Experimental determination of hydrate phase equilibrium for different gas mixtures containing methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen with motor current measurements

Hydrate dissociation equilibrium conditions for carbon dioxide + methane with water, nitrogen + methane with water and carbon dioxide + nitrogen with water were measured using cryogenic sapphire cell. Measurements were performed in the temperature range of 275.75 K–293.95 K and for pressures ranging from 5 MPa to 25 MPa. The resulting data indicate that as the carbon dioxide concentration is increased in the gas mixture, the gas hydrate equilibrium temperature increases. In contrast, by increasing the nitrogen concentration in the gas mixtures containing methane or carbon dioxide decreased the gas hydrate equilibrium temperatures. Furthermore, the cage occupancies for the carbon dioxide + methane system were evaluated using the Van der Waals and Platteeuw thermodynamic theory with the Langmuir adsorption model and Peng-Robinson equation of state. The data demonstrated the increasing promoting effect of carbon dioxide with its concentration. In addition, the motor current changes during the hydrate formation and dissociation processes were measured by keeping the rotation speed of the magnetic stirrer that was connected to a DC motor constant. The motor current measurements were reported and it showed that the hydrate plug formation and dissociation could be predicted by the changes in the motor current

Four-dimensional hierarchical structure of love constructs in a cross-cultural perspective

This article reports new methodology for cross-cultural exploration of psychometric properties of a four-dimensional hierarchical love scale. We collected data from 2831 participants from nine regional locations from six countries and assessed their responses to the love scale as well as several other love feelings. We applied a new methodological approach using recently advanced statistical methods to the comparison of forty love attitudes underscoring four distinct latent attitudes associated with love to another person in romantic relationships across these samples. The results demonstrate the importance of measurement invariance tests for cross-cultural comparison of scores on love scales. To properly assess measurement invariance, we suggest five statistical procedures, which we investigated in this study: (1) making corrections for acquiescence and extreme response biases; (2) taking into consideration cultural uniqueness in how participants respond to the measures, which may contribute to poor model fit; (3) accounting for such cultural uniqueness to make cross-cultural comparisons more valid; (4) removing items, which substantially contribute to poor model fit; and (5) shortening the subscales when scoring and analyzing the data. The results of the studies propose two shortened versions (33 and 30 items) of the love scale as two cross-culturally valid and invariant alternatives to the original 40-item scale

Effect of COVID-19 Vaccines on Hair Loss

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the global distribution of vaccines, but there are concerns regarding potential side effects. Hair loss is one of the less commonly reported side effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 vaccinations on hair loss. Instruments & Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 580 participants aged between 20 to 72 years, consisting of 270 males and 310 females. Machine learning techniques were employed to analyze the data and determine any potential relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and hair loss. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for hair loss. Findings: Of the total participants, 17.6% reported experiencing hair loss after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage was higher in females (19.4%) compared to the males (15.2%). There was a significant association between the COVID-19 vaccine and hair loss in both males and females. The odds ratio for developing hair loss after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.04¬1.73) for females and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.81-1.54) for males. Conclusion: Hair loss is a rare but possible side effect of COVID-19 vaccination in both males and females, which its prevalence is higher in females than in males. Individuals with certain comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes, may be at a higher risk for experiencing hair loss after COVID-19 vaccination

Predicting perinatal outcomes in women affected by COVID-19: An artificial intelligence (AI) approach

This study aimed to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting perinatal outcomes among women with COVID-19. Data was collected from hospitals in the Middle Euphrates and Southern regions of Iraq, with 152 pregnant patients included in the study. Patients were categorized into mild and severe infection groups, and their serum samples were analyzed for mineral levels (magnesium, copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and iron) and immune factors (IL-6, IL-8, IL-32, IL-10, IL-18, IL-37, IL-38, IL-36, and IL-1). The findings revealed significant associations between specific mineral levels, immune factors, and perinatal outcomes. Mineral levels such as magnesium (75.5% mild infection, 80.9% severe infection), copper (68.2% mild infection, 64.3% severe infection), calcium ion (81.8% mild infection, 76.2% severe infection), sodium (70.9% mild infection, 69.0% severe infection), potassium (72.7% mild infection, 71.4% severe infection), zinc (61.8% mild infection, 54.8% severe infection), selenium (78.2% mild infection, 82.9% severe infection), and iron (74.5% mild infection, 68.3% severe infection) showed varying per-centages associated with mild and severe infections. Immune factors such as IL-6 (32% mild infection, 21% severe infection), IL-8 (15% mild infection, 7% severe infection), IL-32 (24% mild infection, 9% severe infection), IL-10 (7% mild infection, no severe infection), IL-18 (13% mild infection, 11% severe infection) demonstrated varying per-centages associated with perinatal outcomes, while other interleukins showed no changes in severe infections. These results highlight the potential of AI in predicting outcomes for pregnant women with COVID-19, which could aid in improving their management and care. Further research and validation of predictive models are recommended to enhance accuracy and applicability

Demographics, Risk Factors, and Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Among Patients in the Middle Euphrates Region of Iraq

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health, requiring a comprehensive understanding of its regional dynamics for effective management and response strategies. This study aimed to explore the demographics, risk factors, and post-COVID-19 syndrome among patients in the Middle Euphrates region of Iraq. Methods: A total of 410 patients were included in the study, with 180 females and 230 males. Demographic characteristics, risk factors (such as smoking, and comorbidities), and post-COVID-19 syndrome manifestations were analyzed. Statistical and machine learning analyses were conducted to predict outcomes. Results: The findings revealed a diverse age range (38-83 years) of COVID-19 patients in the Middle Euphrates region. Smoking was prevalent among 93 patients, while comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity were observed in significant numbers. Post-COVID-19 syndrome symptoms included generalized muscle fatigue, impaired concentration and memory, joint pain, hair loss, and respiratory problems. The prevalence of these symptoms varied across different age groups. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the demographics, risk factors, and post-COVID-19 syndrome among patients in the Middle Euphrates region of Iraq. The high prevalence of smoking and comorbidities highlights the importance of tailored interventions for high-risk individuals. The range of persistent symptoms emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare support. These findings contribute to the existing knowledge on the impact of COVID-19 in the region and can inform targeted interventions and resource allocation

Detection of Antinuclear Antibodies Targeting Intracellular Signal Transduction, Metabolism, Apoptotic Processes and Cell Death in Critical COVID-19 Patients

Background and Objectives: The heterogeneity of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) lies within its diverse symptoms and severity, ranging from mild to lethal. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a leading cause of mortality in COVID-19 patients, characterized by a hyper cytokine storm. Autoimmunity is proposed to occur as a result of COVID-19, given the high similarity of the immune responses observed in COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases. Here, we investigate the level of autoimmune antibodies in COVID-19 patients with different severities. Results: Initial screening for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) IgG using ELISA revealed that 1.58% (2/126) and 4% (5/126) of intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 cases expressed strong and moderate ANA levels, respectively. An additional sample was positive with immunofluorescence assays (IFA) screening. However, all the non-ICU cases (n=273) were ANA negative using both assays. Samples positive for ANA were further confirmed with large-scale autoantibody screening by phage immunoprecipitation-sequencing (PhIP-Seq). The majority of the ANA-positive samples showed "speckled" ANA pattern by microscopy and revealed autoantibody specificities that targeted proteins involved in intracellular signal transduction, metabolism, apoptotic processes, and cell death by PhIP-Seq; further denoting reactivity to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Conclusion: Our results further support the notion of routine screening for autoimmune responses in COVID-19 patients, which might help improve disease prognosis and patient management. Further, results provide compelling evidence that ANA-positive individuals should be excluded from being donors for convalescent plasma therapy in the context of COVID-19.This study was supported by funds from QNRF, grant # NPRP11S-1212-170092

Infectious aetiologies of neonatal illness in south Asia classified using WHO definitions: a primary analysis of the ANISA study

Background: Globally, neonatal mortality accounts for almost half of all deaths in children younger than 5 years. Aetiological agents of neonatal infection are difficult to identify because the clinical signs are non-specific. Using data from the Aetiology of Neonatal Infections in south Asia (ANISA) cohort, we aimed to describe the spectrum of infectious aetiologies of acute neonatal illness categorised post-hoc using the 2015 WHO case definitions of critical illness, clinical severe infection, and fast breathing only. Methods: Eligible infants were aged 0–59 days with possible serious bacterial infection and healthy infants enrolled in the ANISA study in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. We applied a partial latent class Bayesian model to estimate the prevalence of 27 pathogens detectable on PCR, pathogens detected by blood culture only, and illness not attributed to any infectious aetiology. Infants with at least one clinical specimen available were included in the analysis. We assessed the prevalence of these aetiologies according to WHO's case definitions of critically ill, clinical severe infection, and infants with late onset, isolated fast breathing. For the clinical severe definition, we compared the prevalence of signs by bacterial versus viral aetiology. Findings: There were 934 infants (992 episodes) in the critically ill category, 3769 (4000 episodes) in the clinical severe infection category, and 738 (771 episodes) in the late-onset isolated fast breathing category. We estimated the proportion of illness attributable to bacterial infection was 32·7% in infants in the critically ill group, 15·6% in the clinical severe infection group, and 8·8% among infants with late-onset isolated fast breathing group. An infectious aetiology was not identified in 58–82% of infants in these categories. Among 4000 episodes of clinical severe infection, those with bacterial versus viral attribution had higher proportions of hypothermia, movement only when stimulated, convulsions, and poor feeding. Interpretation: Our modelled results generally support the revised WHO case definitions, although a revision of the most severe case definition could be considered. Clinical criteria do not clearly differentiate between young infants with and without infectious aetiologies. Our results highlight the need for improved point-of-care diagnostics, and further study into neonatal deaths and episodes with no identified aetiology, to ensure antibiotic stewardship and targeted interventions. Funding: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Oral health practices and self-reported adverse effects of E-cigarette use among dental students in 11 countries: an online survey

Objectives: E-cigarette use has become popular, particularly among the youth. Its use is associated with harmful general and oral health consequences. This survey aimed to assess self-reported oral hygiene practices, oral and general health events, and changes in physiological functions (including physical status, smell, taste, breathing, appetite, etc.) due to E-cigarette use among dental students. Methods: This online, multicounty survey involved undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools across 11 different countries. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, E-cigarette practices, self-reported complaints, and associated physiological changes due to E-cigarette smoking. Data were descriptively presented as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the potential associations between the study group and sub-groups with the different factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS at P < 0.05. Results: Most respondents reported regular brushing of their teeth, whereas only 70% used additional oral hygiene aids. Reported frequencies of complaints ranged from as low as 3.3% for tongue inflammation to as high as 53.3% for headache, with significant differences between E-cigarette users and non-users. Compared to non-smokers, E-cigarette users reported significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth (33.1% vs. 23.4%; P < 0.001), black tongue (5.9% vs. 2.8%; P = 0.002), and heart palpitation (26.3%% vs. 22.8%; P = 0.001). Although two-thirds of the sample reported no change in their physiological functions, E-cigarette users reported significant improvement in their physiological functions compared to never smokers or tobacco users. Conclusion: Dental students showed good oral hygiene practices, but E-cigarette users showed a higher prevalence of health complications.Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University. The funder has no role in the design of the study as well as in the methodology, analysis, and interpretation of the data

Knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practices of E-cigarette use among dental students: A multinational survey

E-cigarette use is a trend worldwide nowadays with mounting evidence on associated morbidities and mortality. Dentists can modify the smoking behaviors of their patients. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practice of E-cigarette use among dental students. This multinational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools in 11 countries. The outcome variable was current smoking status (non-smoker, E-cigarette user only, tobacco cigarette smoker only, dual user). The explanatory variables were country of residence, sex, age, marital status, and educational level. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the explanatory variables associated with E-cigarette smoking. Of the 5697 study participants, 5156 (90.8%) had heard about E-cigarette, and social media was the most reported source of information for 33.2% of the participants. For the 5676 current users of E-cigarette and/or tobacco smoking, 4.5% use E-cigarette, and 4.6% were dual users. There were significant associations between knowledge and country (P< 0.05), educational level (B = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21; P = 0.016) and smoking status (P< 0.05). The country of residence (P< 0.05) and smoking status (P< 0.05) were the only statistically significant factors associated with current smoking status. Similarly, there were statistically significant associations between attitude and country (P< 0.05 for one country only compared to the reference) and history of previous E-cigarette exposure (B = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91, -0.13; P = 0.009). Also, the practice of E-cigarettes was significantly associated with country (P< 0.05 for two countries only compared to the reference) and gender (B = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.13; P = 0.001). The knowledge of dental students about E-cigarette was unsatisfactory, yet their beliefs and attitudes were acceptable. Topics about E-cigarette should be implemented in the dental curriculum.Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, for funding through the Vice Deanship of Scientific Research for Research Chairs. Qatar National Library for the open access funding