Provisions of Quran Tajweed Ontology (Articulations Points of the Letters, UN Vowel Noon and Tanween)

The Holy Quran has rules that the reader must learn so that he can read the Qur'an correctly (Tajweed).The objective of this research is to design an ontology for some of Tajweed (Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween) to support the learning of this part of Tajweed and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge with the other Holy Quran applications. In order to achieve this goal, the researchers adopted the applied approach using protégé framework with OWL to the provisions build the Ontology. The provisions of Quran Tajweed Ontology (Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween) use knowledge representation to define the key concepts in Un Vowel Noon and Tanween (Clearness, Merge, Hiding, Change) and The Letters Articulations, and show the relationships between these concepts and its properties. The fundamental concepts in the ontology are based on the knowledge extracting from the Books of Tajweed, and some verses of the Holy Quran to infer the Provisions. The designed ontology can retrieves information about Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween. Furthermore, it can be shared and reused in applications related to Holy Quran Tajweed

Provisions of Quran Tajweed Ontology (Articulations Points of the Letters, UN Vowel Noon and Tanween)

The Holy Quran has rules that the reader must learn so that he can read the Qur'an correctly (Tajweed).The objective of this research is to design an ontology for some of Tajweed (Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween) to support the learning of this part of Tajweed and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge with the other Holy Quran applications. In order to achieve this goal, the researchers adopted the applied approach using protégé framework with OWL to the provisions build the Ontology. The provisions of Quran Tajweed Ontology (Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween) use knowledge representation to define the key concepts in Un Vowel Noon and Tanween (Clearness, Merge, Hiding, Change) and The Letters Articulations, and show the relationships between these concepts and its properties. The fundamental concepts in the ontology are based on the knowledge extracting from the Books of Tajweed, and some verses of the Holy Quran to infer the Provisions. The designed ontology can retrieves information about Articulations Points of the Letters, Un Vowel Noon and Tanween. Furthermore, it can be shared and reused in applications related to Holy Quran Tajweed

Therapeutic role of glucogalactan polysaccharide extracted from Agaricus bisporus on trimethyltin chloride induced neuropathy in rats

Trimethyltin (TMT) chloride induces limbic system neuro-degeneration, resulting in behavioral alterations like cognitive deficits. This study investigates the effect of glucogalactan polysaccharide (GA) extract, which was purified from the roots of Agaricus bisporus mushroom, on trimethyltin chloride (TMT) induced neuropathy in rats. Adult male rats (200 ±10 g) were divided into four groups that were fed with basal diet throughout the experiment (28 days). The first group (G I) was control group, the second group (GII) was treated with 300 mg/kg BW GA intraperitoneally (i.p.) daily for 28 day. The third group (GIII) was administered i.p. with 8.0 mg TMT /kg body weight (BW), and the fourth (G IV) was treated like the third group and was injected with GA 300 mg/kg BW daily for 28 day after 48 h of TMT. Many bioactive compounds, which were found in GA did not cause any changes in the second group compared to normal control group. The results reveal that GA given 48 h after TMT treatment has excellent neuropathy effect, lowers the average of MDA, HSP70, homocystein and the neurotransmitters in brain tissue homogenate; they were markedly reduced by the administration of GA to almost normal levels. Neurotransmitters and nitric oxide were significantly increased in the group given GA treatment compared to TMT group. The comet assay for DNA revealed that, TMT induced statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in the mean value of the tail length and tail moment of the rats. They significantly decreased after GA treatment, suggesting alleviated oxidative stress mediated by TMT. GA administered TMT-treated rats had improved brain histology, diminished level of MDA and nitric oxide (NO) in brain tissue and enhanced total antioxidant capacity in serum compared to TMT group. It could be concluded that GA plays a positive role in the improvement of brain function after TMT-induced neuropathy. Taken together, our results suggest that GA will be useful in developing strategies for protecting nervous system and improving the brain.Keywords: Trimethyltin, neuro-degeneration, Agaricusbisporus, glucogalactan

Trends of gastric malignancies: Case study of Ibn Sina Hospital 2010-2011

Back ground: Gastric malignancies carry poor prognosis, because they commonly present at an advanced stage.Objective: to find out mode of presentation and its impact on the outcome and management of gastric cancer and to find if there are changes in trends of gastric malignancies over the last decade.Patients and methods: A review of 53 patients with gastric malignancies, treated at Ibn Sina Hospital from August 2010 through August 2011. Their demographic data, pattern of clinical presentation, histopathology grading and staging, type of management and hospital mortality were studied.Statistical analysis: Data was fed to Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Means and correlations were computed where appropriate. One sample t-test was performed. Statistical significance was taken at P = 0.05.Results: Out of 53 patients males comprise 30(56.6%) males. The peak frequency was at the age group 55-70 years. Patients from the Northern Region of Sudan constituted 34%. Adenocarcinoma comprised 43(81.3%), GIST 8(15%), lymphoma 1(1.9%) and carcinoid 1(1.9%). Epigastric painwas the commonest symptom in 47(88.7%) patients. Smoking and snuff (Tombak) and high salt diet were found in 7.5% and 5.7% and 3.8% patients respectively. Blood group A and O was found in 22.6% and 60.4% respectively. Family cancer syndrome was found in 11.3% patients.Malignancies of the antrum constitute 27(65.85%), cardia 4(9.8%), body 7(17.1%), and whole stomach 3(7.3%) patients. There were only 6.25% clinically early cases. Potentially curative resection was attempted in 31.7%. The mean hospital stay was 12 days.Conclusion: Patients presented at stage III and IV comprise 30 (93.75%) out of 32 carcinoma patients. The hospital morbidity was 13(24.6%) patients and mortality 4(7.5%) patients. When compared with results from same hospital there is improvement in outcome over a decade.Keywords: Adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, carcinoid, dysphagia

Accounting Students’ Motivation for Getting Professionally Qualified

To move Malaysia to a developing nation, 60,000 professionally qualified accountants are needed by 2030. However, as of April 2017, only 33,000 accountants have registered as members of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). The purpose of this research is to analyse students’ behaviour on the motivational factors to obtain professional accounting qualifications. This study gathered the response of 187 students as samples from the only public university in Malaysia that offers ACCA professional accounting certificate. The results show that most students are motivated by intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, while there is no relationship between third parties’ influence and demographic factors with the decision to pursue a professional accounting qualification. Keywords: Professional qualified; intrinsic motivation; extrinsic motivation; accounting students eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.245

Insecticidal Activity of Lemongrass Essential Oil as an Eco-Friendly Agent against the Black Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordBackground: The destructive insect pest Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous species targeting many economically important plants. The extensive and arbitrary use of insecticides has resulted in the build-up of insecticide resistance and pesticide residues accumulating in food. Therefore, it is becoming evident that alternative pest management tools are needed to reduce risks to humans, the environment, and non-target organisms, and at the same time, they should be used in field application at the lowest cost. Methods: In view of this objective, the present study demonstrates the toxicity of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) essential oil (EO), against the black cutworm A. ipsilon under controlled laboratory conditions in terms of measuring the activity of peroxidase and detoxification enzymes. The chemical components of the EO were analyzed using GC–MS. Results: The results show that after 96 h post treatment, the LC15 and LC50 values were 427.67 and 2623.06 mg/L, respectively, of C. citratus EO on second-instar larvae of A. ipsilon. A slight significance in elongation of the larval duration with LC15 and LC50 value was found with control. By GC–MS analysis, the main compounds identified in the EO were α-citral and β-citral with percentages of 35.91%, and 35%, respectively. The oxidative stress indicates a significant increase in CAT and lipid peroxidase enzyme activity after 96 h post treatment at the LC15 and LC50. Conversely, the detoxification enzyme activity shows an inhibition of CarE and GST enzymes of larvae exposed to LC15 and LC50 values in response to C. citratus EO. Conclusions: The present data show that lemongrass EO has insecticidal activity against the black cutworm, A. ipsilon.King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabi

Mapping of mosquito breeding sites in malaria endemic areas in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The application of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the study of vector transmitted diseases considerably improves the management of the information obtained from the field survey and facilitates the study of the distribution patterns of the vector species.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>As part of a study to assess remote sensing data as a tool for vector mapping, geographical features like rivers, small streams, forest, roads and residential area were digitized from the satellite images and overlaid with entomological data. Map of larval breeding habitats distribution and map of malaria transmission risk area were developed using a combination of field data, satellite image analysis and GIS technique. All digital data in the GIS were displayed in the WGS 1984 coordinate system. Six occasions of larval surveillance were also conducted to determine the species of mosquitoes, their characteristics and the abundance of habitats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Larval survey studies showed that anopheline and culicine larvae were collected and mapped from 79 and 67 breeding sites respectively. Breeding habitats were located at 100-400 m from human settlement. Map of villages with 400 m buffer zone visualizes that more than 80% of <it>Anopheles maculatus s.s</it>. immature habitats were found within the buffer zone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study amplifies the need for a broadening of the GIS approach which is emphasized with the aim of rejuvenating the dynamic aspect of entomological studies in Malaysia. In fact, the use of such basic GIS platforms promote a more rational basis for strategic planning and management in the control of endemic diseases at the national level.</p

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Implementation of Task-based and problem-based Pharmacotherapy Course for Pre-Clinical Medical Students

Pharmacology, like other basic science disciplines, is still taught didactically in many medical schools. Increasing number of drugs, changes on general principles of mechanisms of drug action and more information on properties of drugs require innovative approaches to undergraduate education. Research in medical and pharmaceutical education is increasingly utilizing a variety of innovative teaching methods to ultimately improve retention of knowledge. This paper describes implementation of new task-based and problem-based pharmacotherapy course for 3rd year pre-clinical medical students at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic University. Keywords: Pharmacotherapy, Task-based learning, P -drug Sudan Journal of Medical Science Vol. 3 (4) 2008: pp. 269-27