Inter-ethnic marriages and severity of coronary artery disease:A multicenter study of Arabian Gulf States

AIM To assess the association of inter-ethnic vs intra-ethnic marriage with severity of coronary artery disease(CAD) in men undergoing angiography.METHODS We conducted a prospective multicenter,multi-ethnic,cross sectional observational study at five hospitals in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,in which we used logistic regression analysis with and without adjustment for baseline differences. RESULTS Data were collected for 1068 enrolled patients undergoing coronary angiography for clinical indications during the period of April 1^(st),2013 to March 30^(th),2014. Ethnicities of spouses were available only for male patients. Of those enrolled,687 were married men and constituted the cohort for the present analysis. Intra-ethnic marriages were reported in 70% and inter-ethnic marriages in 30%. After adjusting for baseline differences,interethnic marriage was associated with lower odds of having significant CAD [adjusted odds ratio 0.52(95%CI:0.33,0.81)] or multi-vessel disease(MVD) [adjusted odds ratio 0.57(95%CI:0.37,0.86)]. The adjusted association with left main disease showed a similar trend,but was not statistically significant [adjusted odds ratio 0.74(95%CI:0.41,1.32)]. The association between interethnic marriage and the presence of significant CAD and MVD was not modified by number of concurrent wives(P interaction > 0.05 for both).CONCLUSION Among married men undergoing coronary angiography,inter-ethnic,as compared to intra-ethnic,marriage is associated with lower odds of significant CAD and MVD.

Morphology and Phylogeny of Taeniacanthus yamagutii Shiino,1957(Hexanauplia:Taeniacanthidae),a Copepod Infecting the Gills of Rosy Goatfish Parupeneus rubescens(Mullidae)in the Arabian Gulf

The present study was to investigate the copepodid species infecting rosy goatfish Parupeneus rubescens,one of the most economically important fishes in the Arabian Gulf.A copepodid species identified from the examined fish specimens belongs to the Taeniacanthidae family and is labeled as Taeniacanthus yamagutii Shiino,1957,mainly depending on its morphological,morphometric,and ultrastructural characteristics,in particular the presence of maxilliped claw with a conspicuous digitiform process at the base,the terminal process of the second maxilla stout,and a setiform element at the tip of each exopod spine of legs 2-4.In order to ensure the accurate identification and exact taxonomic characterization of this species,the 28S rRNA gene sequence was analyzed.The result revealed that the present copepodid species belong to the Taenicanthidae family and has a close relationship with Taeniacanthus yamagutii(gb|KR048852.1)in the same taxon.The present study demonstrated that the rosy goatfish is a host for Taeniacanthus species,which will be helpful to prevent this parasitic infection.

Evolution of isotopic compositions in groundwater of the area between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf

The stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen have been implemented to assess the recharge mechanisms in an area in the UAE bounded to the northwestern part of the Gulf of Oman and the southeastern part of the Arabian Gulf. The conversion of stable isotopes to deuterium excess was utilized as a supportive tool to understand the proc-ess of groundwater recharge. The concluding results of this study showed that the origin of moisture is the Mediter-ranean Sea. The precipitation is the main source of recharge, in which the precipitation having undergone evapora-tion before recharge occurs. The comparison between regression line for data collected in 1996 and regression line for samples collected in 2006 suggests that the precipitation water which recharged the groundwater, was diluted with groundwater and this dilution is observed from decreasing of the deuterium excess of collected groundwater samples with increasing isotopes of oxygen. The dilution of groundwater with the recharge water suggests mod-ern-day recharge as it is seen from high deuterium excess that exceeded the deuterium excess of LMWL and was close to MMWL.

Coral Assemblages in the Southeastern Arabian Gulf (Qatar and Abu Dhabi, UAE): Various Stages of <i>Acropora</i>Recovery a Decade after Recurrent Elevated Temperature Anomalies

This study describes the coral communities near Qatarand Abu Dhabi (UAE) ten years after the recurrent elevated temperature anomalies of 1996, 1998 and 2002 which resulted in the mass mortality of Acropora spp. Data derived from photo transects taken over a four-year period were analyzed to characterize the existing coral communities, to compare these to the pre- and post-disturbance communities in the adjacent waters near Dubai, and to project the time-frames required for the communities to return to pre-disturbance levels. The massive corals, dominated by Porites spp. and faviids, showed no long-terms affects associated with exposures to the three thermal anomalies;whereas acroporids, comprising 0% - 8% of the live coral cover, were in various stages of recovery. Projections indicated that acroporid regeneration will require 15 - 32 years to achieve the ≥40% pre-disturbance area cover. The existing communities are too small in size and number to be self-seeding;thus, they are dependent upon the recruitment of larvae from remote refuges of colonies that survived the thermal anomalies. Efforts to identify these refuges and to establish appropriate multi-national conservation programs shall become critical to the future survival of acroporids throughout the southeasternArabian Gulfas the projected regeneration times exceed the periods between disturbances, which are expected to occur more frequently as a result of global climate change.

Effects of Multi-Stage Flash and Reverse Osmosis Desalinations on Benthic Assemblages in Bahrain,Arabian Gulf

Marine environment of the Arabian Gulf is naturally stressed due to marked fluctuations in sea temperatures and high salinities. Anthropogenically induced stresses including waste water discharges from desalination plants could pose additional threats to the coastal and marine ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf. Macrobenthic assemblages in the proximity of two major desalination plants that use Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) and brackish water Reverse Osmosis (RO) technologies in Bahrain were investigated. Reduced levels of biodiversity and abundance were recorded in sampling stations adjacent to the outlet of MSF reflecting severe impacts on macrobenthic assemblages caused by brine effluents that associated with high temperatures, salinities, and a range of chemical and heavy metal pollutants. Although localized severe impacts on macrobenthic assemblages were detected, collective discharges of desalination effluents, may synergistically contribute to the degradation of the naturally stressed marine ecosystems and natural resources in the Arabian Gulf.

WIND ENERGY MAP OF ARABIAN GULF

Wind power is not only pollution free and renewable but is becoming more economical with technology development. The countries around the Arabian Gulf region are investing for wind powers both the land and in their marine space. A detailed study on wind power resource in the Arabian Gulf is not available. This paper is on the wind energy resource availability over Arabian Gulf waters, covering 2300 grid points. The data available with Coastal Information System data base at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait, from 1979 to 2015 is used. The probability density and power density were derived from these data source. Weibull probability density function has been fitted to the wind speed data and the wind power density was evaluated. The study is carried out at 10 m, 30 m and 50 m elevations. The central location of the Arabian Gulf has higher annual average wind speed, ranging from 6 to 8 m/s at 10 m elevation, 7 to 8 m/s at 30 m elevation and 8 to 9 m/s at 50 m elevation. The scale parameter “c” at central location of Arabian Gulf is found to range from 6 - 8 m/s for 10 m elevation, 7 - 8 m/s for 30 m elevation and 8 - 9 m/s for 50 m above sea level. The Weibull shape parameter k varies from 2.5 to 3 at the north and central of the Arabian Gulf. The annual mean wind power density over Arabian Gulf Waters is the highest in the central region of the Gulf. The power density at 10 m, 30 m and 50 m hub height varies between 200 to 300 w/m2, 200 to 300 w/m2 and more than 300 w/m2 respectively. It is attractive to install large scale wind power generation at the central region of the Arabian Gulf and at elevations of 30 m or 50 m, since this region lies in Class 2 category of the Wind Energy Resource Atlas of the United States. The wind power density is attractive especially in summer season around the central region location in Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar), since high rate of power is used for air conditioning systems in summer.

Solutes in native plants in the Arabian Gulf region and the role of microorganisms: future research

Aims One of the outstanding challenges facing humankind is increas-ing crop production under various types of severe environmental conditions.Many measures have been taken to adopt molecular and biotechnological approaches that lead to the development of transgenic plants able to deal with such harsh and polluted envi-ronments.However,such solutions could be very expensive and require considerable efforts and time to achieve these objectives.The main objective of this review is to discuss the new biological solutions that have emerged in the last decade,as environmentally friendly approaches,perhaps to support and/or replace the present efforts.These solutions based on plant-microbe interactions could be a lifeline and promising alternative strategy to create plants with a high resistance to the extreme environments.Methods During the last two decades research projects have been conducted to study the ecology,identify the features,and the ecophysiology of native plants and the associated microorganisms in the Arabian Gulf region and particularly in Qatar.Many physiological and bio-chemical parameters have been determined,including organic sol-utes(amino acids like proline,glycinebetaine,soluble sugars,etc.),photosynthetic pigments,organic acids and inorganic ions espe-cially heavy metals,along with the physical and chemical proper-ties of the soil in various locations of the State of Qatar.Also,the microorganisms adjacent to and associated with these native plants were identified to elucidate the possible roles in the soil biota in supporting these plants against extreme environmental conditions.Important Findings Investigations of native plants in the Arabian Gulf states during the last decade have shown that wild plants exhibit different abili-ties to accumulate organic solutes to cope with the harsh natural environments.Pollution is a major factor stressing wildlife in this region due to the expansion of urban sectors and industrial activi-ties of oil and gas.Compatible osmolytes,like proline,accumu-late in wild plants in response to severe environmental conditions and heavy metal contaminated soil.Accumulation of these solutes in plant tissues could provide some level of adaptation and resist-ance against all these types of environmental stresses.We present some promising efforts in the Arabian Gulf region to remediate desert soil and water polluted with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons.Substantial evidence is introduced about the roles of microorganisms associated with wild plants in natural habitats,such association may help them cope with the extreme stresses.Possible mechanisms adopted by microorganisms in alleviating the harsh abiotic stresses facing the wild life are discussed,one of which is the promotion of biosynthesis and transport of organic solutes to the plants.Also,the main possibilities of the origin of activities of the accumulation of compatible organic solutes are suggested and the objectives of the future research are discussed.

Microplastic in Commercial Fish in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Part 3. The Arabian/Persian Gulf

The manuscript reviews the available literature of 2015-2022 on the microplastic content in commercially important fish species, molluscs and crustaceans in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. The literature on microplastic concentrations on beaches, in subtidal sediment, and in surface water of different regions of the Arabian/Persian Gulf is evaluated, also. Overall, the reported concentration of microplastic in marine organisms in the Gulf has been found to be less than for comparable waters such as the Mediterranean Sea. The highest microplastic concentration within the region of the Gulf has been found on its Northern shore, in Iran, where also most of the microplastic studies within the region stem from.

加速发展的阿拉伯半岛城市轨道交通

介绍目前阿拉伯半岛地区如火如荼的城市轨道交通建设,回顾并且分析迪拜、科威特、阿曼、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯等一些海湾地区城市和国家轨道交通系统的规划、建设和运营情况。

阿拉伯海湾地区的汉语教育政策变迁与汉语教育的发展

文章在概述当前阿拉伯海湾地区汉语使用与教育现状的基础上,回顾了该地区外语教育政策从早期官方语言主导到现今多语教育政策导向的历史发展趋势,重点追溯了该地区汉语教育政策起于中国汉朝时期,发展于20世纪,繁荣于21世纪的演变历程,分析了影响汉语教育政策演进的三个因素,试图指出当前是在阿拉伯海湾地区推广汉语教育的历史机遇期,建议汉语教学在当地的开展能在初期强调汉语学习的工具化功能,以期更好地适应阿拉伯海湾地区的人文氛围。

Transport of Suspended Solids in Dammam (Saudi Arabia) Coastal Areas: Fish Market Works

Some new projects are considered in the eastern coasts of Dammam city, Saudi Arabia Dredging operations would significantly alter coast hydrological and sediment transport processes. It is important that the project areas must keep flushing the fresh sea water in and out with good water quality parameters, which are currently facing increased pressure from urbanization and navigation requirements in conjunction with industrial developments. A suspended solids or sediments are expected to affect the flora and fauna in that area. A numerical modeling study in needed to study the effect of dredging and in particular the suspended sediments concentrations (mg/L) changed in the region. The results were obtained using finite element method and Newton-Raphson iterations.

波斯湾海岸线石油污染残留状况

分析1991年波斯湾溢油事故发生后20年内,石油污染物在海岸线的迁移转化规律,波斯湾海岸线石油污染残留组份主要分布在高潮位岸滩下,其余分布在水覆盖的滩涂、盐碱滩、沙质滩涂和海滩中,污染物组分最深可达岸滩下1 m,底栖掘洞动物活动促使石油污染层加深。在石油污染物达到海岸线的最初几年中,在物理、光化学降解、生物等作用下,发生风化作用,石油污染物暴露越充分,风化程度越高,高度风化的样品中多环芳烃含量相对较高。海岸线污染区域中部分地区重金属V、Ni、Cr含量偏高,其中部分地区Cr质量比值超出美国环保署标准值数倍。

Geo-Historical and Geomorphological Evolution of the Sabkhas and Ridges at the Al-Khiran Area, State of Kuwait

The State of Kuwait is located in the northwestern Arabian Gulf. It is characterized by arid to semi-arid weather. This study’s concerned with the southern coastal area of the Al-Khiran. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and study the geo-history and evolution of geomorphologic features, especially coastal Ridges and Sabkhas in the Al-Khiran study area. This study based on the field observations as well as the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques to establish a geodatabase for the study area in different disciplines. The results showed that the Al-Khiran coastal area was affected by the sea level fluctuation and coastal sedimentation during the Holocene and late Pleistocene. The coastal Ridges were originally coastal dunes, which were composed during the sea regression periods and consolidated with time. These Ridges were developed with time and separated the Al-Khiran area as a closed lagoon. This lagoon dried with time and formed a Sabkha field, especially on the depression zone that intersected or surrounded with the coastal Ridges. The Remote Sensing change detection technique shows that the changes were mainly concentrated on covering Sabkhas in some locations and might be due to the impact of active sand sheets and Aeolian sands. Land development in the Al-Khiran area led to the demolition of most of the coastal Ridges and Sabkha deposits.

Evaluation of the Environmental Impact Assessment System in Bahrain

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was formally adopted as a measure to protect the environment in Bahrain in 1998. A decade after its implementation, this paper evaluates the current EIA system in Bahrain using a set of criteria. The evaluation was based on review of literature, investigation of legislative and administrative framework and interviews with EIA practitioners. Several measures are required to further strengthen the EIA system in Bahrain including amending EIA laws to include whole aspects of EIA process, developing comprehensive guidelines on procedural EIA, increasing public participation, improving capacity building and integrating environmental concerns to higher-level policy making through existing national environmental strategies. Findings of this study could contribute to wider international experience of EIA performance in developing countries.

Facies Associations and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Toarcian Marrat Formation(Saudi Arabia) and Their Equivalents in Some Gondwanaland Regions

The Toarcian Marrat Formation is exposed in outcrops in central Saudi Arabia and displays a variety of clastic and carbonate facies associated with well-preserved depositional geometries. It is unconformably overlies the Triassic Minjur Formation and it in turn is overlaid by the Middle Jurassic Dhruma Formation. Thirteen lithofacies types can be identified that permit the recognition of five lithofacies associations in a mixed clastic/carbonate platform. These lithofacies range from low-energy peritidal, intertidal, and back-shoal to moderate-and high-energy shoal and foreshoal lithofacies associations. The Marrat Formation exhibits three depositional sequences, each sequence is grouped into a transgressive systems tract(TST) and a highstand systems tract(HST) and then bounded by sequence boundary surfaces(SBSs). The TSTs are generally identified in clastic tidal-flat beds and back-shoal wackestones, while the HST is generally recorded in the carbonate tidal-flat and shoal. The vertical succession of facies associations from peritidal to foreshoal depositional environments is indicative of a deepening upward and retrogradational systems tract, from Lower to Upper Toarcian. The correlation between the studied sections reveals a general shallowing towards the south and the similarities between the studied sequences and others in the Arabian Gulf, the northern Neo-Tethys Plate, and Gondwanaland countries.

Influence of aerial seed banks on germination response in three desert plant species

Aims To determine if the germination response of desert plant species to a period of aerial storage in field conditions(i.e.mature seeds that remain attached to the parent plant)is comparable to seeds harvested at maturity and stored in ambient laboratory conditions,to better understand the role of aerial seed bank in the germina-tion ecology of desert plants,using one annual and two perennial species.Methods Seeds of three desert plants(Anastatica hierochuntica,Blepharis ciliaris and Scrophularia deserti)that matured in June 2014,were collected from wild plants in June and November 2014,and ger-minated under two photoperiods(0,12 hours light)and three ther-moperiods(night/day temperatures of 15/25,20/30 and 25/35°c).Important Findings Seeds of B.ciliaris and S.deserti had significantly higher germination percentages when harvested and stored for five months,compared to being stored in the aerial seed bank.Germination percentages of these two species increased with decreasing temperature and in the presence of light.These results indicate that these species use a com-bination of aerial and soil seed banks to maintain a percentage of viable seeds through favourable germination periods.Germination percentages of A.hierochuntica were high under all tested circum-stances,indicating that this species relies mainly on the aerial seed bank to maintain a percentage of viable seeds through favourable germination periods.This study shows that the population survival strategies of an aerial seed bank are species-specific.These results have practical implications for conservation and habitat restoration for these species,and also for their propagation since early collec-tion of mature fruits and ex situ storage will result in greater germi-nation percentages of some species.

Strategic Belonging:Hindu Identity and Performance in Oman

This study focuses on the multiple ways in which the Hindu community in Oman negotiates its religious identity in an Islamic country by strategically using its historic mercantile relations with the ruling families,maximising the use of public-private spaces,and creating and participating in transnational networks as ways to cope with state restrictions.Using Vertovec’s notion of‘complexifying complex diasporas,’this study examines how Hindus,while being publicly‘invisible,’have been able to possess a continuing cultural platform which is leveraged to acquire opportunities for religious performance.However,challenges to such strategic belonging have been rising rapidly with the rise of right wing Hindu ideology within and outside India.The repercussions of the establishment of a Hindu state in India on its diaspora,particularly in an officially Muslim country,are rife with challenges.Alternative strategies may have to be explored by the community to assert its identity and religious practices,as well as secure its future in Oman.