The Impacts of WTO and Water Policy Changes on Saudi Arabian Agriculture: Results from an Equilibrium Displacement Model

Saudi Arabia's food consumption has grown dramatically over time. There has been a sharp increase in food consumption and significant changes in the composition of food consumed. Therefore, it is important that the government of Saudi Arabia anticipate further effects of these changes on growth of food demand and focus on food policies that contribute to development goals. On the other hand, limited agricultural productivity and the nature of the country's climatic conditions have constrained agricultural production. This restricted growth in production, combined with population growth, has led Saudi Arabia to depend heavily on food imports to cover the gap between domestic demand and local production. The increased reliance on imports as a source of food will increase the country's import demand. These main problems facing the Saudi agricultural sector suggest the need for an analytical framework that can evaluate effects of policy and resource change on imports, local production and local demand simultaneously. Ideally, the framework should account for substitution and income effects across products that might arise from changes in consumption and production patterns. This is the main objective of this paper.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Benchmarking and comparison of software project human resource allocation optimization approaches

For the Staffing and Scheduling a Software Project (SSSP), one has to find an allocation of resources to tasks while considering parameters such skills and availability to identify the optimal delivery of the project. Many approaches have been proposed that solve SSSP tasks by representing them as optimization problems and applying optimization techniques and heuristics. However, these approaches tend to vary in the parameters they consider, such as skill and availability, as well as the optimization techniques, which means their accuracy, performance, and applicability can vastly differ, making it difficult to select the most suitable approach for the problem at hand. The fundamental reason for this lack of comparative material lies in the absence of a systematic evaluation method that uses a validation dataset to benchmark SSSP approaches. We introduce an evaluation process for SSSP approaches together with benchmark data to address this problem. In addition, we present the initial evaluation of five SSSP approaches. The results shows that SSSP approaches solving identical challenges can differ in their computational time, preciseness of results and that our approach is capable of quantifying these differences. In addition, the results highlight that focused approaches generally outperform more sophisticated approaches for identical SSSP problems

Theoretical background of rock failure at hydraulic seam fracture and aftereffect analysis

Purpose. Theoretical substantiation of the methodological foundations of possible effects and aftereffects identification of the hydraulic seam fracture (HSF) technology. Methods. The research structure and procedure includes: studying the power engineering aspect of the rock failure, the acoustical wave effects; thermodynamic analysis of rock failure, analysis of surfaces mechanoactivation at rock failure and aftereffect of the primary pore space self-development at the HSF due to the Rebinder’s effect. Findings. It was established that among the fundamental consistent patterns that determine the formation and development of the HSF technology aftereffects during formations mining, are the methodological provisions and criteria for failure parameters prediction and grinding effects, namely: the average and local energy density of geoenvironment destruction, efficiency of grinding, the average particle and pore size, the specific surface area, the specific energy consumption per unit of the resulting surface. The connection between the parameters of the acoustic wave and the size of the fractures, which forms the basis of the acoustic emission (AE) method, is experimentally confirmed. Originality. It is established that the database for evaluating the expected fracture effects in the working zone of the HSF is: AE activity, specific acoustic radiation, spectrum of signals, characteristic amplitudes under the condition of physical modeling on the model samples of the geoenvironment behavior. It is shown that the critical state of a substance corresponding to the beginning of failure at the microlevel should be considered from the standpoint of thermodynamics as a phase change (evaporation, sublimation) near the critical point, based on the temperature critical values and the specific energy of the phase change. The presence of surfaces mechanoactivation in the rock failure is experimentally proved. The hypothesis concerning the rock pore space development aftereffect during hydraulic seam fracture due to the Rebinder’s effect is presented. Practical implications. It is proposed to size up the degree of geoenvironment destruction in the process of the HSF by the Kd parameter, which is equal to the product of the maximum amplitude of acoustic signals on the total acoustic activity of the destruction zone. It is established that the conditions for rock failure at the HSF are determined by the relationship between the rock pressure P and the volume energy density W of the failure. It is shown that the level of surfaces mechanoactivation can be estimated by adsorption characteristics – the adsorption potential and the pH of the newly discovered surfaces.Мета. Теоретичне обґрунтування методологічних основ встановлення умов прояву можливих ефектів і пост-ефектів технології гідравлічного розриву пласта (ГРП). Методика. Структура та послідовність проведення дослідження включає вивчення енергетичного аспекту руйнування гірського масиву, дії акустичних хвиль, термодинамічний аналіз руйнування гірського масиву, аналіз механоактивації поверхонь при руйнуванні гірського масиву та пост-ефекту саморозвитку первинного пористого простору ГРП внаслідок дії ефекту Ребіндера. Застосовано метод акустичної емісії, потенціометрії та рН-метрії. Результати. Встановлено, що до числа фундаментальних закономірностей, які визначають формування і розвиток пост-ефектів технології ГРП при відпрацюванні продуктивних пластів, відносяться методичні положення й критерії для прогнозу показників руйнування та ефектів подрібнення, а саме: середньої та локальної густини енергії при руйнуванні геосередовища, ККД подрібнення, середній розмір часток і пор, питома поверхня, питомі витрати енергії на одиницю одержаної поверхні. Експериментально підтверджений зв’язок між параметрами акустичної хвилі та розміром тріщин, що складає основу методу акустичної емісії (АЕ). Наукова новизна. Встановлено, що базу інформації для оцінки очікуваних у робочій зоні ГРП ефектів руйнувань складають активність АЕ, питоме акустичне випромінювання, спектр сигналів, характерні амплітуди за умови фізичного моделювання поведінки геосередовища на модельних зразках. Визначено, що граничний стан речовини, що відповідає початку руйнування на мікрорівні, слід розглядати з позицій термодинаміки як фазовий перехід (випаровування, сублімація) поблизу критичної точки, виходячи із критичних значень температури і питомої енергії фазового переходу. Експериментально доведено наявність механоактивації поверхонь при руйнуванні гірського масиву. Висунута гіпотеза щодо пост-ефекту розвитку пористого простору гірського масиву при ГРП у контексті дії ефекту Ребіндера. Практична значимість. Запропоновано оцінювати ступінь руйнування геосередовища у процесі ГРП показником Кр, що дорівнює добутку максимальної амплітуди акустичних сигналів на сумарну акустичну активність зони руйнування. Встановлено, що умови руйнування гірського масиву при ГРП детермінуються співвідношенням між гірським тиском Р і об’ємною густиною енергії W деформації. Показано, що ступінь механоактивації поверхонь може бути оцінена за характеристиками адсорбції – потенціалом адсорбції та показником рН нововідкритих поверхонь.Цель. Теоретическое обоснование методологических основ установления условий проявления возможных эффектов и пост-эффектов технологии гидравлического разрыва пласта (ГРП). Методика. Структура и последовательность проведения исследования включает изучение энергетического аспекта разрушения горного массива, действия акустических волн, термодинамический анализ разрушения горного массива, анализ механоактивации поверхностей при разрушении горного массива и пост-эффекта саморазвития первичного пористого прострагства ГРП в результате действия эффекта Ребиндера. Применен метод акустической эмиссии, потенциометрии и рН-метрии. Результаты. Установлено, что к числу фундаментальных закономерностей, определяющих формирование и развитие пост-эффектов технологии ГРП при отработке продуктивных пластов, относятся методические положения и критерии для прогноза показателей разрушения и эффектов измельчения, а именно: средней и локальной плотности энергии при разрушении геосреды, КПД измельчения, средний размер частиц и пор, удельная поверхность, удельные затраты энергии на единицу полученной поверхности. Экспериментально подтверждена связь между параметрами акустической волны и размером трещин, что составляет основу метода акустической эмиссии (АЭ). Научная новизна. Установлено, что базу информации для оценки ожидаемых в рабочей зоне ГРП эффектов разрушений составляют актитивность АЭ, удельное акустическое излучение, спектр сигналов, характерные амплитуды при условии физического моделирования поведения геосреды на модельных образцах. Определено, что предельное состояние вещества, отвечающее началу разрушения на микроуровне, следует рассматривать с позиций термодинамики как фазовый переход (испарение, сублимация) вблизи критической точки, исходя из критических значений температуры и удельной энергии фазового перехода. Экспериментально доказано наличие механоактивации поверхностей при разрушении горного массива. Выдвинута гипотеза относительно пост-эффекта развития пористого пространства горного массива при ГРП в контексте действия эффекта Ребиндера. Практическая значимость. Предложено оценивать степень разрушения геосреды в процессе ГРП показателем Кр, который равен произведению максимальной амплитуды акустических сигналов на суммарную акустическую активность зоны разрушения. Установлено, что условия разрушения горного массива при ГРП детерминируются соотношением между горным давлением Р и объемной плотностью энергии W деформации. Показано, что степень механоактивации поверхностей может быть оценен по характеристикам адсорбции – потенциалом адсорбции и показателем рН новооткрытых поверхностей.The authors express their gratitude to Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Vilian Mykolayovych Bovenko for valuable advices when conducting research. In addition, thanks to Doctor of Engineering Sciences Anatolii Dmytrovych Aleksieiev for the opportunity to use a unique research unit of non-uniform triaxial load and research method revision. The authors thank to Candidate of Engineering Sciences Iryna Mykhailivna Yuriivska for consultations on the use of her original method of mechanoactivation study

Towards a Shared Vision on International Agricultural Research

Opening statement at the Global Forum on Agricultural Research held during CGIAR International Centers Week, October-November 1996, by IFAD President and GFAR Chairman Fawzi H. Al-Sulta

The Genetics of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Current Insights

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in loss of the upper and lower motor neurons from motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Whilst the majority of cases are sporadic, around 10% show familial inheritance. ALS is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, though autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance do occur. To date, 24 of the genes at 26 loci have been identified; these include loci linked to ALS as well as to FTD-ALS, where family pedigrees contain individuals with frontotemporal dementia with/without ALS. The most commonly established genetic causes of FALS to date are the presence of a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene (39.3% FALS) and mutation of SOD1, TARDBP and FUS, with frequencies of 12-23.5%, 5% and 4.1% respectively. However, with the increasing use of next generation sequencing of small family pedigrees, this has led to an increasing number of genes associated with ALS. This review provides a comprehensive review on the genetics of ALS and an update of the pathogenic mechanisms associated with these genes. Commonly implicated pathways have been established, including RNA processing, the protein degradation pathways of autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome-system as well as protein trafficking and cytoskeletal function. Elucidating the role genetics plays in both FALS and SALS is essential for understanding the subsequent cellular dysregulation that leads to motor neuron loss, in order to develop future effective therapeutic strategies

Frondoside A suppressive effects on lung cancer survival, tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis

A major challenge for oncologists and pharmacologists is to develop less toxic drugs that will improve the survival of lung cancer patients. Frondoside A is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from the sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa and was shown to be a highly safe compound. We investigated the impact of Frondoside A on survival, migration and invasion in vitro, and on tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis in vivo alone and in combination with cisplatin. Frondoside A caused concentration-dependent reduction in viability of LNM35, A549, NCI-H460-Luc2, MDA-MB-435, MCF-7, and HepG2 over 24 hours through a caspase 3/7-dependent cell death pathway. The IC50 concentrations (producing half-maximal inhibition) at 24 h were between 1.7 and 2.5 mu M of Frondoside A. In addition, Frondoside A induced a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis in vitro. Frondoside A (0.01 and 1 mg/kg/day i.p. for 25 days) significantly decreased the growth, the angiogenesis and lymph node metastasis of LNM35 tumor xenografts in athymic mice, without obvious toxic side-effects. Frondoside A (0.1-0.5 mu M) also significantly prevented basal and bFGF induced angiogenesis in the CAM angiogenesis assay. Moreover, Frondoside A enhanced the inhibition of lung tumor growth induced by the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. These findings identify Frondoside A as a promising novel therapeutic agent for lung cancer

Application of a new grading scale for tear ferning in non-dry eye and dry eye subjects

The final publication is available at Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2014.09.007 © 2014. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Purpose: To apply the Masmali tear ferning (TF) grading scale on non-dry eye (NDE) and dry eye (DE) subjects to test the validity of the grading scale in practice, and to describe the grading scale range for NDE and DE. Method: Forty NDE subjects (20 males, 20 females) and 40 DE subjects (23 males, 17 females) ranging in age from 19 to 53 years (mean ± SD: 25.3 ± 5.5) with no other ocular disease, no contact lens wear, and not pregnant or breastfeeding were recruited. McMonnies scores were used for subject grouping. Phenol red thread (PRT) and slit-lamp test were used. A tear sample was collected from right eye, which was then dried to produce a ferning pattern, that was observed using a digital microscope, and graded. Results: Mean McMonnies, PRT and TF grade in NDE subjects were 7.1 ± 3.8, 27.4 ± 4.3 mm and 0.78 ± 0.40, respectively. Median McMonnies, PRT and TF grade in DE subjects were 16.5 ± 3.0, 9.0 ± 2.0 mm and 2.3 ± 1.48, respectively. In NDE subjects, grades 0.0–1.8 were observed (82.5% Grade 0.0–1.00). Grades 2.0–4.0 were observed in DE subjects (72.5% Grades 2.0–3.0). For all subjects, there were large correlations between TF grade and PRT (r = −0.79), PRT and McMonnies (r = −0.60), and TF and McMonnies (r = 0.73). Conclusions: The Masmali TF grading scale showed good validity in describing the TF patterns. Grades ≥2 can be classified as abnormal patterns. The TF test has the potential to be used in the clinic