Major Features of Bankruptcy Law in Qatari Commercial Law

إن تقنين نظام الإفلاس التجاري مما يتفق مع طبائع الحياة العامة والخاصة معاً، فالأحوال الاقتصادية في حياة الأمم لا تستقر على وتيرة واحدة، لكنها تتقلب ما بين الأزمة والرخاء، والضيق والسعة، ومثلها شؤون التاجر التي ربما دارت بين حالات اليسر والعسر، وإن من وظيفة التشريع التجاري أن يواكب جميع الظروف التي يشهدها الأفراد والمجتمعات. وإذا كان النشاط التجاري من حيث الأصل هو حرفة التاجر، سواء أكان شخصاً طبيعًيا أو شخصاً اعتبارًيا، فإن من بين أهم الموضوعات القانونية في القانون التجاري الأحكام التي توضح قواعد الإفلاس. إن نظام الإفلاس في قانون التجارة القطري رقم 27 لسنة 2006 قاصر على التجار وحدهم، كما هو الحال في النظام اللاتيني، فهو لا يشمل الإعسار المدني، فالإفلاس نظام جماعي لتصفية أموال المدين التاجر الذي يقف عن دفع ديونه التجارية، ولا يشهر إفلاس التاجر إلا بموجب حكم قضائي تصدره المحكمة المختصة في الهيكل القضائي. ولا شك أنه نظام ثقيل الوطأة على التاجر الذي يتعّرض له، لما يتبعه من آثار جنائية فضلا عن آثاره التجارية، ورغم تشدد التشريع في مواجهة ظاهرة الإفلاس، إلا أن القانون ترك الباب مشرعاً أمام التاجر للخلاص من أزمته من خلال طريق التصالح مع الدائنين، لا سيما إذا كان التاجر حسن النية سيء الحظ ، لم يكن ما ناله من اضطراب مالي راجعاً إلى إهمال منه في تجارته، أو إلى إساءة تقدير، وإنما إلى ظروف غير متوقعة تعذر عليه تجنبها كالحوادث الطبيعية التي قد تصيب أمواله بالهلاك، أو الأزمات الاقتصادية التي تعيق تسويق البضائع أو تحصيل الأثمان، أو دخول المنافسات الشديدة من الشركات الكبرى، فمّهد له السبيل لتلافي آثار الإفلاس بالطريق التي قد تعينه على الوقوف على قدميه والنهوض من كبوته. تتضمن هذه الورقة البحثية في بعض جزئياتها دراسة مقارنة بالتشريع الإسلامي والقانون الأمريكيCodifying commercial bankruptcy must be in harmony with the characteristics of both public and private life. The economic circumstances of nations do not maintain one constant rhythm but fluctuate between crisis and opulence, hardship and ease. The case is similar with the merchant, whose affairs may alternate between ease and difficulty. It is the function of commercial legislation to keep abreast of all the circumstances that may be faced by individuals and societies. While commercial activity is primarily the trade of the merchant, whether a natural or a legal person, one of the most important subjects in commercial law are the provisions laying out the principles of bankruptcy. Bankruptcy Law No. 27/2006 in the Qatari commercial law code is restricted to traders, as is the case in Roman law. It does not include civil insolvency. Bankruptcy is a group regulation for the dissolution of the property of an indebted merchant who has stopped paying back his commercial debts. A merchant’s bankruptcy shall only be declared by virtue of a judicial ruling issued by the competent court within the judicial structure. It is undoubtedly an onerous law for the merchant who is subject to it, due to the criminal consequences that ensue from it in addition to its commercial consequences. Despite the severity of the legislation in confronting bankruptcy, the law leaves the door open for the merchant to be delivered from the crisis by reconciling with the creditors, especially if the merchant was well-intentioned but unlucky, if the financial difficulties are not attributable to neglecting commercial affairs or to miscalculation, but simply to unexpected circumstances which could not be avoided. Such circumstances include natural disasters that destroy his property, economic crises that hinder the marketing of goods or collecting revenues, or the entry of strong competition from big companies. In these circumstances the law paves the way for the merchant to avoid the effects of bankruptcy in a way that may help him to stand on his feet and to recover from his distress. In some of its parts, this study contains a comparative study of Islamic legislation and American law

The Extent to which the Characteristics of Professional learning communities are found in cycle one Schools in Al – Ain from Teachers prospective

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the extent to which the characteristics of Professional Learning Communities were found in cycle one schools in Al-Ain from teachers’ perspectives. The aim was also to investigate if there were differences of participants’ responses based on demographic variables. Using the Professional Learning Communities Assessment (PLCA) developed by Oliver, Hipp, and Huffman (2003), the study answered the following specific question: 1) To what extent do the characteristics of PLC exist in Al-Ain cycle one schools as perceived by teachers?; 2) Are there significant differences between teachers’ perception in terms of age, years of experience and qualifications to the extent to which PLC characteristics are found in Al-Ain cycle one schools? Out of (1150) teachers in Al-Ain cycle one schools (229) teachers were surveyed. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (SPSS), descriptive statistics were used to answer the first question and three way ANOVA test was used to answer the second question. The main finding of the study was that PLC characteristics and all of its dimensions existed to a high extent in Al-Ain cycle one schools as perceived by teachers where the highest mean score (4.04) was for the dimension Supportive Conditions-Relationships and the lowest mean score (3.68) was for the dimension Supportive Conditions-Structures. Also it was found that the variables of age and years of experience had no significant relation on the teachers’ perception of the existence of PLC characteristics or any of its dimensions in Al-Ain schools, while the variable teachers qualification had a significant relation related to Shared Values and Vision, Shared Personal Practice and Supportive Conditions- Relationship, where the means was higher for the teachers with BA qualification than their peers of higher qualification

Aquifer Characterization and Quantitative Assessment of Over Exploitation of the Shallow Aquifer in AI Maqam AI Saad Area, The Eastern Region, Abu Dhabi Emirate

Al Maqam-AI Saad area is located to the west of Al Ain city on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Highway. This area was chosen to be studied because of the rapid decline of the water levels in the shallow aquifer as a result of continuous heavy withdrawal of the Ground water. In 1990-1991, the area was recognized as one of the major ground Water depressions in the Eastern Region where more than 40 meters of draw down Were noted in the center of depression. The objective of this study is to determine the Hydraulic status of the aquifer by means of characterization and to carry out a Quantitative assessment of the shallow aquifer in the study area.The characterization of the aquifer was conducted in order to assess the hydraulic conductivity in the area by means of re-analysis of previously conducted pumping tests. Pumping tests conducted in the area by the Ground-water Research Program (GWRP)were reanalyzed using Aquifer Test Software. The results of the reanalysis are displayed in maps of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity in the area is small and ranges from 1 to 5 meters per day with increasing trend from east to west. This range of values is consistent with the heterogeneous lithology of the Aquifer that ranges from well sorted to poorly sorted gravel interblended with clay stone, silt lone, shale, and limestone. In addition to the pumping tests analysis,geological information and ground-water salinity distribution maps were also taken into on Ideation in the aquifer characterization and hence in the aquifer assessment. The quantitative assessment was done by means of numerical modeling. The United State Geological Survey (USGS) ground-water model MODFLOW, was used to emulate the water level decline in the area and to show that the aquifer storage is being rapidly depleted. The model was calibrated to steady-state conditions by changing aquifer hydraulic properties and boundary conditions until the simulated water levels matched predevelopment \ after levels (before 1980). A transient calibration was achieved by reasonably matching the water levels produced from the transient simulation by those observed in the years 1990 and 1995.By 1997 most of the shallow aquifer in Al Saad area (the center of the cone of Depression) became dry; in addition, a new intensive agricultural development was initiated in the south and southwest of Al Saad area. Therefore a post-audit wasPerformed to the model in order to account for the new developments. The post-audit Was calibrated to the water levels of 2003 in which a reasonable matching was obtained Between the simulated and the actual and water levels.Predictive model simulations for 2005 and 2015 were produced under the assumption That 2003 pumping rates would continue to the year 2015. The simulations indicated that By the year 2005, some wells will dry out and by 2015 a large portion of the shallow Aquifer in the study area will be dry. The model indicated that there are many Uncertainties in the available data and more data are needed in order to produce more3ensltJ e and refined model. This model can be used as a guide for future data collection activities and management tool for the water resources in the area provided that the uncertainties are taken into consideration.The main conclusion of this study is that the large drawdown occurs due to Combination of three factors: heavy ground-water extractions, little recharge, and low Conductivity. Thus, the following recommendations can be made in order to alleviate the exploitation of aquifer: Limit the abstraction rate by prioritizing its uses, regulate ground-water use, monitor and assess ground-water conditions, enhance the replenishment of ground water by developing the ground-water recharge facilities, and minimize contamination of fresh water aquifer

Interrelationships among Magnesium Deficiency, Ketogenic Diet, and Fasting on Seizure Susceptibility

Fasting and ketogenic diet prevent seizures in epileptic children, magnesium-deficient rats and other animal models of seizure disorders. This effect has been attributed to increased levels of circulating ketone bodies. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of serum ketone bodies, measured as beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), in preventing audiogenically-induced seizures in weanling rats fed a magnesium-deficient diet for 17 days. The effect on seizure susceptibility was investigated by feeding a magnesium-deficient diet to weanling rats for 17 days. Fasting and ketogenic diet (dietary medium chain triglycerides, MCT) markedly decreased seizure incidence that was associated with increased serum BHB level. Also, rats fasted for 24h or fed 28 percent dietary MCT had decreased seizure incidence as compared with rats fed 3 percent dietary MCT or rats fasted for 6h. These effects were not caused by differences in caloric density or percentage of calories from fat in the diets. Gavaging 2 mmoles of BHB resulted in lower seizure incidence; as compared with rats gavaged with 0.5 mmoles BHB when measured 30 min after dosing. In contrast, gavaging 5.6 mmoles of glucose resulted in increased seizure incidence in 24-h-fasted rats. Gavaging 5.6 mmoles of glucose with 0.5 mmole of BHB simultaneously resulted in higher seizure incidence than gavaging with 2.0 mmole BHB and 1.4 mmole glucose simultaneuosly. In addition, gavaging 5.6 mmoles of glucose with 2 mmoles of BHB resulted in higher seizure incidence than gavaging 2 mmoles of BHB alone, which markedly reduced seizure incidence in fasted animals. Fasting, ketogenic diet (MCT) and gavaging BHB increase serum BHB and decrease serum glucose concentrations . Gavaging glucose reduced serum BHB and increased serum glucose concentration. There was an inverse relationship between serum BHB and glucose in all treatments of this study. Although some treatments affected serum minerals, these effects were not consistent among experiments. Therefore, fasting, ketogenic diet (MCT) and gavaging BHB or glucose does not affect serum minerals markedly or consistently; and modifications in serum minerals caused by these treatments do not account for this effect on seizure incidence and severity. Finally, increases in serum BHB and decreases in serum glucose were consistently associated with dose-dependent reductions in seizure susceptibility of rats fed a magnesium-deficient diet for 17 days

AQUIFER CHARACTERIZATION AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF OVER EXPLOITATION OF THE SHALLOW AQUIFER IN AL MAQAM AL SAAD AREA, THE EASTERN REGION, ABU DHABI EMIRATE

Al Maqam-AI Saad area is located to the west of Al Ain city on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Highway. This area was chosen to be studied because of the rapid decline of the water levels in the shallow aquifer as a result of continuous heavy withdrawal of the ground water. In 1990-1991, the area was recognized as one of the major ground water depressions in the Eastern Region where more than 40 meters of draw down were noted in the center of depression. The objective of this study is to determine the hydraulic status of the aquifer by means of characterization and to carry out a quantitative assessment of the shallow aquifer in the study area. The characterization of the aquifer was conducted in order to assess the hydraulic conductivity in the area by means of re-analysis of previously conducted pumping tests. Pumping tests conducted in the area by the Ground-water Research Program (GWRP) were reanalyzed using Aquifer Test Software. The results of the reanalysis are displayed in maps of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity in the area is small and ranges from 1 to 5 meters per day wi th increasing trend from east to west. This range of va lues is consistent wi th the heterogeneous lithology of the aquifer that ranges from well sorted to poorly sorted gravel interbedded with clay 2 stone, silt lOne, shale, and limestone. In addition to the pumpmg tests analysis, geologIcal informatIon and ground-water salinity distribution maps were also taken into con IderaLIon in the aquifer characterization and hence in the aquifer assessment. The quantitatJVe as es ment was done by means of numerical modeling. The United State Geological Survey (USGS) ground-water model MODFLOW, was used to imulate th water level decline in the area and to show that the aquifer storage is being rapidly depleted. The model was calibrated to steady-state conditions by changing aquifer hydraulic properties and boundary conditions until the simulated water levels matched predevelopment \ ater levels (before 1980). A transient calibration was achieved by reasonably matching the water levels produced from the transient simulation by those observed in the years 1990 and 1995. By 1997 most of the shallow aquifer in Al Saad area (the center of the cone of depression) became dry; in addition, a new intensive agricultural development was initiated in the south and southwest of Al Saad area. Therefore a post-audit was performed to the model in order to account for the new developments. The post-audit was calibrated to the water levels of 2003 in which a reasonable matching was obtained between the simulated and the actual and water levels. Predictive model simulations for 2005 and 2015 were produced under the assumption that 2003 pumping rates would continue to the year 2015. The simulations indicated that by the year 2005 some wells will dry out and by 2015 a large portion of the shallow aquifer in the study area will be dry. The model indicated that there are many uncertainties in the available data and more data are needed in order to produce more 3 ensltJ e and refined model. This model can be used as a guide for future data collectIOn acti 1lle and a a management tool for the water resources in the area provIded that the uncertainties are taken into consideration. The main conclusion of this study is that the large drawdown occurs due to combmatlon of three factors: hea y ground-water extractions, little recharge, and low conducti vity. Thus, the fo11o\ ing recommendations can be made in order to alleviate the exploitation of aquifer: Limit the abstraction rate by prioritizing its uses, regulate ground-water use, monitor and assess ground-water conditions, enhance the replenishment of ground water by developing the ground-water recharge facilities, and minimize contamination of fresh water aquifer

Aquifer Characterization and Quantitative Assessment of Over Exploitation of the Shallow Aquifer in AI Maqam AI Saad Area the Eastern Region, Abu Dhabi Emirate

Al Maqam-AI Saad area is located to the west of Al Ain city on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Highway. This area was chosen to be studied because of the rapid decline of the water level in the shallow aquifer as a result of continuous heavy withdrawal of the ground water. In 1990-1991, the area was recognized as one of the major ground water depressions in the Eastern Region where more than 40 meters of draw down were noted in the center of depression . The objective of this study is to determine the hydraulic status of the aquifer by means of characterization and to carry out a quantitative assessment of the shallow aquifer in the study area. The characterization of the aquifer was conducted in order to assess the hydraulic conductivity in the area by means of re-analysis of previously conducted pumping tests. Pumping tests conducted in the area by the Ground-water Research Program (GWRP) were reanalyzed using Aquifer Test Software. The results of the reanalysis are displayed in maps of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity in the area is small and ranges from 1 to 5 meters per day with increasing trend from east to west. This range of values is consistent with the heterogeneous lithology of the aquifer that ranges from well sorted to poorly sorted gravel inter bedded with clay \u27) stone, siltstones, shale, and limestone. In addition to the pumping tests analysis, geological intonation and ground-water salinity distribution maps were also taken into Consideration In the aquifer characterization and hence in the aquifer as assessmen

A comparison study of histochemical staining of various tissues after Carnoy’s and formalin fixation

Background: The potential problems related to the use of formalin in histopathology, such as health hazards, deterioration of nuclei acids are well-known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utilization of a Carnoy’s solution fixation in comparison with formalin on subsequent tissue sectioning and histochemical staining.Materials and Methods: Corresponding sections of 25 tissue biopsies of rabbit’s different organs were fixed in Carnoy’s solution and in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Samples were processed using the conventional method and then stained applying five histochemical methods. The degree ofthe quality of the staining was assessed for each method by scoring system (1-10) depending on comparison of the stained tissue sections with illustrated photomicrographs.Results: For the quality of cutting, the best quality was obtained by Formalin (mean = 4.76) then Carnoy’s fixative (mean =3.84). The best quality of Haematoxylin and Eosin staining was obtained by formalin (mean =5.28) then Carnoy's (mean = 4.00). For Alcian blue and Perl’s Prussian blue, the best staining qualities were obtained by Formalin (mean = 4.76 and 5.64 respectively) followed by Carnoy's (mean = 2.88 and 3.92 respectively). For periodic Acid Schiff's the best staining qualitywas obtained following Carnoy's fixation (mean = 4.52) then, the formalin (mean = 3.76).Conclusion: Although, Carnoy’s fluid is a safe fixative and can rapidly penetrate the tissues, but it can’t be a substitute for formalin.Keywords: Haematoxylin, photomicrographs, Eosin staining

A Survey for Biting Flies in three Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of biting flies from Gashaka, Ibi and Karim Lamido Local Government Areas (LGA) of Taraba State between July and August, 2010 using biconical traps, and identify them using morphological characteristics. Of the 908 biting flies collected from the traps 37.9% (344/908) were Tabanus, 25.9% (235/908) were Haematopota, 24.5% (223/908) were Chrysops, and 11.7% (106/908) were Glossina. Based on the LGAs sampled, the distribution of the flies in Gashaka, Ibi, and Karim Lamido (K/Lamido) were 44.6% (419/908), 21.9% (199/908), and 33.5% (290/908) respectively (p<0.05). An infection rate of 1.89% (2/106) was observed among the tsetse flies trapped. Two species of tsetse flies were identified as Glossina palpalis representing 67.9% (72/106) and Glossina tachinoides 32.1% (34/106). In conclusion, Tabanids had the highest distribution while Glossina had the lowest distribution across the three (3) LGAs of the State.Keywords: Biconical traps, Biting Flies, Survey, Taraba State

Influence of Planting methods and Pinching on growth and vegetative yield of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam).

Field trials were conducted during the 2010 and 2011 cropping seasons at Federal College of Forestry Mechanization farm, Afaka located (10o 371N and 74o 71E) in the Northern Guinea savannah ecological zone of Nigeria to study the influence of planting method and pinching on growth and vegetative yield of drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam). The experiment consisted of six treatments, viz direct sowing+ pinching at 2 weeks after sowing (WAS); direct sowing + pinching at 2 and 4 WAS; direct sowing+ no pinching; transplanting at 2 WAS +pinching at 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT); transplanting at 2 WAS + pinching at 2 and 4 WAT; transplanting at 2 WAS + pinching at 2WAT; transplanting at 4 WAS + pinching at 2 and 4 WAT. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design replicated three times. The plant had significantly vigorous plant with stem diameter at 3 and 9 WAS. However, numbers of leaves, canopy spread and number of branches were not significantly affected by planting methods. Fresh vegetative yield were obtained with direct sowing + pinching at 2 and 4 WAS and transplanting at 2 WAT and pinching at 2 WAT respectively

Exploring the relationship between role overload and intention to leave the profession among elementary school teachers

Teacher role overload has vibrantly been of a considerable concern for school administrators since the birth of formal education. The phenomenon often leads to teacher early departure from the profession due to uncontrolled stressors. This study investigates the relationship between role overload and intention to leave the profession among teachers in three Chinese medium elementary schools in Malaysia. It also explores whether or not role overload exists in the sampled schools. The study uses a convenience sampling technique and distributed 65 survey questionnaires to the sampled school teachers. The findings reveal that role overload had moderately correlated with intention to leave the profession among teachers in the sampled schools. Furthermore, the findings also disclose that aspects role overload moderately existed in the settings of the sampled schools. The practical and theoretical implications of the study for teachers, school administrators, and further research on the teachers? role overload related issues were also addressed