The concept of unnatural roof garden to reduce energy consumption and electricity bills for houses in Bahrain

The green roof technology has become one of the most important techniques in present days to reduce energy consumption inside buildings especially in hot climates. Bahraini residential roofs are usually constructed with precast concrete, which, alongside with natural plant needs (soil and irrigation) makes the natural roof garden technique difficult to implement. This research will present a new option to reduce the energy consumption inside residential buildings in Bahrain. The new concept depends on using unnatural grass (turf) added on the concrete roofs for residential buildings in Bahrain. A simulation computer program "e-QUEST" will be used as simulation tool; to calculate the energy consumption and energy costs for each case study. The use of unnatural grass on the concrete roofs will reduce (150,321.6B.D = 414.88 Dollars) annually for the selected model and an annual energy consumption reduction of (68 kWh). The annual reduction in energy consumption for each square meter is (7.556 kWh). The maximum reduction for bills' energy consumption is verified in July, while the minimum reduction for bills' energy consumption is verified in January. Keywords: Reduce energy, Energy costs, Energy consumption, Unnatural roof garden, Bahraini houses

An Innovative Platform Merging Elemental Analysis and Ftir Imaging for Breast Tissue Analysis

Histopathology and immunohistology remain the gold standard for breast cancer diagnostic. Yet, these approaches do not usually provide a sufficiently detailed characterization of the pathology. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate for the first time that elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy microscopic examination of breast tissue sections can be merged into one dataset to provide a single set of markers based on both organic molecules and inorganic trace elements. For illustrating the method, 6 mammary tissue sections were used. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy images reported a fingerprint of the organic molecules present in the tissue section and laser ablation elemental analysis (LA-ICP-MS) images brought inorganic element profiles. The 6 tissue sections provided 31 106 and 150,000 spectra for FTIR and LA-ICP-MS spectra respectively. The results bring the proof of concept that breast tissue can be analyzed simultaneously by FTIR spectroscopy and laser ablation elemental analysis (LA-ICP-MS) to provide in both case reasonably high resolution images. We show how to bring the images obtained by the two methods to a same spatial resolution and how to use image registration to analyze the data originating from both techniques as one block of data. We finally demonstrates the elemental analysis is orthogonal to all FTIR markers as no significant correlation is found between FTIR and LA-ICP-MS data. Combining FTIR and LA-ICP-MS imaging becomes possible, providing two orthogonal methods which can bring an unprecedented diversity of information on the tissue. This opens a new avenue of tissue section analyses providing unprecedented diagnostic potential. - 2019, The Author(s).This study was made possible by a NPRP Award [7–1267–3–328] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). E.G. is Research Director with the National Fund for Scientific Research (Belgium). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.Scopu

Health promotion, disease prevention and periodic health checks: perceptions and practice among family physicians in eastern Mediterranean region

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the current practices and perceptions of family physicians regarding health promotion, disease prevention including periodic screening and health checks in Eastern Mediterranean Region. Methods: A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted in six countries of EMR, from September 2014 to March 2015. Family Physicians who were currently practicing in different countries of EMR were invited to participate in the study through email. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered and analyzed on SPSS 19 and logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: A total of 100 physicians data was included in the final analysis. The majority were female physicians (76%): 63% were 25 to 35 years of age. Approximately 53% of Family physicians always recommend periodic screening and health checks to their patients. The common screening question asked to patients in medical history was related to their blood pressure (86%). Almost all (99%) of the Family physicians believe they should conduct periodic health checks. Those who had postgraduate training in Family Medicine (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.39-1.67) and attended CME sessions regularly (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01-0.93), are more likely to recommend periodic screening and health checks to their patients. Conclusion: Periodic screening and health check is an important strategy to prevent disease and maintain health. It is an underutilized practice and a great need exists for its implementation in family practice

Risk factors for developing congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

AbstractObjectiveTo identify potential risk factors for developing congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).Study design and methodsA cross-sectional study. A quantitative questionnaire was distributed to a sample of mothers attending the Pediatrics Clinic at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ResultsA total of 756 mothers responded to our questionnaire. Of the 756 filled questionnaires, 389 (51.67%) were male children. 5.3% of the mothers lived in non-urban settings. CNLDO was reported in the children attending the clinic by 17.1% (129/756) of their mothers. Average age (±SD) of infants when persistent tearing was noticed was 3.2±2.7months, while average age (±SD) of resolution was 9.6±3.7months. Of the children with CNLDO, 37.2% (48/129) still have persistent tearing at the time of distributing the questionnaire. Among the group with CNLDO, 17% (22/129) of their mothers have experienced an infection during pregnancy (p=0.022). Within the same group, 14.7% (19/129) of the affected children were reported by their mothers to have other children with CNLDO which was statistically significant (p=<0.001).ConclusionCNLDO could have a genetic predisposition and maternal infection is a possible risk factor for developing CNLDO. Surgical management awareness should be emphasized to relieve children from this relatively common and benign condition

Criterion for polynomial solutions to a class of linear differential equation of second order

We consider the differential equations y''=\lambda_0(x)y'+s_0(x)y, where \lambda_0(x), s_0(x) are C^{\infty}-functions. We prove (i) if the differential equation, has a polynomial solution of degree n >0, then \delta_n=\lambda_n s_{n-1}-\lambda_{n-1}s_n=0, where \lambda_{n}= \lambda_{n-1}^\prime+s_{n-1}+\lambda_0\lambda_{n-1}\hbox{and}\quad s_{n}=s_{n-1}^\prime+s_0\lambda_{k-1},\quad n=1,2,.... Conversely (ii) if \lambda_n\lambda_{n-1}\ne 0 and \delta_n=0, then the differential equation has a polynomial solution of degree at most n. We show that the classical differential equations of Laguerre, Hermite, Legendre, Jacobi, Chebyshev (first and second kind), Gegenbauer, and the Hypergeometric type, etc, obey this criterion. Further, we find the polynomial solutions for the generalized Hermite, Laguerre, Legendre and Chebyshev differential equations.Comment: 12 page

The effects of fermented feed on broiler production and intestinal morphology

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of wet feed and fermented feed on the intestinal morphology and histology of broiler chicks. A total of 360 one day old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned (CRD) into six treatment groups. Chicks were fed: (T1) Control group of dry feed; (T2) Fed on wet feed (1:1, feed: water); (T3) 25% fermented feed + 75% dry feed; (T4) 50% fermented feed + 50% dry feed; (T5) 75% fermented feed + 25% dry feed and (T6) 100%, fermented feed throughout the experimental period. Each treatment group was replicated three times using 20 chicks per replicate. The chicks were raised at a temperature and in humidity controlled room with a 24-h. constant light and had ad. libitum access to water and feed throughout the experimental period which lasted for six weeks. The results showed that all diets containing fermented feed, especially 100%, had dependent effects on the evaluated production characteristics. The feeds had significantly (P < 0.05) increased the relative weight and length of the small intestine. Likewise, it raised the villi height, crypt depth and the percentage of the villi height to crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum increased. In conclusion, the results of the current experiment indicated that fermented feed with probiotic would be beneficial economically since the broiler feed conversion ratio had been improved (2.4% in T2; 4.1% in T3; 5.3% in T4; 5.3% in T5 and 7.7% in T6) as a consequence to enhance their intestinal morphology

Molecular detection of Human Papillomavirus genotype-16&-18 in tissues from patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: High oncogenic-risk genotypes of human Papillomavirus (HPV) infect a wide range of human cells, including prostate tissue that give rise to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinomas. Objectives: This study aimed to detect DNA of HPV genotype-16 &18 using in situ hybridization technique in prostatic tissues from benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinomas, and elucidate the association between these HPV genotypes and prostatic carcinogenesis. Patients and methods: Forty-eight (48) formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded prostatic tissue blocks were obtained ,among them (28) tissue biopsies from prostatic carcinoma with different grades and (20) benign prostate hyperplastic tissue blocks as well as (10) apparently normal prostate tissue autopsies which were collected from the archives of Forensic Medicine Institute / Baghdad and used as prostate healthy control groups. Detection and genotyping of HPV was done by highly sensitive in situ hybridization technique. Results: The signals of in situ hybridization reactions of both HPV-16 and HPV-18 in prostate cancer cases in the present study was 25% (7 / 28) whereas in BPH, HPV-16 was detected in 45 %( 9 /20) and HPV-18 was presented in 35 %( 7/ 20). Neither HPV-16 nor HPV-18 was detected in the apparently healthy control group.The percentages of HPV 16 and HPV18 were increasing with advancing of grade of prostate cancer. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the oncogenic HPV-16 might contribute to the development of subset of prostate tumors. In addition, HPV16&18 might have a crucial role in progression of the prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasi

The Prospect of Waqf in Financing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Yemen

The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in economic development has been duly recognised. However, SMEs encounter a number of challenges. The most pressing obstacle SMEs face is the lack of finance. Therefore, it is extremely important to find new and suitable finance sources in order to support SMEs either in their establishment or growth phases. Waqf is regarded one of the best sources of finance in the Islamic financial system. There is much potential in its use to finance SMEs financing. The present study explored the prospect of Waqf as an Islamic financial instrument to finance SMEs. It further examined a proposed modified Waqf model and whether it was applicable in Yemen. The study has adopted a qualitative method in the form of semi-structured interviews with 6 experts from Waqf institutions and from SMEs developmental institutions. The experts interviewed are mainly SMEs owners, Waqf directors and beneficiaries specialized in the areas of Waqf and SMEs. The findings of the study indicate that Waqf appeared to be one of the most important instruments in financing such economic activities as it can play a crucial role in financing SMEs. Further, the study significantly contributed by suggesting a new method that will help in financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Yemen. Thus, providing a finance for these firms will help to create more jobs for the low income, which in turn helps in the economic development

A finite element analysis on combined convection and conduction in a channel with a thick walled cavity

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of thick wall parameters of a cavity on combined convection in a channel. In other words, conjugate heat transfer is solved. Design/methodology/approach: Galerkin weighted residual finite element method is used to solve the governing equations of mixed convection. Findings: The streamlines, isotherms, local and average Nusselt numbers are obtained and presented for different parameters. It is found heat transfer is an increasing function of dimensionless thermal conductivity ratio. Originality/value: The literature does not have mixed convection and conjugate heat transfer problem in a channel with thick walled cavity