Blockchain Mobile Wallet with Secure Offline Transactions

There has been an increase in the adoption of mobile payment systems worldwide in the past few years.However,poor Internet connection in rural regions continues to be an obstacle to the widespread use of such technologies.On top of that,there are significant problems with the currently available offline wallets;for instance,the payee cannot verify the number of coins received without access to the Internet.Additionally,it has been demonstrated that some existing systems are susceptible to false token generation,and some do not even permit the user to divide the offline token into smaller portions to be used as change.This paper proposes a blockchainbased wallet system that provides a secure mobile payment service even if a user cannot access a reliable Internet connection.Our approach relies on Bluetooth and digital signatures to establish and build a trust connection between the parties.The proposed solution overcomes the main limitations of existing systems that use offline transactions,such as the generation of fake offline tokens and the indivisibility of offline tokens.The user buys Offline Tokens(OTs)from a server called an Offline Token Manager(OTM)to use them later to perform offline transactions.Each mobile device must store a single,signed offline token transaction to prevent fake tokens.On the other hand,all offline transactions will be kept as a history in a particular local database.Finally,when the receiver becomes online,it will send a convert request to the OTMto change the value of the OTs to the appropriate amount in real coins.This step requires a connection to the Internet.To evaluate the effectiveness of the system,the Solidity programming language was used to develop a smart contract on the Ethereum blockchain with a backend application programming interface(API)and an android mobile application.The proposed method has an advantage over other prominent wallets.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

Checklist of the Birds of the Gaza Strip—Palestine

Bird fauna checklists are important tools in ecology, biology, and conservation planning for scientists, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Despite its small area, the Gaza Strip (365 km2) has a relatively large variety of resident and migratory bird fauna. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide an updated checklist of all bird fauna living in or inhabiting the Gaza Strip. Direct field observations using binoculars, continuous visits to zoos, pet stores and biology museums, discussion with bird hunters, follow-up of news and social networking sites, review of scientific publications and photography were the main tools to satisfy the purpose of the study. At least 250 bird species collected from different sources occur in the Gaza Strip and are included in the checklist. This list will not be static, but is inevitably subject to additions and changes in the face of times. The current 250 bird species of the Gaza Strip represent 45.4% of the 551 species of birds living in Palestine. The bird species were found to belong to 21 orders and 61 families. The Passeriformes (passerines) represented the largest order with 96 species of birds (38.4%), followed by the Charadriiformes 54 (21.6%), the Accipitriformes 18 (7.2%), Anseriformes 17 (6.8%) and Pelecaniformes 14 (5.6%), while the other orders represented the remaining percentage (20.4%). With regard to families, the Scolopacidae represented the largest family with 22 species of birds (8.8%), followed by the Anatidae and Accipitridae 17 for each (6.8%), the Muscicapidae 16 (6.4%) and Chariidridae and Fringillidae 11 for each (4.4%), while the other families represented the remaining percentage (62.4%). According to the IUCN regional threat categories, 226 species (90.4%) were Least Concern (LC), 12 (4.8%) were Near Threatened (NT), 6 (2.4%) were Vulnerable (VU), 4 (1.6%) were Endangered (EN) and 2 (0.8%) were Critically Endangered (CR). In conclusion, the study recommends a sustainable control of bird hunting and trafficking in addition to building prestigious centers and museums for studying and documenting birds in the Gaza Strip.

Modeling the Impact of Land-Use Change on Water Budget of Gaza Strip

Gaza has a water crisis and faces serious challenges for the future sustainability of its water resources. Land-use change has an expected effect on water budget of the Gaza Strip. Three different land cover scenarios;the and cover of 2007, land cover of 2020, and full urbanization land cover were simulated independently using The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool which work under the umbrella of GIS. In general, the simulation results indicate that land-cover changes will significantly alter the hydrologic response of Gaza region. Percolation is expected to decrease in all options as urban areas are expanded where as the simulated surface runoff reflected a relative departure from the first scenario comparing with other scenarios. In the baseline scenario (2007), the simulated surface runoff and percolation represent 12% and 41% respectively from the water budget components of the Gaza Strip. In year 2020, these values were expected by the simulation results to be 20% and 27% respectively. A unique linear relationship between the relative change in urban area and the corresponding relative change in surface water has been investigated from the simulation results. The analysis of the three urbanization scenarios can give decision makers better understand for the future situation and assist them to advance towards achieving sustainable development planning for water resources system in the Gaza Strip.

Using Cellular Automata-Markov Analysis and Multi Criteria Evaluation for Predicting the Shape of the Dead Sea

In order to make a rational prediction of the Dead Sea shape, data were prepared for suitability map creation using Markov Chain analysis and Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE). Then, Markov Cellular Automata model and spatial statistics were used in prediction and validation processes. The validation process shows a standard Kappa index of 0.9545 which means a strong relation between the model and reality. The predicted shapes of years 2020, 2030 and 2040 follow the same conditions from 1984 to 2010. The predicted areas of 2020, 2030 and 2040 are 610, 591 and 574 km2 which are considered a logical extension of the trend from 1984 till 2010. This study can be used as an environmental alert in order to keep the Dead Sea alive. Moreover, Markov-Cellular Automata model can be used to predict closed seas as the Dead Sea from remote sensed data.

Mothers’ Knowledge of Health Caring for Premature Infants after Discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. Hence, this study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Methods: A Quantitative-based cross-sectional designs study was used to survey 120 mothers of preterm neonates at the time of preterm neonates discharge by face-to-face interview at Al-Shifa medical complex and Nasser hospital between February and June 2018. Results: The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and mother’s sociodemographic characteristics (P-values > 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of premature infants care was not at the optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity of thoughtful exchange of health information between team members and mothers and establishing pre- and post-discharge plans with mothers to start their healthy transition of preterm neonate to home and to ameliorate family concerns.

The healthcare environment—The importance of aesthetic surroundings: Health professionals’ experiences from a surgical ward in Finland

There is a growing acceptance of the vital role patient centered design plays in shaping the environment. Art can be of use in every area of health care. It is within the power of each person to share and interpret experience by means of the arts, by viewing the work of others, and by using feelings and imagination. Health professionals [n = 24 of a total of n = 35], answered the Wheel Questionnaire test instrument. It measures structure, motivation/engagement, and degree of emotional investment in a situation. Participants were requested to describe, in their own words, their perception of the enrichment of the ward interiordesign and the double-sided photos with a short poetic text, and the photo-book placed at each patient room. The results demonstrate that participants are motivated, structured and emotionally engaged when describing the new enrichment. The domains and themes are: Social interaction domain;rising thoughts and conversations. Comfort domain;atmosphere. Aesthetic do main;enrichment of the working environment. It could be concluded that the surgical ward environmental enrichment stimulated conversations between health professionals and between health professionals and patients and should be regarded as an important aspect in hospital planning.

Occurrence and Some Ecological Aspects of the Golden Jackal (<i>Canis aureus</i>Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758), which belongs to the Canidae family, is an opportunist carnivore in the Gaza Strip (365 square kilometers). The current study aims at giving notes on the occurrence and some ecological aspects of the species in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The study, which lasted 14 years (2007-2020), is descriptive and cumulative in its style. It was based on frequent field visits, direct observations and meetings and discussions with wildlife hunters, farmers and other stakeholders. The findings of the study show that Gazans are familiar with the Golden Jackal to the extent that a Gazan family holds the Arabic name of the animal, which is “Wawi”. The Golden Jackal was sometimes encountered and hunted in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip, which are characterized by the presence of wilderness areas, intensive agriculture, poultry pens and solid waste landfills. Like other a few mammalian faunas, the adult Golden Jackals enter the Gaza Strip through gaps in or burrows beneath the metal borders separating the Gaza Strip from the rest of the Palestinian Territories and Egypt. Gaza zoos were found to harbor tens of Golden Jackals trapped or hunted by clever wildlife hunters using different means such as wire cages known locally as “maltash” and foothold traps with metal jaws that may cause lesions to the trapped animals. Poisoning and shooting were also common methods used to control the jackals and other carnivores causing harm to agriculture and livestock. The animal was known among the Gazans as an omnivore, feeding on wild and domestic animals in addition to plant materials, garbage and carrions. In conclusion, the study recommends the need to raise ecological awareness to preserve the Golden jackal and to adopt safe control measures for jackals and other carnivores, including the construction of protective fences for agricultural fields and animal pens.

Using GIS for Time Series Analysis of the Dead Sea from Remotely Sensing Data

Developed tools of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System are rapidly spread in recent years in order to manage natural resources and to monitor environmental changes. This research aims to study the spatial behavior of the Dead Sea through time. To achieve this aim, time series analysis has been performed to track this behavior. For this purpose, fifteen satellite imageries are collected from 1972 to 2013 in addition to 2011-ASTGTM-DEM. Then, the satellite imageries are radiometrically and atmospherically corrected. Geographic Information system and Remote Sensing techniques are used for the spatio-temporal analysis in order to detect changes in the Dead Sea area, shape, water level, and volume. The study shows that the Dead Sea shrinks by 2.9 km2/year while the water level decreases by 0.65 m/year. Consequently, the volume changes by –0.42 km3/year. The study has also concluded that the direction of this shrinkage is from the north, northwest and from the south direction of the northern part due to the nature of the bathymetric slopes. In contrast, no shrinkage is detected from the east direction due to the same reason since the bathymetric slope is so sharp. The use of the Dead Sea water for industrial purposes by both Israel and Jordan is one of the essential factors that affect the area of the Dead Sea. The intensive human water consumption from the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers for other usages is another main reason of this shrinkage in the area as well.

How do Patients with Schizophrenia Perceive Relatives’ Levels of Expressed Emotions? A Brief Patient Rated Scale

Background : Patients’ perspective on relatives’ attitude and behaviour towards them (Expressed emotion—EE) may be an important addition to the current focus on relatives’ perspective only, as measured by Camberwell Family Interview (CFI) or other methods. Based on the theory of EE, we have designed a brief, three-item questionnaire completed by patients, named Felt Expressed Emotion Rating Scale (FEERS). FEERS measures the patient’s experience of criticism (Cri) and emotional over involvement (i.e. worry (Wo), and control (Con). Aims: To investigate the test-retest reliability of the FEERS and associations between the FEERS and the CFI and to which extent FEERS scores were modified by severity of psychotic symptoms, cognitive function, patient mood and amount of face-to-face contact with relatives. Methods : Forty-five patients with schizophrenia and related psychoses admitted to a psychiatric hospital and 67 relatives were included. Assessments included FEERS, CFI and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results : FEERS-Cri test-retest intra-class correlation (ICC1,1) was 0.71 among patients with low total PANSS scores, low cognitive impairment (0.59) and depression (0.63). For low levels of cognitive impairment, the ICCs of the FEERS-Wo and the FEERS-Con were 0.62 and 0.83, respectively. The FEERS-Cri and FEERSHowWo correlated significantly with CFI-CC and CFI-positive comments, respectively. Among the relatives that the patient deemed “not at all critical” (low FEERS-Cri scores), 94% had low CFI-CC levels. Conclusions : The FEERS may be a brief, time-saving alternative for identifying relatives with low levels of criticism. However, illness severity, cognitive function and mood influence FEERS test-retest reliability and link to CFI.

The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip(365 km^(2))of Palestine(27,000 km^(2))is home to a wealth of terrestrial vertebrate fauna.Some of these faunistic species find their ways to preservation at the local universities.Hence,the current study comes to document the Palestinian terrestrial vertebrate fauna acquired by the biology exhibitions(BEs)of Al-Azhar University,Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University that are located at the Gaza City of the Gaza Strip.The amphibians,reptiles,birds and mammals preserved at BEs of the universities in question were surveyed and scientifically classified during a three-month period extending from January to March,2012.The study showed that all BEs of local universities are underdeveloped,lacking attention and suffer from specimen scarcity and good preservation.The BE at Al-Azhar University is the best in the arrangement and preservation of bird specimens.A total number of 200 specimens belonging to 54 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species,39 families and 17 orders was recorded at BEs.Reptiles constituted 40.7%of the total species recorded,followed by birds(38.9%),mammals(14.8%)and amphibians(5.6%).The Islamic University of Gaza was considered the best in terms of the number of preserved species(39.8%),followed by Al-Azhar University(36.3%)and Al-Aqsa University(23.9%).The Common Toad(Bufo viridis)was the most preserved among the amphibian species recorded.Squamata was the biggest reptilian order,comprising 20 species(8 lizards and 12 snakes),with the Syrian Black Snake(Coluber jugularis asianus)was the commonest.The Palestine Viper(Vipera palaestinae)is endemic to Palestine and most venomous and dangerous to human health.The Great White Pelican(Pelecanus onocrotalus)was the largest Palestinian bird preserved at BE of Al-Azhar University.The Egyptian Mongoose(Herpestes ichneumon)and the Common Badger(Meles meles)were the biggest mammalian specimens preserved,while the Palestine Mole-rat(Spalax leucodon ehrenbergi)was the only Palestine endemic species encountered among the preserved mammals.Finally,the improvement of BEs of local universities and the construction of a Central Museum of Natural History is highly recommended in order to change the Palestinians’attitudes toward a sustainable ecological conservation in the Gaza Strip.

Treating extended stage IV ischial pressure ulcer in patient with spinal cord injury utilizing a multidisciplinary approach:a case report

Background:Pressure ulcers are one of the most common and dangerous sequelae of spinal cord injuries.Pressure ulcers treatment represents one of the most challenging clinical problems faced by clinicians.Method:This report examines a case of complicated stage-4 pressure ulcers in a young adult who had gunshot injury in his spine above T-11 level treated following a multidisciplinary approach.A multidisciplinary team formulated a multifaceted program that includes meticulous pressure relief program,wound care and flap reconstructive surgery,osteomyelitis treatment,nutrition optimization,post-operative physiotherapy,patient education,and psychological support,that recruited for this patient over the course of his stay at our unit.Results:During the third day postoperatively showed good blood circulation without necrosis or hematoma and site of ulcer completely has healed.Conclusion:Implementation of a multidisciplinary approach was key to optimizing surgical outcomes in spinal cord injury patients who have pressure sores,achieving a low recurrence rate and reducing readmissions.

Docosahexaenoic Acid in Breast Milk Reflects Maternal Fish Intake in Iranian Mothers

To estimate essential fatty acid (FA) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) concentrations in early breast milk (BM) in relation to habitual fish intake. BM was collected within 72-hours after delivery from consecutively included mothers, 60 in Guilan (coastal) and 60 in Kermanshah (inland) provinces. Mothers were interviewed to com-plete a food frequency questionnaire. The FA composition was measured with gas chromatography. Mothers in the coastal area had higher intake of fish/seafood. Consumption of saturated fat was higher in Kermanshah and olive intake was higher in Guilan. High fish/seafood intake was associated with higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and lower arachidonic acid (AA)/DHA ratio in BM. There were no differences in linoleic and α-linolenic acid concentrations in BM between the provinces. N-3 FA and DHA concentration were significantly higher in Guilan than Kermanshah, but total n-6 FAs and AA did not differ and were high in both provinces. The ratios of total n-6/n-3 and AA/DHA in BM of mothers from Guilan were significantly lower than those in Kermanshah. The LCPUFA status in BM in two Iranian provinces was generally good and DHA was higher and the AA/DHA was significantly lower in mothers with high fish intake.

Identity Processes, Depression, and the Aging Self<br/>—A Norwegian Study

The Identity Process Theory is a theory of how people adapt to aging. According to this theory, older people attribute their physical functioning to a more variable state of health or to their age. Health attributions per se help older people avoid negative thoughts and feelings about themselves and their own process of aging. We explored health versus age attributions, and their effects upon depressive symptoms and negativity toward aging among 359 older Norwegians (age range = 60 - 91 years of age). Aging pertained to psychosocial loss, physical change, and psychological growth. Data collected in the 2004 WHOQOL-OLD Norwegian Field Study were analyzed by using a MANOVA and a validatory path analysis. Our findings consistently supported health attributions in relation to psychosocial loss (X2 = 20.37, df = 10, p = 0.03;GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.05), physical change (X2 = 35.03, df = 14, p = 0.000;GFI = 0.97, AGFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06), and psychological growth (X2 = 22.22, df = 13, p = 0.05;GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.04). Health attributions increased participants’ depressive symptoms and negativity toward aging, especially toward psychosocial loss (β= -?0.45, p = 0.000) and physical change (β= - 0.48, p = 0.000). We relate these theoretically contradictory findings to Norwegian cultural beliefs and values. We make recommendations for research, including normalizing depressive symptoms and cross-cultural investigations.

Exercise and pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.Are there any associations?

Background: To date, there is scant knowledge and inconsistent results about physical activity, exercise and job strain in relation to pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Hence, the aims of the present study were: 1) determine prevalence of PGP and severe PGP during pregnancy and 2) compare background and lifestyle factors in addition to total physical activity level (at work, commuting, housework and recreational exercise) in those who experienced PGP and those who did not in pregnancy. Methods: Healthy pregnant women (n = 467) were allocated to the study from Oslo University Hospital, Norway. The participants filled in a validated self-administered questionnaire, Physical-Activity-Pregnancy-Questionnaire (PAPQ) in gestation-week 32 - 36. The questionnaire contained 53 questions with nine specific questions addressing PGP. The key question on PGP was asked cross-sectionally and also posed retrospectively for pre-pregnancy, 1st and 2nd trimester (During this pregnancy, did you experience any PGP?) (“Yes versus No”). Results: More than half of the women (57.5%) reported to suffer from PGP, with 18.4% reporting severe PGP. Compared the no-PGP group, women with PGP were significantly more likely to be sick-listed, multiparous, they perceived their job to be physically demanding, as well as had physically demanding household chores, including childcare. In addition, they were more prone to have experienced PGP in previous pregnancies and suffered from urinary incontinence (UI) in the current pregnancy. Most women with severe PGP reported to be sedentary in the 3rd trimester;however they performed more strengthening exercises at home than the women without PGP. Severe PGP also showed an association with standing/walking ≥50% at work. Conclusion: Women who exercised regularly in the 3rd trimester were less likely to report PGP, while job strain was associated with higher prevalence of PGP. There is a need for a prospective study with larger sample size to further evaluate if exercise has any causal association with PGP.

Voluntary Work for Public Health——Older Volunteers’ Participation in a Norwegian Society ——Motivation Factors for Participating——Enrich Life and Positive for Health

Today there is a decreasing interest in contributing to general organizations. The purpose of this study is to examine participation in volunteer work in a municipality in Norway. The main focus is determinants of motivation factors for participation as well as non-participation. A first step was to conduct a focus group interview. The second step was to make questions for a survey based on the results of the focus group interview in order to provide an overall direction for the survey. A questionnaire was sent to six local organisations in a municipality in Norway. Analysis: Multivariate logistic and linearly regression analysis. Result: The total model was statistical significant, indicating that the model was able to distinguish between volunteers who reported to be respectively happy or not happy. The model explained 36% to 62% of the variance in this variable. The variables made a statistical significant contribution to the model. The strongest predictor of being happy was the variable “energy”. The variable “positive for my health” was the second strongest predictor. “Income” has a reverse association, meaning that the volunteers are less likely to be reported to be happy when their income increases. Network and illness explain years in voluntary work. Conclusion and implications for public health nurses: The present study shows the effectiveness of volunteering for elderly. Thus, it is an important element in public health nurses work to include strategies that focus on program stimulating elderly citizens in the municipality to stay healthy physically and psychologically.

Seasonal fluctuation in the secretion of the antioxidant melatonin is not associated with alterations in sperm DNA damage

A high sperm DNA fragmentation index （DFI） is associated with reduced fertility. DFI is influenced by the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants. A circannual variation in melatonin, an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, could thus impact semen quality and fertility. The association between the major melatonin metabolite, urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin （aMT6s）, and DFI was analyzed in 110 Oslo men （south of the Arctic Circle） and 86 Tromsoe men （north of the Arctic Circle）. Two semen analyses, summer and winter, and four urine samples （early/late summer; early/late winter）, were analyzed. The associations between aMT6s in urine and DFI were characterized in a cross-sectional and longitudinal manner using correlation analysis and linear regression. Regardless of season and location, no significant correlations between aMT6s and DFI were observed. The correlation coefficients for associations between changes over time （early winter-early summer） in aMT6s and DFI were for the total cohort： rho = -0.08 （P = 0.322）, for the Oslo cohort： rho = -0.07 （P = 0.485）, and for the Tromsoe cohort： rho = -0.14 （P = 0.273）, respectively. Similar results were seen when comparing late winter and late summer. There was no any statistically significant correlation between changes over time in aMT6s and DFI for men with DFI below and above the median value （10%）, respectively. The seasonal variation in melatonin excretion seems not to have any impact on DFh