35 research outputs found

    Enclaving the City: New Models of Containing the Urban Populations - A Case Study of Cairo

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    This article builds on theoretical foundations from enclave urbanism, authoritarian planning and neoliberal urbanisation to explore contemporary socio-spatial transformation(s) happening in Cairo, Egypt. Relying on a nationwide road development project, inner-city neighbourhoods in Cairo are turning into urban enclaves, whereby populations are being separated by a multiplicity of transport-related infrastructure projects. As these rapid planning processes are occurring, our article aims to explain why these developments are crucial and unique in the context of the post-Arab Spring cities. We argue that the new road infrastructure is creating a spatially and socially fragmented city and transforming the urban citizenry into a controllable and navigable body. We use an inductive approach to investigate the effects of the new road infrastructure and its hegemonic outcomes on the city. On a conceptual level, we propose that the enclaving of the city is a containment method that has erupted since the mass mobilisations of the Arab Spring. In doing so, we use qualitative analysis to explain empirical evidence showing how the city is being transformed into nodes of enclaves, where communities are getting separated from one another via socio-spatial fault lines

    Assessment of the Effect of Granisetron on the Gastric Cross-Sectional Area By Ultrasound on Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

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    Background: Gastric ultrasound is considered a valuable tool for the assessment of gastric volume preoperatively. Materials and Methods: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of granisetron on the gastric cross-sectional area by ultrasound estimation of its cross-sectional area for elective Cesarean Section. Sixty patients were assigned randomly into one of 2 groups; Granisetron group (n=30): received 1 mg granisetron diluted in 10 mL normal saline 0.9%. Control (n=30): received 10 mL of normal saline 0.9%. Cross-sectional area and volume of stomach contents were measured using ultrasound immediately before administration of the study drug and one hour later. Results: No statistical difference was detected in post-treatment antral CSA nor gastric residual volume between the two groups (4.8±1.4 vs 4.6±2.1, P: 0.8) and (50±19 vs 57±27, P: 0.3) for antral CSA and gastric volume comparison between both groups. However, a significant statistical difference was found in antral CSA pre and post-granisetron administration (4.8±1.4 vs 4 ±1.2; P<0.001). The Granesitron group had a statistically significantly lower rate of nausea and vomiting than the control group. Conclusion: Based on ultrasonographic measurement granesitron could effectively reduce the gastric cross-sectional area when administered preoperatively to parturients undergoing elective CS

    Explore the E-Learning Management System Lower usage during COVID-19 Pandemic

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    During the COVID-19 pandemic, several universities are finding it difficult to provide and use online and e-learning systems. Blackboard, for example, is an e-learning system with various wonderful features that would be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowing the acceptance variables as well as the primary problems that contemporary e-learning technologies confront is crucial for efficient utilization. The growing number of students attending different instructional organizations has resulted in a greater volume of material being needed in these organizations both from the academic and professional workforce and also because learning management systems and e-learning are indeed the university prospect, several more universities and colleges have accepted them. The purpose is to analyze the most popular E-learning system, the Blackboard system, and the authors suggest a learning management control system to accommodate major e-learning features. A Blackboard system is a plethora of academic perspectives, research, ideas, theories, and affective responses to the virtual learning environment. To use it, the technology acceptance model in times of crisis (TAMTC) has been developed as a way to evaluate student acceptability. The existing literature demonstrates that the field of information administration is constantly changing due to the effect of learning technologies like the blackboard system. Given their reduced utilization of the system, the data reveal a high level of student acceptability. The conclusions of this study provide important recommendations for policymakers, managers, developers, and academics, allowing them may further understand the key factors of successfully using an e-learning system during the COVID-19 epidemic

    Explore the E-Learning Management System Lower usage during COVID-19 Pandemic

    Get PDF
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, several universities are finding it difficult to provide and use online and e-learning systems. Blackboard, for example, is an e-learning system with various wonderful features that would be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, knowing the acceptance variables as well as the primary problems that contemporary e-learning technologies confront is crucial for efficient utilization. The growing number of students attending different instructional organizations has resulted in a greater volume of material being needed in these organizations both from the academic and professional workforce and also because learning management systems and e-learning are indeed the university prospect, several more universities and colleges have accepted them. The purpose is to analyze the most popular E-learning system, the Blackboard system, and the authors suggest a learning management control system to accommodate major e-learning features. A Blackboard system is a plethora of academic perspectives, research, ideas, theories, and affective responses to the virtual learning environment. To use it, the technology acceptance model in times of crisis (TAMTC) has been developed as a way to evaluate student acceptability. The existing literature demonstrates that the field of information administration is constantly changing due to the effect of learning technologies like the blackboard system. Given their reduced utilization of the system, the data reveal a high level of student acceptability. The conclusions of this study provide important recommendations for policymakers, managers, developers, and academics, allowing them may further understand the key factors of successfully using an e-learning system during the COVID-19 epidemic

    Divorce and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease: A Multicenter Study

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    The association between marital status and coronary artery disease (CAD) is supported by numerous epidemiological studies. While divorce may have an adverse effect on cardiac outcomes, the relationship between divorce and severe CAD is unclear. We conducted a multicenter, observational study of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography during the period between April 1, 2013, and March 30, 2014. Of 1,068 patients, 124 (12%) were divorced. Divorce was more frequent among women (27%) compared to men (6%). Most divorced patients had been divorced only once (49%), but a subset had been divorced 2 (38%) or ≥3 (12%) times. After adjusting for baseline differences, there was no significant association between divorce and severe CAD in men. In women, there was a significant adjusted association between divorce and severe MVD (OR 2.31 [1.16, 4.59]) or LMD (OR 5.91 [2.19, 15.99]). The modification of the association between divorce and severe CAD by gender was statistically significant for severe LMD (Pinteraction 0.0008) and marginally significant for CAD (Pinteraction 0.05). Among women, there was a significant adjusted association between number of divorces and severe CAD (OR 2.4 [95% CI 1.2, 4.5]), MVD (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.4, 3.0]), and LMD (OR 3.4 [95% CI 1.9, 5.9]). In conclusion, divorce, particularly multiple divorces, is associated with severe CAD, MVD, and LMD in women but not in men

    The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

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    INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

    Dynamic building and its impact on sustainable development

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    Since ancient times, the buildings evaluation depended on durability confront different factors and conditions for the longest possible period, regardless of their ability to adapt to the changes occurring as well as meeting the diverse needs, the research aims to provide non-traditional solutions to meet the different requirements and problems that may face the architects, An analytical study of Dynamic architecture is capable of achieving sustainability and providing architectural environments that are adaptable to different variables. The research presents the various definitions of sustainability and dynamic architecture. It also explains the elements of sustainability and how to apply on the dynamic buildings whether static or partially or fully-dynamic.An applied study was conducted for the dynamic buildings on two models of global buildings to reach 39 design criteria were identified as a guide to evaluate the level of dynamic building integration. Keywords: Dynamic architecture, Static movement, Dynamic movement & sustainabilit

    Role of 320-slice multislice computed tomography coronary angiography in the assessment of coronary artery stenosis

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    Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the multislice CT coronary angiography, as a non-invasive imaging tool in assessment of coronary artery stenosis. Patients and methods: The study included 50 patients who were referred for MSCT coronary angiography followed by catheter coronary angiography. Patients with previous coronary bypass grafts and those with coronary stents were excluded. History of contrast allergy, renal impairment and severe chest conditions were exclusion criteria. The coronary angiographic CT studies were performed using a 320 CT scanner. The catheter coronary angiographic studies were performed via femoral arterial puncture. The results of CT angiography were compared with the gold standard catheter angiography. Results: The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MSCT coronary angiography in detection of coronary artery stenosis were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSCT coronary angiography is a very helpful and rapid non-invasive coronary imaging modality that was able to detect and grade coronary artery stenosis better than other noninvasive examinations used to detect CAD, such as exercise stress testing. Due to its very high negative predictive value, it may eliminate the need for invasive coronary procedures in the presence of normal coronary imaging
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