American University of Science and Technology

Background: In early childhood, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune illness marked by the death of pancreatic -cells by the immune system.Autoantibodies that are important indicators of illness etiology and diagnosis include insulin autoantibodies (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 antibodies (GAD65Ab), and insulinoma-associated antigen-2 antibodies (IA-2Ab).Objective: This study evaluates the prevalence of diabetes-related autoantibodies (GAD65Ab, IA-2Ab, and IAA) and assesses metabolic parameters, including random blood sugar (RBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), ketone bodies, and C-peptide levels in children under five years of age with T1DM compared with healthy controls.Methods: This case-control study included 60 children diagnosed with T1DM and 60 age-and sex-matched healthy controls, all aged <5 years.Serum autoantibodies were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).RBS, HbA1c, ketone bodies, and C-peptide levels were assessed using standard biochemical methods.Statistical analyses were performed to compare patients and controls.

Abstract On February 2, 2024, a landslide of several hundred cubic meters caused several massive rocks (50 to 100 m 3 ) to fall down the slope of Vevey valley region in Switzerland. The rockslide hit and damaged part of the structure of the A9 Lausanne‐Saint‐Maurice national road/bridge before settling at the bottom of the slope near the bridge foundation. Luckily, the rockslide did not cause any casualties, nor did it affect any homes. Noting that the structure “Pont de Veveyse” consisting of 2 parallel and identical composite steel and prestressed concrete bridges that was put into service in 1969 ensures the passage of approximately 61000 vehicles/ day. In the bridge region, the geological conditions are very complicated and are characterized by an extended sliding zone that experiences slippage of a few cm per year. Since in this region, erosion and thus, slope as well as rockslides occur naturally and often, the following study was performed to determine the behavior of the bridge under different rockslide impacts. Following the accident, field investigations were conducted to gather information and identify the trajectory of the rockslides and bridge damage. Then, based on the principle of linear impulse and momentum as well as the conservation of linear impulse and momentum, the velocity of rockslides as well as the average impulse forces were calculated. The obtained results were used in the numerical simulations performed using the nonlinear software Abaqus to investigate the bridge behavior and responses caused by the impact of the massive rockslide. The effects of impact load, its direction and location on the behavior of the bridge were examined. The obtained results showed that the simulated damage mechanisms agree with field observations. Moreover, bridge stability is affected by the rockslide impacts. The obtained results can be considered a mean to assess the stability of the bridge and perform as guidelines for authorities to mitigate future hazard rockslides impact strategies for the A9 bridge.

Abstract Neural interfaces are essential tools for diagnosing and managing neurological disorders, yet conventional electrocorticography (ECoG) devices are limited by mechanical mismatch with brain tissue, chronic inflammation, and poor scalability. Here, we introduce a fully inkjet-printed, flexible, and biodegradable ECoG array fabricated on ultrathin polycaprolactone films with gold nanoparticle electrodes. The arrays achieve among the highest electrode densities reported for additive manufacturing (7.44 electrodes/mm²) while maintaining low impedance (10.6 kΩ at 1 kHz) and high-fidelity recordings (SNR 28 dB). A rapid, maskless prototyping process relying on photonic sintering enables scalable, cost-effective fabrication. In vivo, the devices conformally mapped cortical seizure propagation and resolved distinct ictal dynamics in a rat model. Histology at 30 days confirmed preserved neuronal density and astrocytic response comparable to controls, indicating minimal chronic inflammation. A convolutional neural network trained on recorded signals classified seizure stages with &gt;95% accuracy, underscoring the translational potential for real-time monitoring and closed-loop neuromodulation. This platform unites rapid prototyping, biodegradability, and high performance, providing a scalable route toward next-generation, patient-specific, and disposable neural interfaces for epilepsy and other neuroengineering applications.

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Most of the time, people suffer from the high and low temperatures inside cars, throughout the various seasons. The cooling system used in cars does not allow proper air filtration and thus submits either cold or hot air depending on the external temperature. To avoid this problem, the air should be modulated to deliver the needed temperature. This raises the need to create a new system that can change the temperature in the car without damaging or affecting any other parts. This paper consists of integrating semiconductors that can affect the ability to light and heat. The connection of the semiconductors to a solar panel allows the conversion of the sunlight into electricity. Adding a fan to the system is crucial because colder air can be drawn into the car from the outside and expels air from the inside. This addition can also cool the intimate car atmosphere by moving air across a heat sink. After the structure had been created, many experiments are tested. These tests reflect good performance under temperature changes causing different incoming currents related to time.

The accelerating pace of adoption of decentralized applications requires the use of efficient, high-performance blockchain infrastructures. These blockchains are supported by consensus algorithms that are critical determinants of scalability, transaction speed, costs, and security. Developers are still unaware of the most useful options because there is a large gap in information regarding the comprehensive evaluation of these algorithms in practice. This study aims to test and compare the performance of the three most popularly used blockchain consensus protocols - Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS) and Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) with the aim to improve the application of decentralized systems. By deploying smart contracts on real blockchain test networks (Callisto for PoW, Sepolia for PoS, and Tron Nile for DPoS), the research explores key performance metrics such as block time, deploy gas fee, block gas limit, and block size. The experiments utilize tools like Remix IDE and Tron-IDE, highlighting the practical implications of consensus algorithms under varying real-world conditions, including network congestion and transaction volatility. Tron Nile excels in speed and capacity but incurs high gas fees, Sepolia balances performance with moderate costs, and Callisto emphasizes cost efficiency at the expense of speed and scalability. Insights derived from this study provide valuable guidelines for developers to choose suitable consensus mechanisms based on the specific requirements of decentralized applications

The gaming landscape has undergone significant evolution over the years, with technological advancements consistently transforming how players engage with virtual environments. One pivotal aspect of this evolution lies in the interface between the player and the game - the controller. Traditional controllers, while effective, often present challenges such as high costs and limited life cycles. The proposed device is characterized by its low-cost, accuracy, and customization as it can adhere to the user motion. Shooting games, characterized by dynamic and fast-paced interactions, require precise and responsive control mechanisms for an immersive player experience. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive exploration of implementing sensor-based controls in shooting games. The selected sensors, coupled with the Arduino-based microcontroller integration, form the backbone of a system designed for accuracy, responsiveness, and adaptability. By providing players with a tangible connection to the virtual realm, the system aims to redefine the boundaries of player interaction, elevating the game beyond a mere gaming experience to a visceral and captivating journey where the line between player and character becomes delightfully blurred. The challenge lies in seamlessly translating physical gestures into in-game actions, redefining the player's relationship with the digital battlefield. Following a successful implementation, the system was subjected to extensive testing by a group of 20 users, with a total testing time exceeding 15 hours. This thorough evaluation yielded overwhelmingly positive feedback, affirming the system's functionality, reliability, and performance.

The rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has increased the demand on cellular networks, particularly within Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology. To address the challenge of limited cellular capacity, this paper proposes an optimization method that groups devices and allocates specific time slots for each group to engage with the base station. The aim is to minimize interference and packet collisions, ensuring efficient device connectivity. We explore various clustering algorithms, including K-means, uniform repetition, and genetic algorithms (GA), with a focus on GA for its superior performance in reducing interference and improving connection success rates. Simulations confirm that the GA-based approach effectively manages device groups, enhances connectivity, and optimizes cell capacity in NB-IoT networks.

Introduction: Hiatal hernias (HH) are typically diagnosed by endoscopy, imaging studies, manometry, or surgery. The accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis of HH and erosive esophagitis (EE) is significantly influenced by the operator's experience and training, highlighting the importance of skill in identifying this condition. Methods: A total of 20 videos captured during gastroscopy were introduced to the gastroenterology training fellows and the gastroenterologist attendings of American University of Beirut Medical Center. All the videos were selected from a video repository collected as part of a prospective study on standardization of endoscopic evaluation of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). The selected videos were deemed appropriate in exposing the GEJ on forward and retroflex examination, as well as optimal slow withdrawal examination with a fully inflated stomach. The questionnaire collected data about the presence and size of HH, the presence and stage of EE using the Los Angeles classification. Concordance and reliability of diagnosis between gastroenterology trainees and senior attendings was evaluated using Kendall tau and inter-rater reliability correlation respectively. Results: The assessment was done by 6 attendings and 6 gastroenterology trainees (only 2nd and 3rd year fellows included). Attendings had a mean of 26.8 ± 10 years of experience while the fellows only had a mean of 2 ± 0.9 years of experience. The overall agreement between fellows and attendings was 0.63. This indicates that there was high agreement in the diagnosis of HH and EE. Upon evaluation of interclass correlation, the average measure was 0.826 which is greater than 0.75 with a P=0.0001. These results showed good reliability of the fellows and the attendings to diagnose and rate the presence of HH and severity of EE. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the proper acquisition of relevant diagnostic endoscopy skills by GI trainees in the evaluation of HH and EE. It is noteworthy, however, that the edited videos were intentionally selected to highlight the area under examination (GEJ), and it is conceivable that real-life variability in operator knowledge, skill and technique, could negatively impact the agreement and reliability of HH and EE diagnosis in clinical practice (Figure 1, Table 1).Figure 1.: Kendall's W concordance degree scale. Table 1. - Inter-Rater Reliability Correlation Coefficient Interpretation Average Measure Interpretation < 0.5: Poor reliability 0.5 to 0.75: Moderate reliability 0.75 to 0.9: Good reliability > 0.9: Excellent reliability

The Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale (HFSPS) is an 18-item instrument used to assess how bothersome are common signs and symptoms of heart failure (HF). To date, the psychometric properties of the HFSPS have been tested in American, Italian, and Japanese samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the HFSPS in a population of Lebanese patients living with HF. A rigorous translation and back-translation process was performed. Cultural appropriateness ratings were assessed by an expert panel. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to confirm construct validity, whereas an independent t test using the Minnesota Living With HF Questionnaire's scores was conducted to confirm convergent validity. Pearson correlation was performed to confirm discriminant validity using the Self-Care in HF Index Management subscale, whereas predictive validity was evaluated using the Control Attitudes Scale-Revised. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach α . A total of 109 patients (mean age, 63.66 ± 10.55 years; 69.7% male) were included. A series of exploratory factor analyses was conducted and resulted in a 4-factor model. Cronbach α was 0.869. Convergent (high correlation with total Minnesota Living With HF Questionnaire; r = 0.762, P < .0001), discriminant (no correlation with self-care management; r = 0.180, P = .078), and predictive (significant correlation with the Control Attitudes Scale-Revised; r = -0.523, P < .0001) validity was supported. The reliability and validity of the HFSPS were supportive in this Middle Eastern sample. The HFSPS can be used to assess how bothersome HF symptoms are to improve their management.