176 research outputs found
The Implied Author in the literary works of Muhammad Naffa’
No full textتخوض المقالة مغامرة البحث في معنى المصطلح "كاتب ضمنيّ (Implied Author)، مفهومه وتجلّيه في أدب الكاتب الفلسطينيّ المحليّ محمّد نفّاع (1939). فرغم ما حظي به أدبه من مقالات نقديّة، إلّا أنّ أحدًا لم يتناول هذا الجانب ويبحثه بحثًا جادًّا متعمّقًا. وهي مقالة مُلخّصة لثمرة جهد دام ثلاث سنوات، قمنا خلالها ببحث طوليّ شموليّ تناول كلّ مجموعات نفّاع القصصيّة وعددها ست، ورواية فاطمة الصادرة عن دار راية للنشر عام 2015، والتي نُشرت في حلقات متفرّقة على موقع الجبهة، بالإضافة إلى كلّ ما نُشر من قصص متفرّقة في هذا الموقع الأخير[1] حتى شهر حزيران 2014.
تأتي هذه الدراسة لتؤكّد فكرة التّعالق الجماليّ والفكريّ في أدب نفّاع. فالقاصّ لا يلتقط معلومات عابرة ويُحوّلها إلى نصّ أدبيّ، إنّما نراه يخضع لعوامل تاريخيّة، فكريّة، أيديولوجيّة، فيفارق خلالها سطوح الأشياء ليصل إلى أعماقها، وبهذا يكون مطالبًا بإعادة صياغة المفاهيم والمعلومات ونسجها من جديد. الكاتب الضمنيّ، وهو وليد الكاتب الحقيقيّ وممثّله، بوصفه الأنا الثانية له، هو المرآة التي ستعكس لنا هذا التّعالق الجماليّ مع الفكريّ على وجه التحديد والتخصيص. وحتى يتحقق ذلك يتوجب علينا اقتفاء أثر الكاتب في النّص من خلال متابعتنا لمجالات خمسة: الكاتب وعلاقته بالزّمان، الكاتب وعلاقته بالمكان، الكاتب وعلاقته بالشخصيّات، الكاتب وعلاقته بالحدث، الكاتب وعلاقته بالراوي. فماذا نعني بالكاتب الضمنيّ والكاتب الحقيقيّ (The real author) ما العلاقة بينهما؟ متى ينوب الراوي عن الكاتب الحقيقيّ؟ وكيف يتجلى ذلك في نصوص نفّاع؟ كم من المؤلّف الحقيقيّ في المؤلّف الضمنيّ؟ على هذه الأسئلة البحثيّة ستتم الإجابة من خلال توضيح العلاقة بين الكاتب والمجالات الخمسة الآنف ذكرها، وتفسير كيفيّة انعكاس هذه العلاقة على الوظيفة التي يؤدّيها الكاتب الضمنيّ/ المُضمر في النّص الأدبيّ عند نفّاع.
*This article aims to examine the meaning and the context of the term "Implied Author" and how it is revealed in the literature of the local Palestinian writer Mohammad Naffa' (1939). Despite the vast amount of critical writing on Nafaa's literature, however, none has dealt or looked in depth into this aspect. The present article is accumulative work of a 3- year project in which we carried out a longitudinal holistic research studying all Naffa's story collections, 6 in number, and his novel "Fatima", published by Al-Raya Publishing in 2015, which had been earlier published as a series in Hadash website (Al-Ittihad literature section), in addition to all the randomly published stories in this website up till June 2014.
This study considers the idea of aesthetic and thematic interconnectivity in Nafaa's works, i.e., for the narrator does not simply pick his information randomly; he bides himself to historical and ideological factors where he departs the surface to dive into the depth of things, thus becoming self-demanding. He is obliged to re-construct and re-frame and re-shape the concepts and the information all a new.
The Implied Author is the author's construct and his representative by being his second Ego. He is the mirror that will reflect to us this aesthetic interconnectivity with the thematic one, in particular. In order for that to happen, we, readers, need to follow the traces of the writer in the text examining the following five domains: the writer and his relationship to Time, the writer and Place, the writer and the Characters and finally the writer and the Narrator. What do we then mean by Implied Author and Real Author? What is the relation between the two? When does the narrator represent the real writer? How is this revealed in Naffa's literature? To what extent does the real author exist in the implied author? All these research questions are discussed and answered putting the relationship between the writer and the five previously mentioned domains. Furthermore, the reflection of this relationship on the role done by the Implied Author in Naffa's literary text will be elaborated
Reliability Benchmarking of Eurocode 7 Design Examples: CIE5050-09: Additional Thesis Project 2021
No full textThe application of reliability analysis in geotechnical engineering is relatively new compared to the other sections of civil engineering such as structural engineering and hydraulic engineering. However, due to its increases use in recent years, reliability analysis is planned to be included extensively in the upcoming Eurocode 7 (EN 1997). This research aims to compare the accuracy and efficiency between the applications of 22 selected reliability methods in 9 selected geotechnical engineering problems with various number of independent variables and modes of failure. The accuracy of the reliability methods are determined based on the Probability of Failure (Pf) errors, while the efficiency is based on the number of realizations (N) each method needs. The Monte Carlo Simulation is found to be the most accurate method despite its shortcomings in efficiency (ranked as the least efficient). Moreover, the FOSM method is found to be the most efficient despite its serious shortcoming in accuracy where it is also ranked as the most inaccurate. However, putting both accuracy and efficiency into account, the AK-MCS 0 order is proven to be the best method when applied to the discussed geotechnical engineering problems. The research also points out the necessity to perform multiple reliability methods for each geotechnical engineering problem.Geo-Engineerin
A Reliability-Based Design Optimization Method for Geotechnical Engineering Problem Based On Active-Learning Kriging Metamodeling
No full textUsing an expensive-to-evaluate numerical model, such as a finite element method (FEM) model, is deemed unavoidable in solving modern geotechnical engineering problems. At the same time, the application of reliability analysis in dealing with uncertainties (e.g. soil properties) is increasing rapidly. This could pose a time-wise problem for an FEM model since reliability analysis normally takes much more than only one realization (function call) of the model. It becomes a bigger problem when a design optimization process is taking place. More often than not, design optimization is performed by a ”trial-and-error” method in practice, which the process itself would even take longer just to give engineers the ”sense” of achieving an optimal design (in terms of safety and economy). Therefore, the actual optimality of the design is not systematically proven and quantified. This research proposes a novel reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) method by combining existing theories regarding active-learning Kriging-based Monte Carlo Simulation (AK-MCS) and (1+1)-Covariance Matrix Adaptation evolution scheme ((1+1)-CMA-ES). To achieve accuracy and efficiency, the method consists of four enrichment stages. These enrichment stages ensure the method accurately and efficiently predicts the optimal design combination by considering the reliability constraint. The chosen case study is the reinforcement design of the Starnmeer polder dyke in the Netherlands, which is simulated as an FEM model. Within a limited number of function calls, the proposed RBDO method could accurately predict the optimal dimensions of the dyke that delivers the targeted reliability index. The reliable performance of the proposed method is further demonstrated by solving three analytical optimization problems.Geo-Engineerin
Evaluating Standardization of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Transplant-Eligible Hepatocellular Carcinoma Populations
No full textIn the past decade, immunotherapy has significantly revolutionized the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent phase III trials examining immunotherapy as monotherapy and combination therapy for early to intermediate-stage HCC have produced favorable results, while further phase III trials in this patient cohort are ongoing. Owing to the advantageous data derived from these trials, the utilization of immunotherapy is broadening to include patients with earlier stages of HCC, especially within the transplant-eligible subgroup. Current literature increasingly advocates for the standardized application of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in liver transplantation. Transplantation functions as a potentially curative treatment for HCC and additionally restores normal, healthy liver function. Immunotherapy in pre-transplant patients may improve downstaging efficacy and tumor management, though it carries immunological risks. Immune-related toxicities are substantial in individuals with chronic liver disease, who are particularly susceptible, alongside the risk of acute rejection post-transplantation. The main goal of immunotherapy in this population is to improve access to liver transplantation while preserving pre- and post-transplant results. This concise review analyzes contemporary literature regarding the use of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant context prior to liver transplantation, explores potential advantages of combination immunotherapy, and synthesizes important recent clinical findings from prominent trials related to HCC transplant oncology treatment
The impact of the activities of non-profit data intermediaries (NPDIs): A qualitative study on the impact of NPDIs in reducing barriers to using Open Government Data (OGD) in Europe
No full textThe use and value of Open Government Data (OGD) are gaining increasing attention from governments, corporations, and individuals. Governments have developed portals and started initiatives to share, promote and facilitate OGD interactions. The key objectives of the release of OGD by public entities are public responsibility, economic expansion, and operational and technical values. However, the potential of OGD is limited by the ability to reuse public data. Although OGD is becoming more available, the value realisation of OGD is hindered by its limited use. Within the OGD ecosystem, data intermediaries, especially Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), have been playing a role within the OGD ecosystem, perhaps making OGD more usable for users. We assume that the barriers that are most likely to hinder the potential of OGD are more linked to the barriers to using OGD other than structural or provisioning barriers. Furthermore, the barriers to using OGD might be more influenced by the activities provided by the non-profit data intermediaries (NPDIs). Given the anticipated transformation potential of OGD and the current barriers to reusing OGD, it is necessary to investigate how the existence and activities of the NPDIs affected the barriers to using OGD. This study explores the impact of the NPDIs’ activities, particularly their impact on barriers to OGD use. We introduced the following research question:How do European non-profit data intermediaries reduce the barriers to using OGD?Adopting an explorative case study approach, we first identified the barriers to using OGD through the use of a literate review method. We introduced three categories of barriers in which these barriers originated. These categories are OGD portals, OGD datasets and OGD users’ abilities. Furthermore, we conducted a narrative literature review to analyse and identify the roles and activities of the open data intermediates. We identified seven roles that summarise the set of functions of responsibility that open data intermediaries assume and fourteen activities by specifying certain actions or tasks that open data intermediaries fulfil. Based on the literature review, we could not link the activities to the barriers. However, we conceptualised the barriers to using OGD and the activities of the open data intermediaries separately.Following this, we conducted desk research by analysing NPDIs’ websites, complemented by interviews with the selected NPDIs to analyse their activities and roles in the OGD ecosystem toward reducing the barriers to using OGD. Our findings of the activities of the NPDIs showed that NPDIs have a different scope and objectives, often a social goal, compared to open data intermediaries who might be, for instance, interested in profit. However, the roles and activities of NPDIs, are similar to open data intermediaries in terms of their operations. NPDIs do not necessarily focus on specific roles or activities but rather provide a wide range of services and conduct various activities. This may be driven by the overarching social goal where they try to offer a complete solution that does not lack in some areas. However, some of the activities we identified might be specific to NPDIs, such as promoting the use of OGD, allowing OGD users to disseminate their OGD-driven insights and improving and facilitating the process of using OGD.We conducted nine semi-structured interviews with individuals from NPDIs and their users to learn how they perceive NPDIs are reducing the barriers to using OGD. Through coding the interview transcripts, we applied a thematic analysis approach to the data obtained from the interview. We have identified six themes that represent how NPDIs reduce the barriers to using OGD. These themes are; building OGD capacity and expertise, improving OGD accessibility quality and usability, empowering OGD users, OGD process optimisation, promoting and advocating OGD-related activities and policies, and facilitating and improving stakeholders’ collaboration and engagement. The findings showed that NPDIs mainly emphasised improving OGD capacity, accessibility, availability, and findability. Then, we conducted a focus group session to triangulate our case study data. Three participants participated in our session, two represented the NPDIs perspective, and one represented the user perspective. We concluded that NPDIs’ activities reduce the barriers to using OGD, such as OGD users’ ability, OGD accessibility, and quality of OGD datasets and portals. However, quantifying their impact or linking their activities to some of the barriers they reduce is challenging due to the multiple impacts of the NPDIs’ activities.Our study attempted to address the gap in the literature regarding the NPDIs’ impact in reducing the barriers to using OGD. Also, our study provided insight into how NPDIs reduce the barriers to using OGD; we identified their characteristics and strategies, which contribute to setting the groundwork for future research exploring the link between NPDIs activities and barriers to using OGD. Our results underline the value of NPDIs to the OGD ecosystem. Policymakers or key NPDIs persons can leverage the results of this study to capitalise on the identified opportunities, such as trying to make NPDIs efforts more proactive in anticipating the barriers of OGD to contribute to better use of OGD ultimately.Complex Systems Engineering and Management (CoSEM
Advances in the treatment of esophageal varices: assessing covered tips versus endoscopic band ligation plus propranolol for the prevention of variceal rebleeding in patients with portal vein thrombosis
No full textDietary Patterns and Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Findings from a Case-Control Study
No full textScientific evidence shows that dietary patterns are associated with the risk of IBD, particularly among unhealthy and Western dietary patterns. However, Western dietary patterns are not exclusive to Western countries, as Jordanians are steadily moving towards a Western lifestyle, which includes an increased consumption of processed foods. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk factors for IBD cases among Jordanian adults. This case-control study was conducted between November 2018 and December 2019 in the largest three hospitals in Jordan. Three hundred and thirty-five Jordanian adults aged between 18-68 years were enrolled in this study: one hundred and eighty-five IBD patients who were recently diagnosed with IBD (n = 100 for ulcerative colitis (UC) and n = 85 for Crohn's disease (CD)) and 150 IBD-free controls. Participants were matched based on age and marital status. In addition, dietary data was collected from all participants using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis and principal component analysis were used to determine the dietary patterns. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a multinomial logistic regression model. Two dietary patterns were identified among the study participants: high-vegetable and high-protein dietary patterns. There was a significantly higher risk of IBD with high-protein intake at the third and fourth quartiles in the non-adjusted model as well as the other two adjusted models. In contrast, the high-vegetable dietary pattern shows a significantly protective effect on IBD in the third and fourth quartiles in all the models. Thus, a high-vegetable dietary pattern may be protective against the risk of IBD, while a high-protein dietary pattern is associated with an increased risk of IBD among a group of the Jordanian population
Nutrition and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
No full textObjective Many dietary and lifestyle factors are found to be associated with the pathogenesis of IBD. The purpose of this study is to review the dietary and lifestyle factors associated with IBD. In addition, too, this review attempts to investigate the association between dietary patterns and IBD risk and compare lifestyle factors among IBD patients. Methods Google Scholar and PubMed were searched together with relevant journals for Englishstudies from September 2018 to August 2020. The original studies which evaluated the lifestyle factors and dietary patterns as risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease were included. Results Several studies in IBD were discussed and highlighted the independent effects of various dietary and lifestyle factors on the risk of IBD. Forty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria and indicated that dietary factors tend to play a pivotal role in the disease etiopathogenesis and course. However, research on food and IBD is contradictory. Conclusion An excessive intake of sugar and animal fat is considered a risk factor for the development of IBD, whereas a high fiber diet and high intake of fruits and vegetables may play a protective effect. The role of lifestyle factors in IBD is crucial. Amply of evidence suggested that smoking is a causative agent in CD while it is protective against UC. Stress, depression, vitamin D deficiency, and impaired sleep have all been associated with incident IBD. A diet with a modified carbohydrate composition, a semi-vegetarian diet, a diet low in protein and fat, and a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols should be taken into consideration for IBD patient
Hypertension and Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Gastrointestinal Submucosal Vascular (Dieulafoy) Lesional Hemorrhage
No full textPrevalence of salmonella in different poultry and meat food products in Hebron district: a prevalence study
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