Transmission dynamics, responses, and clinical features for the first 1100 COVID-19 cases in South Batinah, Oman: Major lessons from a provincial perspective.

Objectives: This study was aimed at exploring and analyzing the epidemiological profile, surveillance, and response to COVID-19, including transmission dynamics and cluster formation.

Methodology: This was a retrospective analysis of surveillance data, including contact tracing, risk factors, and clinical information. Binary logistic regressions were used to assess the likelihood of admission, cluster formation, and of each individual being an index patient.

In vitro propagation and assessment of genetic stability in date palm as affected by chitosan and thidiazuron combinations.

Background: Mass propagation of date palm has attracted the interest of commercial producers. However, this technique still faces many obstacles that hinder production. This study investigated the effect of chitosan (CHT) at various concentrations for the possibility to apply it in combination with thidiazuron (TDZ) on the growth and development of tissue cultures of Barhee cultivar.

The effect of polyamines and silver thiosulphate on micropropagation of date palm followed by genetic stability assessment.

There are some limitations in date palm micropropagation. These include low multiplication efficiency, low rooting rate, and high mortality experienced by in vitro raised plantlets during laboratory to soil transfer. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the polyamines and Silver Thiosulphate (STS) on the enhancement of shoot multiplication and genetic stability of in vitro cultures of date palm cultivar Quntar.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aircraft noise levels, annoyance, and health effects in an urban area in Oman.

This study aimed at investigating aircraft noise exposure levels, their annoyance, and potential health effects among communities living within airport catchment areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both field measurements and an online survey approach were used to investigate aircraft noise exposure levels, annoyance, and general health effects among residents living near Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Muscat, Oman, amid the COVID-19 period. The study found a drastic decline in aircraft noise levels due to the introduction of COVID-19 intervention measures such as lockdowns, social distancing, and closure of airports.

Characterization and exposure assessment to urban air toxics across Middle Eastern and North African countries: a review.

Middle East and North African (MENA) countries over the decades are experiencing rapid industrial and infrastructural growth combined with being the global hub of oil and gas industries. These economic transformations are associated with release of air pollutants including urban air toxics (UAT) through industrial, traffic, and constructional activities into ambient urban environments. UAT concentrations levels may exacerbate in most MENA countries considering high number of vehicular traffic populations and petrochemical industries which are one of the main sources of this pollutant.

In vitro plant regeneration system for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.): effect of chelated iron sources.

Background: Iron chelate sources and their concentrations are important factors in in vitro propagation of date palm. This study's objective was to investigate the effect of the iron chelated form on the growth and development of tissue cultures of Barhee cultivar.

Results: The addition of FeEDDHA to the culture medium was more effective than FeEDTA on callus growth, shoot regeneration, and the number of shoots per jar, where the best result (220.

Exposure assessment to road traffic noise levels and health effects in an arid urban area.

Road traffic noise exposures have been recognized as serious environmental health concerns, especially in most developing countries with arid climate conditions, rapid increase in vehicle population, and limited traffic management systems. The excessive noise exposure level is associated with increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and anxiety, including annoyance. This study aimed at determining traffic noise levels in residential areas, including the assessment of its annoyance and health effects based on the people's perception and reportage.

Occupational exposure to pesticides and associated health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

The number and production capacities of greenhouse farms have been increased across the globe, driven by an effort for addressing food security problems related to the rapid population growth and the effects of climate change. As a result, there was a large increase in the number of greenhouse farm workers who are typically involved in chemical preparations and pesticide sprayings, crop harvesting, and greenhouse maintenance activities. Considering the enclosed architecture of the greenhouse farm design and the frequent application of pesticides, the objective of this review was to characterize pesticide exposure levels and resultant health effects among greenhouse farm workers.

The role of urbanization in soil and groundwater contamination by heavy metals and pathogenic bacteria: A case study from Oman.

This study assessed the perception of urban residents of A'Seeb city, Oman, about the impact of their activities on environment. A sociological survey using questionnaire was used to know the residents' perceptions about urban gardening, municipal-waste disposal, and soil and water contamination. Viable pathogenic bacteria, water soluble metals, basic cations, salinity, and texture were quantified and identified in soil and groundwater in proximity of urban gardens and municipal-waste disposal sites.

Influence of cold pretreatment on shoot regeneration from callus in date palm ( L.) cv. 'Barhee'.

Mass propagation of date palm through indirect somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis has attracted the interest of commercial producers. But, this technique still faces some problems that hindered the production of date palm plantlets . Tissue browning is one of the serious problems that reduce callus growth and shoot regeneration.

Effect of red and blue light emitting diodes "CRB-LED" on in vitro organogenesis of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Alshakr.

The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of light source on enhancement of shoot multiplication, phytochemicals, as well as, antioxidant enzyme activities of in vitro cultures of date palm cv. Alshakr. In vitro-grown buds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and incubated under a conventional white fluorescent light (control), and combinations of red + blue light emitting diode (18:2) (CRB-LED).