Investigating adaptability of stadium precincts post Qatar 2022 world cup: toward an adaptive strategy through public-private partnership (ppp)

Mega Sporting Events have become a way of transforming cities around the world. However, the sustainability of these large-scale transformations is questioned. This thesis aims to investigate the adaptability of stadium precincts post-Qatar 2022 World Cup based on selected case studies from Al Rayyan municipality. The challenges of using large facilities such as iconic stadiums are worth investigating. The thesis aims to find answers to the following questions: To what extent is Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums is adaptive to its precincts? What impacts the adaptability of Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums? And How an adaptive strategy through public-private partnership can take place for Post 2022 World Cup? A selection of case studies from Qatar includes Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar Foundation and Al Rayyan Stadiums are examined to answer the research questions. The thesis is based on qualitative case study research with three data collection and analysis tools. The tools used are site assessment (observations), expert interviews, and secondary data that include feedback from Al Rayyan residents toward Al Rayyan stadiums and precincts. The data is analyzed in the light of New Urbanism and the thesis conceptual framework to examine impact factors, opportunities and challenges for adaptability after a mega sporting event. The research findings show that Qatar 2022 stadiums precincts can be very adaptable but can also face many challenges. Challenges include land use regulations, walkability, lack of unified urban design code, lack of housing options, and low building densities. Most of the challenges are beyond the scope of the stadiums’ owners. The extent of Qatar 2022 stadium adaptability to its precincts is promising, especially for stadiums that are within an existing urban development.in addition, factors impacting the stadiums adaptability included the stadium location, the design process and stakeholder’s involvement. However, stakeholder’s involvement also impacted the selection of the stadium location and the design process which emphasize the significance of a public-private partnership

Multi-UAV Integrated Internet of Things System for Generating Safe Map in Post-Disaster

芝浦工業大学2019年

Treatment with extracts of Uncaria tomentosa promotes apoptosis in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF7.

Uncaria tomentosa is a medicinal plant native to Peru which has been used traditionally for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and cancer. Some studies have shown that treatment with Uncaria tomentosa promotes repair of cellular DNA in patients treated with chemotherapy drugs, preventing mutations and cell damage. Treatment with Uncaria tomentosa also inhibits inflammatory responses by inhibiting the proliferation of T and B-lymphocytes and decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α). We have examined the effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts on the growth of malignant cells such as MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, human breast cancer cell lines and non-malignant cells such as HBL-100, HEK 293T and HSG cells. Our results have shown that treatment of malignant cells and non-malignant cells with Uncaria tomentosa extracts inhibits their proliferation and promotes cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Further, extracts produced by boiling the ground bark in 70% ethanol are much more effective than extracts produced by boiling in water. Uncaria tomentosa-ethanol extracts potently induce cellular apoptosis as measured by changes in cell morphology, chromatin condensation (Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide staining assay) and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assays) within 24 h of treatment. Overall, Uncaria tomentosa appeared to kill breast cancer cells effectively in vitro by increasing cellular apoptosis.Master of Science (MSc) in Biolog

Towards improving women’s participation in physical activities in Saudi Arabia

The importance of physical activity in improving physical and mental health has been emphasised in many studies. Researchers in Saudi Arabia have reported an increase in physical inactivity among Saudis, especially among the female population in the past 25 years. Current efforts in the field in Saudi Arabia have yet to explore barriers and facilitators that influence women’s participation in physical activity or means of improving their rates of participation. To learn possible ways of increasing Saudi women’s participation in physical activity, this thesis aims to identify approaches to improving physical activity levels among the female population in Saudi Arabia. This thesis adopted participatory action research to (i) assess the current context of physical activity participation among female university students attending the King Saud University (KSU) in Saudi Arabia; (ii) explore means of increasing participation in physical activity among female university students in Saudi Arabia; and (iii) assess factors influencing women’s motivation to increase their activity levels. This thesis comprises two research phases. In the first phase, a cross-sectional survey of 375 female university students, who completed the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, was followed by 14 in-depth interviews with female university students and 16 with female athlete trainers. The second phase of the research consisted of multiple group discussions held over a period of three months, in which 13 female university student participants actively engaged in planning, implementing, and monitoring actions aimed to improve their participation in physical activity. Second phase data collection methods included diaries, audio recordings of group discussions, and assessment booklets. Results from the first phase of the study showed that most participants (91%) spent more time in walking activity compared to moderate (66%) and vigorous activity (57%) for at least 10 minutes at a time over the past seven days. Barriers to their participation included limited facilities for physical activities, academic workload, gender role, and the need to adhere to cultural standards. Facilitators included noticing positive results, general health concerns, and support from significant others. Results from the second phase suggested that self-motivation and social support were significant factors that appeared to influence the young women’s commitment to maintaining physical activity. Knowledge gained from this thesis might provide a basis for organisations and public health authorities to better tailor physical activity interventions that address women’s needs and perceptions. These findings are an important contribution to the current knowledge in light of recent advancements of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia

Primary mediastinal Castleman's disease

Castleman's disease is a rare entity with an unknown etiology which was first described by Castleman in 1954. It is a lymphoproliferative disorder histologically classified into three types; hyaline-vascular, plasma cell type and mixed type. It might be localized or multicentric and usually involves the mediastinum. We report a case of Castleman's disease discovered accidentally in a case of blunt chest trauma which caused a challenging diagnostic process and management

Gait Mechanics are Influenced by Quadriceps Strength, Age, and Sex after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Although most patients are satisfied with outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), many retain preoperative altered gait mechanics. Identifying patient characteristics associated with gait mechanics will improve rehabilitation strategies and enhance our understanding of movement disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify which patient characteristics are related to gait mechanics in the surgical limb during walking post-TKA. Patient characteristics included age, body mass, sex, quadriceps strength, self-reported function, and knee pain. General linear regression was used to compare patient characteristics associated with gait mechanics, after controlling for gait speed, functional capacity and time from surgery. We tested 191 patients cross-sectionally at 6–24 months after primary, unilateral TKA. Quadriceps weakness in the surgical limb was associated with less peak vertical ground reaction force (PvGRF) (β = .245, p = .044), knee extension moment (β = .283, p = .049), and knee extension excursion (β = .298, p = .038). Older age (β = .168, p = .050) was associated with less PvGRF. Quadriceps strength in the nonsurgical limb (β = −.357, p = .021) was associated with greater knee extension excursion in the surgical limb. Females with TKA (β = −.276, p = .007) had less knee flexion excursion compared to males. Faster gait speed was also associated with greater PvGRF (β = .585, p \u3c .001), knee extensor moment (β = .481, p \u3c .001), and knee flexion excursion (β = .318, p \u3c .001). Statement of Clinical Significance: This study showed quadriceps weakness, slower gait speed, older age and being female were related to altered gait mechanics post-TKA. These findings will help clinicians better educate patients and develop targeted interventions for improving care in patients post-TKA

Structural Progression in Patients with Definite and Non-Definite Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare inherited disease characterised by early arrhythmias and structural changes. Still, there are limited echocardiography data on its structural progression. We studied structural progression and its impact on the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In this single-centre observational cohort study, structural progression was defined as the development of new major or minor imaging 2010 Task Force Criteria during follow-up. Of 101 patients, a definite diagnosis of ARVC was made in 51 patients, while non-definite ‘early’ disease was diagnosed in 50 patients. During 4 years of follow-up (IQR: 2–6), 23 (45%) patients with a definite diagnosis developed structural progression while only 1 patient in the non-definite (early) group gained minor imaging Task Force Criteria. Male gender was strongly associated with structural progression (62% of males progressed structurally, while 88% of females remained stable). Patients with structural progression were at higher risk of MACE (64% of patients with MACE had structural progression). Therefore, the rate of structural progression is an essential factor to be considered in ARVC studies

Undifferentiated HepaRG cells show reduced sensitivity to the toxic effects of M8OI through a combination of CYP3A7-mediated oxidation and a reduced reliance on mitochondrial function

\ua9 2024 The AuthorsThe methylimidazolium ionic liquid M8OI (1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, also known as [C8mim]Cl) has been detected in the environment and may represent a hazard trigger for the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cholangitis, based in part on studies using a rat liver progenitor cell. The effect of M8OI on an equivalent human liver progenitor (undifferentiated HepaRG cells; u-HepaRG) was therefore examined. u-HepaRG cells were less sensitive (>20-fold) to the toxic effects of M8OI. The relative insensitivity of u-HepaRG cells to M8OI was in part, associated with a detoxification by monooxygenation via CYP3A7 followed by further oxidation to a carboxylic acid. Expression of CYP3A7 - in contrast to the related adult hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 forms - was confirmed in u-HepaRG cells. However, blocking M8OI metabolism with ketoconazole only partly sensitized u-HepaRG cells. Despite similar proliferation rates, u-HepaRG cells consumed around 75% less oxygen than B-13 cells, reflective of reduced dependence on mitochondrial activity (Crabtree effect). Replacing glucose with galactose, resulted in an increase in u-HepaRG cell sensitivity to M8OI, near similar to that seen in B-13 cells. u-HepaRG cells therefore show reduced sensitivity to the toxic effects of M8OI through a combination of metabolic detoxification and their reduced reliance on mitochondrial function

Population pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in very low birth weight neonates

IntroductionVancomycin dosing in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates is challenging. Compared with the general neonatal population, VLBW neonates are less likely to achieve the vancomycin therapeutic targets. Current dosing recommendations are based on studies of the general neonatal population, as only a very limited number of studies have evaluated vancomycin pharmacokinetics in VLBW neonates. The main aim of this study was to develop a vancomycin population pharmacokinetic model to optimize vancomycin dosing in VLBW neonates.MethodsThis multicenter study was conducted at six major hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study included VLBW neonates who received vancomycin and had at least one vancomycin serum trough concentration measurement at a steady state. We developed a pharmacokinetic model and performed Monte Carlo simulations to develop an optimized dosing regimen for VLBW infants. We evaluated two different targets: AUC0–24 of 400–600 or 400–800 µg. h/mL. We also estimated the probability of trough concentrations >15 and 20 µg/mL.ResultsIn total, we included 236 neonates, 162 in the training dataset, and 74 in the validation dataset. A one-compartment model was used, and the distribution volume was significantly associated only with weight, whereas clearance was significantly associated with weight, postmenstrual age (PMA), and serum creatinine (Scr).DiscussionWe developed dosing regimens for VLBW neonates, considering the probability of achieving vancomycin therapeutic targets, as well as different toxicity thresholds. The dosing regimens were classified according to PMA and Scr. These dosing regimens can be used to optimize the initial dose of vancomycin in VLBW neonates