Development Of Groundwater Quality Management Models Using Artificial Intelligence (Ai) And Statistical Approaches – Case Study – Khanyounis Governorate – Gaza Strip – Palestine

Groundwater (GW) is the unique water source for more than one third of the world's populations. GW quality is under serious threat due to the recent rapid urbanization and industrialization. GW contamination is influenced by various interrelated variables, leading to high complexity in the GW quality modelling process. Statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have recently become common GW modelling tools due to their high performance. In this research, hybrid systems composed of two AI techniques namely artificial neural networks (ANNs) and support vector machine (SVM) in addition to various multivariate statistical techniques, were utilized to simulate the concentrations of two GW quality parameters particularly nitrate (NO3-) and chloride (Cl-) in complex aquifers. The models were trained using limited and irregular monitoring data from 22 municipal wells from 1998 to 2010 in Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) which is a complex and highly heterogeneous aquifer. Results of the statistical analyses deepened the understanding of the GCA influencing variables and GW quality trends. Both ANNs and SVM techniques showed very satisfactory simulation performance with comparable results. The correlation coefficient (r) and mean average percentage error (MAPE) for NO3- simulation model were 0.996 and 7% respectively. Meanwhile r and MAPE for Cl- simulation model were 0.998 and 3.7% respectively. The results demonstrated also the merit of performing clustering of input data into consistent clusters prior to separate application of AI techniques for each cluster. Given their high performance and simplicity, the developed models were effectively utilized as GW quality management decision support tools by assessing the effects of various management scenarios on NO3- and Cl- concentration in GCA for 2020 and 2030. Evaluation of GW quality management scenarios indicated that NO3- and Cl- concentrations in the study area municipal wells would noticeably increase if the situation remained without any immediate intervention. On the other hand, GW quality levels in most study area wells would be highly improved if a combination of management scenarios was adopted

Transient behaviour in RDA systems of the Schnakenberg type

Initial stages in the evolution of linear disturbances near a homogeneous equilibrium are considered for the standard Schnakenberg and modified Schnakenberg models. The focus is on a possibility of transient amplification of perturbations. It is shown that, depending on the coefficients in the governing equations, transient growth may appear in both asymptotically stable and unstable situations

IMPACT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES ON FIRM PERFORMANCE IN UAE

Based on the literature available on corporate governance (CG) and its impact on firm performance, there is a dearth of research in the Middle East. In UAE, CG rules were introduced in 2009 for implementation from 2010. The aim of the study was to understand the impact of CG components- ownership structure, leadership structure, board composition, board size, financial expert in audit committees on firm performance in terms of Tobin's Q, Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) keeping total assets as control variable were assessed using secondary data on firms listed in Abu Dhabi stock exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM) for the period of 2008-2009 (pre-CG) and 2011-2012 (post-CG) periods. The data were analysed using statistical techniques. The results showed that implementation of good governance practices need not necessarily increase or improve firm performance in the short-term as other external economic factors may have a direct impact on corporate performance. This research has implications for the UAE firms looking to improve their performance

Spin-orbit coupling and phase-coherence in InAs nanowires

We investigated the magnetotransport of InAs nanowires grown by selective area metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy. In the temperature range between 0.5 and 30 K reproducible fluctuations in the conductance upon variation of the magnetic field or the back-gate voltage are observed, which are attributed to electron interference effects in small disordered conductors. From the correlation field of the magnetoconductance fluctuations the phase-coherence length l_phi is determined. At the lowest temperatures l_phi is found to be at least 300 nm, while for temperatures exceeding 2 K a monotonous decrease of l_phi with temperature is observed. A direct observation of the weak antilocalization effect indicating the presence of spin-orbit coupling is masked by the strong magnetoconductance fluctuations. However, by averaging the magnetoconductance over a range of gate voltages a clear peak in the magnetoconductance due to the weak antilocalization effect was resolved. By comparison of the experimental data to simulations based on a recursive two-dimensional Green's function approach a spin-orbit scattering length of approximately 70 nm was extracted, indicating the presence of strong spin-orbit coupling.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Architectures and Key Technical Challenges for 5G Systems Incorporating Satellites

Satellite Communication systems are a promising solution to extend and complement terrestrial networks in unserved or under-served areas. This aspect is reflected by recent commercial and standardisation endeavours. In particular, 3GPP recently initiated a Study Item for New Radio-based, i.e., 5G, Non-Terrestrial Networks aimed at deploying satellite systems either as a stand-alone solution or as an integration to terrestrial networks in mobile broadband and machine-type communication scenarios. However, typical satellite channel impairments, as large path losses, delays, and Doppler shifts, pose severe challenges to the realisation of a satellite-based NR network. In this paper, based on the architecture options currently being discussed in the standardisation fora, we discuss and assess the impact of the satellite channel characteristics on the physical and Medium Access Control layers, both in terms of transmitted waveforms and procedures for enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) and NarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) applications. The proposed analysis shows that the main technical challenges are related to the PHY/MAC procedures, in particular Random Access (RA), Timing Advance (TA), and Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) and, depending on the considered service and architecture, different solutions are proposed.Comment: Submitted to Transactions on Vehicular Technologies, April 201

EFFECT OF MICROWAVE TREATED WATER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS) AND PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM) SEEDLINGS

This paper presents the investigation of the influence of microwave treated water on the growth of the plants. For this experiment, four groups of seedlings were used and subjected to the study. We took drinking water and divided it into four parts, each group was given only one part. The first group was given water that had been heated to boiling in a glass cup on a gas stove. The second and third group was given water that had been heated in a microwave to boiling (100 C) and 60 C respectively. The fourth group of seedlings was given water that had not been heated at all and used as control. The growth of seedlings was studied for 30 days. The analysis of the results shows that corn seedlings that exposed to microwaved water show lower growth rate in comparison to the control ones. Corn seedlings when watered with normal water or with water heated on the stove grew faster and have shoot length significantly bigger than the corns which were watered with water heated in a microwave at 60 C/100 C. On the other hand, pepper seedlings watered with either microwaved water or not microwaved water were found with no significant effects on their growth characteristics

Hypoxia symptoms during altitude training in professional iranian fighter pilots

Susceptibility to hypoxia is influenced by a multitude of factors, including fatigue, physical activity, illnesses, ambient temperature, rate of ascent, destination altitude, medications, and alcohol. Anecdotally, several reports have been made regarding changes in the form of hypoxia presentation in Iranian fighter pilots in the absence of these factors. This study focused specifically on the effect of pilot age on susceptibility to hypoxia and its initial presentation. We assumed that a pilot's age may increase his susceptibility to hypoxia and consequently reduce the amount of time it takes for hypoxia to present. Because our literature review did not reveal any previous study addressing the possible relationship between age and susceptibility to hypoxia, the purpose of this study is to address and clarify this relationship. In this retrospective study, we collected information from Iranian fighter pilots (n 5) 03 through an anonymous questionnaire in 2000. The form of hypoxia presentation of each subject was evaluated during five altitude chamber training (ACT) sessions that were conducted routinely from 1972 to 1984. To enhance the accuracy of the study's results, confounding factors such as prior hypoxia experience in an ACT session have been taken into consideration. The results revealed a statistically significant relationship between age and a change in the form of hypoxia presentation in our subjects. Increased age reduced the amount of time before the first individual hypoxia symptom appeared (P<,.000002). Although having previous hypoxia experience may help pilots to recognize their symptoms earlier, its effect was not statistically significant (P<.18). A few changes in the nature of individual symptoms were observed; however, we did not find a meaningful statistical correlation between pilot age and change in the nature of symptoms. Susceptibility ot hypoxia increases with pilot age. © 2012 Air Medical Journal Associates

Strategic Flexibility and Its Relationship to the Level of Quality of Services Provided in Non-Governmental Hospitals

Abstract: The study aimed to determine the strategic flexibility and its relationship to the level of quality of services provided, from the viewpoint of the internal beneficiary in non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical approach, and the questionnaire was designed as a tool to collect data and consisted of (39) items, and the researchers used the comprehensive survey method, and the number of the study population was (536) individuals, where (434) questionnaires were retrieved, and the recovery rate was (80.97%). The study revealed many results, the most important of which were: the existence of a moderate degree of approval by the study sample individuals on strategic flexibility, as it was evident through the area of strategic flexibility as a whole having a relative weight (60.44%). The study is on the quality of services, as it became clear through the field of service quality obtaining a relative weight (79.90%). The results of the study revealed a statistically significant relationship between strategic flexibility and the quality of services in non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip, with a correlation coefficient of 0.490. The study reached many recommendations, the most important of which were: the need to work on appointing young people and those with potentials, because jobs are vacant in the hospitals under study, and the need to seek the help of an administrative staff with scientific and practical qualifications, and to work on updating information systems, archiving and networks through which data and information are transferred between departments And the creation of mechanisms by which stored information can be used to enhance the decision-making process, and an effective system to receive patients' complaints in a manner that ensures rapid response and treatment, to achieve continuous communication between patients and the hospital management, and to notify patients of dealing with the complaints they submit, and work to provide all Medical and health specialties in the hospitals under study, by making use of the medical delegations that visit Gaza Strip, involving them in the treatment processes, bringing in doctors and specialists from abroad, updating the standards related to measuring the services provided to patients on an ongoing basis, based on the suggestions and complaints of patients, and developing facilities in hospitals As well as updating the medical devices and equipment used in hospitals periodically

Quality of Services and Its Role in Enhancing Strategic Flexibility in Non-Governmental Hospitals

Abstract: The study aimed to determine the quality of services and its role in enhancing strategic flexibility, from the point of view of the internal beneficiary in non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical approach, and the questionnaire was designed as a tool to collect data and consisted of (39) items, and the researchers used the comprehensive survey method, and the number of the study population was (536) individuals, where (434) questionnaires were retrieved, and the recovery rate was (80.97%). The study revealed many results, the most important of which were: the existence of a high degree of approval by the study sample regarding the quality of services, as it was evident through the field of service quality obtaining a relative weight (79.90%), and the results of the study indicated that there is a moderate degree of approval by the members of the study sample. On the strategic flexibility, as it was evident by obtaining the area of strategic flexibility as a whole on a relative weight (60.44%). The results of the study revealed a statistically significant relationship between the quality of services and the strategic flexibility in non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip, with a correlation coefficient of 0.490). The results of the study also revealed a statistically significant effect of the quality of services on the strategic flexibility in non-governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. The study reached many recommendations, the most important of which were: Establishing an effective system to receive patients' complaints in a manner that ensures rapid response and treatment, to achieve continuous communication between patients and the hospital administration, to notify patients of dealing with the complaints they submit, and to work to provide all medical and health specialties in hospitals in place. The study, by making use of medical delegations visiting Gaza Strip, involving them in therapeutic operations, bringing in doctors and specialists from abroad, updating the criteria for measuring services provided to patients on an ongoing basis, based on patients' suggestions and complaints, developing facilities in hospitals, as well as updating medical devices and equipment Used in hospitals periodically and the need to work on appointing young people and people of energy, for vacancies in the hospitals under study, and the need to seek the help of an administrative staff that is distinguished by scientific and practical qualifications, and to work on updating information systems, archiving and networks through which data and information are transferred between departments, and finding mechanisms to be done from During which the information stored can be used to enhance the decision-making process

Complex and unexpected dynamics in simple genetic regulatory networks

Peer reviewedPublisher PD