نمذجة معلومات المباني والمحاكاة الرقمية لتقييم بدائل تحسين الأداء الحراري لنوافذ واجهات المباني - حالة دراسية: وحدة سكنية بمدينة الرياض BIM and Digital Simulation in Assessing Window Alternatives for Enhancing Heat Performance of Building Facades - Case Study: A Housing Unit in Riyadh, SA

تعتبر واجهات المباني من أهم عناصر الغلاف الخارجي لتنوع وظائفها وتأثيرها على إستهلاك طاقة المبنى بأكمله، وتمثل نوافذ المباني أحد أهم مفردات التصميم المعماري للواجهات والتي يوليها المعماري المصمم أهمية كبيرة ويقاوم أي بدائل مقترحة لتغيير موقعها أونسبها من قبل الفرق الهندسية المشاركة في العمل التصميمي، وهو ما يمثل إشكالية هذه الدراسة التي تستهدف طرح بدائل تصميمية للنوافذ لتحسين الأداء الحراري للواجهات اعتماداً على متغيرات لا تؤثر على مساحتها أو موقعها بالواجهة، وتوظيف تطبيقات نمذجة معلومات المباني والمحاكاة الرقمية لتقييم الأداء الحراري لهذه البدائل ودعم المصمم في إتخاذ القرارات التصميمية المناسبة تجاهها متبنية في ذلك المنهج الوصفي والتجريبي. خلصت الدراسة إلى أن البدائل المقترحة لنوافذ أحد المباني السكنية في مدينة الرياض أثرت إيجابياً في تحسين الأداء الحراري للواجهات، وأن تطبيق المعماري للتقنيات الحديثة سواء على مستوى التطبيقات أو على مستوى المواد له دور كبير في دعم المعماري لتقييم البدائل المطروحة لتحسين الأداء الحراري للمباني وتفادي المشاكل المحتملة في المراحل المبكرة من التصميم. Abstract: Building facades are one of the most important elements of the building envelope for their functions and impact on energy consumption. Windows are considered one of the most important elements of building facades that are given special importance by architects who resist any alternatives proposed by engineering teams, based on changing its location or proportions. This represents the problem of this study that aims to offer windows’ facades’ alternatives to enhance its thermal performance, with nearly no effect on its location or proportions, and employ Building Information Modeling and digital simulation applications in assessing the thermal performance of such alternatives to support the Architect in taking the suitable related design decisions. The study adopted a descriptive and experimental approach and concluded that the windows’ facades’ alternatives have a positive impact on enhancing facades’ thermal performance, and that the new technologies used by architects, whether at the level of applications or at the level of materials, have a major role in supporting the architect to assess any offered alternatives to enhance the thermal performance of building facades and avoid Potential problems that may arise in the early design stages

نمذجة معلومات المباني والمحاكاة الرقمية لتقييم بدائل تحسين الأداء الحراري لنوافذ واجهات المباني - حالة دراسية: وحدة سكنية بمدينة الرياض BIM and Digital Simulation in Assessing Window Alternatives for Enhancing Heat Performance of Building Facades - Case Study: A Housing Unit in Riyadh, SA

تعتبر واجهات المباني من أهم عناصر الغلاف الخارجي لتنوع وظائفها وتأثيرها على إستهلاك طاقة المبنى بأكمله، وتمثل نوافذ المباني أحد أهم مفردات التصميم المعماري للواجهات والتي يوليها المعماري المصمم أهمية كبيرة ويقاوم أي بدائل مقترحة لتغيير موقعها أونسبها من قبل الفرق الهندسية المشاركة في العمل التصميمي، وهو ما يمثل إشكالية هذه الدراسة التي تستهدف طرح بدائل تصميمية للنوافذ لتحسين الأداء الحراري للواجهات اعتماداً على متغيرات لا تؤثر على مساحتها أو موقعها بالواجهة، وتوظيف تطبيقات نمذجة معلومات المباني والمحاكاة الرقمية لتقييم الأداء الحراري لهذه البدائل ودعم المصمم في إتخاذ القرارات التصميمية المناسبة تجاهها متبنية في ذلك المنهج الوصفي والتجريبي. خلصت الدراسة إلى أن البدائل المقترحة لنوافذ أحد المباني السكنية في مدينة الرياض أثرت إيجابياً في تحسين الأداء الحراري للواجهات، وأن تطبيق المعماري للتقنيات الحديثة سواء على مستوى التطبيقات أو على مستوى المواد له دور كبير في دعم المعماري لتقييم البدائل المطروحة لتحسين الأداء الحراري للمباني وتفادي المشاكل المحتملة في المراحل المبكرة من التصميم. Abstract: Building facades are one of the most important elements of the building envelope for their functions and impact on energy consumption. Windows are considered one of the most important elements of building facades that are given special importance by architects who resist any alternatives proposed by engineering teams, based on changing its location or proportions. This represents the problem of this study that aims to offer windows’ facades’ alternatives to enhance its thermal performance, with nearly no effect on its location or proportions, and employ Building Information Modeling and digital simulation applications in assessing the thermal performance of such alternatives to support the Architect in taking the suitable related design decisions. The study adopted a descriptive and experimental approach and concluded that the windows’ facades’ alternatives have a positive impact on enhancing facades’ thermal performance, and that the new technologies used by architects, whether at the level of applications or at the level of materials, have a major role in supporting the architect to assess any offered alternatives to enhance the thermal performance of building facades and avoid Potential problems that may arise in the early design stages

Study of lipid profiles high and normal body mass index in polycystic ovary syndrome women in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia

Background: For women of reproductive age, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrinological condition. Hyperandrogenism, persistent ovulatory dysfunction, obesity, and insulin resistance have all been associated with PCOS. However, recently PCOS is detected in high-body weight and normal-body-weight women. No information was available to evaluate specific lipid profiles. The goal of this study is to analyze the lipid profiles of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who have high or normal body weight. Methods: This polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) retrospective study was carried out between January 2021 and January 2022 at Sakaka’s Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH), Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. A total of 68 PCOS women were included in the study; we divided them into high (n=34) and normal body weight (n=34) according to the calculation of BMI. We obtain the test results of lipid profiles and demographic data from hospital record files. Results: We noticed changes but no significance in our research of lipid profiles in high and normal PCOS participants. The CHOL, TG, HDL, and LDL, 159.30±4.193, 97.89±7.140, 60.91±9.564, and 99.47±9.22 shown in the high BMI PCOS women respectively. While, 129.28±3.702, 83.69±4.49, 46.84±1.68 and86.53±4.36 were detected in normal BMI PCOS women respectively. There were none that were statistically significant, with the exception of cholesterol p=0.001. Conclusions: Our results show that POCS women with normal body weight and PCOS women with high BMI have different changes in their lipid profiles, but no significance has been found other than higher cholesterol levels. Therefore, losing weight can stop lipid profiles from altering, which may reduce difficulties in the future

Machine learning and computational chemistry to improve biochar fertilizers : a review

Traditional fertilizers are highly inefficient, with a major loss of nutrients and associated pollution. Alternatively, biochar loaded with phosphorous is a sustainable fertilizer that improves soil structure, stores carbon in soils, and provides plant nutrients in the long run, yet most biochars are not optimal because mechanisms ruling biochar properties are poorly known. This issue can be solved by recent developments in machine learning and computational chemistry. Here we review phosphorus-loaded biochar with emphasis on computational chemistry, machine learning, organic acids, drawbacks of classical fertilizers, biochar production, phosphorus loading, and mechanisms of phosphorous release. Modeling techniques allow for deciphering the influence of individual variables on biochar, employing various supervised learning models tailored to different biochar types. Computational chemistry provides knowledge on factors that control phosphorus binding, e.g., the type of phosphorus compound, soil constituents, mineral surfaces, binding motifs, water, solution pH, and redox potential. Phosphorus release from biochar is controlled by coexisting anions, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial phosphorus concentration, and temperature. Pyrolysis temperatures below 600 °C enhance functional group retention, while temperatures below 450 °C increase plant-available phosphorus. Lower pH values promote phosphorus release, while higher pH values hinder it. Physical modifications, such as increasing surface area and pore volume, can maximize the adsorption capacity of phosphorus-loaded biochar. Furthermore, the type of organic acid affects phosphorus release, with low molecular weight organic acids being advantageous for soil utilization. Lastly, biochar-based fertilizers release nutrients 2–4 times slower than conventional fertilizers

Causes of elective cesarean delivery on maternal request in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia

Background: Recently observed there is a steadily higher rate of cesarean delivery worldwide mostly due to the increasing number of women requesting an elective cesarean section on maternal request without valid indication. The aim of the study was to determine the causes of elective cesarean delivery on maternal requests in Aljouf Saudi Arabia.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study and data was evaluated by completing seven questionnaires and interviews with laboratory reports who were admitted for cesarean delivery at the Obstetrics department of Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) Aljouf, Saudi Arabia from January 2020 to December 2020. A total of 141 Saudi women of age between 18 and over 35 years were enrolled, including those who have singleton pregnancy, no complications during pregnancy, and no medical indication for cesarean delivery.Results: 141 women reported willingness to request cesarean delivery. The mean systolic 120±6.23, diastolic 75±2.45 blood pressure mm of Hg, and fasting blood sugar level 4.1±1.1 mmol/l have been found within the normal limit. The ultrasound (US) confirmed singleton pregnancy without any abnormalities.  Data reveals that common causes of elective cesarean section on maternal request to avoid the episiotomy 77.3%, fear of labor pain 69.5%, trauma to the vagina 79.4%, uncertainty about timing 61.7%, losing a baby during vaginal delivery 54.6%, experience other members 41.8%, the risk for baby 39%, prolapse or incontinence24.1%, unsatisfactory sexual intercourse 17.7% and the undesirable experience of the previous vaginal delivery 12%.Conclusions: Maternal request for cesarean delivery is considered one of the reasons for increasing the rate of cesarean delivery in Saudi Arabia. To avoid the episiotomy and fear of labor pain may strong causes for choosing cesarean delivery

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Mortality of emergency abdominal surgery in high-, middle- and low-income countries

Background: Surgical mortality data are collected routinely in high-income countries, yet virtually no low- or middle-income countries have outcome surveillance in place. The aim was prospectively to collect worldwide mortality data following emergency abdominal surgery, comparing findings across countries with a low, middle or high Human Development Index (HDI). Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, cohort study. Self-selected hospitals performing emergency surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive patients from at least one 2-week interval during July to December 2014. Postoperative mortality was analysed by hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Results: Data were obtained for 10 745 patients from 357 centres in 58 countries; 6538 were from high-, 2889 from middle- and 1318 from low-HDI settings. The overall mortality rate was 1⋅6 per cent at 24 h (high 1⋅1 per cent, middle 1⋅9 per cent, low 3⋅4 per cent; P < 0⋅001), increasing to 5⋅4 per cent by 30 days (high 4⋅5 per cent, middle 6⋅0 per cent, low 8⋅6 per cent; P < 0⋅001). Of the 578 patients who died, 404 (69⋅9 per cent) did so between 24 h and 30 days following surgery (high 74⋅2 per cent, middle 68⋅8 per cent, low 60⋅5 per cent). After adjustment, 30-day mortality remained higher in middle-income (odds ratio (OR) 2⋅78, 95 per cent c.i. 1⋅84 to 4⋅20) and low-income (OR 2⋅97, 1⋅84 to 4⋅81) countries. Surgical safety checklist use was less frequent in low- and middle-income countries, but when used was associated with reduced mortality at 30 days. Conclusion: Mortality is three times higher in low- compared with high-HDI countries even when adjusted for prognostic factors. Patient safety factors may have an important role. Registration number: NCT02179112 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)