A CONSTRUCTION OF A SEMITOPOLOGICAL SEMIGROUP OF SOFT ULTRAFILTERS

In this paper, we construct a semitopological semigroup consisting entirely of soft ultrafilters.

Assessment of Parasitological Water Quality from House Kitchens and Desalination Plants Filters in Gaza Strip

This study was conducted to assess parasitological water quality from house kitchens and desalination plants filters in Gaza Strip. A total of 420 samples were collected from the five Governorates of Gaza Strip; 300 samples were collected from 100 houses and 120 samples were collected from 40 desalination plants. All samples were examined using direct wet mount, acid fast stain and Polymerase Chain Reaction. The randomlly distributed questionnaire included questions regarding economic and social factors, water sources, reported symptoms and public health. Results revealed that only Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in eight of drinking water samples 1.9% (8/420). Eight samples were positive when using acid-fast stain (Cryptosporidium spp.) in Reverse osmosis (RO) house filters. Using PCR to identify Cryptosporidium spp. (C. parvum and C. hominis), only one sample (0.24%) was positive for C. parvum while there are no positive samples for C. hominis. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the investigated water supplies may require the water utilities and water authorities in Gaza Strip to apply additional monitoring, treatment and/or watershed controls for safe drinking water.

On the Hunting of, and Threats Facing, the Cape Hare (Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

The Cape Hare (Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758) is the only lagomorph in Palestine (27,000 km2). Although it was common in the Gaza Strip 4-5 decades ago, its present occurrence is restricted by several overlapping factors. The current study aims to spotlight the hunting of, and the threats facing, Cape Hares in the Gaza Strip (365 km2). This descriptive study, which lasted 5 years (2016 – 2020), was based on frequent field visits and observations in addition to meetings and discussions with wildlife hunters and farmers. We found that the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip were the main hunting places for Cape Hares. The methods involved in hare hunting included shooting, foothold traps, live traps known locally as "maltash", net walls, pit traps and coursing which involves the use of greyhounds. Wildlife hunters described the hunting of Cape Hares as a complicated task due to its low occurrence, extreme caution, difficulty of tracking it, presence near the Israeli security fence, which poses a danger to hunters, in addition to the great experience and high concentration that such hunting requires. Cape Hares face several threats, some of which are Israeli, and some specific to Gazans and the environment of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli threats include the Israeli security fence which prevents the natural flow of wildlife between the Gaza Strip and the rest of the Palestinian territories, Israeli wars and invasions, and the Israeli spraying of herbicides at the eastern border areas of the Gaza Strip for claimed security reasons which eradicates the plant cover supporting hares and other fauna with shelter and food. The Gazan threats include urban encroachment at the expense of natural habitats, excessive use of chemical pesticides, overhunting of Cape Hares, noticeable increase of opportunistic carnivores feeding on Cape Hares, and weakness of environmental awareness campaigns and laws that protect wildlife. Finally, the study recommends the use of all possible means to sustainably protect and conserve wildlife including Cape Hares in the Gaza Strip.

The Spectrum of Elements of a Complex Normed Hyperalgebra

In this paper, we present new results of the spectrum of elements of a complex normed hyper-algebra. Also, we study the unitization and the quasi-inverse of a normed hyperalgebra without a unit element. Moreover, we prove that if X is a complex normed normal hyperalgebra without a unit element and Y is the unitization X + C of X. Then σY ((x, 0)) ⊆ σX(x).

On the Hunting of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix Linnaeus, 1758) Along the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip – Palestine

Palestine is a major route for migratory birds coming from Europe to Africa and vice versa. Both migratory and resident birds are commonly hunted for different purposes using different means in the Gaza Strip. The current descriptive study, which is the first of its kind, aims at introducing information on the hunting of the Common Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, which is a 365 km2 arid to semi-arid coastal zone lying in the southern part of the Palestinian coast along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2015, frequent field visits and discussions with bird hunters and other stakeholders have been carried out to get more information on quail hunting. Annually, hundreds of trammel or mist nets with camouflaging colors, having a height of about 2.5 meters and a distance of 100-200 meters off the coastline, are cleverly placed along the beach to hunt Common Quails and other non-target birds. Guns are used in hunting of quails scattering among inland low-growing vegetation types. The Common Quail is a source of livelihood for dozens of Gazan families, though it does not generate large sums throughout its hunting season. For several reasons, quail hunters claimed that the current quantities of Common Quails reaching the Gaza Strip do not exceed 20% of the amount that arrived 30-40 years ago. Along with the Common Quail, 50 migratory and resident bird species, with passerines making their half, were found to be incidentally caught in quail nets. Because of its feeding and healthy values, the demand of Gazans on Quail and its eggs is increasing day by day, and as a result, quail breeding was found to be a successful task in the Gaza Strip. The goodness of wild quail is many times greater than its farmed counterpart. The price of wild quail is USD 6-7 per pair, while the farmed counterpart is about USD 2 per pair. Finally, bird hunting should be regulated in the Gaza Strip in order to conserve wildlife in a sustainable fashion.

Hepcidin Status among Iron Deficient Anemic Pregnant Women in Gaza strip: A Case Control Study

Background: Hepcidin, a peptide hormone composed of 25 amino acids. Hepcidin is synthesized mainly in the liver. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common during pregnancy and is associated with higher maternal morbidity and mortality in Gaza strip. Understanding of hepcidin hormone and its role in iron metabolism could lead to a new sensitive indicator for earlier detection of cases with IDA. Objective: To assess hepcidin status among IDA pregnant women and its relationship with some biochemical variables in Gaza strip. Materials and methods: A case control study comprised 45 IDA pregnant women and 45 apparently healthy pregnant women. Questionnaire interviews were applied among the study population. Serum hepcidin and ferritin were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined photometrically. Complete blood count (CBC) was also performed. Transferrin and transferrin saturation were calculated. An approval was obtained from Helsinki committee and ministry of health to conduct this study. Overall data were computer analyzed using SPSS (Ver. 18). Results: The mean levels of serum hepcidin, iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin in cases were significantly lower compared to those of controls (2.6±4 ng/ml, 63.2±25.3 µg/dl, 15.6±8.0% and 8.0±9.7 ng/ml versus 7.5±7.3 ng/ml, 77.7±22.9 µg/dl, 23.5±8.0% and 15.4±14.3 ng/ml respectively with P=0.000). The Pearson correlation test showed that positive significant correlations between hepcidin levels and serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (P<0.001). On the other hand, negative significant correlations were showed with TIBC and transferrin (P<0.001). Conclusions: Serum hepcidin level has a relationship with anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, monitoring of hepcidin levels can play an important role in management of anemia among pregnant women.

Updates on palliative care: what, for whom, and how?

Palliative care is a new specialty that focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms in patients with serious chronic diseases regardless the diagnosis or the stage of the disease. Palliative care professionals aspire to improve the quality of life for the affected patients, their families and caregivers. This type of care is provided alongside with curative treatment and other interventions that the patient may receive. This study came as a review of the current literature published in scientific peer-reviewed journals and presented as a summary of these studies. This article aims to provide an update on the latest definitions and concept of palliative care, as well as to highlight the various aspects and dimensions of palliative care and the nature of patients who need palliative care. In summary, we can say that palliative care adds a new dimension to health care that is concerned with the quality of life of the patient and his family. Palliative care is not only restricted to cancer survivors but also cares for all patients with chronic diseases that have no cure but their agonizing symptoms can be managed or at least reduced.

CHARACTERIZATION OF DISKCYCLIC OPERATORS

In this article we discuss an interesting idea related to characte rization of diskcyclicity phenomena. We use the Diskcyclic Crit erion to characterize the subsets Γ of ℂ for which the notion of Γ-supe rcyclicity coincides with the notion of diskcyclicity. In particular , we give a complete description of the subset Γ. The necessi ty and sufficiency conditions on the subset Γ were prese nted. Some examples were exhibited to illustrate the proofs and the relationship among different classes of the operators.

Effects of climatic gradient on growth performance, yield components, and chemical composition of lentil legume crop (Lens culinaris Medik)

The main goals of the present study were to characterize, evaluate, compare and determine the suitability of lentil legume crop (Lens culinari Medik., var. Baladi) to different Palestinian agro-ecological locations namely Dora, Al-arroub and Janata. Different morphological traits, yield components and some grain quality parameters were registered. Obtained data were statistically analyzed using MINITAB package system. Results showed highly significant environmental (locations) effects for almost all measured traits. In general, Al-arroub site showed higher morphological and yield values; whereas Janata site presented the lowest values. However, no significant variations were observed for all conducted chemical parameters (dry matter, protein content and ash) among the three examined locations. Drought and the limited water availability are the main factors affecting lentil ontogeny and yield, but not the quality variables. Lentil is not recommended for regions of precipitations lower than 250 mm.

In vitro Anticancer Activity Effect of Extracellular Metabolites of Some Bacterial Species on HeLa Cell Line.

Background: Cancer is still one of the most serious problems that affect human health. Despite the intense efforts to develop treatments, effective agents are still not available. In some cases, conventional therapy could be harmful or fail because of emerging drug resistance. Therefore, the development of novel therapies against cancer is of utmost importance. Assessment of anticancer effects of bacterial metabolites on cancer cells may help in the process of finding new cheap, reliable, contentious and safe cancer therapy. Objective: To determine the anticancer effect of the extracellular metabolites of eight bacterial species on HeLa cell line. Methodology: Extracellular metabolites were prepared by isolating and culturing eight bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactic acid bacteria, Klebsiella, Proteus and E. coli with its phage) in liquid media. Tubes were incubated overnight and centrifuged. Supernatant was filtered and concentrated using Infra-Red concentrator. Different concentrations were prepared and their anticancer effect were evaluated using MTT cell proliferation assay. Results: Results showed variation among the eight bacteria concerning proliferation inhibition against HeLa cells in a time and concentration dependent manner. Pseudomonas and E. coli with its phage revealed considerable anticancer activity with 63% and 86% inhibitory effects (both at 1000 µg\ml) and IC50 of 301 and 1395 µg/dl at 24h respectively. While Proteus and Micrococcus showed low inhibitory effects and S. aureus enhanced the proliferation of HeLa cells at low concentrations. Conclusion: Among the tested bacteria, Pseudomonas and E. coli and its phage gave the best anticancer inhibitory effects against HeLa cells. Further studies using purified components of effective bacteria are recommended.