Eastern Saudi Arabia Research Articles

Future Projections of Diabetes-Related Amputations in Eastern Saudi Arabia During 2022-2045 Using a Validated Epidemiological Model.

Diabetes-related amputations (DRA) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are limited studies on the burden of this condition and its future projections in Saudi Arabia. To estimate future forecasts in the burden of DRA (number of cases and mortalities) among adult diabetics (aged ≥20 years) in Al-Ahsa, Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia from 2022 to 2045. A simulation epidemiological model was designed and validated. It is a simple discrete-state model composed of multiple states, in which diabetics make annual transitions to either 'Major Amputations', 'Minor Amputations', or 'No Amputations' states, and then to two states of mortalities. The data inputs required are minimal, including the total diagnosed cases of diabetes for 2022 and transition parameters obtained from recent published literature. The model used some reasonable assumptions and scenarios for testing potential uncertainties around the model outputs. Model validation was conducted by comparing its estimates with the observed local data from two main hospitals in Al-Ahsa for 2022. The model projected that the total number of DRA among diabetics in Al-Ahsa will increase from 129 (uncertainty interval (UI): 103-154) in 2022 to 169 (UI: 136-203) in 2030 and 227 (UI: 182-272) in 2045, assuming that the incidence rates of major and minor amputations among diabetics will remain constant. However, assuming that these incidence rates will show a gradual decline of 20% every three years, the model predicted the total number of DRA to decrease from 103 (UI: 82-124) in 2022 to 91 (UI: 73-110) in 2030 and 61 (UI: 49-74) in 2045. DRA impose a considerable burden on patients and the healthcare system, despite the possibility of a potential decrease in incidence rates.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision-Making in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Palliative care in Saudi Arabia has witnessed significant recent progress through the establishment of the Saudi Society for Palliative Care and the National Palliative Care Program. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care and end-of-life decision-making in Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Central provinces among individuals residing in these regions. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey-based research design, we assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care and end-of-life decision-making in Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Central provinces. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling via social media. Data collection included demographic information, palliative care knowledge, attitudes toward palliative care, and cultural influences on end-of-life decisions. A total of 710 participants completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 85%, with a balanced gender distribution, predominantly aged 25-54. Over half were healthcare providers, many possessing more than 15 years of healthcare experience. A substantial proportion had received formal palliative care training and had personal involvement in end-of-life decisions. While most participants demonstrated a good understanding of palliative care, knowledge gaps, especially regarding its timing, persisted. Generally, participants felt at ease discussing end-of-life care and believed in palliative care's effectiveness. Cultural influences on end-of-life decisions were perceived both positively and negatively, with some facing cultural challenges in palliative care. This study underscores a promising understanding of palliative care in Saudi Arabia alongside persistent misconceptions. It highlights the necessity for targeted education to rectify misperceptions, particularly concerning the initiation timing of palliative care. Cultural factors strongly impact end-of-life decisions, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive healthcare discussions and provider training.

Integrated remote sensing data and machine learning for drought prediction in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Integrated remote sensing data and machine learning for drought prediction in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Spatiotemporal changes in Universal Thermal Climate Index in the Middle East and North Africa

A fast temperature rise has made the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region a global hotspot of extreme heat events. Previous studies conducted in the region to evaluate extreme heat based on temperature were inadequate for assessing heat based on human thermal impacts. The present study employed the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). This index evaluates the changes in heat related to human thermal stress in MENA. This analysis employed the ERA5-HEAT dataset, derived from the Copernicus climate change service portal. The results showed that all the regions experienced an average daily UTCI representing extreme heat stress for 1 to 25 days. The daily maximum UTCI goes to the extreme level on average of 1 to 175 days a year, with the highest in the east and southwest. The annual mean UTCI in MENA is increasing from 0.1 to 0.7 °C/decade, with the highest increase in the northeast, covering eastern Saudi Arabia and most parts of Iraq and Syria. This caused a decrease in cold stress and an increase in hot stress days, with the highest increase in strong thermal stress days in the range of 4 to 16 days/decade in most of MENA. The trend in daily maximum UTCI also showed an increase in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 °C/decade, which caused an increase in the number of daily maximum UTIC above 46 °C or extreme level by 1 to 16 days/per decade, with the highest increase in central Saudi Arabia, northern Sudan and southern Mauritania. This study is the first to investigate UTCI trends in the MENA region and is expected to provide valuable information on hotspots and temporal trends in UTCI, serving as a foundation for future heat action plans to prevent heat-related illnesses throughout the region.

Addressing academic challenges: A quasi-experimental study on the effect of remedial exam strategy for nursing students with low academic performance.

Universities are responsible for providing education and support to all students, including those who may be underachieving. To fulfill this responsibility, universities need effective strategies to help these students graduate successfully. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a midterm remedial exam strategy in improving the academic performance of nursing students. A quasi-experimental design was employed to conduct this research at a private college in Dammam, Saudi Arabia's eastern region. The study included 306 convenient bachelor nursing students who had failed their midterm exam. Of these, 103 students voluntarily participated in the remedial midterm exam (intervention group) to enhance their midterm scores, while 203 students did not take the remedial exam (control group). Data collection took place in the spring of 2022 by reviewing course files and student records, encompassing formative and summative evaluations across 14 courses. Data analysis involved using SPSS (2023) and Jamovi (version 2.3, 2022) software to conduct paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney, and correlational tests. The remedial group demonstrated significant differences between their midterm and remedial exam scores. However, only 15.5% of students in the remedial group passed the exam, despite 68% showing improvement. Additionally, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in midterm and overall course scores. The control group outperformed the remedial group in the midterm, final exams, and overall course scores (p <0.05). Remedial exams can be beneficial for students who are close to passing but may not effectively support those who perform poorly. To address this, implementing a comprehensive remedial program or providing ongoing remedial activities throughout the course can offer better support for strongly underperforming students. Additionally, educational institutions can enhance students' motivation and performance by providing study skills classes and time-management workshops, equipping them with valuable tools for academic success.

Application of gravity and remote sensing data to groundwater potential in Wadi Ar-Ramah, Saudi Arabia

Water scarcity is developing in the Middle East as a result of the region’s growing population and tremendously advanced agricultural and industrial sectors. Saudi Arabia is the Middle East country with the highest water consumption, so there is an urgent need to take action, and new technology advancements in geophysical measurements allow for the monitoring of groundwater. Wadi Ar-Ramah is one region that has witnessed significant agricultural expansion as well as a serious over-exploitation of the groundwater resources that are available there. Depletion rate in groundwater of the Wadi Ar-Ramah basin at eastern Saudi Arabia was determined for the time interval of 04/2002 to 12/2021 using a combination of gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission and results of land surface models. The findings are: 1) the average yearly rainfall rate was computed at 87.7 mm yr−1 over the Wadi Ar-Ramah; 2) the terrestrial water storage variation (ΔTWS) was computed at −1.216 ± 0.013 cm yr−1; 3) the GLDAS-derived soil moisture (ΔSMS) was minimal at −0.32 ± 0.025 mm yr−1; 4) the GRACE-derievd groundwater decreasing rate was calculated at 1.212 ± 0.012 cm yr−1; 5) the relief of the ground surface is producing northeasterly streams that carry the minimal surface water to the east; 6) our integrated method provides a repeatable and cost-effective approach.

Utilization of chemostratigraphy to the subregional scale correlation of Permo–Carboniferous sediments, eastern Saudi Arabia

The following chemostratigraphy study was completed on the Permo–Carboniferous Unayzah Group in Eastern Saudi Arabia. The aim of the study was to determine whether the technique could be used to identify formation and member boundaries on a subregional scale, with the area extending for c. 550 km in a NW–SE direction and 350 km NE–SW. A total of 30 375 core and cuttings samples were analysed from 225 wells using ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) and XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) instruments, with data acquired for 42–53 elements for each sample in the range Na-U in the periodic table. Of these, details of 14 wells are discussed in the present work. Based on variations in Zr/Ti, Zr/U, Zr/Y, Y/U, U/Th, Gd/Zr, Nb/Yb and Nb/Th it is possible to identify a hierarchical order of one zone, four subzones and five divisions, these chemozones being correlative on a subregional scale. By comparing geochemical, biostratigraphic, sedimentological and wireline log data in selected reference wells, it was possible to relate chemozones to particular members of the Unayzah Group. The differences in geochemistry between these chemozones/members is largely explained by changes in provenance, though depositional environment may have exerted at least some influence.

Prevalence and awareness of Herpes Zoster Among Saudi Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, A Cross Sectional Study in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful vesicular rash that happens when an infection with the varicella-zoster virus in the sensory ganglia is reactivated. The incidence and severity of HZ and its complications increase with advancing age, with a marked increase after 50 years of age. In addition, diabetes mellitus has been found to be a risk factor for severe, persistent postherpetic neuralgia.&#x0D; Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in Al-Ahsa City, Eastern Saudi Arabia, in 2023. The study population included patients with DM who visit outpatient (ambulatory care) in primary or secondary health care setting. The convenience sample included 224 participants. A validated closed-ended interview questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS program version 28, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used.&#x0D; Results: The study included 224 participants, more than half (54.5%) of whom were female. The mean (SD) age of the sample was 61.1 ± 8 years. Most of the participants (97.8%) were married, and 29.0% had a secondary school education level. More than half of the participants (56.7%) had heard of HZ. Only 6.7% had been diagnosed with HZ, and 23.7% knew someone who had been diagnosed with HZ. In addition, 18.8% had been vaccinated against HZ. Most patients (80.8%) cited healthcare providers as their primary source of HZ knowledge, followed by friends/relatives (37.9%). More than half of the participants were aware of HZ (62.1%) and had a positive attitude towards HZ (55.8%) respectively. Awareness of HZ was positively correlated with a higher level of education, a high income, a short duration of diabetes, having heard of HZ, being diagnosed with HZ, knowing someone who had been diagnosed with HZ, and being vaccinated against HZ among diabetic patients.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results revealed low vaccination rates and low awareness of HZ. The study recommends that education in simple language should be provided through various media to increase community awareness about HZ and its vaccine. Additionally, healthcare providers should promote and recommend HZ vaccinations for DM patients.

Assessing compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, stress and job satisfaction among nurses

Orientation: Nurses experience occupational risks, including compassion fatigue and satisfaction with patient care, which could affect the quality of care provided.Research purpose: This study examined the prevalence of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), stress, and job satisfaction (JS) among nurses. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the predictors of nurses’ professional quality of life (ProQOL).Motivation for the study: This study aimed to inform policymakers about nurse well-being, improve working conditions, and provide valuable insights into quality of life.Research approach/design and method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 347 nurses from a teaching hospital in eastern Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using three scales: ProQOL, Nursing Stress Scale and the Job Satisfaction Scale.Main findings: The mean scores for CS, burnout, STS, nursing stress and JS were 38.1, 12.1, 23.0, 38.4 and 91.8, respectively. Predictors of CS included experience (≥ 26 years), stress and JS. Female gender, stress and JS were predictors of burnout. Nursing stress and JS were predictors of STS.Practical/managerial implications: The results of this study enhance policymakers understanding of ProQOL and contribute to improving nurses’ working conditions. Policymakers can provide the necessary support and ensure that nurses have the resources for optimal patient care.Contribution/value-add: This study addresses the gap in international comparative research on worker quality of life in developing countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council region, offering valuable insights into its dynamics and influences. This enhances our understanding of the critical aspects of workers’ well-being.

Linking the sedimentary cyclicity with mechanical and physical properties of limestone and marl rocks, Dam Formation, Eastern Saudi Arabia: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir development

Linking the sedimentary cyclicity with mechanical and physical properties of limestone and marl rocks, Dam Formation, Eastern Saudi Arabia: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir development

Evidence of the circulation of avian metapneumovirus in domestic backyard chickens in Eastern Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a recently discovered respiratory virus in chickens. Avian metapneumovirus has been linked to respiratory syndromes, reproductive failure in affected chickens and turkeys, swollen head syndrome in chickens, and rhinotracheitis in turkeys. Wild birds are considered potential reservoirs of aMPV, particularly aMPV-C. However, little is known about the prevalence of aMPV in Saudi Arabia. Considering the relevance of backyard chickens in the transmission and sustainability of certain avian viral diseases, this study aimed to assess aMPV exposure in backyard chickens and wild birds circulating near selected locations. We collected 368 serum samples from unvaccinated backyard chickens in ten locations in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we collected 78 serum samples from species of free-ranging birds belonging to the Columbidae family, such as pigeons and doves, captured from the same areas. Using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, we tested the sera of domestic backyard chickens and wild birds for antibodies against aMPV. Our results showed that 74/368 birds were positive for aMPV-related antibodies. Conversely, none of the tested wild birds seroconverted to aMPV. The antibody titers detected in the backyard chickens suggested recent exposure to aMPV. Considering these results, further large-scale serological and molecular studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of aMPV in these birds and characterize the circulating strains of aMPV in this region.

Oral manifestations associated with Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19): A questionnaire based hypothetical study.

Background: Since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2019, the virus has evolved drastically, presenting with sets of mutations that influence its properties, including transmissibility and antigenicity. The oral mucosa is postulated as probable portal entry and several oral manifestations have been identified, which places dental professionals in a position to recognize probable COVID-19 patients depending on oral signs and symptoms in the initial phases of the disease itself. As co-existing with COVID-19 seems to be a new reality, greater understanding is required regarding early oral signs and symptoms which can be predictors for timely intervention and prevention of complications in COVID-19 patients. The objective of the study is to identify the distinguishing oral signs and symptoms among COVID-19 patients and to establish possible correlation between severity of COVID-19 infection and oral symptoms. Methods: This study recruited 179 ambulatory, non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province's designated hotels for COVID-19and home isolated patients from the same region using a convenience sample method. Data was collected by qualified and experienced investigators, including two physicians and three dentists, using a validated comprehensive questionnaire through telephonic interviews with the participants. The X 2 was used to assess the categorical variables, and odd's ratio was calculated to determine the strength of the association between general symptoms and oral manifestations. Results: Oral and nasopharyngeal lesions or conditions like loss of smell and taste, xerostomia, sore throat, and burning sensation were predictors of COVID-19-related systemic symptoms such as cough, fatigue, fever, and nasal congestion were identified to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study reveals the occurrence of olfactory or taste dysfunction, dry mouth, sore throat, and burning sensation along with COVID-19 generic symptoms, should be considered as suggestive yet not conclusive indicators of COVID-19.

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain (MSP) Among Orthopedic Surgeons and Residents in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Area.

Orthopedic surgery is a tiring specialty both physically and mentally. Surgeons tend to hold strenuous postures for long periods of time. Orthopedic surgery residents are affected just as much as their seniors by the difficult ergonomics. More care should be aimed toward healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes and decrease the burden on our surgeons. The goal of this study is to pinpoint the areas of musculoskeletal pain among orthopedic surgery physicians and residents and its prevalence in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. A simple random selection of 103 male and female orthopedic surgery residents from Saudi Commission for Health Specialties accredited hospitals was enrolled in the study. Residents enrolled from the firstto fifthyear. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire based on the musculoskeletal Nordic questionnaire activated in 2022-2023. Out of 103, a total of 83 completed the survey. The majority (49.9%) were junior residents from residency year (R) 1-R3 and exactly 52 (62.7%) residents were males. The majority of the participants, which were 35 physicians (55.6%), perfume less than six operations as average operations per week, and duration stay in the operating room (OR) per operation there were 29 physicians (46%) stay in the OR for 3-6 h. The most reported sites of pain included lower back pain (46%), followed by neck pain (39.7%) and then upper back pain (30.2%). About 27% of the participants had the pain for more than 6 months, however, only 7 (11.1%) residents seek for medical help. Considering the associated factors with MSP, smoking, and residency year were significantly associated with having musculoskeletal pain (MSP). The presence of MSK pain among R1 residents represents 89.5%, in comparison with R2 residents Who reported 63.6% and 66.7% among R5 residents. This finding indicates a decrease in MSP among residents over the 5 years of residency programs. Additionally, the majority of the participants with MSP reported being smokers 24 (88.9%), controversy, only three of the participants represent (11.1%) without MSP and smokers. Musculoskeletal pain is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The results indicate that the most reported areas of MSP were the low back, neck, and upper back.Only a minority of the participantswent to seek medical help. Residents from R1 experienced more MSP than their seniors and this could indicate an adaptive behavior from senior staff. More research should be done on the topic of MSP in order to promote health among caregivers across the kingdom.

Effects of Seawater Intrusion on the Groundwater Quality of Multi-Layered Aquifers in Eastern Saudi Arabia

The degradation of groundwater (GW) quality due to seawater intrusion (SWI) is a major water security issue in water-scarce regions. This study aims to delineate the impact of SWI on the GW quality of a multilayered aquifer system in the eastern coastal region of Saudi Arabia. The physical and chemical properties of the GW were determined via field investigations and laboratory analyses. Irrigation indices (electrical conductivity (EC), potential salinity (PS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Na%, Kelly's ratio (KR), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), and permeability index (PI)) and a SWI index (fsea) were obtained to assess the suitability of GW for irrigation. K-mean clustering, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to determine the relationship between irrigation hazard indices and the degree of SWI. The tested GW samples were grouped into four clusters (C1, C2, C3, and C4), with average SWI degrees of 15%, 8%, 5%, and 2%, respectively. The results showed that the tested GW was unsuitable for irrigation due to salinity hazards. However, a noticeable increase in sodium and magnesium hazards was also observed. Moreover, increasing the degree of SWI (fsea) was associated with increasing salinity, sodium, and magnesium, with higher values observed in the GW samples in cluster C1, followed by clusters C2, C3, and C4. The correlation analysis and PCA results illustrated that the irrigation indices, including EC, PS, SAR, and MAR, were grouped with the SWI index (fsea), indicating the possibility of using them as primary irrigation indices to reflect the impact of SWI on GW quality in coastal regions. The results of this study will help guide decision-makers toward proper management practices for SWI mitigation and enhancing GW quality for irrigation.

Perceptions of leadership style between nurse managers and their staff in Eastern Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional survey

Background: Understanding nurses’ perceptions about their nurse managers is a crucial element to consider as it helps in the performance of the nurse managers and retention of nurses and reflects the nature of a competent workforce in achieving the organisational goals.Objective: To explore if there is a difference in perceptions of leadership style between nurse managers and their staff and discuss why this occurs.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive comparative research design was used.Results: Nurse managers rated themselves as using transformational and transactional factors more than the nurses perceived them utilising these various leadership styles. Nurse managers, however, rated themselves lower than nurses in both laissez-faire and management-by-exception-passive.Discussion: The leadership style preferred by the followers is consistently rated higher than the leadership style that their leaders are utilising. Formation of accurate self-perception is a delicate process, especially for people in management positions. Bias in higher self-ratings may occur for several reasons, including gender, which forms the basis of this discussion.Conclusions: The results highlight the need for nurse managers to reflect on their practices and find new ways to enhance their leadership styles.

Evaluation of an oral health programme targeting prison inmates in Saudi Arabia.

This paper aimed to evaluate the impact of an oral health programme targeting prisoners in eastern Saudi Arabia. The reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) strategy was used as the evaluation framework to assess both process and outcome. This annual programme included four stations: an interview, an educational session, dental examination and treatment. Programme indicators included the number of prisoners reached, percent improvement in oral health practices, teeth present in the mouth and percent reduction in dental treatment needs. A non-experimental pre- and post-programme evaluation design was implemented. Prisons in eastern Saudi Arabia were visited once a year from 2016 to 2019. The evaluation used primary data collected during the visits in the form of clinical examination and surveys. The number of beneficiaries increased from 270 to 634, and three cities within the Eastern province were covered. The percent of inmates who smoke and consume sugary drinks decreased by 24 and 30%, respectively; however, there was a 25% reduction in regular toothbrushing using a fluoridated toothpaste. The long-term outcomes showed an improvement in the overall oral health condition and treatment needs: periodontal treatment needs and surgical procedures were reduced by 91 and 79%, respectively. The programme was successful based on the RE-AIM framework. This is the first sustainable oral health programme targeting prison inmates in the Middle East. The findings indicate that the oral health programme had positive effects on prisoners' oral health and achieved its objectives. Such programmes can help address health disparities among populations.

Phenotypic and genotypic (exon 28) characterization of patients diagnosed with von Willebrand disease type 1 in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a plasma glycoprotein that plays a key role in hemostasis. Mutations in this protein can result in von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common form of bleeding disorder in humans. Patients with type 1 VWD have a quantitative plasmatic deficiency of normal structural and functional VWF. Our study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of VWD type 1 patients in eastern Saudi Arabia, focusing on exon 28. We included patients previously diagnosed with WWD type 1 at the King Fahad teaching hospital in Al Khobar and their family members. The correlations between various phenotypic data and genotypic (exon 28) were analyzed using statistical software (SPSS) version 21. While these variants were generally considered benign with minor clinical effects, our analysis did identify two pathogenic variants that could lead to severe VWD symptoms. Specifically, we found these two pathogenic variants in three VWD patients from Saudi Arabia, providing essential insights into pathogenic VWD mutations in this population. Our study, therefore, sheds light on the prevalence of VWF variants in the eastern province of the Kingdom and highlights the need for continued research into the genetic causes of VWD in this region.

A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Heat Island Intensity Influenced by the Substantial Urban Growth between 1990 and 2020: A Case Study of Al-Ahsa Oasis, Eastern Saudi Arabia

Rapid urbanization has recently led to a significant propagation of heat islands. This study aimed to analyze the spatio-temporal variation in urban heat islands (UHIs) at Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia, in addition to exploring the urbanization influence on UHI distribution over the last 30 years. The spatial variability in UHIs was assessed, the key determinant elements were identified, and the forms of distribution were delineated. Change detection, hot spots, and spatial autocorrelation were employed to study UHI distribution and intensity and to identify the clustering and correspondence between heat and urbanization. The results revealed a considerable increase in built-up areas from 17.15% to 45.8% of total land use/cover (LULC) from 1990 to 2020. No significant variations in UHI intensity were observed (10.4 °C in 1990 and 8.7 °C for 2020). However, a remarkable link was found between urbanization and heat, confirmed by hot spot clustering over intense urban complexes, while cold spot clustering was observed over date and palm tree areas, with 99% confidence for both. Lastly, the link between temperature and urbanization was also confirmed through spatial autocorrelation, producing Moran’s indices of 0.41 and 0.45 for 1990 and 2020, respectively, with an overall significance (p-value) of 0.001. The mechanisms applied have proven their robustness in assessing the effect of urbanization on heat island distribution and quantification.

Geological understanding of permeability upscaling in mixed carbonate siliciclastic reservoirs: An outcrop approach, Miocene Dam formation, eastern Saudi Arabia

In reservoir modeling and simulation, upscaling a fine-grid model (scale of millions of cells), which includes numerous geological details to a coarser grid model (scale of thousands of cells), is indispensable to reduce unachievably high computational time and costs. The upscaling process usually results in losing essential details of the fine-scale model and may introduce overestimating or underestimating reservoir properties. Although numerous mathematical approaches have been developed to reduce such limitations, linking upscaling process to the conceptual understanding of sedimentary geology is less well addressed. Such linkage is critical to establishing a predictive conceptual model of factors that affect the upscaling process, such as heterogeneity and connectivity of reservoir rocks. This study generated several upscaling scenarios and performed multiple runs of fluid flow simulation for three-dimensional porosity and permeability models of carbonate strata deposited in a tidal flat setting (the Miocene Dam Formation, eastern Saudi Arabia). The objective was to understand porosity and permeability upscaling in tidal flat carbonate reservoirs based on lithological distribution and mainly answer questions related to the impact of increasing cell size on the distribution of petrophysical properties and the effect of averaging methods (harmonic, geometric, and arithmetic) on permeability upscaling of tidal flat carbonate. The results showed that porosity values in the tidal flat carbonate are sensitive to upscaling procedures. The mean of the porosity values increases substantially with increasing the cell size of the upscaled models and results in an overestimation of the volumetric parameters of the fine-grid model. A possible reason for such overestimation is the diminishing of the percentage of the cells representing the mud-dominated facies, which in the field occur as thin and interbedded layers. Upscaled permeability showed variation based on averaging methods, and the results from fluid flow simulation provide means to select the appropriate upscaled permeability based on lithofacies distribution. Collectively, these results suggested that a geological understanding of the lithofacies distribution is necessary for the upscaling process. Such knowledge helps to select the appropriate cell size and method for permeability averaging.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management in the Middle East Countries

The primary goal of this article is to contribute to the field of technology adoption research by providing researchers, organizations, HR leaders, service providers, and decision-makers with advanced understanding and valid inputs on the development of AI-based HR solutions and the determinants of adoption. The overall objective of this research is to determine the general attitude of HR managers toward the adoption of AI in HRM and to assess the factors that determine the adoption of AI from the perspective of HR managers. The proposed adoption factors were grouped into four constructs, innovation characteristics, trust, technology-organizational-environment (TOE) factors, and emphasized HR roles within the organization. The research was conducted among HR managers in Middle Eastern countries, specifically Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 389 respondents. The results showed that respondents were largely positive toward AI applications in HRM. This positive attitude can be inferred from the mean values of two variables, relative advantage and attitude toward the application of AI in HRM. The research results showed that HR managers have a positive attitude and confidence that emerging AI applications can contribute to supporting the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of HRM. In addition, the results showed a constructive perception of the relative benefits of AI. Researchers, policymakers, and service providers are also recommended to investigate the phenomenon from two perspectives, first, the impact of attitudes on actual adoption decisions and second, the factors that influence this impact.&#x0D; Keywords: artificial intelligence, HRM, technology adoption, HR leaders, technologicalorganizational- environmental