Elements of myth in the modern theatre, with special reference to current theatre in Oman

This study focuses on the relationship between myth in its classical and modern definition and the theatre, and how the developing Omani theatre can Benefit from western and Arabian experiences in this field. The study shows how myths, around the world, were the first attempt by human beings to think, explain, justify and produce concepts and images. They were the basis on which the first drama was established, and have continued to be a major source of inspiration. The study then explores various modern explanations of myth from the mid nineteenth century, in which myths were classified into various categories and attempts made to study each in isolation. It then illustrates how myths were subsequently studied by anthropologists and psychologists, as manifestations of the individual or collective conscious or unconscious realm, which confirms that myths, despite their outwardly illogical element, carry not fact itself but the essence of the fact. The author clarifies the definition and concept of myth in Islamic and Arabic culture, the meaning of the word in the Holy Quran and the attitude of Islamic and Arab scholars towards it. Consideration is also given to the explanations by modern Arab scholars for the ancient Arabs' lack of concern with myths, in contrast to the cultures of their neighbours.The study sheds light on how the modem mythological, sociological, anthropological, theological and psychological explanations of myth are employed in contemporary theatre and how they have influenced performance and critical theories such as those of Artaud and Archetypal Criticism. It is noted that such theories played an essential role in a number of modern theatrical movements, and consequently concluded that those theories might usefully be applied in developing countries like Oman. Particular attention is given to the theatre in Oman, asserting the importance of its interaction with international theatre at both theoretical and practical levels, especially with those countries, which have strong theatrical traditions. Nevertheless, alongside this is emphasised the importance of employing indigenous sources of heritage and knowledge, such as myths.The study elucidates the role of myths in Oman's culture, in light of historical and geographical factors. It describes how mythology became an integral part of people's lives as a way of thinking about, imagining and explaining different events or phenomena in their lives.It is concluded that theatre should be aware of this fact, and deal with it. This does not mean uncritically accepting superstitions and regressive thinking, which could be harmful, but saving the popular heritage and employing it in such a way that people recognize its advantages and disadvantages, as modern mythological studies suggest, in order to build a close relationship between the theatre and its audience, and to provide the society with new and wider intellectual and aesthetic understanding of their existing myths, for the Benefit of both theatre and society

Trends in the Risk for Cardiovascular Disease among Adults with Diabetes in Oman

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults with diagnosed diabetes in Oman. In addition, the effect of hypothetical risk reductions in this population was examined. Methods: Data from 1,077 Omani adults aged ≥40 years with diagnosed diabetes were collected and analysed from three national surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2008 across all regions of Oman. The estimated 10-year CVD risk and hypothetical risk reductions were calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), Diabetes Epidemiology Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe (DECODE) and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk tools. Results: Between 1991 and 2008, the estimated 10-year risk of CVD increased significantly in the total sample and among both genders, regardless of the risk prediction algorithm that was used. Hypothetical risk reduction models for three scenarios (eliminating smoking, controlling systolic blood pressure and reducing total cholesterol) identified that reducing systolic blood pressure to ≤130 mmHg would lead to the largest reduction in the 10-year risk of CVD in subjects with diabetes. Conclusion: The estimated 10-year risk for CVD among adults with diabetes increased significantly between 1991 and 2008 in Oman. Focused public health initiatives, involving recognised interventions to address behavioural and biological risks, should be a national priority. Improvements in the quality of care for diabetic patients, both at the individual and the healthcare system level, are required

Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus in Oman : Results from two decades of research

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus over the past two decades in Oman, particularly in terms of its prevalence and incidence. In addition, the study sought to estimate the future incidence of diabetes in Oman. Methods: Three national and three regional surveys conducted between 1991 and 2010 were analysed to obtain the age-adjusted prevalence and undiagnosed proportion of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Omani subjects aged ≥20 years. Diabetes mellitus registers and published studies were used to determine incidence rates of both type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM in Oman. Linear regression was used to determine trends and projections for diabetes in 2050. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of T2DM in Oman varied from 10.4% to 21.1%, while the highest prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was found in males (35.1%). In comparison to men, higher incidence rates of T2DM were found in women (2.7 cases compared to 2.3 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively). No significant trends were observed for the prevalence or incidence of T2DM in both genders. Undiagnosed T2DM was more common in men (range: 33–68%) than women (range: 27–53%). The results of this study show that by 2050, there will be an estimated 350,000 people with T2DM living in Oman (a 174% increase compared to estimates for 2015). Conclusion: Health authorities need to prioritise diabetes prevention and control in order to prevent or delay long-term complications and avert a potential epidemic of diabetes in Oman

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components : Secondary analysis of the World Health Survey, Oman

Objectives: The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among Omani adults. Methods: The 2008 Oman World Health Survey dataset was used to determine the national prevalence of MS. Logistic regression using all key sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables was used to identify the associations of independent variables with MS. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 23.6%. MS was significantly associated with age, marital and work status and wealth level. MS was more common for people aged 50 years and older compared to the youngest cohort (OR 3.6, CI: 2.4–5.3; P <0.001) and in people who were married or employed (OR 1.6, CI: 1.3–2.1; P <0.001 and OR 1.3, CI: 1.1–1.8; P = 0.043, respectively) compared to their unmarried and unemployed counterparts. MS was also more common in people in the second lowest wealth quintile (OR 1.6, CI: 1.2–2.2; P = 0.05) compared to the lowest quintile and in those who sat for more than six hours per day (OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.7; P = 0.035). Conclusion: One in four adults had MS in Oman. This may fuel the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Oman, particularly given the increasingly elderly population. Urgent action is required to ensure quality patient care at all levels of the healthcare system. Further research on behavioural risk factors is needed. Developing and implementing a multisectoral strategy to prevent NCDs should be at the top of the current health agenda for Oman

Hybrid Timber Concrete Composite Slab for Analysis of Lag Screw Embedment Connections

Push-out-shear tests were used in this study to analyze lag screw connections in timber-concrete composite (TCC) slabs based on the embedment depth. The goal of this research is to look into the relationship between shear capacity and embedment depth in TCC, as well as to investigate the embedment strength of the wood. Experiments were carried out at different embedment depths (5.08 cm, 7.0 cm, and 8.9 cm). The prepared samples were examined in order to determine the failure modes and provide an accurate assessment of the influence of embedment depth on TCC slabs. The investigation on the embedment strength of the wood was performed then for the analysis of the crushing of wood fibers, lag screw yielding strength, and maximum load applied at embedment depths of 6.6 cm and 7.0 cm. The results indicate that between 5.08 cm and 7.0 cm, there was an apparent improvement in the relationship between embedment depth (ED) and shear capacity of TCC slabs in terms of the shear strength, while a significant difference was observed between 7.0 cm and 8.9 cm. The study suggests that the ED of the TCC slab should be maintained at around 7.33 times the diameter of the lag screw

Postfire Residual Strength and Morphology of Concrete Incorporating Natural Rubber Latex Exposed to Elevated Temperatures

Te exposure of concrete to elevated temperatures is known to cause diverse severe damages in concrete composites. Hence, measures to improve the performance of concrete during exposure to fre are continually proposed. Te present study investigated the postfre residual strength and morphology of concrete incorporating natural rubber latex exposed to elevated temperature. Four diferent concrete mixes were considered for the investigation, namely, a control sample made without natural rubber latex, the second sample containing 1% natural rubber latex, the third sample containing 1.5% natural rubber latex, and the fourth sample containing 3% of natural rubber latex. Te concrete samples (150 mm cubes and 100 × 200 mm cylinders) were exposed to varying temperatures 300°C, 800°C, and 1000°C, after the curing process. Nondestructive tests using Schmidt rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse tester were carried out on samples. Te compressive strength and split-tensile strength of concrete cubes and cylinders, respectively, were determined. Micrographs and elemental distribution in the sample were studied using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX) apparatus. It could be seen from the results that the concrete strength properties reduced as the exposure temperature increased. Te results also showed that NRL could be sparingly utilized as a concrete admixture, at 1% content. Te performance of concrete was not stable at over 300°C when NRL addition was above 1%

Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015 : A modelling study

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier LtdBackground The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, which can become a reality with the recent launch of direct acting antiviral therapies. Reliable disease burden estimates are required for national strategies. This analysis estimates the global prevalence of viraemic HCV at the end of 2015, an update of—and expansion on—the 2014 analysis, which reported 80 million (95% CI 64–103) viraemic infections in 2013. Methods We developed country-level disease burden models following a systematic review of HCV prevalence (number of studies, n=6754) and genotype (n=11 342) studies published after 2013. A Delphi process was used to gain country expert consensus and validate inputs. Published estimates alone were used for countries where expert panel meetings could not be scheduled. Global prevalence was estimated using regional averages for countries without data. Findings Models were built for 100 countries, 59 of which were approved by country experts, with the remaining 41 estimated using published data alone. The remaining countries had insufficient data to create a model. The global prevalence of viraemic HCV is estimated to be 1·0% (95% uncertainty interval 0·8–1·1) in 2015, corresponding to 71·1 million (62·5–79·4) viraemic infections. Genotypes 1 and 3 were the most common cause of infections (44% and 25%, respectively). Interpretation The global estimate of viraemic infections is lower than previous estimates, largely due to more recent (lower) prevalence estimates in Africa. Additionally, increased mortality due to liver-related causes and an ageing population may have contributed to a reduction in infections. Funding John C Martin Foundation.publishersversionPeer reviewe