Towards affordable water supply

Kaduna State of Nigeria has a 1991 population of 4.1 million of which 58 per cent is served with water supply by Kaduna State Water Board. A State-Wide Water Resources Masterplan is being developed to improve coverage to more than 70 per cent covering a projected population of 7.1 million by the year 2020

Measuring and Analyzing the Impact of Financial Crowding Out on the Iraqi Banking Sector for the Period From 2004 to 2020

Purpose:  The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of financial crowding out on the banking sector, tested under the mediation of the two variables  of  banking sector indicators (total deposits  ,Bank credit).   Theoretical Framework:  Although the studies conducted to clarify the effects of fiscal crowding-out were conducted in the context of public finances, there was a need to explore the effect of mediating interest rates as a result of increasing public debt to finance government spending.   Design/Methodology/Approach:  We used the methodologies of Ali Jaber and Hoda Abed (2003) to test the effect of financial policy variables to measure the size of the financial crowding out variable. Regarding the testing and validity of the hypothetical search model, path analysis was used within the structural equation modeling analysis. The study sample consists of 16 commercial and Islamic banks in the Iraqi banking sector, and it is inclusive of all the data of the banks listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange, for the possibility of generalizing the results fairly to the community.   Findings:  The results indicate that the variables of total taxes, public debt, and total public expenditures as indicators of the volume of financial competition have a direct impact on total bank deposits and credit. Such an effect is statistically significant. The results provide practical solutions to enhance competition in the funds available for lending to the banking sector by diversifying the various funding sources to preserve and sustain banking resources.   Research, Practical and Social Implications:  Future studies can look at other indicators of the size of financial competition and assess its impact on the various dimensions of the relationship between the financial policy methodology and banking sector facilities.   Implications/Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature related to fiscal policy by analyzing the results of the impact of government spending financing equations on total deposits and the volume of bank credit in Iraqi banks, and presents a practical and applied perception of the role played by the fiscal policy methodology in Iraq

قياس وتحليل أثر استخدام مؤشرات الصحة المالية على القيمة السوقية دراسة تطبيقيّة على المصارف المدرجة في بورصة فلسطين

The study aimed to identify the measurement and analysis of the impact of the use of financial health indicators on the market value of banks listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange, and to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses of the study, the researchers relied on the descriptive analytical method, and collected data from the annual financial reports of the targeted banks during the period Between (2009-2018), as a time series for the purpose of analyzing and measuring the impact between the study variables during this period with (60) views per variable of the study, using the statistical analysis program 9 Eviews, and(EXCEL) to enter, process and analyze the data. The results of the field study also showed that there is a statistical correlation between financial health indicators and the market value of banks according to the Tobin\u27s Q model, and that 85.5 percent of the population is in the same situation. The change in the dependent variable is due to the change in independent variables, and the remaining percentage (14.5%) Due to the change in other factors not included in the study such as (dividends and future profit, costs of all kinds, exchange rates, volume of investments). The study also recommended the need to conduct an ongoing assessment of the level of financial health to encourage banks to comply with all their items, and topublish the results of the evaluation, as this has an impact on banks benefiting their reputation and value in the market

An Insider Threat Categorization Framework for Automated Manufacturing Execution System

Insider threats become one of the most dangerous threats in the cyber world as compared to outsider as the insiders have knowledge of assets. In addition, the threats itself considered in-visible and no one can predict what, when and how exactly the threat launched. Based on conducting literature, threat in Automated Manufacturing Execution Systems (AMESs) can be divided into three principle factors. Moreover, there is no standard framework to be referring which exist nowadays to categorize such factors in order to identify insider threats possible features. Therefore, from the conducted literature a standard theoretical categorization of insider threats framework for AMESs has been proposed. Hence, three principle factors, i.e. Human, Systems and Machine have considered as major categorization of insider threats. Consequently, the possible features for each factor identified based on previous researcher recommendations. Therefore, via identifying possible features and categorize it into principle factors or groups, a standard framework could be derived. These frameworks will contribute more benefit specifically in the manufacturing field as a reference to mitigate an insider threat.   Keywords—automated manufacturing execution systems insider threats, factors and features, insider threat categorization framework

Bicaval obstruction complicating right atrial tuberculoma:the diagnostic value of Cardiovascular MR

Cardiac tuberculosis is rare and usually involves the pericardium. Myocardial tuberculoma is a very rare occurrence and only a few cases were reported

A lipidomic screen of hyperglycemia-treated HRECs links 12/15-Lipoxygenase to microvascular dysfunction during diabetic retinopathy via NADPH oxidase

Retinal hyperpermeability and subsequent macular edema is a cardinal feature of early diabetic retinopathy (DR). Here, we investigated the role of bioactive lipid metabolites, in particular 12/15-lipoxygenase (LOX)-derived metabolites, in this process. LC/MS lipidomic screen of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) demonstrated that 15-HETE was the only significantly increased metabolite (2.4 ± 0.4-fold, P = 0.0004) by high glucose (30 mM) treatment. In the presence of arachidonic acid, additional eicosanoids generated by 12/15-LOX, including 12- and 11-HETEs, were significantly increased. Fluorescein angiography and retinal albumin leakage showed a significant decrease in retinal hyperpermeability in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice lacking 12/15-LOX compared with diabetic WT mice. Our previous studies demonstrated the potential role of NADPH oxidase in mediating the permeability effect of 12- and 15-HETEs, therefore we tested the impact of intraocular injection of 12-HETE in mice lacking the catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase (NOX2). The permeability effect of 12-HETE was significantly reduced in NOX2−/− mice compared with the WT mice. In vitro experiments also showed that 15-HETE induced HREC migration and tube formation in a NOX-dependent manner. Taken together our data suggest that 12/15-LOX is implicated in DR via a NOX-dependent mechanism.National Institutes of Health Grant 5R01EY023315 and National Priorities Research Program Grant 4-1046-3-284 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). This study was also supported in part by the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health Grant S10RR027926

Cyber-Security Incidents: A Review Cases In Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-Physical Systems refer to systems that have an interaction between computers, communication channels and physical devices to solve a real-world problem. Towards industry 4.0 revolution, Cyber-Physical Systems currently become one of the main targets of hackers and any damage to them lead to high losses to a nation. According to valid resources, several cases reported involved security breaches on Cyber-Physical Systems. Understanding fundamental and theoretical concept of security in the digital world was discussed worldwide. Yet, security cases in regard to the cyber-physical system are still remaining less explored. In addition, limited tools were introduced to overcome security problems in Cyber-Physical System. To improve understanding and introduce a lot more security solutions for the cyber-physical system, the study on this matter is highly on demand. In this paper, we investigate the current threats on Cyber-Physical Systems and propose a classification and matrix for these threats, and conduct a simple statistical analysis of the collected data using a quantitative approach. We confirmed four components i.e., (the type of attack, impact, intention and incident categories) main contributor to threat taxonomy of Cyber-Physical System

New Insider Threat Detection Method Based On Recurrent Neural Networks

Insider threat is a significant challenge in cybersecurity. In comparison with outside attackers, inside attackers have more privileges and legitimate access to information and facilities that can cause considerable damage to an organization. Most organizations that implement traditional cybersecurity techniques, such as intrusion detection systems, fail to detect insider threats given the lack of extensive knowledge on insider behavior patterns. However, a sophisticated method is necessary for an in-depth understanding of insider activities that the insider performs in the organization. In this study, we propose a new conceptual method for insider threat detection on the basis of the behaviors of an insider. In addition, gated recurrent unit neural network will be explored further to enhance the insider threat detector. This method will identify the optimal behavioral pattern of insider actions

PREVALENCE OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IGG ANTIBODIES, POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS AND AWARENESS OF CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AMONG FEMALE DOCTORS

Objective:  Female staff in children-Mother care hospitals may run an increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) contact infection leading to a congenital CMV feto-pathy during pregnancy. Also, because of limited treatment options for congenital cytomegalovirus infection, preventive strategies are important so knowledge and awareness among doctors are essential for the success of preventive strategies. Thus this study was carried out to determine the positive rate of IgG among female doctors at age bearing who care for children and mothers in Sana'a hospitals. Also, to investigate the knowledge of congenital CMV among doctors involved in the study. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out for one year (June 2017- June 2018); 178 Yemeni female doctors were included in this study. 23 (12.9%) of the total female doctors were pediatrics, 32(18%) gynecology and obstetrics, 9 (5.1%) Oto-rhinolaryngology and 114 (64%) were general practices. Blood samples were collected from all participants and tested for IgG antibodies of HCMV by ELISA. The individual's data were collected in a pre-designed questionnaire including; demographic data, risk factors. Also, a questionnaire on CMV infection was answered by doctors on the knowledge concerning epidemiology, transmission, symptoms and signs of CMV infection in adults and children; and treatment options. Results: 13.4% of female doctors were negative (HCMV IgG <9 SU), while the rest (86.6%) were positive (HCMV IgG ≥ 11 SU). There was escalate trend of positive HCMV IgG antibodies rate with increasing age, significance association between sero-positive HCMV IgG antibodies and parity (OR=3.1, p=0.01), 1-3 pregnancy rate (OR=2.2, p=0.05), and history of surgery (OR=3.8, p=0.01). Most of the doctors were aware that most healthy adults and pregnant women do not experience any symptoms of a CMV infection (66.8%); and only one-fifth of the respondents were aware that kissing, and changing diapers, are risk factors for the transmission of CMV. Also, only half of the total respondents were aware that microcephaly (59%), and hearing loss (56.7%) could be symptoms of congenital CMV. Conclusion: This study revealed that the HCMV is highly endemic in our population where the prevalence of IgG among the medical female doctors was 86.5%, thus HCMV should be considered as a possible cause of morbidity and mortality in fetus and might in mothers in Yemen. Increasing knowledge and awareness is expected to enhance the prevention of transmission, to improve recognition, and to stimulate diagnostic investigations and follow-up programs.                    Peer Review History: Received 8 October 2018;   Revised 22 October; Accepted 5 November, Available online 15 November 2018 Academic Editor:  Dr. Iman Muhammad Higazy, National Research Center, Egypt, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Omonkhelin J Owolabi, University of Benin, Nigeria, [email protected]  Dr. Ali Abdullah A. Al-Mehdar, University of Basrah, Iraq, [email protected] Similar Articles: THE ASSOCIATION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS ANTIBODIES WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AMONG YEMENI PATIENTS IN SANA’A CITY PREVALENCE OF RUBELLA IGG ANTIBODIES AMONG PRODUCTIVE-AGE ‎WOMEN IN AL-MAHWEET GOVERNORATE, YEME

Low Temperature Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles and Their ROS Mediated Inhibition of Biofilm Formed by Food-Associated Bacteria

In the present study, a facile environmentally friendly approach was described to prepare monodisperse iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) by low temperature solution route. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using x-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) measurements, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analyses. XRD patterns revealed high crystalline quality of the nanoparticles. SEM micrographs showed the monodispersed IONPs with size ranging from 6 to 9 nm. Synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated MICs of 32, 64, and 128 μg/ml against Gram negative bacteria i.e., Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and 32 μg/ml against Gram positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. IOPNs at its respective sub-MICs demonstrated significant reduction of alginate and exopolysaccharide production and subsequently demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition of biofilm ranging from 16 to 88% in the test bacteria. Biofilm reduction was also examined using SEM and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Interaction of IONPs with bacterial cells generated ROS contributing to reduced biofilm formation. The present study for the first time report that these IONPs were effective in obliterating pre-formed biofilms. Thus, it is envisaged that these nanoparticles with broad-spectrum biofilm inhibitory property could be exploited in the food industry as well as in medical settings to curtail biofilm based infections and losses