A holistic overview of Qatar's (Built) cultural heritage; Towards an integrated sustainable conservation strategy

Historic urban cores are the backbone of a city's cultural identity. Maintaining and preserving the socio-cultural, environmental and economic characteristics of the built heritage is vital for cultural identity survival. The Gulf region gathered important architectural and urban richness observed through the massive military towers, mosques, houses, palaces and grand souks. The state of Qatar is under huge pressure to preserve its cultural identity,which resulted fromthe rapid development, population growth, urban expansion and economic boom since the 1970s. The cities of Qatar are facing difficult challenges to preserve the cultural identity and built heritage without compromising the need for development. Consequently, this study aims to define a set of heritage restoration-preservation tools and an integrated sustainable conservation strategy as part of deliberate planning and design processes. This, certainly, will help achieve sustainable future scenarios for the survival of vernacular architecture and historic buildings in Qatar through their sustained adaptive (re)use.This publication was made possible by a UREP award [UREP 10-068-6-007] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation)Scopu

Digitizing vanishing architectural heritage; The design and development of Qatar historic buildings information modeling [Q-HBIM] platform

The documentation of vanishing architectural heritage includes intensive information and data gathering, filtering, classification and digitization. Enabling such an endeavor necessitates the act of documentation, which requires the cooperation of several professionals from different fields, extensive resources, precise organization, and robust structuring. Therefore, the design and development of an innovative digital platform to facilitate the interaction between users from different specialties is highly desirable to enable dynamic real-time preservation and protection of such invaluable heritage. The aim of this study is to investigate the existing Qatari built heritage, urban conservation methods and the principles of modern digitizing and archiving techniques to create a sustainable and interactive archiving platform-Qatar Historic Buildings Information Modeling (Q-HBIM) platform. This unique digital platform aims to respond to the needs of the society as well as the experts in the fields of urban heritage conservation and buildings restoration. A literature review was conducted on topics relating to Qatar urban heritage and the principles of three-dimensional digitization technology including an exploration of the aspects of sustainable urban preservation. Accordingly, site analysis (physical, photogrammetric and 3D scanning techniques were used), and in-depth interviews were adopted as the main data collection techniques. The findings of this study elucidate the principles of innovative architectural heritage digitization tools involving Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology and processes. It is anticipated that the present work will formulate an advanced and unique interactive archiving tool in the context of Qatar and GCC/MENA regions in the shape of the: Qatar Historic Building Information Modeling (Q-HBIM) platform.This publication was made possible by a UREP award [UREP 10-068-6-007] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation).Scopu

An investigation into cultural and demographic factors relating to leadership in vocational education and training institutions in Saudi Arabia

The importance of good leadership and management for educational institutions is well established among educational scholars and practitioners alike. It is reflected in a trend to incorporate generic theories from broader fields of leadership and management scholarship into educational settings. Among them, few have gained more acceptance and popularity than the transformational leadership (TL) model and, as a result, an extensive body of literature has emerged. Yet, despite considerable advancements in these studies, the understanding of how key antecedents such as important social and cultural determinants shape and influence these leadership styles has remained elusive. This thesis predominantly investigates the impact of sociocultural factors on educational leadership in vocational education and training (VET) institutions in Saudi Arabia. It also seeks to discover the dominant leadership styles in this specific context. Given that the focus of this study is on a specific educational setting (VETs), a further aim of this thesis is to understand better the development and current status of Saudi VET.To accomplish these aims, a two-phase mixed-method design was adopted. Quantitative data collection and analysis was applied in the first stage of data collection. A questionnaire incorporating Dorfman and Howell’s (1988) Cultural Values scale to measure the cultural values and Bass and Avolio’s (1995) Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5-x short form) instrument to explore the dominant leadership styles was distributed to Deans/Heads and Vice-Deans/Heads (n=173) and subordinates (n= 593) in 112 VET institutes. In the second stage of data collection and analysis, qualitative data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews with a stratified purposive sample of 11 of the questionnaire respondents. A further analysis was undertaken to examine the extent to which the results of qualitative data corroborate culturally-sensitive leadership (CSL) models.The findings revealed that the perceived dominant leadership styles were transformational leadership, especially Inspirational Motivation, and the Contingent Reward dimension of transactional leadership. The interviews provided locally meaningful understanding of these leadership styles. Small to moderate effects were found for gender, education and work experience. Culture showed small impacts; Power Distance was the strongest predictor of transformational leadership and Uncertainty Avoidance contributed to certain dimensions of transactional and transformational leadership. Overlapping was found between transformational leadership dimensions and CSL models

Systemic Review and Clinical Management in Diagnosis and Treatment of the Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults

This study aimed at exploring with a systematic review the clinical management in diagnosis and treatment of the iron deficiency anemia in adults, as the iron deficiency is the most frequent cause of anemia worldwide. And it impairs quality of life, increases asthenia and can lead to clinical worsening of patients. In addition, iron deficiency has a complex mechanism whose pathologic pathway is recently becoming better understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding diagnostic algorithms for iron deficiency anemia. The majority of aetiologies occur in the digestive tract, and justify morphological examination of the gut. First line investigations are upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy, and when negative, the small bowel should be explored; newer tools such as video capsule endoscopy have also been developed. The treatment of iron deficiency is aetiological if possible and iron supplementation whether in oral or in parenteral form

Using public engagement and consultation to inform the development of ageing-and dementia-friendly pharmacies – Innovative practice

This study explored public perceptions about the importance of, and how to create, ageing- and dementia-friendly pharmacists and pharmacies. In September 2016, four focus groups (45 minutes each) were conducted with 16 participants who represented organisations, groups or forums working with and/or for older people and people with dementia in Greater London. Discussions were recorded via handwritten notes and thematically analysed. Participants confirmed the importance of pharmacists and pharmacies being ageing- and dementia-friendly and described variability in whether this is currently the case. Suggested strategies for improvement included targeting communication, pharmacist leadership and shop layout

Successful management of severe refractory acquired immune bleeding disorder: Prior to insisting surgery

AbstractINTRODUCTIONAcquired bleeding disorders are rare and may be missed before surgery. Additionally, they may be refractory to conventional treatments.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 50-year-old patient experienced prolonged post-operative bleeding when his bleeding disorder was missed prior to his undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy. Post-operative investigations revealed severe acquired von Willebrand syndrome associated with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. A few months later, he required umbilical herniorrhaphy, but he did not respond to attempts to raise his von Willebrand factor antigen and activity levels using conventional therapies, including desmopressin, cryoprecipitate, intravenous immunoglobulin, and Von Willebrand factor concentrate. A triple therapy combination of dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin, and mycophenolate mofetil was administered, with a successful and sustained response, lasting about 2 months. The surgery was performed safely, without any complications.DISCUSSIONConventional acquired von Willebrand syndrome treatment is usually aimed at replacing von Willebrand factor or stimulating its secretion from storage in endothelial cells. In the present case, the alternative treatment was directed against both the humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms.CONCLUSIONThis case of acquired bleeding disorder showed that more attention must be given to a patient's coagulation profile, even if only very minor laboratory coagulation derangements are detected prior to surgery, to avoid missing such rare disorders. The described triple therapy demonstrated good effects and may be considered for inclusion in a controlled randomized study to determine its usefulness for other surgeries delayed due to severe acquired bleeding disorders. To the best of our knowledge, this triple combination treatment has not been previously used for the treatment of severe acquired bleeding disorders that are refractory to conventional therapies

Measuring magnetic hysteresis curves with polarized soft X‐ray resonant reflectivity

Calculations and measurements of polarization‐dependent soft X‐ray scattering intensity are presented during a magnetic hysteresis cycle. It is confirmed that the dependence of the intensity on the magnetic moment can be linear, quadratic or a combination of both, depending on the polarization of the incident X‐ray beam and the direction of the magnetic moment. With a linearly polarized beam, the scattered intensity will have a purely quadratic dependence on the magnetic moment when the magnetic moment is parallel to the scattering plane. However, with the magnetic moment perpendicular to the scattering plane, there is also a linear component. This means that, when measuring the hysteresis with linear polarization during a hysteresis cycle, the intensity will be an even function of the applied field when the change in the magnetic moment (and field) is confined within the scattering plane but becomes more complicated when the magnetic moment is out of the scattering plane. Furthermore, with circular polarization, the dependence of the scattered intensity on the moment is a combination of linear and quadratic. With the moment parallel to the scattering plane, the linear component changes with the helicity of the incident beam. Surprisingly, in stark contrast to absorption studies, even when the magnetic moment is perpendicular to the scattering plane there is still a dependence on the moment with a linear component. This linear component is completely independent of the helicity of the beam, meaning that the hysteresis loops will not be inverted with helicity

Vitamin D Receptor FokI, ApaI, and TaqI Polymorphisms in Lead Exposed Subjects From Saudi Arabia

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms were reported to influence blood lead levels (BLL) and the response of subjects to the symptoms of lead toxicity. However, no studies have been conducted in the Saudi Arabian population which has unique ethnicity and socio-demographic features. This study examined the polymorphisms in exon 2 (allele 1) and intron 8 (allele 2 and allele 3) of VDR gene and their relation to BLLs. As per the CDC guidelines, the recruited lead-exposed workers (N = 130) were categorized to two groups viz., low BLL group (<10 μg/dL) and high BLL group (>10 μg/dL). The low BLL group had a mean BLL of 4.37 μg/dL, while the high BLL group had levels of 18.12 μg/dL (p < 0.001). Overall, the genetic variants, TC and CC in the VDR FokI were significantly associated with a risk of lead toxicity and the allele “C” was a risk factor (p = 0.00026). Furthermore, the TT genotype of VDR ApaI significantly increased the risk of developing lead poisoning (p = 0.0006). The VDR TaqI SNP was not significantly associated with lead toxicity. The highest BLLs for VDR FokI-CC, VDR ApaI-GG, and VDR TaqI-TT genotypes from High BLL group were 18.42, 15.26, and 18.75 μg/dL, respectively. Older age (51–60 years) was found to be a significant confounding factor for BLLs (p = 0.012). Additional studies in larger sample sizes are needed to firmly establish the role of VDR genotypes and genetic susceptibility to lead poisoning