A Proposed Social Work Generalist Practice Perspective Approach to Developing Mechanisms for Raising Women’s Awareness of Voluntary Work

This research attempted to access a future vision of generalist practice of social work for developing mechanisms to develop women’s awareness of voluntary work. This research came in four sections. The first section included the problem of research, aims, and methodology. The second dealt with the concept of generalist practice of social work, as well as dealing with the theoretical framework of generalist practice and its professional operations. The third section dealt with many concepts such as: voluntary work, awareness, as well as the concept of women’s awareness of voluntary work. It also displays the current conditions and their effects on voluntary work such as: globalization, Arab Spring as a chance to change, and the limited participation of women in voluntary work. Finally the paper concluded by presenting of women’s participation in some fields of voluntary work. The research followed the descriptive methodology, which relies on Documentary Approach, and depended on the content analysis method of some of the previous scientific studies. Finally, the fourth section presented a future vision of generalist practice of social work for developing mechanisms to develop women’s awareness of voluntary work

Channel estimation for MIMO-OFDM systems based on data nulling superimposed pilots

This paper proposes a new channel estimation algorithm based on data nulling superimposed pilots for the spatial multiplexing multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. In the proposed method each OFDM data symbol of each transmit antenna is spread over all subcarriers by using a spreading matrix then nulls are introduced at certain subcarriers to cancel the mutual interference between data symbols and superimposed pilots. At receiver accurate channel estimation can be easily acquired based on the superimposed pilots. Then the superimposed pilots are removed from the received signal and simple iterative data detection scheme is used to compensate the distortion which occurred in the data symbols. The simulation results of the proposed algorithm show improvement in the estimation accuracy, bit error rate (BER) and computational complexity compared to that of the conventional superimposed pilot technique. The simulation results also show that the performance of the proposed technique approaches that of the frequency division multiplexed pilots technique while having higher data rate and some excess in the receiver complexity

EFFECT OF COMPOST/NPK AND BIOFERTILIZATION TREATMENTS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD AND HERB NPK% OF FENNEL PLANTS

A field experiment was conducted during the two successive seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 to study the effect of compost/NPK and biofertilization treatments on vegetative growth, yield and herb NPK % of fennel plants. Obtained results revealed that the best vegetative growth characters (plant height, stem diameter, number of main branches and herb dry weight), yield parameters (number of umbels and fruit yield per plant and per fed) and herb % of NP and K values were obtained due to the use of the full dose of mineral NPK, ¼ compost + ¾ NPK dose or ½ compost + ½ NPK dose with no significant differences being detected between such three fertilization treatments. Concerning biofertilization treatments, all of the prementioned growth, yield and chemical traits were considerably augmented due to the dual treatment (Minia Azotein + phosphorein) followed by Minia Azotein, while phosphorein gave the least values. In regard to the interaction gave between the, two involved factors, the highest growth, yield and chemical composition values were given by fertilizing fennel plants with the full dose of mineral NPK, ¼ compost + ¾ NPK or ½ compost + ½ NPK in combination with dual biofertilizer treatments (Minia Azotein + phosphorein). Therefor, it could be advised from the economical and environmental point of view, to supply fennel plants with the treatment of ½ compost + ½ NPK dose in combination with both Minia Azotein plus phosphorein in order to obtain the best fruit yield of fennel plants

Integration Routes Between Social Work and Voluntary Work: A Sociohistorical Perspective

The research problem is to determine the nature of the historical relationship between the profession of social work and volunteer work. Consequently, the research aims to investigate the nature of this relationship from a socio-historical perspective. Three axes have been used to analyze this relationship: the role of voluntary work in the development of the social work as a profession, the efforts made by social work to reach professionism and to distinguish it from voluntary work, and the relationship between social work and voluntary work. The research is qualitative analytical research and adopts the Mixed Methods Research (MMR). It identifies some literature for the analysis and implementation of a scoping process. It represents a systematic study approach to explore the socio-historical relationship between social work and voluntary work. To meet the objective of the study, the research sample has included several studies, research, and theoretical and scientific literature that address this historical relationship. The research has concluded the following: Voluntary work contributes to the emergence of the social work profession, as there is a strong relationship between them. Further, the formalization of the social work profession has an impact on the relationship with voluntary work, as government social workers would replace volunteers in providing many social services. As a result, the relationship between social work and volunteer work has evolved into a clear, strong, and solid collaboration. The research has recommended that the education curricula in Arab countries should imply the nature of the historical relationship of profession and voluntary work

Grafting Improves Fruit Yield of Cucumber Plants Grown under Combined Heat and Soil Salinity Stresses

[EN] Improving the productivity of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants subjected to combined salinity and heat stresses is a significant challenge, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Gianco F1 cucumbers were grafted onto five cucurbit rootstocks and, together with an ungrafted control, were grown in Egypt in a net house with saline soil during the summer season over two years. The vegetative growth, yield, quality, biochemical, and mineral composition traits were measured. Although many differences were observed among treatments, in general, the grafted plants had a performance better than or similar to that of the ungrafted plants, based on the different parameters measured. In particular, the cucumber plants grafted onto the Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata interspecific hybrid rootstocks VSS-61 F1 and Ferro had the highest early and total marketable yields. These two rootstocks consistently conferred higher vigor to the scion, which had lower flower abortion rates and higher chlorophyll contents. The fruit quality and N, P, and K composition in the leaves suffered few relevant changes as compared with the control. However, the leaves of the VSS-61 F1 had higher catalase activity, as well as proline and Se contents, while those of Ferro had higher Si content. This study reveals that the grafting of cucumber plants onto suitable rootstocks may mitigate the adverse effects caused by the combination of saline soil and heat stresses. This represents a significant improvement for cucumber cultivation in saline soil under high-temperature stress conditions in arid regions.Bayoumi, Y.; Abd-Alkarim, E.; El-Ramady, H.; El-Aidy, F.; Hamed, E.; Taha, N.; Prohens Tomás, J.... (2021). Grafting Improves Fruit Yield of Cucumber Plants Grown under Combined Heat and Soil Salinity Stresses. Horticulturae. 7(3):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae70300611147

A Sustainable synthesis, eco-safe approach efficiency and DFT study of novel 5,6,7,8-Tetrahyroquinazolin-2(1H)-one derivatives as antioxidant reagents

5,6,7,8-Tetrahydroquinazolin-2-(thio)-ones (THQ) fits the class of N-heterocycles as a structural core in numerous bioactive compounds. They promptly extended previous decades. They were significantly recognized in combinatorial chemistry and materials science to determine the drug discovery, antioxidants, and pharmaceuticals fields. In the present work, one-pot multicomponent sustainable synthesis of THQ with easily accessible starting materials, i.e., cyclohexanone, different aromatic aldehydes and (thio)urea, has been performed to determine the proposed Biginelli mechanism that is supported by DFT. It is found that the THQs are synthesized by a mechano-chemical (grinding) tool to achieve a yield of 85.2% within 3.5 min, i.e., YE (% yield/time) 24.34 differs from the conventional method in which lower % yield (YE = 0.72) of THQ was achieved. This confirmed that in the green chemistry principle, the determination of % yield according to saving reaction time must be considered. Moreover, DFT-based antioxidant properties of the THQ were also studied in which the most potent antioxidant compounds were 7b > 6d > 2f. Softness (σ, eV−1) and hardness (η, eV mol−1) can approve the soft molecule that stays more reactive as a result of decreasing the energy gap along heterocyclic with values 0.1491 > 0.1300 > 0.1168 eV−1 one-to-one with the efficiency of antioxidant

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Selected Topics on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is a promising technology for wireless communications applications. A RIS is a thin planar array that consists of multiple reflecting elements, each of which is connected to a tunable chip and can induce a controllable reflection coefficient to the incident signal. The RIS is a nearly passive unit as it only leverages the reflection on its elements and it does not consume any power for transmission. Furthermore, RISs can actively control the propagation channel, by accurately tuning the reflection coefficients of their elements to fit a specific need. The advantage of the RIS arises in creating energy-efficient smart radio environments wherein the wireless channel becomes an optimization variable. In this thesis, we study some of the potential applications and deployments for the RIS in wireless communications. First, the multiple-input multiple-output channel matrix in line-of-sight (LoS) environments turns out to be rank deficient such that spatial multiplexing becomes unattainable. Thus, we exploit the RISs to create additional degrees of freedom by synthesizing a sort of multi-path propagation. Then, we optimize the transmit covariance matrix and the reflection coefficients of the RISs using an alternating optimization algorithm to maximize the achievable rate. Alternatively, we propose different schemes to enhance the composite channel power which would result in an improvement to the achievable rate. Second, we characterize the efficient regions of RIS deployments with single and multiple antenna systems in Rician fading channels. We show that in RIS-aided single antenna systems, near RIS deployments relative to the transmitter or receiver are always better than far deployments. Moreover, we show that in RIS-aided multiple antenna systems, the efficient regions of operations are highly dependent on the propagation environment itself. In LoS environments, both the near and far deployments can result in substantial achievable rate gains. However, as the channel becomes richer with multipath, near deployments gradually become more efficient than the far deployments. Third, we propose the RIS to act as an access point for information transfer by exploiting the polarization control ability of the RIS. In particular, the RIS alternates the polarization state of the reflected waves to perform conventional as well as differential polarization shift keying (PolSK) modulation schemes. In RIS-aided conventional PolSK, two different schemes are proposed. In the first scheme, the receiver corrects for the polarization mismatch loss that occurs in the wireless channel. In the second scheme, the RIS additionally pre-codes the reflected wave to compensate for the polarization mismatch. In RIS-aided differential PolSK, the detection process is independent of the polarization mismatch. Thus, there is no need for a polarization mismatch compensation process by either the receiver or the RIS