Towards a model for indigenous architecture in Kuwait

Ever since the early 1960s, and following the discovery of oil, there has been a revolution in the culture of Kuwait which has disturbed the concept of the built environment. The decision- making became dominated by people from other countries that did not recognise the heritage and symbolic way of life of Kuwaiti people or regarded these backward and unworthy of respect. In architectural terms, centuries of inherited building patterns that adapted to and celebrated the environment were replaced by buildings constructed for display and not to meet the functional requirements of the natural and social setting.Concern for this situation is shared by the author and many other architects in Kuwait, who seek to build a living environment in a way that embodies the indigenous knowledge. The intention is therefore to explore the resources of the past and collate these into a discourse to inspire those responsible in shaping the built environment to express this culture and way of life.The main aim is to preserve what little evidence remains of the past as a document. Very few old buildings are still standing and all urban spaces have been lost. The author has therefore needed to refer to other sources of information. The first part of the thesis builds up a body of knowledge from literature sources, the author's childhood recollections and from lengthy discussions with elderly people once involved in building and crafts and using their own dialec

On hypergeometric generalized negative binomial distribution

It is shown that the hypergeometric generalized negative binomial distribution has moments of all positive orders, is overdispersed, skewed to the right, and leptokurtic. Also, a three-term recurrence relation for computing probabilities from the considered distribution is given. Application of the distribution to entomological field data is given and its goodness-of-fit is demonstrated

DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTING 3D SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE IN OMAN – ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

The paper reviews that there are several issues and challenges in order to implement full 2D and 3D Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) in Oman. The state of current 2D SDI and 3D geospatial data has been investigated. Currently, Oman has made noticeable progress in 2D SDI but not yet in 3D domain. To date, there are no serious efforts and initiatives by the authority to materialize the 3D SDI. This paper ends by describing a framework for implementing the 3D SDI. We expect, these issues and challenges of 3D SDI in Oman can prompt better services for several potential users

Enhancing the visual landscape harmony in public open spaces: Sana’a city case study

Increasing the visual image quality of public spaces helps enhance the quality of people’s lives. Although previous literature has discussed many of the principles and criteria of the visual design of open environments, architects, landscape architects, and urban designers still face difficulties in defining the most important visual design principles that enhance the Visual Landscape Harmony. This study examined the principles of the visual design of open spaces and their impact on creating a harmonious visual image and raising the quality of the visual landscape. The study mainly used the principles of visual design referred to by Bell. A visual survey analysis of four public spaces in Sana’a city in Yemen was carried out. The study also examined how the selected spaces meet the principles of visual design and their impact on raising the visual quality. Results indicated that the hierarchy, enclosure, figure and ground, diversity in elements, diversity in scales, homogeneous balance of 3D composition, and unique design of the space are the most contributing factors in creating visual harmony and enhancing the quality of the visual image. These principles can help architects, landscape architects, and urban designers and developers to make appropriate design decisions that can produce visual landscape images of open spaces, thus, enhancing the quality of the visual image and the efficiency of urban spaces and open areas

Associations of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Adiponectin Gene with Adiponectin Levels and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Cancer

Objectives: The aims of this study are to (1) study the influence of polymorphisms in adiponectin gene on adiponectin levels and potential associations with breast, prostate and colon cancer; (2) investigate the associations of adiponectin levels with other adipokines and breast, prostate and colon cancers.Subjects: We measured fasting adiponectin, leptin, insulin, Sex steroids in 132 (66 females, 66 males) cancer patients and 68 age and sex matched apparently healthy subjects. Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference were used as indices of obesity. Insulin Resistance was assessed using Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP rs182052 (G-10066-A), SNP rs1501299 (276G &gt; T), SNP rs224176 (45T &gt; G) in adiponectin gene were studied using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.Results: GG genotype of SNP rs1501299 was significantly associated with higher levels of adiponectin (OR=1.2, 95%CI(1.03–1.3),p= 0.02); breast (OR=8.6, 95%CI(1.03–71),p= 0.04), colon cancers (OR= 12, 95%CI(1.2–115),p= 0.03). GT genotype was also associated significantly with colon cancer (OR=2.6, 95%CI (1.1–6),p= 0.03). However SNP rs224176 was associated with only breast cancer.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that adiponectin gene SNP rs1501299 and SNP rs224176 may be the predisposing factors in some cancers but our results differ from what has been reported in other populations suggesting a complex relationship between genetic variations and phenotypic adiponectin levels.</jats:p

CLINICAL CARE PATHWAY AND MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR BLEEDING ASSOCIATED WITH NON-VITAMIN K ANTAGONIST ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS: A MODIFIED DELPHI CONSENSUS FROM SAUDI ARABIA AND UAE

Background: The non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have become the mainstay anticoagulation therapy for patients requiring oral anticoagulants (OACs) in the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) countries. The frequency of NOAC-associated major bleeding is expected to increase in the Emergency Department (ED). Nonetheless, we still lack local guidelines and recommendations for bleeding management in the region. The present Delphi-based consensus aims to establish a standardized and evidence-based clinical care pathway for managing NOAC-associated major bleeding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: We adopted a three-step modified Delphi method to develop evidence-based recommendations through two voting rounds and an advisory meeting between the two rounds. A panel of 11 experts from the KSA and UAE participated in the consensus development. Results: Twenty-eight statements reached the consensus level. These statements addressed key aspects of managing major bleeding events associated with NOACs, including the increased use of NOAC in clinical practice, clinical care pathways, and treatment options. Conclusion: The present Delphi consensus provides evidence-based recommendations and protocols for the management of NOAC-associated bleeding in the region. Patients with major NOAC-induced bleeding should be referred to a well-equipped ED with standardized management protocols. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for establishing the association between NOAC use and major bleeding. Treating physicians should have prompt access to specific reversal agents to optimize patient outcomes. Real-world evidence and national guidelines are needed to aid all stakeholders involved in NOAC-induced bleeding management

The variable influence of dispersant on degradation of oil hydrocarbons in subarctic deep-sea sediments at low temperatures (0-5 °C)

The microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons at low temperatures was investigated in subarctic deep-sea sediments in th e Faroe Shetland Channel (FSC). The effect of the marine oil dispersant, Superdispersant 25 on hydrocarbon degradation was also examined. Sediments collected at 500 and 1000 m depth were spiked with a model oil containing 20 hydrocarbons and incubated at ambient temperature (5 and 0 °C, respectively) with and without marine dispersant. Treatment of sediments with hydrocarbons resulted in the enrichment of Gammaproteobacteria, and specifically the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Pseudomonas, Halomonas, and Cobetia. Hydrocarbon degradation was faster at 5 °C (500 m) with 65-89% of each component degraded after 50 days compared to 0-47% degradation at 0 °C (1000 m), where the aromatic hydrocarbons fluoranthene, anthracene, and Dibenzothiophene showed no degradation. Dispersant significantly increased the rate of degradation at 1000 m, but had no effect at 500 m. There was no statistically significant effect of Superdispersant 25 on the bacterial community structure at either station. These results show that the indigenous bacterial community in the FSC has the capacity to mitigate some of the effects of a potential oil spill, however, the effect of dispersant is ambiguous and further research is needed to understand the implications of its use

Epidemiology, disease burden, and treatment challenges of ulcerative colitis in Africa and the Middle East

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic, chronic, inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by an unpredictable course of alternating cycles of relapse and remission. Traditionally viewed as a disease of Western countries, the prevalence of ulcerative colitis is reported to be increasing in the developing world. In these regions, there is the potential to further explore the etiology of the disease, mainly through genetic studies. With this in mind, we consider available data relating to the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and disease course of ulcerative colitis in Africa and the Middle East. Current treatment approaches in these countries are also reviewed and discussed in the context of new, small molecule, orally administered therapies. Areas covered: Available data on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and risk factors of ulcerative colitis in Africa and the Middle East are reviewed using a PubMed database search. Expert commentary: Epidemiologic studies from African and Middle Eastern countries suggest disease trends similar to the West, and an important health and economic burden. The management of ulcerative colitis within these developing countries is challenging, with the need to improve early diagnosis, access to healthcare, and patient education, along with facilitation of access to treatment options and improvement of medication adherence. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Management of Patients With Refractory Reflux-Like Symptoms Despite Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy: Evidence-Based Consensus Statements

\ua9 2024 The Author(s). Alimentary Pharmacology &amp; Therapeutics published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd.Background: Many patients diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have persistent symptoms despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Aims: The aim of this consensus is to provide evidence-based statements to guide clinicians caring for patients with refractory reflux-like symptoms (rRLS) or refractory GERD. Methods: This consensus was developed by the International Working Group for the Classification of Oesophagitis. The steering committee developed specific PICO questions pertaining to the management of PPI rRLS. Methodologists conducted systematic reviews of the literature. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated using the GRADE approach. Results: Consensus was reached on 13 of 17 statements on diagnosis and management. For rRLS, suggested diagnostic strategies included endoscopy, ambulatory reflux testing and oesophageal manometry. The group did not reach consensus on the role of oesophageal biopsies or the use of reflux-symptom association in patients undergoing reflux testing. The group suggested against increasing the PPI dose in patients who had received 8 weeks of a twice-daily PPI. Adjunctive alginate or antacid therapy was suggested. There was no consensus on the role of adjunctive prokinetics. There was little role for adjunctive transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) inhibitors or bile acid sequestrants. Endoscopic or surgical anti-reflux procedures should not be performed in patients with rRLS in the absence of objectively confirmed GERD. Conclusions: The management of rRLS should be personalised, based on shared decision-making regarding the role of diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out GERD as a basis for treatment optimisation. Anti-reflux procedures should not be performed without objective confirmation of GERD