Virtual Black Holes from Generalized Uncertainty Principle and Proton Decay

We investigate the formation of virtual black holes in the context of generalized uncertainty principle (GUP), as a mediator for a proton decay process which is forbidden by the standard model. Then, we calculate the lower bounds of the GUP deformation parameter by the experimental bound on the half life of the proton.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure. Minor typos corrected. Published in EP

Proton Decay and the Quantum Structure of Spacetime

Virtual black holes in noncommutative spacetime are investigated using coordinate coherent state formalism such that the event horizon of black hole is manipulated by smearing it with a Gaussian of width $\sqrt \theta$, where $\theta$ is the noncommutativity parameter. Proton lifetime, the main associated phenomenology of the noncommutative virtual black holes, has been studied: first in $4$ dimensional spacetime and then generalized to $D$ dimensions. The lifetime depends on $\theta$ and the number of spacetime dimensions such that it emphasizes on the measurement of proton lifetime as a potential probe for the micro-structure of spacetime.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

COVID-19 awareness in Kuwaiti hospitals

As of 14th July 2020, 12,964,809 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) and 570,288 deaths had been reported globally. In Kuwait, the numbers stood at 55,508 confirmed cases and 393 deaths. The disease seems to be hitting hard on the country despite the measures that have been put in place. The current study sought to examine healthcare workers HCWs awareness and perceptions of coronavirus disease in Kuwait hospitals. A prospective study design was used to examine the development of the disease among 28 HCWs between mid-May and the start of June 2020. The primary findings were as follows; most of the study participants had attended lectures/ discussions on COVID-19, only few HCWs could identify the incubation period of the novel coronavirus. However, the majority could identify the most common symptoms of the disease as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and skin rashes. Most of the HCWs were aware that the virus transmitted through contact. A good number of the study participants also identified pneumonia, respiratory failure and death as complications associated with coronavirus disease. The study recommends running health education programs in Kuwait to promote knowledge on the coronavirus and help the HCWs develop positive attitudes and uphold important practices

Gynecological Disorders and the Management of Interventional Radiology

This study aimed at exploring the management of interventional radiology in gynecological disorders, by highlighting the importance of interventional radiology in treating a comprehensive range of obstetric and gynecological pathologies. The study concluded that laparotomy should be performed if the woman is not stable enough to wait for the embolization procedure or for completion of a difficult procedure. If the time permits, angiographic occlusion balloon catheters can be placed to temporarily occlude the hypogastric or common iliac arteries (or even in the aorta) while end route to the operating room or during the surgery

Medical and dental students' knowledge and perceptions about antimicrobial stewardship : a call for educational enhancement

Purpose: To explore the knowledge of antibiotics use and resistance among medical and dental students. Methods: A 26-item online questionnaire on antimicrobial prescribing was distributed to Medical and Dental students at eight universities from the period of July to August 2020. Results: Five hundred three students completed the questionnaire; The mean age was 22.15 ± 1.99 and 66.4% were female students. The majority (91.5%) of the students were from governmental universities and (73.4%) were from medical colleges. It was found that 87% of students were not familiar with and unaware of the term antimicrobial stewardship. Overall knowledge about antibiotics identified that 30 (6%) students had good knowledge while 402 (80%) students have fair knowledge. Around 91% of the students agreed that the inappropriate use of antibiotics causes antibiotic resistance and that a strong understanding and knowledge of antibiotics is essential in their careers. Conclusions: To control the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, future prescribers' education related to the appropriate use of antibiotics is important. Efforts must be undertaken to educate medical and dental students about the practices of the appropriate use of antibiotics and principles of antimicrobial stewardship

A Success Story in Controlling Sand and Dust Storms Hotspots in the Middle East

Using 30 years of satellite observations, two sand and dust storms (SDS) source locations (hotspots) were detected on the southern side of the Mesopotamian Flood Plain. Around 40 million people in the region are affected by the two hotspots, including populations in Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Emirates. Both hotspots encompass roughly 8212 km2 and contribute 11% to 85% in 2005 and 2021, respectively, of the total SDS in the region. Dust physical (particle surface area and size percentages) and chemical (mineralogy, major and trace elements, and radionuclides) properties show close similarities between source and downwind samples during SDS originated solely from the two hotspots. Deposited dust size particles show a finning trend towards the north in the Middle East compared to the south. A comprehensive assessment of the chemical and physical properties of soil and dust samples was conducted as an essential step in developing and implementing a mitigation plan in order to establish a success story in reducing SDS, improving air quality, and benefiting the gulf countries and neighboring regions

Psychogenetic, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in Candida auris: Role in drug resistance

In recent years, we are facing the challenge of drug resistance emergence in fungi. The availability of limited antifungals and development of multi-drug resistance in fungal pathogens has become a serious concern in the past years in the health sector. Although several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms have been proposed to explain the drug resistance mechanism in fungi, but a complete understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms is still lacking. Besides the genetic mechanism, epigenetic mechanisms are pivotal in the fungal lifecycle and disease biology. However, very little is understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in fungi, especially in Candida auris (C. auris). The current narrative review summaries the clinical characteristics, genomic organization, and molecular/genetic/epigenetic mechanisms underlying the emergence of drug resistance in C. auris. A very few studies have attempted to evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in C. auris. Furthermore, advanced genetic tools such as the CRISP-Cas9 system can be utilized to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms and their role in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in C. auris

Psychogenetic, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in Candida auris: Role in drug resistance

In recent years, we are facing the challenge of drug resistance emergence in fungi. The availability of limited antifungals and development of multi-drug resistance in fungal pathogens has become a serious concern in the past years in the health sector. Although several cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms have been proposed to explain the drug resistance mechanism in fungi, but a complete understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms is still lacking. Besides the genetic mechanism, epigenetic mechanisms are pivotal in the fungal lifecycle and disease biology. However, very little is understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in fungi, especially in Candida auris (C. auris). The current narrative review summaries the clinical characteristics, genomic organization, and molecular/genetic/epigenetic mechanisms underlying the emergence of drug resistance in C. auris. A very few studies have attempted to evaluate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in C. auris. Furthermore, advanced genetic tools such as the CRISP-Cas9 system can be utilized to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms and their role in the emergence of multi-drug resistance in C. auris

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population