University Of Technology And Applied Sciences (UTAS) is a public university operated in 9 governorates . It has 11 different branches spread over the different part of the country. It was the first Higher Education institution in Oman. Currently, it is the largest higher education institution in Oman, catering to over 46,000 students studying in various programs.By virtue of the Royal Decree (76/2020), the former Colleges of Technology (CoTs), the former Colleges of Applied Sciences (CAS), and the former Rustaq College of Education were merged under a single umbrella to form a university, thus, the establishment of a branch-based Higher Education Institution (HEI) called the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in January 2020. Such merging is motivated by the Oman Vision 2040 with focus on the National Strategy for Education 2040, Scientific Research Strategy, and the Innovation Strategy, keeping abreast with the modern challenges, priorities, and needs.The UTAS has a population strength of 46,230 students who are registered in the Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Bachelor levels, taking a wide range of specializations in the fields of Pharmacy, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Business Studies, Information Technology, Applied Photography, Fashion Design, Education, Applied Biotechnology, Engineering, Mass Communication Studies, International Business Administration, Information Technology, and Design. With the increasing number of students, the UTAS has emerged as the largest university in the Sultanate of Oman..
Background: We set out to estimate the community-level exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Ghana. Methods: Phased seroprevalence studies of 2729 participants at selected locations across Ghana were conducted. Phase I (August 2020) sampled 1305 individuals at major markets/lorry stations, shopping malls, hospitals and research institutions involved in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) work. The study utilized a lateral flow rapid diagnostic test (RDT) which detected IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein. Results: During Phase I, 252/1305 (19%) tested positive for IgM or IgG or both. Exposure was significantly higher at markets/lorry stations (26.9%) compared to malls (9.4%), with 41–60-year group demonstrating highest seropositivity (27.2%). Exposure was higher in participants with no formal education (26.2%) than those with tertiary education (13.1%); and higher in informally employed workers (24.0%) than those in the formal sector (15.0%). Results from phases II and III, in October and December 2020 respectively, implied either reduced transmissions or loss of antibody expression in some participants. The Upper East region showed the lowest seropositivity (2%). Phase IV, in February 2021, showed doubled seropositivity in the upper income bracket (26.2%) since August 2020, reflective of Ghana’s second wave of symptomatic COVID-19 cases. This suggested that high transmission rates had overcome the initial socioeconomic stratification of exposure risk. Reflective of second wave hospitalisation trends, the 21-40 age group demonstrated modal seropositivity (24.9) in Phase IV whilst 40-60 years and 60+ previously demonstrated highest prevalence. Conclusions: Overall, the data indicates higher COVID-19 seroprevalence than officially acknowledged, likely implying a considerably lower-case fatality rate than the current national figure of 0.84%. The data also suggests that COVID-19 is predominantly asymptomatic COVID-19 in Ghana. The observed trends mimic clinical trends of infection and imply that the methodology used was appropriate.
This study investigates dynamic subcritical water extraction (SWE) as a novel, single-step, and environmentally sustainable method for the recovery of allicin from Allium sativum L. Unlike conventional extraction techniques, SWE extracts allicin and hydrolyse alliin simultaneously within a closed system, eliminating the need for organic solvents. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize temperature (120–180 °C), flow rate (2–6 mL/min), and extraction time (10–30 min). The optimal conditions of 150 °C, 4 mL/min, and 30 min produced the highest allicin concentration (2.548 mg/gsample) and extract yield (1.695 g). Solubility analysis revealed maximum values for extract yield (0.045 g/mL), alliin (6.841 mg·mL/gsample), and allicin (0.082 mg·mL/gsample), highlighting the influence of solvent polarity and mass transfer efficiency under subcritical conditions. Kinetic modelling using the Esquivel and Brunner models, selected as empirical and diffusion-based approaches commonly applied to solid–liquid extraction systems, showed excellent correlation (R² = 0.984–0.999), confirming diffusion-controlled extraction behaviour, with the Brunner model demonstrating superior predictive accuracy. SWE efficiently unifies hydrolysis and extraction within a single, eco-friendly, and scalable system, enabling effective recovery of allicin and other bioactive compounds.
Water pollution remains a pressing global environmental concern, with the textile industry recognized as a major contributor to both water consumption and contamination, particularly through the release of synthetic dyes. Therefore, the development of efficient treatment technologies targeting dye pollutants in textile wastewater is imperative. In this study, a ternary Ag/ZnO/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized via an ultrasonication-assisted method with Ag content variation (2 mol
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains bioactive compounds such as 6-gingerol that contribute to its antioxidant and functional properties. However, the recovery and stability of these compounds depend strongly on the extraction and post-processing methods employed. In this study, ethanol-assisted supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) extraction was applied to obtain bioactive compounds from Sabah ginger, followed by spray-drying encapsulation to enhance compound stability. The extraction process was conducted at temperatures of 40–80 °C and pressures of 10–30 MPa, and response surface methodology was used to determine the extraction condition that produced the highest yield. The optimum condition was identified at 40 °C and 20 MPa, with an extraction yield of 4.61
One of the fastest growing construction sectors in the region is UAE and its sustainable development faces waste reduction at building design stage. Grounded on the case study of the UAE, looking at design-out-waste strategies, this research employs a qualitative methodology, based on 14 semi-structured interviews with professionals from the field of construction. The results show that the main causes of waste during design stage are found to be complex projects, harsh climate, logistics deficiencies and low usage of advanced technology. The most recent strategies include adherence to green building regulations, use of passive design techniques, and better resource management. Emerging technologies, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer the potential to predict and mitigate design waste; however, their use is still limited. This problem may be attributed to insufficient knowledge, high costs, and the propensity to avoid change. One of the most important conclusions of the study is that the bolstering of stakeholder collaboration and governance frameworks is necessary to make the adoption of sustainable design practices in the construction industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a reality. The main contribution of this research is the evidence-based identification of several waste drivers within the design phase, as well as the construction of viable, technologically supported frameworks to promote sustainable construction approaches. In summary, the results of the research indicate that waste within the design phase can be minimized, and the practice of sustainable construction in the UAE can be advanced through the proactive incorporation of digital technologies and engaged collaboration among stakeholders.
