Qatars membership of the World Trade Organization: what are the economic benefits?

In 1993 Qatar became a contracting party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and in 1996 became an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). By being a member of the GATT/WTO, Qatar must abide by the rules and the regulations of this organization. The aim of the research is to determine the extent to which Qatar's economic policies and its trading activities have been influenced by the WTO regulations. The research assesses the economic performance of WTO membership for Qatar, with a specific focus on the energy sector with its three components of oil, gas, and petrochemicals that constitute the bulk of Qatar's exports. Qatar's imports come from diverse sources, and its WTO membership implies there is no discrimination in favour of particular suppliers, apart from those based in its GCC trading partners.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

An investigation of the internet banking (IB) adoption, use, and success in Saudia Arabia (SA)

This thesis attempts to empirically investigate the different factors that have relation with the adoption, use and success (Dependent variables) of Internet Banking (IB). It extended the previous marketing literature and TAM model by investigating different factors that might have relationship with the adoption and use of the IB. In addition to that, and since the success of IB has not been found in the reviewed literature, this study introduces the success variable following the DeLone and McLean (2003) IS success model. This thesis responds to several researchers’ calls by conducting an investigation in Saudi Arabia (SA), where it has special socio-economic motives and social values such as Islamic Banking (IsB).The data of this study were collected through a survey (postal questionnaires), sample (n=1000), which has been conducted randomly using SA’s Residential Telephone Directory. A total of 228 usable questionnaires were returned (22.8% response rate). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics method, and a factor analysis was also used to classify the variables into a set of dimensions. Moreover, multiple regression analysis was performed to test the research hypotheses. As a result, the researches’ models of adoption, use and success have shown high, good and fair prediction powers (R²=62%, 39.4% and 30%, respectively), which are comaparable to other studies in the area.The research findings suggest that awareness, resistance to change, satisfaction, perceived ease of use, self-efficiency, high cost, availability of IsB services online, and income (independent variables) were affecting the IB customers’ adoption, use and success in different degrees. The awareness and self-efficiency of the IB were found to significantly affect the adoption of IB, whereas self-efficiency and satisfaction “convenience” significantly affect the use of IB. However, frequency and wide range of the used IB services, satisfaction “time saving and customers’ needs fulfilment”, income and the availability of IsB services were found to also affect the success of the IB services. Surprisingly, the research findings indicate that security does not contribute significantly to the adoption, use, and success of IB services and that is due to some reasons which is recommended for future studies. It is also essential to highlight that IB customers’ satisfaction was found to be a very significant factor in motivating the new adopters to use the services frequently, which will lead to a successful competitive performance. This thesis concludes with implications for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers in addition to research limitations and recommendations for future studies

Disaster Risks and Preparedness: Effects of Petrochemical Hazards on the Environment in Saudi Arabia

The impacts from disaster risks are extremely devastating and significantly affect people, environment and business organisations. This research explore disaster risks and preparedness especially the impacts of petrochemical hazards on the environment in Saudi Arabia. While the impacts vary considerably across different affected stakeholders, the environment remains the principal benefactor of such disastrous effects. Disaster risks are made manifest through incidents such as extreme weathers, droughts, climate change, flooding, earthquake, landslide, technological change, petrochemical hazards and pollution among others. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) revealed that within the last 30 years, the Arab region was affected by more than 270 disasters resulting in more than 150, 000 deaths and affecting approximately 10 million people. The effects of disaster depend majorly on the level of exposures and vulnerability of the human subjects to the source of the disaster. This research anchored on the concept that disaster preparedness is crucial for effective management of disaster risks such as petrochemical hazards. Findings from the study through literature review and semi-structured interview revealed that proximity of human subjects, exposure to petrochemical hazards, disaster risk education and extent of disaster preparedness play pivotal role in successful management of impending disasters. Results of the semi-structured interview revealed the need for national and institutional supports for disaster risks education and management within the study area (Jubail, Saudi Arabia). The current research findings and existing literatures revealed that poor and uneducated people are more vulnerable to disaster effects than any other group. Thus, the research made some useful recommendations on how to better understand disaster and prepared for any eventualities. Though, the research is limited to Jubail city, Saudi Arabia; the study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge on emergency and disaster management. Keywords: Disaster Risks, Disaster Risks Reduction, Preparedness, Hazards, Saudi Arabi

Evaluation and Comparison of Efficacy of Gluma® and D/Sense® Desensitizer in the Treatment of Root Sensitivity Induced by Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

BACKGROUND: Dentinal hypersensitivity is one of the most common sequels of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Resulted discomfort may restrain patients from oral hygiene maintenance, thus affects the long-term success of periodontal therapy. So, it becomes a prime concern of the clinician to manage the post-operative hypersensitivity. AIM: This clinical investigation aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of D/Sense® and Gluma® in preventing post-operative sensitivity after non-surgical periodontal therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present randomised, double-blind, split-mouth study was conducted on forty-five (22 male, 23 female) systemically healthy patients, with the mean age of 40 ± 17.5 years. Visual Analogue scale was used to evaluate root sensitivity after application of tactile and cold stimuli at baseline, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after scaling and root planing. After scaling and root planning, the sites were randomly divided into different groups for the application of desensitising agents. Collected data were analysed by using, analysis of variance (ANOVA) for inter-group and paired t-test for intra-group comparisons. RESULTS: No adverse or side effects were reported by any of the patients throughout the study period. Gluma® showed a statistically significant reduction in the VAS score for root sensitivity as compared to D/Sense®, at 1, 2- and 4-weeks follow-up period (p < 0.05). Whereas, at 6th-week follow-up, both the solution showed almost similar score for root hypersensitivity. Intragroup comparison for D/Sense® revealed a significant difference in scores from baseline to all intervals (p < 0.05), except baseline to 6 weeks (p > 0.05). Whereas Gluma® showed a significant difference in scores from baseline to 2nd-week follow-up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The result of the present investigation revealed that application of Gluma® resulted in better control on iatrogenic root hypersensitivity as compared to the D/Sense® during the initial follow-up period

The role and jurisdiction of the board of grievances in Saudi Arabia

This thesis presents a critical study of the administrative court of Saudi Arabia (Board of Grievances). Its aim is to evaluate the modem Board of Grievances. The study also investigates the nature of the Board of Grievances, that is, the extent to which its role is entirely administrative according to the Act of 1982, or also contains aspects of an appeal, review, or investigatory court. The study explores the legal nature and jurisdiction of the Board, the appointment, qualifications, and training of its members and processes for their removal or retirement, transfer, promotion, and discipline. It is argued that the Board's membership, jurisdiction and procedures all reflect historical, legal and constitutional factors; and that these influences affect the efficiency of the Board as a mechanism for the legal control of administration and of grievances against the government. The thesis seeks to identify major changes which would enhance the Board's role and strengthen its contribution to the rule of law in Saudi Arabia. The first part of the thesis consists of two chapters dealing with the historical, constitutional and legal framework within which the Board operates. Chapter 1 examines the law and constitutional background of Saudi Arabia. The main thrust of this chapter is to place the Board of Grievances within the constitutional and legal environment in which it operates, in other words within the history of the growth of the state itself. Chapter 2 examines the historical development of the Board of Grievances in Islam. The chapter also briefly compares the Islamic Board of Grievances with an institution that has interesting similarities, the Court of Chancery in English legal history. The four chapters of the second part examine the modern Board of Grievances, tracing its development since 1924, and its present jurisdiction, practice, and procedures. Chapter 3 discusses the modem development of the Board of Grievances in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the various stages of the development of the Board of Grievances as established in Saudi Arabia. Chapter 4 examines the composition and structure of the modern Board of Grievances. This chapter also discusses the status of the Board members as administrative judicial officers. Chapter 5 highlights the scope and limits of jurisdiction of the Board of. Grievances. Chapter 6 examines the rules of procedure of the Board of Grievances and its working practices. The concluding Chapter 7 refers to issues arising from the study in order to suggest some reforms necessary to improve the performance of the Board and to satisfy the expectation of the people.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The role of administrative control in limiting the spread of the corona epidemic in Islamic law and health legislation in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan

During the first trimester of 2020, the world exposed to unusual epidemiological situation that has had a negative impact and had disrupted ordinary life, which imposed on the competent authorities in addressing the epidemic by means of preventive and other treatment controls, as many government orders were issued that changed daily life, imposed closures and restriction of freedoms as: freedom of worship, reorganization of religious rites, in particular with regard to Hajj and Umrah. This study has concluded that the governmental procedures is required and essential in response to the pandemic. However, it was reflected on the individuals’ rights and freedoms. Also, it has concluded that the administration shall monitor the procedures issued thereby to response to the pandemic to prevent its assault on individuals’ rights and freedoms. As well as, the study recommended that these control procedures shall be limited in the epidemiological and health situation and not exceeded the limits of this Epidemiological circumstanc

Exercise as a treatment modality for depression: A narrative review

Depression is a major health burden associated with poor quality of life and impaired functioning. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is associated with profound economic costs. Depression is usually treated with antidepressant medications and psychological therapy or combination of both. However, there are lot of limitations associated with these therapies and as a result, a number of alternative or adjunctive therapies have been sought for. Exercise is one such option with a lot of substantial supportive research. The objective of the article was to review the beneficial effects of exercise in depression. An electronic search of literature from inception till 06/2017 highlighting the effects of exercise on depression and the possible mechanistic pathways involved was conducted using PubMed/ Medline, Google scholar and Scopus and relevant articles were utilized for this review. The results of this review confirmed the beneficial role of exercise in depression as evidenced by the improvement in the outcomes and the various psychobiological parameters measured. Thus exercise can be considered as a treatment option for the management of depression.Keywords: Depression, Exercise, Physical activity, Mechanistic pathways, BDN

The role of surface modification on zirconia implants to enhance osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation

The surface structure of the implant plays a crucial role in the success of implantation. Therefore, the surfaces of dental implants have been under continuous development over the past few decades. In zirconia implants, generating surface roughness by sandblasting may induce surface damage and phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic phase. To avoid these negative effects, sandblasting prior to sintering is one strategy to generate a rough zirconia surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of surface roughening zirconia base material, TZP, by sandblasting prior to sintering process under defined parameters. The new surface structure was then examined in vitro on the basis of cellular adhesion (after 60 min with crystal violet), cell coverage (after 72 h with crystal violet), proliferation and metabolic activity (24-48 h with BrdU assay and after 48 h with XTT assay, respectively) of human SAOS-2 osteoblasts. Using a Perthometer, the roughened zirconia variants exhibited negligible changes in surface roughness before and after sintering, and they maintained their original mechanical properties by avoiding post-treatment of the surfaces. Initial cell adhesion was positively enhanced by a roughened surface compared to a machined surface. The metabolic activity and proliferation in the log-growth phase were not affected. Surface coverage by cells was slightly decreased on rough zirconia surfaces compared to the machined reference; however, surface coverage on all zirconia surfaces was comparable to that of titanium, indicating good biocompatibility. Therefore, the method used to roughen the zirconia surface in this experiment is suitable for zirconia implants, which is an alternative implant material. Sandblasting before sintering zirconia implants is an appropriate method to create surface roughness without compromising the mechanical strength

The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in schoolchildren in a highly consanguineous community

Objective: The objective of the present study was to find the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity (ADH) symptoms in a sample of primary schoolchildren in Qatar and investigate the behaviour of the children with and without ADH symptoms in a highly consanguineous community. Subjects and Methods: A total of 2,500 primary school students, aged 6-12 years, were randomly selected from the government primary schools, and 1,869 students (947 boys and 922 girls) gave consent to participate in this study. An Arabic questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic variables and a standardized Arabic version of the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale for ADH symptoms. Results: Of the 947 boys, 158 (16.7%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 14.4-19.2) and of the 922 girls, 50 (5.4%; 95% CI 4.1-7.1) scored above the cut-off (≥15) for ADH symptoms, thus giving an overall prevalence of 11.1% (95% CI 9.7-12.6). The children who had higher scores for ADH symptoms were in the age group of 6-9 years. Children who had higher scores for ADH symptoms had a poorer school performance than those with lower scores (p = 0.002). Two hundred (96.2%) children with ADH were disobedient, 126 (60.6%) noisy and hyperactive, 76 (36.5%) very cranky, 78 (37.5%) troublesome and 79 (37.9%) nervous. The logistic regression identified socio-economic condition, number of children, school performance and poor relationship between parents as the main contributors to ADH. Although the univariate analysis showed a significant relationship (p = 0.010) between ADH symptoms and consanguineous parents, logistic regression did not support this association (p = 0.075). This suggests that consanguinity has no impact on ADH children. Conclusion: The study revealed that ADH is a common problem among schoolchildren. The children with higher scores for ADH symptoms had a poorer school performance than those with lower scores. A significant difference exists between the behaviour of children with and without ADH