Toward Sustainable Compact City: (Study in Convert Traditional Najaf City to Sustainable Compact City)

The research deals with an old concept in its inception, but it is modern in its applications and theses it deals with. The concept of compact city is one of the latest strategies for the sustainable development of cities.The research tackled the concept of compactness and the characteristics of the compact city, as well as the concept and characteristics of the Traditional Arabic city, A combination of common indicators, was found (Mix land use, density and intensification, movement and transport, accessibility, harmony, diversity). These indicators also include several sub-indicators, as these indicators can provide an appropriate basis for the possibility of a shift towards sustainability. The practical aspect was the conduct of field surveys of the study area (old city of Najaf) to identify the planning characteristics of it, and then the indicators derived from the theoretical framework were applied. The research found that there was a great approach to four indicators (density, movement, transport, accessibility, compactness, diversity and vitality), which achieved quantitative values appropriate to the rate specified in the specifications of the compact cities, The land use mix index was partially achieved as it approached the minimum limits specified in the horizontal mix and was receded from the vertical mix. Thus, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the type of fabric and its degree of compactness have exerted a great influence on the indicators. This was reflected in the high and moderate density, which encouraged a mix land uses, created diversity and vitality and provided high accessibility to the region. &nbsp

The effect of customer relationship management practices on airline customer loyalty

Customer satisfaction and loyalty are important concerns for travel providers and have a significant role in maximizing their sales. Therefore, adopting the activities of customer relationship management could help them building strong relationships with customers. This study explores the opinions of EgyptAir passengers on customer relationship management activities adopted by the company and how this affects their satisfaction and loyalty. A questionnaire was used for data collection and structural equation modelling was employed for rigorous findings. Findings revealed a positive significant effect of shared values, bonding, commitment, trust, tangibility, and handling customer conflicts on passenger satisfaction and loyalty

Possible Beneficial Effect of Exercise, by Reducing Oxidative Stress, on the Incidence of Preeclampsia

We hypothesize that regular exercise enhances antioxidative enzymes in pregnant women, which reduce oxidative stress and, thus, the incidence of preeclampsia. Oxidative stress with enhanced lipid peroxide formation could lead to endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia. Other conditions, such as increased transferrin saturation and decreased iron-binding capacity, directly and indirectly promote the process of oxidative stress and subsequent endothelial dysfunction. Exercise increases oxidative metabolism and produces a prooxidant environment. This acidic environment during exercise (at or beyond anaerobic threshold) promotes oxygen release from hemoglobin and increases in PO2 in tissues, as well as releases iron from transferrin. When exercise is repeated regularly, the body promptly adjusts so that oxidative stress is eliminated or reduced. The body's adaptations to a regular exercise habit seem to have an antioxidant effect. In humans, training effects have been identified with an enhanced activity of antioxidative enzymes. Another concerted adaptation that regular exercise brings to women's bodies is resistance against production of prooxidants by increasing the number of mitochondria. Equally important is a training effect that decreases susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Evidence suggests that physically active women are less likely to develop preeclampsia. In theory, intracellular and extracellular conditions resulting from regular exercise should counteract the enhancement of oxidative stress, thus interfering with the process leading to endothelial dysfunction. This position paper describes a hypothesis and includes a brief review of exercise physiology and biochemical research in preeclampsia. Unlike other preventive treatments, such as aspirin or calcium supplements, a regular exercise habit leads to a positive and healthy lifestyle without concern of side effects.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63167/1/152460901317193558.pd

Rethinking place-making: aligning placeness factors with perceived urban design qualities (PUDQs) to improve the built environment in historical district

Understanding the concept of place is critically important for urban design and place-making practice, and this research attempted to investigate the pathways by which perceived urban design qualities (PUDQs) influence placeness factors in the Chinese context. Twelve hypotheses were developed and combined in a structural equation model for validation. The Tanhualin historical district in Wuhan, China was selected for the analysis. As a result, place attachment was verified as a critical bridge factor that mediated the influence of PUDQs on place satisfaction. Among the five selected PUDQs, walkability and space quality were revealed as the most influential factors associated with place attachment and place satisfaction. Accessibility was actually indirectly beneficial to place-making via the mediation of walkability. Corresponding implications and strategies were discussed to maintain the sense of place for historic districts

Estudio comparativo entre la deshidratación convencional y en microondas del kimbombó.

This study was conducted to evaluate different pre-treatments and dehydration methods on the quality of okra. No significant differences were found among pretreatments and dehydration methods for the chemical composition of dehydrated okra samples. Dipping in 0.1 % sodium metabisulphite solution at room temperature and immersion in 0.1 % sodium metabisulphite solution at 92-95 °C improved the retention of ascorbic acid of okra samples after dehydration by either conventional or microwave oven. Also, the reduced dehydration time required for microwave dehydration produced far less destruction of ascorbic acid. The highest rehydration ratio was found in unwashed okra sample and dehydrated by microwave after immersion in 0.1 % sodium metabisulphite solution at 92-95 °C. Dehydrated okra samples by sun drying and conventional oven had lower retention percentages of total chlorophyll and carotenoids than those of dehydrated okra samples by microwave oven. The general appearance and colour scores of dehydrated okra samples by microwave were significantly different from those of conventionally dehydrated or sun dried okra samples.Este estudio se ha realizado para evaluar los diferentes pretratamientos y métodos de deshidratación en la calidad del kimbombó. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ellos respecto a la composición química de las muestras de kimbombó deshidratadas. La inmersión en solución de metabisulfito sódico al 0.1 % a temperatura ambiente y la inmersión en solución de metabisulfito sódico al 0.1 % a 92-95 °C mejoraron la retención de ácido ascórbico de las muestras de kimbombó después de la deshidratación tanto utilizando el homo convencional como el horno microondas. Además el menor tiempo necesario para la deshidratación usando el horno microondas produjo menos destrucción de ácido ascórbico. La mayor relación de rehidratación fue encontrada en muestras de kimbombó no tratadas o deshidratadas usando horno microondas tras inmersión en metabisulfito sódico al 0.1 % y 92-95 °C. Las muestras de kimbombó deshidratadas por secado al sol y homo convencional tuvieron menores porcentajes de retención de clorofilas totales y carotenoides que las de muestras de kimbombó deshidratadas usando homo microondas. La apariencia general y la calidad del color de las muestras de kimbombó deshidratadas mediante horno microondas fueron significativamente diferentes de aquéllas deshidratadas mediante homo convencional o secadas al sol

Toward Sustainable Compact City: (Study in Convert Traditional Najaf City to Sustainable Compact City)

The research deals with an old concept in its inception, but it is modern in its applications and theses it deals with. The concept of compact city is one of the latest strategies for the sustainable development of cities.The research tackled the concept of compactness and the characteristics of the compact city, as well as the concept and characteristics of the Traditional Arabic city, A combination of common indicators, was found (Mix land use, density and intensification, movement and transport, accessibility, harmony, diversity). These indicators also include several sub-indicators, as these indicators can provide an appropriate basis for the possibility of a shift towards sustainability. The practical aspect was the conduct of field surveys of the study area (old city of Najaf) to identify the planning characteristics of it, and then the indicators derived from the theoretical framework were applied. The research found that there was a great approach to four indicators (density, movement, transport, accessibility, compactness, diversity and vitality), which achieved quantitative values appropriate to the rate specified in the specifications of the compact cities, The land use mix index was partially achieved as it approached the minimum limits specified in the horizontal mix and was receded from the vertical mix. Thus, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the type of fabric and its degree of compactness have exerted a great influence on the indicators. This was reflected in the high and moderate density, which encouraged a mix land uses, created diversity and vitality and provided high accessibility to the region. &nbsp

Rare Presentation of Wilson Disease in an 11-year-old Sudanese Girl

Background: Wilson disease is an inherited disorder in which excessive amount of copper accumulates in various tissues of the body. Clinical features related to copper deposition in the liver may appear in the first and second decades followed by neurologic and psychiatric thereafter; however, many patients have a combination of these symptoms. Case: We report a case of 11 year-old girl, admitted to Wad Medani Pediatric Teaching Hospital with generalized body swellings for four days. Initial investigations showed proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia, thought to be due to nephrotic syndrome. Days later, patient developed jaundice and neuropsychiatric manifestations. A slit lamb examination confirmed the presence of Kayser–Fleischer ring (KF ring) and she scored high in the scoring system for the diagnosis of Wilson disease. Dpenicillamine treatment therapy was started and unfortunately the patient's clinical condition deteriorated gradually, and eventually went into deep coma and died. Wilson disease mainly affects the liver, but the initial presentation was completely compatible with nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion: Diagnosis of Wilson disease should be suspected in a child presenting with generalized body swellings even in the absence of clinical evidence of hepatic and/or neuropsychiatric involvements