Urban Sprawl Impact on Agricultural Lands in Irbid City, Jordan

Urban sprawl on agricultural lands is considered as one of the major problems that agricultural sector can face, especially in Irbid city. Irbid city, which is located at the north of Jordan, is one of the most important provinces in Jordan for the fertility of its soil. Most of its lands have clay soil which is suitable for cultivation of several crops. Unfortunately, the scenario of urban sprawl is continuing randomly and the percentage of agricultural land continues to decrease. This research article focuses on the agricultural lands of Irbid city and its districts, and how urban constructions will affect their areas based on statistics along the years from 1995 to 2015. In order to provide a solution to agricultural area exhaustion in Irbid governorate, this article suggests allowing adding additional floors to the current allowed floors in order to encourage vertical construction expansion rather than horizontal one.This study presents a simulation study steps to figure out the relationships between the growth of construction areas and the decline of agricultural lands. These relationships can be computed by using statistical techniques of correlation and regression analysis. Based on this analysis and computation, we tested the suggested solution, of adding more floors on the current allowed number of floors, by measuring the appropriate number of allowed floors at the same building that will delay agricultural area blocking for each Irbid district.  The simulation results indicate when each district of Irbid city will be blocked before and after using the additional floors, and possible achieved delay for each district is computed. The model indicates that one alternative to reserve the agricultural lands in Irbid city for the coming 40 years is to allow buildings to grow up more than 4 floors. Therefore, this research encourages vertical construction expansion rather than horizontal one, for the coming buildings. Keywords: Agricultural lands, Construction Area, Distributive Function, Population, Simulation Process, Urban Sprawl

ARGUS: Context-Based Detection of Stealthy IoT Infiltration Attacks

IoT application domains, device diversity and connectivity are rapidly growing. IoT devices control various functions in smart homes and buildings, smart cities, and smart factories, making these devices an attractive target for attackers. On the other hand, the large variability of different application scenarios and inherent heterogeneity of devices make it very challenging to reliably detect abnormal IoT device behaviors and distinguish these from benign behaviors. Existing approaches for detecting attacks are mostly limited to attacks directly compromising individual IoT devices, or, require predefined detection policies. They cannot detect attacks that utilize the control plane of the IoT system to trigger actions in an unintended/malicious context, e.g., opening a smart lock while the smart home residents are absent. In this paper, we tackle this problem and propose ARGUS, the first self-learning intrusion detection system for detecting contextual attacks on IoT environments, in which the attacker maliciously invokes IoT device actions to reach its goals. ARGUS monitors the contextual setting based on the state and actions of IoT devices in the environment. An unsupervised Deep Neural Network (DNN) is used for modeling the typical contextual device behavior and detecting actions taking place in abnormal contextual settings. This unsupervised approach ensures that ARGUS is not restricted to detecting previously known attacks but is also able to detect new attacks. We evaluated ARGUS on heterogeneous real-world smart-home settings and achieve at least an F1-Score of 99.64% for each setup, with a false positive rate (FPR) of at most 0.03%.Comment: To appear in the 32nd USENIX Security Symposium, August 2022, Anaheim CA, US

Phenotypic Correlation and Path Coefficient and Relative Importance Studies in Okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.

The experiment was undertaken to study correlation and path coefficient and relatively importance to yield and its components traits in Okra. The experimental material consisted of six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) through two crosses, which were evaluated in Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Agriculture Scientific Center in Latakia during the summer of 2020. The result of phenotypic correlation revealed that yield per plant had positively significant correlation with fruit diameter (0.53), positively highly significant correlation with fruit weight (0.65), and negatively highly significant correlation with days for first flowering and days to 50% flowering (-0.56, -0.63), respectively in the first hybrid (Lathkani 6× Lathkani 10). In the second hybrid (Lathkani 7× Lathkani 9), yield per plant has exhibited positively and highly significant correlation with numbers of fruit per plant, numbers of flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight (0.95, 0.96, 0.76, 0.65, 0.64), respectively. The high positively direct effect on yield per plant was contributed by fruit weight followed by days to 50% flowering in the first hybrid. Numbers of fruits per plant had desirably direct effect on yield per plant in the second hybrid. Hence, direct selection based on these traits would result in simultaneous improvement of previously mentioned traits and yield in Okra

Phenotypic Correlation and Path Coefficient and Relative Importance Studies in Okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.

The experiment was undertaken to study correlation and path coefficient and relatively importance to yield and its components traits in Okra. The experimental material consisted of six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) through two crosses, which were evaluated in Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Agriculture Scientific Center in Latakia during the summer of 2020. The result of phenotypic correlation revealed that yield per plant had positively significant correlation with fruit diameter (0.53), positively highly significant correlation with fruit weight (0.65), and negatively highly significant correlation with days for first flowering and days to 50% flowering (-0.56, -0.63), respectively in the first hybrid (Lathkani 6× Lathkani 10). In the second hybrid (Lathkani 7× Lathkani 9), yield per plant has exhibited positively and highly significant correlation with numbers of fruit per plant, numbers of flowers per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight (0.95, 0.96, 0.76, 0.65, 0.64), respectively. The high positively direct effect on yield per plant was contributed by fruit weight followed by days to 50% flowering in the first hybrid. Numbers of fruits per plant had desirably direct effect on yield per plant in the second hybrid. Hence, direct selection based on these traits would result in simultaneous improvement of previously mentioned traits and yield in Okra

The Feeling level of psychological Security among Syrian Refugee Students in Ajloun Governorate Schools from their Viewpoint

This study aimed to identify the feeling level of psychological security among Syrian refugee students in Ajloun Governorate schools from their point of view, and to know the impact of the variables (gender, educational stage, and type of school) on their estimates of the feeling level of psychological security. The survey descriptive method was used, and A questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data to achieve the study goals, which randomly distributed to (425) Syrian refugee students. The results showed that the psychological security level of the study sample was high on the overall scale and all domains, the study also showed the presence of significant differences at the level of significance α = 0.05 in the estimates of the individuals of the study for the feeling level of psychological security due to the (gender (variable, in favor females. And the absence of significant differences due to the variables (educational stage, type of school). Regarding the results the results of the study, the researchers recommended several recommendations, the most important of them are: Working to reassure students towards their academic future and urging them to participate others on their various occasions

SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein enhances the oncolytic activity of the vesicular stomatitis virus

Despite recent advances in the research on oncolytic viruses (OVs), a better understanding of how to enhance their replication is key to improving their therapeutic index. Understanding viral replication is important to improve treatment outcomes based on enhanced viral spreading within the tumor milieu. The VSV-Δ51 oncolytic virus has been widely used as an anticancer agent with a high selectivity profile. In this study, we examined the role of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) in enhancing VSV-Δ51 viral production and oncolytic activity. To test this hypothesis, we first generated a novel VSV-Δ51 mutant that encoded the SARS-COV-2 RBD and compared viral spreading and viral yield between VSV-Δ51-RBD and VSV-Δ51 in vitro. Using the viral plaque assay, we demonstrated that the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD in the VSV-Δ51 genome is associated with a significantly larger viral plaque surface area and significantly higher virus titers. Subsequently, using an ATP release-based assay, we demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 RBD could enhance VSV-Δ51 oncolytic activity in vitro. This observation was further supported using the B16F10 tumor model. These findings highlighted a novel use of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD as an anticancer agent.Instituto de BiotecnologíaFil: Alkayyal, Almohanad A. University of Tabuk. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Alkayyal, Almohanad A. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Immunology Research Program; Arabia SauditaFil: Ajina, Reham. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Immunology Research Program; Arabia SauditaFil: Ajina, Reham. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. College of Applied Medical Sciences. Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences; Arabia SauditaFil: Cacciabue, Marco Polo Domingo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Cacciabue, Marco Polo Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cacciabue, Marco Polo Domingo. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Alkayyal, Aaesha A. Taibah University. College of Medicine; Arabia SauditaFil: Saeedi, Nizar H. University of Tabuk. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Hussain Alshehry, Taofik. Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. King Saud University for Health Sciences. King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre; Arabia SauditaFil: Kaboha, Feras. Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. King Saud University for Health Sciences. King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre; Arabia SauditaFil: Alotaibi, Mohammed A. University of Tabuk. Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences. Department of Medical Laboratory Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Alotaibi, Mohammed A. Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs. King Saud University for Health Sciences. King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre; Arabia SauditaFil: Zaidan, Nada. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. Joint Centers of Excellence Program. 8King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology-Brigham and Women's Hospital (KACST-BWH) Centre of Excellence for Biomedicine; Arabia SauditaFil: Shah, Khalid. Harvard Medical School. Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Center for Stem Cell and Translational Immunotherapy (CSTI); Estados UnidosFil: Shah, Khalid. Harvard Medical School. Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Department of Neurosurgery; Estados UnidosFil: Shah, Khalid. Harvard University. Harvard Stem Cell Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Alroqi, Fayhan. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Immunology Research Program; Arabia SauditaFil: Alroqi, Fayhan. Ministry of the National Guard. Department of Immunology; Arabia SauditaFil: Alroqi, Fayhan. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Faculty of Medicine; Arabia SauditaFil: Bakur Mahmoud, Ahmad. Taibah University. College of Applied Medical Sciences; Arabia SauditaFil: Bakur Mahmoud, Ahmad. Taibah University. Strategic Research and Innovation Laboratories; Arabia SauditaFil: Bakur Mahmoud, Ahmad. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. Immunology Research Program; Arabia Saudit

Percent fluid overload for prediction of fluid de-escalation in critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia: a prospective observational study

Background Percent fluid overload greater than 5% is associated with increased mortality. The appropriate time for fluid deresuscitation depends on the patient's radiological and clinical findings. This study aimed to assess the applicability of percent fluid overload calculations for evaluating the need for fluid deresuscitation in critically ill patients. Methods This was a single-center, prospective, observational study of critically ill adult patients requiring intravenous fluid administration. The study's primary outcome was median percent fluid accumulation on the day of fluid deresuscitation or intensive care unit (ICU) discharge, whichever came first. Results A total of 388 patients was screened between August 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022. Of these, 100 with a mean age of 59.8±16.2 years were included for analysis. The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 15.4±8.0. Sixty-one patients (61.0%) required fluid deresuscitation during their ICU stay, while 39 (39.0%) did not. Median percent fluid accumulation on the day of deresuscitation or ICU discharge was 4.5% (interquartile range [IQR], 1.7%–9.1%) and 5.2% (IQR, 2.9%–7.7%) in patients requiring deresuscitation and those who did not, respectively. Hospital mortality occurred in 25 (40.9%) of patients with deresuscitation and six (15.3%) patients who did not require it (P=0.007). Conclusions The percent fluid accumulation on the day of fluid deresuscitation or ICU discharge was not statistically different between patients who required fluid deresuscitation and those who did not. A larger sample size is needed to confirm these findings

The Variations in the Level of Angiotensin II Between Subjects in Ajloun City and the Dead Sea Impact Hypertension Parameters

Introduction: Jordan has a unique array of diversity among which having the deepest level in the world, the Dead Sea and an area with high attitudes in Ajloun City which gives us a great chance to study the biological effects on hypertension and possible impacts in selecting the appropriate treatment. Study objectives: to explore the impacts of variations of attitudes in hypertension and the level of beta blockers through studying the level of angiotensin II among study participants and to investigate if the patterns of anti-hypertensive treatments are impacted. Methods and subjects: a cross-sectional study design was carried out among participants from the two different areas. From each area, a total of 500 participants were recruited and surveyed through a questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured for all participants and blood samples were withdrawn to carry out the testing of angiotensin II. Data were analyzed statistically based on the appropriate software including excel and SPSS. The relationships were examined according to independent T-Test. Significance was considered according to p0.05). On the other hand, heart parameters including SBP, DBP, MBP, pulse, and PCV all of which were significantly higher in Ajloun than in the Dead Sea (p=0.001) for all selected variables. The level of angiotensin II was 12.08 ± 5.19 pg/ml in Ajloun and this was higher than that of the Dead Sea (8.84 ± 4.65 pg/ml). The difference in the mean of angiotensin II was statistically significant (p=0.039). Conclusion: the results of the present study showed that living in high altitude compared with the lowest area in the world (the Dead Sea) exposes persons for the risks of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Our findings may lead to better therapeutic strategies particularly when to prescribe angiotensin II based therapies

The performance of wearable AI in detecting stress among students : systematic review and meta-analysis

Students usually encounter stress throughout their academic path. Ongoing stressors may lead to chronic stress, adversely affecting their physical and mental well-being. Thus, early detection and monitoring of stress among students are crucial. Wearable artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool for this purpose. It offers an objective, noninvasive, nonobtrusive, automated approach to continuously monitor biomarkers in real time, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional approaches such as self-reported questionnaires. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the performance of wearable AI in detecting and predicting stress among students. Search sources in this review included 7 electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar). We also checked the reference lists of the included studies and checked studies that cited the included studies. The search was conducted on June 12, 2023. This review included research articles centered on the creation or application of AI algorithms for the detection or prediction of stress among students using data from wearable devices. In total, 2 independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-Revised tool was adapted and used to examine the risk of bias in the included studies. Evidence synthesis was conducted using narrative and statistical techniques. This review included 5.8% (19/327) of the studies retrieved from the search sources. A meta-analysis of 37 accuracy estimates derived from 32% (6/19) of the studies revealed a pooled mean accuracy of 0.856 (95% CI 0.70-0.93). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the accuracy of wearable AI was moderated by the number of stress classes (P=.02), type of wearable device (P=.049), location of the wearable device (P=.02), data set size (P=.009), and ground truth (P=.001). The average estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and F -score were 0.755 (SD 0.181), 0.744 (SD 0.147), and 0.759 (SD 0.139), respectively. Wearable AI shows promise in detecting student stress but currently has suboptimal performance. The results of the subgroup analyses should be carefully interpreted given that many of these findings may be due to other confounding factors rather than the underlying grouping characteristics. Thus, wearable AI should be used alongside other assessments (eg, clinical questionnaires) until further evidence is available. Future research should explore the ability of wearable AI to differentiate types of stress, distinguish stress from other mental health issues, predict future occurrences of stress, consider factors such as the placement of the wearable device and the methods used to assess the ground truth, and report detailed results to facilitate the conduct of meta-analyses. PROSPERO CRD42023435051; http://tinyurl.com/3fzb5rnp. [Abstract copyright: ©Alaa Abd-alrazaq, Mohannad Alajlani, Reham Ahmad, Rawan AlSaad, Sarah Aziz, Arfan Ahmed, Mohammed Alsahli, Rafat Damseh, Javaid Sheikh. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 31.01.2024.

Repurposing the oncolytic virus VSV∆51M as a COVID-19 vaccine

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposes an urgent and continued need for the development of safe and cost-effective vaccines to induce preventive responses for limiting major outbreaks around the world. To combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), we repurposed the VSV∆51M oncolytic virus platform to express the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen. In this study, we report the development and characterization of the VSV∆51M-RBD vaccine. Our findings demonstrate successful expression of the RBD gene by the VSV∆51M-RBD virus, inducing anti-RBD responses without attenuating the virus. Moreover, the VSV∆51M-RBD vaccine exhibited safety, immunogenicity, and the potential to serve as a safe and effective alternative or complementary platform to current COVID-19 vaccines