201 research outputs found
SME Funds as Vehicles of Economic Reform in Kuwait and the GCC
No full textKuwait’s economy has been stagnant over the past decade due to political instability, fluctuating oil prices, and endemic corruption. To combat this situation, Kuwait has attempted to develop a robust business sector through fundamental policy shifts away from monopolies and toward the creation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Alanoud Al Sharekh explores Kuwaiti SME development in an issue brief and a longer research paper, which are part of a series on pluralism and inclusion in the Middle East after the Arab Spring. The project is generously supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York
An evaluation of the Rouse theory for the suspension of sand in a tidal inlet
No full textThe Rouse theory for the suspension of sand in the Oka estuary has been evaluated. The Rouse profile, which is often used to represent the vertical distribution of sand in suspension, is a function of the ratio of the sediment fall velocity to bed friction velocity. This ratio, ws/u*, varied with height above the bed, as it is dependent on grain diameter. The grain size of sampled suspended sand was finer near the surface and coarser near the bed. This was evident at the three anchor stations occupied at the Oka estuary, where the field work was carried out. The values of the Rouse parameter showed that the sand transport in suspension took place throughout the benthic boundary layer. The suspension threshold of Bagnold (1966) was found to discriminate accurately between bedload and suspended load. The critical Shields parameter for suspension of sand, derived from the field measurements, defines the suspension threshold better when the friction velocity is assumed constant. Laboratory work carried out to evaluate the vertical distribution of the friction velocity throughout the benthic boundary layer result in a constant distribution with height above the bed in the lower 10%. This supports the assumption made in the Rouse theory. The sand concentration profile is more complex than just Roussian, as three layers have been recognized: a Roussian layer; a buffer layer; and an inner layer. The majority (90%) of the mass flux of sand took place within the inner layer. The concentration in this layer is characterized by an exponential increase towards the bed. This profile was not asymptotic to the normally accepted bed concentration (0.65). A new simplified equation to predict sand concentration in the inner layer was generated whereby: , where z is height above bed and h is water depth. The reference concentration, Ca, of the Rouse profile is predicted using the inner layer equation and solving at the upper limit of the inner layer (z/h = 0.1). The concentration gradient and magnitude (at a given height) were not related to shear stress or near bed flow velocity. Therefore, it is recommended that a near-bed measurement be used to define concentration at the bed, a, from which the concentration profile may be constructed
Depersonalization: Deconstructing Eliot’s Notion in The Waste Land
No full textThrough a re-reading and a reassessment of Thomas Stearns Eliot’s (1888–1965) masterpiece The Waste Land (1922), the present paper aims at recycling the poem with new polysemy. By using specific methods of the psychoanalytic approach, this study demonstrates that many details about the text and its context are marginalized if read through the objective protocols of Eliot/the New Critics. Thus, the present paper is devoted to re-reading the text subjectively to deconstruct Eliot\u27s “impersonal theory” in catering efficiently for the author’s presence. The conclusion will prove that the text is highly charged with personal tones, and consequently deviates from his theory of “Depersonalization,” thereby proving an authorial presence
Dynamic risk spillovers and portfolio risk management between precious metals and global foreign exchange markets
No full textThis study examines portfolio management and risk spillovers between four major precious metals (gold, silver, palladium and platinum) and 20 important U.S. exchange markets. To this end, we employ the multivariate DECO-GARCH model and the spillover index developed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2014, 2016) to examine the spillovers between those metal prices and the exchange rates and design portfolios and hedging strategies using different risk measures. The results show evidence of weak average conditional equicorrelations among the considered markets over time, excluding the turbulent 2008–2010 period. Furthermore, the precious metals (excluding platinum) and the currencies (with the exception of the Australian, Brazilian, Denmark, Euro, Mexican, Norwegian, New Zealand and Swedish currencies) are net receivers of shocks. Finally, the four precious metals provide strong risk and downside risk reductions, underscoring the usefulness of including precious metals in a traditional foreign exchange-dominated portfolio.The fourth author (Alanoud Ali S A Al-Maadid) acknowledges the financial support by Qatar University internal research grant [QUCP-CBE-2018-1]. The last author (Sang Hoon Kang) acknowledges the financial support by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2017S1A5B8057488)
sj-docx-1-jicm-10.1177_08850666211053548 - Supplemental material for The Role of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter, Cohort Study
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-jicm-10.1177_08850666211053548 for The Role of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: A Multicenter, Cohort Study by Khalid Al Sulaiman, Ohoud Aljuhani, Kholoud Al Aamer, Omar Al Shaya, Abdulrahman Al Shaya, Alawi S. Alsaeedi, Alaa Alhubaishi, Ali F. Altebainawi, Alaa Al Harthi, Shorouq Albelwi, Rahaf Almutairi, Norah Alsubaie, Alanoud Alsallum, Ghazwa B. Korayem, Amjaad Alfahed, Raed Kensara, Elaf F. Altebainawi, Raghdah S. Alenezi, Thamer Alsulaiman, Huda Al Enazi, Ramesh Vishwakarma, Tarek Al Dabbagh, Umar Bakhsh and Ghassan Al Ghamdi in Journal of Intensive Care Medicine</p
sj-docx-1-jpc-10.1177_21501327211050569 – Supplemental material for Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2: A Cohort Study in Qatar’s Primary Care Settings
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-jpc-10.1177_21501327211050569 for Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2: A Cohort Study in Qatar’s Primary Care Settings by Mohamed Ahmed Syed, Hamda Abdulla A/Qotba, Ahmed Sameer Al Nuaimi, Gheyath K. Nasrallah, Asmaa Ali J. F. Althani, Abduljaleel Abdullatif Zainel, Hanan Khudadad, Tamara Marji, Shajitha Thekke Veettil, AlAnoud Saleh AlFehaidi, Ameena Ibrahim Yfakhroo, Meshal Abdulla AlMesaifri, Tholfakhar Talib Al-Baghdadi, Hanan Al Mujalli, Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla and Mariam Ali Abdulmalik in Journal of Primary Care & Community Health</p
Geologic characterization of the Asmari Formation, United Arab Emirates: the roles of depositional environment and diagenesis in determining the porosity and permeability properties of an important reservoir
No full textMartin, Ronald E.The shallow marine carbonates of the Asmari Formation were deposited in an environment which varied from a deep lagoon to a reef-front margin with a local topographic restriction (Whittle et al., 1995). In the present study, we examined the depositional microfacies, biostratigraphy, and reservoir characteristics of three stratigraphic sections of the Lower Oligocene Asmari Formation in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 1) determine the microfacies and the corresponding depositional environment within the Asmari Formation, and 2) to evaluate its microfacies characteristics and their quality as a reservoir for oil production. ☐ A multidisciplinary approach and an integration of sedimentology, biostratigraphy, geochemical and petrophysical analyses were used to achieve the research goal and answer the research questions. ☐ Ten microfacies were identified in the Senayah stratigraphic section: 1) lime mudstone, 2) packstone, 3) wackestone, 4) boundstone, 5) nummulitic packstone/grainstone, 6) coral algal grainstone, 7) coral algal boundstone, 8) coral algal wackestone/packstone, 9) coral algal packstone/grainstone and 10) reefal boundstone. These microfacies ranged from an open marine to mid-ramp with shallowing upward depositional trend, which implies a marine regression with the oscillations of the sea level. ☐ In the Mezyad stratigraphic section, three microfacies were distinguished: 1) coral algal boundstone, 2) molluscan packstone, and 3) oölitic grainstone. These microfacies were deposited in an inner ramp environment. Three microfacies were also recognized in the inner ramp carbonate environment preserved in the Malaqet stratigraphic section: 1) nummulitic grainstone, 2) highly fossiliferous wackestone/packstone with algal peloidal packstone, and 3) lime mudstone. ☐ The depositional model derived from the studied stratigraphic sections is closely aligned with that proposed by Whittle et al. (1995), though with some modifications. ☐ A total of forty-four species of benthic foraminifera belonging to twenty-five benthic foraminifera genera and two planktonic species belonging to one planktonic foraminifera genus were identified. The identified foraminifera mark the Early Oligocene and confirm the age of the studied section and were preserved within the shallow marine deposits. ☐ Porosity and permeability in the Asmari Formation ranged from 3.5% -19.98% and 0.11 mD - 9.17mD, respectively. The best reservoir microfacies within the Asmari Formation were found in the coral algal boundstone microfacies. The oil production from the grain-supported microfacies could also be improved with the hydraulic fracturing technique.University of Delaware, Department of Earth SciencesM.S
Using machine learning to analyze the impact of coronavirus pandemic news on the stock markets in GCC countries
No full textCOVID-19 has resulted in high volatility in financial markets across the world. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19-related news on the stock markets in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The study utilizes machine learning approaches to assess the role of COVID-19 news in stock return predictability in these markets. The results reveal that the stock markets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman were impacted by coronavirus-related news; however, this news had no impact on the stocks in Bahrain. Moreover, the results indicate that the impacted markets were influenced differently in terms of the quantities and types of news
IMPROVING THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THE MANGROVE Avicennia marina SEEDLINGS USING PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING ACTINOBACTERIA
No full textThe combination of commercial fish emulsion (FE) and plant growth-promoting actinobacteria capable of producing plant growth regulators (PGRs) was evaluated as a biofertilizer to enhance growth and development of grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) in the United Arab Emirates. In vitro studies identified the rhizosphere-competent Streptomyces griseorubens UAE1 (Sg) that was able to solubilize phosphorus, produce auxins, cytokinins, gibberellic acid, polyamines, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase. Growth promotion, nutrient contents and PGR levels in tissues of treated mangrove plants with fish emulsion and/or S. griseorubens UAE1 were further assessed in vivo. Under greenhouse and natural open-field nursery conditions, sediments amended with fish emulsion (+FE/-Sg) were found to effectively support growth promotion of mangrove compared to those inoculated with S. griseorubens UAE1 (-FE/+Sg). Plant growth promotion by Sg was more pronounced in the presence of fish emulsion (+FE/+Sg) than in any of the individual application. The data showed that Sg which produced PGRs appeared to use the biostimulant fish emulsion as a source of nutrients and precursors for plant growth promotion. Thus, in planta PGR levels following the combined +FE/+Sg were significantly (P\u3c0.05) induced over other treatments. This was evident when the maximum velocity of rubisco carboxylation (VCMAX) and triose phosphate utilization rate (TPU) increased three-fold in +FE/+Sg treated plants compared to control. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the field of marine agriculture that used the biostimulant fish emulsion to serve as a nutrient-base for soil microorganisms including the bioinoculant Sg to promote growth of mangrove
Assessing Physiological and Psychological Factors Contributing to Stress among Medical Students: Implications for Health
No full textBackground: Physiological responses to stress disturb internal homeostasis, leading to serious health consequences. Medical students experience high stress levels that should be managed promptly to prevent stress-related impacts on students’ health and education. Aim: This study aims to identify the relationship between stress factors, general health, and academic performance. Methods: This study recruited 421 medical students of all academic years. Participants completed an online survey assessing stress levels using a validated 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Stress was also compared with students’ health and academic performance. Results: We found that 93.6% of our sample experienced moderate to severe stress, and 31% reported increased stress due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Except for internship students, stress significantly decreases as students progress each academic year (p < 0.05). Students with higher GPAs and with comorbidities are more stressed. Comorbidities were primarily reported in students in their final years of education with a 4% lower GPA than healthy students. Although we had three stress-related themes (general, academic, and pandemic), students’ perceptions of stress factors were primarily academically related. Conclusions: Students experience high stress levels in their final educational years, which might increase the risk of health issues and low academic performance. It is essential to innovate stress-coping strategies specially designed for medical students and mandatorily provided by all medical colleges and to educate students on the effects of stress on their health
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