often develops. AAVs are subgrouped in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and renal limited vasculitis (RLV). ANCA are hallmark of this disease entity, although they are not always present. Despite the simplification of treatment, fundamental aspects concerning assessment of its efficacy and its adaptation to encountered complications or to the relapsing/remitting/subclinical disease course remain still unknown. Through the advances in pathogenesis and pathophysiology of AAV a reliable biomarker‐based monitoring and treatment algorithm has not been established and disease management follows not infrequently a "trial and error" approach. Here, we overviewed the most interesting biomarkers reported so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kufa Journal for Nursing Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Iraqi National Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims: The aims of this research were (a) to determine if job satisfaction plays an intermediary role between positive affect and job performance; (b) to explore whether the mediating process of positive affect affecting job performance through job satisfaction is moderated by the work seniority of psychiatric nurses. Design: A questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study. Methods: From January 2021 to May 2022, a total of 328 psychiatric nurses were recruited through online advertisements. Data regarding positive affect, job satisfaction, work seniority and job performance were obtained through survey questionnaires. The moderated mediation model was examined in this study utilizing the SPSS (Version 26.0) macro process 3.3, with job satisfaction as the mediation variable and work seniority as the moderation variable. Results: Job performance and job satisfaction were both positively connected with positive affect, while job satisfaction was favourably correlated with job performance. Job satisfaction played a part mediating role between positive affect and job performance, with an effect value of 0.10, accounting for 22.22% of the total effect. And work seniority moderated the second half of the mediating process. Conclusion: Positive affect positively affected job performance through two paths, directly or indirectly. Part of the intermediate role of job satisfaction between positive affect and job performance is regulated by seniority; that is, work seniority buffered the positive effect of positive affect on job performance. Impact This study revealed how positive affect works and elaborated the conditions to play a role, which greatly enriched the content of positive psychology and had important significance for deepening and expanding the relationship between positive affect and job performance. It also provided a reference for nursing managers to implement humanized management, build a high‐performance psychiatric nurse team and promote the long‐term development of psychiatric hospitals. Patient or public contribution: Three hundred and twenty‐eight psychiatric nurses participated in the questionnaire. Trained staff were involved in data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted under the conditions of Muthanna Governorate during the 2022-2023 agricultural season in one of the fields belonging to a farmer in the Al-Bandar area (3 km from the center of Samawah city), which is located at longitude 45.18 east and latitude 31.19 north. The experiment aimed to study the effect of different treatments in reducing the impact of irrigation water salinity on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Variety Abaa 99 The experiment was conducted using a split-plot design with complete randomized blocks with three replications. The main plots included levels of irrigation water salinity with concentrations of (6, 9 and 12) dS m-1 in addition to the control treatment of normal river water (3) dSm-1 . The secondary plots included some salinity reduction treatments, namely (Kamasol, Clean Salt, magnetic irrigation water). The results of the experiment showed that the Clean Salt treatment significantly outperformed the control treatment in terms of plant height (95.50 cm), flag leaf area (34.07 cm² ), number of tillers (412.50 tillers m² ), and grain yield (6.210 t ha-1). While salinity levels significantly affected some of the studied traits, the irrigation water treatment (control) was superior in the flag leaf area, recording 35.61 cm² . The 6 dS m-1 treatment, on the other hand, outperformed the other treatments in terms of biological yield, recording the highest yield of 13.458 t ha-1 . The interaction between the factors of the experiment had a significant effect on some of the studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wellbeing of doctoral students is an area that is well researched; however, no research has yet explored which factors of doctoral training have most impact upon trainee educational psychologist (TEP) wellbeing. TEPs across England and Wales completed a questionnaire to explore their doctoral wellbeing. Six themes were generated from a reflexive thematic analysis in relation to how academic and professional tutors can support wellbeing: facilitating relationships; adapting models of support; ensuring clear communication; addressing placement concerns; providing practical support and mediating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on doctoral study. Areas reported to have most impact on wellbeing included workload, making reasonable demands on self, having confidence in research, receiving quality feedback, and experiencing trusting relationships with supervisors. Findings were consistent with previous research and implications for those involved in the training of educational psychologists are discussed, including the need to prioritise wellbeing support in all aspects of training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic forced the shift to distance education aggravating mental and physical vulnerabilities of undergraduate students, including sleep. This review aims to describe sleep problem rates and prevalence, sleep pattern disruption, sleep duration, sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, psychological and socio‐economic factors affecting sleep of undergraduates in 22 countries. A systematic search for articles published from 2020 to 2021 using 'COVID‐19,' 'Coronavirus,' 'Pandemic,' 'Sleep,' 'Mental Health,' and 'Students' from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane yielded 2550 articles, where 72 were included. Selection criteria were: English full‐text available articles, undergraduates and not postgraduates, reported sleep outcomes, and participants not from allied health courses. Risk of bias was assessed using various Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and outcomes were descriptively synthesized. Prevalence of sleep problems was notable, while longitudinal studies showed increased rates. There was significantly increased sleep duration, and sleep pattern disruption during lockdowns. Several psychological, behavioural, environmental, demographic, and socio‐economic factors were found to be associated with sleep changes. These highlight the pandemic's impact on sleep of undergraduate students and reveal opportunities for institutions to intervene with policies and programs to promote the well‐being of undergraduates. Limitations include recall bias and underrepresentation of other countries. This study is self‐funded with registration number RGAO‐2021‐0071. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is often reported that medical students repeatedly develop health anxiety related to the diseases that they are studying. To the best of our knowledge, health anxiety has not been investigated in medical students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of health anxiety among a sample of medical students attending the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). We conducted a cross-sectional study of 193 undergraduate medical students (68 males, 125 females) across the 6 years of the College of Medicine at the UAEU. Students were screened for health anxiety using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). Results: Eighteen students (9.3%) reached the threshold for clinically significant health anxiety on the SHAI (score ≥ 27). There was no statistically significant difference between those with and those without health anxiety in age, gender, place of origin, or year of study. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups as regards a past history of medical or mental health conditions influencing their choice of college. No specific student demographic or background characteristics significantly predicted the occurrence of clinically significant health anxiety. Conclusions: Health anxiety was prevalent in a significant proportion of subjects in our sample (almost one in every ten students). Individual experiences of medical and mental illness may play a role in the development of health anxiety and in the choice of studying medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: University students are exposed to several factors associated with Night Eating Syndrome NES, which is distinguished by nocturnal consumption and/or evening hyperphagia. The main purpose of the current study is to examine the state of NES, and to explore its relationship with selected factors (e.g. sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, body mass index "BMI", and mental health) among a sample of undergraduates. Methods: A cross-section design was done among undergraduates recruited from three universities in the southern part of Palestine. Students completed a self-administrated questionnaire including demographic information, lifestyle habits, medical profile, and the Arabic version of Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ). Mental health status was also assessed using the Arabic version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Cronbach alpha was used to check the reliability of the Arabic version of NEQ. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate approach. Results: A total of 475 participants were included in the study, 197 (47%) males, 253(54%) females. Mean age was 19.8 ± 1.4 years, ranged from 18 to 25 years old. It is found that 141 university students (29.7%) screened positive for NES. According to univariate analysis, NES was significantly related to gender (p = 0.023), major (p = 0.005), personal monthly income (p = 0.007), source of funding (p = 0.005), and mental health (p < 0.005). Besides, the results of binary logistic regression revealed that having mental health problems (Exp (B) = 4.18; 95% CI = 2.50–6.98; p = 0.000), males (Exp (B) = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.17–3.39; p = 0.014), and those who study expenses was not covered either by scholarship or parents (Exp (B) = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.29–5.8; p = 0.08) were significantly associated with NES. Conclusion: It is found that NES is common among Palestinian university students. In this study, NES was significantly more prevalent among males, and those who were studying scientific majors, having a personal income between 500 and 1000 new Israeli shekel per month, and having mental problems, and those whose studies were funded by neither by a scholarship nor by their parents. Plain English Summary: Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder characterized by a time-delayed pattern of eating relative to sleep, where most food is consumed in the evening and night. There is evidence that adolescents had higher prevalence of NES in comparison to other age groups. Moreover, Former studies indicated that anxiety, stress, and depression may be correlated with NES and weight gain. The current outcomes showed that 29.3% of university students complying with symptoms consistent with the diagnostic criteria for NES. The findings also pointed out that gender, field of study, monthly income, source of funding, and mental health is a significantly associated with NES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, researchers have focused more on the use of many types of biomaterials from various organisms and agricultural by-products for wastewater treatment. In this study, we are using Moringaoleifera pods powder (MOPP) and Moringaoleifera kernels powder (MOPK) for the removal of industrial Methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. The adsorption process of MB onto MOPP and MOKP follows the pseudo-second-order model. First of all, the adsorbents were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The second objective was the optimization process of Moringaoleifera wastes seeds (MOPP and MOKP) for the removal of methylene blue dye (MB), using Box-Behnken under the Response Surface methodology. The optimal conditions were X1 = 2.5 g/L of adsorbent, X2 = 40 ppm of concentration of MB and X3 = 10.03 of pH with removal efficiency which reaches 98.12% for MOPP and X1 = 2.5 g/L of adsorbent, X2 = 30 mg/L of concentration of MB and X3 = 7.43 of pH with removal efficiency which reaches 96.94% for MOKP. The model envisaged for the optimal design has been well verified by the experimental data, with R2/R2adj equal to 0.99 and 0.74, respectively for MOPP, then for MOKP 0.90 and 0.73. Finally, the analysis of variance (ANOVA), confirmed that MOPP and MOKP had a high-efficiency adsorbent capacity with the MOPP as the best biosorbent than MOKP and that the chosen model is valid. The two materials could be adopted as efficient and cost-effective adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraq Journal of Market Research & Consumer Protection / Al-Mağallaẗ al-ʿIrāqiyyaẗ li-Buḥūṯ al-Sūq wa-Ḥimāyaẗ al-Mustahlik is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Increases in population and the expansion of industrial and agricultural operations result in an increase in agricultural and industrial trash as well as residential waste that is dumped directly into rivers and streams. These pollutants typically pollute river or stream water. This study focuses on the effects of domestic, industrial, and agricultural waste water on the water quality of the five main valleys in the left part of Mosul City: Al-Rashediya, Al-Kharrazi, Al-Khosar, Al-Danffilli, and Al-Shoar. Forty-eight samples of the water from these valleys were measured in the field for their physical characteristics (pH, EC, TDS, and Tr). The chemical properties (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO₃ -, SO₄ 2-, Cl- and NO₃ -), the heavy elements (Fe, Cu, Pb, Co and Mn) and the organic maters, were analyzed. The results indicated that calcium and bicarbonate are more abundant than other cations and anions, respectively. This mainly indicates the impact of carbonate fragment contents and calcareous cementing materials in the soils that exposed to chemical weathering in the outcrops on water quality. Heavy element pollution factors {The heavy metal pollution index (HPI), Heavy metals rating index (HEL), Metal Index (MI), and Contamination Index (Cd)} generally indicated that the water in the study area is highly polluted and unsuitable for agricultural use. The amounts of pollutants in the rivers of Al-Shoar and Al-Danffilli valleys appear to be higher than those of the other valleys since these valleys are generally the most exposed to waste, especially industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Significant concerns about mental health were raised during the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among the participants of the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS); a national cohort study. We further explored the change in the prevalence of depression symptoms among those with comparable pre-pandemic data. Methods: A sample of UAEHFS participants were invited to complete a COVID-19 online questionnaire during the first wave of the pandemic. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7) respectively. Unpaired analyses were done to examine the effect of COVID-19 on depression and anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. Paired analysis was conducted to examine the change in depression symptoms. Results: During the pandemic, we reported a prevalence of 32.8% (95% CI: 27.0, 39.1) for depression and 26.4% (95% CI: 21.0, 32.6) for anxiety symptoms. Younger people reported higher levels of depression (40.4%) and anxiety (34.5%) symptoms. Females reported higher levels of depression (36.5%) and anxiety (32.7%) symptoms. In paired analysis, the prevalence of depression symptoms during the pandemic was 34% (95% CI: 26.5, 42.4) compared to 29.9% (95% CI: 22.7, 38.1) before the pandemic. No statistically significant difference was observed, p-value = 0.440. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models for PHQ-8 and GAD-7 during the pandemic showed that participants, who were experiencing flu-like symptoms, had higher odds of reporting depression symptoms compared to those without symptoms. Additionally, age was significantly negatively associated with anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Overall, we found that depression and anxiety symptoms were more prevalent among young people and females. However, we did not find a significant change in the prevalence of depression symptoms among those with comparable pre-pandemic data. Identifying vulnerable groups and understanding trajectories through longitudinal studies would help with planning for effective mental health interventions for the current and future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fiber Reinforced Polyester (GRP) pipes are extremely important for Turkey due to the irrigation activities in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). Because of the high demand for GRP pipes in the project region, new production plants are needed. Site selection of a GRP pipe production plant in the GAP project region is considered in this study. The main aim of this study is to develop a scientific approach for site selection of the new GRP pipe production plant. Importance degree of criteria was calculated by using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. Alternative locations for GRP pipe plant in Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey were found by Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and then ranking of alternative places was obtained by Fuzzy VIše Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method. According to the proposed method, Oğuzeli / Gaziantep was determined as the most appropriate location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]