Child Mental Health in Egypt

We present in this issue of The Cairo Papers a broad spectrum of articles dealing with the children of Egypt and their families; each article has a research base in the real world of childhood and each in its own way sug­gests trends for further work in both research and applied areas in child de­velopment. Ciaccio\u27s paper consists of an integrated set of recommendations based on action-oriented research sponsored by UNICEF- it is clear from a reading of his paper that the International Year of The Child is not simply another \u27UN year\u27 but rather a point of departure from which improved, increased and con­tinuing services for children will begin. Indeed, the second paper by Saleh and Moubarek take up Ciaccio\u27s challenge by showing how they have begun to re­build the school system of a Cairene sluni area, Bulaq. Their work has already served as a model for educational and social welfare improvement in several developing countries. Dr. Claire Fahim, eminent Egyptian Chil d Psychiatrist and long-time advocate of children\u27s rights in the Arab World, gives us an in­side view of the operations of a clinic for children which services over 124 schools in the West Cairo district; her successful use of the \u27team approach\u27 to child psychiatric problems is unique in Egypt. Fahmy\u27s paper concerning \u27emergent consciousness\u27 in a group of young women in the upper Egyptian village of Akhmim is a unique and fascinating doc­umentary of the socialization process_ of both males and females in a society undergoing rapid social change. Her perceptive use of in-depth interviews gives the reader an intimate view of family life paralleled perhaps only by Harrmed Arrmar\u27s Growing Up In An Egyptian Village (1954). Waines\u27 paper, a report of a pilot study she completed in 1978, actually is the first in a series of studies she is conducting on the mental health status of Egyptian children. She very clearly outlines the major clinical and research parameters involved and cogently argu es for more empirical data to guide future planning in the mental health field. The last paper in this issue, El-Mofty\u27s Children\u27s Reports of Child Rearing Practices, offers readers a most unusual and very refreshing view of socialization techniques as seen through the eyes of the children themselves. She presents data on sex and social class differences, some of which are clearly divergent from patterns found in the West. In sum, most of the articles in this volume represent work that is still in progress, work that will continue long after the celebration of the International Year of the Child. The underlying spirit of all the work however, is the recognition that the understanding and well-being of all children is closely linked with economic stability and world peace.https://fount.aucegypt.edu/faculty_book_chapters/1823/thumbnail.jp

Biofilm Formation and Control in a Novel Warm Water Distribution System

Biofilm Formation and Control in a Novel Warm Water Distribution System By Paul Lewis Waines Abstract Investigations were carried out to assess biofilm formation within a model warm water distribution system (test rig) under a variety of conditions. Analysis methods included ATP-/ culture-based analysis, SEM and confocal microscopy. Molecular-based community analysis was carried out using PCR/DGGE. High pH (9.53-10.08), induced by the presence of a sacrificial anode within the water heater, had a profound inhibitive effect on the culturability of biofilm bacteria on copper (Cu) pipe within the test rig. Concurrent investigations into the effect of stagnation (varied periods of non-flushing) appeared to contradict the widely held view that stagnation is conducive to biofilm formation, with greater flushing frequencies resulting in increased biofilm. It was concluded that a higher frequency of nutrient-delivering events were largely responsible for this and that in systems where lengthier stagnation periods were employed, factors such as low oxygen and reduced nutrient levels inhibited biofilm formation on previously uncontaminated Cu pipe. Thermal purging (TP) over a 28 day period of 30 second, 12 hourly flushing at 41 °C and three-daily one minute purging with 70 °C water resulted in a 99% reduction in the culturability of biofilm bacteria on both Cu and LLDPE. However, confocal microscopical analysis of bacterial numbers indicated that 25.06% (Cu) and 21.55% (LLDPE) of the initial bacterial population remained viable. A large proportion of non-viable biofilm bacteria were also observed. Further work is therefore required in order to optimize TP within the test rig. Biofilm formation on a range of different materials; Cu, stainless steel, PEX, and EPDM, showed significantly greater biofilm development on EPDM in comparison to the other materials. Preliminary investigations of LLDPE and tap outlet fittings showed that laminar flow outlet fittings may act as reservoirs for the development and subsequent dissemination of biofilm. Molecular bacterial community structural studies of test rig biofilms clearly showed that biofilm community composition was significantly affected by both temporal and environmental factors, and varied at points within the same system. Sequencing did not provide a great insight into the composition of the bacterial communities within the test rig, and further work is required to gain a more complete picture of bacterial community diversity within the test rig. These studies show that biofilm formation within the test rig is greatly influenced by a wide variety of factors. The test rig’s unique design necessitates a cautionary approach when making comparisons with, for example, larger water distribution systems  Dart Valley Systems Limite

Domestication and Crop Physiology: Roots of Green-Revolution Wheat

Background and aimsMost plant scientists, in contrast to animal scientists, study only half the organism, namely above-ground stems, leaves, flowers and fruits, and neglect below-ground roots. Yet all acknowledge roots are important for anchorage, water and nutrient uptake, and presumably components of yield. This paper investigates the relationship between domestication, and the root systems of landraces, and the parents of early, mid- and late green-revolution bread wheat cultivars. It compares the root system of bread wheat and 'Veery'-type wheat containing the 1RS translocation from rye.MethodsWheat germplasm was grown in large pots in sand culture in replicated experiments. This allowed roots to be washed free to study root characters.Key resultsThe three bread wheat parents of early green-revolution wheats have root biomass less than two-thirds the mean of some landrace wheats. Crossing early green-revolution wheat to an F(2) of 'Norin 10' and 'Brevor', further reduced root biomass in mid-generation semi-dwarf and dwarf wheats. Later-generation semi-dwarf wheats show genetic variation for root biomass, but some exhibit further reduction in root size. This is so for some California and UK wheats. The wheat-rye translocation in 'Kavkaz' for the short arm of chromosome 1 (1RS) increased root biomass and branching in cultivars that contained it.ConclusionsRoot size of modern cultivars is small compared with that of landraces. Their root system may be too small for optimum uptake of water and nutrients and maximum grain yield. Optimum root size for grain yield has not been investigated in wheat or most crop plants. Use of 1RS and similar alien translocations may increase root biomass and grain yield significantly in irrigated and rain-fed conditions. Root characters may be integrated into components of yield analysis in wheat. Plant breeders may need to select directly for root characters

Structure of the Pericarp in Some Amaranthus L. (Amaranthaceae) Species and Its Taxonomic Significance

In order to determine their taxonomic significance, 10 pericarp structure characters were scored for 21 Amaranthus L. taxa. In many, pericarp patterns permit recognition of the taxa as species. Differences between cultivated taxa and their wild relatives offer new arguments against their taxonomic union. The relationships between other closely related taxa are also analyzed (A. quitensis and A. hybridus: A. bouchonii and A. powellii; A. hybridus and A. powellii; A. blitum and A. emarginatus). Mechanisms of dehiscence and terminology for the fruit of Amaranthus are considered

Heterogeneity of wheat endosperm proteolipids (CM proteins)

Proteins extracted with CHCl3-MeOH from wheat endosperm have been fractionated by Sephadex G-100 and the 15 000–20 000 MW range fraction, designated CM protein, has been examined by combined electrofocusing (pH range 5–8) and electrophoresis (pH 3.2) and the heterogeneity of the electrophoretic components has been ascertained. It has been shown by joint mapping and by sequential extraction that CM proteins are extracted by 70% EtOH but not by H2O, although they can be made water-soluble after dialysis against an acid buffer, pH 3.2, 3 M urea, without losing their solubility in CHCl3-MeOH mixtures. It is concluded that CM proteins fit the definition of a Folch—Lees proteolipid. The Triticum aestivum (genomes ABD) map can be reconstructed by mixing T. durum (AB) and Aegilops squarrosa (D). The low intragenomic variability of CM protein is confirmed

Structure of the Pericarp in Some \u3cem\u3eAmaranthus\u3c/em\u3e L. (Amaranthaceae) Species and its Taxonomic Significance

In order to determine their taxonomic significance, 10 pericarp structure characters were scored for 21 Amaranthus L. taxa. In many, pericarp patterns permit recognition of the taxa as species. Differences between cultivated taxa and their wild relatives offer new arguments against their taxonomic union. The relationships between other closely related taxa are also analyzed (A. quitensis and A. hybridus; A. bouchonii and A. powellii; A. hybridus and A. powellii; A. blitum and A. emarginatus. Mechanisms of dehiscence and terminology for the fruit of Amaranthus are considered

Migration Matters The Longer View

The editors of the Enzyklopädie Migration in Europa. Vom 17. Jahrhundert bis zur Gegenwart (Munich, 2007) coined the phrase homo migrans to describe the phenomenon of human migration. This collaboration of German and Dutch historians was prompted by the current debate in their respective countries over Moroccan and Turkish immigration. This massive volume, however, covers only the past three centuries of migration including both to and from Europe

Non-Formal Education in Pakistan: A Child's Approach

To even the casual observer, public education in Pakistan appears to be in a state of crisis. On a recent trip to Islamabad and Lahore, I noticed state-supported schools seemingly outnumbered by private 'schools' that have sprung up on almost every street corner. These are generally housed in a villa, a bungalow, or a couple of rooms in a building with a billboard and fancy title and logo advertising their wares; Leeds Academy or London College of IT were spotted amongst the forest of signs. Other education indicators reveal Pakistan lagging behind its neighbours in South Asia: it has the lowest literacy rate, the lowest female participation in education, the highest female primary school dropout rate, and the lowest enrolment in tertiary education

Perceptions of Caregiver Distress, Health Behaviors, and Provider Health-Promoting Communication and their Relationship to Stress Management in MS Caregivers

This study applied the Stress/Health Model to examine a novel approach for promoting stress management among 67 caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis, who often face unique caregiving challenges. Hierarchical regressions indicated that caregiver distress (i.e., emotional burden) and engagement in other health-promoting activities (i.e., controlling alcohol use) were the best predictors of caregiver stress management. Communication with the MS care recipient’s health provider about caregiver engagement in health-promoting activities was associated with caregiver stress management, but not significantly more so than explained by the other factors (i.e., caregiver distress and engagement in health-promoting behaviors). A more controlled study would be indicated to further explain how to encourage, within the medical setting, caregiver engagement in self-care activities