Changing physical appearance preferences in the United Arab Emirates

Rapid economic growth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has impacted traditional ways of life rooted in Bedouin traditions and Islamic values. Research undertaken within the UAE suggests that a thin body-image ideal is widespread, as are abnormal eating attitudes and extreme dietary behaviours. However, this regional research has been exclusively cross-sectional, precluding conclusions about the temporal dynamics or nascence of these phenomena. This study explores changes in physical appearance preferences in the UAE over the past two decades. Interviews were undertaken with five khatabaat (marriage brokers), who were asked to report the attributes typically requested by those seeking wives, both now, and in the past. Thematic analysis of these data highlighted differences between the attributes currently deemed desirable, and those deemed desirable in the recent past. These findings are discussed in the context of the nation\u27s rapid socio-economic change, and their implications for body-image and eating-related problems. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis

COgnitive behavioural therapy vs standardised medical care for adults with Dissociative non-Epileptic Seizures (CODES): a multicentre randomised controlled trial protocol

Background The evidence base for the effectiveness of psychological interventions for patients with dissociative non-epileptic seizures (DS) is currently extremely limited, although data from two small pilot randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including from our group, suggest that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) may be effective in reducing DS occurrence and may improve aspects of psychological status and psychosocial functioning. Methods/Design The study is a multicentre, pragmatic parallel group RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of specifically-tailored CBT plus standardised medical care (SMC) vs SMC alone in reducing DS frequency and improving psychological and health-related outcomes. In the initial screening phase, patients with DS will receive their diagnosis from a neurologist/epilepsy specialist. If patients are eligible and interested following the provision of study information and a booklet about DS, they will consent to provide demographic information and fortnightly data about their seizures, and agree to see a psychiatrist three months later. We aim to recruit ~500 patients to this screening stage. After a review three months later by a psychiatrist, those patients who have continued to have DS in the previous eight weeks and who meet further eligibility criteria will be told about the trial comparing CBT + SMC vs SMC alone. If they are interested in participating, they will be given a further booklet on DS and study information. A research worker will see them to obtain their informed consent to take part in the RCT. We aim to randomise 298 people (149 to each arm). In addition to a baseline assessment, data will be collected at 6 and 12 months post randomisation. Our primary outcome is monthly seizure frequency in the preceding month. Secondary outcomes include seizure severity, measures of seizure freedom and reduction, psychological distress and psychosocial functioning, quality of life, health service use, cost effectiveness and adverse events. We will include a nested qualitative study to evaluate participants’ views of the intervention and factors that acted as facilitators and barriers to participation. Discussion This study will be the first adequately powered evaluation of CBT for this patient group and offers the potential to provide an evidence base for treating this patient group. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN05681227 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0232554

Prediction of Composition of Broiler Chicken Excreta Using Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations were developed for the prediction of the content of dry matter (DM); nitrogen (N), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), gross energy (GE), calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) in broiler excreta samples. The chemical composition of broiler excreta was determined by the conventional chemical analysis methods in the laboratory and compared with NIRS. Excreta samples (n = 72) were oven dried (60 oC) and analyzed for DM, N, EE, NDF, ADF, GE, Ca and P. The determined values (mean ± SD) were as follows: DM: 31.46 ± 7.65 (range:19.14 - 44.51), N: 5.85 ± 2.88 (range: 4.85 -7.00), EE: 1.37 ± 0.25 (range: 0.88-1.99), ADF: 16.71 ± 1.99 (range: 12.11-19.97), NDF: 26.26 ± 1.63 (range: 22.03-30.21), GE: 15.27 ± 0.33 (range: 14.52-16.11), Ca: 2.57 ± 0.22 (range: 2.16-3.01), P: 1.79 ± 0.15 (range: 1.41-2.11). The samples were then scanned in a NIRS model 5000 analyzer and the spectra obtained for each sample. Calibration equations and prediction values were developed for broiler excreta samples. The software used modified partial least square regression statistic, as it is most suitable for natural products. For broiler excreta samples, the coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error of prediction (SEP) was DM = 0.97, 1.27, N = 0.95, 0.72, EE = 0.92, 0.07, ADF = 0.87, 0.78, NDF = 0.88, 0.72, GE = 0.89; 0.24, Ca = 0.96, 0.06, P = 0.93, 0.09, respectively. The results indicate that it is possible to calibrate NIRS to predict major constituents in broiler excreta samples

Prediction of Composition of Broiler Chicken Excreta Using Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations were developed for the prediction of the content of dry matter (DM); nitrogen (N), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), gross energy (GE), calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) in broiler excreta samples. The chemical composition of broiler excreta was determined by the conventional chemical analysis methods in the laboratory and compared with NIRS. Excreta samples (n = 72) were oven dried (60 oC) and analyzed for DM, N, EE, NDF, ADF, GE, Ca and P. The determined values (mean ± SD) were as follows: DM: 31.46 ± 7.65 (range:19.14 - 44.51), N: 5.85 ± 2.88 (range: 4.85 -7.00), EE: 1.37 ± 0.25 (range: 0.88-1.99), ADF: 16.71 ± 1.99 (range: 12.11-19.97), NDF: 26.26 ± 1.63 (range: 22.03-30.21), GE: 15.27 ± 0.33 (range: 14.52-16.11), Ca: 2.57 ± 0.22 (range: 2.16-3.01), P: 1.79 ± 0.15 (range: 1.41-2.11). The samples were then scanned in a NIRS model 5000 analyzer and the spectra obtained for each sample. Calibration equations and prediction values were developed for broiler excreta samples. The software used modified partial least square regression statistic, as it is most suitable for natural products. For broiler excreta samples, the coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error of prediction (SEP) was DM = 0.97, 1.27, N = 0.95, 0.72, EE = 0.92, 0.07, ADF = 0.87, 0.78, NDF = 0.88, 0.72, GE = 0.89; 0.24, Ca = 0.96, 0.06, P = 0.93, 0.09, respectively. The results indicate that it is possible to calibrate NIRS to predict major constituents in broiler excreta samples

Recent developments in solar-powered membrane distillation for sustainable desalination

The freshwater shortage continues to be one of the greatest challenges affecting our planet. Although traditional membrane distillation (MD) can produce clean water regardless of climatic conditions, the process wastes a lot of energy. The technique of solar-powered membrane distillation (SPMD) has received a lot of interest in the past decade, thanks to the development of photothermal materials. SPMD is a promising replacement for the traditional MD based on fossil fuels, as it can prevent the harmful effects of emissions on the environment. Integrating green solar energy with MD can reduce the cost of the water purification process and secure freshwater production in remote areas. At this point, it is important to consider the most current progress of the SPMD system and highlight the challenges and prospects of this technology. Based on this, the background, recent advances, and principles of MD and SPMD, their configurations and mechanisms, fabrication methods, advantages, and current limitations are discussed. Detailed comparisons between SPMD and traditional MD, assessments of various standards for incorporating photothermal materials with desirable properties, discussions of desalination and other applications of SPMD and MD, and energy consumption rates are also covered. The final section addresses the potential of SPMD to outperform traditional desalination technology while improving water production without requiring a significant amount of electrical or high-grade thermal energy