Tuberculous and cryptococcal meningitis in a setting with high TB and low HIV prevalence

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in presentation and outcome of patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and cryptococcal meningitis (CCM). STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from December 1995 to December 2005. METHODOLOGY: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of TBM or CCM were included in this study. The signs and symptoms, laboratory findings and other variables of patients were entered and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software version 14. RESULTS: We compared 16 patients of TBM with 11 of CCM. None of the patients with TBM were Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive while 4 patients with CCM had HIV. The common initial signs and symptoms in patients with TBM were fever, altered mental status and headache; and in patients with CCM were fever, headache and cough. The mean CSF glucose level decreased according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) stage in TBM. The mean CSF RBCs, WBCs, glucose and protein in TBM were 2010/mm3, 228/mm3, 52.32 mg/dL and 289.48 mg/dl respectively and in CCM were 178.54/mm3, 529.54/mm3, 32.63 mg/dL and 432.18 mg/dL respectively. CONCLUSION: TBM and CCM should be suspected in all cases that present with symptoms of chronic meningitis. Patients with TBM are more likely to have altered mental status and higher CSF RBCs; those with CCM are more likely to have headache, cough and higher CSF WBCs

Profiling Oman education data using data visualization technique

This research works presents an innovative data visualization technique to understand and visualize the information of Oman’s education data generated from the Ministry of Education Oman “Educational Portal”.The Ministry of Education in Sultanate of Oman have huge databases contains massive information.The volume of data in the database increase yearly as many students, teachers and employees enter into the database. The task for discovering and analyzing these vast volumes of data becomes increasingly difficult. Information visualization and data mining offer a better ways in dealing with large volume of information.In this paper, an innovative information visualization technique is developed to visualize the complex multidimensional educational data. Microsoft Excel Dashboard, Visual Basic Application (VBA) and Pivot Table are utilized to visualize the data.Findings from the summarization of the data are presented, and it is argued that information visualization can help related stakeholders to become aware of hidden and interesting information from large amount of data drowning in their educational portal

The Impact of the Digital Economy on International Trade, the Case of Egypt for the Period (1990-2020)

Recent economic changes in technology and information have led to reliance on newer technologies to keep pace with the rapid development occurring worldwide in all the different economic sectors called the digital economy. Therefore, the digital economy is considered one of the main pillars on which it depends greatly in the present and future times because it contributes to the development of the country's domestic product and thus improving its international trade at the level of international competition because it is a knowledge economy that relies mainly on technology and its advanced means. Therefore, international trade trends changed in light of the digital economy, so modern theories were formulated and developed in line with the transformations that occurred in modern international trade. The digital economy merged with international trade, leading to a clear discrepancy between all countries, each according to its circumstances. It led the developed countries to move towards new patterns in production, international competition and the division of international labor, which created new advantages in international trade in light of the digital economy. The research aims to identify the impact of the digital economy on international trade, the case of Egypt over the past three decades, and the variation of its impact in light of the new economic trends and their requirements, as well as the legal analysis

Modeling and characterization of optimal nano-scale channel dimensions for fin field effect transistor based on constituent semiconductor materials

This study aims to design an optimal nano-dimensional channel of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) on the basis of electrical characteristics and constituent semiconductor materials (Si, GaAs, Ge, and InAs) to overcome issues regarding the shrinking of dimensions and ensure the best performance of FinFETs. This objective has been achieved by proposing a new scaling factor, K, to simultaneously shrink the physical scaling limits of channel dimensions for various FinFETs without degrading their performance. A simulation-based comprehensive comparative study depending on four variable parameters (length, width, oxide thickness of the channel, and scaling factor) was carried out. The influence of changing channel dimensions on the performance of each type of FinFET was evaluated according to four electrical characteristics: i) ON-state/OFF-state current (ION/IOFF) ratio, ii) subthreshold swing (SS), iii) threshold voltage, and iv) drain-induced barrier lowering. The well-known multi-gate field-effect transistor (MuGFET) simulation tool for nanoscale MuGFET structure was utilized to conduct experimental simulations under the considered conditions. The obtained simulation results showed that the optimal channel dimensions for the best performance of all considered FinFET types were achieved at a minimal scaling factor K=0.125 with 5 nm length, 2.5 nm width, and 0.625 nm oxide thickness of the channel

Analyzing and Measuring the Impact of the Digital Economy on International Trade, the Case of Jordan for the Period (1990-2020)

The digital economy is defined as the economy that relies mainly on the economics of information and informatics technology that is based on digital technology. The sectors of information, communication and informatics technology have become one of the most important sectors driving economic growth in the developed countries now, because of the great potential they contain in various fields of the modern economy. The research aims to study the impact of the digital economy on international trade. Descriptive, as a general introduction to the various concepts of the digital economy and its role in international trade, as well as relying on the statistical quantitative analytical approach to analyze the results obtained. The research concluded many results and proposals

Modeling and characterization of optimal nano-scale channel dimensions for fin field effect transistor based on constituent semiconductor materials

This study aims to design an optimal nano-dimensional channel of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) on the basis of electrical characteristics and constituent semiconductor materials (Si, GaAs, Ge, and InAs) to overcome issues regarding the shrinking of dimensions and ensure the best performance of FinFETs. This objective has been achieved by proposing a new scaling factor, K, to simultaneously shrink the physical scaling limits of channel dimensions for various FinFETs without degrading their performance. A simulation-based comprehensive comparative study depending on four variable parameters (length, width, oxide thickness of the channel, and scaling factor) was carried out. The influence of changing channel dimensions on the performance of each type of FinFET was evaluated according to four electrical characteristics: i) ON-state/OFF-state current (ION/IOFF) ratio, ii) subthreshold swing (SS), iii) threshold voltage and iv) drain-induced barrier lowering. The well-known multi-gate field-effect transistor (MuGFET) simulation tool for nanoscale MuGFET structure was utilized to conduct experimental simulations under the considered conditions. The obtained simulation results showed that the optimal channel dimensions for the best performance of all considered FinFET types were achieved at a minimal scaling factor K=0.125 with 5 nm length, 2.5 nm width, and 0.625 nm oxide thickness of the channel

Tuberculous endocarditis: valvular and right atrial involvement

Valvular endocarditis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rare clinical entity. It is usually manifest in the context of disseminated tuberculosis in immunocompromised Patients. This report describes a unique case of a 30-year-old immunocompetent man with an incidental finding of tuberculous valvular endocarditis. The Patient had a large mass on the anterior mitral leaflet and severe mitral regurgitation. He underwent mitral valve replacement and Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the valve vegetation and the right atrial masses. Post-operative recovery has been uneventful without relapse for 24 months

Identification of new key genes and their association with breast cancer occurrence and poor survival using in silico and in vitro methods

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer diagnosed globally and continues to have a significant impact on the global number of cancer deaths. Despite all efforts of epidemiological and experimental research, therapeutic concepts in cancer are still unsatisfactory. Gene expression datasets are widely used to discover the new biomarkers and molecular therapeutic targets in diseases. In the present study, we analyzed four datasets using R packages with accession number GSE29044, GSE42568, GSE89116, and GSE109169 retrieved from NCBI-GEO and differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen the key genes. Subsequently, the GO function and KEGG pathways were analyzed to determine the biological function of key genes. Expression profile of key genes was validated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines using qRT-PCR. Overall expression level and stage wise expression pattern of key genes was determined by GEPIA. The bc-GenExMiner was used to compare expression level of genes among groups of patients with respect to age factor. OncoLnc was used to analyze the effect of expression levels of LAMA2, TIMP4, and TMTC1 on the survival of breast cancer patients. We identified nine key genes, of which COL11A1, MMP11, and COL10A1 were found up-regulated and PCOLCE2, LAMA2, TMTC1, ADAMTS5, TIMP4, and RSPO3 were found down-regulated. Similar expression pattern of seven among nine genes (except ADAMTS5 and RSPO3) was observed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, we found that LAMA2, TMTC1, and TIMP4 were significantly expressed among different age groups of patients. LAMA2 and TIMP4 were found significantly associated and TMTC1 was found less correlated with breast cancer occurrence. We found that the expression level of LAMA2, TIMP4, and TMTC1 was abnormal in all TCGA tumors and significantly associated with poor survival.Indian Council of Medical Research | Ref. BMI/11/(35)/2020MICINN | Ref. RYC-2017-2289

TRADISI FOKOMPA KAMPANA’A DALAM PROSESI PEMINANGAN PADA MASYARAKAT SIOMPU BUTON SELATAN PERSPEKTIF HUKUM ISLAM

The main issue of this research is how the implementation of the tradition of "fokompa kampana’a" in the engagement process in the Siompu District community of South Buton Regency from the perspective of Islamic law. This research is qualitative field research using Sharia and sociological approaches. The research results indicate that before the implementation of "fokompa kampana’a," two preliminary steps are taken, namely "posoloi" and "fotibua." The implementation of the tradition of "fokompa kampana’a" is conducted three times. First, "kafe’awutino lambu" as a proposal presentation. Second, "kafendua" is the formal engagement as a marker that both parties are engaged. Third, "woa’ano wua" or the engagement ceremony accompanied by the partial delivery of the dowry according to tradition. In general, the implementation of the tradition of "fokompa kampana’a" does not contradict Islamic law because many aspects align with Islamic teachings. Preserving the tradition of "fokompa kampana’a" as cultural wealth needs to be done while considering Islamic values and simplifying some processes and materials deemed burdensome according to the community's capabilities.Pokok permasalahan penelitian ini adalah bagaimana pelaksanaan tradisi fokompa kampana’a dalam prosesi peminangan pada masyarakat Kecamatan Siompu Kabupaten Buton Selatan perspektif hukum Islam. Jenis penelitian ini adalah field research kualitatif dengan pendekatan syar’i dan pendekatan sosiologis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebelum pelaksanaan fokompa kampana’a terlebih dahulu ditempuh dua langkah yairu posoloi dan fotibua. Pelaksanaan tradisi fokompa kampana’a dilakukan sebanyak tiga kali. Pertama, kafe’awutino lambu sebagai penyampaian pinangan. Kedua, kafendua adalah peminangan secara resmi sebagai penanda bahwa keduanya telah bertunangan. Ketiga, woa’ano wua atau upacara penyerahan pinangan disertai dengan penyerahan sebagian kecil mahar dalam adat. Pada umumnya pelaksaan tradisi fokompa kampana’a tidak bertentangan dengan hukum Islam karena banyak hal yang sesuai dengan ajaran Islam. Pelaksanaan tardisi fokompa kampana’a sebagai kekayaan budaya perlu dijaga dengan tetap memerhatikan nilai-nilai keislaman dan menyederhanakan beberapa prosesi dan materi yang dianggap memberatkan sesuai kemampuan masyarakat

Effect of different artificial diets on biological parameters of female Chrysoperla carnea under laboratory conditions

Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is considered as a cosmopolitan polyphagous generalist predator. Chrysoperla carnea can be used in biological control programs. The biological parameters of Chrysoperla carnea were studied to check the effect different diets under laboratory conditions. The results indicate that preoviposition, oviposition and post oviposition periods were 8.2±1.25, 30.6±1.72 and 9.4±1.02 days, respectively. The highest mortalities were occurred reared at Water+ Sugar+ Yeast+ Evion diets while no mortality was observed at H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey.  The female longevity was 51.2 ± 2.18 days. The fecundity of female was 301.31 eggs per female with 10.36 eggs per day per single female on artificial diet, H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey. The study revealed that H2O + Sugar +Yeast + Honey was showed highest survival and fecundity while Water+ Sugar+ Yeast+ Evion least one