Sinnar University

In this paper, mechanical and thermal properties of block type are optimized to ensure a more reasonable stress distribution for the self-insulating block. Based on the mix - ratios provided by the standards and considering the technical conditions of the production process, 16 sets of orthogonal experiments are designed to investigate the effects of sand content, water-cement ratio, and the density of the concrete matrix material on the compressive strength of vibrated and pressed expanded clay concrete. Furthermore, basalt rock wool is used as an additive to improve the mix ratio to meet the material requirements of the optimal block type, then, a new composite self-insulating concrete block is developed. Through mechanical performance tests of the blocks, the effects of the vibration-pressing molding process and the composition of the expanded clay lightweight aggregate on the strength development of the new composite self-insulating concrete block are investigated. Additionally, a relationship formula is fitted to describe the development of compressive strength with age. The results showed that the design compressive strength values of the new block masonry are higher than the strength of the “double-row or multi-row hollow lightweight aggregate concrete block masonry with a MU5.0 + Mb5.0 grade,” making it suitable for use in two-story masonry load-bearing walls in rural buildings in the cold northeastern regions. Moreover, comparative analysis shows that the average compressive strength value provided by the standards for concrete block masonry is applicable to the new composite self-insulating concrete block masonry. The shear strength of the new block masonry along the mortar joint cross-section shows a significant increase compared to the shear strength values specified in the standards for ordinary concrete hollow block masonry. Finally, proposed equation is recommended to calculate the compressive stress-strain curve, which shows suitable results for the new block masonry.

Abstract Background Traditional uvulectomy (TU) is the removal of the uvula, either partially or totally by the traditional healer. It is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by cultural beliefs and perceived therapeutic benefits, despite the risks of complications -bleeding, infections, and death, and limited data exist. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and practice of traditional uvulectomy among Sudanese children and adolescents, along with maternal perceptions, and identify associated risk factors. Method A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study (from January to April 2025) involved 1,135 mothers of children ≤18 years, across more than ten states. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a validated structured questionnaire to assess the socio-demographics, TU perception, practice, and complications. A convenience sampling technique was used. We analyzed with R software, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The prevalence was 15%, peaking in infants (<6 years: 16%) and adolescents (12–18 years: 17%). Maternal belief was significantly associated with younger child age (37% for 12–18 years vs 16% for 6–12 years; p<0.001). The reasons included breastfeeding difficulties (18%), cultural tradition (16%), and failure to thrive (13%). Mothers (45%) and grandmothers (41%) primarily decided to perform TU, with traditional healers conducting 55% of procedures using unsterilized tools. Complications included fever (35%), feeding difficulties (21%), and bleeding (13%). TU was associated with younger maternal age (median 22 years), lower education (21% illiterate), and tribal tradition (92% adherence), all p<0.001. Conclusion TU persists in Sudan due to cultural entrenchment, intergenerational influence, and healthcare barriers. Interventions must engage tribal leaders and healers, promote safer alternatives, and improve education and healthcare.

Biodiesel and 2-methylfuran (MF) exhibit significant potential as alternative fuels due to advancements in their production techniques. Despite this potential, the low cetane number (CN) of biodiesel–MF (BMF) blends limits their practical use in diesel engines due to poor auto-ignition characteristics and extended ignition delays. This study addresses this issue by investigating the impact of the cetane improver 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) on the performance and emissions of a BMF30 blend. The blend consists of 70% biodiesel and 30% MF, with 2-EHN added at concentrations of 1% and 1.5% to enhance ignition properties. The experiments were conducted on a four-cylinder, four-stroke, direct-injection compression ignition (DICI) engine at a constant speed of 1800 rpm with brake mean effective pressures (BMEP) ranging from 0.13 to 1.13 MPa. The results showed that 2-EHN improved the CN of the BMF30 blend, leading to earlier combustion initiation and longer combustion duration. At low BMEP (0.13 MPa), 2-EHN increased the peak rate of heat release and in-cylinder pressure, whereas at higher BMEP (0.88 MPa), these parameters decreased. The key findings include a reduction in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) by 5.49–7.33% and an increase in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) by 3.30–4.69%. Additionally, NOx emissions decreased by 9.4–17.48%, with the highest reduction observed at 1.5% 2-EHN. CO emissions were reduced by 45.1–85.5% and soot emissions also declined. Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions decreased by 14.56–24.90%. These findings demonstrate that adding 2-EHN to BMF30 blends enhances engine performance, reduces key emissions, and offers a promising alternative fuel for diesel engines.

Abstract Background Several studies have reported NLR as an independent prognostic factor in solid tumors. However, comparing the prognostic value among metastatic and non-metastatic cancers remains underexplored, which is the objective of this study. Methods A total of 182 patients with different types of metastatic and non-metastatic cancers were enrolled in this retrospective study. Of these patients, chemotherapy was the main treatment received (56.6%). We compared the prognostic value among metastatic and non-metastatic cancers. Overall survival (OS) was used as an outcome metric. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to investigate the association between NLR and OS. Results In this study, metastatic cancer patients with high NLR demonstrated the worst survival outcomes in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, whereas non-metastatic cancer patients showed minimal survival decline. Conversely, metastatic and non-metastatic cancer patients with low NLR maintained the highest survival probability. Multivariate analysis further identified high NLR as an independent predictor of poor overall survival. NLR showed a maximum sensitivity (S1) of 1 and specificity (S2) of 0.75, with an optimal cut-off value of NLR = 2.75 using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) was slightly increased in patients with metastatic cancers (0.717), compared to those with non-metastatic cancers (0.715), indicating that NLR serves as a more effective predictor of survival in metastatic cancers. Conclusions In conclusion, the study findings indicate a significant association between high NLR and worse overall survival in metastatic cancers compared with minimal survival decline in non-metastatic cancers. NLR is still rolling in research articles, seeking gaps to reach routine clinical practice. Trial registration: Not applicable.

Background Plant materials are widely used for their healing power, and many studies have shown that compounds isolated from plants exhibit variable biological properties. The present work was aimed to determine the preliminary phytochemical contents, evaluate the antioxidant capacities, and investigate the antibacterial activities of Adansonia digitata L (Bombacaceae) fruit pulp and Lawsonia inermis L (Lythraceae) leaves extracts. Methods Plant materials were first extracted (separately) by methanolic maceration, then the obtained extracts were utilized for preliminary phytochemical screening tests, in vitro DPPH antioxidant assay, and to determine their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the plate hole diffusion assay. Results The preliminary phytochemical screening for L. inermis leaf extract revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins, while A. Digitata fruit pulp extract gave positive results for tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenes, and flavonoids. Both plant materials exhibited concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity with relatively similar capacities, which is equivalent to the standard (quercetin) at all concentrations (5, 10, 50, 125, and 250 µg/ml). The recorded growth inhibition for A. digitata was 19mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 18mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis, 15mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 14mm against Escherichia coli. For L. inermis, the inhibition zone was 25mm against Staphylococcus aureus, 20mm for Escherichia coli, 19mm for Proteus mirabilis, 16mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 13mm against Klebsiella pneumonia. Conclusion The obtained findings could justify the pharmacological properties and may provide the rationale for some ethnomedicinal uses of these plant products. Recommendation Further investigations should be performed as they could enhance the medicinal importance and evaluate the traditional values of these plants.

Abstract Pre-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams require significant enhancement of flexural capacity and ductility to maintain structural integrity under sustained loads. Although current strengthening techniques using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets show promise, there is a limited understanding of how to control the failure modes and stress distribution around the beams. This study addresses this gap by experimentally testing RC beams strengthened with Carbon Fiber Reinforcement polymer (CFRP) sheets and analyzing how it affects the failure in the beams subjected under prolonged loads. During the experiment, four beams under different loading conditions were tested. Before the process, cracking was generated, followed by repair with U-shaped CFRP, and the beam was tested further to failure. Throughout the process, the service load remains constant. Using the standard code "ACI Committee 440–2002", the results for the potential damage due to the service loads were compared with theoretical outcomes met by the code. From the results, both the prior damage level and the applied CFRP have a substantial impact on the beams’ failure mode and strengthening effectiveness. The strengthened beams demonstrate higher capacity of withstanding sustained loads, with a capacity increase ranging from 21.8–66.4%. Additionally, cracking widths at failure load were reduced by 25.6–82.7% when compared to the control beam. The findings contribute to a better knowledge of the structural behavior of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete beams, providing useful insights for engineers and researchers in the field of structural rehabilitation and retrofitting.

BackgroundSocioeconomic status (SES) is a social classification factor that takes into account income, parental education and occupation. SES has been shown to play an important role in shaping students’ academic performance, including in medical schools, but there still remains significant variation in findings around SES and academic achievement worldwide. We aim to assess and explore socioeconomic disparities and their effects on medical school performance at Sudanese public and private universities.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to assess the effects of age, sex, living conditions, parental education and income level on the academic achievement of medical students from universities in Sudan.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students at ten public universities in Sudan between September and December 2023. Participants were included if they were older than 18 years and were studying in their 2nd year or older. The data were collected using an online questionnaire with open- and closed-ended questions measuring age, living conditions, parental income level and education. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants from universities. The data were analyzed using SPSS v28.0.0, and a p value less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.ResultsWe received 832 responses, 516 (62%) from females and 307 (36.9%) from males. The median age was 23 years. Most students lived with their families (61.1%), followed by student housing (28.2%). This study revealed age (p = .024) (95% Cl: 0.025- 0.023) andhigh family income (p = .019) (95% Cl: 0.018- 0.02) are associated with academic achievement in the long term, as demonstrated through cumulative grade point average (cGPA).ConclusionThe findings underscore the importance of targeted support systems to bridge the socioeconomic gaps that exist among medical students, allowing all students to thrive academically regardless of their background.Clinical trial numberNone.

BackgroundQuality sleep is vital for well-being, especially for healthcare workers facing high risks of fatigue and burnout. Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive and motor functions, contributing to medical errors. Addressing sleep disorders among healthcare professionals is crucial for enhancing patient care. Tailored interventions are needed to support their well-being and improve healthcare outcomes.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Sleep Quality and its Deprivation on Sudanese Healthcare Professionals amidst conflict in Sudan.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey of Sudanese doctors was conducted using convenience sampling. The questionnaire covered sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and psychological well-being. Pilot testing ensured questionnaire clarity. Data collection utilized Google Forms distributed through social media and professional networks. A minimum sample size of 384 was calculated. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and various tests for significance. Data were securely stored and analyzed using SPSS and R software.ResultsAmong 649 participants, 404 (62.2%) were women, with a mean age of 30.34 years. Most were single (434, 66.9%). General practitioners constituted the largest professional group (267, 41.1%), followed by registrars/residents (142, 21.9%). Participants took an average of 43.70 minutes to fall asleep and slept an average of 5.90 hours per night. According to the PSQI, 300 (46.2%) reported mild sleep disturbance, 287 (44.2%) moderate, 42 (6.5%) severe, and only 20 (3.1%) normal sleep. The ESS revealed 285 (43.9%) with lower normal daytime sleepiness, 188 (29.0%) with higher normal, and various levels of excessive daytime sleepiness. Stress levels varied, with 398 (61.3%) reporting normal stress, while anxiety ranged from 248 (38.2%) normal to 148 (22.8%) extremely severe.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep quality, mental health, and performance challenges among Sudanese healthcare professionals. It highlights the need for hospitals to implement measures enabling more time off, adequate sleep, and reduced on-call service days. Healthcare workers must recognize the significance of these factors for their well-being and patient care quality. The research outcomes can raise awareness about the necessity of regulating healthcare practitioners' working hours and ensuring adequate sleep.