2,063 research outputs found
Syriac-Arabic Glosses of Isho bar Ali. Volume 2
No full textThese two volumes constitute the second part (nun-taw) of the Syriac-Arabic dictionary of the 10th cent. physician Isho bar Ali (the first half of the dictionary had been published in 1874 by G. Hoffmann). Each Syriac word is defined in Arabic, often with more than one Arabic equivalent; in addition, the author deals not just with individual Syriac words, but in some cases with phrases. Gottheil used 21 manuscripts (from Oxford, London, Paris, Berlin, Leiden, and Rome) for this edition, and he has supplied a thorough critical apparatus; the manuscripts are described in the introduction. While some manuscripts give the Arabic glosses in Syriac characters (i.e. Garshuni), Gottheil has presented them here in Arabic script. These two volumes will be of great interest to Syriac lexicographers and those who study interactions between Syriac and Arabic.Contains an English introduction by Richard J.H. Gotthei
Syriac-Arabic Glosses of Isho bar Ali. Volume 1
No full textThese two volumes constitute the second part (nun-taw) of the Syriac-Arabic dictionary of the 10th cent. physician Isho bar Ali (the first half of the dictionary had been published in 1874 by G. Hoffmann). Each Syriac word is defined in Arabic, often with more than one Arabic equivalent; in addition, the author deals not just with individual Syriac words, but in some cases with phrases. Gottheil used 21 manuscripts (from Oxford, London, Paris, Berlin, Leiden, and Rome) for this edition, and he has supplied a thorough critical apparatus; the manuscripts are described in the introduction. While some manuscripts give the Arabic glosses in Syriac characters (i.e. Garshuni), Gottheil has presented them here in Arabic script. These two volumes will be of great interest to Syriac lexicographers and those who study interactions between Syriac and Arabic.Contains an English introduction by Richard J.H. Gotthei
Family altruism and incentives
No full textThe author builds on the altruistic model of the family, to explore the strategic interaction between altruistic parents, and selfish children, when children's efforts are endogenous. If there is uncertainty about the amount of income the children will realize, and if parents have imperfect information, the children have an incentive to exert little effort, and to rely on their parent's altruistically motivated transfers. Because of this, parents face a tradeoff between the insurance that bequests implicitly provide their children, and the disincentive to work prompted by their altruism. The author shows that if parents can credibly commit to a pattern of transfers, they will choose not to compensate children in bad outcomes, as much as predicted by the standard (no uncertainty, no asymmetric information) dynastic model of the family. Alternatively, parents may choose to forgo any insurance, and offer a fixed level of bequest, to elicit greater effort from their children. The optimal transfers structure that the author derives, reconciles the predictions of the altruistic family model, with much of the existing evidence on inter-generational transfers, which suggests that parents compensate only partially, or not at all, for earnings differentials among their children. Moreover, the author shows that Ricardian equivalence holds in this setup, except when non-negativity constraints are binding.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Educational Sciences,Safety Nets and Transfers
Large bandwidth mode order converter by differential waveguides
No full textIn this article, we propose a large bandwidth mode-order converter design by dielectric waveguides with equal lengths but different cross-sectional areas. The efficient conversion between even and odd modes is verified by inducing required phase difference between the equal length waveguides of different widths. Y-junctions are composed of both tapered mode splitter and combiner to connect mono-mode waveguide to multi-mode waveguide. The converted mode profiles at the output port show that the device operates successfully at designed wavelengths with wide bandwidth. This study provides a novel technique to implement compact mode order converters and direction selective/sensitive photonic structures. © 2015 Optical Society of America
Cultural aspects of multi-channel customer management: A case study in Italy
No full textChannel management is one of CRM systems component much influenced by the behaviour of customers in relation to its implementation and use. The consumers’ behaviours, preferences, perceptions and expectations are crucial for the implementation and use of channel management. Customers’ contact with the organization’s multi-channels can occur at several touch points throughout the customer lifecycle. Customers’ behaviours may be differentiated according to the individual or micro level, but it might also differ at an ecological or macro level of analysis (Ramaseshan et al., 2006). In this paper the author has conducted a case study in a multinational organization in Italy to analyze customers’ behaviours at a macro level and customers channel choices, through out the customer lifecycle. The author has used a content analysis technique to define the themes of the case study and then used the Structurational Analysis model by Ali and Brooks, (2008) to identify the cultural values dimensions (Ali, et al. 2008a) that influence multi-channel customer management in Italy. The research findings highlight the cultural dimensions, which should be considered while adopting multi-channel customer strategy. Also, the research findings encourage the articulation of situated cultural approach to study cultural impact within IS discipline as alternative approach than predefined culture archetype
Multi-channel customer management: A case study in Egypt
No full textChannel management is one CRM systems component much influenced by the behaviour of customers in relation to the implementation and use of channel management CRM component. The consumers’ behaviours, preferences, perceptions and expectations are crucial for the implementation and use of channel management. Customers’ contact with the organization’s multi-channels can occur at several touch points through out customer lifecycle. Customers’ behaviours may be differentiated according to the individual or micro level, but it might also differ at an ecological or macro level of analysis (Ramaseshan et al., 2006). In this paper the author has conducted a case study in Egypt to analyze customers’ behaviours at a macro level and customers channel choices, through out the customer lifecycle. The author has used a Structurational Analysis model (Ali and Brooks, 2008) to identify the cultural factors (Ali, et al. 2008) that influence the multi-channel customer management in Egypt
Editorial: Transboundary conservation
No full textThis article was originally published in Frontiers in Conservation Science. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1363427. © 2024 Wang, Ali, Thornton and Farhadinia. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.Transboundary areas often contain critical ecosystems that support rich biodiversity and play important roles in maintaining ecological connectivity. More than half of terrestrial vertebrate species have ranges spanning international borders. Many species may shift their distributions by crossing international borders in response to climate change or human disturbances. Yet species in transboundary regions are in increasing peril due to uncoordinated management among neighboring countries and artificial barriers, such as walls and fences along borders and cross-border roads that result in habitat fragmentation and the loss of ecological connectivity. Transboundary conservation can significantly contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of future extinctions by expanding protected areas and promoting collaborative management. Therefore, more attention to this topic is urgently needed. The Research Topic of Transboundary Conservation aims to enhance understanding of the potential, patterns, and effects of transboundary conservation by collecting studies that analyze transboundary conservation across different terrestrial and marine landscapes. Simultaneously, it aspires towards broader goals of international environmental governance and security.The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. LW was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32371745) and the 14th Five-Year Plan of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (E3ZKFF7B)
Influence of Batch Cooling Crystallization on Mannitol Physical Properties and Drug Dispersion from Dry Powder Inhalers
No full textThis study provides, for the first time, an evaluation of the physicochemical properties of batch cooling crystallized mannitol particles combined with how these properties correlated with the inhalation performance from a dry powder inhaler (Aerolizer). The results showed that the type of polymorph changed from β-form (commercial mannitol) to mixtures of β- + δ-mannitol (cooling crystallized mannitol crystals). In comparison to mannitol particles, crystallized at a higher supersaturation degree, a lower degree of supersaturation favored the formation of mannitol crystals with a more regular and elongated habit, smoother surface, higher specific surface area, higher fine particle content, higher bulk density, and higher tap density. Cooling crystallized mannitol particles demonstrated considerably lower salbutamol sulfate–mannitol adhesion in comparison to commercial mannitol, with a linear reduction as surface roughness decreased and fines content increased. Also, mannitol crystals with smoother surfaces demonstrated a reduction in salbutamol sulfate content uniformity (expressed as %CV) within salbutamol sulfate–mannitol formulations. Despite the different physical properties, all mannitol products showed similar flow properties and similar emission of salbutamol sulfate upon inhalation. However, mannitol crystals grown from lower supersaturation (reduced roughness and increased fines) generated a finer aerodynamic size distribution and consequently deposited higher amounts of salbutamol sulfate on lower stages of the impactor. Regression analysis indicated linear relationships showing higher fine particle fraction of salbutamol sulfate in the case of mannitol particles having a more elongated shape, higher fines content, higher specific surface area, higher bulk density, and higher tap density. In conclusion, a cooling crystallization technique could be controlled to produce mannitol particles with controlled physical properties that could be used to influence aerosolization performance of a dry powder inhaler product
Direct closure of an asymptomatic right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm
No full textA 52-year-old man was referred for evaluation of palpitation. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an extracardiac aneurysm of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva, and normal anatomy of the aortic valve with no regurgitation. Three-dimensional computed tomography confirmed the aneurysm with a diameter of 21 × 13.7 mm arising from the right coronary sinus of Valsalva under the right coronary artery. Surgical repair was performed without changing the normal anatomy of the aortic valve, preserving the right coronary ostium. Intraoperative and postoperative echocardiography showed complete closure of the aneurysm with normal functioning of the aortic valve.
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KEYWORDS: Aortic aneurysm; echocardiography; sinus of valsalv
Implications of the Improvement of Teaching Quality for Professional Development (PD) of Academics at the Colleges of Applied Sciences (CASs) in the Sultanate of Oman
No full textThe Oman Accreditation Council (OAC), which is called later the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA), designed a higher education institution (HEI) Quality Assurance (QA) framework for Omani public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), starting with a quality audit process in 2008. The Colleges of Applied Sciences (CASs), as a public HEI, are required to ensure the quality of all services and activities to meet particular national standards (specified in the framework) in order to gain a HEI and programme certificate. In line with a quality audit scope, the quality of the fields of PD and related teaching quality should be ensured and enhanced by the promotion and contribution of the former field to the maintenance and improvement of the latter one.
The chief purpose of this study was to identify the uptake and implications of the growing requirement to improve teaching quality and the PD of academics at the CASs in the Sultanate of Oman especially in the context of the application of the QA framework. The study focused on examining the academics’ participation in professional development programmes (PDPs) and current perceptions of PD with respect to the improvement of teaching quality improvement at these colleges. The current study also dealt with a reorganization and prioritization of academics’ PD needs, barriers to effective PD, and factors to enhance PD of academics regarding teaching quality improvement in the colleges.
Based on the purpose and research objectives, the current study adopted both positivist (quantitative) and interpretive (qualitative) research paradigms. Because the study perused quantitative and qualitative data regarding certain variables, it chose a mixed-research design. The researcher designed survey questionnaire to collect quantitative data and a semi-structured interview and a focus group discussion to probe and interpret quantitative findings. After fulfillment of the validity and reliability measurements, a self-completion questionnaire was distributed to a stratified random sample of academics (170) over the six CASs. A total of 150 questionnaires (out of 170) were completed and returned and the response-rate reached 88.2%. The quantitative data was analyzed by appropriate analysis using the Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS), while the qualitative data was analyzed by appropriate qualitative analysis.
The findings of the study showed that the level of academics’ participation in PDPs to improve teaching quality in the last two years in the CASs seems to be unsatisfactorily low. The current perceptions of the PD situations in the colleges, relating to teaching quality improvement, signified a shortage in the number of available PDPs and/or a discouragement of academics’ participation in these programmes in the last two years. The study also revealed all the 22 PD needs of academics regarding the improvement of teaching quality are significantly demanded by participants; the higher rated needs focused on a development of ‘student centred’ skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the study illustrated that the highest significant perceived barriers to effective PD in the CASs, as related to teaching quality improvement, focus on a lack of a clear institutional PD policy and a lack of appropriately systematic PD plans. The study also revealed all 10 perceived factors to enhance PD regarding teaching quality improvement are very important. The most significant factors represented and stressed particular problematic issues (the high rated barriers) and a reduction of a heavy workload to enhance academics’ participation in PD regarding the improvement of teaching quality.
Conclusions drawn from the discussion of the findings of study include a lack of a clear PD policy at national and institutional levels and absence of a particular authority/unit concerning PD issues in Omani HEIs. The two problematic issues resulted in a lack of systematic and realistic PD plans in the CASs, involving a lack of academics’ involvement in PD plans, a misconnection of academics’ PD needs to PD, inappropriate facilities and resources allocation, and inappropriate evaluation processes of PD. In addition, the conclusions also include that PD of academics regarding the improvement of teaching quality in the colleges requires more attention and focus to manage particular significant issues perceived by participants as both barriers and potential facilitators relating to PD of academics.
Based on identified conclusions, particular implications for policy and practice to enhance PD to improve teaching quality were set at three levels: governmental, institutional, and individual. Moreover, achievements of the current study according to the research questions were identified and contributions of the study to the fields of PD, teaching quality, and the context of QA and quality audit in HE were addressed. Based on the findings and conclusions, particular directions and recommended issues were suggested to be studied by further research to benefit the enhancement of PD and related teaching quality improvement
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