The Effectiveness of a Multi Sensory Approach in Improving Letter- Sound Correspondence among Mild Intellectual Disabled Students in State of Kuwait

This research examines the effectiveness of multi sensory approach for the purpose of improving the knowledge on English Letter sound correspondence among mild disabled students in the state of Kuwait. The discussion in this study is based on the multisensory approach that could be applied in the teaching of reading skills as well as phonemic awareness skills which could enable the students to acquire the early skills of reading. A total of 20 respondents were involved in the process of gathering data through the quantitative study method, which compromises of male and female mild intellectual disabled students. A pretest-postest method was applied in order to examine the effectiveness of the multisensory approach that could make it possible for them to identify the letters and its sounds. T test for the paired sample was used to figure out the significant differences between the pretest and posttest scores achieved by the students. The findings of the study showed the effect of the multi sensory approach in the teaching process of identifying the English letters and its sounds, which at the same time pave a way for the students to apply the mentioned skills in their learning process to read. This study is also significant for schools, centres, and institutes that are involved in the field of special education. Finally, it is considered as a road map to enable the students to learn and acquire the early skills of reading. Keywords: Multi sensory approach, English language letter identification, letter sound correspondence, mild intellectual disability

Effects Of Using Multisensory Approach In The Mastery Of English Language Skills Among Students With Intellectual Disability In The State Of Kuwait

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of using the multisensory approach in mastering English language skills among students with mild intellectual disability (MID) in the state of Kuwait and to investigate the perceptions of special education teachers towards teaching literacy skills to students with MID. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect the date. An ABA model was used to collect the quantitative data and the results were analyzed using visual analysis, time series and intro observer agreement. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyse the data obtained from a semi-structured interview with special needs teachers in bilingual schools. The study sample comprised three students with MID who participated in six-week literacy programs in a special needs centre in Kuwait and six special education teachers in special needs bilingual schools in Kuwait. Results showed that the multi-sensory approach was effective in teaching English letter identification, letter–sound correspondence and reading consonant–vowel–consonant words to students. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed three themes from the conducted interview. The research also showed that special needs teachers in bilingual schools lack resources, proper curricula and professional training in literacy to deliver proper and effective programs in teaching literacy to students with MID. Schools must pay serious attention to the importance of teaching literacy skills to students and providing teachers with all the possible tools to teach suchskills

Role of static fluid MR urography in detecting post urinary diversion complications

Aim of work: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic performance of static MR urography in detection of post cystectomy complications & the ability of static fluid MR urography in visualization of urinary tract segments.Material & methods: We prospectively reviewed 21 MR urograms with urinary diversion. The most common surgical procedures included Ileal conduit & Ileocecal neobladder diversion.Material & methods: Magnetic resonance urography examinations were performed with 1.5-T MR scanners. T2 weighted (static fluid) MR urography techniques were done, in addition to conventional T1- and T2-weighted axial and coronal sequences. Urinary tract was divided in different parts: pelvicalyceal systems, upper, mid and lower ureteric segments & the reservoir or conduit Imaging features of the urinary collecting systems were evaluated for their visualization and complications detection.Results: T2-weighted MR urography could demonstrate 95% of urinary tract segments & together with conventional MR sequences all urinary tract segments can be visualized. Urinary diversion related complications were encountered included in 15 patients (71.4%) & no urological complications were seen in 6 patients (28.6%).Conclusion: Comprehensive T2-weighted MR urography is an effective imaging method for the visualization of the urinary system and detection of early and late postoperative complications in patients with urinary diversion.Keywords: MR urography, Urinary diversion, Cancer bladde

On The Solvability Of Some Diophantine Equations Of The Form ax+by = z2

The Diophantine equation ax+py = z2 where p is prime is widely studied by many mathematicians. Solving equations of this type often include Catalan’s conjecture in the process of proving these equations. Here, we study the non-negative integer solutions for some Diophantine equations of such family. We will use Mihailescu’s theorem (which is the proof of Catalan’s conjecture) and elementary methods to solve the Diophantine equations 16x −7y = z2, 16x − py = z2 and 64x − py = z2, then we will study a generalization where (4n)x − py = z2 and x, y, z,n are non-negative integers. By using Mihailescu’s theorem and a fundamental approach in the theory of numbers, namely the theory of congruence, we will determine the solution of the Diophantine equations 7x+11y = z2, 13x+17y = z2, 15x+17y = z2 and 2x+257y = z2 where x, y and z are non-negative integers. Also, we will prove that for any non-negative integer n, all non-negative integer solutions of the Diophantine equation 11n8x+11y = z2 are of the form (x, y, z) = (1,n,3(11) n2 ) where n is even, and has no solution when n is odd. Finally, we will concentrate on finding the solutions of the Diophantine equation 3x+ pmny = z2 where y = 1,2 and p > 3 a prime number

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Single Crystal Titanate: Part-1

Single crystal TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared using modified hydrothermal method by treatment of prepared TiO2 with NaOH aqueous solution and characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, BET surface area analysis, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and UV–vis/DR spectroscopy. Detailed study for the effect of calcinations temperature on the morphology, textural properties, adsorption amount and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotubes was performed. The results showed that the calcinations temperature remarkably altered the phase composition. HRTEM showed that the high-purity nanotubes can be produced through the hydrothermal treatment of TiO2, calcinated at 250 ?C.  It was found that the obtained high-purity TNTs have outer diameter of the tubular structures around 15 nm and the length is around 70 nm, the wall of nanotube is 2 layers in one side whereas it is 3 layers in another side and the interlayer spacing is about 1–1.5 nm. The prepared TiO2 nanotubes show enhanced catalytic activity in photocatalytic phenol degradation compared with TiO2 nanoparticles which show lower catalytic activities. Keywords: Titanate, Single Crystal, hydrothermal metho

Optimizing diagnostic imaging data using LI-RADS and the Likert scale in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: The study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS), which incorporates fixed criteria, and the Likert scale (LS), which mainly depends on an overall impression in liver lesion diagnosis. Material and methods: Diagnostic data of 110 hepatic nodules in 103 high-risk patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included. Data including diameter, arterial hyperenhancement, washout, and capsule were reviewed by 2 readers using LI-RADS and LS (range, score 1-5). Inter-reader agreement (IRA), intraclass agreement (ICA), and diagnostic performance were determined by Fleiss, Cohen's k, and logistic regression, respectively. Results: There were 53 triphasic enhanced computed tomography (CT) and 50 dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) examinations. Overall, IRA was excellent (k = 0.898). IRA was good for arterial hyperenhancement (k = 0.705), washout (k = 0.763), and capsule (k = 0.771) and excellent for diameter (k = 0.981) and tumour embolus (k = 0.927). Overall, ICA between LI-RADS and LS was fair 0.32; ICA was good for scores of 1 (k = 0.682), fair for scores of 2 (k = 0.36), moderate for scores of 5 (k = 0.52), but no agreement was found for scores of 3 (k = –0.059) and 4 (k = –0.022). LIRADS produced relatively high accuracy (87.3% vs. 80%), relatively low sensitivity (84.3% vs. 98%), and significantly higher specificity (89.83% vs. 64.4%) and positive likelihood ratio (+LR: 8.29 vs. 2.75) compared to LS approach. Conclusions: LI-RADS revealed higher diagnostic accuracy as compared to LS with statistical proof higher specificity and +LR showing its ability to foretell malignancy in high-risk patients. We recommend the practical application of the LI-RADS system in the detection and treatment response monitoring of patients with HCC

Combined versus single locoregional therapy in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

AbstractIntroductionSurgical and locoregional therapies are different options in HCC treatment, several locoregional techniques are used.PurposeThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and combined therapy, in HCC management.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted at our University Hospital, from August 2011 to February 2013. It included 60 patients with HCC (40 males and 20 females, age ranged between 45 and 70years). Patients were classified into 3 groups, group 1 treated with TACE, group 2 with RFA, and group 3 with both techniques. Response was assessed by triphasic CT and alpha fetoprotein. Patients were classified into good and poor responders after one and six months and one year. Patients’ survival and incidence of recurrence were recorded.ResultsThe percentage of good responders was greater with combined therapy than with TACE and RFA (90%, 70%, and 60% respectively). The overall survival was 75% and the recurrence free survival was 60% in TACE, 90%, and 45% in RFA and 95% and 90% in combined therapy respectively.ConclusionCombined therapy is superior regarding good response, overall survival, and free recurrence survival than either TACE or RFA alone

Comparative study between aortic valve replacement through full sternotomy versus mini-sternotomy

Background: The superiority of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) over the standard approach is the subject of ongoing research. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of AVR through full sternotomy versus mini-sternotomy. Methods:  We included 60 patients who had AVR; 30 patients underwent AVR through J- or T-shaped mini-sternotomy, and 30 patients had a full sternotomy. We included patients who had isolated AVR and excluded patients who had a concomitant cardiac procedure, redo surgery, or those who needed annular dilatation. All patients had aortic and right atrial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. Study endpoints were operative times, postoperative complications and duration of ICU and hospital stays. Results: There were no differences between the two groups preoperatively. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the mini-sternotomy group (median: 100 (range: 65- 170) vs. 85 (55-160) min, respectively; p= 0.024). Operative time was non-significantly longer in the mini-sternotomy group 5 (4-6) hours vs. 4.5 (4-6) hours in the full sternotomy group (p=0.62). Ventilation time was 10 (4- 50) hours in the mini-sternotomy group vs. 14 (8- 45) hours in the full sternotomy group (p<0.001). ICU stay was shorter in the mini-sternotomy group (2 (1-6.5) vs. 2.5 (1-7) days, respectively, p= 0.014). The total mediastinal drainage was 100 (50 400) ml in the mini-sternotomy group vs. 275 (50- 1000) ml in the full sternotomy group (p= <0.001). There was no difference in wound infection (p= 0.35), tamponade (p˃0.99), and hemothorax (p˃0.99) between both groups. Conclusion: Mini-sternotomy AVR had longer cardiopulmonary bypass times; however, there were no differences in the postoperative complications compared to the full sternotomy approach. Mini-sternotomy could be a safe alternative approach to the full median sternotomy for aortic valve replacement

Comparison between orthodontic measurements taken from Cone-beam Computed tomography (CBCT) and digital models after Enmasse retraction in orthodontic patients with maxillary protrusion.

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reliability in measuring anchorage loss, molar rotation, and total amount of retraction using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare them with the same measurements obtained using digitally scanned dental models. Materials and methods: 24 patients requiring comprehensive orthodontic treatment including extraction of 1st premolars with maximum anchorage using enmasse retraction. CBCTs were undertaken on the same 24 patients using InVivoDental software for measurement. The digital cast was made using alginate impressions, from which virtual 3D models will be created and measured using 3Shape analyzer software. Orthodontic measurements will be obtained from both the CBCT and the digital dental casts using standardized software. Three orthodontists will independently measure these parameters to evaluate inter- and intra-examiner reliability. Results: Preliminary results indicate a high level of agreement between orthodontic measurements acquired from CBCT and digital casts in the assessment of anchorage loss, molar rotation, and total amount of retraction. The ICC values revealed strong intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability between the two measurement methods. Conclusion: This study supports the comparability of orthodontic measurements acquired from digital casts and CBCT in assessing anchorage loss, molar rotation, and the total amount of retractio