[en] The original article was published with two typographical errors found in the unit of Y-axis in Figs. 4 and 5 of the original article. The author would like readers to know that the units should be changed from “mm/hr” to “mm/day”. This correction stands to correct the original article.

[en] The document reproduces the text of a Communication received at IAEA on 29 September 1998 from the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the IAEA in connection with the vote of the delegation of Qatar to the forty-second session of the Agency's General Conference regarding the agenda item 19 on the 'Implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution relating to Iraq'

[en] ExxonMobil Middle East Gas Marketing Ltd., an Exxon Mobil Corporation subsidiary, and Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC) announced on May 2 that they have signed a Development and Production Sharing Agreement (DPSA) for the Enhancement Gas Utilization (EGU) project. Under the EGU project, additional North Field gas will be developed for pipeline sales to domestic projects and regional gas exports. The signing ceremony was attended by HE Abdulla Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Minister of Energy, Industry, Electricity and Water and Chairman of QGPC, Mr Lucio A. Noto, Vice Chairman, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Mr Harry J. Longwell, Senior Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation. The signing of the agreement follows the signing of the Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the project i December 1998. The EGU project will produce gas from the North Field with nominal capacity of 1.75 billion cubic feet per day (1.75 BCFPD) of gas sales to supply domestic demand and export to regional markets. The project will also produce condensate, butane and propane for export, as well as ethane for feedstock to future petrochemical ventures. (author)

[en] This paper reports that Activity continues to percolate in Qatar's massive liquefied natural gas export program. In the latest development, France's Ste. Nationale Elf Aquitaine and Japan's Sumitomo Corp. agreed to promote development of Qatar's LNG export project based on supergiant North Offshore gas field and step up discussions with potential buyers in coming months. Target markets lie in Japan and the Far East. Among other LNG operations, Columbia Gas System Inc. last week the it was told by Shell LNG Co. it is unlikely that presale conditions will be met prior to Shell LNG's scheduled purchase July 29 of 40.8% of the stock in Columbia LNG. Columbia LNG owns and LNG receiving terminal at Cove Point, Md., with a design sendout capacity of 1 bcfd of regasified LNG. That makes it the biggest in type U.S. Columbia the it had not received work on what action Shell LNG will take on the purchase agreement. However, failure to meet the undisclosed conditions will allow Shell LNG to end the agreement

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[en] To review the indications, diagnostic yields and complications of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in a tertiary hospital in the State of Qatar. A retrospective review of our records revealed 1006 adult flexible fibre optic bronchoscopies (FFB) at Hamad General Hospital, State of Qatar between January 1999 and December 2003. A total of 85 (8.4%) TBB were performed, but complete data were available for 71/85 (83.5%), which were reviewed for indications, diagnostic yields and complications. Adequate samples were obtained in 58/71 TBBs (81.7%), while 13/71 TBBs (18.3%) yielded mucosa. The main indications in 16/71 (22.5%) TBBs for radiographic localized pulmonary diseases were to rule out (TB) in 13 cases, and malignancy in 3 cases. Tuberculosis was verified in 3 (23%) of 13 cases with localized disease. 45 out of 71 (77.5%) TBBs were performed for radiographic diffuse pulmonary disease: 16/55 (29%) for miliary shadows, while 39/55 (70.9%) were carried out for reticular /reticulonodular infiltrates. Histopathology showed granulomatous lesions consistent with TB in 10/16 (62.5%) cases of miliary shadow. In other pattern of diffuse disease, the histopathological diagnosis were obtained in 25/39 (64%) cases. It showed non-specific pulmonary fibrosis in 13 cases, sarcoidosis in 4 cases, connective tissue disease associated interstitial fibrosis in 4 cases, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) in one case, eosinophilic pneumonia in one case, amiodarone toxicity in one case and lymphangitis carcinomatosis in one case. The main complications were minor bleeding <50 cc in 17 cases (23.9%) pneumothorax in 7 cases (9.8%) and one case has sepsis. Our experience substantiates previous reports of the value and safety of transbronchial biopsy in rapid diagnosis smear-negative miliary TB. In diffuse lung diseases of a non-infectious nature, other than sarcoidosis, lymphangitis carcinomatosis and few other conditions, a pathological diagnosis are much less likely to be reliably made on small pieces of tissue such as those provided by TBB . (author)

No abstract available

[en] The goal of sustainable production is to promote economic viability, use of resources and energy and land efficiently and increase or maintain stable the quality of life. The food production, specifically the greenhouse fruit and vegetable production is one the area which can contribute to this goal in different ways. In this paper we introduce the motivation factors and drivers behind the developments towards greenhouse production in different climate conditions. We present the greenhouse production market restructuring with new players. What kind of difficulties arise in the open field vegetable production and what benefits can be realized by the customers and producers from the covered greenhouse technology in the continental and desert climate? As an example, we analyze Qatar’s energetics, climate conditions and food resources, Qatar’s food supply process and its barriers. We will show how the sustainability and food safety appear in Qatar’s National Strategy Plan.

No abstract available

[en] This paper uses a time-varying parameter model with generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity effects to examine the dynamic behavior of crude-oil prices for the period February 7, 1997-January 8, 2010. Using data from four countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, we find evidence of short-term predictability in oil-price changes over time, except for several short sub-periods. However, the hypothesis of convergence towards weak-form informational efficiency is rejected for all markets. In addition, we explore the possibility of structural breaks in the time-paths of the estimated predictability indices and detect only one breakpoint, for the oil markets in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Our empirical results therefore call for new empirical research to further gauge the predictability characteristics and the determinants of oil-price changes. (author)