453 research outputs found
Correction to: Real-World Treatment Patterns in Patients with Vitiligo in the United States
No full textCorrection to: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) (2023) 13:2079–2091 10.1007/s13555-023-00983-3
Authors would like to update the middle name of co-author as Ahmed M. Soliman.
The original article has been corrected
Apterogyna oshaibahi Soliman & Gadallah, sp. nov.
No full text<i>Apterogyna oshaibahi</i> Soliman & Gadallah, sp. nov. <p>(Figs 23−27)</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> Holotype ♀: Egypt, Wadi Digla, Cairo [29°57'30''N, 31°20'06''E], 20.xi.2014 (leg. Ahmed M. Soliman) [CUE]. Paratype 1 ♀: Egypt, Wadi Digla, Cairo [29°57'30''N, 31°20'06''E], 5.xi.2010 (leg. Ahmed M. Soliman) [CUE].</p> <p> <b>Description</b>. FEMALE (holotype). Body length 7 mm. <i>Colour</i>. Red, except flagellum of antenna light brown; coxae and T6 reddish brown, the latter with darker longitudinal ridges; prosternum, mesepisternum, T1 laterally, T2−T5 and metasomal sterna black; mid and hind tibial spurs waxy white; eye black. <i>Pubescence.</i> Face, vertex and scape of antenna clothed with recumbent white setae (Fig. 24); clypeus, occiput and basal third of mandible with erect white setae; mesosoma, legs and metasoma clothed with long erect and fine whitish setae, denser on metasomal terga than elsewhere. T1, T2 with moderately-developed tuft of white setae apicomesally (Fig. 26); metasomal segments 3−5 with apical fringe of such setae, well-developed on T3.</p> <p> <i>Head</i>. In dorsal view 1.2 × as broad as pronotum, abruptly convergent behind eyes; in frontal view distinctly transverse, its width 1.6 × head height; vertex flattened when seen from frontal view, impunctate, strongly sloping posteriorly; face superficially sparsely and finely punctate (nearly smooth and polished); eye small, subspherical, distinctly prominent, with middle-transversal axis located above midline between free margin of clypeus and vertex; malar space as long as LED; distance between antennal tubercles as long as tubercle length; clypeus gently convex; gena with weakly developed tubercle at the level of lower ocular margin; mandible slender, edentate (Fig. 24). Scape of antenna gently convex; F1 scarcely longer than F2; F2 as long as F3. Palpal segments slender.</p> <p> <i>Mesosoma</i>. Dorsally foveate-reticulate (foveae larger on dorsal face of propodeum than elsewhere) (Fig. 25); pronotum with anterior face gently declivous and posterior margin feebly concave, longitudinally ridged laterally; propodeal posterior face gently declivous, smooth and shiny. Mesopleuron smooth anteriorly and coarsely punctate posteriorly; metapleuron longitudinally coarsely ridged. Mesosternum polished and impunctate.</p> <p> <i>Metasoma</i>. T1 widened posteriorly (pear-shaped), slightly longer than its maximal width, superficially foveate, with apicomesal setal tuft 0.7 × as wide as that on T2 (Fig. 26); T2 bell-shaped, 0.7 × as long as broad, coarsely reticulate-foveate (Fig. 26); T3 with superficial sparse punctures progressively vanishing towards posterior margin; T4, T5 narrow and puncticulate; T6 subtriangular, with longitudinal interrupted ridges, bordered laterally with sharp evenly spaced teeth progressively reduced in size distally (Fig. 27). S1 smooth posteriorly, with superficial sparse punctures anteriorly; S2 and S3 sparsely punctate, punctures contiguous laterally; S4, S5 smooth; S1−S5 with a row of sparse punctures along their apical margin; S6 smooth except for few punctures apicolaterally.</p> <p>MALE unknown.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Egypt: Wadi Digla.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Apterogyna oshaibahi</i> is nearest to <i>A. olivieri</i> except for the following: body with scattered setae (while dense in <i>A. olivieri</i> especially on head); mesosomal dorsum with scattered erect setae (with dense recumbent setae intermixed with erect ones in <i>A. olivieri</i>); setal tufts on T1 and T2 moderately-developed (well-developed in <i>A. olivieri</i>). A new species also resembles <i>A. mateui</i> but differ in the following: metasomal T2 coarsely reticulatefoveate, T3 with scattered superficial punctures (Fig. 26) (T2–T3 with oblong punctures and few ridges in between in <i>A. mateui</i>).</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> This species is named in honour of the late Prof. Alaa Din A. Oshaibah professor of the first author).</p>Published as part of <i>Soliman, Ahmed M., Gadallah, Neveen S., Al-Shahat, Ahmed M. & Pagliano, G., 2015, The genus Apterogyna Latreille, 1809 in Egypt, with three new species (Hymenoptera: Bradynobaenidae: Apterogyninae), pp. 209-220 in Zootaxa 3905 (2)</i> on pages 215-218, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3905.2.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/241302">http://zenodo.org/record/241302</a>
DFIT/MiniFrac Analysis of hydraulically fractured dual porosity formations
No full textSeveral techniques were developed to analyze the after- closure fracture data of a DFIT/MiniFrac test. Majority of these techniques assume that the reservoir is homogeneous. This assumption is not always satisfied: a formation can be heterogeneous and naturally fractured, which makes the published techniques not applicable in this case.
A most recent technique by Soliman et al. (2010) presented an analytical solution for an injection- falloff test for a naturally fractured formation. The solution was found to be effective especially in the analysis of MiniFrac tests. However the solution was basically applicable only when there was no residual fracture conductivity.
A solution for an injection-falloff test for a naturally fractured and hydraulically fractured formation has been developed. The solution was established by inference using numerical simulation. MiniFrac tests are simulated and analyzed for naturally and hydraulically fractured formations. The study includes infinitely conductive fractures, finite conductivity fractures and radial flow regime.
The developed solution was also used to analyze field data. A case of a naturally fractured formation that was hydraulically fractured is examined and presented
How intent to interact can affect action scaling of distance: reply to Wilson
No full textabstract: Soliman et al. (2013) set out to demonstrate how the bodily level of analysis can unify explanations in psychology. Our argument was that common sensorimotor mechanisms underlie many of the behavioral phenomena that are currently segregated as cognitive, social, or cultural. Toward that end, we re-characterized a cultural construct—self-construal along the dimension of independence and interdependence (Markus and Kitayama, 1991)—as reflecting degree of interaction with ethnically diverse others.View the article as published at http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00513/ful
Contraction of the levator ani muscle during Valsalva maneuver (coactivation) is associated with a longer active second stage of labor in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor
No full textBackground: The Valsalva maneuver is normally accompanied by relaxation of the levator ani muscle, which stretches around the presenting part, but in some women the maneuver is accompanied by levator ani muscle contraction, which is referred to as levator ani muscle coactivation. The effect of such coactivation on labor outcome in women undergoing induction of labor has not been previously assessed. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of levator ani muscle coactivation on labor outcome, in particular on the duration of the second and active second stage of labor, in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor. Study Design: Transperineal ultrasound was used to measure the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus, both at rest and at maximum Valsalva maneuver, in a group of nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor in 2 tertiary-level university hospitals. The correlation between anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus values and levator ani muscle coactivation with the mode of delivery and various labor durations was assessed. Results: In total, 138 women were included in the analysis. Larger anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus at Valsalva was associated with a shorter second stage (r = –0.230, P =.021) and active second stage (r = –0.338, P =.001) of labor. Women with levator ani muscle coactivation had a significantly longer active second stage duration (60 ± 56 vs 28 ± 16 minutes, P <.001). Cox regression analysis, adjusted for maternal age and epidural analgesia, demonstrated an independent significant correlation between levator ani muscle coactivation and a longer active second stage of labor (hazard ratio, 2.085; 95% confidence interval, 1.158–3.752; P =.014). There was no significant difference between women who underwent operative delivery (n = 46) when compared with the spontaneous vaginal delivery group (n = 92) as regards anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus at rest and at Valsalva maneuver, nor in the prevalence of levator ani muscle coactivation (10/46 vs 15/92; P =.49). Conclusion: Levator ani coactivation is associated with a longer active second stage of labor
The role of the angle of progression in the prediction of the outcome of occiput posterior position in the second stage of labor
No full textBackground: Occiput posterior position is the most frequent cephalic malposition, and its persistence at delivery is associated with a higher risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity. Diagnosis and management of occiput posterior position remain a clinical challenge. This is partly caused by our inability to predict fetuses who will spontaneously rotate into occiput anterior from those who will have persistent occiput posterior position. The angle of progression, measured with transperineal ultrasound, represents a reliable tool for the evaluation of fetal head station during labor. The relationship between the persistence of occiput posterior position and fetal head station in the second stage of labor has not been previously assessed. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of fetal head station, as measured by the angle of progression, in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position and the mode of delivery in the second stage of labor. Study Design: We recruited a nonconsecutive series of women with posterior occiput position diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound in the second stage of labor. For each woman, a transperineal ultrasound was performed to measure the angle of progression at rest. We compared the angle of progression between women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position and those with persistent occiput posterior position at delivery. Receiver operating characteristics curves were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the angle of progression in the prediction of persistent occiput posterior position. Finally, we performed a multivariate logistic regression to determine independent predictors of persistent occiput posterior position. Results: Overall, 63 women were included in the analysis. Among these, 39 women (62%) delivered in occiput anterior position, whereas 24 (38%) delivered in occiput posterior position (persistent occiput posterior position). The angle of progression was significantly narrower in the persistent occiput posterior position group than in women who delivered fetuses in occiput anterior position (118.3°±12.2° vs 127.5°±10.5°; P=.003). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.731 (95% confidence interval, 0.594–0.869) with an estimated best cutoff range of 121.5° (sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 67%). On logistic regression analysis, the angle of progression was found to be independently associated with persistence of occiput posterior position (odds ratio, 0.942; 95% confidence interval, 0.889–0.998; P=.04). Finally, women who underwent cesarean delivery had significantly narrower angle of progression than women who had a vaginal delivery (113.5°±8.1 vs 128.0°±10.7; P<.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the prediction of cesarean delivery was 0.866 (95% confidence interval, 0.761–0.972). At multivariable logistic regression analysis including the angle of progression, parity, and gestational age at delivery, the angle of progression was found to be the only independent predictor associated with cesarean delivery (odds ratio, 0.849; 95% confidence interval, 0.775–0.0930; P<.001). Conclusion: In fetuses with occiput posterior at the beginning of the second stage of labor, narrower values of the angle of progression are associated with higher rates of persistent occiput posterior position at delivery and a higher risk of cesarean delivery
Predicting cesarean delivery for failure to progress as an outcome of labor induction in term singleton pregnancy
No full textBackground: Induction of labor is one of the most common interventions in modern obstetrics, and its frequency is expected to continue to increase. There is inconsistency as to how failed induction of labor is defined; however, the majority of studies define success as the achievement of vaginal delivery. Induction of labor in nulliparous women poses an additional challenge with a 15% to 20% incidence of failure, ending in emergency operative deliveries. The Bishop score has been traditionally used before decisions for induction of labor. Nonetheless, it is subjective and prone to marked interobserver variation. Several studies have been conducted to find alternative predictors, yet a reliable, objective method still remains to be introduced and validated. Hence, there is still a need for the development of new predictive tools to facilitate informed decision making, optimization of resources, and minimization of potential risks of failure. Furthermore, a peripartum transperineal ultrasound scan has been proven to provide objective, noninvasive assessment of labor. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of developing and validating an objective and reproducible model for the prediction of cesarean delivery for failure to progress as an outcome of labor induction in term singleton pregnancies. Study Design: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted in Cairo University Hospitals and University of Bologna Hospitals between November 2018 and November 2019. We recruited 382 primigravidae with singleton term pregnancies in cephalic presentation. All patients had baseline Bishop scoring together with various transabdominal and transperineal ultrasound assessments of the fetus, maternal cervix, and pelvic floor. The managing obstetricians were blinded to the ultrasound scan findings. The method and indication of induction of labor, the total duration of stages of labor, mode of birth, and neonatal outcomes were all recorded. Women who had operative delivery for fetal distress or indications other than failure to progress in labor were excluded from the final analysis, leaving a total of 344 participants who were randomly divided into 243 and 101 pregnancies that constituted the model development and cross-validation groups, respectively. Results: It was possible to perform transabdominal and transperineal scans and assess all the required parameters on all study participants. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used for selection of potential predictors and model fitting. The independent predictive variables for cesarean delivery included maternal age (odds ratio, 1.12; P=.003), cervical length (odds ratio, 1.08; P=.04), angle of progression at rest (odds ratio, 0.9; P=.001), and occiput posterior position (odds ratio, 5.7; P=.006). We tested the performance of the prediction model on our cross-validation group. The calculated areas under the curve for the ability of the model to predict cesarean delivery were 0.7969 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.87) and 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.97) for the developed and validated models, respectively. Conclusion: Maternal age and sonographic fetal occiput position, angle of progression at rest, and cervical length before labor induction are very good predictors of induction outcome in nulliparous women at term
Enhancing Virus Removal in Low-Cost Ceramic Pot Filters for Drinking Water Treatment
No full textAccess to safe drinking water is an essential human right and a crucial element to human survival. The quality of drinking water, has strong and direct impact on human health. Unless free of fecal contamination, water is unsafe to drink. Yet, to date, 2 billion people remain without access to safe drinking water. Consequently, the burden of waterborne disease remains a global threat to public health especially in developing countries. Fortunately, many interventions in the past decades aimed to provide safe drinking water in developing countries. Household water treatment (HHWT), provided individuals with a cheap and effective solution to treat water. Since its introduction, HHWT has dramatically improved the microbial quality of water, reduced the burden of waterborne diseases and its associated mortality. In particular, ceramic pot filters (CPFs) were described as one of the most sustainable, popular and effective HHWT systems in reducing waterborne diseases. In 2014, it was estimated that 4 million users rely on CPFs for water treatment. CPFs provide consumers with an adequate protection against bacteria and protozoa which accounts for its reported protection against waterborne diseases. However, CPFs are not highly protective against all waterborne pathogens since they fail to remove viruses. The exceptionally small size of viruses enables them to pass through the filter pores. Therefore, the objective of the thesis was to enhance virus removal in ceramic pot filters (CPFs). It was hypothesized that continued filtration of water through CPFs would lead to biofilm growth which might enhance virus removal. This hypothesis was examined using MS2 bacteriophage as ssRNA model virus. It was found that the growth of biofilm was dependent on the level of nutrients in raw water and as the subsequent virus (MS2) removal observed. The trade-off was the lower flow rates in high nutrient biofilms. Although high nutrient biofilms had better removal of virus (2.4 ± 0.5 logs), it reduced flow rates in the filters making them unusable. This limitation in virus removal and flow rate called for alternative solution. Therefore, the use of metals, namely silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), was examined as potential additives to CPFs to enhance virus removal. Ag is already being applied to CPFs in many factories but its contribution to virus removal has been controversial and only reported using model RNA virus (MS2). Cu is cheaper than Ag, hence it provided the possibility of an economical alternative or complementary addition. To that end, Cu and Ag were examined for their antiviral efficiency; separately and combined. MS2 (ssRNA) and PhiX 174 (ssDNA) bacteriophages were tested as conservative model viruses for RNA and DNA waterborne viruses. Ag (0.1 mg/L) exhibited antiviral efficiency against MS2 and PhiX 174 (≤ 2 log inactivation over 6 hours), which was reduced in the presence of 20 mg C/L of natural organic matter (NOM) in water. Overall, Cu (1 mg/L) was a more potent disinfectant than Ag (0.1 mg/L). For example, in water containing NOM (20 mg C/L), Cu inactivated ≥ 6 logs of MS2 over 3 hours, and to lesser extent PhiX 174 (≥ 1 log in 3 hours). Moreover, significant synergy of Cu and Ag in combination was observed for MS2 in the absence of NOM and to a lesser extend in presence of low NOM at pH ≥7. A synergistic effect of Cu and Ag together in disinfecting PhiX 174 was observed, but only in presence of NOM in water. Overall to achieve ≥ 3 logs of inactivation by Cu and/or Ag, hours of interaction between the metal(s) and the virus were needed. Because antiviral efficiency of Cu and Ag was observed, each was applied to ceramic filter discs (CFDs) according to the factory method (Filtron, Nicaragua) by painting metal ions solution using a hand brush. Virus removal by filtration through metal painted CFDs was examined. In addition, virus inactivation in the receptacles containing filtrate (in which there was leached Cu or Ag) was examined over 5.5 hours of storage. The contribution of Cu or Ag to enhancing virus removal by filtration was minor compared to the observed inactivation following hours of filtrate storage. This observation highlighted the value of utilizing virus inactivation as post treatment / post filtration option using Cu and/or Ag ions. Unfortunately, the rapid leaching of Cu from CFDs was an obstacle to testing Cu and Ag combination. It is therefore recommended to investigate alternative methods of Cu dosing other than painting. This thesis quantified the contribution of biofilm growth to improving virus removal in CPFs, although the effect varied. With the in-depth assessment of Cu and/ or Ag antiviral efficiency, examining the effect of water quality parameters on the achieved virus inactivation, the potential of Cu and Ag was assessed. Post treatment or safe water storage relying on Cu and Ag ions can be applied in principle to provide safe drinking water in compliance with the WHO requirements.Sanitary Engineerin
DIVERSITY OF ETHNICITY AND STATE INVOLVEMENT ON URBAN INFORMALITY IN BEIRUT
No full textUrban informality has become the dominant feature of urban growth on Beirut City and its periphery. Beirut context, as the rest of Lebanese cities, sheds light on a new era of controversy on urban informality. The appearance of urban informality in Beirut is due to the ways that the state being involved on such areas and its affect on shaping the urban fabric, the ways that the influence of various sociopolitical circumstances the country being passed through by which informal areas being established, and the complexity of ethnicity structure within Lebanese society. Understanding the diversity of the state power and ethnicity structure of the society during various periods of the establishment of informal housing areas would enable the state and housing professionals to provide a clear policy strategy to tackle urban informality. Each marginal area needs special treatment according to its religion and ethnicity structure‚ to be remolded within the society.informality; urbanization; state; ethnicity; Lebanon.
Hospitality before arrest.
No full textSana Hafez shares her narrative around her father getting detained during the Nasserite era and how it influenced her. In this audio documentary Sana Hafez, daughter of Egyptian lawmaker Soliman Hafez, tells the story of seeing her father detained multiple times under Nasser. She tells how she was influenced in her own personal life and education
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