MARKETING EXPENDITURE IMPACT ON BANK’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY ON KUWAITI BANKS

Marketing personnel are always under pressure to justify their marketing strategies expenses to bank top management and shareholders. This study aims to provide some justification for their expenses by linking it to the financial performance of the firm. Using the data of ten Kuwaiti banks that are listed at Kuwait stock exchange (KSE) over the period spanning from 2008 to 2018, results show that there is a statistically significant direct relation between marketing expenditure and the financial performance of banks in Kuwait. In addition, results show that both bank size and assets per employee also have a direct relation with bank performance. JEL: G21; G24; G10 Article visualizations

Anti-nociceptive and desensitizing effects of olvanil on capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat

Background: Olvanil (NE 19550) is a non-pungent synthetic analogue of capsaicin, the natural pungent ingredient of capsicum which activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channel and was developed as a potential analgesic compound. Olvanil has potent anti-hyperalgesic effects in several experimental models of chronic pain. Here we report the inhibitory effects of olvanil on nociceptive processing using cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and compare the effects of capsaicin and olvanil on thermal nociceptive processing in vivo; potential contributions of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor to olvanil’s anti-hyperalgesic effects were also investigated. Methods: A hot plate analgesia meter was used to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of olvanil on capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia and the role played by CB1 receptors in mediating these effects. Single cell calcium imaging studies of DRG neurons were employed to determine the desensitizing effects of olvanil on capsaicin-evoked calcium responses. Statistical analysis used Student’s t test or one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post-hoctest as appropriate. Results: Both olvanil (100 nM) and capsaicin (100 nM) produced significant increases in intracellular calcium concentrations [Ca2+]I in cultured DRG neurons. Olvanil was able to des ensitise TRPV1 responses to further capsaicin exposure more effectively than capsaicin. Intra plantar injection of capsaicin (0.1, 0.3 and 1μg) produced a robust TRPV1-dependant thermal hyperalgesia in rats, whilst olvanil (0.1, 0.3 and 1μg) produced no hyperalgesia, emphasizing its lack of pungency. The highest dose of olvanil significantly reduced the hyperalgesic effects of capsaicin in vivo. Intraplantar injection of the selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (1μg) altered neither capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia nor the desensitizing properties of olvanil, indicating a lack of involvement of CB1receptors. Conclusions: Olvanil is effective in reducing capsaicin-induced thermal hyperalgesia, probably via directly desensitizingTRPV1 channels in a CB 1 receptor-independent fashion. The results presented clearly support the potential for olvanil in the development of new topical analgesic preparations for treating chronic pain conditions while avoiding the unwanted side effects of capsaicin treatments

The preventative effects of black and green tea on remineralisation of enamel caries lesions under cariogenic challenge in vitro

Aim: To investigate the remineralising efficacy of green tea, black tea and black tea plus milk on artificial enamel caries-like lesions under cariogenic challenge in vitro, using QLF analysis. Materials and methods: A total of 150 bovine enamel slabs, with artificial subsurface caries-like lesions, were allocated randomly to five different groups (black tea, green tea, black tea plus milk, 5.0 ppm and 0 ppm F water), with n=30 slabs per group. A 28-day pH-cycling regime was then carried out, in which the enamel samples were subjected to one of the treatment groups, acetic acid and artificial saliva. Throughout the cycling regime, temperature, pH, acid titratability, amount of tea in tea bags and fluoride concentration were analysed. Additionally, tea stains were controlled by polishing the enamel slabs at the end of the cycling period. Quantitative Light–Induced Fluorescence (QLF) system was used to analyse the enamel subsurface lesions under standardised environmental conditions at three different time points (at baseline, following the pH-cycling and after implementing the stain removal method). Results: All study groups showed regression of early enamel lesions in comparison to baseline, though the extent of this was less in the 0 and 5.0 ppm F water groups compared with the tea groups. Further, Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests were used to determine inter-group differences. In terms of remineralisation efficacy, the results indicated statistically significant differences (p<0.01), in favour of the test groups (green tea, black tea and black tea plus milk) over the control groups (5.0 ppm and 0 ppm F water). Another statistical significance was observed in favour of the 5.0 ppm F water group over the 0 ppm F water group (p<0.05). However, when comparing between the three tea groups, no significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Green tea, black tea and black tea plus milk groups demonstrated high efficacy in remineralising artificial enamel caries-like lesions under cariogenic challenge in vitro

Based on T-spherical fuzzy environment: A combination of FWZIC and FDOSM for prioritising COVID-19 vaccine dose recipients

The problem complexity of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) has been raised in the distribution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which required solid and robust MCDM methods. Compared with other MCDM methods, the fuzzy-weighted zero-inconsistency (FWZIC) method and fuzzy decision by opinion score method (FDOSM) have demonstrated their solidity in solving different MCDM challenges. However, the fuzzy sets used in these methods have neglected the refusal concept and limited the restrictions on their constants. To end this, considering the advantage of the T-spherical fuzzy sets (T-SFSs) in handling the uncertainty in the data and obtaining information with more degree of freedom, this study has extended FWZIC and FDOSM methods into the T-SFSs environment (called T-SFWZIC and T-SFDOSM) to be used in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The methodology was formulated on the basis of decision matrix adoption and development phases. The first phase described the adopted decision matrix used in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The second phase presented the sequential formulation steps of T-SFWZIC used for weighting the distribution criteria followed by T-SFDOSM utilised for prioritising the vaccine recipients. Results revealed the following: (1) T-SFWZIC effectively weighted the vaccine distribution criteria based on several parameters including T = 2, T = 4, T = 6, T = 8, and T = 10. Amongst all parameters, the age criterion received the highest weight, whereas the geographic locations severity criterion has the lowest weight. (2) According to the T parameters, a considerable variance has occurred on the vaccine recipient orders, indicating that the existence of T values affected the vaccine distribution. (3) In the individual context of T-SFDOSM, no unique prioritisation was observed based on the obtained opinions of each expert. (4) The group context of T-SFDOSM used in the prioritisation of vaccine recipients was considered the final distribution result as it unified the differences found in an individual context. The evaluation was performed based on systematic ranking assessment and sensitivity analysis. This evaluation showed that the prioritisation results based on each T parameter were subject to a systematic ranking that is supported by high correlation results over all discussed scenarios of changing criteria weights values

Facile synthesis of a novel nanocomposite for determination of mercury and copper ions in food and water samples

This paper describes the modification of sodium aluminum silicate hydrate by 3-bromo-5-chlorosalicylaldehyde to form a new composite. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CHN elemental analysis, Nitrogen gas sorption analyzer, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tools were used for characterizing the synthesized composite. The XRD pattern of the synthesized composite shows a halo at 2Θ = 25°, confirming the destruction of the crystalline structure of the nanomaterial owing to the association with an organic substance. The synthesized composite was utilized for the removal and preconcentration of mercury and copper ions from water and food samples. The maximum adsorption capacity of the synthesized composite towards mercury and copper ions is 107.53 and 130.89 mg/g, respectively. In addition, the relative standard deviation was less than 3 %, showing excellent reproducibility. The dynamic analytical ranges are 0.8–380 μg/L and 1.00–550 μg/L for copper and mercury ions, respectively. The preconcentration factor is 10

A new standardisation and selection framework for real-time image dehazing algorithms from multi-foggy scenes based on fuzzy Delphi and hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis methods

Given the rapid development of dehazing image algorithms, selecting the optimal algorithm based on multiple criteria is crucial in determining the efficiency of an algorithm. However, a sufficient number of criteria must be considered when selecting an algorithm in multiple foggy scenes, including inhomogeneous, homogenous and dark foggy scenes. However, the selection of an optimal real-time image dehazing algorithm based on standardised criteria presents a challenge. According to previous studies, a standardisation and selection framework for real-time image dehazing algorithms based on multi-foggy scenes is not yet available. To address this gap, this study proposes a new standardisation and selection framework based on fuzzy Delphi (FDM) and hybrid multi-criteria analysis methods. Experiments are also conducted in three phases. Firstly, the image dehazing criteria are standardised based on FDM. Secondly, an evaluation experiment is conducted based on standardised criteria and nine real-time image dehazing algorithms to obtain a multi-perspective matrix. Third, entropy and VIKOR methods are hybridised to determine the weight of the standardised criteria and to rank the algorithms. Three rules are applied in the standardisation process to determine the criteria. To objectively validate the selection results, mean is applied for this purpose. The results of this work can be taken into account in designing efficient methods and metrics for image dehazing

Characterization of Vitamin D Production by Human Ocular Barrier Cells

Purpose. Vitamin D3 is a secosteroid mainly synthesized from the conversion of the skin precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to vitamin D3 by ultraviolet (UV) B sunlight. Extrarenal synthesis of vitamin D3 has been reported in many tissues and cells, including barrier sites. This study characterizes the expression of components of vitamin D3 signaling in human ocular barrier cells. Methods. Primary human scleral fibroblasts (HSF), human corneal endothelial (HCEC-12), nonpigmented ciliary body epithelial (ODM-2), and adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cell lines were analyzed for the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), the vitamin D3 activating enzymes 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), 25-hydroxylases (CYP27A1 and CYP2R1), the vitamin D3 inactivating enzyme 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1), and the endocytic receptors cubilin and megalin using a combination of RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results. The HSF, HCEC-12, ODM-2, and ARPE-19 express mRNA and protein for all vitamin D3 synthesizing and metabolizing components. The cell types tested, except HSF, are able to convert inactive 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) into active 1,25-hydroxyviatmin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3). Conclusions. This novel study demonstrated that ocular barrier epithelial cells express the machinery for vitamin D3 and can produce 1,25(OH)2D3. We suggest that vitamin D3 might have a role in immune regulation and barrier function in ocular barrier epithelial cells

Efficient Disposal of Rhodamine 6G and Acid Orange 10 Dyes from Aqueous Media Using ZrO₂/CdMn₂O₄/CdO as Novel and Facilely Synthesized Nanocomposites

It is essential to remove rhodamine 6G and acid orange 10 dyes from contaminated water because they can induce cancer and irritate the lungs, skin, mucous, membranes, and eyes. Hence, in the current work, the Pechini sol–gel method was used for the facile synthesis of ZrO2/CdMn2O4/CdO as novel nanocomposites at 600 and 800 °C. The synthesized nanocomposites were used as novel adsorbents for the efficient removal of rhodamine 6G and acid orange 10 dyes from aqueous media. The nanocomposites, which were synthesized at 600 and 800 °C, were abbreviated as EK600 and EK800, respectively. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by EDS, XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption analyzer, and FE-SEM. The patterns of XRD showed that the average crystal size of the EK600 and EK800 nanocomposites is 68.25 and 85.32 nm, respectively. Additionally, the images of FE-SEM showed that the surface of the EK600 nanocomposite consists of spherical, polyhedral, and rod shapes with an average grain size of 99.36 nm. Additionally, the surface of the EK800 nanocomposite consists of polyhedral and spherical shapes with an average grain size of 143.23 nm. In addition, the BET surface area of the EK600 and EK800 nanocomposites is 46.33 and 38.49 m2/g, respectively. The optimal conditions to achieve the highest removal of rhodamine 6G and acid orange 10 dyes are pH = 8, contact time = 24 min, and temperature = 298 kelvin. The greatest removal capacity of the EK600 and EK800 adsorbents towards rhodamine 6G dye is 311.53 and 250.63 mg/g, respectively. Additionally, the greatest removal capacity of the EK600 and EK800 adsorbents towards acid orange 10 dye is 335.57 and 270.27 mg/g, respectively. The removal of rhodamine 6G and acid orange 10 dyes using the EK600 and EK800 adsorbents is spontaneous, exothermic, follows the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and fits well with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model

Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Nanostructures for the Efficient Disposal of Crystal Violet Dye from Aqueous Media

An excessive accumulation of crystal violet dye in the human body results in an accelerated heart rate, tetraplegia, eye irritation, and long-term damage to the transparent mucous membrane that protects the eyeballs. Accordingly, in this paper, sodium manganese silicate/sodium manganese silicate hydroxide hydrate was easily fabricated as a novel type of nanostructures for the successful disposal of crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions. The formed sodium manganese silicate/sodium manganese silicate hydroxide hydrate nanostructures after the hydrothermal treatment of the gel produced from the interaction of Mn(II) ions with Si(IV) ions at 180 °C for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h were abbreviated as MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4, respectively. The XRD showed that the average crystallite size of the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 samples is 8.38, 7.43, 4.25, and 8.76 nm, respectively. The BET surface area of the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 samples is 41.58, 46.15, 58.25, and 39.69 m2/g, respectively. The MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 samples consist of spherical and irregular shapes with average grain sizes of 157.22, 88.06, 43.75, and 107.08 nm, respectively. The best adsorption conditions of the crystal violet dye employing the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 products were achieved at pH = 8, contact time = 140 min, and solution temperature = 298 kelvin. The linear pseudo-2nd-order model as well as the linear Langmuir isotherm better describe the disposal of the crystal violet dye using the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 adsorbents. The studied thermodynamic parameters indicated that the disposal of the crystal violet dye employing the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 adsorbents is spontaneous, exothermic, and chemical. The maximum disposal capacities of the MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 adsorbents towards crystal violet dye are 342.47, 362.32, 411.52, and 310.56 mg/g, respectively