Developing the Practices of Basic Education School Leaders in the Sultanate of Oman In Light Of the Total Quality Management Approach

This study aimed at identifying the reality of leadership practices of Basic Education (BE) school principals in the Sultanate of Oman and limited to Al Buraimi Governorate in order to develop their practices in light of the Total Quality Management Approach (TQM). It tried to know the effects of the study variables of respondents on their views. The study problem was determined by the question: What is the reality of implementing the theory of TQM in Basic Education schools in Oman through the principals’ practices? The researcher conducted the study on a sample of (470) employees at BE schools. A questionnaire was used consisting of 60 items representing leadership practices for BE school principals listed into six domains representing some basic principles of TQM. The questionnaire was divide into three sections: the first section asks for personal information, the second section consists of the questionnaire items, and the third section is an open ended question to solicit some suggestions. It was validated and tested by a group of experts in the study field. It used Cronbach’s alpha formula which (0.97). The study data was collected from the field and analyzed by SPSS program. In light of the findings, the study reached the following results: TQM investigated principles are highly existence in leadership practices in BE schools in Al Buraimi Governorate, planning for TQM in school practices are more existent among other principles, however, principals may lack the practices of adopting a culture of quality. In addition, there is a statistical significant effect of participants’ gender on their views regarding the school principals’ implementation of TQM theory in BE schools in Al Buraimi Governorate. Finally, the researcher proposed the following recommendations: promoting awareness of the TQM approach, expanding decentralization in policy formulation and decision-making, increasing staff participation through the involvement and the empowerment of all staff in making educational-decisions, organizing professional development programs based on the needs of principals, increasing the local community’s participation in the process of decision-making and school planning taking into account their assessment of the school services

BUSINESS MAJOR STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS BASIC ACCOUNTING COURSES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OF OMAN

Purpose: The objective of the study is to find out the areas in which the business students lack and to analyze the reasons for such lack of knowledge. Design/methodology/approach: For carrying out the research study, 160 students from various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Oman studying accounting subjects were selected and a test was conducted with five identified areas of accounting – accounting concepts, application knowledge, accounting formulae, accounting methods, and decision making. After completion of the test, the results were shown, and the correct answer keys were explained. Subsequently, a questionnaire mentioning all the five areas and the difficulties faced therein were requested to be filled in by the respondents. Findings: The results of the empirical study reveal that the students assume that they are good at accounting but they lack knowledge of application, formulae usage, and decision making.  Practical Implications: It is confirmed that the concepts, methodologies, and techniques are not difficult but proper guidance and proper education methods through real-world examples might help towards creating interest among the students to improve their way of learning. Social Implications: The study has identified the areas where the students lack and helps the teachers to improve their methods of teaching and the students to improve their way of learning. Originality/value: No study has investigated before the accounting learning difficulties of business major students, and this study will help accounting educators to introduce and modify their teaching strategies

Cushing’s Disease : Sustained remission in five cases induced by medical therapy with the dopamine agonist cabergoline

We report five cases of Cushing’s disease where the patients were given a therapeutic trial of cabergoline. Morning serum cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and sleeping cortisol concentrations were significantly raised. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed pituitary microadenomas in 3 patients but were normal in the others. Ectopic ACTH production was excluded in the 2 patients with normal MRI scans. All were given a therapeutic trial of cabergoline (1 mg daily). Four patients responded with a prompt fall in serum cortisol levels and  had a sustained clinical and biochemical remission for 378, 44, 28 and 14 days, respectively. One patient failed to respond. In conclusion, we suggest that all patients with Cushing’s disease should undergo a therapeutic trial of cabergoline. Responders can then be prepared for surgery or, if needed, treated medically in the long term.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Diabetic Patients on Metformin Therapy: A cross-sectional study from Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency amongst diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at general clinics at the University Health Center and diabetes outpatient clinics at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January and December 2017. All Omani adults who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and took metformin were invited to participate in the study. The variables included in this study were age, gender, duration of diabetes, dose and duration of metformin therapy, haemoglobin and glycosylated haemoglobin level. Results: A total of 248 subjects were included (response rate = 95.4%) of which 26 (10.5%) were vitamin B12 deficient and 53 (21.4%) were borderline deficient. The mean daily dose of metformin was highest among vitamin B12 deficient group (1,981 ± 222 mg; P = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is considerable among diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Further research is needed to confirm the need for routine screening and monitoring.Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Prevalence; Metformin; Vitamin B12 Deficiency; Oman

Comorbidity of Learning Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Sample of Omani Schoolchildren

Objectives: The estimated worldwide prevalence of learning disorders (LDs) is approximately 2‒10% among school-aged children. LDs have variable clinical features and are often associated with other disorders. This study aimed to examine the comorbidity of LDs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among a sample of schoolchildren in Oman. Methods: This study was conducted between January 2014 and January 2015 at the Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. The Learning Disabilities Diagnostic Inventory (LDDI) and the 28-item version of the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale was completed by classroom teachers to determine the existence of LD and ADHD symptoms in 321 children in grades 1‒4 who had been referred to a learning support unit for LDs from elementary schools in Muscat. Results: The mean age of the students was 8.5 years. Among the cohort, 30% were reported to have symptoms of ADHD, including conduct problems (24%), hyperactivity (24%) and inattentivepassive behaviours (41%). Male students reportedly exhibited greater conduct problems and hyperactivity than females. However, there were no gender differences noted between LDDI scores. Conclusion: This study suggests that Omani schoolchildren with LDs are likely to exhibit signs of ADHD. The early identification of this disorder is essential considering the chronic nature of ADHD. For interventional purposes, multidisciplinary teams are recommended, including general and special educators, clinical psychologists, school counsellors, developmental or experienced general paediatricians and child psychiatrists

The Endocrine System at Glance

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Riding the Diabetes Rollercoaster: A new approach for health professionals, patients and carers

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Atherosclerosis and Physical Activity

Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease have been considered as major health problem worldwide. Abnormalities in lipids and lipoprotein metabolism and impairment of endothelial function have been implicated as the main contributing factors in atherosclerosis and its progression. Physical activity has been recognized as a preventive measure for atherosclerosis

A modal analysis based on reactive power compensation on 6-bus Oman electrical grid

This paper covers the modal analysis application (MATLAB 2019a) for improving the voltage profiles by optimum positioning of the capacitor banks for 6-bus Oman Electrical System because the Oman electricity Transmission Company (OETC) is suffering of drop voltage in these 6 buses especially during summer season as a peak period. The Newton-Raphson (N-R) method will help to determine the required reactive power for each load bus and as well the ideal position or point of capacitors. The process aims to maintain the Q-V relations of the electrical grid by correlating the lowest Eigen-values to related Eigen-vectors in obtained Jacobian matrix. It depends on the Eigen-values, if they are positive then the system’s voltage is stable otherwise it is not stable. In a stable system, the potential voltage collapse could be anticipated by checking the participation factors for a group of minimal positive Eigen-values. In general, the critical weak bus is associated with lower Eigen-values. Electrical system collapse is attributable to the weakest bus in the network and it could be avoided by determining the weak buses and providing capacitor banks at suitable locations which will lead to improve the voltage stability margin

Particle swarm optimisation for reactive power compensation on Oman 6 bus electrical grid

The consistent problem with operators and planners for power systems has been related to minimizing transmission losses. An important role is played by reactive power by keeping voltage stability and reliability in the system in order to support the transfer of real power. The optimal reactive power dispatch is associated with the problem of non-linear optimization along with many constraints. In this paper, a study is highlighted for an algorithm that optimizes reactive power with the help of particle swarm algorithm and compare the result with Newton-Raphson method. Reduction of system active power loss is the goal of the function in the projected algorithm. Here, the control variables identified are transformer tap positions, generator bus voltages, and shunt capacitor banks with switch. This projected algorithm is performed on Oman 6 bus electrical grid as oman electricity transmission company has an instability voltage issue in chosen 6 bus