膏盐岩-碳酸盐岩共生层系岩石微相及储层特征——以阿布扎比B油田侏罗系Arab组为例

为探究膏盐岩–碳酸盐岩共生层系强非均质性问题,基于岩芯及测井资料,探究阿布扎比B油田Arab组岩石微相类型,分析各类微相的储层特征及优质储层主控因素。Arab组可识别出12种微相类型(MF1~MF12),微相类型及组合指示其为局限–蒸发背景下萨布哈潮坪–潟湖–障壁滩沉积体系。微相类型控制储层品质,其中MF2及MF9~MF12孔喉较粗,连通性好,孔隙度和渗透率较高,是储层发育有利微相类型。MF2和MF10发育白云岩储层,储集空间以晶间孔、残余粒间孔及粒内溶孔为主;MF9,MF11和MF12发育颗粒灰岩储层,储集空间以粒间(溶)孔、铸模孔及粒内溶孔为主。相对海平面的震荡性变化导致各沉积相带在纵向上的有序叠置,不同沉积相带之间或同一沉积相带内微相类型及成岩作用的差异性是Arab组储层强非均质性的根本原因。障壁滩和潮上带是优质储层发育的有利相带,其中障壁滩相优质储层原生粒间孔保持较好,并叠加显著的早期暴露溶蚀,导致次生孔隙的产生和孔隙结构的改善;潮上带优质储层的发育受控于早期白云石化和准同生溶蚀作用,白云石化改善孔隙结构,有利于早期孔隙保存,分散状硬石膏的早期溶蚀产生大量次生孔隙,显著地改善了储层物性。

Enhancement of the Antigenotoxic and Antioxidant Actions of Eugenol from Spice Clove and the Stabilizer Gum Arabic on Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Spices are defined as any aromatic condiment of plant origin used to alter the flavor and aroma of foods. Besides flavor and aroma, many spices have antioxidant activity, mainly related to the presence in cloves of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenoids and eugenol. In turn, the most common uses of gum arabic are in the form of powder for addition to soft drink syrups, cuisine and baked goods, specifically to stabilize the texture of products, increase the viscosity of liquids and promote the leavening of baked products (e.g., cakes). Both eugenol, extracted from cloves, and gum arabic, extracted from the hardened sap of two species of the Acacia tree, are dietary constituents routinely consumed virtually throughout the world. Both of them are also widely used medicinally to inhibit oxidative stress and genotoxicity. The prevention arm of the study included groups: Ia, IIa, IIIa, Iva, V, VI, VII, VIII. Once a week for 20 weeks, the controls received saline s.c. while the experimental groups received DMH at 20 mg/kg s.c. During the same period and for an additional 9 weeks, the animals received either water, 10% GA, EUG, or 10% GA + EUG by gavage. The treatment arm of the study included groups Ib, IIb, IIIb e IVb, IX, X, XI, XII). Once a week for 20 weeks, the controls received saline s.c. while the experimental groups received DMH at 20 mg/kg s.c. During the subsequent 9 weeks, the animals received either water, 10% GA, EUG or 10% GA + EUG by gavage. The novelty of this study is the investigation of their use alone and together for the prevention and treatment of experimental colorectal carcinogenesis induced by dimethylhydrazine. Our results show that the combined use of 10% gum arabic and eugenol was effective, with antioxidant action in the colon, as well as reducing oxidative stress in all colon segments and preventing and treating genotoxicity in all colon segments. Furthermore, their joint administration reduced the number of aberrant crypts and the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the distal segment and entire colon, as well as the number of ACF with at least 5 crypts in the entire colon. Thus, our results also demonstrate the synergistic effects of 10% gum arabic together with eugenol (from cloves), with antioxidant, antigenotoxic and anticarcinogenic actions (prevention and treatment) at the doses and durations studied, in the colon of rats submitted to colorectal carcinogenesis induced by dimethylhydrazine.

Effect of Gum Arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis as an Improver on the Rheological Properties of Wheat Flour Dough

Dough improvers are substances with functional characteristics used in baking industry to enhance dough properties. Currently, the baking industry is faced with increasing demand for natural ingredients owing to increasing consumer awareness, thus contributing to the rising demand for natural hydrocolloids. Gum Arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis is a natural gum exhibiting excellent water binding and emulsification capacity. However, very little is reported on how it affects the rheological properties of wheat dough. The aim of this study was therefore, to determine the rheological properties of wheat dough with partial additions of gum Arabic as an improver. Six treatments were analyzed comprising of: flour-gum blends prepared by adding gum Arabic to wheat flour at different levels (1%, 2% and 3%), plain wheat flour (negative control), commercial bread flour and commercial chapati flour (positive controls). The rheological properties were determined using Brabender Farinograph, Brabender Extensograph and Brabender Viscograph. Results showed that addition of gum Arabic significantly (p chapati. These findings support the need to utilize gum Arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis as a dough improver.

Physico-Chemical, and Sensory Properties of Mayonnaise Substitute Prepared from Chia Mucilage (Salvia hispanica L.) and Gum Arabic from Acacia senegal var. kerensis

Gum Arabic (GA) from Acacia senegal var. kerensis has been approved as an emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and encapsulator in food processing industry. Chia mucilage, on the other hand, has been approved to be used as a fat and egg yolk mimic. However, both chia mucilage and gum Arabic are underutilized locally in Kenya;thus, marginal reports have been published despite their potential to alter functional properties in food products. In this study, the potential use of chia mucilage and gum Arabic was evaluated in the development of an eggless fat-reduced mayonnaise (FRM). The mayonnaise substitute was prepared by replacing eggs and partially substituting sunflower oil with chia mucilage at 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% levels and gum Arabic at 3% while reducing the oil levels to 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60%. The effect of different concentrations of oil and chia mucilage on the physicochemical properties, for example, pH, emulsion stability, moisture content, protein, carbohydrate, fats, calories, ash, and titratable acidity using AOAC methods and sensory properties for both consumer acceptability and quantitative descriptive analysis of mayonnaise were evaluated and compared to the control with eggs and 75% sunflower oil. The results indicated that all fat-reduced mayonnaises had significantly lower energy to 493 kcal/100g and 20% fat content but higher water content of 0.74 than the control with 784 Kcal/100g calories, 77% fat and 0.39 moisture. These differences increased with increasing substitution levels of chia mucilage, as impacted on pH, carbohydrate, and protein. There was no significant difference between ash content for both fat-reduced mayonnaise and control. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that mayonnaises substituted with chia seeds mucilage and gum Arabic were accepted. All the parameters are positively correlated to overall acceptability, with flavor having the strongest correlation of r = 0.78. Loadings from principal component analysis (PCA) of 16 sensory attributes of mayonnaise showed that approximately over 66% of the variations in sensory attributes were explained by the first six principal components. This study shows good potential for chia mucilage and gum Arabic to be used as fat and egg mimetics and stabilizers, respectively, in mayonnaise with functional properties.

The Enforcement of Occupational Safety and Health Requirements in Public and Private Sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates

Research Problem: In Abu Dhabi, limited implementation of OSH Regulations contributes to the general unawareness among employees and workers about occupational hazards and safety measures, resulting in slow responsiveness toward enforcement measures and a lack of self-regulatory approaches within companies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation methods practised in Abu Dhabi with those in developed countries with established OSH regulatory bodies. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to gather primary research data. Workers from various industries in Abu Dhabi were sampled on purpose and asked to respond to questionnaires and interviews on OSH protocol awareness and implementation, and circumstances of workplace incidence. Results: The findings of this study showed that the enforcement of OSH requirements in UAE positively correlated to a reduction in the rate of work-related injury and improved business performance. The quantitative research data showed that the energy sector had the highest score (15) while the tourism sector had the lowest score (5.3) in occupational health systems and improvements in business efficiency and productivity. Implications: The outcomes of this study shed light on the importance of implementing OSH Guidelines for companies to empower their safety managers to fully enforce OSH requirements in their organisations. In conclusion, effective OSH enforcement requires cooperation between general workers and OSH managers and facilitation from business owners.

Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt Al-Arab River System: Historic and Modern Attempts to Manage and Restore Iraq’s Lifeline

In Iraq, the principal rivers are the Tigris, Shatt Al-Arab and Euphrates. From their headwater sources in the mountains of eastern Türkiye, these rivers descend through valleys and gorges and flow into the uplands of Syria and northern and central alluvial plain of Iraq. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers confluence to form the Shatt Al-Arab river at Al-Qurnah which flows into the Persian Gulf. From sources in the Zagros Mountains other tributaries join the Tigris from the east. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow in a southeastern direction through the central plain and discharge into the Mesopotamian Marshes, which include permanent marshes, lakes, and riparian habitat. The rivers and their tributaries drain an area of 879,790 km2 which includes almost the entire area of Iraq as well as land in Syria, Türkiye, Kuwait and Iran. The region has historical importance as part of the Fertile Crescent region and where Mesopotamian civilization first emerged. The post war reconstruction efforts in the Yusifiyah township, an important food production region for Baghdad, illustrate the importance of these water resources. In addition, the advent of soil tunnels by Iraqi insurgents within the riverine corridors will make reconstruction of this resource more complex. The primary objectives of this study are to assess lessons learned, manage, and restore the Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt Al-Arab river system lifeline in Iraq.

Karun and Shatt Al-Arab River System: Historic and Modern Attempts to Manage Iran’s Lifeline

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principal rivers are the Karun and Shatt al-Arab. The Karun River has a 950 km length. The Karun River starting point is the convergence of the Amand, Kuhrang, and Bazoft rivers. From their headwater sources in the mountains of eastern Iran, these rivers descend through valleys and gorges and flow into the plains of Iran. The Shatt al-Arab River drains an area of 879,790 square kilometers which includes land in Iran, Syria, Türkiye, Kuwait, and Iraq. The Karun joins Shatt al-Arab 110 km downriver from the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers and flows 85 km into the Persian Gulf. The Karun river flows in a southwestern direction through the central plain and provides about 10 per cent of the water balance of Iran’s largest wetland, the Shadegan, which includes permanent marshes, lakes, and riparian habitats. The article summarizes a vast array of publications on the stated topic and this civilizationally important region in order to draw additional attention to its interdependent environmental, economic and political problems the successful resolution of which is only possible with the participation of the entire research community.

波斯湾盆地Arab组—Hith组成藏组合地质特征及油气成藏规律

Arab组—Hith组成藏组合为波斯湾盆地重要的成藏组合之一,侏罗系Arab组碳酸盐岩储集层和Hith组层间硬石膏是成藏组合的基本储盖要素。侏罗系Tuwaiq Mountain组、Hanifa组和Diyab组烃源岩为该成藏组合提供了绝大部分的烃类,烃源岩有机质含量高,在始新世中晚期大面积成熟生油,此时阿尔卑斯构造运动Ⅰ幕已形成众多圈闭,油气生成之后即可直接运移至圈闭中。Arab组储集层分布面积广,以颗粒灰岩为主,成岩阶段早期原生孔隙破坏少,后期普遍经受白云岩化和淋滤作用,储集层物性优越。Hith组硬石膏厚度大,分布面积广,遭受断层的破坏程度较弱,油气很少能穿越它进入上部储集层,仅在相变尖灭带或大型断裂处造成油气垂向逸散。由于侏罗系烃源岩生成的油气大多属近源成藏,油气侧向运移的距离短,最有潜力的区域为侏罗系台内盆地分布区,Arab组储集层的油气丰度主要取决于Hith组盖层的封盖能力。

阿拉伯世界自主解决内部冲突的探索——以1961年“阿拉伯部队”的组建为例

1961年组建“阿拉伯部队”是阿拉伯世界在政治与军事上寻求自主解决内部冲突的重要探索。1961年伊科危机爆发后,除海湾阿拉伯国家因担心危机外溢而坚决反伊外,其他阿拉伯国家的反应总体上较为冷淡。随着危机的深化、英国的军事介入、阿拉伯人反英舆论的渐盛以及阿拉伯国家各种利己性解决方案的提出,促使科威特推出以“阿拉伯部队”取代驻科英军的解决方案,并最终得到了阿拉伯国家联盟和大多数阿拉伯国家的支持。虽然阿拉伯国家不同的利益考量和相互制衡的动机,使该部队在建立过程中历经波折,但在阿盟的不懈推动下,“阿拉伯部队”最终得以建立并成功部署。“阿拉伯部队”的组建过程深刻地展现了这一时期阿拉伯国家间既合作又相互制衡的矛盾关系。

Vestiges of the Cold War in Libya’s“Arab Spring”:Revisiting Libya’s Relations with the Soviet Union

Although Muammar al-Qaddafi was known to fanatically adhere to a broad set of zealous principles,when threats and challenges to his political survival mounted,sporadic breaches in the country’s rigid wall of ideology in regard to Libya’s international relations appeared,evincing Qaddafi’s ability to demonstrate pragmatism when required in order to maintain his grip on power.This article will explore Libya’s strategic-military alignment with the USSR and offer a retrospective analysis of one of the lesser-discussed chapters in Tripoli’s tempestuous and belligerent foreign policy during the height of the Cold war era,spanning the period of 1974-1989.

A Probe of the Historical and Cultural Background for the Arab-Israeli Clash

The thesis probes the historical and cultural background for the Arab-Israeli clash in the Middle East.The research finds that in essence,the clash is a contest between the Arabs and the Jews for residence on the same one land.The clash resulted from their religious and cultural conventions on both sides,which were fostered during the history.Actually,it is a confrontation of two civilizations.

Development of an Arabic version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire as a tool to study eye diseases patients in Egypt

AIM:To develop and test an Arabic version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25(NEI-VFQ-25).METHODS:NEI-VFQ-25 was translated into Arabic according to WHO translation guidelines. We enrolled adult consenting patients with bilateral chronic eye diseases who presented to 14 hospitals across Egypt from October to December 2012, and documented their clinical findings. Psychometric properties were then tested using STATA.RESULTS:We recruited 379 patients, whose mean age was(54.5±15)y. Of 46.2% were males, 227 had cataract,31 had glaucoma, 23 had retinal detachment, 37 had diabetic retinopathy, and 61 had miscellaneous visual defects. Non-response rate and the floor and ceiling numbers of the Arabic version(ARB-VFQ-25) were calculated. Internal consistency was high in all subscales(except general health), with Cronbach-α ranging from0.702-0.911. Test-retest reliability was high(intraclass correlation coefficient 0.79).CONCLUSION:RB-VFQ-25 isareliableandvalidtool for assessing visual functions of Arabic speaking patients. However, some questions had high non-response rates and should be substituted by available alternatives. Our results support the importance of including self-reported visual functions as part of routine ophthalmologic examination.

Diabetes epidemic sweeping the Arab world

The prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) has increased dramatically during the last 2 decades, a fact driven by the increased prevalence of obesity, the primary risk factor for T2 DM. The figures for diabetes in the Arab world are particularly startling as the number of people with diabetes is projected to increase by 96.2% by 2035. Genetic risk factors may play a crucial role in this uncontrolled raise in the prevalence of T2 DM in the Middle Eastern region. However, factors such as obesity, rapid urbanization and lack of exercise are other key determinants of this rapid increase in the rate of T2 DM in the Arab world. The unavailability of an effective program to defeat T2 DM has serious consequences on the increasing rise of this disease, where available data indicates an unusually high prevalence of T2 DM in Arabian children less than 18 years old. Living with T2 DM is problematic as well, since T2 DM has become the 5th leading cause of disability, which was ranked 10 th as recently as 1990. Giving the current status of T2 DM in the Arab world, a collaborative international effort is needed for fighting further spread of this disease.

With increasing trends of prostate cancer in the Saudi Arabia and Arab World: Should we start screening programs?

Incidence rate for prostate cancer in the Arab World is significantly lower than United States and Europe, it ranges from 5.5% to 39.2%. However, the incidence and the number of deaths is expected to increase. In Saudi Arabia, the crude incidence rate and age standardized incidence rate of prostate cancer are reported to be steadily increasing in between 2001-2008. Only two screening trials were attempted in 2001 and 2009 which yielded an incidence rate of 1.17% and 2.5% respectively. Men in the Arab world are sharing a common characteristic of poor knowledge and poor attitude towards prostate cancer examination and screening practices. They are ill-informed about the PSA test's strengths and drawbacks because the doctors are not talking to them about the importance of counselling. Men should be encouraged to do PSA testing before the age of 50 and till the age of 70 years. This could be achieved by enhancing their attitude and enriching the knowledge of the physicians towards PSA testing, harms and benefits, through shared decision making, which would increase men's knowledge scores, reduced their decisional conflict and promote greater involvement in decision making.

Geochronological constraints on the metamorphic sole of the Semail ophiolite in the United Arab Emirates

The Semail ophiolite of Oman and the United Arab Emirates （UAE） provides the best preserved large slice of oceanic lithosphere exposed on the continental crust, and offers unique opportunities to study processes of ocean crust formation, subduction initiation and obduction. Metamorphic rocks exposed in the eastern UAE have traditionally been interpreted as a metamorphic sole to the Semail ophiolite. However, there has been some debate over the possibility that the exposures contain components of older Arabian continental crust. To help answer this question, presented here are new zircon and futile U-Pb geochronological data from various units of the metamorphic rocks. Zircon was absent in most samples. Those that yielded zircon and futile provide dominant single age populations that are 95-93 Ma, partially overlapping with the known age of oceanic crust formation （96.5-94.5 Ma）, and partially overlapping with cooling ages of the metamorphic rocks （95 90 Ma）. The data are interpreted as dating high-grade metamorphism during subduction burial of the sediments into hot mantle lithosphere, and rapid cooling during their subsequent exhumation. A few discordant zircon ages, interpreted as late Neoproterozoic and younger, represent minor detrital input from the continent. No evidence is found in favour of the existence of older Arabian continental crust within the metamorphic rocks of the UAE.

Determination of optimum tapping date for gum arabic production in South Kordofan State, Sudan

Acacia senegal, the gum arabic producing tree, is the most important tree species for the livelihood of the people in South Kordofan State, Sudan. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum tapping date for gum arabic production in the study area. A randomized complete block design experiment with three replications was conducted at （Mead） area for two continuous growing seasons 2008/2009 - 2009/2010. The treatments comprised six tapping dates （1 Oct, 15 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 1 Dec, and 15 Dec）. Results ishowed highly significant differences （p 〈 0.001） in gum arabic yield （g／tree） in all pickings and in the total gum yield between the tapping dates. The results also showed that tapping of trees on 15 October and 1 November gave a higher yield compared to the other dates. The highest gum yield of 1086.6 and 661.2 g/tree was recorded on 15 October and 15 November, while the lowest gum yield of 297.9 g/tree was recorded when the trees were tapped on 1 October. The two highest-yield dates of tapping （15 Oct and 1 Nov） are recommended as the best time for tapping for gum arabic production in South Kordofan State. These results can be used to increase gum arabic production and farmer income in South Kordofan State.

Diagenetic and Depositional Impacts on the Reservoir Quality of the Upper Jurassic Arab Formation in the Balal Oilfield, Offshore Iran

The Kimmeridgian-Tithonian aged Arab Formation, as the main reservoir of the Jurassic succession in the Balal oilfield, located in the offshore region of the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf, is investigated in this study. The formation is composed of dolomites and limestones with anhydrite interbeds. Based on detailed petrographic studies, six microfacies are recognized, which are classified in four sub-environments including supratidal, intertidal, lagoonal and the high energy shoal of a homoclinal carbonate ramp. The main diagenetic features of the studied succession include dolomitization, anhydritization, cementation, micritization, fracturing and compaction. Based on stable isotope data, dolomitization of the upper Arab carbonates is related to sabkha settings （i.e. evaporative type）. In terms of sequence stratigraphy, three shallowing-upward sequences are recognized, based on core and wireline log data from four wells of the studied field. Considering depositional and diagenetic effects on the reservoir quality, the studied facies are classified into eight reservoir rock types （RRT） with distinct reservoir qualities. Dolomitization has played a major role in reservoir quality enhancement, whereas anhydritization, carbonate cementation, and compaction have damaged the pore throat network. Distribution of the recognized RRTs in time and space are discussed within the context of a sequence stratigraphic framework.

Epidemiology of isolated hand injuries in the United Arab Emirates

AIM To provide suggestions for hand injury prevention by study the demography and risk factors of casualties suffering from isolated hand injuries.METHODS All trauma patients with isolated hand injuries who were admitted to Al Ain Hospital for more than 24 h during a period of 3 years were studied. Patient demographics,location, mechanism/time of injury, and length of hospital stay were all analyzed.RESULTS Two hundred and ten patients were studied. Their mean age was 29.7 years. Males constituted 92%. Sixty-five point one percent of all cases were from the Indian subcontinent. The workplace was the most common location of injury(67.1%), followed by the home(17.1%)and road(6.2%). Machinery caused 36.2% of all injuries,followed by heavy object(20.5%) and fall(11%). Cases injured at home were young(P < 0.0001) with an associated higher incidence of females(P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION Male workers in Al Ain city are at greater risk of sustaining hand injuries, predominantly from machinery. Safety education, personal protection, and the enforcement of safety standards are essential to the prevention and avoidance of hand injury.

Growth performance and gum arabic production of Acacia senegal in northwest lowlands of Ethiopia

Despite the wide distribution of natural stands of Acacia senegal in Ethiopia, commercial exploitation of gum arabic is con- strained by lack of tapping and development techniques. We evaluated the gum arabic yield from natural stands of A. senegal and the growth of 6 provenances in different parts of the country. For the gum yield evalua- tion from natural stands, four tapping positions and three tapping seasons were tested in a factorial RCB design. The second experiment in Metema evaluated survival and growth of six provenances. A. senegal trees in natural stands respond well to tapping if tapped during the appropriate season and at the correct position on the tree. The mean gum yield did not vary significantly by tapping season （p=0.63）. Higher mean yield was, however, collected from trees tapped in October （96 g.tree^-1 per two harvests）. The mean yield differed significantly （p=0.009） between the tapping positions. Mean separation （ct=0.05） shows that trees tapped at mid stem gave higher yield （160 g.tree^-1 per two harvests）. The interac- tion effect of tapping season and position was not significant. Higher mean yield （（70 ± 112） g.tree^-1） was recorded in mid October-mid stem in two harvests. The second experiment indicated statistically significant difference in mean survival （p=0.0298）, height （p=0.000） and root col- lar diameter （RCD）, （p=0.012） between the six provenances. Highest survival, height and root collar diameter growth was observed from Ab- derail provenance （100%, （148±11） era, （38±11） mm, respectively）. We recommend October and mid-stem and branches as appropriate tapping season and position. We recommend planting of the Abderafi provenance for the study area due to its superior growth and survival. Our study contributes to the proper selection of provenances for plantation devel- opment and improved tapping technology for better production of gum arabic in the country.

Prevalence of glaucoma in the Israeli Arab population

We describe the prevalence and treatment of glaucoma in a Muslim Arab population in Israel. Based on the medical records of 15 122 persons, the overall prevalence of glaucoma was 3.9%. Prevalence rates of primary open angle glaucoma（POAG） and primary angle-closure glaucoma（PACG） were 3.0% and 0.42%, respectively. Prevalence rates of women were 135% that of men considering all types of glaucoma, 143% for POAG, and 96% for PACG. Prostaglandin analogs and beta blockers, alone or combined with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, were the preferred medications. Of 68 patients who underwent trabeculectomy, 27（39.7%） required medications, postoperatively, for treatment of glaucoma; following Ex-Press shunt surgery, 3/11（27.3%） required medications. During the last three years, 16（1.3%） individuals with POAG were recorded as legally blind as a result of glaucoma.