Hydrogeophysical and structural investigation using VES and TDEM data: A case study at El-Nubariya–Wadi El-Natrun area, west Nile Delta, Egypt

AbstractThe geoelectric survey includes 93 Vertical Electric Soundings (VES) and 26 TEM stations were conducted to delineate the subsurface structures and hydrogeological regime of El-Nubariya–Wadi El-Natrun area. The VESes AB/2 was varying from 1 up to 700m in successive steps, while TEM stations were measured using coincident loop of 50m side length.The interpretation of the geoelectrical data shows that the depth to the main aquifer ranges from 6m at the northern part near the Nubariya city to about 90m at the southern parts where it increases to the south and southeast directions. Generally the aquifer system in the area can be divided into Pleistocene and Pliocene aquifers. The Pleistocene aquifer is the shallower aquifer in the area and it consists almost of gravelly to clayey sand deposits. The Pliocene aquifer is the main aquifer where it is composed of sand to gravelly sand deposits.Depending on the results of the geoelectric prospecting represented by the true resistivity map, we can infer the quality of the groundwater. A brackish groundwater can be found at the northern and northeastern parts of the study area at shallow depths whereas relatively fresh water can be detected at the southern and southeastern parts around Wadi El Natrun city at deep depths.The area under consideration is affected by a group of normal faults that divided the investigated area into five main divisions, northern, eastern, western, southern and central divisions. The inferred faults from the geoelectric sections are traced and collected to construct a structure map. It is worth to mention that Wadi El Natrun and its lakes are structurally controlled by faulting systems trending NW direction

Delay Reduction of Detection Algorithms for 5G Massive MIMO System

Multiple antenna technologies like Multiple-InputMultiple-Output (MIMO) and beamforming will thus play animportant role in defining 5G system architectures. In massiveMIMO there is a huge number of antenna elements, so there isa need to estimate large channel matrix which introduces muchlatency. The ultra-high latency and high computation complexityof massive MIMO matrices from 16 to 256 dimensions is thevital bottleneck to realizing latency for channel estimation andMIMO detection. This paper introduces a mechanism to reducethe high computational complexity that causes huge latency. Fouralgorithms are evaluated to measure their performance. Thesealgorithms are Gauss-Jordan Elimination, Gaussian Elimination,RQ Decomposition and LU Decomposition. MATLAB simulationused to analyze the applied mathematical models. After thatmeasured the BER, delay for each algorithm and evaluate thecapacity and throughput, by way, found that the GaussianElimination has better delay about 49 percent when RQ Decomposition higherabout 95 percent while LU Decomposition highest about 98 percent comparedby Gauss-Jordan Elimination. In addition the result show theperformance of capacity and throughput for various modulationand coding rate, while the deliverables average capacity about10 M bit and affected by the situation of the channel, LU hasthe best performance than others

An X-STRs analysis of the Iraqi Sorani Kurds

A database for the Iraqi Sorani Kurds, specifically focused on the 12 X-short tandem repeat (STR) loci, has been developed to fascilitate forensic and population genetics investigations. The present study involved genotyping 117 unrelated individuals from the Sorani Kurds ethnic group using the Investigator Argus X-12 QS kit. The analysis revealed that the DXS10135 locus exhibited the highest degree of polymorphism, as indicated by a polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.94565 and a gene diversity (GD) value of 0.95623. Conversely, the DXS8378 locus displayed the lowest level of polymorphism, with a PIC value of 0.61026 and a GD value of 0.68170. Notably, two individuals were found to possess a rare allele (allele = 6) at the DXS8378 locus, which was not included in the allelic ladder of the kit. Furthermore, a significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) (p < 0.05/117) was observed between the DXS10103 and DXS10101 loci on linkage group 3 (LG3). The ancestral composition of the five primary geographic regions, namely Africa, Middle East, East Asia, Europe, and South America, was determined through the utilization of the FST/FSTmax ratio. The findings of this analysis revealed that the Middle Eastern populations exhibited the lowest FST/FSTmax ratio, measuring at 0.23243, indicating a relatively lower ancestral diversity. Conversely, the European populations showcased the highest FST/FSTmax ratio, measuring at 0.27122, indicative of a greater ancestral diversity within this region. Additionally, the allelic richness indicators, namely distinctive and private alleles, indicated that Africa and the Middle East displayed the highest levels, while Far East Asia exhibited the lowest. This analysis supports the hypothesis of repeated founder effects during outward migrations, as evidenced by both the ancestry variability and the allelic richness. Consequently, the findings of this study have important implications for forensic genetics and population genetics research, particularly in relation to the consideration of genetic predispositions within specific ethnic groups

An X-STRs analysis of the Iraqi Sorani Kurds

A database for the Iraqi Sorani Kurds, specifically focused on the 12 X-short tandem repeat (STR) loci, has been developed to fascilitate forensic and population genetics investigations. The present study involved genotyping 117 unrelated individuals from the Sorani Kurds ethnic group using the Investigator Argus X-12 QS kit. The analysis revealed that the DXS10135 locus exhibited the highest degree of polymorphism, as indicated by a polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.94565 and a gene diversity (GD) value of 0.95623. Conversely, the DXS8378 locus displayed the lowest level of polymorphism, with a PIC value of 0.61026 and a GD value of 0.68170. Notably, two individuals were found to possess a rare allele (allele = 6) at the DXS8378 locus, which was not included in the allelic ladder of the kit. Furthermore, a significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) (p < 0.05/117) was observed between the DXS10103 and DXS10101 loci on linkage group 3 (LG3). The ancestral composition of the five primary geographic regions, namely Africa, Middle East, East Asia, Europe, and South America, was determined through the utilization of the FST/FSTmax ratio. The findings of this analysis revealed that the Middle Eastern populations exhibited the lowest FST/FSTmax ratio, measuring at 0.23243, indicating a relatively lower ancestral diversity. Conversely, the European populations showcased the highest FST/FSTmax ratio, measuring at 0.27122, indicative of a greater ancestral diversity within this region. Additionally, the allelic richness indicators, namely distinctive and private alleles, indicated that Africa and the Middle East displayed the highest levels, while Far East Asia exhibited the lowest. This analysis supports the hypothesis of repeated founder effects during outward migrations, as evidenced by both the ancestry variability and the allelic richness. Consequently, the findings of this study have important implications for forensic genetics and population genetics research, particularly in relation to the consideration of genetic predispositions within specific ethnic groups

Enhanced of Maltenes -Asphalt Blends Specifications via Thermal Catalytic Processes

Abstract: In this article the effects of using maltenes, which have been pre-separated recently from paraffinic base asphalt to modify asphalt pavement in variety of percentages has been investigated. Further modification has been performed by applying chlorine gas using ultra violet and ferric chloride as catalyst at certain temperature in order to increase the homogeneity and performance of paving asphalt. Characterization of asphalt blends has been performed according to ASTM standards. The results showed that addition of 1% of maltenes increases the softening point for the blends from catalytic chlorination, which reflects the benefit of this treatment. The penetration index for blends obtained by catalytic chlorination has also improved compared to unchlorinated samples and to those obtained from treating the asphalt with maltenes alone. Finally the specific gravity of catalytic chlorinated blends increased, thus indicating the influence of chlorination on the improvements of asphalt blends

Can Low Level Laser Therapy Benefit Bone Regeneration in Localized Maxillary Cystic Defects? - A Prospective Randomized Control Trial

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on bone formation in cystic defects following cyst enucleation.PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample was composed of sixteen patients with enucleated maxillary bony cystic lesions. With an age range from 20 - 44 grouped as eight Laser and eight Control patients. Laser group was subjected to low intensity diode laser immediately after surgery and then for three times per week for two weeks using a therapeutic laser irradiation. Group B (control group): patients were not subjected laser therapy.RESULTS: The predictor variable was exposure of bone defect to LLLT or none. The outcome variable was bone density changes measured by digital radiographs at day 1 and days 90 postoperatively. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for the bone density at day 1. There was a statistically significant difference in bone density changes in each group at day 90: Significant at P ≤ 0.05. After adjusting for differences in day 1 for bone density, the estimated mean change in bone density changes at day 90 was significantly larger for Laser compared with control.CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that LLLT can enhance bone healing in maxillary cystic defects. This can serve as an adjunct method in preventing possible delayed healing and pathological fractures This also will be helpful for more researchers in early loading in case of dental implants to accelerate osseointegration

Critically ill patients with diabetes and Middle East respiratory syndrome:a multi-center observational study

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for infection with coronaviruses. This study describes the demographic, clinical data, and outcomes of critically ill patients with diabetes and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia (September 2012–January 2018). We compared the demographic characteristics, underlying medical conditions, presenting symptoms andsigns, management and clinical course, and outcomes of critically ill patients with MERS who had diabetes compared to those with no diabetes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine ifdiabetes was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality.Results: Of the 350 critically ill patients with MERS, 171 (48.9%) had diabetes. Patients with diabetes were more likely to be older, and have comorbid conditions, compared to patients with no diabetes. They were more likely topresent with respiratory failure requiring intubation, vasopressors, and corticosteroids. The median time to clearance of MERS-CoV RNA was similar (23 days (Q1, Q3: 17, 36) in patients with diabetes and 21.0 days (Q1, Q3: 10, 33) in patients with no diabetes). Mortality at 90 days was higher in patients with diabetes (78.9% versus 54.7%, p &lt;0.0001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that diabetes was an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality(odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–3.72).Conclusions: Half of the critically ill patients with MERS have diabetes; which is associated with more severe disease. Diabetes is an independent predictor of mortality among critically patients with MERS

Critically ill patients with diabetes and Middle East respiratory syndrome:a multi-center observational study

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for infection with coronaviruses. This study describes the demographic, clinical data, and outcomes of critically ill patients with diabetes and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia (September 2012–January 2018). We compared the demographic characteristics, underlying medical conditions, presenting symptoms andsigns, management and clinical course, and outcomes of critically ill patients with MERS who had diabetes compared to those with no diabetes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine ifdiabetes was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality.Results: Of the 350 critically ill patients with MERS, 171 (48.9%) had diabetes. Patients with diabetes were more likely to be older, and have comorbid conditions, compared to patients with no diabetes. They were more likely topresent with respiratory failure requiring intubation, vasopressors, and corticosteroids. The median time to clearance of MERS-CoV RNA was similar (23 days (Q1, Q3: 17, 36) in patients with diabetes and 21.0 days (Q1, Q3: 10, 33) in patients with no diabetes). Mortality at 90 days was higher in patients with diabetes (78.9% versus 54.7%, p &lt;0.0001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that diabetes was an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality(odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–3.72).Conclusions: Half of the critically ill patients with MERS have diabetes; which is associated with more severe disease. Diabetes is an independent predictor of mortality among critically patients with MERS

Abdominal pain from ingested bone misdiagnosed as appendicitis: Report of a rare case and literature review

Bones are potential foreign bodies that could be accidentally ingested, leading to several symptoms varying from asymptomatic to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. However, these cases are rare but may be misdiagnosed with other common diseases such as appendicitis. We present in this case a 25-year-old male who presented with appendicitis symptoms, after appendectomy the patient had the same complaint, But the colonoscopy demonstrated a meat bone in the terminal ileum and was removed with the same device. Finally, he was discharged from the hospital without complications and after decreasing abdominal pain. According to the literature review, this is one of the rare cases of using colonoscopy to treat bone impaction non-operatively

Occurrence of Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta Absoluta Meyrick(Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) in Duhok Region (A)

The aim of this work is to investigate the population density and infestation percentage of Tuta absoluta on tomato crop Lycopersicum esculentumMill under field conditions in three locations at Duhok province/ Kurdistan region/ northern of Iraq in 2012. The average number of mines/ leaflet, larvae/ leaf and larvae/ fruit during the study season were 2.33, 0.34 and 0.61 respectively. The results showed a significant differences in infestation percentage and number of male per trap among the three locations. The highest percentage of infestation was recorded in September as 74.00, 72.00 and 60.00 for Summel, Shekhan and Zawita respectively. The maximum number of males/ trap/ week was 1205.40 recorded on 26/8/2012 in Summel. Concerning the use of pheromone trap for pest monitoring, linear regression analysis results was significant between trap catches and the number of mines per leaf and the infestation rate of leave