Fast and robust estimation of the multivariate errors in variables model.

In the multivariate errors in variable models one wishes to retrieve a linear relationship of the form y = ß x + a, where both x and y can be multivariate. The variables y and x are not directly measurable, but observed with measurement error. The classical approach to estimate the multivariate errors in variable model is based on an eigenvector analysis of the joint covariance matrix of the observations. In this paper a projection-pursuit approach is proposed to estimate the unknown parameters. Focus is on projection indices based on half-samples. These will lead to robust estimators, which can be computed using fast algorithms. Consistency of the procedure is shown, without needing to make distributional assumptions on the x-variables. A simulation study gives insight in the robustness and the efficiency of the procedure.Algorithms; Consistency; Covariance; Efficiency; Errors in variables; Estimator; Matrix; Measurement; Model; Models; Multivariate statistics; Principal component analysis; Projection-pursuit; Robust estimation; Robustness; Simulation; Studies; Variables;

Training of Local Community Youth in Dahshur, Egypt, as Local Tour Guides and Heritage Guardians

In an attempt to shift the strategy in Egypt toward sustainable heritage tourism a project was designed aiming to (1) integrate the archaeological site with local natural and rural heritage resources, (2) increase local awareness, (3) engage local community in a scheme of heritage economic development, and (4) valorize of Dahshur as a special tourist destination. The pilot project was implemented in Dahshur, which is a part of the World Heritage Site-Memphis and its Necropolis.  The project included a training program for local tour guides who were introduced to (1) of how to become a tour guide, (2) Introduction to archaeological, natural, and rural resources of the area, and (3) the basic elements of cultural heritage management. Another program was devoted to enhance the awareness of local youths of the significance and values of the heritage resources in their vicinity, and to encourage them to take part in protecting and conserving heritage at risk from looting, neglect, and a transformation of local traditional dwellings. Without such programs, no measures for protecting Egyptian heritage, now in great danger, and promote sustainable tourism will succeed given that local communities are at present marginalized and excluded from the management of Egyptian heritage resources.Dans une tentative de modifier l’approche du tourisme durable du patrimoine en Egypte, un projet a été conçu visant à (1) intégrer le site archéologique avec les ressources du patrimoine naturel et rural au niveau local, (2) augmenter la sensibilisation locale, (3) engager la communauté locale dans un régime de développement économique du patrimoine, et (4) valoriser le Dahshour comme une destination touristique particulière. Le projet pilote a été mis en œuvre au Dahchour, qui est une partie du site du patrimoine mondial Memphis et sa nécropole. Le projet comprenait un programme de formation pour les guides locaux qui ont été introduits à (1) la formation de guide touristique, (2) introduction aux ressources archéologiques, naturels et rurales de la région, et (3) les éléments de base de la culture la gestion du patrimoine. Un autre programme a été consacré à améliorer la prise de conscience des jeunes de la région autour de signification et des valeurs des ressources patrimoniales dans leur voisinage, et de les encourager à participer à la protection et la conservation du patrimoine aux risques de pillage, de négligence, et à la transformation des logements traditionnels locaux. Sans ces programmes, il ne saurait y avoir de mesures de protection du patrimoine égyptien, lequel est maintenant en grand danger ; et promouvoir le tourisme durable serait un succès étant donné que les communautés locales sont actuellement marginalisées et exclues de la gestion des ressources du patrimoine égyptien.مدير برنامج إدارة التراث الثقافي , الجامعة الفرنسية في مصر . في محاولة لتغيير الإستراتيجية في مصر نحو السياحة التراثية المستدامة تم تصميم مشروع يهدف إلى (1) دمج الموقع الأثري مع الموارد الطبيعية المحلية والتراث الريفي , (2) زيادة الوعي المحلي , (3) إشراك المجتمع المحلي في خطة تطوير التراث الاقتصادي و (4) تنمية دهشور كوجهة سياحية خاصة . تم تنفيذ المشروع التجريبي في دهشور والتي هي جزء من مواقع التراث العالمي –ممفيس و مقابرها . تضمن المشروع برنامج تدريبي للمرشدين السياحيين المحليين الذين تم تقديمهم إلى (1) كيف تصبح مرشدا سياحيا (2) مقدمة إلى المصادر الأثرية الطبيعية والريفية في المنطقة و (3) العناصر الأساسية لإدارة التراث الثقافي. و قد تم تخصيص برنامج أخر لتعزيز وعي الشباب المحلي لأهمية وقيم الموارد المحلية في المناطق المجاورة لهم وتشجيهم على المشاركة في الحماية والحفاظ على التراث من خطر النهب و الإهمال والتحويل إلى مساكن تقليدية محلية. بدون مثل هذه البرامج , أية تدابير لحماية التراث المصري , والذي هو الآن في خطر كبير , وتشجيع السياحة المستدامة , سوف لن تنجح نظرا إلى أن المجتمعات المحلية هي في الوقت الحاضر المهشمة والمستبعدة من إدارة الموارد الثقافية المصرية

Immunohistochemical Expression of MMR Proteins with Clinicopathological Correlation in Colorectal Cancer in Egypt

BACKGROUND: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is the genetic pathway underlying 15% of sporadic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and hereditary non-polyposis CRC. MSI-H CRC has a distinct clinicopathological characteristic including excess mucin and signet ring component, proximal colon, Crohn’s like reaction, lymphocytic infiltration, and better survival. AIM: This research aims to screen Egyptian CRC patients for MSI status by IHC testing of expression of the MMR proteins in correlation to its clinicopathological features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry study for mismatch repair proteins (MMR) was done on 115 cases of CRC. Their expressions were assessed and correlated to clinicopathological parameters in an attempt to obtain the most significant predictors of MSI. RESULTS: MSI (low and high) represents 67% of the study cases. The most frequent expression pattern was combined loss of MLH, and PMS2 (38% of MSI) followed by a combined loss of MSH2, and MSH6 (29% of MSI). There was significant correlation of expression pattern of MMR proteins with the laterality, lymphovascular emboli, perineural invasion, grade, T stage, N stage, signet ring component, tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, and peritumoral lesion (0.014, 0.035, 0.012, 0.033, 0.013, 0.000, 0.041, 0.012, and 0.009 respectively). Proximal location (right sided) and lower grade, higher nodal stage, and marked TIL were selected as predictors of MS-H CRC (0.005, 0.031, 0.025, and 0.000 respectively). CONCLUSION: All clinicopathological and histological parameters should be assessed in CRC for the sake of predicting MSI. The optimal approach to MSI evaluation is (IHC) assessment of MMR proteins

The first case series of malaria overlapped with COVID-19 in Iran

Introduction: Although indigenous malaria cases have dramatically declined over the past decades, the COVID pandemic has continued to affect the programs designed to combat malaria, particularly in those countries where hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have been used as medications for treating COVID. Two immigrants entered Iran illegally from neighboring countries (i.e., Afghanistan and Pakistan). This study mainly aimed to assess the effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on these cases from all aspects (i.e., case-finding, diagnosis, and treatment). Case Presentation: Both cases presented with common symptoms such as fever and shaking chills. In addition, they had no sign of COVID-19, and their oxygen level and CT images were normal in some cases, but they were mistakenly treated as COVID-19 patients long after the onset of malaria symptoms. One of the suspected coronavirus cases was given chloroquine on a voluntary basis for one day, which may have been responsible for the possible relapse in vivax or resistance of plasmodium vivax to chloroquine and the recurrence of parasitemia in falciparum. Conclusions: The active case detection of malaria was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Case finding was dramatically decreased with the onset of coronavirus, thereby causing a spurt in malaria incidence. Moreover, the malaria treatment strategy was negatively affected by the misdiagnosis of COVID-19

Efficient MDS Diffusion Layers Through Decomposition of Matrices

Diffusion layers are critical components of symmetric ciphers. MDS matrices are diffusion layers of maximal branch number which have been used in various symmetric ciphers. In this article, we examine decomposition of cyclic matrices from mathematical viewpoint and based on that, we present new cyclic MDS matrices. From the aspect of implementation, the proposed matrices have lower implementation costs both in software and hardware, compared to what is presented in cryptographic literature, up to our knowledge

A simple and convenient high yielding synthesis of substituted isoindolines

Trifluoroacetic anhydride-induced dehydration of substituted 2-(pivaloylaminomethyl)phenyl- and 2-(dimethylaminocarbonylmethyl)phenylmethanols gives the corresponding isoindolines in excellent yields when there are aryl substituents at the methanol carbon atom

The Potential Association between the Risk of Post-Surgical Adhesion and the Activated Local Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors: Need for Novel Treatment Strategies

Background: Post-surgical adhesion bands (PSABs) are a common complication after abdominal or pelvic surgeries for different reasons like cancer treatment. Despite improvements in surgical techniques and the administration of drugs or the use of physical barriers, there has only been limited improvement in the frequency of postoperative adhesions. Complications of PSAB are pain, infertility, intestinal obstruction, and increased mortality. The most important molecular mechanisms for the development of PSAB are inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and overexpression of pro-fibrotic molecules such as transforming growth factor beta. However, questions remain about the pathogenesis of this problem, for example, the causes for individual differences or why certain tissue sites are more prone to post-surgical adhesions. Summary: Addressing the pathological causes of PSAB, the potential role of local angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AngII/AT1R), may help to prevent this problem. Key Message: The objective of this article was to explore the role of the AngII/AT1R axis potential to induce PSAB and the therapeutic potential of angiotensin receptor blockers in the prevention and treatment of PSAB