Compact topological spaces inspired by combinatorial constructions

Due to Mr�owka [24], polyadic spaces are compact Hausdor� spaces that are continuous images of some power of the one point compactication� of a discrete space �. It turns out that many results about polyadic spaces hold for a more general class spaces, as we shall show in this thesis. For a sequence� = h�i : i 2 Ii of cardinals, a compact Hausdor� space X is �-multiadic if it is a continuous image of Yi2I��i. It is easy to observe that a �-multiadic space is �-polyadic, but whether the converse is true is a motivation of this dissertation. To distinguish the polyadic spaces and multiadic spaces, we consider (��)I and Yi2I ��i. We investigate two cases regarding �: if it is a successor or a limit cardinal. For an inaccessible cardinal � we clarify by an example that the polyadic space (��)� is not an image of Yi<���i. Beside this result we and a model of set theory using Prikry-like forcing to get an analogous result when � is singular. Although the individual polyadic and multiadic spaces differ, we show that the class of polyadic spaces is the same as multiadicclass! Moreover, this dissertation is concerned with the combinatorics of multiadic class that can be used to give some of their topological structure. We give a Ramsey-like property for the class of multiadic compacta called Q� where � is a regular cardinal. For Boolean spaces this property is equivalent to the following: every uncountable collection of clopen sets contains anuncountable subcollection which is either linked or disjoint. We give gen- eralizations of the Standard Sierpi�nski graph and use them to show that the property of being �-multiadic is not inherited by regular closed sets for arbitrarily large

Attitudes towards and Perceptions of Women Managers and Their Communication Competencies in the Sultanate of Oman

This study was concerned with the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the Sultanate of Oman. In particular, it focused on the attitudes of Omani people towards women as managers and the perceptions of these managers‘ communication competencies. It also explored reasons for the underrepresentation of women in managerial positions. The study investigated the topic through a feminist-research lens and used a mixed-method approach that included both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to collect the data. For quantitative data, a questionnaire survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 208 participants from the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman. The survey included two different tests: the Women as Managers Scale (WAMS) and the Communication Competencies of Women Managers Scale (CCWMS). For qualitative data, 12 Omani males and females from the Ministry were interviewed in order to gain in-depth information to complement the qualitative data. The survey data were analysed using the SPSS program while the interview transcripts were analysed using the thematic analysis technique to capture major themes that emerged from the data. The survey findings showed, first, that participants held both positive attitudes towards women in managerial positions and positive perceptions of women managers‘ communication competencies. Second, gender was not found to have significant influence on either the attitudes or the perceptions of communication competencies. Prior experience with women managers, on the other hand, did have significant influence on participants‘ perception of women managers‘ communication competencies but not on the attitudes towards these managers. The findings also indicated that there was a weak correlation between attitudes towards women managers and the perceptions of their communication competences. Finally, the findings showed a significant relationship between satisfaction of working with women managers and attitudes towards women managers, while there was no relationship between attitudes and being overseas. Thematic analysis of the interviews showed that the level of representation of women in managerial positions in Oman could be influenced by many factors educational, Managerial (professional), psychological, familial, societal, and religious. The contribution of this research lies in the following areas. First, the study helps fill the gap in knowledge identified in the review of the literature. While there is a reasonably volume of research on attitude towards women managers in a number of countries, there has been hardly any in Oman. Second, the study shows that while attitudes and perceptions towards women managers in Oman compare favourably with those in many countries, these positive attitudes and perceptions are far from universal. Some people in Oman still believe that men have more abilities than women and are more suitable to work as managers. Third, the research has highlighted the fact that although Omani women have received a great deal of support and encouragement from the Omani government in recent times, there is still much to be done to achieve proportional representation of men and women in managerial positions

Cross-cultural communication and the adjustment of Western and non-Western expatriates in multicultural companies: investigating operations in Oman

This thesis explores the state of existing knowledge on expatriate work assignments and matters of adjustment and adaptation as they affect Western, non-Western and host workers in Arab countries, specifically Oman. The main purpose of the research is to provide an integrated analysis of expatriate adjustment from the perspectives of Western and, crucially, non-Western expatriates and their host national counterparts. It offers a critical appreciation of factors included in Black, Mendenhall, and Oddou's (1991) influential Framework for International Adjustment (FIA). The thesis identifies weaknesses in the Black et al approach, drawing insights from more recent literature to consider the dynamics of cross-cultural interaction and offer a deeper understanding of reciprocal influence, accommodating the neglected viewpoints of non-Western expatriates and focusing greater attention on host national attitudes and responses to dealing with Western workers. This sort of relational approach is rare in this area, as much of the literature talks only about the Western expatriate experience. A crucial point borne out by this research is that the way host nationals and expatriates cooperate and interact helps to explain: (i) why host nationals are often reluctant to integrate with Western expatriates in particular; and (ii) how host national reluctance can influence the adjustment experience of wider expatriate communities. These neglected factors were explored by developing an understanding of the extent to which host nationals interpret differences in culture and forms of behaviour within and across multinational work groups, and also by investigating host national attitudes towards unacceptable cultural behaviour on the part of expatriates. Quantitative and qualitative data on these issues was gathered through a detailed survey, supplemented by in-depth interviewing. Semi-structured face–to-face interviews were conducted with 18 expatriates and 22 Omani managers and employees drawn from petroleum and educational institutions. The results show important differences between Western and non-Western expatriates in terms of both their sense-making about adjustment and attitudes and orientations to working with host national Omanis. The research also highlights significant challenges for the cultural adjustment and workplace effectiveness of host nationals themselves. These centre on competing ideas about the significance of religion, customs, traditions, and gender segregation. Cultural novelty emerges as a significant phenomenon, showing positive links to cultural (social) and work adjustment. The analysis of these factors demonstrates that Western-centric accounts provide an inadequate basis for understanding and facilitating multinational work assignments in Oman

Zeta potential in oil-water-carbonate systems and its impact on oil recovery during controlled salinity water-flooding

Jackson was funded by the TOTAL Chairs Programme at Imperial College London, and Vinogradov through the TOTAL Laboratory for Reservoir Physics at Imperial College London.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Zeta potential of artificial and natural calcite in aqueous solution

TOTAL are thanked for partially funding Jackson under the TOTAL Chairs programme at Imperial College London, and for supporting Vinogradov through the TOTAL Laboratory for Reservoir Physics where the experiments reported were undertaken. Petroleum Development Oman are thanked for supporting Al Mahrouqi.Peer reviewedPostprin

Effects of Elevated Temperatures on the Compressive Strength Capacity of Concrete Cylinders Confined with FRP Sheets: An Experimental Investigation

Due to their high strength, corrosion resistance, and durability, fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) are very attractive for civil engineering applications. One of these applications is the strengthening of concrete columns with FRP sheets. The performance of this strengthening technique at elevated temperature is still questionable and needs more investigations. This research investigates the effects of exposure to high temperatures on the compressive strength of concrete cylinders wrapped with glass and carbon FRP sheets. Test specimens consisted of 30 unwrapped and 60 wrapped concrete cylinders. All specimens were exposed to temperatures of 100, 200, and 300°C for periods of 1, 2, and 3 hours. The compressive strengths of the unwrapped concrete cylinders were compared with their counterparts of the wrapped cylinders. For the unwrapped cylinders, test results showed that the elevated temperatures considered in this study had almost no effect on their compressive strength; however, the wrapped specimens were significantly affected, especially those wrapped with GFRP sheets. The compressive strength of the wrapped specimens decreased as the exposure period and the temperature level increased. After three hours of exposure to 300°C, a maximum compressive strength loss of about 25.3% and 37.9%, respectively, was recorded in the wrapped CFRP and GFRP specimens

The impact of metacognitive strategies based learning modules on ninth grade student\u27s science achievement in Sultanate of Omanمريم

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of the metacognition strategies (MS) based on learning modules on ninth grade students\u27 science achievement in Oman for the academic year 2016/2017. A quasi-experimental design was used with two experimental groups and one control group. The first experimental group (n= 30) was taught via learning modules in paper form, while the second experimental (n=34) was taught in computerized form. The control group (n=33) was taught using a traditional method. An achievement test comprising (40) items was used. Validity and reliability of it were established. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the means of the students in the three groups on the post- students’ science achievement, in favor of the second experimental group. In addition, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference in the means of the post students\u27 science achievement due to the method of teaching the modules (paper/ computerized) and science achievement levels (higher/ lower) in the favor of computerized modules and the higher achievement level. A number of recommendations were made in the light of these findings

ASSESSING THE LIFESTYLE (PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR AND EATING HABITS) OF OMANI ADOLESCENT GIRLS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

Background: Rising body mass index (BMI) in the world population is a serious global health issue of 21st century. Epidemiology and management of high BMI have been the themes of many studies. In the Arab world, including in Oman where this study is based, the prevalence of obesity and inactivity emerged late but is accelerating rapidly, particularly among the youth. The aim of this study is to bridge the research gap that exists regarding Omani adolescent girls’ lifestyle and their association with body weight status by studying the diet and activity habits of this population using a mixed method approach. To date, this is the first study of its kind from Oman. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted to assess the lifestyle characteristics (physical activity level, sedentary behaviour, and eating habits) among Omani girls aged 15–18 years, and to understand their perceptions related to this lifestyle. A total of 421 female students were randomly selected from two schools in Ibri, Oman, to participate in this study. A validated online ATLS questionnaire (N = 421), diet diary and pedometer (n = 59) and focus groups (n = 16) were used as data collection instruments. Ethical approvals were granted by the Queen Margaret University (QMU) ethics committee and Oman Ministry of Education (MOE). Informed consent was obtained from the participants and their parents and the confidentiality of the collected data maintained. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 21% and obesity 14% among this sample of Omani female adolescents. The average footstep tally of the participants (n=59) was 5,755 footsteps per day against the recommended 10,000–11,700 with significant differences between BMI groups. The pedometer data indicated that normal weight participants scored mean footstep counts of 6,625 per day, while it was 6,094 in the overweight girls, falling further to 5,755 for their obese peers. The majority of the participants (56%) who maintained diet diaries were normal reporters, while misreporters were 44%. After excluding the misreporters, the energy intake (EI) of the diet diary cohort was lower than the recommended value of 2400 Kcal/day. The overweight participants were significantly more likely to consume French fries/ chips (82%) and cake/ doughnuts (74%) than the other BMI groups, while the obese participants consumed more sweets (61%) and fast food (42%). The participants perceived environmental and sociocultural factors, rapid modernisation and acculturation of Omani society, lack of encouragement from family, friends, and teachers, as well as lack of self-motivation and role models as barriers to physical activity. Even though they perceived fast food as unhealthy, they were attracted to these due to the taste and advertisements. The study also found that increased digital screen-time, sleeping less, and missing breakfast were other factors that positively correlated with inactivity and increased the BMI among Omani female adolescents. Conclusion: The current study establishes a positive correlation between the overweight and obesity in Omani teenage girls and their physical inactivity and nutritional habits. While the current results are similar to those from other parts of the world, there are also factors that are specific to the region such as the climate and culture that makes the problem complex. The trend for BMI to rise with age among teenagers raises apprehension that it may continue in their adulthood. Urgent action needs to be taken by adolescent girls in Oman, their parents, and higher authorities at Oman ministries of education and health to improve the nutritional habits and physical activity of this age group. Specific culture-sensitive suggestions are provided in this thesis to meet these challenges. Key words: adolescent girls, obesity, overweight, BMI, Arab, Oman, school children, lifestyle, physical activity, dietary habits, sedentary behaviour, fast food, sleep, Ibr

The Burden of Asthma in Oman

Asthma is a common lung disease worldwide, although its prevalence varies from country to country. Oman is ranked in the intermediate range based on results from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. A 2009 study revealed that the majority of asthmatic patients in Oman reported both daytime and nocturnal symptoms, while 30% of adults and 52% of children reported absences from work or school due to their symptoms. Despite these findings, there is little data available on the economic burden of asthma in Oman. The only accessible information is from a 2013 study which concluded that Oman’s highest asthma-related costs were attributable to inpatient (55%) and emergency room (25%) visits, while asthma medications contributed to less than 1% of the financial toll. These results indicate a low level of asthma control in Oman, placing a large economic burden on healthcare providers. Therefore, educating asthmatic patients and their families should be prioritised in order to improve the management and related costs of this disease within Oman