MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE IMPORTED MALARIA IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Although the UAE was certified to be free of local malaria transmission cases in 2007, the increased number of imported malaria cases in recent years required the attention of the public health professionals. The aim of this work is to study, via mathematical modeling, the impact of imported malaria cases on the population of the UAE. The nature of the health policies in the UAE imposes on us a model that classifies the living population of the UAE in two categories. The local population, who represent the permanent residents that do not have any health requirement for their residency, and the nonlocal population, which are required to have certain health conditions to maintain their residency status in the country. Basic reproduction number was computed and stability analysis and local sensitivity analysis were performed to understand the epidemiological features of imported malaria in the UAE. The simulation showed that when an infection is established in the country, it will not be affected by reducing the burden of the endemic on the locals. Also, the local sensitivity presented the most influential parameter for the infected compartments which will assist in the control measures. My model helped to show the possible outcomes of such epidemic on both human subpopulation and the control strategy to maintain lower epidemic size in the UAE

Identification of Pathogens Associated With Mango Dieback Disease on Mango in the United Arab Emirates

Dieback caused by the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae is an important disease on mango plantations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, 53 actinobacterial isolates were obtained from mango rhizosphere soil in the UAE, of which 35 (66%) were classified as streptomycetes (SA) and 18 (34%) as non-streptomycetes (NSA). Among these isolates, 19 (12 SA and 7 NSA) showed antagonistic activities against L. theobromae associated with either the production of diffusible antifungal metabolites, extracellular cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs), or both. Using a “novel” mango fruit bioassay, all isolates were screened in vivo for their abilities to reduce lesion severity on fruits inoculated with L. theobromae. Three isolates, two belonging to Streptomyces and one to Micromonospora spp., showed the strongest inhibitory effect against this pathogen in vitro and were therefore selected for tests on mango seedlings. Our results revealed that the antifungal action of S. samsunensis UAE1 was related to antibiosis and the production of CWDEs (i.e., chitinase) and siderophores; whilst Scavourensis UAE1 and M. tulbaghiae UAE1 were considered to be associated with antibiotic- and CWDE-production, respectively. Pre-inoculation in greenhouse experiments with the most promising actinobacterial isolates resulted in very high levels of disease protection in mango seedlings subsequently inoculated with the pathogen. This was evident by the dramatic reduction in the estimated disease severity indices of the mango dieback of individual biocontrol agent (BCA) applications compared with the pathogen alone, confirming their potential in the management of mango dieback disease. L. theobromae-infected mango seedlings treated with S. samsunensis showed a significantly reduced number of defoliated leaves and conidia counts of L. theobromae by 2- and 4-fold, respectively, in comparison to the other two BCA applications. This indicates that the synergistic antifungal effects of S. samsunensis using multiple modes of action retarded the in planta invasion of L. theobromae. This is the first report of BCA effects against L. Theobromae on mango seedlings by microbial antagonists. It is also the first report of actinobacteria naturally existing in the soils of the UAE or elsewhere that show the ability to suppress the mango dieback disease

Territorial relationship marketing: a lever of territorial attractiveness

The attractiveness of the territory is a strategic objective of public policies. This objective is explained by the contribution of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to economic growth and even to the sustainable development of the host country. Nevertheless, the frenzy of competition between territories on a global scale combined with a galloping globalization and the fragmentation of value chains on an international scale highlights the need to go beyond the promotion of location factors Multinational Firms (MNCs) providers of FDI. Inexorably, the factors of territorialization become significant in a context punctuated by the growing nomadism of foreign companies. It is in this context that this work focuses on the need to adopt a relational approach to promote the economic attractiveness of the territory. This approach, which involves the implementation of a relationship marketing strategy, has demonstrated its effectiveness in maintaining lasting and fruitful relationships with customers in both B to B and B to C. This effectiveness relational marketing involves the mobilization of its determining variables, which are fully addressed by several theories such as the theory of commitment / trust and relational contracts. Our research work seeks to broaden the scope of relationship marketing in order to question its ability to establish lasting and fruitful relationships with FDI. Therefore, the establishment of such relationships is important for the host territory insofar as it is no longer the attractiveness of FMNs carrying FDI that is dominant. We must also strive to retain the latter, increase the capital intensity of subsidiaries and even strengthen their local roots. This said anchoring is able to contribute to the territorial development of the host country.     Classification JEL : F21, F23, M31 Article type: Theoretical articleL’attractivité du territoire est un objectif stratégique des politiques publiques. Cet objectif est expliqué par la contribution des Investissements Directs à l’Étranger (IDE) à la croissance économique et même au développement durable du pays d’accueil.  Néanmoins, la frénésie de la concurrence entre les territoires à l’échelle mondiale combinée à une globalisation galopante et à la fragmentation des chaînes de valeur à l’échelle internationale met en exergue la nécessité d’aller au-delà de la promotion des facteurs de localisation des Firmes Multinationales (FMN) pourvoyeuses des IDE. Inexorablement, les facteurs de territorialisation deviennent prégnants dans un contexte scandé par le nomadisme croissant des entreprises étrangères. C’est dans ce contexte que le présent travail se focalise sur la nécessité d’adopter une approche relationnelle pour favoriser l’attractivité économique du territoire. Cette approche, qui passe par la mise en place d’une stratégie de marketing relationnel, a démontré son efficacité quant à l’entretien de relations durables et fructueuses avec les clients tant dans le B to B que dans le B to C. Cette efficacité du marketing relationnel passe par la mobilisation de ses variables déterminantes amplement abordées par plusieurs théories à l’instar de la théorie de l’engagement/ confiance et celle des contrats relationnels.  Notre travail de recherche cherche à élargir le champ d’application du marketing relationnel pour ainsi interroger sa capacité, à établir des relations durables et fructueuses avec les IDE. Ipso facto, l’établissement de telles relations est important pour le territoire d’accueil dans la mesure où ce n’est plus l’attractivité des FMN porteuses d’IDE qui est dominante. Il faut aussi tendre vers la rétention de ces dernières, l’augmentation de l’intensité capitalistique des filiales et même le renforcement de leur ancrage territorial. Cedit ancrage est à même de contribuer au développement territorial du pays d’accueil.     Classification JEL: F21, F23, M31 Type de l’article : Article théoriqu

Evaluation of different plant derived oils as wood preservatives against subterranean termite Odontotermes obesus

The study assessed the effect of jatropha, linseed, eucalyptus, neem and jojoba oils on protection of three wood species (Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo and Pinus wallichiana) against termite attack by Odontotermes obesus. Conditioned and pre-weighed blocks of each wood species were vacuum-pressure impregnated with a 15% concentration of the oil-ethanol solutions.. Resistance of treated and untreated wood against termites was tested under laboratory as well as field conditions using choice and no-choice tests. Oil treated wood showed significant reductions in weight loss compared to control treatments. Complete termite mortality was recorded for all oil treatments except eucalyptus oil. Linseed oil showed good results in each treatment in terms of feeding resistance as well as mortality of termites followed by neem, jatropha, jojoba  and eucalyptus oil. The lower weight losses were found in both choice and no-choice field tests for linseed oil treated Dalbergia sissoo while untreated Pinus wallichiana sapwood had the greater weight loss. It was observed that the oil retention was significantly more in sapwood than in heartwoods. The retention of oils justified that wood with high oil retention showed more resistance against the termite except eucalyptus oil treatment of Pinus wallichiana

Highlights of the 2nd Bioinformatics Student Symposium by ISCB RSG-UK [version 1]

Following the success of the 1 (st) Student Symposium by ISCB RSG-UK, a 2 (nd) Student Symposium took place on 7 (th) October 2015 at The Genome Analysis Centre, Norwich, UK. This short report summarizes the main highlights from the 2 (nd) Bioinformatics Student Symposium

Sharia compliance in the construction industry: is this something to build upon? / Carrie Amani Annabi, Mujtaba Ummesalma Husein, Fatima Hassan, Nouman Nasir

Sharia principles imply a mode of organising society and its various facets, as well as serving as a guide for the conduct of individuals within the institutional and social context. Accountability to be one of the pillars of environmental ethics within Islam. Another of the most important Islamic concepts is the solidarity of Islamic generations. Thus, the broader environmental dimension related to building is a social concern. Building standards need to take into account this concern for preserving sustainability for future societies. Sharia compliant projects should be permissible business. Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H.) Hadith hallmarks the significance of adhering to Islamic legislation and highlights Halal and permissible business. Therein permissible/Halal business derives its elaboration from Islamic legislation. Sharia principles are often articulated in broad terms. This has created a license to use discretion on how to apply these principles. Owing to the fact there are different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, interpretation of dicta are not always co-terminus. This paper looks into the various components particular to the discussion on Sharia compliant logistics. In order to discuss the hypothetical facets involved in the depiction of Sharia compliant logistics for construction, the discussion is broken down to address the values associated with Sharia compliant business and therefore the implications of Sharia compliant construction logistics leads on from there

Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Households’ Livelihood: Empirical Evidence from Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic on households’ livelihood in Sokoto State, Nigeria using a survey dataset for a sample of two hundred and seventeen (217). The study applied mean and standard deviation in analyzing the data and finding suggests that covid-19 has negatively has negatively affected the household’s livelihood in terms of food security, market accessibility, and income generation activities and women and youths empowerment. The study further revealed that the pandemic put on negative influence on social activities of the households such as children education, social structure and gender relations. Furthermore, the study concludes that, covid-19 has negative effects on cultural activities of the households such as community events, funeral activities, ceremonies, sports activities and cultural values. In addition to covid-19 pandemic, this study also indicated that psychological behaviour of household such as sustainable behavior, uncertainty; infections fears and family relations were negatively affected. From the foregoing, this study recommends the needs for the government to create a window in fiscal policy that will accommodate any unforeseen health challenges in the future. Based on the previous experience, the study further recommends the need for the households to be on alert on the future pandemic and take precautions measures that would prevent the deterioration of socio-cultural activities and psychological behaviour. Keywords: covid-19, households, livelihood, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-12-08 Publication date:June 30th 202