Effects of a Training Module on Omani Teachers' Awareness of Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the use of online and e-learning in Omani general and higher education institutions. Consequently, the pandemic imposed contemporary technological challenges when considering training programs for Omani teachers. This research seeks to record proactive steps, at the Omani and Arab levels, to examine the effectiveness of online, in-service teacher training programs. In addition, this research seeks to explore the effects of online training modules on teachers' knowledge of Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities (GSLD). In other words, the research aims to examine the effects of a training module on Omani teachers’ awareness of GSLD. According to a convenience sampling method, a total of 60 Omani teachers participated in the research. Participants were teachers of students with Learning Disabilities (LD) at the resource room program in the Muscat Governate, in the Sultanate of Oman. They were distributed equally into two groups: control (n=30), and experimental (n=30). Following the development of a Self-Awareness Scale (SAS) and the training program module, the SAS was administered to both groups as a pre-test and a post-test. The teachers in the experimental group received a two-week online training module to improve their awareness of GSLD. Results indicated that there were significant differences in the post-test of the SAS in favor of teachers in the experimental group

Phenolic Compounds: Classification, Chemistry, and Updated Techniques of Analysis and Synthesis

Phenolic compounds are vast, diverse, ubiquitous and widespread in nature. The biological significance of bioactive phenolic natural secondary metabolites is immense and of high and significant importance. Phenolic compounds are known to exhibit various biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This book chapter begins with classification of phenolic compounds in concise manner followed by going through their chemical properties that are essential for their biological activities. Some chemical properties such as acidity and formation of radicals are directly linked with their important and key biological activities such as antioxidant properties. The chapter covers methods and updated techniques of analysis of phenolic compounds. Finally, biosynthesis of such important organic molecules is covered going through some of their current synthesis methods in the laboratory, methods of their synthetic elaboration. Due to the high potential of phenolic compounds for applications in various industries such as pharmaceutical and food industries, the search for the development of efficient methods for their synthesis as well as modern and accurate methods for their detection and analysis will continue

Knowledge and Health Beliefs Regarding Sickle Cell Disease Among Omanis in a Primary Healthcare Setting : Cross-sectional study

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a global health concern associated with high childhood morbidity and mortality; in Oman, the prevalence of SCD is 0.2%. Public awareness of SCD and the need for premarital screening (PMS) are essential to reduce the incidence of this disease. This study aimed to assess awareness of and beliefs regarding SCD and PMS among Omanis in a primary healthcare setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in five health centres located in Al-Seeb Province, Muscat, Oman, between June and August 2015. A total of 500 Omanis aged ≥18 years old attending the clinics were invited to participate in the study. A previously described questionnaire by Gustafson et al. was used to measure awareness of and beliefs regarding SCD and PMS. Results: A total of 450 Omani adults completed the questionnaire (response rate: 90.0%). The majority (67.8%) were aware that SCD is genetically inherited and 85.1% believed in the value of PMS; however, only 24.4% reported having undergone PMS previously. Few participants were aware that SCD can be very painful (20.2%) and can cause strokes, infections and organ damage (20.0%). More than half (56.7%) reported that the availability of educational material on SCD or PMS in Oman was inadequate. Participants’ education levels were positively associated with accurate SCD knowledge (P <0.05). Conclusion: Despite the free availability of PMS services in local health centres, few Omanis reported having undergone PMS previously. Health promotion and education programmes are therefore needed in Oman in order to increase public awareness of SCD and the value of PMS

Optimal Water Allocation from Subsurface Dams: A Risk-Based Optimization Approach

Subsurface dams, strongly advocated in the 1992 United Nations Agenda-21, have been widely studied to increase groundwater storage capacity. However, an optimal allocation of augmented water with the construction of the subsurface dams to compensate for the water shortage during dry periods has not so far been investigated. This study, therefore, presents a risk-based simulation–optimization framework to determine optimal water allocation with subsurface dams, which minimizes the risk of water shortage in different climatic conditions. The developed framework was evaluated in Al-Aswad falaj, an ancient water supply system in which a gently sloping underground channel was dug to convey water from an aquifer via the gravity force to the surface for irrigation of downstream agricultural zones. The groundwater dynamics were modeled using MODFLOW UnStructured-Grid. The data of boreholes were used to generate a three-dimensional stratigraphic model, which was used to define materials and elevations of five-layer grid cells. The validated groundwater model was employed to assess the effects of the subsurface dam on the discharge of the falaj. A Conditional Value-at-Risk optimization model was also developed to minimize the risk of water shortage for the augmented discharge on downstream agricultural zones. Results show that discharge of the falaj is significantly augmented with a long-term average increase of 46.51%. Moreover, it was found that the developed framework decreases the water shortage percentage in 5% of the worst cases from 87%, 75%, and 32% to 53%, 32%, and 0% under the current and augmented discharge in dry, normal, and wet periods, respectively

N-(9,10-Dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)-2-methylbenzamide

In the present Short Note, we report a synthesis for the title compound, N-(9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-yl)-2-methylbenzamide by reacting 2-methylbenzoyl chloride (or 2-methylbenzoic acid) with 1-aminoanthraquinone. The synthesized target compound was fully characterized by various spectroscopic methods (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, GC-MS). The importance of this compound lies its possession of an N,O-bidentate directing group, potentially suitable for metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions

N-Benzo[c][1,2,5]thiazol-4-yl-3-trifluoromethylbenzamide

The title compound, N-benzo[c][1,2,5]thiazol-4-yl-3-trifluoromethylbenzamide (1) was synthesized by reacting 3-trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (4) and 4-aminobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (5). The compound was characterized by various spectroscopic methods (1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, GC-MS) and its composition confirmed by elemental analysis. The importance of this compound lies in its possession of an N,N-bidentate directing group. Such a structural motif is potentially suitable for metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions

Evaluating the quality and storage stability of fish burgers during frozen storage

In an attempt to initiate seafood biotechnology in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East, using underutilized fish, fish burgers from two different formulas were developed and the quality and storage stability were evaluated during storage at -20°C for 3 months. Quality and storage stability were evaluated through total aerobic and coliform bacterial count, peroxide value, protein solubility, and color. Total aerobic bacteria were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by 84% and 97% of the initial load in formulas 1 and 2, respectively, whereas coliforms were completely destroyed in both formulas at the end of storage. Peroxide value increased (P < 0.05) but did not reach detectable levels of rancidity. Salt-soluble protein content decreased remarkably during the storage period. The L value showed good stability during storage, keeping products bright for 3 months. Fish burgers from both formulas were acceptable for 3 months at -20°C. Storage stability was rationalized by the effectiveness of freezing, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of food additives. In an attempt to initiate seafood biotechnology in the Sultanate of Oman, Middle East, using underutilized fish, fish burgers from two different formulas were developed and the quality and storage stability were evaluated during storage at -20°C for 3 months. Quality and storage stability were evaluated through total aerobic and coliform bacterial count, peroxide value, protein solubility, and color. Total aerobic bacteria were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by 84% and 97% of the initial load in formulas 1 and 2, respectively, whereas coliforms were completely destroyed in both formulas at the end of storage. Peroxide value increased (P < 0.05) but did not reach detectable levels of rancidity. Salt-soluble protein content decreased remarkably during the storage period. The L value showed good stability during storage, keeping products bright for 3 months. Fish burgers from both formulas were acceptable for 3 months at -20°C. Storage stability was rationalized by the effectiveness of freezing, and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of food additives