This work reports the syntheses of an inexpensive and efficient asphalt-derived mesoporous carbon (AdMC) as an adsorbent. The adsorbent was activated with potassium hydroxide to increase its surface area and then characterized by SEM–EDS, FT-IR, and BET. The adsorption properties of AdMC were evaluated for the adsorptive removal of eleven Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diesel from water samples. The prepared AdMC showed very high surface areas and high micropore volumes equal to 2316 m2/g and 1.2 cm3/g, respectively. Various experimental conditions influencing the adsorption capacity of eleven PAHs and diesel were investigated. At high concentrations, PAHs and diesel solubility in water is very low. Hence, samples were emulsified with a surfactant, and then maximum adsorption capacity was investigated. Adsorption profile of individual PAHs was examined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis followed by liquid–liquid extraction. Total hydrocarbon removal was studied using a total organic analyzer. Asphalt-derived mesoporous sorbent showed an extreme ability to remove PAHs and diesel (average adsorption capacity of 166 mg/g for individual PAHs and diesel (maximum capacity of 1600 mg/g). The experimental results fitted the Langmuir model with a correlation efficiency of 0.9853. The results obtained for both adsorbents also matched to pseudo-second-order kinetics, suggesting that the adsorption of PAHs and diesel is chemical, monolayer, and homogeneous process.

Cyst nematodes are well known to cause serious yield losses in many important crops producing in Korea such assoybeans and Chinese cabbage. Recently, a new cyst nematode Heterodera trifolii has been recorded in the highland vegetablesgrowing area occurring severe yield losses. As a newly recorded pest, the severity of the nematode is still not clear tomost of the farmers. Identification of this nematode is another big issue as the nematode existed in the field with Heteroderaschachtii. Recent reports revealed that the pest is steadily spreading within the highland areas and has a huge possibilityto spread over Korea. Therefore, it is the high time to set a monitoring or warning systems and test more feasible managementstrategies to prevent the dispersal of this nematode.

This study investigates, first, whether the extent of corporate social and environmental responsibility disclosure (CSERD) differs between 2010 and 2014; second, whether government regulation affects the extent of CSERD; and, third, whether the CSERD is valued by investors. Content analysis method was used to extract 466 companies’ annual reports to measure the extent of social and environmental responsibility disclosure based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) checklist. Independent sample t-test and multivariate regression analysis were also conducted to test the differences of the extent of CSERD as well as determinants and consequence of CSERD. Our results show that the extent of CSERD in 2014 is 21.60 percent higher than in 2010 (13.39 percent). Government regulation has a significant effect on the extent of CSERD. This study also finds that market values positively CSER information disclosed by company. Given that government regulation has a positive impact, however, the findings of this study suggests that the extent of CSERD is still low. To enhance CSERD, government should continuously encourage companies to abide by the regulations as mandated. This study provides a more comprehensive insights of CSRED practices from an emerging country and the effect of government regulation in enhancing CSERD.

The study investigates and measures the impact of capital structure, profitability and financial performance on the success of the business organization. Capital structure of the business organization refers to the proportion of external funds and internal funds, i.e., debt and equity. In Saudi Arabia, petrochemicals companies are working on equity, but financial performance reflects negative trend for the period 2004 to 2016. The research is based upon secondary data available on the websites of petrochemicals companies of Saudi Arabia. Financial Ratio variability analysis and Trend Indices of financial ratios (TICBI) measure and compare the financial variability and sensitivity of financial ratios of the business organization. Correlation between Trend Indices (TICBI) of independent variable and dependent variables are to be calculated to know the impact of changes in debt equity on other dependent variables. The results reveal the unexpected performance of petrochemicals companies due to under-utilization of the resources caused by low demand and lower prices of the products governed by some internal and external factors. The study finds that size, demand, cost of production, profitable streams of products, and low cost capital in external funds are the factors responsible for overall growth development of the petrochemicals industry of Saudi Arabia.

This paper applies the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to compute the managerial efficiency of 30 insurance companies listed on the Saudi stock exchange for the duration of four years from 2015 to 2018. The companies taken as a sample of study included both conventional and Takaful insurance companies. The insurance sector of KSA is one of the largest sectors in the country, contributing a substantial percentage in the non-oil economy. Efficiency measurement and evaluation will provide a venue to introspect and benchmark frontiers to the sector. In the present study, we have utilized the basic Banker Charnes Cooper and Charnes Copper Rhodes models of DEA. Two inputs, namely, general & administrative expenses and policy & acquisition costs, and two outputs (Net premium earned and Investment Income & other incomes) were taken for efficiency calculations. The final outcomes of the study reveal that a good number of insurance companies operating in KSA are found to be efficient on managerial efficiency scale. Three firms remain the leader on the frontier of the managerial efficiency. And no company found with zero (0) efficiency or a negative efficiency. It is expected that the outcome of the study will provide benchmarks to managers and a road map to further improvement.