The Quality of Civil Engineering Graduates: Case of Jordan

In this research we study the skills set and knowledge gap in civil engineering graduates and the market needs. Civil engineering is considered one of the most important engineering sectors in the world, and its effect directly impacts both GDP and employment; to keep and develop this field in Jordan, especially during the pandemic where students missed skills during the lockdown. In addition to, studying the changes in the market needs and building a new infrastructure depending on the increasing growth in population, then find a new method to introduce these skills and knowledge in the Jordanian universities. Moreover, find a way to improve the academic background in Jordanian universities to reduce the unemployment rates. This study was conducted mainly in Jordan, with some expertise being consulted from the region in six hypotheses

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

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

Preparation and characterization of Ge-Ni-Te nanocomposite

NixGe50–xTe50 with x = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20 at% ternary nanocomposite prepared using multistage solid-state direct reaction. Nanocrystalline nature was studied by X-ray powder diffraction, results reviled that, the main phase is rhombohedral GeTe polymorph, and the second major phase is hexagonal Ni3GeTe2. The calculated average crystallite size of the whole constituents in prepared samples is within the range of 47.3-83.8 nm. Optical properties evaluated from diffuse reflection measurements and the calculated bandgap of all samples are nonmonotonically changes with Ni content from 1.45 to 1.62 eV with the direct allowed transition

A study of the structural, optical, and ferroelectric characteristics of Pb-Ge-Te nanocrystalline alloys as potential candidates for memory devices and Near-Infrared (NIR) applications

Pb50-xGexTe50 (x = 15, 20, 25, 30 at. %) nanocrystalline bulk alloys were prepared using solid-state direct reaction. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis of the reference structure (Ge = 15 at.%) revealed a slightly distorted cubic structure, with a lattice parameter of 6.43 Å and an inter-axis unit cell angle of 88.69°. Atomic force images\u27 analysis and histograms displayed a homogenous particle size distribution in the nanoscale for all samples. Density measurements showed a gradual decrease from 7.89 to 6.98 g/cm3 with increasing Ge content in agreement with the calculated values. The polarization–field hysteresis behavior verifies the ferroelectric activity of the prepared alloys, suggesting them as potential candidates for non-volatile ferroelectric memory devices (NVFRAMs) applications. Optical properties analyzed using diffuse reflectance measurements exhibited direct transitions with a bandgap decreasing from 1.57 to 1.35 eV with increasing Ge content matching the near-infrared spectrum (NIR) perfectly

Novel process technologies for conversion of carbon dioxide from industrial flue gas streams into methanol

This research aims to develop efficient process technologies that are capable of converting/utilising CO2 streams into energy-rich liquid products (fuels). This would result in better solutions with near-zero-carbon-emissions level. From an energetic and economic point of view, methanol synthesis from CO2 is a competitive alternate to methanol production from biomass. Our work considers the CO2 balance for the technologies proposed, taking into account all CO2 flows from/to the environment. Flue gas CO2 streams released from electric power stations, steel industry, petroleum industry, and cement industry are good candidates for the developed technologies. Three new processes are developed and modelled for converting CO2 streams into liquid methanol. The total cost of equipment and utility for all process scenarios are evaluated and compared. The energy targets as well as the CO2 emissions (balance) are determined. Heat integration is performed on the best selected process technology. The case study employed for the present work is a power station plant burning natural gas for electricity production with a capacity of 112 MW, releasing 328 t/h flue gases to the atmosphere, of which CO2 gas accounts for 14%; hydrogen required for CO2 conversion comes from the chlor-alkali industry. The optimum process technology reached in this contribution results in methanol production of 0.625 t-per-tonne of CO2 waste gas supply, leading to an annual production of 222,507 tons methanol with a profit of 56.55 M$/y. Thus, the CO2 release to the environment is cut by about 62%

Management of early complications of hepatic artery post living donor liver transplantations in adults

Background: Liver transplantation has rightly gained recognition as an established therapy for end stage liver disease and acute liver failure. Liver transplantation in humans has come a very long way in a short period of time. The aim were to identify the causes and the risk factors of early complications of hepatic artery post LDLT in adults. Methods: This is a retrospective &amp; prospective analysis study, which was carried out in Orthopedic Surgery This study was conducted on a retrospective review of 20 recipient patients who underwent LDLT and suffering from an early hepatic artery complications at Cairo University Hospitals and Dar Al Foad Hospital from starting the program till 2016. Results. Risk factors were examined as predictors of success including age, sex, history of HCV +/- HCC and any co-morbidity (DM, HTN), the Child-Pugh score, MELD score, identification of potential risk factors (trans-arterial chemo embolization (TACE) &amp; Hyper-coaglable states), careful preoperative evaluations (Donor &amp; Recipient). Conclusion: Early HA complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality after LDLT. Urgent revascularization is necessary to avoid graft loss.&nbsp

Effects of Fogging System and Nitric Oxide on Growth and Yield of ‘Naomi’ Mango Trees Exposed to Frost Stress

In years with unfavorable weather, winter frost during the blossoming season can play a significant role in reducing fruit yield and impacting the profitability of cultivation. The mango Naomi cultivar Mangifera indica L. has a low canopy that is severely affected by the effects of frost stress. As a result of the canopy being exposed to physiological problems, vegetative development is significantly inhibited. The current investigation aimed to study the influence of spraying nitric oxide and fogging spray systems on Naomi mango trees grafted on ‘Succary’ rootstock under frost stress conditions. The treatments were as follows: nitric oxide (NO) 50 and 100 μM, fogging spray system, and control. In comparison to the control, the use of nitric oxide and a fogging system significantly improved the leaf area, photosynthesis pigments of the leaf, the membrane stability index, yield, and physical and chemical characteristics of the Naomi mango cultivar. For instance, the application of 50 μM NO, 100 μM NO, and the fogging spray system resulted in an increase in yield by 41.32, 106.12, and 121.43% during the 2020 season, and by 39.37, 101.30, and 124.68% during the 2021 season compared to the control, respectively. The fogging spray system and highest level of NO decreased electrolyte leakage, proline content, total phenolic content, catalase (CAT), peroxidases (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities in leaves. Furthermore, the number of damaged leaves per shoot was significantly reduced after the application of fogging spray systems and nitric oxide in comparison to the control. Regarding vegetative growth, our results indicated that the fogging spray system and spraying nitric oxide at 100 μM enhanced the leaf surface area compared to the control and other treatments. A similar trend was noticed regarding yield and fruit quality, whereas the best values were obtained when the fogging spray system using nitric oxide was sprayed at a concentration of 100 μM. The application of fogging spray systems and nitric oxide can improve the production and fruit quality of Naomi mango trees by reducing the effects of adverse frost stress conditions

Artificial intelligence in cancer imaging:Clinical challenges and applications

Judgement, as one of the core tenets of medicine, relies upon the integration of multilayered data with nuanced decision making. Cancer offers a unique context for medical decisions given not only its variegated forms with evolution of disease but also the need to take into account the individual condition of patients, their ability to receive treatment, and their responses to treatment. Challenges remain in the accurate detection, characterization, and monitoring of cancers despite improved technologies. Radiographic assessment of disease most commonly relies upon visual evaluations, the interpretations of which may be augmented by advanced computational analyses. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) promises to make great strides in the qualitative interpretation of cancer imaging by expert clinicians, including volumetric delineation of tumors over time, extrapolation of the tumor genotype and biological course from its radiographic phenotype, prediction of clinical outcome, and assessment of the impact of disease and treatment on adjacent organs. AI may automate processes in the initial interpretation of images and shift the clinical workflow of radiographic detection, management decisions on whether or not to administer an intervention, and subsequent observation to a yet to be envisioned paradigm. Here, the authors review the current state of AI as applied to medical imaging of cancer and describe advances in 4 tumor types (lung, brain, breast, and prostate) to illustrate how common clinical problems are being addressed. Although most studies evaluating AI applications in oncology to date have not been vigorously validated for reproducibility and generalizability, the results do highlight increasingly concerted efforts in pushing AI technology to clinical use and to impact future directions in cancer care