AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences
AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences (AJMAS), eISSN:2707-7179, is an international peer-reviewed open access journal that provides a high-quality peer review process for original research articles, review articles, short communications, and case reports in all areas of Medical and Applied Sciences. AJMAS operates under an open access publication model, meaning that all interested readers are able to freely access the journal online without the need for a subscription fee. Please note that there is an article processing and publishing charge of 100 US Dollars for each accepted manuscript in order for the journal to continue its high performance. All papers are subjected to a peer-review process. Moreover, with the presence of international referees, the process of decision-making on the acceptance/rejection of all submitted manuscripts will be done rapidly and to the highest standards. The journal is owned by the University of Tripoli Alahlia, and the management of the journal is made by the editorial team Editorial Office in Charge Dr. Ahmed Atia editorajmas@gmail.com 00218910737929
Clinical Characteristics of Chest Pain in Children and Adolescents Referred to a Pediatric Cardiology Unit
In contrast to adults, chest pain in children is typically benign; however, symptoms may persist for a considerable period even in benign cases. Therefore, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is crucial to exclude potentially life-threatening causes that require urgent management. To assess the etiology of chest pain and analyze the clinical characteristics of children referred to the Pediatric Cardiology Clinic at the Sirte Oncology Center in Sirte, Libya. Study design: A retrospective analysis of the medical records of Children with chest pain presenting to the Pediatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic at the Sirte Oncology Center, Sirte, Libya, between January 2022 and March 2026 was conducted. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Sirte Oncology Center Ethics Committee. This study included 215 patients: 116 males (53.95%) and 99 females (46.05%). The patients’ ages ranged from 3 to 18 years, with a mean ± SD of 8.62 ± 3.91 years. A total of 3 participants (1.4%) were found to have cardiac chest pain. The prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain among participants was 98.6% (212 participants). Idiopathic causes were the most common, reported in 52.09% of patients (112 patients), followed by musculoskeletal causes (21.86%, 47 patients), pulmonary causes (11.63%, 25 patients), gastrointestinal causes (7.44%, 16 patients), and miscellaneous causes (6.98%, 15 patients). Chest pain is a common presenting symptom that can arise from both cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Despite a comprehensive assessment, the etiology of chest pain remains unidentified in a significant number of children. Cardiac-related causes of chest pain in children, while uncommon, can be clinically significant and potentially life-threatening.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hawa Gamaa, Najat Hasan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ICMP in Modern IP Networks: Balancing Diagnostic Utility, Security Risk and Operational Efficiency
Despite its crucial role in network diagnostics, error reporting, and Path MTU Discovery (PMTUD), the unauthenticated and trusting nature of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) makes it an ideal target for volumetric attacks, covert channels, and reconnaissance. Network administrators are left with a challenging decision: blocking all ICMP traffic will effectively close off the attack surface but disable PMTUD and traceroute, whereas allowing too much traffic exposes infrastructure to abuse. In this paper, we offer a systematic quantitative study into the balance between the usefulness of ICMP for diagnostics, associated security concerns, and operational overheads. Specifically, we introduce a policy framework for ICMP traffic that consists of a precise classification of ICMP message types, selective acceptance of necessary error messages, rate limiting of diagnostic probes (up to 5–10 pps/source), and rejection of outdated and risky message types. We conduct a series of experiments in a testbed under ICMP flood and reflection attacks to analyze three policy archetypes: balanced, blocking, and permissive. Our results show that the balanced policy ensures PMTUD success in 94% of cases and 91% completion rate of traceroute; at the same time, it limits the attack surface by 73% and throughput degradation by only 12% providing an effective balance between network functionality, security, and operational performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdalraheem Terfas, Nuredin Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Celiac Disease in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Al Jabal Al Akhdar
To estimate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical profiles of CD in screened patients during follow-up. This observational study enrolled 250 children with T1DM attending the pediatric endocrinology clinic at Al-Bayda Medical Center Teaching Hospital between May 2020 and May 2022. Patients were screened for CD by evaluating immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies. A total of 250 patients (104 boys [41.6%] and 146 girls [58.4%]) with a mean age of 9.46 ± 3.28 years were included. Anti-tTG antibodies were positive in 27 patients, indicating a seroprevalence of 10.8%. Among the seropositive cases, 55.6% (15/27) were girls and 44.4% (12/27) were boys. Intestinal biopsy was performed on 7 of these patients, all of whom exhibited histological changes consistent with CD; the remaining seropositive patients declined the biopsy. Classical presentations of the disease were lacking in the majority of patients. The most frequent clinical presentation in patients with co-occurring CD and T1DM was anemia (37.0%), followed by chronic diarrhea (11.1%) and short stature (11.1%). The occurrence of anemia and chronic diarrhea was significantly higher in patients with CD compared to those with T1DM alone (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively). Celiac disease is prevalent among children with T1DM (10.8% seroprevalence) and often presents atypically, with anemia being the most common symptom rather than classical gastrointestinal features. Routine autoantibody screening is highly recommended for the early diagnosis and effective management of CD in patients with T1DM.
Copyright (c) 2026 Najwa Abduljawad, Omalmir Fathalla, Noura Mousa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Clinical Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes of Persistent Hyperinsulinemia Hypoglycemia of Infancy
Persistent Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycaemia of Infancy (PHHI), also known as Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI), is the most common and severe cause of persistent hypoglycemia in neonates and infants. Delays in diagnosis can lead to permanent brain injury in up to 25–50% of cases. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, genetic findings, and long-term outcomes of PHHI patients in a Libyan tertiary center. We retrospectively reviewed 27 infants (17 males, 10 females) diagnosed with PHHI at Tripoli University Hospital between 1996 and 2024. Data regarding clinical presentation, birth history, consanguinity, biochemical markers (insulin, glucose, insulin-to-glucose ratio), genetic analysis, management, and long-term outcomes were analyzed. The mean birth weight was 4.0 kg, and the mean age of presentation was 3 weeks (range: 1 day to 6 years). High rates of consanguinity were observed (74%). Biochemical analysis showed mean insulin levels of 21.6 µU/ml during hypoglycemia, with an insulin-to-glucose ratio ranging from 0.75 to 8.0. Histologically, 7 patients (26%) had focal lesions, while 20 (74%) had diffuse disease. Twenty-four patients underwent sub-total or near-total pancreatectomy. Long-term complications included Diabetes Mellitus in 18 patients (66.6%) and unfavorable neurological outcomes in 3 patients due to late intervention. Neurologic and psychomotor retardation with ADHD was observed in 8 patients (29.6%), and epilepsy in 4 patients (14.8%). Genetic testing in 13 patients (48.1%) confirmed ABCC8 mutations in several cases. Conclusions: Early recognition and aggressive management are critical to preventing neurological damage in PHHI. Genetic studies are invaluable for determining the underlying cause and guiding surgical vs. medical management. In regions with high consanguinity, genetic counseling is essential for affected families.
Copyright (c) 2026 Omalmir Fathalla, Nadia Alghazir, Najwa Abduljawad, Millad Ghawil, Ibtisam Hadid, Hend Ismail https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Beyond HTTP/2: Evaluating the Cryptographic Resilience of gRPC over QUIC (HTTP/3) vs. REST in Highly Saturated Distributed Meshes
Selecting a communication protocol for high-concurrency microservice deployments is rarely straightforward, and our experience building this benchmark confirmed that the tradeoffs are sharper than the literature suggests. We evaluated four protocol stacks—HTTP/1.1 (REST), HTTP/2 (REST), HTTP/3/QUIC (REST), and gRPC/HTTP-2—under two connection regimes that, in practice, represent fundamentally different operational contexts: connection reuse across 50,000 requests, and new-connection establishment across 5,000 requests, with concurrency swept from 10 to 500 in-flight workers. The reuse results were, frankly, unsurprising. gRPC/HTTP-2 held a stable throughput near 26,000 req/s throughout, and its p95 latency never exceeded 25 ms even at 500 workers—numbers consistent with what its multiplexed stream model would predict. What we did not anticipate was the severity of what happened under the new connection load. At 200 concurrent workers, both HTTP/1.1 and gRPC collapsed: success rates dropped to 0.04% and 0.28%, respectively, a failure mode our CPU traces attributed to socket exhaustion and repeated TLS 1.3 handshake overhead on TCP. HTTP/3 (QUIC) did not collapse. Our measurements revealed a sustained success rate above 99.94% across every concurrency level we tested—a result we initially doubted and re-ran three times to confirm. The cost of that resilience is real. We observed a throughput ceiling of 36–39 req/s for QUIC under new-connection load, which our analysis traces to per-connection 1-RTT handshake serialization inherent to QUIC's user-space UDP stack. We also report a memory footprint differential that surprised us: QUIC consumed roughly 440 MB RSS against gRPC's 37 MB under reuse workloads—a 12× gap that has practical implications for memory-constrained deployments. Taken together, these findings argue that protocol selection cannot be reduced to steady-state throughput alone; connection lifecycle semantics matter at least as much.
Copyright (c) 2026 Silwan Ismaiel, Nuredin Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Multiple Drug Resistance in Escherichia coli Strains with Potential to Produce Shiga Toxins Isolated from Various Chicken Meats Obtained from Selected Vendors in Sri Serdang, Malaysia
This study aimed to determine the presence, Shiga toxin production, contamination level and multidrug resistance properties of Escherichia coli isolated from chicken meat samples. Overall, 120 chicken parts — 20 samples from each of chicken breast, drumstick, wings, thighs, backs, and legs — were purchased from supermarkets and night market vendors and analyzed immediately after transfer to the laboratory. A bacteriological culture-based technique on MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, Gram staining, and further growth on Sorbitol MacConkey (SMAC) agar, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the Stx2 primer were used to characterize the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using agar-disc diffusion was performed with commonly used antibiotics on Mueller-Hinton agar. Out of 120 samples, the prevalence of E. coli was 25% (n=30). Incidence was highest in chicken legs at 50% (n=10/20) and lowest in drumsticks at 10% (n=2/20). The highest contamination level was in chicken legs at 3.00 × 10³ CFU/g, while the lowest was observed in drumsticks at 1.32 × 10³ CFU/g. Of the 30 E. coli isolates, only 16.6% (n=5) harboured Stx2 genes, indicating the presence of STEC. High resistance was observed to Amoxycillin (100%), Tetracycline (100%), Doxycycline (93.3%), Mecillinam (90%), and Levofloxacin (70%). Low resistance was found to Ciprofloxacin (10%), Streptomycin (10%), Ceftazidime (13.3%), and Ceftriaxone (16.7%). Educating vendors on good hygiene practices is critical to eliminating contamination and preventing outbreaks associated with E. coli.
Copyright (c) 2026 Salahaldin Fathalla, Alghannay Khalid, Shuʼaibu Isa, Shamsi Shamsi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Association between Sleep Quality and Perceived Stress Responses Among Medical University Students
Medical education is associated with a heavy academic workload, irregular schedules, and chronic psychological pressure, all of which place medical students at high risk of poor sleep quality and elevated stress. Understanding the relationship between these two variables is essential for designing effective student-well-being interventions. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and to examine its correlation with perceived stress level among undergraduate medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 106 medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk, Libya. Sleep quality was assessed using the seven components and global score of the PSQI, and stress was measured using a validated stress assessment scale. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation) were calculated for each PSQI component and for PSQI-based sleep-quality categories. Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship between the total PSQI score and stress level. The mean global PSQI score indicated a generally poor sleep profile, with sleep latency (2.02 ± 0.98) and sleep disturbances (1.38 ± 0.65) being the most affected components. Only 28 students (26.4%) had good sleep quality (PSQI 0–5), while 47 (44.3%) had poor sleep quality (PSQI 6–10) and 31 (29.2%) had very poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 11). A strong, statistically significant positive correlation was found between PSQI score and stress level (r = 0.807, r² = 0.651, p < .001). Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among the medical students studied and strongly associated with elevated stress levels.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rudhuway Mtawil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Pesticides in Libya: Health Impacts, Regulatory Gaps, and Pathways to Sustainable Management
Libya's agricultural sector is growing in importance, but pesticide misuse threatens both public health and the environment. This review examines the status of pesticides used in Libya. This review synthesizes data from existing Libyan studies on pesticide residues in food and groundwater, farmers’ safety practices, and clinical data. A review of studies showed significant levels of pesticide contamination in different food and groundwater samples. This suggests that human health in Libya could be affected. Farmers in Libya exhibit low adherence to safety practices. However, regulatory enforcement in Libya remains weak because of political instability and limited resources, leaving farmers and consumers unprotected. Pesticide contamination is prevalent in Libya, and the chronic exposure to certain herbicides is raising, endangering human health. In addition, there is a lack of hospital records of pesticide-exposed cases; therefore, it is recommended to have firmer monitoring, more farmer education programs, and alignment with international standards. It also highlights the necessity of hospital records of pesticide-related illnesses.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rehab Elfagie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Extended Outcomes of Antithyroid Therapy in Children and Adolescents with Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. Despite the widespread use of antithyroid drugs (ATDs), sustained remission rates remain low. Identifying reliable predictors of long-term outcomes is essential to optimizing management strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) normalization time in predicting sustained remission among pediatric patients with Graves’ disease treated with ATDs. This retrospective study included pediatric patients diagnosed with Graves’ disease across two centers. Clinical, biochemical, and immunological data were collected, with particular focus on TBII dynamics during treatment. Patients were followed to assess remission, relapse, and long-term outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of sustained remission. Sustained remission was achieved in approximately one quarter of patients. The most consistent predictor of remission was the time to TBII normalization, with shorter normalization periods strongly associated with favorable outcomes. Baseline demographic and biochemical features were not reliable predictors. Antibody kinetics provided superior prognostic information compared to traditional clinical markers. TBII normalization time is a robust predictor of sustained remission in pediatric Graves’ disease. Longitudinal monitoring of antibody dynamics should be integrated into routine management to guide therapeutic decisions. Patients who fail to achieve TBII normalization within two years are at high risk of treatment failure and may benefit from early consideration of definitive therapies. Incorporating antibody monitoring into follow-up protocols can improve individualized treatment planning and optimize long-term outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Najwa Abduljawad, Omalmir Fathalla https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Hematological Phenotypes and Acute-Phase Kinetic Interactivity in Pulmonary versus Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Across Native and Migrant Cohorts
Characterizing host hematologic and inflammatory kinetics during active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection across different anatomical pathways is crucial for improving clinical triage. However, a critical analytical gap remains regarding how native Libyan versus migrant status independently influences these systemic inflammatory networks in Tripoli. To address this, this paper profiles baseline cellular damage and isolates the independent effects of these administrative backgrounds within the urban healthcare sectors. Retrospective data from Abu-Setta Hospital and Taj Al-Seha Clinic were analyzed using 200 participants: 100 active TB cases (50 Libyans, 50 migrants) and 100 healthy controls (86 Libyans, 14 migrants) whose eligibility required complete blood counts, lymphocyte percentages, acute-phase markers (CRP, ESR), and definitive microbiological/radiological confirmation. Results demonstrated that active infection induces a classic phenotype of anemia of chronic disease, significantly suppressing hemoglobin levels across infected Libyans (10.29 ± 2.57 g/dL) and migrants (9.91 ± 2.39 g/dL) compared to their healthy national controls (12.48 ± 2.05 and 12.31 ± 1.47 g/dL, P < 0.001), alongside severe innate leukocytosis. Crucially, when stratified by citizenship, native Libyan patients exhibited markedly higher baseline leukocyte counts (12.18 ± 7.47 vs. 9.58 ± 4.14 × 10³/μL, P = 0.029) and profoundly elevated C-reactive protein concentrations (140.34 ± 98.80 mg/L) than their migrant counterparts (107.81 ± 54.17 mg/L, P = 0.040). Multivariable modeling confirmed host citizenship status acts as a standalone determinant of hepatic acute-phase reactivity (P = 0.040, partial P = 0.042), remaining uniform across both pulmonary and advanced extrapulmonary routes (P > 0.05). Overall, this paper presents a promising, cost-effective approach for accurately predicting mycobacterial severity and uncovering extended socio-behavioral diagnostic delays in native patients, highlighting the urgent need for decentralized screening in mobile communities to curb the 60.0% domestic relapse rate.
Copyright (c) 2026 Narjes El Osta, Aya muftah, Aisha Benkhalefa, Salma Zahmul, Shahed Abu hmaida, Najiyah Rasheed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Security Analysis of Internet Protocols in Modern Network Environments
Internet protocols underpin modern cloud, IoT, and enterprise communication, yet many were not designed for today’s hostile threat environment. This study evaluates the security of six core protocols—IP, TCP, HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and TLS—using a three-dimensional framework spanning protocol design, implementation quality, and operational controls. Literature-based analysis is combined with two practical experiments: passive Wireshark packet capture and controlled adversarial testing (Kali Linux vs. Metasploitable2) across ten repeated trials per attack scenario. Results show that IP and HTTP carry the highest design-level risk, while DNS remains exposed due to its lack of native authentication. Controlled attacks captured plaintext credentials in 100% of trials against HTTP versus 0% against HTTPS, and DNS spoofing succeeded in 94% of trials without protective controls but 0% once DNS-over-TLS was enabled; Wireshark observations confirmed that 93.9% of HTTPS traffic remained fully encrypted. A root cause diagnostic analysis links each vulnerability to its originating dimension, showing that design-level weaknesses in IP, HTTP, and DNS require protocol-level remediation. In contrast, HTTPS and TLS 1.3 risks are largely operational. The findings confirm that no single defense mechanism is sufficient and that a multilayered, protocol-aware security strategy—combining encryption, secure configuration, and continuous monitoring—is essential for resilient modern networks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamed Tawfik, Nuredin Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing Renewable Energy Production through Optimization of Utility-Scale Solar Farms in Libya
The increasing demand for reliable electricity, coupled with the growing interest in renewable energy, has highlighted the importance of optimizing utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar farms to maximize energy production. Libya possesses exceptional solar resources, receiving between 3,200 and 3,500 hours of sunshine annually and an average daily solar irradiance of 6–8 kWh/m², making it one of the most suitable locations for large-scale solar power generation. This study evaluates the impact of engineering optimization techniques on the performance of a hypothetical 100 MW utility-scale PV solar farm operating under Libyan climatic conditions. The analysis was conducted using the PVWatts Version 5 performance model together with meteorological data obtained from publicly available solar databases. Key design parameters, including panel tilt angle, array spacing, mounting configuration, and solar tracking systems, were analyzed to determine their influence on annual electricity generation and overall system performance. The projected results indicate that optimization techniques significantly improve renewable electricity production, with optimized fixed-tilt systems increasing annual energy generation by approximately 4.2%, while single-axis and dual-axis tracking systems achieved improvements of approximately 19% and 24%, respectively. Although dual-axis tracking produced the highest energy output, the single-axis configuration demonstrated a more practical balance between performance improvement, mechanical complexity, and operational feasibility. The findings demonstrate that appropriate engineering optimization can substantially enhance the efficiency of utility-scale solar farms without increasing installed generating capacity. The proposed approach provides a practical framework for supporting future photovoltaic developments in Libya and contributes to the efficient utilization of the country's abundant solar resources while strengthening long-term renewable energy planning.
Copyright (c) 2026 Khald Otman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing Security and Privacy in IPv6 Networks
This paper presents a critical literature survey of security and privacy challenges in IPv6 networks. Although IPv6 was introduced to overcome IPv4 address exhaustion and improve scalability, its deployment introduces risks related to Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP), Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC), Router Advertisement messages, address generation, reconnaissance, and operational misconfiguration. The study reviews foundational IPv6 standards, recent IPv6 scanning studies, and operational security recommendations using four evaluation criteria: security effectiveness, privacy impact, deployment complexity, and scalability. Based on this analysis, the paper classifies major IPv6 threats into local-link attacks, configuration-based attacks, reconnaissance attacks, operational misconfiguration, and privacy-related traceability risks. It also compares protection mechanisms such as RA Guard, Secure Neighbor Discovery (SEND), IPv6-aware firewall filtering, privacy-aware address configuration, and operational hardening. The findings show that no single mechanism is sufficient to secure IPv6 networks. Therefore, the paper proposes a layered security and privacy framework that combines address privacy, local-link protection, traffic filtering, reconnaissance reduction, and continuous monitoring. Since this study is literature-based, future work should validate the proposed framework through real network environments or testbed-based experiments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hanadi El-taief, Nuredin Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biofilm Formation and Phenotypic Disinfectant Tolerance of Foodborne Bacteria on Food-Contact Surfaces in Processing Environments
Food-contact surfaces can act as reservoirs for persistent foodborne bacteria, particularly when biofilms reduce the effectiveness of routine sanitation. This cross-sectional study investigated bacterial contamination, biofilm formation, and phenotypic disinfectant tolerance among isolates recovered from food-processing environments in Tripoli, Libya. A total of 240 food-contact surface samples were collected from meat, dairy, vegetable, and ready-to-eat food facilities. Overall, 151 samples (62.9%) were culture-positive, with the highest positivity observed in meat-processing facilities (74.3%) and raw-material handling areas (75.0%). A total of 166 bacterial isolates were recovered; Listeria monocytogenes was the most frequent species (19.3%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (18.1%) and Salmonella enterica (16.9%). Strong biofilm formation was detected in 81 isolates (48.8%), particularly among Pseudomonas aeruginosa (68.0%) and L. monocytogenes (65.6%). Biofilm-associated isolates showed the highest tolerance to QAC-based disinfectants (41.0%), followed by sodium hypochlorite (20.5%), hydrogen peroxide (17.5%), and peracetic acid (10.8%). Strong biofilm formation independently predicted tolerance to at least one disinfectant (aOR = 4.87), whereas cleaning surfaces at least three times daily reduced this likelihood (aOR = 0.42). Enhanced residue removal, biofilm-focused sanitation, and targeted monitoring of high-risk surfaces are essential to reduce persistent contamination and improve food safety.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marwa Attayeb, Aziza Abdelgawad, Fauzia Abuhtna, Mansor Wafi, Awatif Almaqrahi, Budour Elmihub, Mohanned Alwashaish https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Statistics and English Courses in Developing Health, Safety, and Environment Competencies among Students in Benghazi
Curriculum Integration is essential in Libyan education for bridging the gap between academic skills and professional competencies. This study explored how Statistics and English language courses help students in Libya develop competencies in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE). A total of 200 undergraduate students participated: 100 from the Faculty of Medical Technology and 100 from the Higher Institute of Engineering Technologies. Students completed three assessments: an English proficiency test, a Statistics basic skills test, and an HSE competency test. The results showed that the Faculty of Medical Technology demonstrated significantly higher English proficiency, with 78% of its students achieving a good score (≥70%) compared to only 32% of engineering students (p < 0.001). In contrast, the Higher Institute of Engineering Technologies demonstrated significantly higher Statistics proficiency, with 82% of its students achieving a good score compared to 28% of medical technology students (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the Engineering Institute also showed significantly higher HSE competencies, with 79% of its students achieving a good score compared to 52% of medical technology students (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that English was strongly associated with HSE performance in medical technology (r = 0.72), whereas Statistics was strongly associated with HSE performance in engineering technologies (r = 0.79). No significant gender differences were found. Students who attended prior HSE workshops reported higher confidence and better performance. Therefore, the study recommends integrating practical HSE examples into Statistics and English courses based on each institution's strengths.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdelsalam Abuzred, Amenh Yousif, Manubiya Eiasy, Mohammed Buzaridah, Hamad Mustafa, Mussa Shomata, Aeshah Alzayani, Abubakr Mohammed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Comparative Assessment of Ultrasonic versus Manual Scaling in the Treatment of Chronic Gingivitis: Randomized Controlled Trial
Gingivitis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by dental plaque accumulation, leading to destruction of periodontal tissues. Scaling is the main non-surgical treatment, performed using ultrasonic or manual instruments. To compare the clinical effectiveness of ultrasonic versus manual scaling in periodontal treatment. This randomized controlled clinical trial included 20 patients aged 25–45 years with chronic gingivitis. Patients were randomly assigned to ultrasonic or manual scaling groups. Probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at baseline and after one month. Both groups showed improvement in PD and BOP. The ultrasonic group showed slightly greater reductions, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Both ultrasonic and manual scaling are effective in improving periodontal health, with no significant difference between the two methods.
Copyright (c) 2026 Serag Keibah, Abubakr Abdelsalam, Aisha Alogab, Omaima Elmaremy, Marwa Alareeg, Alaa Shkab https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Comparison of Radiation Effects on Blood Parameters between Radiation and Non-Radiation Workers using CBC in Alafya and Waddan Hospitals
This study aims to compare the changes in haematological parameters among radiological department staff in Aljufra, Libya, and reveal the effects on the health of such staff using the CBC test. 40 Blood samples were collected from 20 participants from the radiology department and 20 participants from the non-radiology department who were working in Alafia Hospital and Waddan Hospital in the Aljufra region during December 2024-March 2025. EDTA blood samples were collected, and CBC tests were done to screen for changes in haematological parameters. There were significant differences in some CBC parameters between the radiological workers and controls. MCH decreased significantly in female radiological workers compared to males. Moreover, some of the CBC parameters (HCT, MCH, MCV, and RBCs) had a significant relationship with the age and work experience of radiation workers. Radiation has harmful effects on human health. Evidence that haematological parameters are more sensitive to radiation exposure; therefore, a complete blood count (CBC) is the commonly used test for monitoring the health of radiation workers. Using more supporting haematological tests enhances early detection of acute and chronic radiation effects.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fatma Saleman, Yosef Madee, Basher Abour https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Critical Success Factors and Challenges of AI Adoption in Higher Institute of Sciences and Technology: A Case Study of Libya
The integration of Artificial Intelligence in technical and vocational education stands as a powerful catalyst for preparing a workforce aligned with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In post-conflict Libya, Higher Institutes of Science and Technology (HISTS) face a critical transition: they must recover from systemic geopolitical disruptions while modernizing their pedagogical and administrative frameworks to bridge the gap between academic theory and market realities. This systematic review investigates the critical success factors and structural challenges of adopting Artificial Intelligence in Libyan higher technical institutes. Adopting an integrated framework that synthesizes the Technology-Organization-Environment model, the Diffusion of Innovations theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model, this study analyzes empirical data compiled from multiple academic cohorts across Libya, representing over eight hundred combined institutional stakeholders. The findings reveal a significant dichotomy between user readiness and institutional capacity. While students demonstrate a highly optimistic attitude toward Artificial Intelligence, and pilot programs report academic performance gains such as a fifteen percent improvement in student grades, adoption remains severely constrained by systemic barriers. These barriers include severe technological infrastructure deficits, a sixty percent faculty training gap, linguistic biases in existing software tools, and the absence of a cohesive national regulatory framework. Conversely, proactive administrative leadership, curriculum co-design with local industries, and the localized implementation of institutional governance policies are identified as core success factors. This study synthesizes these dimensions to construct a phased, capacity-driven implementation roadmap designed to facilitate sustainable, equitable, and culturally aligned digital transformation within resource-constrained educational environments
Copyright (c) 2026 Noureddin Beleid, Kinn Abass Bakon, Khin Phyu Cin Htet https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Alterations of lipid Profile and Minerals induced by Ketoprofen and the Potential role of Ganoderma lucidum in male Albino Rats
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug called ketoprofen lowers fever and inflammation. Ganoderma lucidum has maintained its status as one of the most prominent medicinal herbs due to its association with health. This work aimed to find out alterations of lipid parameters and minerals induced by Ketoprofen and the potential role of Ganoderma lucidum. A total of twenty male albino rats were utilized in this study, randomly separated into four groups, with five rats in each group. Group 1: The standard laboratory conditions were maintained for the five members in the regular control group. Group 2: Ketoprofen group (KP); KP was administered orally by gavage every day in the morning within two weeks at a dosage of fifty milligrams per kg of body weight (BW). Group 3: Ganoderma lucidum (G.L) was given reishi mushroom by oral gavage every morning for four weeks in the morning at a dosage of three hundred milligrams per kilogram of BW. Group 4: A combination group (KP-G.L). For two weeks, animals received KP by swallowing at a dose of fifty milligrams per kilogram of BW. The animals were receiving G.L by oral gavage every morning for 4 weeks at a dose of 300 milligrams per Kg of BW following a two-week KP treatment. The KP had varying effects on the studied measurements. This led to significant changes, like a decline in overall body weight and folate, levels of ferritin, zinc (Zn), triglyceride (TG), and vitamin D (VD) levels. Meanwhile, it caused an increase in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The treatment also led to an increase in calcium (Ca) levels. As for the Ganoderma lucidum, the therapy led to a decrease in total weight without significant differences. It also caused a reduction in the level of ferritin and LDL. However, it caused a rise in levels of TC, TG, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and HDL. And an increase in the level of Zn, Ca, and VD. In the combination group, all previous parameters were returned to close to normal values.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ameerah Ramadhan, Khadija Abogtisha, Marfoua Saleh, Nura Al-Zail, Eda Alshailabi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals that VDR TaqI/ApaI Risk Haplotypes Impair Remyelination by Disrupting Microglial Oligodendrocyte Crosstalk
Background: The failure of spontaneous remyelination represents a critical therapeutic barrier in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating pathologies. While genetic epidemiological studies have consistently linked Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) polymorphisms to disease susceptibility and severity, the specific cellular mechanisms translating these risk haplotypes into regenerative failure have remained unresolved. Methods: To deconstruct the demyelinated lesion microenvironment, we utilized high-resolution single-nucleus transcriptomics across distinct VDR genotypic cohorts (Risk vs. Wildtype). We integrated topological intercellular communication modelling to map shifts in local cellular crosstalk and employed computational pseudo time trajectory inference to evaluate the direct developmental consequences of genetic risk on the complete oligodendrocyte lineage. Results: Our analysis revealed a profound and targeted transcriptomic collapse of the RXRA heterodimer specifically within the resident microglial compartment of the VDR-Risk cohort. This intrinsic receptor uncoupling functionally neutralized the microglial neuroprotective state, resulting in a near-total cessation of Prosaposin (PSAP) secretion. Trajectory inference demonstrated that oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) deprived of this critical microglial PSAP-GPR37 trophic signalling axis suffered a severe developmental stall, structurally preventing their terminal maturation into functional, myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. Conclusions: These findings shift the pathophysiological paradigm of VDR genetic risk from generalized neuroinflammation to a highly targeted disruption of microglial oligodendroglia crosstalk. The RXRA-mediated PSAP-GPR37 signalling cascade is identified as a pivotal mechanistic vulnerability, offering a novel, targeted therapeutic pathway to overcome remyelination arrest.
Copyright (c) 2026 Osamah Alrouwab, Husam Eldaouki, Yousof Amara https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Fast Handover for Mobile in Major Optimization Algorithms: IPv4 Mobility
This paper presents a predictive handover algorithm that relies on pre-configuring the new access router before a disconnection occurs. The mechanism establishes a temporary tunnel between the previous router (PAR) and the new router (NAR) during the handover period, utilizing enhanced techniques such as pre-registration, packet buffering, and rerouting. These enhancements demonstrate a significant ability to reduce both handover latency and packet loss. This paper also explains the workings of the Mobile IPv4 (MIPv4) protocol, outlining its main challenges and proposing key optimization methods. Furthermore, it compares the most prominent handover optimization algorithms in Mobile IP and proposes two fast handover schemes, analyzing various factors that influence IP-layer handover performance through extensive simulations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamed Hmadi, Mouemer Elriheemi, Muntaser Fraj https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Tobruk Medical Centre
Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to human health around the world. Resistance of the Enterobacteriaceae to antibiotics, especially of the β-lactam type, is increasingly dominated by the mobilization of continuously expressed single genes that encode efficient drug-modifying enzymes. This study from Tobruk Medical Centre characterized resistance patterns in Enterobacteriaceae across different antimicrobial classes. Enterobacteriaceae from hospital samples were isolated on blood and MacConkey agar. Stool samples were cultured on S.S. agar, Sorbitol MacConkey agar, and Mueller-Hinton broth for swab inoculation. To determine antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, the multidrug resistance disc diffusion method was used. The findings revealed that Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterial isolate, followed by Klebsiella spp., while lower prevalence rates were observed for other organisms, such as Proteus and Enterobacter. This study demonstrated a markedly high resistance rate to cephalosporins, which showed the highest percentages among both inpatient and outpatient isolates, with significantly greater resistance observed in inpatient settings. Carbapenems exhibited moderate resistance levels compared with other antimicrobial classes, whereas aminoglycosides showed substantially increased resistance among inpatient isolates. Quinolones also demonstrated relatively high resistance rates in both patient groups. Analysis based on specimen type indicated that blood and abscess samples exhibited the highest antimicrobial resistance rates, particularly against cephalosporins, while carbapenems and aminoglycosides displayed comparatively lower resistance in certain specimen categories. Furthermore, Klebsiella spp. isolates demonstrated elevated resistance to ceftriaxone and ampicillin compared with other bacterial isolates. These findings highlight the growing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains, especially in hospital environments, emphasizing the urgent need for strengthened infection prevention and control strategies, implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs, and continuous surveillance of resistance patterns to improve treatment outcomes and limit the future spread of resistant pathogens.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rema Tahir, Amane Amhamed, Manal Mahjoob https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Indications, Surgical Procedures, and Vision Outcomes of Keratoplasty at Tripoli Eye Hospital, Libya
Corneal transplantation is the most effective treatment modality for corneal blindness. All types of keratoplasty have a high success rate in restoring corneal clarity and visual rehabilitation of affected individuals. Corneal blindness represents the third most common cause globally. In contrast, a successful corneal graft can overcome the burden associated with corneal blindness. A study aimed to explore indications, types of keratoplasty, and vision outcomes at Tripoli Eye Hospital. This observational retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing keratoplasty at Tripoli Eye Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. 162 eyes of 162 patients underwent different types of keratoplasty. 162 eyes of the 162 patients were included in the current study, of which 88 (54.3%) were males and 74 (45.7%) were females. The mean age of the patients was (43.49 ± 21.48) years. The most common indications for keratoplasty were 80(49.3%) keratoconus, 41 (25.3%) decompensated cornea, 11 (6.8%) graft rejection, and 10 (6.1%) trauma. The most common type of surgery was PKP 63(38.8%), DALK 58 (35.8%), DMEK 28 (17.3%), and 13 (8.0%) Triple Procedure. The visual outcomes were the pre-operative keratoplasty; only 8(4.9%) eyes had a BCVA of 20/40 or better. In comparison, 28(17.2%) eyes had a BCVA ranging between 20/50 and 20/100, and the majority of eyes, 126(77.7%) had vision 20/200 or worse. In the postoperative keratoplasty, around 72(44.4%) experienced an improvement in BCVA to 20/40 or better, whereas 52(32.0%) eyes had a BCVA ranging between 20/50 and 20/100, and 38(23.4%) eyes had a vision from 20/200 or worse. After keratoplasty, our patients' main goal was to improve their quality of life through good vision outcomes. Patient education, preventive measures, and improvements in primary eye healthcare services are required to reduce the burden of cornea blindness.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muftah Eljabri, Fejra Khalifa Said, Abdulbari Alshareef, Abdelraouf Ehnaidy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Elevation-Driven Turnover of Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a Mediterranean Mountain System: Diversity, Seasonality, and Thermal Drivers in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya
Elevational gradients act as natural laboratories for isolating the climatic constraints on insect diversity, yet Mediterranean North Africa remains one of the least-documented regions for such analyses despite hosting internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots. We present the first systematic, multi-seasonal survey of epigaeic ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages along a 30–625 m elevational transect in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, north-eastern Libya, and use it to test how altitude and local microclimate jointly structure community composition, dominance and phenology in an understudied Mediterranean-type ecosystem. Standardised time-unit hand collection was carried out at three sites spanning the gradient (coastal Ras Al-Helal, ~30 m; intermediate Al-Wasita, ~220 m; highland Sidi Al-Hamri, ~625 m) across four seasons between June 2025 and March 2026. A total of 1,505 individuals representing seven species were recorded. Overall community diversity was moderate-to-high (Shannon–Wiener H′ = 1.88; Simpson's index of diversity, 1–D = 0.84) and increased with elevation (H′ = 1.54 at the coast to 1.92 in the highlands), a pattern that diverges from the monotonic richness declines typical of temperate mountains but parallels several recent Mediterranean and arid-zone elevational studies. Thermophilic, open-habitat taxa (Cataglyphis cf. albicans, Solenopsis fugax) dominated the coastal lowlands, mesic forest specialists (Camponotus barbaricus) prevailed in the highlands, and the granivorous Messor ebeninus displayed marked ecological plasticity across the gradient. Ant abundance was strongly and positively correlated with air temperature (r = 0.52–0.88) and negatively correlated with relative humidity (r = –0.42 to –0.75), corroborating thermal-constraint models of ant foraging activity. These results establish Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar myrmecofauna as a sensitive bioindicator system for Mediterranean climatic gradients and provide a quantitative baseline for detecting future climate-driven range shifts in a chronically under-surveyed part of the Mediterranean Basin.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mansour Salem, Radwan Saeed, Khalid Saad, Muna Agbali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Vitamin D Deficiency as a Potential Systemic Risk Indicator for Periodontal Disease and Fixed Dental Prosthesis Failure: A Systematic Literature Review
Vitamin D has an important role in calcium metabolism, bone remodeling, immune regulation, and control of inflammatory responses. These functions are closely related to periodontal health, alveolar bone stability, and the biological support of teeth carrying fixed dental prostheses. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with periodontal inflammation, clinical attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and impaired oral tissue healing. However, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and failure of fixed dental prostheses remains less clearly established, especially when prosthetic failure is linked to periodontal deterioration around abutment teeth. This systematic literature review aimed to evaluate the available evidence on the association between vitamin D deficiency, periodontal disease, and fixed dental prosthesis failure. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2026. The search used combinations of terms related to vitamin D deficiency, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, periodontal disease, periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, fixed dental prosthesis, crowns, bridges, abutment teeth, and prosthetic complications. Studies were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted regarding study design, vitamin D assessment, periodontal outcomes, prosthetic outcomes, and main findings. The methodological quality of the included evidence was assessed according to study design, and the findings were summarized narratively because of differences in study methods and outcomes. The reviewed evidence showed a consistent association between low serum vitamin D levels and poorer periodontal outcomes, including increased gingival inflammation, deeper periodontal pockets, clinical attachment loss, and alveolar bone loss. The direct evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to fixed dental prosthesis failure was limited. However, available periodontal, prosthodontic, and implant-related studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may contribute indirectly to fixed prosthesis complications through periodontal inflammation, reduced alveolar bone support, impaired healing, and compromised abutment tooth stability. Vitamin D deficiency may be considered a potential systemic risk indicator for periodontal disease. Its relationship with fixed dental prosthesis failure appears to be indirect rather than direct, mainly through periodontal breakdown, alveolar bone loss, and abutment tooth compromise. Further longitudinal clinical studies are needed to clarify whether correction of vitamin D deficiency can improve periodontal stability and reduce biological complications around fixed dental prostheses.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eyiman Alshybani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Enhancing The Engineering Characteristics of Clayey Soil with Recycled Tire Rubber Particles
This research examined how adding rubber granulate affected the properties of expansive soil from Shahat City, Libya. The study tested different drying techniques, curing times, and rubber concentra-tions (0% to 15%). For preparing samples to determine Atterberg limits and for compaction testing, air drying was deemed more suitable than oven drying. The soil's unconfined compressive strength was enhanced by the inclusion of rubber. A 2% rubber mixture produced the highest strength after a 3-day cure, while a 4% mixture was most effective after 7 and 14 days. This addition also transformed the soil's behaviour from brittle to ductile. Microscopic analysis revealed stronger cohesion between par-ticles at the 4% rubber level. The liquid limit rose with smaller rubber amounts but fell with larger ones. The optimum moisture content increased up to 8% rubber before declining, whereas dry density con-sistently dropped. A numerical Plaxis analysis showed some variance from the experimental findings. Furthermore, the soil's bearing capacity was enhanced and settlement reduced as additional rein-forcement layers were added, provided the vertical spacing between them was adequately small to prevent potential collapse.
Copyright (c) 2026 Enas Altalhe, Rasha Fathullah, Fathia Alnaas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Using Differential Equations in the Analysis of Dental Caries Growth and Development: A Mathematical Modeling Approach
Dental caries represents one of the most pervasive chronic oral pathologies globally, characterized by the metabolic degradation of dietary carbohydrates by acidogenic bacteria, leading to the demineralization of the tooth enamel matrix. This study establishes a mathematical framework to model the coupled dynamics of oral bacterial proliferation and enamel degradation over time. Bacterial population growth within the dental biofilm is formulated using the non-linear logistic differential equation. Concurrently, a rate-of-decay differential equation is derived to track continuous enamel loss as a function of the bacterial load. Complete analytical derivations, explicit integration steps, and exact parameterizations are provided, and all reported numerical results have been independently re-verified. A comparative numerical analysis of ten distinct patient risk profiles evaluated at t = 10 days is presented, with the underlying computations corrected to be fully consistent with the derived closed-form solution. The findings demonstrate that mathematical modeling yields quantifiable, precise, and predictive insight into disease progression, offering an evidence-based foundation for personalized preventive dentistry and clinical risk stratification.
Copyright (c) 2026 Emad Awadh, Bader Masry, Saad Salama https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Clinical Characteristics, Etiology, and Outcomes of Neonatal Respiratory Distress at Al-Zawiya Medical Center, Libya
Neonatal respiratory distress (NRD) is one of the most common neonatal emergencies and a leading cause of admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide. It contributes substantially to neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early recognition and timely management are essential for improving neonatal outcomes. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, etiological spectrum, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of neonatal respiratory distress among newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Al-Zawiya Teaching Hospital, Libya. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the NICU of Al-Zawiya Teaching Hospital, Libya. Medical records of 200 neonates diagnosed with respiratory distress and admitted between January and December 2021 were reviewed. Data collected included demographic characteristics, gestational age, birth weight, mode of delivery, maternal history, clinical diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. During the study period, 5,300 live births and 2,600 NICU admissions were recorded. A total of 200 neonates were diagnosed with respiratory distress, corresponding to a prevalence of 3.77% among live births and 7.69% among NICU admissions. Male neonates accounted for 112 (56.0%) cases, while female neonates accounted for 88 (44.0%). Term neonates constituted 108 (54.0%) of the study population. The most common etiologies of respiratory distress were transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in 74 (37.0%) neonates, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 66 (33.0%), neonatal sepsis in 28 (14.0%), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) in 14 (7.0%). The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (9/200), whereas 191 (95.5%) neonates were discharged in stable condition. Neonatal respiratory distress remains a major cause of NICU admission at Al-Zawiya Teaching Hospital. Transient tachypnea of the newborn and respiratory distress syndrome were the predominant etiologies. Strengthening early diagnosis, improving perinatal care, and optimizing neonatal intensive care interventions are essential to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ridha Itrunbah, Fathia Almurabit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Epidemiological Characteristics and Trends of Childhood Cancer in Eastern Libya: A Five-Year Retrospective Study
Cancer is a major global public health challenge and remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases globally and ranks among the leading causes of death in developing countries. This study aimed to describe the trends and epidemiological characteristics of childhood malignancies in eastern Libya and evaluate cancer type frequency and demographic patterns at Benghazi Children's Hospital. A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using archived data from patients aged 0–16 years diagnosed with childhood cancers at Benghazi Children's Hospital between January 2018 and December 2022. Demographic data, clinical presentations, investigations, tumor types, disease stages, and patient outcomes were collected and analyzed. Among 75,015 hospital admissions, 362 (0.4%) were diagnosed with malignancy. Leukemia was the most common (37.5%), followed by brain tumors (17.4%) and lymphoma (10.4%). Male predominance was observed across all malignancies except brain tumors. The mean age was 6.05 ± 4.21 years, with 47.8% of patients under five years. Other tumors included Wilms' tumor (9.3%), neuroblastoma (6.6%), soft tissue sarcoma (4.9%), bone tumors (4.4%), retinoblastoma (4.1%), carcinoma (1.9%), and hepatoblastoma (0.5%). Common presentations included mass lesions (38.1%), pallor (34.3%), and appetite loss (26.9%). Advanced stages (III–IV) predominated, and 20.9% of patients died during treatment. Childhood cancer cases in eastern Libya increased by 38% over the five-year study period. Leukemia was the predominant malignancy, with most cases originating outside Benghazi. Late-stage presentation remains a significant challenge, highlighting the need for improved early detection and referral systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mabroka Abdelgalil, Amina Beayou, Margwha Issa, Hala Ammar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Diode Laser Pulpotomy in Primary Teeth: A Systematic Review
Pulpotomy remains the most widely accepted vital pulp therapy for carious or traumatically exposed primary teeth. While conventional medicaments such as formocresol and ferric sulfate have shown satisfactory results, concerns regarding cytotoxicity and systemic risks have prompted interest in diode lasers as an alternative. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of diode laser pulpotomy in primary teeth and compare outcomes with conventional pharmacotherapeutic techniques. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Studies reporting clinical and radiographic outcomes of diode laser pulpotomy in primary teeth were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Data were synthesized narratively. Fourteen studies involving over 800 primary molars were included. Diode laser pulpotomy achieved clinical success rates of 90–100%, broadly comparable to those of formocresol, ferric sulfate, and MTA. Radiographic success rates were more variable but were generally comparable to, and in some studies exceeded, those reported for conventional pulpotomy agents, particularly when diode laser treatment was combined with bioactive materials such as MTA or Biodentine. No statistically significant differences were observed in most comparative studies (p > 0.05). Diode laser pulpotomy is a safe and effective alternative to conventional agents in primary teeth. Its bactericidal action, immediate hemostasis, and biocompatibility offer tangible clinical advantages. However, the lack of standardized protocols limits definitive recommendations regarding optimal laser parameters.
Copyright (c) 2026 Amal Abdlsadeg, Nadin Elgandouz, Rowida Aween https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Risk Factors and Outcomes of Placenta Previa among Admitted Pregnant Women in Benghazi Medical Centre: A Cross-Sectional study
Placenta previa is a problem during pregnancy when the placenta completely or partially covers the opening of the uterus (cervix). Placenta previa means the placenta has implanted at the bottom of the uterus, over the cervix, or close by, which means the baby can’t be born vaginally. The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. In most pregnancies, the placenta attaches to the top or side of the uterus. In placenta previa, the placenta attaches low in the uterus. The study aims to assess the risk factors for placenta previa and feto-maternal outcomes. A retrospective cross-sectional study included all pregnant women with placenta previa who were admitted to Benghazi Medical Center from 1st of Jan. 2020 to 31st of Dec., 2021 (two-year period). A total of 188 files of cases with a diagnosis of placenta previa were reviewed. Grand multigravida showed higher rates of emergency caesarean section. Higher rates of hysterectomy, higher rates of bladder injury with marginal significance, and higher rates of prematurity. A history of two or more previous sections increases the risk of blood transfusion, fresh frozen plasma use, bladder injury, and hysterectomy. Maternal age does not appear to affect maternal outcomes. In terms of perinatal outcomes, maternal age, gravidity, and history of prior sections have no effect; however, a history of two or more prior scars is associated with a higher rate of prematurity. Grand multigravida women also had higher rates of emergency caesarean sections, hysterectomy, and bladder injury.
Copyright (c) 2026 Huda Alsharief, Manal Algarari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Willingness to Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants Rather Than Traditional Prosthetic Options Among Adults in Derna City, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study
To assess the willingness of adults in Derna City, Libya, to replace missing teeth with dental implants rather than traditional prosthetic options, with particular emphasis on knowledge and attitudes related to implant therapy. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Derna City, Libya, from 1 June 2025 to 31 December 2025. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured Arabic questionnaire adapted from a previously published survey. Adults aged 18 years and older were recruited using convenience sampling from dental clinics and selected public areas. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, dental history, awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and willingness regarding dental implants. Knowledge was evaluated using five objective items, and attitude was assessed using ten items related to interest, preference, fear, expected pain, willingness to invest time, and treatment acceptance. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression were used, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 458 participants were included in the final analysis. Awareness of dental implants was high, with 89.1% of participants reporting that they had heard about implant therapy. Dentists were the main source of information (33.6%). However, objective knowledge was limited, and 97.6% of participants were classified as having poor knowledge. Attitudes toward implant therapy were more favorable than knowledge, with 49.3% showing a moderate attitude and 24.5% a good attitude. More than half of the participants preferred dental implants as a treatment option (53.7%), and 88.2% indicated that they would accept implant therapy if it were offered free of charge. Willingness to accept free implant therapy was significantly associated with gender, education, occupation, attitude category, fear regarding surgery, willingness to invest time, and treatment preference, whereas age, knowledge score, and tooth extraction history were not significantly associated. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.156, p = 0.001). Adults in Derna City demonstrated high awareness but poor objective knowledge regarding dental implants. Nevertheless, attitudes toward implant therapy were generally moderate to favorable, and willingness to accept implants was high when cost was removed as a barrier. Financial considerations, fear, and treatment-related time commitment appear to be major obstacles to acceptance. Strengthening patient education and improving affordability may help increase informed acceptance of implant therapy in this population.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ashraf Elzer, Yahya Elzarug, Wahib Dallal, Salahaldeen Ghamid, Hajer Alhamri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Dentists’ Perspectives on the Influence of Social Media on Patients’ Decisions to Seek Aesthetic Dental Treatments: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey
Social media has become an influential source of health-related information and increasingly affects patients' awareness, expectations, and decision-making regarding aesthetic dental treatments. While previous studies have primarily examined patients' perspectives, limited evidence is available regarding dentists' perceptions of how social media influences clinical practice and patient behavior. This study aimed to investigate dentists' perspectives on the influence of social media on patients' decisions to seek aesthetic dental treatments, with particular emphasis on treatment preferences, patient expectations, consultation patterns, and challenges encountered during clinical practice. A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was conducted among 215 practicing dentists from different practice settings. The questionnaire collected demographic information and assessed dentists' perceptions regarding the impact of social media on aesthetic dental treatment decisions, commonly requested procedures, perceived benefits, and associated clinical challenges. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Pearson's chi-square test was performed to examine associations between demographic characteristics and dentists' perceptions. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Among the 215 respondents, 56.3% were female, and 41.9% were aged 31–40 years. Most dentists (82.3%) agreed that social media has increased patients' interest in aesthetic dental treatments, while 74.4% reported that patients frequently referred to social media during consultations. In addition, 68.8% believed that social media significantly influenced patients' treatment decisions. Tooth whitening (72.6%), porcelain veneers (65.1%), and clear aligners (52.1%) were the procedures most frequently requested following exposure to social media. The most commonly reported challenges included unrealistic patient expectations (76.7%), requests for unnecessary aesthetic procedures (61.9%), and misinformation obtained through social media (58.6%). Significant associations were observed between years of clinical experience and perceptions of social media influence on treatment decisions (χ² = 8.42, p = 0.015) and between practice setting and reports of unrealistic patient expectations (χ² = 9.31, p = 0.025). Social media has become a major factor influencing patients' interest in aesthetic dentistry, treatment preferences, and expectations. Although digital platforms provide valuable opportunities for patient education and professional communication, they also contribute to unrealistic expectations and misinformation that present challenges for clinical practice. Strengthening evidence-based communication and promoting the ethical use of social media may improve patient education, support informed decision-making, and enhance the quality of aesthetic dental care.
Copyright (c) 2026 Siham Mohamed, Abeer Faraj https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Clinical Outcome & Determinants of Amputation in Diabetic Patients in Al-Wahda Hospital
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic endocrine disorder due to an overall deficiency of insulin (Type 1) or defective insulin function (Type 2), which causes hyperglycemia. Type 1 diabetes, which is usually seen in younger patients, accounts for 5% to 10% of cases worldwide and is secondary to the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing B-islet cells of the pancreas, which results in complete insulin deficiency. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a major health challenge and are among the most serious and costly complications of diabetes mellitus. This study determined the predictive factors of diabetes foot ulcer (DFU) development and lower extremity amputations (LEA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), which is of great importance to compose risk stratification models. The retrospective cohort study that included (n= 50) diabetic patients admitted to the surgical department at al-wahda hospital conducted for a period of seven months. The data were collected from the medical records, including age, duration of diabetic disease, foot ulcer (duration, site, investigation, and treatment), and operative notes from the operation records of the surgical department. A total of 50 diabetic patients had a diabetic foot ulcer and underwent major or minor amputation according to the indication. All collected data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ characteristics. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation. Additionally, inferential analyses such as Chi-square tests and Kappa statistics were performed as appropriate to examine associations and inter-rater reliability. The majority were female (36 participants, 66.7%), and 14 participants were male (25.9%). The mean age of participants was 60.8 ± 13.25 years, indicating that most participants were middle-aged to older adults. Type 2 diabetes was the predominant form, observed in 45 participants (83.3%), while type 1 diabetes was less common (5 participants, 9.3%). There were 4 participants (7.4%) with unspecified diabetes type. Infected ulcers were reported in 4 participants (7.4%), with unspecified gender. Ischemic ulcers in the distal part of the foot were more common in females (12 cases, 22.2%) than in males (4 cases, 7.4%). Neuropathic ulcers in the sole occurred in 10 female cases (18.5%) and 4 male cases (7.4%). In our research, If the patients had controlled diabetes mellitus with regular diabetic foot care, they would have responded to treatment avoidance of amputation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fattoum Dardak, Khalid EL-Tashani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations (Copper, Cadmium, and Lead) in Tissues and Gills of Mullet Fish (Mugil Spp.) from Sousa Harbor, Libya
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments represents a major environmental and public health concern due to the toxic effects of these metals and their ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in mullet fish (Mugil spp.) collected from Sousa Harbor in eastern Libya. The analysis was conducted on two fish parts: muscle tissue and gills. Fish samples were collected, washed, dried, and subjected to wet digestion using nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured using a Thermo Electron Corporation analytical instrument. Results indicated that the gills accumulated higher concentrations of heavy metals compared with the muscle tissues. The findings highlight the potential risk of heavy metal contamination in the marine environment and emphasize the importance of monitoring heavy metal levels in mullet fish for environmental and human health protection.
Copyright (c) 2026 Derayin Mohammed, Eenas Ateeyah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Technical Standards for Full Metal Crown Preparation Performed by Dental Undergraduates during Preclinical Dental Education
Preparing teeth for fixed dental prostheses is a fundamental clinical task. While it is a standard part of practice, ensuring the restoration's longevity requires precise preparation, a process that dental students often find difficult to master consistently. This study aimed to assess the technical standards of tooth preparation carried out by dental students in their preclinical training. A total of 132 fourth-year preclinical dental students were randomly allocated into two groups to perform full metal crown preparation in a simulated dental training environment; Group 1 (n = 59) was assigned to conduct the procedure on the maxillary (upper) arch, while Group 2 (n = 73) performed the same procedure on the mandibular (lower) arch. Jaw models were mounted on phantom heads during the tooth preparation procedure. The tooth preparations were evaluated using standardized criteria. Descriptive statistics were employed to categorize the outcomes as (excellent, acceptable, or unacceptable). A Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between dental arch type and the technical quality of the students’ tooth preparations. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. It shows that the majority of student work is in the (Satisfactory) range, followed closely by (Excellent), with (Unsatisfactory) being the smallest group. Significant differences were observed between arches in two key areas: lingual reduction (p = 0.016), where the upper arch had a higher rate of unacceptable results (21%), and preservation of adjacent teeth (p = 0.034), where the lower arch showed superior performance (41% excellent). The technical performance of the students was predominantly high, as most preparations either met or surpassed established clinical standards. A significant correlation was found between the dental arch and the quality of lingual preparations and iatrogenic damage to adjacent teeth.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nourelhouda Misurati, Noora Berhaim, Siham Omar, Abeer Mesbah, Khadija Abu Sittah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Impact of Rust on Industrial Pipelines using Non-Destructive Testing Techniques and the Development of Preventive Measures to Protect Equipment from Corrosion
Corrosion is a major factor affecting the integrity of industrial pipelines used for transporting gas, oil, or water, leading to reduced operational efficiency and increased risk of leaks and malfunctions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques in detecting and assessing corrosion, focusing on the problem of corrosion and its evaluation. The study specifically examined Guided Wave Testing (GWT) and Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) techniques. The experimental method used a 20-meter-long carbon steel pipe containing ten simulated corrosion defects at varying depths. The results showed that GWT achieved detection rates of 80% at 32 kHz and 90% at 64 kHz, confirming its efficiency in rapid long-distance inspection. Meanwhile, UTM achieved a 100% detection rate for all defects with an absolute mean error of 0.04 mm, reflecting its high accuracy in measuring thickness loss and determining the extent of corrosion.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohamed Erhaima, Emahmed Erhima https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Association Between Inhalational Anesthesia-Related Complications and Intraoperative Hemodynamic Changes in Patients Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Inhalational anesthetics are widely used in congenital cardiac surgery; however, anesthesia-related complications may affect intraoperative hemodynamic stability and surgical outcomes. This study evaluated the association between inhalational anesthesia-related complications and intraoperative hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). A descriptive multicenter study was conducted between December 2025 and May 2026 at I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Donato Milanese (Italy), Tripoli Medical Hospital (Libya), and the Turkish Medical Team at Fallujah Hospital (Iraq). Patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery under inhalational anesthesia were included. Data on CHD classification and intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were collected. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes during surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, with descriptive statistics and ANOVA used to assess differences according to anesthesia-related complications. A total of 23 patients were included. Cyanotic septal defects were the most common CHD category (61.7%), followed by cyanotic complex defects (23.4%). Significant differences in SBP were observed at 50 minutes (p=0.038) and 60 minutes (p=0.032), while DBP showed significant differences at both time points (p=0.01). Heart rate differed significantly at 20 minutes (p=0.048) and demonstrated a highly significant difference at 30 minutes (p=0.0001), particularly among patients who developed arrhythmias. These findings indicate that inhalational anesthesia-related complications are associated with significant intraoperative hemodynamic changes, with arrhythmias exerting the greatest impact on cardiovascular stability. Continuous cardiovascular monitoring remains essential during congenital cardiac surgery to optimize patient safety and perioperative outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ghada Alnaeli , Sara Hwisa, Ahmed Aljileedi, Ebtihal Al-Hallak, Hadeel Omara, Hanadi Al-Ahwal, Hanan Al-Shaibani, Mohammed Al-Shibani, Rawasi Omara, Rayan El-Baruni, Retaj Hamouda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Nail Trace Element Profiling in Cancer Patients versus Healthy Controls: A Pilot Case-Control Study Using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Sebha City, Libya
Trace element dysregulation is increasingly implicated in carcinogenesis, yet, to our knowledge, the nail metallome of Libyan cancer patients has not previously been characterized. Toenails provide a time-integrated, non-invasive biomarker of systemic metal exposure that is well suited to resource-constrained clinical settings. This pilot case–control study enrolled 16 histologically confirmed cancer patients and 7 healthy controls at Sebha Medical Oncology Centre, Libya. Concentrations of 12 elements (Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Hg, Al) were measured in toenail specimens by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. Statistical comparisons used Mann–Whitney U and independent t-tests, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Cancer patients showed significantly elevated copper (22.40 vs 12.86 µg/g; p = 0.0002) and reduced zinc (80.79 vs 127.26 µg/g; p = 0.0001) and selenium (0.55 vs 1.15 µg/g; p = 0.0001) relative to controls (all Bonferroni-corrected). Six of seven toxic metals (Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Hg) were significantly elevated after correction; exceedance of reference thresholds reached 100% for lead and 81.2% for arsenic. The Cu/Zn ratio was substantially higher in cancer patients (0.294 vs 0.101; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.52), with 75% of cases exceeding the proposed threshold of 0.25. Robust inter-element antagonisms were identified between selenium and mercury (rho = −0.745) and between zinc and arsenic (rho = −0.674). This pilot study provides the first local evidence of nail trace element dyshomeostasis among Libyan cancer patients, characterized by concurrent essential element depletion and toxic metal accumulation. The Cu/Zn ratio emerges as a candidate composite biomarker. These hypothesis-generating findings support a larger, prospective, age- and sex-matched investigation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shamsi Shamsi, Abuojaylah Masoud, Tamadhur Mohammed, Malak Shaban, Eman Ali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Numerical Treatment of Sturm-Liouville Problems with Two Interior Transition Points
Boundary value problems (BVPs) for second-order differential equations, particularly Sturm-Liouville equations, are fundamental in modeling numerous phenomena across the natural sciences. A significant challenge arises when these problems involve additional transmission conditions at internal points. This paper presents a numerical framework for solving Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems characterized by two internal transmission points. We extend the Finite Difference Method (FDM) to effectively address such problems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring accuracy at the critical transmission points x = ±1/3. The methodology, which generalizes the approach for a single discontinuity, is implemented and tested on a mathematical model. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme successfully handles the derivative discontinuities, and maintains a second-order convergence rate O(h^2), and shows excellent agreement with the exact solution, proving the robustness and reliability of the developed framework for multi-point interaction models.
Copyright (c) 2026 Aziza Al Hassi, Fatima Alsharif https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Physical Activity Insufficiency and Perceived Barriers among Libyan Adults during Ramadan: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining health. During Ramadan, fasting and daily routine changes may influence physical activity engagement. This study describes physical activity levels and perceived barriers to physical activity during Ramadan among Libyan adults. It also examines the contribution of perceived barriers to insufficient physical activity, after adjusting for selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tripoli, Libya, using a self-reported structured questionnaire developed as a part of a broader study on health-related behaviors during Ramadan. For this paper, physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Data analyzed using SPSS. A total of 113 responses were included in this analysis. The median age of the respondents was 28.00 years (IQR: 23.00- 36.00), and 60.2% were females. More than half of the respondents (56.1%) had insufficient physical activity during Ramadan. Median vigorous and moderate intensity activity were both 0 MET-min/week (IQR:0-240 and 0-480, respectively), while walking was the main contributor to total activity (Median=297 MET-min/week, IQR: 0-693). The most commonly reported barriers to physical activity were time constraints due to family and work commitments (68.2%), and fatigue during Ramadan daytime (64.5%). None of the studied variables showed a statistically significant contribution to insufficient physical activity. In conclusion, insufficient physical activity was considerable among Libyan adults during Ramadan, which may have adverse impacts on their health. Targeted interventions to promote physical activity during Ramadan are needed. Further research is recommended to identify the predictors of insufficient physical activity during this month.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sana Taher Ashur https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Physicochemical Quality, Microbiological Contamination, and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria in Rooftop-Harvested Rainwater in Ajdabiya City, Libya
Rainwater harvesting is widely used as an alternative water source in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the quality of stored rainwater may be affected by environmental contamination and storage conditions. This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological quality of rooftop-harvested rainwater in Ajdabiya City, Libya, and evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria. A total of 70 rainwater samples were collected from household storage tanks between February and May 2025. Standard analytical methods were used to evaluate physicochemical parameters, total bacterial counts, coliform detection, bacterial isolation, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Most physicochemical parameters complied with the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking-water guidelines. Electrical conductivity ranged from 186 to 1186 µS/cm, while total dissolved solids were generally below 500 mg/L. pH values ranged between 5.9 and 8.5, and turbidity was not detected in any sample. Microbiological results revealed bacterial counts ranging from 30 to 295 CFU/mL. Coliform bacteria were detected in the majority of samples, with only five samples free from contamination. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38.57%), Escherichia coli (34.28%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.14%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated different resistance patterns among the bacterial isolates: E. coli showed susceptibility only to amikacin (87%), with complete resistance to all other antibiotics tested, while P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae showed susceptibility to a wider range of antibiotics. The results suggest that, despite the acceptable physicochemical quality of the harvested rainwater, microbiological contamination and the detection of multidrug-resistant E. coli may limit its suitability for drinking without appropriate treatment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Najma Senussi, Miloud Miloud https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Estradiol Hormone, Vitamin D, and Oxidative Stress Status in Women with Habitual Abortion
Habitual abortion (HA) is well-defined as 3 or more sequential pregnancy losses before twenty weeks of pregnancy and affects about >1% of couples trying to get a baby. It remains a multifaceted fertility trial, frequently connected to oxidative stress (OS), which is implicated in the pathophysiology of frequent reproductive problems, including abortion, infertility, fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor. The disproportion concerning the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the capacity of the body system to neutralize their destructive effects on lipid, protein, and nucleic acid is termed as OS. Subsequently, it is crucial for regulating various physiological purposes; this disproportion is closely related to the expansion and sequence of numerous illnesses. The aimed of this research was to evaluate estradiol (E2), vitamin D (VD), and oxidative stress markers (OSMs): malondialdehydee (MDA), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), and glutathione (GSH) in women with habitual abortion in addition to explore whether vitamin D deficiency and hormonal dysregulation contribute to a disrupted redox state, which may impair placental function and trigger pregnancy cessation as well as recurrent habitual abortion. This study comprised 96 women participants, consisting of 42 healthy pregnant volunteers as controls and 54 women with habitual abortion, who were divided into subcategories according to their maternal and gestational age. About the measured results in the present work, an important reduction of serum estradiol, vitamin D, and glutathione was shown in women with HA, consistent with healthy pregnant women, while a significant elevation was observed in the oxidant markers MDA and ONOO-. The effect of maternal age among women with habitual abortion showed a significant drop of VD, and GSH with increasing maternal age, whereas oxidant markers showed a significant rise, as well as a non-significant alteration in estradiol was noticed concerning the 2 age groups. Finally, no significant effect of gestational age on all parameters measured in this study was observed in women of HA, except E2, which showed a significant rise in the 2nd trimester of habitually aborted women.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmed H. AL-Hamdani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Electromagnetic Compatibility and Noise Mitigation in Modern Power Electronics
The rapid development of Power Electronic Technologies across a broad range of applications (including renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, industrial automation, aerospace platforms and smart grid solutions) has made significant improvements in energy conversion efficiency, power density and syste However, due to the high frequency and usage of switching devices as well as their miniaturization in converter topologies for EMI/EMC issues have become important more recently. Operation of power electronic converters gives rise to electromagnetic interference (EMI) with those propagating via conductive and radiative paths, which results in degradation of performance and reliability, or even safety issues for electronic circuits operating in parallel with them. Thus, EMC became an integral design consideration in today's power electronic systems. This paper reviews the important EMC issues and noise reduction methods relating to power electronics in detail. This paper summarizes the analysis of major sources of EMI, such as switching devices, passive integrated circuits (IC), gate driver circuits, and parasitic elements through studying conducted and radiated emissions mechanisms. Design Methodologies for EMC are Reviewed. In this section extent multiple design methodologies regarding filter techniques, shield handiness, grounding practices, and PCB floor optimization. It also provides an overview of international EMC standards and regulatory guidelines on electromagnetic emission and immunity tests. It also investigates the impact of EMC, operational safety, and reliability system performance. Finally, it discusses the recent developments on the new trend in wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies, multi-dimensional filtering methodology, and intelligent EMC optimization methodologies. Results emphasise the importance of EMC consideration in all phases of the design process for achieving high-performance, reliable, and compliant power electronic systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ramzi Alriheebi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Ethnobotanical Assessment of Medicinal Plant Use in Diyala Province, Iraq
A comprehensive ethnobotanical investigation was conducted in Diyala Province, central-eastern Iraq, a region recognized for its rich plant biodiversity. The primary aim of this study was to assess community knowledge and the use of medicinal plants. Data were collected from 500 participants through structured interviews and online questionnaires. The majority of respondents were 18–25 years old, held Bachelor's degrees (60.0%), and were female (76.2%). More than half of the participants (51.8%) resided in rural areas and reported using medicinal plants occasionally (53.2%), mainly because they perceived these remedies to be less toxic than conventional medicines (54.0%). Most respondents (42.2%) used medicinal plants for therapeutic care, whereas only 20.0% reported using them for preventive purposes. The Internet, books, and television were the primary sources of information on medicinal plants (37.6%). Although 51.8% of participants recognized the potential interactions between medicinal plants and conventional medications, 61.8% reported that they did not inform their physicians about their use of these remedies. Ethnobotanical analysis identified 30 medicinal plant species belonging to 16 plant families, with Lamiaceae being the most frequently represented family, followed by Rutaceae and Apiaceae. This study represents the first comprehensive ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plant use in Diyala Province and provides valuable insights into local health practices, traditional knowledge, and the continued reliance on medicinal plants within the community.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shaymaa Almajmaie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Component-wise Validation of Amplitude Encoding within Quantum Amplitude Estimation
Quantum Amplitude Estimation (QAE) is a fundamental component of many quantum computing algorithms and applications. The practical implementation of QAE workflows on current Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) platforms requires accurate probability amplitude representation and reliable measurement recovery. Understanding the behavior of individual computational stages is therefore essential for improving the overall performance of practical quantum estimation procedures. This study presents a component-wise validation of the amplitude encoding process within a controlled quantum simulation environment. The experimental implementation was developed using the Qiskit framework, where classical probability values were encoded into single-qubit quantum states through parameterized rotation operations and subsequently recovered from measurement statistics. A systematic evaluation was performed across the probability interval from 0.1 to 0.9 using 8192 measurement shots for each experiment. The experimental results demonstrate that the recovered measurement probabilities closely match the corresponding target values throughout the investigated domain. Statistical evaluation produced a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.003521, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 1.67 × 10⁻⁵, and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.004087, indicating high numerical consistency under ideal simulation conditions. The findings suggest that the amplitude encoding stage accurately represents classical probability values and provides a reliable baseline for studying more advanced quantum estimation workflows. The component-wise validation methodology adopted in this work offers a practical framework for investigating individual stages of quantum algorithms and supports future research on hybrid quantum-classical processing strategies for NISQ-era quantum computing.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ramzi Ganoni, Farhat Zargoun, Marwa Swidan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Short Review of Harmful Ingredients in Toothpastes and Their Health Effects
Various microbial communities affect the progression of gingivitis and periodontitis, with more than 700 microbial species located within the oral cavity. Toothpaste is an abrasive-based product present in different forms, such as a paste, gel, foam, or liquid, containing both active and non-active ingredients. It plays a role in oral health, prevention of dental decay, and maintenance of oral hygiene through its anti-plaque and antimicrobial properties. Although toothpastes exhibit health-beneficial properties, the majority of toothpastes' compositions contain specific ingredients that can cause adverse effects or cytotoxic responses as a result of misuse, or some individuals are allergic to certain ingredients. Due to the rapid increase in the market for toothpastes, it is essential to evaluate the chemical composition and advantages or disadvantages of oral hygiene products. This article addresses recent data about harmful toothpaste ingredients and their impact on oral and body health.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jamila Nuwayji Agob https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Formal Specifications of Context-Aware Systems using the Calculus of Context-Aware Ambient
A context-aware laboratory system (CaLab) proposes several services in smart laboratories, including automating critical functions such as accurate attendance logging, intelligent energy management, and personalized instructional setup. The CaLab system is designed to adapt intelligently to user and environmental context. The behavioral rules, contextual relationships, and adaptive processes of the CaLab System are defined to support accurate simulation and validation. This paper proposes the formal specification and simulation of the Context-aware Computer Laboratory System. The formal specification ensures the logical correctness and integrity of the design. The Calculus of Context-aware Ambients (CCA, in short) is adopted as the formal modelling language. CCA provides a structured framework for representing the contextual interactions and adaptive processes within ubiquitous computing environments. The Generic Context-Aware Architectural Framework provides a robust structure for translating the CCA rules into a modular system. A Python simulation is utilized for validating the behavior of the proposed system, which provides a controlled evaluation of its capabilities. The main objective of this work is to deliver a formally verified, scalable, and intelligent framework that significantly enhances the operational quality and resource efficiency of university computer laboratories. Furthermore, a formal specification of a CA system using CCA can be translated into any high-level programming language.
Copyright (c) 2026 Najat Atbaiga, Ghazala Jabir, Mabroka Al-Shebany https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Modeling and Simulation of Dust-Induced Cross-Polarization Based on Differential Phase Shift in Terrestrial and Earth–Satellite Links
This paper presents analytical models for estimating cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) in dust-laden propagation environments over Libya. Two models are formulated based on differential phase shift (DPS): a terrestrial model for ground-based links and a satellite model for slant-path Earth–satellite links. The models incorporate key propagation parameters, including operating frequency, visibility, link distance, elevation angle, and dust storm height. The results show that XPD decreases with increasing frequency and dust concentration, while improving significantly with higher visibility. Under severe dust conditions (V ≈ 0.01 Km), XPD falls below 15 dB, indicating strong depolarization, whereas values exceeding 30 dB are obtained under clearer atmospheric conditions. These findings provide practical engineering insights into link performance degradation in Libyan environments. The developed models provide a physically consistent and region-specific framework for the design and optimization of reliable terrestrial and Earth–satellite communication systems operating under dust-laden propagation environments
Copyright (c) 2026 Fowzi Alarabi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Surface Treatments on the Translucency and Color Stability of Zirconia-Based Dental Restorations
This in vitro study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrofluoric acid etching and sandblasting on the TP and ΔE values of zirconia-based dental restorations. Twenty zirconia discs were randomly divided between the hydrofluoric acid and sandblasting groups. A spectrophotometer was used to measure color coordinates and translucency before and after surface treatment. Statistical analysis consisted of paired and independent-samples t-tests and two-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). For translucency and color stability, neither surface treatment had a significant effect (P>0.05). Sandblasting resulted in a higher mean ΔE than hydrofluoric acid etching, as the difference was not statistically significant. Optical properties of zirconia were primarily dictated by its intrinsic material characteristics rather than its surface condition.
Copyright (c) 2026 Salima Aoun, Nora Adem, Hend Elkawash, Haytham Alsubayhay https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Efficacy, Anatomical Site Variations, and Compliance Barriers of Narrowband UVB Phototherapy in Libyan Vitiligo Patients
Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) remains a first-line therapy for generalized vitiligo, yet real-world outcome data from North Africa are limited. We conducted a retrospective clinical audit of 54 documented Libyan vitiligo cases treated with NB-UVB. Demographic, clinical, anatomical, and follow-up variables were retrospectively collected from the medical records of the dermatology outpatient clinic. Categorical variables were expressed using frequencies alongside their corresponding percentages. Associations with clinically meaningful response (VASI improvement ≥50%) were examined using chi-square testing, Monte Carlo exact p-values where expected counts were small, and Kruskal-Wallis testing for non-parametric group comparisons. Mean age was 34.8 ± 16.4 years; 28 patients (51.9%) were male. Non-segmental disease predominated (45/54, 83.3%). The median VASI improvement was 62.5%, and 38 patients (70.4%) achieved ≥50% improvement. Hands (34/54, 63.0%) and feet (33/54, 61.1%) were the commonest sites, while acral resistance was documented in 22 cases (40.7%). Regular dermatologist follow-up showed numerically better response than irregular follow-up (82.6% vs 46.7%; Monte Carlo exact p=0.053). Treatment fatigue was uncommon (4/54, 7.4%) but strongly linked to poor response (Monte Carlo exact p=0.034). NB-UVB produced meaningful repigmentation in most audited Libyan patients, but residual acral resistance and follow-up barriers limited optimal outcomes. Strengthening continuity of care and early counseling on treatment fatigue may improve effectiveness.
Copyright (c) 2026 Salwa Abdal Hamied Abdaljawad, Buthuynah Sulayman Omar, Eman Belkacem Abdelhamid https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0