Would Demarketing Strategies Rationalize Household Food Waste Consumption?

The objective of this research was to explore the influence of demarketing strategies on rationalization of household food waste “HFW” in the Gaza Strip “GS”, Palestine. More specifically, this paper concentrated on better understanding of the nature and meaning of demarketing, as well as identifying the factors that drive demarketing and develop a HFW demarketing model. To gather primary data, an empirical research was conducted with 326 questionnaires from the Palestinian citizens in the GS. The findings indicate that there is a relationship between independent variables (product, price, place, and promotion) and the dependent variable (the customer’s behavioral intention towards rationalization of HFW) for a number of reasons that were investigated during the research. The paper then concluded with recommendations for future academic studies and policymakers in Palestine

Preparation of Waste Paper Fibrous Cement and Studying of Some Physical Properties

Waste paper is available in environment from different sources, such as office, newspaper and markets. Waste papers are the abundant source of cellulose and may be used as landfill. Using of these wastes in building materials has two benefits, the first one has reduced the environmental pollution and the second improves the physical properties of concrete and building bricks (or blocks). Addition of waste paper cellulose to concrete at certain percentage improve its thermal insulation properties and affect its density to produce lightweight and insulating building materials. The material which produces by using waste paper is called papercrete. It is a mixture of waste paper pulp, sand, cement and water by replacing the cement by waste paper pulp at a certain percentage. Also fibrous cement could be produced by mixing of waste paper pulp with cement and water. In the current work the waste paper was processed to obtain the raw materials of papercrete and fibrous cement. The processing method includes a sequence of processes which are shredding, soaking, mixing, dewatering and drying. In the dewatering process, a wet pulp was obtained and it can be used as it is in the mixtures of papercrete or fibrous cement. A dry pulp also could be used. It is observed that one kilogram of office paper and that of newspaper produces 3.24 kg and 3.26 kg of wet paper pulp respectively. The dry pulp, which is produced during the drying process is 0.954 kg and 0.949 kg for 1 kg of office paper and newspaper respectively. Design of mix proportion, test of water absorption, apparent porosity and drying curve of samples with different percentage of paper pulp were investigated in the present work. Keywords: wastepaper, papercrete, fibrous cement, porosity, water absorption, bulk densit

Pedestrians' Speed Analysis at Signalized Crosswalks

Pedestrian speed is essential for designing signal timings as well as for understanding pedestrian safety issues. This paper presents analysis of three types of pedestrian speeds (entry speed, crossing speed, and exit speed) at three signalized crosswalks in the State of Qatar. Pedestrian movements were tracked using TrafficAnalyzer software and data were analyzed to determine the effect of signal indications, crosswalk length, and crossing direction on pedestrian speeds. The results of this analysis showed that only 23.69% pedestrians crossed legally, during pedestrian green or pedestrian flashing green interval. Moreover, the pedestrian entry speeds were significantly affected by the pedestrian signal indications. Furthermore, the crossing speeds were positively correlated with crosswalk length for pedestrians crossing on green and red indications while pedestrian exit speeds were independent of crosswalk length but significantly affected by crossing direction. 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar FoundationScopu

Dynamic Analysis Of A Novel Manpowered Transportation Vehicle With High Mechanical Efficiency

This paper evaluates the dynamics of a novel manpowered transportation vehicle. The vehicle has a novel mechanism that maximizes the mechanical input work and utilizes the weight of the rider for propulsion. The rider applies reciprocating stepping linear forces to drive chain and ratchet mechanism. The later transfer the reciprocating motion into a unidirectional rotational motion at the rear wheel to propel the vehicle. We analyzed the dynamics of the driving and transmission mechanism and derived the equations of motion, at first. Then, we evaluated the performance of the vehicle. Results show significant advantages of the novel driving mechanism

REVITALIZING THE BORDERLINES THROUGH ARCHITECTURE OF GREEN NETWORKING - CASE STUDY: BEIRUT, LEBANON

Borders are an essential part of cities and countries, and they can create both physical and cultural divides. Inner-city borders can lead to social isolation and inequality, which can contribute to tensions and conflicts. Borders around the world have become a symbol of conflict, racism, fear, inequity, and division. One single line could divide between opportunity and hope and poverty and oblivion. Accordingly, some borders create social isolation between various cultures in cities that increase socio-political problems and remove urban connectivity. Green networking involves using urban green spaces, such as parks and gardens, to connect different areas of a city and facilitate movement and interaction between people. This research aims to examine the impact of inner-city borders on social integration between different cultural groups by using green networking to break down barriers and promote social interaction. The study will contribute to a better understanding of how urban green spaces can promote social integration and reduce inequality in inner cities. The study will use scientific methodology, including site visits, experimental examinations, and analytical research, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the borderline area of research

Protective effect of propolis on manganese chloride neurotoxicity of olfactory bulb in adult male albino rat

Background: Manganese (Mn) is widely used for industrial purposes and exposure to high levels of Mn may cause an irreversible brain disease. Propolis is a natural plant product; it acts as a powerful reactive oxygen species scavenger and improves the neurodegeneration process. Materials and methods: In this study 40 adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups 10 rats each: group I (control group), group II manganese chloride (MnCl2) received 10 mg/kg/day/orally for 4 weeks by intra-gastric tube, group III (propolis group) received 50 mg/kg/day/orally for 4 weeks by intra-gastric tube, and group IV (MnCl2 + propolis group) received the same doses with the same duration and route as in groups II and III. Rats were sacrificed after 24 h of last dose. The olfactory bulbs removed, the right bulb cut to be processed for haematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemical staining and the left cut for electron microscopic studies. Results: Results revealed that rat olfactory bulb from MnCl2 group showed darkly stained mitral cells with dark pyknotic nuclei, some show pericellular spaces and vacuolation, dark apoptotic cells in granular cells, neuropil vacuolation and pyknotic astrocyte. Electron microscopic examination showed abnormal granular cell with irregular damaged nuclear membrane, rupture of myelin fibre. Mitral nerve cell with destructed nucleus, many cytoplasmic vacuoles, swollen rough endoplasmic reticulum, vacuolated mitochondria and neuropil were observed. Manganese chloride + propolis group showed improvement compared to MnCl2 group. Conclusions: It was concluded that propolis can ameliorate the toxic changes of manganese chloride on rat olfactory bulb

Psychological Burnout and Coping Strategies of Special Education Teachers in the State of Kuwait

This study aimed at investigating the levels of burnout experienced by special education teachers in the State of Kuwait. It also explored the most common coping strategies they adopt to prevent themselves form teacher burnout. The psychometric sample of the study consists of (60) teachers of children with learning disabilities evenly distributed; (30) male teachers and (30) female teachers with mean age (38.85)  and standard deviation (1. 28) years. The basic sample of the study consists of (108) of teachers of children with learning disabilities in order to make sure of the validity, reliability and the psychometric efficacy of scales used in the study and to validate the correlational hypotheses of the study. This sample consists of (54) male trainers, (54) female trainers with age mean (38.70) and standard deviation (1.33) years. Two main Instruments were used in the study; Psychological Burnout scale and Scale of Coping Strategies. Results showed that male teachers are more sensitive to sag feeling and lack of accomplishment motivation that their female counterparts. Also, female special education teachers are more sensitive to physical symptoms, emotional catharsis, weak work relations and the total score of the scale may be due to the overwhelming work and their social context. Female teachers are overwhelmed with pressing feelings and burdens making them subjected to psychological burnout compared with their male counterparts. Therefore, much effort should be exerted to help female teachers to overcome sources of burnout to lead sound life and to be able to endure work burdens. In addition, Results revealed that female teachers are higher than their male counterparts in their feelings with suppression of contradicting ideas and activities, seeking emotional support, planning for coping compressing situations and emotional catharsis. Positive teacher interaction is a result of school administrators and parents praise of his work inside the class and results he/she achieves. Key words: Psychological Burnout- Coping Strategies- Special Education

Kalman Filter of Dynamic Hierarchical Model

In a specific way, the dynamic hierarchical model has been presented alongside with the derivation of the final formula of the Kalman filter. The filtering coefficient used along with the equations necessary for the filtering process has also been determined. Most of the related works were studied which gave rise to the problem statement of filtering problems placed under the case of st = . Most of the basic concepts of the dynamic hierarchical linear model were also displayed based on some previous works. A mathematical formula was also formulated and derived to calculate the dynamic hierarchical Kalman filter model, which results in a repetitive measure to estimate the model parameters. The proposed derived formula reduces the error associated with the model and achieves a successful optimal estimation of the parameters. This proves that the Kalman coefficient is the best filtering for any normal probability distribution and provides the least variance among the estimates. This study also provides an illustrative example of the model with the filtering process concerned. It was further illustrated that the findings can be used in practical applications, which reveals the fields that can be investigated in this area

Morbidity and Mortality in Esophageal Atresia and Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A 20-Year Review

Background: The outcome of newborns with esophageal atresia (EA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has improved considerably. At present, the overall survival rates reported from developed countries are between 85 and 95%. This, however, is not the case from developing countries, where several factors contribute to higher morbidity and mortality rates. This study is an analysis of our experience with 158 patients of EA and TEF, with emphasis on factors contributing to morbidity and mortality.Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of 158 patients with EA and TEF treated over a period of 20 years (between January 1992 and December 2011). Their records were reviewed, the study period was divided into two equal periods, and the results were analyzed accordingly.Results: A total of 158 patients (89 boys and 69 girls) with EA/TEF were treated. Their mean birth weight was 2.4 kg (700–3800 g). Their ages at diagnosis ranged from newborn to 8 months. Their gestational age ranged from 32 weeks to 41 weeks. Contrast study was used in 45 (28.5%) patients. Aspiration pneumonia was detected in 34.8% patients. The distribution of the number of patients according to the type of EA/TEF was as follows: 132 (83.5%) patients had EA with distal TEF, 14 (8.9%) had pure EA, five (3.2%) had EA with proximal and distal TEF, five (3.2%) had H-type TEF, and two (1.3%) had EA with proximal TEF. Forty-one (22.2%) patients had long-gap EA/TEF. Associated anomalies were seen in 82 (51.9%) patients, and 17 (10.8%) patients had severe anomalies. The postoperative complications included: anastomotic leak in 20 patients (12.7%), stricture in 22 (13.9%),gastroesophageal reflux in 18 (11.4%), tracheomalacia in two (1.3%), and recurrent TEF in one (0.6%). However, there was a marked decrease both in mortality and morbidity during the second period of the study. In our study, the overall mortality rate was 20.9%, but if those with severe associated anomalies were excluded, our postoperative mortality rate was 8.4%. Sepsis was the main cause of death.Conclusion: This is a relatively large series from a developing country. Although our postoperative complication rates were similar to those from developed countries, the overall mortality was higher. There was, however, a marked improvement during the second period of the study. This is attributed to a better understanding, early diagnosis, prompt referral, and better surgical techniques. Prematurity, sepsis, and associated severe malformations were the main causes of death. Once major anomalies responsible for death were excluded, our postoperative mortality rate was 8.4%. Sepsis continues to be a major cause of death, and several factors contribute to this, including prematurity and delayed diagnosis with increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia. To decrease the mortality rate, these factors should be addressed, and every effort should be made to overcome them. Patients with long-gap EA/TEF continue to be a management challenge, and every attempt should be made to preserve the native esophagus. Delayed primary repair and/or esophageal stretching are at present the preferred techniques with good long-term functional results.Keywords: Complications, Esophageal Atresia, Morbidity and Mortality, Tracheoesophageal Fistul