Localizing State-Dependent Faults Using Associated Sequence Mining

In this thesis we developed a new fault localization process to localize faults in object oriented software. The process is built upon the Encapsulation\u27\u27 principle and aims to locate state-dependent discrepancies in the software\u27s behavior. We experimented with the proposed process on 50 seeded faults in 8 subject programs, and were able to locate the faulty class in 100% of the cases when objects with constant states were taken into consideration, while we missed 24% percent of the faults when these objects were not considered. We also developed a customized data mining technique Associated sequence mining\u27\u27 to be used in the localization process; experiments showed that it only provided slight enhancement to the result of the process. The customization provided at least 17% enhancement in the time performance and it is generic enough to be applicable in other domains. In addition to that we have developed an extensive taxonomy for object-oriented software faults based on UML models. We used the taxonomy to make decisions regarding the localization process. It provides an aid for understanding the nature of software faults, and will help enhance the different tasks related to software quality assurance. The main contributions of the thesis were based on preliminary experimentation on the usability of the classification algorithms implemented in WEKA in software fault localization, which resulted in the conclusion that both the fault type and the mechanism implemented in the analysis algorithm were significant to affect the results of the localization

THE ROLE OF PLASMIDS AND CLONES IN THE EMERGENCE OF CARBAPENEM RESISTANT ENTEROBACTERIACEAE IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Resistance to carbapenems, the ultimate beta-lactam antibiotics used to treat life-threatening Gram-negative infections associates with very high mortality. Consequently, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which are usually multi- or extremely drug-resistant, is considered a critical pathogen. To help to control their spread, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of CRE in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its neighboring countries. CRE isolated in the UAE were screened for IncX3 incompatibility type plasmids carrying carbapenemases. The complete sequence of the IncX3 plasmids identified was established. Thirty CRE carried blaNDM-1, blaNDM-4, blaNDM-5, blaNDM-7, blaOXA-181, and blaKPC-2 on IncX3 plasmids. This CRE belonged to 16 sequence types of five different species. Phylogenetic analysis of the conserved regions of local IncX3 plasmids and those described globally clustered them according to the carbapenemase genes carried, suggesting that they do not evolve locally, rather, are imported from other regions. Furthermore, we investigated members of the Klebsiella pneumonia ST14 clone, which was found to be significantly associated with NDM- and OXA-48-like double carbapenemase production, with extreme drug resistance, and with being isolated from Emirati patients in Dubai. To gain a deeper insight into the molecular features of this clone, 39 CRKP-ST14 selected from five cities of the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia were subjected to whole-genome sequencing, and their resistome, virulome, and core genome MLST was assessed. cgMLST revealed three clusters of 16 isolates from five UAE cities (C1), 11 isolates from three UAE cities and Bahrain (C2) and, the 5 isolates from Saudi Arabia (C3), respectively, and seven singletons. Resistance gene profile and carbapenemase carrying plasmid types were variable in both C1 and C2 clusters. Cluster 2 exhibited a capsular switch from K2 to K64. The successful dissemination of the CRKP-14 clone could be explained by the genetic flexibility demonstrated. Our data show that the emergence of CRE in the United Arab Emirates is a complex phenomenon of likely international transfer of successful plasmids, and also of countrywide clonal transmission of a genetically flexible high-risk Klebsiella pneumonia clone

Nursing Students’ Computer Self-Efficacy and Attitudes toward Its Use in The Health Care Setting: A Comparative Study

Context: The use of technology and computers in health care has been reported to improve nurses' decision-making and competencies, which in turn increase the quality of healthcare practice.Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare nursing students’ computer self-efficacy and attitudes toward its use in a health care setting in the Faculty of nursing – Benha and Hail Universities. Methods: A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study design was used to achieve the current study aim. The study was conducted in the Faculty of Nursing - Banha University, Egypt, and Faculty of Nursing – Hail University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Quota sampling of 219 students was chosen as follows; 190 students from the Faculty of Nursing - Banha University and 29 students from the Faculty of Nursing – Hail University. A structured self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, the pretest for attitudes toward computers in healthcare, and computer self-efficacy scales were the tool used to collect the study data. Results: 33% of nursing students from Benha University were have a realistic view of current computer capabilities in health care, while 28% of nursing students from Hail had a very positive view of computer use in health care. Nursing students at Hail University have the highest mean score compared to Benha nursing students (79.45±15.85 & 61.2±7.25, respectively) in their attitudes toward computer and computer self-efficacy. Benha nursing students have moderate computer self-efficacy compared with Hail nursing students who have a high computer self-efficacy level. A highly statistically significant relationship was detected between students' attitudes toward computers and computer self-efficacy (p-value=0.000). Also, there was a highly positive, statistically significant correlation between the demographic variables of nursing students and both students’ attitudes toward computers in health care and computer self-efficacy (p-value =0.00). Conclusion: Nursing students in both universities have a positive attitude toward computer use. A significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups in their attitude toward computers and self-efficacy was detected, with a highly statistically significant correlation between both students’ attitudes and their self-efficacy, also a significant relationship was revealed between the studied students’ demographics and their attitude and self-efficacy. Future studies are recommended to evaluate existing technologies in terms of acceptance, effectiveness, and efficiency in real-life settings and to examine their effect on patient outcomes. Nurse educators should design training courses and educational programs to enhance computer self-efficacy beliefs among nursing students

Controlled Release Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer-Based Microspheres of Oxypentifylline

The objective of this work was to formulate and evaluate a controlled-release Oxypentifylline microspheres that fulfill the requirements for extended release medications using Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer RS100 as polymeric material. The microsphere were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique. The effect of process variables such as drug to polymer ratio, stirring rate, and concentration of emulsifier on mean particle size, yield, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release characteristics of microspheres were studied. The prepared microspheres were spherical in shape. The size range varied  from  325.45  to  518.54  µm. The microspheres showed high entrapment efficiency (94.22%) and the release was extended up to 24 hrs. The best microsphere formulation was selected and subjected for in vivo studies which reveal that the bioavailability of the drug increased by more than 3.4 times by formulating it into microspheres. This study  indicated  that  Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer RS 100 can use successfully to sustain the release of Oxypentifyllin

Effect of COVID-19 on the Role of Renin Enzyme and ACE2 and Hormones in PCOS Females

متلازمة تكيس المبايض (PCOS) هي اكثر مشاكل الغدد الصماء شيوعًا لدى النساء في سن الانجاب. النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض عادة ما تنتمي الى فئة  العمر والجنس المعرضة لخطر الإصابة بمرض فيروس كورونا الشديد (COVID-19). يستهدف COVID-19 الخلايا من خلال مستقبل الإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 (ACE2) الموجود على الخلايا في الأوردة والرئتين والقلب والجهاز الهضمي والكلى. تم وصف فرط نشاط نظام الرينين أنجيوتنسين (RAS) أيضًا في اضطرابات التمثيل الغذائي ، وداء السكري من النوع 2 (T2DM) ، وهي حالات مشتركة بين النساء المصابات بحالة تكيس المبايض . الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو معرفة وظيفة الرينين والإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 في متلازمة تكيس المبايض وفيروس كورونا وعلاقته بالهرمونات ومعايير التمثيل الغذائي الأخرى ذات الصلة. تتكون مجموعة الدراسة من 120 عينة تتكون من 80 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ، حيث تم تقسيمهن إلى مجموعتين  40 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض و مصابة بـ COVID-19 و 40 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض و غير مصابة بـ COVID-19) و 40 امرأة بصحة جيدة مقسمة إلى مجموعتان: - 20 امرأة مصابة بـ COVID-19 ، و 20 امرأة غير مصابة بـ COVID-19) ، تتراوح أعمارهم بين 15-40 سنة. الرينين و ACE2، FBS ، ملف الدهون ، الأنسولين ، HOMA IR ، FSH ، LH ، و التستوستيرون تم قياسها لجميع المشاركين . كانت هناك زيادة في مستوى الرينين ، الإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 ، ومستوى الأنسولين ،  HOMA-IR ، LH ، ونسبة LH / FSH ، ومستويات هرمون التستوستيرون ، باستثناء HDL و FSH كانت منخفضة عند المقارنة بين مرضى متلازمة تكيس المبايض مع مجاميع الاصحاء. هناك انخفاض في الرينين و ACE2 في النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ومصابة بعدوى كوفيد-  19بالمقارنة مع النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايضوغير مصابات بعدوى كوفيد-19. دخول covid-19 إلى الجسم و انخفاض مستويات ACE2 يؤدي إلى تلف الجهاز التنفسي ومشكلة في الإنجاب لدى النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض. أيضًا ، في نفس الوقت ، فإن ارتفاع مستوى ACE2 في مريضات متلازمة تكيس المبايض يجعلهن أكثر عرضة لخطر الاصابة بفيروس كورونا وليس متورطًا في التسبب بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ، ومع ذلك قد يتأثر إنزيم الرينين بمؤشر كتلة الجسم المرتبط بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most endocrine problem in women of regenerative age. PCOS women typically belong to an age and sex group which is at higher risk for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 targets cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor presents on cells in veins, lungs, heart, digestion tracts, and kidneys. Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) over activity has likewise been described in metabolic disorders; type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and conditions shared by women with polycystic ovary condition. The point of this study is to know the job of renin and ACE2 in PCOS and coronavirus and its relationship with hormones and other metabolic parameters related. The study groups consist of 120 sample subjects consisting of 80 PCOS-women divided into two groups: - (40 PCOS-women infected with COVID-19 and 40 PCOS-women non-infected with COVID-19) and 40 healthy-women divided into two groups: - 20 women-COVID-19 infected, and 20 women non-COVID-19 infected, ranging in age from 15–40 years old.  Renin and ACE2, FBS, lipid profile, level of insulin, HOMA IR, FSH, LH, and testosterone, were measured for all participants. There was an increase in the levels of renin, ACE2, insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, LH / FSH ratio, and testosterone, except HDL and FSH were low when comparing PCOS patients groups with healthy groups. There was a decrease in renin and ACE2 in PCOS women infected with COVID-19 compared with PCOS women non-infection with COVID-19. Infection of COVID-19 and low ACE2 levels lead to respiratory damage and problem in reproductive in PCOS patients. Also, at the same time ACE2 high level in PCOS makes them more risk for coronavirus and is not involved in the cause of PCOS, however renin enzyme may be affected by BMI associated with PCOS

Controlled Release Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer-Based Microspheres of Oxypentifylline

The objective of this work was to formulate and evaluate a controlled-release Oxypentifylline microspheres that fulfill the requirements for extended release medications using Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer RS100 as polymeric material. The microsphere were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique. The effect of process variables such as drug to polymer ratio, stirring rate, and concentration of emulsifier on mean particle size, yield, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release characteristics of microspheres were studied. The prepared microspheres were spherical in shape. The size range varied  from  325.45  to  518.54  µm. The microspheres showed high entrapment efficiency (94.22%) and the release was extended up to 24 hrs. The best microsphere formulation was selected and subjected for in vivo studies which reveal that the bioavailability of the drug increased by more than 3.4 times by formulating it into microspheres. This study  indicated  that  Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer RS 100 can use successfully to sustain the release of Oxypentifyllin

A Study of Apelin-36 and GST Levels with Their Relationship to Lipid and Other Biochemical Parameters in the Prediction of Heart Diseases in PCOS Women Patients

 هذا العمل يتضمن دراسة دورالأبلين-36 وفعالية انزيم الكلوتاثيون وعلاقتها بالهرمونات والعوامل ذات الصلة بالتمثيل الغذائي, وارتباطها بخطرالاصابة بأمراض القلب الوعائيه في النساء الأصحاء والنساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض. اشتملت الدراسة على 54 مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض و31 امراة بصحة جيدة (المجموعة الضابطة). مرضى PCOS تم تقسيمهم حسب مؤشر كتلة الجسم BMI الى مجموعتين (المجموعة الاولى يعانون من السمنة المفرطة BMI≥30والمجموعة الثانية لايعانون من السمنة .(BMI≤30 AP-36, GST-activity, Fasting-insulin, HOMA-IR, Testosterone, LH, FSH, Lipid-profile تم قياس المتغيرات التالية لجميع المجاميع. أظهرت السيدات المصابات بمرض تكيس المبايض ارتفاع في تركيز مصل Apelin-36 أعلى من السيدات الأصحاء (160.43±20.81 (pg/ml) مقابل 85.49±17.85 (pg/ml) ، P=0.008) ، بينما كان فعالية انزيم GST منخفضا في المرضى ومرتفعا في الأصحاء (7.99± 1.19 (IU/L) مقابل 12.96±1.90 (IU/L), P=0.022). ترتبط مستويات APLEN-36 ارتباطًا مباشرًا بمؤشر كتلة الجسم و VLDL في المرضى ، لكن مستويات فعالية انزيم GST مرتبطة عكسيا مع (BMI) في المرضى. علاوة على ذلك ، وجد ان هنالك زيادة في مستويات AP-36 في مرضى PCOS البدناء أكثر من مرضى PCOS غير البدناء (185.76± 92.0  (pg/ml) مقابل 123.59± 27.65 (pg/ml) ، P=0.127) ، في حين وجد أن نشاط أنزيم GST كان منخفضا في مرضى PCOS البدناء اكثر من مرضى PCO  غير البدناء (6.99 ± 1.4 (IU/L) مقابل 9.44 ± 2.0 (IU/L) ، P=0.102). يتضح من المعلومات التالية بأن مستوى AP-36  يرتبط عكسيا بفعالية أنزيم GST في مرضى تكيس المبايض. AP-36 لايرتبط مباشرةً في التسبب في اضطراب PCO ، ومع ذلك فقد يتم إدراجه باعتباره مادة دهنية تتأثر بمؤشر كتلة الجسم. أن زيادة المواد المؤكسدة بسبب زيادة مستوى VLDL وانخفاض فعالية إنزيمات مضادات الأكسدة قد تكون استجابة للمستويات العالية للأجهاد التأكسدي. ان انخفاض قدرة مضادة الأكسدة و زيادة تركيز AP-36 قد يؤدي الى توسع خطر الإصابة بأمراض القلب الوعائيه لدى السيدات المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ، بالأضافة إلى عوامل الخطر ، مثلا:- مقاومة الأنسولين، ارتفاع ضغط الدم، السمنة المفرطة، ارتفاع مستوى الدهون.This work studies the role of serum apelin-36 and Glutathione S-transferases (GST) activity in association with the hormonal, metabolic profiles and their link to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in healthy and patients' ladies with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of fifty-four (PCOS) patients and thirty-one healthy woman as a control have been studied. The PCOS patients were subdivided on the basis of body-mass-index (BMI), into 2-subgroups (the first group was obese-PCOS with BMI ≥ 30 and the second group was non-obese PCOS MBI<30). Fasting-insulin-levels and Lipid-profile, Homeostatic-model assessment-of-insulin-resistance (HOMA-IR), follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH), luteinizing-hormone (LH), testosterone and serum Apelin-36 (AP-36) levels, GST-Activity were done for all groups. PCO patients showed higher concentricity of apelin-36 than healthy (160.43 ±20.81 (pg/ml) versus 85.49 ± 17.85 (pg/ml), P=0.008),while GST-activity decreased in PCOS patients and was higher in the control (7.99 ± 1.19(IU/L)versus 12.96 ±1.90(IU/L)respectively,with a P-value=0.022). Apelin-36 levels are directly interrelated with BMI and Very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) in PCOS patients, but GST-activity levels correlated significantly negatively with (BMI) in PCOS patients. Moreover, obese-PCOS patients show increased AP-36 levels more than non-obese PCOS (185.76± 92.0(pg/ml) versus 123.59±27.65 (pg/ml), P=0.127) respectively, whilst the GST-activity was exhibited to be lower in obese-PCO patients more than in non-obese PCOS (6.99 ± 1.4(IU/L) versus 9.44 ± 2.0(IU/L), P=0.102). The data showed that AP-36 level is negatively associated with GST-activity in PCOS patients. AP-36 isn't legitimately ensured in the pathogenesis of PCO disorder, yet it may be included as an adipokine that is influenced by BMI. The oxidants increased because of the highly levels of VLDL and the lower in the activities of antioxidant, that may be a response to higher levels of oxidative stress. A decrease in the antioxidant capacity and an increase in AP-36 levels leads to an increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in PCOS patients

The Delta variant mutations in the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 show enhanced electrostatic interactions with the ACE2

The mutations in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 are shown to enhance its replication, transmissibility, and binding to host cells. Recently, a new strain is reported in India that includes mutations (T478K, and L452R) in the RBD, which are possibly increasing the infection rate. Here, using Molecular Mechanics (MM) and Monte Carlo (MC) sampling, we show that the mutations in the RBD of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 induced conformational changes in ACE2-E37, which enhanced the electrostatic interactions by the formation of a salt-bridge with SARS-CoV-2-R403. In addition, we observed that these mutations altered the electrostatic interactions of the salt-bridge formed between the RBD-T500 and the ACE2-D355, which reduced by more than 70% compared the to the WT

Technique for recognizing faces using a hybrid of moments and a local binary pattern histogram

The face recognition process is widely studied, and the researchers made great achievements, but there are still many challenges facing the applications of face detection and recognition systems. This research contributes to overcoming some of those challenges and reducing the gap in the previous systems for identifying and recognizing faces of individuals in images. The research deals with increasing the precision of recognition using a hybrid method of moments and local binary patterns (LBP). The moment technique computed several critical parameters. Those parameters were used as descriptors and classifiers to recognize faces in images. The LBP technique has three phases: representation of a face, feature extraction, and classification. The face in the image was subdivided into variable-size blocks to compute their histograms and discover their features. Fidelity criteria were used to estimate and evaluate the findings. The proposed technique used the standard Olivetti Research Laboratory dataset in the proposed system training and recognition phases. The research experiments showed that adopting a hybrid technique (moments and LBP) recognized the faces in images and provide a suitable representation for identifying those faces. The proposed technique increases accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. The results show enhancement in recognition precision by 3% to reach 98.78%

Effect of Coping Strategies Education on Knowledge and Behaviors of Women Experienced Workplace Bullying

Context: Workplace bullying is defined as the perceived situation in which an employee is systematically and repeatedly the target of work-related or personal harmful acts. Workplace bullying is an occupational stressor shown to have particular detrimental health outcomes for those targeted.Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of coping strategies education on knowledge and behaviors of women who experienced workplace bullying. Methods: A quasi-experimental (pre/posttest) design was used to achieve this study's aim. The study was conducted at Beni-Suef University affiliated to the Ministry of Higher Education. The study was conducted on a convenient sample of 500 women working at Beni- Suef University. They included 360 employee women from different age groups, educational backgrounds, and job positions. The sample also includes 100 nurses and 40 workers. The study used two tools. The researcher designed a structured interview questionnaire to assess the women's socio-demographic profile and their knowledge regarding workplace bullying. The second tool was a coping behavior checklist for workplace bullying designed by the researcher to assess the women's behaviors toward workplace bullying. Results: shows that 36.0% of the studied women were in the age group ≥30 with a mean age of 34.38±4.33. Half of the studied women suffered from all mentioned health effects, followed by absenteeism 15%, then depression 12%, and 7% suffering decreased self-esteem, the least health problems 6% was for a physical problem (cardiovascular, diabetes mellites, and neuromuscular problems). The study reveals a statistically significant improvement of women's knowledge regarding workplace bullying at post compared to pre educational intervention and at follow up phase compared to the post-intervention phase at p <0.001. The results also show a highly statistically significant improvement in the women's behaviors toward workplace bullying between pre and post-intervention phases and between post and follow-up phases of intervention at p <0.001. Conclusion: The research hypotheses were supported. The women exposed to the coping strategies education had improved knowledge and behaviors compared to their pre-education level. Effective organizational interventions are recommended to help prevent and address bullying incidents, and robust legislative mechanisms are also recommended to allow for restitution and compensation, particularly for women