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In recent years there has been considerable interest in the possibility of building complex problem solving systems as groups of co-operating experts. This has led us to develop a multiagent expert systems capable to run on servers that can support a large group of users (clients) who communicate with the system over the network. The system provides an architecture to coordinate the behavior of several specific agent types. Two types of agents are involved. One type works on the server computer and the other type works on the client computers. The society of agents in our system consists of expert systems agents (diagnosis agents, and a treatment agent) working on the server side, each of which contains an autonomous knowledge-based system. Typically, agents will have expertise in distinct but related domains. The whole system is capable of solving problems, which require the cumulative expertise of the agent community. Besides to the user interface agent who employs an intelligent data collector, so-called communication model in KADS, working on the client sides. We took the advantage of a successful pre-existing expert systems—developed at CLAES (Central Laboratory for Agricultural Expert Systems, Egypt)—for constructing an architecture of a community of cooperating agents. This paper describes our experience with decomposing the diagnosis expert systems into a multi-agent system. Experiments on a set of test cases from real agricultural expert systems were preformed. The expert systems agents are implemented in Knowledge Representation Object Language (KROL) and JAVA languages using KADS knowledge engineering methodology on the WWW platform.

As the pace of modern battle has increased, headquarters and Electronic Warfare (EW) staff need to process increasing volumes of information in a decreasing amount of time. Assistance in this critical task is proposed by developing the Electronic Warfare Intelligent Information System (EWIIS) that deals with processing of electronic warfare, communications, radar, maps, war missions … etc. This system is aimed at achieving the best performance with a friendly system in spite of the existence of hostile actions. EWIIS deals with different sources of data. It helps visualize mission scenarios and suggests the best combination of weapons to successfully complete the mission with minimum loss.

Knowledge discovery in financial organization have been built and operated mainly to support decision making using knowledge as strategic factor.In this paper, we investigate the use of association rule mining as an underlying technology for knowledge discovery in insurance business. Existing association rule algorithms and its extensions are inefficient in mining association rules in such data characteristics. We introduce algorithms for discovering knowledge in the form of association rules, suitable for data characteristics. Proposed data mining techniques is a hybrid of clustering partitioning and multi level rule induction. The proposed tool is managed by a repository meta model instantiated by meta-data libraries specific to insurance domain. It is implemented on a PC running on Ms Windows 2000. Samples of life data are extracted from different geographical locations of an Egyptian insurance company covering ten years. By using the induced rules, the decision- maker can define the horizontal expansion of marketing activities on new geographical area, or vertically empower the marketing forces in existing geographical area. Keywords: insurance data characteristics, macro association rules, clustering partitioning, preprocessing &transformation, OLAP aggregation, ontology, data warehouse

There are some problems that need expertise in order to get a satisfactory solution. Ferryboat carries goods, fresh water, diesel oil, luggage and storing rooms up to its permissible draft in order to maintain safety according to the international safety regulations. The best weight distribution on ferryboat needs human expertise to handle many variables, such as the amount of the bunker and fresh water that allow us to use more rooms for charging in order to maximize the profit. This sort of problems can be classified under Configuration Problem. In this paper, we address the development of a ferryboat expert systems (WDFB) using CommonKADS knowledge engineering methodology. We propose a reusable problem-solving approach, which is an enhancement of the structure-oriented approach, capable of solving the ferryboat configuration problem. The proposed model includes heuristics that make the search of suitable configuration more efficient, taking into consideration the transformation knowledge and the optimality criteria. The results of testing the system on a real-world data from National Navigation Company, Suez, Egypt, were satisfactory.

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We aimed to assess the right atrial performance in patients after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot, and to clarify the relationship between the pump function of the right atrium and right ventricular systolic function. We included in the study 50 asymptomatic patients following corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot, comparing them to 30 normal subjects. Right atrial areas were measured by echocardiography, and the active fractional area of emptying was expressed, in percentages, as the area measured at the onset of atrial contraction, minus the minimal area, divided by the area at the onset of atrial contraction. We used this value to assess the atrial pump function. Right atrial peak strain rates were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Compared to controls, patients with tetralogy of Fallot had a significantly reduced right atrial active fractional area of emptying (p = 0.005), along with a reduced peak late diastolic strain rate (p = 0.002). Among 20 patients who underwent magnetic resonance tomographic examination, a relatively higher right atrial peak late diastolic strain rate was shown in patients with a right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50% (p = 0.021). Right atrial performance is reduced in patients after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot. When facing right ventricular systolic dysfunction, nonetheless, the right atrial pump function may be relatively enhanced. Tissue Doppler derived strain rate can provide quantitative analysis of regional right atrial performance.

Fifty stool specimens collected from severe diarrheic patients attending Misr University Hospital, were examined microscopically for protozoan parasites mainly, Cryptosporidium parvum. Stool examination revealed 22 cases with C. parvum, 8 with E. histolytica, 14 with G. intestinalis and six were parasite-free. The results were compared with the established nested PCR assay to detect DNA directly from stool specimens. After the extraction of DNA from stool, a 402-bp fragment of C. parvum DNA was amplified with two 26-mer outer primers. The amplified products, 194-bp DNA fragment, were used for a second run. This study indicated that the used primers are specific for DNA of C. parvum. The PCR detected a total of 28 positives; six of these cases were negative by AF stool examination, which eventually confirmed to be positive by several successive examinations of the stool and/or duodenal aspiration. Microscopy exhibited 78.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to 100% specificity and sensitivity with PCR. Consequently, PCR is more sensitive and easier to interpret but required more hands-on time to perform and is more expensive than microscopy. However, PCR batch analysis reduces the cost considerably.

Twenty-one microbial preparations recommended for controlling pathogenic fungal strains causing root rot and wilt diseases of faba bean were investigated for antibiosis against several symbiotic and associative diazotrophs adopting a modified agar-plate-inhibition-zone assay. Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium exhibited a somewhat similar susceptibility to biocontrol agents while associative diazotrophs showed variable responses. Azotobacter, compared to others, was severely inhibited by such bio-candidates. The members of the biofertilizer formulation ‘Biofertan’ did bear mixed cultivation with the majority of biocontrol agents. Among those, Bacillus subtilis was deemed the pioneer. In pot experiments, almost all the antagonists significantly restricted the severity of root rot and wilt diseases besides modifying faba bean seedling stand and improving plant development. This was very obvious with shoot biomass increases of >50%. Moreover, the bioagents successfully recovered the legume establishment, seriously injured due to pathogenic fungal infection. Simultaneous inoculation with Rhizobium and biocontrol agents provided more growth stimulation compared to either when introduced individually. Field-grown faba beans were inoculated with the diazotroph and representatives of biocontrol strains by two different methods, seed coating and over-head soil. Growth parameters determined were the highest when the legume plant was seed-coated by Rhizobium simultaneously over-head soil inoculated with the bacterial bioagents; this was reported with Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aerugenosa. The significance of combined application of biofertilizer and bioagent to ensure cheap, clean and safe farm products is discussed. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

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OBJECTIVE: To screen normal and high risk Egyptian neonates for galactosemia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 2238 neonates classified into two groups. Group I included screening of 1794 normal newborns. Group II included 374 high risk neonates (jaundice, hepatomegaly and failure to thrive). Group III 70 prematures. Total galactose was determined by enzymatic colourimetric method in dried blood spot (Quantase). The enzymes activities (uridyltransferase and epimerase) were measured using C14.

RESULTS: One case of galactosemia was found in the first group and 26 cases in the second group. 19 patients suffered from uridyltransferase deficiency, the parents of 16 (88.8%) of this classic form were consanguineous and 5 (27.7%) parents had history of a previously affected child. Mean age of diagnosis was 3.8 month with a mean total gal value of 52.9 mg/dl. 10 (55.5%) of them have cataract. The other 8 affected neonates were epimerase deficiency patients. 5 (62.5%) of them born to consanguineous parents. Parents of the epimerase deficiency neonates have no previously affected children. Mean age of diagnosis was 7.2 month with a mean total gal of 17.5 mg/dl. All eight patients have cataract.

CONCLUSION: Mass screening program is not available yet in Egypt. Screening of the high risk neonates is a priority. Diagnosis of different galactosemia forms is mandatory to structure the management strategy accordingly. (Fig. 4, Ref: 26.)

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease secondary to chronic anemia and hemosiderosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemic patients. Chronic anemia and the tissue hypoxia it induces impair free fatty acid oxidation and ATP production in myocardial cells. The use of L-carnitine, a butyric acid derivative, may help overcome some of these defects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-carnitine therapy on cardiac function in thalassemia major patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiac function was evaluated in 30 patients attending our clinic. The mean (+/-SD) age was 15.87 +/- 3.19 years. The studies we performed included echocardiography, Doppler and multigated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated before starting L-carnitine treatment and after 6 months of oral L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day).

RESULTS: Echocardiography studies revealed no significant changes in systolic and diastolic function after L-carnitine therapy (p > 0.05). Analysis of the data taken by MUGA performed in 20 of the patients, however, showed a significant improvement of diastolic function after 6 months of L-carnitine therapy. The mean peak filling rate (end-diastolic volume/s) increased from 3.15 +/- 1.06 to 3.61 +/- 1.68 (p < 0.03). The time to peak (during filling) decreased significantly from 143.45 +/- 42.04 to 117.70 +/- 24.40 s (p < 0.02). Systolic function showed a significant increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 58.25 +/- 9.92 to 63.95 +/- 10.11% (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: L-carnitine may be an effective drug for improving the cardiac status of thalassemic patients. MUGA is the most accurate technique of those used here for assessing left ventricular function in these patients.