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The objective of the study was to establish the relationship between corporate governance Index and financial performance and evidence from Amman stock exchange. To achieve this objective, this study applied descriptive research structure. In this case, the research focused on the 181 firms listed at the Amman Stock Exchange (Appendix I). The statistical techniques that was applied to analyze collected data included descriptive statistics. The information analyzed revealed that the model summary indicated that the R² to be 0.243. This meant that 24.3% of the variation in performance (ROA) was due to the predictor variable captured in the study. This also implied that 75.7% of the variation in ROA was attributed to the measurements of error and other factors that could have had an effect on the ROA but were not captured in the study. The estimated model showed that ROA when other factors are held constant was 1.610. The outcomes also revealed that governance score had a beta coefficient of 0.573 indicating that for every unit increase in governance score on the ROA went up by 0.573. This relationship is significance since P-value of 0.025

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between merger & acquisition and bank risks. The sample of the study consisted of 55 commercial banks sector listed on Orbs from (2011-2016). The results of the study showed that there is no relationship between the net benefit and bank`s risk, and also there is no relationship between the capital ratio and bank`s risk, and also there is no relationship between the equity ratio and bank`s risk, that there is a relationship between the capital ratio and bank`s risk. Generally, we note no relationship between the merger & acquisition and banks risk. The recommended of the study recommended that the most important of which are the concentration of banks in general on the level of losses they suffer due to the loans extended to customers and other institutions. JEL: G10; G21; G15 Article visualizations

A novel surface material was fabricated for the first time at a glassy carbon electrode based on electrochemical polymerization of poly(2,4,6-triaminopyrmidine) (PTAP) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). A schematic reaction mechanism was proposed to account for the aggregation of the polymer. The electrochemical performance and surface characterization were achieved employing cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microspectroscopy (AFM) and energy dispersive system (EDS). Synergistic effects of the composite hybrid of PTAP and AuNPs promote the catalytic efficiency of the developed (AuNPs-PTAP/GCE) sensor for the electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA). The sensor showed an excellent selectivity for DA quantification with a detection limit of 0.017 μM in electrolytic medium composed of large amounts of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). The sensor was also applied for DA detection in real samples with satisfactory coverage.

A composite electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor was constructed by electrochemical polymerization of 4-amino-3-hydroxynaphthalene sulfonic acid (AHNSA) and tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II), [Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ , from their aqueous solutions at glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The proposed one-step electrochemical synthesis of the composite film (Ru/PAHNSA/GCE) provides a stable and reactive luminescent for the quantification of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) in its pharmaceutical preparations. The properties and the structure of the modified surface were studied using typical voltammetric, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) methods. The intensity of the ECL as a function of [CPM] is linear for the range between 0.2 and 32 μg mL −1 with a detection limit of 0.023 μg mL −1 . The performance of the sensor was tested in the presence of interference species and for real sample analysis under optimal conditions.

Fragility hip fractures treated in a center in the Middle East were retrospectively studied for adequacy of osteoporosis management. Of the 318 patients treated, over 70% did not have a structured investigation and about 30% did not receive any therapeutic supplements. Our series showed a preventable 8.8% secondary fracture rate. To study the adequacy of evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis after fragility fractures of the hip. The study also attempts to estimate the prevalence of secondary fractures after the original injury. This is a retrospective evaluation of the electronic database to search all the admissions for fractures of the hip in patients over 50 years at a tertiary care Trauma and Orthopaedic center in the Sultanate of Oman. The study period was defined as October 2010 to December 2015. Their case records, BMD reports, and laboratory data were analyzed. Pharmacological interventions and the documented compliance with such therapy were also recorded. Over the study period, 318 fragility fractures of the hip were treated. Of these, 233 (73.3%) did not receive a DEXA scan and 94% did not have their vitamin D3 (vit D) tested. About 29.9% percent cases did not receive any nutritional supplement or therapeutic intervention though diagnosed as fragility fracture. Twenty-eight patients (8.8%) reported for secondary fractures of the hip. Of these, 86% was initiated on supplement after their index fracture though 78.6% had not had a BMD study. Less than 27% patients receive BMD test following fragility fracture of the hip and only 6% a vit D3 assay. Secondary fractures of the hip tend to occur in approximately 9% of the cases in Oman; this seems to occur equally in patients who have had as well as not had any calcium and vit D supplements after the index injury.

a b s t r a c t A solid-state sensor based on polytyramine film deposited at glassy carbon electrode doped with tris(2,2� - bipyridyl)Ru(II) complex (Ru/Pty/GCE) was constructed electrochemically. A redox property represented by (Ru(bpy)3)3+/2+ couple immobilized at the Pty moiety was characterized using typical voltammetric techniques. The XPS data and AFM images confirm the grafting of Ru species on the top of Pty while the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data supports the immobilization of both surface modi- fiers onto the GCE. The constructed sensor exhibits a substantial reactivity, stability and high sensitivity to chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) oxidation. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was brought down to 338 nM using differential pulse voltammetry method. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were evaluated using hydrodynamic method. The apparent diffusion coefficient and the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant for the CPM oxidation were 2.67 × 10−5 cm2 s−1 and 3.21 × 10−3 cm s−1, respectively. Inter- ference studies and real sample analysis were conducted with excellent performance and satisfactory results.

Considering Oman’s engagement in educational reforms that are aimed at improving the educational system to fit the needs and challenges of globalization and the current emphasis on the application of Interactive Teaching Methods (ITMs), this study sought to explore the experiences of Living Skills teachers in engaging in AR to improve Interactive Teaching Strategies (ITSs). It explores the experience of an Omani Life Skills teacher’s involvement in the participatory process of guided Action Research (AR) to improve her Interactive Teaching Strategies (ITSs). Focus is on how this involvement helped her improve her teaching as well as her views and understandings of Interactive Teaching Methods (ITMs). The findings indicate that the teacher was able to accomplish a good transformation of her understanding in some of Interactive Teaching principles and better application in her teaching while highlighting the barriers to the implementation of AR, such as lack of support, poor resources, and time constraints. These findings are hoped to contribute to efforts for developing better and focused teacher training methods for IT and AR support and implementation in Oman. Abstrak Memandangkan keterlibatan Oman dalam reformasi pendidikan yang bertujuan untuk menambahbaik sistem pendidikan supaya memenuhi keperluan dan cabaran globalisasi dan penekanan semasa terhadap aplikasi Kaedah Pengajaran Interaktif (ITM), maka kajian ini berusaha untuk meneroka pengalaman guru-guru Kemahiran Hidup mengaplikasi Kajian Tindakan (AR) untuk menambahbaik Strategi Pengajaran Interaktif (ITS). Kajian ini meneroka pengalaman seorang guru Kemahiran Hidup yang terlibat dalam proses penyertaan Kajian Tindakan berpandu bagi menambahbaik ITSnya. Fokus kajian tertumpu kepada bagaimana penglibatan ini membantu memperbaiki pengajarannya di samping pandangannya dan pemahamannya tentang ITM. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa guru tersebut berjaya membuat transformasi dalam pemahamannya tentang beberapa prinsip Pengajaran Interaktif dan juga boleh mengaplikasinya dengan lebih baik. Sementara itu kajian dapat juga menjelaskan halangan-halangan dalam melaksanakan AR, seperti kekurangan sokongan, sumber, dan masa. Adalah diharapkan bahawa dapatan ini dapat menyumbang kepada usaha membangun kaedah melatih guru yang lebih baik dan lebih fokus untuk sokongan dan pelaksanaan IT dan AR di Oman.

We report a 61-year-old male patient who presented with one month history of exertional dyspnea, persistent dry cough, abdominal pain with distension, poor appetite, and weight loss. This case illustrates a rare presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma with mobile right atrial thrombus and pulmonary embolism along with disseminated tumor thrombosis at multiple sites. Furthermore, this case reiterates that an early detection and diagnosis may have increasing importance in the advent of new therapies for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Acrolein represents a unique chemical approach to resolving water quality and injectivity problems resulting from bacteria and sulfides in secondary recovery systems. The key to this approach is three-fold: Acrolein is a potent microbiocide; it scavenges hydrogen sulfide (H2S); and it dissolves iron sulfide (FexSy). In the subject field trial, a 9-fold improvement in water quality and a 16% increase in injection water rates were achieved. This paper presents the results of a 9 week field trial of acrolein that was conducted using a batch application protocol in a 9,000 m3/day produced water injection system in a Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) field in the Sultanate of Oman. The results indicated a 90% reduction in planktonic sulfate reducing bacteria and 72% reduction in planktonic general aerobic bacteria over the course of the trial. Concentrations of dissolved H2S were lowered by 50%, with a consequent downward trend in oil-free suspended solids (OFSS). The impact on injection water quality was significant, reflected by a 9-fold improvement in Barkman and Davidson slope test results. The average total water injected per day increased from 9,019m3 to 10,442m3 (16%) over the duration of the trial. These findings are discussed in the context of best practices for injection water system management.

Abstract Currently, there are more than 10 oil producing station, in both North and South area operation of Petroleum Development Oman, which facing a unique gas hydrate problems. Most of these wells are producing by the support of gas lift. Therefore, it is very important that the gas lift network is kept optimally operating to maintain the intended production. The ambient temperature in Sultanate of Oman desert drops to as low as 5°C during the coldest 3 months in winter, when hydrates form in several gas lift lines. This causes affected wells to cease production and results in unscheduled deferment. So far, the problem was partly controlled by the use of methanol as hydrate inhibitor (a proven method used worldwide to restrict gas hydrate formation), however there are resulted many issues mainly HSE associated with the use of methanol. The main objectives of this project are to look the other chemicals alternative as hydrate inhibitor - move from methanol to another cost effective and safe chemical inhibitor and the goal is to ensure that the system is adequately inhibited against hydrate formation and that inhibitor injection is optimized. The second goal is to develop a warning system should hydrate start to form (prior to hydrate build up and pipeline blockage). The paper also defines laboratory testing as mandatory requirement to test an alternative hydrate inhibitor and practical facilities up grade. Introduction For many years, hydrate formation is a substantial problem oil and gas production, once plugs have formed; there are limited possibilities for removal. Common hydrate problem occur at sub sea pipeline, top side facilities or cold environment. Since the 1970's, the oil and gas industry has faced increasing costs associated with inhibition of gas hydrate formation, due to the development of offshore gas reservoirs. Gas hydrates are likely to form in subsea flowlines unless the water is removed down to the lowest dew point encountered, highly effective insulation is in place, or inhibitors are used. The first option is difficult when supersaturated condensates exist in the flowline even after the gas phase is stripped to saturation levels. Stripping condensate completely of water is prohibitively expensive and effective insulation is beyond current economic limits. Therefore, the most effective solution appears to be the use of inhibitors. Generically, there are two kinds of hydrate inhibitors: thermodynamic inhibitors, and the more recently identified low-dosage inhibitors.

Abstract The use of coiled tubing (CT) drilling technology is rapidly expanding and its important to note that the technology is still in the process of testing its boundaries and limitations. However, this is a necessary phase in the learning curve. Probably the most logical approach is to consider the market or application niches best suited to coiled tubing drilling technology. Six horizontal sidetrack wells were drilled in North Oman using CT. The objective of these trials was to evaluate the technical and economical feasibility of this drilling technique. For all the six wells, the existing completion was removed from just above the upper packer and the remaining completion abandoned, then a window was milled in the 7 inch casing, allowing the well to be sidetracked using a whipstock, and built up through the formation of interest. This paper discusses the three main problems faced during drilling these wells, and the suggestions for improvement. The problems discussed involves the following: difficulties in setting the whipstock, problems in cleaning the hole, and difficulties in handling the tubing. Whipstock types are discussed, and the one best suited for this type of application is recommended. A proposed schematic of a rig is shown to minimize the problem of handling the tubing for this type of application.