Investigating adaptability of stadium precincts post Qatar 2022 world cup: toward an adaptive strategy through public-private partnership (ppp)

Mega Sporting Events have become a way of transforming cities around the world. However, the sustainability of these large-scale transformations is questioned. This thesis aims to investigate the adaptability of stadium precincts post-Qatar 2022 World Cup based on selected case studies from Al Rayyan municipality. The challenges of using large facilities such as iconic stadiums are worth investigating. The thesis aims to find answers to the following questions: To what extent is Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums is adaptive to its precincts? What impacts the adaptability of Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums? And How an adaptive strategy through public-private partnership can take place for Post 2022 World Cup? A selection of case studies from Qatar includes Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar Foundation and Al Rayyan Stadiums are examined to answer the research questions. The thesis is based on qualitative case study research with three data collection and analysis tools. The tools used are site assessment (observations), expert interviews, and secondary data that include feedback from Al Rayyan residents toward Al Rayyan stadiums and precincts. The data is analyzed in the light of New Urbanism and the thesis conceptual framework to examine impact factors, opportunities and challenges for adaptability after a mega sporting event. The research findings show that Qatar 2022 stadiums precincts can be very adaptable but can also face many challenges. Challenges include land use regulations, walkability, lack of unified urban design code, lack of housing options, and low building densities. Most of the challenges are beyond the scope of the stadiums’ owners. The extent of Qatar 2022 stadium adaptability to its precincts is promising, especially for stadiums that are within an existing urban development.in addition, factors impacting the stadiums adaptability included the stadium location, the design process and stakeholder’s involvement. However, stakeholder’s involvement also impacted the selection of the stadium location and the design process which emphasize the significance of a public-private partnership

Multi-UAV Integrated Internet of Things System for Generating Safe Map in Post-Disaster

芝浦工業大学2019年

Research engagement and its predictors among university academics: A comparison of two Arabian Gulf countries

Challenges remain in achieving world-class standards in teaching and research while higher education has recently developed rapidly in Arabian Gulf countries. This mixed-methods study compared research engagement among academics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) about demographics, institutional support, and collaborative practices. Data were collected through an online survey sent to 44 university academics. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed statistically and thematically. KSA universities had a balanced gender distribution while the UAE’s had a slight male majority. UAE academics reported being more motivated to conduct research than those in KSA. Regression analysis showed that forms of institutional support significantly predict research engagement in KSA but not in the UAE. Paired-sample t-tests revealed significant differences in research motivation and co-authorship with UAE academics collaborating more frequently. However, these countries had no significant differences in research engagement or institutional support. Thematic analysis indicated KSA academics were motivated more by extrinsic than intrinsic motivators. These findings suggest KSA universities need tailored policies to improve support mechanisms while UAE universities should sustain collaborative initiatives. Future research should use larger samples and longitudinal designs to explore more factors

Towards improving women’s participation in physical activities in Saudi Arabia

The importance of physical activity in improving physical and mental health has been emphasised in many studies. Researchers in Saudi Arabia have reported an increase in physical inactivity among Saudis, especially among the female population in the past 25 years. Current efforts in the field in Saudi Arabia have yet to explore barriers and facilitators that influence women’s participation in physical activity or means of improving their rates of participation. To learn possible ways of increasing Saudi women’s participation in physical activity, this thesis aims to identify approaches to improving physical activity levels among the female population in Saudi Arabia. This thesis adopted participatory action research to (i) assess the current context of physical activity participation among female university students attending the King Saud University (KSU) in Saudi Arabia; (ii) explore means of increasing participation in physical activity among female university students in Saudi Arabia; and (iii) assess factors influencing women’s motivation to increase their activity levels. This thesis comprises two research phases. In the first phase, a cross-sectional survey of 375 female university students, who completed the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, was followed by 14 in-depth interviews with female university students and 16 with female athlete trainers. The second phase of the research consisted of multiple group discussions held over a period of three months, in which 13 female university student participants actively engaged in planning, implementing, and monitoring actions aimed to improve their participation in physical activity. Second phase data collection methods included diaries, audio recordings of group discussions, and assessment booklets. Results from the first phase of the study showed that most participants (91%) spent more time in walking activity compared to moderate (66%) and vigorous activity (57%) for at least 10 minutes at a time over the past seven days. Barriers to their participation included limited facilities for physical activities, academic workload, gender role, and the need to adhere to cultural standards. Facilitators included noticing positive results, general health concerns, and support from significant others. Results from the second phase suggested that self-motivation and social support were significant factors that appeared to influence the young women’s commitment to maintaining physical activity. Knowledge gained from this thesis might provide a basis for organisations and public health authorities to better tailor physical activity interventions that address women’s needs and perceptions. These findings are an important contribution to the current knowledge in light of recent advancements of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia

Primary mediastinal Castleman's disease

Castleman's disease is a rare entity with an unknown etiology which was first described by Castleman in 1954. It is a lymphoproliferative disorder histologically classified into three types; hyaline-vascular, plasma cell type and mixed type. It might be localized or multicentric and usually involves the mediastinum. We report a case of Castleman's disease discovered accidentally in a case of blunt chest trauma which caused a challenging diagnostic process and management

The Application of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device in the Management of Empyema Necessitans

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) is gaining popularity in the management of many types of acute and chronic wounds. The use of VAC devices in thoracic surgery is limited, but it appears to be promising in complex cases of empyema thoraces. We report a case of empyema necessitans, in which VAC was used to achieve complete wound healing after open drainage which was communicating with the pleural space

Gait Mechanics are Influenced by Quadriceps Strength, Age, and Sex after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Although most patients are satisfied with outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), many retain preoperative altered gait mechanics. Identifying patient characteristics associated with gait mechanics will improve rehabilitation strategies and enhance our understanding of movement disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify which patient characteristics are related to gait mechanics in the surgical limb during walking post-TKA. Patient characteristics included age, body mass, sex, quadriceps strength, self-reported function, and knee pain. General linear regression was used to compare patient characteristics associated with gait mechanics, after controlling for gait speed, functional capacity and time from surgery. We tested 191 patients cross-sectionally at 6–24 months after primary, unilateral TKA. Quadriceps weakness in the surgical limb was associated with less peak vertical ground reaction force (PvGRF) (β = .245, p = .044), knee extension moment (β = .283, p = .049), and knee extension excursion (β = .298, p = .038). Older age (β = .168, p = .050) was associated with less PvGRF. Quadriceps strength in the nonsurgical limb (β = −.357, p = .021) was associated with greater knee extension excursion in the surgical limb. Females with TKA (β = −.276, p = .007) had less knee flexion excursion compared to males. Faster gait speed was also associated with greater PvGRF (β = .585, p \u3c .001), knee extensor moment (β = .481, p \u3c .001), and knee flexion excursion (β = .318, p \u3c .001). Statement of Clinical Significance: This study showed quadriceps weakness, slower gait speed, older age and being female were related to altered gait mechanics post-TKA. These findings will help clinicians better educate patients and develop targeted interventions for improving care in patients post-TKA

Structural Progression in Patients with Definite and Non-Definite Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare inherited disease characterised by early arrhythmias and structural changes. Still, there are limited echocardiography data on its structural progression. We studied structural progression and its impact on the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In this single-centre observational cohort study, structural progression was defined as the development of new major or minor imaging 2010 Task Force Criteria during follow-up. Of 101 patients, a definite diagnosis of ARVC was made in 51 patients, while non-definite ‘early’ disease was diagnosed in 50 patients. During 4 years of follow-up (IQR: 2–6), 23 (45%) patients with a definite diagnosis developed structural progression while only 1 patient in the non-definite (early) group gained minor imaging Task Force Criteria. Male gender was strongly associated with structural progression (62% of males progressed structurally, while 88% of females remained stable). Patients with structural progression were at higher risk of MACE (64% of patients with MACE had structural progression). Therefore, the rate of structural progression is an essential factor to be considered in ARVC studies