An-Najah Staff

A method for estimating the population size of the Palestinians in  West Bank (WB) and Gaza Strip (GS) is proposed. Given the fact that the  only comprehensive census in these two areas was made by the Israeli  Occupation Authorities in 1967, our method is based on a mathematical  model and on some reliable figures such as the numbers of students in  schools taken from these two areas. Sensitivity is studied, in particular  elasticity between the estimated size of the considered population and  its growth rate, has been discussed. Finally, Several comparisons were  made between our estimates and those made by four main Israeli sources.  Three levels estimates were calculated, namely the minimum, medium  and maximum of population size in WB and GS. These three levels are  estimated up to the year 2010 . Thus our proposed model can serve as a  flexible substitute for an absent census or/and as a concrete basis for any  future census.   

A method for estimating the population size of the Palestinians in West Bank (WB) and Gaza Strip (GS) is proposed. Given the fact that the only comprehensive census in these two areas was made by the Israeli Occupation Authorities in  1967, our method is based on a mathematical model and on some reliable figures such as the numbers of students in schools taken from these two areas. Sensitivity is studied, in particular   elasticity between the estimated  size of the   considered population and its growth rate, has been discussed. Finally, Several comparisons were made between our estimates and those made by four main Israeli sources. Three levels estimates were calculated, namely the minimum, medium and maximum of population size in WB and GS. These three levels are estimated up to the year 2010 . Thus our proposed model can serve as a flexible substitute for an absent census or/and as a concrete basis for any future census.

The effect of infrared laser of wavelength (λ=1064 nm), pulse energy of 40 mJ/pulse at a repetition rate of 10 Hz, on the activation energy of CR-39 polymer, solid state nuclear track detector, has been investigated. Fifteen detectors were divided into three sets of equal numbers. The first set (un-exposed to laser beam), used as a reference set, was irradiated in close contact with an alpha source (²⁴¹Am). The second set (post-exposed) was first exposed to alpha radiation in close contact to the same ²⁴¹Am source and then treated in air with laser at energy intensity 8 J/cm². For the third set (pre-exposed), the process was reversed (laser+alpha) under the same conditions. The activation energies of bulk etch (E_B) for unexposed, post-exposed and pre-exposed are found to be equal to 0.98, 0.91, and 1.0 eV, respectively. The respective activation energies of track etch (E_T) for unexposed, post-exposed and pre-exposed are found to be equal to 0.71, 0.75, and 0.97 eV. These results show that E_B for post-exposed and pre-exposed samples remain, to within the experimental uncertainty, comparable to that of un-exposed sample which indicates that laser irradiation has a small effect on E_B. Also, the results of E_T for post-exposed and un-exposed samples are in close proximity with a slight increase for the former. The increase in E_T of pre-exposed CR-39 polymer due to IR exposure is discussed on the basis of cross linking processes occurring during the exposure. This increase in E_T leads to the hardening of the detector material of the pre-exposed sample. The hardening of the detector material is crucial in applications of CR-39 polymer such as in cosmic ray and cold fusion research.

Purpose The present study examines the relationship between the dose of acetaminophen reported to have been ingested by patients and the occurrence of serum acetaminophen levels above the ‘possible toxicity’ line in patients presenting at the hospital after acetaminophen overdose. The prognostic value of patient-reported dosage cut-offs of 8, 10 and 12 g was determined.
Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to the emergency department or hospital within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion. Serum acetaminophen concentrations were considered to be the gold standard, and specificity, sensitivity and positive/negative predictive values were calculated from the reported ingested dose, to predict toxicity using the Rumack–Matthew nomogram (i.e. the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line) and standard equations.
Results Of 305 patients identified, 291 met the study inclusion criteria, and 121 (41.6%) had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line. The range of patient-reported acetaminophen ingested was 1–75 g, with 185 patients (63.6%) reporting ≥8 g. One hundred eighteen patients (97.5%) who reported ingesting ≥8 g had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘150-line’, compared with only three patients (2.5%) who reported ingesting <8 g (p <  0.001). The positive predictive value of a patient-reported dose ≥8 g for predicting serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line was 63.78%, with a negative predictive value of 97.17%. The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥8 g was high (97.52%) but with low specificity (60.59%). The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥10 g also was high (89.26%) with low specificity (65.29%), whereas the sensitivity of ≥12 g dose was low (61.16%) with high specificity (86.47%).
Conclusions Patient-reported doses of acetaminophen are good risk indicators for acetaminophen overdose patients in Malaysia. Patient-reported ingestion of ≥8 g (as a cut-off dose) had a higher sensitivity than ≥10 g or ≥12 g. The results of this study have important implications for toxicity risk evaluations in areas with poor serum acetaminophen assay availability.

The effect of infrared laser of wavelength (λ=1064 nm), pulse energy of 40 mJ/pulse at a repetition rate of 10 Hz, on the activation energy of CR-39 polymer, solid state nuclear track detector, has been investigated. Fifteen detectors were divided into three sets of equal numbers. The first set (un-exposed to laser beam), used as a reference set, was irradiated in close contact with an alpha source (241Am). The second set (post-exposed) was first exposed to alpha radiation in close contact to the same 241Am source and then treated in air with laser at energy intensity 8 J/cm2. For the third set (pre-exposed), the process was reversed (laser+alpha) under the same conditions. The activation energies of bulk etch (EB) for unexposed, post-exposed and pre-exposed are found to be equal to 0.98, 0.91, and 1.0 eV, respectively. The respective activation energies of track etch (ET) for unexposed, post-exposed and pre-exposed are found to be equal to 0.71, 0.75, and 0.97 eV.These results show that EB for post-exposed and pre-exposed samples remain, to within the experimental uncertainty, comparable to that of un-exposed sample which indicates that laser irradiation has a small effect on EB. Also, the results of ET for post-exposed and un-exposed samples are in close proximity with a slight increase for the former. The increase in ET of pre-exposed CR-39 polymer due to IR exposure is discussed on the basis of cross linking processes occurring during the exposure. This increase in ET leads to the hardening of the detector material of the pre-exposed sample. The hardening of the detector material is crucial in applications of CR-39 polymer such as in cosmic ray and cold fusion research.

Purpose The present study examines the relationship between the dose of acetaminophen reported to have been ingested by patients and the occurrence of serum acetaminophen levels above the ‘possible toxicity’ line in patients presenting at the hospital after acetaminophen overdose. The prognostic value of patient-reported dosage cut-offs of 8, 10 and 12 g was determined.
Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to the emergency department or hospital within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion. Serum acetaminophen concentrations were considered to be the gold standard, and specificity, sensitivity and positive/negative predictive values were calculated from the reported ingested dose, to predict toxicity using the Rumack–Matthew nomogram (i.e. the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line) and standard equations.
Results Of 305 patients identified, 291 met the study inclusion criteria, and 121 (41.6%) had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line. The range of patient-reported acetaminophen ingested was 1–75 g, with 185 patients (63.6%) reporting ≥8 g. One hundred eighteen patients (97.5%) who reported ingesting ≥8 g had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘150-line’, compared with only three patients (2.5%) who reported ingesting <8 g (p <  0.001). The positive predictive value of a patient-reported dose ≥8 g for predicting serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line was 63.78%, with a negative predictive value of 97.17%. The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥8 g was high (97.52%) but with low specificity (60.59%). The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥10 g also was high (89.26%) with low specificity (65.29%), whereas the sensitivity of ≥12 g dose was low (61.16%) with high specificity (86.47%).
Conclusions Patient-reported doses of acetaminophen are good risk indicators for acetaminophen overdose patients in Malaysia. Patient-reported ingestion of ≥8 g (as a cut-off dose) had a higher sensitivity than ≥10 g or ≥12 g. The results of this study have important implications for toxicity risk evaluations in areas with poor serum acetaminophen assay availability.

Purpose: The present study examines the relationship between the dose of acetaminophen reported to have been ingested by patients and the occurrence of serum acetaminophen levels above the ‘possible toxicity’ line in patients presenting at the hospital after acetaminophen overdose. The prognostic value of patient-reported dosage cut-offs of 8, 10 and 12 g was determined.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to the emergency department or hospital within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion. Serum acetaminophen concentrations were considered to be the gold standard, and specificity, sensitivity and positive/negative predictive values were calculated from the reported ingested dose, to predict toxicity using the Rumack–Matthew nomogram (i.e. the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line) and standard equations.
Results Of 305 patients identified, 291 met the study inclusion criteria, and 121 (41.6%) had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line. The range of patient-reported acetaminophen ingested was 1–75 g, with 185 patients (63.6%) reporting ≥8 g. One hundred eighteen patients (97.5%) who reported ingesting ≥8 g had serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘150-line’, compared with only three patients (2.5%) who reported ingesting <8 g (p <  0.001). The positive predictive value of a patient-reported dose ≥8 g for predicting serum acetaminophen concentrations above the ‘possible toxicity’ treatment line was 63.78%, with a negative predictive value of 97.17%. The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥8 g was high (97.52%) but with low specificity (60.59%). The sensitivity of patient-reported doses ≥10 g also was high (89.26%) with low specificity (65.29%), whereas the sensitivity of ≥12 g dose was low (61.16%) with high specificity (86.47%).
Conclusions:  Patient-reported doses of acetaminophen are good risk indicators for acetaminophen overdose patients in Malaysia. Patient-reported ingestion of ≥8 g (as a cut-off dose) had a higher sensitivity than ≥10 g or ≥12 g. The results of this study have important implications for toxicity risk evaluations in areas with poor serum acetaminophen assay availability.