An Examination of Trust in News Mediums by College Students: A Comparison of Egypt and the USA

Polls have shown a decline in trust in the USA when it comes to trust in Media. This study looks at if trust in news mediums really does matter. The study also compares a sample from USA to Egypt. The study finds that American college students have more trust in traditional news media but use it less than newer forms such as social media. The Egyptian sample has high trust in social media and low trust in traditional news media that are normally under the influence of the Egyptian government. The frame works used are the uses and gratification theory, hostile media effect and the Vanacker and Belmas Model. The study concludes that trust plays a non significant role in where college students choose to get their news from

Closed-Loop Supply Chain Integration: Assessing Marketing Impacts and Customer Perceptions of Sustainable Brand Value in the Saudi Photovoltaic Industry

Purpose:  This investigation addresses the influence of closed-loop supply chain integration (CLSCI) on consumer perception of sustainable brand value, examining its effect on purchasing decisions, brand loyalty, and image.   Theoretical framework:  The study operates within a framework that posits CLSCI as a potential enhancer of sustainable brand value, mediated by demographic variables and consumer consciousness of sustainability practices.   Design/methodology/approach:  A cross-sectional analysis was performed with 240 Saudi participants using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) to assess the hypotheses derived from the theoretical framework.   Findings:  Results indicate a direct correlation between CLSCI and brand image, strengthened by consumer awareness. Moreover, age and awareness significantly mediate the relationship between CLSCI and perceived brand value and purchasing decisions.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  Findings underscore the necessity for Saudi photovoltaic (PV) firms to elevate CLSCI awareness and its linkage to brand image. The study also prompts further examination of age-related influences and sustainable waste management practices.   Originality/value:  his study contributes to the limited research on CLSCI's role within the Saudi PV sector, providing empirical evidence and a conceptual model for CLSCI implementation, offering insights for enhanced consumer engagement and sustainable brand development

Procedure to determine direct diversions from Lake Michigan

Illinois diverts water from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River and Canal System in three primary ways: (1) diversions for municipal water supply, (2) storm water diverted away from the lake, and (3) direct diversions primarily for water quality purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the total average diversion must not exceed 3200 cfs. Since the stormwater diversion is uncontrollable, by reducing the amount necessary for direct diversion, the diversion available for municipal use can be increased. An optimization procedure, utilizing an efficient network algorithm, is developed to determine the average monthly flowrates at the three diversion points on Lake Michigan. The algorithm minimizes the total amount diverted that is necessary to maintain the dissolved oxygen standard in the waterway system. The procedure is applied to evaluate direct diversion needs under existing conditions and after installation of ten instream aeration stations. Results show the need for large diversions during the summer months and primarily at one diversion point. The installation of instream aerators reduces the need for direct diversions by approximately 25 percent.U.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Department of the InteriorOpe

Digital Facilities: A Bim Capturing Reality Framework And Integration With Building Management System

Qatar University (QU) had been sharing the vision of the country in developing various technological aspects and approaches in order to achieve global standard qualities and accomplishments. In this research, from the construction management perspective, referring to QU digitalization initiative objectives and considering global market processes, computerized capturing framework of campus existing building will be executed, discussed and analyzed in-depth, through Building Information Modeling (BIM). Current worldwide capturing techniques, such as as-built drawings, laser scanning and UAV will be implemented and illustrated along with their cost, time and quality analysis. The study will also discuss the novel approach of integrating BIM Model with present Building Management System (BMS) of QU; and its contribution towards Facility Management (FM). This integrative activity between BMS real-time values readings and BIM data representation will add-value to Facility Management (FM) workflow efficiency and performance of the university or any other applicable party with the same environment. Concluding the best practice of reality digital capturing towards a successful integration prior to achieving study objectives, with diverse recommendations, discussions and future work

Building a resilient supply chain model in the Middle East Region: an empirical study on Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) supply chains (SCs) are becoming more and more vulnerable to different types of risks due to the increasing complexity of markets, uncertainties, and turbulence, especially in the Middle East Region (MER). The main reason behind this is the political and economic instabilities resulting from the Arab Spring revolutions which affected all SC entities. There is an urgent need to investigate how to build resilient SCs that can help all partners in the chain to proactively identify and sidestep risks, and bounce back more quickly in the case of disruptions. For this reason, this research focuses on the creation of effective SC resilience model that could help companies to avoid SC risks to reduce vulnerability instead of being reactive toward disruptions. A conceptual model for SC resilience has been developed which identified three main constructs of SC resilience: risks, capabilities, and key performance indicators (KPIs). The links between the three constructs have been established. The empirical study has been conducted in two stages. In stage one, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from 30 companies in FMCG SCs operating in the MER. A combination of thematic and comparative analysis has been used to analyse the qualitative data collected from the interviews in order to identify the main themes (types of risks and their causes, capabilities, and relevant KPIs), and to find the relations between themes. In stage 2, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to prioritize and rank the risks, capabilities, and KPIs using pairwise comparisons by taking into account opinions and preferences from SC managers in the FMCG industry in the MER. Preceding the analysis, a second round of structured interviews according to AHP process were conducted with the same 30 companies used in stage one. The thesis adds to the SC resilience literature by empirically explore the main causes of SC vulnerabilities that the FMCG SCs face in the MER and how companies can increase their capabilities to improve the resilience performance of the entire chain. An important contribution of this thesis is the development of the model for SC resilience in FMCG industry in MER context, that provides a useful reference model to assist managers in build a resilient SC, specifically, by identifying the main types of risks and their sources, by defining relevant capabilities that can help anticipate and overcome risks, and by recommending appropriate KPIs that can act as a sensor to market dynamics in the FMCG industry in MER. The model with the matrices (of risks-capabilities-KPIs) developed in this research established the links and interactions among the risks, capabilities, and KPIs which have great potential in guiding decision makers through the SC management (SCM) process, so that more informed decisions can be made and implemented for important risks to be avoided and to create more resilient FMCG SCs

GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES FRAMEWORK FOR PETROCHEMICALS IN EGYPT

The aim of this study is to determine the extent of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices used by Shell and Co-operation (Co-op) Petroleum Companies in Egypt and to evaluate the effect of GSCM practices on the operational performance of both companies. A conceptual framework was developed to link the GSCM practices and operational performance. The framework consisted of three GSCM practices (green procurement, green manufacturing, and reverse logistics) as independent variables and four operational attributes (quality, safety, delivery, and flexibility) as dependent variables. The data was collected through on-site surveys, using eighteen-item-questionnaire with the relevant departments in both companies from the three managerial levels (i.e. strategic, tactical, and operational). Further, the results, based on benchmarking, were statistically analyzed by Fischer analysis. The results offer guidelines to petroleum and lubricant manufacturers to enhance their operational performance and customer satisfaction while employing GSCM practices throughout their entire supply chain (SC).</p

Can frozen-section analysis of ureteric margins at the time of radical cystectomy predict upper tract recurrence?

Objective: To summarise the currently available literature and analyse available results of the outcome of intraoperative frozen-section analysis (FSA) on upper urinary tract recurrence (UUTR) after radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the Cochrane Reviews guidelines and in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Articles discussing ureteric FSA with RC were identified. Results: The literature search yielded 21 studies, on which the present analysis was done. The studies were published between 1997 and 2019. There were 10 010 patients with an age range between 51 and 95 years. Involvement of the ureteric margins was noted in 2–9% at RC. The sensitivity and specificity of FSA were ~75% and 99%, respectively. Adverse pathology on FSA and on permanent section, prostatic urothelial carcinoma involving the stroma but not prostatic duct, and ureteric involvement on permanent section were all more likely to develop UUTR. Neither evidence of ureteric involvement nor ureteric margin status on permanent section were significant predictors of overall survival. Conclusion: Routine FSA is mandatory for a tumour-free uretero–enteric anastomosis and is predictive of UUTR. To lower the UUTR, FSA is not necessary if the ureters are resected at the level where they cross the common iliac vessels. FSA is indicated whenever the surgeon encounters findings suspicious of malignancy, e.g. ureteric obstruction, periureteric fibrosis, diffuse carcinoma in situ, induration or frank tumour infiltration of the distal ureter is discovered unexpectedly during surgery, and prostatic urethral involvement. Abbreviations CIS: carcinoma in situ; FSA: frozen-section analysis; HR: hazard ratio; PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; RC: radical cystectomy; (UT)UC: (upper tract) urothelial carcinoma; UUT(R): upper urinary tract (recurrence)

A challenging case of spontaneous bacterial empyema in a cirrhotic patient

Spontaneous Bacterial Empyema (SBEM) is distinguished as a primary infection of pre-existing hepatic hydrothorax in the absence of cardiopulmonary or pleural disease. It is an under-recognized complication of cirrhosis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis requires chest imaging to rule out underlying pneumonia as an etiology; a diagnostic thoracentesis is crucial to make the diagnosis and should be obtained in any patient with pleural effusion and evidence of infection. Expeditious administration of antibiotics is essential to ameliorate the outcome. We present an interesting case of spontaneous bacterial empyema in a cirrhotic patient with hepatic hydrothorax

Architecture and Comics Workshop: Liverpool Invasions!

A workshop on Comics and Architecture: Liverpool Invasions!. The workshop was a collaboration between the Centre for Architecture and the Visual Arts, University of Liverpool and the DIA Dessau Institute of Architecture, Bauhaus. The workshop aims to develop an architectural narrative via pop comic. Students were required to interpret the narratives of selected comics on the architecture of the city of Liverpool. The workshop was based on the Science Fiction Collections available at the University of Liverpool Special Collections and Archives, which is considered one of the biggest sci-fi archives in Europe