Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with alfafa and fluctuations of Pratylenchus jordanensis population in the Sultanate of Oman

Des enquêtes réalisées de 1991 à 1996 dans les gouvernorats de Batimah, de Dhabira et du Dhofar et dans les régions de l'Intérieur et de Shargia ont révélé la présence de treize genres de nématodes phytoparasites associés à la luzerne. Les #Pratylenchus$sont les nématodes les plus communs (61$ spp., #Tylenchorhynchus spp., #Helicotylenchus spp. et #Rotylenchulus reniformis. Les fluctuations de population de #Pratylenchus jordanensis ont été suivies sur luzerne, en deux sites à Rumais dans la région de Bathinah en 1994-1995 et 1995-1996, respectivement. Une corrélation positive (P supérieur ou égal à 0,01) a été observée entre les populations du nématode et la température. Les populations endoracinaires sont les plus élevées de juillet à novembre et les plus basses de décembre à juin. (Résumé d'auteur

The Effectiveness of Career Guidance Program to Develop Career Awareness among Grade Nine Students in South Al Batinah

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a career guidance program to develop career awareness among grade nine students in South Al Batina. The sample of the study consisted of 103 female and male students and was divided into two groups: the experimental group consisted of 56 male and female students and the control group consisted of 47 female and male students. The experimental group undertoo; a career guidance program while the control group was given normal activities in career guidance. This study adopted a quasi-experimental method. The results of t-test analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the means of the two groups in favor of the experimental group. The results also showed a statistically significant difference between the means of the experimental group in pre- and post implementation of the career awareness scale in favor of the post- implementation, two-way ANOVA showed statistically significance differences among the average responses in the experimental group in career awareness without being affected by student gender or group interaction and gender

Permeability Prediction from Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure: An Example from the Perth Basin, Western Australia

For shale gas reservoirs, permeability is one of the most important—and difficult—parameters to determine. Typical shale matrix permeabilities are in the range of 10 microdarcy–100 nanodarcy, and are heavily dependent on the presence of natural fractures for gas transmissibility. Permeability is a parameter used to measure the ability of a rock to convey fluid. It is directly related to porosity and depends on the pore geometry features, such as tortuosity, pore shape and pore connectivity. Consequently, rocks with similar porosity can exhibit different permeability. Generally, permeability is measured in laboratories using core plugs. In some cases, however, it is difficult to obtain suitable core plugs. In these instances, other approaches can be used to predict permeability, which are chiefly based on mathematical and theoretical models. The approach followed in this peer-reviewed paper is to correlate permeability with capillary pressure data from mercury injection measurements. The theoretical and empirical equations, introduced in the literature for various conventional and unconventional reservoir rocks, have been used to predict permeability. Estimated gas shale permeabilities are then compared with results from transient and steady state methods on small pieces of rocks embedded in a resin disk. The study also attempts to establish a suitable equation that is applicable to gas shale formations and to investigating the relationship between permeability and porosity

The Effectiveness of Interspersal Strategy in the Improving Accuracy Level to Solve Mathematics Problems and Task Engagement among Grade 4 Students with Learning Disabilities at the Sultanate of Oman

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of interspersal strategy in improving accuracy level to solve mathematics problems and facilitating task engagement among grade 4 students with learning disabilities. The study sample included 20 students. They were divided randomly into two equal groups each consisting of 10 students; experimental group and controll group. The researchers used the semi-experimental method. The researchers designed mathematical problems tests, a task engagement scale and a manual for the implementation of the interspersal strategy. The findings of the study revealed statistically significant differences between the result of the pre and post-test of the experimental group in favor of the post-test. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between the average achieved by the experimental group and the controlled group in relation to the mathematics problems. Furthermore, the study found out that there were statistically significant differences between the average resulting from the pre and post-tests relative to the level of task engagement. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the average achieved by the experimental group and the controlled group in the engagement on task

Use of Prophylactic Inferior Vena Cava Filters in Trauma

Venous thromboembolisms, specifically pulmonary embolisms (PEs), represent a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly within the setting of trauma. According to the literature, PEs are the most common cause of in-hospital death; however, this condition can be prevented with a variety of prophylactic and therapeutic measures. This article aimed to examine current evidence on the use, indications for prophylaxis, outcomes and complications of prophylactic inferior vena cava filters in trauma patients

Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum of the Upper Lip

Syringocystadenoma papilliferum (SCAP) is a rare skin tumour believed to arise from the apocrine or eccrine sweat glands. It appears predominantly in childhood, usually at birth. It is exceedingly rare for it to appear on the upper lip. We report a case of SCAP in a 10-year-old Omani girl who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, in February 2012 with a non-tender, non-pruritic, solitary verrucous papule of 4 x 5 mm on the left side of the upper lip. It had been present since birth and had slowly been increasing in size over the years. It was occasionally associated with recurrent ulceration and bleeding and had previously been misdiagnosed and mismanaged. An excisional biopsy was performed and the whole lesion was removed. The surgical site was then sutured and the patient was discharged on the same day

Adherence to Medications among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Three Districts of Al Dakhliyah Governorate, Oman : A cross-sectional pilot study

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to assess the medication adherence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in three wilayats(districts) of the Al Dakhliyah governorate, Oman, and to identify the probable reasons for medication non-adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based pilot survey was conducted among T2DM Omani patients between February and June 2012 to assess their medication adherence and the relationship between their socio-demographic characteristics and adherence levels. Results: A total of 158 patients participated in the survey. The majority of the participants were unemployed or were housewives (66.5%). Forgetfulness was the most frequent reason for medication non-adherence (36.4%). Participants demonstrated an excellent level of adherence to their medicines (median total score = 3). No significant difference in median total adherence scores was observed based on the evaluated parameters. Conclusion: The medication adherence of T2DM patients in the area under study was good. A larger study in a wider population is warranted to obtain a more representative picture of this important factor which contributes to public health

A Massive Tuberculosis Abscess at the Erector Spinae Muscles and Subcutaneous Tissues in a Young Man

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic granulomatous infection which can present in an atypical form. Isolated muscle involvement is very rare. We report a 25-year-old man who presented with a massive cystic swelling on the right side of his back, extending from the lower thoracic to the gluteal region. He had a history of contact with a friend who was suspected of having TB. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the origin of the cyst was from the erector spinae muscles. The result of a fluid aspirate showed acid fast bacilli. The swelling disappeared after treatment with anti-tuberculous medications. Muscular involvement in TB is very rare. In our patient, the reports of an ultrasound and MRI confirmed isolated muscle and subcutaneous involvement without bony lesions. This case is reported to increase physician awareness regarding soft tissue TB. Although it is rare, similar cases may be seen in the future

Evaluating the Educational Administration Master Program in the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University from the Graduates' and their Employers' Perspectives

This study aimed to evaluate the master program of educational administration offered by the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University. Two questionnaires were used to achieve the study objectives during the academic year 2012/2013. The first one was applied to 24 graduates from the program. It included the following themes: vision, mission, goals of the program, courses and their contents, students’ assessment, efficiency of material resources in support of the program, graduates’ competencies, and the efficiency of faculty members. The second tool was applied to a sample of 21 supervisors and included the following themes: the efficiency of the graduates at work place, relationship between the institutions where the graduates work the department of educational foundations and administration in the college of education. The results indicated that the theme of graduates’ efficiency got high degree from the graduates’ perspective themselves. However, participation in the formulation of the vision, mission and objectives of the program was low. The relationship with the department had earned a medium level, but all questionnaires’ items got low level from the perspective of employers. In light of the results, a set of recommendations were proposed to develop the program and the relationship with employers