BEATS: BEAmline for synchrotron X-ray microTomography at SESAME.

The ID10 beamline of the SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) synchrotron light source in Jordan was inaugurated in June 2023 and is now open to scientific users. The beamline, which was designed and installed within the European Horizon 2020 project BEAmline for Tomography at SESAME (BEATS), provides full-field X-ray radiography and microtomography imaging with monochromatic or polychromatic X-rays up to photon energies of 100 keV. The photon source generated by a 2.9 T wavelength shifter with variable gap, and a double-multilayer monochromator system allow versatile application for experiments requiring either an X-ray beam with high intensity and flux, and/or a partially spatial coherent beam for phase-contrast applications. Sample manipulation and X-ray detection systems are designed to allow scanning samples with different size, weight and material, providing image voxel sizes from 13 µm down to 0.33 µm. A state-of-the-art computing infrastructure for data collection, three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction and data analysis allows the visualization and exploration of results online within a few seconds from the completion of a scan. Insights from 3D X-ray imaging are key to the investigation of specimens from archaeology and cultural heritage, biology and health sciences, materials science and engineering, earth, environmental sciences and more. Microtomography scans and preliminary results obtained at the beamline demonstrate that the new beamline ID10-BEATS expands significantly the range of scientific applications that can be targeted at SESAME.

Duty to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Perceptions of Health Care Providers in Jordan.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess perceptions of duty to work among health care providers during the coronavirus disease 2019 response and to identify factors that may influence their perceptions. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April 1, 2020, to April 20, 2020, using an online survey distributed to health care providers in Jordan. Descriptive statistics were used, as well as chi-square test for independence to assess relationships between variables. RESULTS: A total of 302 questionnaires were included. Commitment to serve the community was the primary reason for coming to work (36%), followed by commitment to faith (29.6%). The major perceived barriers for coming to work were lack of appropriate personal protective equipment and appropriate training (62.6% and 53.5%, respectively). Males perceived higher work obligations than females in all potential barriers (P < .05), except for the lack of appropriate training. Nurses perceived higher work obligations than other health care providers despite the lack of appropriate training (χ2 = 11.83, P = .005), lack of effective vaccine or treatment (χ2 = 21.76, P < .001), or reported infection among coworkers (χ2 = 10.18, P = .03). DISCUSSION: While the majority of health care providers perceive an obligation to work during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, specific conditions, mainly lack of protective gear and training, may significantly alter their perception of work obligation. Providing training and proper personal protective equipment are among the vital measures that could improve the work environment and work obligation during pandemic conditions.

Quantifying the impact of COVID-19 preventive measures on traffic in the State of Qatar.

Ever since the beginning of 2020, the mobility of people and goods all over the world has been extremely limited as a result of movement restrictions imposed by local authorities as part of several other efforts to stop the wide spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Committee for Crisis Management in the State of Qatar adopted the policy of incremental preventive measures that were adjusted based on the pandemic status. These actions involved several restrictions, aiming a balance between reducing the pandemic spread and the typical daily activities disturbance. This paper assesses the impact of pandemic response measures on traffic mobility by quantifying the holistic impact of the incremental measures at different stages on traffic volumes and traffic safety. Daily traffic counts from 24 intersections were collected every 15-min for several days, representing the traffic before and after implementing each preventive measure. Besides, a screenline was used to represent the traffic entering and leaving the Central Business District (CBD) in the City of Doha. The results show that the daily traffic demand distribution over the course of day was not affected by those preventive measures. However, an overall demand reduction of 30% in baseline traffic was observed for all studied intersections and the screenline when all preventive measures were active. Moreover, the analysis of traffic violations and the total crashes indicated a drop of 73% and 37% respectively. The results from this assessment will assist decision and policy makers, and planners to prioritize traffic management actions for future needs. Further, the findings can also be utilized for mega-event traffic management in the post-COVID era, such as FIFA World Cup 2022 and 2030 Asian Games.

Analgesic effects of intraarticular anaesthetic lidocaine and methylprednisolone versus methylprednisolone alone following knee arthroscopy.

Background: Knee arthroscopy is a widely practiced orthopaedic procedure known for its minimally invasive approach, allowing quicker recovery times and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open surgeries. However, managing postoperative pain remains a critical aspect of patient care and satisfaction. The main objective of this research is to examine the relationships between patient demographics (age, gender, BMI) and early postoperative outcomes, including pain, physiotherapy, and walking. Method: Randomized data collection, clinical trial study of 2 groups of patients. The patients were split into lidocaine 1 % 16 ml + methylprednisolone 160 mg 4 ml) and (methylprednisolone only 160 mg 4 ml) groups. All patients in both groups were queried about age, gender, BMI, and pain on the first, third, and 15th days following surgery. All patients were tested for physiotherapy on the second, third, and fourth postop days. After surgery, walking was tested on the third, fourth, and fifth days. Results: Significant differences in postoperative pain relief and physiotherapy initiation times were observed. There are notable associations between treatment groups and recovery metrics, such as pain levels and mobility on various days' post-surgery. Significant demographic influences (age, gender, BMI) on recovery outcomes are observed, particularly in walking and pain at day 15 post-operation. Conclusion: lidocaine and methylprednisolone improve postoperative pain relief and functional recovery in knee arthroscopy patients, with most experiencing reduced pain early post-surgery (early physiotherapy) and an expedited return to walking (decreased morbidity). Patients taking just methylprednisolone recovered slower. Age, gender, and BMI affected pain and walking abilities post-operation but not physiotherapy time, underscoring the personalised approach needed in postoperative treatment.

Finite control set model predictive current control for three phase grid connected inverter with common mode voltage suppression.

This research introduces an advanced finite control set model predictive current control (FCS-MPCC) specifically tailored for three-phase grid-connected inverters, with a primary focus on the suppression of common mode voltage (CMV). CMV is known for causing a range of issues, including leakage currents, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and accelerated system degradation. The proposed control strategy employs a system model that predicts the inverter's future states, enabling the selection of optimal switching states from a finite set to achieve dual objectives: precise current control and effective CMV reduction, a meticulously designed cost function evaluates the potential switching states, balancing the accuracy of current tracking against the necessity to minimize CMV. The approach is grounded in a comprehensive mathematical model that captures the dynamics of CMV within the system, and it utilizes an optimization process that functions in real-time to determine the most suitable control action at each interval, Experimental validations of the proposed FCS-MPCC scheme have demonstrated its effectiveness in significantly improving the performance and durability of three-phase grid-connected inverters, Experimental validations of the proposed (MPC with CMV) scheme have demonstrated its effectiveness in significantly improving the performance and durability of three-phase grid-connected inverters. The proposed method achieved substantial reductions in CMV, notable improvements in current tracking accuracy, and extended system lifespan compared to conventional control methods.

A reduced vector model predictive controller for a three-level neutral point clamped inverter with common-mode voltage suppression.

This paper presents a novel, state-of-the-art predictive control architecture that addresses the computational complexity and limitations of conventional predictive control methodologies while enhancing the performance efficacy of predictive control techniques applied to three-level voltage source converters (NPC inverters). This framework's main goal is to decrease the number of filtered voltage lifespan vectors in each sector, which will increase the overall efficiency of the control system and allow for common mode voltage reduction in three-level voltage source converters. Two particular tactics are described in order to accomplish this. First, a statistical approach is presented for the proactive detection of potential voltage vectors, with an emphasis on selecting and including the vectors that are most frequently used. This method lowers the computational load by limiting the search space needed to find the best voltage vectors. Then, using statistical analysis, a plan is presented to split the sectors into two separate parts, so greatly limiting the number of voltage vectors. The goal of this improved predictive control methodology is to reduce computing demands and mitigate common mode voltage. The suggested strategy's resilience is confirmed in a range of operational scenarios using simulations and empirical evaluation. The findings indicate a pronounced enhancement in computational efficiency and a notable diminution in common mode voltage, thereby underscoring the efficacy of the proposed methodology. This increases their ability to incorporate renewable energy sources into the electrical grid.

Analysis of biomass productivity and physiology of Nitrososphaera viennensis grown in continuous culture.

Microbial ammonia oxidation is the first and usually rate limiting step in nitrification and is therefore an important step in the global nitrogen cycle. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) play an important role in nitrification. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of biomass productivity and the physiological response of Nitrososphaera viennensis to different ammonium and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations aiming to understand the interplay between ammonia oxidation and CO2 fixation of N. viennensis. The experiments were performed in closed batch in serum bottles as well as in batch, fed-batch, and continuous culture in bioreactors. A reduced specific growth rate (µ) of N. viennensis was observed in batch systems in bioreactors. By increasing CO2 gassing µ could be increased to rates comparable to that of closed batch systems. Furthermore, at a high dilution rate (D) in continuous culture (≥ 0.7 of µmax) the biomass to ammonium yield (Y(X/NH3)) increased up to 81.7% compared to batch cultures. In continuous culture, biofilm formation at higher D prevented the determination of D crit. Due to changes in Y(X/NH3) and due to biofilm, nitrite concentration becomes an unreliable proxy for the cell number in continuous cultures at D towards µmax. Furthermore, the obscure nature of the archaeal ammonia oxidation prevents an interpretation in the context of Monod kinetics and thus the determination of K S. Our findings indicate that the physiological response of N. viennensis might be regulated with different enzymatic make-ups, according to the ammonium catalysis rate. We reveal novel insights into the physiology of N. viennensis that are important for biomass production and the biomass yield of AOA. Moreover, our study has implications to the field of archaea biology and microbial ecology by showing that bioprocess technology and quantitative analysis can be applied to decipher environmental factors affecting the physiology and productivity of AOA.

Psychometric Properties of the Arabic Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) Among Jordanian Adults.

There is an urgent need to assess the impacts of the Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) outbreak on mental health among the general population such as the Fear of COVID-19. The current study aimed to provide further validation of the Arabic version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) for use among Jordanian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online survey between 1 and 12 May 2020. The forward-backward translation method was adopted to translate the FCV-19S into Arabic. The study sample included 725 Jordanian adults. The internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was 0.91 indicating excellent internal consistency. As for convergent validity, a significant positive correlation was found between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the three subscales of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), with the highest correlation being between the FCV-19S and the anxiety subscale (r = 0.54, p < .05), followed by the stress subscale (r = 0.51, p < .05), and lastly, the depression subscale (r = 0.46, p < .05). Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and item response theory (IRT). The unidimensional factor structure of the FCV-19S was confirmed on the study sample. The Arabic version of the FCV-19S is a reliable and valid instrument with good psychometric properties. The use of this scale for assessing the severity of fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic among Arabic-speaking populations is recommended. The findings may guide future COVID-19-related research and further validation testing.

Parotid Gland Solitary Fibrous Tumor Presenting as a Long Duration Mass: A Case Report.

The solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a tumor of uncertain histogenesis, affecting deep soft tissues, particularly the pleura (pulmonary) and extrapulmonary sites including thighs, retroperitoneum, other serosal surfaces, and cranial and spinal meninges. SFT and hemangiopericytoma are now considered the same entity, with general agreement on referring to this group of tumors as "SFT." SFTs are generally benign tumors with small subsets of malignant ones. Moreover, they are well-circumscribed with a good prognosis after surgical resection. SFTs are uncommon in the head and neck and are quite rare in the parotid gland region. Here, we present a case of a 48-year-old female with SFT of the parotid gland region; the diagnosis was confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2, CD34, and STAT6. STAT6 immunohistochemistry is sensitive and specific for SFTs.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Types of Abutments in Relation to Post-prosthetic Bone Resorption and Periodontal Pocket Depth: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial With a One-Year Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the past few years, the number of studies conducted on the designs of abutments and related materials has increased. The restoration is performed over the implant using prefabricated standard abutments. Due to the problems encountered in relation to bone resorption following restoration, other types of abutment designs have been introduced in the dental field such as molded abutments usually fabricated by the lost-wax technique and computer-designed abutments produced by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of molded abutments and computer-designed 3D printed abutments in terms of the bone loss around the implant and the depth of periodontal pockets in a one-year observation period. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 32 dental implants for patients who required two adjacent implants. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: in the first group, the patients received molded abutments, whereas, in the second group, the patients received 3D printed abutments with an allocation ratio of 1:1. In the molded abutment group, the plastic abutments were waxed and poured using the Ni-Cr mixture in the lost-wax technique, while in the printed abutment group, the abutments were designed by a computer program and printed using the Cr-Co mixture employing a 3D laser printer. The bone level and pocket depth around the implant were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months following cementation. RESULTS: After one year, there were significant differences in the bone resorption mean values between the 3D laser-printed abutment group (0.43±0.11) and molded abutment group (0.54±0.11). In addition, there were significant differences in the mean values of probing depth between the 3D laser-printed abutment group (3.39±0.12) and molded abutment group (3.53±0.08). Therefore, the 3D laser-printed abutment was slightly better and had a lower bone loss degree than the molded abutment. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the current work, the mean bone resorption for both types of abutments was within the normal limits. However, the implants that were restored using the printed abutments had less bone resorption than those restored using the molded abutments.

Giant hydronephrosis secondary to an ectopic ureter associated with bilateral duplex collecting system: a case report.

Giant hydronephrosis is an ultimate rare urologic entity; even rarer when it is secondary to a duplex collecting system. Duplex collecting system is a common urologic anomaly with a wide range of clinical symptoms and a variety of associated urologic abnormalities such as an ectopic ureter, ureterocele, vesicoureteral reflux and ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This report presents a case of an 8-year-old boy who had a bilateral duplex collecting system that was revealed accidentally by a bilateral severe hydronephrosis. The duplication was complete on the left side and partial on the right with a right ectopic ureteral orifice, in addition to a bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. The vesicoureteral reflux retreated completely in the left side after using a urethral catheter for 6 months, while the decision of performing a surgical operation for the right side was made.

Esophageal Perforation into the Pericardium in a 3-Year-Old Child with Esophageal Stricture: A Rare Complication Following Esophageal Dilatation.

Perforation of the esophagus during dilatation is a rare complication that might cause mortality. We present the report of a 3-year-old girl who was diagnosed with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 17 months of age. She experienced a complicated clinical course after chemotherapy was initiated, which included mucositis and acute pericarditis. She later developed an acquired esophageal stricture and tracheoesophageal fistula, which were managed with resection and primary anastomosis when she was in remission. Postoperatively, the patient developed a leak, which was treated conservatively. She subsequently developed a stricture that was treated successfully. On the fourth dilatation attempt and after she was sent home, she presented with persistent vomiting and low-grade fever and became vitally unstable on the same day, after stabilization, upper gastroenterology contrast revealed contrast filling the pericardium. She was managed conservatively with close observation and serial echocardiograms and then discharged home on day 18 in good condition after complete resolution of the pericardial effusion.

The impact of aerosol box on tracheal intubation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to summarize the effect of the aerosol box on tracheal intubation in patients with COVID-19. AREAS COVERED: According to the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was performed to identify relevant literature on the 'impact of the aerosol box on tracheal intubation during the COVID-19 pandemic' in different electronic databases up to March 2021. Based on a set of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 447 articles were screened. Finally, 20 articles were included in the current systematic review. The findings showed that the use of aerosol box during intubation could reduce droplet contamination on the healthcare workers but not necessarily aerosols. An increase in the time of intubation with the aerosol box was also observed in 9 out of 12 studies (75%); however, three studies reported no significant difference in the time of intubation with and without the aerosol box. Most studies (8 out of 9, 89%) were also shown that intubation with the aerosol box may lead to more difficulty. EXPERT OPINION: The proceduralist and other healthcare workers involved in airway management of COVID-19 infected patients should decide whether to apply the aerosol box with caution, balancing between benefits and risks, especially in difficult airway circumstances.

Designing multi-epitope based peptide vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2 using immunoinformatics approach.

Introduction: The current incidence of the novel coronavirus disease has shown only small reductions of cases and has become a major public health challenge. Development of effective vaccines against the virus is still being encouraged such as multi-epitope vaccines designed from the components of SARS-CoV-2 including its spike, nucleocapsid and ORF1a proteins. Since the addition of adjuvants including HABA protein and L7/L12 ribosomal are considered helpful to increase the effectiveness of the designed vaccine, we proposed to design multiepitope vaccines by two different adjuvants. Methods: We used the IEDB server to predict BCL and TCL epitopes that were characterized using online tools including VaxiJen, AllPred and IL-10 Prediction. The selected epitopes were further constructed into multiepitope vaccines. We also added two different adjuvants to the vaccine components in order to increase the effectiveness of the vaccines. The 3D-structured vaccines were built using trRosetta. They were further docked with different Toll-like-receptors (TLR 3, 4 and 8) and the entry receptor of SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 using ClusPro, PatchDock and refined by FireDock. All structures were visualized by USCF Chimera and PyMOL. Results: In this study, we succeeded in designing two different candidate vaccines by the addition of HABA protein and L7/L12 ribosomal as adjuvants. The two vaccines were almost equally good in terms of their physicochemical properties and characteristics. Likewise, their strong interactions with TLR3 4, 8 and ACE2 show the lowest energy level of both was estimated at more than -1,000. Interactions of vaccines with ACE2 and TLRs are essential for activation of immune responses and production of antibodies. Conclusion: The two designed and constructed multiepitope vaccine have good characteristics and may have the potential to activate humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Further research is worth considering to confirm the findings of this study.

A Novel Homozygous Founder Variant of RTN4IP1 in Two Consanguineous Saudi Families.

The genetic architecture of mitochondrial disease continues to expand and currently exceeds more than 350 disease-causing genes. Bi-allelic variants in RTN4IP1, also known as Optic Atrophy-10 (OPA10), lead to early-onset recessive optic neuropathy, atrophy, and encephalopathy in the afflicted patients. The gene is known to encode a mitochondrial ubiquinol oxidoreductase that interacts with reticulon 4 and is thought to be a mitochondrial antioxidant NADPH oxidoreductase. Here, we describe two unrelated consanguineous families from the northern region of Saudi Arabia harboring a missense variant (RTN4IP1:NM_032730.5; c.475G

Depression, coping skills, and quality of life among Jordanian adults during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic: cross sectional study.

Little is known about the immediate psychological impacts of the national lockdown implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population in Arab countries like Jordan. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of depression, coping skills, and quality of life and their correlates among a sample of Jordanian adults aged ≥18 years during the COVID-19 lockdown implemented in Jordan. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was conducted using an anonymous online self-report survey to collect data on participants' demographics, depression, coping skills, and quality of life. This study included a total of 511 participants aged 18-65 years (mean = 30, SD = 10.6), most of whom were female (n = 333, 65.2%). About 65% (n = 332) of the participants were found to be suffering from depressive symptoms and 32% (n = 163) of them had moderate to severe depression levels. Religion, acceptance, and planning were the most frequently reported coping skills. The mean total quality of life score among all of the participants was 73.21 (SD = 16.17). Female participants had significantly higher levels of depression and lower levels of quality of life than male participants. Further, age was not found to be significantly correlated with depression, coping skills, or total quality of life scores. Depression scores were significantly positively correlated with coping skills and negatively correlated with total quality of life scores. No significant correlation was found between coping skills scores and total quality of life scores in this study. Being employed, holding an undergraduate degree, having chronic physical problems, and having mental health problems were found to be significantly associated with higher levels of depression. Holding a graduate degree, being a student, having military health insurance, not having mental health problems, and being a non-smoker were found to be significantly associated with lower coping skills scores. Being female, being educated to high school level or below, having mental health problems, and having family history of chronic physical problems were found to be significantly associated with lower total quality of life scores. This study provides valuable information on the psychological impacts of the national lockdown during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jordanian adults. This information may help in the development of appropriate psychological interventions aimed at improving mental health and quality of life among at-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological impacts during the COVID-19 outbreak among adult population in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

In response to the initial outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the pandemic-related restraints and preventive measures implemented, the global population has been experiencing a wide range of immediate psychological reactions, such as fear and psychological distress. The present study aimed to assess the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of adults during the national lockdown implemented in Jordan. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to collect data on the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, the changes in daily life they had experienced, their fear of COVID-19, and their depression, anxiety, and stress levels. A total of 725 Jordanian adults aged 18-65 years (mean = 33.7, SD = 9.3) were included in this study, with most of the participants being female (n = 409, 56.4%). The majority of the participants reported changes in their daily routines and activities during the COVID-19 lockdown, with 62.8% of the participants reporting weight changes, 92% reporting increased social media use, and 86.5% reporting increased mobile phone use and checking. Further, 41.4% of the participants reported high levels of fear of COVID-19, while 41.8%, 24.5%, and 22.8% reported mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. Female participants had significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 and stress than did males. Fear of COVID-19 was significantly positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Anxiety, stress, gender, having physical disorders, and having mental disorders were identified as being significant predictive factors of fear of COVID-19. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need to pay further attention towards maintaining the psychological well-being of the public during this global crisis. The findings may guide the development of appropriate public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy living, improving mental health, and reducing fear and other psychological problems among at-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the findings may guide further qualitative, longitudinal, and experimental studies both during and after the lockdown.

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Perforating the Cecum, a Pregnancy Complication?

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a widely used method of contraception worldwide. Displacement of the IUCD extrauterine, by perforating the uterus and migration, is a serious complication following its insertion. We reported an extremely rare case of a 24-year-old female patient found to have a copper T 380A IUCD displaced from its normal site to be embedded into the cecum, suggested to have occurred during pregnancy, and being successfully removed laparoscopically.