Delaying the Development of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Oman – “AMAL”
Study
Project Code:
Funds:
Funding Source:
Start Date:
Duration:
Team Members:
(SR/MED/FMCO/03/01)
99,048 OMR
His Majesty’s Trust Fund
02 May 2003
4 years
Dr. Shirley McIlvenny (Ex-P.I.)
Dr. Kamlesh Bhargava (P.I.)
Dr. Mohammed Shafaee (Co-P.I.)
Dr. Ahmed Salim Al Mandhari
Dr. Mohammed Hilal Al Azri
Dr. Shyam Ganguly
Dr. Sulayma Amer Al Barwani
Prof. Mohammad Osman Hassan
Researchers
Dr. Deepali Jaju
Prof. Riyad Bayoumi
Prof. Sandy Raeburn
Dr. Halima Al Hinai
Ms. Thuraiya Sulaiman Al Busaidi
Dr. Radha Shenoy
Mr. Alexander George
Executive Summary
Objectives
The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of pre-diabetes and associated risk factors, to
identify the physical, physiological and biochemical changes that occur amongst pre-diabetics and
also to conduct a randomized controlled trial of an intensive lifestyle modification program versus
standard care to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Wilayat of Bid Bid from September 2004 to May 2006.
Pre-diabetes was defined as fasting blood glucose between 5.6-6.9 mmol/l, and a 2 hour post-75 gm
of glucose between 7.8 – 11.0 mmol/l. Venous blood samples were collected for fasting glucose
(FBS), 2 hour post-75 grams of glucose (IGT), along with lipid profile and anthropometric
measurements. Standardized interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain selfreported data on personal medical history.The response rate was about 58%. In the second phase, a
total of 694 subjects who were identified as pre-diabetics were subjected to a detailed clinical
examination, fasting and 2 hours post-glucose, HbA1c, fasting and 2 hours post insulin levels, thyroid
functions, serum creatinine and albumin creatinine ratio. A detailed ophthalmological examination
including microperimetery was done. Physiological changes in terms of autonomic function were
investigated by a task force monitor which evaluated the cardiac functions.
Results
The prevalence of pre-diabetes in the semi-urban sample population in Oman is alarmingly high
(40.9%). 4.7% of the screened population (1313) was diagnosed to be diabetic for the first time.
There were important associations with increasing age, male gender, positive family history,
consanguineous marriage, BMI, waist-hip ratio, exercise, sporting activity and smoking. Compared to
normoglycemics, pre-diabetics were found to be at an increased risk of the following: risk of high total
cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL, and high triglycerides. There are macular abnormalities in the
pre-diabetics in terms of abnormal fixation patterns, reduced retinal sensitivity and prolonged test.
There is no correlation between the pre-diabetic blood glucose levels and the macular abnormalities.
The prevalence of pre- hypertension in the pre-diabetics was 54.1%.
Conclusions
Diabetes is and will continue to be a major health problem in Oman. People at high risk of diabetes
should be screened to detect them in the pre-diabetic state. Lifestyle changes are the most costeffective way to prevent diabetes. Long-term studies need to be done to identify ways to prevent
diabetes in Oman.
Investigation of Hydrogen Induced Cracking of Metals in Aqueous Media
Containing Sulphide Ions
Project Code:
Funds:
Funding Source:
Start Date:
Duration
Team Members:
(SR/SCI/CHEM/03/01)
45,000 OMR
His Majesty’s Trust Fund
02 May 2003
4 years
Researchers
Dr. Ashraf Talib Al-Hinai, (P.I.)
Dr. Emad Khudaish
Dr. Ahmed Dhofar Al-Rawas
Dr. Mohamed Elzain
Dr. Abbasher Gismelseed
Dr. Salim Humood Al-Harthi
Dr. Mohammed Said Al-Busaidi
Executive Summary
Objectives
Due to the lack of specialized infrastructure, establishing the first aqueous corrosion studies
laboratory was the prime objective. After that, this facility would be used for research, training, and
consultancies. As a primary goal, the lab started with studying the corrosion of metals in sulfidecontaining media.
Methods
To establish the optimum infrastructure for the lab, the research team consulted with several
specialized local and international institutions. The lab was equipped with the required instruments to
serve SQU and Omani industries. The training component was to be fulfilled through new corrosion
courses offered to SQU students. In order to attract contracts and consultancies from industry, the
research teams demonstrated the lab’s facilities to industry executives through personal contacts and
visits. To study the corrosion of metals in sulfide-containing media, the team selected industrially
important alloys and subjected them to accelerated corrosion conditions.
Results
SQU now owns a well-equipped aqueous corrosion testing facility, which integrates with the
atmospheric corrosion lab, to offer the necessary training to SQU students. Also, SQU offers the
required support to Omani industries. The corrosion studies course at SQU is now a popular course
offered to Science and Engineering students. In addition to that, more that 15 students have
performed their graduation projects in the facility. The research team recognized that the mechanical
factors are of immense importance for corrosion in sulfide-containing media. The team is seeking
expertise in this area from researchers in the College of Engineering. In collaboration with the College
of Engineering, four interrelated corrosion research contracts were established with the Omani oil and
gas industry.
Conclusions
The support granted from His Majesties Research Fund made it possible to establish solid
infrastructure for aqueous corrosion studies at SQU. The research team ensured the best use of this
generous grant and extended the benefit not just in the research direction, but also in the area of
education, training and consultancy.
Evaluation of Greywater Reuse Potential for Sustainable Water Resources
Management in Oman – Phase I
Project Code:
Funds:
Funding Source:
Start Date:
Duration:
Team Members:
(SR/AGR/BIOR/03/01)
97,000 OMR
His Majesty’s Trust Fund
02 May 2003
4 years
Researchers
Dr. Sanmugam Prathapar (P.I.)
Dr. Ahmad Jamrah
Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed
Dr. Hayder Abdelrahman
Dr. Malik Mohamed Al Wardy
Dr. Ahmad Yahya Al Maskri
Dr. Hemesiri Kotagama
Research Assistants
Mr. Saif Salim Al Adawi
Mr. Masoud Said Al Kindi
Mr. Abdullah Said Al Belushi
Graduate Students
Mr. Ali Al Harassi
Mr. Salim Khamis Al Sidiari
Ms. Aamna Yasser Al Abri
Mr. Mohammed Suheil Jashoul
Executive Summary
Objectives
Oman is an arid country where groundwater reserves are under pressure. There is a need to identify
alternative sources of water and develop appropriate technology to harness them to reduce pressure
on freshwater reserves in Oman. One of the alternative sources of water is greywater. This project
aimed to evaluate the potential of greywater as an alternative source of water in Oman.
Methods
In the first stage of the project, a review of refereed, un-refereed and grey literature on greywater
treatment and reuse was carried out. Greywater use at over 200 households was estimated based
on completed questionnaires and manufacturers’ specifications. Furthermore, greywater use at 12
houses was monitored for approximately six months. During this period, water quality analysis of
greywater was also undertaken. During the second stage of the project, commercially available
greywater treatment systems were installed at a domestic premise and a second one was installed at
SQU mosque. In addition, a greywater treatment unit was constructed at the South Al Hail mosque
using locally available material. A fourth bench scale treatment unit using Sequencing Batch Reactor
(SBR) was assembled at SQU. Performance of all four units was monitored. In the final phase,
guidelines for reuse of treated grey water based on the experimental results and on international
literature were developed. In addition, a financial analysis to determine the Internal Rate of Return
and Cost:Benefit ratios for various scenarios to install and operate greywater treatment systems was
carried out.
Results
Volumes of greywater reuse monitored at houses compared satisfactorily with estimates made with
questionnaire data and manufacturers’ specifications. Analysis showed that 84% of Omanis are in
favor of treating and reusing greywater. Those not in favor of treated greywater reuse cited religion,
health, environmental degradation, including groundwater contamination, and costs as reasons. In
Oman, approximately 80% of the water used in houses is grey water. This is approximately 140 liters
per person per day, and more than the per capita volume of greywater produced in Europe and
Japan. Depending on the size of a mosque, ablution water available at mosques ranges from 1000
liters per day to 10,000 liters per day (Prathapar et al. 2005). Since there are more than 13,000
mosques in Oman, the reuse potential of ablution water is very high. Greywater and ablution water
collected in Oman require chlorination to remove biological contaminants such as E. coli and
coliforms. Since the suspended solids in Omani greywater and ablution water are high, they require
filtration if pressurized irrigation methods are used for irrigation. Chlorination and sand filtration will be
adequate to treat greywater from households if kitchen water and blackwater are not mixed with other
greywater produced.
Conclusions
A custom-made treatment unit where filtration and chlorination are carried out will be financially and
technically viable. Commercial greywater treatment systems are not financially viable for small
mosques and small households.
The Use of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing to
Monitor, Analyze and Model Urban Growth in Muscat
Project Code:
Funds:
Funding Source:
Start Date:
Duration:
Team Members:
(SR/ART/GEOG/03/01)
47,000 OMR
His Majesty’s Trust Fund
02 May 2003
3 years
Researchers
Dr. Talal Yousif Al-Awadhi (P.I.)
Dr. Andy Kwarteng
Dr. Ahmed Abdul-salaam Ali
Mr. Mohammed Al-Barawani
Mr. Khamis Al-Qasmi
Mr. Nasser Mohamed Al-Namani
Mr. Ghazi Ali Al-Rawas
Research Assistants
Mr. Nasserallah Sinad Al-Jabri
Mr. Saif Mohamed Al-Rawahi
Graduate Students
Mr. Khalid Ahmed Al-Kalbani
Mr. Mussalam Salim Al-Rahbi
Mr. Hamad Khamis Al-Agbari
Mr. Soud Salim Al-Nofali
Mr. Bader Amir Al-Salmani
Executive Summary
Objectives
The main objective of the project was to examine past, present and future trends in urban growth by
using GIS and RS technologies. Other objectives were: (1) to study and to define temporal land use
changes and all human activities in the Muscat area; (2) to create a digital spatial database in
different resolutions, (3) to define and to classify the main factors behind urban growth in Muscat; (4)
to propose and test several solutions to control this growth; (5) to deliver up-to-date land use maps for
the area under study; and (6) to deliver several urban growth maps for ten year periods.
Methods
GIS & RS are widely used techniques in detecting, monitoring and predicting urban growth. In this
study, two approaches were applied. The first approach was used for detecting and tracking land use
change in the last 45 years. Six land use maps were digitized directly from aerial photographic and
high resolution remote sensing satellite imagery for the years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 and
2003. The second approach concentrated on predicting urban growth in the next 50 years. For this
purpose, the SLEUTH Model was selected.
Results
2
The total built-up area in Muscat expanded by more than 840% from 23 km in 1960 to more than 192
2
km in 2003. The majority of expansion was in the period 1970 -1980 which registered an increase of
2
2
more than three-fold (from 23 km in 1970 to more than 76 km in 1980). There was no significant
urban expansion before 1970. The actual annual urban expansion rate in the period 1960 – 2003 was
17.1% and the average built-up area is 393.8 hectares. It is also possible to identify the precise
change in land-use categories over time. For example, a more than 170% increase in residential land
took place from 1980 to 1990. More than 78% of green area could be lost to urbanization in the next
45 years. The project was also successful in identifying urban expansion in the future: it could reach
2
more than 341 km in 2050. The project was also able to draw the future urban expansion scenario
which would proceed in the following sequence: (i) filling the gaps between existing built-up areas, (ii)
expansion along the edges of existing settlements, (iii) expansion along the road network and (iv) the
establishment of new satellite settlements around existing urban boundaries depending on suitability
of slope and excluded areas as well as accessibility.
Conclusions
Muscat is the main active administrative center for the economy, politics, population and urbanization
in the Sultanate. After reviewing all previous results, these activities may be intensified, which could
affect the balance between Muscat and other administrative centers in Oman. This rapid urban
growth will also lead to a number of urban problems that may affect the area and its roles such as
greater immigration towards Muscat and a greater reduction in green areas. In addition, urban
physical structure is expected to encroach on unsuitable areas such as wadi beds and mountain
slopes and, hence, increase vulnerability to flood and mass movement hazards. In order to control
and manage these problems in a sustainable manner, a rigorous, complete, integrated and detailed
study should be carried out to highlight their range and dynamics.