KACST Arabic Text Classification Project: Overview and Preliminary Results

Electronically formatted Arabic free-texts can be found in abundance these days on the World Wide Web, often linked to commercial enterprises and/or government organizations. Vast tracts of knowledge and relations lie hidden within these texts, knowledge that can be exploited once the correct intelligent tools have been identified and applied. For example, text mining may help with text classification and categorization. Text classification aims to automatically assign text to a predefined category based on identifiable linguistic features. Such a process has different useful applications including, but not restricted to, E-Mail spam detection, web pages content filtering, and automatic message routing. In this paper an overview of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) Arabic Text Classification Project will be illustrated along with some preliminary results. This project will contribute to the better understanding and elaboration of Arabic text classification techniques

Transcriptome profile of early responsive genes in susceptible barley during Rhynchosporium secalis infection

Scald caused by Rhynchosporium secalis, is an economically important disease found worldwide. In order to profile genes and pathways responding to R. seclais infection, leaf transcriptomes before and after fungus inoculation in susceptible barley were compared using cDNA-AFLP technique. Transcriptional changes of 144 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were observed, of which 18 have no previously described function. Functional annotation of the transcripts revealed a wide range of pathways including cell wall fortification, cytoskeleton construction and metabolic processes at different time points. Furthermore, the results of RT-PCR analysis on candidate genes, ABC transporters and lycine-specific demethylase were consistent with the cDNA-AFLP data in their expression patterns. Taken together, our data suggest that susceptible barley reprograms metabolic and biological processes to initiate a suitable response R. secalis infection

Application of oxygen saturation variability analysis for the detection of exacerbation in individuals with COPD: A proof-of-concept study

BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly experience exacerbations, which may require hospital admission. Early detection of exacerbations, and therefore early treatment, could be crucial in preventing admission and improving outcomes. Our previous research has demonstrated that the pattern analysis of peripheral oxygen saturation (Sp O2 ) fluctuations provides novel insights into the engagement of the respiratory control system in response to physiological stress (hypoxia). Therefore, this pilot study tested the hypothesis that the pattern of Sp O2 variations in overnight recordings of individuals with COPD would distinguish between stable and exacerbation phases of the disease. METHODS: Overnight pulse oximetry data from 11 individuals with COPD, who exhibited exacerbation after a period of stable disease, were examined. Stable phase recordings were conducted overnight and one night prior to exacerbation recordings were also analyzed. Pattern analysis of Sp O2 variations was carried examined using sample entropy (for assessment of irregularity), the multiscale entropy (complexity), and detrended fluctuation analysis (self-similarity). RESULTS: Sp O2 variations displayed a complex pattern in both stable and exacerbation phases of COPD. During an exacerbation, Sp O2 entropy increased (p = 0.029) and long-term fractal-like exponent (α2) decreased (p = 0.002) while the mean and standard deviation of Sp O2 time series remained unchanged. Through ROC analyses, Sp O2 entropy and α2 were both able to classify the COPD phases into either stable or exacerbation phase. With the best positive predictor value (PPV) for sample entropy (PPV = 70%) and a cut-off value of 0.454. While the best negative predictor value (NPV) was α2 (NPV = 78%) with a cut-off value of 1.00. CONCLUSION: Alterations in Sp O2 entropy and the fractal-like exponent have the potential to detect exacerbations in COPD. Further research is warranted to examine if Sp O2 variability analysis could be used as a novel objective method of detecting exacerbations

Once Daily Versus Overnight and Symptom Versus Physiological Monitoring to Detect Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Earlier detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations may facilitate more rapid treatment with reduced risk of hospitalization. Changes in pulse oximetry may permit early detection of exacerbations. We hypothesized that overnight pulse oximetry would be superior to once-daily monitoring for the early detection of exacerbations. / Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether measuring changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation overnight is superior to once-daily monitoring of both parameters and to assess symptom changes in facilitating earlier detection of COPD exacerbations. / Methods: A total of 83 patients with COPD were randomized to once-daily or overnight pulse oximetry. Both groups completed the COPD assessment test questionnaire daily. The baseline mean and SD for each pulse oximetry variable were calculated from 14 days of stable monitoring. Changes in exacerbation were expressed as Z scores from this baseline. / Results: The mean age of the patients was 70.6 (SD 8.1) years, 52% (43/83) were female, and the mean FEV1 was 53.0% (SD 18.5%) predicted. Of the 83 patients, 27 experienced an exacerbation. Symptoms were significantly elevated above baseline from 5 days before to 12 days after treatment initiation. Day-to-day variation in pulse oximetry during the stable state was significantly less in the overnight group than in the once-daily group. There were greater relative changes at exacerbation in heart rate than oxygen saturation. An overnight composite score of change in heart rate and oxygen saturation changed significantly from 7 days before initiation of treatment for exacerbation and had a positive predictive value for exacerbation of 91.2%. However, this was not statistically better than examining changes in symptoms alone. / Conclusions: Overnight pulse oximetry permits earlier detection of COPD exacerbations compared with once-daily monitoring. Monitoring physiological variables was not superior to monitoring symptoms, and the latter would be a simpler approach, except where there is a need for objective verification of exacerbations. / Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03003702; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0300370

Teachers' perceptions of their role in cognitive awareness, health protection and the promotion of ethical value aspects among students with the Corona Corvid 19 virus pandemic via the distance learning system

This study was conducted by an academic research team at PRINCESS NOURAH BINT ABDULRAHMAN UNIVERSITY with the purpose of promoting the levels of healthy, value and ethical awareness among the students to limit the effects of covid-19. The study applied the descriptive, analytic survey approach to document the conceptions 0f the public education instructors throughout KSA concerning their role in raising the cognitive aspects and healthy and ethical skills for encountering coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The study population included all the instructors of public education (male & female) in all the Kingdom governorates with its both public and private sectors amounting (525,610) instructors as per the MINISTRY OF EDUCAYION statistics for the school year (1441 H ) . The sample contained 357 instructors (male& female). For this purpose, the researchers designed a questionnaire. The study concluded that there is a high level of conceptions of the instructors about their cognitive skills, healthy and ethical responsibility for providing awareness about coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) . The study proposes some supporting and effective strategies to achieve such online learning under this pandemic

Use, utility and methods of telehealth for patients with COPD in England and Wales: a healthcare provider survey

INTRODUCTION: Although the effectiveness of domiciliary monitoring (telehealth) to improve outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial, it is being used in the National Health Service (NHS). AIM: To explore the use of teleheath for COPD across England and Wales, to assess the perceptions of clinicians employing telehealth in COPD and to summarise the techniques that have been used by healthcare providers to personalise alarm limits for patients with COPD enrolled in telehealth programmes. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey consisting of 14 questions was sent to 230 COPD community services in England and Wales. Questions were designed to cover five aspects of telehealth in COPD: purpose of use, equipment type, clinician perceptions, variables monitored and personalisation of alarm limits. RESULTS: 65 participants completed the survey from 52 different NHS Trusts. 46% of Trusts had used telehealth for COPD, and currently, 31% still provided telehealth services to patients with COPD. Telehealth is most commonly used for baseline monitoring and to allow early detection of exacerbations, with 54% believing it to be effective. The three most commonly monitored variables were oxygen saturation, heart rate and breathlessness. A variety of methods were used to set alarm limits with the majority of respondents believing that at least 40% of alarms were false. CONCLUSION: Around one-third of responded community COPD services are using telehealth, believing it to be effective without robust evidence, with a variety of variables monitored, a variety of hardware and varying techniques to set alarm limits with high false alarm frequencies

Synthesis and characterization of sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol/zinc oxide/iron oxide nanocomposites for electrochemical applications

Polymer nanocomposites films, based on sodium alginate (NaAlg) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) complexed with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and iron oxide nanorods (Fe3O4 NRs) as nanofiller, were prepared by solution casting technique. Different techniques were used to describe the prepared films. XRD and FTIR were used to pinpoint the complexation of the nanofiller with the polymer mixture. The XRD investigation verified the existence of the crystalline peaks of ZnO/Fe3O4 NPs in the polymeric matrices. The average particle size of nanocomposite was 23 nm. TEM image of the ZnO nanopowder confirming the spherical form of nanoparticles with average size 30 nm. The TEM image of Fe3O4 NRs reveals the free nanorods are around 9–23 nm in diameter and 130–350 nm in length. Peak positions and intensity variations in the FTIR absorption spectra are observed when the concentration increases from 2 to 8 wt% of ZnO NPs/Fe3O4 NRs. AC conductivity showed that the NaAlg/PVA-(8 wt%) ZnO/Fe3O4 NPs nanocomposites have higher electrical conductivity than NaAlg/PVA blend. For samples of 8% ZnO/Fe3O4, the (Formula presented.) of nanocomposites reached 3.66 × 10−8 S cm−1. ZnO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles considerably improved the nanocomposites' ability to conduct electricity. For the development of functional composite materials for the manufacture of electrical devices, sensors, and high-energy storage capacitors, the enhanced characteristics of synthesized NaAlg/PVA-ZnO/Fe3O4 nanocomposites can be helpful

Low-cost inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis: optimum processing temperature for the cation exchanger

The optimum temperature for fixing zirconium phosphate, obtained by precipitation, on a low-cost ceramic support was determined in order to obtain an inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis. Zirconium phosphate ion exchange capacity maximised between 450 and 550°C, thus it was considered the optimum processing temperature. The origin of this maximum was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and termogravimetry and evolved gas analysis. Zirconium phosphate formation by precipitation in the porous network of the support was verified by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The membrane obtained after thermal treatment at 450°C displayed selectivity to the cations present in the spent rinse water of the chromium plating process. This property allows the recovery of chromium by removing the cations through the cation exchange ceramic membrane.The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the support given to the research study (National Basic Research Programme, Ref. CTQ2008-06750-C02-02), as well as for the FPU student grant awarded to one of the authors (Ref.: AP2009-4409).Mestre, S.; Sales, S.; Palacios, M.; Lorente, M.; Mallol, G.; Pérez-Herranz, V. (2013). Low-cost inorganic cation exchange membrane for electrodialysis: optimum processing temperature for the cation exchanger. Desalination and Water Treatment. 51(16-18):3317-3324. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2012.749177S331733245116-18Strathmann, H. (2010). Electromembrane Processes: Basic Aspects and Applications. Comprehensive Membrane Science and Engineering, 391-429. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-093250-7.00048-7Drioli, E., & Fontananova, E. (s. f.). Integrated Membrane Processes. Membrane Operations, 265-283. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch12Strathmann, H. (s. f.). Fundamentals in Electromembrane Separation Processes. Membrane Operations, 83-119. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch5Alberti, G., Casciola, M., Costantino, U., & Levi, G. (1978). Inorganic ion exchange membranes consisting of microcrystals of zirconium phosphate supported by Kynar®. Journal of Membrane Science, 3(2), 179-190. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(00)83021-5Semiat, R., & Hasson, D. (s. f.). Seawater and Brackish-Water Desalination with Membrane Operations. Membrane Operations, 221-243. doi:10.1002/9783527626779.ch10Bregman, J. ., & Braman, R. . (1965). Inorganic ion exchange membranes. Journal of Colloid Science, 20(9), 913-922. doi:10.1016/0095-8522(65)90064-4Bishop, H. K., Bittles, J. A., & Guter, G. A. (1969). Investigation of inorganic ion exchange membranes for electrodialysis. Desalination, 6(3), 369-380. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(00)80226-xRajan, K. S., Boies, D. B., Casolo, A. J., & Bregman, J. . (1966). Inorganic ion-exchange membranes and their application to electrodialysis. Desalination, 1(3), 231-246. doi:10.1016/s0011-9164(00)80255-6INAMUDDIN, KHAN, S., SIDDIQUI, W., & KHAN, A. (2007). Synthesis, characterization and ion-exchange properties of a new and novel ‘organic–inorganic’ hybrid cation-exchanger: Nylon-6,6, Zr(IV) phosphate. Talanta, 71(2), 841-847. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2006.05.042HELEN, M., VISWANATHAN, B., & MURTHY, S. (2007). Synthesis and characterization of composite membranes based on α-zirconium phosphate and silicotungstic acid. Journal of Membrane Science, 292(1-2), 98-105. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2007.01.018Yu.S. Dzyaz’ko, V.N. Belyakov, N.V. Stefanyak, S.L. Vasilyuk, Anion-exchange properties of composite ceramic membranes containing hydrated zirconium dioxide, Russ. J. Appl. Chem. 79 (2006) 769–773.Linkov, V. ., & Belyakov, V. . (2001). Novel ceramic membranes for electrodialysis. Separation and Purification Technology, 25(1-3), 57-63. doi:10.1016/s1383-5866(01)00090-9Linkov, V. M., Dzyaz’ko, Y. S., Belyakov, V. N., & Atamanyuk, V. Y. (2007). Inorganic composite membranes for electrodialytic desaltination. Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry, 80(4), 576-581. doi:10.1134/s1070427207040118El-Sourougy, M. R., Zaki, E. E., & Aly, H. F. (1997). Transport characteristics of ceramic supported zirconium phosphate membrane. Journal of Membrane Science, 126(1), 107-113. doi:10.1016/s0376-7388(96)00273-6Sánchez, E., Mestre, S., Pérez-Herranz, V., & García-Gabaldón, M. (2005). Síntesis de membranas cerámicas para la regeneración de baños de cromado agotados. Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio, 44(6), 409-414. doi:10.3989/cyv.2005.v44.i6.340Sánchez, E., Mestre, S., Pérez-Herranz, V., Reyes, H., & Añó, E. (2006). Membrane electrochemical reactor for continuous regeneration of spent chromium plating baths. Desalination, 200(1-3), 668-670. doi:10.1016/j.desal.2006.03.475Alberti, G., Casciola, M., Costantino, U., & Vivani, R. (1996). Layered and pillared metal(IV) phosphates and phosphonates. Advanced Materials, 8(4), 291-303. doi:10.1002/adma.19960080405Alberti, G., & Torracca, E. (1968). Crystalline insoluble salts of polybasic metals - II. Synthesis of crystalline zirconium or titanium phosphate by direct precipitation. Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, 30(1), 317-318. doi:10.1016/0022-1902(68)80096-xTrobajo, C., Khainakov, S. A., Espina, A., & García, J. R. (2000). On the Synthesis of α-Zirconium Phosphate. Chemistry of Materials, 12(6), 1787-1790. doi:10.1021/cm0010093Alberti, G. (1978). Syntheses, crystalline structure, and ion-exchange properties of insoluble acid salts of tetravalent metals and their salt forms. Accounts of Chemical Research, 11(4), 163-170. doi:10.1021/ar50124a007Rajeh, A. O., & szirtes, L. (1995). Investigations of crystalline structure of gamma-zirconium phosphate. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles, 196(2), 319-322. doi:10.1007/bf02038050Krogh Andersen, A. M., Norby, P., Hanson, J. C., & Vogt, T. (1998). Preparation and Characterization of a New 3-Dimensional Zirconium Hydrogen Phosphate, τ-Zr(HPO4)2. Determination of the Complete Crystal Structure Combining Synchrotron X-ray Single-Crystal Diffraction and Neutron Powder Diffraction. Inorganic Chemistry, 37(5), 876-881. doi:10.1021/ic971060hFeng, Y., He, W., Zhang, X., Jia, X., & Zhao, H. (2007). The preparation of nanoparticle zirconium phosphate. Materials Letters, 61(14-15), 3258-3261. doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2006.11.132Clearfield, A. (2000). INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, 18(4), 655-678. doi:10.1080/07366290008934702Szirtes, L., Shakshooki, S. K., Szeleczky, A. M., & Rajeh, A. O. (1998). 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Frequency and clinical patterns of stroke in Iran - Systematic and critical review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebrovascular disease is the second commonest cause of death, and over a third of stroke deaths occur in developing countries. To fulfil the current gap on data, this systematic review is focused on the frequency of stroke, risk factors, stroke types and mortality in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirteen relevant articles were identified by keyword searching of PubMed, Iranmedex, Iranian University index Libraries and the official national data on burden of diseases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The publication dates ranged from 1990 to 2008. The annual stroke incidence of various ages ranged from 23 to 103 per 100,000 population. This is comparable to the figures from Arab Countries, higher than sub-Saharan Africa, but lower than developed countries, India, the Caribbean, Latin America, and China. Similarly to other countries, ischaemic stroke was the commonest subtype. Likewise, the most common related risk factor is hypertension in adults, but cardiac causes in young stroke. The 28-day case fatality rate is reported at 19-31%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Data on the epidemiology of stroke, its pattern and risk factors from Iran is scarce, but the available data highlights relatively low incidence of stroke. This may reflect a similarity towards the neighbouring nations, and a contrast with the West.</p