Thermal Impact of Different Interior Finishing Materials on Energy Consumption in Bahrain

The energy consumption is becoming increasingly important since last years. This has resulted in a movement towards designing more energy efficient buildings because buildings consume a significant amount of the energy. In Bahrain for example, buildings alone consume the largest amount of the total electric energy,it is (about 81%). Specifically, residential buildings consume 54.5% of the total energy use with an increasing rate of 7.5% in energy consumption every year. A large portion of this consumption is used to air-condition buildings for providing thermal comfort. So; the building envelope is one of the most important systems affecting energy efficiency of a building (e.g. walls, windows, roof and finishing).The main purpose of this research is to identify the effect of interior finishing materials on energy consumption for residential buildings in Bahrain and to provide a tool that could help designers to reach better understanding for energy conservation. In order to achieve the research objectives, a building evaluation model (a base case)had been designed and eQUEST 3-64 simulation program was used to evaluate the most common interior finishing materials on energy consumption. Another base case model was developed to simulate the impact of different  orientation of a selected material on energy consumption.The results of the simulation show that, the best material to use as interior finishing for the residential buildings in Bahrain is the plywood material. The results show that using of plywood as interior finishing material will consumes about 7.6% less energy, less cooling demand and around 10% and approximately (14%) less in ventilation fans demand. The annual utility bills can therefore be saved by almost 16% if plywood finishing material is used in comparison to the base case model. In light of these conclusions, further futuristic studies are recommended to ascertain the effect of various parameters of interior finishing materials such as thickness, colors and surface roughness on the thermal comfort. Keywords: Energy consumption, residential finishing, finishing effects, energy simulations

OPERATIONAL MODEL ANALYSIS AND FINITE ELEMENT MODEL UPDATE USING AMBIENT VIBRATION DATA FOR AL-SINYAR TOWER

Buildings in Qatar rely on minimum structural code requirements implemented by design consultants’ offices. Qatar 2030 vision considers increasing of structures’ sustainability and serviceability as a high priority, which require testing structures under real full scale modeling. The process of monitoring structures’ behavior over time for aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering infrastructure is referred to as structural health monitoring (SHM). In Qatar, most high-rise building stability design is based on wind loading. According to Uniform Building Code3 1997 (UBC1997) which classifies seismic zones on a scale of zero to four, Qatar’s seismic classification on the scale is zero which is the minimum seismic risk value. Qatar Meteorological data on wind speeds enabled analysis of extreme winds to be undertaken in structural designs. This study aims to identify dynamic properties of the structural by using wired and wireless accelerometers in order to assess structural performance to update Finite Element Model (FEM). By updating FEM, engineers are enabled to support clients to make quick and correct decisions in extreme emergency situations in the case of boundary conditions changes and loads such as seismic vibration and wind pressure changes, during a structure’s life. The objective of this research is to apply and evaluate a single output-only procedure on a reinforced concrete tower building, Al Sinyar Tower, which consists of 2B+G+52 floors in Al Dafna Area in Qatar, with a total built up area of 74,747 sqm and is the tallest residential building in Qatar with a total height of 230 m . A Finite Element model using Sap2000 program was used to model and analyze building values in order to compare results with the real test results. The different forms of response data from ambient vibration were scrutinized to evaluate structure performance. Mode shapes, natural frequencies, modal damping ratios were studied, while the results of tests carried under ambient conditions were used to update the Finite Element model based on modules of elasticity, density and also connections fixity. The thesis concluded that wired sensors are not practical to use for low frequencies measurements in high rise buildings and that it is tremendously challenging and difficult to deal with more than 1000 meter long cables, especially with a very sensitive devices. Frequencies values from wired sensors could not been captured, whereas wireless connection provided more reasonable values. Ambient vibration results based on as-built environment provided higher frequency values in comparison to FEM because the stiffness provided by cladding, façade and walls eventually increased the system’s stiffness, which cannot be revealed in FEM based on structural drawings only. The foremost concept of Model Updating is to have an ideal simulation of structure that can represent real structure behavior. The Final Updated model results founded satisfactory according to modal assurance criterion (MAC) value with 98.9% and frequency deference errors average of 7.6%

Security Returns During Ex-Dividend Period

AbstractThis paper examines the security returns during ex-dividend period for firms listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM). We find stock dividends elicit a significant stock market response. In addition, the abnormal return seems not to be confined to the ex-day in Oman. In particular, the positive abnormal return extends for seven days after the stock dividend ex-day. We also find that larger firms in Oman prefer a higher trading range

Antecedents of Employee Engagement in a Multicultural Work Environment: The Case of the UAE

This dissertation investigates the antecedents of employee engagement within a multicultural work environment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2017, the UAE launched the corporate happiness and positivity initiative across organizations where employee engagement was considered as one of the key drivers and enablers of this vision. Existing research indicates that employee engagement is a major factor leading to organizational success and competitiveness. Employee engagement is believed to lead to many benefits for both the organizations in question and their employees. These benefits can include better financial results and improved performance through increased productivity and performance, employee wellbeing, and the perceived career success of employees. Many research studies show that organizations where employees feel engaged have increased shareholder returns, greater profitability, higher productivity, and also higher levels of customer satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of individual characteristics and organizational factors on employee engagement. It aims to identify the main individual and organizational antecedents that determine the level of employee engagement in the public, private and mixed sectors in the UAE. This study applied a quantitative approach by using a large-scale sample survey questionnaire. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data collected from 1,033 employees in a variety of organizations. This study empirically examined several individual-level antecedents of employee engagement. The results revealed that self-efficacy, person-job fit, and relationships with supervisor positively influenced employee engagement. Likewise, several organizational-level antecedents of employee engagement were examined and the empirical results revealed that organizational support and job security positively influenced employee engagement in the workplace in a UAE context. These findings contribute to the literature on this subject by expanding knowledge on the determinants of employee engagement, especially in a multicultural work environment such as in the case of the UAE. This was achieved by developing a theoretical model and testing it empirically. It was found to be a fit and suitable model for a variety of the UAE’s workplace contexts. The findings can be of benefit to both practitioners and academics in order to develop effective strategies to increase employee engagement. This, in turn, can lead to higher organizational productivity, improved performance and greater success for the organization and individuals in today’s highly competitive global business environment. Due to a scarcity of studies on employee engagement in cross-cultural work contexts, such as we find in the UAE, we believe that this study is an important step towards building knowledge on the essential determinants and antecedents of employee engagement. Despite a general consensus on the importance of employee engagement and its concomitant benefits, there is no universal agreement as to what exactly leads an employee to become engaged with their various work contexts. This study developed an employee engagement model and empirically tested the model in order to have a better understanding of employee engagement in the UAE and other similar contexts. It is hoped that the results can help to develop effective strategies to increase the level of employee engagement across organizations in the country and help the UAE in its drive to become a leading country in terms of business practices and in line with the country’s clearly stated vision

VISUALIZATION OF FACTOR VIII WITH FLOW-CYTOMETRY AS A TOOL FOR NOVEL GENE THERAPY APPROACH IN HEMOPHILIA A

Haemophilia A is a genetic X-linked disorder, characterized by coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency and leading to pathological bleedings. The disease occurs in a rate of 1 in 5000 males’ births. The treatment is the administration of plasma-derived or recombinant Factor VIII which is expensive and leads to the development of inhibitory antibodies in around 40% of patients affected by the severe form of the disease. The disease becomes for these patients life-threatening. New approaches to treat Haemophilia include Gene Therapy (GT). Cells corrected through genetic modifications are used to produce in Haemophilia A patients FVIII protein in a sustained manner, as long-term treatment for this disorder. The cells of choice should be persistent and equipped with the machinery for large protein assembly and secretion. So far, target cells for Haemophilia gene correction are mostly liver cells, although they are highly immunogenic and exposed to immune-mediated destruction after GT. Based on literature evidences, Bone Marrow Transplantation can correct Haemophilia A in mice, providing evidence that Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) or their progeny are able to produce FVIII. We chose the approach of correcting HSC with lentiviral vectors carrying the FVIII gene cassette. Whereas classically FVIII protein is visualized on adherent cells through immunohistochemistry staining, Flow-Cytometry (FC) literature publications are very scarce. FC analysis is an attractive method for analysing hematopoietic cells, and in general, a versatile method for protein visualization. However, large proteins as FVIII are difficult to be carefully analysed, and the method requires several steps of optimization. This joint project with Dr. Muhammad Elnaggar, (postdoctoral fellow) .aims to optimize a method to characterize large proteins as FVIII with a reliable FC staining protocol. To this aim we used cell lines to evaluate the expression and secretion pathways of FVIII, the intracellular requirements to fold and secrete large proteins, and the toxicities of protein accumulation, in case of GT mediated protein overexpression. To this aim, the FC experiments were performed to optimise the FC protocol for FVIII visualization, by improving blocking efficacy, antibody labelling efficacy and to ensure accuracy and validity through qPCR and FC double staining. This FC protocol proved its validity and usefulness in visualizing and studying functionally FVIII. The project successfully facilitated safe GT protocols in HSC, moreover, addressed the need in the field of biomedical research by optimizing a reliable FC protocol of staining and visualization of large proteins like FVIII

Mechanisms of Inhibition and Contraction in Uterine Smooth Muscle

(1) The possible mechanisms involved in the variation in rat uterine response to adrenoceptor agonists in preparations under different hormonal conditions have been investigated during the natural oestrous cycle and in pregnant and post-partum animals using pharmacological and biochemical techniques. (2) Uterine tone was induced with acetylcholine (Ach) in isolated preparations from non-pregnant and pregnant animals. Tension developed to Ach was more than twofold higher in uteri from 20-day and 1-day post-partum animals than in those from the four phases of the oestrous cycle. The observed variation in uterine response to Ach may reflect changes that occur in the thickness of the myometrium under the different hormonal states. (3) Noradrenaline (NA) , adrenaline (ADR), isoprenaline (ISO) and isoxsuprine (ISOX) produced inhibitory responses in uteri from non-pregnant and pregnant animals. During the oestrous cycle, the effects elicited by NA, ADR and SAL varied with the phase of the cycle. This variation could be partially due to the activation of a -excitatory receptors (NA and ADR) and/or to alterations in agonists removal mechanisms during the oestrous cycle. (4) Pre-treatment of animals with oestradiol- 17B increased the uterine response to SAL when compared to effects observed in natural oestrus indicating a role for the ovarian hormones in regulating adrenoceptor function in this preparation. (5) Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase activity with flurbiprofen (FBF) enhanced uterine inhibitory response to the adrenoceptor agonists in preparations from nonpregnant, pregnant and post partum animals suggesting that intramurally generated prostaglandins were involved in their response. The effect elicited by FBF was, however, not reversed by excess exogenous arachidonic acid. Inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity with quinacrine also enhanced uterine inhibitory response to the adrenoceptor agonists. (6) Removal of the endometrium slightly reduced uterine response to ADR and SAL with the effects being greater in 1-day post-partum than in 20-day pregnant animals. In endometrium-free preparations, FBF had no significant effect on adrenoceptor agonists responses which would tend to suggest that the endometrium may play a role as a major source of PGs in the interaction between these agonists and the cyclo-oxygenase pathway leading to prostaglandin production. (7) Biochemical measurements of uterine adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) were made in uteri from non-pregnant and pregnant animals. During the oestrous cycle, basal cAMP levels were similar in uteri from the four phases and cyclo-oxygenase inhibition with FBF had no effect on these levels nor on the ability of SAL to increase tissue cAMP content. Thus it would appear that cAMP may not be involved in the variation in uterine response to adrenoceptor agonists during the oestrous cycle. (8) Removal of the endometrium in uteri from 20-day pregnant animals did not alter basal tissue cAMP content neither did it affect the ability of SAL to increase cAMP levels. An effect on tissue cAMP metabolism may, therefore, not account for the observed changes in uterine response to adrenoceptor agonists in endometrium-free preparations. (9) In conclusion, presence of a heterogeneous population of adrenoceptors, an avid agonist removal mechanism, ovarian hormones and intramurally generated prostaglandins appear to contribute to the observed variations in uterine responses to adrenoceptor agonists during the oestrous cycle. cAMP is not the source of the variation. Adrenoceptor agonists effect on intramural prostaglandin production could play an important role in their overall response in the rat uterus since such an interaction was also present in preparations from pregnant and post-partum animals

Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of 2,2'-Bipyridine derivatives as coordination ligands with transition metals

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