Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A 2-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 929-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla S. Al-Mohannadi ◽  
Abdulaziz Farooq ◽  
Angus Burnett ◽  
Mercia Van Der Walt ◽  
Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region ◽  
Temperature And Humidity

Background:Little is known about the effects that climatic conditions, especially extreme heat, have on physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of this 2-year cohort analysis undertaken in the Arabian Gulf region was to assess changes in objectively-assessed PA as a result of changes in climatic conditions.Methods:A total of 2088 adults (1390 men and 698 women) from many regions of the world were enrolled in a community health program in Qatar, were included in this study. For 2 years participants recorded daily step count using an Omron HJ-720 ITC pedometer. Daily climate parameters included temperature, relative humidity and other conditions.Results:From linear mixed model analysis it was evident that higher average temperature and humidity, and the Wet bulb Globe Temperature (WbGT), resulted in a reduction of the number of steps taken per day. Analysis of interaction effects also revealed that the effects of heat stress were equivalent across gender, age, and the region participants came from according to a World Health Organization classification scheme.Conclusions:Increased temperature and humidity are associated with a reduction in the number of steps taken per day. Community-based PA programs in hot hot/humid climates should consider novel approaches to increase PA levels.

Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A Two-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla S. Al-Mohannadi ◽  
◽  
Abdulaziz Farooq ◽  
Angus Burnet ◽  
Mercia Van Der Walt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region

Branding of Germany’s Transnational Education and its Potentials in the Arabian Gulf Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanaa Ashour
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Transnational Education ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Demand For Education ◽  
Financial Gain ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Foreign Education

Transnational education (TNE), responding to the growing global demand for education, plays a fundamental role in the current debate on the internationalisation and globalisation of higher education. Conducting a systematic literature review, this paper examines the characteristics of German transnational education, which has little in common with the American and British models, the reasons for its limited presence in the Gulf and its potential for having a stronger footprint. Since education for Germany is a public good, financial gain has never been a decisive factor for German universities to venture abroad. Whilst the Gulf Region is the largest importer of foreign education, German TNE is only represented by one university there, compared to the overwhelming number of US, UK and Australian higher education institutions. Although the Gulf Region is considered as a lucrative and appealing market for foreign education, lack of engagement of German TNE there could be interpreted through public policy-related reasons. Since Germany has already established its footprint in creating a unique brand of TNE, the paper recommends to build upon the country’s expertise in low-risk option for Germany to invest in the Gulf. For this to materialise, Germany must build awareness of its unique brand to stand out among the competition. 

scholarly journals A Fumonisin Prevention Tool for Targeting and Ranking Agroclimatic Conditions Favoring Exposure in French Maize-Growing Areas

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Agathe Roucou ◽  
Christophe Bergez ◽  
Benoît Méléard ◽  
Béatrice Orlando
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Fusarium Verticillioides ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Cooperatives ◽  
Mixed Model Approach ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Model Approach

The levels of fumonisins (FUMO)—mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides—in maize for food and feed are subject to European Union regulations. Compliance with the regulations requires the targeting of, among others, the agroclimatic factors influencing fungal contamination and FUMO production. Arvalis-Institut du végétal has created a national, multiyear database for maize, based on field survey data collected since 2003. This database contains information about agricultural practices, climatic conditions and FUMO concentrations at harvest for 738 maize fields distributed throughout French maize-growing regions. A linear mixed model approach highlights the presence of borers and the use of a late variety, high temperatures in July and October, and a water deficit during the maize cycle as creating conditions favoring maize contamination with Fusarium verticillioides. It is thus possible to target a combination of risk factors, consisting of this climatic sequence associated with agricultural practices of interest. The effects of the various possible agroclimatic combinations can be compared, grouped and classified as promoting very low to high FUMO concentrations, possibly exceeding the regulatory threshold. These findings should facilitate the creation of a national, informative and easy-to-use prevention tool for producers and agricultural cooperatives to manage the sanitary quality of their harvest.

scholarly journals How COVID-19 lockdown and reopening affected daily steps: evidence based on 164,630 person-days of prospectively collected data from Shanghai, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ding Ding ◽  
Minna Cheng ◽  
Borja del Pozo Cruz ◽  
Tao Lin ◽  
Shuangyuan Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
University Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Reduced Physical Activity

Abstract Background COVID-19 lockdowns may lead to physical inactivity, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. This study aims to determine: 1) the trajectory in daily step counts before, during and after the lockdown in China, and 2) the characteristics associated with the trajectories. Methods From December 2019 to July 2020, smartphone-based step counts were continuously collected in 815 Chinese adults residing in Shanghai over 202 days across three phases: before, during, and after the lockdown. Participant characteristics were reported, and height, weight and body composition measured before the lockdown. A ‘sharp’ regression discontinuity design with cluster robust standard errors was used to test the effect of the lockdown and reopening on daily steps and a linear mixed model was used to examine the characteristics associated with trajectories during the observed period. Results Based on 164,630 person-days of data, we found a sharp decline in daily step counts upon the lockdown (24/01/2020) by an average of 3796 (SE = 88) steps, followed by a significant trend of increase by 34 steps/day (SE = 2.5; p < .001) until the end of the lockdown (22/03/2020). This increasing trend continued into the reopening phase at a slower rate of 5 steps per day (SE = 2.3; p = 0.029). Those who were older, married, university educated, insufficiently active, had an ‘at risk’ body composition, and those in the control group, were slower at recovering step counts during the lockdown, and those who were older, married, without university education and with an ‘at risk’ body composition recovered step counts at a slower pace after the reopening. Conclusions Despite later increases in step counts, COVID-19 lockdown led to a sustained period of reduced physical activity, which may have adverse health implications. Governments and health professionals around the world should continue to encourage and facilitate physical activity during the pandemic.

Web Accessibility Research and Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-49
Author(s):  
Mona M. Alnahari ◽  
Joyram Chakraborty ◽  
Mona Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Web Accessibility ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Wcag 2.0 ◽  
Arabian Gulf Region ◽  
The World ◽  
Accessibility Issues ◽  
Arabic Speaking

Web accessibility is the practice of having websites that are accessible to all people, including persons with disabilities. Several research studies have been done around the world to improve web accessibility. However, advances in Arabic web accessibility studies are limited. Research has indicated that a significant number of Arabic websites have accessibility issues, which becomes a restraint to people with disabilities from accessing and using the web. This research reviews current studies in web accessibility presented within the cultural background of several Arabic-speaking countries, particularly the Arabian Gulf region of Gulf Cooperation Council, and addresses services offered by the countries. The authors evaluate 54 websites in the Gulf region regarding accessibility issues. The results show that all websites do not satisfy WCAG 2.0 (AA). This paper highlights the deficiencies in Arabic web accessibility and provide some recommendations and suggestions for improvements.

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