Issue No. 11 - March 2016
Shura’s CER Chairman …
Œńŀī
No change in research budget
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Seasonal Edition Issued by
And SQU
Dr. Jumana Saleh:
The Fountain of Youth is From
Within!
Study:
A study on money laundering unveils loopholes
that allow criminals to go free. It calls for legal and
social justice
The Role of Research in Addressing Medical Errors
Seven Joint Projects between SQU and UAEU
A Comprehensive study of CNS demyelinating
disorders in Omani Patients
Femtosecond Laser Lab
Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy
A study on money laundering unveils loopholes
that allow criminals to go free
General Supervision
Dr. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi
Executive Supervision
Ali Al-Hadhrami
Managing Editor
Salim Rabia Al-Gheilani
Translated and Edited by
Dr. Hisham Jawad
Photography
Amur Khalfan Al-Khrusi
Proofreading by
Dr. Ayesha Heblel
Design and Production
Ibtisam Said Al-Harthi
/tawasul.squ
/tawasul.squ
/tawasul-squ
/publicationsqu
Research Reduces
Medical Errors
When medical errors become ubiquitous, they are brought to court and
reported in the press or social media.
Some argue that this is a thorny and complex issue, as we are talking about
medical staff who are involved in this, which makes the errors a matter of
probability. Others, on the other hand, believe that modern techniques used in
medicine are supposed to reduce the incidence of such errors. At the end of the
day, the matter is contingent on the physician’s skills and abilities. Still, there are
those who call for the need to differentiate between the concepts of medical
errors, negligence and complications. They stress that every case has its own
conditions, and there is no way of imposing a unified framework for all cases in
which medical errors have occurred.
In the midst of these disparate views, research emerges as one of the solutions
that could minimize the incidence of such errors, which have claimed the lives
of children and young and elderly people, while others are still suffering in
hospitals or at home.
Experts say that the results of research can provide correct and accurate data
on the pathological cases. It can also provide the medical, modern technologies
that could be used in surgeries, thus reducing the number of medical staff, which
could in turn reduce the rate of medical errors. Research findings can also help
doctors and other staff develop their abilities in the medical field.
In this issue of Tawasul, we try to shed more light on this problem through a
feature article that expresses the views of specialists from Sultan Qaboos
University and other institutions.
Editor
Main news
Seven Joint Projects between SQU and UAEU
The 28th meeting of the Joint
Committee of Sultan Qaboos
Deep desulfurization of
liquid fuel in microchannels
Freshness evaluation of fish
using electronic nose
The
effect
of
phytochemicals
University (SQU) and United Arab
using deep eutectic solvents
The project, “Freshness evaluation
antioxidant
and
antiinflammatory
properties
on the mitigation of
Emirates University (UAEU) has
of fish using electronic nose
endorsed seven joint research
This project will be carried out by
(E-nose) and electronic tongue
projects
SQU
Dr. Farouk Sabri Majali, from SQU,
(E-tongue)
delegation was headed by Hon.
and Dr. Basim Mohammad, from
spectroscopic methods” , will
Dr. Hamed bin Suleiman Al Salmi,
UAEU. It aims at investigating the
be undertaken by Dr. Shafiur
ex-Deputy Vice Chancellor for
feasibility of ionic liquids and deep
Rahman, from SQU, and Dr. Sami
Administrative & Financial Affairs,
fusion solvents for experimental
Ghnimi, from UAE. It aims at
This project will investigate the
while the UAEU delegation was
use, to remove sulfur from deep
overcoming the barriers in the
effects
led by Professor Faeqa Hilal Bu
liquid fuel through extraction
evaluation of the freshness of
materials with anti-inflammatory
Hazaa, Deputy Vice Chancellor
devices. The study seeks to
fish and marine products. The
and
of Finance and Administrative
enhance the removal of sulfur
focus of the proposed study is
(such as plant hibiscus extract,
Affairs.
and reduce the cost of using these
on advanced techniques, such
turmeric) on the mitigation of
liquids for practical applications.
as e-nose and e-tongue, for
experimental
Tsunami hazard assessment
for the coastal areas of Diba,
Oman, and Diba, Al Fujairah
The project will also examine the
assessing the quality and safety
disease in rats exposed to diesel
different characteristics of the
of fish, compared with many
exhaust particles. The study will
channels` including the channel
other spectroscopic techniques.
measure a number of variables,
The project will be conducted
length , diameter and synthetics.
This study can supplement or
including the amount of food
by Dr. Adel Mohamed El Shahat
There will be an attempt to study
replace traditional techniques,
and drink intake, urine, kidney
El-Hussain, from SQU, and Dr.
the optimal efficiency of the
such as chemicals, texture or
weight to body weight ratio,
Khaled Ahmed Al Baloushi, from
extraction of sulfuric compounds
sensory characterization, which
enzymes and other components
UAEU. The research is aimed
through
variables,
are tedious, hard, expensive and
in the blood plasma and in the
at carrying out a quantitative
including the type of solvent,
time-consuming. It is hoped that
urine. These are indicators of how
assessment, using probabilistic
the proportion of fuel, mixing
the results of this project will
efficiently the kidneys function.
and deterministic methods. It
speed, patterns of flow and time
provide the scientific basis for
Some cytokines in the blood
also seeks to assess the tsunami
of physical contact. An effective,
the e-nose and e-tongue, and
plasma will be measured, along
seismic risks on Diba, Oman, and
low-cost, and applicable fuel
develop standard protocols and
with a number of indicators
Diba, UAE.
treatment technology will be
guidelines.
of inflammation or excessive
at
SQU.
The
designed.
4
some
with
March 2016
practical
as
compared
to
experimental chronic kidney
disease in rats exposed to
diesel exhaust particles
of
some
anti-oxidant
plant-based
properties
chronic
kidney
oxidation in the treated animals.
News
The project will be carried out by
Research Obstacles in Higher
Professor Badr Al-Din Hamid Ali,
Education Institutions
Outreach Group Launched
from SQU, and Professor Abdul
Rahim Neymar, from UAEU.
This quantitative, analytical and
comparative study has as its goal
The Department of Academic
will also produce documentaries
an investigation into the research
Publications and Outreach at
about the various university
obstacles in higher education
Sultan Qaboos University has
facilities, as well as the scientific
institutions in Oman and the
launched a scientific outreach
research that needs special
The project focuses on harnessing
United Arab Emirates. Carried
group to be in charge of
media
solar energy and a green chemical
out by Dr. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi,
publishing
the
help marketing such research,
approach to the degradation
from SQU, and Dr. Mohammed
research
activities
of
Abu Al-Ainain, from UAEU, the
highlighting them in the media.
organized by the Deanship of
This announcement came at
Research. He called on everyone
a gathering in the University’s
to come together for the success
Cultural
the
of the objectives set by the
auspices of H.H. Sayyida Dr.
Deanship, and to promote the
Mona Al Said, Assistant V.C.
University in all fields.
for International Cooperation.
The event concluded with a
Harnessing solar energy and
green chemical approach
endocrine
disruptor
chemicals present in ground
project
and
Conducted
of higher education in both
by Dr. Rengaraj Selvaraj, from
countries, and tries to identify and
SQU, and Dr. Mohammed Al-
analyze the major obstacles and
Meetani, from UAEU, the research
suggest solutions. It also seeks to
seeks to develop clean and safe
develop strategies for enhancing
wastewater.
examines
the
reality
Center
University’s
under
and
coverage.
publications
They
and
will
activities
processing techniques, which are
higher education and build a
environment-friendly and in line
database on its conditions and
Present
ceremony
film showcasing the activities
with the population expansion
development.
was Dr. Rahma Al-Mahrooqi,
and duties of the different
for
departments of the Deanship
at
the
and prosperity in the global
economy. It will be centered on
the use of solar energy, converting
Development of Energy
Harvesting
System
for
it into chemical energy using the
Vibrational Structures
effective nanometer materials
focus. This chemical energy will
The research project is conducted
be used with chemical catalysts
by Dr. Mojtaba Ghodsi, from SQU,
for
and
and Dr. Samir Emam, from UAEU.
removal of organic contaminants
It suggests an energy harvesting
from wastewater. It will also try
system using the magnetic effect
to understand the relationship
on material, by converting the
between the effectiveness of
vibrational energy of mechanical
catalytic chemicals with solar
vibrations into electrical energy.
energy
chemical
In this research, the efficiency
composition and characteristics
of the harvesting process will
Deputy
on their function. The materials
be verified under the influence
Postgraduate
and
to help enhance the mission
generated by breaking down
of
Research, academics and other
of research and publication.
organic pollutants that cause
vibrational frequency and its
employees.
Later, H.H. Al Said announced
chemical
water
and
purification
their
imbalances
in
several
factors,
including
Vice-Chancellor
Studies
the
capacity and shape, as well as
During the ceremony, Ali bin
the launch of the scientific
endocrine glands will be studied.
various environmental conditions.
Nasser Al-Hadhrami, Director
outreach group, which includes
Other aspects to be investigated
This study will also provide a
of Academic Publications and
distinguished
are the kinetics of chemical
mathematical
experimental
Outreach, said the group will
number of media agencies that
reactions and their tracks, and
model
suggested
be responsible for reporting
collaborated with the Deanship
methods of transformation into
magnetic system. As a result, it
on the research activities held
of Research in 2015 and some
substances not harmful to the
will shed light on the relationship
at the University’s colleges and
of the Deanship’s staff were
environment.
between efficiency and factors
research centers through the
honored at the function.
for
the
students.
A
affecting the harvesting process.
academic bulletin, Tawasul. They
March 2016
5
Interview
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Different Omani agencies pay a lot of attention to research because it gives direction in dealing with
specific problems in various fields.
Normally, such organizations are those that are immediately relevant to delivering scientific knowledge
and education, such as universities, research centers and other academic institutions. However, there are
others agencies in Oman that are responsible for addressing research in the Sultanate. One example is the
Shura Council’s Committee of Education and Research (CER).
In the following interview with Tawasul, H.E. Khalid Al-Faree, the CER Chairman, has talked about his
Committee’s duties and plans.
6
March 2016
Interview
Would you explain the
How does the Shura
Committee’s roles and
Council evaluate the
duties?
University’s
The Committee has the
research
efforts?
same powers as the Shura
The
Council, i.e. legislative
recently
and monitoring. We have
pay more attention to
ongoing
coordination
conducting
and
collaboration
We’ve seen a number of
with the authorities in
SQU scientists gaining
charge of education and
global
research, such as the
However, we think that
Council
SQU has the capabilities
of
Education,
University
has
started
to
research.
recognition.
to deliver much more
Ministry of Education,
them the Committee’s current
There is wide collaboration with SQU
scientific output.
study on higher education.
Do you agree with the
We also benefit from the
opinion that having various
University’s
academic
agencies
in
conducting
research
and
addressing
supervising
activities
will
Ministry of Higher Education,
of the country. If we want
expertise
The Research Council (TRC)
to be among the developed
studies
and the Omani Authority for
nations, we should give a lot
some
the
In my view, this is not true.
Academic Accreditation.
of attention to science. That
education sector. We also
On the contrary, it will have
Recently, the Shura Council
is why we have had close
have joint committees, such
several
has been more focused on
coordination with TRC, who
as the Committee of Student
there will be more focus on
educational
were invited to the Shura
Advisory Councils in Higher
the different fields based on
Council
the
Education Institutions. Indeed,
specialties,
potential of boosting scientific
we seek more collaboration
agriculture,
research in the Sultanate.
with the University in the areas
education,
issues
than
research. What is the reason
in your opinion?
You mean before we came on
to
examine
problems
in
disperse research efforts?
advantages.
like
First,
medicine,
engineering,
science,
this Committee. Well, that was
Does your Committee have
of education and research for
economics, technology and
due to the fact that there were
any sort of cooperation with
the benefit of the country.
other areas. Secondly, it is
urgent problems facing the
Sultan Qaboos University
education sector, which had
(SQU)?
to be addressed immediately.
Yes, we do. We have expressed
At that time, there was no
our willingness to visit the
clear role for research, at least
University to discuss with
Shura Council did not consider research at
some time as an urgent issue
from the perspective of
quite difficult to have
the society.
various specialists in a
What
is
your
supervisory authority …
Committee’s vision of
but, there should be an
enhancing research?
authority for research that
The Committee believes
supports, guides and
that research is one of the
stimulates
important foundations for
which is TRC.
research,
the social and economic
development
March 2016
7
Interview
Given the current economic
even if the Sultanate runs into
This is exactly what the west
implement them all together.
crisis, how do you see
financial problems. We hope
has done; some countries
We are trying to do that
the role of research in
to see in the next few years
allocate five percent of their
gradually. As for education,
promoting
a specific share for research
the
national
economy?
in the government budget,
Officials have to keep in mind
at least 1.5 percent. Every
that the research budget
rial spent on research will
should not be compromised,
generate more rials in return.
Having diverse agencies supervising research
activities is beneficial
If we want to join the developed nations, we
should pay more attention to science
GDP to science, others spend
we hope to see two new laws
hundreds of billions of dollars
of public education and higher
for this purpose. For example,
education soon. There are also
the US spending on research
efforts to collaborate with
is about $450 billion,
the agencies concerned with
while
education quality assurance.
China allocates $300
On research, we are working
billion.
to have a specific percentage
Do you have any
of the government budget for
plans for enhancing
research. On this occasion, I
education
call on the private sector to
research activities in
assume
the next few years?
through
March 2016
its
We have plenty of
collaborative
ideas, but it
research.
is
8
and
difficult
to
responsibilities
enhancing
efforts
in
Study
Fitness of Female Athletes Examined
Dr. Hala Ali Mursi - College of Education
A research team from the
is the first study of its kind
of female athletes in the
are important psychological
College of Education has
that addresses the physical
following sports: track and
parameters for female Omani
carried out a study aimed
and physiological condition
field, volleyball, basketball,
athletes. The track and field
the
fitness
athletes have been more
physiological
and
cognizant of their physical
psychological condition of
conditions, followed by those
members of the female Omani
in the sports of handball,
national teams.
volleyball, and basketball.
at
evaluating
and
Headed
by
Dr.
Hala
Some
Ali
recommendations
Mursi, the team has applied
were made to improve the
a set of descriptive and
physical
evaluative
including
condition of the players. It is
the use of designed tests and
important at the beginning
measurements, and used the
of the athletic season to
statistical package software
evaluate the data on their
SPSS to analyze the test
fitness in order to standardize
protocol of power, speed,
the training load. Other tests
tools,
and
physiological
of female Omani national
handball, bowling and tennis.
and measurements are also
agility.
athletes.
research
The study concluded that the
significant in evaluating their
According to Dr. Hala, this
was based on a sample
physiological condition data
physiological condition.
flexibility,
endurance
and
The
March 2016
9
News
Effects of processing methods on retaining bioactive
compounds and antioxidant activity of some mushroom
cultivars
Dr. Najeeb Al-Qizani - College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences
A new study is underway
field of food science. Fruits and
Among the known vegetables,
and will continue to grow in the
to identify the contribution of
vegetables are good sources of
mushrooms have been reported
future.
phenolics and flavonoids to the
these bioactive compounds; their
to be good sources of phenolics.
He underlined that developing
antioxidant capacity of extracts
marketing
depends
The cultivation of mushroom in
such an area will greatly help
from four types of mushrooms. In
on their antioxidant potency.
Oman has grown in recent years
Omani
potential
food
security.
Along
this research, Dr. Najeeb Al-Qizani,
with the consumption of fresh
from the College of Agriculture
mushrooms, the dried forms,
and Marine Sciences, will examine
including
the effects of processing methods
mushrooms, have been used
(drying, freezing and freeze-
as food ingredients to produce
drying) on the total contents of
flavor and functionality. Drying
phenolics and flavonoids and
methods
the antioxidant capacity of the
role in the production of dried
mushroom extracts.
mushrooms; and the bioactive
According to the researcher,
compounds as well as their
interest in the role of dietary
antioxidant capacity might be
antioxidants in human health
lost during the drying process
dried
play
powders
an
of
important
has prompted research in the
Microfiltration of Water in the Oil Industry
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed - College of Engineering
The huge quantities of water
treating oil-produced water for
has also measured the effect of
Cross-Flow Velocity (CFV), and oil
produced along with oil makes
beneficial uses by using different
type and volume of adsorbents
concentration in feed, dissolved
this one of the main challenges
adsorbents
and the contact time on the
solids, salinity level and pH on the
in the oil and gas industry. Oil-
ratios followed by passing the
Total
separation process.
produced
water
effluent
complex
mixture
contains
a
with
through
different
a
ceramic
Organic
Carbon
(TOC)
and Chemical Oxygen Demand
The project has shown very
organic
membrane. The objective of
(COD)
efficiencies.
promising results, where the
and inorganic materials similar
combining adsorption with a
With the ceramic membrane
reduction in oil in water content
of
removal
to those found in crude oil and
ranged from 78 to 99.99%. The
natural gas. There is a need
oil in water content in permeates
for
new
after filtration ranged from 0.15
technologies to come up with
ppm to 35 ppm. For turbidity,
better treatment methods for oil-
the reduction was above 96%
produced water to achieve better
for
quality for beneficial uses, such as
outcome of this study needs
injection to underground aquifers
to be implemented on a large
to
scale, with the introduction of
the
application
enhance
oil
of
production,
irrigation, aquifer recharge, and
10
all
the
treatments.
The
new technologies to enhance
various industrial purposes.
ceramic membrane is to enhance
(either α-Al2O3 or ZrO2), the
the quality of water produced
In this regard, a research group
pollutant removal and reduction
researchers
from the College of Engineering
of membrane fouling. The team,
influence
has examined the possibility of
led by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed,
Transmembrane Pressure (TMP),
March 2016
of
investigated
the
and reduce the cost associated
parameters
like
with the treatment and disposal
process.
‫جامعه السلطان قابوس‬
‫الع‬
‫اده البحث‬
:‫ﻳﺴﺮ ﻋﻤﺎدة اﻟﺒﺤﺚ اﻟﻌﻠﻤﻲ دﻋﻮة اﻟﺒﺎﺣﺜﻴﻦ ﻟﺤﻀﻮر ورﺷﺔ ﺑﻌﻨﻮان‬
‫اﻻﺳﺘﻐﻼل اﻟﺘﺠﺎري ﻟﺮأس اﻟﻤﺎل اﻟﻔﻜﺮي‬
: ‫ﻳﻘﺪﻣﻬﺎ‬
‫ ﺟﻒ ﺳﻜﻴﻨﺮ‬/‫اﻟﺒﺮوﻓﻴﺴﻮر‬
‫اﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮ اﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي‬
‫ﻋﻤﺎل‬5‫ﻣﻌﻬﺪ دﻳﻠﻮﻳﺖ ﻟﻼﺑﺘﻜﺎر ورﻳﺎدة ا‬
‫ﻋﻤﺎل‬7‫ﻛﻠﻴﺔ ﻟﻨﺪن ﻟ‬
‫م‬٢٠١٦/٤/ ١٧ :‫اﻟﺘﺎرﻳﺦ‬
‫ ﻣﺴﺎء‬٧:٠٠ – ‫ ﻇﻬﺮا‬٢:٠٠ :‫اﻟﺴﺎﻋﺔ‬
:‫ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺔ‬
‫ﻋﻼن‬E‫ ﻟﻠﺘﺴﺠﻴﻞ ﻳﺮﺟﻰ اﻟﻀﻐﻂ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﺮاﺑﻂ أﺳﻔﻞ ا‬‫وﻟﻮﻳﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻟﺘﺴﺠﻴﻞ‬5‫ اﻟﻤﻘﺎﻋﺪ ﻣﺤﺪودة ﺣﺴﺐ ا‬‫م‬٢٠١٦/٣/١٦ ‫رﺑﻌﺎء ﺗﺎرﻳﺦ‬5‫ﻋﻠﻤ ًﺎ ﺑﺄن آﺧﺮ ﻣﻮﻋﺪ ﻟﻠﺘﺴﺠﻴﻞ ﻳﻮم ا‬
Sultan Qaboos University
Deanship of Research
The Deanship of Research cordially invites researchers to the workshop entitled:
Commercializing Intellectual Capital
Presented by:
Prof. Jeff Skinner
Executive Director
of the Deloitte Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at
London Business School
Date: 17/4/2016
Time: 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Note:
- For registration, please click the link below
- Seats are limited
priority to first registered participants
- Deadline for registration: Wednesday 16 March, 2016
March 2016
11
News
Cyclones and Ocean Biological Productivity
Dr. Sergey Piontkovski - Department of Marine Science and Fisheries
Dr. Sergey Piontkovski, from
biological
consequences,
the
the Department of Marine Science
cyclone wind field causes local
and Fisheries, SQU, is investigating
mixing, resulting in the injection
the
of
the
relationship
between
physical characteristics of
nutrients
into
the
upper
layer of the ocean and inducing
atmospheric cyclones, sea surface
phytoplankton bloom.
temperatures, and the biological
According
productivity of the upper mixed
multilateral data from various
layer of the ocean.
satellites will be used to analyze
Atmospheric
tropical
to
the
researcher,
cyclones
twenty cyclones. He added that
are important elements of the
the findings would be presented
ocean-atmosphere
interaction
in scientific papers, conference
responsible for significant cooling
presentations, outreach activities,
and vertical mixing of the upper
and SQU course materials.
layers of the ocean. In terms of
Study
Wind Energy Conversion System in Oman
Dr. Nasir Husseinzade - College of Engineering
Wind energy systems are being
electricity output.
the College of Engineering has
replace the wind turbine, but
developed across the globe as a
A wind energy conversion system
designed and implemented an
with similar characteristics. The
clean alternative to fossil-fueled
can be used either as a part of
electrical sub-system of a wind
tests were performed and it was
electricity
There
the electricity grid or as a stand-
energy conversion system. This
demonstrated that the system
are two distinguishable parts:
alone generator. Small generators
was done successfully in the
produced 50 Hz frequency and
generators.
mechanical and electrical sub-
controllable voltage in a
systems. The mechanical sub-
defined range in spite of the
system, which converts wind
variation in the speed of the
power to mechanical rotating
motor. The prototype can be
power, consists of blades, a
used for further research and
hub and a stand. The electrical
for educational purposes.
sub-system,
The
which
converts
leader
has
suggested having in place
energy, consists of a generator
a
and controllers. The generator
energy
is usually an asynchronous
the wind turbine, and new
generator,
methods
which
produces
variable amplitude and variable
frequency
12
team
mechanical energy to electrical
ac
complete
stand-alone
system,
in
its
including
control
system, as an extension to
voltage. This
this project. The team which
produced voltage needs to be
are more suitable for stand-alone
electrical machines laboratory
worked on this prototype is
modified to a fixed-frequency
generation. These
of the Department of Electrical
ready to expand this innovative
controllable-amplitude
voltage
particularly useful for providing
and
research project, Dr. Husseinzade
to be connected to the loads. It is
electricity to remote scattered
According to the chief investigator,
the controllers’ role to control the
loads.
Dr. Nasir Husseinzade, a variable
generator to obtain the desired
A team of researchers from
speed DC motor was used to
March 2016
would
be
Computer
Engineering.
concluded.
Study
Sismic hazard assessment at Yibal oil filed
Dr. Issa El-Hussain - Earthquakes Monitoring Center
The Northern Oman region,
Development Oman (PDO),
EMC has reviewed all seismic
The
which includes Yibal oilfield,
has initiated a long-term
records on the site of Yibal.
further technical data about
has one of the most important
monitoring program for the
Applying the deterministic
the different phases of the
on-land
in
seismicity of this area in order
method, we have first defined
project and the results. He
Oman. The importance of this
to contribute to the Yibal
the seismic source or sources
said, “The site effect that
region comes from the fact
seismic risk reduction.”
that might have an impact
was considered in all the
gas
reservoirs
researcher
provided
that the Omani gas
used GMPEs was
reserves
evaluated
on
land
based
are of considerable
upon the value of
national
economic
the average shear
importance. The area
wave velocity in
has been subject to
the
earthquakes which
30 meters (VS30)
have caused minor
at each of the
damages to the oil
selected
and gas installations
sites. Shear wave
there. Therefore, it
velocity (Vs) was
becomes imperative
evaluated
to
to
the multichannel
protect this national
analysis of surface
find
ways
upper-most
twelve
using
“PDO
on the site of interest and
waves (MASW). Finally, the
gas
then assessed the maximum
hazard results were used to
condensation station at Yibal
possible
earthquake
calculate the elastic design
Monitoring
and asked the EMC to conduct
magnitude for each of the
response spectra at each site.”
Center (EMC) at Sultan Qaboos
a deterministic seismic hazard
seismic sources. By assuming
He carried on, “The hazard
University, has conducted a
assessment in the region, in
each
maximum
values
study to assess the seismic
order to provide the maximum
earthquakes
occur
at
motion on the surface, thus,
hazards around the oil field of
ground motion spectra at
a location that places the
the analysis considered the
Yibal.
the
earthquake at the minimum
amplification of soils on the
the elastic design response
possible
the
ground-motion shaking. The
The scientist said,“Earthquakes
spectra
intended
site, the ground motion was
site effect was accounted for
with
and
structure using the European
predicted primarily, utilizing
by introducing the calculated
by
and international codes for
empirical
Motion
VS30 values into the ground-
construction.”
Prediction Equations (GMPE),
motion prediction equations.
which in the current study
VS30 was found to be in the
wealth against seismic risks.
He
For this purpose, Dr. Issa
has
El-Hussain, Director of the
Earthquakes
small-magnitude
shallow-depth
induced
gas exploitation were proved
further
added,
established
site
and
of
a
recommend
the
to cause light damage to
of
these
to
distance
Ground
to
denoted
ground
structures on oil and gas
Reflecting on the operations
included the site effect as a
range of 575 m/s to 670 m/s at
fields in the region. Therefore,
conducted by his center, Dr.
parameter.”
the site of Yibal.”
the oil company, Petroleum
El-Hussain continued, “The
March 2016
13
Study
A Comprehensive study of CNS demyelinating
disorders in Omani Patients
College of Medicine and Health Sciences
A team of researchers from
NMO-IgG
sero-positive
vs.
scale score as index of disease
After
severity)
prospective
we shall enroll 100 - 200
informed
consent,
the College of Medicine and
sero-negative
Health Sciences has launched
Further, they investigated the
evaluation of old (or new
patients (with some patients
a study aimed to address
longitudinal pattern of MRI
relapses) and new patients for
participating in more than
the overall clinical profile of
and OCT evolution in these
a period of 2 years following
one component of the study)
central nervous system (CNS)
disorders, alterations in the
the commencement of study.
with a definite diagnosis of
demyelinating disorders in
bone mineral density and
Diagnosis of MS and NMO
CNS demyelinating disorders
patients.
and
for
the
different
components.
study
NMO
auto-
antibody serology will be
performed at the Clinical
Neuroimmunology
Institute
for
Neurology,
Scientific
Unit,
Experimental
San
Raffaele
Institute,
Milano,
Italy.
Recently
diagnosed
in
different
disease
will
undergo
the
categories
longitudinal
14
cases
evaluation
Oman, and the clinical pattern
metabolism among ambulant
will be based on revised
with MRI and OCT for RNFL
of resemblance of Omani
MS and NMO patients, and
McDonald2 and Wingerchuk3
thickness. Ambulant patients
multiple sclerosis (MS) with
determination
criteria respectively.
with MS and NMO will be
Asian vs. Western MS. The
predicting bone health (bone
The
group also examined the
densitometry measures) in MS
include
frequency of Neuromyelitis
and NMO, using multivariate
University
Optica
logistic regression analysis.
Al-Nada
antibody (anti-Aquaporin 4
of
factors
centers
recruited
Qaboos
of bone density with dual
and
energy X-ray absorptiometric
These
evaluation of lumbar spine
The clinical study includes
institutions are the major
and hip and bone metabolic
antibody) in demyelinating
a retrospective chart view
referral centers in Oman and
profiles, including serum levels
disorders, and the clinical,
(demographic details, clinical
hence, the data gathered will
of calcium and phosphorus,
paraclinical and prognostic
and paraclinical profiles and
reflect the clinical pattern
vitamin D3, renal
differences
expanded disease disability
for
(NMO-IgG)
March 2016
between
auto-
the
participating
the
Sultan
Hospital
Hospital.
whole
country.
for
assessment
Visions
Research in the Sultanate:
Fluctuating Funding vs
Embracing Research (2)
Saif Mohammed Al-Ramadany - State Council
In Part (1) of this article, published in Tawasul’s last edition, we talked about research funding
in the Sultanate by several sources such as the Research Council (TRC), universities, colleges,
research deanships, laboratories and research centers. We also addressed the challenges
of funding research in the midst of falling oil prices and the lack of alternative sources of
funding. There was an attempt to fathom the concomitant problems of approving funds
parameters, thyroid and parathyroid hormones
and markers of bone formation and resorption
(bone-specific
In this part, we shed light on Omani scientists and their contribution to research.
Huge efforts have been made by the government and some private research-funding
phosphatase,
total
agencies in the Sultanate to boost research activities. In addition, the growing research
osteocalcin,
beta-
interest was translated into the establishment of TRC, which has as amongst its objectives
carboxyterminal telopeptide, amino-terminal
to provide a stimulating research environment that seeks research excellence, research
alkaline
alkaline
allocated for research and higher education, and how such funds are usually handled.
phosphatase,
propeptide of type I procollagen), albumin and
capacity building, knowledge transfer, and research partnerships and links. However, there
has been reluctance among many Omani researchers and academia to get involved in this
lipids. Using an interview-based food recall
sector, and, instead, they have chosen to confine themselves to teaching. Some higher
questionnaire, the researchers will compare the
education institutions might also have burdened Omani academics with administrative
daily intake of calcium/phytates, and phosphate
duties, such as working on committees, which discourage them from focusing on research.
This is evident in funded research where non-Omani researchers lead the scene. Out of the
against the recommended daily allowances.
six strategic research projects funded by H.M. grant in the University in 2015, four of them
Cumulative glucocorticoid and beta-interferon
have non-Omanis as their principal investigators, as announced by the University in the
exposure will be determined. Healthy controls
annual ceremony on May 2, 2015. According to the University’s annual report of higher
(approximately 30- 100 control subjects) who
studies and research for 2013, among the five strategic research projects, there were three
conducted by non-Omanis, who received funding worth RO235,000.
express interest and voluntary participation, will
Furthermore, out of the thirteen research grants received by Sultan Qaboos University from
be enrolled in the different components of the
TRC in 2013, ten were given to non-Omanis and the amount of funding was over RO1.25
study to obtain the normative data in Omani
million. Here, we are not claiming that funding should be restricted to Omani researchers
subjects.
only, but we are underlining the importance of having more Omanis involved in this task.
They are more capable and better for the job, specifically when it comes to strategic research
relevant to the Sultanate. Such research is intended to investigate, study and develop vital
sectors of crucial interest to the country`s present and future. As the saying goes: God helps
those who help themselves.
TRC – the primary incubator for research in the Sultanate – and other public and private
institutions should fulfill their responsibilities, in these crucial times, to accommodate their
functions with the repercussions of potentially decreased government funding, due to
plummeting oil prices and their impact on the state budget. They need to seek innovative
solutions to address this deficiency by discovering new and sustainable sources of funding,
ease the administrative burden imposed on Omani academics for the sake of conducting
research, and intensify training programs for young Omani researchers. Efforts should be
made to help Omani researchers to participate in conferences and forums around the world,
and to encourage research, investigative and critical approaches in both public education
and higher education institutions. As the old proverb says: Early start, grow smart. So, let us
have a real start for a more prosperous and stable future in spite of dwindling resources or
possible economic crises.
March 2016
15
Feature
The Role of Research in Addressing
Medical Errors
A medical error is a preventable adverse effect of care, whether or not it is evident
or harmful to the patient. This might include an inaccurate or incomplete diagnosis or
treatment of a disease, injury, syndrome, behavior, infection, or other ailment.
As medical errors increase, the need to find solutions to reduce their incidence becomes
acute. Here comes the role of scientific research to address this problem through
developing effective remedies and mechanisms.
For this purpose, the academic bulletin, Tawasul, has interviewed a number of specialists
on this topic, soliciting their views as to how to take advantage of scientific advances in
minimizing medical errors.
16
March 2016
Feature
Confusion
errors will be minimized.“
Dr Mohammed Al-Ghailani, a
of a particular drug, or procedure
against a doctor who committed a
complications done by doctors, or
medical error“.
consultant in the Department of
Team spirit
side effects due to illness, and this
He remarked that there is no health
Internal Medicine, Sultan Qaboos
Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Senior
is not considered medically wrong“.
institution in the world where the
University Hospital (SQUH), says
Consultant in family and public
Al-Mandhari clarified that, “There
proportion of errors is zero, and
there is considerable confusion
health at SQUH, Director of the
are several solutions to minimize
that the only possible way is to
between
and
Center of Quality Assurance in the
errors,
minimize such errors.
complications. He explains that
Ministry of Health, and Chairman of
training to raise the efficiency
doctors usually work hard and
the Supreme Medical Committee,
of
earnestly, nonetheless, they are
classifies the causes of medical
supervision and guidance, and an
Dr. Hani Al-Qadhi differentiates
held accountable if they make a
errors into two groups: the first is
evaluation and follow-up system in
between
mistake, especially when they give
related to the medical cadre and
the same organization to identify
complications
their opinions on matters that need
the second has to do with the
areas of strength and weakness;
However,
specialized knowledge. He stresses
institution or the health system.
other solutions may include the
complications
that a good physician is one who
He added that 15 percent of the
introduction of new technologies
considered medical errors, as they
and administrative and supervisory
may occur during the treatment.
controls to reduce the rate of errors.
He added that medical errors
For example, if a patient needs
happen when a doctor makes a
a blood transfusion, the nurse
mistake, but manages to address
following the procedure should get
that fault. However, negligence
permission from another higher-
is
ranking nurse who has already
implications, as the doctor makes
medical
errors
No institution in the world
has zero error.
Dr.Al-Mandhari
won’t advise on something he
errors are attributed to human
including
health
continuous
personnel,
examined
the
direct
information
A medical law
that
medical
he
and
errors,
negligence.
underlines
cannot
which
has
that
not
be
criminal
a mistake and fails to diagnose or
about the patient.“
correct it.
As to the role of scientific
As to the causes of medical errors,
research, he pointed out that
Dr. Al-Qadhi says that it happens
research
paramount
when the doctor is incompetent, or
importance. Research findings
fails to provide enough information
will help clarify the strengths of
to the family of the patient. He
health institutions, as well as the
or she must explain to them the
weaknesses to avoid them and
possible complications expected
work towards resolving them,
from the procedure. Other factors
he said, adding that there is a
have to do with inadequate training
quality research department
and the concerns of doctors to
in the Ministry of Health which
report a medical error and thus
is explicitly concerned with
may be subject to accountability.
patient safety.
He called for increasing awareness
is
of
or she has no knowledge about,
factors and the rest are due to the
and instead refers the patient to
health system of policies, tools and
specialists.
resources ... etc.
He attributes some complications
He carried on: ``The reasons include
to some patients’ habits of not
the lack of proper communication
taking the medication regularly.
among the staff working in the
One case is diabetes, which has
health
between
In reply to a question about the
among
several complications.
health personnel, the patient and
possible accountability of doctors
statistics necessary to show the
As to the role of research in
the community, poor team spirit
in the event of a medical error, he
extent of the problem in order to
reducing
system
and
Research provides statistics that
highlight the nature of
Dr. Al-Qadhi
the problem.
physicians,
providing
Dr.
among those who do surgeries, for
said, “The current mechanism is
avoid it, and promoting the image
Al-Ghailani says: “There is no doubt
example, and insufficient dialogue
very appropriate as it guarantees
of the doctor as not an enemy of
that the scientific investigation
and lack of trust“.
the rights of both patients and
society. Building trust between
of this problem will contribute to
He pointed out that, “Much of the
medical staff… There have been
the patient and the physician is
raising awareness among doctors
damage inflicted on the patient
cases examined by the court. The
another solution, he added.
and patients alike, and thus medical
may be caused by the side effects
Ministry has also taken action
Scientific research can help provide
medical
errors,
March 2016
17
Feature
statistics about the magnitude
result in some mistakes.“
crime… surgeries and medical
of Human Medicine and Dentistry
and causes of the problem, he
The law will help provide the best
treatments conforming to the
Practice, and in accordance with
remarked.
care for the patient, which will
rules of the profession, if carried
the principle of the Supreme Court
In response to a question about
hopefully reduce the errors, he
out at the request of the patient,
No. (7232009/2/), which provides
what the competent authorities in
remarked.
or his consent or that of his legal
for the following: ‘Medical errors
the Sultanate should do to reduce
He referred to a number of
representatives, or in cases of
must be presented to the supreme
medical errors, Dr. Al-Qadhi said,
solutions in order to overcome
urgent necessity. ’ The Royal Decree
medical committee formed at the
“We must look at the problem
or avoid medical errors. These
(2296/) has regulated the medical
Ministry of Health, and presenting
from different perspectives. The
include “raising the efficiency of
profession in terms of the approval
the case to another authority
patient must be protected by strict
doctors and health staff, provision
of the Technical Committee to issue
will be against the law.’ After
laws; doctors should be trained;
of health care in all provinces in
licenses to practice the profession.
that, the judicial authorities will
equipment must be provided for
the Sultanate, training assistant
It also refers to the duties of doctors
proceed with the proceedings,
physicians. On the other hand,
staff, and applying the principle of
and their rights, as well as the
pending the final report of the
doctors
protected
punishment and reward.” He went
penalties for flouting the rules of
medical committee. In the case of
too, as there is no medical law, a
should
be
on: “Research is expected to play a
their profession.”
claiming compensation, the court
specialized court nor a medical
key role in examining the problem,
He added that, “In the event of
is obliged to include the Fund of
lawyer … we should not deal with
finding solutions and providing
a medical error, before resorting
Compensation for Medical Errors
medical errors from a criminal
statistics that will benefit everyone.
to various judicial authorities,
in the lawsuit, instead of requiring
perspective, as seeing a doctor
It is only through scientific research
there is a committee called the
the doctor or the Health Ministry
standing in the court will look
that we can find appropriate
Supreme
to pay the compensation if a ruling
offensive to doctors.”
treatments without operations,
at the Ministry of Health, whose
Medical
Committee,
has been made.“
and thus reduce medical errors.“
A patient safety law
Ali Al-Qutaiti, Head of the Health
There are legal procedures for
demanding compensation for a
medical error.
and Environmental Committee at
A legal insight
the Shura Council, suggests that,
Salah Al-Muqbali, a lawyer and
“Medical errors are not something
legal adviser, talked about the
new, as many countries experience
legal proceedings in the case of
this problem. The Shura Council
when a medical error occurs. He
primary mission is to give a legal
Dr. Abdul Aziz Mahrazi, Head
has always been aware of this
said, “That «in the Sultanate, the
opinion on the medical issues that
of the Family and Public Health
may emanate from a medical error.
department at SQU, remarked
The complainant and medical staff
that, “Things had not been clear for
will be summoned for questioning,
patients prior to the establishment
in one or more hearing sessions,
of the Higher Committee, i.e. what
according to the nature of the
caused medical errors, and where
case. Then, a final report will be
to lodge a complaint. Patients
Al-Qutaiti
The Shura Council has
issued a patient safety law.
Al-Muqbali
problem, and thus decided at its
law has made several references
sent to the competent authority,
used to resort to prosecution or
fifth session to form a team to
to doctors and their practices. For
be it the Ministry of Health or
the Court, but I do not think that
study the issue. The Deputy Chair
example, Article 38 of the Omani
judicial authorities. The case will
is appropriate. In most countries,
of the Council was entrusted with
medical issues are referred to
leading the team, which submitted
medical specialists, or a committee
several recommendations to the
that examines the case, offers
government.“
several opinions, and comes up
He added that “The Council in
with a final decision. Most of the
the current eighth session of its
medical problems are related to
legislative and supervisory duty
surgical issues.“
adopted the introduction of the
He added that, “There are different
Law of Patient Safety, which would
medical errors. Generally, they are
contribute to reducing medical
related to medication, the way we
errors, even though there will not
18
communicate with the doctor, or
be a matter of intent, but when
Penal Code stipulates that ‘the
only be considered through the
if the doctor did not explain the
complex medical procedures may
following shall not be deemed a
Committee, as stipulated in the Act
disease or treatment properly. In
March 2016
Study
Oman, the patient submits his or her
complaint to the Medical Commission
that initiates an interrogation with
the doctor to find out the basis of the
Effectiveness of Childbirth Education
Intervention on Pregnancy Outcomes
problem, and decides whether the
doctor was guilty or not. If it turns out
Dr. Girija Kalayi - College of Nursing
that the doctor was wrong, he or she
will be barred and the patient will be
Dr. Girija Kalayil, from the College of Nursing,
exposed to two sessions of video assisted
has recently initiated a study to test the
effectiveness of childbirth educational
childbirth education classes, and each
participant will be provided with a Childbirth
based on accepting the faults or the
intervention in reducing anxiety and
Education booklet. Pregnancy outcomes of
expected outcomes that might be
interpreted by the patient as types of
unfavorable pregnancy outcomes among
pregnant Omani women.
the two groups will be measured using the
standardized Pregnancy Outcome Check
medical error. This means that the doctor
The approach followed is based on a
List.” Using SPSS version 16, both descriptive
should be more transparent with the
randomized clinical trial design among the
population of Omani low risk nulliparous
and inferential statistics appropriate to the
level and type of data will be used to find
pregnant women visiting SQU Hospital
(SQUH) and the Armed Forces Hospital
(AFH).
answers to the research objectives, she
pointed out.
Hopefully, the findings of the study would
“Antenatal Clinics and Labour rooms of
identify the effectiveness of an educational
SQUH & AFH will be the setting of the
study after the approval of the Research
Committee and Hospital authority. All
low risk nulliparous pregnant women who
are willing to participate and in their third
trimester (28 - 36 weeks) will be randomly
assigned to control and intervention groups
till a sample size of 100 is reached, with 50
participants in each group,” she explained.
As for the data collection, the researcher
further elaborated, “Initially demographic
data of all participants will be collected;
then their pre and post intervention anxiety
levels will be measured using standardized
anxiety scale State Trait Anxiety Inventory
(STAI). The intervention group will be
intervention to decrease anxiety levels
and enhance pregnancy outcomes, which
will help in informing larger scale studies
that examine the efficacy of educational
intervention in decreasing anxiety levels, as
well as improving pregnancy outcomes. The
results would help to incorporate routine
prenatal screening of anxiety and take early
measures to alleviate or to reduce anxiety
so as to have better pregnancy outcomes.
Implementing childbirth education as a part
of the routine prenatal care, especially for
first time pregnant women, would promote
the application of evidence based practice
in midwifery practice of SQUH & AFH, she
concluded.
compensated.”
Dr. Al-Mahrazi has called for a culture
of trust between doctors and patients
patient. Careful listening and complete
attention between the two parties are
necessary, especially when talking about
procedures leading up to and following
the surgery and its complications.
In this way, fewer complaints or
misunderstandings will be reported.
In order to address this problem, the
doctor suggests providing
training
courses
medical
and
lectures
for
students to qualify them in all respects.
He stressed the need for quality
assurance of medical services in each
hospital, including dispensing drugs,
patient records and all the information
regarding the treatment.
March 2016
19
Composition of urinary stones in
Oman
Femtosecond Laser Lab
Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy
Mohammed Al-Marhoun - College of Medicine and
Health Sciences
Urolithiasis, or renal first of its kind to investigate
stone disease, is a common
urological
condition.
In
the types of renal stones in
Oman. Knowing the stone
Oman, it is a significant
composition
cause of morbidity but there
are no data on renal stone
a basic database for future
studies addressing the issues
prevalence or composition.
of the etiology of stone
Therefore, Dr. Mohammed
Al-Marhoun, from the College
formation,
treatment
of
stones, and the prevention
the second pulse is used to monitor in a precise manner the
of
Health
of stone recurrence. It will
state of the system after well-defined time delays between the
Sciences, is embarking on a
study aimed at analyzing the
components of 500 urinary
stones collected from Omani
patients treated in the Sultan
Qaboos University Hospital.
The stones will be analyzed
by the Fourier transform
infrared spectrophotometer
(FT-IRS). This study will be the
provide an opportunity for
training two postgraduate
students at the Master’s
level, or alternatively one
PhD candidate for the basic
scientific part of the study. It
will also increase the capacity
of Sultan Qaboos University
Hospital for the laboratory
diagnosis of renal stones.
will
provide
The laser system is capable of measuring femtosecond
dynamics using state-of-the-art tools to study light-matter
interactions in real time. Time-resolved laser spectroscopy
offers a unique way to study nascent applications in various
fields related to chemistry, physics, materials science and
nanotechnology. It is now possible to monitor directly the
initial dynamics with femtosecond resolution (1 femtosecond
= 1015- second). With the current setup, two ultra-short laser
pulses are generated, one is used to initiate the reaction and
two pulses. This provides a versatile method to visualize the key
dynamical processes in many significant research areas.
20
March 2016
Medicine
and
News
A Research Device
March 2016
21
Study
A study concludes:
Omani Teenagers and the Internet
Dr. Emad Farouk - College of Arts and Social Sciences
Omani parents should supervise
religious practices.
of priority: Facebook, Google +,
on the internet by them, a
Methodology
and ,finally ,Twitter. Other Arab,
reality which could be utilized
of the internet.
The study was based on a
Gulf, and Omani forums have
to introduce efficient plans
Dr. Emad Farouk Saleh from
descriptive approach, whereby
also been important platforms
to promote this tendency.
the College of Arts and Social
a sample of pupils was selected
where the youngsters were
The students seemed to favor
Sciences has recently conducted
from all the 1043 schools in the
highly visible.
religious
a study on the impact of the
Sultanate and their responses to
The majority of families seem
folkloric dancing and sex turned
internet on adolescents at post-
questionnaires were analyzed.
to have been concerned about
out to be beyond interest.
basic education schools in
The
their
involvement
As to the impact of the social
Oman.
from the database of the
in such activities. Only a small
media on the basic aspects of
strategic research project, “The
percentage of parents paid
child socialization, the results
Impact of New Media on Child
little attention to this aspect,
showed that there were both
and monitor their children’s use
The research significance
sample
was
retrieved
whereas
According to the academic,
positive
the current research work
effects. The researcher has
is very significant given
called for adopting social,
the
development
educational and cultural
in global information and
strategies and plans to
communication technology
address
and
negative impact in the
rapid
the
huge
impact
and
the
negative
possible
of social media, such as
future.
Facebook, Twitter and other
Further,
networking systems, on their
suggested that the pupils`
users, particularly children
exposition to the New
the
analysis
and teenagers. Equally true, the
Socialization” . It consisted of
which calls for the need to have
Media produced moderately
recent political transformations
10% of all the students enrolled
specialist intervention to raise
positive effects on the basic
in the Arab world must also
at schools in Oman.
awareness among those families
dimension of values. However,
of the importance of monitoring
one should not neglect the
have influenced the patterns of
22
children’s
topics,
thinking and behavior of Arab
Findings
their children, and specifically
negative effects of the social
youth. Therefore, the study
The study has come up with
teenagers, so as not to be
media
seeks to identify the positive
important results that merit
subject to abusive practices or
demands that more attention
and negative effects of the new
further discussion and reflection
blackmaile by others.
should be given to helping
social media on the socialization
on how much children are
It was also found that the
students build cultural, social
of Omani children through a
exposed to the new social media.
websites associated with the
and religious firewalls against
number of core dimensions, i.e.
It was found that the pupils have
cultural environment of the
such growing influences. It was
language, identity, values and
accounts in the following order
pupils were the most visited
also shown that the positive
March 2016
on values, which
Microscope
effects of these media on the pupils` religious
practices were very strong. The academic,
however, warned against neglecting some of
the long-term dangers that lie in becoming
too complacent, and might affect the religious
practices of the pupils in the future.
The Fountain of Youth is From
Within!
Dr. Jumana Saleh - Biochemistry Department
The findings revealed that teenagers had a
robust and versatile attitude towards internet
For thousands of years, people have searched for a “fountain of youth“ to slow down
content. They were proactive in dealing with
the aging process and feel younger. Recently, scientists have determined that the body
the different contents of social media, engaging
produces a unique hormone, the human growth hormone HGH, which is claimed to
in different themes to achieve their academic
be the hormone of youth. Normally, HGH is released from the pituitary gland into
purposes and reaching out to other users within
the social network.
the bloodstream, decreasing fat mass, stimulating muscle growth, increasing energy
levels and boosting collagen production. It causes the human body and skin to look
more tight, toned and smooth. Many experts believe HGH is the key to combatting
aging. Studies have shown that HGH deficiency, in pituitary disorders, causes increased
body fat, decreased muscle mass and bone density. Also, a study in the New England
Journal of Medicine by Dr. Rudman et al., has shown that older men given HGH, showed
improved muscle mass, bone density and decreased body fat. Normal production of
HGH decreases with age, reaching almost half the levels by the mid-twenties and
declines rapidly with aging. HGH was recently advertised as an injectable hormone,
which stirred controversy due to the fear of disturbing the natural production of
HGH, and increasing blood sugar levels causing diabetes and metabolic disturbances.
Fortunately, numerous studies now show that HGH production may be drastically
increased through the following methods with no metabolic risks:
Intermittent Fasting: Though it sounded extreme at first, the concept of intermittent
fasting has taken the health and fitness world by storm in recent years. The old mantra
of “eat every three hours to keep your metabolism burning fat” has been repeated for
Recommendations
long without much evidence. Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart
Institute in the United States, showed in a 2011 study that 24 hours without food
Dr. Saleh has submitted a set of recommendations
to address the consequences of internet
increases HGH by an average of 1300 % in women and 2000 % in men. The effect ends
when the fast ends. There are many variations of intermittent fasting, but the most
popular involves either a daily fast of 16 hours (including sleep) or alternating between
misuse. He urged school counsellors to increase
periods of eating and periods of fasting. Ramadan fasting certainly agrees with this
awareness among families of the negative impact
concept.
of social media on their children. A variety of
Resistance Exercise: Exercise is one of the major promoters of HGH, but not mild
activities can be held by student groups to shed
exercise. High-intensity or resistance exercise for a short period of time, should be
followed by a prolonged rest (15 seconds of intense exercise then 3-minute rest) and
light on such effects. Preventive measures could
repeated 48- times. Intense resistance training for 30 minutes can lead to an acute HGH
be taken in this respect, such as developing
increase, reaching about 300% at 90-minutes. For this training, the health status and
attractive webpages for schools to address the
ability of the person should be considered.
serious problems and how to overcome them.
Sleep: Surprisingly, sleep boosts HGH production, up to 75 % at the beginning of sleep,
It is worth mentioning that the study was selected
and reaching its peak during deep sleep. Sleep expert Phil Gehrman said that the HGH
secretion that takes place during sleep may be involved in tissue repair helping to heal
as the best research paper at an international
conference held in Indonesia last November.
the body repairing tissue damage that occurred during the day.
Therefore, work out hard, skip occasional meals, and sleep deeply, and your body will
be primed for better performance, renewed youthfulness and a longer healthy life.
March 2016
23
Creativity
Unprecedented App
A student invents an app for volunteer work
Samples of volunteer activities and agencies in Oman
The Department of
The concept
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
According to Al-Kindi, the app
Affairs (DIEA) submitted an
was intended to encourage the
innovative
to
local community to engage in
the Intellectual Property (IP)
volunteering activities, thus using
Department at the Ministry of
technology to serve a variety of
Commerce and Industry last
social practices. It is in line with
November. The invention, called
the
Bassmat Tatawwu (signature to
witnessed by society, such
volunteer), has been designed by
as e-government and smart
Zainab Al-Kindi, a smart phone
e-services, she added.
app inventor and developer, a
She pointed out that the idea
web designer, and a Master’s
behind the invention is new for
level student at the Department
the local community. According
of Computer Science, Sultan
to searches she made on Google
Qaboos University.
and other search engines and
In an interview with Tawasul,
websites, the app has never been
she reflected on her invention,
used in Oman or other Arab
its features, and the difficulties
countries. It targets the whole
encountered during the stages of
community, including children,
development.
and thus offers a platform to all
application
ongoing
age groups.
24
March 2016
developments
Applicable to phones with
The stages
the android operating
She added that the project
system, the invention
had passed through several
provides an interactive
stages, starting from collecting
platform to post all
data about volunteer teams in
information about current
Oman. The application provides
volunteering events held
information
by
societies
volunteer associations in the
and associations in the
Sultanate and their locations
Sultanate, as bookmarked
on Google Maps. An important
different
on Google Maps.
The
inventor
about
some
stage that the application will
stated
that
cover is the planning for major
her app would help
the
public
sector,
including
ministries,
agencies
supporting
volunteering
activities,
the private sector, and civil
community organizations
to establish databases
on volunteer teams and
charities, so that their
activities and roles could
be
highlighted
and
Sample images of the app
coordinated. The app
is also intended to help
the
Information
Technology
events and properties. It includes
Authority in its project to develop
all segments of society, and for
an e-platform for donations, the
this purpose, is designed to offer
ideal forum for raising awareness
features relevant to youth, and
about volunteering activities.
others of interest to children, in
Creativity
Zainab Al-Kindi
- The app promotes the role of individuals in volunteer work
- It is useful to all segments of society
- Collecting correct data about volunteer teams was a challenge
- The app will be more efficient and handy
- The Department of Innovation backed my invention
- I tell the youth: despite the challenges, there is always light at the end of
the tunnel
order to encourage volunteer
with the android operating
work in the community It also
system, the app will be
includes a feature called“tweet
developed to work on
to volunteer” which could be
other operating systems
used to drop tweets through
and web pages. The app
social media.
could be extended to
cover volunteer events in
The challenges
As
for
the
neighboring countries to
difficulties
“Samples of the option “the little volunteer
help charity and volunteer
associations to coordinate
encountered, she mentioned
the problem of how to gather
the Department of Innovation
She pointed out that she plans to
correct
develop some aspects of her app,
their activities regionally.
information
about
and Entrepreneurship Affairs
volunteer
teams
in seeking intellectual property
such as its efficiency, applicability,
A word to the youth
rights for her invention.
open conversations, comments,
Zainab Al-Kindi concluded her
and posting by volunteer teams.
remarks by calling on Omani
Operating at present on phones
youth to work hard in order to
accredited
in the Sultanate, and how to
present the idea of the app
to the community in order
Future ideas
to bring together as many
overcome
teams as possible under one
they might face on their road
umbrella, and thus disseminate
to success. There is always
information
light at the end of the tunnel.
about
their
the
challenges
Resources should be utilized
activities.
in a rational manner in order
Support
to achieve the ultimate goal of
Ms. Al Kindi appreciated the
support she received from
serving the Sultanate.
‘Samples of ‘Tweet to volunteer’ and ‘add a volunteer team
March 2016
25
Innovation
SQU Graduates showcase their startups
IED highlights universities’ role in establishing
high-tech companies
The Innovation and
science and innovation
Entrepreneurship Department
these days. He also
(IED) held a symposium last
called
month entitled “The Role of
to the needs of the
Universities in the Startup of
youth
by
High-Tech Companies“, under
them
to
the patronage of H.H. Sayyid
the challenges ahead
Fahad Bin Al Julanda Al Said,
and
and attended by academics
goals. He emphasized
from Sultan Qaboos University
the
and other institutions.
taking
The event was opened by
of the experiences of older
a speech given by Sheikha
generations by building on their
Al-Akhzami, IED Acting Director,
achievements. The academic
in which she underlined the
showcased the startup of his
importance
innovation,
company “CEO, Gulf Energy
focusing attention on the youth,
SAOC“, stating that his specialty,
and the University’s aspirations
oil and gas engineering, played
in this regard.
an important role in making this
After that, Dr. Hilal Al-Busaidi
possible.
talked about the significance of
He pointed out that today`s
of
for
catering
enabling
overcome
achieve
necessity
their
of
advantage
technology
serves
the
the
youth,
Ms. Al-Akhzami went on to
but there is strong market
speak about the importance
competition, which demands
of international cooperation
that young people look for
in terms of research and
appropriate ways to develop
innovation, and urged people
different
to engage in entrepreneurship.
aspirations
They
of
ideas
should
successfully.
exploit
the
entrepreneurship.
She
gave
examples
of
opportunities offered by Sultan
some
Qaboos University to explore
entrepreneurship
the possibilities in the field of
praised local and international
successful
cases
and
of
also
academics at the University who
had played a prominent role
in the field of innovation and
entrepreneurship.
Later, Sami Nasser, Director of
the Attorney`s Office in Saba,
offered a brief account of the
concept of intellectual property
(IP) and how it should be applied
to small and medium-sized
technology-based companies.
He introduced the audience
26
March 2016
Book
to the various aspects of IP, including the
beneficiaries, industrial property rights, patents,
Book
trademarks and industrial design. He also shed
light on efforts made by the Sultanate to protect
copyrights, and the marketing of technology.
at a Glance
The Director of Marketing at TRC explained the
steps of commercializing technology in the
market, which would open the door for further
innovations.
A Book on the Law of Civil and
Commercial Procedures
Abdullah Al-Saadi, an SQU graduate, talked
about an SQU student project, “Nafath for
Renewable energy”, a startup by a group of
students, which was then turned into a bigger
company. It is worth mentioning that “Nafath”
A new book on forced execution according
normal provisions, judicial orders, editors
has won a number of awards. He emphasized
to the Law of Civil and Commercial
and the minutes of the Magistrate; 3) the
the importance of an academic specialization for
Procedure in Oman has recently been
place of execution, and the money that
developing small and successful businesses.
released by the Department of Academic
may or may not be seized.
Publications and Outreach. Authored by Dr.
Chapter Two addresses the procedures
Abdel Tawab Mubarak, the publication
of
forced
execution,
provides a brief account
procedures
expropriation,
of the different aspects of
includes
of
which
a
number
π°UGƒàdGh »ª∏©dG ô°ûædG IôFGO
forced execution, which
of executive seizures,
is regulated by the Law
of Civil and Commercial
pictures of certain types
weOuÇ
êd'ÇcOHMÇ
of seizures, the sale
‫ﺟﺮاءات اﻟﻤﺪﻧﻴﺔ واﻟﺘﺠﺎرﻳﺔ اﻟﻌُ ﻤﺎﻧﻲ‬E‫وﻓﻘ ًﺎ ﻟﻘﺎﻧﻮن ا‬
Procedure
promulgated
by the Royal Decree No. 29
(‫ وﺗﻌﺪﻳﻼﺗﻪ‬٢٠٠٢ ‫ ﻟﺴﻨﺔ‬٢٩ ‫)اﻟﺼﺎدر ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺮﺳﻮم اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺎﻧﻲ رﻗﻢ‬
of the seized money
in
/ ‫اﻟﺪﻛﺘﻮر‬
‫ﻋﺒـﺪ اﻟﺘــﻮاب ﻣﺒـﺎرك‬
of 2002. Forced execution
is part of the content of
judiciary
auction,
and the distribution of
execution proceeds.
≈dhC’G á©Ñ£dG
a course offered at the
Finally, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Kindi talked about the
College of Law.
Chapter Three touches on the enforcement
concept of innovation and the growing attention
The book is divided into three chapters.
disputes, and deals with the general
and interest of many countries in this field. He
Chapter One talks about the elements of
provisions
ended by reviewing some practical steps and
forced execution, which consists of: 1)
temporary enforcement disputes, and
suggestions that could help students to start up
the persons included in the execution,
objective enforcement disputes. The writer
their projects.
including the creditor, the debtor, the third
has also introduced some definitions of
party and the judge and his aides; 2) the
the terminology used in the book.
for
enforcement
disputes,
types of executive bonds, which are the
March 2016
27
Conferences
Athletic ability and school involvement of distinguished
students
Dr. Abdul-Hamid Saeed Hassan Two SQU academics took part
the curriculum. Dr. Abdul-Hamid
to obtain the data, namely, tests to
significant differences in athletic
in the International Conference
Saeed Hassan and Dr. Ahmed
measure athletic ability, the scale of
abilities and school compatibility
on Arts, Social Science, Business
Hamdan
school adjustment, and an IQ test
attributed to each of the state
and Education, organized by the
which addressed the relationship
for deaf and ordinary students.
variables
submitted
a
paper
(outstanding
deaf,
University of Toronto and held from
outstanding
the 12th to the 13th January, 2016,
and in favor of normal and
at the University of Toronto and
average students. Since the math
University of St. Michael›s College
performance of the deaf students
in Toronto, Canada. The conference
was the lowest among the study
covered areas like Social Science,
groups - even though they have
Education, e-learning, Accounting,
an average level in athletic abilities
Banking,
- they need intensive teaching in
Finance,
Management,
Business
Economics,
Business
Ethics,
and
Law,
normal,
average),
mathematics.
Business
During
Education. It discussed a number of
their
presentation,
the
15-minute
researchers
research papers on various topics in
between athletic ability and school
The results indicated statistically
provided a brief account of the
education, including self-efficacy,
adjustment for pupils who excel in
significant
the
educational system in the Sultanate
motivation,
abilities,
mathematics (including the deaf)
variables of athletic abilities, mental
of Oman, followed by a short
school adjustment, psychological
and those of average achievement.
capacity, and school adjustment.
discussion in response to questions
processes, and cultural diversity in
The researchers used three tools
Another
asked by the audience.
athletic
links
analysis
between
has
found
a Conference Paper
Public Agencies on Social Media
Dr. Zahran Al-Salti - College of Economics and Political Science,
In his presentation, Dr. Zahran
paper, an exploratory study, was
Colleges
the
Al-Salti, from the College of
well received by the delegates
Political Science, Arts and Social
presence of Omani government
Economics and Political Science,
who
different
Sciences, and Education. Al-Salti
agencies on social media, at the
provided an overview of the level
countries and institutions. It
chaired one of the conference
International
on
of presence and interaction of
is based on a strategic project
sessions on information systems
Business and Information held
Omani organizations on a range
undertaken by the researcher
management.
in Bali, Indonesia, last month.
of social media platforms. The
and other academics from the
This participation is part of the
An SQU
presented
a
paper
on
Conference
came
from
of
Economics
and
The event included 34 research
University’s efforts to enrich
papers, which covered recent
knowledge, exchange expertise,
developments in the business
and promote its visibility at
and information sector and the
international events.
challenges facing it.
28
academic
March 2016
News
The Omani shelf: warning from the deep
Dr. Sergey Piontkovski - Sultan Qaboos University
Oxygen minimum zones (hypoxic
zones), reported for over 400
geographical regions, is a key
stressor of coastal ecosystems
worldwide. Not surprisingly,
hypoxia has become a serious
environmental
challenge
to
fishery management. As one
of the most prominent oxygen
depletions of the ocean, the
Arabian Sea oxygen minimum
zone extends from the central
part of the basin to the coasts of
Oman, Iran, Pakistan, and India
and makes fisheries vulnerable to
the shelf hypoxia. Shelf oxygen
depletion causes numerous fish
kill incidents along the Omani
coast. Nevertheless, temporal
variability of the shelf hypoxia and
its impact on fish catches are still
poorly investigated.
Dr. Sergey piontkovsky, College of
Agricultural and Marine Science
in Sultan Qaboos University, study
was funded by the Office of Naval
Research Global for the U.S Navy
as an external grant, was based
on analysis of data collected from
an international Naval Mission 53
began in the western part of the
Arabian Sea during the past 50
years.
This analysis was based on
about 30,000 vertical profiles of
temperature, salinity, water density
and over 2,000 vertical profiles of
dissolved oxygen recorded in the
depth range from the surface to
300m. Scientists have found that
the thermal stratification of the
water column increased and the
oxygen minimum zone shoaled
from about 150m in the 1960s to
80m in the 2000s. The discovered
phenomenon is a warning sign
pointing at the fact that the habitat
of pelagic fishes is becoming
thinner and pushed up to the
surface. Perhaps, these oxygen
changes were underlain by and
related to long-term changes in
the intensity of monsoonal winds
and thermal structure of the water
column.
For example, the summer
temperature increase in the
western Arabian Sea over the past
from the atmosphere.
Large pelagic fishes are active
swimmers which require a lot
of oxygen for their metabolism,
especially in warm tropical
waters. The dissolved oxygen
concentration below 2 millilitres
per litre induces symptoms of
stress for many tropical
Long-term changes of the dissolved oxygen concentration in the western
Arabian Sea. The upper panel exemplifies the number of vertical profiles of
the oxygen concentration over regions (2o squares).
50 years exceeded the mean rate
reported for tropical latitudes of
the world ocean. In being
land locked, the Arabian Sea
beats world records. The most
pronounced changes have been
taking place in the upper 30m
layer. This means that the thermal
stratification of the water column
has developed. This could have
affected the shoaling of the
oxygen minimum. Plus, warming
of the water column decreases the
solubility of the oxygen coming
pelagic fishes; therefore, this
concentration is believed to be
the hypoxic threshold. If this
threshold slowly moves up in the
water column (over years), fish
populations become compressed
in the upper layer, which makes
them more exposed to fishery.
A vulnerable question to be asked
is what will happen to
the pelagic ecosystem of the
Omani shelf in the nearest future, if
the current depth of critical oxygen
concentration is about 80m and
the oxygen minimum zone is still
moving up to the surface? The
“uncomfortable shelves” are used
to be abandoned, by large pelagic
fishes. In the case of Omani shelf
this means that declining landings
of large pelagic fishes (catches
per unit of effort) could have an
environmental origin, along with
overfishing.
As far as the upward motion of
the critical oxygen concentration
is concerned, the trend seems
to be dangerous indeed, but it
is quite possible that shoaling
of the critical concentration
depth would be switched to
and replaced by a subsequent
deepening. In other words, let’s
hope that we are dealing with a
long-term fluctuation of water
mass properties; the event which
is quite common in oceanography.
Long-term
fluctuations
of
physical, chemical, and biological
characteristics of the ocean are
climate driven phenomena. In the
Arabian Sea, they are mediated
by a basin scale and global scale
atmospheric
anomalies,
like
the Siberian High atmospheric
pressure system, the Indian
Ocean Dipole, and the El-Ninõ
Southern Oscillation. In turn, the
cyclicity of atmospheric processes
(like monsoonal winds) could
be mediated by extra-terrestrial
forces; for instance, lunar tidal
actions which have the periodicity
of 56, 95, 125 and 1470 years.
These cycles were detected within
the thickness of sediment core
layers extracted from the Oxygen
Minimum Zone of the Pakistan
shelf. However, fluctuations of
physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of the Arabian Sea
on the scale of tens to hundreds
of years are poorly understood
processes so far.
March 2016
29
Study
A First in Oman
A study on money laundering unveils loopholes that allow criminals to go free
It calls for legal and social justice
Yahya Al-Sulaimani - College of Arts and Social Sciences
A Master’s dissertation on
illegal funding, the reasons
analysis of money laundering.
Methodology
money laundering in Oman
for committing such crimes,
The findings are expected
The researcher has divided
has been examined at the
and the hurdles in combating
to provide the experts in the
the study population into
Department
money laundering in both the
area of socio-economic crimes
two groups: those who fight
private and public sectors.
with a database that will
money laundering in their
of
Sociology
and Social Work, College of
30
Arts and Social Sciences. The
Significance of the study
define money laundering, and
fields, i.e. the employees in
study, conducted by Yahya
Along with previous studies,
suggest practical solutions
public
Al-Sulaimani, has sought to
the
provides
to combat it. Hopefully, the
(civil and security) who were
uncover the social factors
important insights into this
results will provide policy and
interviewed
behind
phenomenon
Omani
decision-makers in various
data, and the employees who
in Oman and identify its
society. It also makes an
social organizations with an
work in the banking sector.
ramifications. It also aims to
attempt to develop significant
array of ideas and mechanisms
The latter sample was 191,
investigate the sources of
approaches to the sociological
to address this problem.
money
March 2016
laundering
research
in
sector
for
institutions
gathering
Study
working in different banks in
Other transactions of money
ensuring social and legal
organizations, such as the
Muscat.
laundering take the forms of
justice, establishing financial
Department of Public Funds
deposits and cash transfers.
and social equality, enabling
at the Public Prosecution,
The study sample has indicated
the community to obtain
judicial institutions, and the
some functional obstacles to
their full rights to ensure
National
Findings
The
study
has
unveiled
their
commitment
Commission
for
Fighting Money Laundering
to social values and
and Terrorism Financing.
fight
and
called for intensifying the role
It
of social control organizations
also urged a review of
and ongoing overseeing of the
the
regulation
legitimate activities to prevent
of confronting money
suspicious economic activities
laundering in Omani
that utilize criminal returns. It
society, which is part of
also indicated the importance
the law of combating
of disseminating social and
money
legal awareness about the
financial
economic
legal
crimes.
laundering
and
It
and terrorism funding,
methods
promulgated by Royal
of
Decree No. 792010/.
laundering, and making use
investigating
procedures
money
this
combating money laundering.
The study underlined the
of different media, such as
regard, including the struggle
These are classified as social
importance of blocking the
radio, TV, the press, flyers,
for high-ranking positions,
barriers on the one hand,
legal loopholes and making
and brochures in the banking
poverty, which forces people
including the lack of public
use of local and international
sector,
to resort to human and arms
awareness of such crimes, and
legal
academics
The family can also play a
trafficking, prostitution to get
bureaucratic hurdles on the
and all those who fight
significant role in instilling and
money to invest in the stock
other, in terms of insufficient
money laundering in Omani
promoting social values.
market,
training
serious
problems
in
purchasing
used
courses
employees to address
businesses
money laundering in the
a
cover-up
against legal prosecution, and
banking sector.
,in this case, criminals taking
The results confirmed the
advantage of some legal
existence of a loophole
loopholes.
in
the
laundering legal system,
highlighted the spread of
which enables money
traditional methods of illicit
launderers
money laundering in Omani
punishment.
research
has
purpose.
anti-money
also
The
that
for
vehicles, and doing other
as
experts,
for
to
evade
society, such as concealing
money in the house or with a
Recommendations
relative. The banking methods
The study has put forward
used in money laundering
a set of recommendations
include transactions with cash,
to
not checks or documents.
laundering. It called for
combat
money
March 2016
31
32
March 2016