In k-means clustering, we are given a set of n data points in d-dimensional space R^d and an integer k and the problem is to determine a set of k points in R^d, called centers, so as to minimize the mean squared dista...In k-means clustering, we are given a set of n data points in d-dimensional space R^d and an integer k and the problem is to determine a set of k points in R^d, called centers, so as to minimize the mean squared distance from each data point to its nearest center. In this paper, we present a simple and efficient clustering algorithm based on the k-means algorithm, which we call enhanced k-means algorithm. This algorithm is easy to implement, requiring a simple data structure to keep some information in each iteration to be used in the next iteration. Our experimental results demonstrated that our scheme can improve the computational speed of the k-means algorithm by the magnitude in the total number of distance calculations and the overall time of computation.展开更多
AIM: To study the results for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids using rubber band ligation (RBL) method. METHODS: A retrospective study for 750 patients who came to the colorectal unit from June, 1998 to Septem...AIM: To study the results for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids using rubber band ligation (RBL) method. METHODS: A retrospective study for 750 patients who came to the colorectal unit from June, 1998 to September, 2006, data was retrieved from archived fi les. RBL was performed using the Mc Gown applicator on an outpatient basis. The patients were asked to return to out-patient clinic for follow up at 2 wk, 1 mo, 6 mo and through telephone call every 6 mo for 2 years). RESULTS: After RBL, 696 patients (92.8%) were cured with no difference in outcome for second or third degree hemorrhoids (P = 0.31). Symptomatic recurrence was detected in 11.04% after 2 years. A total of 52 patients (6.93%) had 77 complications from RBL which required no hospitalization. Complications were pain, rectal bleeding and vaso-vagal symptoms(4.13%, 4.13% and 1.33% of patients, respectively). At 1 mo there were a significant improvement in mean SF-36 scores over baseline in five items, while after 2 years there were improvement in all items over baseline, but not significant. No significant manometeric changes after band ligation. CONCLUSION: RBL is a simple, safe and effective method for treating symptomatic second and third degree hemorrhoids as an out patient procedure with signifi cant improvement in quality of life. RBL doesn't alter ano-rectal functions.展开更多
Premature ejaculation(PE)is the most comm on male sexual dysfunction,which represents a diag no stic as well as a therapeutic challenge for physicians.However,no universally accepted definition is currently available ...Premature ejaculation(PE)is the most comm on male sexual dysfunction,which represents a diag no stic as well as a therapeutic challenge for physicians.However,no universally accepted definition is currently available for PE.As a result,physicians continue to diagnose patients with PE according to major guidelines set by the professional societies.These guidelines either recommend the use of validated questionnaires or patient-reported outcomes.Recent efforts directed toward classifying PE may help provide a better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of this disorder.While the exact etiology of PE has not been clearly elucidated,several risk factors have been strongly reported in the literature.Clearly,to understand the revised definition of PE,its etiology and pathophysiology is necessary to improve the clinical management of this medical condition and form the basis of future research in this regard.In this review,we highlight the past and current definitions of PE and present an appraisal on the classifications and theories suggested for the etiopathogenesis of PE.展开更多
In the present research work on TC21 titanium alloy(6.5 Al-3 Mo-1.9 Nb-2.2 Sn-2.2 Zr-1.5 Cr), the effects of cold deformation, solution treatment with different cooling rates and then aging on microstructure, hardness...In the present research work on TC21 titanium alloy(6.5 Al-3 Mo-1.9 Nb-2.2 Sn-2.2 Zr-1.5 Cr), the effects of cold deformation, solution treatment with different cooling rates and then aging on microstructure, hardness and wear property were investigated. A cold deformation at room temperature with 15% reduction in height was applied on annealed samples. The samples were solution-treated at 920 ℃ for 15 min followed by different cooling rates of water quenching(WQ), air cooling(AC) and furnace cooling(FC) to room temperature. Finally, the samples were aged at 590 ℃ for 4 h. Secondary α-platelets precipitated in residual β-phase in the case of solution-treated samples with AC condition and aged ones. The maximum hardness of HV 470 was obtained for WQ + aging condition due to the presence of high amount of residual β-matrix(69%), while the minimum hardness of HV 328 was reported for FC condition. Aging process after solution treatment can considerably enhance the wear property and this enhancement can reach up to about 122% by applying aging after WQ compared with the annealed samples.展开更多
AIM:To describe the clinical and epidemiologic profiles of the disease and to compare the findings with those generated from the previous hospital-based studies.METHODS:The Gharbiah cancer registry is the only populat...AIM:To describe the clinical and epidemiologic profiles of the disease and to compare the findings with those generated from the previous hospital-based studies.METHODS:The Gharbiah cancer registry is the only population-based cancer registry in Egypt since 1998.We analyzed the data of all colorectal cancer patients included in the registry for the period of 1999-2007.All medical records of the 1364 patients diagnosed in Gharbiah during the study period were retrieved and the following information abstracted:age,residence,diagnosis date,grade,stage,topology,clinical characteristics,and histology variables.Egyptian census data for 1996 and 2006 were used to provide the general population's statistics on age,sex,residence and other related demographic factors.In addition to age-and sex-specific incidence rate analyses,we analyze the data to explore the incidence distribution by rural-urban differences among the 8 districts of the province.We also compared the incidence rates of Gharbiah to the rates of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results(SEER) data of the United States.RESULTS:Over the 9 year-period,1364 colorectal cancer cases were included.The disease incidence under age 40 years was relatively high(1.3/10 5) while the incidence in the age groups 40 and over was very low(12.0/10 5,19.4/10 5 and 21.2/10 5 in the age groups 40-59 years,60-69 years and > 70 years,respectively).The vast majority of tumors(97.2%) had no polyps and 37.2% of the patients presented with primary lesions in the rectum.Colorectal cancer was more common in patients from urban(55%) than rural(45%) areas.Regional differences in colon and rectal cancer incidence in the 8 districts of the study province may reflect different etiologic patterns in this population.The registry data of Egypt shows a slightly higher incidence of colorectal cancer than the United States in subjects under age 40 years.The results also shows significantly lower incidence of colorectal cancer in subjects over age 40 years compared to the same age group in the 展开更多
The rapid expansion of both the global economy and the human population has led to a shortage of water resources suitable for direct human consumption.As a result,water remediation will inexorably become the primary f...The rapid expansion of both the global economy and the human population has led to a shortage of water resources suitable for direct human consumption.As a result,water remediation will inexorably become the primary focus on a global scale.Microalgae can be grown in various types of wastewaters(WW).They have a high potential to remove contaminants from the effluents of industries and urban areas.This review focuses on recent advances on WW remediation through microalgae cultivation.Attention has already been paid to microalgae-based wastewater treatment(WWT)due to its low energy requirements,the strong ability of microalgae to thrive under diverse environmental conditions,and the potential to transform WW nutrients into high-value compounds.It turned out that microalgae-based WWT is an economical and sustainable solution.Moreover,different types of toxins are removed by microalgae through biosorption,bioaccumulation,and biodegradation processes.Examples are toxins from agricultural runoffs and textile and pharmaceutical industrial effluents.Microalgae have the potential to mitigate carbon dioxide and make use of the micronutrients that are present in the effluents.This review paper highlights the application of microalgae in WW remediation and the remediation of diverse types of pollutants commonly present in WW through different mechanisms,simultaneous resource recovery,and efficient microalgae-based co-culturing systems along with bottlenecks and prospects.展开更多
Development of a novel in vivo lung perfusion(IVLP)procedure allows localized delivery of high-dose doxorubicin(DOX)for targeting residual micrometastatic disease in the lungs.However,DOX delivery via IVLP requires ca...Development of a novel in vivo lung perfusion(IVLP)procedure allows localized delivery of high-dose doxorubicin(DOX)for targeting residual micrometastatic disease in the lungs.However,DOX delivery via IVLP requires careful monitoring of drug level to ensure tissue concentrations of this agent remain in the therapeutic window.A small dimension nitinol wire coated with a sorbent of biocompatible morphology(Bio-SPME)has been clinically evaluated for in vivo lung tissue extraction and determination of DOX and its key metabolites.The in vivo Bio-SPME-IVLP experiments were performed on pig model over various(150 and 225 mg/m^(2))drug doses,and during human clinical trial.Two patients with metastatic osteosarcoma were treated with a single 5 and 7 μg/mL(respectively)dose of DOX during a 3-h IVLP.In both pig and human cases,DOX tissue levels presented similar trends during IVLP.Human lung tissue concentrations of drug ranged between 15 and 293 μg/g over the course of the IVLP procedure.In addition to DOX levels,Bio-SPME followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis generated 64 metabolic features during endogenous metabolite screening,providing information about lung status during drug administration.Real-time monitoring of DOX levels in the lungs can be performed effectively throughout the IVLP procedure by in vivo Bio-SPME chemical biopsy approach.Bio-SPME also extracted various endogenous molecules,thus providing a real-time snapshot of the physiology of the cells,which might assist in the tailoring of personalized treatment strategy.展开更多
Software delivery is vital for modern organizations, driving innovation and competitiveness. Measuring an organization’s maturity in software delivery is crucial for efficiency and quality. The Capability Maturity Mo...Software delivery is vital for modern organizations, driving innovation and competitiveness. Measuring an organization’s maturity in software delivery is crucial for efficiency and quality. The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) framework provides a roadmap for improvement but assessing an organization’s CMM Level is challenging. This paper offers a quantitative approach tailored to the CMM framework, using Goal-Question-Metric (GQM) frame-works for each key process area (KPA). These frameworks include metrics and questions to compute maturity scores effectively. The study also refines practices into questions for a thorough assessment. The result is an Analysis Matrix that calculates weighted scores and an overall maturity score. This approach helps organizations assess and enhance their software delivery processes systematically, aiming for improved practices and growth.展开更多
Background: The most frequent spinal fracture is the thoracolumbar fracture. Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation of cases having thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological impairments has remained con...Background: The most frequent spinal fracture is the thoracolumbar fracture. Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation of cases having thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological impairments has remained controversial. The advantages of minimally invasive percutaneous fixation are decreasing muscle and soft tissue injury, decreasing blood loss and infection rate, in addition to shortening hospital stay and recovery times. In comparison to the open technique, percutaneous fixation is adequate for treating thoracolumbar (TL) fractures without causing neurological impairments & with satisfactory outcomes in terms of kyphosis decline. Elevated radiation exposure to the surgeon &the patient, lack of decompression and fusion via bone graft, & a steep learning curve are all disadvantages of percutaneous fixation of vertebral fractures. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted on forty-eight patients, age ranging from 16 to 65 years old, with a thoracolumbar (TL) fracture without causing neurological impairments who were meeting the eligibility criteria for fixation in the period from July 2019 to January 2024. Results: We included the forty-eight patients who met the inclusion criteria (34 males and 14 females) their ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. The most common pathology was L1 fracture in 38 patients. No major complications were experienced, only wound infection in five patients which was treated efficiently with repeated dressings and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Four patients experienced misdirected screws, only in one patient the screw encroach into the spinal canal with no deficit experienced, while the other three showed minimally laterally deviated screws. Conclusion: The advantages of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar fractures through preservation of posterior musculature, are less blood loss, shorter operative time, lower infection risk, less post-operative pain, shorter rehabilitation time as well as a shorter hospital stay. Limitations of percutaneous fixation include展开更多
Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory illness of the intes-tine.While the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IBD is not fully under-stood,it is believed that a complex combination of host immu...Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory illness of the intes-tine.While the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IBD is not fully under-stood,it is believed that a complex combination of host immunological response,environmental exposure,particularly the gut microbiota,and genetic suscept-ibility represents the major determinants.The gut virome is a group of viruses found in great frequency in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.The gut virome varies greatly among individuals and is influenced by factors including lifestyle,diet,health and disease conditions,geography,and urbanization.The majority of research has focused on the significance of gut bacteria in the progression of IBD,although viral populations represent an important component of the microbiome.We conducted this review to highlight the viral communities in the gut and their expected roles in the etiopathogenesis of IBD regarding published research to date.展开更多
BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease.Early diagnosis is essential,but no single marker of infection has been identified.Sepsis activates a coagulation cascade with simultaneous production of the D-...BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease.Early diagnosis is essential,but no single marker of infection has been identified.Sepsis activates a coagulation cascade with simultaneous production of the D-dimers due to lysis of fibrin.Ddimer test reflects the activation of the coagulation system.AIM To assess the D-dimer plasma level,elaborating its clinicopathological value in neonates with early-onset and late-onset neonatal sepsis.METHODS The study was a prospective cross-sectional study that included ninety neonates;divided into three groups:Group I:Early-onset sepsis(EOS);Group II:Late-onset sepsis(LOS);and GroupⅢ:Control group.We diagnosed neonatal sepsis according to our protocol.C-reactive protein(CRP)and D-dimer assays were compared between EOS and LOS and correlated to the causative microbiological agents.RESULTS D-dimer was significantly higher in septic groups with a considerably higher number of cases with positive D-dimer.Neonates with LOS had substantially higher levels of D-dimer than EOS,with no significant differences in CRP.Neonates with LOS had a significantly longer hospitalization duration and higher gram-negative bacteriemia and mortality rates than EOS(P<0.01).Gramnegative bacteria have the highest D-dimer levels(Acinetobacter,Klebsiella,and Pseudomonas)and CRP(Serratia,Klebsiella,and Pseudomonas);while gram-positive sepsis was associated with relatively lower levels.D-dimer had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and platelet count;and a significant positive correlation with CRP,hospitalization duration,and mortality rates.The best-suggested cut-off point for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis was 0.75 mg/L,giving a sensitivity of 72.7%and specificity of 86.7%.The D-dimer assay has specificity and sensitivity comparable to CRP in the current study.CONCLUSION The current study revealed a significant diagnostic value for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis.D-dimer can be used as an adjunct to other sepsis markers to increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing ne展开更多
Image segmentation is one of the most basic tasks in computer vision and remains an initial step of many applications. In this paper, we focus on interactive image segmentation(IIS), often referred to as foreground–b...Image segmentation is one of the most basic tasks in computer vision and remains an initial step of many applications. In this paper, we focus on interactive image segmentation(IIS), often referred to as foreground–background separation or object extraction, guided by user interaction. We provide an overview of the IIS literature by covering more than 150 publications, especially recent works that have not been surveyed before. Moreover, we try to give a comprehensive classification of them according to different viewpoints and present a general and concise comparison of the most recent published works. Furthermore, we survey widely used datasets,evaluation metrics, and available resources in the field of IIS.展开更多
Glasses and glass ceramics in the system xCeO<sub>2·</sub>(50 - x)PbO·50B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (0 ≤ x ≤ 50) have been studied, for the first time, by NMR a...Glasses and glass ceramics in the system xCeO<sub>2·</sub>(50 - x)PbO·50B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (0 ≤ x ≤ 50) have been studied, for the first time, by NMR and FTIR techniques. Effect of CeO<sub>2</sub> substitution with PbO on NMR parameters has been discussed in terms of changing both boron and cerium coordination. The quantitative fraction of four coordinated boron (N<sub>4</sub>) has been simply determined from <sup>11</sup>B NMR spectroscopy. On the other hand, the fraction of total tetrahedral structural units B<sub>4</sub> (BO<sub>4</sub> + PbO<sub>4</sub> + CeO<sub>4</sub>) is obtained from FTIR spectral analysis. It is not possible to get the fraction of cerium oxide directly from the applied spectroscopic tools. Therefore, a simple approach is applied, for the first time, to determine CeO<sub>4</sub> fraction by using the different criteria of both <sup>11</sup>B NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The fraction of B<sub>4</sub> species is equal to N<sub>4</sub>, within the experimental error, of the same glasses in the composition region of up to 10 mol% CeO<sub>2</sub>. On the other hand, there is a clear difference between both N<sub>4</sub> and B<sub>4</sub> values in glasses of higher CeO<sub>2 </sub>content (>10 mol%). The related difference showed a linear increasing trend with increasing the content of CeO<sub>2</sub> in the glass. This was discussed on the bases of structural role of CeO<sub>2</sub> which acts as a glass former in the region >10 mol%, while, at lower concentration, it consumed as a glass modifier.展开更多
Background： Adult mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats,...Background： Adult mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats and human beings. The MSCs isolated from adult tissues vary in their morphological and functional properties. These variations are further complicated when cells are expanded by passaging in culture. These differences and changes in MSCs must be considered prior to their application in the clinic or in a basic research study. Goats are commonly used as animal models for bone tissue engineering to test the potential of stem cells for bone regeneration. As a result, goat MSCs isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue should be evaluated using in vitro assays, prior to their application in a tissue engineering project. Results： In this study, we compared the stem cell properties of MSCs isolated from goat bone marrow and adipose tissue. We used quantitative and qualitative assays with a focus on osteogenesis, including, colony forming unit, rate of cell proliferation, tri-lineage differentiation and expression profiling of key signal transduction proteins to compare MSCs from low and high passages. Primary cultures generated from each source displayed the stem cell characteristics, with variations in their osteogenic potentials. Most importantly, low passaged bone marrow MSCs displayed a significantly higher and superior osteogenic potential, and hence, will be the preferred choice for bone tissue engineering in future in vivo experiments. In the bone marrow MSCs, this process is potentially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. On the other hand, osteogenic differentiation in the adipose tissue MSCs may involve the p44/42 MAPK pathway. Conclusions： Based on these data, we can conclude that bone marrow and fat-derived MSCs undergo osteogenesis via two distinct signaling pathways. Even though the bone marrow MSCs are the preferred source for bone tissue engineering, the adipose展开更多
Background:Fever of unknown origin(FUO)in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.Methods:A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO...Background:Fever of unknown origin(FUO)in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.Methods:A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries(LMIC)and lowincome countries(LIC)was conducted between January 1,2018 and January 1,2023.In total,15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data,which were collected through the Infectious DiseasesInternational Research Initiative platform.Only adult patients with confirmed infection as the cause of FUO were included in the study.The severity parameters were quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(qSOFA)≥2,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,vasopressor use,and invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV).Results:A total of 160 patients with infectious FUO were included in the study.Overall,148(92.5%)patients had community-acquired infections and 12(7.5%)had hospital-acquired infections.The most common infectious syndromes were tuberculosis(TB)(n=27,16.9%),infective endocarditis(n=25,15.6%),malaria(n=21,13.1%),brucellosis(n=15,9.4%),and typhoid fever(n=9,5.6%).Plasmodium falciparum,Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Brucellae,Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella typhi,and Rickettsiae were the leading infectious agents in this study.A total of 56(35.0%)cases had invasive procedures for diagnosis.The mean qSOFA score was 0.76±0.94{median(interquartile range[IQR]):0(0–1)}.ICU admission(n=26,16.2%),vasopressor use(n=14,8.8%),and IMV(n=10,6.3%)were not rare.Overall,38(23.8%)patients had at least one of the severity parameters.The mortality rate was 15(9.4%),and the mortality was attributable to the infection causing FUO in 12(7.5%)patients.Conclusions:In LMIC and LIC,tuberculosis and cardiac infections were the most severe and the leading infections causing FUO.展开更多
This paper describes the analysis and design of an assistive device for elderly people under development at the EgyptJapan University of Science and Technology（E-JUST） named E-JUST assistive device（EJAD）.Several e...This paper describes the analysis and design of an assistive device for elderly people under development at the EgyptJapan University of Science and Technology（E-JUST） named E-JUST assistive device（EJAD）.Several experiments were carried out using a motion capture system（VICON） and inertial sensors to identify the human posture during the sit-to-stand motion.The EJAD uses only two inertial measurement units（IMUs） fused through an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems（ANFIS） algorithm to imitate the real motion of the caregiver.The EJAD consists of two main parts,a robot arm and an active walker.The robot arm is a 2-degree-of-freedom（2-DOF） planar manipulator.In addition,a back support with a passive joint is used to support the patient s back.The IMUs on the leg and trunk of the patient are used to compensate for and adapt to the EJAD system motion depending on the obtained patient posture.The ANFIS algorithm is used to train the fuzzy system that converts the IMUs signals to the right posture of the patient.A control scheme is proposed to control the system motion based on practical measurements taken from the experiments.A computer simulation showed a relatively good performance of the EJAD in assisting the patient.展开更多
A lightweight flexible thermally stable composite is fabricated by com-bining silica nanofiber membranes(SNM)with MXene@c-MWCNT hybrid film.The flexible SNM with outstanding thermal insulation are prepared from tetrae...A lightweight flexible thermally stable composite is fabricated by com-bining silica nanofiber membranes(SNM)with MXene@c-MWCNT hybrid film.The flexible SNM with outstanding thermal insulation are prepared from tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis and condensation by electrospinning and high-temperature calcination;the MXene@c-MWCNT_(x:y)films are prepared by vacuum filtration tech-nology.In particular,the SNM and MXene@c-MWCNT_(6:4)as one unit layer(SMC_(1))are bonded together with 5 wt%polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)solution,which exhibits low thermal conductivity(0.066 W m^(-1)K^(-1))and good electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding performance(average EMI SE_(T),37.8 dB).With the increase in func-tional unit layer,the overall thermal insulation performance of the whole composite film(SMC_(x))remains stable,and EMI shielding performance is greatly improved,especially for SMC_(3)with three unit layers,the average EMI SET is as high as 55.4 dB.In addition,the organic combination of rigid SNM and tough MXene@c-MWCNT_(6:4)makes SMC_(x)exhibit good mechanical tensile strength.Importantly,SMC_(x)exhibit stable EMI shielding and excellent thermal insulation even in extreme heat and cold environment.Therefore,this work provides a novel design idea and important reference value for EMI shielding and thermal insulation components used in extreme environmental protection equipment in the future.展开更多
The structure of borosilicate glasses of composition 30Na<sub>2</sub>O-2Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-25SiO<sub>2</sub>-xFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>...The structure of borosilicate glasses of composition 30Na<sub>2</sub>O-2Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-25SiO<sub>2</sub>-xFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub><sub></sub> (43-x) B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> has been investigated in the composition range of 0.5 20 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. <sup>27</sup>Al, <sup>11</sup>B, <sup>29 </sup>Si MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopies have been used to measure the fraction of different structural species in the glasses. It is evidenced from NMR data that both sodium and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (in low region up to 7 mol%) are the main glass modifier. Structural determination for borosilicate glasses with a high content of (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy, where both <sup>11</sup>B and <sup>29</sup>Si MAS NMR are impossible because of the high quantities of paramagnetic iron (III) species present. NMR analysis was performed on borosilicate glasses containing up to 7 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and the N<sub>4</sub> values obtained by FTIR spectroscopy agree within error with the <sup>11</sup>B NMR results of the same glass samples. Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> is a main glass modifier in the low-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-content region (≤6 mol%). On other hand, it plays the role of glass former at higher content of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Increasing both N<sub>4 </sub>of boron tetrahedral units and chemical shift of silicon nuclei to reach maxima at 5 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> confirms the role of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> as a glass modifier in the low composition region. On the other hand, fast decrease in N<sub>4</sub> with further increasing Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> contents ≥6 mol%) is an evidence for iron oxide to inter the glass network as a network former.展开更多
文摘In k-means clustering, we are given a set of n data points in d-dimensional space R^d and an integer k and the problem is to determine a set of k points in R^d, called centers, so as to minimize the mean squared distance from each data point to its nearest center. In this paper, we present a simple and efficient clustering algorithm based on the k-means algorithm, which we call enhanced k-means algorithm. This algorithm is easy to implement, requiring a simple data structure to keep some information in each iteration to be used in the next iteration. Our experimental results demonstrated that our scheme can improve the computational speed of the k-means algorithm by the magnitude in the total number of distance calculations and the overall time of computation.
文摘AIM: To study the results for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids using rubber band ligation (RBL) method. METHODS: A retrospective study for 750 patients who came to the colorectal unit from June, 1998 to September, 2006, data was retrieved from archived fi les. RBL was performed using the Mc Gown applicator on an outpatient basis. The patients were asked to return to out-patient clinic for follow up at 2 wk, 1 mo, 6 mo and through telephone call every 6 mo for 2 years). RESULTS: After RBL, 696 patients (92.8%) were cured with no difference in outcome for second or third degree hemorrhoids (P = 0.31). Symptomatic recurrence was detected in 11.04% after 2 years. A total of 52 patients (6.93%) had 77 complications from RBL which required no hospitalization. Complications were pain, rectal bleeding and vaso-vagal symptoms(4.13%, 4.13% and 1.33% of patients, respectively). At 1 mo there were a significant improvement in mean SF-36 scores over baseline in five items, while after 2 years there were improvement in all items over baseline, but not significant. No significant manometeric changes after band ligation. CONCLUSION: RBL is a simple, safe and effective method for treating symptomatic second and third degree hemorrhoids as an out patient procedure with signifi cant improvement in quality of life. RBL doesn't alter ano-rectal functions.
文摘Premature ejaculation(PE)is the most comm on male sexual dysfunction,which represents a diag no stic as well as a therapeutic challenge for physicians.However,no universally accepted definition is currently available for PE.As a result,physicians continue to diagnose patients with PE according to major guidelines set by the professional societies.These guidelines either recommend the use of validated questionnaires or patient-reported outcomes.Recent efforts directed toward classifying PE may help provide a better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of this disorder.While the exact etiology of PE has not been clearly elucidated,several risk factors have been strongly reported in the literature.Clearly,to understand the revised definition of PE,its etiology and pathophysiology is necessary to improve the clinical management of this medical condition and form the basis of future research in this regard.In this review,we highlight the past and current definitions of PE and present an appraisal on the classifications and theories suggested for the etiopathogenesis of PE.
文摘In the present research work on TC21 titanium alloy(6.5 Al-3 Mo-1.9 Nb-2.2 Sn-2.2 Zr-1.5 Cr), the effects of cold deformation, solution treatment with different cooling rates and then aging on microstructure, hardness and wear property were investigated. A cold deformation at room temperature with 15% reduction in height was applied on annealed samples. The samples were solution-treated at 920 ℃ for 15 min followed by different cooling rates of water quenching(WQ), air cooling(AC) and furnace cooling(FC) to room temperature. Finally, the samples were aged at 590 ℃ for 4 h. Secondary α-platelets precipitated in residual β-phase in the case of solution-treated samples with AC condition and aged ones. The maximum hardness of HV 470 was obtained for WQ + aging condition due to the presence of high amount of residual β-matrix(69%), while the minimum hardness of HV 328 was reported for FC condition. Aging process after solution treatment can considerably enhance the wear property and this enhancement can reach up to about 122% by applying aging after WQ compared with the annealed samples.
基金Supported by The National Cancer Institute Grant,No.R25CA112383 (to Veruttipong D and Gilbert SF)the University of Michigan Center for Global Health
文摘AIM:To describe the clinical and epidemiologic profiles of the disease and to compare the findings with those generated from the previous hospital-based studies.METHODS:The Gharbiah cancer registry is the only population-based cancer registry in Egypt since 1998.We analyzed the data of all colorectal cancer patients included in the registry for the period of 1999-2007.All medical records of the 1364 patients diagnosed in Gharbiah during the study period were retrieved and the following information abstracted:age,residence,diagnosis date,grade,stage,topology,clinical characteristics,and histology variables.Egyptian census data for 1996 and 2006 were used to provide the general population's statistics on age,sex,residence and other related demographic factors.In addition to age-and sex-specific incidence rate analyses,we analyze the data to explore the incidence distribution by rural-urban differences among the 8 districts of the province.We also compared the incidence rates of Gharbiah to the rates of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results(SEER) data of the United States.RESULTS:Over the 9 year-period,1364 colorectal cancer cases were included.The disease incidence under age 40 years was relatively high(1.3/10 5) while the incidence in the age groups 40 and over was very low(12.0/10 5,19.4/10 5 and 21.2/10 5 in the age groups 40-59 years,60-69 years and > 70 years,respectively).The vast majority of tumors(97.2%) had no polyps and 37.2% of the patients presented with primary lesions in the rectum.Colorectal cancer was more common in patients from urban(55%) than rural(45%) areas.Regional differences in colon and rectal cancer incidence in the 8 districts of the study province may reflect different etiologic patterns in this population.The registry data of Egypt shows a slightly higher incidence of colorectal cancer than the United States in subjects under age 40 years.The results also shows significantly lower incidence of colorectal cancer in subjects over age 40 years compared to the same age group in the
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31772529)the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFE0107100)the Priority of Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD 4013000011).
文摘The rapid expansion of both the global economy and the human population has led to a shortage of water resources suitable for direct human consumption.As a result,water remediation will inexorably become the primary focus on a global scale.Microalgae can be grown in various types of wastewaters(WW).They have a high potential to remove contaminants from the effluents of industries and urban areas.This review focuses on recent advances on WW remediation through microalgae cultivation.Attention has already been paid to microalgae-based wastewater treatment(WWT)due to its low energy requirements,the strong ability of microalgae to thrive under diverse environmental conditions,and the potential to transform WW nutrients into high-value compounds.It turned out that microalgae-based WWT is an economical and sustainable solution.Moreover,different types of toxins are removed by microalgae through biosorption,bioaccumulation,and biodegradation processes.Examples are toxins from agricultural runoffs and textile and pharmaceutical industrial effluents.Microalgae have the potential to mitigate carbon dioxide and make use of the micronutrients that are present in the effluents.This review paper highlights the application of microalgae in WW remediation and the remediation of diverse types of pollutants commonly present in WW through different mechanisms,simultaneous resource recovery,and efficient microalgae-based co-culturing systems along with bottlenecks and prospects.
文摘Development of a novel in vivo lung perfusion(IVLP)procedure allows localized delivery of high-dose doxorubicin(DOX)for targeting residual micrometastatic disease in the lungs.However,DOX delivery via IVLP requires careful monitoring of drug level to ensure tissue concentrations of this agent remain in the therapeutic window.A small dimension nitinol wire coated with a sorbent of biocompatible morphology(Bio-SPME)has been clinically evaluated for in vivo lung tissue extraction and determination of DOX and its key metabolites.The in vivo Bio-SPME-IVLP experiments were performed on pig model over various(150 and 225 mg/m^(2))drug doses,and during human clinical trial.Two patients with metastatic osteosarcoma were treated with a single 5 and 7 μg/mL(respectively)dose of DOX during a 3-h IVLP.In both pig and human cases,DOX tissue levels presented similar trends during IVLP.Human lung tissue concentrations of drug ranged between 15 and 293 μg/g over the course of the IVLP procedure.In addition to DOX levels,Bio-SPME followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis generated 64 metabolic features during endogenous metabolite screening,providing information about lung status during drug administration.Real-time monitoring of DOX levels in the lungs can be performed effectively throughout the IVLP procedure by in vivo Bio-SPME chemical biopsy approach.Bio-SPME also extracted various endogenous molecules,thus providing a real-time snapshot of the physiology of the cells,which might assist in the tailoring of personalized treatment strategy.
文摘Software delivery is vital for modern organizations, driving innovation and competitiveness. Measuring an organization’s maturity in software delivery is crucial for efficiency and quality. The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) framework provides a roadmap for improvement but assessing an organization’s CMM Level is challenging. This paper offers a quantitative approach tailored to the CMM framework, using Goal-Question-Metric (GQM) frame-works for each key process area (KPA). These frameworks include metrics and questions to compute maturity scores effectively. The study also refines practices into questions for a thorough assessment. The result is an Analysis Matrix that calculates weighted scores and an overall maturity score. This approach helps organizations assess and enhance their software delivery processes systematically, aiming for improved practices and growth.
文摘Background: The most frequent spinal fracture is the thoracolumbar fracture. Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation of cases having thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological impairments has remained controversial. The advantages of minimally invasive percutaneous fixation are decreasing muscle and soft tissue injury, decreasing blood loss and infection rate, in addition to shortening hospital stay and recovery times. In comparison to the open technique, percutaneous fixation is adequate for treating thoracolumbar (TL) fractures without causing neurological impairments & with satisfactory outcomes in terms of kyphosis decline. Elevated radiation exposure to the surgeon &the patient, lack of decompression and fusion via bone graft, & a steep learning curve are all disadvantages of percutaneous fixation of vertebral fractures. Methods: This study was retrospectively conducted on forty-eight patients, age ranging from 16 to 65 years old, with a thoracolumbar (TL) fracture without causing neurological impairments who were meeting the eligibility criteria for fixation in the period from July 2019 to January 2024. Results: We included the forty-eight patients who met the inclusion criteria (34 males and 14 females) their ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. The most common pathology was L1 fracture in 38 patients. No major complications were experienced, only wound infection in five patients which was treated efficiently with repeated dressings and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Four patients experienced misdirected screws, only in one patient the screw encroach into the spinal canal with no deficit experienced, while the other three showed minimally laterally deviated screws. Conclusion: The advantages of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in thoracolumbar fractures through preservation of posterior musculature, are less blood loss, shorter operative time, lower infection risk, less post-operative pain, shorter rehabilitation time as well as a shorter hospital stay. Limitations of percutaneous fixation include
文摘Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic inflammatory illness of the intes-tine.While the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IBD is not fully under-stood,it is believed that a complex combination of host immunological response,environmental exposure,particularly the gut microbiota,and genetic suscept-ibility represents the major determinants.The gut virome is a group of viruses found in great frequency in the gastrointestinal tract of humans.The gut virome varies greatly among individuals and is influenced by factors including lifestyle,diet,health and disease conditions,geography,and urbanization.The majority of research has focused on the significance of gut bacteria in the progression of IBD,although viral populations represent an important component of the microbiome.We conducted this review to highlight the viral communities in the gut and their expected roles in the etiopathogenesis of IBD regarding published research to date.
文摘BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening disease.Early diagnosis is essential,but no single marker of infection has been identified.Sepsis activates a coagulation cascade with simultaneous production of the D-dimers due to lysis of fibrin.Ddimer test reflects the activation of the coagulation system.AIM To assess the D-dimer plasma level,elaborating its clinicopathological value in neonates with early-onset and late-onset neonatal sepsis.METHODS The study was a prospective cross-sectional study that included ninety neonates;divided into three groups:Group I:Early-onset sepsis(EOS);Group II:Late-onset sepsis(LOS);and GroupⅢ:Control group.We diagnosed neonatal sepsis according to our protocol.C-reactive protein(CRP)and D-dimer assays were compared between EOS and LOS and correlated to the causative microbiological agents.RESULTS D-dimer was significantly higher in septic groups with a considerably higher number of cases with positive D-dimer.Neonates with LOS had substantially higher levels of D-dimer than EOS,with no significant differences in CRP.Neonates with LOS had a significantly longer hospitalization duration and higher gram-negative bacteriemia and mortality rates than EOS(P<0.01).Gramnegative bacteria have the highest D-dimer levels(Acinetobacter,Klebsiella,and Pseudomonas)and CRP(Serratia,Klebsiella,and Pseudomonas);while gram-positive sepsis was associated with relatively lower levels.D-dimer had a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin level and platelet count;and a significant positive correlation with CRP,hospitalization duration,and mortality rates.The best-suggested cut-off point for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis was 0.75 mg/L,giving a sensitivity of 72.7%and specificity of 86.7%.The D-dimer assay has specificity and sensitivity comparable to CRP in the current study.CONCLUSION The current study revealed a significant diagnostic value for D-dimer in neonatal sepsis.D-dimer can be used as an adjunct to other sepsis markers to increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing ne
文摘Image segmentation is one of the most basic tasks in computer vision and remains an initial step of many applications. In this paper, we focus on interactive image segmentation(IIS), often referred to as foreground–background separation or object extraction, guided by user interaction. We provide an overview of the IIS literature by covering more than 150 publications, especially recent works that have not been surveyed before. Moreover, we try to give a comprehensive classification of them according to different viewpoints and present a general and concise comparison of the most recent published works. Furthermore, we survey widely used datasets,evaluation metrics, and available resources in the field of IIS.
文摘Glasses and glass ceramics in the system xCeO<sub>2·</sub>(50 - x)PbO·50B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (0 ≤ x ≤ 50) have been studied, for the first time, by NMR and FTIR techniques. Effect of CeO<sub>2</sub> substitution with PbO on NMR parameters has been discussed in terms of changing both boron and cerium coordination. The quantitative fraction of four coordinated boron (N<sub>4</sub>) has been simply determined from <sup>11</sup>B NMR spectroscopy. On the other hand, the fraction of total tetrahedral structural units B<sub>4</sub> (BO<sub>4</sub> + PbO<sub>4</sub> + CeO<sub>4</sub>) is obtained from FTIR spectral analysis. It is not possible to get the fraction of cerium oxide directly from the applied spectroscopic tools. Therefore, a simple approach is applied, for the first time, to determine CeO<sub>4</sub> fraction by using the different criteria of both <sup>11</sup>B NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The fraction of B<sub>4</sub> species is equal to N<sub>4</sub>, within the experimental error, of the same glasses in the composition region of up to 10 mol% CeO<sub>2</sub>. On the other hand, there is a clear difference between both N<sub>4</sub> and B<sub>4</sub> values in glasses of higher CeO<sub>2 </sub>content (>10 mol%). The related difference showed a linear increasing trend with increasing the content of CeO<sub>2</sub> in the glass. This was discussed on the bases of structural role of CeO<sub>2</sub> which acts as a glass former in the region >10 mol%, while, at lower concentration, it consumed as a glass modifier.
基金supported by the Egyptian Education and Cultural Bureau and the Center of Excellence in Livestock Diseases and Human Health
文摘Background： Adult mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats and human beings. The MSCs isolated from adult tissues vary in their morphological and functional properties. These variations are further complicated when cells are expanded by passaging in culture. These differences and changes in MSCs must be considered prior to their application in the clinic or in a basic research study. Goats are commonly used as animal models for bone tissue engineering to test the potential of stem cells for bone regeneration. As a result, goat MSCs isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue should be evaluated using in vitro assays, prior to their application in a tissue engineering project. Results： In this study, we compared the stem cell properties of MSCs isolated from goat bone marrow and adipose tissue. We used quantitative and qualitative assays with a focus on osteogenesis, including, colony forming unit, rate of cell proliferation, tri-lineage differentiation and expression profiling of key signal transduction proteins to compare MSCs from low and high passages. Primary cultures generated from each source displayed the stem cell characteristics, with variations in their osteogenic potentials. Most importantly, low passaged bone marrow MSCs displayed a significantly higher and superior osteogenic potential, and hence, will be the preferred choice for bone tissue engineering in future in vivo experiments. In the bone marrow MSCs, this process is potentially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. On the other hand, osteogenic differentiation in the adipose tissue MSCs may involve the p44/42 MAPK pathway. Conclusions： Based on these data, we can conclude that bone marrow and fat-derived MSCs undergo osteogenesis via two distinct signaling pathways. Even though the bone marrow MSCs are the preferred source for bone tissue engineering, the adipose
文摘Background:Fever of unknown origin(FUO)in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.Methods:A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries(LMIC)and lowincome countries(LIC)was conducted between January 1,2018 and January 1,2023.In total,15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data,which were collected through the Infectious DiseasesInternational Research Initiative platform.Only adult patients with confirmed infection as the cause of FUO were included in the study.The severity parameters were quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(qSOFA)≥2,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,vasopressor use,and invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV).Results:A total of 160 patients with infectious FUO were included in the study.Overall,148(92.5%)patients had community-acquired infections and 12(7.5%)had hospital-acquired infections.The most common infectious syndromes were tuberculosis(TB)(n=27,16.9%),infective endocarditis(n=25,15.6%),malaria(n=21,13.1%),brucellosis(n=15,9.4%),and typhoid fever(n=9,5.6%).Plasmodium falciparum,Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Brucellae,Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella typhi,and Rickettsiae were the leading infectious agents in this study.A total of 56(35.0%)cases had invasive procedures for diagnosis.The mean qSOFA score was 0.76±0.94{median(interquartile range[IQR]):0(0–1)}.ICU admission(n=26,16.2%),vasopressor use(n=14,8.8%),and IMV(n=10,6.3%)were not rare.Overall,38(23.8%)patients had at least one of the severity parameters.The mortality rate was 15(9.4%),and the mortality was attributable to the infection causing FUO in 12(7.5%)patients.Conclusions:In LMIC and LIC,tuberculosis and cardiac infections were the most severe and the leading infections causing FUO.
基金supported in part by a scholarship provided by the Mission DepartmentMinistry of Higher Education of the Government of Egypt
文摘This paper describes the analysis and design of an assistive device for elderly people under development at the EgyptJapan University of Science and Technology（E-JUST） named E-JUST assistive device（EJAD）.Several experiments were carried out using a motion capture system（VICON） and inertial sensors to identify the human posture during the sit-to-stand motion.The EJAD uses only two inertial measurement units（IMUs） fused through an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems（ANFIS） algorithm to imitate the real motion of the caregiver.The EJAD consists of two main parts,a robot arm and an active walker.The robot arm is a 2-degree-of-freedom（2-DOF） planar manipulator.In addition,a back support with a passive joint is used to support the patient s back.The IMUs on the leg and trunk of the patient are used to compensate for and adapt to the EJAD system motion depending on the obtained patient posture.The ANFIS algorithm is used to train the fuzzy system that converts the IMUs signals to the right posture of the patient.A control scheme is proposed to control the system motion based on practical measurements taken from the experiments.A computer simulation showed a relatively good performance of the EJAD in assisting the patient.
基金the China Scholarship Council(2021)the Deanship of Scientific Research at Northern Border University,Arar,KSA for funding this research work through the project number“NBU-FPEJ-2024-249-03”.
文摘A lightweight flexible thermally stable composite is fabricated by com-bining silica nanofiber membranes(SNM)with MXene@c-MWCNT hybrid film.The flexible SNM with outstanding thermal insulation are prepared from tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis and condensation by electrospinning and high-temperature calcination;the MXene@c-MWCNT_(x:y)films are prepared by vacuum filtration tech-nology.In particular,the SNM and MXene@c-MWCNT_(6:4)as one unit layer(SMC_(1))are bonded together with 5 wt%polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)solution,which exhibits low thermal conductivity(0.066 W m^(-1)K^(-1))and good electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding performance(average EMI SE_(T),37.8 dB).With the increase in func-tional unit layer,the overall thermal insulation performance of the whole composite film(SMC_(x))remains stable,and EMI shielding performance is greatly improved,especially for SMC_(3)with three unit layers,the average EMI SET is as high as 55.4 dB.In addition,the organic combination of rigid SNM and tough MXene@c-MWCNT_(6:4)makes SMC_(x)exhibit good mechanical tensile strength.Importantly,SMC_(x)exhibit stable EMI shielding and excellent thermal insulation even in extreme heat and cold environment.Therefore,this work provides a novel design idea and important reference value for EMI shielding and thermal insulation components used in extreme environmental protection equipment in the future.
文摘The structure of borosilicate glasses of composition 30Na<sub>2</sub>O-2Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-25SiO<sub>2</sub>-xFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub><sub></sub> (43-x) B<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> has been investigated in the composition range of 0.5 20 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. <sup>27</sup>Al, <sup>11</sup>B, <sup>29 </sup>Si MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopies have been used to measure the fraction of different structural species in the glasses. It is evidenced from NMR data that both sodium and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (in low region up to 7 mol%) are the main glass modifier. Structural determination for borosilicate glasses with a high content of (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy, where both <sup>11</sup>B and <sup>29</sup>Si MAS NMR are impossible because of the high quantities of paramagnetic iron (III) species present. NMR analysis was performed on borosilicate glasses containing up to 7 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and the N<sub>4</sub> values obtained by FTIR spectroscopy agree within error with the <sup>11</sup>B NMR results of the same glass samples. Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> is a main glass modifier in the low-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-content region (≤6 mol%). On other hand, it plays the role of glass former at higher content of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>. Increasing both N<sub>4 </sub>of boron tetrahedral units and chemical shift of silicon nuclei to reach maxima at 5 mol% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> confirms the role of Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> as a glass modifier in the low composition region. On the other hand, fast decrease in N<sub>4</sub> with further increasing Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> contents ≥6 mol%) is an evidence for iron oxide to inter the glass network as a network former.
