The Role of Human Resource Management Towards Employees Retention During Covid-19 Pandemic in Medical Supplies Sector - Egypt

The introduction of the report has mentioned the aim of this research. As per the introductory part, the aim of this research paper is to examine the role of Human Resources Management (HRM) towards the employees as far as curbing the adverse impact of Covid-19 is concerned. The Literature Review has mentioned the theories of motivation that impacts on the retention level of the employees, along with the studies conducted in the same domain. Some of the studies have been included in which strategies of the companies have mentioned to curb the negative impacts of Covid-19. The quantitative method has been utilized for the same research in which a total of 140 respondents have been selected on the scale of non-probability sampling. Descriptive Statistics and Correlation are the statistical metrics used for the same purpose. From the analysis, it is found that HR managers should play their role in maximizing the satisfaction level of their employees, and the major elements are mentioned in the analysis part. Workplace Guidelines & Support and Access to Information and Financial benefits are some of the main elements that should have been considered by the entities for maximizing their income potential and values accordingly

A Simulated Annealing Algorithm within the Variable Neighbourhood Search Framework to Solve the Capacitated Facility Location-Allocation Problem

In this study, we discuss the capacitated facility location-allocation problem with uncertain parameters in which the uncertainty is characterized by given finite numbers of scenarios. In this model, the objective function minimizes the total expected costs of transportation and opening facilities subject to the robustness constraint. To tackle the problem efficiently and effectively, an efficient hybrid solution algorithm based on several meta-heuristics and an exact algorithm is put forward. This algorithm generates neighborhoodsby combining the main concepts of variable neighborhood search, simulated annealing, and tabu search and finds the local optima by using an algorithm that uses an exact method in its framework. Finally, to test the algorithms’ performance, we apply numerical experiments on both randomly generated and standard test problems. Computational experiments show that our algorithm is more effective and efficient in term of CPU time and solutions quality in comparison with CPLEX solver

Silk-Based Biopolymers Promise Extensive Biomedical Applications in Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, and BioMEMS

As an FDA-approved biopolymer, silk has been contemplated for a wide range of applications based on its unique merits, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and piezoelectricity. As silk, in both crystalline structure and amorphous state, exhibits unique physical, mechanical, and biological properties (promoting cell migration, differentiation, growth, and protein-surface interaction), it is fruitful to understand its potential applications. Sensors, actuators, and drug delivery systems are the best in case. As such, the current effort first introduces silk fibroin (SF) and delineates its characteristics. It then explores the extensive use of this biomaterial in tissue engineering approaches, in addition to its biosensor and electro-active wearable bioelectronic application. To this end, the SF application in cardiovascular, skin, cartilage, and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy and wound healing was studied precisely. Compositing any type of other variables to induce a specific application or improve any SF barriers, namely its hydrophobicity, poor electrical conductivity, or tuning its mechanical properties, especially in tissue engineering applications, has also been discussed wherever it is deemed informative.</p

Balanced Crystalloids versus Normal Saline in Adults with Sepsis: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The crystalloid fluid of choice in sepsis remains debatable. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to compare the effect of balanced crystalloids (BC) vs. normal saline (NS) in adults with sepsis. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Sciences databases through 22 January 2022, was performed for studies that compared BC vs. NS in adults with sepsis. Our outcomes included mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), and ICU length of stay (LOS). Pooled risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using a random-effect model. Fifteen studies involving 20,329 patients were included. Overall, BC showed a significant reduction in the overall mortality (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.96), 28/30-day mortality (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.95), and AKI (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.93) but similar 90-day mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.03), need for RRT (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.76-1.08), and ICU LOS (MD -0.25 days, 95% CI -3.44, 2.95), were observed between the two groups. However, subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed no statistically significant differences in overall mortality (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.82-1.02), AKI (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.47-1.06), and need for RRT (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.36-1.41). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that overall BC was associated with reduced mortality and AKI in sepsis compared to NS among patients with sepsis. However, subgroup analysis of RCTs showed no significant differences in both overall mortality and AKI between the groups. There was no significant difference in the need for RRT or ICU LOS between BC and NS. Pending further data, our study supports using BC over NS for fluid resuscitation in adults with sepsis. Further large-scale RCTs are necessary to validate our findings

Distribution of apolipoprotein AI-containing lipoprotein subclasses in plasma of normolipidemic subjects

The distribution of apoA-I among apoA-I-containing lipoprotein (AI-Lp) subclasses in plasma was studied by immunoblotting utilizing agarose gel matrix incorporating anti-apoA-I as the transfer medium. Nine AI-Lp subclasses were detected in the plasma of normolipidemics, with relative molecular masses ranging from 70000 to≥354000 and diameters from 7.12 to≥11.6 nm. The mass distribution of AI-Lp subclasses was significantly different between males and females, and some subclasses increased gradually with age while others decreased. There was a significant strong positive correlation between subclass 1 (Mr 70000-75000) and subclass 3 (Mr 105000-126000) in all subjects and age groups. Analysis of similar AI-Lp or HDL subclasses reported in the literature showed variability in the sizes reported by various workers. This stresses the need for a unified classification of such subclasses, and this work contributes to this direction. The quantitative nature of the method used in this work compared with the semiquantitative approaches used earlier makes it a better method for the study of the quantitative changes of the subclasses in various physiological and pathological states. The method helps to generate ideas for in vitro and in vivo studies of apoA-I exchange among subclasses and in vivo kinetic studies. Conclusion. Plasma level of the AI-Lp subclasses varied quantitatively with age and gender, and strong correlations were detected between some subclasses. This work contributes to a better classification of AI-Lp subclasses according to their size. Comparison of the method used here with the methods reported in the literature revealed its advantages

Robust Capacitated Facility Location Problem: Optimization Model and Solution Algorithms

Abstract In this article, we propose an extension of the capacitated facility location problem under uncertainty, where uncertainty may appear in the model&apos;s key parameters such as demands and costs. In this model, it is assumed that facilities have hard constraint on the amount of demand they can serve and, as a result, some customers may not be fully satisfied. Unfortunately, traditional models ignore this situation and if facilities do not serve all demands, the model becomes infeasible. Accordingly, we develop the mathematical formulation in order to allow partial satisfaction by introducing penalty costs for unsatisfied demands. In general, this model optimizes location for predefined number of capacitated facilities in such a way that minimizes total expected costs of transportation, construction, and penalty costs of uncovered demands, while relative regret in each scenario must be no greater than a positive number ( The developed model is NP-hard and very challenging to solve. Therefore, an efficient heuristic solution algorithm based on the variable neighborhood search is developed to solve the problem. The algorithm&apos;s efficiency is compared with the simulated annealing algorithm and CPLEX solver by solving variety of test problems.Computational experiments show that the proposed algorithm is more effective and efficient in terms of CPU time and solutions quality

RIS-aided secure millimeter-wave communication under RF-chain impairments

The effects of hardware impairments (HWIs) on the secrecy performance of a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-assisted millimeter wave system are investigated, where a multiantenna base station (BS) transmits confidential messages to a single-antenna mobile user (MU) in the presence of a singleantenna passive eavesdropper (Eve). Artificial noise (AN)-aided transmission by the BS is proposed for improving the achievable secrecy rate. As the first step, we construct a system model in the absence of HWIs. For this case, we present optimal solutions for the signal and AN powers, the beamforming design at the BS, and the phase shifts of the RIS elements. Then closed-form expressions are derived for the cumulative distribution functions of the signal-to-noise-ratios experienced at the legitimate and eavesdropping nodes. Finally, a compact solution is presented for the ergodic secrecy rate (ESR) performance. At the next step, we extend our designs and analysis by considering the HWIs of the radio-frequency (RF) modules of the BS, MU and Eve. Our results highlight the detrimental impact of HWIs on the achievable ESR. Finally, we find that the ESR can be further increased by beneficially distributing the tolerable HWIs between the transmission and reception RF chains

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: Diagnostic role of gadolinium enhanced MR cisternography

Background: Accurate localization of the defect is crucial for successful surgical repair of CSF rhinorrhea. This could be achieved by MRI cisternography using T1 weighted sequences followed by intra-thecal injection of low dose of gadolinium for valuable localization and characterization of the defect. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of intrathecal gadolinium enhanced MR cisternography in localization of the defect in cases of CSF rhinorrhea to demonstrate how to utilize it as a roadmap to select the most appropriate approach for leak repair. Patients and methods: This study included 24 patients (16 male and 8 females) with CSF rhinorrhea, referred from Otorhinolaryngology Department. Seventeen leaks were spontaneous, 5 cases were traumatic and two iatrogenic. All cases underwent MR gadolinium enhanced cisternography via lumbar puncture. Results: Gadolinium enhanced MR cisternography accurately diagnosed and confirmed the site of CSF leak in 22/24 (91.7%) cases. The most common site was the ethmoidal roof in 18/24 cases. Our results were correlated with endoscopic surgery and repair with an accuracy rate of 100%. Conclusions: Intra-thecal gadolinium enhanced MR cisternography is essential for accurate pre-operative localization and characterization of the defect in cases of CSF rhinorrhea