A Data Warehouse Architecture Model for Al-Quds Open University

Data warehousing is important, not only in business enterprises, but in the university environment as well. The goal of a data warehouse is to integrate timely, accurate information and to make it available to an organization's employees and decision makers. The data warehouse is developing in response to increasing data and information requirements. The traditional notion of data warehouses is evolving into a federated warehouse augmented by a set of processes and services to support integrated and consistent access to heterogeneous, decentralized warehouse systems. This study will explore the design and implementation of a data warehouse architecture model for the Al-Quds Open University (QOU) in Palestine, within the Context of Relational Online Analytical Processing (OLAP). The model aims at integrating data from different sources in the QOU

Broken Heart, Broken Mind

Introduction: Takostubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a unique condition of reversible cardiac dysfunction precipitated by emotional or physical stress. Studies are emerging noting an association with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This is hypothesized to be secondary to baseline elevation of catecholamines in these individuals. Case Presentation: A 53-year-old female with background of anxiety, presented with acute onset chest pain. Initial evaluation revealed elevated troponins without ST changes on EKG. Echocardiogram showed EF 28% with apical ballooning and left heart catheterization was unremarkable. Her echocardiogram improved 2 weeks later, consistent with TCM. During this evaluation it was noted she was significantly dysarthric. On further history she revealed progressive odynophagia for the past year, generalized muscle weakness for the past few months, and dysarthria for 4-6 weeks. Neurological exam demonstrated both upper and lower motor neuron findings of diffuse muscle atrophy, fasciculations as well as brisk peripheral reflexes, jaw jerk and bilateral Hoffmans. MRI brain/spine imaging showed no significant abnormalities and EMG indicated lower motor neuron changes. CPK, anti-MUSK, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were normal and extensive evaluation of paraneoplastic, vitamin and autoimmune disease were negative. An ALS diagnosis was made. Due to worsening respiratory status she required intubation with subsequent tracheostomy placement and ultimately was discharged to a long-term care facility. Conclusion: This case highlights the uncommon association of TCM in ALS with a unique scenario where it was the presenting feature of the disease. Physicians should be vigilant for neurological symptoms in patients presenting with chest discomfort or risk missing the diagnosis.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1020/thumbnail.jp

A case of portal hypertension due to a superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula

Introduction: Superior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula (SMAVF) is an infrequent vascular disorder characterized by abnormal communication between high-pressure superior mesenteric artery and low-pressure superior mesenteric vein. This allows blood to bypass the intestinal capillary bed and produces portal hypertension leading to ascites and gastro-esophageal variceal bleeding. Although SMAVF can be congenital, most reported cases have been due to abdominal trauma or iatrogenic causes. Here, we report a case of SMAVF presenting as severe ascites. Case presentation: A 61-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of abdominal distention and discomfort. Her past medical history was significant for abdominal hysterectomy complicated by bowel resection. Initial evaluation was remarkable for severe hyponatremia and severe abdominal and pelvic ascites evidenced on computed tomography. A paracentesis was performed, fluid analysis was negative for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient was elevated (\u3e1.1 g/dL). The hospital course was complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding requiring blood transfusions. An upper endoscopy revealed bleeding esophageal varices that were banded. A magnetic resonance of the abdomen revealed a large SMAVF between causing increased portal vein blood flow and pressure; the patient subsequently underwent embolization of the SMAVF. The patient clinically improved and was discharged on stable condition. On follow-up after discharge, cross sectional imaging revealed improved appearance of the mesenteric vasculature and resolution of the ascites. Discussion: This case illustrates the for clinicians to be vigilant for rare but reversible causes of portal hypertension that can mimic cirrhosis in order to provide appropriate diagnosis and management.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1028/thumbnail.jp

Lignocellulosic Biomasses from Agricultural Wastes Improved the Quality and Physicochemical Properties of Frying Oils

In this work, the effects of using natural lignocellulosic-based adsorbents from sugarcane bagasse (SC), cornstalk piths (CP), and corn cob (CC) on the physicochemical properties and quality of fried oils were studied. The properties of lignocellulosic biomasses were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, the changes in the physicochemical properties of fresh, fried oils (for 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 h) and adsorbents-treated oils were examined. The XRD results revealed that SC and CP biomasses have more amorphous regions than CC biomass, which had the highest crystallinity percentage. The results also showed that lignocellulosic biomasses enhanced the quality of the used oils. SC was the most effective biomass to enhance the properties of the used sunflower oil. For instance, the acid value of oil samples fried for 20 h reduced from 0.63 ± 0.02 to 0.51 ± 0.02 mg KOH/g oil after SC biomass treatment. For the peroxide value, the SC biomass treatment reduced it from 9.45 ± 0.56 (fried oil for 20 h) to 6.91 ± 0.12 meq O2/kg. Similarly, SC biomass adsorbent reduced the p-Anisidine Value (p-AV) of the used oil (20 h) from 98.45 ± 6.31 to 77.92 ± 3.65. Moreover, SC adsorbents slightly improved the lightness of the used oils (20 h). In conclusion, natural lignocellulosic biomasses, particularly SC, could be utilized as natural adsorbents to improve the oil quality. The results obtained from this study could help in developing sustainable methods to regenerate used oils using natural and cheap adsorbents

Do CRP levels predict severity in COVID-19 hospitalized Egyptian patients?

Background:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading virus with a wide range of clinical manifestations. To manage treatment programs and promptly assess patient severity, prognostic factors must be identified early. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate if there was a link between the severity of COVID-19 and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level on admission. Methods: On admission clinical and laboratory data from 323 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were gathered from an Isolation Hospital records from April 10, 2020 to July 30, 2020. CRP was determined in all participants using an automated analyzer and a commercially available latex-enhanced immuno-turbidimetric assay. Results: The most prevalent presenting symptom was fever (39.3%), followed by cough (38.4%).  Coronavirus disease 2019 severity and ICU admission were both predicted by high CRP levels (p < /em><0.001).  C-reactive protein levels were also greater in those who had more chest discomfort, as indicated by CT chest abnormalities (p < /em><0.001). Conclusion: Serum CRP is a simple and effective prognosticator for early prediction of COVID-19 severity

Larvicidal Activity of Selected Xerophytic Plants Against Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract.-Methanol extracts of different plants namely, Trichodesma africanum (Boraginaceae), Cleome rupicola (Capparceae) and Ochradenus baccatus (Resedaceae), were tested for larvicidal activity against 4 th instar larvae of Aedes caspius and Culex pipiens mosquitoes. All plant extracts tested against Ae. caspius showed 100% mortality at 10µg/ml except the stem of O. baccatus which showed 90% mortality. However, most of the plant extracts tested against Cx. pipiens showed more than 50% mortality at 10µg/ml. Ae. caspius reported lower LD 50 than Cx. pipiens. The LD 50 of the extracts tested ranged between 5.3-0.99. The lowest LD 50 calculated against Ae. caspius was 1.2±0.06 and 0.99±0.16 µg/ml for the stem of T. africanum and C. rupicola, respectively. In conclusion, we have documented promising larvicidal potential of xerophytic plants, which could be considered as a potentially alternative source for developing novel larvicides to be used in controlling vectors of mosquito-borne diseases

Larvicidal Activity of Selected Xerophytic Plants Against Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract.-Methanol extracts of different plants namely, Trichodesma africanum (Boraginaceae), Cleome rupicola (Capparceae) and Ochradenus baccatus (Resedaceae), were tested for larvicidal activity against 4 th instar larvae of Aedes caspius and Culex pipiens mosquitoes. All plant extracts tested against Ae. caspius showed 100% mortality at 10µg/ml except the stem of O. baccatus which showed 90% mortality. However, most of the plant extracts tested against Cx. pipiens showed more than 50% mortality at 10µg/ml. Ae. caspius reported lower LD 50 than Cx. pipiens. The LD 50 of the extracts tested ranged between 5.3-0.99. The lowest LD 50 calculated against Ae. caspius was 1.2±0.06 and 0.99±0.16 µg/ml for the stem of T. africanum and C. rupicola, respectively. In conclusion, we have documented promising larvicidal potential of xerophytic plants, which could be considered as a potentially alternative source for developing novel larvicides to be used in controlling vectors of mosquito-borne diseases

Novi analitički pristup sa smanjenom potrošnjom organskih otapala u spektrofotometrijskoj analizi temeljenoj na prijenosu naboja: Primjena u analizi nekih antihipertenziva

The present study describes the development of a novel analytical approach that can reduce by 50-fold the consumption of organic solvents in the charge transfer (CT)-based spectrophotometric analysis. The proposed approach employed 96-microwell assay plates for carrying out the reaction. The CT reaction between the electron-donating analyte and electron-accepting reagent was performed in microwells (200-µL of organic solvent) and the color signals were measured with a microwell-plate reader. Optimum conditions for the proposed approach were established for two antihypertensive drugs, namely ramipril (RML) and lisinopril (LSL) as model compounds for the electron-donating analytes, and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as a -electron acceptor. Under the optimum conditions, Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range of 6–100 and 6–60 g mL1 for RML and LSL, respectively. The limits of detection were 0.97 and 1.10 g mL1 for RML and LSL, respectively. The precision of the methods was satisfactory; the values of relative standard deviations did not exceed 1.1 %. The proposed approach was successfully applied to the analysis of pharmaceutical dosage forms with good accuracy and precision. The results were comparable with those of the reported methods. The approach described herein is of great practical value in pharmaceutical analysis because it reduces the exposure of analysts to the toxic effects of organic solvents, lowers the analysis cost by 50-fold, and it has a high throughput property. Although the approach was validated for RML and LSL, the same methodology could be used for any electron-donating analyte for which a CT-reaction can be performed.U radu je opisan razvoj novog analitičkog pristupa koji 50 puta smanjuje potrošnju organskih otapala u spektrofotometrijskoj analizi na bazi prijenosa naboja (CT). Predložena metoda koristi ploče s 96 jažica za izvođenje analize. CT reakcije između elektron-donora i elektron-akceptora izvodi se u jažicama s 200-µL organskog otapala. Promjene boje mjere se pomoću posebnog mikročitača za ploče s jažicama. Određeni su optimalni uvjeti za dva antihipertenzivna lijeka, ramipril (RML) i lizinopril (LSL) koji su upotrebljeni kao modelni spojevi za elektron-donorske analite, i 2,3-diklor-5,6-dicijano-1,4-benzokinon (DDQ) kao -elektronski akceptor. U optimalnim uvjetima Beerov zakon je vrijedio u koncentracijskom području 6–100 i 6–60 g mL1 za RML, odnosno LSL. Granice detekcije bile su 0,97 i 1,1 g mL1 za RML, odnosno LSL. Preciznost metode bila je zadovoljavajuća, a relativna standardna devijacija bila je manja od 1,1 %. Predložena metoda uspješno je primijenjena za analizu doziranih farmaceutskih pripravaka koji sadrže ispitivane lijekove, uz dobru točnost i preciznost. Rezultati predložene metode usporedivi su s rezultatima poznatih metoda. Postupak opisan u ovom radu vrlo je praktičan: analitičari su manje izloženi toksičnim učincima organskih otapala, troškovi analize smanjeni su 50 puta, a također ju odlikuje visoka propusnost. Iako je postupak validiran za RML i LSL, ista metoda može se upotrijebiti za elektron-donirajući analit koji ulazi u CT reakciju