Simulation of Electromagnetic Coupling on Pipelines close to Overhead Transmission Lines: A Parametric Study

Electromagnetic interference effects caused by electric power lines on neighboring metallic utilities such as water, gas or oil pipelines became a major concern due to significant increase in the load and short circuit current levels needed to satisfy the load requirements. Another reason for increased interference levels originates from the environmental concerns, which impose on various utilities the obligation to share common corridors. This paper presents three different scenarios of a pipeline in which all types of electromagnetic interferences (coupling) will be investigated and their effects on the pipeline will be predicted. The level of the calculated voltage, owing to each type of coupling, depends on different factors (voltage level, length of parallelism, separation distance, soil resistivity, load current magnitude and pipeline coating). The effects of these factors are discussed; some factors such as the fault current level, separation distance and soil resistivities are found to exhibit a large influence on the pipeline voltage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the comprehensive analyses presented in this paper considering all types of interferences have not yet been published elsewhere

Adoption Of Social Networking In Education: A Study Of The Use Of Social Networks By Higher Education Students In Oman

The use of social networks is a growing phenomenon, being increasingly important in both private and academic life. Social networks are used as tools to enable users to have social interaction. The use of social networks (SNs) complements and enhances the teaching in traditional classrooms. For example, YouTube, Facebook, wikis, and blogs provide a huge amount of material on a wide range of subjects. This research aims to explore the need to change the traditional style of teaching and learning after the innovation of Web 2.0. The main objectives of this research are to discover the motives for the use of social networks by higher education students in Oman, to recognize the impact of social networking tools in learning and education generally, to analyse the problems that students might face when using social networks, and to determine whether the traditional learning methods need to be changed in the era of Web 2.0 technologies? In order to achieve the objectives of this research, the research methodology is to conduct a survey amongst Omani students at different universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions and to explore the social networking tools that might have an influence on teaching and learning styles. The type of data collected will be both quantitative and qualitative. This study is based mainly on the student's perspective - the impact on students of using social networking tools and what effect it has on the traditional style of learning and teaching. This study highlights the benefits of using social networks as tools for developing a new style of learning, and the negative impacts that can affect the process of learning, in order to provide a justification for using social networks in higher education

Design and Economic Analysis of a Grid-connected Rooftop Solar PV System for Typical Home Applications in Oman

This paper presents a techno-economic investigation of an integrated rooftop solar PV system for typical home applications in Oman that can reduce the power consumption from the grid and export excess PV generated power back to the gird. Since renewable energy systems design echnically depends on the site, this study selects a typical two-story villa (Home), in a site Al-Hamra, Oman. Temperature is one of the critical parameters in this design as it varies widely over the day and from one season to another in Oman. With the effect of temperature variation, the PV system has designed using system models for the required load of the home. The design process has included two main design constraints, such as the available rooftop space and the grid-connection availability for the selected home.This research also evaluates the economic feasibility of the design system considering the energy export tariff as per the Bulk Supply Tariff (BST) scheme in Oman. The design outcome reveals that the designed PV system can supply the load energy requirement in a year. In addition, the rooftop solar PV system can sell surplus energy back to the grid that generates additional revenue for the owner of the system. The economic performance indices such as payback period, internal rate of return, net present value,and profitability index ensure the financial feasibility of the designed rooftop solar PV system for the selected home.

How to counter organisational inertia to enable knowledge management practices adoption in public sector organisations

Purpose: Knowledge management (KM) is associated with higher performance and innovative culture; KM can help public sector to be fiscally lean and meet diverse stakeholders’ needs. However, hierarchical structures, bureaucratic culture and rigid processes inhibit KM adoption and generate inertia. This study explores the nature and causes of this inertia within the context of UAE public sector. Methodology/approach: Using an in-depth case study of a UAE public sector organisation, this study explores how organisational inertia can be countered to enable knowledge management adoption. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with 17 top- and middle-level managers from operational, management and strategic levels. Interview data is triangulated with content analysis from multiple sources, including the UAE government and case organisation documents. Findings: The results show transformation leadership, external factors, and organisational culture mediate the negative effect of inertia on KM practices adoption. We find that information technology plays a key role in enabling knowledge creation, access, adoption and sharing. Furthermore, we uncover a virtuous cycle between organisational culture and KM practices adoption in public sector. In addition, we develop a new model (relationship between KM practices, organisational inertia, organisational culture, transformational leadership traits and 4 external factors), and four propositions for empirical testing by future researchers. We also present a cross-case comparison of our results with six private/quasi-private sector cases who have implemented KM practices. Originality/value: Inertia in public section is a result of bureaucracy and authority bounded by the rules and regulations. Adopting a qualitative methodology and case study method, the research explores the phenomena of how inertia impacts KM adoption in public sector environments. Our findings reveal the underlying mechanisms of how internal and external organisational factors impact inertia. Internally, supportive organisational culture and transformational leadership traits positively effect KM adoption, which in turn has a positive effect on organisational culture to counter organisational inertia. Externally, a progressive national culture, strategy, and policy can support a knowledge-based organisation that embraces change. This study develops a new model (interactions between internal and external factors impacting KM practices in public sector), four propositions and a new two-stage process model for KM adoption in public sector. We present a case-comparison of how the constructs interact in a public sector as compared to six private/quasi-private sector cases from literatur

Security Risk Assessment of Blockchain-Based Patient Health Record Systems

Blockchain technology is receiving greater attention for enhancing the security of patient records systems; however, it is not a panacea, as many security risks have been found in these healthcare applications. This study conducts a state-of-the-art analysis of emerging risks in blockchain-based patient health record systems, their severity level, impact, and the corresponding countermeasures against them. In addition, we conclude our observations and indicate how blockchain security vulnerabilities may develop in the future. This study aims to promote more research on blockchain security challenges by offering researchers insights into future security and privacy developments in blockchain-based patient health record systems

Consistent estimation of panel data sample selection models

Consistent estimation of panel data sample selection model

EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN OMAN: SECTOR-BASED APPROACH FOR LOCALIZATION

Purpose The objective of the study is to analyze the factors impeding Omanization policies in the selected sectors - Construction, Retail and Tourism of Oman economy and to find out the cause for the disparity created between the graduates and the jobs availability. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The interview approach was administered to collect the data from the Government officials, employers of expats in the private sector,  Omani youth seeking employment and employees from Muscat, Sohar, and Salalah. Findings Lack of coordination between government and the private sector in the formulation of Omanization policies contributing to sustained high level expatriate workers in Oman’s private sector leaving a large gap between the Omani job seekers and job availability in the selected sectors. Practical Implications Every year, the number of graduates is exceeding the number of jobs available in the economy and this paper draws attention to align this alarming issue through proper suggestions. Social Implications There is an urgent need to improve the alignment between the qualification and skills bestowed on nationals by education systems and the needs of the market through devising proper mechanisms. Originality/value Very few studies have examined the harmony of Higher Education and market requirements in Oman. This is first hand study of its kind

A novel mutation in HSD11B2 causes apparent mineralocorticoid excess in an Omani kindred

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder causing severe hypertension in childhood due to a deficiency of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2), which is encoded by HSD11B2. Without treatment, chronic hypertension leads to early development of end-organ damage. Approximately 40 causative mutations in HSD11B2 have been identified in ∼100 AME patients worldwide. We have studied the clinical presentation, biochemical parameters, and molecular genetics in six patients from a consanguineous Omani family with AME. DNA sequence analysis of affected members of this family revealed homozygous c.799A>G mutations within exon 4 of HSD11B2, corresponding to a p.T267A mutation of 11βHSD2. The structural change and predicted consequences owing to the p.T267A mutation have been modeled in silico. We conclude that this novel mutation is responsible for AME in this family

Interaction between Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is beneficial for colonisation and pathogenicity in a mixed-biofilm

Debate regarding the co-existence of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wounds remains contentious, with the dominant hypothesis describing a situation akin to niche partitioning, whereby both microorganisms are present but occupy distinct regions of the wound without interacting. In contrast, we hypothesised that these microorganisms do interact during early co-colonisation in a manner beneficial to both bacteria. We assessed competitive interaction between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in biofilm cultured for 24-72 h and bacterial aggregates analogous to those observed in early (<24h) biofilm formation, and interaction with human keratinocytes. We observed that S. aureus predominated in biofilm and non-attached bacterial aggregates, acting as a pioneer for the attachment of P. aeruginosa. We report for the first time that S. aureus mediates a significant (P<0.05) increase in the attachment of P. aeruginosa to human keratinocytes, and that P. aeruginosa promotes an invasive phenotype in S. aureus. We show that co-infected keratinocytes exhibit an intermediate inflammatory response concurrent with impaired wound closure that is in keeping with a sustained pro-inflammatory response which allows for persistent microbial colonisation. These studies demonstrate that, contrary to the dominant hypothesis, interactions between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa may be an important factor for both colonisation and pathogenicity in the chronic infected wound

The association of Human Leukocyte Antigens Complex with Type 1 Diabetes in Omanis

Background: Identifying the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) high risk alleles, genotypes and haplotypes in different populations is beneficial for understanding their roles in type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis and intervention practices. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify T1D associated HLA gene alleles in the Omani population. Methods: Our case-control study included 73 diabetic seropositive children (mean age 9.08±3.27 years) and 110 healthy controls. HLA–A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 genes were genotyped using sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Results: Two HLA class I alleles (B*08, B*58) and three class II alleles (DQB1*02, DRB1*03 and DRB1*04) were associated with T1D susceptibility, while one class I (B*51) and three class II (DQB1*05, DQB1*06, and DRB1*16) alleles were associated with T1D protection. HLA- DRB1*03 and DQB1*02 alleles showed the strongest risk association among all alleles. Six DRB1 residues (E9, S11, S13, Y30, V70 and K71) were significantly associated with T1D susceptibility. Heterozygous genotypes, HLA-DRB1*03/*04 and DQB1*02/*03 were significantly associated with T1D susceptibility (P=4.29E-07, OR=63.2 and P=0.02, OR=3.6, respectively). Furthermore, we detected a significant combined action of DRB1*03-DQB1*02 haplotype in T1D risk (P=1.76E-05, OR=15), and DRB1*16-DQB1*05 haplotype in protection (P=3.12E-2, OR=0.48). Conclusion: Known HLA class II gene alleles are associated with T1D in Omani children