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Cirsoid aneurysms are arteriovenous malformations of the scalp region that usually manifest as a painless pulsatile mass. These are present in the younger age group and frequently associated with trauma.Several treatment algorithms have been proposed, and we report our experience with sole surgical management.Retrospective review of all the scalp vascular malformation cases performed in the main national Vascular Surgery Service of Kuwait. Pre-operative data, including patient demographics were obtained. All patients underwent diagnostic vascular Duplex ultrasound and angiography. Intra-operative and post-operative data, including outcomes and follow up were recorded.Six patients with Cirsoid aneurysm, four females and two males, had a mean age of 19.7 years (range, 10-33 years). All the patients presented with a painless pulsating mass in the scalp (4 Anterolateral and 2 posterior), and one case had associated dizziness and headache. These malformations were found to be solely fed by the extra-cranial vessels with no intra-cranial communication. One patient had pre-operative embolization prior to excision, and the rest had sole surgical excision. No postoperatively complications or recurrence were seen at 2-5 year follow up.Cirsoid aneurysms are amenable to sole surgical excision with excellent results after excluding intra-cranial communication.

This experimental research study scrutinized the effectiveness of using augmented reality (AR) applications (apps) as a teaching and learning tool when instructing kindergarten children in the English alphabet in the State of Kuwait. The study compared two groups: (a) experimental, taught using AR apps, and (b) control, taught using traditional face-to-face methods. A total of 42 (i.e., 21 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group) preschoolers enrolled in the public educational system participated in this study in the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The findings of this research are coherent and consistent with the results of other studies conducted over the past 5 years as well as with the postulated hypotheses. The results revealed the following: (1) there were statistically significant differences between the control group (traditional group) and the experimental group (AR group) in their degrees of interaction with the English alphabet lesson in favor of the experimental group; (2) there were statistically significant differences between the control group and the experimental group in their scores on the English alphabet test in favor of the experimental group; and (3) there was a very strong linear relationship/correlation between the children’s interaction with the English alphabet lesson and their scores on the English alphabet test in the AR group. The study concludes with relevant proposals and recommendations regarding the implementation of AR technology in education and suggests undertaking further studies on this interesting topic.

Background:The study’s objective is to investigate the perspectives of pre-service teachers and in-service teachers in the College of Education at Kuwait University about using online streaming media services as a facilitative and innovative tool for teaching and learning, and for professional development and teacher preparation.Material and methods:Five research questions were used to construct the questionnaire and guide the analysis of the data. Different descriptive methods of analysis were applied on the collected data (e.g., frequencies and percentages to describe/summarize the demographic data, and means and standard deviations to answer the research questions).Results:The study revealed that participants’ awareness level of the availability of such services is considered to be low (M = 2.49, and SD = 0.57). Yet, their perspectives about using online streaming media as an innovative tool for teaching and learning, as well as for professional development and teacher preparation, yielded a significantly positive satisfaction level among all subgroups, with a high mean score (M = 4.5213, and SD = 0.27707).Conclusions:Thus, online streaming media prepares teachers and students alike for a marvelous voyage of imagination and discovery. No school can afford to be without this tool, which is a gateway to a new world of educational possibilities.

Parasitoses are the commonest health problem among school age clildren, which impair children's growth and development and causing anemia. To detect the role of parasitic infections and both anemia and growth affection, on one hand, and if so the common complications among males and females on the other hand, a cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among the outpatient attended the Pediatrics Clinic, Al-Fayoum University's Hospitals. A total of 314 children aged from 1 to 13 years were subjected to clinical examination as well as stool analysis and CBC examination. The detected parasites were Entameba histolytica, Giardia lamblia (Protozoa) and Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lambricoides and Ancylostoma duodenale (Helminthes). There was significance difference (P

Aims Diabetes or insulin resistance, overweight, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidaemia are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, their predictive value and hierarchy in elderly subjects remain uncertain. Methods We investigated the impact of cardiometabolic risk factors on mortality in a prospective cohort study of 331 elderly high-risk subjects (mean age±SD: 85±7years). Results Two-year total mortality was predicted by age, diabetes, low BMI, low diastolic blood pressure (DBP), low total and HDL cholesterol, and previous CV events. The effect of diabetes was explained by previous CV events. In non-diabetic subjects, mortality was predicted by high insulin sensitivity, determined by HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices. In multivariate analyses, the strongest mortality predictors were low BMI, low HDL cholesterol and previous myocardial infarction. Albumin, a marker of malnutrition, was associated with blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, and HOMA-IR. The inflammation marker CRP was associated with low total and HDL cholesterol, and high HOMA-IR. Conclusion In very old patients, low BMI, low DBP, low total and HDL cholesterol, and high insulin sensitivity predict total mortality, indicating a "reverse metabolic syndrome" that is probably attributable to malnutrition and/or chronic disorders. These inverse associations limit the relevance of conventional risk factors. Previous CV events and HDL cholesterol remain strong predictors of mortality. Future studies should determine if and when the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in the elderly should be incorporated into conventional CV prevention.

In this paper, the nature and location of hot carrier induced defects is studied for N-channel LDMOS (Laterally Diffused MOS) transistors. These devices are used in wireless base stations and typically operate under high drain bias of 25-30 V, making them highly susceptible to hot carrier injection. In this work, the improvement in hot carrier induced degradation by means of a dummy gate is presented. Using the charge pumping technique, it is demonstrated that, (1) significant electron trapping in the LDD region occurs for devices without a dummy gate in contrast to devices with a dummy gate. (2) For devices with a dummy gate interface traps are preferentially generated in the LDD region.

The cultivation of the yeast Trigonopsis variabilis producing D-amino-acid oxidase (an enzyme participating in the transformation of cephalosporin C into 7-aminocephalosporanic acid for the production of beta-lactam antibiotics) was controlled by changes of dissolved oxygen tension and extended fermentation times. The production technology was optimized on a laboratory scale and scale-up parameters were identified.

This longitudinal, qualitative and Delphi technique-designed research study sought a reasonable consensus for identifying and prioritizing the best and most appropriate Web 2.0/3.0 nonlinear visual tools that can revolutionize the educational processes of thinking, teaching, learning, and leading in the digital knowledge age. The study also sought reasonable agreement on the criteria to measure the educational success of these new breeds of information and communication technology (ICT) tools. The results were very promising. The Delphi ICT experts, 80 personnel in total, reached significant agreement on the issues that were carefully deliberated in this study. The Delphi participants prioritized a list of the most relevant, reliable, and appropriate Web 2.0/3.0 nonlinear visual tools that can enhance the educational processes of thinking, teaching, learning, and leading in the digital knowledge age. Additionally, the participants recognized and prioritized certain criteria (i.e., measurements, standards, factors, benchmarks, and principles) that can assess and measure the success of Web 2.0/3.0 nonlinear visual tools and any ICT platform from educational perspectives. No significant differences were found among the Delphi subgroups when inferential statistics were performed. The qualitative nature of the Delphi technique research design, the deployment period, and the capability of examining a large sample size of ICT experts all notably helped in strengthening the statistical significance, reliability, and confidence in the collected data. The findings of this study comply with the postulated assumptions. These results can assist academics, educators, instructional technology leaders, practitioners, administrators, and policy and decision makers in ascertaining and defining appropriate solutions to educational challenges.

INTRODUCTION Spigelian hernias are rare hernias of the anterior abdominal wall named after Adrian van den Spiegel, the anatomist who first described them in the 16th century. They represent around 2% of all hernias. PRESENTATION OF CASE We present an 83-year-old female with one week history of a painful right iliac fossa swelling, her examination revealed a tender lump with no cough impulse and non-reducible and her computed tomography (CT) scan showed a mass anterior to ileocaecal valve suggestive of a caecal volvulus. Intra-operative the finding was a Spigelian hernia containing an appendicular abscess and an appendicolith. DISCUSSION The diagnosis of Spigelian hernias represents a challenge for the surgeons principally due to their rarity but also due to their anatomy and the variety of their contents. Searching the literature we found many different intra-abdominal structures presenting within a Spigelian hernia but we did not encounter a case similar to this. CONCLUSION Clinicians need to be aware of these hernias when dealing with lower abdominal swellings and have a high index of suspicion even in the presence of negative clinical and CT findings.

In this paper, the initial work on the development of Rare Earth (RE) doped fiber is presented. This work was done using standard MCVD process equipped with chelate delivery system. Later, the characteristics of the developed RE doped fiber parameter and the amplifier performance were analyzed. In this work, Erbium is chosen as the active material due to its sufficient information for analysis and the availability of test equipments. The beam profile and the absorption spectrum of the RE doped fiber is also included to show the level of interaction between pump and signal beam inside the fiber core. High overlap factor between the pump and the signal beam is found to be necessary to achieve sufficient amplification. This is proved by the poor amplifier performance exhibited by the developed doped fiber. This work provides useful information for the development of other RE doped fiber implementation such high power or upconversion fiber laser.

Obesity plays pathogenetic roles in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperandrogenic states like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We tested the hypothesis that alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a marker of NAFLD, is associated with endocrine and metabolic abnormalities in women with normal ALT.Fasting glucose, insulin, total testosterone, DHEA-S, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, prolactin, leptin, soluble leptin receptor, free leptin index (FLI), lipid profile, ALT, gonadotropins, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 200 women aged 18-48 years. Beta cell function (%B), insulin sensitivity (%S) and insulin resistance were calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Ninety-two women had PCOS (Rotterdam criteria); 64 had idiopathic hyperandrogenism; 44 were normal controls. ALT showed significant positive correlations with waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure, glucose, leptin, FLI, triglycerides, HOMA-IR and androgens and significant inverse correlations with leptin receptor, HDL-C, %S and SHBG. Correcting for WC and fat% showed that the associations between ALT and glucose, HOMA-IR, testosterone and free androgen index are independent of obesity. Binary logistic regression analyses showed significant association of ALT with PCOS and hyperandrogenemia. ALT ≥ 18 IU/L showed significant association with PCOS with Odds Ratio = 2.28 (95% Confidence Interval = 1.03-5.08), p = 0.043.In women of reproductive age, normal levels of ALT are associated with metabolic and androgenic phenotypes. We suggest a paradigm shift and extension of the routine use of ALT beyond the diagnosis of liver disease.

A simple method has been developed for control and prevention of polarization fade on a single output lead from a remotely located fiber-optic interferometer. The method has been demonstrated using a fiber-optic Michelson interferometer. In contrast to a previously suggested method, only a single detector is required. The technique has application for passive, remotely located sensors. Extension to balanced homodyne detection schemes and coherent communications is discussed.

Sorption properties of Streptomyces noursei mycelium for copper ions were compared with the accumulation competence of dried and native yeast (Candida utilis) biomass. The copper sorption capacity of S. noursei after optimization was found to be higher than that of the two other adsorbents (dried yeast biomass 82 %, native Candida cells 48 % of the sorption capacity of the S. noursei mycelium).

This paper presents a statistical study of the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio channel in indoor environments in relation to the capacity of multi-antenna wireless systems. Indoor measurements of the transmission matrix, H, at 2.45 GHz are performed using a 16/spl times/16 multi-antenna system in the case of line-of-sight (LOS) and in the case when it is completely obstructed (off-axis). This allows us to study the statistics of the capacity of systems with a large number of antennas N for both Rician and Rayleigh fading channels. In addition, we examine the statistics of the eigenvalues of the transmission matrix, which provide subtle details about the MIMO channel in the case of LOS and off-axis that could be of significant importance for practical applications. Relevant theoretical simulations are performed, which show good agreement with the results obtained from measurements.

The celiac axis compression syndrome is characterized by the clinical triad, epigastric pain, weight loss and postprandial emesis. The aetiology is attributed to intermittent ischaemia of the foregut. The results of three different modalities of treatment, transluminal dilatation, surgical division of the median arcuate ligament, and bypass surgery in a patient with recurrent celiac artery compression syndrome are reviewed. A 62-year-old woman with a previous partial gastrectomy presented with postprandial abdominal pain and marked weight loss. Investigations for gastrointestinal tract pathology were all negative. Angiography revealed compression of the celiac axis and an angioplasty was unsuccessful. The patient underwent surgical division of the median arcuate ligament with complete relief of symptoms, which recurred four months later. Angiography demonstrated a restenosis of the celiac axis. An aorto-celiac artery bypass was done with complete and persistent relief of symptoms at four years follow-up. This is a rare syndrome, which requires predisposing anatomic factors. In this patient, a previous partial gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy roux-en-y caused disconnection of the pancreatico-duodenal network. Scarring renders ineffective less invasive interventions. Bypass surgery is the treatment of choice and offers durable results.

A novel mutant strain ofAchromobacter delicatulus was cultivated in a 75-L fermentor, using whey as carbon source and production of exocellular glucan was measured. The fermentation had a biphasic character: growth was followed by the phase of polysaccharide production, the maximum of which was 17 g/L.

Medical treatment of peptic ulcer is highly successful, and the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) reduces ulcer recurrence. However, the incidence of perforated duodenal ulcer and its associated mortality have not been reduced by modern methods of therapy. Laparoscopic simple closure and omental plug by suturing, fibrin glue, and stapler have been successful.Over a 1-year period (1996-97), 21 patients with perforated duodenal ulcer were operated on in our hospital by laparoscopic simple closure and omental patch. The mean age was 36.4 +/- 11.8 years (range, 18-61). Twenty patients were male (93.7%). The mean duration of pain was 9.1 +/- 11.7 hs (range, 2-48). Three patients had a previous history of duodenal ulcer (14.3%), and another three (14.3%) patients had a history of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) intake. Erect chest radiograph showed that 19 patients had air under the diaphragm (90.5%). Sixteen patients (76.2%) had frank pus in the abdomen, and five patients had a minimal peritoneal reaction (23.8%).The mean operative time was 71.6 +/- 24.6 mins (range, 40-120), and the mean hospital stay was 5.2 +/- 1.6 days (range, 3-9). The mean time to resume oral fluids was 3.1 +/- 0.8 days (range, 2-4). Only one patient was reoperated due to leakage identified by gastrographin swallow.This procedure is safe and efficient; however, further study of its long-term effectiveness and comparability to existing therapy is still needed.

The authors have retrospectively analysed the drainage fluid of 39 patients undergoing Whipple's operation over a 18-year period. The aim of the study was to assess whether the volume and amylase concentration of the drainage fluid were good criteria of healing of the pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis. The patients have been divided into two groups: Group I (30 patients) with no complications at the pancreatico-jejunostomy--Group II (9 patients) with a pancreatic leak. The analysis of the volume, amylase concentration and amylase index (Log of the amylase concentration x volume) showed that the groups had clearly different profiles: in group I all three criteria were rapidly decreasing, while they remained abnormally high in group II. Those criteria may help the clinician in the monitoring of individual patients; they also may prove useful in prospective studies evaluating new means of prevention of this anastomosis.

The magnetic phase diagram of untwinned single crystals of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} is studied via transport measurements. The authors show that the first order vortex melting line which terminates at a critical point in high magnetic fields is strongly dependent on point disorder induced by proton irradiation. In addition, they report on the effect of heavy ion irradiation induced columnar defects on vortex pinning.

One hundred and seven cases, 35 males and 72 females aging from 3 months to 32 years old were divided into 4 groups: ocular, neurological, cases with abortion and cases having Down's syndrome. 47 apparently healthy individuals were taken as control. All were serologically tested for Toxoplasma antibodies using IFAT and ELSA for detection of IgG. The positive cases as well as cases below one year old were tested by ELISA IgM for the detection of acute or congenital toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma antibodies (IgG) were found in 28 (26%) and 43 cases (40%) by IFAT and ELISA respectively. ELISA IgM was positive in 12 (20%) out of 60 serum samples. Two cases (11%) among 27 patients below one year old positive. Statistical significance was reported concerning the positive cases in the ocular group as well as patients with abortions. Results revealed that ELISA is more sensitive and specific than IFAT.

Hundred immunosuppressed patients and 50 apparently healthy individuals as control were subjected to stool examination for parasitic infections by the direct smear method and the merthiolate iodine formal-dehyde (MIF) concentration technique. The modified Ziehl-Neelson stain and the aniline carbol methyl violet stain were used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts. 27 Patients were found positive using the MIF technique while only 13 of them were positive by the direct smear method. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 7 cases using the aniline carbol methl violet stain while only 5 of them were positive by the modified Ziehl-Neelson stain.

Infection by Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis is getting much important nowadays. Both are soil transmitted infections. The present study was planned to detect the incidence of T. gondii and T. canis antibodies among 100 patients attending the outpatient clinics in Research Institutes of Ophthalmology (RIO), whose urine and stool were free from other parasitic stages. Patients were classified into two groups, group I; (70 ocular cases) and group II, (30 non-occular cases). Control group (group III); 30 healthy persons. Sera from all individuals were subjected to IFAT and IHAT to detect Toxoplasma antibodies and IFAT to detect Toxocara antibodies. By using IFAT for Toxoplasma revealed, 25% as a total incidence, 21.4% in group I, 33.3% in group II and 6.6% in group III. While IHAT revealed 51% as a total incidence, 51.4% in group I, 50% in group II and 23.3% in group III. Among group I, retinochoroiditis cases showed the highest incidence and titre. While hydrocephalic cases showed highest incidence and titre in group II. T. canis antibodies revealed 23% as a total incidence, 14.3% in group I, 43.3% in group II and 5% in group III. Cases presented with retinal detachment showed the highest incidence and titre in group I while in group II hepatomegalic cases gave the highest incidence and titre. Concomitant infection of both Toxoplasma and Toxocara was detected in 8% of positive cases.

In a trial to throw some light on the present status of Filariasis in Giza Governorate, both human and mosquitoes were surveyed in two endemic areas: Kafr-Ghataty and Azizya. In Kafr-Ghataty the clinical cases detected were very rare (0.77%), while no microfilaraemic cases were obtained. The situation was different in Azizya village, where no clinical cases were detected but microfilaraemic cases were relatively higher (8%). The results of the larval survey, carried out only in Kafr-Ghataty, showed that Culex pipiens larvae were predominant (99.57%). They were found in all the breeding places specially canals and seepages, while Theobaldia longiareolata larvae were rare (0.43%) and present only in wells and cesspits. Regarding the adult mosquitoes survey, Culex pipiens was the only species detected in both areas. The results of dissection of adult female mosquitoes showed that individual dissection failed to detect infection among mosquitoes, in contrast to mass dissection which gave positive results (0.27% in Kafr-Ghataty and 2.2% in Azizya). It was also found that infective mosquitoes were 0% in Kafr-Ghataty and 1.1% in Azizya.

Chromatographic analysis using Sephacryl S-300 was done on protein extract of adult Ascaris lumbricoides, A. vitulorum and Toxocara canis worms. Six fractions were separated from both Ascaris species and nine from T. canis. Fractions revealed a variety of molecular weights in relation to the three species of worms that ranged from 6,000-70,000 daltons. Crude extract of T. canis showed cross reaction with both species of Ascaris sera using double gel diffusion, while no reaction was obtained using a partially purified antigen.

Results of parasitic infections, as revealed by urine and stool examination was significant (P less than 0.05) in 43.3% of patients suffering from different malignant diseases and non significant (P greater than 0.05) in 29.3% of leprosy patients compared to 22% in control subjects. The most prevalent parasites were E. histolytica and G. lamblia. Cryptosporidium occysts were not detected. By stool examination and culture, S. stercoralis larvae were detected only in the malignancy group. The most common parasites occurring concomitantly were A. duodenale and S. stercoralis. By the IFAT, strongyloidiasis gave significantly higher positive results in the malignancy group than in the leprosy and control groups. IFAT for toxocariasis, showed highly significant positivity in the leprosy group and significantly positivity in the malignancy group. For toxoplasmosis, it showed highly significant positive results in both leprosy and malignancy groups. Eosinophilia was significantly more prominent among malignancy patients and insignificant among those with leprosy. Parasitic infection detected by urine and stool examination among patients with eosinophilia was found in 76% of the malignancy patients and in 66.7% of the leprosy patients.

This study was attempted to assess the extent of stimulation of the immune system in some patients suffering from parasitic infection with eosinophilia. Eighty-eight cases were selected, they included 10 apparently healthy, 10 suffering from different atopic disorders associated with eosinophilia and free from parasitic infections and 68 patients suffering from different parasitic infections associated with marked eosinophilia. The results showed a highly significant increase in the absolute eosinophil count in the atopic group while the parasitized group showed a moderate increase. The IgE serum level was increased in both atopic and parasitized groups. The cellular immunity expressed by phagocytic power of neutrophils was more depressed in parasitized than atopic group.

In a paper presented at the 60th Annual International SEG Meeting in San Francisco, 1990, and also at the 53rd EAEG Meeting Florence Italy, 1991, Safar et al showed from the measured far field signatures radiated by a 4 x 40 cu.in. compact sleeve gun array (cluster), that higher values of Primary-to-Bubble ratio are achieved at the expense of radiating considerably lens energy flux. Consequently, it was suggested that the importante of the Primary-to-Bubble ratio as a design criterion should be reconsidered and the radiated energy flux should be given a serious consideration in the design of compact gun arrays. This is because the strength of the reflected signal is essentially determined by the radiated energy flux.

In order to demonstrated that airgun interaction is not exploited efficiently in the design of compact airgun arrays (clusters) currently being used in marine seismic data acquisition, we carried out a check shot survey in a deviated well in the North Sea using two rig sources, One rig source (cluster I), which is currently being used in offshore VSP surveys, consists of 4 x 40 cu. in. sleeve gun cluster with gun separation of 0.5m. The other rig source (cluster2) is the same as cluster 1, except that the gun separation is l.Om. The Primary-to-Bubble ratio of the far field signature radiated by cluster 1 is about twice that of the far field signature radiated by cluster 2. However, the energy flux radiated by cluster 2 is considerably larger than thal radiated by cluster 1.

In a paper presented at the 37th EAEG Annual Meeting held in Bergen, June 1975, Safar proposed a method (UK Patent No. 1542261) for efficient design of compact airgun array. The proposed method (Safar, 1976) involves the damping of the bubble pressure pulses by exploiting the interaction between a number of properly spaeed identical airguns.

Sera from patients with ocular and visceral manifestations of toxocariasis were tested by precipitin absorption (PAT), counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFAT) and ELISA. The ocular cases revealed a percentage of positivity of 36% by PAT, 0% by CIEP, 32% and 28% by IFAT with embryonated egg (EE) and frozen section antigens (FS) respectively and 40% by ELISA. The visceral cases revealed 44% positively by PAT, 24% by CIEP 52% and 48% by IFAT with EE and FS respectively and 52% by ELISA. Statistical evaluation was done to interpret the results.

Toxoplasmosis being to a large extent a soil transmitted infection is acquired in the same manner and often at the same time as toxocariasis, the source being concomitantly infected cats. 110 sera of patients suspected of toxoplasmosis and found positive by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), were also tested for Toxocara antibodies by the IFAT. Seropositivity was found to be 18.1%. On the other hand, 12 sera from patients presenting with toxocariasis and proved serologically positive, were tested to detect Toxoplasma antibodies and only one was positive (8.3%). Association of antibodies of the two parasites was found in 21 sera (17.2%).