Determinants of Organizational Performance Ln The Semi-Government Sector Of Abu Dhabi: Strategic Management Perspective

With a conceptual model, we focused on evaluating the current situation of strategic management practices in Abu Dhabi’s semi-government sector, a littleresearched area, to understand the relationships between strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation, as elements, and organizational performance; to identify whether environmental dynamism plays moderating roles in these relationships; and to explore the relationship between organisational performance and organizational competiveness. Data were collected in Abu Dhabi from semigovernment organizations of the UAE. A questionnaire was used on a sample population of 210 organizations. 182 completed questionnaires were collected and included in the analysis. The structural equation modelling package, AMOS, was used to test the hypotheses shown in the conceptual model of the study. Our findings suggest that one dimension of strategy formulation (namely, the intensity of strategic planning), the two dimensions of strategy implementation (namely, the comprehensiveness and the alignment of strategic plan implementation), and those of strategy evaluation (namely, accountability and strategic control) are positively related to organizational performance. We found also that environmental dynamism plays a moderating role in most of these relationships and organizational performance significantly influences organizational competiveness. The academic and managerial implications of these findings for both scholars and practitioners are discussed

Geochemical Studies to Assess Marine Oil Pollution Zakum Field, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The present study aims at quantifying and assessing the organic and inorganic pollutants in the offshore sediments of the Zakum Field, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Twenty-six sampling stations were selected to cover the maximum area of the field. Sediments samples were subjected to a variety of analyses including mechanical analysis, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis, twenty congeners of Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) analysis, sixteen different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) analysis and eight heavy metals analysis. For a comparison purpose six old marine seabed core samples which collected from Zakum Filed between 1966 and 1978 were analyzed for TPHs, PCBs & PAH\u27s. The average TOC % analyzed in the study area is 4.76 % which higher value than other regional studies. The average TPH in Zakum Field is around 22.7 ppm, which is consistent with previous studies in the area. No significant correlation observed between TPH and grain size distribution. The average concentration of PCBs in the study area is 13.5 ppb, which is slightly above the level recorded previously in the region (i.e. below 5 ppb). The total PAH\u27s concentration in Zakum Field area ranges between 0 and 31.5 ppb. PAHs values increases towards Northwestern area with the minimum concentration in the central part area of the field. The Average Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in the old seabed cores is 17.4 ppm. While the average concentration of PCBs is 39.9 ppb and the total poly Aromatic hydrocarbons is 20.9 ppb. Eight heavy metals elements have been analyzed in this study i.e. Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Hg. The highest detected concentration is Fe with average of 23.6 ppm. The lowest determined concentration is Ni with average of 0.035 ppm. In general, the heavy metals concentrations in the study area are low compared to previous studies in the region. High concentration of pristane relative to phytane in most of the sediments indicates biological hydrocarbon input from a marine biological source except station no. 11 which indicates petrogenic source. The site related operations in the Zakum field offshore area found maintaining minim adverse effect to the marine environment

Polarimetric Modelling for Anisotropic Stars

A theoretical description of the polarization of light, generated by an anisotropic point light source and scattered by an arbitrary shape envelope, is developed in this work, the mechanism of scattering being assumed to be either Thomson or Rayleigh scattering. The description is a development of the earlier work of J. F. L. Simmons' (1982) where he expressed the scattering function and scatterer density distribution function as a summation of multipole contributions. Whereas Simmons analysis was based on an isotropic point light source, the present analysis permits a variable flux to represent the anisotropy of the light source. Thomson or Rayleigh scattering is assumed throughout, and in all cases the scattering envelope is taken to be large compared to the light source. This allows the anisotropy to be expressed in terms of projected area. The model has applicability to rotating, pulsating, binary, and active stars with hot extended envelopes. The thesis is divided into five chapters plus four appendices. Following a review of previous work in Chapter One, together with a discussion of the motivation and interest of stellar polarimetry, in Chapter Two the theoretical analysis is established for scattering polarization with an anisotropic point light source within a spherical envelope. This analysis is then applied to an ellipsoidal black body star within a spherical envelope, for which we get explicit integral expressions for the Stokes' parameters and an analytical solution for the special case of a star with a circular equator. As examples of ellipsoidal stars the polarization from a single distorted star (due to e. g. the rotation) such as Be stars, X-ray binaries filling its Roche lobe (e. g. Cygnus X-1 and Centaurus X-3) , and pulsating stars (pulsating as a series of ellipsoids) is calculated. The latter show a very complicated pattern of qu-loci, which, in principle, fit the polarization behaviour of such types as RV Tau and Omicron Ceti. The maximum polarization of about 20% of the total light is expected from a disk like light source viewed edge on (Galaxies would be good example, since they are very distorted light sources). In Chapter Three the anisotropic light source theory is generalized to include an arbitrarily shaped envelope. In the harmonic summation which results it is found that approximation up to the second order terms is quite acceptable, when both the light source and the envelope are ellipsoidal. The maximum polarization is enhanced (due to the envelope being ellipsoidal) to about 35% when a disk of scatterers is perpendicular to the disk like star observed edge on. In general whether the polarization undergoes enhancement or cancellation is dependent on the angle between the rotation axis of the ellipsoidal star and the axis of symmetry of the ellipsoidal envelope. The effects of rotation and pulsation are also calculated. In Chapter Four the analysis is applied to the case of light source anisotropy arising from a non-uniform photosphere (e. g. hot or cool spot). Calculation of the projected area of the spot as it varies during stellar rotation is done without any of the simplifying assumptions usually made in stellar light curve modelling. Again the approximation of the second order terms of the harmonic summation is acceptable for spots of likely physical size (e. g. of angular extent < 3

Design of asphalt concrete mixtures for pavement maintenance and rehabilitation

The main objective of the thesis is to develop a knowledge base for the design of asphalt concrete mixtures suiting various types and causes of pavement distress and to develop supporting guidelines for the selection of aggregate types, gradation and binder contents for desirable mixture properties. To achieve this objective, a two-level model was developed. The upper-level is a Factorial Experimental Design Model (FEDM) for the pavement condition evaluation. It can be used as a prediction tool to estimate the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), and determine the percentages of the types of distresses (Load, Environmental, Others). The upper-level model was calibrated by considering 4 factors with different levels: pavement type (two types), age (three levels), ESAL (three levels) and structural number (three levels). The range of the various levels and the rationale for level selection were presented. The lower level is an FEDM model to estimate the various mixture properties (such as the stability, loss of stability, rutting resistance, etc.) considering the variations in the aggregate sources (three sources), aggregate gradation (three gradations) and binder content (three levels). The statistical significance of all the developed FEDM models were discussed in details, and conclusions on how to improve the fitness of these models were made. The interaction effects among the factors of the various models were also discussed. The data to calibrate the upper-level FEDM model were collected by investigating the highway construction records at Dubai Municipality, calculating the traffic measures (ESAL) and assessing (cross referencing) the pavement condition index as well as the different types of distresses. The data to calibrate the lower-level sets of models were collected by carrying out a set of experiments using the Marshall testing device, the Gyratory compactor and the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer. The experimental design, the preparation of the specimens, the procedures of the various experiments, and the results were also discussed in details. The main contribution of this research work is the development of these FEDM models that can be used in a systematic way to predict pavement performance, and to identify of the most probable distress causes. Hence, design the mixtures with focus on enhancing the mix properties to “resist” the identified most probable distress causes

Entrepreneurial Preferences in Oman: A Gender-based differentiation analysis

Purpose: The research objective was to critically analyze the factors responsible for the gender differences in Oman Entrepreneurship and to critically analyze the prevailing gender differences amongst the motivating factors and the survival factors in running the businesses in Oman. Design/methodology/approach: The research data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire and the data was obtained personally.&nbsp; 381 samples were collected from the population who were reported to be successful entrepreneurs. The selection was obtained from the entrepreneurs’ list provided by the Government&nbsp; Scheme Agencies in Oman like SANAD/RIYADA and the analysis was done using SPSS. Findings: The study revealed that both genders considered ‘To obtain a social status’, ‘To use innovative ideas’, ‘To become own boss’, and ‘Success of other entrepreneurs’ as the motivating factors. Further, males have also considered experiences and professional contacts whereas females have considered working independently and excelling with their self-confidence. The study also revealed that both genders insisted on Start-up capital, Self-confidence, Working capital, and Previous business experience, and Religious consciousness factors as the essential factors to run the businesses. Further, male entrepreneurs considered Training as one of the factors required to run the business whereas the female entrepreneurs considered the Right choice of location as a required factor. Research limitations/implications: It is recommended to address the gender differences of entrepreneurship in policies to support private-sector development in Oman and to design effective Entrepreneurship education programs for the future. It is required to follow up on the performance of the female-owned entrepreneurial start-ups so that their goals and objectives can be successfully fulfilled during their life cycle. It is also suggested that the training should be considered essential when designing strategies and policies stimulating entrepreneurial activity for both male and female entrepreneurs. &nbsp;Social implications: Through gender differences, the trends in marketing can be identified which will help to raise awareness for how to improve global marketing standards. Facilitating timely finance in the form of start-up capital, working capital is a must as the entrepreneurs in Oman consider financial assistance as a must to run the business. Previous business experience or educating them to gain experience in the line of their business interest will enable the entrepreneurs to become successful entrepreneurs. &nbsp;Originality/Value: There is no study on gender differences that have been carried out in Oman within entrepreneurial activities. This paper examines the gender difference prevailing amidst entrepreneurship in Oman. This research included only the successful entrepreneurs who were advanced under the Governmental Schemes through RIYADA/SANAD, Oman

Blunt Renal Trauma in a Pre-Existing Renal Lesion

A 70-year-old male presented with direct trauma to his loin with gross hematuria, as an isolated case of blunt renal trauma (BRT) due to a traffic accident. A pre-existing renal lesion (PERL) was strongly suspected by his past history of gross macroscopic hematuria and monotrauma to the kidney without other associated injuries. Spiral CT scan with contrast and a retrograde pyelogram (RGP) confirmed an occult complex renal cyst. The gold standard of CT diagnosis in this situation is stressed. Computed tomography is particularly useful in evaluating traumatic injuries to kidneys with pre-existing abnormalities. The decision on the initial course of conservative management, ureteral retrograde stenting to drain extravasation, and its final outcome are discussed. Radical nephroureterectomy was carried out by a transperitoneal approach with an early vascular control of the renal pedicle. A brief review of recent literature has been undertaken

The harder firms practice strategic management, the better they are

The integrated practice of strategic management, that is the use of the three components of the strategic management process (formulation, implementation, and evaluation) does matter. Firms should plan intensively and pay attention to choosing strategic planning tools that best fit their needs. No matter how sound the formulated plans are, firms will not benefit if these plans are neither implemented nor evaluated correctly. The harder firms practice strategic management, the better their performance and competitiveness will be.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Librar

Left ventricular global transcriptional profiling in human end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy

AbstractWe employed ABI high-density oligonucleotide microarrays containing 31,700 sixty-mer probes (representing 27,868 annotated human genes) to determine differential gene expression in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We identified 626 up-regulated and 636 down-regulated genes in DCM compared to controls. Most significant changes occurred in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, angiogenesis, and apoptotic signaling pathways, among which 32 apoptosis- and 13 MAPK activity-related genes were altered. Inorganic cation transporter, catalytic activities, energy metabolism and electron transport-related processes were among the most critically influenced pathways. Among the up-regulated genes were HTRA1 (6.9-fold), PDCD8(AIFM1) (5.2) and PRDX2 (4.4) and the down-regulated genes were NR4A2 (4.8), MX1 (4.3), LGALS9 (4), IFNA13 (4), UNC5D (3.6) and HDAC2 (3) (p<0.05), all of which have no clearly defined cardiac-related function yet. Gene ontology and enrichment analysis also revealed significant alterations in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, metabolism and Alzheimer's disease pathways. Concordance was also confirmed for a significant number of genes and pathways in an independent validation microarray dataset. Furthermore, verification by real-time RT-PCR showed a high degree of consistency with the microarray results. Our data demonstrate an association of DCM with alterations in various cellular events and multiple yet undeciphered genes that may contribute to heart muscle disease pathways

OPTIMIZATION OF ALKALINE Α-AMYLASE PRODUCTION BY THERMOPHILIC BACILLUS SUBTILIS

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