Diurnal dynamics of water quality parameters in an aquaculture system based on recirculating green water technology

Recirculating greenwater aquaculture technology is an appropriate method for producing commercial quantities of tilapia in areas where water is scarce. Greenwater systems achieve better fish production, more than 90% water recycling and nutrient utilization. This study was designed to address the diurnal dynamics of certain water quality parameters in greenwater system. Culture tanks were stocked at a density of 40 fish/m3 with mixed-sex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings and fed ad libitum with floating pellets containing 34% protein. The water temperature was kept 28±1ºC, aeration was provided and sludge was collected twice daily. Values of critical chemical parameters in the water were found to be well within the acceptable limits based on diurnal water sampling. @JASE

Factors influencing social media adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe adoption and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is widely regarded as essential in contemporary organisational environments. Such technologies have substantial effects on an organisation’s productivity and competitiveness. However, the nature of the effects varies across types of organisation (small to large), by country-context (developed and developing countries) and with the type of ICT adopted. This thesis focuses primarily on Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a less-researched developing country context, the region of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with special reference to Oman. In terms of the ICT under investigation, recognising the emergence of more interactive forms of technology, this thesis focuses on social media applications. It is widely recognised that the adoption and use of these applications change the ways in which organisations conduct their activities and represent a critical business opportunity for SMEs. This opportunity will only be realised by SMEs if, and when, social media are adopted in their organisations. This therefore creates a requirement to understand the factors that influence SMEs in making the adoption decision. The research related to such factors is scarce, not least because the technologies are relatively new. By using the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, this study therefore attempted to understand the factors influencing the decision by SMEs to adopt social media. It employed a sequential, exploratory mixed method, where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were combined to meet the research objectives. In the first stage, a preliminary TOE model of 18 factors was developed from the analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 SMEs owner-managers in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. In the second stage, a survey involving 205 SMEs in Muscat was conducted to examine empirically the preliminary model. The survey data were analysed using logistic regression (LR). Of the factors examined, compatibility, observability, trialability, trust, image, perceived lack of managerial time, market scope, customer pressure and family and friends’ support were found to have significant influence on SMEs’ decisions to adopt social media. These findings have important implications and value for the research community, SMEs and policy makers (in particular, the Public Authority for SME Development (PASMED)) in terms of formulating improved strategies for social media adoption. The resulting research model proposed in this thesis can improve these stakeholders’ understandings of why some SMEs have chosen to adopt social media technologies, while other SMEs which face similar market conditions have not

Utilizing of shields factors for sedimentation movements and drainage channels at the middle of Iraq (as a case study)

The shields factor seems to be a non-dimensional quantity which is utilized to determine the commencement of sediments movement in channels. This study intends to analyze sediments movement in channels of drainage and irrigation in Iraq by utilizing these characteristics as a determinant, and to establish a suitable formula to describe this impact in estimating sediments discharge. Based on seasonal unpredictability of the data, the field and laboratory work was completed across a 36-month period from January 2015 to January 2018. The soil texture was silty sand with a little clay amount, and the specific gravity magnitudes of the soil specimens vary from 2.66-2.73. Furthermore, the Shields factor magnitudes (θ) for movement were greater comparison with the critical magnitudes (θcr) in all channels; sediments transmission has been situated along the channels, according to the research. Using the Shields factor, two logarithmic formulas have been devised to quantify sediments discharge. The Flowing in irrigation channels has a correlation magnitude of 0.9007, whereas the Flowing in drainage channels has a correlation coefficient of 0.644. This demonstrated that the shields factor and sediments transport in irrigation channels had a significant degree of association. The drainage channels, on the other hand, have a significantly lower degree of correlation. This reflects the requirement to design a routine maintenance schedule for certain channels and to ensure that hydraulic Flowing criteria are met

Analysis of Relationship Between Trade Policy Trends and Unemployment Rates in Iraq

Purpose: This research aims, to review trends of trade policy in Iraq.   Theoretical framework: identifying the extent of impact of alternative policies aimed at achieving productive diversification on unemployment rates in the long and short term.   Design/methodology/approach: The research sample included data to measure research variables for the period 2004-2020. The ARDL model was used to measure research variables.   Findings: The main conclusion that the trade policy in Iraq continued to operate in isolation from the rest of economic policies, in light of the continued dependence on oil sector and inflexibility of the production system, all of which led to the lack of diversification of economic activity and weaken contribution of non-oil production sectors in produce and creating jobs, which led to continuing dependence on imports and high unemployment rates.   Research, Practical & Social implications: the coordination between trade policy and the rest of economic policies are achieve a wide range of basic sustainable development goals, foremost of which is economic diversification in addition to increasing public revenues, creating opportunities, and diverse work in many fields.   Originality/value: The findings show that success of trade policy in achieving its goals, especially in terms of its ability to influence unemployment rates

Correlation between Leptin Encoding Gene and Some Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Awassi Sheep

The present study was scanned 104 of different genotypic Iraqi Awassi sheep to determine the relation of genetic polymorphism for leptin gene with several biochemical and haematological features. The results of this study were revealed that most of blood characters were homologous for the genotypes AA, AB, AH, AM, AR, and AS except for RBCs and WBCs count since there were significant differences (P< 0.05) between them, and the following genotypes AH and AB were surpassed on the two genotypes AM and AB concerning the number of RBCs, and the two genotypes AB and AH were surpassed on the genotype AM concerning the number of WBCs. Most of biochemical characters were nonhomologous except for the concentration of urea, since significant differences (P< 0.05) among the genotypes were observed with respect to glucose, protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides. The AH genotype was surpassed the two genotypes AB and AR concerning the glucose ratio. The AB genotype was surpassed the two genotypes AM and AS, the two genotypes AA and AH were surpassed the AB genotype concerning cholesterol ratio, and the AB genotype was surpassed the AH genotype concerning the level of triglyceride. In conclusion, the leptin gene diagnostic tool could be used for selection process to enhance the production levels in Awassi sheep through eliminating the animals that were correlated with the genotypes of some undesired characters in early breeding times. Keywords; leptin, gene, Awassi, parameter, blood, biochemistr

Locking Src/Abl Tyrosine Kinase Activities Regulate Cell Differentiation and Invasion of Human Cervical Cancer Cells Expressing E6/E7 Oncoproteins of High-Risk HPV

In this study, we compared the effects of SKI-606 with Iressa, Src/Abl and EGF-R kinase inhibitors, respectively, on selected parameters in HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cell lines, which express E6/E7 oncoproteins of high-risk HPV types 18 and 16, respectively. Our results show that SKI-606 and Iressa inhibit cell proliferation and provoke G0-G1 cell cycle arrest and reduction of S and G2-M phase using 2 and 5 μM concentrations of these inhibitors. In contrast, SKI-606 induces differentiation to an epithelial phenotype “mesenchymal-epithelial transition”; thus SKI-606 causes a dramatic decrease in cell motility and invasion abilities of HeLa and SiHa cancer cells, in comparison to untreated cells and Iressa-treated cells in which these parameters are only slightly affected. These changes are accompanied by a regulation of the expression patterns of E-cadherin and catenins. The molecular pathway analysis of Src/Abl inhibitor revealed that SKI-606 blocks the phosphorylation of β-catenin and consequently converts its role from a transcriptional regulator to a cell-cell adhesion molecule. Our findings indicate that SKI-606 inhibits signaling pathways involved in regulating tumor cell migration and invasion genes via β-catenin alteration, suggesting that Src inhibitor, in comparison to EGF-R, is a promising therapeutic agent for human cervical cancer

Studying Potential Energy Surface for 230Th , 232Th and 234Th Isotopes Using Interacting Boson Model-1

Background: Studying of the potential energy surface  by using the interacting bosons model for potential (IBMP) to determine the deformation in the nucleus of isotopes230Th, 232Th, and 234Th. This program helps to determine the deformation that takes place in the nucleus by analyzing the deflection of the contour lines and their aggregation in a specific region.  Materials and Methods:  The IBMP program was used to study the surface potential. Results: We obtained the results that show the nuclear structure of the radioactive isotopes, through which the limitations and distortions can be known  Conclusions: The potential distribution on the surface of the core for rotational determination SU(3) and translational SU(3)-O(6) results in high distortion and asymmetric distribution of contour lines. &nbsp

Evaluation the influence of steel-fiber on the concrete characteristics

The impact of steel fibers on the engineering characteristics of concretes were explored experimentally in this work. Steel fibers of 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9 percent by volume fraction were applied to concretes mixture with water/cements (W/C) proportions of 0.43 to accomplish this. There have been a total of 24 cubic specimens produced for compressive strengths testing, 24 cylindrical specimens for splitting tension strengths testing, and 12 cubic specimens for toughened unit weight testing. The experimental findings reveal that applying 0.5 percent to 0.9 percent of fibers made of steel to concrete boosts both compressive and tension strengths concurrently when compared to ordinary concretes; however, there is no discernible gain in hardened unit weight with increased fiber amounts

Why do financial services companies pay dividend? Evidence from Qatar Stock Exchange

This study identifies the dividend policy determinants of banks and other financial institutions listed on Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) for a period from 2009 to 2015 through studying the impact on eight factors on banks’ dividends per share. Three models were adopted to investigate the determinants of the dividend policy and the factors that affect a bank’s decision to pay out dividends. The findings indicate that the previous year’s dividends per share, earnings per share, cash flow per share, firm size and return on average equity are positively related to the current year’s dividends per share, as hypothesized. The study shows that the leverage position, bank’s life cycle and growth opportunities are negatively related to the dividend payment. The study also reveals that banks and financial institutions in Qatar do a bit of “earnings smoothing” when comparing the earnings figures with the cash flow

The role of Wilm’s Tumor1 immunohistochemical marker in surface epithelial ovarian tumors

Background: Wilms’ tumor 1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The gene is located in chromosome 11p13. And its expression was found in many solid tumors (including ovarian tumor) and also expressed in hematologic malignancies, Recent studies found that WT1 to be involved in angiogenesis. Objectives: To evaluate the expression of WT1 in surface epithelial ovarian tumorand study the possibility of using WT1 as replacement of both;ovarian tumor marker CA125 and a endothelial cell phenotypic marker CD34. Patients and methods: This is a study of a retrospective ( cross sectional ) of sixty cases with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo - oopherectomy collected from department of Histopathology – Teaching Laboratories / Medical City Teaching Hospital , as well as Al alwya hospital and Al Habibia hospital in Baghdad during the period of study from December 2007 to December 2012. Thirty cases diagnosed as surface epithelial ovarian tumors and thirty cases of histologically normal ovarian tissue which were included as a control group. Formalin - fixed, paraffin - embedded ovarian tissue blocks from 60 cases were used . Three section of 4 micron for each taken and stained with WT1, CD34, and CA125 immunohistochemical marker on positively charged slides. Results: there were a significant correlation between expression of WT1 and histological types of surface epithelial ovarian tumor with a higher expression in serous tumors among other cancer types (P-value < 0.001).There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of WT1 and CA125 scores ( p-value < 0.001).There was a significant correlation between WT1microvessel density (MVD) expression and CD34- microvessel density (MVD) expression in ovarian tumors (P-value = 0.05).On the other hand, there were no significant correlation of WT1 with the age of cases (P-value = 0.9) and with the grade of ovarian tumors ( P-value = 0.23) . Conclusions: The present study demonstrates high expression of WT1 in both tumor and endothelial cells in surface epithelial ovarian tumors, and it had dual usages in evaluation of both ovarian tumor cells and the vascular density. That was proved by demonstrating a significant correlation between WT1 and CA125 expression, and between WT1-MVD and CD34- MVD . There was no statistically significant association between WT1 expression and different tumor grades. There was significance differences in WT1expression among different histological subtypes of primary ovarian carcinomas, with serous carcinoma as the most frequent type