The Determinants of Entrepreneurial Success of Home-Based Entrepreneurs (HBEs) in Oman

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze the impact of technological factor on the Success of home-based enterprises; to analyze the impact of marketing factor on the Success of home-based enterprises and to analyze the impact of environment factor on the Success of home-based enterprises. Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was provided to 208 participants for data collection selected on a stratified random sampling basis. The entrepreneurs from North Al Batinah region in Oman including housewives and entrepreneurs operating from home were used for the study.  The data was analyzed using SPSS. Findings: The study revealed that there was an association between Environmental Factors, Marketing Factors, and the Success of home-based entrepreneurs.  Environmental Factors and Marketing Factors had an impact on the Success of home-based entrepreneurs. But Technological factors - have not influenced the Success of home-based entrepreneurs.  Limitations/Research implications:  The paper will help home-based entrepreneurs to understand that the business from home as it is a form of local business entity necessary for community development and there is an incentive for small and medium business entities to educate the business process for the sustainability of their business. Social Implications: Government should encourage home-based businesses as they are considered as the legitimate form of HBEs for the sake of community development. Government should support in channelizing the promotion and selling business products for the home-based businesses. Government should motivate the HBEs towards educating the business process for the sustainability of their businesses. Originality/Value: This is the first kind of its study dealing with the factors related to home-based entrepreneurs impacting the success of home-based entrepreneurs. Keywords: Technological Factors, Marketing Factors, Environment Factors, Success of Home-based Business Factors, Barriers of Home-Based Entrepreneurs

The Role of Arbitration in Protection the Owner of Famous Trademark from the Degital Environment Infringment

Purpose: The aim of this study is to help consumers to move towards choosing specific goods and services that are better suited to their sense and needs by relying on the trademark of the commodity or service that has been taken as a website address for the promotion of goods or services.   Theoretical Framework: The infringements on the rights of owners of famous trademarks taking addresses to e-commerce sites for the purposes of advertising and promoting goods and services offered by such websites or even bargaining the owners of famous trademarks for large amounts of money for ceding the registered website address. Arbitration has emerged as an effective means for resolving intellectual property disputes, including the ownership disputes of famous trademarks, and providing civil protection for the rights of their owners. The effectiveness of arbitration is derived from many advantages achieved by this means for the litigation parties, in particular the owner of the well-known trademark compared to litigation as an original and traditional means of resolving trademarks’ disputes. Particularly, Arbitral awards in the mentioned cases have been rendered just and fair to the extent that they support the stability of global trade.   Design/Methodology/Approach: The nature of this study assumed the adoption of the descriptive analytical approach to the provisions of the arbitration and trademark legislation recently promulgated in the United Arab Emirates in comparison with provisions adopted by some of the legislation enacted in other states and provisions decided upon by international intellectual property rights organizations and conventions.   Findings: The result of this study is the reputation of the trademark is a presumption of the bad faith of the owner of the website who used that trademark as a name of the website which was registered in the digital environment, while the arbitral tribunal’s direction should be towards the good faith presumption of the respondent, in the case preceding the registration of the website, and the date of registration of the trademark.   Research Practical and Social Implications: The study is being prepared to address numerous challenges faced by the owners of renowned brands, including the ease of registering websites with names of such brands without conditions or regulations that prevent such abuses.   Originality/Value: The value of this study is being the first study to be conducted in the UAE.  Besides, the examination of the role of arbitration in protection the owner of famous trademark from the digital environment infringement adds new knowledge to the academicians

Bradycardia Following Oral Corticosteroid Use: Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Corticosteroids are used in various clinical conditions that include many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Different side effects were described including cardiac arrhythmias. Most of those arrhythmias were in the form of bradycardia which usually occurs with high intravenous steroid doses. More significant arrhythmias and cardiac arrest were also described. In this report we describe a case of bradycardia that developed after the use of oral corticosteroids.Case report: We report a case of bradycardia that developed in a 14 year-old male after receiving oral prednisone. The patient had steroid- sensitive nephrotic syndrome and presented with anasarca that started to develop few days prior to hospitalization. He had no underlying heart disease. Vitals was normal. Investigations confirmed a new nephrotic relapse. Oral prednisone 80 mg / day divided into three doses was started. Albumin infusions were initially given with intravenous furosemide to control the edema. Seven days after hospitalization, he developed bradycardia with a pulse rate of 50-60 per minute, which was less than 50% of the baseline heart rate. He didn’t develop significant symptoms and he had no other apparent corticosteroids side effects. Cardiac evaluation and echocardiography were normal. Electrocardiogram revealed only sinus bradycardia.The bradycardia recovered after decreasing the dose of steroids to 60 mg PO every other day and he was discharged in stable condition a few days later.Conclusion: Cardiac arrhythmias may develop with all forms of steroids including oral prednisone. Bradyarrhythmias can occur even with standard doses of oral prednisone

Students’ perception of the Service Quality Gaps of Omantel Company using SERVQUAL Model

Purpose of the study: The objective of the study is to determine the impact of service quality gaps in the telecommunications industry in Oman, through critically analyzing the differences between the expectations and perceptions in relates to tangibility, empathy, reliability, responsiveness, and assurance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used the SERVQUAL model to calculate the existing quality of service of the telecommunication company operating in the Sultanate of Oman and to know the differences between expectations and perceptions of the quality of services provided to the customers by Omantel Company. The sampling used in this study was convenient sampling adopted through a questionnaire where the size of the sample was 150 which was randomly selected from the students of different faculties at Sohar University. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. Findings: The findings of the research study revealed that there exists a negative relationship between the customer perceptions and expectations and the difference in the scores between the two sets of variables is in favor of the expectations of the respondents in relates to Omantel services. The reliability factor had the largest difference between the two sets of variables and the tangibles factor had the smallest difference. Research Implications: The results of this study help Omantel Company to strategically develop service quality in the areas of assurance, empathy, and responsiveness and to understand how consumers view the quality of the service, and to help the organization track and sustain quality service. Originality/value:  The research was performed in the rapidly increasing telecom service industry, which is experiencing dramatic changes over time and is making concentrated efforts to keep up with unparalleled, ground-breaking advances in technology. This research can be extended to other sectors of the market

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Severe Nephritis That Mimicked Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) belongs to a family of related autoimmune rheumatic disorders that are capable of affecting multiple organs, and they are all associated with a variety of autoantibodies. Henoch Schoenlein purpura (HSP) is a sort of systemic vasculitis that is not associated with auto-antibodies and can affect different organs including the kidneys. Case report: A 12 year-old girl presented with abdominal pain, low grade fever, swollen and tender feet and left hand, skin rash on the lower extremities, and high blood pressure. Initial laboratory tests revealed severe proteinuria, microscopic hematuria and low C3 level. Renal biopsy showed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with IgA, fibrinogen and C3 deposits. The case was accordingly diagnosed as HSP with severe IgA nephropathy. Treatment was started with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and pulse methylprednisolone followed by prednisolone. The patient improved and treatment was discontinued after 5.5 months. One month after withdrawal of her medications, the patient presented again with serositis and recurrent proteinuria. Both antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti dsDNA were positive. At this point she was diagnosed to have SLE disease and immunosuppressive treatment was restarted. Following this, symptoms disappeared, proteinuria regressed and anti-dsDNA titer dropped. Conclusion: This case presented with features of HSP and was later-on diagnosed to have SLE. This kind of clinical overlapping has not been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge.Keywords: Henoch-Schoenlein Purpura; Nephritis; Systemic Lupus Erythematosu

CURRENT STATUS, CHALLENGES, MANAGEMENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF THE RED PALM WEEVIL Rhynchophorus ferrugineus OLIVIER (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) ERADICATION - A REVIEW

The date palm is a cultural and economic heritage of many nations. The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) is among the world’s most serious insect pests of palms that have rapidly expanded its geographical distribution and host plant range during the last decades. Integrated pest management (IPM) is followed to suppress the pest using the most economical and least hazardous methods to humans and the environment. Since R. ferrugineus is a serious pest of date palm production worldwide, farmers, researchers, and scientists have developed many tactics to eradicate this pest. However, there was no published article covering and integrating the current status, biology, ecology, and future control tactics of R. ferrugineus and proposes an IPM program. Therefore, in this review, R. ferrugineus geographical distribution, host plant range, economic importance, infestation symptoms, morphology, biology, and its management tactics were thoroughly discussed. These tactics include early detection of R. ferrugineus infestation, trapping, chemical applications, use of bio-agents, bioinsecticides (plant extracts), resistance cultivars, cultural practices, sterile insect technique, gene silencing technology, quarantine, and geographical information system. In conclusion, all available control tactics suggest that R. ferrugineus could be successfully managed by developing IPM programs comprising several means of control. It is hoped that this review will highlight some aspects of date palm management and raise research gaps and directions deserving further investigations to develop a better understanding of R. ferrugineus management and therefore contributes to the sustainability of date palm cultivation worldwide

Evaluation of some Biomarkers Adiponectin, Troponin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) for Atherosclerosis Obese and non-obese patients and related with oxidation, antioxidation parameters in Kerbala Governorate

Background: The most widespread pathological condition of peripherals, coronary artery disorders, and of cerebellar problems, is atherosclerosis (AS). Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder worldwide and is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Adiponectin is a "adipokine" that is mostly formed by adipose tissue. Adiponectin levels are low and have limited capacity to control inflammatory reactions in obese individuals. Troponin releases into the circulation when myocytes are injured. Oxidative stress (OS) refers to a series of actions that frequently initiates and follows molecular/cellular pathogenic events that cause a number of human illnesses, such as atherosclerosis. Malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma levels indicate the degree of lipid peroxidation, additionally the severity of OS. Antioxidant is a molecule that is capable of “neutralizing” the oxidation of reactive oxidant species (ROS) before they react with cellular biomolecules and change their structure function. Methods: A case-control study was used in the design of the study. 100 male participants, comprising 60 atherosclerosis individuals, 30 obese patients, 30 normal weight patients, and 40 healthy people, 20 of whom were obese and 20 of whom were of normal weight. Age between (40-65). Results: The result demonstrated a very high significant decrease in the concentration of adiponectin (p≤0.001) in both atherosclerosis obese and normal patients groups as compared to control normal groups. Also showed a highly significant increase (p≤0.001) in the concentration of Troponin I in atherosclerosis obese, normal patients’ groups as compared to control obese and normal groups. Additionally found a highly significant increase (p≤0.001) in the concentration of C-reactive protein in all study groups (atherosclerosis obese, atherosclerosis normal, and control obese) as compared to control normal. Also found a highly significant increase (p≤0.001) in the concentration of (MDA) in all study groups as compared to the normal control, the highest increase was in the atherosclerosis obese patient group. TAOC showed a highly significant decrease (p≤0.001) in all study groups, the highest decrease found in athero obese and control obese as compared to control normal. Conclusion: Adiponectin plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis in obese individuals. A person with an increased body mass index is more susceptible to development of atherosclerosis. The end result of lipid peroxidation, increased MDA concentration, indicates that the rate of oxidative stress is high. Decrease in concentration of TAOC in all obese groupings, which means increased body mass index leads to decreased antioxidant

Modeling and control of a free-flying space robot interacting with a target satellite

In the thesis a unified control-oriented modeling approach is proposed to deal with the kinematics, linear and angular momentum, contact constraints and dynamics of a free-flying space robot interacting with a target satellite. This developed approach combines the dynamics of both systems in one structure along with holonomic and nonholonomic constraints in a single framework. Furthermore, this modeling allows considering the generalized contact forces between the space robot end-effecter and the target satellite as internal forces rather than external forces. As a result of this approach, linear and angular momentum will form holonomic and nonholonomic constraints, respectively. Meanwhile, restricting the motion of the space robot end-effector on the surface of the target satellite will impose geometric constraints. The proposed momentum of the combined system under consideration is a generalization of the momentum model of a free-flying space robot. A physical interpretation of holonomy/nonholonomic constraints is analyzed based on d'Almberts-Lagrange dynamics and reveals geometric conditions that generate such a behavior. Moreover, a nonholonomy criterion is proposed to verify the integrability of momentum constraints by using a linear transformation via orthogonal projection techniques and singular value decomposition. This criterion can be used to verify the holonomy of a free-flying space robot with or without interaction with a target satellite and to check whether these constraints or their initial conditions are violated. Based on this unified model, three reduced models are developed. The first reduced dynamics can be considered as a generalization of a free-flying robot without contact with a target satellite. In this reduced model it is found that the Jacobian and inertia matrices can be considered as an extension of those of a free-flying space robot. Since control of the base attitude rather than its translation is preferred in certain cases, a second reduced model is obtained by eliminating the base linear motion dynamics. For the purpose of the controller development, a third reduced-order dynamical model is then obtained by finding a common solution of all constraints using the concept of orthogonal projection matrices

Role of leptin, Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in the occurrence of atherosclerosis: New insights into the mechanism of obesity-induced atherosclerosis

Background and aim: The most widespread pathological condition of peripherals and coronary artery disorders, as well as of cerebellar problems, is atherosclerosis (AS). Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder world wide and is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are released by adipose tissue, which is a tissue that is found throughout the body and is considered an important endocrine system, these are essential for the control of immunological and energy responses. Methods:A case-control study was used in the design of the current investigation. 100 male participants, comprising 60 atherosclerosis individuals, 30 obese patients, 30 normal weight patients, and 40 healthy people, 20 of whom were obese and 20 of whom were of normal weight. Age between(40-65). This work was done between November/2022 and May/2023. Patient from the Karbala Center for Cardiac Disease and Surgery. A 3 ml sample of venous blood was obtained from patients and was healthy. In addition, some information was taken from each person(age,height,weight). Results:There has been a significant increase in concentrations of each one of the hormones (Leptin, PAI-1) in all groups when compared with non obese control. Conclusion:leptin and PAI-1 plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis in obese individuals. A person's risk of developing atherosclerosis increases with rising body mass index. It was discovered that the hormone Leptin, which regulates metabolism, is rising, which might be an indicator that the metabolic problem in obese people is becoming more common

Awareness of the Importance of and Adherence to Patients’ Rights Among Physicians and Nurses in Oman: An analytical cross-sectional study across different levels of healthcare

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the extent to which physicians and nurses in Oman were aware of the importance of and adhere to patients’ rights and whether this differed according to role, nationality, position and institutional healthcare level. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2015 and March 2016 at various governmental healthcare institutions in Oman. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1,385 practitioners at all healthcare levels. Results: A total of 1,213 healthcare practitioners (response rate: 87.58%) completed the survey, of which 685 (56.47%) were nurses and 528 (43.53%) were physicians. Overall, awareness of the importance of patients’ rights was high (91.51%), although adherence to these rights in practice was low (63.81%). The right of the patient to be informed was considered least important and was least adhered to (81.2% and 56.39%). Nationality, role and institutional level were significantly associated with awareness (P = 0.002, 0.024 and 0.034, respectively). Non-Omani staff were significantly more likely than Omani staff to be aware of (odds ratio [OR] = 1.696; P = 0.032) and adhere to (OR = 2.769; P <0.001) patient rights. Furthermore, tertiary care staff were twice as likely as primary care staff to perceive the importance of patient rights (OR = 2.076; P = 0.019). While physicians were more likely than nurses to be aware of the importance of patient rights, this difference was not significant (OR = 1.516; P = 0.126). Conclusion: These findings may help inform measures to enhance awareness of and adherence to patients’ rights in Oman.Keywords: Medical Ethics; Patient Rights; Awareness; Adherence; Physicians; Nurses; Oman