Organic Agriculture in Saudi Arabia - Sector Study 2012

This publication compiles the facts and figures of the organic sector in Saudi Arabia. It is a valuable resource for local stakeholders and interested trading companies. The publication is resulting from a collaboration between GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and FiBL together with its partners of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA)

Existence theory for a kinetic-fluid coupling when small droplets are treated as part of the fluid

We consider in this paper a spray constituted of an incompressible viscous gas and of small droplets which can breakup. This spray is modeled by the coupling (through a drag force term) of the incom- pressible Navier-Stokes equation and of the Vlasov-Boltzmann equation, together with a fragmentation kernel. We first show at the formal level that if the droplets are very small after the breakup, then the solutions of this system converge towards the solution of a simplified system in which the small droplets produced by the breakup are treated as part of the fluid. Then, existence of global weak solutions for this last system is shown to hold, thanks to the use of the DiPerna-Lions theory for singular transport equations

Potentiometric detection of low-levels of sulfamethazine in milk and pharmaceutical formulations using novel plastic membrane sensors

Novel potentiometric sensors for selective screening of sulfamethazine (SMZ) in pharmaceutical preparations and milk samples are reported. The sensor membranes were made from PVC matrix doped with magnesium(II)-, manganese(II)- and dichlorotin (IV)-phthalocyanines as ionophores and aliquat-336 and nitron/SMZ ion-pair complex as ion exchangers. These sensors revealed fast, stable and near-Nernstian anionic response for the singly charged sulfamethazine anion over the concentration range 10-2 - 10-5 M. The sensors exhibited good selectivity towards SMZ over most known anions, excipients and diluents commonly added in drug preparations. Validation of the proposed methods was demonstrated via evaluating the detection limit, linear response range, accuracy, precision (within-day repeatability) and between-day-variability. The sensors are easily interfaced with a double channel flow injection system and used for continuous monitoring of SMZ in drug formulations, spiked milk samples and biological tissues. The method offers the advantages of design simplicity, results accuracy, and automation feasibility

Severe coinfection of dengue and malaria:A case report

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: In countries like Sudan, where several infectious diseases are prevalent, health care providers should not be satisfied with initial detection of a single pathogen and whenever it is feasible, they should investigate coinfections. Infections with high mortality or severe morbidity should be prioritized during the differential diagnosis particularly for diseases with similar clinical manifestations to reduce the death and disability rates. However, this requires substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity.ABSTRACT: Here we report a case of dengue and malaria coinfection from the southeast region of Sudan, bordering Ethiopia and Eritrea. A 25-year-old male from Sudan presented with symptoms of fever, chills, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. Laboratory investigations confirmed a coinfection of dengue and malaria, which is assumingly not uncommon in areas heavily syndemic with several diseases but it is severely under-detected, underreported, and underestimated. The case has fully recovered after the supportive care for dengue and chemotherapy treatment for malaria. In such a case, it was important to monitor the patient's recovery and the treatment outcome through clinical indicators and laboratory parameters to update the treatment course whenever needed, according to response. The increasing burden and outbreaks of vector-borne diseases including dengue and malaria in Sudan, indicates the need for improving the implementation of the global vector control response that established by the World Health Organization. Additionally, the increasing prevalent of coinfections is urging substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity in endemic countries.</p

Internal quality assessment of tomato fruits using image color analysis

Nondestructive optical methods based on image analysis have been used for determining quality of tomato fruit. It is rapid and requires less sample preparation. A samples of fresh tomatoes were picked at different maturity stages, and determining chromaticity values (L*,a*,b*,a*/b*,h˚and ΔE) by image analysis and colorimeter. Total soluble solids (TSS), were measured by refractometer, lycopene extracting and expressed as mg/kg fresh tomato (FW). Results indicated that, during ripening both L*, b*, h˚, and ΔE tendency to decline, opposite tendency was determined with a*, a*/b* ratio, TSS and lycopene content. Chromaticity values have an important impact in internal quality parameters. Where, avg. of TSS, entire class and lycopene content had a positive linear correlation with a*/b* ratio. Contrary correlation was determined between avg. of TSS, entire class and both h˚ and ΔE. Meanwhile, h˚ and ΔE, had a negative logarithmic correlation with lycopene content. On the other hand, there were positive correlation between chromaticity values performed by image analysis technology and colorimeter. Where, on determining avg. of TSS, entire class, and lycopene content, correlations were linear with a*/b* ratio, and logarithmic with ΔE. Meanwhile, h˚ had alogarithmic correlation on determining avg. of TSS, entire class, and exponential correlation on determining lycopene content

Severe coinfection of dengue and malaria:A case report

KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE: In countries like Sudan, where several infectious diseases are prevalent, health care providers should not be satisfied with initial detection of a single pathogen and whenever it is feasible, they should investigate coinfections. Infections with high mortality or severe morbidity should be prioritized during the differential diagnosis particularly for diseases with similar clinical manifestations to reduce the death and disability rates. However, this requires substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity.ABSTRACT: Here we report a case of dengue and malaria coinfection from the southeast region of Sudan, bordering Ethiopia and Eritrea. A 25-year-old male from Sudan presented with symptoms of fever, chills, vomiting, and muscle and joint pain. Laboratory investigations confirmed a coinfection of dengue and malaria, which is assumingly not uncommon in areas heavily syndemic with several diseases but it is severely under-detected, underreported, and underestimated. The case has fully recovered after the supportive care for dengue and chemotherapy treatment for malaria. In such a case, it was important to monitor the patient's recovery and the treatment outcome through clinical indicators and laboratory parameters to update the treatment course whenever needed, according to response. The increasing burden and outbreaks of vector-borne diseases including dengue and malaria in Sudan, indicates the need for improving the implementation of the global vector control response that established by the World Health Organization. Additionally, the increasing prevalent of coinfections is urging substantial improvement in the diagnostic capacity in endemic countries.</p

The crisis, disasters and catastrophes afflicting Yemen and its people

It would be inaccurate to state that Yemen’s difficulties began with the current civil war in September of 2014. While the war brought about its own list of insurmountable tribulations, it also exacerbated already present disasters. This article explores the many dynamics that have led to what has been referred to as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis (1). These include war, internal displacement, economic disaster, healthcare collapse, outbreaks in refugee camps, vaccination concerns, malnutrition, food insecurity, water sparsity, and infectious disease catastrophes. Along with accurate depictions of what is happening on the ground, this article suggests a few potential solutions worth investigating further, ranging from national and international efforts. With an ever-changing climate, this article serves to provide the most up to date impression of the current crisis and disasters

Vocabulary learning strategies among secondary students at Saudi School Malaysia

Vocabulary learning is considered as a major process in acquisition of English as a foreign language (EFL). During the process, a learner manages to develop a few vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs). A majority of EFL learners, who have realized the importance of vocabulary in their language learning, also understand that knowledge of the English diction can enhance their overall linguistic skills, facilitating their communication with people and expressing their ideas. This study is dedicated to the research of VLSs employed by a group of Saudi Arabian learners in an EFL context. The rationale for the study is to clarify a pronounced lack of research on the EFL context in Saudi Schools Abroad (SSA), and a dearth of prior research into VLSs in this context. In particular, this research intends to identify how students at Saudi School Malaysia (SSM) employ VLSs in their actual learning process. The second objective deals with examining the significant differences in VLSs adopted by the participants based on their, gender, age, grade, years of studying English and language proficiency. Thirdly, this study is also interested in exploring the major factors which affect the use of VLSs among participants. The final objective of this study concerns with investigating the use of strategies in all 5-stages of vocabulary learning (Brown & Payne’s, 1994, 5-stages model). The context of this research has taken place at SSM where the total number of participants is 120. A mixed method used in order to fulfil the above objectives. Analysis of quantitative data revealed that all five strategies identified (i.e. discovery, vocabulary use, retrieval, metacognitive and storage); the mean scores for the four strategies were all at medium usage by the participants except ‘storage’ which fell below the average range. In addition, gender, age, years of studying English and grade were not significant in terms of strategies adopted by the participants. However, there were significant differences of strategies adopted by the participants of different language proficiency ability since students who identified as very good were found to be employing the strategies of ‘vocabulary use’ and ‘discovery’ more than other strategies. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that language learning environment, attitudes, beliefs, and motivation were considered as major factors affecting the use of VLSs among participants. Major themes also have been stated by the participants regarding the strategies they used in all 5-stages of vocabulary learning, such as guessing strategies, using monolingual and picture dictionaries, using memory strategies and lastly using the new word with all its possible collocations. Many participants involved in this study understand the importance of vocabulary learning albeit much of the strategies they employed were at a moderate level. Particularly, the focus and great emphasis should be on the role of strategies (VLSs) rather than on memorizing grammar rules and structures, thus learners (EFL) can achieve the goal of vocabulary learning efficiently and successfully