Association of infant weight at one year of age with the mode of delivery: A case-control study in Primary Health Care Centers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Objective: To demonstrate the association between body mass index (BMI) centile at age one year with the mode of delivery and selected maternal and infant variables in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Methods: A retrospective case-control study where data were collected from the medical records of infants attending Primary Health Centers in 2019. Based on the World Health Organization 2006 growth standard, cases of overweight and obesity (n = 149) were defined as infants with BMI ≥85th centile, whereas controls (n = 434) were infants with a normal BMI between 3rd and <85th centile. Univariate analysis was performed first to compare the distribution of mode of delivery and other covariates between cases and controls. Adjusted odds ratios (adjOR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated by logistic regression. Results: The adjOR for infant overweight and obesity at one year of age was 1.53 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.39, P = 0.047) for a cesarean mode of delivery as compared to vaginal delivery. The analysis also showed that the adjOR for infant overweight and obesity was 2.67 (95% CI: 1.22, 5.85, P = 0.014) for having no siblings and 2.20 (95%CI: 1.07, 4.51, P = 0.032) for ≤4 siblings. In contrast, infant overweight and obesity was associated with a lower odds of breastfeeding (adjOR = 0.60; 95%CI: 0.38, 0.92; P = 0.020) and mixed milk feeding (adjOR = 0.36; 95%CI: 0.20, 0.66; P = 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, infant overweight and obesity was associated with a greater likelihood of cesarean mode of delivery and having ≤4 siblings. The absence of breastfeeding was also associated with infant overweight and obesity

A review on silica aerogel-based materials for acoustic applications

Silica aerogels are popular in terms of production volume and real-world applications. Although the current market growth rate is driven exclusively by thermal insulation, aerogels may also be attractive for acoustic applications with the potential in aiding sound absorption/insulation. This paper is a summary of the acoustics related studies of silica aerogel-based products. It introduces silica aerogels, some acoustic characterization methods, and reviews systematically the available data on sound absorption/insulation of silica aerogels, polymer-silica aerogel composites, nonwoven-silica aerogel blankets, and aerogel renders/glazing. The work identifies areas where further research is required, including experimental and theoretical work on the physics of sound absorption in mesoporous materials, and more systematic and standardized evaluations of the acoustic properties of aerogel and aerogel-composites. Aside from this call to action, the opportunities and barriers for the commercialization of silica aerogel products for acoustic applications are presented

Multiple assembly strategies for silica aerogel-fiber combinations – a review

Silica aerogels have a unique structure that makes them promising materials for variable applications. However, they are brittle due to weak inter-particle necks, and also expensive. Combining aerogel with fibers can not only enhance the mechanical/insulation properties, but also reduce dust release, and ease practical application. The majority of review articles in this field have been on the aerogel/textile systems' application or on textile impregnation in silica sol utilizing the sol–gel technique, with a few papers also addressing the use of aerogel as filler. This review for the first time highlights all strategies to assemble silica aerogel with textile materials. For sol–gel approaches, the fibers can be impregnated in a silica precursor sol to form the aerogel in situ between the fibers, but the sol itself can also be spun into aerogel fibers. Other strategies employ pre-formed silica aerogel, mixed in polymer or solvent matrices/slurries, to form aerogel injected blankets, aerogel-filled material coated fibers, and aerogel-filled composite fibers. Aerogel particles-filled textile packages have also been proposed. The emerging activities on simulations of aerogel-fiber combinations are reviewed. The advantages/disadvantages of various approaches are evaluated, and the current market situation and an outlook for the future of the field are summarized

Lunar samples record an impact 4.2 billion years ago that may have formed the Serenitatis Basin

Impact cratering on the Moon and the derived size-frequency distribution functions of lunar impact craters are used to determine the ages of unsampled planetary surfaces across the Solar System. Radiometric dating of lunar samples provides an absolute age baseline, however, crater-chronology functions for the Moon remain poorly constrained for ages beyond 3.9 billion years. Here we present U–Pb geochronology of phosphate minerals within shocked lunar norites of a boulder from the Apollo 17 Station 8. These minerals record an older impact event around 4.2 billion years ago, and a younger disturbance at around 0.5 billion years ago. Based on nanoscale observations using atom probe tomography, lunar cratering records, and impact simulations, we ascribe the older event to the formation of the large Serenitatis Basin and the younger possibly to that of the Dawes crater. This suggests the Serenitatis Basin formed unrelated to or in the early stages of a protracted Late Heavy Bombardment

UAE Museums Integrating Female Empowerment Approaches to Capture Marginalized Emirati Women’s’ Voices For Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage

This research reframes the contemporary perspective of museum and heritage studies by exploring how the role of Al Dhafra women as cultural heritage protectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can act as models for female empowerment. This research contributes to global knowledge of production and safeguarding of intangible heritage practices by investigating how Al Dhafra women have transformed the UAE cultural heritage landscape. This under-researched area relates to the correlation between intangible heritage and female empowerment, examined on a cultural level, to illustrate the positive impact on the international field of museum studies, especially in relation to the areas of collaborative practice and community engagement.The study examines how cultural heritage can be preserved through empowerment of women in rural regions. It presents an understanding of cultural heritage preservation in the UAE linked to the cultural identity of the local community. The research methodology for this study involves qualitative research methods of individual, in-depth interviews, and focus groups held in the Al Dhafra region and in UAE cultural institutions. The thesis demonstrates how Al Dhafra women express their feelings of empowerment through their role as cultural protectors of the UAE’s intangible cultural heritage (values, beliefs, knowledge, skills, and storytelling) and tangible cultural heritage (handicrafts).This thesis provides recommendations for governmental organizations and museums to support empowerment of women through their community engagement programmes; its further theoretical contribution is a new model for female empowerment through intangible and tangible cultural heritage protection.</div

GIS-BASED WIND FARM SITE SELECTION MODEL OFFSHORE ABU DHABI EMIRATE, UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has declared the increased use of alternative energy a strategic goal and has invested in identifying and developing various sources of such energy. This study aimed at assessing the viability of establishing wind farms offshore the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE and to identify favourable sites for such farms using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) procedures and algorithms. Based on previous studies and on local requirements, a set of suitability criteria was developed including ocean currents, reserved areas, seabed topography, and wind speed. GIS layers were created and a weighted overlay GIS model based on the above mentioned criteria was built to identify suitable sites for hosting a new offshore wind energy farm. Results showed that most of Abu Dhabi offshore areas were unsuitable, largely due to the presence of restricted zones (marine protected areas, oil extraction platforms and oil pipelines in particular). However, some suitable sites could be identified, especially around Delma Island and North of Jabal Barakah in the Western Region. The environmental impact of potential wind farm locations and associated cables on the marine ecology was examined to ensure minimal disturbance to marine life. Further research is needed to specify wind mills characteristics that suit the study area especially with the presence of heavy traffic due to many oil production and shipping activities in the Arabian Gulf most of the year

Consanguinity and family history of cancer in children with leukemia and lymphomas

BACKGROUND. In native population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the rate of consanguineous marriages is 50.5%. This study was designed to determine whether the rates of consanguinity and family history of cancer among the families of children with lymphoid malignancy are different from those in the general population