3D seismic geomorphology of fluvial systems

Fluvial sandstones constitute one of the major clastic petroleum reservoir types in many sedimentary basins around the world. This is especially true in the Tertiary basins of Southeast Asia, which display a wide range of fluvial channel reservoir types. This study is based on the analysis of high-resolution, shallow (seabed to ca. 500 m depth) 3D seismic data which provide exceptional imaging of the geometry, dimension and temporal and spatial distribution of fluvial channels. The Malay Basin comprises a thick (>8 km), rift to post-rift Oligo-Miocene to Pliocene basin-fill. The youngest (Miocene to Pliocene), post-rift succession is dominated by a thick (1-5 km), cyclic succession of coastal plain and coastal deposits, which accumulated in a humidtropical climatic setting. This study focuses on the Pleistocene to Recent (ca. 500 m thick) succession, which comprises a range of seismic facies, mainly reflecting changes in fluvial channel style and gross stratigraphic architecture. The succession has been divided into four seismic units (Unit 1-4), bounded by basin-wide stratal surfaces. Units 3 and 4 have been further divided into two sub-units. Two types of boundaries have been identified: 1) a boundary that is defined by a regionally-extensive erosion surface at the base of a prominent incised valley (e.g. Horizons C.1 and D.1); 2) a sequence boundary that is defined by more weakly-incised, straight and low-sinuosity channels which is interpreted as lowstand alluvial bypass channel systems (e.g. Horizons A, B, C, and D). Each unit displays a predictable vertical change of the channel pattern and scale, with wide low-sinuosity channels at the base passing gradationally upwards into narrow high-sinuosity channels at the top. The wide variation in channel style and size is interpreted to be controlled mainly by the sea-level fluctuations on the widely flat and tectonically-quiescent Sundaland Platform

The relationship between the values of Abu-Dhabi police and the competencies of their project managers

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyTo ensure greater success in its regular projects, Abu-Dhabi Police (ADP) is working on: training their project managers, applying project management software, utilising the services of engineering consultants, etc. However, the performance and outcomes of its projects are still not fully meeting the desired expectations. Therefore, a study to understand some of the undermining factors was carried out. A critical literature review was carried out initially where it was established that project delivery and outcomes are affected in part by the three overarching factors of: project managers’ characteristics, organizational culture and project management culture. On this basis a conceptual framework was developed highlighting how these 3 compound factors affect project performance and outcome; and in particular how ADP’s values relate with the competencies of their project managers. The empirical aspects involved the use of mixed methods where the first part was a quantitative survey of the understanding and achievement of both ADP’s 5 values (part of organizational culture) and 15 competencies (part of project manager’s characteristics), as well as the impact of the former on the later. A questionnaire was administered to 157 people for data collection and 71 fully completed responses were obtained, representing a response rate of 45%. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the levels of achievement of ADP’s values and competencies, which were found to be high. The analysis went on to use ordered logistic regression to examine the association between the attainment of ADP’s values and competencies. The findings showed that the 5 values impact on the competencies of ADP’s project managers differently; for example, the value of ‘integrity and honesty’ impacts heavily on the 5 competencies of Integration management, Scope management, Time management, Achieving and action, and Leadership; while the value of ‘effective communication’ impacts heavily on the 3 competencies of Scope management, Cost management, and Achieving and action. An advanced training programme was subsequently developed for ADP to further increase the attainment of values and competencies by their project managers. This programme was developed in focus group discussions that involved some selected project managers who had long working experience and high understanding of ADP project schemes. A further round of focus group discussions was also used to validate this advanced training programme

Risk and Efficiency in Banking: A Comparative Study between Islamic and Conventional Banking

Purpose: The main aim of this study is to address the current gap in banking risk and efficiency literature by investigating risk and efficiency levels, identify risk and efficiency determinants. This thesis examines banking risk from one side and efficiency from another. The study also provides a comparative study between Islamic and conventional banking in an effort to provide clear, wide, understandable results. Methodology: The study’s methodology will be applied according to three main steps: first, estimating risk and efficiency levels. Second, investigating risk and efficiency determinants. And finally, identifying those potential variables affecting risk and efficiency through the SUR approach. Risk and efficiency levels are as follows; Risk figures by applying three potential risk indicators and efficiency levels through The Data Enveloping Analysis (DEA) approach. The study will also apply the methodology in two different scenarios: first, with Islamic banks; and second, with conventional banks. This step is taken in order to present comparable results amongst the different banking systems, which would produce clearer, wider and more understandable findings. Sample: The study covers a sample of major banks in the MENA area for the period spanning 2006–2015. Countries included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Sudan. Results: After using two proxies to measure credit risk, the study has found that credit risk in Islamic and conventional banks is similar. A slight rise in loan loss reserve for conventional and a slight rise in non-performing loans in Islamic. The overall results show a similar credit risk levels in both Islamic and conventional banks in MENA. Insolvency risk was different, as Islamic banks reported higher risk levels compared to conventional banks. Z scores were higher in conventional banks indicating that insolvency risk in Islamic banks was higher. The study has found that efficiency levels in Islamic banks were also similar to efficiency levels in conventional banks. The Sharī‘ah’ compliance regulations did not affect the level of efficiency in Islamic banks performing in MENA. The study has investigated the impact of the global financial crisis on credit risk, insolvency risk and efficiency. The study found Islamic and conventional banks in MENA experienced an increase in credit risk. Both Islamic and conventional banks were less stable after the global financial with lower Z scores reported after the crisis. Banks in MENA were more efficient after the crisis. Efficiency scores were higher after the crisis compared to those reported before or during the crisis

Connectedness between cryptocurrency and technology sectors: International evidence

© 2020 Elsevier Inc. This paper investigates the connectedness between the technology sector and cryptocurrency markets using Diebold and Yilmaz\u27s (2012, 2014) network connectedness measures. The data cover the period from August 1, 2014 to October 31, 2018. Despite the existence of significant interconnectedness between technology sectors worldwide, the results show that contributions from and to the cryptocurrency market are negligible. The cryptocurrency market appears to be less integrated with the technological system and structurally less exposed to systemic risk. To check robustness, application of Fernández-Macho\u27s (2018) wavelet local multiple correlations found an almost exact linear relationship between global technology sectors for periods of quarterly and longer. Additionally, the Granger causality test confirmed the independence results except for in Japan, Turkey and the USA, where possible changes in cryptocurrency prices may be effective in predicting returns. These findings provide insights for cryptocurrency regulators and potential investors around the world

Environmental impact assessment of nanomaterials in the aquatic environment

Nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing technologies in the world. Silver nanomaterials (Ag NMs) and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are the most commonly used NMs in consumer products for their antimicrobial properties and for their unique mechanical and electrical properties. Their use can lead to contamination of the aquatic environment. In this research study, the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata was used to identify the impacts of NMs on the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to carry out an evaluation of the toxicity of Ag NMs and MWCNTs via acute exposure to R. subcapitata. Moreover, two types of sonication – bath and probe – were used for comparison, to evaluate how suspension methods may affect NMs. DLS and TEM were used for NM characterisation. The probe-sonication dispersion method was a more effective process to prepare Ag NM suspensions since they were dispersed better, compared to bath sonication. However, the probe sonication was not an appropriate way for MWCNTs preparation. The OECD 201 test guideline was used to evaluate the toxicity of representative NM at 24, 48 and 72 h. Effects were assessed by using the following four different methods: chlorophyll extraction; optical density; protein content, and photosynthetic activity. The impact of the sonication method (bath or probe) used to prepare NM dispersions on the toxicity to algae was also evaluated. Overall outputs, based on chlorophyll extraction, demonstrated a high sensitivity of R. subcapitata exposed to Ag NMs and MWCNTs, which led to an increase in growth inhibition with increasing concentration of the tested materials. The chlorophyll extraction method was the best method for evaluating the algal biomass with a clear concentration response and no interference of the NMs with the method. Evidence for internalisation of Ag NMs into the R. subcapitata cells was shown for Ag NM dispersed using the probe-sonication methods, lower levels of Ag NM uptake were observed for bath sonicated Ag NMs. Finally, the role of oxidative stress in NM toxicity to algae was investigated. This highlighted an enhanced anti-oxidant defence system of R. subcapitata when subjected to NM suspensions prepared by probe sonication, as compared to bath sonication. In summary, this research has shown that Ag NMs are more toxic to R. subcapitata than MWCNTs and that the sonication method used to suspend the NMs affects toxicity, as Ag NMs show higher toxicity when dispersed by bath sonication, whereas MWCNTs are more toxic when dispersed via probe sonication. It is of the utmost importance to consider carefully NM dispersion approaches, particularly when devising standard methods. It is also very important to understand how dispersant NMs may be affected by different dispersion methods

Medical Students’ Attitudes and Influential Factors Towards Conducting Medical Research

Background: Medical research is becoming an essential part of medical students’ curricula in several medical colleges around Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess medical students' attitudes towards conducting medical research and identify their motives.   Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted between December 2021 and April 2022 and used the Student Attitude Towards Research (SAR) scale and the students’ perceived influential factors toward participating in research activities questionnaire. A 5-Likert scale was used to assess the level of students’ agreement from ‘strongly disagree=1’, ‘disagree=2’, ‘neutral=3’, ‘agree=4’, to ‘strongly agree=5’. Demographic information such as gender, year of study, and previously published research was collected. The survey was distributed among medical students in the college of medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Jeddah and Riyadh campuses, Saudi Arabia. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical values and report any differences. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.   Results: A total of 500 responses were collected from the students (67.2% males and 32.8% females). Most students agreed with the following statements ‘Research is important for identifying and investigating problems in a subject matter’ (N=399, 79.8%) and ‘I am much interested in participating in research activities at the undergraduate level’ (N=318, 63.6%). There was a significant difference among students in responses to following statement: ‘I am always getting the chance to discuss about the scientific/academic research in my class) (P=0.022). Female students agreed more than male students that ‘faculty have adequate skills to handle research methodology’ (3.93±1.01 vs. 3.7±1.06, P=0.014). Furthermore, a significant difference was found in the following statement: ‘faculty members use research findings as a part of their teaching material’ (P <.001). The students agreed that their college has adequate infrastructure to organize research programs (N=321, 64.2%, P=0.005). The top four influential factors towards conducting medical research were ‘to facilitate entry into competitive residency programs’ (4.248) followed by ‘having an interest in specific research field or medical topic’ (4.226) and ‘to improve curriculum vitae (CV)’ (4.202) then ‘it is a necessary competency for future clinical work’ (4.164). A 5-Likert scale was used to calculate the average of the students’ responses where 5 indicates ‘strongly agree’ and 1 indicate ‘strongly disagree’.   Conclusion: The students showed a positive attitude towards conducting medical research at the undergraduate level. The influential factors highlighted how students conduct research to advance their careers and explore their interest in a specific field or medical topic. This study is important for decision-makers, residency program directors, and research center directors to reconsider published research & research activities as a prerequisite for acceptance into competitive programs. Future studies ought to investigate if medical students pursue research activities after college, their attitudes, and influential factors as well as to investigate the research skills they have and how they acquired them

Acute Appendicitis among Saudi and Non-Saudi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Based Study

Objective: We conduct this study to discuss the differences between Saudi and non- Saudi patients with acute appendicitis.Background: Acute appendicitis is one of emergency surgeries in developing and developed countries. Its symptoms are vomiting, lower abdominal pain and decreased appetite. Appendicitis needs urgent surgical prouder to avoid its perforation and associated complications which may lead to death. Method: We conduct cross-sectional based study in one of khamis Mushayt, Saudi Araba. 136 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis were included and their medical records were reviewed after getting their informed consent.Results: We included 136 patients, 90 were non-Saudi and 46 were Saudi. There were no statistically differences in their diagnosis but the distribution of the diagnosis was different.Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was more prevalent among non-Saudi patients, the diagnosis between both was with no significant differences. Keywords: acute appendicitis, Saudi, non-Saudi, diagnosis, cross-sectional, Saudi Arabia and khamis Mushayt

Medical Students’ Attitudes and Influential Factors Towards Conducting Medical Research

Background: Medical research has become an essential part of medical students’ curricula at several medical colleges in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess medical students' attitudes and identify factors influencing their willingness to conduct medical research. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and April 2022 using the students' attitudes towards research and the students’ perceived influential factors toward participating in research activities questionnaires. A 5-Likert scale to calculate the average of the students’ responses, where 5 indicated ‘strongly agree’ and 1 indicated ‘strongly disagree’.  The survey was distributed to medical students at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 500 responses were collected from the students (67.2% male and 32.8% female). Most students agreed with the following statement: ‘Research is important for identifying and investigating problems in a subject matter’ (N=399, 79.8%). More than half of the students agreed with the following statement: ‘I am very interested in participating in research activities at the undergraduate level’ (N=318, 63.6%). The top three influential factors for conducting medical research were ‘to facilitate entry into competitive residency programs’, followed by ‘interest in specific research fields or medical topics’ and ‘to improve curriculum vitae (CV).’ Conclusion: The majority of the surveyed students showed a positive attitude towards conducting medical research in King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Most students conduct research to gain a competitive edge and explore specialties of interest