Nonlinear dynamical systems with hidden attractors represent a recent and highly active area of research. In this work, the following novel class of four dimensional dynamical memristive vector field is considered []. χ=y∂/∂x+z∂/∂y+w∂/∂z-(z+(1+x)y+a1w+a2z2w)∂/∂w. Such a vector field exhibits a line of equilibrium points Ex(x,0,0,0) passing through the origin. In a specific region within the parameter space, this system displays hyper-jerk dynamics, resembling a dynamical system with concealed attractors. The behavior of the proposed vector field is analyzed by identifying periodic solutions. First, an explicit condition is determined to ensure that the origin, which is a non-isolated singular point has a pair of purely conjugate eigenvalues. In a particular scenario, the equilibrium point(-1,0,0,0)∈Ex undergoes a zero-Hopf bifurcation. The first-order averaging method is used to find periodic solutions; however, it does provide any information about periodic solutions that could emerge from the zero-Hopf bifurcation point. Furthermore, we show that the Jacobian matrix of the system, when evaluated at the origin, exhibits one zero eigenvalue, one negative eigenvalue, and one pair of conjugated purely imaginary eigenvalues. A periodic solution is then found by introducing a small perturbation to the parameter a1 in the system, expressed as a1=1+ϵ, where ϵ is a sufficintly small parameter. This perturbation is analyzed using the bifurcation theory, leading to the emergence of a periodic solution in the center manifold. The periodic solution bifurcates from a non-isolated singular point located at the origin, as demonstrated through the application of first-order averaging method. This method confirms that the required conditions for the existence of a periodic solution are satisfied.

This paper introduces a characteristic method for solving linear first-order hyperbolic partial differential equations in two space dimensions. The algorithm employs rational Wachspress-type basis functions applied to a hexagonal discretization of the domain, integrated within the Eulerian-Lagrangian Localized Adjoint Method (ELLAM) framework. The proposed scheme preserves the strengths of characteristic methods and delivers accurate numerical results, even with large time steps. Computational tests conducted on standard benchmark problems illustrate the effectiveness of the method.

The Length of Stay (LOS) of patients is an important tool to help and assist the managers of hospitals. The distribution of LOS data is, however, right skewed (asymmetric). Hence, appropriate models are needed in order to fit such data properly. The aim of this study was to investigate LOS data, collected from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sultan Qaboos University hospital. To that end, the data were fitted by four widely used models: Weibull, Gamma, Lognormal, and Loglogistic. Unknown parameters were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The empirical study revealed that Gamma model outperformed the other competitors; and therefore, it has been used as a predictive model.

Water-borne parasitic infections have become a source of concern in recent times due to the contamination of various water sources. A survey on the parasitic contamination of local drinking water sources in Aba metropolis was carried out between August and October 2018. This was done to evaluate the extent of contamination of these water sources and their public health implications. A total number of eighty (80) water samples were investigated from five (5) major water sources within the study area using the standard sedimentation method and examined for parasite cysts, eggs and larvae. Physical/macroscopic examination was done to determine the pH, colour, odour, temperature and presence/absence of particles. Among the water sources analyzed, stream water samples had the highest rate of parasite contamination 27 (44.3%) followed by river water 14 (22.9%) while the least contaminated was borehole 7 (11.5%). Rainwater was found free from parasitic infestation. The differences in the level of contamination among the water sources analyzed were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Five parasites Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides of Entamoeba coli and Hookworm were observed. Each of the sample sources except rainwater harbored at least one of these. Among these parasites, Giardia lamblia had the highest rate occurrence of 15 (24.6%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica 14 (22.9%) and the least frequently occurring parasite was hookworm 8 (13.1%). Most of the identified water sources are utilized by the populace who lack access to potable water. The detection of protozoan and helminthic parasites in drinking water sources is a serious public health concern, hence the proper implementation of a supply of safe drinking water is vital.

The orbits space of an irreducible representation of a finite group is a variety whose coordinate ring is finitely generated by homogeneous invariant polynomials. Boris Dubrovin showed that the orbits spaces of the reflection groups acquire the structure of polynomial Frobenius manifolds. Dubrovin’s method to construct examples of Frobenius manifolds on orbits spaces was carried for other linear representations of discrete groups which have in common that the coordinate rings of the orbits spaces are polynomial rings. In this article, we show that the orbits space of an irreducible representation of a dicyclic group acquires two structures of Frobenius manifolds. The coordinate ring of this orbits space is not a polynomial ring.

Identification of fish species accurately is required to support efforts for conserving fishery biodiversity assessment and sustainable management. Recently, environmental DNA (eDNA) was suggested for regular monitoring of species for effective management of biodiversity. In Oman, molecular reference library representing fish species from the Omani coastline can support such potential approaches. In this communication, we used a local mtDNA-16SrRNA reference library representing Sparidae fish species from the Omani coastlines to identify two Sparidae eDNA sequences (zotu24 and zotu85, from Muscat and Dhofar, respectively) from Acanthopagrus and Diplodus genera reported by a recent eDNA study from Oman. The two species are found to be Acanthopagrus berda and Diplodus cervinus and their sampling sites matches the locations range of the reference specimens. The results indicate the utility and importance for DNA markers’ reference library representing fish species from the Omani coastline to effectively sustain the marine resources using emerging technologies. Keywords: Sparidae, eDNA; 16SrRNA; Acanthopagrus berda; Diplodus cervinus; Oman.

This study was conducted to assess the phytochemical, antistaphylococcal and antioxidant properties of the leaf and stem bark of Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia. Ethanolic extract of the leaf and stem bark of Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia was obtained using standard methods. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical properties of theJatropha plant was assessed using standard methods. Antistaphylococcal and minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts were assessed against Staphylococcal aureus obtained from different sources using agar diffusion method. Ferrous ion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of the extracts were also determined using standard methods. Quantitative phytochemical screening revealed that the distribution of phytochemicals in the two Jatropha species do not follow a regular trend. However, saponin was highest in Jatropha curcas stem bark (35.64 mg/g) while Jatropha gossypifolia stem bark and leaf have the highest flavonoid (31.35 mg/g) and alkaloids (23.20 mg/g) respectively. The antistaphylococcal effect of the combined extract was higher and significantly different (P≤0.05) than when used singly. The highest antistaphylococcal effect (19.83mm) was recorded for the combination of Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia leaf (JCL and JGL) against Staphylococcus aureus obtained from blood. Antioxidant assay of extracts revealed a concentration dependent effect. The antioxidant activities of the extracts vary from one extract to the other. The results obtained from this study indicates that bioactive compounds present in Jatropha curcas and Jatropha gossypifolia can be exploited as source of effective antistaphylococcal and antioxidant compounds.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is arguably the worst health crisis the world has faced in the 21st century, and the World Health Organization declared this a “public health emergency of international concern” during the beginning of the pandemic and continued for a significant period of time. Considering the public health risk and the delay in introducing a suitable medical intervention to eradicate this virus, many reserachers embarked on different technologies to develop a cure. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising weapon in the fight against COVID-19 and other similar viral diseases. The unique qualities of nanomaterials make them excellent for a variety of applications, including the development of low-cost, real-time diagnostic systems, reusable personal protective equipment, and innovative carriers for biological cargo such as mRNA in vaccines and CRISPR/Cas9 in gene editing. In this review the current available pharmacological and non-pharmacological options that are being used around the world against COVID-19 are compared with their nanotechnological counterparts. Here, we also elaborate the advantages of currently available nanotechnology-based diagnostics, protective equipment, vaccines and therapeutics and discuss future directions and steps that should be taken to translate these technologies into a clinical setting to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examined the COVID-19-related knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and associated mental health status during COVID-19 among the students of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman using an online cross-sectional survey conducted from 26 March - 25 April 2021 among the students of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple logistic regression analysis, were used for data analysis. Of the 1,951 respondents, 60% were females with a mean age of 22 years. About 13% were tested COVID-19 positive and 3.6% were tested positive. Overall, students demonstrated a high level (81%) of knowledge and a positive attitude (83%) towards COVID-19. Knowledge appeared as a significant predictor of positive attitude. Despite the high level of knowledge and positive attitudes, there prevails some misconceptions or stigma to a group of students as about one-third of the students opined COVID-19 was a natural catastrophe and 13% of students were in favor of keeping it secrete if infected. The study documented a high prevalence of mild to severe levels of depression (66.3%), anxiety (69.2%), and stress (71%) among the students. Younger age, female, undergraduate students, single marital status, college of study, and good knowledge about COVID-19 appeared as significant predictors of mental health problems among the students. For improving the mental health and well-being of the students, the SQU authority should provide feasible psychological support to the students, with particular attention to the identified sub-group of students. Efforts should be made to remove the COVID-19-related stigma through mass-media campaigns.

Background: High-reliability organizations (HROs) of healthcare are facing tough challenges to improve nurses’ psychological safety and intent to stay through maintaining organizational resources, work flexibility, environmental safety, and effectively managing stress and anxieties the nurses face in the workplace. Aim: This study aims to identify the relation between perception of working at HRO, psychological safety and intent to stay among Dar Al-Fouad Hospital nurses. Design: A correlational ex-post facto research. Setting: The study was conducted at Dar Al Fouad Hospital. Study subjects: A simple random sample of nurses who are working in Dar Al Fouad Hospital n=225. Tools: Three instruments were used in this study: the instrument one Part (1) - personnel data, Part (2) - Safety Organizing Scale; instrument two - team psychological safety scale, and instrument three - nurses’ intent to stay scale. Results: The total perception levels of HRO was moderate 64.5%, psychological safety was moderate 75.6%, and intent to stay was moderate 89.3% among the studied sample. Conclusion: There was negative statistical significance relation between staff nurses’ total perception level regarding HRO, and psychological safety and intent to stay. Recommendation: Health care managers at HRO work to improve nurses’ psychological safety and intent to stay through providing personal and professional support, encouraging to report mistakes, ask questions, receive effective feedback, and see mistakes as opportunities to learn. Keywords: High reliability organization; Intent to stay; Psychological safety.