Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationMyocardial microstructure plays an important role in sustaining the orchestrated beating motion of the heart. Several microstructural components, including myocytes and auxiliary cells, extracellular space, and blood vessels provide the infrastructure for normal heart function, including excitation propagation, myocyte contraction, delivery of oxygen and nutrients, and removing byproduct wastes. Cardiac diseases cause deleterious changes to some or all of these microstructural components in the detrimental process of cardiac remodeling. Since heart failure is among the leading causes of death in the world, new and novel tools to noninvasively characterize heart microstructure are needed for monitoring and staging of cardiac disease. In this regards, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a promising framework to probe and quantify tissue microstructure without the need for exogenous contrast agent. As diffusion in 3-dimensional space is characterized by the diffusion tensor, MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is being used to noninvasively measure anisotropic diffusion, and thus the magnitude and spatial orientation of microstructural organization of tissues, including the heart. However, even though in vivo cardiac DTI has become more clinically available, to date the origin and behavior of different microstructural components on the measured DTI signal remain to be explicitly specified. The presented studies in this work demonstrate that DTI can be used as a noninvasive and contrast-free imaging modality to characterize myocyte size and density, extracellular collagen content, and the directional magnitude of blood flow. The identified applications are expected to provide metrics to enable physicians to detect, quantify, and stage different microstructural components during progression of cardiac disease

Early results of combined aortic arch debranching and thoracic endovascular re-pair

Background: The hybrid technique for managing aortic arch diseases has been introduced recently into the surgical armamentarium. We aimed to evaluate the early postoperative outcomes after aortic arch debranching and endovascular repair (TEVAR) of aortic arch aneurysms or dissection. Methods: Between March 2015 and September 2020, 17 patients underwent elective aortic arch debranching concomitant with TEVAR. Thirteen patients had aortic arch aneurysms, and four had chronic dissection. Study outcomes were early postoperative complications such as stroke, paraplegia, renal insufficiency, and 30-day mortality. Results: The mean age of our patients was 61.2± 7.6 years; 12 of them were males (70.6%). Five patients underwent total debranching (29.4%). All debranching procedures were followed with TEVAR. 30-day mortality, stroke, permanent paraplegia, and renal failure occurred in one patient (5.9%), while transient neurological deficit occurred in two patients (11.8%). Conclusion: Hybrid management of aortic arch pathologies showed encouraging early results. The combination of surgical aortic arch debranching and TEVAR could be an option for managing aortic arch diseases. However, larger studies with longer follow up are recommended

Robust Wilks' Statistic based on RMCD for One-Way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA)

The classical Wilks' statistic is the most using for testing the hypotheses of equal mean vectors of several multivariate normal populations for one-way MANOVA. It is extremely sensitive to the influence of outliers. Therefore, the robust Wilks' statistic based on reweighted minimum covariance determinant (RMCD) estimator with Hampel weighted function has been proposed. The distribution of the proposed statistic differs from the classical one. Mont Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the performance of the test statistic under the normal and contaminated distribution for the data set. Moreover, the type I error rate and power of test have been considered as statistical measures to comparison between the classical and the robust statistics. The results show that, the robust Wilks' statistic based on RMCD is closely to the classical Wilks' statistic in case of normal distribution for the data set while in case of contaminated distribution the method in question is the best. Keywords: One-Way Multivariate Analysis of Variance, Wilks' Statistic, Outliers, Robustness, Minimum Covariance Determinant Estimator.

Change management capability maturity model for contractors in the Kuwaiti construction industry

This research aims to improve the implementation of project change management by contractors to secure better outcomes in construction projects. An empirically designed and tested change management capability maturity model was developed to be used as an infrastructure for boosting the change management capabilities for contractors in Kuwait. This research commenced with an extensive literature review to understand project changes and the implementation of project change management by contractors. This literature review was followed by semi-structured interviews with contractors to allow for a deeper understanding of the success criteria of change management. To validate this criteria, a quantitative questionnaire survey took place and indicated 52 change management success criteria from the perspective of contractors in Kuwait. These success criterions (represented by practices and tools) were grouped using the principal component analysis (PCA) technique and assigned weights within their designated groups using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Delphi technique to indicate their relevant significance within a successful change management process. As a result, the Change Management Capability Maturity Model (CMCMM) was constructed to evaluate the contractor’s capability to conduct a prosperous change management process according to the previously concluded success criteria. The model was reviewed by domain experts and by conducting several case studies to substantiate its fitness for purpose and practicality. The case studies also showed that CMCMM was effective in indicating the change management process gaps and successfully outlined the pathway of process improvement and Institutionalisation. The research contributes to the body of knowledge related to construction management and capability maturity models in addition to having several practical implications. This contribution is represented by the development of an empirically based capability maturity model that uses a validated and weighted criteria within each stage of project change management process to evaluate the contractor’s ability to conduct project change management process. The research also provides a step-by-step user guide to enable the proper usage of CMCMM and enhance the model’s degree of usability by new users in the organisation

Arbitration in discord between the spouses and mechanisms developed in eliminating the legitimate Jordanian

This research covers the subject of Arbitrating between the Couples when conflict occurs between them. This paper shows the meaning of Arbitrating, conflict and any other terms related to them. Arbitrating aims at bringing peace and resolve conflicts between the Couples which serves the objectives of shari\u27a. The paperalso shows its importance and the conditions and character is tics of Arbitrators. The paper discussing the phases of this process, beginning by the agreement on arbitrating as a method to solve the conflict, and the stay of the a garment between the opponents and the arbitrator and assigning recognizable as a start for the process. The research shows that the main aim of arbitrating is brigading tolerance between the Couples whenever it is possible they failed, divorce occurs. If compensation was sentenced due to insulation, the amount of insult is taken from the wife\u27s dowry. The rate of her dowry is to be given to her. The report sent to the judge should have certain conditions. The importance of this research lies in the role of arbitration in keeping the unity of the family and in reducing the member of divorce in the Muslim community, and it also appears in the authenticity of arbitration in conflicts between Couples. This research appears the steps of development effectuation of the arbitration in Jordanian legal Judiciary through put the criterions that judges and Arbitrators use i

Crimes resulting from the illegal use of pesticides in Palestine

This study dealt with the crimes resulting from the illegal use of pesticides in Palestine. The Palestinian legislator regulated the use of pesticides in the agricultural sector through several legislations, most notably the Agriculture Law and the Consumer Protection Law, in addition to the Public Health Law and the regulations issued by the Council of Ministers. The legal procedures related to the manufacture and registration of pesticides, as well as the controls of their use, and the penalties for violating these legal provisions, especially in the case of the circulation of food contaminated with pesticides resulting from the illegal use of this pesticide , Such legislation has been keen to take many preventive measures to reduce the risk of these pesticides on human health and the environment so that the provider is committed to the consumer shows how to use pesticides clearly. The Palestinian legislator banned the importation of any pesticides unless they were licensed for use in agriculture in developed countries such as the United States and the World Health Organization. The crime of violating the conditions related to the use of pesticides is one of the forms of crimes resulting from the illegal use of pesticides, in addition to the crimes that result from harm to consumers as a result of the use of pesticides. In addition, the legislator has enacted a number of regulations for the manufacture and circulation of pesticides for the public health and safety of the environment. This legislation has criminalized many acts related to the misuse of pesticides, which may harm the health and safety of consumers. And not commensurate with the magnitude of the damage that these pesticides may cause as a result of illegal use

Right coronary artery severe stenosis as a predictor of new onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery

Background: post-operative Atrial fibrillation (POAF) commonly occurs in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries including Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Role of right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis in developing POAF after CABG is not settled yet. Objective: This retrospective study aimed to assess severe RCA stenotic lesion (70% or more narrowing) as a predisposing factor for POAF, in patients undergoing on-pump CABG, whether the RCA was grafted or not. Patients and methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent on-pump CABG in xxxx Hospitals and xxxx Hospitals between January 2022 and June 2022 were divided into two groups: Group (A) had severe right coronary artery disease, and Group (B) did not have severe right coronary artery disease. Following the operation, all patients were examined daily for electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations until they were discharged. Results: The mean age of the included patients was 52.6 (± 3), and 55 % of them were females. The mean Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56 (± 5). Incidence of atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in patients with severe RCA stenosis compared to those without severe RCA stenosis; p= 0.001 (68% vs 34%) denoting positive correlation between significant RCA stenosis and POAF; r=0.340, p=0.001. Conclusion: Severe RCA stenosis is one of the predictors of developing AF after CABG

Urban Expansion in Damascus Rural Governorate - Case Study of the town of Sabaina during the period 1950-2011

  The researcher talked about the urban expansion witnessed by the town of Sabaina during the period 1950 to 2011, and the researcher continued to study this expansion by dividing it into four stages of time, indicating the characteristics and characteristics of each stage, referring to the phenomenon of random housing in the town and the reasons for its growth, Talk about the forms and models of residential construction in the town. The researcher relied on the historical method and descriptive and analytical descriptive method by describing this phenomenon. The researcher reached a number of results, the most important of which was: The town of Sabina has undergone a rapid urban transformation from an agricultural village in Al Ghouta to an urban town of the size of the city since the seventies and eighties of the last century as a result of migration and population growth. , And Amran organized 18.6%, and the legislation dealing with the situation of housing random and issued since the sixties of the last century played a negative role in the spread of violations of the construction of gaps in the legislation, and the absence of alternatives

The relationship between dyslipidemia and lupus nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients attending a Saudi Rheumatic Center, Tabuk

Background: There is an increasing awareness of the role of dyslipidemia in lupus nephritis patients, no researchers have studied dyslipidemia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Tabuk. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between dyslipidemia and lupus nephritis in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative longitudinal hospital-based study was conducted at a rheumatic clinic in the North West Armed Force Hospital (NWAFH) during the period April 2014–June 2015. Seventy-three patients diagnosed with SLE were invited to participate in the study. All participants were required to sign a written informed consent, following which they were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data collected include demographic data, clinical characteristics, fasting lipid profile, renal function tests, urine analysis, antinuclear antibody, anti-double-stranded antibodies, complement levels, serum albumin, anticardiolipin, ant bodies, and antiphospholipid antibodies. Lupus nephritis was ascertained by renal biopsy. The research was approved by the ethical committees of both the University of Tabuk and the NWAFH and data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Out of 73 patients with SLE, 86.3% were females with a mean age of  34 ± 6.4 years. Lupus nephritis was evident in 26% of the patients, proteinuria in 44.1%, high total cholesterol in 17.8%, high low-density lipoprotein in 15.1%, high triglycerides in 27.3%, and low high-density lipoproteins in 52.1%. Patients with lupus nephritis had high total cholesterol, high LDL, high TG, and low HDL than those without lupus nephritis P-value < 0.05. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia was more common among patients with SLE nephritis, and an aggressive treatment is recommended to reduce this serious complication. The relatively small size of the study group and the fact that the study was conducted at a single tertiary center are the limitations of this study. Keywords: dyslipidemia, lupus nephritis, Saudi Arabi

Morphological and morphometric study of Echinococcus granulosus (metacestode) in Sulaimani Province/ Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) is a parasitic infection   caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus with the global distribution. This disease is endemic in Iraq and Kurdistan Region with no strategy and long-term control plan. The strain identification of this parasite is essential to improve both monitoring and prevention of the disease. For this reason, the present on the morphological characterization of the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus isolated from sheep, cattle, and human beings, was carried out in Sulaimani as an atempt to determine the polymorphism among echinococcus hooks isolated from diferent hosts. The morphometric of hooks were evaluated by (computerized morphometric) software. A significant difference was found in the blade length and width (guard) of the hook isolated from a different intermediate host of Echinococcus. This finding suggested that different strains of E. granulosus are responsible for animal and human infection in Kurdistan-Iraq