THE IMAGE OF THE HISTORICAL CITY IN THE COURSE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT- TYRE CASE STUDY

Built heritage constitutes the physical components of the city\u27s identity and image; adding historical, symbolic or cultural values to old buildings justifies the need to protect them, and to find a way to integrate them with the expected development of the city. On the other hand, the modernity of the city reflects the contemporary character of the society by adopting the current architectural trends and the newest technologies in construction. This paper investigates the historical cities image throughout its continuous development, where the built heritage needs to be integrated within the new urban context established by the rational development of the city, through studying the case of Tyre city in South Lebanon. In this city, 1930s-1970s buildings achieved a sense of disjunctive break from the old city fabric (1766-1900s). In spite of the differences between these two fabrics, both represent a clear and strong identity for the two historical stages. This identity is confused in the later urban fabric of the city. As a result, the development of Tyre city should be balanced to improve \u27the sense of place\u27

MERGING EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY FOR LEADING A CREATIVE URBAN RECOGNITION INMIDDLE EASTERN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Despite the drifts towards globalization, regions and cities are emerging as the main arenas for international competitiveness. Cities are turning out to be as communities of knowledge, innovation, and creativity, yet becoming more complex, dynamic, diverse, and intangible. In this context, new strategies and approaches must be considered. Proposing a science park bridges the gap between education, research and industries. It could develop a creative urban regeneration processes, educational development and economic growth. Initiating the project with a sustainable approach will increase knowledge and develop innovated solutions in common areas as water management, alternative forms of energy, oil and gas extraction, industrial advancement, and sustainable urban development. The paper is going to discuss the feasibility of applying a science park in Lebanon as a case study for Middle Eastern developing countries. Applying these strategies on slum areas will improve the urban fabric and enhance the infrastructure of the neighborhood. Ten International case studies that augmented their regions around the world are analyzed to achieve the most efficient science park program that fits the local context. Furthermore, the adopted strategy could be applied in any developing country with similar contexts

Factors Affecting the Decision-Making Styles Adoption

Decision making is a significant and rational process in any business organization that deploys so many resources to work on selecting the optimal alternative and build a heuristic framework. In the last decade, Tire sector in Egypt witnessed many changes due to market dynamics and economic challenges, that require being adaptive in the decision-making process. The purpose of this study first is to define the different decision-making styles adopted by the decision makers in our case. The population of the study focuses on decision makers of a local family business. Secondly, is to measure the correlation between the dominant decision-making styles and the age groups, Job stress and Leadership styles. The selected model is based on Simon's concept of "bounded rationality" which has provided the conceptual foundation for much behavioral decision research, (Einhorn & Hogarth, 1981). Using certain tools such as GDMS, Job stress and Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaires. Study applied quantitative online survey then analyzed using scale reliability, test-re-test reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, descriptive, chi-square, and normality tests using SPSS. Results revealed that Rational-dependent, and intuitive decision-making styles are affected by different levels of perceived job stress also, the three leadership styles Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez-faire

Factors Affecting the Decision-Making Styles Adoption

Decision making is a significant and rational process in any business organization that deploys so many resources to work on selecting the optimal alternative and build a heuristic framework. In the last decade, Tire sector in Egypt witnessed many changes due to market dynamics and economic challenges, that require being adaptive in the decision-making process. The purpose of this study first is to define the different decision-making styles adopted by the decision makers in our case. The population of the study focuses on decision makers of a local family business. Secondly, is to measure the correlation between the dominant decision-making styles and the age groups, Job stress and Leadership styles. The selected model is based on Simon's concept of "bounded rationality" which has provided the conceptual foundation for much behavioral decision research, (Einhorn & Hogarth, 1981). Using certain tools such as GDMS, Job stress and Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaires. Study applied quantitative online survey then analyzed using scale reliability, test-re-test reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, descriptive, chi-square, and normality tests using SPSS. Results revealed that Rational-dependent, and intuitive decision-making styles are affected by different levels of perceived job stress also, the three leadership styles Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez-faire

Does MRI help in the assessment of inflammatory breast disorders?

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of work is to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of different entities of inflammatory breast disorders.Materials and methodsEighty-one non-lactating patients with mastitis had been evaluated by post contrast MR imaging; their ages ranged from 22 to 70years (Average age: 41.6years). MRI data analysis was performed regarding qualitative criteria and parametric color maps for image post processing. Diagnosis was made up regarding resolution in follow up sessions for simple mastitis and biopsy were done for cases with suspicious imaging findings.ResultsMammary interstitial edema with no masses or abnormal enhancement was elicited in 28.4% (n=23/81). T2-weighed and post contrast series were the sequences of choice to rely upon in evaluation. T2 had demonstrated lesions in 64.2% (n=52/81) and contrast uptake was detected in 68% (n=55/81). Quantitative analysis was overlapping.MR imaging had displayed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 87.5%, 72.3%, and 75.4% respectively in differentiating benign forms of mastitis from malignant ones.ConclusionIn inflammatory breast disorders, MR imaging can precisely delineate disease extent and monitor response to therapy. Immediate distinction between infectious/non-infectious and malignant mastitis is difficult to be obtained

A METHODOLOGY FOR SHIFTING EGYPTIAN PORTSINTO SUSTAINABLE GREEN PORTS

Egypt has a capacity of more than fifteen ports, situated on both the Mediterranean and the Red sea, with a totalarea of around 518 Km2. They are either commercial, or specialized ports which includes Mining Ports ,Petroleum Ports, Tourist Ports, Fishing Ports and Berths. The main Egyptian commercial ports are Alexandria,El Dekheila, Damietta, El Arish, West Port Said, East Port Said, Suez, Petroleum Dock, Adabiya, Sokhna Port, Hurghada, Safaga, El Tour, Nuweiba and Sharm El Sheikh. Establishing a methodology for shifting Egyptian Ports into sustainable green ports is of a major benefit as it incorporates a balance between environmental, social and economic concerns. It establishes guiding principles to achieve long-term environmental, societal and economic benefits through resource conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention. Applying Sustainable Green Port Policy achieves the Port’s environmental sustainability goals through six key areas: water, energy, air, waste management, sustainable development and sustainable business practices. The main objectives should effectively: manage resources in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner; minimize, environmental impacts directly attributable to operations on the Port\u27s Bay and the tidelands; prevent pollution and improve personal, community, and environmental health and ensure a balance of environmental, social and economic development. This methodology could be considered a guideline to shift both the Middle East and Africa ports into sustainable green ports

BRIDGING GAPS IN ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION: DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER-ORIENTED CURRICULUM

The concern about the future of architecture education has been growing in the last few decades. This phenomenon is powered by the sensation that the existing models of teaching and practicing architecture may not be appropriate enough to address the challenges of tomorrow. The aim of this research paper is to explore the missing links between the continuous chain of architecture education and the current state of the profession that leads the future. The research conducted a comprehensive review of literature, surveys of academics and Heads of School in Architecture, and the development of some case studies of the existing models of teaching and practicing architecture, in several major universities in the Middle East. It is argued that a consequence of outdated academic curricula must be changed in order to support a paradigm shift. This change would be from the architect provider to the architect enabler . As a result of this issue, a new educational methodology is introduced to support: (1) building bridges between the different disciplines in order to reach integral education, and (2) building bridges between the academia and practice in order to ensure graduates have the necessary technical and social skills. Finally, the paper concludes a set of recommendations that enhance the interaction between academia, practice and the other disciplines. This develops better architectural education future that steers the goals, curricula, research, and service of academia towards the arising new realities

Multilevel Thresholding for Image Segmentation Using an Improved Electromagnetism Optimization Algorithm

Image segmentation is considered one of the most important tasks in image processing, which has several applications in different areas such as; industry agriculture, medicine, etc. In this paper, we develop the electromagnetic optimization (EMO) algorithm based on levy function, EMO-levy, to enhance the EMO performance for determining the optimal multi-level thresholding of image segmentation. In general, EMO simulates the mechanism of attraction and repulsion between charges to develop the individuals of a population. EMO takes random samples from search space within the histogram of image, where, each sample represents each particle in EMO. The quality of each particle is assessed based on Otsu’s or Kapur objective function value. The solutions are updated using EMO operators until determine the optimal objective functions. Finally, this approach produces segmented images with optimal values for the threshold and a few number of iterations. The proposed technique is validated using different standard test images. Experimental results prove the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed algorithm for image segmentation compared with well-known optimization methods

Accuracy of Unenhanced Breast MRI Compared to Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI in Detection and Characterization of Breast Masses

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among females worldwide. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is of considerable importance as it informs the choice of treatment and the prognostic outcomes of the disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of breast cancer than mammography and ultrasound. Objective: We aimed to assess the diagnostic efficacy and efficiency of unenhanced MRI sequences for detection and characterization of breast lesions. Accordingly, we evaluated the breast unenhanced- MRI (UE-MRI) protocol as a reliable alternative for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Patients and Methods: 90 female patients underwent MR examination with a diagnostic protocol including UE-MRI sequences (T1WI, T2WI, short TI inversion recovery (STIR) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)) and CE-MRI. UE-MRI results were compared with DCE-MRI and the gold standard results having the latter as the reference standard. Results: UE-MRI results obtained sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 90%, 80%,  90%, 80%, and 86.7% respectively. On the other hand, those for the DCE-MRI were 95%, 90%, 95%, 90%, and 93.3% respectively. It was revealed that  there was no significant difference between the two methods. Conclusion: UE-MRI could be considered as a reliable diagnostic tool and an effective substitute for DCEMRI when contrast administration is not feasible or contraindicated