Convection with Chemical Reaction, and Waves in Double Porosity Materials

We consider two cases of solid skeleton of porous materials: fixed skeleton saturated with fluid in motion and deformed skeleton. In the first case, we study a problem involving the onset of thermosolutal convection in a fluid saturated porous media when the solute concentration is subject to a chemical reaction in which the solubility of the dissolved mineral is a function of temperature, particularly the effect of a reaction rate on the stability of the systems. We consider the Darcy model, the Brinkman model, and the Darcy model with anisotropic permeability and thermal diffusivity. Moreover, in all models the systems are subjected to heat on the lower boundary and salt on the upper or lower boundary. In chapter 2 we show that the solutions to the Darcy and the Brinkman thermosolutal convection depend continuously on the reaction term when the chemical equilibrium is a linear function in temperature by establishing a priori bounds. While in chapter 3 we show continuous dependence of the solution to the Brinkman thermosolutal convection on reaction using a priori bounds for the solution when the chemical equilibrium function is an arbitrary function of temperature. In chapter 4 we investigate the effect of the reaction terms on the onset of stability in a Darcy type porous medium using the energy method. We use the D^2 Chebyshev Tau technique to solve the associated system of equations and the corresponding boundary conditions. We obtain the energy stability boundaries for different values of the reaction terms and compare them with the linear instability boundaries obtained by Pritchard & Richardson(2007). We find that the two boundaries do not coincide when there is reaction and a region of potential sub-critical instability occur. In chapter 5 we use the energy method to obtain the non-linear stability boundaries for thermosolutal convection porous medium of a Brinkman type with reaction. We implement the compound matrix technique to solve the associated system of equations with the corresponding boundary conditions. We compare the non-linear stability boundaries for different values of the reaction terms and the Brinkman coefficient with the relevant linear instability boundaries obtained by Wang & Tan(2009). Our investigation shows that a region of potential sub-critical instability may appear as we increase the reaction rate. We study the effect of the mechanical anisotropy parameter and the thermal anisotropy parameter on the stability of a Darcy reactive thermosolutal porous medium in chapter 6 using the energy method. Particularly, we restrict consideration to horizontal isotropy in mechanical and thermal properties of the porous skeleton. We find that the anisotropic permeability has opposite effect to that of the thermal anisotropy parameter on the stability on the system. In the second case, deformed solid skeleton, we study wave motion in elastic materials of double porosity structure. In chapter 7 we derive the amplitude and describe the behaviour of a one-dimensional acceleration wave based on an internal strain energy function. The overall situation is complicated as a wave moves in a three-dimensional body, therefore in chapter 8 we investigate the propagation of an acceleration wave in three-dimensional fully non-linear model

The Digital Frontier: Exhibiting the Transformative Impact of Technology on Enhancing Event Attendees' Experiences in Oman

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to review the benefits of technology in transforming events based on attendees’ perspectives and to evaluate the influence of technology on event attendees’ experiences in Oman. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a quantitative research approach and a descriptive research design. Non-probability sampling was used in this study. The data was collected from 137 respondents through a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, rank, weighted mean, and Pearson’s coefficient. Findings: Among the participants, the majority of the visitors attended more than five events per year and most of the people liked attending physical events. The highest mean score for the benefits of technology in transforming events based on attendees’ perspectives was ‘Using technology to post comments, read others comments, and enquiring about the events. The highest mean score for the influence of technology on event attendees’ experiences in Oman was ‘Technology helped to learn about the events, search for promo codes, discount coupons, and get tickets at discounted prices.’ Research limitations/implications: Technology and events interaction help in the creation of culturally relevant technology-driven events in Oman. Event planners and organizers can think of various ways to improve the attendees’ experience through various technologies. Social media integration, new mobile applications, and other interactive technologies provide customized experiences. The results of this provide opportunities for further analysis of the effects of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) on Omani event experiences. It will help attract more people to events and thus increase tourism in the country. Social Implications: Technology impacts people’s attendance at events in Oman with significant social ramifications that touch on some societal concerns. It provides insights into how technical advancements and cultural values and customs could be harmonized to create mutually beneficial relationships of both the past and the present. Events that increasingly rely on technology may require programs to improve people’s digital literacy to guarantee that people can take full advantage of and participate in tech-driven experiences. Originality / Value: It is critical to investigate the technological developments in the event industry and determine how event planners and organizers may use them to provide their guests with an experience. Despite its significance, to date, no research has been conducted on how technology affects the experiences of event participants in Oman. As a result, the current study is crucial, and its findings will be useful to many stakeholders, including the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, tourism organizations, tour planners, planners, and organizers of events.  

Quality of Work Life Among Nurses: A case study from Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, Oman

Objectives: Quality of work life (QWL) is an important indicator of job-related satisfaction among nurses; however, there is little information regarding the QWL of nurses in Oman. Therefore, this study aimed to explore factors affecting QWL among nurses working in governmental health institutions in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate, Oman. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2018 at 29 governmental health institutions in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate. A total of 374 nurses employed at these institutions were recruited via stratified random sampling. A demographic questionnaire incorporating Brooks’ Quality of Nursing Work scale was used to collect data. Results: A total of 345 nurses participated in the study (response rate: 92.2%). The mean age was 33.3 ± 5.1 years and the majority were female (90.7%), married (88.7%), of Omani nationality (70.1%) and had a diploma degree (70.7%). Overall, the nurses demonstrated moderate levels of QWL (mean total score: 179.99 ± 24.17). Both job designation and nationality were found to be significant predictors of QWL (P = 0.041 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The findings of this study represent a baseline for further research on this important topic. As with all healthcare professionals, the QWL of nurses indirectly affects quality of patient care and associated health outcomes. As such, identifying areas of poor QWL among nurses can help in the development of initiatives to improve their professional satisfaction, thereby enhancing job performance and employee retention. Keywords: Nursing; Quality of Life; Work Satisfaction; Occupational Burnout; Workload; Motivation; Health Workforce; Oman

Cracking the Code: Shedding Light on Accounting Students' Career Intentions - An empirical study

The study aims to assess how a student's plan, perception, and family factors affect accounting students' career intentions. This research delves into the factors that influence accounting students' career intentions and investigates whether these factors evolve as they progress in their studies, ultimately shaping their workplace preferences. The study used a survey questionnaire asked on a 5-point Likert scale to gather primary data from 136 accounting university students studying in Oman. PLS-SEM has been employed in this study to conduct the analysis. The results showed that the determinants of accounting students' career intentions significantly affected students' plans. Likewise, students' perceptions are related considerably to accounting students' career intentions. Hence, the results showed that the p-values of the two independent variables, namely, students' plans and perceptions, significantly support the current study's hypotheses. However, the third variable, family factors, does not impact accounting students' career intention

A multi-scale approach interpreting sediment processes and distribution from desert sand colour in central Saudi Arabia

In central Saudi Arabia the redness of sands observed on satellite imagery, often related to iron oxide amount, was used to better interpret geomorphic processes operating in the area. To compare variations between dune and interdune morphology, linear and dome dunes, and an ephemeral river partly buried under the sand sea, Nafud Al-Thuwayrat, a multiscale approach was used to identify the spatial variation in causes of iron oxide amounts and colour. Macro-scale mapping of Image Spectral Redness identified that the extent and intensity of colour grading across the orientation of well-defined linear and dome dune types, interdunes and the Wadi Al-Rimah, indicated sediment mixing of different provenance. Meso-scale chemical, physical and colour analysis of surface samples indicated that iron oxide coated grains were present within all the samples and was not the sole control on Image Spectral Redness. The reddest sediments were the best sorted medium-to fine-quartz sands with iron oxide bearing chemistry and the paler sediments contained coarser sands with additional feldspars, calcite and gypsum. Micro-scale analysis of grain characteristics found dune-interdune contrasts and that the reddest sands with iron coatings were of aeolian origin and the paler sands contained larger fluvial material mixed with reworked aeolian deposits. Dust in the area consists of high amounts of iron oxide and appears to be a major contributor to redness in the sand dunes. These controls on colour show the sand seas are paler westwards because a major river, and local drainage systems, deliver fluvial sediments from the carbonate and sandstone bedrock into the quartz rich aeolian material from the linear dunes. Evaporite deposits dominate in the paler interdunes, and south of the Wadi the dome dunes are the reddest as they are not migrating but building up. This multiscale approach has provided a modern analogy of processes for palaeoenvironmental studies

Thermosolutal convection in a darcy porous medium with anisotropic permeability and thermal diffusivity

A problem of thermosolutal convection with reaction in an anisotropic porous medium of Darcy type is investigated. The Darcy model is employed as the momentum equation with the density being a linear function in temperature and salt concentration. Two cases are considered: heated below and salted above system and heated and salted below system. We allow the permeability and thermal diffusivity to be anisotropic tensors. Particularly, we restrict consideration to horizontal isotropy in mechanical and thermal properties of the porous medium. The energy method is used to study the non-linear stability aspect of the problem. The D2 Chebyshev Tau method is implemented to solve the associated system of equations, with the corresponding boundary conditions, and to obtain the non-linear stability boundaries below which the solution of the system is globally stable. The effect of the reaction rate, the mechanical anisotropy parameter, and the thermal anisotropy parameter on the stability of the system is discussed and presented graphically. We find that the thermal anisotropy parameter has the opposite effect to that of the mechanical anisotropy parameter on the stability of the system.Papers presented to the 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Costa de Sol, Spain on 11-13 July 2016

Teacher-student rapport in emergency remote teaching:Autoethnography

This autoethnographic work explores how four university English teachers in Oman approached rapport-building with students during Emergency Remote Teaching. Based on an analysis of the researcher’s personal teaching experiences as well as interviews with three colleagues, the findings revealed that the absence of face-to-face communication compelled these teachers to adopt alternative rapport-building strategies, such as interacting via email, listening to students during synchronous classes, being friendly and using humour. The teachers failed, however, to find ways to implement some key elements of rapport-building, such as recognising students, giving praise and providing intervention when needed. Cultural, institutional and technical difficulties hampered their concerted efforts to build interpersonal relationships with students