scholarly journals Evaluation of Carcinogenic Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Levels in Airborne Particulates Associated with Long-Term Exposure throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12745
Author(s):  
Heba Mohamed Adly ◽  
Saleh Ahmed K. Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Carcinogenic Effects ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Traffic Density ◽  
Carcinogenic Compound

Background: The effect of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on human health differs depending on the duration and exposure path. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of PAHs on the human health risks associated with long-term exposure both before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: PM10 sampling for 24 h was conducted at six sampling sites (Al-Haram, Aziziyah, Al Nuzhah, Muzdalifah, Arafat, and Al Awali). On-site measurements were conducted from March 2020 to February 2021. PAHs were analyzed using Perkin Elmer GC/MS, which was adjusted with standard reagents for identifying 16 PAH mixtures. Results: The 24 h average PM10 concentration showed considerable inconsistencies, exceeding the WHO standards used for median exposure (25.0 µgm−3). The PAH intensities fluctuated from 7.67 to 34.7 ng/m3 in a suburban area, near a rush-hour traffic road, and from 6.34 to 37.4 ng/m3 close to business and light manufacturing areas. The highest carcinogenic compound levels were found in the Al-Azizia, Al Muzdalifah, and Al Nuzah areas because of the high traffic density, and the lowest concentrations were found in the Al-Haram and Arafat areas throughout the year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic health precautions that were undertaken by the government of Saudi Arabia involving border entry limits and limitations of the Umrah and Hajj seasons. Conclusion: This study period is considered extraordinary as the Saudi Arabian government has undertaken successful preventive measures that have had a great effect both on the spread of the pandemic and in reducing air pollution in Makkah. More studies are required to examine PAHs’ carcinogenic effects after the pandemic measures are eased across Makkah.

scholarly journals Imperiling on Urban Environment by Air Pollution and its Impact on Human Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-112
Author(s):  
Durdana Rais Hashmi ◽  
Akhtar Shareef ◽  
Talha Rehan Qadri ◽  
Muhammad Azam
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
Industrial Areas ◽  
High Traffic Density

Present study was carried out to analyze the concentration of the pollutants due to air born particulate matter (PM10) and infectious trace gases and their effects on human health at ten different locations along busy intersections in the commercial, residential and industrial areas of Karachi city. At each selected location, the study was carried out to determine the level of particulate matter and trace gases for a period of 8 h twice in a month during the year 2015. Samples were collected at ten selected locations i.e. Karimabad(C-1), Tibet Centre(C-2), and Liaquatabad(C-3) in commercial areas; PIB Colony(R-1), Nazimabad(R-2) and Gulshan-e-Iqbal(R-3) in residential areas; Siemens G. Belt(I-E1), Naurus G Belt (I-E2), Singer Chowrangi(I-W3) and Chamra Chowrangi(I-W4) in industrial areas of the city. Resultsreceived from different air quality categories were calculated according to National Environmental Quality Standard (NEQS) at selected locations, as in commercial areas showing poor pollution level for trace gases and PM10 due to high traffic density. In Residential areas PIB Colony (R-1) and Gulshan-e-Iqbal (R-3), found under good category with respect to the trace gases and moderate pollution level for the PM10 pollution, having low traffic density whereas Nazimabad(R-2) presents moderate category for trace gases and unhealthy category for PM10 pollution with high traffic density. In industrial areas Singer Chowrangi (I-W3) and Chamra Chowrangi(I-W4) found under moderate pollution level with moderate traffic density, whereas, Siemens G. Belt(I-E1) and Naurus G. Belt(I-E2) locations are represented by moderate pollution values for trace gases and found under poor pollution level for PM10 pollution, may be due to industrial emissions and heavy vehicular emission. Level of PM10 and trace gases at all the selected sites excluding residential areas, exceeds the permissible limits as specified by NEQS.

Jihadists will slow stabilisation of Yemen's south

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Central Government ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Actors ◽  
The Government ◽  
Crown Prince ◽  
Government Authority

Significance The bombing represents the latest setback to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s efforts to stabilise southern Yemen and reinstall the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. ISG is just one of a number of sub-state actors that have been empowered by the conflict and that will seek to challenge central government authority. Impacts Insecurity in Aden will deal a blow to the legitimacy of the Saudi-backed Hadi government. A major setback in the south will reflect badly on the reputation of Saudi Defence Minister Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Reconstruction efforts in southern Yemen will place increased long-term strain on the Saudi budget in particular. Southern Yemen could emerge as a key battleground in the rivalry between al-Qaida and ISG for leadership of the global jihad.

scholarly journals THE SCALE OF THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN GEORGIA AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES IMPLIMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT – WHAT DO MODELS SAY?

2020 ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
IURI ANANIASHVILI ◽  
LEVAN GAPRINDASHVILI
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Machine Learning Methods ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
The Government ◽  
Different Characteristics

. In this article we present forecasts of the spread of COVID-19 virus, obtained by econometric and machine learning methods. Furthermore, by employing modelling method, we estimate effectiveness of preventive measures implemented by the government. Each of the models discussed in this article is modelling different characteristics of the COVID-19 epidemic’s trajectory: peak and end date, number of daily infections over different forecasting horizons, total number of infection cases. All these provide quite clear picture to the interested reader of the future threats posed by COVID-19. In terms of existing models and data, our research indicates that phenomenological models do well in forecasting the trend, duration and total infections of the COVID- 19 epidemic, but make serious mistakes in forecasting the number of daily infections. Machine learning models, deliver more accurate short –term forecast of daily infections, but due to data limitations, they struggle to make long-term forecasts. Compartmental models are the best choice for modelling the measures implemented by the government for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and determining optimal level of restrictions. These models show that until achieving herd immunity (i.e. without any epidemiological or government implemented measures), approximate number of people infected with COVID-19 would be 3 million, but due to preventive measures, expected total number of infections has reduced to several thousand (1555-3189) people. This unequivocally indicates the effectiveness of the preventive measures.

scholarly journals Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Saudi Arabia: A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Haga Elimam
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
International Capital ◽  
Host Government ◽  
The Government

Foreign direct investment is identified as the major tool for the movement of international capital. Thus, the study has employed a review research to examine the determinants of foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia. The results are significant as they have contributed towards determinants of foreign direct investment by comparing with previous studies. The results showed that trade openness, infrastructure availability, and market size play significant role in attracting foreign direct investment within a country. The inflow of foreign direct investment has a potential to benefit the investing entity as well as the host government. It also renders economic growth and socioeconomic transformation of the country. The flow of foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia is affected by several factors including growth rate, GDP, exports and imports. It is the duty of the government to ensure the attractiveness of their country to maintain maximum flow of foreign direct investment, as it promotes sustained long-term economic growth by increased investment in the human capital.

scholarly journals Temporal variability of damage potential on roads as a conceptual contribution towards a short-term avalanche risk simulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zischg ◽  
S. Fuchs ◽  
M. Keiler ◽  
J. Stötter
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Damage Potential ◽  
Fatality Risk ◽  
High Hazard ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
High Traffic Density

Abstract. The fatality risk caused by avalanches on road networks can be analysed using a long-term approach, resulting in a mean value of risk, and with emphasis on short-term fluctuations due to the temporal variability of both, the hazard potential and the damage potential. In this study, the approach for analysing the long-term fatality risk has been adapted by modelling the highly variable short-term risk. The emphasis was on the temporal variability of the damage potential and the related risk peaks. For defined hazard scenarios resulting from classified amounts of snow accumulation, the fatality risk was calculated by modelling the hazard potential and observing the traffic volume. The avalanche occurrence probability was calculated using a statistical relationship between new snow height and observed avalanche releases. The number of persons at risk was determined from the recorded traffic density. The method resulted in a value for the fatality risk within the observed time frame for the studied road segment. The long-term fatality risk due to snow avalanches as well as the short-term fatality risk was compared to the average fatality risk due to traffic accidents. The application of the method had shown that the long-term avalanche risk is lower than the fatality risk due to traffic accidents. The analyses of short-term avalanche-induced fatality risk provided risk peaks that were 50 times higher than the statistical accident risk. Apart from situations with high hazard level and high traffic density, risk peaks result from both, a high hazard level combined with a low traffic density and a high traffic density combined with a low hazard level. This provided evidence for the importance of the temporal variability of the damage potential for risk simulations on road networks. The assumed dependence of the risk calculation on the sum of precipitation within three days is a simplified model. Thus, further research is needed for an improved determination of the diurnal avalanche probability. Nevertheless, the presented approach may contribute as a conceptual step towards a risk-based decision-making in risk management.

scholarly journals Private and Government Partnership Yayasan Lengis Hijau and Denpasar City Government - Recycling used-cooking-oil into Bio-diesel for Gensets and School Buses

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Core UDAYANA ◽  
Satya Kumara
Keyword(s):  
City Government ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Deep Frying ◽  
School Buses ◽  
Cooking Oil ◽  
Used Cooking Oil ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Carcinogenic Effects ◽  
The Government

Deep frying is a common way of food preparation in Indonesia, both at home and in hotels or restaurants. In Bali, it is estimated that around four million liters of used cooking-oil (UCO) is produced by households alone and between 80 to 120-kilo liter of UCO produced by hotels and restaurants. No figure on the volume of UCOproduced by food stalls (streets stalls or warung) but the number is expected to be high due to a large number of street food stalls in the community. In short, a huge volume of UCO is produced by our kitchen activities. Allegedly, many street traders (pedagang kaki lima) also re-use UCO as cooking oil for preparing their foods. The health impacts of the repetitive use of used-cooking-oil are well understood within the medical world but less on the general public due to long-term or slow effects onpeople’s life and little efforts of the government to create or improve awareness among people. Excessive heating of foods lead to the production of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and free radicals which have carcinogenic effects that destroy food nutrients and potentially damaging our health.

scholarly journals KENYAMANAN PEJALAN KAKI TERHADAP PEMANFAATAN TROTOAR DI JALAN BRIGJEN KATAMSO MEDAN

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rina Saraswaty
Keyword(s):  
Research Area ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Spatial Policy ◽  
Transport Path ◽  
Big Cities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Pedestrian Transportation ◽  
The City ◽  
High Traffic Density

ABSTRAKMedan merupakan salah satu kota besar di Indonesia yang memiliki tingkat kepadatan lalu lintas yang tinggi. Tingginya kepadatan lalu lintas menimbulkan banyak permasalahan, baik dari segi ekonomi, sosial dan keamanan serta kenyamanan. Permasalahan tersebut muncul akibat dari kebijakan-kebijakan pemerintah didalam  membuat peraturan sistem transportasi dan sistem lalu lintas dalam tata ruang perkotaan. Karena didalam membuat kebijakan tata ruang suatu perkotaan seharusnya mengikutsertakan seluruh pihak yang terkait, baik pihak swasta, masyarakat dan pemerintah. Disamping itu dapat juga bersumber dari perilaku manusia itu sendiri yang kurang disiplin didalam mematuhi peraturan yang ada. Secara umum, trotoar di kota Medan sebagai jalur transportasi pejalan kaki telah bergeser fungsinya menjadi fungsi yang lain. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui sejauh mana trotoar yang berfungsi sebagai jalur transportasi pejalan kaki  telah beralih fungsi menjadi fungsi lain. Metode yang digunakan  dalam pengumpulan data melalui kuesioner terhadap responden penelitian yaitu pejalan kaki. Daerah penelitian yang diambil adalah sepanjang jalur pedestrian Jalan Brigjend Katamso  dimulai dari simpang Jalan Pandu – Jalan Letjen Soeprapto (simpang Waspada) hingga simpang Jalan AH. Nasution (simpang Titi Kuning) Medan. Luaran penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi masukan bagi pemerintah dalam membuat kebijakan publik khususnya jalur transportasi pejalan kaki dan artikel ilmiah pada Jurnal Lokal ber-ISSN. Kata Kunci : Lalu Lintas, Jalur Transportasi, Pejalan KakiABSTRACT Medan is one of the big cities in Indonesia that has a high traffic density. The high traffic density poses many problems, both in terms of economic, social and security as well as convenience. These problems arise as a result of policies. Because in making a spatial policy a place that should include all relevant parties, both private parties, communities and governments. Besides, it can also be derived from human behaviour itself is less discipline in the existing regulations. In general, sidewalks in the city of Medan as a pedestrian transport path have shifted their function into other functions.The purpose of this research to find out which sidewalks serve as pedestrian transport routes that have become other functions. The method used in completion of data through questionnaires to the research respondents ie pedestrians. The research area is taken along the pedestrian path of Jalan Brigjen Katamso starting from the intersection of Jalan Pandu - Jalan Letjen Soeprapto (intersection Waspada) to intersection of Jalan AH. Nasution (intersection of Titi Kuning) Medan. The output of this research is expected to be an input for the government in terms of honesty public specialist in pedestrian transportation and scientific articles in ISSN Local Journal.Keywords: Pedestrian Transport Routes, Safety and Comfort,Traffic

scholarly journals Microvascular complications among patients with diabetes: An emerging health problem in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asirvatham Alwin Robert ◽  
Mohamed Abdulaziz Al Dawish
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Microvascular Complications ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus, besides disrupting the carbohydrate metabolism process, also induces vascular disease and impacts nearly all the types and sizes of blood vessels. In fact, vascular complications cause majority of the morbidity, hospitalizations and mortality of patients with diabetes mellitus. Retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy (microvascular complications) impact hundreds of millions of diabetics and normally target those having long-term or uncontrolled forms of the disease; however, these disorders can also exist at the time of diagnosis or in those yet to be diagnosed. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the Middle East that occupies around four-fifths of the Arabian Peninsula supporting a population of more than 33.3 million people. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate in Saudi Arabia. Over 25% of the adult population is suffering and that figure is projected to more than double by 2030. In fact, diabetes mellitus has approximately registered a 10-fold upsurge in the past three decades in Saudi Arabia. However, the prevalence and risk factors of microvascular complications in diabetes mellitus patients have not yet been clearly documented in Saudi Arabia. Hence, in this review, we aim to provide an overview of the microvascular complications among patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia, utilizing data from the currently available published literature. This is an attempt to facilitate the government and healthcare systems aware of the enormous worth of prevention, early detection and appropriate management of such microvascular complications.

scholarly journals Residents Opinions toward their Dwellings Built with the Support of the Real Estate Development Fund.

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Aloweid Abdullah M. Aloweid
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Real Estate Development ◽  
Development Fund ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
The Government

In the past, private sector housing in Saudi Arabia was mostly undertaken through private initiative and almost all houses were financed through savings of individuals or income of the owners, because of the non-availability of construction finance on a long term basis. One of the major approaches by the Government for solving the housing problems was the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF). Its primary objective is to stimulate the development of private sector housing by offering interest free long term loans to Saudi Citizens. It was established as a semi-government financial institution attached to the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. This paper provides an overview and analysis of the private sector housing and the role of the Real Estate Development Fund in the support and development for housing construction in Saudi Arabia. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted with the heads of households in selected dwellings constructed with the support of the Real Estate Development Fund. (134 questionnaires). The conclusion of this work stresses the importance and continuation of the fund in order to increase home ownership however additional measures of control need to be carried out .Recommendations presented in this paper may well help achieve appropriate dwellings that satisfy resident's needs and desires.

scholarly journals Sentiment Analysis of Tweets in Saudi Arabia Regarding Governmental Preventive Measures to Contain COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Alhajji ◽  
Abdullah Al Khalifah ◽  
Mohammed Aljubran ◽  
Mohammed Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Sentiment Analysis ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The Government

Background: Countries around the world are facing extraordinary challenges in implementing various measures to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Guided by international recommendations, Saudi Arabia has implemented a series of infection control measures after the detection of the first confirmed case in the country. However, in order for these measures to be effective, public attitudes and compliance must be conducive as perceived risk is strongly associated with health behaviors. The primary objective of this study is to assess Saudis’ attitudes towards COVID-19 preventive measures to guide future health communication content. Methods: Naïve Bayes machine learning model was used to run Arabic sentiment analysis of Twitter posts through the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) library in Python. Tweets containing hashtags pertaining to seven public health measures imposed by the government were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 53,127 tweets were analyzed. All measures, except one, showed more positive tweets than negative. Measures that pertain to religious practices showed the most positive sentiment. Discussion: Saudi Twitter users showed support and positive attitudes towards the infection control measures to combat COVID-19. It is postulated that this conducive public response is reflective of the overarching, longstanding popular confidence in the government. Religious notions may also play a positive role in preparing believers at times of crises. Findings of this study broadened our understanding to develop proper public health messages and promote stronger compliance with control measures to control COVID-19.

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