188 research outputs found

    An overview of open government data in developed countries: A comparison study between the state of Qatar & UK

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    Even though the diverse studies that have addressed OGD in many developed countries, there is still a lack in scientific literature about OGD initiatives in developing countries. The problem addressed in this paper is the lack of literature about related OGD information in two countries namely UK and Qatar. Therefore, we aim to provide information about the state of OGD in these two countries and discuss the differences in comparative analysis. This paper provides an analytical and comparative approach to discuss the state of open government data in two countries namely UK and Qatar. The results of this study showed that the state of OGD in UK is more advanced and developed than its state in Qatar according to the references reviewed and reports published by both countries

    Enhancing the Adoption of E-Government Systems through Open Government and Open Government Data (OGD) Initiatives in Qatar

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    The present study aimed to analyze the status of e-government in developing countries, and particularly at Qatar. It also aimed to analyze the status of Open Government Data (OGD) in Qatar in order to identify the main motives that prompted the Qatari government to launch Open Government Data initiatives. In order to cover the research objectives effectively; the researcher used two main methods in order to cover the study objectives. The researcher used the qualitative method to achieve the goals of the study optimally and by reference to all sources on the subject of the study of previous studies, books and references. The researcher also used the analytical method through analyzing the status of e-government in developing countries, and particularly at Qatar. It also aims to analyze the status of Open Government Data (OGD) in Qatar in order to identify the main motives that prompted the Qatari government to launch Open Government Data initiatives. The research concluded that although Qatar is trying to develop e-government systems in various citizen transactions, and while trying to keep pace with the developed countries in the development of open data, Qatar still needs many steps and initiatives to promote e-government by relying on Open Government Data. The reliance of Qatar's Government on open data would encourage individuals to participate in decision-making, facilitate citizens' access to the required information, and increase citizen adoption of e-government. The research also concluded that Open Government Data (OGD) represents a new stage in activating the implementation of the e-government of Qatar, as it helps in achieving the basic objectives that the e-government seeks to achieve. The application of OGD initiatives may be a challenge for developing countries, due to several reasons, such as poor coordination among various government agencies, poor quality of published data, and the absence of laws and regulations that govern and control the nature of such initiatives. The research recommended in developing an Open Government Data strategy. This strategy will represent the road map for the Qatari government to activate the application of OGD initiatives. The research also recommended in establishing a framework for OGD, develop a legislative framework for OGD initiatives to control these initiatives and raise their success rate and enhancing the use of Web 2.0 regarding its significant benefits, since this web allowing the user for data modification and access to it when needed

    Imama Al Moosly and his Efforts in Refutation and substantiation of Hadith

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    Refutation and substantiation of Hadith is an Islamic discipline which aims at judging how sound the Hadith is Imam Al Moosly was a forerunner in this field. This paper deals with the life and contribution of this Islamic scholar whose personality was not investigated well cough by researchers. The paper also identifies the rules which he set for this vital discipline

    USING WATER BALANCE TO ASSESS THE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE IN THE AREA BETWEEN RUTBA AND DHABAA, WESTERN OF IRAQ

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    The study area is located in Al-Rutba city, Al-Anbar Governorate, western Iraq. The metrological data were collected during 1981 – 2016, and used to assess the climatic condition for the study area. The total annual rainfall was 113.3 mm and relative humidity was 47.1%, while the monthly average temperature was 20.1 °C, evaporation was 3074.3 mm, the wind speed was 2.6 m/s with a prevailing direction along the year was NW 29.2%. Data derived from the ratio of wind direction and sunshine duration was 9.2 h/day. The climate of the study area is described as an arid and relatively hot in summer, and cold with low rain in winter. During the 35 years' comparison period, the highest potential evapotranspiration value was 175.82 mm during July and August, while the lowest value was 7.758 mm in January, while the total amount was 970.612 mm. The highest value of the corrected evapotranspiration was 212.74 mm in July and the lowest value was 6.78 mm in January, while the total amount was 1072.021 mm. Water surplus was recorded in the study area was 19.849% of the total rainfall which was equivalent to 113.3 mm. The study area consisted of a thin layer (<0.1 m) of sandy soil, therefore, this thin layer was not considered. A number of key findings are presented which pertain to; the type of rainfall event, wind conditions, and the location. Hence, the value of groundwater recharge was 22.489 mm with a rate of 19.849% which represents the percentage of groundwater recharge from the total rainfall

    Trends and practices in the use of non-prescription drugs among university students in the United Arab Emirates

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    Background: A wide variety of medication, from vitamins to analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, can be purchased by users without a medical prescription. These are referred to as Oral Non-Prescription Drugs (ONPD). While this may empower patients to treat themselves, when used irrationally these medications can have a negative health impact. Previous research on higher education students, particularly healthcare students, has demonstrated that they might be a high-risk population for irrationally use of ONPD. In 2004, the World Health Organisation issued specific guidelines to address research in this area. However, recent investigations still indicate that irrational use of medication occurs among this population. Therefore, the current thesis will be guided by the WHO framework in an attempt to develop a strategy to address this problem. Aim: The aim of this thesis is to determine the prevalence of irrational use of medication sold without a prescription in UAE to university students and to identify the reasons for this behaviour. A secondary aim of this investigation is to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve knowledge and awareness of, as well as attitudes and practice towards, rational use of ONPD medication by university students in UAE. To reach the aims of the study, a health behavioural model was used together with qualitative and quantitative methods. Methodology Study One: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of four types of irrational use (incautious use, inappropriate use, use of antibiotics without prescription and polypharmacy) of ONPD among undergraduate students in UAE. This study used a cross-sectional design employing a randomised sampling technique (n=2875). Statistical analysis was used to analyse this data. Results obtained from this study indicated that 85.9% of students used ONPD, with 38.6% using antibiotics without a prescription. Based on WHO risk assessment criteria, this behaviour was found to the most severe form of irrational use. Additional findings indicated that female participants were 34% less likely to be incautious users (OR =0.344, 95% CI: 0. 244-0.486, p≤0.001), which set males at a higher risk of engaging in this behaviour. Not verifying the expiration date also increased the likelihood of being an incautious user by as much as 51%. Seeking drug information from health care professionals was found to be a protective factor against incautious ONPD use (OR =0. 798, 95% CI: 0.540-0.967, p967, p≤0.05). At the same time, not seeking information on cautious use of ONPD either from medical books or the internet was associated with a higher risk of incautious use (OR = 1.914, 95% CI: 1.353-2.708, p≤0.001). Being a healthcare student significantly increased the odds of being an incautious user of ONPD (OR = 1.561, 95% CI: 1.103-2.208, p≤0.05). Using antibiotics without a prescription was reported among 35.9% of the sample, with no statistically significant difference being observed between healthcare and non-healthcare students. Study Two: Based on the WHO Severity Rating Matrix, the use of antibiotics without prescription was found to be the most significant risk for personal and population health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further explore the reasons for use of antibiotics without prescription among healthcare university students. This study used a qualitative design employing an interview method and a purposive sample selection technique (n=15) which included only the population of students who used antibiotics without a prescription. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Five main themes emerged from this study: knowledge, awareness, attitude, views, and perceptions, as well as possible strategies to decrease their misuse of antibiotics. Study Three: The aim of this study was to develop and test an intervention for reducing the use of antibiotics without prescription based on the findings of study 1 and 2. The intervention was carried out for 14 weeks. Each session was delivered on a weekly basis and comprised of a 15 minutes PowerPoint presentation followed by 10 minutes of discussion. A quasi-experimental design with purposive sampling was used in which participants (n=140) were assessed at baseline for knowledge, awareness, attitude, and practice of using antibiotics without prescription. Results obtained through comparing baseline measures with post-intervention measures demonstrated a statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in reducing the use of antibiotic without prescription among the sample. Moderate improvements were also noted in knowledge, attitude, and awareness of antibiotic use. Conclusion: This thesis has demonstrated that the prevalence of ONPD is high among university students in the UAE. This is particularly significant as this increased prevalence occurs concomitantly with irrational use. The most significant risk was related to using antibiotics without prescription. Although the intervention to change this behaviour was successful, other issues such as access to health care and lack of time to see medical practitioners may still promote the use of antibiotics without prescription. Recommendations underlined in this investigation include educating pharmacists to provide information to ONPD buyers

    Industrial development in Qatar: a geographical assessment

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    Before oil discovery and exploitation, industry in Qatar took the form of artisanal activities and traditional crafts. Since the 1960's industry has become modernised, complex and diverse in type and scale. This thesis explores the trends in industrial development in Qatar between 1950 and 1980, analyses and evaluates current industrial structure and possible future developments. The thesis is organised into ten Chapters. The first three describe the parameters, including physical and human resources, within which the process of industrialisation has occurred and may develop. The evaluation of industrial policy, the relevance of standard theories of industrialisation and an examination of the role of government are next considered. Chapters 5 and 6 contain field-work based analyses of the complete inventory of manufacturing industries, public and private, large and small-scale and industrial linkages. This leads to an examination of industrial locations in Qatar. Chapters 8 and 9 are devoted to two themes of fundamental importance, viz. decision-making, investment and management at various levels and secondly, dependency on foreign labour. The judgement arrived at in the Conclusion is that the future for viable and socio-culturally appropriate industries, whether in a national, regional or international context, lies not in the expansion of basic industries but rather in typologically innovative manufacturing processes

    Application of GIS Technique to Assess the Habbaniya Lake Water for Human Consumption

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    Geographic Information System (GIS) technique was used in this study to produce a Water Quality Index (WQI) map to assess the water of Habbaniya Lake for drinking purposes. Sixteen samples of fresh surface water were collected and analyzed to verify the physiochemical parameters of the WQI. These parameters include Total Dissolved Solids, pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulfate, and Nitrates. The result of these parameters has been transferred to the GIS platform to construct a water quality database and map of spatial distribution for each parameter using the inverse distance weight (IDW technique). The results of these parameters were also used to calculate irrigation water quality index values, and transferred to the GIS platform for the production of the water quality index map. The spatial distribution index of drinking water in Habbaniya Lake is depicted on this map. It shows that WQI for all water samples is within the second category (50-100) except (S 5 and S 8) below the second category (<50). The short-scope of WQI indicates that the water quality of Habbaniya Lake has been considered as convergent water quality that fluctuated from excellent water to good water for human drinking. It shows also that the northwestern part of Habbaniya Lake waters is more appropriate for drinking since the Al-Warar Canal drains in this part, which takes its water mainly from the Euphrates River

    The Role of the Qur'an in Preserving the Two Poles of Society from Disintegration - Men and Women - (Equality) as a Model

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    Issues of rights entrusted to women are always raised, and their application varies between constitutional systems and laws in most societies, with women taking their place in society, and there is no dispute about that; rather, the dispute is the accusation that is directed directly at the Islamic religion without a deep and comprehensive understanding that it is unfair to women's rights and has spoiled her life. The most important of these is the demand for the equality of women and men alike; this is where the conscious Muslim is irritated. The Holy Qur'an has clarified and still clarifies the rights of women and their leading role in society, and it always seeks to promote them toward a peaceful life that preserves rights and duties, free of misunderstanding. Our society today and its nuclear families are in greater need of further evaluation, due to several problems that have arisen around them, leading to their dismantling. Therefore, the two poles of society---women and men---are the most prominent features of society. Keywords: polar society, equality, disintegratio

    COMPARISON OF HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM GULF COUNTRIES AND PAKISTAN; A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT SECTOR- SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

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    Background: Education is the basic need and requirement of every individual. higher education is the strength competency and capability development of the student and the learner. Amanagement of higher education is necessary and essential for the management Strategies and learning prospectus. Different societies have different educational paradigms that require legislation and rule on the basis of their own social dynamics. Aim: The Aim of the present study is to understand the comparative higher education system among the Gulf countries and Pakistan regarding their private and governmental sector educational organization. Method Data for the research purpose was collected from all the research conducted between 2017 and 2021 written in the English language through the electronic search engine of Maxton, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge databases: Google Scholar, Cochrane Collaboration, Emerald insight, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Taylor &amp; Frances, Science Direct, ASSIA, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and JSTOR. Keywords used in the research included: higher education systems, Private and government sectors, Gulf countries, and Pakistan, Using syntaxes such as “and”, “or”, “with”, “if” etc. Conclusion: Gulf countries have their own in-rooted legislation for higher education and Pakistan has family designed Higher Education Commission that is working under the ministry of education having international and national relationships with reputed organizations and institutions for the sake of educational development. Qatar's higher education system is working under the ministry of education for the development of based computers and skill development.&nbsp

    Literature Review of Cement Matrices and Fibers Used in SIFCON

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    Conventional concrete is categorized as brittle. As a result, researchers continued working to develop it into a substance having ductile characteristics. Concrete showed remarkable improvement when fiber was incorporated at a ratio of 1-2%. Slurry-infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) allows for the use of up to 20% more fiber when combined with unique cement slurry. Concrete that was produced had increased strength and ductility. The influence of slurry and fiber forms with different volumes on the resistance of concrete to compression, flexural, shear, and bond was the main focus of this review study. The outcomes of several previous&nbsp;investigations revealed a significant relationship between the strength of concrete and the slurry mixture, fiber type, and fiber volume. Additionally, it was shown that the majority of research all agreed that certain methods should be followed when employing a volume of more than 5% fiber. These processes entail employing fine-sand less than 1 mm in size to create a suitable cement slurry and replacing up to 30% of the cement with fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and metakaolin to create a cement slurry capable of penetrating interlocking with fiber of all forms and volumes
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