Persian Gulf Research Articles

AI-driven forecasting of harmful algal blooms in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using remote sensing

AI-driven forecasting of harmful algal blooms in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using remote sensing

Assessment of heavy metals concentration and health risk in four species of Persian Gulf sharks in Hormozgan Province.

Marine pollution is a growing concern that threatens ecosystems and endangers human health. This study investigated the bioaccumulation of six heavy metals, including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in the muscle tissue of Codium arabicum, Coilia dussumieri, Rhizoprionodon oligolinx, and R. acutus from in Hormozgan province, Iran, between November 2023 and March 2024. The primary focus was to provide insights into these elements' distribution and accumulation patterns in Persian Gulf sharks. Moreover, it aimed to assess the potential risks of chemical contamination in the Persian Gulf. Samples were collected, prepared through acid digestion, and analyzed using Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to qualitatively and quantitatively determine Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations. The mean heavy metal concentrations in the examined sharks follow the order Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > Hg. The highest mean concentrations of all the tested heavy metals were observed in C. arabica. Furthermore, the THQ value for Hg (1.07) in C. arabica raised concerns, particularly for individuals with high fish consumption, such as fishermen. With the THQ value exceeding 1, there is a clear need for heightened concern regarding the carcinogenic risk associated with dietary mercury exposure. Consequently, our findings showed the initial account of metal concentrations in Persian Gulf sharks, indicating elevated concentrations in individuals that may lead to sub-lethal effects. In conclusion, these results emphasized the potential toxicity of C. arabica meat and held significant implications for human consumers.

Molecular identification and characterization of waterborne protozoa among stranded Dugong dugon.

The Persian Gulf hosts the second-largest population of Dugongs. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as Vulnerable to Extinction species. Incidental fishing, vessel strikes, environmental pollution, habitat degradation, and infectious diseases currently threaten these sirenians. While research focused on the abovementioned threats, little is known about pathogen infections, particularly waterborne parasites. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the waterborne parasites, namely Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium, Dientamoeba fragilis, Giardia duodenalis, and Toxoplasma gondii in the Qatar Dugongs population. Hence, twenty-three tissues from stranded Dugongs' carcasses were collected postmortem and subjected to DNA extraction and parasite qPCR screening. Only Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium species were detected in different tissues across the tested animals harboring genotypes ST1 and Cryptosporidium hominis IbA9G3, respectively, with the first-time report of Blastocystis sp. within sirenian hosts. Continuous monitoring should be provided to shed lights about the contamination sources of these endangered species and clarify the zoonotic potential transmission routes between wildlife and humans.

P-936. Incidence and Risk Factors for Ventricular Assist Device Infections: A Retrospective Review from the Middle East Gulf Region

Abstract Background A ventricular assist device (VAD) is either a destination therapy or a bridge to heart transplant for patients with end-stage heart failure. Unfortunately, VAD infections are a major complication postimplant. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes for patients with VAD infections. Baseline characteristics and risk factors for patients implanted with ventricular assist device. Methods We performed the single-center, observational, retrospective study on all patients who underwent VAD implantation between May 2016 and August 2022 with a minimum of 12-month follow-up post-placement. We defined VAD infections according to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) criteria, classifying infections into VAD-specific and VAD-related. We included all patients above 18 years of age with VAD and excluded patients who underwent VAD implantation outside our facility. Results We included 29 VAD patients, of which 16 were HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), 12 were HeartWare ventricular assist devices (HVADs), and one was a biventricular assist device (BiVAD). We reported an overall incidence of 41.3% (n=12/29) of VAD infections during the study period. Within one year post-implantation, we had two VAD-specific driveline infections, which isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus from the pus culture, and seven VAD-related infections (mediastinitis and bloodstream infections). Bloodstream infections included coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=4), Klebsiella pneumonia (n=1), andCandida tropicalis (n=1). We also had three patients with driveline infections one year after implantation. There were 15 patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and one on Impella®. The mean (SD) length of stay during VAD infection was 56.5 (±37.6) days, all-cause mortality for patients with VAD infections was 41.6% (n=5/12), and the overall all-cause mortality in our study was 44.8% (n=13/29). Conclusion The VAD infections for patients on additional cardiac implantable electronic devices, multiple device reinterventions, or requiring temporary mechanical support complicate the overall outcome. Further studies with a larger population from the region are necessary to make better decisions about preventing and treating VAD infections. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Significance of the GCC Countries in India’s Quest for Energy Security: Understanding the Trends and Challenges

The Gulf region has grown in importance as a strategic partner of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was brought to light in February 2024 when Modi visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar on his second last trip prior to India’s national elections in April-May 2024. The Gulf is now a top focus for foreign and security policy under Modi, and it is a crucial component of India's “extended neighbourhood,” where New Delhi has growing influence and interests. One of India's most important trading partners these days is the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council). Overtaking the European Union, the area accounted for 15.8 percent of India’s overall trade in FY 2022–2023. At the centre of this partnership are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India's third and fourth-largest commercial partners, respectively. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have donated $3.2 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, to India, while the United Arab Emirates has already invested $15.3 billion. Even if these investments show a strong economic alliance, the GCC and India have yet to finalise their 2022 proposal for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This progress has been halted by bureaucratic delays and differences among GCC member states. However, such a deal would be a significant step towards boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially as India looks to establish itself as a hub for investment and manufacturing in the face of changing global supply chains. The strategic alliance between India and the GCC nations is examined in this essay. India’s four-pronged energy security strategy-diversifying energy supplies, expanding India's exploration and production footprint, increasing the use of alternative energy sources, and addressing the energy transition through gas-based economies, green hydrogen, and electric vehicles-has helped the country navigate through the most difficult energy crisis the world has seen since the 1973 oil crisis. From 27 countries in 2006-07 to 39 in 2023-24, India expanded its crude oil supply base, adding new suppliers such as Columbia, Russia, Libya, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and others, while fortifying ties with nations like the US and Russia. However, the GCC countries continue to be India’s primary source of imports, accounting for over 65 percent of our total imports, despite India’s continuous efforts to diversify its economy and secure its growing energy needs from around the world. For this reason, energy plays a significant role in the relationship between India and the GCC countries. India’s steady availability to energy supply is essential to its fast economic expansion. India’s reliance on oil and hydrocarbon imports in general, which currently account for 37.5 percent of our total imports, would expand significantly in the future due to the country's growing use of fossil fuels, prompting it to look for more robust energy security. Thus, foreign diplomacy is an essential instrument for guaranteeing India’s energy security. As a result, energy security is now a key component of Indian foreign policy. This essay examines India’s energy security strategies, interests, and obstacles in the region. It also looks at how much India’s quest for energy security influences its policies in the Gulf. The role of the GCC nations in India’s pursuit of energy security is examined in this essay. The four literature reviews that form the basis of this paper are: an overview of India’s energy policy and Gulf region policy; the significance of energy cooperation with the GCC countries; India’s energy security challenges; and an assessment of the role of energy in India’s Gulf region policy.

Correction: Improving the modeling of bathymetry in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea using data assimilation of geodetic observation data

Correction: Improving the modeling of bathymetry in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea using data assimilation of geodetic observation data

Impact of static and dynamic foam properties on enhanced oil recovery: an experimental analysis

Foam performance is notably diminished in high-salinity environments. This study investigates foam stability at the optimal concentrations of various surfactants under different salinity conditions. Unlike many prior studies that focus on moderate salinity levels, this work specifically studies the surfactant performance under extreme salinity conditions representative of Persian Gulf seawater. Static tests were conducted using shaking bottle experiments, with brine salinities ranging from 0 to 4 wt% and surfactant concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5 wt%. For sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), foam stability was increased at higher salinity. This improvement was attributed to enhanced surfactant adsorption, which strengthened the liquid film stability and increased surface elasticity. To further explore the impact of surfactant type and concentration on oil recovery factor, a series of experiments were performed in a glass micromodel. The surfactant performance is highly dependent on the salinity of the injected solutions. Among the surfactants tested, Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) demonstrated the highest oil recovery efficiency, particularly in conditions resembling Persian Gulf salinity, due to its superior ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT). SDS also performed well, though its stability varied with salinity, whereas the effectiveness of Cocamidopropyl Betaine (betaine; CAPB) decreased significantly as salinity increased. The novelty of this research lies in the optimization of surfactant structures for micromodel tests and the comprehensive evaluation of surfactant performance across a range of salinities. The research meticulously determines the optimal surfactant concentrations based on foam half-life values, ensuring that the selected concentrations maximize foam stability and oil recovery efficiency.

Methana Magmatic Observational Experiment (MeMaX) – seismological monitoring of magmatic and tectonic activity in the western Saronic Gulf region, Greece

Large-scale historical volcanic eruptions caused significant destruction in the Mediterranean region (e.g., Thera/Santorini explosion circa 1600 BCE). The South Aegean Volcanic Arc remains active, and in addition to primary volcanic hazards such as ashfall and lava flows, active submarine and coastal volcanoes have the potential to trigger tsunamis as secondary volcanic hazard. These tsunamis pose a threat even to far-distant coastlines. With increasing population density, infrastructure development, and seasonal tourism, both primary and secondary volcanic risks along the Aegean coasts are increasing, even with respect to smaller, more frequent eruptions. Our focus is on the western Saronic Gulf region within the Aegean Sea, as possible impacts may even extend into the greater Athens metropolitan area. There, the dormant volcanoes of the Methana volcanic system, which last erupted in 230 BCE, and the submarine Pausanias Volcanic Field pose an underappreciated hazard. We search for evidence of yet undetected magmatic activity through the identification of related microseismic events and describe the design of the related MeMaX experiment. Since 2019, the National Observatory of Athens and the University of Patras operate six seismic stations on Methana and the nearby Peloponnese mainland. In March 2024, an additional 15 seismic recording stations were deployed for a two-years period across Methana, Aegina, Agistri, Kyra, and Poros islands and the mainland Peloponnese. This network configuration provides a dense and good azimuthal coverage of seismic ray paths for earthquake location and structural analysis. The continuous recordings enhance the observational capacities for earthquake detection, e.g. the first results indicate that the noise at the recording sites is quite low and that low magnitude events to ML ca. 0 can be recorded with a very good signal-to-noise ratio. This geophysical experiment is partof the MULTI-MAREX initiative.

Biomonitoring potential of trace metal accumulation and bioavailability in coral skeletons and reef sediments of Persian Gulf: A comparative study.

Nayband Marine National Park in the northern Persian Gulf is an important ecological areas, significantly impacted by industrial activites that poses risk of trace metal pollution to living organisms. In this study, we investigated the bioaccumulation of trace metals in scleractinian corals using annual growth bands and biota-sediment accumulation factor to assess their potential as biomonitoring organisms. Furthermore, to assess the sediment quality, sediment pollution indices and international guidelines was employed. To achieve this, three Faviidae coral and sixteen sediment samples were collected in March 2023 from three sites: an industrial zone (site I), a rural fishing zone (site II), and a marine protected area (site III). In first step, coral samples washed, sun-dried, sliced into 1-cm slabs, X-rayed to reveal annual growth bands, and powder was prepared from each growth band. Then freeze-dried sediments and coral powder were ground, sieved (63 μm), digested (using United States Environmental Protection Agency - Method 3050b) and filtered (Whatman No. 42). Finally, trace metals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry instrument. The results show severe anthropogenic pollution at sites I and II compared to site III and significant differences between their sampling stations. Mg and Sr concentrations were highest in sediments and corals, respectively, while, Co is lowest in both. According to the sediment pollution indices, Site I showed the highest potential toxicity to biota, followed by Site II and then Site III. The results also suggest that the Faviidae corals are effective bio-indicators for Pb, Li, Cu, and Ni contamination.

Cybersecurity in Digital Accounting Systems: Challenges and Solutions in the Arab Gulf Region

Cybersecurity in Digital Accounting Systems: Challenges and Solutions in the Arab Gulf Region

Radical Islam in Kyrgyzstan

In the last approximately 10–15 years or so, the tendencies towards radical Islamization of Kyrgyzstan have intensified, although it is not so much the Kyrgyz as the Uzbeks and Uighurs who are more susceptible to it. However, the process is gaining momentum among the Kyrgyz as well. There are several reasons for this: socio-economic problems, insufficient work with the population of traditional Islamic structures, the process of flow from the south to the north, in relation to Kyrgyzstan, expressed in the departure of the European population and the influx of visitors from more southern states, including carriers of radical Islam. Among the latter, immigrants from Pakistan are the most active, but missionaries from the Persian Gulf and Turkey are active too. Among other things, many political parties of Kyrgyzstan, some of which directly call for the abolition of the constitutional norm on the secular nature of the Kyrgyz state, have begun to actively cooperate with radical Islamists. Christian religious structures also do not work enough with the titular population of Kyrgyzstan, either because of unwillingness to work (Orthodox), or because of the negative attitude of the authorities (Protestants). In the latter case, it is necessary to point out some laws of Kyrgyzstan that do not strike at Islamic radicals, against whom they seem to be aimed, but just at those who could resist them. Nevertheless, the situation does not seem hopeless yet and can be corrected.

Eating "rubbish"? Exploring the herbal secrets of "Laji-He," a traditional herbal rice snack from southern China

BackgroundLaji-He is a traditional rice-based snack from the Beibu Gulf region in southern China. In the Beibu Gulf region, "Laji-He" (literally "garbage He") signifies the removal of toxins from the body, making it a truly "green" food. Laji-He holds essential cultural and medicinal value, incorporating various medicinal plants into its preparation. Despite its local importance, there is limited scientific documentation on the ethnobotanical properties and cultural relevance of the plants used. This study aims to analyze the medicinal plant used in Laji-He and its implication in human medicine.MethodsEthnobotanical surveys and interviews were conducted in the Beibu Gulf region, covering local markets and communities. Voucher specimens were collected and identified for each plant collected, using botanical references, while the relative frequency of citation index was used to assess the cultural importance of each plant. Additionally, the medicinal properties of these plants were categorized based on traditional Chinese medicinal theory and modern pharmacological literature. A detailed review of historical texts and local chronicles was also performed to trace the historical development and cultural changes of Laji-He.ResultsA total of 63 medicinal plants from 36 families and 53 genera were documented, with Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae being the most frequently represented families. The most commonly used plants, such as Paederia foetida, Piper sarmentosum, Houttuynia cordata, Centella asiatica, and Morus alba, were primarily utilized for their heat-clearing, detoxifying, and wind-dampness expelling properties. Laji-He serves as a symbol of cultural identity and community cohesion, particularly during traditional festivals and family gatherings, reinforcing collective memory and local heritage.ConclusionsLaji-He is a traditional functional snack, with the plants used in its preparation serving as both food and medicine. Preserving and promoting the culture of Laji-He can contribute to enhancing food security and sovereignty at both the local and national levels.

Inter‐population variations of saccular otolith of Walton's mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

AbstractUnderstanding population structure is crucial for predicting species' responses to environmental change and elucidating evolutionary history. This study investigated the population structure of Periophthalmus waltoni in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using landmark‐based geometric morphometrics (GMM) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) methods on sagittal otoliths. The objectives were to (i) examine otolith shape variation across different populations and (ii) compare GMM and DWT methods for resolving population differences. Both methods distinguished populations based on general otolith shape, with DWT revealing finer details due to its high accuracy in detecting otolith margins. Interestingly, populations from Sistan‐Baluchestan and Hormozgan, despite geographical separation, showed minimal variation in shape, suggesting environmental factors may influence otolith morphology. Distinct otolith shapes in the Khuzestan population, likely due to geographic isolation, may be influenced by the mangrove forests near Qeshm Island acting as barriers to larval dispersal. This aligns with molecular data and indicates that the relatively young eastern Persian Gulf may also contribute to these differences. Our findings revealed distinct geographical patterns in otolith shape, highlighting the influence of local environmental factors and larval dispersal on population differentiation. These results provide valuable insights into P. waltoni's population structure and evolutionary history, advancing our understanding of its adaptation to the diverse environmental conditions of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Do coastal salt mudflats (sabkhas) contribute to the blue carbon sequestration?

Blue carbon represents the organic carbon retained in marine coastal ecosystems. Sabkhas (an Arabic for “mudflats”), formed in tidal environments under arid conditions, have been proposed to be capable of carbon sequestrating. Despite the growing understanding of the critical role of blue carbon ecosystems, there is a current dispute about whether sabkhas around the Persian Gulf can contribute to carbon retention as a blue carbon ecosystem. The arguments often lack data on a critical contributor, inorganic carbon in the form of carbonates, which can drive the net carbon exchange with the atmosphere. In this study we inventory organic and inorganic carbon retention capacity in two contrasting sabkhas of the Qatar Peninsula: carbonaceous Dohat Faishakh and siliciclastic Khor Al-Adaid. Despite the differences in organic carbon stock between the two sabkhas, the Dohat Faishakh sabkha has higher (37.17 ± 0.81 Mg Corg ha−1) than it is in the Khor Al-Adaid sabkha (13.75 ± 0.38 Mg Corg ha−1) for 0. 44 m sediment depth, the organic carbon retained in sabkhas is similar to those reported for mangroves and salt marshes. Notably, calculated CO2 net sequestration indicated that both sabkhas evade CO2 into the atmosphere. Thus, carbonate formation negated organic carbon accumulation in carbonaceous sabkha. Consequently, for proper evaluation of sabkhas as a blue carbon ecosystem, an inorganic carbon analysis, especially of carbonate formation, is inevitable. Considering only organic carbon stock may ay overestimate carbon sequestration capacity.

Exploring the Desirable Attributes and Competencies of Pharmacy Clinical Preceptors: A Scoping Review.

Experiential learning is a vital component of health-professional education. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-life settings before becoming licensed practitioners. Preceptors (i.e., practice educators) play a crucial role in developing students' professional skills and competencies, as well as shaping their attitude during their clinical training. Ensuring preceptors' quality and preparedness is a key aspect in students' experiential learning due to the important impact of the provided training on the quality of the students' learning experience. There is a knowledge gap about the desired attributes of pharmacy preceptors in the Gulf region, specifically Qatar, highlighting the need to explore preceptors' views on this topic. The aim of this scoping review is to identify the available tools in the literature to explore the desirable attributes of pharmacy preceptors as clinical educators. The objectives are to explore the reported desirable attributes of clinical preceptors in the published literature and select and utilize an appropriate tool to identify the desirable attributes of pharmacy preceptors in Qatar. The scoping review was designed to identify the relevant original research articles, which were published in English language, utilizing CINAHL, ERIC, ProQuest, and PubMed databases. Key concepts were preceptorship, attributes, pharmacy, and tools. Quantitative and mixed-methods study designs were included. The included articles were summarized according to their design, setting, population, and outcomes. The validity of the used instruments in these studies was reported. A total of six articles qualified for inclusion into the full screening and were used to inform the results of this review. Skills like being a role model, assessment, and feedback expertise were of the highly important attributes to different populations (i.e., students, graduates, and preceptors). The review revealed the need for more validated tools in pharmacy research to increase the knowledge about the desired qualities of preceptors. Finally, a list of the most reported attributes in the literature was created after grouping all the reported attributes into five categories: (1) knowledge, teaching, and presentation skills; (2) professionalism and development skills; (3) communication skills; (4) supportive mentoring; and (5) enthusiasm and interest. the top three identified attributes were related to communication, assessment and feedback, and professionalism. The results of this review demonstrated a lack of well-designed and validated tools in pharmacy research that can be used to explore the desirable attributes of pharmacy preceptors. This necessitates further research to develop and validate a new appropriate tool to ultimately understand the perceptions of pharmacy preceptors on this topic. Including more databases in the research could have enriched the findings.

Sustainable synergy: exploring the nexus of green initiatives and digitalization in gulf countries – a comprehensive study on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators

Purpose This research investigates the trajectory of Gulf region, focusing on the interplay between environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and key elements – digital economy, green economy (GE), green finance, green energy and green innovation. This study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how Gulf economies align their developmental pursuits with sustainability principles amidst the rapid evolution of digital technologies. Design/methodology/approach A data set of 95 listed companies from six Gulf Cooperation Council countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates – from year 2016 to 2022 was compiled from reputable sources. Using fixed effect regression techniques, this study explores relationships, accounting for individual and time-specific variations. Findings This study indicates that key factors – digital economy, GE, green energy and green innovation – significantly influence ESG performance across Gulf nations underscoring the potential for strategic integration of these elements to enhance sustainable practices. However, the nonsignificant impact of green finance highlights a need for further exploration and refinement of financial mechanisms to effectively contribute to ESG goals in the Gulf region. Research limitations/implications The findings underscore the importance for Gulf policymakers to prioritize ongoing support and policy formulation fostering digitalization and green initiatives. Businesses in the region can enhance ESG performance by integrating sustainable practices, promoting long-term resilience and reputation. Investors and financial institutions can use these insights to guide investment decisions, prioritizing projects contributing to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Originality/value Amidst the current sustainability imperative, this research holds unique value in its timely exploration of the Gulf region’s sustainable landscape, providing crucial insights into the interplay between ESG factors and digital and green initiatives.

Metaverse literacy among Gulf region librarians: Understanding immersive technology adoption and perceptions

This study aims to investigate the current landscape of immersive technologies and metaverse literacy among librarians in the Gulf region, exploring their familiarity, perceptions, and potential impact on library services. A cross-sectional design was adopted, utilizing a comprehensive survey questionnaire distributed to library professionals in six Gulf countries. The survey collected data on participants’ familiarity with immersive technologies, perceived importance of metaverse literacy, and barriers to adoption. The findings indicate a significant level of familiarity among librarians with immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual environments (VEs). There is a consensus among participants regarding the importance of metaverse literacy for providing relevant and up-to-date library services. Despite this recognition, various barriers to adoption were identified, including cost, lack of expertise, privacy concerns, and technical limitations.

Using neutron-compressional to shear sonic porosity logs for electrofacies-based permeability prediction: Permian–Triassic sequence of the central Persian Gulf

In subsurface reservoir studies, permeability is an unpredictable parameter, and the main challenge is identifying a parameter that strongly correlates with it. To address this, analyses were conducted using a comprehensive dataset. The study is based on 1575 thin sections obtained from approximately 402.63 meters of cores, along with 1445 porosity and 1390 permeability data points. Additionally, wireline log data covering 462.63 meters from the Dalan and Kangan formations in a key well located in the central Persian Gulf is included. Based on the available logs, artificial effective porosity logs were obtained through the deterministic petrophysical evaluation methods, using sonic, density, density/neutron, and neutron/sonic. The flow zone indicator, Winland’s R35 and electrofacies were used to manage the heterogeneity. It was concluded that the effective porosity log employed the ratio of compressional to shear wave velocity instead of the sonic log in the neutron/sonic method, demonstrate a strong correlation with permeability. Therefore, it can be used for predicting this variable parameter in heterogenous reservoirs. In this study, a new, repeatable, data-driven approach is introduced that uses wireline log-derived porosity logs. The unique use of Vp/Vs ratios in constructing effective porosity logs offers a novel, highly correlated predictor of permeability.

Instructional leadership and student achievement across UAE schools: Mediating role of professional development and cognitive activation in teaching

While instructional school leadership remains a focus of scholarly inquiry due to persuasive evidence regarding its contribution to school improvement, most of the existing literature on the influence of leadership on school improvement and student learning has been based predominantly on a more developed Western context. To establish a comprehensive international knowledge repository on instructional leadership across diverse social and cultural contexts, the present study aims to explore the influence of instructional leadership on teachers’ professional learning and instructional practices as well as student achievement as measured by standardized testing in the United Arab Emirates. We conducted multilevel structural equation modeling using the Program for International Student Assessment 2022 dataset that includes 8715 teachers and 21,176 students from 724 schools. We found that instructional leadership is indirectly related to student math achievement, mediated by two dominant types of teacher professional development (traditional and reform-based) that influence teachers’ teaching strategies to activate students cognitively. This paper adds to the growing international literature on international educational leadership by investigating a previously underexplored context within the Gulf region. It suggests that instructional leadership could be a pivotal practice in fostering both reform-based and traditional teacher professional development activities, student-centered teaching and math achievement.

Sarcocystis Cymruensis in the Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) from an Urban District in Kuwait: Detailed Morphologic and Molecular Characterization.

The objective of the study was to establish the prevalence of Sarcocystis (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in brown rats from Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Kuwait, and to describe detected parasites using morphological and DNA analysis methods. Ninety-eight brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) were examined for Sarcocystis spp. Obtained sarcocysts were investigated using light microscopy and electron microscopy. The detected Sarcocystis species was characterised at nuclear 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2, (ITS1 and ITS2), mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and cytochrome b (cytb), and apicoplast RNA polymerase beta subunit (rpoB). Sarcocysts were found in thigh muscles of 13.3% of the animals examined, while no oocysts/sporocysts were detected in faecal samples. Under a light microscope, sarcocysts were spindle-shaped, 850-3152 × 73-125μm (1781 ± 763 × 99 ± 15μm) in size and had thin (up to 0.9μm) and apparently smooth cyst wall. By transmission electron microscopy, sarcocyst wall was 0.7-1.1μm in thickness with numerous osmiophilic bleb-like protrusions. Based on DNA sequencing the sarcocysts examined were identified as S. cymruensis. Notably, ITS2 and rpoB sequences of S. cymruensis were obtained for the first time. No intraspecific variation was detected comparing 28S rRNA, ITS1, cox1 and cytb sequences of S. cymruensis isolated from Kuwait, Grenada and China. According to phylogenetic analysis, S. cymruensis was most closely related to S. muris, S. myodes and S. ratti using rodents as their intermediate hosts and cats as their identified or predatory mammals as their presumed definitive hosts. We present the first report of S. cymruensis in Kuwait and in Persian Gulf area. The study shed light on the usefulness of different genetic loci for the characterization of Sarcocystis spp. from rodents.