Effect of Antiplatelet Medications on Critically Ill Patients with Pre-existing Atrial Fibrillation

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Solving multiple linear regression problem using artificial neural network

Multiple linear regressions are an important tool used to find the relationship between a set of variables used in various scientific experiments. In this article we are going to introduce a simple method of solving a multiple rectilinear regressions (MLR) problem that uses an artificial neural network to find the accurate and expected output from MLR problem. Different artificial neural network (ANN) types with different architecture will be tested, the error between the target outputs and the calculated ANN outputs will be investigated. A recommendation of using a certain type of ANN based on the experimental results will be raised

Desarrollo de software para la determinación de los planes de carga de PTF-MAN.

El proyecto se ha realizado con la intención de la creación de una aplicación informática AutoPuente, creando tres funcionalidades principales enfocadas en el tipo, clase y longitud como una primera funcionalidad, obtener las tablas de todas las herramientas necesarias para el montaje como segunda funcionalidad y la última es meter los datos de los vehículos disponibles y la distancia del viaje para obtener el número de viajes en total junto al consumo de combustible en litros. Con el objetivo de alcanzar la finalidad de este trabajo, se definieron una serie de objetivos que se explicarán en el contenido de la memoria, pero el objetivo principal y más importante es conseguir una aplicación que se podrá usar mediante los dispositivos móviles sin ningún problema.<br /

The Effectiveness of Televised Children Programs in the Linguistic Development of Kindergarten Children from Teachers’ Viewpoints

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of televised children programs in the linguistic development of kindergarten children from the viewpoint of teachers. To achieve this, the researchers prepared the study instrument which is represented in a thirty – part questionnaire that was distributed to the study sample. The teachers’ responses were statistically analyzed; the results of the analysis showed that (17) parts were available in a high degree representing a percentage of (56.7%), (11) parts were available in a moderate degree representing a percentage of (36.7%); and two parts were available in a low degree representing (6.6%). The parts that focused on listening skill gained the highest averages followed by those that focused on speaking, reading, and finally writing skills. The results of the three-way analysis of variance showed that there were differences due to the effect of specialization in favor of the Arabic language specialization; there also were differences due to the effect of experience in favor of (6 – 10) experience. There were no differences due to qualification. Keywords: Televised Children Programs, Linguistic development

Probable Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Some Long-Term Irrigated Soils with Zarga River Water in Jordan

Heavy metals are bio-accumulated and bio-transferred both by natural and anthropogenic sources. The contamination by heavy metals in plants and water is one of the major issues to be faced throughout the world and requires attention because heavy metals above their normal ranges are extremely threatened to both plant and animal life. It was therefore of interest to conduct study to estimate levels of heavy metals in water and soil at Zarga River. Soil and water samples were also analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, and electrical conductivity. The aims of this study were to determine level of some heavy metals in water of Zarga River and to examine the probable accumulation of heavy metals in soils irrigated with Zarga river water in contrast with adjacent soils in the area. Results showed that the pH, EC, and water electrolytes (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, SO4) of water samples at the middle of the river (B) were higher than that at the beginning or at the end of the river . On the other hand, it was shown that the pH, EC, Cd, Pb, and Ni values of soil samples near the river (location A) were higher than other samples that were away including (B location) and (C location). Keywords: Soil, Heavy metals, Water, pH, Electrical conductivit

Earth system science frontiers - an early career perspective

The exigencies of the global community toward Earth system science will increase in the future as the human population, economies, and the human footprint on the planet continue to grow. This growth, combined with intensifying urbanization, will inevitably exert increasing pressure on all ecosystem services. A unified interdisciplinary approach to Earth system science is required that can address this challenge, integrate technical demands and long-term visions, and reconcile user demands with scientific feasibility. Together with the research arms of the World Meteorological Organization, the Young Earth System Scientists community has gathered early-career scientists from around the world to initiate a discussion about frontiers of Earth system science. To provide optimal information for society, Earth system science has to provide a comprehensive understanding of the physical processes that drive the Earth system and anthropogenic influences. This understanding will be reflected in seamless prediction systems for environmental processes that are robust and instructive to local users on all scales. Such prediction systems require improved physical process understanding, more high-resolution global observations, and advanced modeling capability, as well as high-performance computing on unprecedented scales. At the same time, the robustness and usability of such prediction systems also depend on deepening our understanding of the entire Earth system and improved communication between end users and researchers. Earth system science is the fundamental baseline for understanding the Earth’s capacity to accommodate humanity, and it provides a means to have a rational discussion about the consequences and limits of anthropogenic influence on Earth. Without its progress, truly sustainable development will be impossible. © 2017 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses)

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Implementation of Simple Strategies to Improve Wellfield Management in Arid Regions: The Case Study of Wadi Al Arab Wellfield, Jordan

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water supply in Jordan. Over the past 30 years, many wellfields have been drilled and expanded to cover increasing drinking water demand caused by natural population growth, development of life standards and as a result of the influx of refugees to Jordan. In particular, northern Jordan groundwater resources have been severely depleted. Therefore, water suppliers and utilities have been increasingly challenged to meet water demand and deliver water of adequate quality and quantity to households in a timely manner. Meeting these objectives requires good data management, proper maintenance of groundwater wells, and effective wellfield management plans. We developed a novel monitoring strategy that allows the collection of relevant data for wellfield managers (e.g., yield, static and dynamic water level, as well as energy consumption). The new monitoring system, implemented in 2017, has greatly enhanced data availability in comparison to the situation between 2012 and 2016. The data are used in an operational decision support tool based on simple interpretation of the field observations. The implementation of the project was done using both bottom-up and top-down approaches for the Wadi Al Arab wellfield. Our results evidence that (i) simple strategies can lead to a significant improvement of wellfield management, reducing the maintenance time of the wells though appropriate monitoring (from an average of four days/maintenance/well in 2012 to less than one day/maintenance/well in 2017); (ii) the joint combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches leads to an effective implementation of the monitoring system; (iii) the simplicity of the proposed monitoring strategy makes it suitable for further implementation in other wellfields in Jordan and countries in a similar situation of both data and water scarcity

Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy (PBP) Revisited: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Background. A Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy (PBP) procedure is a reemerging nonsurgical technique that helps in preventing the reaccumulation of pericardial effusion. It is done percutaneously without general anaesthesia. It has been proved to be effective in alleviating and preventing recurrent pericardial effusion. Case Presentation. We reported a 52-year-old male with stage IV adenocarcinoma causing recurrent pericardial effusion. The patient experienced a worsening shortness of breath. A surgical pericardial window was denied by the surgery team secondary to severe respiratory distress; subsequently, the patient underwent Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy. Conclusion. Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy is efficacious and safe when done by well-trained physicians. We think it should be considered as a preferred treatment modality in most sicker patients with recurrent pericardial effusion

Causes and consequences of long-term groundwater overabstraction in Jordan

In 2017, a comprehensive review of groundwater resources in Jordan was carried out for the first time since 1995. The change in groundwater levels between 1995 and 2017 was found to be dramatic: large declines have been recorded all over the country, reaching more than 100 m in some areas. The most affected areas are those with large-scale groundwater-irrigated agriculture, but areas that are only used for public water supply are also affected. The decrease of groundwater levels and saturated thickness poses a growing threat for drinking water supply and the demand has to be met from increasingly deeper and more remote sources, causing higher costs for drilling and extraction. Groundwater-level contour lines show that groundwater flow direction has completely reversed in some parts of the main aquifer. Consequently, previously established conceptual models, such as the concept of 12 “groundwater basins” often used in Jordan should be revised or replaced. Additionally, hydraulic conditions are changing from confined to unconfined; this is most likely a major driver for geogenic pollution with heavy metals through leakage from the overlying bituminous aquitard. Three exemplary case studies are presented to illustrate and discuss the main causes for the decline of the water tables (agriculture and population growth) and to show how the results of this assessment can be used on a regional scale.Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR) (4230