China’s foreign policy towards the gulf and Arabian Peninsula region, 1949-1999

This study attempts to fill an important gap which exists in the literature on the People’s Republic of China's foreign policy - China's relations with the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula countries. It provides a detailed description of China's policy towards the region from the time of the establishment of the PRC in late 1949 to the end of the twentieth century, by focusing on the factors that shaped China's foreign policy and its objectives. The researcher draws upon the neo-realist theory arguments and assumptions in explaining China's foreign policy towards the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region, particularly the impact of external factors in shaping states' foreign policies. The major argument of the study is that two main factors have been most salient in shaping China's foreign policy towards the region. The first factor has been China’s relations with both the United States and the Soviet Union, which very much shaped China's foreign policy towards the region throughout most of the Cold War era. The second factor is China's drive to increase its economic capability by fostering strong economic ties with the countries of the region, particularly after becoming a net importer of oil in 1993. The researcher finds that these two factors have directed China’s foreign policy towards the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region throughout the first half-century of the PRC's interactions with the countries of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region

Identification of attenuation markers of a Theileria lestoquardi cell line to be used for the development of live vaccine against malignant ovine theileriosis

Theileria lestoquardi is a tick-borne protozoan parasite and highly pathogenic for sheep. The disease caused by the pathogen is known as malignant ovine theileriosis (MOT) and is transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. Control of the disease can be achieved by immunization of sheep with attenuated T. lestoquardi schizont-infected ovine cells that provides the animal with solid immunity. The approach of using the attenuated vaccine against malignant ovine theileriosis has been carried out successfully in Iraq and Iran. Better characterization of attenuated cell lines could result in the identification of markers that would allow more rapid selection of attenuated vaccine and reduce the cost of vaccine production. Since no work has been reported regarding attenuation mechanisms in T. lestoquardi, the following study investigated potential attenuation markers of T. annulata infected cells in a T. lestoquardi cell line at different passages. Two markers associated with attenuation in T. annulata vaccine strains were analyzed, matrix metalloproteinase activity and TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes in higher passage and lower passage were analyzed using suppression subtractive hybridization in order to identify genes whose expression correlates with subculturing and thus potentially with attenuation. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) in the investigated cell line was confirmed by using specific inhibitors. The results showed gradual reduction in the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) with increasing passage number. Following the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha in different passages revealed down regulation of this cytokine from the low passage compared with high passage. Analysis of randomly selected clones in the suppression subtractive hybridization libraries identified nine differentially expressed genes, one from the parasite and eight from the host. Transcripts of retinoblastoma binding protein 7, Enolase-a (ENO 1), Ki-67 antigen and H2A histone from the host and vacuolar H+ATPase from the parasite were more plentiful in low passage culture. RAB14, a member of the RAS oncogene family, glucose transporter type 3, creatine kinase B, and cytochrome C oxidase transcripts from the host were more abundant in high passage culture. Quantitative real time-PCR confirmed mRNA expression of the parasite vacuolar H+ATPase to be downregulated at higher passages. The expression of the Ki-67 protein was clearly decreased with increasing passage number in western blot using specific antibody. Moreover, assessment of thymidine incorporation as a measure for the proliferation rate clearly showed that with increasing passage number, the proliferation rate of the T. lestoquardi infected cells decreases. This study revealed that the matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (9 and 2) and TNF-alpha could be potential molecular markers for identification of attenuation in the Theileria lestoquardi (Atbara) cell line. Also the down regulated parasite gene, vacuolar H+- ATPase could be considered as a molecular marker for attenuation. Immunization trials in sheep with different passages are required to provide in vivo evidence to support these findings

Evaluation of hemifield sector analysis protocol in multifocal visual evoked potential (MFVEP) objective perimetry for the diagnosis and early detection of glaucomatous field defects

Visual field assessment is a core component of glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring, and the Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) test is considered up until this moment, the gold standard of visual field assessment. Although SAP is a subjective assessment and has many pitfalls, it is being constantly used in the diagnosis of visual field loss in glaucoma. Multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) is a newly introduced method used for visual field assessment objectively. Several analysis protocols have been tested to identify early visual field losses in glaucoma patients using the mfVEP technique, some were successful in detection of field defects, which were comparable to the standard SAP visual field assessment, and others were not very informative and needed more adjustment and research work. In this study, we implemented a novel analysis approach and evaluated its validity and whether it could be used effectively for early detection of visual field defects in glaucoma. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a new analysis method in the Multi-Focal Visual Evoked Potential (mfVEP) when it is used for the objective assessment of the visual field in glaucoma patients, compared to the gold standard technique. METHODS: 3 groups were tested in this study; normal controls (38 eyes), glaucoma patients (36 eyes) and glaucoma suspect patients (38 eyes). All subjects had a two standard Humphrey visual field HFA test 24-2 and a single mfVEP test undertaken in one session. Analysis of the mfVEP results was done using the new analysis protocol; the Hemifield Sector Analysis HSA protocol. Analysis of the HFA was done using the standard grading system. RESULTS: Analysis of mfVEP results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the 3 groups in the mean signal to noise ratio SNR (ANOVA p<0.001 with a 95% CI). The difference between superior and inferior hemispheres in all subjects were all statistically significant in the glaucoma patient group 11/11 sectors (t-test p<0.001), partially significant 5/11 (t-test p<0.01) and no statistical difference between most sectors in normal group (only 1/11 was significant) (t-test p<0.9). sensitivity and specificity of the HAS protocol in detecting glaucoma was 97% and 86% respectively, while for glaucoma suspect were 89% and 79%. DISCUSSION: The results showed that the new analysis protocol was able to confirm already existing field defects detected by standard HFA, was able to differentiate between the 3 study groups with a clear distinction between normal and patients with suspected glaucoma; however the distinction between normal and glaucoma patients was especially clear and significant. CONCLUSION: The new HSA protocol used in the mfVEP testing can be used to detect glaucomatous visual field defects in both glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patient. Using this protocol can provide information about focal visual field differences across the horizontal midline, which can be utilized to differentiate between glaucoma and normal subjects. Sensitivity and specificity of the mfVEP test showed very promising results and correlated with other anatomical changes in glaucoma field loss

Using Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Formation Stresses for Marcellus Shale with Data from Drilling Operations

Artificial neural networks have been applied to different petroleum engineering disciplines. This is contributed to the powerful prediction capability in complex relationships with enough data available. The objective of this study is to develop a new methodology to predict the vertical and horizontal stresses using artificial neural networks for Marcellus shale well laterally drilled in Monongalia County, WV.;This approach coupled the drilling surface measurements with the recorded well logging data. Drilling parameters included depth, WOB, RPM, standpipe pressure, torque, pump flow rate and rate of penetration. Well logging data included gamma ray and bulk density. The model output was the minimum horizontal stress and vertical stress. The well trajectory was divided into two main parts, the vertical and lateral section since the change in the drilling direction along with changing structural geology and sedimentation impacted the resultant stresses.;Several neural networks were designed with a different number of feedforward backpropagation architectures. The collected data was filtered and normalized before neural networks were trained using part of data. A percentage of the data was used to validate the trained model. Finally, a blind data set aside was used to test the model prediction accuracy and to estimate error percentages. Preliminary results show that adding logging data such as gamma ray and bulk density improves the model accuracy. Also, increasing the number of hidden layers and neurons improved the efficiency. However, higher the number of neurons and hidden layers higher was the computational cost due to increased model convergence time.;The correlation coefficients of the predicted and observed values ranged between 0.76 and 0.99. This approach is beneficial regarding hydraulic fracturing design and fracture orientation prediction in unconventional shales

Mitral valve repair for myxomatous mitral regurgitation; Respect or Resect

Background: The superiority of mitral repair using resection of the posterior leaflet versus neo-artificial chordea is still debatable. The objective of this study was to compare leaflet resection versus chordal replacement for mitral valve repair in patients with isolated myxomatous degeneration of the posterior mitral valve leaflet. &nbsp; Methods: This study was conducted on 199 patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation due to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration. Patients were grouped into two groups: Group (1): Respect technique which included&nbsp; 76 patients who had limited resection of the anterior leaflet, chordal transfer, and replacement of anterior leaflet chordae by polytetrafluoroethylene sutures, and placement of annuloplasty ring. Group (2): Resect technique included &nbsp;123 patients where the operation was done by resecting the prolapsed mid scallop of the posterior leaflet and placement of flexible annuloplasty ring. Results: There was no difference between both groups regarding gender. Patients in the Respect group were younger (37 (25th- 75th percentiles: 29- 44) vs. 54 (48- 60) years, P&lt;0.001). The minimally invasive approach was more commonly used in patients who had resection techniques (20 (26.32%) vs. 106 (86.18%); P&lt;0.001). Ischemic (99 (95- 106) vs. 79 (75- 82); P&lt;0.001) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (134.5 (130- 138.5) vs. 99 (97- 104) min; P&lt;0.001) were higher in the Respect group. Blood loss was more in the Resect group (370 (305- 390) vs. 550 (490- 600) ml; P&lt;0.001). There were no differences in the postoperative complications between groups. ICU stay was longer in patients in the Resect group (5 (5- 6) vs. 7 (6- 8) days; P&lt;0.001). Mitral valve gradient after 12 months was significantly higher in the Resect group (3 (3- 3.5) vs. 4 (3- 5) mmHg; P&lt;0.001). Mitral valve reoperation was required more in patients in the Respect group (5 (6.58%) vs. 1 (0.81%); P= 0.03). Conclusions: Both Respect and resect techniques for mitral valve repair had comparable outcomes and durability. The repair technique should be tailored according to the mitral valve pathology

Timing of repair of ischemic ventricular septal rupture; results of early vs. late repair

Background: The optimal time to repair ischemic ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is debatable. We compared the outcomes, including operative mortality, between patients who underwent early vs. late VSR repair. Methods: Twenty-eight patients presented with VSR were included in this study. Patients were grouped according to the timing of repair into two groups; the early repair group (n= 12) and the late repair group (n= 16). The primary endpoint was operative mortality. Results: There was no difference in age, gender, and associated comorbidities between between early and late repair. Anteroapical VSR was the most common type in both groups. There was no difference in the number of bypass grafts in both groups. Ischemic (95 (88- 142.5) vs. 137 (120- 147.5) min; P= 0.028) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (123.5 (115.5- 177.5) vs. 172.5 (152.5- 185) min; P= 0.023) were significantly shorter in patients who had delayed repair. Nine patients (75%) had operative mortality in the early repair group versus three patients (18.75%) in the late repair group (P= 0.006). There were no differences in blood loss, stroke, wound infection, ICU, and ward stay among the surviving patients. Conclusion: Delayed repair of ischemic ventricular septal rupture could be associated with lower mortality in properly selected patients. Additionally, the delayed repair could decrease the ischemic and cardiopulmonary bypass times

Uncertainty and Teachers’ Organizational Commitment in Egyptian Public Schools

Ranging from daily to strategic decisions, uncertainty is an integral part of the decision making process in all schools. Regardless of their experience, teachers are suffering from the lack of information and unpredictable future events that their schools face. Given the fact that Egypt has tried to use education as a mechanism for attaining economic soundness and organizational effectiveness, the present study explores the effect of the different types of uncertainty (strategic, structural, and job-related) on teachers’ organizational commitment approaches (affective, continuance, and normative).Upon collecting 150 out of 200 distributed questionnaire sets, the researchers used correlation and regression to test the hypotheses. The analysis of the collected data showed a negative correlation between uncertainty types (strategic, structural, and job-related) and two approaches of organizational commitment (affective and continuance). No relationship was found between uncertainty types and teachers’ normative commitment. Keywords: uncertainty; strategic uncertainty; structural uncertainty; job- related uncertainty; organizational commitment; Egyp

Parallel mechanical computing: Metamaterials that can multitask

Decades after being replaced with digital platforms, analogue computing has experienced a surging interest following developments in metamaterials and intricate fabrication techniques. Specifically, wave-based analogue computers which impart spatial transformations on an incident wavefront, commensurate with a desired mathematical operation, have gained traction owing to their ability to directly encode the input in its unprocessed form, bypassing analogue-to-digital conversion. While promising, these systems are inherently limited to single-task configurations. Their inability to concurrently perform multiple tasks, or compute in parallel, represents a major hindrance to advancing conceptual mechanical devices with broader computational capabilities. In here, we present a first attempt to simultaneously process independent computational tasks within the same architected structure. By breaking time invariance in a set of metasurface building blocks, multiple frequency-shifted beams are self-generated which absorb notable energy amounts from the fundamental signal. The onset of these tunable harmonics, enables distinct computational tasks to be assigned to different independent "channels", effectively allowing an analogue mechanical computer to multitask

Inclusive/exclusive talent management, responsible leadership and organizational downsizing

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to focus on three Egyptian public business schools in an attempt to explore the effect of inclusive/exclusive talent management on the organizational downsizing of academics and the mediating role of responsible leadership. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 330 academics were contacted and given a set of questionnaires. After three follow-ups, a total of 240 responses were collected with a response rate of 72.73 percent. Multiple regressions were employed to show how much variation in organizational downsizing can be explained by inclusive/exclusive talent management and responsible leadership. Findings: The findings highlighted a very weak statistical association between academics’ inclusive talent management and organizational downsizing, whereas a strong statistical association has been discovered between exclusive talent management and organizational downsizing. Statistical analysis showed that responsible leadership has no role in mediating the relationship between inclusive/exclusive talent management of academics and their downsizing. Research limitations/implications: The authors have focused on only three Egyptian public business schools, the matter that may limit opportunities to generalize the results of this study to private business schools and other faculties in Egypt. Future research could use a double source method. Practical implications: By preparing a set of academic competences, business schools will be able to classify their academic staff into talented and non-talented, and accordingly they can initiate their tailored downsizing strategies. Furthermore, undertaking a responsible strategy of downsizing, which includes and is not limited to justifying the need to decrease academic staff numbers to guarantee post-redundancy care practices for laid-off academics may alleviate many of the negative psychological, societal and economic consequences of downsizing. Originality/value: This paper contributes by filling a gap in HR management and higher education literature, in which empirical studies on the relationship between talent management and academics’ organizational downsizing have been limited until now. This may create better research opportunities for cross-disciplinary papers that should be done by HR, higher education and leadership scholars

The auditors role and responsibilities towards auditing environmental performance of firms

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