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This research paper traces the Iraqi-Yamani poli8tical relations in mid thirties. The author makes use of two letters exchanged between King Ghazi of Iraq and Imam Yahya of Yaman, where the idea of establishing consular relations was suggested.

Since English has become the medium of instruction in most departments in Saudi universities, English language proficiency has become a critical factor in determining academic success. To examine this relationship, the study investigated the correlation between Saudi undergraduates' English language proficiency and their achievement in mathematics. It also aimed to examine the moderating role of gender in this correlation. To this end, the study analysed the scores for mathematics and English of 160 Saudi undergraduate students (27 male, 133 female), enrolled in the Preparatory Year Program at Bisha University. The results show a statistically significant correlation between English language proficiency and mathematics scores, with no significant moderating influence of gender. Based on these findings, the study draws some implications for enhancing Saudi undergraduate students' mathematics competence and performance in mathematics tests.

Received: 24 June 2023 / Accepted: 24 August 2023 / Published: 5 September 2023

Many Middle Eastern countries have experienced lots of economic development over the last two decades. Virtually all sectors of the economy have seen astronomical growth over this period. One area that has seen massive growth is the construction industry. With such growth, this sector has seen many challenges. Construction delay is one of the main problems faced by this industry. This research aims to investigate the causes of project delays according to project managers working in the public and private sectors in Oman. A survey was used to obtain the primary data. The results show that the most significant client‐related delay factor in the private sector was the postponement in decision making by the customer. The lack of professionals and workers was found to be a significant cause of contractor‐related delays, while the delay in the approval of drawing was a main source of consultant associated delay factors in the private industry. The findings in this research may be used by different construction stakeholders in Oman to help them avert construction delays.

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to select the most suitable production model for measuring the production process of some major manufacturing industries in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical paper looks into an analytical justification to use Cobb‐Douglas (C‐D) production model in order to estimate and test the coefficients of the production inputs for each of the selected manufacturing industries using annual industrial statistical data over the period 1994 through 2007 published by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sultanate of Oman.FindingsThe results of the paper indicate that for most of the selected industries the C‐D function fits the data very well in terms of labor and capital elasticity, return to scale measurements, standard errors, economy of the industries, high value of R2 and reasonably good Durbin‐Watson statistics. The estimated results suggest that the manufacturing industries of Oman generally seem to indicate the case of increasing return to scale. Of the nine industries, seven exhibit increasing return to scale and only the rest two show decreasing return to scale. The paper finds no industry with constant return to scale.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper could not consider a good number of manufacturing industries and a long period of time series data in the study because of lack of data availability.Practical implicationsRecently, businessmen as well as industrialists are very much concerned about the theory of firm in order to make correct decisions regarding what items, how much and how to produce them. All these decisions are directly related with the cost considerations and market situations where the firm is to be operated. In this regard, this paper should be helpful in suggesting the most suitable functional form of production process for the major manufacturing industries of developing countries like Oman.Originality/valueThe paper shows originality in substance and makes a unique contribution to the literature on industrial economics in Oman.

AbstractThis work investigates the role of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) in enhancing employee engagement (EE) in the State of Qatar. We collected survey data from local and expatriate employees of government, semigovernment, and private sector Qatari firms on their perceptions of CSR activities undertaken by their employers. The scope of CSR included activities targeted at employees, customers, the government, and society at large (social and nonsocial stakeholders). We also measured two facets of EE: organizational engagement and job engagement. We examined how these dimensions of EE are associated with employees' perception of the firm's CSR activities, controlling for the type of firm (government, semigovernment, or private) and the type of employee (local or expatriate). Our results reveal that CSR to society and CSR to employees affect organizational engagement whereas CSR to customers affects job engagement. CSR to the government is not significantly related to either aspect of EE.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of antibody to pertussis toxin among adult populations in western Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. A tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1200 participants (400 healthcare workers, 400 military recruits and 400 blood donors) were included. The majority were male (79.3%), and the mean (±SD) age was 27.2 (±6.7) years old. INTERVENTIONS: The study included the analysis of serum blood samples using commercial ELISA. A consecutive sampling technique was applied. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Seropositivity of antipertussis toxin immunoglobulin G (anti-PT IgG) ≥62.5 IU/mL. RESULTS: Antibody titres ≥62.5 IU/mL, indicating exposure to Bordetella pertussis infection within the last year, were identified in 12.0% (95% CI 10.2% to 14.0%) of the participants. Titres ≥125 IU/mL, suggesting recent infection, were detected in 3.5% (95% CI 2.5% to 4.7%). Seroprevalence of positive IgG antibody titres (≥62.5 IU/mL) was highest among the healthcare workers (HCWs) (14%), then the military recruits (13.5%) and blood donors (8.5%; p=0.03). The multivariate regression analysis showed association between participants group (HCWs and military), male gender and younger age (<25 years old) and higher antibody to pertussis toxin. CONCLUSIONS: High pertussis seropositivity was associated with participants' occupation (ie, healthcare workers and military recruits), and anti-PT IgG titre was negatively correlated with age. A substantial deficiency in pertussis reporting in Saudi Arabia has been suggested, with potential increased risk to the most vulnerable populations (ie, infants and elderly). Enhancing the booster dose of pertussis vaccine for adolescents and adults is crucial to minimise the burden of pertussis.

Cauterization, an indigenous treatment technique, is widely used by psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients in Saudi Arabia. This research aimed at describing the socio-demographic and clinical parameters of psychiatric patients who consult traditional healers practising cauterization. A sample of 198 patients, 121 with and 77 without cautery, were randomly selected from inand out-patient departments of Buraidah Mental Health Hospital, Saudi Arabia. In addition to an extensive review of medical records, each patient and a key relative were interviewed to collect sociodemographic and clinical data and details of cautery treatment. Patients with less education, from a rural background or suffering from chronic psychotic disorders, were significantly more likely to utilize cautery. Parents were the main influence on seeking cautery treatment. Cephalic cautery was not associated with therapeutic improvement among patients with psychoses. Infection at the site of cautery was common and 45.5% of cauterized patients required antibiotic therapy. Given the probable lack of therapeutic benefit and the risk of complication, the use of cautery should be discouraged through health education programmes.

Abstract Background Although the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was reported to be higher in military personnel than the general population in Saudi Arabia (SA), there is lack of studies assessing HBV awareness among them. The objective was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HBV infection among military personnel. Methods An intervention design with pre- and post-education KAP questionnaire was completed among National Guard soldiers working in Jeddah during January 2009. Educational intervention was provided through educational leaflets, group and individual discussions, visual show, and a lecture. A score was created from the correct answers to 58 questions. Results A total of 400 male soldiers with mean age 30.7 ± 6.1 years completed both questionnaires. The majority had school education (96.8%) and in the lower military ranks (66.0%). Only 19.5% of soldiers reported HBV vaccine intake. The low median and inter-quartile range of the pre-intervention score (16, 6–26) markedly increased after education (to 53, 50–55, p<0.001). The overall improvement of mean KAP score (204%) was also observed in all its component scores; disease nature (272%), methods of transmission (206%), prevention and control (109%), attitude (155%), and practice (192%). The improvement was evident irrespective of socio-demographic characteristics and history of HBV vaccine. KAP scores were significantly associated with higher educational levels, higher monthly income, administrative jobs, and higher job ranks. Conclusion We are reporting a low level of HBV awareness among Saudi military population. The study confirms the need and effectiveness of focused multifaceted educational campaigns among the military population.