Utilizing Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing to Delineate the Structural Features in the Eastern Part of the Dead Sea, Jordan

Digital image processing techniques were used for mapping structural features using a medium resolution image (ETM+) from Landsat 7. The aim of this study is to utilize remote sensed data and digital image processing techniques for updating the structural map in the north eastern part of the Dead Sea (Ma’in area), Jordan. The study area is becoming an important target for geological survey activities, mineral exploration and industrial investment. This area was chosen for conducting a study based on satellite imagery interpretation of Landsat Thematic Mapper (ETM+). A special attention has been given in this study to the textural analysis techniques and the methods of image enhancements of Landsat (ETM+) images. As a result, a new lineament map was produced that represents the subsurface geological features and structures using visual interpretation and digital image processing by utilizing different enhancement techniques. A map showing the old structural features at a sub-regional scale has been produced together with a map showing the new structural features as interpreted from Thematic Mapper images

Treatment of olive mill based wastewater by means of magnetic nanoparticles: Decolourization, dephenolization and COD removal

AbstractOlive mill wastewater (OMW) is an environmental concern that has been highlighted as a serious environmental problem in the Mediterranean basin countries because of its high organic load and phytotoxic and antibacterial phenolic compounds, which resist biological degradation. Consequently, this type of wastewater represents a huge challenge for the conventional wastewater treatment techniques as it can impact the lifetime of bacteria needed for the treatment. Iron-oxide nanoparticles are attractive for wastewater treatment for two important reasons. First, nanoparticles can remove pollutants from wastewater rapidly. Second, this magnetic type of nanoparticles could be separated easily using a magnet after finishing treatment process. In this study, we aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the removal of large organic contaminants from OMW. Batch and continuous mode processes were applied on OMW treatment to determine the effect of contact time, solution pH, coexisting contaminants and the adsorption isotherm.The results showed that the adsorption was fast and the adsorption reached equilibrium within less than 30min. The adsorption equilibrium data fit very well to the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) Model, indicating multi-layers adsorption. The adsorption of major pollutants was associated to an efficient removal of coexisting contaminants such as heavy metals and free ions. The adsorption of OMW pollutants was dependent on pH of the solution. Finally, continuous-mode process was tested successfully using a packed bed column that combined sand filtration with magnetic nanoparticles to decolourize OMW effluent. This study will provide valuable insight on the effect of nanoparticles toward the treatment and recyclability of olive mill wastewater, which is crucial for the local olive mill industry. After seeing the successful achievement of integrating nanoparticles with fixed bed filtration, a preliminary process description and cost estimation of stand-alone plant (with a capacity of 4m3/h) for OMW treatment were considered in this study. Process capital and annual operating costs were estimated to be $12,306 and$476/year, respectively

Does ureteral access sheath have an impact on ureteral injury?

Objective: To present a well-organized review about ureteral access sheath impact on ureteral injury. Materials and Methods: Systemic search on literature was done. Total of 3766 studies observed by two urologists and results were unified. A Prisma diagram was used for eliminating irrelevant studies and at the end of elimination process 28 studies were found eligible for this review. Results: Not only clinical studies but also comparative experimental animal studies show that there is no significant data to claim that ureteral access sheath insertion causes more ureteral injury. Pre-stented patients were found to be at lower risk for ureteral injury. Risk of progression to ureteral injury seems to be low even if ureteral injury occurs with insertion of ureteral access sheath. Conclusion: Summary of studies' results indicate that use of ureteral access sheath doesn't increase ureteral injury. This review may help understanding safety profile of ureteral access sheath on evidence-based level. There is not enough data to make a statement that ureteral access sheath prevents ureteral injury

The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip (365 km2 ) of Palestine (27,000 km2 ) is home to a wealth of terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Some of these faunistic species find their ways to preservation at the local universities. Hence, the current study comes to document the Palestinian terrestrial vertebrate fauna acquired by the biology exhibitions (BEs) of Al-Azhar University, Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University that are located at the Gaza City of the Gaza Strip. The amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals preserved at BEs of the universities in question were surveyed and scientifically classified during a three-month period extending from January to March, 2012. The study showed that all BEs of local universities are underdeveloped, lacking attention and suffer from specimen scarcity and good preservation. The BE at Al-Azhar University is the best in the arrangement and preservation of bird specimens. A total number of 200 specimens belonging to 54 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species, 39 families and 17 orders was recorded at BEs. Reptiles constituted 40.7% of the total species recorded, followed by birds (38.9%), mammals (14.8%) and amphibians (5.6%). The Islamic University of Gaza was considered the best in terms of the number of preserved species (39.8%), followed by Al-Azhar University (36.3%) and Al-Aqsa University (23.9%). The Common Toad (Bufo viridis) was the most preserved among the amphibian species recorded. Squamata was the biggest reptilian order, comprising 20 species (8 lizards and 12 snakes), with the Syrian Black Snake (Coluber jugularis asianus) was the commonest. The Palestine Viper (Vipera palaestinae) is endemic to Palestine and most venomous and dangerous to human health. The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) was the largest Palestinian bird preserved at BE of Al-Azhar University. The Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) and the Common Badger (Meles meles) were the biggest mammalian specimens preserved, while the Palestine Mole-rat (Spalax leucodon ehrenbergi) was the only Palestine endemic species encountered among the preserved mammals. Finally, the improvement of BEs of local universities and the construction of a Central Museum of Natural History is highly recommended in order to change the Palestinians’ attitudes toward a sustainable ecological conservation in the Gaza Strip

Antagonism of regulatory ISGs enhances the anti-melanoma efficacy of STING agonists

BackgroundStimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is a dsDNA sensor that triggers type I inflammatory responses. Recent data from our group and others support the therapeutic efficacy of STING agonists applied intratumorally or systemically in a range of murine tumor models, with treatment benefits associated with tumor vascular normalization and improved immune cell recruitment and function within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, such interventions are rarely curative and STING agonism coordinately upregulates expression of immunoregulatory interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) including Arg2, Cox2, Isg15, Nos2, and Pdl1 that may limit treatment benefits. We hypothesized that combined treatment of melanoma-bearing mice with STING agonist ADU-S100 together with antagonists of regulatory ISGs would result in improved control of tumor growth vs. treatment with ADU-S100 alone.MethodsMice bearing either B16 (BRAFWTPTENWT) or BPR20 (BRAFV600EPTEN-/-) melanomas were treated with STING agonist ADU-S100 plus various inhibitors of ARG2, COX2, NOS2, PD-L1, or ISG15. Tumor growth control and changes in the TME were evaluated for combination treatment vs ADU-S100 monotherapy by tumor area measurements and flow cytometry/transcriptional profiling, respectively.ResultsIn the B16 melanoma model, we noted improved antitumor efficacy only when ADU-S100 was combined with neutralizing/blocking antibodies against PD-L1 or ISG15, but not inhibitors of ARG2, COX2, or NOS2. Conversely, in the BPR20 melanoma model, improved tumor growth control vs. ADU-S100 monotherapy was only observed when combining ADU-S100 with ARG2i, COX2i, and NOS2i, but not anti-PD-L1 or anti-ISG15. Immune changes in the TME associated with improved treatment outcomes were subtle but included increases in proinflammatory innate immune cells and activated CD8+CD69+ T cells and varied between the two tumor models.ConclusionsThese data suggest contextual differences in the relative contributions of individual regulatory ISGs that serve to operationally limit the anti-tumor efficacy of STING agonists which should be considered in future design of novel combination protocols for optimal treatment benefit

Institutional Partnerships for the Design and Launch of Four Blended Online Graduate Nursing Programs

A collaborative partnership between healthcare leaders, students, alumni and university scholars resulted in the design and launch of four blended online graduate nursing programs. The programs, consisting of one-year certificates leading to a Master of Nursing degree, are the first in Canada to be offered in a technology intensive format. They meet the accessibility needs of healthcare professionals whose work and other responsibilities prevent them from pursuing graduate education. The certificates are available in four specialization areas: contemporary topics in aging; addiction and mental health; innovations in teaching and learning; and leadership for health system transformation. Each graduate certificate can be earned alone or combined for credit towards the MN degree. The impact of the program on educators and students is significant. Student access in the graduate programs of the Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary will increase by 300%. Teaching in the new technology intensive program requires educators to critically examine their teaching and learning practice; adopt blended T&L technologies; and closely consider SoTL principles to support student learning. Student admissions are currently underway for the first cohort to join the program in Fall 2019. We will share lessons learned from program design including partnerships with AHS, the UCalgary’s Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, the Faculty of Social Work, Werklund School of Education, Haskayne School of Business and the department of Continuing Education

Music Students’ Perception Towards Music Distance Learning Education During COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan

During COVID-19 pandemic countries have faced various levels of COVID-19 infection rates, and millions of students are affected by changing the educational process. However, many music Schools have been faced with the challenge of dealing with a situation that necessitates emergency measures to continue the academic course in the midst of lock-downs and social distancing measures. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of online methods of learning and to decide their feasibility and appropriateness for music students. Thus, this research aimed to provide an analysis of Music Students’ Perception towered Music E-learning Education during COVID-19 Pandemic, to study the situation of musicians in COVID-19 and to study music Distance learning knowledge, attitudes and practices and to develop suggestions for solving the problems. A sample of (83) students from the music department in the University of Jordan completed a questionnaire. An online survey distributed The survey sought population and socio-economic information and information relating to electronic and online musical training; musical education during the COVID 19 pandemic; mental music assessments; and the skills, attitudes and practices of E-learning. Most respondents (76.2%) agreed that Distance learning is applicable in music department. While (54.2 %) of the respondents agreed Distance learning is a possible substitute for standard education. However, E-learning has actually been created as a modern way of improving the process of learning and improving learning performance

Correction: Microcomputed tomography analysis of curved root canal preparation when coronal flaring and glide path files used with heat-treated nickel titanium rotary files.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299896.]