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Kuwait is investing significantly in the development of coastal infrastructures in many of its coastal areas. It is essential to know the vulnerability of the coast of Kuwait for the future sea level rise and other physically influencing parameters. For this purpose, a detailed study is carried out and the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is established for the Kuwaiti coast including the coasts of Islands. The CVI is assessed based on the data on coastal geomorphology, historical shoreline change rate, landward side of the coastal slope, mean significant wave height, mean tidal range, and the particle size of the sediments along the beach. The total Kuwaiti coastline of 499 km is divided into two groups with a total of 162 coastal segments. Group 1 contains 138 segments and covers the mainland, Boubyan, and Failaka Island. Group 2 contains 24 locations and covers Umm Al-Maradim, Qaru, and Kubbar Islands. Field data collection is carried out for all these segments. From this study, it is found that 5% of the Kuwaiti coastal area in group 1 are very low vulnerable; 34% low vulnerable; 31% moderately vulnerable; 18% highly vulnerable; and 12% are very highly vulnerable. Similar results are obtained for group 2 coastal segments. The results of this study will be useful while preparing the Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan for Kuwaiti coast and for its sustainable coastal infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary assessment on the economic loss due to 1.0 m sea level rise induced inundation for the Kuwait is carried out. Kuwaiti coast of 500 km is divided into 162 segments and landward slope of the coast was assessed based on field measurements of coastal profiles. The prevailing cost of coastal land for all coastal segments are used for economic impact assessment. It is found that 29% of the coastal land in Kuwait is in the very low inundation cost category (less than 20,000 Kuwaiti Dinar (KD)/m of coast length (1 KD = 3.3 US $)); 19% is in the low inundation cost category (20,000 to 50,000 KD/m of coast length); 16% is in the moderate inundation cost category (50,000 to 100,000 KD/m of coast length); 14% in the high inundation cost category (100,000 to 200,000 KD/m of coast length) and 22% is in the very high inundation cost category (greater than 200,000 KD/m of coast length). The total inundation cost due to permanent inundation of coastal land area for 1.0 m sea level rise is 58.726 Billion KD (i.e., 193.8 billion US $), which is equivalent to 3.58 years of income for Kuwait due to crude oil export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scattering of surface gravity waves by a skirt wall breakwater is analysed in two dimensions under the assumption of small-amplitude wave theory. The oscillatory wave past the porous skirt walls is assumed to follow Darcy's law. The boundary value problem is solved using multi-domain boundary element method to obtain the numerical results for the different number of porous skirt walls, relative pontoon width, relative submergence and different porosity of the skirt walls. The study reveals that an increase in the number of skirt walls from one to four can reduce the wave transmission by 61% but at the expense of an increase in horizontal wave force by 90% and decrease in the vertical force by 31%. A minimum of two-skirt walls is needed for reducing wave transmission. Skirt wall porosity of 0.40 is recommended for field applications considering the trade-off between the wave transmission and wave forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New composites made of natural fiber polymers such as wasted date palm surface fiber (DPSF) and pineapple leaf fibers (PALFs) are developed in an attempt to lower the environmental impact worldwide and, at the same time, produce eco-friendly insulation materials. Composite samples of different compositions are obtained using wood adhesive as a binder. Seven samples are prepared: two for the loose natural polymers of PALF and DPSF, two for the composites bound by single materials of PALF and DPSF using wood adhesive as a binder, and three composites of both materials and the binder with different compositions. Sound absorption coefficients (SACs) are obtained for bound and hybrid composite samples for a wide range of frequencies. Flexural moment tests are determined for these composites. A thermogravimetric analysis test (TGA) and the moisture content are obtained for the natural polymers and composites. The results show that the average range of thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.042-0.06 W/(m K), 0.052-0.075 W/(m K), and 0.054-0.07 W/(m K) for the loose fiber polymers, bound composites, and hybrid composites, respectively. The bound composites of DPSF have a very good sound absorption coefficient (>0.5) for almost all frequencies greater than 300 Hz, followed by the hybrid composite ones for frequencies greater than 1000 Hz (SAC > 0.5). The loose fiber polymers of PALF are thermally stable up to 218 °C. Most bound and hybrid composites have a good flexure modulus (6.47-64.16 MPa) and flexure stress (0.43-1.67 Mpa). The loose fiber polymers and bound and hybrid composites have a low moisture content below 4%. These characteristics of the newly developed sustainable and biodegradable fiber polymers and their composites are considered promising thermal insulation and sound absorption materials in replacing synthetic and petrochemical insulation materials in buildings and other engineering applications.

Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), striped sunflower seed fiber (SFSF), and watermelon seed (WMS) are considered natural waste polymer materials, which are biodegradable and sustainable. This study presents new novel thermal insulation and sound absorption materials using such waste as raw materials. PALF, SFSF, and WMS were used as loose, bound, and hybrid samples with different compositions to develop promising thermal insulation and sound-absorbing materials. Eleven sample boards were prepared: three were loose, three were bound, and five were hybrid between PALF with either SFSF or WMS. Wood adhesive was used as a binder for both the bound and hybrid sample boards. Laboratory scale sample boards of size 30 cm × 30 cm with variable thicknesses were prepared. The results show that the average thermal conductivity coefficient for the loose samples at the temperature range 20-80 °C is 0.04694 W/(m.K), 0.05611 W/(m.K), and 0.05976 W/m.K for PALF, SFSF, and WMS, respectively. Those for bound sample boards are 0.06344 W/(m.K), 0.07113 W/(m.K), and 0.08344 W/m.K for PALF, SFSF, and WMS, respectively. The hybrid ones between PALF and SFSF have 0.05921 W/m.K and 0.06845 W/(m.K) for two different compositions. The other hybrid between PALF and WMS has 0.06577 W/(m.K) and 0.07007 for two different compassions. The sound absorption coefficient for most of the bound and hybrid boards is above 0.5 and reaches higher values at some different frequencies. The thermogravimetric analysis for both SFSF and WMS shows that they are thermally stable up to 261 °C and 270 °C, respectively. The three-point bending moment test was also performed to test the mechanical properties of the bound and hybrid sample boards. It should be mentioned that using such waste materials as new sources of thermal insulation and sound absorption materials in buildings and other applications would lead the world to utilize the waste until zero agrowaste is reached, which will lower the environmental impact.

This experimental study provides a comprehensive investigation of natural convection heat transfer inside shallow square cuboid enclosures filled with aluminum oxide-water nanofluid at four different volume concentrations: 0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8%. Two square cuboid enclosures were used with sizes 30 × 30 × H cm 3 , where H is the inside thickness of the enclosures. This led to two different enclosure aspect ratios (κ = H/30 = 0.033 and 0.066). Four inclination angles to the horizontal position of the enclosures were used: 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. The crucial thermophysical properties of the synthetic nanofluid were obtained. The thermal conductivity of the nanofluid was measured experimentally at various volume concentrations. Furthermore, the viscosity and density were also measured experimentally at temperatures ranging from 15 to 40 °C as a function of the volume concentration. The heat transfer data were generated by heating the lower surface of the enclosure using a uniform flexible heat flux heater. The opposite surface was cooled using an air fan. The results of the experimental physical parameter measurements show that the percent of maximum deviation in thermal conductivity with those in the literature were 6.61% at a 1.0% volume concentration. The deviation of dynamic viscosity was between 0.21% and 16.36% at 0.1% and 1% volume concentrations, respectively, and for density it was 0.29% at 40 °C and a 1% volume concentration. The results showed up to a 27% enhancement in the Nusselt number at an angle of 60° and a 0.4% volume concentration in the largest aspect ratio (κ = 0.066). However, for the low aspect ratio enclosure (κ = 0.033), there was no noticeable improvement in heat transfer at any combination of volume concentration and inclination angle. The results show that the inclination angle is a significant factor in natural convection only for large aspect ratio enclosures. Furthermore, for large aspect ratio, the Nusselt number increased until the angle approached 60°, then it decreased again.

Aim: To assess the long-term effects of intraocular bevacizumab (Avastin) injections as an adjunctive drug to manage patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted consisting of 34 eyes with secondary NVG caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( n =25), ischemic central retinal vein occlusion ( n =8), and retinal ischemia resulting from persistent detachment ( n =1) were managed by intraocular injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL), in addition to other treatments. The main outcome measure was the change in the degree of iris neovascularization. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure and the number of additional interventions or antiglaucoma medications administered after injection., Results: All patients were followed-up for at least 12mo. At the last follow-up, complete regression of rubeosis irides was detectable in 13 (38.2%) eyes and incomplete regression in 21 eyes (61.8%). The mean intraocular pressure was 45.32±7.185 mm Hg at baseline and significantly decreased to 26.15±5.679 mm Hg at the last follow-up visit ( P =0.000005). Patients received an average of 4.97 injections. As additional treatments, 12 eyes (35%) received laser photocoagulation and 6 eyes (18%) underwent retinocryopexy. No further treatment was needed in 16 eyes (47.1%)., Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection can have a favorable effect in controlling intraocular pressure and pain control in patients with NVG because it decreases the angiogenesis and helps to augment the results of conventional procedures. The primary cause of retinal ischemia should be always targeted., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Purpose: To report success of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in eyes with pediatric glaucoma and subconjunctival scarring from previous surgeries., Methods: A retrospective review of pediatric glaucoma patients who underwent AGV implantation after ≥ 2 previous surgeries with conjunctival scarring. Preoperative and postoperative parameters were recorded to study success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) < 22 mmHg with or without medications and without serious complications., Results: Eleven eyes of 10 patients were included, and the mean age was 12.7 years. Diagnoses included primary childhood glaucoma, aphakic glaucoma, and anterior segment anomalies. Mean number of prior ocular surgeries was 3.3 (± 1.3). Final mean IOP was 17.5 (± 4.3) mmHg, significantly different from the preoperative mean of 24.8 (± 6.8) mmHg, p = 0.01. Mean number of anti-glaucoma medications also decreased significantly from 2.8 (± 1.5) to 1.4 (± 1.5), p = 0.02. The success rate was 82% at a mean follow-up of 51.6 (± 10.8) months. Complications were minor and transient., Conclusion: Subconjunctival scarring did not increase the risk of failure of tube shunt surgery.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major health care problem., Objective: To identify the most common ADRs, drugs implicated in ADRs, and to assess their causality, severity, preventability and risk factors predisposing to reported ADRs in Jordan., Setting: Al-Karak teaching hospital, southern of Jordan. Method A cross sectional observational study was carried out for 11 months from January to November 2013. Suspected ADRs were recorded in ADRs report forms and analyzed for causality, severity, and preventability., Main Outcome Measure: Most common ADRs, drugs involved in these ADRs, causality, severity, and preventability of suspected ADRs., Results: A total of 64 reports were received. Some patients suffered more than one ADR. The total number of ADRs identified was 108. Forty one drugs were involved in causing these ADRs. About 2/3 of adverse reactions (73.4 %) did not cause admission to the hospital, whereas 26.6 % of the ADRs resulted in admission. Majority of the ADRs were type A (62.5 %). Most of ADRs (92.2 %) were assessed as probable. Nearly, 65.6 % of ADRs were categorized as mild. Majority of ADRs were assessed as "not preventable" (75 %). The most common classes of drugs involved in ADRs were antibiotics, analgesics, vaccines and antiepileptics. The most commonly identified ADRs were abdominal pain, skin rash, shortness of breath, fever, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and vomiting. Risk factors contributed to ADRs were age and polypharmacy., Conclusion: Jordanian healthcare providers should be aware of the importance of detecting and reporting ADRs, in order to prevent and reduce the incidence of ADRs. Awareness of risk factors predisposing to ADRs may help in identifying patients with higher risk and therefore reducing the risk of these ADRs and improving patient outcome.

Background/aims: To review management choices and outcomes for congenital lacrimal (anlage duct) fistulae performed by a single ophthalmologist over a 10-year interval., Methods: All cases of congenital lacrimal fistulae with minimum follow-up of 1 year, seen and managed by the senior author (PJD) from 2000 to 2010, were retrieved from electronic medical records. Recorded data included demographic features, associated abnormalities of the lacrimal outflow apparatus and type of surgical intervention and outcome., Results: 15 cases of lacrimal fistulae were identified. 67% were males, and mean age of presentation was 5 years. All presented with tearing from the eye or fistulous opening. Two patients had Down syndrome (13%). Mean follow-up was 7.3 years. While two cases required excision combined with endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) or intubation, 9 of 11 (82%) operated cases were successfully treated with simple excision alone. Spontaneous resolution of symptoms occurred in 27% following successful treatment of concurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction with lacrimal sac massage; in two of these cases, the fistulae were probed and found to have sealed spontaneously. The most common site of the fistula was at the inferior medial canthal area and was connected to the lacrimal sac or common canaliculus in all cases., Conclusions: Congenital lacrimal fistulae may be successfully treated with simple excision alone in most cases. Adjunctive DCR or intubation can be reserved for those identified to have lacrimal outflow tract abnormalities., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Purpose: To assess the long-term role of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA) in inflammatory ocular neovascularization., Design: Retrospective multicenter consecutive case series of inflammatory ocular neovascularization., Methods: settings: Multicenter institutional and private practices., Study Population: Patients with inflammatory ocular neovascularization in one or both eyes of varying etiologies who failed standard therapy. intervention: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab., Main Outcome Measures: Improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) expressed as logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), and decrease in central foveal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up., Results: Mean logMAR BCVA (central foveal thickness) following intravitreal bevacizumab was as follows: baseline, 0.65 (6/27 or 20/90) (338 microm; 99 eyes of 96 patients); 6 months, 0.42 (6/16 or 20/53) (239 microm; 2.0 injections; 81 eyes); 12 months, 0.39 (6/15 or 20/49) (241 microm; 2.3 injections; 95 eyes); 18 months, 0.40 (6/15 or 20/50) (261 microm; 3.0 injections; 46 eyes); and 24 months, 0.34 (6/13 or 20/44) (265 microm; 3.6 injections; 27 eyes). Paired comparisons revealed significant visual improvement at 6 months of 2.4 lines (P = .000), at 12 months of 2.5 lines (P = .000), at 18 months of 2.5 lines (P = .001), and at 24 months of 2.2 lines (P = .013). Paired comparisons revealed significant central foveal flattening at 6 months of 78 microm (P = .000), at 12 months of 85 microm (P = .000), at 18 months of 90 microm (P = .003), and at 24 months of 77 microm (P = .022). Three eyes developed submacular fibrosis and 1 eye submacular hemorrhage., Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab led in the long-term to significant mean visual improvement of > or =2.2 lines and significant foveal flattening in a wide variety of inflammatory ocular diseases without major complications.