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Mena</title> <meta name="description" content="Search results for: Darwin Mena"> <meta name="keywords" content="Darwin Mena"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> <button class="d-block d-lg-none navbar-toggler ml-auto" type="button" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbarMenu" aria-controls="navbarMenu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation"> <span class="navbar-toggler-icon"></span> </button> <div class="w-100"> <div class="d-none d-lg-flex flex-row-reverse"> <form method="get" action="https://waset.org/search" class="form-inline my-2 my-lg-0"> <input class="form-control mr-sm-2" type="search" placeholder="Search Conferences" value="Darwin Mena" name="q" aria-label="Search"> <button class="btn btn-light my-2 my-sm-0" type="submit"><i class="fas fa-search"></i></button> </form> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse mt-1" id="navbarMenu"> <ul class="navbar-nav ml-auto align-items-center" id="mainNavMenu"> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/conferences" title="Conferences in 2024/2025/2026">Conferences</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://waset.org/disciplines" title="Disciplines">Disciplines</a> </li> <li 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id="custom-search-input"> <div class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value="Darwin Mena"> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 73</div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="mt-3 mb-3 text-center" style="font-size:1.6rem;">Search results for: Darwin Mena</h1> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">73</span> The Effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Ratings on Financial Performance: Evidence from MENA Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Taha%20Almarayhe">Taha Almarayhe</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This study addresses the gap in understanding the effect of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on firm performance within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Using a sample of 340 publicly traded firms across ten MENA countries (2007–2017) and employing ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, the study evaluates how ESG ratings impact both accounting-based performance measures—such as return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and earnings per share (EPS)—and market-based measures like Tobin’s Q and dividend yield. Results reveal that ESG ratings positively and significantly influence financial performance, particularly in countries with strong regulatory environments. This research contributes empirical insights to the literature on ESG’s financial impact, particularly by comparing cross-country data within the MENA region. It provides valuable guidance for investors and managers aiming to enhance financial outcomes through sustainable business practices. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ESG%20ratings" title="ESG ratings">ESG ratings</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=financial%20performance" title=" financial performance"> financial performance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20countries" title=" MENA countries"> MENA countries</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=environmental%20disclosures" title=" environmental disclosures"> environmental disclosures</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/194370/the-effect-of-environmental-social-and-governance-esg-ratings-on-financial-performance-evidence-from-mena-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/194370.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">10</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">72</span> Exploring Fertility Dynamics in the MENA Region: Distribution, Determinants, and Temporal Trends</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dena%20Alhaloul">Dena Alhaloul</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterized by diverse cultures, economies, and social structures. Fertility rates in MENA have seen significant changes over time, with variations among countries and subregions. Understanding fertility patterns in this region is essential due to its impact on demographic dynamics, healthcare, labor markets, and social policies. Rising or declining fertility rates have far-reaching consequences for the region's socioeconomic development. The main thrust of this study is to comprehensively examine fertility rates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It aims to understand the distribution, determinants, and temporal trends of fertility rates in MENA countries. The study seeks to provide insights into the factors influencing fertility decisions, assess how fertility rates have evolved over time, and potentially develop statistical models to characterize these trends. As for the methodology of the study, the study uses descriptive statistics to summarize and visualize fertility rate data. It also uses regression analyses to identify determinants of fertility rates as well as statistical modeling to characterize temporal trends in fertility rates. The conclusion of this study The research will contribute to a deeper understanding of fertility dynamics in the MENA region, shedding light on the distribution of fertility rates, their determinants, and historical trends. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fertility" title="fertility">fertility</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=distribution" title=" distribution"> distribution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=modeling" title=" modeling"> modeling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=regression" title=" regression"> regression</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/173905/exploring-fertility-dynamics-in-the-mena-region-distribution-determinants-and-temporal-trends" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/173905.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">81</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">71</span> The Causality between Corruption and Economic Growth in MENA Countries: A Dynamic Panel-Data Analysis</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nour%20Mohamad%20Fayad">Nour Mohamad Fayad</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Complex and extensively researched, the impact of corruption on economic growth seems to be intricate. Many experts believe that corruption reduces economic development. However, counterarguments have suggested that corruption either promotes growth and development or has no significant impact on economic performance. Clearly, there is no consensus in the economics literature regarding the possible relationship between corruption and economic development. Corruption's complex and clandestine nature, which makes it difficult to define and measure, is one of the obstacles that must be overcome when investigating its effect on an economy. In an attempt to contribute to the ongoing debate, this study examines the impact of corruption on economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between 2000 and 2021 using a Customized Corruption Index-CCI and panel data on MENA countries. These countries were selected because they are understudied in the economic literature, and despite the World Bank's recent emphasis on corruption in the developing world, the MENA countries have received little attention. The researcher used Cobb-Douglas functional form to test corruption in MENA using a customized index known as Customized Corruption Index-CCI to track corruption over almost 20 years, then used the dynamic panel data. The findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between corruption and economic growth, but this is not consistent across all MENA nations. First, the relatively recent lack of data from MENA nations. This issue is related to the inaccessibility of data for many MENA countries, particularly regarding the returns on resources, private malfeasance, and other variables in Gulf countries. In addition, the researcher encountered several restrictions, such as electricity and internet outages, due to the fact that he is from Lebanon, a country whose citizens have endured difficult living conditions since the Lebanese crisis began in 2019. Demonstrating a customized index known as Customized Corruption Index-CCI that suits the characteristics of MENA countries to peculiarly measure corruption in this region, the outcome of the Customized Corruption Index-CCI is then compared to the Corruption Perception Index-CPI and Control of Corruption from World Governance Indicator-CC from WGI. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=corruption" title="corruption">corruption</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=economic%20growth" title=" economic growth"> economic growth</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=corruption%20measurements" title=" corruption measurements"> corruption measurements</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=empirical%20review" title=" empirical review"> empirical review</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=impact%20of%20corruption" title=" impact of corruption"> impact of corruption</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/166811/the-causality-between-corruption-and-economic-growth-in-mena-countries-a-dynamic-panel-data-analysis" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/166811.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">74</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">70</span> Parametric Urbanism: A Climate Responsive Urban Form for the MENA Region</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norhan%20El%20Dallal">Norhan El Dallal</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The MENA region is a challenging, rapid urbanizing region, with a special profile; culturally, socially, economically and environmentally. Despite the diversity between different countries of the MENA region they all share similar urban challenges where extensive interventions are crucial. A climate sensitive region as the MENA region requires special attention for development, adaptation and mitigation. Integrating climatic and environmental parameters into the planning process to create a responsive urban form is the aim of this research in which “Parametric Urbanism” as a trend serves as a tool to reach a more sustainable urban morphology. An attempt to parameterize the relation between the climate and the urban form in a detailed manner is the main objective of the thesis. The aim is relating the different passive approaches suitable for the MENA region with the design guidelines of each and every part of the planning phase. Various conceptual scenarios for the network pattern and block subdivision generation based on computational models are the next steps after the parameterization. These theoretical models could be applied on different climatic zones of the dense communities of the MENA region to achieve an energy efficient neighborhood or city with respect to the urban form, morphology, and urban planning pattern. A final criticism of the theoretical model is to be conducted showing the feasibility of the proposed solutions economically. Finally some push and pull policies are to be proposed to help integrate these solutions into the planning process. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=parametric%20urbanism" title="parametric urbanism">parametric urbanism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=climate%20responsive" title=" climate responsive"> climate responsive</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urban%20form" title=" urban form"> urban form</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urban%20and%20regional%20studies" title=" urban and regional studies"> urban and regional studies</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23864/parametric-urbanism-a-climate-responsive-urban-form-for-the-mena-region" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/23864.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">480</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">69</span> Uncertainty and Volatility in Middle East and North Africa Stock Market during the Arab Spring</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ameen%20Alshugaa">Ameen Alshugaa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abul%20Mansur%20Masih"> Abul Mansur Masih</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This paper sheds light on the economic impacts of political uncertainty caused by the civil uprisings that swept the Arab World and have been collectively known as the Arab Spring. Measuring documented effects of political uncertainty on regional stock market indices, we examine the impact of the Arab Spring on the volatility of stock markets in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: Egypt, Lebanon, Jordon, United Arab Emirate, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. This analysis also permits testing the existence of financial contagion among equity markets in the MENA region during the Arab Spring. To capture the time-varying and multi-horizon nature of the evidence of volatility and contagion in the eight MENA stock markets, we apply two robust methodologies on consecutive data from November 2008 to March 2014: MGARCH-DCC, Continuous Wavelet Transforms (CWT). Our results indicate two key findings. First, the discrepancies between volatile stock markets of countries directly impacted by the Arab Spring and countries that were not directly impacted indicate that international investors may still enjoy portfolio diversification and investment in MENA markets. Second, the lack of financial contagion during the Arab Spring suggests that there is little evidence of cointegration among MENA markets. Providing a general analysis of the economic situation and the investment climate in the MENA region during and after the Arab Spring, this study bear significant importance for policy makers, local and international investors, and market regulators. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Portfolio%20Diversification" title="Portfolio Diversification ">Portfolio Diversification </a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20Region" title=" MENA Region "> MENA Region </a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Stock%20Market%20Indices" title=" Stock Market Indices"> Stock Market Indices</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MGARCH-DCC" title=" MGARCH-DCC"> MGARCH-DCC</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wavelet%20Analysis" title=" Wavelet Analysis"> Wavelet Analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=CWT" title=" CWT"> CWT</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/50777/uncertainty-and-volatility-in-middle-east-and-north-africa-stock-market-during-the-arab-spring" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/50777.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">292</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">68</span> Potentials for Change in the MENA Region: A Socioeconomic Perspective</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shaira%20Karishma%20Sheriff">Shaira Karishma Sheriff</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Zarinah%20Hamid"> Zarinah Hamid</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The Arab Spring, which commenced during the end of 2010 and accelerated during 2011, was caused primarily due to poverty, unemployment and a general recession in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. The core motivation of this revolution could be said to be the need for political, economic and social reforms that the region desires to experience. Though GDP growth has been significant in the region, the income distribution mechanism in MENA countries has been ineffective. This results in low levels of education, substandard health care facilities, unemployment, and poverty. This paper argues that MENA countries have great potential for experiencing socioeconomic development by being less dependent on oil exports and enhancing their services sector through better education which would eventually lead to job creation. Furthermore, the region can encourage better trade and political integration by forming transparent and accountable governments. The notion of Nation-State needs to be addressed and the countries in the region need to look for ways to develop effective supra-national institutions for better political and economic integration that goes beyond geographical borders. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=political%20reforms" title="political reforms">political reforms</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20reforms" title=" social reforms"> social reforms</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=economic%20development" title=" economic development"> economic development</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nation-state" title=" nation-state"> nation-state</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=economic%20integration" title=" economic integration"> economic integration</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/21482/potentials-for-change-in-the-mena-region-a-socioeconomic-perspective" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/21482.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">441</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">67</span> Effectiveness of Adopting Software Quality Frameworks in Software Organizations: A Qualitative Review</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarah%20K.%20Amer">Sarah K. Amer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nagwa%20Badr"> Nagwa Badr</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Osman%20Ibrahim"> Osman Ibrahim</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ahmed%20Hamad"> Ahmed Hamad</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This paper surveys the effectiveness of software process quality assurance frameworks, with some focus on Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - a framework that has become widely adopted in software organizations. The importance of quality improvement in software development, and the differences in the outcomes of quality framework implementation between Middle Eastern and North African (MENA-region) countries and non-MENA-region countries are discussed. The greatest challenges met in the MENA region are identified, with particular focus on Egypt and its rising software development industry. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=software%20quality" title="software quality">software quality</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=software%20process%20improvement" title=" software process improvement"> software process improvement</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=software%20development%20methodologies" title=" software development methodologies"> software development methodologies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=capability%20maturity%20model%20integration" title=" capability maturity model integration"> capability maturity model integration</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54810/effectiveness-of-adopting-software-quality-frameworks-in-software-organizations-a-qualitative-review" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54810.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">354</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">66</span> Dust and Soling Accumulation Effect on Photovoltaic Systems in MENA Region</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=I.%20Muslih">I. Muslih</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20Alkhalailah"> A. Alkhalailah</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20Merdji"> A. Merdji</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Photovoltaic efficiency is highly affected by dust accumulation; the dust particles prevent direct solar radiation from reaching the panel surface; therefore a reduction in output power will occur. A study of dust and soiling accumulation effect on the output power of PV panels was conducted for different periods of time from May to October in three countries of the MENA region, Jordan, Egypt, and Algeria, under local weather conditions. This study leads to build a more realistic equation to estimate the power reduction as a function of time. This logarithmic function shows the high reduction in power in the first days with 10% reduction in output power compared to the reference system, where it reaches a steady state value after 60 days to reach a maximum value of 30%. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dust%20effect" title="dust effect">dust effect</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA" title=" MENA"> MENA</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=solar%20energy" title=" solar energy"> solar energy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=PV%20system" title=" PV system"> PV system</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75157/dust-and-soling-accumulation-effect-on-photovoltaic-systems-in-mena-region" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/75157.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">219</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">65</span> Food Security in the Middle East and North Africa</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sara%20D.%20Garduno-Diaz">Sara D. Garduno-Diaz</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Philippe%20Y.%20Garduno-Diaz"> Philippe Y. Garduno-Diaz</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> To date, one of the few comprehensive indicators for the measurement of food security is the Global Food Security Index. This index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative bench marking model, constructed from 28 unique indicators, that measures drivers of food security across both developing and developed countries. Whereas the Global Food Security Index has been calculated across a set of 109 countries, in this paper we aim to present and compare, for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 1) the Food Security Index scores achieved and 2) the data available on affordability, availability, and quality of food. The data for this work was taken from the latest (2014) report published by the creators of the GFSI, which in turn used information from national and international statistical sources. According to the 2014 Global Food Security Index, MENA countries rank from place 17/109 (Israel, although with resent political turmoil this is likely to have changed) to place 91/109 (Yemen) with household expenditure spent in food ranging from 15.5% (Israel) to 60% (Egypt). Lower spending on food as a share of household consumption in most countries and better food safety net programs in the MENA have contributed to a notable increase in food affordability. The region has also however experienced a decline in food availability, owing to more limited food supplies and higher volatility of agricultural production. In terms of food quality and safety the MENA has the top ranking country (Israel). The most frequent challenges faced by the countries of the MENA include public expenditure on agricultural research and development as well as volatility of agricultural production. Food security is a complex phenomenon that interacts with many other indicators of a country’s well-being; in the MENA it is slowly but markedly improving. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=diet" title="diet">diet</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=food%20insecurity" title=" food insecurity"> food insecurity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=global%20food%20security%20index" title=" global food security index"> global food security index</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nutrition" title=" nutrition"> nutrition</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainability" title=" sustainability"> sustainability</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/17340/food-security-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/17340.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">354</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">64</span> The Need for Including Hepatitis a Vaccine in Routine Childhood Immunization Programs in Europe as a Response to the Influx of Refugees from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regions</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=S.%20Ramia">S. Ramia</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=N.%20Melhem"> N. Melhem</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=K.%20Kreidieh"> K. Kreidieh</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The world is facing an unprecedented displacement crisis. Recently, over 1.1 million asylum seekers have been granted protection status in the European Union (EU). The majority of these asylum seekers were from countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.This influx carries with it a potential introduction of infectious diseases that have been eliminated in the EU, which poses a challenge for EU health authorities. Compared to MENA region countries where Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) endemicity is high to intermediate, member states of the EU show very low (Western Europe) to low (Eastern Europe) levels of HAV endemicity. Because of this situation, there is an ongoing public health concern in high-income countries, like members of the EU, that many adults remain susceptible to HAV outbreaks. The overwhelming majority of the EU members’ states do not include HAV vaccine in their immunization calendars. Hence, this paper urgently calls for the implementation of new policies regarding HAV in EU members’ states. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=European%20union" title="European union">European union</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hepatitis%20A" title=" hepatitis A"> hepatitis A</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20region%20refugees" title=" MENA region refugees"> MENA region refugees</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=vaccine%20preventable%20diseases" title=" vaccine preventable diseases"> vaccine preventable diseases</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/61472/the-need-for-including-hepatitis-a-vaccine-in-routine-childhood-immunization-programs-in-europe-as-a-response-to-the-influx-of-refugees-from-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-mena-regions" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/61472.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">278</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">63</span> Global Production of Systematic Reviews on Population Health Issues in the Middle East and North Africa: Preliminary Results of a Systematic Overview and Bibliometric Analysis, 2008-2016</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Karima%20Chaabna">Karima Chaabna</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sohaila%20Cheema"> Sohaila Cheema</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amit%20Abraham"> Amit Abraham</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hekmat%20Alrouh"> Hekmat Alrouh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ravinder%20Mamtani"> Ravinder Mamtani</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Javaid%20I.%20Sheikh"> Javaid I. Sheikh</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> We aimed to assess the production of systematic reviews (SRs) that synthesize observational studies discussing population health issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Two independent reviewers systematically searched MEDLINE through PubMed. Between 2008-2016, 5,747 articles (reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses) were identified. Following a multi-stage screening process, 387 SRs (with or without meta-analysis) on population health issues in the MENA were included in our overview. Citation numbers for each SR were retrieved from Google Scholar. Impact factor of the journal during the publication year for the included SRs was retrieved from the Institute of Scientific Information’s Journal Citation Report. We conducted linear regression analysis to assess time trends of number of publications according to SRs’ characteristics. We characterized a linear statistically significant increase in the annual numbers of SRs that summarize observational studies on the MENA population health (p-value<0.0001, R2=0.95), from 15 in 2008 to 81 in 2016. Our analysis reveals also linear statistically significant increases in numbers of SRs published by authors affiliated to institutions located inside MENA and/or neighboring countries (N=113, p-value < 0.0001, R²=0.90), by authors located outside MENA (N=155, p-value=0.0007, R²=0.82), and by collaborating authors affiliated to institutions located outside MENA and inside the region and/or in MENA’s neighboring countries (total number of SRs (N)= 119, p-value=0.0004, R²=0.85). Furthermore, these SRs were published in journals with an IF ranging from 0 to 47.8 (median=2.1). Linear statistically significant increases in numbers of published SRs were demonstrated in journals’ impact factor (IF) categories (IF=[0-2[: R²=0.79, p-value=0.0012; IF=[2-4[:R²=0.86, p-value=0.0003; and IF=[4-6[:R²=0.53, p-value=0.026). Additionally, annual numbers of citations to the SRs varied between 0 and 471 (median=7). While each year, a couple of SRs were getting more than 50 annual citations, there were linear statistically significant increases in numbers of published SRs with an annual number of citations at [0-10[(R²=0.89, p-value=0.00014) and at [10-50[ (R²=0.76, p-value=0.0021). Between 2008-2016, increasingly SRs that summarize observational studies on population health issues in the MENA were published. Authors of these SRs were located inside and/or outside the MENA region and an increasing number of collaborations were seen. Increasing numbers of SRs were predominantly observed in journals with an IF between zero and six. Interestingly, SRs covering MENA region countries were being increasingly cited, indicating an escalation of interest in this region’s population health issues. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=bibliometric" title="bibliometric">bibliometric</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=citation" title=" citation"> citation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=impact%20factor" title=" impact factor"> impact factor</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Middle%20East%20and%20North%20Africa" title=" Middle East and North Africa"> Middle East and North Africa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=population%20health" title=" population health"> population health</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=systematic%20review" title=" systematic review"> systematic review</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/84484/global-production-of-systematic-reviews-on-population-health-issues-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-preliminary-results-of-a-systematic-overview-and-bibliometric-analysis-2008-2016" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/84484.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">155</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">62</span> The Impact of Cloud Accounting on Boards of Directors in the Middle East and North African (MENA) Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ahmad%20Alqatan">Ahmad Alqatan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze how the adoption of cloud accounting systems influences the governance practices and performance of boards of directors in MENA countries. The research aims to identify the benefits and challenges associated with cloud accounting and its role in improving board efficiency and oversight. Methodology: This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with board members and financial officers from a diverse range of companies in the MENA region. The quantitative data is analyzed to determine patterns and correlations, while qualitative insights provide a deeper understanding of the contextual factors influencing cloud accounting adoption and its impacts. Findings: The findings indicate that cloud accounting significantly enhances the decision-making capabilities of boards by providing real-time financial information and facilitating better communication among board members. Companies using cloud accounting reports improved financial oversight and more timely and accurate financial reporting. However, the research also identifies challenges such as cybersecurity concerns, resistance to change, and the need for ongoing training and support. Practical Implications: The study suggests that MENA companies can benefit from investing in cloud accounting technologies to improve board governance and strategic decision-making. It highlights the importance of addressing cybersecurity issues and providing adequate training for board members to maximize the advantages of cloud accounting. Originality: This research contributes to the limited literature on cloud accounting in the MENA region, offering valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and academics. It underscores the transformative potential of cloud accounting for enhancing board performance and corporate governance in emerging markets. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cloud%20accounting" title="cloud accounting">cloud accounting</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=board%20of%20directors" title=" board of directors"> board of directors</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20region" title=" MENA region"> MENA region</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=corporate%20governance" title=" corporate governance"> corporate governance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=financial%20transparency" title=" financial transparency"> financial transparency</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=real-time%20data" title=" real-time data"> real-time data</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=decision-making" title=" decision-making"> decision-making</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cybersecurity" title=" cybersecurity"> cybersecurity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=technology%20adoption" title=" technology adoption"> technology adoption</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191055/the-impact-of-cloud-accounting-on-boards-of-directors-in-the-middle-east-and-north-african-mena-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191055.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">30</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">61</span> Comparison of Statistical Methods for Estimating Missing Precipitation Data in the River Subbasin Lenguazaque, Colombia</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Miguel%20Ca%C3%B1on">Miguel Cañon</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Darwin%20Mena"> Darwin Mena</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ivan%20Cabeza"> Ivan Cabeza</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In this work was compared and evaluated the applicability of statistical methods for the estimation of missing precipitations data in the basin of the river Lenguazaque located in the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá, Colombia. The methods used were the method of simple linear regression, distance rate, local averages, mean rates, correlation with nearly stations and multiple regression method. The analysis used to determine the effectiveness of the methods is performed by using three statistical tools, the correlation coefficient (r2), standard error of estimation and the test of agreement of Bland and Altmant. The analysis was performed using real rainfall values removed randomly in each of the seasons and then estimated using the methodologies mentioned to complete the missing data values. So it was determined that the methods with the highest performance and accuracy in the estimation of data according to conditions that were counted are the method of multiple regressions with three nearby stations and a random application scheme supported in the precipitation behavior of related data sets. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=statistical%20comparison" title="statistical comparison">statistical comparison</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=precipitation%20data" title=" precipitation data"> precipitation data</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=river%20subbasin" title=" river subbasin"> river subbasin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bland%20and%20Altmant" title=" Bland and Altmant "> Bland and Altmant </a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/21617/comparison-of-statistical-methods-for-estimating-missing-precipitation-data-in-the-river-subbasin-lenguazaque-colombia" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/21617.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">467</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">60</span> Migration Management in the Eastern Mediterranean: The European Union's Legacy of the Securitization and Lacking on the Principle of Solidarity and Burden Sharing</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tasawar%20Ashraf">Tasawar Ashraf</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The paper argues that the European Union’s securitized recourse to migration management which is lacking on the principle of solidarity has enhanced the sufferings of the asylum seekers by influencing the asylum policies of the non-EU states in the Eastern Mediterranean. The research critically analyses the development of the Turkish Asylum Policy and advocates that due to extraordinary burden of refugees and conceivable chances of getting EU membership, Turkey is developing its asylum policy essentially on the footprints of the EU. Such political and economic domination of the EU are resulting in the development of broader securitized migration zone in the EU and MENA region. Therefore, this paper critically analyses two interconnected issues, i.e., securitization of the migration in the EU and MENA region and the deficiency of the principle of solidarity and burden sharing in the European Agenda on Migration and how it reflects on Turkish asylum policy. This paper suggests that the EU must adopt a more generous resettle scheme ensuring the division of the refugee burden on all member and regional states by considering different political, social, and economic factors. Only such corporation can increase the pool of refugee hosting states by collaborating with the regional states to develop their asylum systems in accordance with international law. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=European%20Agenda%20on%20Migration%20%28EAM%29" title="European Agenda on Migration (EAM)">European Agenda on Migration (EAM)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=EU" title=" EU"> EU</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Middle%20East%20and%20North%20Africa%20%28MENA%29" title=" Middle East and North Africa (MENA)"> Middle East and North Africa (MENA)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Treaty%20on%20the%20Functioning%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20%28TFEU%29" title=" Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)"> Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/89857/migration-management-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-the-european-unions-legacy-of-the-securitization-and-lacking-on-the-principle-of-solidarity-and-burden-sharing" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/89857.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">178</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">59</span> Measuring Energy Efficiency Performance of Mena Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Azam%20Mohammadbagheri">Azam Mohammadbagheri</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bahram%20Fathi"> Bahram Fathi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> DEA has become a very popular method of performance measure, but it still suffers from some shortcomings. One of these shortcomings is the issue of having multiple optimal solutions to weights for efficient DMUs. The cross efficiency evaluation as an extension of DEA is proposed to avoid this problem. Lam (2010) is also proposed a mixed-integer linear programming formulation based on linear discriminate analysis and super efficiency method (MILP model) to avoid having multiple optimal solutions to weights. In this study, we modified MILP model to determine more suitable weight sets and also evaluate the energy efficiency of MENA countries as an application of the proposed model. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=data%20envelopment%20analysis" title="data envelopment analysis">data envelopment analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=discriminate%20analysis" title=" discriminate analysis"> discriminate analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cross%20efficiency" title=" cross efficiency"> cross efficiency</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MILP%20model" title=" MILP model"> MILP model</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/26629/measuring-energy-efficiency-performance-of-mena-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/26629.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">687</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">58</span> Dust and Soling Accumulation Effect on Photovoltaic Systems in Middle East and North Africa Region</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Iyad%20Muslih">Iyad Muslih</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Azzah%20Alkhalailah"> Azzah Alkhalailah</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ali%20Merdji"> Ali Merdji</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Photovoltaic efficiency is highly affected by dust accumulation; the dust particles prevent direct solar radiation from reaching the panel surface; therefore a reduction in output power will occur. A study of dust and soiling accumulation effect on the output power of PV panels was conducted for different periods of time from May to October in three countries of the MENA region, Jordan, Egypt, and Algeria, under local weather conditions. This study leads to build a more realistic equation to estimate the power reduction as a function of time. This logarithmic function shows the high reduction in power in the first days with 10% reduction in output power compared to the reference system, where it reaches a steady state value after 60 days to reach a maximum value of 30%. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=solar%20energy" title="solar energy">solar energy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=PV%20system" title=" PV system"> PV system</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=soiling" title=" soiling"> soiling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA" title=" MENA"> MENA</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/74260/dust-and-soling-accumulation-effect-on-photovoltaic-systems-in-middle-east-and-north-africa-region" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/74260.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">219</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">57</span> Determinants of Dividend Payout Ratio: Evidence form MENA Region</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abdul-Nasser%20El-Kassar">Abdul-Nasser El-Kassar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Walid%20Elgammal"> Walid Elgammal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hisham%20Jawhar"> Hisham Jawhar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This paper studies the determinants of the dividends payout ratio. The factors affecting the dividends payout ratio are to be identified. The study focuses only on the cement and construction industry within the MENA region in an attempt to isolate any incoherent behavior. The factors under consideration are: sales growth, ROE, ROA, ROS, debt to equity ratio, firm size, and free cash flow. Data were collected from official stock exchange markets in addition to annual reports. The study considered all firms that paid dividend in each of the three consecutive years starting from 2010 till 2012. Out of the 123 listed firms that work in cement and construction industry in MENA region, only 19 paid dividends in the three consecutive years 2010-12. Our sample consists of the 19 firms (57 observations) which are selected according to purposive sampling. Moreover, the study uses the homogeneous subcategory within the purposive sampling since only similar firms in the construction industry had been examined. The outcome of the study provides a vital insight into the determinants of dividends payout ratio of companies in MENA region. The results showed that the dividend payout ratio has a strong and positive relationship with return on assets and strong but negative relationship with return on equity. On the other hand, the results detected weak relationships between dividend payout ratio and sale growth, debt to equity ratio, firm size, and free cash flow. The study suggests that board of directors tend to compensate shareholders and minimize the agency cost by distributing a high portion of profits in form of dividends whenever return on equity decreases. Also, when the performance of the firm improves, and hence return on assets increases, boards of directors are more generous in distributing profits. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dividends%20payout%20ratio" title="dividends payout ratio">dividends payout ratio</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=profitability%20firm%20size" title=" profitability firm size"> profitability firm size</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=free%20cashflow" title=" free cashflow"> free cashflow</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=debt%20to%20equity%20ratio" title=" debt to equity ratio"> debt to equity ratio</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/11135/determinants-of-dividend-payout-ratio-evidence-form-mena-region" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/11135.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">364</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">56</span> Red Dawn in the Desert: A World-Systems Analysis of the Maritime Silk Road Initiative</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Toufic%20Sarieddine">Toufic Sarieddine</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The current debate on the hegemonic impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of two opposing strands: Resilient and absolute US hegemony on the one hand and various models of multipolar hegemony such as bifurcation on the other. Bifurcation theories illustrate an unprecedented division of hegemonic functions between China and the US, whereby Beijing becomes the world’s economic hegemon, leaving Washington the world’s military hegemon and security guarantor. While consensus points to China being the main driver of unipolarity’s rupturing, the debate among bifurcationists is on the location of the first rupture. In this regard, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has seen increasing Chinese foreign direct investment in recent years while that to other regions has declined, ranking it second in 2018 as part of the financing for the Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI). China has also become the top trade partner of 11 states in the MENA region, as well as its top source of machine imports, surpassing the US and achieving an overall trade surplus almost double that of Washington’s. These are among other features outlined in world-systems analysis (WSA) literature which correspond with the emergence of a new hegemon. WSA is further utilized to gauge other facets of China’s increasing involvement in MENA and assess whether bifurcation is unfolding therein. These features of hegemony include the adoption of China’s modi operandi, economic dominance in production, trade, and finance, military capacity, cultural hegemony in ideology, education, and language, and the promotion of a general interest around which to rally potential peripheries (MENA states in this case). China’s modi operandi has seen some adoption with regards to support against the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, oil bonds denominated in the yuan, and financial institutions such as the Shanghai Gold Exchange enjoying increasing Arab patronage. However, recent elections in Qatar, as well as liberal reforms in Saudi Arabia, demonstrate Washington’s stronger normative influence. Meanwhile, Washington’s economic dominance is challenged by China’s sizable machine exports, increasing overall imports, and widening trade surplus, but retains some clout via dominant arms and transport exports, as well as free-trade deals across the region. Militarily, Washington bests Beijing’s arms exports, has a dominant and well-established presence in the region, and successfully blocked Beijing’s attempt to penetrate through the UAE. Culturally, Beijing enjoys higher favorability in Arab public opinion, and its broadcast networks have found some resonance with Arab audiences. In education, the West remains MENA students’ preferred destination. Further, while Mandarin has become increasingly available in schools across MENA, its usage and availability still lag far behind English. Finally, Beijing’s general interest in infrastructure provision and prioritizing economic development over social justice and democracy provides an avenue for increased incorporation between Beijing and the MENA region. The overall analysis shows solid progress towards bifurcation in MENA. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=belt%20and%20road%20initiative" title="belt and road initiative">belt and road initiative</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hegemony" title=" hegemony"> hegemony</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Middle%20East%20and%20North%20Africa" title=" Middle East and North Africa"> Middle East and North Africa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=world-systems%20analysis" title=" world-systems analysis"> world-systems analysis</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/150761/red-dawn-in-the-desert-a-world-systems-analysis-of-the-maritime-silk-road-initiative" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/150761.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">108</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">55</span> Women's Entrepreneurship in Mena Region: Gem Key Learnings</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fatima%20Boutaleb">Fatima Boutaleb</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Entrepreneurship proves to be crucial for the economic growth and development, since it contributes to job creation and the improvement of the overall productivity thus generating a positive impact upon society at various levels. Promoting entrepreneurship stimulates therefore economic diversity that is key to the betterment and/or maintaining of the standard of living. In fact, recent research suggests that entrepreneurship contributes to development by creating businesses and jobs, stimulating innovation, creating social capital across borders, and channeling political and financial capital. However, different research studies indicate that among the main factors impeding the entrepreneurship are politico-economic as socio-cultural problems, with an intensity for those related to young people and to women. In the MENA region, discrimination inherent in gender is alarming: Only one woman in eight runs her own business against 1 in 3 men. In most countries, young women and young men are facing problems involving access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, lack of support and, in general, an ecosystem that is rather unfavorable. According to the International Labor Organization, North Africa and the Middle East has the highest unemployment rate in all other regions of the world. In other hand, nearly a quarter of the population under 30 is unemployed and youth unemployment costs more than $40 billion each year to the region. In the current context, the situations in the Middle East and North Africa region are singular, both in terms of demographic trends and socio-economic issues around the employment of a large and better trained youth, but still strongly affected by unemployment and under-employment. According to a study published in 2015 by McKinsey, the world gain 26% of additional GDP (47% in the MENA region), more than 28 trillion dollars by 2025, if women came to participate, as well as men, to the economy. Promoting entrepreneurship represents an excellent alternative for the countries whose productive fabric fails to integrate the contingent of young people entering the job market each year. The MENA region, presenting entrepreneurial activity rates below those of other regions in terms of comparable development, has undoubtedly leeway at this level, even though the region displays large national heterogeneity, namely in the priority given to the promotion of entrepreneurship. The objective of this article is therefore to examine the women entrepreneurial vocation in the MENA region, to see to what extent research on the determinant of gender can provide information on the trend of the emerging entrepreneurial activity whether driven by necessity or by opportunity and, on this basis, to submit public policy proposals for the improvement of the mechanisms of inclusion among the youth women people. The objective is not to analyze the causality models but rather to identify the entrepreneurial construct specific to the MENA region via the analysis of GEM data from 2017 to 2019 among adults belonging to 10 countries of the MENA region. Notably, the study shows that inclusion of young women may be enhanced. These disadvantaged segments frequently intend to become entrepreneurs, but they tend not to enact their vocational intentions. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=economic%20development" title="economic development">economic development</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=entrepreneurial%20activity" title=" entrepreneurial activity"> entrepreneurial activity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=GEM" title=" GEM"> GEM</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=gender" title=" gender"> gender</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=informal%20sector" title=" informal sector"> informal sector</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/128725/womens-entrepreneurship-in-mena-region-gem-key-learnings" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/128725.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">99</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">54</span> The Prevalence and Impact of Anxiety Among Medical Students in the MENA Region: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kawthar%20F.%20Albasri">Kawthar F. Albasri</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abdullah%20M.%20AlHudaithi"> Abdullah M. AlHudaithi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dana%20B.%20AlTurairi"> Dana B. AlTurairi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abdullaziz%20S.%20AlQuraini"> Abdullaziz S. AlQuraini</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Adoub%20Y.%20AlDerazi"> Adoub Y. AlDerazi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Reem%20A.%20Hubail"> Reem A. Hubail</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Haitham%20A.%20Jahrami"> Haitham A. Jahrami</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Several studies have found that medical students have a significant prevalence of anxiety. The purpose of this review paper is to carefully evaluate the current research on anxiety among medical students in the MENA region and, as a result, estimate the prevalence of these disturbances. Multiple databases, including the CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), PubMed, PsycINFO (Psychological Information Database), Scopus, Web of Science, UpToDate, ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO Global Health Library, EbscoHost, ProQuest, JAMA Network, and ScienceDirect, were searched. The retrieved article reference lists were rigorously searched and rated for quality. A random effects meta-analysis was performed to compute estimates. The current meta-analysis revealed an alarming estimated pooled prevalence of anxiety (K = 46, N = 27023) of 52.5% [95%CI: 43.3%–61.6%]. A total of 62.0% [95% CI 42.9%; 78.0%] of the students (K = 18, N = 16466) suffered from anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 52.5% [95% CI 43.3%; 61.6%] had anxiety before COVID-19. Based on the GAD-7 measure, a total of 55.7% [95%CI 30.5%; 78.3%] of the students (K = 10, N = 5830) had anxiety, and a total of 54.7% of the students (K = 18, N = 12154) [95%CI 42.8%; 66.0%] had anxiety using the DASS-21 or 42 measure. Anxiety is a common issue among medical students, making it a genuine problem. Further research should be conducted post-COVD 19, with a focus on anxiety prevention and intervention initiatives for medical students. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=anxiety" title="anxiety">anxiety</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=medical%20students" title=" medical students"> medical students</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA" title=" MENA"> MENA</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=meta-analysis" title=" meta-analysis"> meta-analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=prevalence" title=" prevalence"> prevalence</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/174074/the-prevalence-and-impact-of-anxiety-among-medical-students-in-the-mena-region-a-systematic-review-meta-analysis-and-meta-regression" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/174074.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">73</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">53</span> The Effect of Accounting Conservatism on Cost of Capital: A Quantile Regression Approach for MENA Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Maha%20Zouaoui%20Khalifa">Maha Zouaoui Khalifa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hakim%20Ben%20Othman"> Hakim Ben Othman</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hussaney%20Khaled"> Hussaney Khaled</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Prior empirical studies have investigated the economic consequences of accounting conservatism by examining its impact on the cost of equity capital (COEC). However, findings are not conclusive. We assume that inconsistent results of such association may be attributed to the regression models used in data analysis. To address this issue, we re-examine the effect of different dimension of accounting conservatism: unconditional conservatism (U_CONS) and conditional conservatism (C_CONS) on the COEC for a sample of listed firms from Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA) countries, applying quantile regression (QR) approach developed by Koenker and Basset (1978). While classical ordinary least square (OLS) method is widely used in empirical accounting research, however it may produce inefficient and bias estimates in the case of departures from normality or long tail error distribution. QR method is more powerful than OLS to handle this kind of problem. It allows the coefficient on the independent variables to shift across the distribution of the dependent variable whereas OLS method only estimates the conditional mean effects of a response variable. We find as predicted that U_CONS has a significant positive effect on the COEC however, C_CONS has a negative impact. Findings suggest also that the effect of the two dimensions of accounting conservatism differs considerably across COEC quantiles. Comparing results from QR method with those of OLS, this study throws more lights on the association between accounting conservatism and COEC. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=unconditional%20conservatism" title="unconditional conservatism">unconditional conservatism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=conditional%20conservatism" title=" conditional conservatism"> conditional conservatism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cost%20of%20equity%20capital" title=" cost of equity capital"> cost of equity capital</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=OLS" title=" OLS"> OLS</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quantile%20regression" title=" quantile regression"> quantile regression</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emerging%20markets" title=" emerging markets"> emerging markets</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20countries" title=" MENA countries"> MENA countries</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18733/the-effect-of-accounting-conservatism-on-cost-of-capital-a-quantile-regression-approach-for-mena-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18733.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">355</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">52</span> The Impact of Unconditional and Conditional Conservatism on Cost of Equity Capital: A Quantile Regression Approach for MENA Countries</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Khalifa%20Maha">Khalifa Maha</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ben%20Othman%20Hakim"> Ben Othman Hakim</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Khaled%20Hussainey"> Khaled Hussainey </a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Prior empirical studies have investigated the economic consequences of accounting conservatism by examining its impact on the cost of equity capital (COEC). However, findings are not conclusive. We assume that inconsistent results of such association may be attributed to the regression models used in data analysis. To address this issue, we re-examine the effect of different dimension of accounting conservatism: unconditional conservatism (U_CONS) and conditional conservatism (C_CONS) on the COEC for a sample of listed firms from Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA) countries, applying quantile regression (QR) approach developed by Koenker and Basset (1978). While classical ordinary least square (OLS) method is widely used in empirical accounting research, however it may produce inefficient and bias estimates in the case of departures from normality or long tail error distribution. QR method is more powerful than OLS to handle this kind of problem. It allows the coefficient on the independent variables to shift across the distribution of the dependent variable whereas OLS method only estimates the conditional mean effects of a response variable. We find as predicted that U_CONS has a significant positive effect on the COEC however, C_CONS has a negative impact. Findings suggest also that the effect of the two dimensions of accounting conservatism differs considerably across COEC quantiles. Comparing results from QR method with those of OLS, this study throws more lights on the association between accounting conservatism and COEC. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=unconditional%20conservatism" title="unconditional conservatism">unconditional conservatism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=conditional%20conservatism" title=" conditional conservatism"> conditional conservatism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cost%20of%20equity%20capital" title=" cost of equity capital"> cost of equity capital</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=OLS" title=" OLS"> OLS</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quantile%20regression" title=" quantile regression"> quantile regression</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=emerging%20markets" title=" emerging markets"> emerging markets</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA%20countries" title=" MENA countries"> MENA countries</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18731/the-impact-of-unconditional-and-conditional-conservatism-on-cost-of-equity-capital-a-quantile-regression-approach-for-mena-countries" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18731.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">359</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">51</span> The Capabilities Approach as a Future Alternative to Neoliberal Higher Education in the MENA Region</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ranya%20Elkhayat">Ranya Elkhayat</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This paper aims at offering a futures study for higher education in the Middle East. Paying special attention to the negative impacts of neoliberalism, the paper will demonstrate how higher education is now commodified, corporatized and how arts and humanities are eschewed in favor of science and technology. This conceptual paper argues against the neoliberal agenda and aims at providing an alternative exemplified in the Capabilities Approach with special reference to Martha Nussbaum’s theory. The paper is divided into four main parts: the current state of higher education under neoliberal values, a prediction of the conditions of higher education in the near future, the future of higher education using the theoretical framework of the Capabilities Approach, and finally, some areas of concern regarding the approach. The implications of the study demonstrate that Nussbaum’s Capabilities Approach will ensure that the values of education are preserved while avoiding the pitfalls of neoliberalism. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=capabilities%20approach" title="capabilities approach">capabilities approach</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=education%20future" title=" education future"> education future</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=higher%20education" title=" higher education"> higher education</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MENA" title=" MENA"> MENA</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/86544/the-capabilities-approach-as-a-future-alternative-to-neoliberal-higher-education-in-the-mena-region" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/86544.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">197</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">50</span> The FINDRISC Score for Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening in Adult Libyan Males</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Issam%20M%20Hajjaji">Issam M Hajjaji</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Adel%20Tajoury"> Adel Tajoury</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Salah%20R%20Benhamid"> Salah R Benhamid</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The MENA region has the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. Various risk scores were developed, not all appropriate locally. The objective of this study is to apply the FINDRISC Score to adult Libyan males to determine its significance, sensitivity, specificity and Positive Predictive Values as an initial screening tool for type 2 diabetes, and suggest a cut-off point. Methods: 600 subjects answered the questionnaire at their place of work, and their waist, weight, height & BP were measured. Thereafter, after excluding those with known diabetes, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test was done. Results: 414 subjects aged 19-78 completed the questionnaire and tests. 35 (8.4%) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 13 (3.1%) had diabetes (DM). The AUC-ROC for IGT was 0.614 (95% CI: 0.527-0.701), for DM 0.810 (95% CI: 0.709-0.911) and for both 0.689 (95% CI: 0.609-0.769). The Positive Predictive Value for a cut-off score of 5 were 15.5%, 11.7% & 5.7% for both conditions combined, prediabetes & diabetes respectively. The equivalent values for a cut-off score of 8 were 16.1%, 9.0% & 7.7%. The Negative Predictive Values were uniformly above 90%. Conclusions & Recommendations: The FINDRISC Score had a low predictive value for dysglycaemia in this sample and performed at a level of significance for IGT that is similar to other MENA countries, but did better for DM. A larger sample that included women is suggested, with a view of adjusting the Score to suit the local population. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=diabetes" title="diabetes">diabetes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=FINDRISK" title=" FINDRISK"> FINDRISK</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Libya" title=" Libya"> Libya</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=prediabetes" title=" prediabetes"> prediabetes</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/150735/the-findrisc-score-for-prediabetes-and-diabetes-screening-in-adult-libyan-males" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/150735.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">126</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">49</span> Evaluating Performance of Value at Risk Models for the MENA Islamic Stock Market Portfolios</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abderrazek%20Ben%20Maatoug">Abderrazek Ben Maatoug</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ibrahim%20Fatnassi"> Ibrahim Fatnassi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wassim%20Ben%20Ayed"> Wassim Ben Ayed</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In this paper we investigate the issue of market risk quantification for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Islamic market equity. We use Value-at-Risk (VaR) as a measure of potential risk in Islamic stock market, for long and short position, based on Riskmetrics model and the conditional parametric ARCH class model volatility with normal, student and skewed student distribution. The sample consist of daily data for the 2006-2014 of 11 Islamic stock markets indices. We conduct Kupiec and Engle and Manganelli tests to evaluate the performance for each model. The main finding of our empirical results show that (i) the superior performance of VaR models based on the Student and skewed Student distribution, for the significance level of α=1% , for all Islamic stock market indices, and for both long and short trading positions (ii) Risk Metrics model, and VaR model based on conditional volatility with normal distribution provides the best accurate VaR estimations for both long and short trading positions for a significance level of α=5%. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=value-at-risk" title="value-at-risk">value-at-risk</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=risk%20management" title=" risk management"> risk management</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=islamic%20finance" title=" islamic finance"> islamic finance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=GARCH%20models" title=" GARCH models"> GARCH models</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/24208/evaluating-performance-of-value-at-risk-models-for-the-mena-islamic-stock-market-portfolios" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/24208.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">592</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">48</span> Effect of 3-Dimensional Knitted Spacer Fabrics Characteristics on Its Thermal and Compression Properties</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Veerakumar%20Arumugam">Veerakumar Arumugam</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Rajesh%20Mishra"> Rajesh Mishra</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jiri%20Militky"> Jiri Militky</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jana%20Salacova"> Jana Salacova</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The thermo-physiological comfort and compression properties of knitted spacer fabrics have been evaluated by varying the different spacer fabric parameters. Air permeability and water vapor transmission of the fabrics were measured using the Textest FX-3300 air permeability tester and PERMETEST. Then thermal behavior of fabrics was obtained by Thermal conductivity analyzer and overall moisture management capacity was evaluated by moisture management tester. Spacer Fabrics compression properties were also tested using Kawabata Evaluation System (KES-FB3). In the KES testing, the compression resilience, work of compression, linearity of compression and other parameters were calculated from the pressure-thickness curves. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed using new statistical software named QC expert trilobite and Darwin in order to compare the influence of different fabric parameters on thermo-physiological and compression behavior of samples. This study established that the raw materials, type of spacer yarn, density, thickness and tightness of surface layer have significant influence on both thermal conductivity and work of compression in spacer fabrics. The parameter which mainly influence on the water vapor permeability of these fabrics is the properties of raw material i.e. the wetting and wicking properties of fibers. The Pearson correlation between moisture capacity of the fabrics and water vapour permeability was found using statistical software named QC expert trilobite and Darwin. These findings are important requirements for the further designing of clothing for extreme environmental conditions. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=3D%20spacer%20fabrics" title="3D spacer fabrics">3D spacer fabrics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=thermal%20conductivity" title=" thermal conductivity"> thermal conductivity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=moisture%20management" title=" moisture management"> moisture management</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=work%20of%20compression%20%28WC%29" title=" work of compression (WC)"> work of compression (WC)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=resilience%20of%20compression%20%28RC%29" title=" resilience of compression (RC)"> resilience of compression (RC)</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/37460/effect-of-3-dimensional-knitted-spacer-fabrics-characteristics-on-its-thermal-and-compression-properties" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/37460.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">542</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">47</span> The Prediction of Evolutionary Process of Coloured Vision in Mammals: A System Biology Approach</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shivani%20Sharma">Shivani Sharma</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Prashant%20Saxena"> Prashant Saxena</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Inamul%20Hasan%20Madar"> Inamul Hasan Madar</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Since the time of Darwin, it has been considered that genetic change is the direct indicator of variation in phenotype. But a few studies in system biology in the past years have proposed that epigenetic developmental processes also affect the phenotype thus shifting the focus from a linear genotype-phenotype map to a non-linear G-P map. In this paper, we attempt at explaining the evolution of colour vision in mammals by taking LWS/ Long-wave sensitive gene under consideration. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=evolution" title="evolution">evolution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=phenotypes" title=" phenotypes"> phenotypes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=epigenetics" title=" epigenetics"> epigenetics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=LWS%20gene" title=" LWS gene"> LWS gene</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=G-P%20map" title=" G-P map"> G-P map</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/15624/the-prediction-of-evolutionary-process-of-coloured-vision-in-mammals-a-system-biology-approach" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/15624.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">521</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">46</span> Developing City-Level Sustainability Indicators in the Mena Region with the Case of Benghazi and Amman</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Serag%20El%20Hegazi">Serag El Hegazi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The development of an assessment methodological framework for local and institutional sustainability is a key factor for future development plans and visions. This paper develops an approach to local and institutional sustainability assessment (ALISA). The ALISA methodology is a methodological framework that assists in the clarification, formulation, preparation, selection, and ranking of key indicators to facilitate the assessment of the level of sustainability at the local and institutional levels in North African and Middle Eastern cities. According to the literature review, this paper formulates a methodological framework, ALISA, which is a combination of the UNCSD (2001) Theme Indicators Framework and the issue-based Framework illustrated by McLaren (1996). The methodological framework has been implemented to formulate, select, and prioritise key indicators that most directly reflect the issues of a case study at the local community and institutional level. Yet, in the meantime, there is a lack of clear indicators and frameworks that can be developed to apply successfully at the local and institutional levels in the MENA Region, particularly in the cities of Benghazi and Amman. This is an essential issue for sustainability development estimation. Therefore, a conceptual framework was developed to be tested as a methodology to collect and classify data. The Approach to Local and Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ALISA) is a methodological framework that was developed to apply to certain cities in the MENA region. The main goal is to develop the ALISA framework to formulate, choose, and prioritize sustainability key indicators, which then can assist in guiding an assessment progress to improve decisions and policymakers towards the development of sustainable cities at the local and institutional level in the city of Benghazi. The conceptual, methodological framework, which supports this research with joint documentary and analysed data in two case studies, including focus-group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires, reflects the approach required to develop a combined framework that assists the development of sustainability indicators. To achieve this progress and reach the aim of this paper, which is developing a practical approach for sustainability indicators framework that could be used as a tool to develop local and institutional sustainability indicators, appropriate stages must be applied to propose a set of local and institutional sustainability indicators as follows: Step one: issues clarifications, Step two: objectives formation/analysing of issues and boundaries, Step three: indicators preparation, First list of proposed indictors, Step four: indicator selection, Step five: indicator rating/ranking. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainability%20indicators" title="sustainability indicators">sustainability indicators</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=approach%20to%20local%20and%20institutional%20level" title=" approach to local and institutional level"> approach to local and institutional level</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ALISA" title=" ALISA"> ALISA</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=policymakers" title=" policymakers"> policymakers</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/190455/developing-city-level-sustainability-indicators-in-the-mena-region-with-the-case-of-benghazi-and-amman" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/190455.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">21</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">45</span> Genetic Algorithm for Solving the Flexible Job-Shop Scheduling Problem</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Guilherme%20Baldo%20Carlos">Guilherme Baldo Carlos</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The flexible job-shop scheduling problem (FJSP) is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem, which can be applied to model several applications in a wide array of industries. This problem will have its importance increase due to the shift in the production mode that modern society is going through. The demands are increasing and for products personalized and customized. This work aims to apply a meta-heuristic called a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve this problem. A GA is a meta-heuristic inspired by the natural selection of Charles Darwin; it produces a population of individuals (solutions) and selects, mutates, and mates the individuals through generations in order to find a good solution for the problem. The results found indicate that the GA is suitable for FJSP solving. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=genetic%20algorithm" title="genetic algorithm">genetic algorithm</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=evolutionary%20algorithm" title=" evolutionary algorithm"> evolutionary algorithm</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=scheduling" title=" scheduling"> scheduling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=flexible%20job-shop%20scheduling" title=" flexible job-shop scheduling"> flexible job-shop scheduling</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132314/genetic-algorithm-for-solving-the-flexible-job-shop-scheduling-problem" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132314.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">147</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">44</span> GynApp: A Mobile Application for the Organization and Control of Gynecological Studies</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Betzabet%20Garc%C3%ADa-Mendoza">Betzabet García-Mendoza</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Roc%C3%ADo%20Abascal-Mena"> Rocío Abascal-Mena</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Breast and cervical cancer are among the leading causes of death of women in Mexico. The mortality rate for these diseases is alarming, even though there have been many campaigns for making people self-aware of the importance of conducting gynecological studies for a timely prevention and detection, these have not been enough. This paper presents a mobile application for organizing and controlling gynecological studies in order to help and boost women to take care of their bodies and health. The process of analyzing and designing the mobile application is presented, along with all the steps carried out by following a user-centered design methodology. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=breast%20cancer" title="breast cancer">breast cancer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cervical%20cancer" title=" cervical cancer"> cervical cancer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=gynecological%20mobile%20application" title=" gynecological mobile application"> gynecological mobile application</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=paper%20prototyping" title=" paper prototyping"> paper prototyping</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=storyboard" title=" storyboard"> storyboard</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=women%20health" title=" women health"> women health</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/78752/gynapp-a-mobile-application-for-the-organization-and-control-of-gynecological-studies" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/78752.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">309</span> </span> </div> </div> <ul class="pagination"> <li class="page-item disabled"><span class="page-link">&lsaquo;</span></li> <li class="page-item active"><span class="page-link">1</span></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Darwin%20Mena&page=2">2</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Darwin%20Mena&page=3">3</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Darwin%20Mena&page=2" 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