Identification problems for degenerate parabolic equations

summary:This paper deals with multivalued identification problems for parabolic equations. The problem consists of recovering a source term from the knowledge of an additional observation of the solution by exploiting some accessible measurements. Semigroup approach and perturbation theory for linear operators are used to treat the solvability in the strong sense of the problem. As an important application we derive the corresponding existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence results for different degenerate identification problems. Applications to identification problems for the Stokes system, Poisson-heat equation, and Maxwell system are given to illustrate the theory

Security-centric ranking algorithm and two privacy scores to mitigate intrusive apps

Smartphone users are constantly facing the risks of losing their private information to third-party mobile applications. Studies have revealed that the vast majority of users either do not pay attention to privacy or unable to comprehend privacy messages. Developers though have exploited this fact by asking users to grant their apps an enormous number of permissions. In this article, we propose and evaluate a new security-centric ranking algorithm built on top of the Elasticsearch engine to help users evade such apps. The algorithm calculates an intrusiveness score for an app based on its requested permissions, received system actions, and users' privacy preferences. As such, we further propose a new approach to capture these preferences. We evaluate the ranking algorithm using a million Android applications, contextual data and APK files, that we collect from the Google Play store. The results show that the scoring and reranking steps add minor overhead. Moreover, participants of the user studies gave positive feedback for the ranking algorithm and the privacy preferences solicitation approach. These results suggest that our proposed system would definitely protect the privacy of mobile users and pushes developers into requesting least amount of privileges. Still, there are many risks that endanger the users' privacy

Frequency of common HFE variants in the Saudi population: a high throughput molecular beacon-based study

BACKGROUND: Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disorder highlighted byiron-overload. Two popular mutations in HFE, p.C282Y and p.H63D, have been discovered and found to associate with HH in different ethnic backgrounds. p.C282Y and p.H63D diagnosis is usually made byrestriction enzyme analysis. However, the use of this technique is largelylimited to research laboratories because they are relativelyexpensive, time-consuming, and difficult to transform into a high throughput format. METHODS: Single nucleotide variations in target DNA sequences can be readily identified using molecular beacon fluorescent probes. These are quenched probes with loop and hairpin structure, and they become fluorescent upon specific target recognition. We developed high throughput homogeneous real-time PCR assays using molecular beacon technology, to genotype p.C282Y and p.H63D variants. Representative samples of different genotypes for these variants were assayed by restriction enzyme analysis and direct sequencing as bench mark methods for comparison with the newly developed molecular beacon-based real-time PCR assay. RESULTS: Complete concordance was achieved by all three assay formats. Homozygotes (mutant and wildtype) and heterozygotes were readily differentiated by the allele specific molecular beacons as reported by the associated fluorophore in the real-time assay developed in this study. Additionally, these assays were used in a high throughput format to establish the allele frequency of C282Y and H63D in Saudis for the first time. CONCLUSION: These assays may be reliably applied as a diagnostic test or large scale method for population screening

Exploiting Pull-In/Pull-Out Hysteresis in Electrostatic MEMS Sensor Networks to Realize a Novel Sensing Continuous-Time Recurrent Neural Network

The goal of this paper is to provide a novel computing approach that can be used to reduce the power consumption, size, and cost of wearable electronics. To achieve this goal, the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for simultaneous sensing and computing is introduced. Specifically, by enabling sensing and computing locally at the MEMS sensor node and utilizing the usually unwanted pull in/out hysteresis, we may eliminate the need for cloud computing and reduce the use of analog-to-digital converters, sampling circuits, and digital processors. As a proof of concept, we show that a simulation model of a network of three commercially available MEMS accelerometers can classify a train of square and triangular acceleration signals inherently using pull-in and release hysteresis. Furthermore, we develop and fabricate a network with finger arrays of parallel plate actuators to facilitate coupling between MEMS devices in the network using actuating assemblies and biasing assemblies, thus bypassing the previously reported coupling challenge in MEMS neural networks

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

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI <18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For schoolaged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI <2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI >2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

The Obstacles that Face the Teachers of Physical Education in Using Some Teaching Methods in Teaching Basketball, and Volleyball for the Secondary Stage in the Schools of Al-karak District المعوقات التي تواجه معلمي التربية الرياضية في استخدام بعض اساليب التدريس في تدريس الكرة الطائرة وكرة السلة للمرحلة الثانوية في مدارس قصبة الكرك

Abstract: This study aimed at finding out the obstacles that face the teachers of physical education in teaching basketball, and volleyball for the secondary stage in the schools of Al-karak district. The descriptive methodology was used in this study. The sample of the study consisted of (38) male and female teachers who teach physical education for the secondary stage in Al-Karak district. A questionnaire was built. It consisted of (22) items, which were distributed to four dimensions: possibilities, students, curriculum, and teacher’s guide. The results showed that there were explicit differences between the means of the responses of physical education teachers for the instrument in general and for each sub axis of the obstacles that face the teachers of physical education attributed to experience and academic qualification variables. It also showed that there were no significant differences in the sub axes (students, possibilities, curriculum), while there were differences in teacher’s guide axis in favor of those who have (5-10) years of experience. There were no significant differences in the sub axes of (students, possibilities), while there were significant differences in the sub axes of (curriculum and teacher’s guide) in favor of diploma qualification. Based on the results of the study, the researcher recommended the need to provide the necessary resources for school sports, as well as interest in the preparation and development of teachers of physical education through holding courses and seminars. ملخص: هدفت هذه الدراسة التعرف إلى المعوقات التي تواجه معلمي التربية الرياضية في استخدام بعض أساليب التدريس في تدريس الكرة الطائرة وكرة السلة للمرحلة الثانوية في مدارس مديرية التربية والتعليم/ قصبة الكرك. أُستخدم المنهج الوصفي. وتكونت عينة الدراسة من معلمي التربية الرياضية في المرحلة الثانوية بمدارس مديرية التربية والتعليم/ قصبة الكرك ,والبالغ عددهم(38) معلماً ومعلمة. تم بناء استبيان لجمع البيانات, اشتمل على(22) فقرة موزعة على أربعة أبعاد هي: الطلبة, الإمكانات,المنهاج ,دليل المعلم. أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ظاهرية بين المتوسطات الحسابية لإجابات معلمي التربية الرياضية على ألأداة ككل وكل محور فرعي في المعوقات التي تواجه معلمي التربية تعزى للخبرة ولمتغير المؤهل العلمي ,وأظهرت عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في المحور الكلي ,كما تبين عدم وجود فروق في المحاور الفرعية)الطلبة ,الإمكانات, المنهاج ( في حين يلاحظ وجود فروق في محور)دليل المعلم), ولصالح من خبرتهم (5-اقل من10سنوات) ,وتبين عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في محوري )الطلبة, والإمكانات( في حين تبين وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في محوري (المنهاج, ودليل المعلم) ,ولصالح من مؤهلهم العلمي)دبلوم ,(وفي المحور الكلي ومحور دليل المعلم فيلاحظ بأن الفروق لصالح من مؤهلهم العلمي (دبلوم). وبناء على نتائج الدراسة يوصي الباحث بضرورة توفير الإمكانات اللازمة للرياضة المعلمية وكذلك الاهتمام بإعداد معلمي التربية الرياضية وتطويرهم من خلال عقد الدورات والندوات

Some Fixed Point Theorem for Mapping on Complete G-Metric Spaces

We prove some fixed point results for mapping satisfying sufficient conditions on complete G-metric space, also we showed that if the G-metric space (X,G) is symmetric, then the existence and uniqueness of these fixed point results follow from well-known theorems in usual metric space (X,dG), where (X,dG) is the usual metric space which defined from the G-metric space (X,G)