Optical Parameters of Varies Thickness of Bismuth (Iii) Iodide Thin Films for Photovoltaic and Nonlinear Applications

We report in varies thickness of BiI3 thin films by thermal evaporation techniques onto glass substrate. The films were strongly oriented along the (113) plane. The structural parameters of these films (crystallite size and lattice strain) were determined using (XRD) pattern. The thicknesses and refractive indices of the films were considered using Swanepoels method. The band gap was determined in terms of T and R spectrum in the UV-region of the absorption. The possible optical transitions of all films are found to be allowed direct transition with energy gap fluctuate bout 1.96 ± 2% eV. Dielectric constant, volume-energy-loss function (VELF) and surface-energy-loss function (SELF) for as deposited films were discussed in terms of film thickness rising. The change in optical parameters have been interpreted in terms of the change in microstructure parameters. BiI3 is recommended for photovoltaics and nonlinear optics because of its higher absorption coefficient, dielectric constant, and fair band gap

An Analytical Simulator for Deploying IP Telephony

Deploying IP telephony or voice over IP (VoIP) is a major and challenging task. This paper describes an analytical design and planning simulator to assess the readiness of existing IP networks for the deployment of VoIP. The analytical simulator utilizes techniques used for network flows and queueing network analysis to compute two key performance bounds for VoIP: delay and bandwidth. The simulator is GUI-based and has an interface with drag-and-drop features to easily construct any generic network topology. The simulator has an engine that automates and implements the analytical techniques. The engine determines the number of VoIP calls that can be sustained by the constructed network while satisfying VoIP QoS requirements and leaving adequate capacity for future growth. As a case study, the paper illustrates how the simulator can be utilized to assess the readiness to deploy VoIP for a typical network of a small enterprise. We have made the analytical simulator publicly available in order to improve and ease the process of VoIP deployment

An Analytical Simulator for Deploying IP Telephony

Deploying IP telephony or voice over IP (VoIP) is a major and challenging task. This paper describes an analytical design and planning simulator to assess the readiness of existing IP networks for the deployment of VoIP. The analytical simulator utilizes techniques used for network flows and queueing network analysis to compute two key performance bounds for VoIP: delay and bandwidth. The simulator is GUI-based and has an interface with drag-and-drop features to easily construct any generic network topology. The simulator has an engine that automates and implements the analytical techniques. The engine determines the number of VoIP calls that can be sustained by the constructed network while satisfying VoIP QoS requirements and leaving adequate capacity for future growth. As a case study, the paper illustrates how the simulator can be utilized to assess the readiness to deploy VoIP for a typical network of a small enterprise. We have made the analytical simulator publicly available in order to improve and ease the process of VoIP deployment

Vulnerability and Weaknesses of Eating Habits of Overweight School Children as an Entry Risk for COVID-19

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, overweight among children becomes an alarming problem and a health concern. Obesity is a factor in disease severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) having the greatest impact on patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight in some of the Egyptian governmental primary school children, its nutritional and socioeconomic determinants. Special focus was directed to identify the current dietary practices including risky nutritional habits of overweight children as a weak point leading to increasing their vulnerability to catching COVID-19 infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on primary school children aged 6–12 years. General demographic data, socioeconomic data, dietary pattern, intake of a diversity of nutrient-rich food versus calorie-dense food, and anthropometrical data were collected. RESULTS: Of 1600 child, there were 8% overweight who are considered at risk of COVID-19 infection. Considering the weekly share of the stomach, only one-third of the food consumed by overweight children is nutrient-rich, with high consumption of French fries and Candies (once per day among 95% and 78 % of overweight children, respectively). Moreover, 90% of them consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) more than once per day. The majority of overweight children belonged to small, middle- income families, and had illiterate or read and write mothers. CONCLUSION: Overweight children eat narrow diversity of nutrient-rich food that includes vegetables, fruits, protein, and dairy products. They eat more calorie-dense foods, every day. The increase of family income increased the likelihood of having overweight children with a high intake of SSB, candies, and chips; consumption of snacks between meals and before sleep. Protective predictors against overweight were highly educated mothers, taking breakfast before school, having dinner, and taking meals on time. RECOMMENDATION: Nutritional behavioral education aiming at choosing nutritious and varied options of food that is effective for improving children’s nutritional status is the key to decreasing vulnerability toward COVID 19

Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Sample of Egyptian Infants

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an optimum, healthy, and economical mode of feeding an infant. However, many preventable obstacles hinder exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life. AIM: We aimed to assess the social-, maternal- and infant-related factors disturbing exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life. METHODS: It is a retrospective study included 827 dyads of mothers and infants older than 6 months (411 exclusively breastfed, 311 artificially-fed and 105 mixed feds). Mothers were interviewed to obtain sociodemographic information, maternal medical history and perinatal history and a detailed history of infant feeding. RSULTS: Many factors were found to support the decision for artificial feeding rather than exclusive breastfeeding, including maternal age < 25 years (OR = 2.252), child birth order > 3rd (OR = 2.436), being a primi-para (OR = 1.878), single marital status (OR = 2.762), preterm infant (OR = 3.287) and complicated labor (OR = 1.841). Factors in favor of mixed feeding included cesarean section (OR = 2.004) and admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (OR = 1.925). CONCLUSIONS: Although it isn’t a community-based study and its results can’t be generalised, plans to improve health and development of children are preferable to include the following: health education and awareness programs about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding should be directed for young and first-time mothers. Improved antenatal care to reduce perinatal and neonatal problems; and training, monitoring, and supervising community health care workers to recognise labour complications and provide support and knowledge to lactating mothers

Potential Risk Factors of Developmental Cognitive Delay in the First Two Years of Life

BACKGROUND: The first two years of life constitute a critical period of rapid change. The events during this phase prepare the child for subsequent developmental competency.AIM: To determine the potential risk factors that affect an infant’s cognitive development in the first two years of life in a sample of Egyptian infantsSUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study included 655 male and female infants. Their age ranged from 3 – 24 months. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley III) were used for cognitive assessment. Perinatal and nutritional data were recorded. Levels of serum Zinc, Copper, Iron, vitamin B12 and complete blood count (CBC) were assessed in a subsample of 193 infants.RESULTS: Infants having below the average cognitive composite score (CCS) represented 38.47% of the whole sample. The risk of having a low average (CCS) was determined by multiple factors. Poor maternal education and low family income were the most significant social risk factors (OR = 2.19, p = 0.0003; OR = 1.64, p = 0.002 respectively). Prematurity and complicated labor represented significant perinatal risks (OR = 1.22, p = 0.005; OR = 2.39, p =0.001respectively). Bottle feeding versus breastfeeding in the first six months of life was the most significant nutritional predictor of low average (CCS) (OR = 1.79, p = 0.001). Infants with low average (CCS) had significantly lower levels of serum zinc and vitamin B12 than those with average scores. CONCLUSION: Multiple factors appear to interact affecting the early cognitive development of Egyptian infants. Prematurity, complicated labour, poor maternal education, low family income and micronutrient deficiency are the main risk factors. Studying these factors is of great value in directing governmental intervention efforts

The Interaction of Social, Physical and Nutritive Factors in Triggering Early Developmental Language Delay in a Sample of Egyptian Children

BACKGROUND: Language acquisition and child development during the early years of life depend on multiple interacting factors. AIM: To explore potential factors that can impact language development in 2 groups of Egyptian children, one with normal language development and the second with delayed development. Also, to explore to what extent can the involvement of impaired motor development potentiate the risk of developmental language delay. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study involved Egyptian children belonging to the middle socioeconomic class between 18 and 36 months of age. Children were classified according to their performance on language domain of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III) into two groups, infants with the average or above score (control group) and those having below-average scores (cases). Motor development was assessed on the same scale. Factors affecting language development were tested, including socio-demographic, obstetric, and maternal medical factors in addition to Infant Feeding Practices. RESULTS: The independent factors lowering the language scores were early introduction of complementary food, low family income, history of delivery problems, pregnancy-related diseases of the mother, and maternal education. Impaired motor development appears as a further highly significant risk factor to the previously mentioned factors CONCLUSION: In Egyptian children, delayed language development is severely affected by the interaction of medical, social and nutritional factors. Providing adequate maternal health care during pregnancy and childbirth, regular developmental monitoring at each child visit, and screening for such risk factors, can reduce size of the problem and promote child’s social and psychological development

Effect of Different Implant Materials on Stresses Transmitted to Peri-Implant Areas of Implant-Retained Mandibular Overdenture

Aim this in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mechanical loading on different implant materials on supporting structures materials and methods: a total of three implant retained overdentures were used in this study, retained by two implants each (Titanium, polyetheretherketon and zirconia) were placed in epoxy resin casts at the canine area using a surgical guide. Soft liner material was used at the distal extension area to mimic the soft tissues. Two linear strain gauges were bonded buccal and lingual to each implant to measure the peri-implant strains during unilateral and bilateral loading. Results: during bilateral loading the highest strain values were recorded with the PEEK implants, while the lowest strain values were recorded with the zirconia implants. During unilateral loading, the highest strain values in the loading side were also demonstrated with the PEEK implants, and the lowest strain values were observed with the zirconia implants.Conclusion: within the limitations of this in vitro study, PEEK implants were found to transmit more occlusal stresses at the marginal bone area than titanium and zirconia implants, thus PEEK implants avoid stress shielding phenomenon and its subsequent disuse atrophy of bon

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection