Mechanical Properties of Concrete and Mortar Containing Low Density Polyethylene Waste Particles as Fine Aggregate

Iraq industrial activities related to huge amounts of solid, non-biodegradable waste, waste low density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic being among the well-known. So in this study, the scarped LDPE food boxes were transformed into fine particles and used as a sand for cement mortar and concrete. LDPE wastes were utilized to alter 0 to 25% of fine aggregates in mortar mixtures and 0% to 30% in concrete mixes at an increment of 5%. Compressive strength and dry density were tested for all mortar and concrete specimens.  In addition, splitting tensile strength and ultrasonic pulse speed were tested for specimens of concrete.  Results show that mass, pulse speed of ultrasonic, splitting and compressive tensile strengths were lowered as the size of LDPE raised. The lowest value of dry density, compressive strength and splitting strength was 2240 kg/m3, 18.7 MPa and 1.68 MPa, respectively, for 15% replacement of sand by the LDPE waste in concrete specimens. Whilst, the value of ultrasonic pulse velocity of LDPE concrete mixtures tends to decline lower than the reference values, but it remains nearly to the stander concrete mixtures and can be classified as excellent quality concrete. The density and compressive strength were decreased by using LDPE waste in mortar mixes for all replacement ratios reaching 12% and 42% respectively for 25% substitute

Effective corporate governance mechanisms, ownership structure and financial reporting quality: evidence from Oman / Muneer Rajab Amrah and Mohammed Mahdi Obaid.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between corporate governance effectiveness and financial reporting quality among family and non-family owned companies in the Sultanate of Oman. This study used a panel dataset for 68 companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market for 6 years from 2013 to 2018. The study contributes to the literature by extending previous financial reporting quality with a consideration of the Sultanate of Oman business environment where family ownership control is more common. Additionally, this study contributes by using a composite measure of corporate governance mechanisms to capture the combined effect of corporate governance effectiveness on the propensity of financial reporting quality, based on the agency's theoretical framework. This study is based on the difference between family and non-family owned firms with Type I and Type II agency problems, with differences in ownership and control. This study contributes to the literature by examining the influences of corporate governance effectiveness on financial reporting quality, which is expected to be different between family and non-family firms. The empirical results indicate that the association between corporate governance effectiveness and its financial reporting quality is positive and significant for both, the full sample as well as the non-family firms. However, this relationship appears to be weaker for family owned firms

Mechanical Properties of Concrete and Mortar Containing Low Density Polyethylene Waste Particles as Fine Aggregate

Iraq industrial activities related to huge amounts of solid, non-biodegradable waste, waste low density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic being among the well-known. So in this study, the scarped LDPE food boxes were transformed into fine particles and used as a sand for cement mortar and concrete. LDPE wastes were utilized to alter 0 to 25% of fine aggregates in mortar mixtures and 0% to 30% in concrete mixes at an increment of 5%. Compressive strength and dry density were tested for all mortar and concrete specimens.  In addition, splitting tensile strength and ultrasonic pulse speed were tested for specimens of concrete.  Results show that mass, pulse speed of ultrasonic, splitting and compressive tensile strengths were lowered as the size of LDPE raised. The lowest value of dry density, compressive strength and splitting strength was 2240 kg/m3, 18.7 MPa and 1.68 MPa, respectively, for 15% replacement of sand by the LDPE waste in concrete specimens. Whilst, the value of ultrasonic pulse velocity of LDPE concrete mixtures tends to decline lower than the reference values, but it remains nearly to the stander concrete mixtures and can be classified as excellent quality concrete. The density and compressive strength were decreased by using LDPE waste in mortar mixes for all replacement ratios reaching 12% and 42% respectively for 25% substitute

Air Surface Temperature Correlation With Greenhouse Gases Using Airs Data Over Peninsular Malaysia

Objektif utama kajian ini adalah untuk membangunkan empat persamaan regresi AST1, AST2, PCA1 (Analisis komponen utama) (03 musim NEM (monsun timur laut)), dan PCA2 (03 musim SWM (monsun barat daya)) untuk mengira suhu permukaan udara AST dan 03. The main objective of this study is to develop four regression equationsdenoted ASTl, AST2, PCAl (03 NEM season), and PCA2 (03 SWM season)-that will then be used to calculate the air surface temperature (AST) and total column ozone (O3)

[RASM UTHMANI: COMPARISON OF AL-HAZF IN AL-QURAN AL-KARIM AND QURAN MAJID] RASM UTHMANI: PERBANDINGAN PRINSIP AL-HAZF DALAM AL-QURAN AL-KARIM DAN QURAN MAJID

This paper aims to dispel the confusion of students related to the knowledge of Rasm and Dhabt al-Quran among students of the Institute of Teacher Education, Sultan Mizan Campus.The confusion arises when they are unable to distinguish between the two disciplines of the Qur'an, namely, writing (rasm) and punctuation (dhabt). This paper solely focuses on the principle of al-hazf, which is one of the five principles in the method of Rasm Uthmani as agreed upon by scholars today. The sample of this study was selected based on the principle of purposive sampling, that is, a sample that is believed to be able to answer the research questions well. The results show that there is no difference in terms of writing in the two mashafs because each was written in accordance with the principles and methods of Rasm Uthmani. However, it is noted that there are differences in terms of punctuation in the two mashafs. The punctuation differences were employed to meet the needs of the readership where the Quran was printed and according to current development then. Tulisan ini bermatlamat merungkai kekeliruan para pelajar berkaitan ilmu Rasm dan Dhabt al-Quran dalam kalangan pelajar Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Sultan Mizan. Kekeliruan tersebut timbul apabila mereka tidak dapat membezakan di antara dua disiplin ilmu al-Quran iaitu, tulisan (rasm) dan tanda bacaan (dhabt). Tulisan ini hanya memfokuskan kepada prinsip al-hazf, iaitu salah satu daripada lima prinsip dalam kaedah Rasm Uthmani sebagaimana yang disepakati oleh ulama pada masa kini. Sampel kajian ini dipilih berdasarkan prinsip pensampelan bertujuan, iaitu sampel yang diyakini boleh menjawab persoalan kajian ini dengan baik. Hasil kajian menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan dari segi tulisan dalam kedua-dua mashaf kerana masing-masing ditulis menepati prinsip dan kaedah Rasm Uthmani. Manakala terdapat perbezaan dari segi tanda baca di dalam kedua-dua mashaf. Perbezaan tanda baca berkenaan dilakukan bagi memenuhi keperluan masyarakat pembaca di tempat al-Quran itu dicetak dan mengikut perkembangan semasa

The 'OCTAPAC' culture as a core component of HRD climate: a survey

The concept of Human Resource Development (HRD) requires a specific and congenial climate to flourish. In other words, it can be said that success of HRD in an organization depends on the existence of a favorable HRD climate. HRD climate deals with the interactions among employees within the organization from different levels using a set of techniques to achieve the objectives of the organization and to ensure the development of the employees who share similar culture that enhances productivity and spirit of innovation. This paper measures HRD culture known as “OCTAPAC culture” as first introduced by Rao and Abraham 1986. In order to understand how it can be function as a source of sustained competitive advantage, this study investigated the practices of OCTAPAC in the Ministry of Education headquarters in the Sultanate of Oman. According to Rao and Abraham model, OCTAPAC culture is determined to be a core component of HRD climate

Investigation of the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in groundwater of Jazan area, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To investigate the possible occurrence of some selected  pharmaceutical compounds in the groundwater of Jazan area, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Water samples from 46 wells were collected from different sites covering Jazan area of Saudi Arabia between February and March 2017. These samples were first analyzed to investigate the presence of eleven drugs mostly used in the study area. Thereafter, samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) by direct injection and external standard calibration.Results: Despite the low detection limit (0.001 - 0.02 μg/L) applied to the investigated compounds with a variety chemical groups (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen, metronidazole, caffeine, olmesartan, omeprazole, nifedipine, diclofenac sodium, glibenclamide and loratidine), none of these compounds was detected in any of the analyzed samples.Conclusion: The main source of environmental contamination with  pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is wastewater. The results obtained reveal the absence of groundwater contamination by these compounds in Jazan area. However, further extended investigations and monitoring are recommended.Keywords: Pharmaceuticals, Groundwater, Wastewater, Pollution, Personal care products, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS

Hospital-based surveillance study of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age in Lebanon

AbstractBackgroundRotavirus (RV) is a major cause of gastroenteritis (GE) in infants and young children globally, with rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) causing dehydration due to diarrhea and frequently leading to hospitalization. Epidemiological data on RVGE in Lebanon are lacking, therefore this study aims to collect such baseline data.MethodsWe conducted multicenter, hospital-based surveillance across Lebanon to estimate the proportion of diarrheal hospitalizations attributable to RV in children under 5 years of age. Medical history, GE symptoms, treatment prior to hospitalization and demographics were obtained from medical records and parent/guardian interviews. The severity of GE episodes was determined using the 20-point Vesikari scale (score ⩾11 was considered severe). Stool samples were analyzed for RV using an enzyme immunoassay and for strain prevalence using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.ResultsBetween April 2007 and September 2008, a total of 534 subjects were enrolled, of whom 491 were included in the final analysis. GE attributable to RV was 27.7% and nearly 75% of the RVGE cases occurred in children under 2 years of age. No differences were observed between the severity of signs and symptoms in RV positive and negative subjects. Hospitalization occurred mainly between December–March and lasted for a median of 3 days. Treatment primarily consisted of intravenous rehydration and almost all subjects (96.1%) had recovered by the time of discharge. Prevalent circulating G and P types were G4 (36.9%), G1WT (29.2%), P[8]WT (77.7%) and P[4] (17.7%); the most common circulating RV strain was G4P[8]WT (36.9%).ConclusionRVGE hospitalizations are prevalent in children under 5 years of age in Lebanon. This baseline data might be useful for decision makers when initiating measures, such as vaccination, to prevent the disease

Baseline blood count levels increase odds of cytopenia among CML patients in Kenya: a case control study

Background: Imatinib is the gold standard for the treatment of all phases of Philadelphia positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). During treatment, patients may develop cytopenia. We aimed to study the baseline characteristics and factors associated with cytopenia at a Nairobi Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of patients aged ≥18 years on follow-up at the Glivec Inter‑ national Patient Access Program (GIPAP) clinic from 2007 to 2015. The cases consisted of CML patients on imatinib who developed cytopenia. The controls were CML patients on imatinib who did not develop cytopenia. Baseline socio – demographic, clinical, hematologic, and molecular data were retrieved from patients’ fles. Chi square or fshers’ exact tests were used to analyze for diferences between cytopenia and no cytopenia. Binary logistic regressions were employed to identify relationships. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to identify independent predictors of cytopenia. Odds ratios (OR) were presented including the 95% confdence intervals and respective p values. Results: A total of 201 patients were studied consisting of ninety-four (94) patients with cytopenia and 107 with no cytopenia. Among the entire population, males were 52, and 42% were aged 36–50 years. Sex, age, marital status, occupation and education level were similar between the cytopenia and no cytopenia groups. Among the 201 patients, 70% had symptoms for \u3e12months before diagnosis, 78.6% had B symptoms at baseline, 80% had a moderate splenomegaly at baseline. Among patients with cytopenia, 40 and 37.4% developed cytopenia within 3months and 3–6months respectively after imatinib initiation. Baseline neutrophilia, neutropenia, anaemia, thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia was found in 68, 11, 11, 23.5 and 11% respectively. Baseline hemoglobin, neutrophil and platelet level were signifcantly difer‑ ent between the cytopenia and the no cytopenia group. On univariable analysis, baseline anemia with hb\u3c7.9g/ dL (p =0.002), neutropenia (p =0.001), neutrophilia \u3e100,000/mm3 (p =0.002) and thrombocytopenia (p =0.001) increased the odds of developing cytopenia. On multivariable analysis, baseline anaemia (p value \u3c0.002), neutrope‑ nia (p value \u3c0.001), thrombocytopenia (p value, \u3c0.001) and thrombocytosis (p value, 0.033) increased the odds of developing cytopenia. Conclusion: Odds of cytopenia were higher in presence of baseline cytopenia and thrombocytosis. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for these patients

Cytopenia among CML Patients on Imatinib in Kenya: Types, Grades, and Time Course

Background: Imatinib mesylate is the gold standard for the treatment of all phases of Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Patients on imatinib treatment may develop cytopenia due to drug toxicity. This study aimed to determine the types, grades, and time course of cytopenia in CML patients on imatinib at a Nairobi hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of adult patients aged ≥18 years followed up at the Glivec International Patient Access Program (GIPAP) clinic from 2007 to 2015. Patients who developed cytopenia within 12 months of initiating imatinib were eligible. Clinical and hematologic data were retrieved from the patients’ charts and entered into a study proforma. Measures of central tendency such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and variance were used for analysis. Results: Sixty three percent (63.6%) of the 94 patients developed a monocytopenia, with anemia seen in 34%, neutropenia in 27.6%, and thrombocytopenia in 8% of the 94 patients. Anemia plus neutropenia was the most common bicytopenia at 12.7%. Pancytopenia was seen in only 5 of the 94 patients. Most of the cytopenia was grades 2 and 3. Anemia was present at baseline while neutropenia and thrombocytopenia developed within 12 months of imatinib initiation. Anemia resolved during the first 12 months of therapy while neutropenia and thrombocytopenia resolved within 24–36 months of treatment. Conclusion: Monocytopenia, especially anemia, was the most common type of cytopenia. The cytopenia was predominantly grade 2, developed in majority of the patients within 6 months after imatinib initiation, and had resolved by 24–36 months after imatinib initiation