Conversational Coherence: The Role of Inzeen (Okay) In Arabian Gulf Spoken Arabic

Conversational coherence is a joint effort in which interactants cooperate to construct discourse and sustain a conversation. Interlocutors use a variety of conversational markers to establish and facilitate the flow of conversation. This study examines a frequently used discourse marker in Arabian Gulf spoken variety of Arabic, Inzeen, which corresponds to Okay in spoken English. In particular, the study examines the position of this marker in conversational exchanges, its role in local and global conversational coherence (Van Dijk, 1985a, b), how it serves to establish coherence between units of discourse in conversational exchanges, and the discourse and communicative functions it serves. Inzeen is used by both sides of an interactional encounter to help speakers locate themselves and their utterances in the conversation. Analysis of naturally occurring conversations and exchanges in different contexts shows that this marker has a variety of discourse functions, mainly to establish coherence in the communicative exchange and create a framework for information structure

Effects of Common and Rare Genetic Variants of Apolipoprotein C4 on HDL-Cholesterol Levels

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major public health problem in western countries as it continues to be a leading cause of premature mortality and morbidity. Several risk factors contribute to CHD risk, including dyslipidemia with low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Meta analysis of genome wide linkage analysis in families with diverse ethnicity has revealed a strong linkage with different lipid traits on chromosome 19q13.2. There are several candidate genes present under this linkage region, including APOE/C1/C4/C2 gene cluster. With the exception of APOE, other genes in this cluster have not been extensively evaluated in relation to lipid profile. Therefore, identifying APOC4 genetic variants that modulate HDL-C level is a great public health importance. In this study we focused on the APOC4 gene and hypothesized that rare and common variants in this gene could affect plasma lipid levels. Integration of common variants common disease (CVCD) and rare variants common disease (RVCD) hypotheses has been conducted in a limited number of studies. The aim of this study was to identify both common and rare variants in APOC4 by sequencing individuals having extreme low and high HDL-C levels from U.S. non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and African Blacks, and to examine their effects on HDL-C and correlated lipid levels. In the sequencing analysis, a total of 65 variants were identified in NHWs and African Blacks. Of these 26 were present in NHWs and 51 in Blacks. Among NHWs, 31% of the low HDL-C group had rare or less common variants versus 10% of the high HDL-C group. On the other hand, reverse trend was observed in the Black sample (46% of the low HDL-C group versus 54% of the high HDL-C). Screening of these observed rare and common variants in the complete NHWs and Blacks dataset would provide more information about their association with plasma HDL-C and correlated lipid traits

Sustainable Development Goals Disclosure Practices through Integrated Reporting: An Empirical analysis on European Financial Institutions

The goal of the study is to investigate the state of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) disclosure in European financial institutions’ Integrated Reports. As a research approach, manual content analysis was adopted. The study developed a disclosure index as a research tool comprised of the 17 SDGs. The empirical analysis shows that the most disclosed goals were SDG13 (Climate Action), where all the reports disclosed the measures taken by the companies to achieve this goal, followed by SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), as 10 reports disclosed detailed information on this goal. Also, the results provide evidence that SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG14 (Life Below Water), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) came in the last place, respectively. Practically, the study encourages companies in all sectors to adopt the SDGs in their integrated strategy to create better value for stakeholders.The goal of the study is to investigate the state of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) disclosure in European financial institutions’ Integrated Reports. As a research approach, manual content analysis was adopted. The study developed a disclosure index as a research tool comprised of the 17 SDGs. The empirical analysis shows that the most disclosed goals were SDG13 (Climate Action), where all the reports disclosed the measures taken by the companies to achieve this goal, followed by SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), as 10 reports disclosed detailed information on this goal. Also, the results provide evidence that SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG14 (Life Below Water), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) came in the last place, respectively. Practically, the study encourages companies in all sectors to adopt the SDGs in their integrated strategy to create better value for stakeholders

Assessing cross-cultural adaptation of international students in IIUM

In today’s world, many international students from other countries arriving at the host nation are exposed to a wide range of local cultures and values. Malaysia, being a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country, is put in a unique position that attracts many international students and foreigners alike. Regardless, many international students experience a clash of cultures between their own and the host’s culture, which if not dealt with could have detrimental effects on areas such as studies, social-circles, and self-esteem. Therefore, this study explored the challenges that both undergraduate and postgraduate international students of IIUM encounter when arriving in Malaysia. This study employed a quantitative research design, using the survey method with a questionnaire as the research instrument for data collection. In this study, students aged 21 years old and above were surveyed. This study was based on the theory of cross-cultural adaptation, using the U-curve model that displays each stage of adaptation every student goes through. The findings demonstrated that the cultural stage of adaptation had a positive relationship with the cultural stage of euphoria, the cultural stage of culture shock, and the cultural stage of adjustment. Based on the theory of cross-cultural adaptation as a guide, all the hypotheses were supported in which all relationships were found to be positive and significant

Isolation of catechins from Cycas armstrongii Miq. of an Egyptian origin

The phytochemical investigation of Cycas armstrongii Miq. leaves and twigs using different chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of three catechin monomers; catechin (1), epicatechin (2), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (3), for the first time from this species. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed in the rest of this article

Gravity observations at Sinai Peninsula and its geophysical and geodetic applications

AbstractSouth Sinai is an interesting region from both tectonic and seismological settings. Tectonically, Sinai Peninsula is strongly dominated by its active boundaries due to its location at the triple junction among the Gulf of Suez rift, the Aqaba–Levant transform fault and the Red Sea Rift. Moreover, reported seismological activities along the three tectonic boundaries indicate its continuous activities.It is thus of great interest to delineate the subsurface geological structure responsible of its tectonic settings and its relation to the seismological activity. Therefore, terrestrial gravity observation has been carried out to figure out the sub-surface structure representing its tectonic settings.On the other hand, the location of Sinai Peninsula between Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqepa and Red Sea has made the satellite altimetry data an optimum tool to determine the Gravity sources on the marine regions bounding the Sinai region. Finally, temporal gravity variation of the GRACE satellite mission, launched in 2003 gives the opportunity to monitor its temporal gravity variation on regional scale. Temporal gravity variation from GRACE demonstrates any possible mass redistribution along the pounding tectonic settings and its relation to seismicity.Observed gravity map shows significant gravity anomalies attributed to tectonic and seismicity. Satellite altimetry and gravity data are considered to be a valuable source of data to determine the offshore subsurface structure. Temporal gravity variations from GRACE shows important zones of mass redistribution attributed to its new tectonics and its relation to the seismological activities. Integrating all available data sheds more light on the geodynamic behavior of the selected region and its relation to the seismic activities

Hydrothermal Preparation Of Palladium Supported On Magnetite For Catalysis Applications

Herein, versatile, and reproducible method to prepare Pd/Fe3O4 via hydrothermal synthesis. The vital role of this catalyst is in its potential use in CO oxidation catalysis. The Pd/Fe3O4 shows a distinctive activity. TEM images confirmed that Pd nanoparticles of 8-12 nm have a well dispersion on the surface of magnetite (Fe3O4). Moreover, the prepared catalyst is recycled with remarkable catalytic activity. This outstanding activity is mainly a direct result of the strong metal-support interaction. The defect sites in the reduced iron oxide act as nucleation centers that enable anchoring of Pd nanoparticles leading to prevention of agglomeration

EFFECT OF PULSED GALVANIC ELECTRO STIMULATION AND ULTRASUONBD ON BURN HEALING. A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of pulsed galvanic electro stimulation of high voltage and ultrasound on the healing of induced burn applied on rats. 48 rats (Sprague Dawley), mass between 300g and 400g, age between 3 months and 4 months. These rats are putted and the same experimental conditions of alimentation and hygiene. Rats are divided into 3 groups of 16 rats each. Each rat was induced to a uniform burn of second degree by a specific device fabricated specially to this study. Group ES undergoes a treatment of electro stimulation by a pulsed galvanic current of high voltage for 10 min daily during 2 weeks. Group US undergoes a treatment of pulsed ultrasound of 1w/cm² for 2 minutes daily during 2 weeks Group control GC undergoes placebo treatment. Measure are done by digital camera, results are analyzed by specific program (AutoCad) on computer. Wound healing between the three groups are different and statistical tests ( T-tests and ANOVA) done between the two groups US and GC show no significant difference in the reduction of the surface of healing between them (α˃0.05), whereas the comparison between ES group and the two others group was significant (α˂0.05). At the end of the second week of treatment, the best healing was presented in ES group where the wound was healed by 61.4 % whereas the groups GC and US were 11.9 % and 14.9 % respectively. Therefore the ES group have the best results between than others groups (GC and US)

Highly efficient eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 5 M HCl at elevated temperatures: experimental & molecular dynamics study

Laurhydrazide N?-propan-3-one was used as an eco-friendly inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 5 M HCl at elevated temperatures. Various electrochemical techniques and surface characterization methods were utilized in this study. In addition, the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were calculated and discussed. Furthermore, a geometry optimization of LHP was performed and the time-dependent density functional theory was utilized to calculate the electronic absorption spectra. Finally, frequency calculations were, also, performed on the optimized geometry. - 2019, The Author(s).This publication was supported by Qatar University Internal Grant No. GCC-2017-012. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Additionally, the authors thank the Center for Advanced Materials at Qatar University for their support.Scopu

Hemodynamic changes and stress response during BIS-guided TCI anesthesia with propofol-fentanyl in laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic surgery produces measurable effects on cardio-circulatory, respiratory and metabolic systems. Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol using target-controlled infusion technique guided by Bispectral Index monitoring ensures an optimum level of anesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic changes with the use of BIS-guided TCI with propofol-fentanyl during either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy.MethodsTwenty-four ASA class I-II patients, scheduled for cholecystectomy under general anesthesia using BIS-guided TIVA with propofol-fentanyl delivered by TCI pump, were divided surgically into laparoscopic surgery group (LS group, n=12) and open surgery group (OS group, n=12). Hemodynamic data as well as stress hormones were measured at various time intervals.ResultsWithin LS, there was rise of both cardiac output after abdominal insufflation (p<0.05) and stroke volume after end of surgery (p<0.05). Blood pressure decreased in the two groups after insufflation in LS and skin incision in OS (p<0.01) as well as after 15min (p<0.05 & p<0.01 respectively). LS showed decrease in SVR starting from insufflation till end of surgery, while OS showed this decrease only with skin incision. Heart rate decreased 15min after surgical incision till end of surgery in OS while LS showed decrease only after end of surgery. Only in OS, norepinephrine & epinephrine levels showed significant rises throughout the period of study (p<0.001). Cortisol level was elevated after 30min in LS while OS showed a rise after the end of surgery (p<0.001). ACTH levels increased in OS (p<0.001). There was positive correlation between CO and epinephrine, norepinephrine and ACTH in OS.ConclusionBIS-guided TCI anesthesia with propofol-fentanyl offers a good and safe anesthesia technique for patients undergoing either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. The hemodynamic stability guided by esophageal Doppler monitor makes it a very appealing choice