Relationship between Hidrogenionic Potential (pH) of Protein-based Baits and Attraction of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)

Hidrogenionic potential (pH) of the baits plays a fundamental role in attracting fruit flies. So, the purposes of this study were to study the effect of pH-level on the ability of protein-based baits to attract Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under field conditions. Three concentrations of Buminal (2.5, 5 and 10%) in addition to three concentrations of ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, di-ammonium phosphate and acetic acid (1, 2 and 3%) added to Buminal 5% were tested by using the modified Nadel traps in navel orange and mandarin orchards. The obtained data showed that the highest effective treatment in attracting C. capitata adults in navel orange and mandarin orchards was that of Buminal + 3% of ammonium acetate, where, pH-levels ranged between 6.32 and 6.89. Buminal + acetic acid when used at pH-levels ranged between 3.73 and 4.43 were less attractive to C. capitata. All of the tested treatments obviously attracted females more than males. Statistically, C. capitata adults specifically were females affected by pH-level more than concentration percentage. C. capitata preferred baits which had pH-levels ranged between 5.5 and 8.5 and the highest attractive treatments were occurred between 6.32 and 8.29

The relation between spaces and cultural change: supermalls and cultural change in Qatari society

This study is the first attempt to ethnographically assess the influences of supermalls on cultural change. It takes a first step toward enhancing our understanding of the influences of globalization and consumer culture as drivers of the social and cultural changes to Qatar’s traditional society, to similar cultural configurations in the Middle East, and to global cultural diversity. This study found that there are changes in the patterns of behavior and the daily lives of the two studied groups, which were particularly evident for those living proximate to the supermall. For example, living near Villaggio changed family eating habits because many families preferred easily cooked or fast food at the supermall to cooking at home. Changes to relationships within and among households were observed. For example, with the advent of the Villaggio, visits between families in their homes became less frequent, and individuals now stroll through the supermall, watch movies at the cinema, and engage in Western activities, such as ice skating. In sum, Villaggio has helped to bring significant changes to the ways that families entertain themselves and spend their leisure time. The findings of this study reveal the depth of the social and cultural changes experienced by members of traditional Doha society because of the influence of globalization. supermalls have become a sensation in their effects on the lifestyles of Qataris, particularly with respect to shopping and socializing practices. We conclude that many aspects of cultural diversity and cultural identity are threatened by supermalls because they could gradually eclipse the symbols and values by which Qataris understand their culture and tradition. The analysis found specific themes regarding cultural and social change regarding national identity, social status, social practices, family life, and the social geography of the city.“This publication was made possible by a grant from the Qatar national research fund under its undergraduate research experience program award number UREP 06 - 087 - 5 – 024. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).

Awareness of hypertension guidelines among family physicians in primary health care

Background: Only 14% of patients on treatment achieve the recommended blood pressure target. Guidelines aim to assist clinicians in the management of patients with hypertension.Objectives: The primary purpose of the study was to survey family physicians(FPs) in Kuwait about their awareness, and to understand better their reasons for not implementing specific guidance within the WHO/ISH guidelines.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey that was carried out in the five health regions of Kuwait. All PHC physicians who were currently working as FPs were asked to participate in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire of clinically oriented questions formulated on the basis of the 1999 World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH), as standard reference.Results: The study revealed that 49.1% and 42.1% of FPs were very familiar or somewhat familiar with the guidelines respectively, 92.1% were in agreement, and 79.8% indicated that they always or usually follow these guidelines when treating patients. Regarding the correct choice of the guideline statements, only 8.8% of the FPs choose correctly less than ten of the 20 statements, 64% choose 10 to less than 15, and only 27.2% choose > 15 statements. When asked about perceived patient barriers to blood pressure control, 84.0% of the respondents ranked overcrowded clinics as important or most important barrier to blood pressure control while, 87.4% considered lack of patient knowledge as important or most important barrier. Non availability of the drugs in the clinic was considered by 88.4% of the physicians, and poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs by 90.1%.Conclusion: There is a need to establish nationwide educational and quality monitoring programs to facilitate the correct implementation of hypertension guidelines in PHC clinical practices in Kuwait.Keywords:  Family physicians; Awareness; Hypertension; Guideline

Awareness of hypertension guidelines among family physicians in primary health care

AbstractBackgroundOnly 14% of patients on treatment achieve the recommended blood pressure target. Guidelines aim to assist clinicians in the management of patients with hypertension.ObjectivesThe primary purpose of the study was to survey family physicians(FPs) in Kuwait about their awareness, and to understand better their reasons for not implementing specific guidance within the WHO/ISH guidelines.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional survey that was carried out in the five health regions of Kuwait. All PHC physicians who were currently working as FPs were asked to participate in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire of clinically oriented questions formulated on the basis of the 1999 World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH), as standard reference.ResultsThe study revealed that 49.1% and 42.1% of FPs were very familiar or somewhat familiar with the guidelines respectively, 92.1% were in agreement, and 79.8% indicated that they always or usually follow these guidelines when treating patients. Regarding the correct choice of the guideline statements, only 8.8% of the FPs choose correctly less than ten of the 20 statements, 64% choose 10 to less than 15, and only 27.2% choose ⩾15 statements. When asked about perceived patient barriers to blood pressure control, 84.0% of the respondents ranked overcrowded clinics as important or most important barrier to blood pressure control while, 87.4% considered lack of patient knowledge as important or most important barrier. Non availability of the drugs in the clinic was considered by 88.4% of the physicians, and poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs by 90.1%.ConclusionThere is a need to establish nationwide educational and quality monitoring programs to facilitate the correct implementation of hypertension guidelines in PHC clinical practices in Kuwait

Experimental and modeling analysis of p-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 and graphene nanocomposites

The state-of-the-art Bismuth-Telluride (Bi2Te3) based systems are promising thermoelectric materials for efficient thermoelectric applications. In this study, the effect of graphene nanosheets (GNS) integrity on thermoelectric properties of a p-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 alloy has been studied using high-energy ball milling and SPS sintering techniques. The synthesized pristine Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 and 0.05wt% GNS/Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 nanocomposites at different addition times of GNS have exhibited a single-phase and artifact-free bulk nanocrystalline Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 with nanocrystals size of 17 nm. The TEM analysis confirmed the mechanical exfoliation of graphene filler in 5m nanocomposite into a single-layered nanostructure with an interplanar spacing of 0.343 nm. The prominent Raman features of the monolayered graphene sheet have appeared in the synthesized 5m-GNS/Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 nanocomposite. This highlighted the crucial rule of graphene addition time on its structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposites. The ZT profile of 5m nanocomposite reached 0.801 at 348 K till 398 K. This resulted in 65% of improvements to the pristine Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 pellet at 323 K. The obtained results were used to simulate a thermoelectric (TE) device module using ANSYS Workbench. The GNS nanocomposites have shown an ultrahigh output power of 95.57 W compared to 89.96 W for the pristine module at ΔT of 150 °C. The GNS addition has increased the output power of pristine Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 by 7%, leading to comparable TE performance to other simulated Bi2Te3 systems