Vol. 27 Issue 4
Sameer S. A. Natto
The BrainLab iPlan Treatment Planning System (TPS) was used to model a clinac ×-ray
photon beam with the BrainLab stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) apparatus. The head and neck
region of the anthropomorphic Rando phantom was scanned using both CT and MRI imaging
modalities. Imaged slices were fused together for better contrast using the automatic image fusion
provided with iPlan RT image software. A 1.25 cm3 tumour was assumed and defined at the back of
the brain. Nine intracranial radiosensitive structures were segmented manually and automatically
by using the atlas-based auto-segmentation tool implemented in iPlan RT image software. The
iPlan RT dose software was then employed to estimate the dose received by 50% of each of these
structures and the tumour. Volumes and doses of automatically and manually segmented structures
were then compared. Generally, it was found that iPlan RT image overestimates the volume of
intracranial structures except two of them, the right and the left eye, were underestimated. The dose
received by radiosensitive structures exposed to direct ×-ray beam were affected by segmentation
discrepancies, while the off-beam structures were not. It was found that auto-segmentation helped
in reducing the time required for segmentation by considerable amounts with acceptable accuracy.
Finally, an important recommendation is to explore the possibility of predefining the radiological
properties of different types of tumour cells in the code for quick and accurate auto-segmentation
of Gross Tumour Volume (GTV), for better dose estimation.
N. K. Rao, Mohammed Shahid and Shabbir A. Shahid
Pilot studies were conducted at the Dubai based International Center for Biosaline
Agriculture with the objective to identify alternative crops with potential for diversification of
production systems in the Arabian Peninsula. Among the many crops examined, quinoa, cowpea,
pigeonpea and mustard showed good adaptation to the environment and produced yields comparable
to those reported from highly productive environments. Thus, maximum seed yield recorded was
2.58 t ha-1 in quinoa (Ames 13761), 3.09 t ha-1 in cowpea (TVu 9725), 3.56 t ha-1 in pigeonpea
(ICP 995) and 3.04 t ha-1 in mustard (ATC 93142). These crops are tolerant to drought and salinity
and have a wide range of uses, thus making them promising alternative crops for diversification
of production systems and the economic use of marginal land and water resources. The ten best
performing accessions were selected in each crop for further evaluation and development of suitable
agronomic practices to introduce them to the farmers in the region.
Afnan Freije and Hashim Al-Sayed
This study examines the turban shell Turbo coronatus strategies for storing lipids and
glycogen for reproductive investment. The monthly variations of total lipids and glycogen contents
were studied over a period of 12 months from March 2003 to February 2004. Samples of 40-50
individuals were handpicked from the surface of the intertidal rocks at Shaikh Ebrahim Island
every month. Two spawning events occurred during the year, the first one in April-May, while the
second peak took place from July to November. The onset of male spawning was earlier than the
onset of female spawning by an average of 4 weeks. Spawning was associated with a decrease in
total lipids content, whereas gametogenesis was associated with an increase in total lipids content.
The highest concentration of total lipids content was recorded during June and July for males
and females respectively. Glycogen contents fluctuated throughout the period of this study with a
significant increase (p< 0.05) in May for both sexes. In contrast to lipids, glycogen concentrations
were very low, and did not contribute to the gametogenetic effort. Our results suggest that energy
for reproduction is primarily derived from stored lipids.
Jalal A. Al-Tahow, Asadullah Al-Ajmi, and Waleed K. Al-Zubari
Groundwater represents the only natural source of relatively freshwater available to the
State of Kuwait. However, recent studies have indicated groundwater pollution by agricultural,
petroleum, and dumping activities, which could lead to the loss of this resource in the future if not
properly protected. Hence, there is a need for planning documents representing the vulnerability
of groundwater resources to pollution by surface activities, to be used in land use planning, or
to take required precautionary measures for the existing activities. In the first part of this study,
the vulnerability of groundwater to surface pollution in Kuwait is assessed using the DRASTIC
methodology by employing Geographic Information System in the development of a spatial database that included hydrogeologic, topographic, water level, geologic, and soil data. The GIS database is
used to classify the field values of the parameters of the DRASTIC methodology, which included
Depth to water table, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone, and Hydraulic
conductivity, and were converted into their respective ratings. The Recharge parameter was excluded
due to its negligible value over Kuwait. These ratings are then multiplied by the parameters relative
weights to produce the final groundwater vulnerability index map. Analysis of the map indicated that
groundwater classified as vulnerable to highly vulnerable occupy about 1100 km2 from the total area
of Kuwait and is located mainly in the eastern parts of the country along the coast, where the depth
to groundwater is as low as 0 to 1.5 m. However, the majority of groundwater areas in Kuwait have
low potential to surface pollution, essentially due to the large depth to groundwater, which is more
than 75 m towards the west.
Abdulaziz R. Seroji
The equivalent noise levels (LAeq) were measured inside and outside Mina camping during
the Hajj season in 1428H (2007) in Makkah (412 m altitude, 21˚.25 N, 39˚.52 E). Measurements
were made using the Sound level Meter of model CR812B made by Cirrus Research Company,
United Kingdom. These measurements were performed at four camps distributed at different sites in
Mina area (Beginning of Mina - Middle of Mina – Streets area – Al-Jamarat area). Results showed
that the measured equivalent noise levels per 8 hour at these four camps were ranging between 64 –
78 dB day and night, which is exceeding the recommended noise levels by WHO. Noise levels were
similar at all camps during the three days of Al-Tashreeq and the maximum of 74 dB was recorded
at camps that were sited in the middle of Mina, while the minimum was at those located at the end of
Mina near to Mozdalefah. Moreover, a survey was conducted to evaluate the effects of six health and
behaviours factors that the noise might cause. Survey results showed that sleeping disturbance (61%)
and difficulty in worship performing (58%) were the most problems that pilgrims were suffering,
while the smallest one was vibrations in ear (15%). Some suggestions for diminishing such noise
levels in Mina valley during hajj season were highlighted.
Rihab Reshid AL- azawii
Yeast isolate of Candida tropicalis1369 was grown on a source of carbon waste material
of corn cob a waste product of paper indusry (corn cob liquor) as a substrate for SCP production .
The best concentration of corn cob liquor is 30 % for Yeast growth in the presence of 0.5% KH2PO4
% 0.3 &(NH4)2SO4 . On flask level scale the total number of yeast is 1.4 x 108 cell / ml. and the dry
weight 2.5 g/ liter . On lab fermenter scale using batch culture technique the highest yeast yield is 3.1
g/l, by continuous culture technique using an incremental addition process the yield is 8.3 g/l, with
dilution rate of 0.26 per hr .Candida tropicalis 24 was grown on a waste product of starch industry
from corn (corn steep liquor CSL ) , the best concentration of CSL is 15% in the presence of 0.2 %
of sodium citrate as a growth enhanced factor and at PH 5.0 . The highest optical density is 2.0 & 2.4
on a level of flask and lab fermenter respectively . The dry weight is 3.0 & 5.5 on a level of flask and
lab fermenter respectively . Candida utilis 9255 was grown on fusel a waste product of ethyl alcohol
industry , the optical density is 2.29 and the dry weight is 5.2 g/l on a level of lab. fermenter while the
optical density is 2.53 and the dry weight is 5.5 g/l in the presence of pure ethanol . The researcher
recommond the possiblitiy of using these waste products as acarbon source for SCP production and
to remove harmful effects of them on the enviroment.