Worrying about climate change

The paper discusses the impact of climate change on ten sectors: water, water desalination, energy, renewable energy supply, health, society, agriculture, economy, industry, and built environment. Each of the sectors has unique characteristics that require special consideration. Planning for climate change adaptation is among the most complex challenges cities are facing today. Climatic alterations put a strain on 1) energy needs for cooling/heating and release of anthropogenic heat, 2) mortality and morbidity due to air pollution and air turbidity, 3) productivity and wellbeing, and 4) accessibility to public spaces and social prosperity. There are many innovate ideas and proposals suggested in order to minimize the impact of climate change, but no simple solution exists because of the interdependence and fast-moving technological solutions, and the role of the policy makers in setting targets and providing finance for solutions

Utilisation of solar and wind energy in buildings in the Kingdom of Bahrain : a step towards sustainable building construction

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The Transition in Solar and Wind Energy Use in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCC) are largely engaged in renewable energy compared to other sources of energy for achieving sustainable development, i.e., maintaining balance between environmental, socio-economic and energy security and governance; this include mitigating climate change, reducing air pollution, improving energy access and enhancing energy security. According to IRENA report, by 2030, the GCCC could save 354 million barrels of oil equivalent (a 23% reduction), create more than 220,500 jobs, reduce the power sector's carbon dioxide emissions by 22%, and cut water withdrawal in the power sector by 17% based on the renewables targets already in place. The GCCC have been undertaking renewable energy projects for more than 30 years but recently a trend for increasingly ambitious projects is being witnessed. These are being supported by renewable energy targets, innovative research and development, and investments across the entire industry value chain. The renewable energy targets in GCCC are as follows: Bahrain; 5% by 2025 (250 MW) and 10% by 2035, UAE; 30% by 2030 (5000 MW), KSA; 30% by 2040 (5400 MW), Oman 10 by 2020 (600 MW), Kuwait; 15% by 2030 (11,000 MW) and Qatar; 20% by 2030 (1800 MW). The paper highlight on the vast investment and applications carried in GCCC which can be considered as a transition phase in solar and wind energy use in these countries. It also suggests advantageous investments in sustainability in GCCC like investing in Electric Vehicle, Building Integrated PV or Building Integrated Wind Turbine, Rooftop PV for small −scale installation, and Solar and Wind Water Desalination

Emergency and disaster management training; knowledge and attitude of Yemeni health professionals- a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Medical professionals together with other first responder teams are the first to attend an emergency or disaster. Knowledge and training in emergency and disaster preparedness are important in responding effectively. This study aims to assess the current knowledge, attitude and training in emergency and disaster preparedness among Yemeni health professionals. Method A descriptive, cross-sectional, non-probability based study was conducted in Yemen using self-reported on-line and paper surveys in 2017. A total of 531 health professionals responded. The Chi-Square test was used to identify any significant difference in the knowledge and attitude of the professional categories. The p-value of <0.05 was used as a statistical significant. Results The overall knowledge status of Yemeni health professionals was insufficient with regards to emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, 32.0% had good knowledge, 53.5% had fair and 14.5% exhibited poor knowledge. The educational level was a key factor in the knowledge gap amongst respondents. Regardless of the period of experience, postgraduate staff were more knowledgeable than graduates. Physicians were better in knowledge than other subgroups of health specialties. Health administrators seemed insufficiently qualified in emergency and disaster planning. Medical teachers performed better in responding to knowledge test than managers. However, the majority of study respondents appeared in the ‘positive attitudes’ level to emergency and disaster preparedness. 41.0% of all respondents had received no courses in disaster preparedness. The trained staff used NGOs, and online-related programs more frequently for learning disaster planning (15.7%, and 13.6%) respectively. In contrast, formal resources such as MoPHP, health facility, medical schooling programs were used by (10.2%, 9.6, and 7.3%) of respondents, respectively. 58.9% of respondents had not participated in any exercise in emergency and disaster preparedness. Of all respondents, triage and mass causality response exercises were attended by only (13.5%, and 9.7%) respectively. Conclusion The absence of teaching programs is a major issue in the lack of knowledge of health professionals regarding disaster preparedness. Thus, emergency and disaster preparedness has to be included in the primary medical school curricula and continuing medical education programs of the health facilities. Long-term formal training such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs is necessary. Operational simulations enrolled key personnel of multi-agencies focus on an organizational training rather than individual based training are recommended

Accelerating the transformation to a green university: University of Bahrain experience

Many universities are striving to have an environmental impact on the society as they are considered as small communities aiming to be eco-friendly and having low CO2 emission. This concept has been emerging after the worldwide concern on the ozone depletion issue and global warming. As a result, many titles have appeared like “Green Universities”, “eco- friendly Universities,” “Environmental sustainable Universities” and “Environmentally responsible universities,” etc. This paper proposes a mechanism that allows universities to go green or become environmentally sustainable higher education bodies in a short span of time. It simply advises the universities to best practice the Environmental Sustainable Development Goals (ESDG’s) Components incorporated in the seventeen United Nation Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG’s) that were announced on the 25 th September 2015 by all leaders of the countries which were aimed to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda where each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. These ESDG’s listed within the SDG’s are the following: 1) Good Health and Well-being. 2) Quality Education. 3) Clean Water and Sanitation. 4) Affordable and Clean Energy. 5) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. 6) Sustainable Cities and Communities. 7) Climate Action. 8) Life below Water. 9) Life on Land. Therefore, incorporating such 9 Goals in the strategic planning of each worldwide university that has aligned its goals with the Country National Strategy - which by default includes these SDG’s - will accelerate and boost each university to transform to Green and Environmentally Sustainable campus. The paper also sheds light on the experience of University of Bahrain in this respect

Accelerating the transformation to a green university: University of Bahrain experience

Many universities are striving to have an environmental impact on the society as they are considered as small communities aiming to be eco-friendly and having low CO2 emission. This concept has been emerging after the worldwide concern on the ozone depletion issue and global warming. As a result, many titles have appeared like “Green Universities”, “eco- friendly Universities,” “Environmental sustainable Universities” and “Environmentally responsible universities,” etc. This paper proposes a mechanism that allows universities to go green or become environmentally sustainable higher education bodies in a short span of time. It simply advises the universities to best practice the Environmental Sustainable Development Goals (ESDG’s) Components incorporated in the seventeen United Nation Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG’s) that were announced on the 25 th September 2015 by all leaders of the countries which were aimed to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda where each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. These ESDG’s listed within the SDG’s are the following: 1) Good Health and Well-being. 2) Quality Education. 3) Clean Water and Sanitation. 4) Affordable and Clean Energy. 5) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. 6) Sustainable Cities and Communities. 7) Climate Action. 8) Life below Water. 9) Life on Land. Therefore, incorporating such 9 Goals in the strategic planning of each worldwide university that has aligned its goals with the Country National Strategy - which by default includes these SDG’s - will accelerate and boost each university to transform to Green and Environmentally Sustainable campus. The paper also sheds light on the experience of University of Bahrain in this respect

Renal biopsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: indications and nature of the lesions

<b>Background and Objectives</b> :<b> </b>The prevalence of non diabetic renal disease (NDRD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus varies widely depending on the selection criteria and the populations being studied.<b><i> </b></i>The aim of this study was to evaluate the renal biopsies performed on type 2 diabetic patients for suspicion of NDRD and to correlate the pathological with the clinical and laboratory findings. <b> Subjects and Methods</b> : We selected and reviewed biopsies performed on type 2 diabetics for clinically suspected NDRD from January 2006 to December 2008 at a single hospital<b>. </b>Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed in relation to the histopathology findings. Patients were grouped into either group I with isolated DGS or group II with NDRD on top of DGS. <b> Results</b> : Thirty-one biopsies were performed on type 2 diabetic patients; Seventeen patients (54.8&#x0025;) were males. Mean age was 50.68 (11.29) years. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.33 (3.6) years. Renal biopsy showed that among the studied group 14 patients (45.2&#x0025;) showed NDRD on top of DGS. Crescentic glomerulonephritis was the commonest finding seen in 3 cases (21.4&#x0025; of group II cases) followed by acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and hypertensive changes each was seen in 2 cases (14.4&#x0025;). Other findings included IgA nephropathy, primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, rhabdomyolysis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis each of them was seen in one case (7.1&#x0025;). Group I had a significantly higher level of proteinuria 4.97 (2.08) gm/24 hrs urine than group II 2.72 (1.09) gm/24 hrs urine (<i>P=</i>.003). There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, duration of diabetes, gender, presence of hypertension, hematuria, serum creatinine or glomerular filtration rate. <b>Conclusion</b> : The present study showed that crescentic glomerulonephritis is the commonest NDRD among diabetic patients. A higher level of proteinuria was reported among those with NDRD superimposed on DGS. So, Renal biopsy should be performed in diabetics when the clinical scenario is atypical

A Study of Hospital Disaster Preparedness in South Yemen

AbstractIntroductionDespite emphasis by disaster experts on the importance of disaster preparedness, disaster management in Yemen has attracted only a little attention. Most of the efforts have focused on post-disaster relief activities rather than the pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction. Hospitals have a crucial role in emergency response and should be prepared. Thus, the aim of this study was intended to assess the hospital preparedness of Aden Capital, South Yemen against disasters.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2016. The sample was all Aden City facilities with a total number of 10 hospitals: five public and five private hospitals. A survey was done by using the World Health Organization (WHO; Geneva, Switzerland) standards checklist 2011.ResultsThe overall preparedness of Aden City hospitals to disasters fell at the unacceptable level of readiness, with an average mean of 46.6 (SD = 38.31; range 24-82). Of 10 hospitals, two ranked insufficient while eight hospitals were at unacceptable levels of preparedness.ConclusionAll hospitals were noted grossly unprepared for potential disasters. Therefore, it is recommended that greater efforts be invested in creating a comprehensive strategy and national or local guidelines to establish an emergency management system based on the anticipated hazard and the needed resources.NaserWN, IngrassiaPL, AladhraeS, AbdulraheemWA. A study of hospital disaster preparedness in South Yemen. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):133–138.</jats:sec

Clinical and histopathological spectrum of IgA nephropathy in Kuwait

Background: Little is known about the nature and the course of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in Arab countries. The aim of this work was to study the spectrum of clinical presentation and histopathological findings at our institution. Design And Setting: 0Retrospective review, all renal biopsies at the Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. Methods: Cases of IgA nephropathy were selected, and their medical records and biopsy findings were reviewed. Results: Eighty patients (9.2&#x0025; of all native kidney biopsies) were diagnosed to have IgAN nephropathy. Sixty-nine biopsies were included in the study;11 were excluded. Forty-three (62.3&#x0025;) patients were male and 26 (37.7) patients were female. Fifty (72.5&#x0025;) patients were below the age of 40 years. Mean (SD) duration of follow-up was 3.6 (1.3) years. The first presentation included nephritic-range proteinuria (49.3&#x0025;) and renal impairment (50.7&#x0025;). During the follow-up period, 56 (81.2&#x0025;) patients were stable or improved. Hass classification of biopsies showed 36.2&#x0025; had class I, 27.5&#x0025; had class II, 13.0&#x0025; had class III, 5.8&#x0025; had class IV, and 17.4&#x0025; had class V IgAN. Females had milder forms of the disease than males. Macroscopic hematuria and renal impairment at presentation were seen more in patients with class IV and V IgAN. The presenting serum creatinine and uric acid values were higher in those with Hass classes III to V. Deterioration of renal function during the follow-up period was more significant in the presence of hypertension, renal impairment, or macroscopic hematuria at the time of biopsy . Conclusion: The prevalence of IgAN in Kuwait is about 9.2&#x0025;. Renal impairment or macroscopic hematuria at presentation was seen in patients with more aggressive renal lesions and contributed to poor outcome