Sand, stone, and Tropiocolotes: Diversity and distribution of dwarf geckos in Saudi Arabia

The Lower Silurian Qalibah Formation consists of two members, the (upper) Sharawra Member and the (lower) Qusaiba Member. The Qusaiba is the main hydrocarbon source rock for the known Paleozoic hydrocarbon accumulations in central Saudi Arabia. The Qusaiba Member is composed mostly of claystone and shale with interbeds of siltstone and sandstone. Depositionally, the Qusaiba Member is interpreted to represent the delta-toe clays, whereas the Sharawra Member was deposited as pro-delta sandstones of an immense fluviodeltaic system that dominated the Silurian-Carboniferous of Arabia. The Qalibah Formation accumulated syndepositionally in at least two rapidly subsiding depocenters. One depocenter was located in central and southern Arabia, and the other depocenter was located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The former trough began subsiding during the Late Ordovician following the Taconic uplift. The latter trough began subsiding during the Early Silurian. At least 10,000 ft (3100 m) of Upper Ordovician- Lower Devonian strata accumulated in the trough located in central and southern Saudi Arabia. About 3300 ft (1000 m) of Lower Silurian sediments accumulated in the depocenter found in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The development of these troughs documents a period of crustal extension probably related to the rifting of the Lower Paleozoic continental margin of Saudi Arabia. The Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies occurs near the base of the unit and has up to 8% total organic carbon content. The development of favorable source rock facies in the Qusaiba is observed along the flanks of the depositional thicks associated with the lower Qusaiba Member. The basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies was produced during periods of elevated primary productivity of organic matter within the water column in an open-marine, nonsilled basin setting. Deposition of the basal organic-rich facies of the Qusaiba Member occurred as a condensed sequence along a sediment-starved continental margin. The basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies accumulated in normally to partly oxygenated bottom-water settings; however, the sediments below the sediment/water interface were probably preserved in an anoxic setting. Geochemical data also demonstrate that the organic-rich Qusaiba Member sediments found in the depositional thicks have characteristics consistent with a more oxidized sediment column. Geo chemical data also show that the basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies deposited more distally to these depocenters are more dysoxic to anoxic in their characteristics. The organic-rich facies of the basal Qusaiba Member found in depositional thicks was produced under conditions that either reworked the organic-rich sediments, thereby oxidizing them, or diluted the organic matter, resulting in less preservation of potential source rock.

Attendees of 15 health centers in urban and rural areas in the Riyadh region were screened for obesity during May and June 1994. Systemic selection yielded 1580 Saudi males for analysis. The mean age was 33.6 +/- 13.5 years and body mass index (BMI) was 26.9 +/- 5.7 kg/m(2). Only 36.6% of subjects were their ideal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), while 34.8% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), 26.9% were moderately obese (BMI 30-40 kg/m(2)) and 1.7% were morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)). Middle age, lower education and joblessness predicted a higher risk for obesity. Patients living in a rural areas had greater BMIs than those living in urban areas (P <0.01). Forty percent of overweight participants did not think they were so. The high prevalence of obesity and the lack of awareness among those afflicted emphasizes the need for community-based programs for preventing and reducing obesity, since weight control is effective in ameliorating most of the disorders associated with obesity, such as Type II non-insulin-depedent diabetis mellitus, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, sleep apnea syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knees. Young parents who are at risk of developing obesity and who play a central role in perpetuating it in their offspring should be the target of obesity-prevention programs.

Qusaiba shale represents an important source rocks and reservoir target for shale gas in Saudi Arabia. Geological heterogeneity within Qusaiba represent a challenge for characterization, exploration and development. A detailed study has been carried out to describe and characterize Qusaiba shale in central Saudi Arabia using high-resolution outcrop analog from central Saudi Arabia. Here we describe measure and model the spatial distribution of lithofacies, porosity and geomechanical properties at outcrop scale. The aims of this study are to describe the lithofacies, paleoenvironments and to reconstruct 3D high resolution geological and geostatistical model for Qusaiba Formation. Excellently exposed Qusaiba Formation outcrops in central and northern Saudi Arabia provide good outcrop analog for the subsurface equivalent of Qusaiba succession These outcrops suit quite well for examining and evaluating geological heterogeneity (sedimentological, stratigraphic, structural and geomechanical properties). All these aspects might all have important impacts on shale reservoir properties and quality and architecture. Outcrop analog studies provides high resolution scales information within interwell spacing where subsurface data and information have some limitations. Integrated approach was followed to observe, measure sedimentologic, stratigraphic properties that supported by laboratory measurements of lithofacies types, porosity, Schmidt hammer values, point load index, P-wave velocity and dynamic Poisson ratio. Based on field and laboratory data a 3D geological and geostatistical properties models have been generated. These lithofacies were deposited in offshore and lower shoreface to middle to the upper shoreface depositional environments. The geological and geostatistical models are capable to capture the lithofacies distribution, cyclic nature of and architecture at outcrop scale.The geostatistical models show the 3D distribution of Qusaiba shale properties including lithofacies, porosity, Schmidt hammer, P-Wave velocity, point load Index and Poisson ratio. Generally, a good correlation is noted between facies vertical and lateral distribution and the other parameters. This agreement on distribution pattern reflect first the depositional control on lithofacies from offshore at the base to upper shore facies at the top as revealed on the three main depositional cycles. That property modeled reflect depositional lithofacies and stratigraphic hierarchy. Variation in values distribution might reflect depositional and post depositional controls. The high-resolution outcrop analog models might provide guides and leads for the prediction of the lithofacies types and porosity distribution. The models are capable to capture the lithofacies distribution, cyclic nature of and architecture at outcrop scale and this might help to understand and predict sedimentary properties and heterogeneity of equivalent lithofacies in the subsurface.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESLittle is known about the implementation of the patient bill of rights (PBR) in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore to what extent health care recipients and providers know about the bill and its implementation.DESIGN AND SETTINGA cross-sectional survey conducted on health care professionals and patients at Primary Health Care Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during July 2010.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study employed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 500 patients (aged 18 years or older) and 500 health care providers (physicians and nurses) in primary health care (PHC) centers in Riyadh. Data was collected on the respondents’ knowledge of the existence and contents of the bill, the extent to which the bill is implemented, and the obstacles that may hinder bill implementation. The data was analyzed and presented in a descriptive fashion.RESULTSMore than three quarters of patients and one third of PHC providers did not know about the existence of the bill. Among those who knew about its existence, about three quarters of patients and almost half of PHC providers had little (or very little) knowledge about the bill contents. In general, patients scored lower means of perception than PHC staff about the implementation of the bill’s aspects. PHC staff reported several obstacles that may hinder the implementation of the PBR in Saudi Arabia.CONCLUSIONSPatients and health care providers lack necessary knowledge about the PBR. More dissemination of information about the bill, taking into account the particularities of the Saudi population is needed. Future research is required to establish measures that are effective in ensuring that patients rights are ensured.

Elemental chemistry as a tool of stratigraphic correlation: A case study involving lower Paleozoic Wajid, Saq, and Qasim formations in Saudi Arabia

Breastfeeding Practices in Tathleeth Area

The Qusaiba Member of the Qalibah Formation (Silurian age) is a thick sequence consisting of massive dark gray shales. Only the very basal shales are black and highly organic rich. The basal {open_quote}Hot Shale{close_quote} unit is a prolific source correlated to all the Paleozoic discoveries in Central and Eastern Saudi Arabia. In the Nafud Basin, Northwest Saudi Arabia, this same sequence acts as both source and seal to the underlying Ordovician reservoir, making the understanding of this sequence essential to the current exploration program underway in the region. Acquiring high resolution blostratigraphy and detailed source rock analysis substantially contributed to the better understanding of the regional depositional setting of the seal, source, and the reservoirs in the area. Graptolites and chitinozoans zonation were utilized to fine-tune the chronostratigraphy and to further subdivide this huge basin into more manageable subbasins. Regional chronostratigraphic analysis has indicated that the early Qusaiba transgression took place swiftly and covered all of the Arabian plate during early Rhuddanian time. Only high areas not covered by the Rhuddanian transgression and areas that experienced later uplift and erosion lack the Rhuddanian deposits.

On the basis of regional lithostratigraphic field mapping, and biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic interpretations, the definitions and ranks of the Late Valanginian? to Paleocene rock units that crop out in central Saudi Arabia were revised. The definition of the Late Valanginian? to Early Aptian Biyadh Sandstone is inconsistent with that of the same-named formation in subsurface Saudi Arabia. In outcrop, only the lower Dughum member of the Biyadh Sandstone corresponds to the subsurface Biyadh Sandstone. Accordingly, the Biyadh Sandstone at outcrop was redefined so as to correlate to the same-named subsurface formation; the term Dughum member is considered obsolete. Above the redefined Biyadh Sandstone, the Sallah Formation at outcrop (previously Sallah member of Biyadh Sandstone) yielded the Aptian and/or earliest Albian? ammonite Hypacanthoplites cf. milletianus d’Orbigny; it correlates (in part or completely) to the undifferentiated-Aptian Shu’aiba Formation in Abu Jifan field. The overlying Huraysan Formation (previously Huraysan member of Biyadh Sandstone) is assigned an Albian age based on its stratigraphic position above the Sallah Formation and below the Upper Albian and Cenomanian Majma Formation (previously Majma member of Wasia formation). The Huraysan Formation correlates by stratigraphic position and lithology to the Khafji and Safaniya members of the Wasia Formation in subsurface Saudi Arabia. The Majma Formation may correlate to the Mauddud, Wara and lower part of the Ahmadi members of the subsurface Wasia Formation in Saudi Arabia. The successively overlying Qibah and Malihah formations (previously Qibah and Malihah members of Wasia formation) complete the Cenomanian and Early Turonian succession below the pre-Aruma unconformity. These two formations may correlate to the upper part of the Ahmadi, Rumaila and Mishrif members of the subsurface Wasia Formation in Saudi Arabia. In central Saudi Arabia, the pre-Aruma unconformity is overlain by the Upper Campanian and Lower Maastrichtian Khanasir Member of the Aruma Formation. The Upper Maastrichtian Hajajah and Paleocene Lina members form the upper part of the Aruma Formation. In contrast, the subsurface Aruma Formation in Saudi Arabia may extend to the Coniacian Stage. The Biyadh Sandstone consists of coastal-plain clastics deposited during several transgressive-regressive sequences. It overlies the pre-Biyadh unconformity, which is represented by west-cutting regional erosion that reaches down to the Jurassic Dhruma and underlying Marrat formations. The overlying Sallah Formation represents a transgressive-regressive sequence deposited in lagoonal and tidal settings, and includes limestone beds with marine fauna. The overlying Huraysan Formation consists of fluvial, fining-upward clastics and is, together with older units, regionally eroded by the pre-Majma unconformity. The associated pre-Majma hiatus probably occurred in the Late Albian and is characterized by the Az Zabirah Bauxite, a deposit that reflects a pedogenic episode that occurred in tropical humid conditions. The fluvial and marginal marine clastics of the Majma Formation, and marine clastics and carbonates of the Qibah Formation, can together be characterized in terms of three flooding events. The Malihah Formation was deposited in mixed proximal settings (tidal to fluvio-deltaic) and exposed (paleosols with bauxite). It represents a regression associated with the eastward tilting of the Arabian Plate during Turonian tectonism along the Neo-Tethyan margin. Central Saudi Arabia remained exposed during the Late Turonian through Middle Campanian, during which times the pre-Aruma Bauxite formed. The Aruma Formation is characterized by four third-order sequences; one in the Khanasir Member, two in the Hajajah Member – all of Late Cretaceous age, and the Paleogene Lina sequence.

Background:Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is one of the most important threats to the equine industry globally. This is due to the poor performance of the affected horses, which requires euthanization of the infected animals upon the infection confirmation. Infected animals remain carriers throughout their life. EIAV infection has been reported in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, the EIAV status is never assessed in horses in the Gulf area, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Aim:This study aimed to perform molecular and serological surveillance among some horse populations in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:Sera and whole blood were collected from 361 horses and 19 donkeys from the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during January 2014-December 2016. Sera were tested by the commercial EIAV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Moreover, the collected blood samples were tested by the commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction kits.Results:Our serological surveillance revealed the absence of any antibodies against EIAV in the tested animals. Similar results were reported for the tested horses’ plasma. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in horses and donkeys from Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during the tenure of the current study. However, careful monitoring of the EIAV is highly recommended to avoid the emergence of such a virus in the horse population in Saudi Arabia.Conclusion:To the best of our knowledge, this is the first EIAV surveillance conducted not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Gulf area. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in the tested equine population in the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016.

Modelling terrestrial reptile species richness, distributions and habitat suitability in Saudi Arabia

A retrospective and prospective study of 1,000 ambulatory and hospitalized diabetic patients was done in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudis completed 777 (77.7%) and non-Saudis 223 (22.3%). Sex distribution was equal among Saudis, males 389 (50.1%) and females 388 (49.9%), but non-Saudi males were predominant at 153 (68.6%), non-Saudi females 70 (31.4%) reflecting the preponderant male expatriate labor force. A proportion of different types of diabetes was: IDDM 115 (11.7%), non-obese non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) 405 (41.0%), obese NIDDM 412 (42.1%), and early onset non-insulin dependent diabetes (diagnosis under 30 years of age), 43 (4.4%). Regarding treatment, 388 (40.6%) received insulin followed by sulfonylurea, alone in 330 (33.5%), diet only 117 (12.0%), combination sulfonylurea and biguanide in 113 (11.6%), biguanide alone in 13 (1.3%) and insulin plus tablets in 7 (0.8%). Of 472 and 426 patients, 29.7% and 30.0% had elevated total cholesterol or triglycerides respectively, while 77.2% of 373 patients had elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1). At least once in 998 patients, diabetic ketoacidosis occurred in 7.6%.

Interviewing 368 mothers revealed that 20.4% of babies were entirely bottle-fed at birth. The practice increased to 42.4% at 3 months and 47.2% at 6 months. The majority of mothers gave the lack of...

Eight clastic and carbonate lithofacies of Lower and Middle Jurassic age (the Marrat and Dhruma Formations respectively) have been identified. These lithofacies are mainly shales, shales‐and‐siltstones, siltstones‐and‐shales, sandstones, argillaceous limestones, calcarenitic limestones, calcarenites and dolomites. Intraclasts, pellets, oolites, gypsum, algae, and coral reefs were also found to be dominant among these lithofacies. Furthermore, these beds contained either restricted or diversifed biota, with a few sedimentary structures such as lamination, cross‐bedding and common bioturbation. Thus, it is presumed that the Lower and Middle Jurassic rocks in Central Saudi Arabia were deposited in very shallow (i.e. tidal flat and lagoon), shallow‐neritic, and deep‐marine conditions of the Tethys Sea.During Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) time, the Tethys Sea extended towards Arabia, forming an arcuate shoreline around the Pre‐Jurassic sediments. The greater part of the Arabian Peninsula was under very shallow marine (Tethys) water as is shown by the presence of tidal‐flat and lagoon deposits in northern Oman, Rub al‐Khali, parts of the Aden Protectorate and Yemen, central, eastern and NNW Saudi Arabia, the northern edge of Sinai, NW Jordan, Lebanon, central and northern Syria, and west, central and eastern Iraq and Iran (Fig. 5). On the other hand, east and north of this area, very shallow marine deposits overlaid the shallow‐neritic Tethys deposits.Further expansion of the Tethys Sea transgression occurred during Bajocian‐Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) time, when major parts of the Arabian Peninsula and its neighbouring regions were submerged below shallow‐neritic and deepmarine Tethys conditions (Fig. 6). During this time, shallow‐nentic Tethys conditions extended to include the Oman Mountains, as far west as western Rub al‐Khali, north to include Central Saudi Arabia, running through parts of its northern area and passing under the Saudi Arabia‐Iraq Neutral Zone and reaching SW Iraq, turning west to include part of the area of NW Arabia and reaching NW Jordan. Northern Oman, most of central Rub al‐Khali, eastern Saudi Arabia, western Iran, central and eastern Iraq, and eastern and northern Jordan, were covered by deepmarine Tethys waters (F&amp;. 6). However, simultaneously, SW Arabia, Yemen and the Aden Protectorate display a marked continuous sedimentation of continental and neritic conditions, as neritic deposits narrow toward the north.

Diagenetic controls on the quality of shallow marine sandstones: An example from the Cambro-Ordovician Saq Formation, central Saudi Arabia

Intestinal parasitic infection among foreign housemaids in northwestern Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.