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Presents a new B‐spline finite element for the dynamic analysis of unsymmetrical sandwich shells of revolution. The formulation takes account of the membrane and bending effects in isotropic or orthotropic elastic facings, and membrane, bending and transverse shearing effects in an isotropic or othotropic elastic core. Both geometry and local displacements are interpolated by a set of B‐spline functions. The main aspects added by the sandwich structure of the element are the transverse shearing and membrane‐bending coupling effects in the core. These are well represented by a set of new variables which are the mean end relative in‐plane displacements of the facing middle surfaces. Together with the transverse displacement, these variables constitute the degrees of freedom (dofs) of this new B‐spline sandwich element. The finite elements are grouped into super‐elements with C¹ continuity to obtain the whole finite element model. For each super‐element a total of five dofs per node is then obtained except for its end nodes where the derivatives of these dofs with respect to the meridional co‐ordinate are added. This choice reduces to a minimum the total number of dofs in comparison to existing sandwich elements. Evaluates the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed element through several benchmark examples. Compares the results with the analytical and numerical solutions found in the literature. A very satisfactory behaviour of the element was observed in all test cases.

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether investors’ sentiment affects accruals anomaly across European countries.

The authors estimate the model using Fama–MacBeth regressions. The sample includes 54,572 firm-year observations for 4,787 European firms during the period 1994–2014.

The authors find that investors’ sentiment influences accruals mispricing across European countries. The effect is pronounced for stocks whose valuations are highly subjective and difficult to arbitrage. The cross-country analysis provides evidence that sentiment influences accruals anomaly in countries with weaker outside shareholder rights, lower legal enforcement, lower equity market development, higher allowance of accrual accounting and in countries where herd-like behavior and overreaction behavior are strong.

The findings suggest the generalizability of the sentiment-accruals anomaly relation in European countries characterized by different cultural values, levels of economic development and legal tradition.

The findings suggest to caution individuals investors. These investors would be wise to take into account the impact of sentiment on the performance of their portfolio. They must keep in mind that periods of high optimism are accompanied by a high level of accruals and followed by low future stock returns.

The research supplements previous American studies by showing the significance of the level of sentiment in understanding the accruals anomaly in Europe. Hence, it is important for future studies to consider investor sentiment as an important time-series determinant of the accruals anomaly, particularly for stocks that are hard to value and difficult to arbitrage.

The study aims to assess the efficiency of nanocomposite to improve the properties of gap-filling materials for pottery artifacts.

Five different pastes were used in the laboratory studies. The pastes consist mainly of pottery powder (grog), dental plaster, microballoons and an adhesive of Primal AC33, nano-silica and nano kaolinite in various concentrations. The prepared samples were subjected to accelerated heat and light aging. Besides, some investigations were used to evaluate the efficacy of the additive nanomaterials, such as TEM, digital and scanning electron microscopy microscopes. Contact angle, color change, shrinkage degree, physical properties and compressive strength tests were also conducted.

The results indicated that using Nano-silica considerably improves the mechanical strength and decreases the shrinkage of gap-filling materials. According to the results, a mixture of grog, microballoons and Primal AC33/Nano-silica Nanocomposites is the optimal gap-filling paste for archaeological pottery. Moreover, this paste showed a higher contact angle (120°), lower color change (ΔE = 2.62), lower shrinkage (3.3%), lower water absorption (3.36%), lower porosity (5.05%) and higher compressive strength (5124 N/mm²).

This paper attains to develop an economic polymer-nanocomposite that can be used with gap-filling materials for pottery artifacts.

This study aims to offer an effective nanocomposite for potential use to consolidate and protect deteriorated archaeological pottery.

Three nanocomposites were used in the experimental study. This study used nano Primal AC33, silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles to protect and consolidate pottery specimens. Pottery specimens were made at 800°C for this investigation. Consolidation materials were applied with a brush. The properties of the treated pottery specimens were assessed using several methods such as digital and scanning electron microscopes, static water contact angle, color alteration, physical properties and compressive strength.

Microscopic examination indicated the ability of the nano Primal AC33/MMT nanocomposites to cover the outer surface well and bind the inner granules. Concerning specimens with code F treated with nano Primal AC33 5%/MMT 3% nanocomposites, it achieved an increase in contact angle (120°), density (1.23 g/cm³) and compressive strength (561 kg/cm²), as well as a decrease in color change (ΔE = 2.62), water absorption (4.45%) and porosity (5.46%). The novelty of the results is due to the characteristics of nano Primal AC33 5%/MMT 3% nanocomposites used in the current study.

This study describes the significant results of the analytical methods used for evaluating consolidation materials used in this study. The findings offer useful information for the protection of archaeological pottery. The investigation indicated that nano Primal AC33 5%/MMT 3% nanocomposites gave the best results. Therefore, it is recommended to use this nanocomposite to consolidate archaeological pottery. As a result, the current work provides a promising first step in conserving archaeological pottery for future studies.

Interpersonal and informal ties and networks, known as wasta in the Arab Middle East region, remain a major force in Middle Eastern societies, determining most economic, social and political outcomes. Yet the literature on informal ties and networks is largely characterized by a lack of contributions from the Arab world, despite the adverse effect that lack of understanding of the wasta phenomenon is having on the effectiveness of expatriate managers and subsequently on business performance. This chapter therefore aims to shed light on the meaning, characteristics, structure, and role of wasta in establishing and maintaining successful business relationships. It ends with recommendations for foreign investors and international managers who wish to establish and maintain successful business relationships in the Middle East on how to capitalize on interpersonal networks within this process.

The purpose of this study is to develop functional probiotic Labneh cheeses supplemented with broccoli florets.

Probiotic Labneh cheese was produced using broccoli florets paste at four different levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%), with Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-1922 as a probiotic strain, to evaluate its physicochemical, phenols, antioxidant activity, minerals, vitamins, textural, microbiological and sensory characteristics during storage for 15 days.

The results indicated that Labneh cheese with added broccoli paste exhibited significantly (p = 0.05) higher level of moisture, acidity, soluble nitrogen, phenols, antioxidant activity, minerals and B vitamins, and lower protein, fat, ash and pH values when compared to control Labneh cheese. Textural analysis of Labneh cheese indicated that Labneh with higher level of broccoli (15%) exhibited harder texture than others. Higher viable counts of Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus thermophilus were detected in Labneh with broccoli paste, and the counts (107 cfu/g) were higher than the number should be present to achieve their health benefits. The most acceptable Labneh cheeses were those supplemented with 5 and 10% broccoli paste.

This study revealed broccoli florets could enhance the growth of Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus thermophilus in the Labneh matrix, which resulted in a wider spectrum of health benefits of Labneh cheese to the consumers.

Medical schools aspire to graduate doctors who are competent in interpreting, conducting and publishing scientific research. Hence, the purpose of the paper is explore the impact of a structured compulsory community-oriented, project-based research program in the undergraduate medical curriculum on medical graduates’ future careers, publications and motivation for scientific research.

An online questionnaire was sent through the Alumni Association of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) to medical graduates who have valid email addresses, seeking information on their scientific productivity along with demographic and current employment data. Responses were collated and analyzed using a standard statistical software package. The chi-square test and p-value were calculated. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Completed forms were received from 91 medical graduates. In this sample, almost a quarter of the respondents have published a research paper out of their undergraduate research project, and about 50% have published at least one paper (as main or co-author) after graduation. Both demographic and medical specialty was not related to the doctor's perception of the benefits they have attained from the compulsory undergraduate research program. However, medical graduates who are at senior levels in their medical careers and those who are employed in secondary healthcare are significantly more likely to publish research papers.

The compulsory community-oriented, project-based research program in AGU has positively contributed to the research productivity of graduates, and it would be worthwhile to include such programs as an integral part of the undergraduate medical curriculum.

This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the role of corporate governance mechanisms in reducing earnings-management practices in Islamic banks in Asia.

This study used 28 Islamic banks in Asia, which were listed on the stock exchange from 2013–2017. The research method used quantitative regression with data on the characteristics of Islamic banks taken from the websites of each bank. This study used discretionary loan loss provision as a proxy for measuring earnings management.

The results show that only the audit committee size has a significantly negative effect on earnings management. An independent audit committee has a negative, but not significant, effect. The difference expectation signs cannot be interpreted further.

Only a few components of corporate governance were tested in this study. Therefore, it is expected that future studies will include more components.

In general, the components of corporate governance that include the characteristics of the board of directors and the audit committee have a varied effect on reducing the earnings-management practices in Islamic banks, except audit committee size. In practice, audit committee size should have an important role in earning management reduces.

This may be the first paper that studies the effect of corporate governance on earnings management in Islamic banks in Asia.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocontainer solutions in removing deteriorated and aged polymers commonly used in coating and consolidating archaeological glass.

This study focused on characterizing glass surfaces coated with two commonly used polymeric materials in archaeological glass preservation. Furthermore, the study evaluates the elimination of these coatings from the surfaces by using innovative aqueous systems composed of micellar solutions (MS) and oil-in-water (O/W) Texapon-P microemulsions (TEX). Glass samples coated with selected polymers were subjected to thermal and photochemical aging to simulate natural degradation conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocontainer aqueous systems compared to acetone (Ac), a conventional solvent commonly used for removal procedures. The characterization procedures involved transmission electron microscopy, USB digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, color alteration and gravimetric measurement.

The findings indicate that the effectiveness of novel techniques using aqueous nanocontainer systems is quite promising when considering a “green approach” to preserving cultural heritage. Microscopic examination demonstrated the efficacy of MS in effectively removing acrylic and vinyl polymers from the glass surface. Furthermore, TEX proved effective in removing polyvinyl acetate (PVA) over Paraloid B72 (B-72). In addition, the measurement of color alteration values revealed a decrease after using MS compared to the standard sample before applying the polymers, with values of ΔE = 1.48 and 1.82 for B-72 polymer and PVA, respectively.

This research provides nanocontainer solutions for removing aged polymers from the glass surface. This makes the current study a promising step for treating archaeological glass.

Wasta, the prevailing form of informal networks in the Arab region, exerts a significant controversial influence on organisations in this region. Despite the pervasive negative perceptions and alleged detrimental effects of Wasta, it remains a frequently employed practice. This research aims to comprehensively explore the influence of Wasta on organisational justice across organisations in the Arab world, with Jordanian organisations taken as an illustrative case.

Employing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 employees from various industries in Jordan.

The study reveals that Wasta significantly affects distributive, procedural and interactional justice within organisations, eliciting feelings of unfairness and hopelessness among employees.

This study recommends that HR departments focus on implementing ethical policies and standards to enhance transparency in organisational decision-making processes. By understanding and addressing the implications of Wasta, organisations can foster a more just and equitable workplace environment.

This study advances our understanding of informal network theories in the Arab world by highlighting the interconnectedness between Wasta and organisational justice, and its profound impact on the work environment and employees. This study also explains how Wasta directly influences decision-making processes, at high managerial levels.