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This study tries to shed light on the importance of using communication technology in class-home connection, where the two-way communication that requires electronic interactive dialogue between teachers and parents are used, and how this communication may enhance students' English language academic performance and help in reducing their classroom anxiety. The sample of the study consists of thirty EFL secondary school students with their parents. Two instruments were used to collect data; structured interview with parents, observation checklists to measure students' anxiety, in addition to use students' academic performance to determine their level of achievement in English. The results show that parents have positive attitudes towards using communication technology in class-home connection. It further demonstrates that students' level of anxiety was reduced notably after applying the experiment, when the parents connect with the teacher daily, in addition to palpable improvement in students' academic performance in English language.

The current study aims to explore the impact of using literature circles strategy on supporting EFL college students ,,reading comprehension skills and motivation towards reading. Literature circles strategy is an activity in which the students meet to discuss and react to a text, book or short story which they are reading together. This research is an experimental one in which thirty college students in the experimental group were taught the short story (The Dolle's House) by using the literature circles strategy, whereas the other thirty students in the control group were taught the same short story by using the conventional method. To achieve the aims of this study, an observation checklist of reading comprehension skills and a questionnaire of motivation toward reading have been administered by the researcher to get the necessary data. The findings reveal that the experimental group's students performed better than the control group's students with significant differences favoring the experimental group that was exposed to literature circles strategy. Pedagogical implications for EFL college teachers are presented to enhance and improve their students\" language learning by incorporating the literature circles strategy in EFL classrooms especially in teaching short stories and novels to support students ,,reading comprehension skills and motivation toward reading.

In the photovoltaic system, the performance, efficiency, and generated power of the PV system are affected by changes in the environment, disturbances, and parameter variations, and this leads to a deviation from the operating maximum power point (MPP) of the PV system. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to ensure the PV system operates at the maximum power point under the influence of exogenous disturbances and uncertainties, i.e., no matter how the irradiation, temperature, and load of the PV system change, by proposing a maximum power point tracking for the photovoltaic system (PV) based on the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) paradigm. The proposed method provides better performance with excellent tracking for the MPP by controlling the duty cycle of the DC–DC buck converter. Moreover, comparison simulations have been performed between the proposed method and the linear ADRC (LADRC), conventional ADRC, and the improved ADRC (IADRC) to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, the simulation results validated the accuracy of the proposed method in tracking the desired value and disturbance/uncertainty attenuation with excellent response and minimum output performance index (OPI).

Background PPHN is a common cause of neonatal respiratory failure and is still a serious condition and associated with high mortality. Objectives To compare the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes in neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and survived compared to neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and died. Methods We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature for studies on the development of PPHN in neonates who underwent ECMO, published from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2023, with English language restriction. Results Of the 5689 papers that were identified, 134 articles were included in the systematic review. Studies involving 1814 neonates with PPHN who were placed on ECMO were analyzed (1218 survived and 594 died). Neonates in the PPHN group who died had lower proportion of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (6.4% vs 1.8%; p value > 0.05) and lower Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min [i.e., low Apgar score: 1.5% vs 0.5%, moderately abnormal Apgar score: 10.3% vs 1.2% and reassuring Apgar score: 4% vs 2.3%; p value = 0.039] compared to those who survived. Neonates who had PPHN and died had higher proportion of medical comorbidities such as omphalocele (0.7% vs 4.7%), systemic hypotension (1% vs 2.5%), infection with Herpes simplex virus (0.4% vs 2.2%) or Bordetella pertussis (0.7% vs 2%); p  = 0.042. Neonates with PPHN in the death group were more likely to present due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (25.5% vs 47.3%), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (4.2% vs 13.5%), meconium aspiration syndrome (8% vs 12.1%), pneumonia (1.6% vs 8.4%), sepsis (1.5% vs 8.2%) and alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (0.1% vs 4.4%); p  = 0.019. Neonates with PPHN who died needed a longer median time of mechanical ventilation (15 days, IQR 10 to 27 vs. 10 days, IQR 7 to 28; p  = 0.024) and ECMO use (9.2 days, IQR 3.9 to 13.5 vs. 6 days, IQR 3 to 12.5; p  = 0.033), and a shorter median duration of hospital stay (23 days, IQR 12.5 to 46 vs. 58.5 days, IQR 28.2 to 60.7; p  = 0.000) compared to the neonates with PPHN who survived. ECMO-related complications such as chylothorax (1% vs 2.7%), intracranial bleeding (1.2% vs 1.7%) and catheter-related infections (0% vs 0.3%) were more frequent in the group of neonates with PPHN who died ( p  = 0.031). Conclusion ECMO in the neonates with PPHN who failed supportive cardiorespiratory care and conventional therapies has been successfully utilized with a neonatal survival rate of 67.1%. Mortality in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was highest in cases born via the caesarean delivery mode or neonates who had lower Apgar scores at birth. Fatality rate in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was the highest in patients with higher rate of specific medical comorbidities (omphalocele, systemic hypotension and infection with Herpes simplex virus or Bordetella pertussis ) or cases who had PPHN due to higher rate of specific etiologies (congenital diaphragmatic hernia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome). Neonates with PPHN who died may need a longer time of mechanical ventilation and ECMO use and a shorter duration of hospital stay; and may experience higher frequency of ECMO-related complications (chylothorax, intracranial bleeding and catheter-related infections) in comparison with the neonates with PPHN who survived.

PPHN is a common cause of neonatal respiratory failure and is still a serious condition and associated with high mortality. To compare the demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes in neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and survived compared to neonates with PHHN who underwent ECMO and died. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature for studies on the development of PPHN in neonates who underwent ECMO, published from January 1, 2010 to May 31, 2023, with English language restriction. Of the 5689 papers that were identified, 134 articles were included in the systematic review. Studies involving 1814 neonates with PPHN who were placed on ECMO were analyzed (1218 survived and 594 died). Neonates in the PPHN group who died had lower proportion of normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (6.4% vs 1.8%; p value > 0.05) and lower Apgar scores at 1 min and 5 min [i.e., low Apgar score: 1.5% vs 0.5%, moderately abnormal Apgar score: 10.3% vs 1.2% and reassuring Apgar score: 4% vs 2.3%; p value = 0.039] compared to those who survived. Neonates who had PPHN and died had higher proportion of medical comorbidities such as omphalocele (0.7% vs 4.7%), systemic hypotension (1% vs 2.5%), infection with Herpes simplex virus (0.4% vs 2.2%) or Bordetella pertussis (0.7% vs 2%); p = 0.042. Neonates with PPHN in the death group were more likely to present due to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (25.5% vs 47.3%), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (4.2% vs 13.5%), meconium aspiration syndrome (8% vs 12.1%), pneumonia (1.6% vs 8.4%), sepsis (1.5% vs 8.2%) and alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (0.1% vs 4.4%); p = 0.019. Neonates with PPHN who died needed a longer median time of mechanical ventilation (15 days, IQR 10 to 27 vs. 10 days, IQR 7 to 28; p = 0.024) and ECMO use (9.2 days, IQR 3.9 to 13.5 vs. 6 days, IQR 3 to 12.5; p = 0.033), and a shorter median duration of hospital stay (23 days, IQR 12.5 to 46 vs. 58.5 days, IQR 28.2 to 60.7; p = 0.000) compared to the neonates with PPHN who survived. ECMO-related complications such as chylothorax (1% vs 2.7%), intracranial bleeding (1.2% vs 1.7%) and catheter-related infections (0% vs 0.3%) were more frequent in the group of neonates with PPHN who died (p = 0.031). ECMO in the neonates with PPHN who failed supportive cardiorespiratory care and conventional therapies has been successfully utilized with a neonatal survival rate of 67.1%. Mortality in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was highest in cases born via the caesarean delivery mode or neonates who had lower Apgar scores at birth. Fatality rate in neonates with PPHN who underwent ECMO was the highest in patients with higher rate of specific medical comorbidities (omphalocele, systemic hypotension and infection with Herpes simplex virus or Bordetella pertussis) or cases who had PPHN due to higher rate of specific etiologies (congenital diaphragmatic hernia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and meconium aspiration syndrome). Neonates with PPHN who died may need a longer time of mechanical ventilation and ECMO use and a shorter duration of hospital stay; and may experience higher frequency of ECMO-related complications (chylothorax, intracranial bleeding and catheter-related infections) in comparison with the neonates with PPHN who survived.

Aspirin, either in combination or alone, is possibly one of the most prescribed medications worldwide. Aspirin hydrolysis is based on enzyme systems found in the liver, intestine, and serum. This work explained and demonstrated the repeatability, accuracy, and precision of a simple spectrophotometric method for assessing aspirin esterase (ASE) activity. In the present assay, ASE activity was determined by incubating enzyme samples with Tris buffer (pH 7.6) containing appropriate quantities of acetylsalicylic acid. At the end of the incubation time, the enzymatic reaction was stopped using zinc sulfate. Finally, the supernatant of the enzymatic reaction was treated with ferric ammonium sulfate (NH 4 Fe [SO 4 ] 2 ·12H 2 O). The linkage of the generated salicylic acid to ferric ions yielded a violet-colored ferrisalicylate complex with a wavelength of 540 nm. The Box–Behnken design was utilized to optimize the formation of the violet-colored ferrisalicylate complex. The method’s accuracy was determined using response surface methodology. Bland–Altman plots for ASE activity in matched biological samples were used to validate the new fluorescence protocol. The method proposed in this work does not require hazardous materials, such as mercuric chloride, or high concentrations of strong acids to terminate the ASE reaction. The correlation coefficient between the present and previous procedures was 0.99. This result suggested that the new procedure is very accurate and comparable with previous procedures. Graphical abstract

Background Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are considered significant challenges for children with IEIs, their families, and their medical providers. Infections are the most common complication of IEIs and children can acquire coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) even when protective measures are taken. Objectives To estimate the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children with IEIs and analyse the demographic parameters, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with IEIs with COVID-19 illness. Methods For this systematic review, we searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) guideline for studies on the development of COVID-19 in children with IEIs, published from December 1, 2019 to February 28, 2023, with English language restriction. Results Of the 1095 papers that were identified, 116 articles were included in the systematic review (73 case report, 38 cohort 4 case-series and 1 case–control studies). Studies involving 710 children with IEIs with confirmed COVID-19 were analyzed. Among all 710 IEIs pediatric cases who acquired SARS-CoV-2, some children were documented to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 119, 16.8%), intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation (n = 87, 12.2%), suffered acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 98, 13.8%) or died (n = 60, 8.4%). Overall, COVID-19 in children with different IEIs patents resulted in no or low severity of disease in more than 76% of all included cases (COVID-19 severity: asymptomatic = 105, mild = 351, or moderate = 88). The majority of children with IEIs received treatment for COVID-19 (n = 579, 81.5%). Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) due to COVID-19 in children with IEIs occurred in 103 (14.5%). Fatality in children with IEIs with COVID-19 was reported in any of the included IEIs categories for cellular and humoral immunodeficiencies (n = 19, 18.6%), immune dysregulatory diseases (n = 17, 17.9%), innate immunodeficiencies (n = 5, 10%), bone marrow failure (n = 1, 14.3%), complement deficiencies (n = 1, 9.1%), combined immunodeficiencies with associated or syndromic features (n = 7, 5.5%), phagocytic diseases (n = 3, 5.5%), autoinflammatory diseases (n = 2, 3%) and predominantly antibody deficiencies (n = 5, 2.5%). Mortality was COVID-19-related in a considerable number of children with IEIs (29/60, 48.3%). The highest ICU admission and fatality rates were observed in cases belonging to cellular and humoral immunodeficiencies (26.5% and 18.6%) and immune dysregulatory diseases (35.8% and 17.9%) groups, especially in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 who suffered severe combined immunodeficiency (28.6% and 23.8%), combined immunodeficiency (25% and 15%), familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (40% and 20%), X-linked lymphoproliferative diseases-1 (75% and 75%) and X-linked lymphoproliferative diseases-2 (50% and 50%) compared to the other IEIs cases. Conclusion Children with IEIs infected with SARS-CoV-2 may experience higher rates of ICU admission and mortality in comparison with the immunocompetent pediatric populations. Underlying immune defects does seem to be independent risk factors for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with IEIs, a number of children with SCID and CID were reported to have prolonged infections–though the number of patients is small–but especially immune dysregulation diseases (XLP1 and XLP2) and innate immunodeficiencies impairing type I interferon signalling (IFNAR1, IFNAR2 and TBK1).

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose significant risks to patients, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and elevated healthcare costs. Recent advancements in infection control practices have focused on reducing HAI incidence through enhanced strategies for hand hygiene, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning, and targeted interventions for specific infections. Hand hygiene remains the most effective method for preventing pathogen transmission, with alcohol-based hand rubbing demonstrating greater efficacy compared to traditional handwashing. Isolation practices, such as contact precautions for multidrug-resistant organisms, have been widely recommended, although their specific contribution to reducing transmission remains unclear. Environmental cleaning has gained attention, with studies highlighting the importance of monitoring cleaning performance and utilizing novel technologies like hydrogen peroxide vapor, ultraviolet light decontamination, and antimicrobial surfaces. Ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention has been addressed through the implementation of care bundles, including head-of-bed elevation, daily sedation interruption, and oral care with chlorhexidine. Central line-associated bloodstream infections have seen substantial reductions following the widespread adoption of prevention bundles focusing on hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, and prompt removal of unnecessary lines. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a significant challenge, with the emergence of the highly virulent BI/NAP1/027 strain. Strategies to prevent CDI include effective hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and environmental decontamination using chlorine-based disinfectants or novel technologies. Despite progress, challenges persist in improving adherence to evidence-based practices and confirming the impact of new technologies on reducing HAI rates. A multidisciplinary approach encompassing robust infection control policies, antimicrobial stewardship, and healthcare worker education is crucial for sustaining progress in preventing HAIs and ensuring patient safety in hospital settings.