Qatar Foundation Annual Research Forum Volume 2010 Issue 1

Abstract This study compares the rapid evolution of Qatar to that of the disproportionally influential small states of Switzerland, Lebanon and Singapore. Though set apart by history and circumstance, these states share a set of common traits, including a limited size, high vulnerability to external shocks, diplomatic dexterity, a salient presence in conflict mediation, high reliance on imported migrant labor, export-led growt Read More

Abstract The Bioethics Research Library at Georgetown University and Georgetown's School of Foreign Service Library in Qatar are working together to establish an information resource covering Islamic thought on medical and scientific ethics. We plan to include both historical and contemporary writings in English and Arabic, as well as in other languages, when possible. Ultimately, we intend for this three-year initial Read More

Abstract This paper is based on a research study conducted to explore the effectiveness of the students recruitment/marketing methods used to recruit students in Qatar's Education City branch campuses. The desire of the author is that university branch campuses in Qatar and elsewhere may be stimulated to revisit their marketing and student recruitment plans and activities to better reach prospective students. The pape Read More

Abstract In undertaking any study, the National Human Rights Commission starts from the reality of the people's daily life. This stems from the fact that the objective of the legal texts related to human rights is to provide protection and empowerment to those who represent their primary object, i.e. human beings. In order to achieve this goal, this study includes academic aspects, national legislations and international standards, i Read More

Abstract This paper presents an overview of Qatari citizens’ attitudes toward expatriate and labor migrant workers in Qatar. It is based on the first ‘scientific’ survey of Qatari citizens and residents (expatriates and labor migrants) conducted by the Qatar University Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) in May/June 2010. The main objectives of this paper were threefold: first, to assess Qatari attitudes towards th Read More

Abstract The State of Qatar has exerted relentless efforts towards activating the participation of Qatari women in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in general and the use of the internet in particular. Female participation and involvement in this field is considered to be one of the priorities included in the plans and projects of the Qatar's ICT Strategy. However, research endeavors which analytically Read More

Abstract Although Qatari females have increased their economic participation and reached remarkable educational attainment over the last decade, this success does not run parallel with balanced representation in management positions. Accordingly, this study was initiated with the aim of identifying the main organizational constraints encountered by Qatari females throughout their careers. The study revealed that altho Read More

Abstract This study attempts to answer a key question which is the subject matter of this research problem: what are the lessons learned from the experience of the Caliph Omar Ibn al-Khattab as a model for enlightened leadership and good governance in the management of a famine crisis? The question is further subdivided into the following questions: 1:  What is the role of leaders in crisis management? 2:  What are the ch Read More

Abstract Background: Discourses constitute knowledge. They are multiple, contradictory and offer different ways of knowing and being that shift across time and space. Also, they offer ‘subject positions’ that can be taken up or rejected. If taken up, subject positions offer the individual a particular repertoire, a way of seeing and speaking about the world. Analysis of discursive constructions and subject positions of young Read More

Abstract Qatar's future vision, named Qatar 2030, is forecasting an economy based on knowledge and creativity rather than depletable natural carbon resources. Knowledge and creativity are perhaps the most important factors in the future of a city's economy, and there is a growing interest in the concept of the “knowledge and creative city”. A knowledge and creative city is not just a regular city. It is a growing space Read More

Abstract Research problem: This study is trying to examine to what extent online journalism in the Arab world has adopted biased coverage of the United States. The study hopes to provide a current assessment of how the US is portrayed in Arab world online journalism. This valid, updated information will enable researchers and communicators alike to better understand not only what is being done, but may lead to ways of Read More

Abstract People and major projects are vitally important to the future of Qatar. The development of methodologies is important to the research community. This study brings together people, megaproject and research methodology by investigating in detail the interactions of people and project management systems at the conceptual cost estimate stage in order to identify implications and improvements. The research pr Read More

Abstract Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) alterations are common in athletes and usually reflect a physiologically benign remodelling of the heart as a response to regular intensive exercise, so called “athletes heart”. However, some features observed in an athlete’s ECG may represent an underlying inherited or congenital cardiovascular abnormality, potentially propagating sudden cardiac death (SCD). Purpose: To evalu Read More

Abstract Purpose: To design, formulate and test the in vitro dissolution of new oral dosage forms of metformin hydrochloride (MH) in semisolid polymeric matrices having sustained-release properties suitable for once-a-day or twice-a-day administration that would increase MH bioavailability and also address the shortcomings in the currently marketed sustained-release tablets. Methods: MH was dispersed in molten polymeric Read More

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and ideal detection method for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, in order to evaluate prevention strategies in cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in Qatar. The study compared performance of cervical cytology and HPV DNA test to detect high-risk HPV genotype (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) infections in a sample of Qat Read More

Abstract Hereditary hearing loss is a common genetic disorder accounting for at least 60% of prelingual deafness in children. Most cases (70%) are nonsyndromic and are not associated to other signs or symptoms, while the remaining 30% are syndromic. Nonsyndromic hereditary hearing loss has different patterns of inheritance. The most common one is autosomal recessive. This accounts for 75%-85% of the cases. Another 1 Read More

Abstract People of the Qatari peninsula represent a relatively recent founding by a small number of families from three tribes of the Saudi peninsula, Persia, and Oman, with some African admixture. To assess the combination of this founding effect and first-cousin marriages on Qatar's population genetic structure, in a collaborative program of Weill Cornell-Qatar and Weill Cornell-New York, Cornell University and Qatar Read More

Abstract The capillary electrophoresis (CE)-mass spectrometry (MS) interface is anticipated to have pivotal roles to play in biomarker discovery, elucidation and validation, and in diagnostics, as well as in drug discovery. We are developing a CE-MS system as the natural extension of our Label-Free Intrinsic Imaging (LFiI™) platform, allowing a large increase in analytical power. One of the most powerful analytical tools in bio-ana Read More

Abstract Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels are formed by the juxtaposition of either homomeric or heteromeric assembly of four TRP subunits. TRP proteins have six transmembrane domains (TM) and a P-loop located between TM5 and TM6 that defines the channel pore. So far 30 different subunits, sharing as low as 20% homology, have been identified in mammals and classified in 6 families. Although heterotetra Read More

Abstract Genetic research raises ethical issues that differ in many ways from those that arise in other kinds of human subject research. Aside from the generally low likelihood of injury from drawing blood, the harms that might result to subjects once the genetic data is obtained range from minor to major, from physiological to psychosocial and even economic. Disclosure of results may cause loss or increased cost of health Read More

Abstract Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease posing a considerable world-wide health problem due to its high prevalence, associated morbidity and high health-care costs. It is a multifactorial “complex” disorder, with compelling evidence for a genetic predisposition. Majeed syndrome is a Mendelian disorder with a consistent phenotype and its causative gene can be examined for its role in the more common Read More

Abstract Evidence in healthy sleepers suggests the glycemic index (GI) can mediate changes in sleep onset latency, given the availability of tryptophan to the brain (i.e. TRP/LNAA ratio) is increased after high GI carbohydrate-only food. However, these meals have limited clinical application given the high glycemic load (GL) and insulin responses. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of a mixed macronutrient hi Read More

Abstract Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) forms a highly hidden population, and there are widely held perceptions of virtually nonexistent data on MSM and HIV in this region. Our objective was to delineate, for the first time, the evidence on the epidemiology of HIV among MSM in MENA. Methods: This was a systematic review of all biological, behavioral, and cont Read More

Abstract Smell is an essential sense that allows animals to find food and mates while avoiding predators. In humans smell is considered an aesthetic sensory modality, but olfactory disorders may presage neurological disease including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and schizophrenia. The odorant receptors (ORs) comprise the largest gene family in mammals and endow an animal with the ability to smell. Critical to the development Read More

Abstract Autoinflammatory diseases are a group of disorders characterized by seemingly unprovoked inflammation in the absence of high-titer autoantibodies or antigen-specific T cells. They include familial Mediterranean fever; the tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated periodic syndrome; the hyper-IgD syndrome; a syndrome of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne; the cryopyrin-associated peri Read More

Abstract Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a heterogeneous autosomal recessive genetic disorder that leads to ultrastructural and functional defects of cilia. This leads to recurrent and persistent respiratory infections, sinusitis, otitis media, and male infertility. In a fraction of patients situs inversus is present. Primary ciliary dyskinesia can result from mutation in at least nine different genes. However, these mutations are responsible f Read More

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism due to deficiency in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH). This study describes the distribution of PAH mutations in nine probands from Libya with the diagnosis of phenylketonuria and hyperphenylalaninemia. Molecular genetics screening was done at the Shafallah Medical Genetics Center laboratory by resequencing an Read More

Abstract Purpose: Obesity has been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide that requires preventive action. Prevention is best targeted at children, but relatively few research studies have focused on obesity prevention and most of those were conducted in western countries. Qatar has undergone rapid industrialization and childhood obesity is emerging as a health problem. However, there is little inf Read More

Abstract Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to regression in language and motor skills. In most cases, it is caused by genetic mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2). Rett Syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls and may be easily misdiagnosed, because its spectrum of clinical characteristics is overlapping with characteristics of other disorders such as autism, ataxi Read More

Abstract Egypt has the highest prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world, estimated nationally at 14.7%. An estimated 9.8% are chronically infected. Numerous HCV prevalence studies in Egypt have published various estimates from different Egyptian communities, suggesting that Egypt, relative to the other nations of the world, might be experiencing intense ongoing HCV transmission. More importa Read More

Abstract In the past decade, biodegradable elastomeric polymers have gained considerable attention due to the renewed interest in their applications in the fields of biomedical tissue engineering and implantable drug delivery systems. Elastomers can be regarded as one of the best biomaterials for such applications because their mechanical properties can be manipulated in a manner that makes them as soft as bod Read More

Abstract Oligopeptidase B (opdB, EC 3.4.21.83) is a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase family of serine peptidases and unrelated to the trypsin and subtilisin families. It is a potential processing enzyme of prokaryotes to produce biologically active products, being very specific for the basic amino acid pairs of polypeptides. Bacterial oligopeptidase B cleaves globular proteins, albeit in a highly restricted fashion. While most m Read More

Abstract The thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSR) is an ancient extracellular protein domain that is commonly found in invertebrate and vertebrate proteins. The ADAMTSL4 protein, also known as TSRC1, belongs to the TSR superfamily and has multiple thrombospondin repeats, most of which are clustered at the C-terminus. It has been reported that some TSP1 domain-containing proteins, e.g. thrombospondin 1 and thrombos Read More

Abstract Background: Previous studies demonstrated polymorphisms of adiponectin receptor type1 (AdipoR1) as a strong determinant of coronary artery diseases (CAD) susceptibility in type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study is to investigate the associations of the genetic marker (SNP) no of AdipoR1 locus; rs10920531 with CAD in patients with and without type 2 diabetes in the population of Qatar. Methods: Blood was drawn f Read More

Abstract Metal toxicity is a global health concern. We summarize the evidence for metal interactions with the nervous system with an emphasis on synaptic transmission. The appropriate functioning of synaptic transmission is crucial for the information transfer in any neural network. Presynaptically, metal ions modulate transmitter release through their interaction with neurotransmitter (NT) synthesis, fusion of synapti Read More

Abstract Calreticulin is a conserved Ca2+ binding chaperone protein that is localized to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The protein is implicated in many cellular functions such as the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, the regulation of gene expression, the folding of the newly synthesized proteins, cell adhesion, cancer and auto-immunity. The role of calreticulin in Ca2+ homeostasis regulation through Ca Read More

Abstract The Cohen's lab research focuses mainly on the regulation of mammalian meiosis in mouse models, which include several induced mutants that have helped in broadening our knowledge of meiotic recombination and the gametogenesis. The lab also studies several DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins and their subsequent effects on meiotic recombination. Thus, our research serves two major purposes; Read More

Abstract Cancer accounts for the death of thousands of people each year and brings pain and suffering to thousands more. Among cancers that specifically affect women, ovarian cancer has the highest fatality rate as 7 out of 10 women die within 5 years of surgery. As highlighted in numerous recent publications, the role of the microenvironment in the development and progression of cancer is critical, albeit not entir Read More

Abstract Over 14,000 babies are born in Qatar each year, and it is the State's intention to provide each with a health screen at birth for the timely diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism. And since the population is characterized by a high consanguinity (estimates vary between 25–70%) from first-cousin marriages, congenital and genetic disorders are responsible for a major proportion of infant mortality, morbidity, and handic Read More

Abstract Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the sixth most common malignancy in women and the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in the world. One of the main differences between ovarian cancers and other neoplasm is burden of local extension. Hence the majority of mortality in ovarian cancer is due to extensive peritoneal disease, with a high rate of mortality and an overall survival rate ranging from Read More

Abstract Dietary fat intake is associated with hepatobiliary cancers which carry a poor prognosis causing over 20,000 deaths per year in the US alone. We hypothesized that excess lipid accumulation in the liver promotes hepatic cancer through inflammation and oxidative DNA damage. In order for eukaryotic cells to protect genomic integrity, the protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) responds to oxidative DN Read More

Abstract Social interaction has drastically evolved over time. Moving away from face-to-face based interactions, telephone networks made the first step towards remote social interaction. The internet, further enhanced with the tremendous increase in lightweight mobile devices, has taken social interaction to new frontiers. Users can already email, chat, call, and video conference with others from around the world without necess Read More

Abstract Currently in Qatar, and to the best of our knowledge in most Gulf state countries, there is a lack of reliable information about traffic conditions and congestion. This information, especially if ubiquitous and near real time, is highly desirable to support consumer, enterprise, and government centric applications. Since no universal solution exists, a great deal of innovative research is needed. This research work ai Read More

Abstract Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)'s proven stability and scalability has made it the most widely used transport layer protocol for more than twenty years. However, as multimedia applications become ubiquitous over the internet, TCP has been found incapable of meeting their requirements, which place more emphasis on timeliness than on reliability. Because of that, many multimedia applications turn to UDP a Read More

Abstract In 2009, Carnegie Mellon Qatar, Qatar University, Texas A&M Qatar and IBM launched a joint research project on cloud computing. Cloud computing is a computing paradigm in which the computing resources, the software and the data are made available to the users as a service through the internet. In this paradigm, the software is no longer a standalone application installed on the user's platform, but resides on Read More

Abstract It is official. The automotive world is ramping up capabilities in simulation. Applications range from motorsports (optimization of vehicle dynamics, race track familiarization, car engineering), to driver-assistance systems (development of vehicle dynamics controllers), utilizing software in the loop (SIL) and hardware in the loop (HIL) validation in e.g. electronic control units (ECU). Another major emerging market is driver Read More

Abstract Spectrum sensing is one of the most important tasks of cognitive radios (CRs) in future wireless systems and of user equipment (UE) in next generation wireless networks (NGWNs). Therefore, deciding whether a specific portion of radio frequency (RF) spectrum is occupied or not is of paramount importance for all sorts of future wireless communications systems. In this study, a spectrum sensing method that employ Read More

Abstract SrTiO3 (STO) is a complex oxide perovskite of great technological interest for its superconductivity, blue-light emission and photovoltaic effect. In normal conditions, SrTiO3 crystallizes in the cubic Perovskite structure and undergoes a second-order phase transition to a tetragonal structure known as the antiferrodistortive (AFD) phase of STO at the critical temperature Tc = 105 K. The AFD phase of STO can appear Read More

Abstract In nanoparticle image velocimentry (nPIV), evanescent wave illumination is used to measure near-wall velocity fields with an out-of-plane resolution of less than 200nm. Similar methodology can be extended for temperature measurements using Brownian motion characteristics of the sub-micron tracer particles in this region. Temperature change affects Brownian motion of tracer particles through a change in Brownia Read More

Abstract The senses of vision and touch are vital modalities used in the discrimination of objects. Recent advances in human-computer interface technologies have produced various haptic force feedback devices for the industries of rehabilitation, information technology, entertainment, and more. In this research effort, an inexpensive stylus-type haptic device is used to determine thresholds of concave curvature discriminati Read More