Qatar National Bank and Degree of Solvency

In June 2017, four countries in the Middle East led by Saudi Arabia imposed an embargo on Qatar. In response, confidence in Qatari banks was considerably shaken. Our research investigates the evolution in the Probability of Default (PD) of Qatar National Bank (QNB), the largest financial institution in Qatar using Merton’s distance to default methodology. We contrast the level of the PD during 5 critical events in the region and observe how these incidents have impacted the credit risk of QNB

Excess Molar Volume Calculation and Viscosity Deviation and Excess Gibbs Energy for Binary Solution of 1- Propanol with Butyl Acetate at Temperatures (40,50,60) 0C

تم في هذا البحث دراسة عملية الانحلال في  المحلول الثنائي (بروبانول-1 مع خلات البيوتيل)، وذلك عند درجات الحرارة .(40,50,60) 0C حيث تم قياس كل من قيم الكثافة ρ بطريقة البيكنومتر واللزوجة ƞ بطريقة مقياس أنبوب أوستفالد المعاير بالماء المقطر ثم تم حساب الحجم المولي الإضافي  لكل من المكونات النقية ومحاليلها التي تم تحضيرها على كامل مجال التركيب المولي للمحلول، وقد لوحظ أن قيم الحجم المولي الإضافي تأخذ قيماً سالبة عند جميع درجات الحرارة بعد ذلك تحديد كل من قيم الانحراف في اللزوجة ∆ƞ، وطاقة جيبس الإضافية GE∆  ولوحظ أيضاً أنها تأخذ قيماً سالبة عند جميع درجات الحرارة وقد تم ربط قيم كل من الحجم المولي الإضافي والانحراف في اللزوجة وطاقة جيبس الإضافية بمعادلة Redlich-Kister  ذات النوع كثيرات الحدود ,كما تم حساب الانحراف المعياري بين القيم التجريبية والقيم الحسابية وكانت قيمته مقبولة وتبين تأثير تشكل الروابط الهيدروجينية والشكل الفراغي للجزيئات وحجمها على الخصائص الترموديناميكية الاضافية.In this research, the solubility Process of the binary liquid solution(1-Propanol and butyl acetate) were studied at temperature(40,50.60)0C. Densities ρ by pycnometer method and viscosity ƞ by OSTWALD tube that calibrated with distilled water was measured. Then excess molar volume was calculated of pure component and its mixtures that was prepared over the entire mole fraction range. It has been observed that excess molar volumes values were negative at all temperatures. After that, the deviation in viscosity ∆ ƞ  and Excess Gibbs free energy ∆GE was determined and it has been observed that it takes negative values at all temperatures. Excess molar volume, deviation in viscosity, excess Gibbs free energy were correlated with Redlich-Kister equation Type polynomial and the showed an accepted standard deviation between the experimental and calculated values it has been shown the effect of Hydrogen bonds formation and the spherical shape for the molecules and its size on the excess thermodynamic properties

Economic, Social And Clinical Evaluations Of Diabetes Self Management Program At Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Center : Comparison Between Structured And Less Structured Educational Programs [RC660. H126 2008 f rb].

Kes-kes penyakit diabetes mellitus (DM) di dunia meningkat dengan banyaknya masa kini. Tambahan lagi, banyak komplikasi yang serius boleh berlaku akibat penyakit DM dan ini boleh memberi kesan negatif ke atas kualiti hidup individu serta meningkatkan beban ekonomi negara. Diabetes mellitus is increasing tremendously in the world. In addition, many serious complications could result from diabetes which would affect on the quality of life and would increase the economical burden in the country

Removal of Suspended Solids Using Pumice Stone in Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge Process

عند انتهاء العمر التصميمي لمحطات المعالجة لابد من إجراء تعديلات للمحافظة على المردود، في الوقت الحاضر يفضل في محطات معالجة مياه الصرف الصحي القيام بالتعديلات وذلك لأنها أكثر فعالية من حيث التكلفة، وتستخدم الحوض الموجود بدلا من بناء أحواض جديدة، يتم عادة استخدام مواد مستوردة كحوامل بيولوجية لزيادة الكتلة الحيوية وبالتالي المحافظة على المردود مع زيادة الحمل العضوي القادم.في هذه الدراسة تم استخدام مادة محلية "حجر الخفان" كحامل بيولوجي في حوض التهوية، وإجراء التجارب على خمس مراحل: دون حوامل بيولوجية، وبنسبة ملء بحجر الخفان 4%، 10%،20% 25%، وكان التحميل العضوي الاعظم في كل مرحلة (1.1884، 1.2144، 1.9432، 2.7768، 3.3141 g BOD /l.d ( على التوالي للحفاظ على مردود المحطة 82% في إزالة SS .أجريت تجارب اخرى لمعرفة أفضل نسبة ملء، كانت نسبة إزالة SS (67.57، 69.5 ، 79.44، 89.61، و99.2)% عند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء(0، 4، 10، 20، و25 ) % على التوالي، وذلك عند التحميل العضوي 2 ± 0.0528  g BOD /l.d .أي أن أفضل نسبة ملء بحجر الخفان هي 25 %. في هذا البحث تم استخدام مادة محلية "حجر الخفان" كحامل بيولوجي في حوض التهوية، وإجراء التجارب على خمس مراحل: دون حوامل بيولوجية، نسبة ملء بحجر الخفان 4%، 10%،20% 25%، وكان الحمل العضوي الاعظمي في كل مرحلة (1.1884، 1.2144، 1.9432، 2.7768، 3.3141 )  g BOD /l.d على التوالي للحفاظ على مردود المحطة 82% في إزالة SS . كانت نسبة إزالة SS دون حوامل بيولوجية وعند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء4% (82.86 % ،84.96 %)على التوالي، وذلك عند الحمل العضوي1.15 ±0.0384 g BOD /l.d  ، وعند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء 4% و 10%  كانت نسبة إزالة SS ( 80.36 %،91.59%) على التوالي، وذلك عند الحمل العضوي 1.25±0.024 g BOD /l.d ، وعند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء 10% و 20%  كانت نسبة إزالة SS ( 79.44%،91.23%) على التوالي، وذلك عند الحمل العضوي 2 ±0.0528 g BOD /l.d، وعند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء 20% و 25%  كانت نسبة إزالة SS (80.45 %،92.28%) على التوالي، وذلك عند الحمل العضوي 2.85 ±0.0624 g BOD /l.d.  أي تحسن المردود عند استخدام حجر الخفان بنسبة ملء 4% ، 10%، 20% و 25% بمقدار 2.1% ،11.23 % ،11.79 % ، و 11.83% على التواليWastewater treatment plants operators prefer to make adjustments because they are more cost effective, to use the existing tank instead of building new ones. In this case an imported materials would be  used as bio-loads to increase biomass and thus maintain efficiency as the next organic loading increases.In the present study, a local substance "pumice stone" was used as a biological carrier in the aeration tank, and the experiments were carried out in five stages: without biological carriers, filling ratio of 4%,10%,20%, and25% with pumice stone, the maximum organic loading at each stage (1.1884, 1.2144, 1.9432, 2.7768, 3.3141)g BOD /l.d respectively.Other experiments were carried out to determine the best filling ratio, the SS removal ratio was (67.57%, 69.5%,79.44%,89.61%,and 99.2%) when the filling ratio with pumice stone was (0, 4, 10, 20, and 25)%  respectively, at organic loading 2 ± 0.0528 g BOD /l.d, so the best filling ratio of pumice stone was 25% . In this case an imported materials would be  used as bio-loads to increase biomass and thus maintain efficiency as the next organic loading increases. In this research, a local substance "pumice stone" was used as a biological carrier in the aeration tank, and the experiments were carried out in five stages: without biological carriers, filling ratio of 4%,10%,20%, and25% with pumice stone, The maximum organic loading at each stage (1.1884, 1.2144, 1.9432, 2.7768, 3.3141)g BOD /l.d respectively. The SS removal ratio was when we operatio without biological carriers and with pumice stone with a filling ratio of 4% (82.86 % and 84.96 %) respectively, at organic loading 1.15 ± 0.0384 g BOD / d, the SS removal ratio when using pumice stone with a filling ratio of 4% and 10% was (80.36%, 91.59%) respectively, at organic loading 1.25 ± 0.024 g BOD /l.d The SS removal ratio when using pumice stone with a filling ratio of 10% and 20% was (79.44%, 91.23%) respectively, at organic loading 2 ± 0.0528 g BOD /l.d ,  and The SS removal ratio when using pumice stone with a filling ratio of 20% and 25% was (80.45 %, 92.28%) respectively, at organic loading 2.85 ± 0.0624 g BOD /l.d ,which means there is  improvement in yield using pumice stone with filling ratio 4%,10%,20 and 25% by 2.1% ,11.23%,11.79% and 11.83%, respectively

Radial Access in Primary PCI for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Transradial approach (TRA) is now considered the standard of care in many centers for elective and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The use of the radial approach in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients has been associated with a significant reduction in major adverse cardiac events. However, it is still unclear if the side of radial access (right vs. left) has impact on safety and effectiveness of TRA in primary PCI. So this chapter was conducted to summarize the benefits of transradial access over transfemoral access based on the most recent studies and to compare between using either right radial or left radial as an access for transradial procedure

General public knowledge, perceptions and practice towards pharmaceutical drug advertisements in the Western region of KSA

AbstractThis study aims to examine general public knowledge and behavior toward pharmaceutical advertisements in the Western part of KSA. A cross sectional convenience sampling technique was used in this study. A total of 1445 valid questionnaires were received and analyzed using SPSS version 16 at alpha value of 0.05. Majority of respondents were aware of different types of drugs to be advertised and drug advertisements should seek approval from the health authorities. Television and Internet showed the highest effect on consumers. Almost half of the participants preferred an advertised drug over non-advertised one. Most of the respondents indicated that the quality of frequently advertised drugs is not better than those prescribed by the doctors. Majority of participants had positive beliefs toward advertised drugs concerning their role in education and spreading of awareness among the public. Pharmaceutical advertisements harm the doctor–patient relationship as evidenced by one-third of the investigated sample. Moreover, majority of the participants mentioned that they would consult another doctor or even change the current doctor if he/she refused to prescribe an advertised medication. Results of this study could be used to develop awareness programs for the general public and try to enforce the regulations and policies to protect the general public and patients from the business oriented pharmaceutical companies and drug suppliers

Improvement of Heavy Oil Recovery by Nonionic Surfactant/Alcohol Flooding in Light of the Alkane Carbon Number and Interfacial Tension Properties

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Egyptian authors were supported by the Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) under grant 30894. The authors from the UK would like to acknowledge the financial support from an Institutional Links grant, ID 352343681, under the Newton-Mosharafa Fund partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and delivered by the British Council. The authors would like to thank the EPRIEOR unit and staff as the surface and interfacial tension and contact angle measurements and chemical flooding tests were conducted at the EPRI-EOR unit.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Der Einfluß von Umweltfaktoren auf die Virulenz von Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Research into the importance of phosphate as an environmental signal molecule for multicellular behavior in the Pseudomonads P. aureofaciens and P. fluorescens recently uncovered a role of the Pho regulon in the formation of bacterial biofilms. Most interestingly, it was clearly demonstrated that PhoB activates a phosphodiesterase which decreases the intracellular c-di-GMP levels in P. fluorescens, thus providing a link between the Pho regulon and c-di-GMP signaling pathways that impact on biofilm formation. In this study we present evidence that in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa the Pho regulon inhibits biofilm formation and is required for the repression of the TTSS. We furthermore identified an EAL domain protein, referred to as RapA, as a down-stream effector of the Pho regulon, which at least partially mediated the observed inhibition. Although the Pho regulon contributed to inhibition of biofilm formation, it had no effect on CupA fimbriae expression or Psl exopolysaccharide expression, the common factors contribute to biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Interestingly, in contrast to P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain, the observed inhibition of the biofilm formation was Pho regulon-dependent but independent of the availability of inorganic phosphate in PA14 strain. The Pho regulon-dependent repression of TTSS was also independent of the availability of inorganic phosphate in PA14 strain. These results add even more complexity to the regulation of the bacterial behavior by environmental cues. We demonstrated that a wild-type derived flgF mutant exihibited an enhanced biofilm formation as compared to the wild-type as shown by CSLM. Moreover, ExoT expression was strongly enhanced in the flgF mutant as compared to the wild-type indicating that the FlgF, similar to Pho regulon, negatively influences virulence phenotype (inhibition of biofilm formation and repression of the type three secretion system). We found that Pho regulon has no influence on the FlgF or flagella. Although the transcriptome analysis of the flgF mutant compared to the wild-type did not uncover an influence of FlgF on Pho regulon, it confirmed that the TTSS is negative regulated by the FlgF because most of genes encoding for TTSS were up-regulated. Moreover, pyochelin encoding genes were strongly down-regulated. We illustrated that both of the Pho regulon and the FlgF affect the production of siderophores. The pyochelin production was enhanced by PhoB and FlgF. The pyoverdine production was enhanced by PhoB but inhibited by FlgF. We also found that both of the Pho regulon and the FlgF are regulating the same virulence phenotype but independently. Our results add more complexity to the regulation of biofilm formation and TTSS expression in P. aeruginosa.Untersuchungen über die Bedeutung von Phosphat als umweltbedingtes Signalmolekül für ein multizelluläres Verhalten der Pseudomonaden P. aureofaciens und P. fluorescens haben kürzlich die Rolle des Pho Regulons in der Ausbildung von Biofilmen enthüllt. Interessanterweise wurde eindeutig gezeigt, dass PhoB eine Phosphodiesterase aktiviert, die den intrazellulären c-di-GMP Spiegel in P. fluorescens absenkt. Hierdurch wird eine Verknüpfung zwischen dem Pho Regulon und c-di-GMP Signalwegen, welche ebenfalls einen Einfluss auf die Biofilmbildung haben, erstellt. In dieser Arbeit wurde nachgewiesen, dass das Pho Regulon auch in dem opportunistischen Krankheitserreger P. aeruginosa die Biofilmbildung inhibiert und für die Unterdrückung des Typ-Drei-Sekretionssystemes benötigt wird. Weiterhin wurde als ein Downstream Effektor des Pho Regulons ein EAL-Domänen Protein identifiziert, welches RapA genannt wurde und zumindest teilweise die beobachtete Inhibierung vermittelte. Obwohl das Pho Regulon zu einer Inhibierung der Biofilmbildung beitrug, hatte es keinen Effekt auf die Expression von CupA Fimbrien oder Psl Polysacchariden - allgemeinen Faktoren die zur Ausbildung von Biofilmen in P. aeruginosa beitragen. Im Gegensatz zu dem Stamm PAO1 war die beobachtete Hemmung der Biofilmbildung in dem Stamm PA14 zwar abhängig von dem Pho Regulon, aber unabhängig von Vorkommen an anorganischem Phosphat. Die Pho abhängige Unterdrückung des Typ-Drei-Sekretionssystems in PA14 war ebenfalls unabhängig von Vorkommen an anorganischen Phosphat. Diese Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Komplexität der Regulation bakteriellen Verhaltens durch Einflüsse aus der Umwelt. Weiterhin konnten wir durch CLSM zeigen, das eine vom Wildtyp abstammende flgF Mutante eine erhöhte Biofilmbildung im Vergleich zum Wildtyp aufweist. Außerdem war die ExoT Expression in der flgF Mutante im Vergleich zum Wildtyp stark erhöht. Das deutet darauf hin, dass FlgF, ähnlich wie das Pho-Regulon, den Virulenz-Phänotyp negativ beeinflusst (Inhibierung der Biofilmbildung und Unterdrückung des Typ-Drei-Sekretionssystems). Nachforschungen haben ergeben, dass das Pho Regulon keinen Einfluss auf FlgF oder Flagellen besitzt. Eine Transkriptionsanalyse der flgF Mutante im Vergleich zum Wildtyp ließ ebenfalls keinen Einfluss von FlgF auf das Pho-Regulon erkennen. Es wurde jedoch die negative Regulation des Typ-Drei-Sekretionssystemes durch FlgF bestätigt, da die meisten Gene, die für das Typ-Drei-Sekretionssystem kodieren, in der flgF Mutante hochreguliert waren. Zusätzlich waren Pyochelin kodierende Gene stark herunterreguliert. Schließlich konnten wir zeigen, dass beides, das Pho Regulon und FlgF, die Produktion von Siderophoren beeinflusst. Während die Pyochelinsynthese durch PhoB und FlgF erhöht wurde, wurde die Produktion von Pyoverdin durch PhoB erhöht, durch FlgF jedoch gehemmt. Wir konnten ebenfalls demonstrieren, dass das Pho Regulon und FlgF den selben Virulenz- Phänotyp regulieren, jedoch unabhängig voneinander

The Extent of Application the Accounting Concept of the Fair Value in the Jordanian Banks According to the Requirements of the International Accounting Standards

This Study aimed to identify the application concepts of fair value in Jordanian banks and to identify how to fair value measured , recorded , and disclosure in banks records . This study was applied on the Jordanian banks the size of study society was about ( 15 ) banks and ( 70 ) questionnaire has been submitted.For this purpose a questionnaire was designed and distributed to the accountants or financial manager to gather the necessary data to view results. The SPSS program was used for data analysis and hypotheses test. The study reached to a number of results , the most important are: 1-     The Jordanian banks to apply the fair value concepts in their records and from where ( measurement , disclosure ). 2-     The Jordanian banks not to apply the fair value concepts in measurement the trading liabilities. 3-     The Jordanian banks disclosure about the fair value effect on accounts that measuring in fair value. In the light of the above results it leads to the following recommendations the most important are: 1-   The Jordanian banks should held courses and inform the accountants about new developments that arise on fair value. 2-   The Jordanian banks should to adopt application the International Accounting Standards (IAS

Coping With The Risk Of Interest Rate Fluctuations: The Case Of Kuwait Banks

This study analyzed immunization behavior of a sample of eight Kuwait banks during the 1994 through 2000 period.  The financial market in Kuwait experienced relative stability of interest rates during the analysis period.  The sample banks seemed to adjust their portfolio of assets and liabilities by equating Macaulay duration of assets and Macaulay duration of liabilities.  We could not reject the null hypothesis that there is no difference between average Macaulay duration of assets and that of liabilities.  Our findings indicate that banks in Kuwait are able to match the durations of their assets and liabilities