Two-dimensional basement modeling of central loop transient electromagnetic data from the central Azraq basin area, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yogeshwar, P.; Tezkan, B.

2017-01-01

Thick sedimentary sequences are deposited in the central area of the Azraq basin in Jordan consisting mostly of hyper-saline clay and various evaporates. These sediment successions form the 10 km × 10 km large Azraq mudflat and are promising archives for a palaeoclimatical reconstruction. Besides palaeoclimatical research, the Azraq area is of tremendous importance to Jordan due to groundwater and mineral resources. The heavy exploitation of groundwater has lead to a drastic decline of the water table and drying out of the former Azraq Oasis. Two 7 and 5 km long transects were investigated from the periphery of the mudflat across its center using a total of 150 central loop transient electromagnetic (TEM) soundings. The scope of the survey was to detect the thickness of sedimentary deposits along both transects and to provide a basis for future drilling activities. We derive a two-dimensional model which can explain the TEM data for all soundings along each profile simultaneously. Previously uncertain depths of geological boundaries were determined along both transects. Particularly the thickness of the deposited mudflat sediments was identified and ranges from 40 m towards the periphery down to approximately 130 m at the deepest location. Besides that, the depth and lateral extent of a buried basalt layer was identified. In the basin center the groundwater is hyper-saline. The lateral extent of the saline water body was determined precisely along both transects. In order to investigate the detectability of the basement below the high conductive mudflat sediments an elaborate two-dimensional modeling study was performed. Both, the resistivity and depth of the basement were varied systematically. The basement resistivity cannot be determined precisely in most zones and may range roughly between 1 and 100 Ωm without deteriorating the misfit. In contrast to that, the depth down to the basement is detected accurately in most zones and along both transects. Varying the depth of the basement or removing it completely results in a poor data fitting and, therefore, proves its significance. From the modeling study we derived bounds for the resistivity and depth of the base layer as a measure of their uncertainty.

The Waqf as Suwwan crater, Eastern Desert of Jordan: aspects of the deep structure of an oblique impact from reflection seismic and gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinrichs, Till; Salameh, Elias; Khouri, Hani

2014-01-01

The deeply eroded Waqf as Suwwan ring structure was recently discovered to be a large impact, the first identified in the near east. Large-scale reflection seismic structure shows the impact situated high on the northeastern flank of the Jordan Uplift sloping into Wadi Sirhan Basin. If exhumation is linked to the Arabia-Eurasia collision, a likely time window for the impact event may be latest Eocene to Late Oligocene. Impact into a shallow sea seems an optional scenario. Old reflection seismic lines offer limited insight into the deep structure of the rim and part of the central uplift of the complex crater. An important structural clue is provided by a well-resolved seismic horizon of a yet tentative correlation with a Paleozoic black shale. The central gravity high is compatible with a mass surplus by the uplift of denser Paleozoic basement below the central uplift. The gravity model further indicates a ring of dense Paleozoic sediments rising from below into the ring syncline. Seismics show presumably radial synclines in the central uplift which are interpreted by centripetal constrictional flow during crater collapse. Beneath the final crater's outer boundary, a shallow-dip normal fault zone, subtle seismic structure in uncollapsed footwall segments reveal an asymmetry of strain. The asymmetry is attributed to the cratering flow by an oblique impact directed toward NE. The finding provides independent support to an earlier suggestion of impact obliquity based on vergency of folds exposed on the central uplift.

The origin and mechanisms of salinization of the Lower Jordan River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farber, E.; Vengosh, A.; Gavrieli, I.; Marie, Amarisa; Bullen, T.D.; Mayer, B.; Holtzman, R.; Segal, M.; Shavit, U.

2004-01-01

The chemical and isotopic (87Sr/86Sr, ??11B, ??34Ssulfate, ??18Owater, ??15Nnitrate) compositions of water from the Lower Jordan River and its major tributaries between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea were determined in order to reveal the origin of the salinity of the Jordan River. We identified three separate hydrological zones along the flow of the river: (1) A northern section (20 km downstream of its source) where the base flow composed of diverted saline and wastewaters is modified due to discharge of shallow sulfate-rich groundwater, characterized by low 87Sr/86Sr (0.7072), ??34Ssulfate (-2???), high ??11B (???36???), ??15Nnitrate (???15???) and high ??18Owater (-2 to-3???) values. The shallow groundwater is derived from agricultural drainage water mixed with natural saline groundwater and discharges to both the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers. The contribution of the groundwater component in the Jordan River flow, deduced from mixing relationships of solutes and strontium isotopes, varies from 20 to 50% of the total flow. (2) A central zone (20-50 km downstream from its source) where salt variations are minimal and the rise of 87Sr/86Sr and SO4/Cl ratios reflects predominance of eastern surface water flows. (3) A southern section (50-100 km downstream of its source) where the total dissolved solids of the Jordan River increase, particularly during the spring (70-80 km) and summer (80-100 km) to values as high as 11.1 g/L. Variations in the chemical and isotopic compositions of river water along the southern section suggest that the Zarqa River (87Sr/86Sr???0.70865; ??11B???25???) has a negligible affect on the Jordan River. Instead, the river quality is influenced primarily by groundwater discharge composed of sulfate-rich saline groundwater (Cl-=31-180 mM; SO4/Cl???0.2-0.5; Br/Cl???2-3??10-3; 87Sr/86Sr???0.70805; ??11B???30???; ??15Nnitrate ???17???, ??34Ssulfate=4-10???), and Ca-chloride Rift valley brines (Cl-=846-1500 mM; Br/Cl???6-8??10-3; 87Sr/86Sr???0.7080; ??11B???40???; ??34Ssulfate=4-10???). Mixing calculations indicate that the groundwater discharged to the river is composed of varying proportions of brines and sulfate-rich saline groundwater. Solute mass balance calculations point to a ???10% contribution of saline groundwater (Cl-=282 to 564 mM) to the river. A high nitrate level (up to 2.5 mM) in the groundwater suggests that drainage of wastewater derived irrigation water is an important source for the groundwater. This irrigation water appears to leach Pleistocene sediments of the Jordan Valley resulting in elevated sulfate contents and altered strontium and boron isotopic compositions of the groundwater that in turn impacts the water quality of the lower Jordan River. ?? 2004 Elsevier Ltd.

Focusing Research in Agricultural Education. Proceedings of the Annual Central Region Research Conference in Agricultural Education (47th, St. Louis, Missouri, March 6, 1993).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Birkenholz, Robert J., Comp.; Schumacher, Leon G., Comp.

A conference proceedings on agricultural education research included: "Focusing for Excellence" (Jordan); "Factors Related to the Integration of International Agricultural Concepts into the Secondary Agricultural Education (AE) Curriculum" (Ibezim, McCracken); "Perceptions of State Vocational Education (VE) Administrators Relevant to AE in the…

Supplying Democracy? U.S. Security Assistance to Jordan, 1989-2002

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-03-01

effectively helped to limit democratization in Jordan through the empowerment of anti-democratic elements in Jordan. The findings present challenges to... effectively helped to limit democratization in Jordan through the empowerment of anti-democratic elements in Jordan. The findings present challenges...

Prevalence and care-seeking for chronic diseases among Syrian refugees in Jordan.

PubMed

Doocy, Shannon; Lyles, Emily; Roberton, Timothy; Akhu-Zaheya, Laila; Oweis, Arwa; Burnham, Gilbert

2015-10-31

There are currently more people displaced by conflict than at any time since World War II. The profile of displaced populations has evolved with displacement increasingly occurring in urban and middle-income settings. Consequently, an epidemiological shift away from communicable diseases that have historically characterized refugee populations has occurred. The high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a challenge to in terms of provision of appropriate secondary and tertiary services, continuity of care, access to medications, and costs. In light of the increasing burden of NCDs faced by refugees, we undertook this study to characterize the prevalence of NCDs and better understand issues related to care-seeking for NCDs among Syrian refugees in non-camp settings in Jordan. A cross-sectional survey of 1550 refugees was conducted using a multi-stage cluster design with probability proportional to size sampling to obtain a nationally representative sample of Syrian refugees outside of camps. To obtain information on chronic conditions, respondents were asked a series of questions about hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and arthritis. Differences by care-seeking for these conditions were examined using chi-square and t-test methods and characteristics of interest were included in the adjusted logistic regression model. Among adults, hypertension prevalence was the highest (9.7%, CI: 8.8-10.6), followed by arthritis (6.8%, CI: 5.9-7.6), diabetes (5.3%, CI: 4.6-6.0), chronic respiratory diseases (3.1%, CI: 2.4-3.8), and cardiovascular disease (3.7%, CI: 3.2, 4.3). Of the 1363 NCD cases, 84.7% (CI: 81.6-87.3) received care in Jordan; of the five NCDs assessed, arthritis cases had the lowest rates of care seeking at 65%, (CI:0-88, p = 0.005). Individuals from households in which the head completed post-secondary and primary education, respectively, had 89% (CI: 22-98) and 88% (CI: 13-98) lower odds of seeking care than those with no education (p = 0.028 and p = 0.037, respectively). Refugees in North Jordan were most likely to seek care for their condition; refugees in Central Jordan had 68% (CI: 1-90) lower odds of care-seeking than those in the North (p = 0.047). More than half of Syrian refugee households in Jordan reported a member with a NCD. A significant minority did not receive care, citing cost as the primary barrier. As funding limitations persist, identifying the means to maintain and improve access to NCD care for Syrian refugees in Jordan is essential.

2. Photocopied July 1971 from photostat Jordan Narrows Folder #1, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

2. Photocopied July 1971 from photostat Jordan Narrows Folder #1, Engineering Department, Utah Power and Light Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. JORDAN NARROWS STATION. PLAN AND SECTION. - Salt Lake City Water & Electrical Power Company, Jordan Narrows Hydroelectric Plant, Jordan River, Riverton, Salt Lake County, UT

1. Photocopied July 1971 from Photo 745, Jordan Narrows Folder ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

1. Photocopied July 1971 from Photo 745, Jordan Narrows Folder #1, Engineering Department, Utah Power and Light Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. JORDAN STATION, JULY 2, 1909. GENERAL VIEW. - Salt Lake City Water & Electrical Power Company, Jordan Narrows Hydroelectric Plant, Jordan River, Riverton, Salt Lake County, UT

Social and Psychological Factors Related to Risk of Eating Disorders Among High School Girls.

PubMed

Alfoukha, Marwa M; Hamdan-Mansour, Ayman M; Banihani, Manar Ali

2017-01-01

Prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) has increased among adolescents in Arabic and Western countries. The purposes are to identify the risk of ED and psychosocial correlates of risk of ED among high school girls in Jordan. The researchers employed a cross-sectional, correlational design using 799 high school girls from governmental and private schools in the central region of Jordan. The results indicate that prevalence of the risk of ED was 12%. The risk of ED had significant and positive correlation with body shape dissatisfaction, self-esteem, psychological distress, and pressure from family, peers, and media ( p < .001). Body shape dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, negative peer pressure, and being young were significant predictors of the risk of EDs. Risk of ED is highly prevalent among high school girls, and school nurses need to adopt a model of care addressing the risk factors while caring for high school girls.

Infinite number of solvable generalizations of XY-chain, with cluster state, and with central charge c = m/2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minami, Kazuhiko

2017-12-01

An infinite number of spin chains are solved and it is derived that the ground-state phase transitions belong to the universality classes with central charge c = m / 2, where m is an integer. The models are diagonalized by automatically obtained transformations, many of which are different from the Jordan-Wigner transformation. The free energies, correlation functions, string order parameters, exponents, central charges, and the phase diagram are obtained. Most of the examples consist of the stabilizers of the cluster state. A unified structure of the one-dimensional XY and cluster-type spin chains is revealed, and other series of solvable models can be obtained through this formula.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide analogues stable to brain proteolysis.

PubMed

Knight, M; Barone, P; Tamminga, C A; Steardo, L; Chase, T N

1985-01-01

Based on recent findings identifying the initial degradative cleavage of CCK-8 at the Met3-Gly4 bond by a metalloendopeptidase, two analogues of CCK-8 with D-Ala and D-Trp substitutions at the Gly4 position were synthesized as stable analogues. Their stability to proteolysis by brain membranes and their binding potency at central CCK receptors were quantified. Both peptides are stable to degradation by peptidases in cortical synaptic membrane preparations. The analogues are nearly equipotent to CCK-8 in their affinities for inhibition of 125I-CCK-33 binding to guinea pig cortical membranes. L-Ala and L-Trp substituted peptides were synthesized for comparison. Both these peptides are degraded by synaptic membranes and the L-Trp substituted peptide possesses a greatly reduced affinity for central CCK receptors. Therefore, the structure of CCK due to the D conformation of Gly is more capable of interacting with brain CCK receptors. Further conformational analysis will establish whether the stabilized structure is a beta-bend or a beta-turn. Since these peptides are highly potent and stable to brain proteolysis they may be useful as stable CCK analogues for in vivo application.

Towards Sustainable Water Management in a Country that Faces Extreme Water Scarcity and Dependency: Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schyns, J.; Hamaideh, A.; Hoekstra, A. Y.; Mekonnen, M. M.; Schyns, M.

2015-12-01

Jordan faces a great variety of water-related challenges: domestic water resources are scarce and polluted; the sharing of transboundary waters has led to tensions and conflicts; and Jordan is extremely dependent of foreign water resources through trade. Therefore, sustainable water management in Jordan is a challenging task, which has not yet been accomplished. The objective of this study was to analyse Jordan's domestic water scarcity and pollution and the country's external water dependency, and subsequently review sustainable solutions that reduce the risk of extreme water scarcity and dependency. We have estimated the green, blue and grey water footprint of five different sectors in Jordan: crop production, grazing, animal water supply, industrial production and domestic water supply. Next, we assessed the blue water scarcity ratio for the sum of surface- and groundwater and for groundwater separately, and calculated the water pollution level. Finally, we reviewed the sustainability of proposed solutions to Jordan's domestic water problems and external water dependency in literature, while involving the results and conclusions from our analysis. We have quantified that: even while taking into account the return flows, blue water scarcity in Jordan is severe; groundwater consumption is nearly double the sustainable yield; water pollution aggravates blue water scarcity; and Jordan's external virtual water dependency is 86%. Our review yields ten essential ingredients that a sustainable water management strategy for Jordan, that reduces the risk of extreme water scarcity and dependency, should involve. With respect to these, Jordan's current water policy requires a strong redirection towards water demand management. Especially, more attention should be paid to reducing water demand by changing the consumption patterns of Jordan consumers. Moreover, exploitation of fossil groundwater should soon be halted and planned desalination projects require careful consideration on the sustainability of their energy supply.

3. Photocopied July 1971 from Photo 741, Jordan Narrows Folder ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

3. Photocopied July 1971 from Photo 741, Jordan Narrows Folder #1, Engineering Department, Utah Power and Light Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. INTERIOR VIEW, JULY 2, 1909. - Salt Lake City Water & Electrical Power Company, Jordan Narrows Hydroelectric Plant, Jordan River, Riverton, Salt Lake County, UT

Starting Points and Destinations: Negotiating Factual and Fictional Pathways: A Response to Gilbourne, Jones and Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wellard, Ian

2014-01-01

This paper provides a response to questions which emerged when reading Gilbourne et al's paper, questions it is suggested which compel us to go back to the very heart of what critical social science is (or can be) about. Central to this debate is the extent to which a perceived starting point in any investigation has implications upon the…

Successful desensitization to Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue Triptorelin Acetate using a sustained-release depot preparation.

PubMed

Chan Ng, Pauline; Huang, Chiung-Hui; Rajakulendran, Mohana; Tan, Michelle Meiling; Wang, Ping Ping; Tay, Lei Qiu; Goh, Siok Ying; Shek, Lynette Pei-Chi; Tham, Elizabeth Huiwen

2018-05-29

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are commonly used in pediatric patients in the treatment of central precocious puberty 1 . GnRH analogues suppress the secretion of gonadotropins and sex hormones, preventing progression to advanced puberty and reduced final adult height secondary to accelerated fusion of growth plates. GnRH analogues are also used in adults for treatment of endometriosis 2 and prostatic cancer 3 . Hypersensitivity reactions to GnRH analogues are exceedingly rare 4-6 and to date, we are unaware of any desensitization protocols for GnRH hypersensitivity in the literature or used in clinical practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Does Israel Have a Need to Retain the Golan Heights? (The View from Israel).

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-06-06

the west side of the Jordan River .18 At the zenith of their power, their kingdom included the whole area west of the Jordan River , the Jordan Valley ...Israeli armistice demarcation lines changed from the mandatory borders in some areas east of the Jordan River and the Yarmuk Valley in Syria’s favor. The...Yarmuk Valley to the Jordan River . The Israelis gained control of the entire Golan Heights and impeded the Syrian artillery dominance of the valley to

Medical conditions among Iraqi refugees in Jordan: data from the United Nations Refugee Assistance Information System

PubMed Central

Carone, Marco; Al-Saedy, Huda; Nyce, Sayre; Ghosn, Jad; Mutuerandu, Timothy; Black, Robert E

2012-01-01

Abstract Objective To determine the range and burden of health services utilization among Iraqi refugees receiving health assistance in Jordan, a country of first asylum. Methods Medical conditions, diagnosed in accordance with the tenth revision of the International classification of diseases, were actively monitored from 1January to 31December 2010 using a pilot centralized database in Jordan called the Refugee Assistance Information System. Findings There were 27 166 medical visits by 7642 Iraqi refugees (mean age: 37.4 years; 49% male; 70% from Baghdad; 6% disabled; 3% with a history of torture). Chronic diseases were common, including essential hypertension (22% of refugees), visual disturbances (12%), joint disorders (11%) and type II diabetes mellitus (11%). The most common reasons for seeking acute care were upper respiratory tract infection (11%), supervision of normal pregnancy (4%) and urinary disorders (3%). The conditions requiring the highest number of visits per refugee were cerebrovascular disease (1.46 visits), senile cataract (1.46) and glaucoma (1.44). Sponsored care included 31 747 referrals or consultations to a specialty service, 18 432 drug dispensations, 2307 laboratory studies and 1090 X-rays. The specialties most commonly required were ophthalmology, dentistry, gynaecology and orthopaedic surgery. Conclusion Iraqi refugees in countries of first asylum and resettlement require targeted health services, health education and sustainable prevention and control strategies for predominantly chronic diseases. PMID:22690034

Depletion of the Complex Multiple Aquifer System of Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rödiger, T.; Siebert, C.; Geyer, S.; Merz, R.

2017-12-01

In many countries worldwide water scarcity pose a significant risk to the environment and the socio-economy. Particularly in countries where the available water resources are strongly limited by climatic conditions an accurate determination of the available water resources is of high priority, especially when water supply predominantly rely oon groundwater resources and their recharge. If groundwater abstraction exceeds the natural groundwater recharge in heavily used well field areas, overexploitation or persistent groundwater depletion occurs. This is the case in the Kingdom of Jordan, where a multi-layer aquifer complex forms the eastern subsurface catchment of the Dead Sea basin. Since the begin of the industrial and agricultural development of the country, dramatically falling groundwater levels, the disappearance of springs and saltwater intrusions from deeper aquifers is documented nation-wide. The total water budget is influenced by (i) a high climatic gradient from hyperarid to semiarid and (ii) the intnese anthropogenic abstraction. For this multi-layered aquifer system we developed a methodology to evaluate groundwater depletion by linking a hydrological and a numerical flow model including estimates of groundwater abstraction. Hence, we define groundwater depletion as the rate of groundwater abstraction in excess of natural recharge rate. Restricting our analysis, we calculated a range of groundwater depletion from 0% in the eastern Hamad basin to around 40% in the central part of Jordan and to extreme values of 100% of depletion in the Azraq and Disi basin.

Crop water use measurement using a weighing lysimeter at the Dayr Alla Research Station in the Jordan Valley, Jordan

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Since 2003, a regional project funded by USDA-ARS-OIRP has focused on improving irrigation scheduling in Jordan, Palestine and Israel. The Middle Eastern Regional Irrigation Management Information Systems (MERMIS) project involves cooperators from Palestine, Jordan, Israel and the United States, all...

Emigration for Higher Education: The Case of Palestinians Living in Israel Studying in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arar, Khalid; Haj-Yehia, Kussai

2010-01-01

This study explored reasons for the rapid increase in the number of Palestinian Arabs from Israel (PAI) studying higher education (HE) in Jordan. Four hundred and sixty PAI studying in Jordan answered a questionnaire assessing factors related to HE in both countries. Lenient admission requirements and cultural-language similarity explain Jordan's…

77 FR 59393 - Jordan Cove Energy Project LP; Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP; Notice of Additional Public...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-27

...-17-000] Jordan Cove Energy Project LP; Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP; Notice of Additional Public..., and 11, 2012, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) Office of Energy Projects... additional public scoping meetings to take comments on Jordan Cove Energy Project LP's (Jordan Cove) proposed...

76 FR 8997 - Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for the Importation of Fresh Strawberries From Jordan Into...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-16

...] Notice of Decision To Issue Permits for the Importation of Fresh Strawberries From Jordan Into the... continental United States of fresh strawberries from Jordan. Based on the findings of a pest risk analysis... strawberries from Jordan. DATES: Effective Date: February 16, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Donna...

Incorporation of monodisperse oligoethyleneglycol amino acids into anticonvulsant analogues of galanin and neuropeptide y provides peripherally acting analgesics.

PubMed

Zhang, Liuyin; Klein, Brian D; Metcalf, Cameron S; Smith, Misty D; McDougle, Daniel R; Lee, Hee-Kyoung; White, H Steve; Bulaj, Grzegorz

2013-02-04

Delivery of neuropeptides into the central and/or peripheral nervous systems supports development of novel neurotherapeutics for the treatment of pain, epilepsy and other neurological diseases. Our previous work showed that the combination of lipidization and cationization applied to anticonvulsant neuropeptides galanin (GAL) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) improved their penetration across the blood-brain barrier yielding potent antiepileptic lead compounds, such as Gal-B2 (NAX 5055) or NPY-B2. To dissect peripheral and central actions of anticonvulsant neuropeptides, we rationally designed, synthesized and characterized GAL and NPY analogues containing monodisperse (discrete) oligoethyleneglycol-lysine (dPEG-Lys). The dPEGylated analogues Gal-B2-dPEG(24), Gal-R2-dPEG(24) and NPY-dPEG(24) displayed analgesic activities following systemic administration, while avoiding penetration into the brain. Gal-B2-dPEG(24) was synthesized by a stepwise deprotection of orthogonal 4-methoxytrityl and allyloxycarbonyl groups, and subsequent on-resin conjugations of dPEG(24) and palmitic acids, respectively. All the dPEGylated analogues exhibited substantially decreased hydrophobicity (expressed as logD values), increased in vitro serum stabilities and pronounced analgesia in the formalin and carrageenan inflammatory pain assays following systemic administration, while lacking apparent antiseizure activities. These results suggest that discrete PEGylation of neuropeptides offers an attractive strategy for developing neurotherapeutics with restricted penetration into the central nervous system.

The Relationship between Parental Abuse and Psychological Safety of the Children at the City of Amman and the Central Valleys of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Anani, Hanan Abd Al-Hameed

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of parental abuse and psychological security of the child, as well as the degree differences of these variables, based on the gender, the age and place of residency. The aim of this study also was to detect the relationship between parental abuse and the psychological security of the child. The…

A Response to Jordan's (2004) "Explanatory Adequacy and Theories of Second Language Acquisition"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gregg, Kevin R.

2005-01-01

In a recent paper (Jordan, Geoff Jordan takes issue with some of my claims about second language acquisition (SLA) theory. Specifically, he queries the necessity of a property theory, and he finds my discussion of explanation unsatisfactory. In this brief reply, I try to answer his criticisms. In a brief but interesting paper, Geoff Jordan (2004:…

75 FR 62500 - Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Strawberries From Jordan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-12

...] Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Strawberries From Jordan... importation into the continental United States of fresh strawberries from Jordan. Based on this analysis, we... importation of fresh strawberries from Jordan. We are making the pest risk analysis available to the public...

Observations on cucullanid nematodes from freshwater fishes in Mexico, including Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n.

PubMed

Caspeta-Mandujano, J M; Moravec, F; Salgado-Maldonado, G

1999-01-01

A new cucullanid nematode, Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n., is described from the intestine of three species of fishes, Agonostomus monticola (Bancroft) (Mugilidae, Perciformes) (type host), Ictalurus balsanus (Jordan et Snyder) (Ictaluridae, Siluriformes) and Cichlasoma beani (Jordan) (Cichlidae, Perciformes), from three rivers (La Maquina River, Veracruz; Chontalcoatlán River, Guerrero and Santiago River, Nayarit) in central Mexico. This species is characterised by the absence of a ventral sucker in the male (subgenus Dichelyne) and it differs from its congeners mainly in possessing very unequal and dissimilar spicules (left 0.465-0.768 mm and right 293-548 mm long), an asymmetrical gubernaculum, and two intestinal caeca. Another cucullanid nematode, Cucullanus caballeroi Petter, 1977, is reported from Dormitator maculatus (Bloch) (Eleotridae, Perciformes) from the La Palma and La Maquina Rivers and Balzapote stream, Veracruz, being briefly described and illustrated; this represents a new host record. Findings of D. mexicanus and C. caballeroi represent a new record of cucullanid nematodes from fishes in Mexican fresh waters.

Hydrogeologic setting and the potentiometric surfaces of regional aquifers in the Hollandale Embayment, southeastern Minnesota, 1970-80

USGS Publications Warehouse

Delin, G.N.; Woodward, D.G.

1984-01-01

Potentiometric-surface maps for each aquifer indicate that movement of ground water is predominantly toward the major rivers. The St. Croix, Minnesota, and Mississippi Rivers constitute regional discharge boundaries for ground-water flow. A major ground-water divide in the St. Peter, Prairie du Chien-Jordan, Ironton-Galesville, and Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers in the south-central part of the Hollandale embayment separates ground-water flow northward toward the Twin Cities area and southward toward Iowa. The St. Peter and Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifers in the southeastern part of the embayment contain ground-water mounds as high as 90 ft above the regional potentiometric surface. The mounds occur as a result of increased recharge where the Decorah-Platteville-Glenwood confining bed has been removed by erosion and the aquifers subcrop beneath drift that is about 20 ft thick. This head distribution produces a locally complex pattern of flow in which ground water moves southwesterly toward Iowa instead of directly toward the Mississippi River.

"You Have Come a Long Way Woman": A Sparkle Slogan without Realistic Meaning for Woman Status in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khudeir, Dua'a Ibrahim

2017-01-01

This research paper discusses woman status in the country of Jordan in terms of rights, equality and personal liberties, freedom of choice in particular. It argues that, although Jordan is working hard to be open to Western values and civilization; however, it lags behind when it comes to woman liberty and equality. Jordan is a patriarchal…

Jordan Country Analysis Brief

EIA Publications

2014-01-01

Jordan, unlike its immediate neighbors, does not possess significant energy resources. As of January 2014, the Oil & Gas Journal estimated Jordan's proved oil reserves at just 1 million barrels and its proved natural gas reserves at slightly more than 200 billion cubic feet (Bcf). Oil shale resources have the potential to increase Jordan's reserves significantly, and the country plans to build the first oil shale-fired electricity generation facility in the Middle East after 2017.

Mapping Ecosystem Services in the Jordan Valley, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luz, Ana; Marques, Ana; Ribeiro, Inês; Alho, Maria; Catarina Afonso, Ana; Almeida, Erika; Branquinho, Cristina; Talozi, Samer; Pinho, Pedro

2016-04-01

In the last decade researchers started using ecosystem services as a new framework to understand the relationships between environment and society. Habitat quality and water quality are related with ecosystem services regulation and maintenance, or even provision. According to the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) both habitat quality and water quality are associated with lifecycle maintenance, habitat and gene pool protection, and water conditions, among others. As there is increased pressure on habitats and rivers especially for agricultural development, mapping and evaluating habitat and water quality has important implications for resource management and conservation, as well as for rural development. Here, we model and map habitat and water quality in the Jordan Valley, Jordan. In this study, we aim to identify and analyse ecosystem services both through 1) habitat quality and 2) water quality modelling using InVest, an integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs. The data used in this study mainly includes the LULC, Jordan River watershed and main threats and pollutants in the study area, such as agriculture, industry, fish farms and urbanization. Results suggest a higher pressure on natural habitats in the Northern region of the Jordan Valley, where industry is dominant. Agriculture is present along the Jordan Valley and limits the few natural forested areas. Further, water pollution is mainly concentrated in disposal sites due to the low flow of the Jordan River. Our results can help to identify areas where natural resources and water resource management is most needed in the Jordan Valley. Acknowledgements: Transbasin FP7 project

The gravity field and crustal structure of the northwestern Arabian Platform in Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batayneh, A. T.; Al-Zoubi, A. S.

2001-01-01

The Bouguer gravity field over the northwestern Arabian Platform in Jordan is dominated by large variations, ranging from -132 to +4 mGal. A study of the Bouguer anomaly map shows that the gravity field maintains a general north-northeasterly trend in the Wadi Araba-Dead Sea-Jordan Riff, Northern Highlands and Northeast Jordanian Limestone Area, while the remainder of the area shows north-northwesterly-trending gravity anomalies. Results of 2-D gravity modeling of the Bouguer gravity field indicate that the crustal thickness in Jordan is ˜ 38 km, which is similar to crustal thicknesses obtained from refraction data in northern Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and from gravity data in Syria.

Hyperthermic responses to central injections of some peptide and non-peptide opioids in the guinea-pig

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kandasamy, S. B.; Williams, B. A.

1983-01-01

The intracerebroventricular administration of prototype nonpeptide opioid receptor (mu, kappa, and sigma) agonists, morphine, ketocyclazocine, and N-allyl normetazocine and an agonist at both kappa and sigma receptors, pentazocine, was found to induce hyperthermia in guinea pigs. The similar administration of peptide opioids like beta endorphin, methionine endkephalin, leucine endkephaline, and several of their synthetic analogues was also found to cause hyperthermia. Only the liver-like transport system of the three anion transport systems (iodide, hippurate, and liver-like) present in the choroid plexus was determined to be important to the central inactivation of beta-endorphin and two synthetic analogues. Prostaglandins and norepinephrine (NE) as well as cAMP were not involved in peptide and nonpeptide opioid-induced hyperthermia. Naloxone-sensitive receptors were found to be involved in the induction of hyperthermia by morphine and beta-endorphin, while hyperthermic responses to ketocyclazocine, N-allyl normetazocine, pentazocine, Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, and two of the synthetic analogues were not antagonized by nalozone. The lack of antagonism of naloxone on pyrogen, arachidonic acid, PGE2, dibutyryl cAMP, and NE-induced hyperthermia shows that endogenous opioid peptides are not likely to be central mediators of the hyperthermia induced by these agents.

The Jordan River: Source of Life and Source of Conflict

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

potential conflict begin almost where the Jordan River itself begins – at it headwaters in Lebanon, in the northwest quadrant of the Jordan River...essentially focuses attention on the tension between Israel and Syria, in the northeast quadrant of the Jordan River basin. This is an area where mainly...34 Foreign Policy, no. 54 (1984): 3-26. 23 Arnold Hottinger, “Wasser als Konfliktstoff: Eine Existenzfrage für Staaten des Nahen Ostens,” Europa

Delay in Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients in Jordan.

PubMed

Abu-Helalah, Ahmad Munir; Alshraideh, Hussam Ahmad; Al-Hanaqtah, Mo'tasem; Da'na, Moh'd; Al-Omari, Asim; Mubaidin, Rasmi

2016-01-01

Breast cancer is the most common cancer, and one of the leading causes of death for females in Jordan and many countries in the world. Studies have shown that delay in symptoms presentation, diagnosis or treatment would result in poor prognosis. There has been no published study from Jordan on delays in patient presentation, delays in diagnosis, or delays in treatment. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess these important quality indicators aiming to improve prognosis for breast cancer patients in Jordan. This project was a cross-sectional study on female breast cancer patients in Jordan. The total number of participants was 327. The proportion of patients with presentation delay, diagnosis delay, and treatment delay was 32.2%, 49.1%, or 32.4%, respectively. The main reported reasons for delay in presentation were ignorance of the nature of the problem (65.6%), limited/lack of knowledge that symptoms were suggestive of cancer diagnosis (16.7%), and misdiagnosis (16.7%). Predictors of delay and mean time for presentation, diagnosis, and treatment were identified. Our results reveal that breast cancer patients in Jordan are experiencing delays in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. This could justify the advanced stages at diagnosis and poor outcomes for breast cancer patients in Jordan. We recommend revising the current early detection and down-staging programs in Jordan. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

77 FR 5867 - Suggestions for Environmental Cooperation Pursuant to the United States-Jordan Joint Statement on...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-06

... the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area (U.S.-Jordan Free Trade... money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the Work Program. There is no...

The changing epidemiology of diphtheria in Jordan*

PubMed Central

Khuri-Bulos, N.; Hamzah, Y.; Sammerrai, S. M.; Shehabi, A.; Hamed, R.; Arnaout, M. A.; Turk, J.; Qubain, H.

1988-01-01

Outbreaks of diphtheria used to occur regularly in Jordan, the last such outbreak being in 1977-78. Since that time, a massive immunization programme targeted at pre-school-age children has been markedly successful. Hence, when an outbreak of diphtheria occurred in 1982-83, it was unexpected. Of the 35 patients who were treated at the Jordan University Hospital, two died and the remaining 33 recovered uneventfully. Contrary to our findings in previous diphtheria epidemics in Jordan, this outbreak largely involved adolescents and young adults. PMID:3260143

Chaotic inflation in Jordan frame supergravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Hyun Min, E-mail: hyun.min.lee@cern.ch

2010-08-01

We consider the inflationary scenario with non-minimal coupling in 4D Jordan frame supergravity. We find that there occurs a tachyonic instability along the direction of the accompanying non-inflaton field in generic Jordan frame supergravity models. We propose a higher order correction to the Jordan frame function for solving the tachyonic mass problem and show that the necessary correction can be naturally generated by the heavy thresholds without spoiling the slow-roll conditions. We discuss the implication of the result on the Higgs inflation in NMSSM.

Diabetes insipidus: clinical and basic aspects.

PubMed

Majzoub, Joseph A; Srivatsa, Abhinash

2006-12-01

Water homeostasis in the body is finely balanced by the release of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin and the stimulation of thirst. Vasopressin acts in the kidneys to concentrate urine and reduce plasma osmolality. Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of water balance characterized by a failure to concentrate urine. There are two types of diabetes insipidus: central and nephrogenic. Central diabetes insipidus is caused by insufficient production of vasopressin, while nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is caused by an impaired response of the kidneys to vasopressin. Patients with central diabetes insipidus respond to treatment with vasopressin or its synthetic analogue, desmopressin; however, caution should be utilized in treating infants with vasopressin or analogues-infants can be treated successfully with fluids alone. Treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus involves removing the underlying cause, if possible, reducing solute load or therapy with a diuretic agent.

Special Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hamour, Bashir; Al-Hmouz, Hanan

2014-01-01

The purpose of this article is to provide a brief background about special education system in Jordan and particularly describes the present types of programmes and legislation provided within the country to students with special needs, as well as integration movement. Jordan has historically provided a limited number of educational opportunities…

Central effect of taurine and its analogues on fever caused by intravenous leukocytic pyrogen in the rabbit.

PubMed Central

Lipton, J M; Ticknor, C B

1979-01-01

1. Taurine infused I.C.V. after I.V. injection of leukocytic pyrogen (LP) inhibited the initial rise in body temperature and prolonged fever when infusion was stopped. 2. Similar infusion of taurine also inhibited the hypertermic effect of I.C.V. PGE2 (0.5 microgram) but did not cause prolonged hyperthermia. 3. I.C.V. administration of the taurine analogues hypotaurine and beta-alanine, compounds which have been shown previously to compete with taurine for facilitated transport in C.N.S. tissue, also inhibited the initial increase in body temperature and prolonged LP fever. 4. These results suggest that taurine prolongs LP fever by preferentially occupying a carrier system normally required for termination of the effects of endogenous pyrogens or related central mediators of fever. There was no evidence that taurine prolongs fever by blocking inactivation of central PGE2, a substance proposed previously to be a central mediator of fever. PMID:107309

Barriers to Utilizing ICT in Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alkhawaldeh, Nayef Ibrahim; Menchaca, Michael

2014-01-01

This study explored barriers to utilizing information and communication technologies (ICT) for teaching and learning in the country of Jordan as indicated by participating stakeholders: students, teachers, and administrators. Jordan is a developing country in the heart of the Middle East with both tremendous opportunity as well as significant…

Child, Family and Community Characteristics Associated with School Readiness in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Hassan, Suha M.; Lansford, Jennifer E.

2009-01-01

The present study investigated demographic differences in school readiness within Jordan, a particularly interesting context because of widespread national reform currently sweeping the education system in Jordan. Teacher reports and researcher direct assessments of the school readiness of a national sample of 4681 Jordanian first grade children…

False vacuum decay in Jordan-Brans-Dicke cosmologies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holman, Richard; Kolb, Edward W.; Vadas, Sharon L.; Wang, Yun; Weinberg, Erick J.

1989-01-01

The bubble nucleation rate in a first-order phase transition taking place in a background Jordan-Brans-Dicke cosmology is examined. The leading order terms in the nucleation rate when the Jordan-Brans-Dicke field is large (i.e., late times) are computed by means of a Weyl rescaling of the fields in the theory. It is found that despite the fact that the Jordan-Brans-Dicke field (hence the effective gravitational constant) has a time dependence in the false vacuum at late times the nucleation rate is time independent.

The changing pattern and determinants of declining consanguinity in Jordan during 1990-2012.

PubMed

Islam, M Mazharul

2018-03-01

Consanguinity is a deep rooted cultural trait in Jordan. To examine the patterns and determinants of declining rates of consanguineous marriage in Jordan during 1990-2012 in the context of the changing pattern of socio-economic and demographic conditions. The data come from the 1990 and 2012 Jordan Population and Family Health Surveys (JPFHSs). A total of 6461 women in 1990 and 11,352 women in 2012 were successfully interviewed. Descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques were used for data analysis. Consanguinity was found to be widely practiced (35% in 2012) until recent times in Jordan. However, there has been a secular declining trend over the last few decades as the practice of consanguinity has declined from 56% in 1990 to 35% in 2012. Increasing age at marriage and female education, higher level of education of husbands, declining family size, increasing rate of urbanisation and female employment, exposure to mass media and higher economic status appeared as significant predictors of declining consanguinity in Jordan. The findings of this study support Goode's hypothesis of a decrease of consanguinity with modernisation. Although consanguinity is a deeply rooted cultural trend in Jordan, it is gradually losing ground due to modernisation and socio-demographic transition of the country.

Architecture, sedentism, and social complexity at Pre-Pottery Neolithic A WF16, Southern Jordan

PubMed Central

Finlayson, Bill; Mithen, Steven J.; Najjar, Mohammad; Smith, Sam; Maričević, Darko; Pankhurst, Nick; Yeomans, Lisa

2011-01-01

Recent excavations at Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) WF16 in southern Jordan have revealed remarkable evidence of architectural developments in the early Neolithic. This sheds light on both special purpose structures and “domestic” settlement, allowing fresh insights into the development of increasingly sedentary communities and the social systems they supported. The development of sedentary communities is a central part of the Neolithic process in Southwest Asia. Architecture and ideas of homes and households have been important to the debate, although there has also been considerable discussion on the role of communal buildings and the organization of early sedentarizing communities since the discovery of the tower at Jericho. Recently, the focus has been on either northern Levantine PPNA sites, such as Jerf el Ahmar, or the emergence of ritual buildings in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B of the southern Levant. Much of the debate revolves around a division between what is interpreted as domestic space, contrasted with “special purpose” buildings. Our recent evidence allows a fresh examination of the nature of early Neolithic communities. PMID:21536900

Architecture, sedentism, and social complexity at Pre-Pottery Neolithic A WF16, Southern Jordan.

PubMed

Finlayson, Bill; Mithen, Steven J; Najjar, Mohammad; Smith, Sam; Maričević, Darko; Pankhurst, Nick; Yeomans, Lisa

2011-05-17

Recent excavations at Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) WF16 in southern Jordan have revealed remarkable evidence of architectural developments in the early Neolithic. This sheds light on both special purpose structures and "domestic" settlement, allowing fresh insights into the development of increasingly sedentary communities and the social systems they supported. The development of sedentary communities is a central part of the Neolithic process in Southwest Asia. Architecture and ideas of homes and households have been important to the debate, although there has also been considerable discussion on the role of communal buildings and the organization of early sedentarizing communities since the discovery of the tower at Jericho. Recently, the focus has been on either northern Levantine PPNA sites, such as Jerf el Ahmar, or the emergence of ritual buildings in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B of the southern Levant. Much of the debate revolves around a division between what is interpreted as domestic space, contrasted with "special purpose" buildings. Our recent evidence allows a fresh examination of the nature of early Neolithic communities.

Dirk Jordan | NREL

Science.gov Websites

quantify module degradation rates. Statistical analysis of reported degradation rates of PV modules degradation rates," Prog. in PV 24(7), 2016, DOI: 10.1002/pip.2744 Jordan D.C., Silverman T.J PV, 2017, DOI: 10.1002/pip.2866 Jordan D.C., Silverman T.J., Sekulic B., Kurtz S.R., "PV

Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Engineering Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aqlan, Faisal; Al-Araidah, Omar; Al-Hawari, Tarek

2010-01-01

This paper provides a study of the quality assurance and accreditation in the Jordanian higher education sector and focuses mainly on engineering education. It presents engineering education, accreditation and quality assurance in Jordan and considers the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) for a case study. The study highlights the…

The Prevalence of Speech Disorders among University Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alaraifi, Jehad Ahmad; Amayreh, Mousa Mohammad; Saleh, Mohammad Yusef

2014-01-01

Problem: There are no available studies on the prevalence, and distribution of speech disorders among Arabic speaking undergraduate students in Jordan. Method: A convenience sample of 400 undergraduate students at the University of Jordan was screened for speech disorders. Two spontaneous speech samples and an oral reading of a passage were…

Social Support and Stress among University Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamdan-Mansour, Ayman M.; Dawani, Hania A.

2008-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perception of social support and perceived stress among university students in Jordan. A sample of 241 university students from private and government universities in Jordan answered self-report questionnaires including the perceived social support scale and perceived stress scale.…

Impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on land use and transboundary freshwater resources.

PubMed

Müller, Marc François; Yoon, Jim; Gorelick, Steven M; Avisse, Nicolas; Tilmant, Amaury

2016-12-27

Since 2013, hundreds of thousands of refugees have migrated southward to Jordan to escape the Syrian civil war that began in mid-2011. Evaluating impacts of conflict and migration on land use and transboundary water resources in an active war zone remains a challenge. However, spatial and statistical analyses of satellite imagery for the recent period of Syrian refugee mass migration provide evidence of rapid changes in land use, water use, and water management in the Yarmouk-Jordan river watershed shared by Syria, Jordan, and Israel. Conflict and consequent migration caused ∼50% decreases in both irrigated agriculture in Syria and retention of winter rainfall in Syrian dams, which gave rise to unexpected additional stream flow to downstream Jordan during the refugee migration period. Comparing premigration and postmigration periods, Syrian abandonment of irrigated agriculture accounts for half of the stream flow increase, with the other half attributable to recovery from a severe drought. Despite this increase, the Yarmouk River flow into Jordan is still substantially below the volume that was expected by Jordan under the 1953, 1987, and 2001 bilateral agreements with Syria.

Impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on land use and transboundary freshwater resources

PubMed Central

Müller, Marc François; Yoon, Jim; Gorelick, Steven M.; Avisse, Nicolas; Tilmant, Amaury

2016-01-01

Since 2013, hundreds of thousands of refugees have migrated southward to Jordan to escape the Syrian civil war that began in mid-2011. Evaluating impacts of conflict and migration on land use and transboundary water resources in an active war zone remains a challenge. However, spatial and statistical analyses of satellite imagery for the recent period of Syrian refugee mass migration provide evidence of rapid changes in land use, water use, and water management in the Yarmouk–Jordan river watershed shared by Syria, Jordan, and Israel. Conflict and consequent migration caused ∼50% decreases in both irrigated agriculture in Syria and retention of winter rainfall in Syrian dams, which gave rise to unexpected additional stream flow to downstream Jordan during the refugee migration period. Comparing premigration and postmigration periods, Syrian abandonment of irrigated agriculture accounts for half of the stream flow increase, with the other half attributable to recovery from a severe drought. Despite this increase, the Yarmouk River flow into Jordan is still substantially below the volume that was expected by Jordan under the 1953, 1987, and 2001 bilateral agreements with Syria. PMID:27930317

Public health impact and cost effectiveness of routine childhood vaccination for hepatitis a in Jordan: a dynamic model approach.

PubMed

Hayajneh, Wail A; Daniels, Vincent J; James, Cerise K; Kanıbir, Muhammet Nabi; Pilsbury, Matthew; Marks, Morgan; Goveia, Michelle G; Elbasha, Elamin H; Dasbach, Erik; Acosta, Camilo J

2018-03-07

As the socioeconomic conditions in Jordan have improved over recent decades the disease and economic burden of Hepatitis A has increased. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential health and economic impact of a two-dose hepatitis A vaccine program covering one-year old children in Jordan. We adapted an age-structured population model of hepatitis A transmission dynamics to project the epidemiologic and economic impact of vaccinating one-year old children for 50 years in Jordan. The epidemiologic model was calibrated using local data on hepatitis A in Jordan. These data included seroprevalence and incidence data from the Jordan Ministry of Health as well as hospitalization data from King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. We assumed 90% of all children would be vaccinated with the two-dose regimen by two years of age. The economic evaluation adopted a societal perspective and measured benefits using the quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The modeled vaccination program reduced the incidence of hepatitis A in Jordan by 99%, 50 years after its introduction. The model projected 4.26 million avoided hepatitis A infections, 1.42 million outpatient visits, 22,475 hospitalizations, 508 fulminant cases, 95 liver transplants, and 76 deaths over a 50 year time horizon. In addition, we found, over a 50 year time horizon, the vaccination program would gain 37,502 QALYs and save over $42.6 million in total costs. The vaccination program became cost-saving within 6 years of its introduction and was highly cost-effective during the first 5 years. A vaccination program covering one-year old children is projected to be a cost-saving intervention that will significantly reduce the public health and economic burden of hepatitis A in Jordan.

Jordan's 2002 to 2012 Fertility Stall and Parallel USAID Investments in Family Planning: Lessons From an Assessment to Guide Future Programming

PubMed Central

Spindler, Esther; Bitar, Nisreen; Solo, Julie; Menstell, Elizabeth; Shattuck, Dominick

2017-01-01

Health practitioners, researchers, and donors are stumped about Jordan's stalled fertility rate, which has stagnated between 3.7 and 3.5 children per woman from 2002 to 2012, above the national replacement level of 2.1. This stall paralleled United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding investments in family planning in Jordan, triggering an assessment of USAID family planning programming in Jordan. This article describes the methods, results, and implications of the programmatic assessment. Methods included an extensive desk review of USAID programs in Jordan and 69 interviews with reproductive health stakeholders. We explored reasons for fertility stagnation in Jordan's total fertility rate (TFR) and assessed the effects of USAID programming on family planning outcomes over the same time period. The assessment results suggest that the increased use of less effective methods, in particular withdrawal and condoms, are contributing to Jordan's TFR stall. Jordan's limited method mix, combined with strong sociocultural determinants around reproduction and fertility desires, have contributed to low contraceptive effectiveness in Jordan. Over the same time period, USAID contributions toward increasing family planning access and use, largely focused on service delivery programs, were extensive. Examples of effective initiatives, among others, include task shifting of IUD insertion services to midwives due to a shortage of female physicians. However, key challenges to improved use of family planning services include limited government investments in family planning programs, influential service provider behaviors and biases that limit informed counseling and choice, pervasive strong social norms of family size and fertility, and limited availability of different contraceptive methods. In contexts where sociocultural norms and a limited method mix are the dominant barriers toward improved family planning use, increased national government investments toward synchronized service delivery and social and behavior change activities may be needed to catalyze national-level improvements in family planning outcomes. PMID:29284697

Food security and humanitarian assistance among displaced Iraqi populations in Jordan and Syria.

PubMed

Doocy, Shannon; Sirois, Adam; Anderson, Jamie; Tileva, Margarita; Biermann, Elizabeth; Storey, J Douglas; Burnham, Gilbert

2011-01-01

The Iraq conflict resulted in the largest displacement in the Middle East in recent history, and provision of health services to the displaced population presents a critical challenge. With an increase in the number of people affected by complex emergencies and the number of people displaced in urban settings, the international community must adapt intervention strategies to meet the specific demands and contexts of this population. The study aimed to provide information on food security and livelihoods for Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan to inform humanitarian assistance planning. National cross-sectional cluster sample surveys of displaced Iraqi populations displaced were conducted in Jordan (October 2008) and Syria (March 2009). Clusters of ten households were randomly selected using probability-based sampling; a total of 1200 and 813 Iraqi households in Jordan and Syria, respectively, were interviewed about food security and receipt of humanitarian assistance. In Syria, 60% of households reported the household food situation had declined since the arrival period as compared to 46% in Jordan. Food aid receipt was reported by 18.0% of households in Jordan and 90.3% of households in Syria. In Jordan, 10.2% of households received cash assistance and in Syria 25.3% of households received cash assistance. In Jordan, cash assistance was associated with low socioeconomic status, large household size, and UNHCR registration. In Syria, female headed households, Damascus residents, families with children, and those registered with UNHCR were more likely to receive cash assistance. Food insecurity remains a concern among displaced Iraqi households in both Jordan and Syria. Improved targeting of both food and cash assistance and the expansion of cash-based programs could lead to a more effective use of funds and facilitate the implementation of assistance programs that are sustainable in the context of declining funding availability. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Late Pleniglacial vegetation in eastern-central Europe: are there modern analogues in Siberia?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magyari, Enikő Katalin; Kuneš, Petr; Jakab, Gusztáv; Sümegi, Pál; Pelánková, Barbora; Schäbitz, Frank; Braun, Mihály; Chytrý, Milan

2014-07-01

To characterize Late Pleniglacial (LPG: 26.5-15 ka cal BP) and particularly Last Glacial Maximum (LGM: 21 ± 2 ka cal BP) vegetation and climate, fossil pollen assemblages are often compared with modern pollen assemblages. Given the non-analogue climate of the LPG, a key question is how glacial pollen assemblages and thereby vegetation compare with modern vegetation. In this paper we present three LPG pollen records from the Carpathian Basin and the adjoining Carpathian Mountains to address this question and provide a concise compositional characterization of the LPG vegetation. Fossil pollen assemblages were compared with surface pollen spectra from the Altai-Sayan Mountains in southern Siberia. This area shows many similarities with the LPG vegetation of eastern-central Europe, and has long been considered as its best modern analogue. Ordination and analogue matching were used to characterize vegetation composition and find the best analogues. Our results show that few LPG pollen assemblages have statistically significant analogues in southern Siberia. When analogue pairings occur they suggest the predominance of wet and mesic grasslands and dry steppe in the studied region. Wooded vegetation types (continental and suboceanic hemiboreal forest, continental taiga) appear as significant analogues only in a few cases during the LGM and more frequently after 16 ka cal BP. These results suggest that the LPG landscape of the Carpathian Basin was dominated by dry steppe that occurred outside the river floodplains, while wet and mesic grasslands occurred in the floodplains and on other sites influenced by ground water. Woody vegetation mainly occurred in river valleys, on wet north-facing hillsides, and scattered trees were likely also present on the loess plateaus. The dominant woody species were Larix, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus mugo, Pinus cembra, Picea abies, Betula pendula/pubescens, Betula nana, Juniperus, Hippophaë rhamnoides, Populus, Salix and Alnus. The pollen records suggest uninterrupted presence of mesophilous temperate trees (Quercus, Ulmus, Corylus, Fagus and Fraxinus excelsior) in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains throughout the LPG. We demonstrate that the LPG vegetation in this area was characterized by increasing grass cover and high frequency of wildfires. We conclude that pollen spectra over represent trees in the forest-steppe landscape of the LPG, furthermore pollen-based quantitative climate reconstructions for the LPG are challenging in this area due to the scarcity of modern analogues.

Child-Friendly School Initiative in Jordan: A Sharing Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weshah, Hani A.; Al-Faori, Oraib; Sakal, Reham M.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this research was to report on a Child-Friendly School (CFS) initiative pilot project in Jordan, which aims at initiating the creation of CFS and to raise stakeholders' awareness of the importance of this project in promoting and implementing Child Rights Conviction (CRC) in Jordan. The study was conducted by a joint team selected…

Content-Based Analysis of Bumper Stickers in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaradat, Abdullah A.

2016-01-01

This study has set out to investigate bumper stickers in Jordan focusing mainly on the themes of the stickers. The study hypothesized that bumper stickers in Jordan reflect a wide range of topics including social, economic, and political. Due to being the first study of this phenomenon, the study has adopted content-based analysis to determine the…

7 CFR 319.56-62 - Fresh beans, shelled or in pods, from Jordan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Fresh beans, shelled or in pods, from Jordan. 319.56... Vegetables § 319.56-62 Fresh beans, shelled or in pods, from Jordan. Fresh beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L... Spodoptera littoralis. (a) Packinghouse requirements. The beans must be packed in packing facilities that are...

Jordan Reforms Public Education to Compete in a Global Economy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erickson, Paul W.

2009-01-01

The King of Jordan's vision for education is resulting in innovative projects for the country. King Abdullah II wants Jordan to develop its human resources through public education to equip the workforce with skills for the future. From King Abdullah II's vision, the Education Reform for a Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) project implemented by the…

The Effect of an Education Program for Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Khalaf, Amany; Dempsey, Ian; Dally, Kerry

2014-01-01

There are few support services for parents of children with a disability in Jordan. The present exploratory study investigated whether the provision of an education program in Jordan for mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder increased mothers' understanding of their child's behaviour, improved the mothers' coping skills, and reduced…

Experiences of Students with Disabilities in a Public University in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Hmouz, Hanan

2014-01-01

The study examined students with disabilities perspectives toward their experiences in a public University in Jordan using a survey approach. The aim of this study was to take a closer look at the experiences of students with disabilities in Jordan and, in light of new legislation, to identify obstacles in the higher education system. It found…

Teaching for Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions: University of Jordan as a Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hola, Imfadi R. M.; Tareef, Atif Bin

2009-01-01

In Jordan, a rapid movement of educational reform is taking place nowadays. Curricula development, teacher education, using information and communication technology (ICT), improving teaching and learning strategies and integrating different subjects are among the main objectives of this reform. One of the main challenges in Jordan in order to cope…

Diagonalization and Jordan Normal Form--Motivation through "Maple"[R

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Glaister, P.

2009-01-01

Following an introduction to the diagonalization of matrices, one of the more difficult topics for students to grasp in linear algebra is the concept of Jordan normal form. In this note, we show how the important notions of diagonalization and Jordan normal form can be introduced and developed through the use of the computer algebra package…

The geochemistry of groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley: The impact of the Rift Valley brines

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farber, E.; Vengosh, A.; Gavrieli, I.; Marie, Amarisa; Bullen, T.D.; Mayer, B.; Polak, A.; Shavit, U.

2007-01-01

The chemical composition of groundwater in the Jordan Valley, along the section between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, is investigated in order to evaluate the origin of the groundwater resources and, in particular, to elucidate the role of deep brines on the chemical composition of the regional groundwater resources in the Jordan Valley. Samples were collected from shallow groundwater in research boreholes on two sites in the northern and southern parts of the Jordan Valley, adjacent to the Jordan River. Data is also compiled from previous published studies. Geochemical data (e.g., Br/Cl, Na/Cl and SO4/Cl ratios) and B, O, Sr and S isotopic compositions are used to define groundwater groups, to map their distribution in the Jordan valley, and to evaluate their origin. The combined geochemical tools enabled the delineation of three major sources of solutes that differentially affect the quality of groundwater in the Jordan Valley: (1) flow and mixing with hypersaline brines with high Br/Cl (>2 ?? 10-3) and low Na/Cl (<0.8) ratios; (2) dissolution of highly soluble salts (e.g., halite, gypsum) in the host sediments resulting in typically lower Br/Cl signal (<2 ?? 10-3); and (3) recharge of anthropogenic effluents, primarily derived from evaporated agricultural return flow that has interacted (e.g., base-exchange reactions) with the overlying soil. It is shown that shallow saline groundwaters influenced by brine mixing exhibit a north-south variation in their Br/Cl and Na/Cl ratios. This chemical trend was observed also in hypersaline brines in the Jordan valley, which suggests a local mixing process between the water bodies. ?? 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Baseline Characteristics of Jordan Creek, Juneau, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Host, Randy H.; Neal, Edward G.

2004-01-01

Anadromous fish populations historically have found healthy habitat in Jordan Creek, Juneau, Alaska. Concern regarding potential degradation to the habitat by urban development within the Mendenhall Valley led to a cooperative study among the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the U.S. Geological Survey, that assessed current hydrologic, water-quality, and physical-habitat conditions of the stream corridor. Periods of no streamflow were not uncommon at the Jordan Creek below Egan Drive near Auke Bay stream gaging station. Additional flow measurements indicate that periods of no flow are more frequent downstream of the gaging station. Although periods of no flow typically were in March and April, streamflow measurements collected prior to 1999 indicate similar periods in January, suggesting that no flow conditions may occur at any time during the winter months. This dewatering in the lower reaches likely limits fish rearing and spawning habitat as well as limiting the migration of juvenile salmon out to the ocean during some years. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations may not be suitable for fish survival during some winter periods in the Jordan Creek watershed. Dissolved-oxygen concentrations were measured as low as 2.8 mg/L at the gaging station and were measured as low as 0.85 mg/L in a tributary to Jordan Creek. Intermittent measurements of pH and dissolved-oxygen concentrations in the mid-reaches of Jordan Creek were all within acceptable limits for fish survival, however, few measurements of these parameters were made during winter-low-flow conditions. One set of water quality samples was collected at six different sites in the Jordan Creek watershed and analyzed for major ions and dissolved nutrients. Major-ion chemistry showed Jordan Creek is calcium bicarbonate type water with little variation between sampling sites.

Estimation of Nitrogen Loads to Two Impaired Reservoirs in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina Using LOADEST and SPARROW Models, 1997-2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pointer, B.; Harned, D. A.; Harden, S.

2010-12-01

The loading of nutrients into lacustrine ecosystems is an issue that concerns scientists and policy makers due to the potentially negative effect on drinking water sources. In this study, nitrogen loads are estimated for streams entering two central North Carolina lakes: Falls Lake in Durham County and B. Everett Jordan Lake in Chatham County. Both of these lakes have been placed on the North Carolina list of impaired waters due to excessive concentrations of chlorophyll a. Nutrient management rules are being established for both lakes. This study is being conducted collaboratively as part of the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) nonpoint source 319 program. Water-quality and streamflow data collected from a total of 9 stream sites (4 upstream of Falls Lake; 5 upstream of Jordan Lake) over 11 years (1997-2008) were used to estimate annual nitrogen loads to each lake using the USGS LOADEST (LOAD ESTimation) model (http://water.usgs.gov/software/loadest/). LOADEST is a multiple linear regression model that estimates constituent loads on a site-specific basis. In order to compare local and regional-scale models, nitrogen loads computed with a SPARROW (SPAtially-Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) model (http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/sparrow/) for the southeastern United States also were compiled for each lake. SPARROW model predictions for nitrogen loading are based on a single model year of 2002. The SPARROW model relates empirical nutrient data with watershed characteristics, allowing prediction of loads from all drainage basins that flow into each lake. In contrast, the site-specific data needed for LOADEST is limited to a subset of sampled tributaries. Therefore, for comparison’s sake, load estimations reported in this study from the SPARROW model are summed loads from the subset of basins with corresponding LOADEST calculations - 4 of 56 basins for Falls Lake and 5 of 62 for Jordan Lake, corresponding to 408 mi2 of 772 mi2 for Falls Lake and 1423 mi2 of 1707 mi2 for Jordan Lake. Estimated LOADEST annual loads of nitrogen (N) from 4 tributaries of Falls Lake ranged from 83 tons/yr to 661 tons/yr during 1997-2008, with a median value of 170 tons/yr. Estimated loads summed from the same 4 Falls Lake tributaries using the SPARROW model were 209 tons N/year. The SPARROW model year, 2002, LOADEST results were 119 tons N/yr. LOADEST-estimated nitrogen loads from the 5 tributaries to Jordan Lake ranged from 759 tons/yr to 1,195 tons/yr during 1997-2008, with a median value of 1,093 tons/yr. SPARROW predictions of loads from the same 5 tributaries to Jordan Lake were 2,708 tons N/yr, and 2002 LOADEST results were 1,071 tons N/yr. When SPARROW loads are tabulated using basins from the entire lake watershed, loads to Falls and Jordan Lakes are 755 tons N/yr and 2,816 tons N/yr, respectively. The LOADEST models are useful for tracking localized loading to streams and reservoirs, but are limited to sites with in-stream monitoring data. The SPARROW model is regional in scope, but also can be applied to localized areas to help assess source loading to reservoir tributaries.

The economics of tobacco use in Jordan.

PubMed

Sweis, Nadia J; Chaloupka, Frank J

2014-01-01

We conducted an independent survey of tobacco use in Jordan following the methods and template of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Using data collected on cigarette use and cigarette prices, we estimated the price elasticity of cigarette demand in Jordan. We used a 2-part model of cigarette demand. In the first part, we estimate the impact of prices on the decision to smoke while controlling for individual demographic and environmental characteristics. Conditional on smoking, we then estimate the effect of price on the number of cigarettes smoked. The total price elasticity of cigarette demand in Jordan was estimated to be -0.6. Smoking among women was found to be relatively unresponsive to price (elasticity of -0.01), whereas smoking among men was much more responsive to price (elasticity of -0.81). The price elasticity estimates suggest that significant increases in tobacco taxes are likely to be effective in reducing smoking in Jordan, particularly smoking among men.

Cigarette demand is responsive to higher prices: findings from a survey of University students in Jordan.

PubMed

Sweis, Nadia J; Cherukupalli, Rajeev

2016-11-01

To estimate the price elasticity of cigarette demand for university students aged 18-24 years in Jordan. Questions from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey were adapted and administered to students from 10 public universities in Jordan in 2014. A two-part econometric model of cigarette demand was estimated. Nearly one-third of university students in Jordan smoke, purchasing 33.2 packs per month and paying 1.70 Jordanian dinars on average (US$2.40) for a pack of 20 cigarettes. The price elasticity of cigarette demand was estimated to be -1.15. Higher taxes may be particularly effective in reducing smoking among University students in Jordan. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Body mass index and body composition in adolescents treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue triptorelin depot for central precocious puberty: data at near final height.

PubMed

Chiocca, Elena; Dati, Eleonora; Baroncelli, Giampiero I; Mora, Stefano; Parrini, Donatella; Erba, Paola; Bertelloni, Silvano

2009-01-01

In children with central precocious puberty (CPP), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue treatment has been associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI). We evaluated BMI and body composition in adolescents treated with GnRH analogue at their near final height to assess the long-term effects of therapy on these parameters. We studied 20 patients (14.8 +/- 1.6 years; 17 females) previously treated with triptorelin depot for CPP (3.75 mg/28 days) from 8.1 +/- 0.8 to 11.5 +/- 0.8 years. 23 healthy adolescents with normal onset of puberty (14.7 +/- 2.1 years, 19 females) were the controls. BMI and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed. Patients reached their near adult height (-0.5 +/- 1.1 standard deviation score (SDS)); the girls were menstruating and the majority (15/17) had regular cycles, the boys showed normal testicular function. BMI was unchanged from the start of GnRH analogue therapy (0.4 +/- 1.0 SDS) to near adult height (0.2 +/- 1.0 SDS, p = NS vs. 0). Total fat mass (TFM) was significantly increased (16,144 +/- 8,065 g; controls 10,712.1 +/- 4,120.4 g, p < 0.02); glucose homeostasis and lipid profile corresponded to reference ranges. GnRH analogue therapy did not show long-term detrimental effects on BMI, but it may increase TFM, suggesting that body composition should be monitored till adulthood. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Neurotransmitter and psychostimulant recognition by the dopamine transporter

PubMed Central

Wang, Kevin H.; Penmatsa, Aravind; Gouaux, Eric

2015-01-01

Na+/Cl−-coupled biogenic amine transporters are the primary targets of therapeutic and abused drugs, ranging from antidepressants to the psychostimulants cocaine and amphetamines, and to their cognate substrates. Here we determine x-ray crystal structures of the Drosophila melanogaster dopamine transporter (dDAT) bound to its substrate dopamine (DA), a substrate analogue 3,4-dichlorophenethylamine, the psychostimulants D-amphetamine, methamphetamine, or to cocaine and cocaine analogues. All ligands bind to the central binding site, located approximately halfway across the membrane bilayer, in close proximity to bound sodium and chloride ions. The central binding site recognizes three chemically distinct classes of ligands via conformational changes that accommodate varying sizes and shapes, thus illustrating molecular principles that distinguish substrates from inhibitors in biogenic amine transporters. PMID:25970245

Uniportal lobectomy in Jordan—the journey continues

PubMed Central

Al-Asad, Khaled; Shihadeh, Baha; AbdulBaqi, Nada; Al-Bdour, Osama; Alkhaderi, Sakher; Gonzalez-Rivas, Diego

2016-01-01

Report of the first uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy live surgeries course in Jordan. Live surgeries were performed in collaboration between Dr. Diego Gonzalez-Rivas and our Thoracic/Pulmonary Team at Istishari Hospital in Jordan. Such experience will pave the way for more thoracic surgeons to embrace the newest of the less-invasive thoracic surgical techniques in Jordan. PMID:29399480

Curriculum Orientations of Pre-Service Teachers in Jordan: A Required Reform Initiative for Professional Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashour, Rateb; Khasawneh, Samer; Abu-Alruz, Jamal; Alsharqawi, Subhi

2012-01-01

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the curriculum orientations of pre-service teachers at a university in Jordan. Rigorous translation procedures were utilized to validate an Arabic version of the Curriculum Orientation Inventory (COI) for use in Jordan. The validated COI was administered to a sample of 259 pre-service teachers who…

Defense.gov - Special Report - Travels With Gates

Science.gov Websites

, Jordan, July 27, 2009 – The United States and Jordan enjoy a strategic partnership aimed at promoting peace in the greater Middle East, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. Story Gates – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is on a trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel and Jordan.Story

Sustainability, the Arts and Big Numbers: the Challenge of Researching Children's Responses to Chris Jordan's Images

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Gorman, Lyndal

2017-01-01

Through the multiple languages of the arts, many ideas about sustainability can be explored with young children. This paper discusses the ethical issues involved in the implementation of a research study that uses artist Chris Jordan's confronting images about sustainability. Jordan's images typically depict tens of thousands of objects such as…

Women's Perspectives on Retention in Higher Education in Jordan: Commute and Choice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allaf, Carine

2013-01-01

Jordan is viewed as a country of social, political, and economic and advancement. It currently leads the region in literacy rates and is well on its way to achieving gender equity. However, some reports claim that Jordan maintains the widest gender gap in higher education completion in the region while others report that the percentage of females…

An Exploration of Higher Education Graduation Rates: A Case Study of Women in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allaf, Carine

2010-01-01

Jordan is viewed as a country of social, political, and economic advancement. It currently leads the region in literacy rates and is well on its way to achieving gender equity. Despite Jordan's reputation as one of the most 'advanced' countries in the region, there have been conflicted reports on higher education completion rates of women. Some…

Development of nursing research in Jordan (1986-2012).

PubMed

Khalaf, I

2013-12-01

To provide an overview of nursing research in Jordan based on the topic researched, source and setting of data collection, methodology, theoretical framework used and source of funding. Nursing research contributes to nursing education, clinical practice, health policy and the establishment of nursing research priorities in Jordan to guide future research. Databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed and national sources were searched for published articles related to nursing in Jordan through a range of keywords. Articles were included in the analysis if they were published in English or Arabic through December 2012. The search resulted in the identification of 999 publications, from which 462 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The highest percentage of studies (23% of articles) focused on nursing management issues. Forty-four per cent were conducted in a hospital setting; only six studies used a nursing theory. Seventy-seven per cent of the studies were quantitative and 29.0% were funded mostly by universities. Twenty-one per cent were not directly related to improving nursing education or practice in Jordan. A Jordanian Database for nursing research was developed as a result of this review. Jordanian nurses have slowly started to build nursing research, the real nursing research work in Jordan started with the return of the first PhD graduate to Jordan in 1986. Jordanian nurses in collaboration with international colleagues were motivated to publish research and build the body of nursing knowledge. © 2013 International Council of Nurses.

Face classification using electronic synapses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Peng; Wu, Huaqiang; Gao, Bin; Eryilmaz, Sukru Burc; Huang, Xueyao; Zhang, Wenqiang; Zhang, Qingtian; Deng, Ning; Shi, Luping; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Qian, He

2017-05-01

Conventional hardware platforms consume huge amount of energy for cognitive learning due to the data movement between the processor and the off-chip memory. Brain-inspired device technologies using analogue weight storage allow to complete cognitive tasks more efficiently. Here we present an analogue non-volatile resistive memory (an electronic synapse) with foundry friendly materials. The device shows bidirectional continuous weight modulation behaviour. Grey-scale face classification is experimentally demonstrated using an integrated 1024-cell array with parallel online training. The energy consumption within the analogue synapses for each iteration is 1,000 × (20 ×) lower compared to an implementation using Intel Xeon Phi processor with off-chip memory (with hypothetical on-chip digital resistive random access memory). The accuracy on test sets is close to the result using a central processing unit. These experimental results consolidate the feasibility of analogue synaptic array and pave the way toward building an energy efficient and large-scale neuromorphic system.

Face classification using electronic synapses.

PubMed

Yao, Peng; Wu, Huaqiang; Gao, Bin; Eryilmaz, Sukru Burc; Huang, Xueyao; Zhang, Wenqiang; Zhang, Qingtian; Deng, Ning; Shi, Luping; Wong, H-S Philip; Qian, He

2017-05-12

Conventional hardware platforms consume huge amount of energy for cognitive learning due to the data movement between the processor and the off-chip memory. Brain-inspired device technologies using analogue weight storage allow to complete cognitive tasks more efficiently. Here we present an analogue non-volatile resistive memory (an electronic synapse) with foundry friendly materials. The device shows bidirectional continuous weight modulation behaviour. Grey-scale face classification is experimentally demonstrated using an integrated 1024-cell array with parallel online training. The energy consumption within the analogue synapses for each iteration is 1,000 × (20 ×) lower compared to an implementation using Intel Xeon Phi processor with off-chip memory (with hypothetical on-chip digital resistive random access memory). The accuracy on test sets is close to the result using a central processing unit. These experimental results consolidate the feasibility of analogue synaptic array and pave the way toward building an energy efficient and large-scale neuromorphic system.

Particle size and X-ray analysis of Feldspar, Calvert, Ball, and Jordan soils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, R. S.

1977-01-01

Pipette analysis and X-ray diffraction techniques were employed to characterize the particle size distribution and clay mineral content of the feldspar, calvert, ball, and jordan soils. In general, the ball, calvert, and jordan soils were primarily clay size particles composed of kaolinite and illite whereas the feldspar soil was primarily silt-size particles composed of quartz and feldspar minerals.

Reading Social Stories in the Community: A Promising Intervention for Promoting Children's Environmental Knowledge and Behavior in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mahasneh, Randa Ali; Romanowski, Michael H.; Dajani, Rana Basem

2017-01-01

Traditionally, education in various forms has been used as a tool to change values and behavior in children regarding the environment. This study reports findings from the We Love Reading Program that utilizes the reading of Social Stories in various communities in Jordan to address the environmental problems of Jordan. Results indicated the…

78 FR 69285 - Importation of Fresh Beans, Shelled or in Pods, From Jordan Into the Continental United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-19

.... APHIS-2012-0042] RIN 0579-AD69 Importation of Fresh Beans, Shelled or in Pods, From Jordan Into the... shipments of fresh beans, shelled or in pods (French, green, snap, and string), from Jordan into the continental United States. As a condition of entry, the beans must be produced in accordance with a systems...

The Development of Accounting Education and Practice in an Environment of Socio-Economic Transformation in the Middle East: The Case of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alsharari, Nizar Mohammad

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of accounting education and practice as influenced by the socio-economic transformation in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents an explanatory study of how accounting education and practice has developed in relation to socio-economic change in Jordan, using the…

Reflections on Recovery in Mental Health: Perspectives From a Muslim Culture.

PubMed

Eltaiba, Nada; Harries, Maria

2015-01-01

This article describes the outcomes of research into how individuals with mental health problems at the National Centre of Mental Health in Jordan perceived the causes of their mental health problems, the coping strategies they employed, how they sought help, and how they experienced what is termed the process of recovery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 male and 10 female patients diagnosed with a range of mental health problems. The research suggests that each person perceived recovery uniquely and that, for some, religion was viewed as being central to recovery. The research also suggests that social workers and other mental health professionals working with Muslim patients can better contribute to their recovery if they understand and respect the central role of these patients' religious beliefs and "faith journeys."

(+)-Cannabidiol analogues which bind cannabinoid receptors but exert peripheral activity only.

PubMed

Fride, Ester; Feigin, Cfir; Ponde, Datta E; Breuer, Aviva; Hanus, Lumír; Arshavsky, Nina; Mechoulam, Raphael

2004-12-15

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and (-)-cannabidiol are major constituents of the Cannabis sativa plant with different pharmacological profiles: (-)-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but not (-)-cannabidiol, activates cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and induces psychoactive and peripheral effects. We have tested a series of (+)-cannabidiol derivatives, namely, (+)-cannabidiol-DMH (DMH-1,1-dimethylheptyl-), (+)-7-OH-cannabidiol-DMH, (+)-7-OH- cannabidiol, (+)-7-COOH- cannabidiol and (+)-7-COOH-cannabidiol-DMH, for central and peripheral (intestinal, antiinflammatory and peripheral pain) effects in mice. Although all (+)-cannabidiols bind to cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, only (+)-7-OH-cannabidiol-DMH was centrally active, while all (+)-cannabidiol analogues completely arrested defecation. The effects of (+)-cannabidiol-DMH and (+)-7-OH-cannabidiol-DMH were partially antagonized by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist N-(piperidiny-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716), but not by the cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist N-[-(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethil bicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528), and had no effect on CB1(-/-) receptor knockout mice. (+)-Cannabidiol-DMH inhibited the peripheral pain response and arachidonic-acid-induced inflammation of the ear. We conclude that centrally inactive (+)-cannabidiol analogues should be further developed as antidiarrheal, antiinflammatory and analgesic drugs for gastrointestinal and other peripheral conditions.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Female Adolescents in Jordan: A comparison between Two International Reference Standards

PubMed Central

O. Musaiger, Abdulrahman; Al-Mannai, Mariam; Tayyem, Reema

2013-01-01

Objective: To find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Jordan. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey on females aged 15–18 in Amman, Jordan, was carried out using a multistage stratified random sampling method. The total sample size was 475 girls. Weight and height were measured and body mass index for age was used to determine overweight and obesity using the IOTF and WHO international standards. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased with age. The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was reported at age 15 (24.4% and 8.9%, respectively). The WHO standard showed a higher prevalence of obesity than the IOTF standard in all age groups. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are serious public health problems among adolescents in Jordan, using both international standards. A program to combat obesity among schoolchildren, therefore, should be given a high priority in school health policy in Jordan. PMID:24353605

Toward the full and proper implementation of Jordan's Principle: An elusive goal to date.

PubMed

Blackstock, Cindy

2016-01-01

First Nations children experience service delays, disruptions and denials due to jurisdictional payment disputes within and between federal and provincial/territorial governments. The House of Commons sought to ensure First Nations children could access government services on the same terms as other children when it unanimously passed a private members motion in support of Jordan's Principle in 2007. Jordan's Principle states that when a jurisdictional dispute arises regarding public services for a First Nations child that are otherwise available to other children, the government of first contact pays for the service and addresses payment disputes later. Unfortunately, the federal government adopted a definition of Jordan's Principle that was so narrow (complex medical needs with multiple service providers) that no child ever qualified. This narrow definition has been found to be unlawful by the Federal Court of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The present commentary describes Jordan's Principle, the legal cases that have considered it and the implications of those decisions for health care providers.

Jordan-3: measuring visual reversals in children as symptoms of learning disability and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Jordan, Brian T; Martin, Nancy; Austin, J Sue

2012-12-01

The purpose of this research was to establish new norms for the Jordan-3 for children ages 5 to 18 years. The research also investigated the frequency of visual reversals in children previously identified as having reading disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and broader learning disabilities. Participants were regular education students, ages 5 through 18 years, and special education students previously diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, reading disability, or broader learning disability. Jordan-3 Accuracy and Error raw scores were compared to assess if there was a significant difference between the two groups. Mean Accuracy and Error scores were compared for males and females. Children with learning disability and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder had higher reversals when compared to regular education children, which lends continued support to the Jordan-3 as a valid and reliable measure of visual reversals in children and adolescents. This study illustrates the utility of the Jordan-3 when assessing children who may require remediation to reach their academic potential.

Evaluating Social and National Education Textbooks Based on the Criteria of Knowledge-Based Economy from the Perspectives of Elementary Teachers in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Edwan, Zaid Suleiman; Hamaidi, Diala Abdul Hadi

2011-01-01

Knowledge-based economy is a new implemented trend in the field of education in Jordan. The ministry of education in Jordan attempts to implement this trend's philosophy in its textbooks. This study examined the extent to which the (1st-3rd grade) social and national textbooks reflect knowledge-based economy criteria from the perspective of…

The Securitisation of Refugee Flows and the Schooling of Refugees: Examining the Cases of North Koreans in South Korea and Iraqis in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collet, Bruce A.; Bang, Hyeyoung

2016-01-01

Drawing on data collected in South Korea, Jordan and the USA, this paper examines the degree to which security concerns impact the schooling of North Korean refugees in South Korea and Iraqi refugees in Jordan. Operating from a framework examining the intersection of migration and securitisation, the authors find that accounts of negative images…

Israel & Jordan: Paving a Path for the Future through Understanding the Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East. Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad, 1998 (Israel and Jordan).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Ilene

This curriculum project on the cultures of the Middle Eastern countries of Israel and Jordan stresses the language arts and focuses on objectives for elementary-age students to attain. The project states that children will: locate, list, identify, label, demonstrate, research, organize, compose, conference, rewrite, proofread, rewrite again,…

The Effectiveness of Conflict Maps and the V-Shape Teaching Method in Science Conceptual Change among Eighth-Grade Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bawaneh, Ali Khalid Ali; Zain, Ahmad Nurulazam Md; Ghazali, Munirah

2010-01-01

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of Conflict Maps and the V-Shape method as teaching methods in bringing about conceptual change in science among primary eighth-grade students in Jordan. A randomly selected sample (N = 63) from the Bani Kenana region North of Jordan was randomly assigned to the two teaching…

Pharmacy Education in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait

PubMed Central

Al-Wazaify, Mayyada; Matowe, Lloyd; Albsoul-Younes, Abla; Al-Omran, Ola A.

2006-01-01

The practice of pharmacy, as well as pharmacy education, varies significantly throughout the world. In Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, the profession of pharmacy appears to be on the ascendance. This is demonstrated by an increase in the number of pharmacy schools and the number of pharmacy graduates from pharmacy programs. One of the reasons pharmacy is on the ascendance in these countries is government commitment to fund and support competitive, well-run pharmacy programs. In this report we describe pharmacy education in 3 Middle East countries: Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. All 3 countries offer bachelor of pharmacy (BPharm) degrees. In addition, 2 universities in Jordan and 1 in Saudi Arabia offer PharmD degree programs. The teaching methods in all 3 countries combine traditional didactic lecturing and problem-based learning. Faculties of pharmacy in all 3 countries are well staffed and offer competitive remuneration. All 3 countries have a policy of providing scholarships to local students for postgraduate training abroad. The majority of students in Jordan and Kuwait are female, while the ratio of male to female students in Saudi Arabia is even. Students’ attitudes towards learning are generally positive in all 3 countries. In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, most pharmacy graduates work in the public sector, while in Jordan, the majority work in the private sector. PMID:17136159

Antigravity in F( R) and Brans-Dicke theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oikonomou, V. K.; Karagiannakis, N.

2014-12-01

We study antigravity in F( R)-theory originating scalar-tensor theories and also in Brans-Dicke models without cosmological constant. For the F( R) theory case, we obtain the Jordan frame antigravity scalar-tensor theory by using a variant of the Lagrange multipliers method and we numerically study the time dependent effective gravitational constant. As we shall demonstrate in detail by using some viable F( R) models, although the initial F( R) models have no antigravity, their scalar-tensor counterpart theories might or not have antigravity, a fact mainly depending on the parameter that characterizes antigravity. Similar results hold true in the Brans-Dicke model, which we also studied numerically. In addition, regarding the Brans-Dicke model we also found some analytic cosmological solutions. Since antigravity is an unwanted feature in gravitational theories, our findings suggest that in the case of F( R) theories, antigravity does not occur in the real world described by the F( R) theory, but might occur in the Jordan frame scalar-tensor counterpart of the F( R) theory, and this happens under certain circumstances. The central goal of our study is to present all different cases in which antigravity might occur in modified gravity models.

Management scenarios for the Jordan River salinity crisis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Farber, E.; Vengosh, A.; Gavrieli, I.; Marie, Amarisa; Bullen, T.D.; Mayer, B.; Holtzman, R.; Segal, M.; Shavit, U.

2005-01-01

Recent geochemical and hydrological findings show that the water quality of the base flow of the Lower Jordan River, between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea, is dependent upon the ratio between surface water flow and groundwater discharge. Using water quality data, mass-balance calculations, and actual flow-rate measurements, possible management scenarios for the Lower Jordan River and their potential affects on its salinity are investigated. The predicted scenarios reveal that implementation of some elements of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty will have negative effects on the Jordan River water salinity. It is predicted that removal of sewage effluents dumped into the river (???13 MCM/a) will significantly reduce the river water's flow and increase the relative proportion of the saline groundwater flux into the river. Under this scenario, the Cl content of the river at its southern point (Abdalla Bridge) will rise to almost 7000 mg/L during the summer. In contrast, removal of all the saline water (16.5 MCM/a) that is artificially discharged into the Lower Jordan River will significantly reduce its Cl concentration, to levels of 650-2600 and 3000-3500 mg/L in the northern and southern areas of the Lower Jordan River, respectively. However, because the removal of either the sewage effluents or the saline water will decrease the river's discharge to a level that could potentially cause river desiccation during the summer months, other water sources must be allocated to preserve in-stream flow needs and hence the river's ecosystem. ?? 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

User error with Diskus and Turbuhaler by asthma patients and pharmacists in Jordan and Australia.

PubMed

Basheti, Iman A; Qunaibi, Eyad; Bosnic-Anticevich, Sinthia Z; Armour, Carol L; Khater, Samar; Omar, Muthana; Reddel, Helen K

2011-12-01

Use of inhalers requires accurate completion of multiple steps to ensure effective medication delivery. To evaluate the most problematic steps in the use of Diskus and Turbuhaler for pharmacists and patients in Jordon and Australia. With standardized inhaler-technique checklists, we asked community pharmacists to demonstrate the use of Diskus and Turbuhaler. We asked patients with asthma to demonstrate the inhaler (Diskus or Turbuhaler) they were currently using. Forty-two community pharmacists in Jordan, and 31 in Australia, participated. In Jordan, 51 asthma patients demonstrated use of Diskus, and 40 demonstrated use of Turbuhaler. In Australia, 53 asthma patients demonstrated use of Diskus, and 42 demonstrated use of Turbuhaler. The pharmacists in Australia had received inhaler-technique education more recently than those in Jordan (P = .03). With Diskus, few pharmacists in either country demonstrated correct technique for step 3 (exhale to residual volume) or step 4 (exhale away from the device), although there were somewhat fewer errors in Australia than Jordan (16% vs 0% in step 3, P = .007, and 20% vs 0% in step 4, P = .003 via chi-square test). With Turbuhaler there were significant differences between the pharmacists from Australia and Jordan, mainly in step 2 (hold the device upright while loading, 45% vs 2% correct, P < .001). Few of the patients had received inhaler-technique education in the previous year. The patients made errors similar to those of the pharmacists in individual steps with Diskus and Turbuhaler. The essential steps with Diskus were performed correctly more often by the Jordanian patients, and with Turbuhaler by the Australian patients. Despite differences in Jordan's and Australia's health systems, pharmacists from both Australia and Jordan had difficulty with the same Diskus and Turbuhaler steps. In both countries, the errors made by the asthma patients were similar to those made by the pharmacists.

Population genetics analysis of Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies from Egypt and Jordan based on mitochondrial cytochrome b haplotypes.

PubMed

Flanley, Catherine M; Ramalho-Ortigao, Marcelo; Coutinho-Abreu, Iliano V; Mukbel, Rami; Hanafi, Hanafi A; El-Hossary, Shabaan S; Fawaz, Emad El-Din Y; Hoel, David F; Bray, Alexander W; Stayback, Gwen; Shoue, Douglas A; Kamhawi, Shaden; Karakuş, Mehmet; Jaouadi, Kaouther; Yaghoobie-Ershadi, Mohammad Reza; Krüger, Andreas; Amro, Ahmad; Kenawy, Mohamed Amin; Dokhan, Mostafa Ramadhan; Warburg, Alon; Hamarsheh, Omar; McDowell, Mary Ann

2018-03-27

Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies are major vectors of Leishmania major and phlebovirus infection in North Africa and across the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent. Population genetics is a valuable tool in understanding the level of genetic variability present in vector populations, vector competence, and the development of novel control strategies. This study investigated the genetic differentiation between P. papatasi populations in Egypt and Jordan that inhabit distinct ecotopes and compared this structure to P. papatasi populations from a broader geographical range. A 461 base pair (bp) fragment from the mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene was PCR amplified and sequenced from 116 individual female sand flies from Aswan and North Sinai, Egypt, as well as Swaimeh and Malka, Jordan. Haplotypes were identified and used to generate a median-joining network, F ST values and isolation-by-distance were also evaluated. Additional sand fly individuals from Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Tunisia and Turkey were included as well as previously published haplotypes to provide a geographically broad genetic variation analysis. Thirteen haplotypes displaying nine variant sites were identified from P. papatasi collected in Egypt and Jordan. No private haplotypes were identified from samples in North Sinai, Egypt, two were observed in Aswan, Egypt, four from Swaimeh, Jordan and two in Malka, Jordan. The Jordan populations clustered separately from the Egypt populations and produced more private haplotypes than those from Egypt. Pairwise F ST values fall in the range 0.024-0.648. The clustering patterns and pairwise F ST values indicate a strong differentiation between Egyptian and Jordanian populations, although this population structure is not due to isolation-by-distance. Other factors, such as environmental influences and the genetic variability in the circulating Le. major parasites, could possibly contribute to this heterogeneity. The present study aligns with previous reports in that pockets of genetic differentiation exists between populations of this widely dispersed species but, overall, the species remains relatively homogeneous.

Intermediate accelerated solutions as generic late-time attractors in a modified Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cid, Antonella; Leon, Genly; Leyva, Yoelsy

2016-02-01

In this paper we investigate the evolution of a Jordan-Brans-Dicke scalar field, Φ, with a power-law potential in the presence of a second scalar field, phi, with an exponential potential, in both the Jordan and the Einstein frames. We present the relation of our model with the induced gravity model with power-law potential and the integrability of this kind of models is discussed when the quintessence field phi is massless, and has a small velocity. The fact that for some fine-tuned values of the parameters we may get some integrable cosmological models, makes our choice of potentials very interesting. We prove that in Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory, the de Sitter solution is not a natural attractor. Instead, we show that the attractor in the Jordan frame corresponds to an ``intermediate accelerated'' solution of the form a(t) simeq eα1 tp1, as t → ∞ where α1 > 0 and 0 < p1 < 1, for a wide range of parameters. Furthermore, when we work in the Einstein frame we get that the attractor is also an ``intermediate accelerated'' solution of the form fraktur a(fraktur t) simeq eα2 fraktur tp2 as fraktur t → ∞ where α2 > 0 and 0

Transport characteristics of endomorphin-2 analogues in brain capillary endothelial cells.

PubMed

Mallareddy, Jayapal Reddy; Tóth, Géza; Fazakas, Csilla; Molnár, Judit; Nagyőszi, Péter; Lipkowski, Andrzej W; Krizbai, István A; Wilhelm, Imola

2012-04-01

Because of their poor metabolic stability and limited blood-brain barrier permeability, endomorphins have a low analgesic efficacy when administered systemically. Therefore, it is of great importance to design analogues with improved peptidase resistance and better delivery to the central nervous system. Recently, novel endomorphin-2 analogues have been synthesized, which proved to bind with high affinity and selectivity to the μ-opioid receptors and showed proteolytic resistance. In this study, we have analysed the transport characteristics of endomorphin-2 and three of its analogues [Dmt-Pro-Phe-Phe-NH(2) , Tyr-(1S,2R)Acpc-Phe-Phe-NH(2) and Tyr-(1S,2R)Achc-Phe-Phe-NH(2) ] using an in vitro blood-brain barrier model. The lipophilicity of the analogues, as assessed by their octanol/water partition coefficients, was higher than that of endomorphin-2. The flux of all four peptides from the apical (blood) side to the basolateral (brain) side was not saturable in the 10nm-1mm concentration range, suggesting that a passive mechanism plays a major role in their transport. The permeability coefficient of the analogues was significantly higher than that of endomorphin-2, suggesting increased blood-brain barrier penetration properties. We conclude that because of their good peptidase resistance and improved transport through brain endothelial cells, these endomorphin-2 analogues will have better analgesic properties in vivo. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Synthesis and characterization of non-hydrolysable diphosphoinositol polyphosphate second messengers.

PubMed

Wu, Mingxuan; Dul, Barbara E; Trevisan, Alexandra J; Fiedler, Dorothea

2013-01-01

The diphosphoinositol polyphosphates (PP-IPs) are a central group of eukaryotic second messengers. They regulate numerous processes, including cellular energy homeostasis and adaptation to environmental stresses. To date, most of the molecular details in PP-IP signalling have remained elusive, due to a lack of appropriate methods and reagents. Here we describe the expedient synthesis of methylene-bisphosphonate PP-IP analogues. Their characterization revealed that the analogues exhibit significant stability and mimic their natural counterparts very well. This was further confirmed in two independent biochemical assays, in which our analogues potently inhibited phosphorylation of the protein kinase Akt and hydrolytic activity of the Ddp1 phosphohydrolase. The non-hydrolysable PP-IPs thus emerge as important tools and hold great promise for a variety of applications.

On the equivalence of Gaussian elimination and Gauss-Jordan reduction in solving linear equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsao, Nai-Kuan

1989-01-01

A novel general approach to round-off error analysis using the error complexity concepts is described. This is applied to the analysis of the Gaussian Elimination and Gauss-Jordan scheme for solving linear equations. The results show that the two algorithms are equivalent in terms of our error complexity measures. Thus the inherently parallel Gauss-Jordan scheme can be implemented with confidence if parallel computers are available.

In re Marriage of Moschetta.

PubMed

1994-06-10

Cynthia Moschetta petitioned to obtain separation from her husband, Robert Moschetta, and to establish her maternity as to Marissa Moschetta, who was conceived pursuant to a traditional surrogacy contract. Elvira Jordan, the surrogate mother, sought to join the dissolution action, and Robert Moschetta requested judgment of dissolution. The Orange County Superior Court awarded joint legal and physical custody to Elvira Jordan and Robert Moschetta. Robert Moschetta appealed, challenging the determination that Jordan is the legal mother of Marissa and contending that Cynthia Moschetta is the legal mother of the child by virtue of the Uniform Parentage Act. The appellate court affirmed Jordan's parental rights, reversed the awarding of joint physical custody, remanded the latter question for reevaluation, and called for legislative guidance on the problems arising from surrogacy arrangements.

Maternal Health Care Utilization Among Syrian Refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.

PubMed

Tappis, Hannah; Lyles, Emily; Burton, Ann; Doocy, Shannon

2017-09-01

Purpose The influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan and Lebanon over the last 5 years presents an immense burden to national health systems. This study was undertaken to assess utilization of maternal health services among Syrian refugees in both countries. Description A cross-sectional survey of Syrian refugees living in urban and rural (non-camp) settings was conducted using a two-stage cluster survey design with probability proportional to size sampling in 2014-2015. Eighty-six percent of surveyed households in Lebanon and 88% of surveyed households in Jordan included women with a live birth in the last year. Information from women in this sub-set of households was analyzed to understand antenatal and intrapartum health service utilization. Assessment A majority of respondents reported seeking antenatal care, 82% and 89% in Jordan and Lebanon, respectively. Women had an average of at least six antenatal care visits. Nearly all births (98% in Jordan and 94% in Lebanon) took place in a health facility. Cesarean rates were similar in both countries; approximately one-third of all births were cesarean deliveries. A substantial proportion of women incurred costs for intrapartum care; 33% of Syrian women in Jordan and 94% of Syrian women in Lebanon reported paying out of pocket for their deliveries. The proportion of women incurring costs for intrapartum care was higher in Jordan both countries for women with cesarean deliveries compared to those with vaginal deliveries; however, this difference was not statistically significant in either country (Jordan p-value = 0.203; Lebanon p-value = 0.099). Conclusion Syrian refugees living in Jordan and Lebanon had similar levels of utilization of maternal health services, despite different health systems and humanitarian assistance provisions. As expected, a substantial proportion of households incurred out-of-pocket costs for essential maternal and newborn health services, making cost a major factor in care-seeking decisions and locations. As health financing policies shift to account for the continued burden of refugee hosting on the health system, sustained attention to the availability and quality of essential maternal and newborn health services is needed to protect both refugee and host populations women's rights to health and health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Chronic disease and disability among Iraqi populations displaced in Jordan and Syria.

PubMed

Doocy, Shannon; Sirois, Adam; Tileva, Margarita; Storey, J Douglas; Burnham, Gilbert

2013-01-01

The Iraq conflict resulted in the largest displacement in the Middle East since the Palestinian crisis, and provision of health services to the displaced population presents a critical challenge. The study aimed to provide information on chronic medical conditions and disability to inform humanitarian assistance planning. Nationally representative cross-sectional surveys of Iraqi populations displaced in Jordan and Syria were conducted in late 2008 and early 2009. Clusters of 10 household were randomly selected using probability-based sampling; a total of 1200 and 813 Iraqi households in Jordan and Syria, respectively, were interviewed. The majority of respondents in both countries perceived healthcare as unaffordable but accessible; cost was an important barrier to care. In Jordan, most routine health expenditures were for medications where in Syria, expenses were divided between medical consultations and medication. Chronic disease prevalence among adults was 51.5% (confidence interval (CI): 49.4-53.5) in Syria and 41.0% (CI: 39.4-42.7) in Jordan, most common were hypertension and musculoskeletal problems. Overall disability rates were 7.1% (CI: 6.3-8.0) in Syria and 3.4% (CI: 3.0-3.9) in Jordan. In both countries, the majority of disability was attributed to conflict, prevalence was higher in men than women, and depression was the leading cause of mental health disability. Chronic illnesses, disabilities and psychological health are key challenges for the Iraqi population and the health systems in Jordan and Syria. Continued attention to the development of systems to manage conditions that require secondary and tertiary care is essential, particularly given reported difficulties in accessing care and the anticipated prolonged displacement. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Challenges in Estimating Vaccine Coverage in Refugee and Displaced Populations: Results From Household Surveys in Jordan and Lebanon

PubMed Central

Roberton, Timothy; Weiss, William; Doocy, Shannon

2017-01-01

Ensuring the sustained immunization of displaced persons is a key objective in humanitarian emergencies. Typically, humanitarian actors measure coverage of single vaccines following an immunization campaign; few measure routine coverage of all vaccines. We undertook household surveys of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, outside of camps, using a mix of random and respondent-driven sampling, to measure coverage of all vaccinations included in the host country’s vaccine schedule. We analyzed the results with a critical eye to data limitations and implications for similar studies. Among households with a child aged 12–23 months, 55.1% of respondents in Jordan and 46.6% in Lebanon were able to produce the child’s EPI card. Only 24.5% of Syrian refugee children in Jordan and 12.5% in Lebanon were fully immunized through routine vaccination services (having received from non-campaign sources: measles, polio 1–3, and DPT 1–3 in Jordan and Lebanon, and BCG in Jordan). Respondents in Jordan (33.5%) and Lebanon (40.1%) reported difficulties obtaining child vaccinations. Our estimated immunization rates were lower than expected and raise serious concerns about gaps in vaccine coverage among Syrian refugees. Although our estimates likely under-represent true coverage, given the additional benefit of campaigns (not captured in our surveys), there is a clear need to increase awareness, accessibility, and uptake of immunization services. Current methods to measure vaccine coverage in refugee and displaced populations have limitations. To better understand health needs in such groups, we need research on: validity of recall methods, links between campaigns and routine immunization programs, and improved sampling of hard-to-reach populations. PMID:28805672

Artificial recharge through a well in fissured carbonate rock, west St. Paul, Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reeder, Harold O.; Wood, Warren W.; Ehrlich, G.G.; Sun, Ren Jen

1976-01-01

The injection test demonstrated that it is hydrologically feasible to recharge the Prairie du Chien Group and the Jordan Sandstone artificially through wells completed in the Prairie du Chien Group. The fissures in the Prairie du Chien Group act as conduits through which water spreads. The water passes into the Jordan Sandstone from the Prairie du Chien over a larger area than it would if it were injected directly into the Jordan.

Content Analysis of Science Books for Upper Primary Stage in Jordan and Intermediate Stage in Saudi Arabia from an Islamic Perspective: Analytical Comparative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aldossari, Ali Tarad; Al Khaldi, Jamal Khalil; Altarawneh, Mohammad Hasan

2016-01-01

This study aims to identify the current situation of science books in Jordan and Saudi Arabia from an Islamic perspective. For this end, the content analysis approach has been used through the analysis of the unit concept in the science books for the seventh, eighth and ninth grades in the academic year (2015/2016) in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The…

Application of Water Quality Model of Jordan River to Evaluate Climate Change Effects on Eutrophication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Grouw, B.

2016-12-01

The Jordan River is a 51 mile long freshwater stream in Utah that provides drinking water to more than 50% of Utah's population. The various point and nonpoint sources introduce an excess of nutrients into the river. This excess induces eutrophication that results in an inhabitable environment for aquatic life is expected to be exacerbated due to climate change. Adaptive measures must be evaluated based on predictions of climate variation impacts on eutrophication and ecosystem processes in the Jordan River. A Water Quality Assessment Simulation Program (WASP) model was created to analyze the data results acquired from a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study conducted on the Jordan River. Eutrophication is modeled based on levels of phosphates and nitrates from point and nonpoint sources, temperature, and solar radiation. It will simulate the growth of phytoplankton and periphyton in the river. This model will be applied to assess how water quality in the Jordan River is affected by variations in timing and intensity of spring snowmelt and runoff during drought in the valley and the resulting effects on eutrophication in the river.

A model-based assessment of the effects of projected climate change on the water resources of Jordan.

PubMed

Wade, A J; Black, E; Brayshaw, D J; El-Bastawesy, M; Holmes, P A C; Butterfield, D; Nuimat, S; Jamjoum, K

2010-11-28

This paper is concerned with the quantification of the likely effect of anthropogenic climate change on the water resources of Jordan by the end of the twenty-first century. Specifically, a suite of hydrological models are used in conjunction with modelled outcomes from a regional climate model, HadRM3, and a weather generator to determine how future flows in the upper River Jordan and in the Wadi Faynan may change. The results indicate that groundwater will play an important role in the water security of the country as irrigation demands increase. Given future projections of reduced winter rainfall and increased near-surface air temperatures, the already low groundwater recharge will decrease further. Interestingly, the modelled discharge at the Wadi Faynan indicates that extreme flood flows will increase in magnitude, despite a decrease in the mean annual rainfall. Simulations projected no increase in flood magnitude in the upper River Jordan. Discussion focuses on the utility of the modelling framework, the problems of making quantitative forecasts and the implications of reduced water availability in Jordan.

Linear maps preserving maximal deviation and the Jordan structure of quantum systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hamhalter, Jan

2012-12-15

In the algebraic approach to quantum theory, a quantum observable is given by an element of a Jordan algebra and a state of the system is modelled by a normalized positive functional on the underlying algebra. Maximal deviation of a quantum observable is the largest statistical deviation one can obtain in a particular state of the system. The main result of the paper shows that each linear bijective transformation between JBW algebras preserving maximal deviations is formed by a Jordan isomorphism or a minus Jordan isomorphism perturbed by a linear functional multiple of an identity. It shows that only onemore » numerical statistical characteristic has the power to determine the Jordan algebraic structure completely. As a consequence, we obtain that only very special maps can preserve the diameter of the spectra of elements. Nonlinear maps preserving the pseudometric given by maximal deviation are also described. The results generalize hitherto known theorems on preservers of maximal deviation in the case of self-adjoint parts of von Neumann algebras proved by Molnar.« less

CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE IN JORDAN: AN UPDATE.

PubMed

Islam, M Mazharul; Ababneh, Faisal M; Khan, Md Hasinur Rahaman

2017-08-10

This study examined the recent level, trends and determinants of consanguineous marriage in Jordan using time-series data from the Jordan Population and Family Health Surveys (JPFHSs). According to the 2012 JPFHS, 35% of all marriages were consanguineous in Jordan in 2012. There has been a declining trend in consanguinity in the country, with the rate decreasing from a level of 57% in 1990. Most consanguineous marriage in 2012 were first cousin marriages, constituting 23% of all marriages and 66% of all consanguineous marriages. The data show that women with a lower age at marriage, older marriage cohort, larger family size, less than secondary level of education, rural place of residence, no employment, no exposure to mass media, a monogamous marriage, a husband with less than higher level of education and lower economic status, and those from the Badia region, were more likely to have a consanguineous marriage. Increasing age at marriage, level of education, urbanization and knowledge about the health consequences of consanguinity, and the ongoing socioeconomic and demographic transition in the country, will be the driving forces for further decline in consanguinity in Jordan.

Supergravity contributions to inflation in models with non-minimal coupling to gravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, Kumar; Dutta, Koushik; Domcke, Valerie, E-mail: kumar.das@saha.ac.in, E-mail: valerie.domcke@apc.univ-paris7.fr, E-mail: koushik.dutta@saha.ac.in

2017-03-01

This paper provides a systematic study of supergravity contributions relevant for inflationary model building in Jordan frame supergravity. In this framework, canonical kinetic terms in the Jordan frame result in the separation of the Jordan frame scalar potential into a tree-level term and a supergravity contribution which is potentially dangerous for sustaining inflation. We show that if the vacuum energy necessary for driving inflation originates dominantly from the F-term of an auxiliary field (i.e. not the inflaton), the supergravity corrections to the Jordan frame scalar potential are generically suppressed. Moreover, these supergravity contributions identically vanish if the superpotential vanishes alongmore » the inflationary trajectory. On the other hand, if the F-term associated with the inflaton dominates the vacuum energy, the supergravity contributions are generically comparable to the globally supersymmetric contributions. In addition, the non-minimal coupling to gravity inherent to Jordan frame supergravity significantly impacts the inflationary model depending on the size and sign of this coupling. We discuss the phenomenology of some representative inflationary models, and point out the relation to the recently much discussed cosmological 'attractor' models.« less

Stratigraphy and macrofauna of the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) Marrat Formation, central Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Sorogy, Abdelbaset S.; Gameil, Mohamed; Youssef, Mohamed; Al-Kahtany, Khaled M.

2017-10-01

The stratigraphy and macrofaunal content of the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) Marrat Formation was studied at Khashm adh Dhibi, central Saudi Arabia. The studied succession is dominated by limestones and dolomites, with subordinate occurrences of sandstones, siltstones and claystones. The formation is highly fossiliferous with brachiopods, gastropods, bivalves, ammonites and echinoids, particularly the lower and upper members. Twenty nine species are identified, they include 7 species of brachiopods, 8 gastropods, 8 bivalves, 4 ammonites and 2 echinoids. Many of the identified fauna are correlated with Jurassic equivalents in Jordan, Italy, Morocco, Egypt and India. Three gastropod species: Globularia subumbilicata, Ampullospira sp., Purpuroidea peristriata and seven bivalve species: Palaeonucula lateralis, Chlamys (Radulopecten) fibrosa, Eligmus weiri, E.integer, E. asiaticus, Musculus somaliensis and Pholadomya orientalis were recognized for the first time in the Lower Jurassic deposits of Saudi Arabia.

Water Scarcity and Increased Instability - How Israel’s Policies and Actions Since the Creation of the National Water Carrier Have Adversely impacted the Jordan River Basin

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-29

Jordan River System ....................................... .40 Table 3. Allocations or consumption of transboundary resources between Israeli and...Shared by four sovereign states-Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon-as well as the stateless Palestinian people, the transboundary water resources that...sustainable recharge rate. 17 • The Eastern Aquifer Basin (EAB) contains the smallest volume of the transboundary aquifers and covers more than half of

The Average Network Flow Problem: Shortest Path and Minimum Cost Flow Formulations, Algorithms, Heuristics, and Complexity

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-13

Jordan, Captain, USAF AFIT/DS/ENS/12-09 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright- Patterson Air Force Base...Way, Wright- Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433, USA, +1 937-255-3636, jeremy.jordan@afit.edu jeffery.weir@afit.edu doral.sandlin@afit.edu 1.1 Abstract United...Technology 2950 Hobson Way, Wright- Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433, USA, +1 937-255-3636, jeremy.jordan@afit.edu jeffery.weir@afit.edu doral.sandlin@afit.edu

Synthesis and characterization of a small analogue of the anticancer natural product leinamycin.

PubMed

Keerthi, Kripa; Rajapakse, Anuruddha; Sun, Daekyu; Gates, Kent S

2013-01-01

Leinamycin (1) is a Streptomyces-derived natural product that displays nanomolar IC(50) values against human cancer cell lines. In the work described here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a small leinamycin analogue 19 that closely resembles the 'upper-right quadrant' of the natural product, consisting of an alicyclic 1,2-dithiolan-3-one 1-oxide heterocycle connected to an alkene by a two-carbon linker. The results indicate that this small analogue contains the core set of functional groups required to enable thiol-triggered generation of both redox active polysulfides and an episulfonium ion intermediate via the complex reaction cascade first seen in the natural product leinamycin. The small leinamycin analogue 19 caused thiol-triggered oxidative DNA strand cleavage in a manner similar to the natural product, but did not alkyate duplex DNA effectively. This highlights the central role of the 18-membered macrocycle of leinamycin in driving efficient DNA alkylation by the natural product. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tidal-bundle sequences in the Jordan Sandstone (Upper Cambrian), southeastern Minnesota, U.S.A.: Evidence for tides along inboard shorelines of the Sauk Epicontinental Sea

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tape, C.H.; Cowan, Clinton A.; Runkel, Anthony C.

2003-01-01

This study documents for the first time tidal bundling in a lower Paleozoic sheet sandstone from the cratonic interior of North America, providing insights into the hydrodynamics of ancient epicontinental seas. The Jordan Sandstone (Upper Cambrian) in the Upper Mississippi Valley contains large-scale planar tabular cross-sets with tidal-bundle sequences, which were analyzed in detail at an exceptional exposure. Tidal-bundle sequences (neap-spring-neap cycles) were delineated by foreset thickening-thinning patterns and composite shale drapes, the latter of which represent accumulations of mud during the neap tides of neap-spring-neap tidal cycles. Fourier analysis of the bundle thickness data from the 26 measurable bundle sequences revealed cycles ranging from 15 to 34 bundles per sequence, which suggests a semidiurnal or mixed tidal system along this part of the Late Cambrian shoreline. We extend the tidal interpretation to widespread occurrences of the same facies in outcrops of lesser quality, where the facies is recognizable but too few bundles are exposed for tidal cycles to be measured. By doing so, this study shows that tidally generated deposits have a significant geographic and temporal extent in Upper Cambrian strata of central mid-continent North America. The deposition and preservation of tidal facies was related to the intermittent development of shoreline embayments during transgressions. The tidally dominated deposits filled ravined topographies that were repeatedly developed on the updip parts of the shoreface. Resulting coastal geomorphologies, accompanied perhaps by larger-scale changes in basinal conditions and/or configuration, led to changes in depositional conditions from wave-dominated to tide-dominated. Outcrops of the Jordan Sandstone tidal facies in the Upper Mississippi Valley represent the farthest inboard recorded transmission of ocean-generated tides in the Laurentian epicontinental seas, demonstrating that tidal currents were significant agents in the transport of sand along the far cratonic interior shorelines of Cambrian North America. The results of this study improve the facies-level understanding of the genesis of sheet sandstones. Furthermore, tidalites documented here occur in a specific position within a sequence stratigraphic architecture for the Jordan Sandstone. This provides a framework to compare these ancient deposits and processes to younger (e.g., Carboniferous) epicontinental systems where stratal and sediment dynamics are better documented. ?? 2003, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology).

Mathematical Modeling for Inherited Diseases.

PubMed

Anis, Saima; Khan, Madad; Khan, Saqib

2017-01-01

We introduced a new nonassociative algebra, namely, left almost algebra, and discussed some of its genetic properties. We discussed the relation of this algebra with flexible algebra, Jordan algebra, and generalized Jordan algebra.

Synthesis and characterization of non-hydrolysable diphosphoinositol polyphosphate second messengers

PubMed Central

Wu, Mingxuan; Dul, Barbara E.; Trevisan, Alexandra J.; Fiedler, Dorothea

2012-01-01

The diphosphoinositol polyphosphates (PP-IPs) are a central group of eukaryotic second messengers. They regulate numerous processes, including cellular energy homeostasis and adaptation to environmental stresses. To date, most of the molecular details in PP-IP signalling have remained elusive, due to a lack of appropriate methods and reagents. Here we describe the expedient synthesis of methylene-bisphosphonate PP-IP analogues. Their characterization revealed that the analogues exhibit significant stability and mimic their natural counterparts very well. This was further confirmed in two independent biochemical assays, in which our analogues potently inhibited phosphorylation of the protein kinase Akt and hydrolytic activity of the Ddp1 phosphohydrolase. The non-hydrolysable PP-IPs thus emerge as important tools and hold great promise for a variety of applications. PMID:23378892

Defense.gov Special Report: Travels with Hagel

Science.gov Websites

Hagel: Defense Partnership Anchors U.S.-Saudi Relationship Secretary Places Jordan Among Most Important Standing Relationship Hagel Arrives in Jordan Hagel Meets With Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu Hagel

Phosphate Mines, Jordan

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-04-21

Jordan leading industry and export commodities are phosphate and potash, ranked in the top three in the world. These are used to make fertilizer. This image was acquired by NASA Terra satellite on September 17, 2005.

Mathematical Modeling for Inherited Diseases

PubMed Central

Khan, Saqib

2017-01-01

We introduced a new nonassociative algebra, namely, left almost algebra, and discussed some of its genetic properties. We discussed the relation of this algebra with flexible algebra, Jordan algebra, and generalized Jordan algebra. PMID:28781606

Meet EPA Scientist Jordan West, Ph.D.

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Jordan West, Ph.D. is an aquatic ecologist at EPA. Her areas of expertise include freshwater & marine ecology, climate change impacts and adaptation, resilience and threshold theory, environmental risk assessment, expert elicitation & stakeholder processes

Identification of forty cases with alkaptonuria in one village in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Sbou, Mohammed; Mwafi, Nesrin; Lubad, Mohammad Abu

2012-12-01

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is one of the four initially identified inborn errors of metabolism. The prevalence of AKU is unknown in Jordan. Therefore, a research project was started in April 2009 at the Faculty of Medicine/Mutah University in southern Jordan. The aims of the project were to identify people with AKU, to screen all family members with history of AKU, and to increase the awareness about the disease among health care professionals and the community in southern Jordan. Targeted family screening method was used to identify patients with AKU. In this paper, we present preliminary results of screening 17 families with history of AKU in a single village in southern region of Jordan. Forty cases with AKU were identified in this village (age range, 1-60 years). Early cases with AKU were diagnosed through out this study, two-third of patients (n = 28) were under the age of thirty. Interestingly, nine cases with AKU were identified in one family. Our experience suggests that for the identification of cases with AKU where consanguinity is common, the focus for screening should be extended to all family members. The prevalence of AKU among Jordanian is likely to be greater than the prevalence rates worldwide due to high rates of consanguineous marriages. Further studies and effective screening programs are needed to detect undiagnosed cases of AKU, to provide genetic counseling, and ultimately to prevent the occurrence of new cases of AKU in Jordan.

Awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Iraqi community in Jordan.

PubMed

Darwish, Dana A; Abdelmalek, Suzanne; Abu Dayyih, Wael; Hamadi, Salim

2014-05-14

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global health concern. It has considerable implications on societies' health and resources. In Jordan, there is a large Iraqi community due to the ongoing turmoil in Iraq. Unfortunately, health awareness and practices of this community are under-investigated due to scarcity of research. This paper assesses the awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Iraqi community residing in Amman, Jordan. Their level of interaction with health care professionals regarding antibiotics and differences in their antibiotic use between Iraq and Jordan are also discussed. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey involving randomly selected Iraqis residing in Amman, Jordan was conducted. The study involved 508 participants. Sixty-two percent of participants agreed with buying antibiotics without a prescription, 29% agreed with obtaining antibiotics from friends or relatives, and 46% agreed with keeping leftover antibiotics for future use. Furthermore, 60% disagreed with not completing an antibiotic course and almost 90% of the sample listed viral diseases as an indication for antibiotics. Forty-four percent of participants abided by physicians' instructions on antibiotic use. Half of the participants believed that pharmacists provided instructions on antibiotics all the time, whereas physicians were perceived to do so by 29% of participants. Gaps exist in knowledge of antibiotic use and reasons for antimicrobial resistance among Iraqis residing in Jordan. These gaps should serve in planning educational campaigns to raise the community's awareness of responsible antibiotic use. Law enforcement to restrict access to antibiotics is also pivotal to tackle their misuse.

Gone But Not Forgotten: The Aeolian Modification of Fluvial Surfaces on Mars: Preliminary Results from Central Australia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bourke, M. C.

2003-01-01

MOC images indicate that aeolian ridges may mask and even obliterate primary depositional surfaces on Mars. This modification increases the difficulty in mapping the recent geological history of the planet. An analogue study in central Australia demonstrates how patterns in aeolian dunes, formed over abandoned fluvial surfaces, can be used to detect buried fluvial features.

Discrete Jordan curve theorem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Li

1999-09-01

According to a general definition of discrete curves, surfaces, and manifolds (Li Chen, 'Generalized discrete object tracking algorithms and implementations, ' In Melter, Wu, and Latecki ed, Vision Geometry VI, SPIE Vol. 3168, pp 184 - 195, 1997.). This paper focuses on the Jordan curve theorem in 2D discrete spaces. The Jordan curve theorem says that a (simply) closed curve separates a simply connected surface into two components. Based on the definition of discrete surfaces, we give three reasonable definitions of simply connected spaces. Theoretically, these three definition shall be equivalent. We have proved the Jordan curve theorem under the third definition of simply connected spaces. The Jordan theorem shows the relationship among an object, its boundary, and its outside area. In continuous space, the boundary of an mD manifold is an (m - 1)D manifold. The similar result does apply to regular discrete manifolds. The concept of a new regular nD-cell is developed based on the regular surface point in 2D, and well-composed objects in 2D and 3D given by Latecki (L. Latecki, '3D well-composed pictures,' In Melter, Wu, and Latecki ed, Vision Geometry IV, SPIE Vol 2573, pp 196 - 203, 1995.).

Comment on the Jordan-Brands-Dicke universes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz-Petzold, D.

1987-06-01

It is shown that the recently obtained Jordan-Brans-Dicke solutions by Chauvet and Guzmán (1986) are either inconsistent, or only special power-law solutions derived previously by Lorenz-Petzold in various papers.

Highly active anticancer curcumin analogues.

PubMed

Mosley, Cara A; Liotta, Dennis C; Snyder, James P

2007-01-01

Curcumin, a compound in the human food supply, represents a near-perfect starting point for drug discovery. Consequently, a number of research groups have taken the natural product as a starting point to prepare and biologically evaluate a wide variety of curcumin analogues. One widely used structural modification truncates the central conjugated beta-diketone in curcumin to the monocarbonyl dienone. A diverse array of the latter compounds exhibit cytotoxicities against an equally diverse set of cancer-related cell lines. Importantly, these compounds still retain toxicity profiles in rodents comparable to the parent natural product, whereas some analogues (e.g., EF-24, 41) exhibit good oral bioavailability and good pharmacokinetics in mice. Thiol conjugates of EF-24 analogues have been prepared that address stability and solubility issues while demonstrating cellular activities similar to the unmodified dienones. In parallel experiments, the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex (fVIIa-TF) has been exploited to develop a targeting strategy for the analogues. In particular, the EF24-FFRck-fVIIa protein conjugate is not only somewhat more effective relative to the drug alone against breast cancer and melanocyte cells. Both simple curcumin analogues and the protein conjugate evidence antiangiogenic activity in cell culture. The implication is that the fVIIa-TF targeting process, like the dienone drugs, permits a double-pronged attack with the potential to destroy a tumor directly by apoptosis.

Equivalence of Einstein and Jordan frames in quantized anisotropic cosmological models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Sachin; Pal, Sridip; Banerjee, Narayan

2018-06-01

The present work shows that the mathematical equivalence of the Jordan frame and its conformally transformed version, the Einstein frame, so as far as Brans-Dicke theory is concerned, survives a quantization of cosmological models, arising as solutions to the Brans-Dicke theory. We work with the Wheeler-deWitt quantization scheme and take up quite a few anisotropic cosmological models as examples. We effectively show that the transformation from the Jordan to the Einstein frame is a canonical one and hence two frames furnish equivalent description of same physical scenario.

High-precision radiocarbon dating and historical biblical archaeology in southern Jordan

PubMed Central

Levy, Thomas E.; Higham, Thomas; Bronk Ramsey, Christopher; Smith, Neil G.; Ben-Yosef, Erez; Robinson, Mark; Münger, Stefan; Knabb, Kyle; Schulze, Jürgen P.; Najjar, Mohammad; Tauxe, Lisa

2008-01-01

Recent excavations and high-precision radiocarbon dating from the largest Iron Age (IA, ca. 1200–500 BCE) copper production center in the southern Levant demonstrate major smelting activities in the region of biblical Edom (southern Jordan) during the 10th and 9th centuries BCE. Stratified radiocarbon samples and artifacts were recorded with precise digital surveying tools linked to a geographic information system developed to control on-site spatial analyses of archaeological finds and model data with innovative visualization tools. The new radiocarbon dates push back by 2 centuries the accepted IA chronology of Edom. Data from Khirbat en-Nahas, and the nearby site of Rujm Hamra Ifdan, demonstrate the centrality of industrial-scale metal production during those centuries traditionally linked closely to political events in Edom's 10th century BCE neighbor ancient Israel. Consequently, the rise of IA Edom is linked to the power vacuum created by the collapse of Late Bronze Age (LB, ca. 1300 BCE) civilizations and the disintegration of the LB Cypriot copper monopoly that dominated the eastern Mediterranean. The methodologies applied to the historical IA archaeology of the Levant have implications for other parts of the world where sacred and historical texts interface with the material record. PMID:18955702

From Weyl to Born-Jordan quantization: The Schrödinger representation revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Gosson, Maurice A.

2016-03-01

The ordering problem has been one of the long standing and much discussed questions in quantum mechanics from its very beginning. Nowadays, there is more or less a consensus among physicists that the right prescription is Weyl's rule, which is closely related to the Moyal-Wigner phase space formalism. We propose in this report an alternative approach by replacing Weyl quantization with the less well-known Born-Jordan quantization. This choice is actually natural if we want the Heisenberg and Schrödinger pictures of quantum mechanics to be mathematically equivalent. It turns out that, in addition, Born-Jordan quantization can be recovered from Feynman's path integral approach provided that one used short-time propagators arising from correct formulas for the short-time action, as observed by Makri and Miller. These observations lead to a slightly different quantum mechanics, exhibiting some unexpected features, and this without affecting the main existing theory; for instance quantizations of physical Hamiltonian functions are the same as in the Weyl correspondence. The differences are in fact of a more subtle nature; for instance, the quantum observables will not correspond in a one-to-one fashion to classical ones, and the dequantization of a Born-Jordan quantum operator is less straightforward than that of the corresponding Weyl operator. The use of Born-Jordan quantization moreover solves the "angular momentum dilemma", which already puzzled L. Pauling. Born-Jordan quantization has been known for some time (but not fully exploited) by mathematicians working in time-frequency analysis and signal analysis, but ignored by physicists. One of the aims of this report is to collect and synthesize these sporadic discussions, while analyzing the conceptual differences with Weyl quantization, which is also reviewed in detail. Another striking feature is that the Born-Jordan formalism leads to a redefinition of phase space quantum mechanics, where the usual Wigner distribution has to be replaced with a new quasi-distribution reducing interference effects.

Leadership style in the deaf community: an exploratory case study of a university president.

PubMed

Kamm-Larew, Deborah; Stanford, Jevetta; Greene, Robert; Heacox, Christopher; Hodge, Warren

2008-01-01

A qualitative mini-case study of I. King Jordan and his leadership style explores the influence of a transformational leader on Gallaudet University and the Deaf community. The study features a template-style semistructured interview with Jordan regarding his perceptions of leadership and his personal insights. The study highlights the attributes of transformational leadership and encourages further research into leadership as a tool for change in the Deaf community and the disability rights movement. This exploration of the leadership style of Gallaudet's first Deaf president is especially timely; the study was conducted between Jordan's retirement announcement and the Gallaudet Board of Trustees' decision to rescind an offer to his announced successor to become the university's next president. That tumultuous transition accentuated the disconnect between Jordan's transformational, charismatic leadership style, which affected generations of the Deaf community, and his followers' dissatisfaction with his management and successor planning.

Generalized conformal realizations of Kac-Moody algebras

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Palmkvist, Jakob

2009-01-15

We present a construction which associates an infinite sequence of Kac-Moody algebras, labeled by a positive integer n, to one single Jordan algebra. For n=1, this reduces to the well known Kantor-Koecher-Tits construction. Our generalization utilizes a new relation between different generalized Jordan triple systems, together with their known connections to Jordan and Lie algebras. Applied to the Jordan algebra of Hermitian 3x3 matrices over the division algebras R, C, H, O, the construction gives the exceptional Lie algebras f{sub 4}, e{sub 6}, e{sub 7}, e{sub 8} for n=2. Moreover, we obtain their infinite-dimensional extensions for n{>=}3. In the casemore » of 2x2 matrices, the resulting Lie algebras are of the form so(p+n,q+n) and the concomitant nonlinear realization generalizes the conformal transformations in a spacetime of signature (p,q)« less

Experiences of intimate-partner violence and contraception use among ever-married women in Jordan.

PubMed

O'Hara, K; Tsai, L C; Carlson, C E; Haidar, Y M

2013-10-01

This study explored the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and current contraception use among ever-married women in Jordan. Analysing a sample (n = 3434) from the 2007 Jordan demographic and health survey, women who reported ever experiencing severe physical violence from their husband were significantly less likely to use contraception than women who did not report severe physical violence (OR = 0.34). Conversely, women who reported ever experiencing sexual IPV were significantly more likely to use contraception (OR = 1.50). Emotional and less severe physical IPV were not significantly related to contraception use. Education, wealth, age, number of children, and fertility preferences were positively associated with contraception use, while residence in the Badia area and consanguineous marriages were negatively associated with contraception use. The findings have implications for the provision of IPV screening and contraception services in Jordan, as well as the specification of services for women most vulnerable to IPV.

Modified nucleotides reveal the indirect role of the central base pairs in stabilizing the lac repressor-operator complex.

PubMed Central

Zhang, X; Gottlieb, P A

1995-01-01

Guanine residues in the lac operator were replaced by 2-aminopurine or purine analogues, pairing the modified nucleotides with C. The observed equilibrium dissociation constants for lac repressor binding to substituted operators were measured in 10 mM Tris, 150 mM KCl, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1 mM DTE, pH 7.6 at 25 degrees C. These measurements revealed five positions that destabilized the complex when substituted with either analogue. Two positions, which are related by a 2-fold symmetry, are in the major groove of the operator thought to directly interact with the protein. Three sites were in the central region of the operator. A purine analogue at a sixth site perturbed the local DNA structure and destabilized the complex. Alkylation interference experiments of the 2-aminopurine substituted operators demonstrated that, of the five affected, two substitutions displayed altered phosphate interference patterns at the phosphate adjacent to the substituted base. For these operators, complex formation was measured in different concentrations of KCl to assess the contribution of counterion release to the bimolecular process. The results indicated that both complexes were similar to wild-type, although minor changes were observed. The Kobs of the complex was then measured when 2-aminopurine or purine analogues were paired with uracil nucleotide, a base pair that serves to stabilize the DNA. The introduction of the new base pairs revealed two effects on the bimolecular interaction. For those operator sites that are thought to perturb the interaction directly, the affinity of the complex was weakened to levels observed for the singly-substituted operators. In contrast, the nucleotides of 2-aminopurine paired with uracil positioned in the central region of the operator served to enhance the stability of the complex. The purine-uracil base pair substitution on the other hand had a significant destabilizing effect on the interaction. We propose that the central base pairs modulate binding of the complex by altering the intrinsic properties of the DNA. Two specific attributes are required to achieve the lowest free energy of interaction. The DNA must have two interstrand hydrogen bonds to stabilize the duplex and it must have properties associated with directional bending or unwinding. This analysis does not rule out contributions by direct interactions between the protein and the central region of the operator but underscores how indirect effects play a major role in complex formation in this system. Images PMID:7784203

The behavioural effects of a novel substance P analogue following infusion into the ventral tegmental area or substantia nigra of rat brain.

PubMed

Eison, A S; Eison, M S; Iversen, S D

1982-04-22

The behavioural response following infusion of a novel, stable substance P (SP) analogue, DiMe-C7, into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of rats was characterized and contrasted with the response to an equal dose of the parent compound SP. DiMe-C7 produced a longer-lasting behavioural stimulation than SP as evidenced in several behaviours, including locomotor activity, wet dog shakes, rearing and grooming. DiMe-C7-induced locomotor activity and rearing were potentiated by concurrent peripheral administration of D-amphetamine and blocked by pretreatment with haloperidol. Such responses to DiMe-C7 may thus be dependent upon dopaminergic activity. When given immediately following VTA infusion of DiMe-C7, morphine decreased, while naloxone had no effect upon most behavioural measures. The effect of methysergide on DiMe-C7 or SP into the substantia nigra reticulata produced a pattern of responses similar to nature to those produced by VTA infusion but different with respect to time course. These findings suggest that DiMe-C7 is a metabolically stable analogue of substance P which manifests prolonged actions on behaviour when centrally administered. Further, a role for central dopaminergic mechanisms is implicated in DiMe-C7-induced behavioural action.

Current sedation practice among general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Jordan: an example of a developing country.

PubMed

Al-Shayyab, Mohammad H; Ryalat, Soukaina; Dar-Odeh, Najla; Alsoleihat, Firas

2013-01-01

The study reported here aimed to identify current sedation practice among general dental practitioners (GDPs) and specialist dental practitioners (SDPs) in Jordan in 2010. Questionnaires were sent by email to 1683 GDPs and SDPs who were working in Jordan at the time of the study. The contact details of these dental practitioners were obtained from a Jordan Dental Association list. Details on personal status, use of, and training in, conscious sedation techniques were sought by the questionnaires. A total of 1003 (60%) questionnaires were returned, with 748 (86.9%) GDPs and 113 (13.1%) SDPs responding. Only ten (1.3%) GDPs and 63 (55.8%) SDPs provided information on the different types of treatments related to their specialties undertaken under some form of sedation performed by specialist and/or assistant anesthetists. Approximately 0.075% of the Jordanian population received some form of sedation during the year 2010, with approximately 0.054% having been treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The main reason for the majority of GDPs (55.0%) and many SDPs (40%) not to perform sedation was lack of training in this field. While some SDPs (26.0%) indicated they did not use sedation because of the inadequacy of sedative facilities. Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the provision of conscious sedation services in general and specialist dental practices in Jordan is inconsistent and inadequate. This stresses the great need to train practitioners and dental assistants in Jordan to enable them to safely and effectively perform all forms of sedation.

La structure de Jordan des matrices de transfert des modeles de boucles et la relation avec les hamiltoniens XXZ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morin-Duchesne, Alexi

Lattice models such as percolation, the Ising model and the Potts model are useful for the description of phase transitions in two dimensions. Finding analytical solutions is done by calculating the partition function, which in turn requires finding eigenvalues of transfer matrices. At the critical point, the two dimensional statistical models are invariant under conformal transformations and the construction of rational conformal field theories, as the continuum limit of these lattice models, allows one to compute the partition function at the critical point. Many researchers think however that the paradigm of rational conformal conformal field theories can be extended to include models with non diagonalizable transfer matrices. These models would then be described, in the scaling limit, by logarithmic conformal field theories and the representations of the Virasoro algebra coming into play would be indecomposable. We recall the construction of the double-row transfer matrix DN (λ, u) of the Fortuin-Kasteleyn model, seen as an element of the Temperley-Lieb algebra. This transfer matrix comes into play in physical theories through its representation in link modules (or standard modules). The vector space on which this representation acts decomposes into sectors labelled by a physical parameter d, the number of defects, which remains constant or decreases in the link representations. This thesis is devoted to the identification of the Jordan structure of DN(λ, u) in the link representations. The parameter β = 2 cos λ = -(q + q-1) fixes the theory : for instance β = 1 for percolation and 2 for the Ising model. On the geometry of the strip with open boundary conditions, we show that DN(λ, u) has the same Jordan blocks as its highest Fourier coefficient, FN. We study the non-diagonalizability of FN through the divergences of some of the eigenstates of ρ(F N) that appear at the critical values of λ. The Jordan cells we find in ρ(DN(λ, u)) have rank 2 and couple sectors d and d' when specific constraints on λ, d, d' and N are satisfied. For the model of critical dense polymers (β = 0) on the strip, the eigenvalues of ρ(DN(λ, u)) were known, but their degeneracies only conjectured. By constructing an isomorphism between the link modules on the strip and a subspace of spin modules of the XXZ model at q = i, we prove this conjecture. We also show that the restriction of the Hamiltonian to any sector d is diagonalizable, and that the XX Hamiltonian has rank 2 Jordan cells when N is even. Finally, we study the Jordan structure of the transfer matrix T N(λ, ν) for periodic boundary conditions. When λ = πa/b and a, b ∈ Z× , the matrix TN(λ, ν) has Jordan blocks between sectors, but also within sectors. The approach using FN admits a generalization to the present case and allows us to probe the Jordan cells that tie different sectors. The rank of these cells exceeds 2 in some cases and can grow indefinitely with N. For the Jordan blocks within a sector, we show that the link modules on the cylinder and the XXZ spin modules are isomorphic except for specific curves in the (q, ν) plane. By using the behavior of the transformation ĩd N in a neighborhood of the critical values (qc, ν c), we explicitly build Jordan partners of rank 2 and discuss the existence of Jordan cells with higher rank. Keywords : phase transitions, Ising model, Potts model, Fortuin-Kasteleyn model, transfer matrix method, XXZ Hamiltonian, logarithmic conformal field theory, Jordan structure.

Quality assurance guides health reform in Jordan.

PubMed

Abubaker, W; Abdulrahman, M

1996-01-01

In November 1995, a World Bank mission went to Jordan to conduct a study of the health sector. The study recommended three strategies to reform the health sector: decentralization of Ministry of Health (MOH) management; improvement of clinical practices, quality of care, and consumer satisfaction; and adoption of treatment protocols and standards. The MOH chose quality assurance (QA) methods and quality management (QM) techniques to accomplish these reforms. The Monitoring and QA Directorate oversees QA applications within MOH. It also institutes and develops the capacity of local QA units in the 12 governorates. The QA units implement and monitor day-to-day QA activities. The QM approach encompasses quality principles: establish objectives; use a systematic approach; teach lessons learned and applicable research; use QA training to teach quality care, quality improvement, and patient satisfaction; educate health personnel about QM approaches; use assessment tools and interviews; measure the needs and expectations of local health providers and patients; ensure feedback on QA improvement projects; ensure valid and reliable data; monitor quality improvement efforts; standardize systemic data collection and outcomes; and establish and disseminate QA standards and performance improvement efforts. The Jordan QA Project has helped with the successful institutionalization of a QA system at both the central and local levels. The bylaws of the QA councils and committees require team participation in the decision-making process. Over the last two years, the M&QA Project has adopted 21 standards for nursing, maternal and child health care centers, pharmacies, and medications. The Balqa pilot project has developed 44 such protocols. Quality improvement (COUGH) studies have examined hyper-allergy, analysis of patient flow rate, redistribution of nurses, vaccine waste, and anemic pregnant women. There are a considerable number of on-going clinical and non-clinical COUGH studies. Four epidemiological studies are examining maternal mortality, causes of death, morbidity, and perinatal mortality.

The δ13C record of Maastrichtian-Paleocene oil shales from Jordan - Stratigraphic and environmental implications for an epicontinental setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beik, Ibtisam; Gómez, Victor Giraldo; Podlaha, Olaf G.; Mutterlose, Jörg

2018-07-01

Organic matter (OM) rich marls were deposited in several intrashelf basins in Jordan (e.g. Yarmouk Basin, Lajjun Basin, Azraq-Hamza Basin, Jafr Basin, Eshidiyya Basin) on the southeastern Tethyan margin during the Maastrichtian to middle Eocene. Factors like surface water productivity fueled by upwelling and sea level changes affected their deposition. Potential effects of climatic changes have not been determined yet. We present the first stable carbon and oxygen isotope records of Maastrichtian-Danian oil shales from the Azraq-Hamza and Jafr Basins in south- and central-east Jordan. The δ13Ccarb curves were time-calibrated based on calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Eight notable excursions were identified in the Jordanian Maastrichtian sections. These were correlated with the documented Maastrichtian δ13Ccarb events in the (sub) tropical sections of Italy and the western Pacific: the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary Events 4 and 5 (CMBE-4, CMBE-5), the Middle Maastrichtian Events 1 to 3 (MME-1 to MME-3) and the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary Events 1 to 3 (KPgE-1 to KPgE-3). Signs of the Latest Danian Event (LDE) were recognized as well. Total organic carbon (TOC) data exhibit a complex relationship with the δ13Ccarb proxy record. The δ13Ccarb signals are repeatedly dampened due to the OM oxidation and subsequent 12C release. The effect of short term climate changes is observed, but is not always straight forward. Long term climate changes had indirect effects on bottom water oxygenation and OM preservation via sea level changes. The δ18Ocarb data from both sections reveal minor temperature changes in the Maastrichtian. Slight warming is observed in the MME interval. A potential increase of the paleotemperature is reported from the Azraq-Hamza section occurring in the latest Maastrichtian to earliest Danian.

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-03

exploration agreement with the Jordanian government. Estonia’s Eesti Energia AS also has signed agreements on oil shale projects. See, “Amman Unlocks...Jordan focus on a variety of sectors including democracy assistance, water preservation, and education (particularly building and renovating public

On the use and computation of the Jordan canonical form in system theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sridhar, B.; Jordan, D.

1974-01-01

This paper investigates various aspects of the application of the Jordan canonical form of a matrix in system theory and develops a computational approach to determining the Jordan form for a given matrix. Applications include pole placement, controllability and observability studies, serving as an intermediate step in yielding other canonical forms, and theorem proving. The computational method developed in this paper is both simple and efficient. The method is based on the definition of a generalized eigenvector and a natural extension of Gauss elimination techniques. Examples are included for demonstration purposes.

Exceptional quantum geometry and particle physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubois-Violette, Michel

2016-11-01

Based on an interpretation of the quark-lepton symmetry in terms of the unimodularity of the color group SU (3) and on the existence of 3 generations, we develop an argumentation suggesting that the "finite quantum space" corresponding to the exceptional real Jordan algebra of dimension 27 (the Euclidean Albert algebra) is relevant for the description of internal spaces in the theory of particles. In particular, the triality which corresponds to the 3 off-diagonal octonionic elements of the exceptional algebra is associated to the 3 generations of the Standard Model while the representation of the octonions as a complex 4-dimensional space C ⊕C3 is associated to the quark-lepton symmetry (one complex for the lepton and 3 for the corresponding quark). More generally it is suggested that the replacement of the algebra of real functions on spacetime by the algebra of functions on spacetime with values in a finite-dimensional Euclidean Jordan algebra which plays the role of "the algebra of real functions" on the corresponding almost classical quantum spacetime is relevant in particle physics. This leads us to study the theory of Jordan modules and to develop the differential calculus over Jordan algebras (i.e. to introduce the appropriate notion of differential forms). We formulate the corresponding definition of connections on Jordan modules.

Diversity and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) and their bacterial symbionts (gamma-Proteobacteria: Enterobacteriaceae) in Jordan.

PubMed

Stock, S Patricia; Al Banna, Luma; Darwish, Rula; Katbeh, Ahmad

2008-06-01

Until now, only a few systematic surveys of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have been conducted in Middle Eastern countries. Many of the recovered EPN species in this region have shown to own distinctive qualities that enable their survival in unique environments, such as high temperatures and low moisture levels tolerance. These new species and strains, with unique environmental tolerances, are more suitable for their consideration in pest management programs in xerophytic regions. With this background in mind, we recently conducted a survey of EPN in Jordan. This study records for the first time the diversity and distribution of these nematodes and their bacterial symbionts in this country. Jordan's three geographic regions: (1) the highlands, (2) Jordan valley and (3) the desert region were sampled. Within each region, natural habitats and agricultural regions characteristic to each region were considered for sampling purposes. Four EPN species including three Steinernema and one Heterorhabditis were recovered. Nematodes were identified using a combination of molecular markers and classic morphological diagnostic tools. Bacterial symbionts were identified by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences. Abiotic characteristics such as soil type, soil pH, and elevation were also recorded. We herein report the diversity of EPN species in Jordan and discuss their potential in Biocontrol and IPM programs for this country.

An economic inquisition of water quality trading programs, with a case study of Jordan Lake, NC.

PubMed

Motallebi, Marzieh; Hoag, Dana L; Tasdighi, Ali; Arabi, Mazdak; Osmond, Deanna L

2017-05-15

A water quality trading (WQT) program was promulgated in North Carolina to address water quality issues related to nutrients in the highly urbanizing Jordan Lake Watershed. Although WQT programs are appealing in theory, the concept has not proved feasible in several attempts between point and nonpoint polluters in the United States. Many application hurdles that create wedges between success and failure have been evaluated in the literature. Most programs, however, face multiple hurdles; eliminating one may not clear a pathway to success. Therefore, we identify and evaluate the combined impact of four different wedges including baseline, transaction cost, trading ratio, and trading cost in the Jordan Lake Watershed program. Unfortunately, when applied to the Jordan Lake program, the analysis clearly shows that a traditional WQT program will not be feasible or address nutrient management needs in a meaningful way. The hurdles individually would be difficult to overcome, but together they appear to be unsurmountable. This analysis shows that there is enough information to pre-identify potential hurdles that could inform policy makers where, and how, the concept might work. It would have saved time, energy, and financial resources if North Carolina had done so before embarking to implement their program in the Jordan Lake Watershed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adjuvant role of vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) with anti-infective treatment in infection associated asthenia.

PubMed

Shah, Siddharth N

2003-09-01

Asthenic symptoms such as weakness accompany illness. This study investigates whether the centrally acting cholinergic agent, vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine), is effective and acceptable in relieving these symptoms in infectious disease when combined with specific anti-infective treatment. In a prospective uncontrolled, non-randomised, commercial, observational study, 1772 patients with an infectious disease and asthenic symptoms, drawn from the practice of 350 randomly selected physicians throughout India, received vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) in addition to specific anti-infective treatment for 15 days. The primary outcome variable was complete resolution of asthenic symptoms with treatment. The number (%, 95% confidence interval) of patients with complete resolution of all asthenic symptoms was 916 (51.7, 49.4-54). In the remaining patients, severe asthenia was reduced but persisted in 11 (0.6, 0-26); and moderate asthenia in 94 (5.3, 0-17.6). The response was greater in patients with acute infection and symptoms more related to cerebral function. Side effects occurred in 10 (0.6%), patients and well being improved significantly. Vitamin B analogue (sulbutiamine) may be a useful adjunct to specific anti-infective treatment.

Coordinate Transformations in Object Recognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graf, Markus

2006-01-01

A basic problem of visual perception is how human beings recognize objects after spatial transformations. Three central classes of findings have to be accounted for: (a) Recognition performance varies systematically with orientation, size, and position; (b) recognition latencies are sequentially additive, suggesting analogue transformation…

Assessment of potential shale-oil and shale-gas resources in Silurian shales of Jordan, 2014

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schenk, Christopher J.; Pitman, Janet K.; Charpentier, Ronald R.; Klett, Timothy R.; Tennyson, Marilyn E.; Mercier, Tracey J.; Nelson, Philip H.; Brownfield, Michael E.; Pawlewicz, Mark J.; Wandrey, Craig J.

2014-01-01

Using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 11 million barrels of potential shale-oil and 320 billion cubic feet of shale-gas resources in Silurian shales of Jordan.

Economic evaluation and the Jordan Rational Drug List: an exploratory study of national-level priority setting.

PubMed

Lafi, Rania; Robinson, Suzanne; Williams, Iestyn

2012-01-01

To explore the extent of and barriers to the use of economic evaluation in compiling the Jordan Rational Drug List in the health care system of Jordan. The research reported in this article involved a case study of the Jordan Rational Drug List. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with decision makers and analysis of secondary documentary sources. The case study was supplemented by additional interviews with a small number of Jordanian academics involved in the production of economic evaluation. The research found that there was no formal requirement for cost-effectiveness information submitted as part of the decision-making process for the inclusion of new technologies on the Jordan Rational Drug List. Both decision makers and academics suggested that economic evidence was not influential in formulary decisions. This is unusual for national formulary bodies. The study identified a number of barriers that prevent substantive and routine use of economic evaluation. While some of these echo findings of previous studies, others-notably the extent to which the sectional interests of clinical groups and commercial (pharmaceutical) industry exert undue influence over decision making-more obviously result from the specific Jordanian context. Economic evaluation was not found to be influential in the Jordan Rational Drug List. Recommendations for improvement include enhancing capacity in relation to generating, accessing, and/or applying health economic analysis to priority setting decisions. There is a further need to incentivize the use of economic evaluation, and this requires that organizational and structural impediments be removed. Copyright © 2012 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Jordan Water Project: an interdisciplinary evaluation of freshwater vulnerability and security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorelick, S.; Yoon, J.; Rajsekhar, D.; Muller, M. F.; Zhang, H.; Gawel, E.; Klauer, B.; Klassert, C. J. A.; Sigel, K.; Thilmant, A.; Avisse, N.; Lachaut, T.; Harou, J. J.; Knox, S.; Selby, P. D.; Mustafa, D.; Talozi, S.; Haddad, Y.; Shamekh, M.

2016-12-01

The Jordan Water Project, part of the Belmont Forum projects, is an interdisciplinary, international research effort focused on evaluation of freshwater security in Jordan, one of the most water-vulnerable countries in the world. The team covers hydrology, water resources systems analysis, economics, policy evaluation, geography, risk and remote sensing analyses, and model platform development. The entire project team communally engaged in construction of an integrated hydroeconomic model for water supply policy evaluation. To represent water demand and allocation behavior at multiple levels of decision making,the model integrates biophysical modules that simulate natural and engineered hydrologic phenomena with human behavioral modules. Hydrologic modules include spatially-distributed groundwater and surface-water models for the major aquifers and watersheds throughout Jordan. For the human modules, we adopt a multi-agent modeling approach to represent decision-making processes. The integrated model was developed in Pynsim, a new open-source, object-oriented platform in Python for network-based water resource systems. We continue to explore the impacts of future scenarios and interventions.This project had tremendous encouragement and data support from Jordan's Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Modeling technology is being transferred through a companion NSF/USAID PEER project awarded toJordan University of Science and Technology. Individual teams have also conducted a range of studies aimed at evaluating Jordanian and transboundary surface water and groundwater systems. Surveys, interviews, and econometric analyses enabled us to better understandthe behavior of urban households, farmers, private water resellers, water use pattern of the commercial sector and irrigation water user associations. We analyzed nationwide spatial and temporal statistical trends in rainfall, developed urban and national comparative metrics to quantify water supply vulnerability, improved remote sensing methods to estimate crop-water use, and evaluated the impacts of climate change on future drought severity.

Current sedation practice among general dental practitioners and dental specialists in Jordan: an example of a developing country

PubMed Central

Al-Shayyab, Mohammad H; Ryalat, Soukaina; Dar-odeh, Najla; Alsoleihat, Firas

2013-01-01

Purpose The study reported here aimed to identify current sedation practice among general dental practitioners (GDPs) and specialist dental practitioners (SDPs) in Jordan in 2010. Methods Questionnaires were sent by email to 1683 GDPs and SDPs who were working in Jordan at the time of the study. The contact details of these dental practitioners were obtained from a Jordan Dental Association list. Details on personal status, use of, and training in, conscious sedation techniques were sought by the questionnaires. Results A total of 1003 (60%) questionnaires were returned, with 748 (86.9%) GDPs and 113 (13.1%) SDPs responding. Only ten (1.3%) GDPs and 63 (55.8%) SDPs provided information on the different types of treatments related to their specialties undertaken under some form of sedation performed by specialist and/or assistant anesthetists. Approximately 0.075% of the Jordanian population received some form of sedation during the year 2010, with approximately 0.054% having been treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The main reason for the majority of GDPs (55.0%) and many SDPs (40%) not to perform sedation was lack of training in this field. While some SDPs (26.0%) indicated they did not use sedation because of the inadequacy of sedative facilities. Conclusion Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the provision of conscious sedation services in general and specialist dental practices in Jordan is inconsistent and inadequate. This stresses the great need to train practitioners and dental assistants in Jordan to enable them to safely and effectively perform all forms of sedation. PMID:23700369

Effect of climate change on agriculture sustainability in Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khresat, S.

2009-04-01

Jordan is a vulnerable country in terms of climate change impact. In the latest assessment report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Jordan will suffer from reduced agricultural productivity due to more erratic rainfall patterns, reduced freshwater resources and increased temperatures. The Initial National Communication (INC) to the United Nations Framework Convention to Climate Change (UNFCCC) foresees that over the next three decades, Jordan will witness a rise in temperature, drop in rainfall, reduced ground cover, reduced water availability, heat-waves, and more frequent dust storms. Coupled with the effect of continuing drought incidents, plant cover removal was greatly accelerated. Climate change can impact agricultural sustainability in Jordan in two interrelated ways: first, by diminishing the long-term ability of agroecosystems to provide food and fiber locally; and second, by inducing shifts in agricultural regions that may encroach upon natural habitats, at the expense of floral and faunal diversity. Global warming may encourage the expansion of agricultural activities into regions now occupied by natural ecosystems such as rangelands in the Badia region and forests. Such encroachment will have adverse effects on the fragile ecosystem in those areas (Badia and steppe areas). Primary model test results showed that the reduction of rainfall by 10 to 20% had a negative impact while the increase in rainfall by 10 to 20% had a positive impact on grain yield for both barley and wheat at the different temperature regimes. This is due to the fact that water is the main limiting growth factor for wheat and barley under rainfed agriculture on Jordan. The warming (increase in temperature by 1 to 4˚ C) had negative impact on barley grain yield while it had a positive impact on grain yield of wheat.

Seroprevalence and risk factor analysis for exposure to equine encephalosis virus in Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

PubMed

Tirosh-Levy, Sharon; Gelman, Boris; Zivotofsky, Doni; Quraan, Lara; Khinich, Evgeny; Nasereddin, Abdelmajeed; Abdeen, Ziad; Steinman, Amir

2017-05-01

Equine encephalosis virus (EEV) is an orbivirus transmitted by Culicoides species. Most infected horses show mild clinical signs and mortality is usually very low. EEV is closely related and similarly transmitted to other, more pathogenic and economically important, orbiviruses such as African horse sickness virus (AHSV), bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease viruses (EHDV), and may serve as an indicator for possible transmission of the latter. Israel has been reported to be endemic for EEV since 2001. This study was initiated to re-evaluate the current seroprevalence and risk factors for EEV exposure in Israel, and to assess, for the first time, the seroprevalence of EEV in Palestine and Jordan. Three hundred and sixteen serum samples were collected from apparently healthy horses at 21 farms in Israel, 66 horses at nine farms in Palestine and 100 horses at three farms in Jordan. The presence of EEV antibodies was detected by a serum neutralization assay. Seroprevalence of EEV was 58.2% (184/316 horses) in Israel, 48.5% (32/66 horses) in Palestine and 2% (2/100 horses) in Jordan. Seroprevalence in Jordan was significantly lower than in Israel and Palestine ( P  < 0.001). The farm ( P  < 0.001) and horse age ( P  = 0.003) were found as significant risk factors for EEV exposure in Israel in multivariable statistical analysis. The results of this study further demonstrate that EEV is no longer limited to South Africa and is endemic in both Israel and Palestine and horses in Jordan were also exposed to this virus emphasizing the potential of pathogens to invade new ecological niches.

Phosphatase-Resistant Analogues of Lysophosphatidic Acid

PubMed Central

Prestwich, Glenn D.; Gajewiak, Joanna; Zhang, Honglu; Xu, Xiaoyu; Yang, Guanghui; Serban, Monica

2008-01-01

Isoform-selective agonists and antagonists of the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have important potential applications in cell biology and therapy. LPA GPCRs regulate cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and also biochemical resistance to chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced apoptosis. LPA and its analogues also are feedback inhibitors of the enzyme lysophospholipase D (lysoPLD, a.k.a., autotaxin, ATX), a central regulator of invasion and metastasis. For cancer therapy, the optimal therapeutic profile would be a metabolically stabilized, pan-LPA receptor antagonist that also inhibited lysoPLD. For protection of gastrointestinal mucosa and lymphocytes, LPA agonists would be desirable to minimize or reverse radiation or chemical-induced injury. Analogues of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) that are chemically modified to be less susceptible to phospholipases and phosphatases show activity as long-lived receptor-specific agonists and antagonists for LPA receptors, as well as inhibitors for the lysoPLD activity of ATX. PMID:18454946

The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Syria: A Comparison

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

Studies in Contemporary History and Security ,ed Kurt Spillman and Andreas Wenger (Bern, Peter Lang Publishing, 1999), 68. 94 Maye Kassem ...Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 972 (2005): 1. Joffe, George. Jordan in transition. New York: Hurst & Co, 2002. Kassem , Maye. Egyptain

Managing Jordanian nurse migration to the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

PubMed

Al-Nawafleh, A H

2015-05-19

The migration of nurses from Jordan to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states has occurred for decades, although substantial increases have been noted since the 1990s. This study aimed to identify the push and pull factors for Jordanian-trained nurses to work in the GCC states in order to inform retention policies that might address the issue of nurse migration. An online survey of a convenience sample of 1241 Jordanian nurses working in GCC states showed that 93% had been employed in Jordan before migration, 85% had migrated to obtain employment and 94% were motivated by higher salary and benefits. Although 93% planned to return to work in Jordan, only 15% planned to do so in the next 2 years. Major incentives to migrate were relocation assistance, salary and benefits and career advancement/professional education. Policy-makers and nurse leaders in Jordan and the GCC states are urged to use these findings to formulate strategies to retain Jordanian nurses in their workplaces.

DNA before Watson & Crick-The Pioneering Studies of J. M. Gulland and D. O. Jordan at Nottingham

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Booth, Harold; Hey, Michael J.

1996-10-01

A description placed in a historical context, of the physico-chemical investigations of DNA carried out in the period 1940-1950 by a group at University College, Nottingham led by J.M.Gulland and D.O.Jordan. The isolation of a pure sample of DNA from calf thymus was followed by its analysis by potentiometric titrations and by measurements at variable pH of viscosity and streaming birefringence. Unlike the phosphoric acid groups, the primary amino and enolic hydroxyl groups could only be titrated after prior treatment with strong acid or strong base. The conclusion of Gulland and Jordan, that extremes of pH caused liberation of amino and enolic hydoxyl groups by disruption of hydrogen bonds between neighbouring polynucleotide chains, proved to be of considerable importance. The article includes life histories of Gulland and Jordan, and reference to Linus Pauling's remarkable foresight during his Sir Jesse Boot Foundation Lecture delivered at Nottingham in 1948.

Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination and Simulation of Accounting Principles on Quantum Computers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diep, Do Ngoc; Giang, Do Hoang; Van Minh, Nguyen

2017-06-01

The paper is devoted to a version of Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination and its applications. In the first part, we construct the Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination (QGJE) Algorithm and estimate the complexity of computation of Reduced Row Echelon Form (RREF) of N × N matrices. The main result asserts that QGJE has computation time is of order 2 N/2. The second part is devoted to a new idea of simulation of accounting by quantum computing. We first expose the actual accounting principles in a pure mathematics language. Then, we simulate the accounting principles on quantum computers. We show that, all accounting actions are exhousted by the described basic actions. The main problems of accounting are reduced to some system of linear equations in the economic model of Leontief. In this simulation, we use our constructed Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination to solve the problems and the complexity of quantum computing is a square root order faster than the complexity in classical computing.

The paralytic poliomyelitis epidemic of 1978 in Jordan: epidemiological implications

PubMed Central

Khuri-Bulos, Najwa; Melnick, Joseph L.; Hatch, Milford H.; Dawod, Saleh T.

1984-01-01

Poliomyelitis is endemic in Jordan, but until 1978 there were no epidemics. In that year, 66 children were admitted to the Jordan University Hospital with a paralytic illness, compared with 13 in 1979 and 11 in 1980. The epidemic reached a peak in the summer and fall of 1978. While 54% of the patients had not received any vaccine, 19% had received 3 doses of oral poliovaccine; 82% of the cases were in children less than 2 years of age, and all belonged to the lower socioeconomic group. There were 28 deaths with complications of the disease. Poliovirus was isolated from 10 out of 14 rectal swab samples examined (9 with poliovirus 1, 1 with poliovirus 2), and from 4 out of 13 throat specimens from the same patients. It is concluded that as a result of improving living standards in Jordan and neighbouring countries, more epidemics may occur unless immunization efforts against poliomyelitis are intensified. PMID:6609022

Exploring Jordan's rule in Pacific three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus.

PubMed

Morris, M R J; Petrovitch, E; Bowles, E; Jamniczky, H A; Rogers, S M

2017-08-01

Coastal marine Gasterosteus aculeatus were captured from seven locations along the Pacific coast of North America, ranging across 21·8° latitude to test Jordan's rule, i.e. that vertebral number should increase with increasing latitude for related populations of fish. Vertebral number significantly increased with increasing latitude for both total and caudal vertebral number. Increasing length with latitude (sensu Bergmann's rule) was also supported, but the predictions for Jordan's rule held when controlling for standard length. Pleomerism was weakly evidenced. Gasterosteus aculeatus exhibited sexual dimorphism for Jordan's rule, with both sexes having more vertebrae at higher latitudes, but only males showing a positive association between latitude and the ratio of caudal to abdominal vertebrae. The number of dorsal- and anal-fin rays and basals increased with increasing latitude, while pectoral-fin ray number decreased. This study reinforces the association between phenotypic variation and environmental variation in marine populations of G. aculeatus. © 2017 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

One-year assessment of joint procurement of pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Abbadi, Ibrahim; Qawwas, Abdelraouf; Jaafreh, Mahmoud; Abosamen, Taher; Saket, Maisa

2009-06-01

About 10% of the gross domestic product in Jordan is spent on health care, and almost one third of that is spent on pharmaceuticals. The public health sector in Jordan has 4 main governmental parties that purchase medicines independently through annual tenders (ie, the process of bidding, being awarded, ordering, paying for, and receiving drugs) issued in the generic (or scientific) name of the medicines or therapeutic groups. Double purchasing is a problem that leads to higher spending on drugs and poor availability of medicines throughout the year. To remedy this problem, a joint procurement process was established in Jordan in 2004 and went into practice in 2006. The aim of this research was to assess the first year of purchasing pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in Jordan through the joint procurement process for the 4 participating parties in comparison with purchasing pharmaceuticals independently before the institution of joint procurement. The first tender under the joint procurement process was issued in 2007 for antibiotics, anti-HIV medications, and antituberculosis agents, which represent 15% of the annual pharmaceutical public-sector purchases in Jordan. A research committee solicited lists of purchased quantities and final purchase prices of these pharmaceuticals obtained in 2006 by each participating group and in 2007 through the joint procurement process. The quantity-comparison method was used to compare the costs of drugs purchased in 2006 and 2007, and estimated cost savings were calculated for each product for each party for 2006 and 2007 under the assumption that the same quantities purchased by each participating party in 2006 would be purchased through joint procurement (prices of 2007). Purchasing through the joint procurement process achieved an estimated savings of 2.4%. This savings increased to 8.9% after excluding 1 item (a cephalosporin), the raw material price of which increased markedly in 2007 compared with 2006 because of an international shortage of raw materials. Based on these initial findings, applying a joint procurement system for pharmaceuticals in the public health sector in Jordan has potential to reduce expenditures for the purchase of medicines and provide treatment continuously throughout the year.

Factors influencing dyslipidemia in statin-treated patients in Lebanon and Jordan: results of the Dyslipidemia International Study.

PubMed

Azar, Sami T; Hantash, Hadi Abu; Jambart, Selim; El-Zaheri, Mohamed M; Rachoin, Rachoin; Chalfoun, Amal; Lahoud, Layla; Okkeh, Osama; Bramlage, Peter; Brudi, Philippe; Ambegaonkar, Baishali M

2014-01-01

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Therefore, as part of the Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS), we have analyzed the prevalence of lipid abnormalities and risk factors for dyslipidemia in statin-treated patients in Lebanon and Jordan. This cross-sectional, multicenter study enrolled 617 patients at 13 hospitals in Lebanon and Jordan. Patients were at least 45 years old and had been treated with statins for at least 3 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine patient characteristics contributing to dyslipidemia during statin therapy. Our findings indicated that 55.9% of statin-treated patients (mean age 60.3 years, 47% female) in Lebanon and Jordan did not achieve goal levels for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol which were dependent on Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk, and 70% of patients (76% men and 63.3% of women) were at very high cardiovascular risk. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals were not achieved in 67.2% of those with very high cardiovascular risk. The most commonly prescribed statin was atorvastatin (44.6%), followed by simvastatin (27.7%), rosuvastatin (21.2%), fluvastatin (3.3%), pravastatin (3%), and lovastatin (0.2%). Approximately half of the population was treated with a statin dose potency of 4, equaling 40 mg of simvastatin. In Lebanon and Jordan, the strongest independent associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol not at goal were current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 1.96; 95% confidence [CI] 1.25-3.08), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.53; 95% CI 1.70-3.77), and ischemic heart disease (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.45-3.53), while alcohol consumption was associated with reduced risk (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03-0.57). We observed that many patients in Lebanon and Jordan experienced persistent dyslipidemia during statin treatment, supporting the notion that novel lipid-lowering strategies need to be developed. Also, social programs aimed at combating the extremely high rates of tobacco use and obesity in Lebanon and Jordan are critical for combating cardiovascular disease in these countries.

Factors influencing dyslipidemia in statin-treated patients in Lebanon and Jordan: results of the Dyslipidemia International Study

PubMed Central

Azar, Sami T; Hantash, Hadi Abu; Jambart, Selim; El-Zaheri, Mohamed M; Rachoin, Rachoin; Chalfoun, Amal; Lahoud, Layla; Okkeh, Osama; Bramlage, Peter; Brudi, Philippe; Ambegaonkar, Baishali M

2014-01-01

Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Therefore, as part of the Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS), we have analyzed the prevalence of lipid abnormalities and risk factors for dyslipidemia in statin-treated patients in Lebanon and Jordan. Methods This cross-sectional, multicenter study enrolled 617 patients at 13 hospitals in Lebanon and Jordan. Patients were at least 45 years old and had been treated with statins for at least 3 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine patient characteristics contributing to dyslipidemia during statin therapy. Results Our findings indicated that 55.9% of statin-treated patients (mean age 60.3 years, 47% female) in Lebanon and Jordan did not achieve goal levels for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol which were dependent on Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk, and 70% of patients (76% men and 63.3% of women) were at very high cardiovascular risk. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals were not achieved in 67.2% of those with very high cardiovascular risk. The most commonly prescribed statin was atorvastatin (44.6%), followed by simvastatin (27.7%), rosuvastatin (21.2%), fluvastatin (3.3%), pravastatin (3%), and lovastatin (0.2%). Approximately half of the population was treated with a statin dose potency of 4, equaling 40 mg of simvastatin. In Lebanon and Jordan, the strongest independent associations with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol not at goal were current smoking (odds ratio [OR] 1.96; 95% confidence [CI] 1.25–3.08), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.53; 95% CI 1.70–3.77), and ischemic heart disease (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.45–3.53), while alcohol consumption was associated with reduced risk (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03–0.57). Conclusion We observed that many patients in Lebanon and Jordan experienced persistent dyslipidemia during statin treatment, supporting the notion that novel lipid-lowering strategies need to be developed. Also, social programs aimed at combating the extremely high rates of tobacco use and obesity in Lebanon and Jordan are critical for combating cardiovascular disease in these countries. PMID:24872710

Effects of a neurotensin analogue (PD149163) and antagonist (SR142948A) on the scopolamine-induced deficits in a novel object discrimination task.

PubMed

Azmi, Norazrina; Norman, Christine; Spicer, Clare H; Bennett, Geoffrey W

2006-06-01

Various lines of evidence suggest a role in cognition for the endogenous neuropeptide, neurotensin, involving an interaction with the central nervous system cholinergic pathways. A preliminary study has shown that central administration of neurotensin enhances spatial and nonspatial working memory in the presence of scopolamine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist which induces memory deficits. Utilizing similar methods, the present study employed a two-trial novel object discrimination task to determine the acute effect of a neurotensin peptide analogue with improved metabolic stability, PD149163, on recognition memory in Lister hooded rats. Consistent with previous findings with neurotensin, animals receiving an intracerebroventricular injection of PD149163 (3 microg) significantly discriminated the novel from familiar object during the choice trial. In addition, a similar dose of PD149163 restored the scopolamine-induced deficit in novelty recognition. The restoration effect on scopolamine-induced amnesia produced by PD149163 was blocked by SR142948A, a nonselective neurotensin receptor antagonist, at a dose of 1 mg/kg (intraperitonial) but not at 0.1 mg/kg. In conclusion, the present results confirm a role for neurotensin in mediating memory processes, possibly via central cholinergic mechanisms.

Jordan form, parabolicity and other features of change of type transition for hydrodynamic type systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konopelchenko, B. G.; Ortenzi, G.

2017-05-01

Changes of type transitions for two-component hydrodynamic type systems are discussed. It is shown that these systems generically assume the Jordan form (with 2 × 2 Jordan block) on the transition line with hodograph equations becoming parabolic. Conditions which allow or forbid the transition from the hyperbolic domain to elliptic one are discussed. Hamiltonian systems and their special subclasses and equations, such as dispersionless nonlinear Schrödinger, dispersionless Boussinesq, one-dimensional isentropic gas dynamics equations, and nonlinear wave equations are studied. Numerical results concerning the crossing of transition line for the dispersionless Boussinesq equation are also presented.

NMR Insights into the Structure-Function Relationships in the Binding of Melanocortin Analogues to the MC1R Receptor.

PubMed

Morais, Maurício; Zamora-Carreras, Héctor; Raposinho, Paula D; Oliveira, Maria Cristina; Pantoja-Uceda, David; Correia, João D G; Jiménez, M Angeles

2017-07-15

Linear and cyclic analogues of the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) targeting the human melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) are of pharmacological interest for detecting and treating melanoma. The central sequence of α-MSH (His-Phe-Arg-Trp) has been identified as being essential for receptor binding. To deepen current knowledge on the molecular basis for α-MSH bioactivity, we aimed to understand the effect of cycle size on receptor binding. To that end, we synthesised two macrocyclic isomeric α-MSH analogues, c[NH-NO₂-C₆H₃-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-Lys-NH₂ ( CycN-K6 ) and c[NH-NO₂-C₆H₃-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys-Lys]-NH₂ ( CycN-K7 ). Their affinities to MC1R receptor were determined by competitive binding assays, and their structures were analysed by ¹H and 13 C NMR. These results were compared to those of the previously reported analogue c[S-NO₂-C₆H₃-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-Lys-NH₂ ( CycS-C6 ). The MC1R binding affinity of the 22-membered macrocyclic peptide CycN-K6 (IC 50 = 155 ± 16 nM) is higher than that found for the 25-membered macrocyclic analogue CycN-K7 (IC 50 = 495 ± 101 nM), which, in turn, is higher than that observed for the 19-membered cyclic analogue CycS-C6 (IC 50 = 1770 ± 480 nM). NMR structural study indicated that macrocycle size leads to changes in the relative dispositions of the side chains, particularly in the packing of the Arg side chain relative to the aromatic rings. In contrast to the other analogues, the 22-membered cycle's side chains are favorably positioned for receptor interaction.

78 FR 70014 - Notice of Proposed New Fee Sites

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-22

.... Whittekiend, Forest Supervisor, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 857 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Rosier, Cabin Rental program manager, 801-999-2103... Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act (Title VII, Pub. L. 108-447) directed the Secretary of...

The Middle Eastern Regional Irrigation Management Information Systems project-update

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Middle Eastern Regional Irrigation Management Information Systems Project (MERIMIS) was formulated at a meeting of experts from the region in Jordan in 2003. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, it is a cooperative regional project bringing together participants from Israel, Jordan, Palestini...

Dissolved-oxygen regime of the Jordan River, Salt Lake County, Utah

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephens, D.W.

1984-01-01

Concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the Jordan River in Salt Lake County decrease considerably as the river flows northward. Mean concentrations of dissolved oxygen decreased from 8.1 milligrams per liter at the Jordan Narrows to 4.7 milligrams per liter at 500 North Street during April 1981 to September 1982. Coincident with the decrease, the biochemical-oxygen demand increased from 5 to 7 milligrams per liter. About 50 percent of the dissolved-oxygen concentrations and 90 percent of the 5-day biochemical-oxygen demand measured downstream from 1700 South Street exceeded the State intended-use standards. An estimated 6. million pounds of oxygen-demanding substances as measured by 5-day biochemical-oxygen demand were discharged to the Jordan River during 1981 from point sources downstream from 9000 South Street. Seven wastewater-treatment plants contributed 77 percent of this load, nonstorm base flows contributed 22 percent, and storm flows less than 1 percent. The Surplus Canal diversion at 2100 South Street removed about 70 percent of this load, and travel time of about 1 day also decreased the actual effects of the load on the river. Reaeration rates during September and October were quite high (average K2 at 20 degrees Celsius was about 12 per day) between the Jordan Narrows and 9000 South Street, but they decreased to 2.4 per day in the reach from 1330 South to 1800 North Streets. (USGS)

Prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use among Jordan University students.

PubMed

Suleiman, Ahmad A; Alboqai, Omar K; Yasein, Nada; Al-Essa, Mohamed K; El Masri, Khader

2008-09-01

To determine the prevalence, reasons, source of information of vitamin-mineral supplement uses, and their relationship with selected demographic and lifestyle characteristics among Jordan University students. A cross-sectional survey was carried out at Jordan University, Amman, Jordan from March to September 2005. The survey included 1,187 students aged 17-28 years. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to recruit the participants from different majors at Jordan University. A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on use of vitamin-mineral supplement during the last year, demographic, and lifestyle characteristics was completed. The overall prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use during the last year reported by students was 27.4% (males 22%, and females 30.2%). Vitamin-mineral supplement use among university students was significantly (p<0.05) associated with age, gender, family monthly income, smoking status, physical activity, vegetarian status, and body mass index. The most frequently used supplements were multivitamins (10.4%) and multivitamins-multi minerals (10%). The most frequently given reason for supplement use was for treatment. The main frequently reported source of information was a physician (45.8%). The overall prevalence rate of vitamin-mineral supplement use is very low. Supplement users are more likely to be: females, nonsmokers, of higher income, physically active, vegetarians, and of normal body mass index. The main reason for supplement use is for treatment, and the major source of information on supplements is by physicians and pharmacists.

Influenza hospitalization epidemiology from a severe acute respiratory infection surveillance system in Jordan, January 2008-February 2014.

PubMed

Al-Abdallat, Mohammad; Dawson, Patrick; Haddadin, Aktham Jeries; El-Shoubary, Waleed; Dueger, Erica; Al-Sanouri, Tarek; Said, Mayar M; Talaat, Maha

2016-03-01

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza typically contributes substantially to the burden of ARI, but only limited data are available on influenza activity and seasonality in Jordan. Syndromic case definitions were used to identify individuals with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) admitted to four sentinel hospitals in Jordan. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were tested for influenza using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and typed as influenza A or B, with influenza A further subtyped. From January 2008-February 2014, 2891 SARI cases were tested for influenza, and 257 (9%) were positive. While 73% of all SARI cases were under 5 years of age, only 57% of influenza-positive cases were under 5 years of age. Eight (3%) influenza-positive cases died. An annual seasonal pattern of influenza activity was observed. The proportion of influenza-positive cases peaked during November-January (14-42%) in the non-pandemic years. Influenza is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in Jordan. The seasonal pattern of influenza aligns with known Northern Hemisphere seasonality. Further characterization of the clinical and financial burden of influenza in Jordan will be critical in supporting decisions regarding disease control activities. © 2015 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Water-quality investigations of the Jordan River, Salt Lake County, Utah, 1980-82

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephens, D.W.

1984-01-01

Water-quality studies were conducted on the Jordan River, Utah, to investigate specific problems: dissolved oxygen, toxic substances, sanitary quality, and turbidity and suspended sediment. The dissolved oxygen decreased from 8 milligrams per liter at the Jordan Narrows to less than 5 milligrams per liter at 500 North Street. Chemical oxygen demand increased about 23 percent and biochemical oxygen demand increased 90 percent. Nearly 78 percent of the water samples analyzed for total mercury exceeded the State intended-use standard of 0.05 microgram per liter. Concentrations of ammonia, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc exceeded the standards periodically. The pesticides DDD, DDE, DDT, dieldrin, methoxychlor, and 2,4-D were occasionally detected in bottom materials. Most were present in quantities of less than 15 micrograms per kilogram. Concentrations of three indicator bacteria (total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus) increased in a downstream direction. Concentrations of total coliform bacteria often exceeded 5,000 colonies per 100 milliliters and concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria often exceeded 2,000 colonies per 100 milliliters. The primary sources of turbidity in the Jordan River are Utah Lake and discharges from the wastewater-treatment plants. Large values of turbidity were measured at the Jordan Narrows with a summer mean value of 88 nephelometer turbidity units (NTU) and a winter mean value of 43 NTU. (USGS)

Youth in Jordan: Transitions from Education to Employment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Ryan Andrew; Constant, Louay; Glick, Peter; Grant, Audra K.

2014-01-01

Despite strong economic growth during the last decade, youth unemployment in Jordan remains stubbornly high, and labor-force participation markedly low. Young women in particular face labor??market barriers in access to many career paths, and their job aspirations are often discouraged by their parents. Graduates of secondary and postsecondary…

Linguistic and Cultural Maintenance among Chechens of Jordan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dweik, Bader S.

2000-01-01

Explores and illustrates the ways in which the Chechen language and culture are preserved in Jordan, despite a passage of almost 100 years since Chechen first arrived in the country. Examines the relationship between language maintenance and the non-linguistic processes that affect the outcome of the language situation. (Author/VWL)

Academic Library Consortium in Jordan: An Evaluation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmed, Mustafa H.; Suleiman, Raid Jameel

2013-01-01

Purpose: Due to the current financial and managerial difficulties that are encountered by libraries in public universities in Jordan and the geographical diffusion of these academic institutions, the idea of establishing a consortium was proposed by the Council of Higher Education to combine these libraries. This article reviews the reality of…

77 FR 52766 - Sunshine Act; Board of Directors Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-30

.... FURTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED (Closed to the Public 10 a.m.): 1. Finance Project--Jordan. 2. Finance Project--South Africa. 3. Finance Project--Turkey. 4. Insurance Project--Ghana. 5. Insurance Project--Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan. 6. Insurance Project--Ghana. 7. Finance Project--Pan-Africa. 8. Finance...

I Know There Is No Justice: Palestinian Perceptions of Higher Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marar, Marianne Maurice

2011-01-01

This qualitative study utilizes critical ethnography methods to illustrate Palestinian refugee perceptions of higher education in Jordan. Participants addressed their assimilation to the Jordanian national identity as a means of obtaining education. Content and access to education were more important than assimilation, maintenance of ethnic…

Promoting Kindergarten Children's Creativity in the Classroom Environment in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dababneh, Kholoud; Ihmeideh, Fathi M.; Al-Omari, Aieman A.

2010-01-01

This study aimed at investigating teachers' classroom practices, which either stimulate or inhibit the development of the creative environment of classrooms in Jordan, and determining the differences between practices according to educational level, experience level and type of teaching. The sample of the study consisted of 215 kindergarten…

International Education: A Case Study from the University of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jabbar, Sinaria Kamil Abdel

2012-01-01

This paper describes international education at the University of Jordan (UJ). Specifically it investigates a random sample of international students comprising Americans, Europeans and Asians. A field survey approach with qualitative and quantitative dimensions was used. Questionnaires were used to solicit information from the students. In…

Evaluation of the Better Parenting Programme in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Hassan, Suha M.; Lansford, Jennifer E.

2011-01-01

This study evaluates the Better Parenting Programme (BPP) which has been implemented nationally in Jordan to enhance parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to caring for young children. The participants (N = 337, 94% female) were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in…

Reasons for Avoidance of Vocational Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Saaideh, Mon'im A.

2016-01-01

The study aimed to identify the factors that lead students to avoid joining Vocational Education (VE) in Jordan. A pilot study was conducted, then a 39-item questionnaire was developed, and its validity and reliability were ensured. The reasons included were divided into personal, social, economic, educational and vocational domains. The…

Students with Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hamour, Bashir

2014-01-01

This paper reports the findings of a study which aimed to explore the learning and behavioral characteristics of students with Learning Disabilities (LDs) in Jordan. Specifically, variables that related to challenging behaviors, school's type, and gender differences were investigated. Four resource room teachers in public and private schools were…

The impact of pre-existing anxiety on affective and cognitive processing of a Virtual Reality analogue trauma.

PubMed

Schweizer, Tina; Schmitz, Julian; Plempe, Laura; Sun, Dali; Becker-Asano, Christian; Leonhart, Rainer; Tuschen-Caffier, Brunna

2017-01-01

Dysfunctional processing of traumatic events may be in particular related to high trait anxiety as a pre-traumatic risk factor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, as this has rarely been investigated in prospective, experimental studies, we aimed to analyse the association between high trait anxiety and affective as well as cognitive processing of stress using a new prospective Virtual Reality analogue trauma paradigm to overcome limitations of retrospective or current analogue designs. Individuals with high and low trait anxiety (N = 80) were exposed to a multi-sensory Virtual Reality emergency scenario while psychophysiological stress response, emotion regulation and intrusive memories were assessed. Our results showed that high trait anxiety individuals display increased (i) subjective stress responses, (ii) emotion dysregulation and (iii) intrusive memories upon VR analogue trauma exposure. In particular, our sample of high trait anxiety individuals displayed limited access to different emotion regulation strategies as well as increased worry and rumination regarding perceived intrusive memories. Considering the complex interplay of multiple risk factors, our findings suggests that peri-traumatic affective processing seems to mediate high trait anxiety and post-traumatic intrusive memories thereby pointing out the central role of peri-traumatic processes for intrusion development. In addition, HA as a modulating pre-traumatic risk factor might further increase the risk of later dysfunctional processing of an analogue trauma by interacting with factors of affective processing during analogue trauma exposure. Implications of these findings which may contribute to a higher risk to develop PTSD are discussed.

The impact of pre-existing anxiety on affective and cognitive processing of a Virtual Reality analogue trauma

PubMed Central

Schmitz, Julian; Plempe, Laura; Sun, Dali; Becker-Asano, Christian; Leonhart, Rainer; Tuschen-Caffier, Brunna

2017-01-01

Dysfunctional processing of traumatic events may be in particular related to high trait anxiety as a pre-traumatic risk factor for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, as this has rarely been investigated in prospective, experimental studies, we aimed to analyse the association between high trait anxiety and affective as well as cognitive processing of stress using a new prospective Virtual Reality analogue trauma paradigm to overcome limitations of retrospective or current analogue designs. Individuals with high and low trait anxiety (N = 80) were exposed to a multi-sensory Virtual Reality emergency scenario while psychophysiological stress response, emotion regulation and intrusive memories were assessed. Our results showed that high trait anxiety individuals display increased (i) subjective stress responses, (ii) emotion dysregulation and (iii) intrusive memories upon VR analogue trauma exposure. In particular, our sample of high trait anxiety individuals displayed limited access to different emotion regulation strategies as well as increased worry and rumination regarding perceived intrusive memories. Considering the complex interplay of multiple risk factors, our findings suggests that peri-traumatic affective processing seems to mediate high trait anxiety and post-traumatic intrusive memories thereby pointing out the central role of peri-traumatic processes for intrusion development. In addition, HA as a modulating pre-traumatic risk factor might further increase the risk of later dysfunctional processing of an analogue trauma by interacting with factors of affective processing during analogue trauma exposure. Implications of these findings which may contribute to a higher risk to develop PTSD are discussed. PMID:29287111

Business continuity management in emerging markets: the case of Jordan.

PubMed

Sawalha, Ihab H; Anchor, John R

2012-01-01

Despite their considerable growth in last few decades, emerging markets (EM) face numerous risks that have the potential to slow down or obstruct their development. Three main issues are discussed in this paper: first, the risks facing organisations operating in emerging markets and Jordan in particular; secondly, the role of business continuity management (BCM) in emerging markets; and thirdly, potential factors that underpin the role of BCM in emerging markets. These issues are significant, as they represent the role of BCM in highly dynamic and fast changing business environments. The paper provides a discussion of the significance of BCM in reducing or preventing risks facing organisations operating in emerging markets, especially those in Jordan.

Sinai Peninsula, Middle East as seen from STS-66 orbiter Atlantis

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-11-14

A high oblique view of the Middle East centered at approximately 28.0 degrees north and 34.0 degrees east. Portions of the countries of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are visible. The Dead Sea Rift Valley continuing into the Gulf of Aqaba marks the boundary between Israel and Jordan. The vegetation change in the Sinai Peninsula is the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. In Egypt, the Suez Canal connects the Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean Sea and forms the western boundary of the Sinai Peninsula. The green ribbon of the Nile River is in marked contrast to this arid region. Even the Jordan River does not support large scale agriculture.

Norms of certain Jordan elementary operators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaoli; Ji, Guoxing

2008-10-01

Let be a complex Hilbert space and let denote the algebra of all bounded linear operators on . For , the Jordan elementary operator UA,B is defined by UA,B(X)=AXB+BXA, . In this short note, we discuss the norm of UA,B. We show that if and ||UA,B||=||A||||B||, then either AB* or B*A is 0. We give some examples of Jordan elementary operators UA,B such that ||UA,B||=||A||||B|| but AB*[not equal to]0 and B*A[not equal to]0, which answer negatively a question posed by M. Boumazgour in [M. Boumazgour, Norm inequalities for sums of two basic elementary operators, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 342 (2008) 386-393].

Effect of restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jiang, Zheng; Tang, Yi; Yang, Lichuan; Mi, Xuhua; Qin, Wei

2018-04-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues when applied in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CBM and CENTRAL databases were searched and reviewed up to January 2017. Clinical trials were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. Five randomized controlled trials were selected and included in this study according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Changes in serum albumin, PTH, triglyceride, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, hemoglobin, Kt/v and CRP before and after treatment were analyzed. Meta-analysis results indicated that, compared with normal protein diet, low-protein diet (LPD) supplemented with keto analogues (sLPD) could improve serum albumin (P < 0.00001), hyperparathyroidism (P < 0.00001) and hyperphosphatemia (P = 0.008). No differences in triglyceride, cholesterol, hemoglobin, Kt/v and CRP were observed between different protein intake groups. Restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues (sLPD) may improve nutritional status and prevent hyperparathyroidism in ESRD patients. The current data were mainly obtained from short-term, single-center trails with small sample sizes and limited nutritional status indexes, indicating a need for further study.

Political Economy of Cost-Sharing in Higher Education: The Case of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kanaan, Taher H.; Al-Salamat, Mamdouh N.; Hanania, May D.

2011-01-01

This article analyzes patterns of expenditure on higher education in Jordan, explores the current system's adequacy, efficiency, and equity, and identifies its strengths and weaknesses in light of current constraints and future challenges. Among the constraints are the relatively low public expenditure on higher education, leaving households to…

The Impact of Marketing Actions on Relationship Quality in the Higher Education Sector in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Alak, Basheer A. M.

2006-01-01

This field/analytical study examined the marketing actions (antecedents) and performance (consequences) of relationship quality in a higher education setting. To analyze data collected from a random sample of 271 undergraduate students at AL-Zaytoonah Private University of Jordan, the linear structural relationship (LISREL) model was used to…

East-West Encounters: The Challenges of Directing a Program in Jordan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawaie, Mohammed

1995-01-01

The director of a University of Virginia Arabic language program in Jordan discusses issues, sometimes unfamiliar, with which the administrator must deal. In addition to logistical and administrative tasks, in this context these include the role of women in the Arab university and students' questions about the universality of social values. (MSE)

75 FR 67122 - Notice of Entering Into a Compact With the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-01

... is intended to support: (a) Rehabilitation of the water supply network for households and businesses... water delivery and the condition of home water systems, and (ii) decrease certain costs that households..., and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, acting through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation...

Publications | Regional Energy Deployment System Model | Energy Analysis |

Science.gov Websites

Methodologies: Approximated DC Flow vs. Pipe Flow along AC Lines. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Energy. DOE/GO-102015-4557. Macknick, Jordan, and Stuart Cohen. 2015. Water Impacts of High Solar PV , Jordan, Stuart Cohen, Robin Newmark, Andrew Martinez, Patrick Sullivan, and Vince Tidwell. 2015. Water

Short-Term Response of Jordan's Salamander to a Shelterwood Timber Harvest in Western North Carolina

Treesearch

Chad E. Bartman; Kathleen C. Parker; Joshua Laerm; Timothy S. McCay

2001-01-01

The effects of shelterwood cutting on the abundance of Jordan's salamander (Plethodon jordani) in western North Carolina were examined during 1997 and 1998. Terrestrial salamander assemblages were sampled before, immediately after, and one year after timber harvest on control and treatment plots to estimate abundance. We also surveyed...

Columbia's payload bay with Earth in the background

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-06-24

STS003-17-806 (22-30 March 1982) --- A 70mm out-the-window view showing Israel, the Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Sinai, Jordan, the Red Sea and Egypt (in background). Rested Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm and part of the aft section of space shuttle Columbia in foreground. Photo credit: NASA

Teachers' and Mothers' Satisfaction with Resource Room Programs in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Khateeb, Jamal M.; Hadidi, Muna S.

2009-01-01

This paper reports the results of an investigation of satisfaction of 135 resource room teachers and 190 mothers of children served in resource room programs in Jordan. Information from teachers was gathered using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and classroom visits. Information from parents was gathered using a brief questionnaire.…

Oral Health Patterns among Schoolchildren in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ALBashtawy, Mohammed

2012-01-01

Little is known about the oral hygiene patterns among schoolchildren in Jordan. A school-based cross-sectional study was performed from January to March 2010. A simple random sampling method was used. Each student participant completed a detailed questionnaire regarding oral hygiene habits. Data were coded and analyzed using SPSS software version…

76 FR 12101 - Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership; Notice of Environmental Assessment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-04

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [ Project No. 12737-002] Jordan Hydroelectric Limited Partnership; Notice of Environmental Assessment In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 447897), the Office of...

Leveraging Scarce Resources: A Case Study where Community Service Did the Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tarawneh, Tarek M.; Tarawneh, Mohammed S.; Majali, Sawsan A.

2004-01-01

The University of Jordan is the first national university established in Jordan. Although first established in a suburban and secluded area of the capital Amman, the continuous urban development in its vicinity has led to excessive delays and traffic congestion on its surrounding street network. As a result, the University's administration…

An Alternative Method to Gauss-Jordan Elimination: Minimizing Fraction Arithmetic

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Luke; Powell, Joan

2011-01-01

When solving systems of equations by using matrices, many teachers present a Gauss-Jordan elimination approach to row reducing matrices that can involve painfully tedious operations with fractions (which I will call the traditional method). In this essay, I present an alternative method to row reduce matrices that does not introduce additional…

Jordanian Children in the Eye of the Storm.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Amman (Jordan). Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa.

The Gulf Crisis that erupted in August, 1990 brought Jordan widespread economic devastation, increased poverty, the threat of hunger, health setbacks, and other hardships. Just as the country's economy was beginning to pull out of a lingering recession, Jordan was struck by the economic embargo against Iraq, the influx of over a million evacuees…

Education and Social Hierarchies in Rural Jordan.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Layne, Linda L.

A field study conducted in the east Jordan Valley (September 1981-August 1983) explored the role of formal education in the maintenance of sex-gender hierarchy and other social heirarchies. Two rural secondary schools were studied, one for boys and one for girls, both attended by members of several different social/ethnic groups who consider…

"NAEYC's Key Attributes of Quality Preschool Programs" Applied to the Jordanian Kindergarten Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taleb, Tagreed Fathi Abu

2013-01-01

Jordan's education system is currently undergoing rigorous and comprehensive reform processes that focus on improving the status of educational policies and experiences for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Kindergarten education in Jordan has been dominated until recently, by the private-sector. For the past decade, the Ministry of…

The Impacts of Heritage Tourism on Gadara, Northern Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alobiedat, Ammar Abdelkarim

2014-01-01

As the tourism industry continues to grow and the desire to visit heritage sites becomes a popular pursuit, heritage has turn into a commodity in the marketplace. This dissertation analyzes the economic, sociocultural and environmental implications of tourism in Gadara, northwest Jordan. It also elaborates on the changing force of tourism and its…

Is There a Silent Hearing Loss among Children in Jordan?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alaqrabawi, Wala' S.; Alshawabka, Amneh Z.; Al-Addasi, Zainab M.

2016-01-01

This study measured the prevalence of hearing loss among school children in Jordan. A random sample of 1649 children (990 males and 659 females) was collected from randomly chosen 40 schools in Amman. Screening was conducted between November 2010 and October 2014. Otoscopic examination, tympanometry, and audiometry were used for screening. Based…

THE RADICAL OF A JORDAN ALGEBRA

PubMed Central

McCrimmon, Kevin

1969-01-01

In this paper we define a Jacobson radical for Jordan algebras analogous to that for associative algebras and show that it enjoys many of the properties of the associative radical. We then relate the corresponding notion of “semisimplicity” to the previously defined notion of “nondegeneracy” (Jacobson, N., these Proceedings, 55, 243-251 (1966)). PMID:16591736

Non-Linear Vibrations, Stability, and Dynamics of Structures and Mechanisms

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-08-01

account. This kinematic hypothesis has been employed by many investigators ( Antman and Jordan 1975, Reissner 1973, 1981, and Simo and Vu-Quoc 1986). In...the preparation of this manuscript is thankfully acknowledged. 1. S.S. Antman and K.B. Jordan, Proc. R. Soc. Edinb. 73A (5), 85-105 (1975). 2. J.H

TIMSS and PISA Impact--The Case of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ababneh, Emad; Al-Tweissi, Ahmad; Abulibdeh, Khattab

2016-01-01

Jordan has participated in international large-scale assessments (LSAs) since 1991 and in most of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) as well as the Programme for International Student Assessments (PISA). After a short description of education system and policy-making context in the country, this article provides an…

Implementation E-Learning among Jordanian School's Management

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamadin, Khaled

2017-01-01

This study is designed to determine the level of E-learning Implementation in Jordan schools management. The study also investigated the Implementation of secondary School management towards the use of e-learning. A survey research design was used. A questionnaire was adopted and sent to secondary School management (N = 250) in Jordan schools in…

Educational Attainment and Attitudes towards War in Muslim Countries Contemplating War: The Cases of Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafiq, M. Najeeb; Ross, Karen

2009-01-01

This study addresses the little understood relationship between educational attainment and public attitudes towards war in four predominantly Muslim countries contemplating war: Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Turkey. The multivariate analysis using public opinion data suggests that the educational attainment of respondents has no statistically…

A Study of Public Awareness of Speech-Language Pathology in Amman

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mahmoud, Hana; Aljazi, Aya; Alkhamra, Rana

2014-01-01

Background: Statistical levels of awareness and knowledge of speech-language pathology and of communication disorders are currently unknown among the public in the Middle East, including Jordan. Aims: This study reports the results of an investigation of public awareness and knowledge of speech-language pathology in Amman-Jordan. It also…

Arabic Language Teachers and Islamic Education Teachers' Awareness of Authentic Assessment in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Basheer, Akram; Ashraah, Mamdouh; Alsmadi, Rana

2015-01-01

This study aimed at investigating Islamic Education teachers' and Arabic Language teachers' perceptions of authentic assessment in Jordan, and exploring the effects of factors related to teachers' specialization, gender and years of experience on their understanding of the implications of this kind of assessment. In this mixed-method research, a…

Writing Instruction in Jordan: Past, Present, and Future Trends

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Jarrah, Rasheed S.; Al-Ahmad, Sayyah

2013-01-01

This study investigated English-language writing instruction in Jordan at three levels, namely primary and secondary state schools, a private school, and a state university. To address this issue, the researchers used tape-recorded interviews and class observations as primary tools of collecting data for the study. It turned out that a host of…

Library Education in Tunisia and Jordan: A Comparative Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bouazza, A.; Nimer, R.

1986-01-01

This article examines the state of development of library education in Jordan and Tunisia and pinpoints problems affecting this development in order to verify if library education in countries with similar cultures and type of economy evolves similarly and faces same problems. A brief introduction to the countries is provided. (EJS)

Communication Skills among Gifted Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alfarah, Yacoub Fareed

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the communication skills among gifted students in Jordan and to investigate the effect of gender and the level of students in acquiring these communication skills. A questionnaire was distributed among the sample of the study which comprised of (240) tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students from Al…

The Arabic culture of Jordan and its impacts on a wider Jordanian adoption of business continuity management.

PubMed

Sawalha, Ihab H; Meaton, Julia

2012-01-01

Culture is important to individuals and societies, as well as organisations. Failing to address cultural aspects will hinder the wider adoption and development of business continuity management (BCM) and will subsequently increase the vulnerabilities of organisations to crises, disasters and business interruptions. Three main issues are discussed in this paper. The first is the background to culture and the characteristics of the Jordanian culture. Secondly, the influence of the Arab culture on the wider adoption and development of BCM in Jordan is considered. Thirdly, the paper looks at potential factors that underpin the role of culture in the BCM process in Jordan. These issues are significant, as they represent the characteristics and influence of the Arab culture. This paper contributes to the understanding of the significance of culture in the adoption and development of BCM for organisations operating in Jordan and in the Arab world more generally. It also highlights current cultural changes and trends taking place in the Arab world in a time of huge political instability in the Middle East and Arab countries.

Jordan frame supergravity and inflation in the NMSSM

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferrara, Sergio; INFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via Enrico Fermi 40, 00044 Frascati; Kallosh, Renata

2010-08-15

We present a complete explicit N=1, d=4 supergravity action in an arbitrary Jordan frame with nonminimal scalar-curvature coupling of the form {Phi}(z,z)R. The action is derived by suitably gauge fixing the superconformal action. The theory has a modified Kaehler geometry, and it exhibits a significant dependence on the frame function {Phi}(z,z) and its derivatives over scalars, in the bosonic as well as in the fermionic part of the action. Under certain simple conditions, the scalar kinetic terms in the Jordan frame have a canonical form. We consider an embedding of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) gauge theory into supergravity,more » clarifying the Higgs inflation model recently proposed by Einhorn and Jones. We find that the conditions for canonical kinetic terms are satisfied for the NMSSM scalars in the Jordan frame, which leads to a simple action. However, we find that the gauge singlet field experiences a strong tachyonic instability during inflation in this model. Thus, a modification of the model is required to support the Higgs-type inflation.« less

Acute respiratory infections among returning Hajj pilgrims-Jordan, 2014.

PubMed

Al-Abdallat, Mohammad Mousa; Rha, Brian; Alqasrawi, Sultan; Payne, Daniel C; Iblan, Ibrahim; Binder, Alison M; Haddadin, Aktham; Nsour, Mohannad Al; Alsanouri, Tarek; Mofleh, Jawad; Whitaker, Brett; Lindstrom, Stephen L; Tong, Suxiang; Ali, Sami Sheikh; Dahl, Rebecca Moritz; Berman, LaShondra; Zhang, Jing; Erdman, Dean D; Gerber, Susan I

2017-04-01

The emergence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has prompted enhanced surveillance for respiratory infections among pilgrims returning from the Hajj, one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world. To describe the epidemiology and etiologies of respiratory illnesses among pilgrims returning to Jordan after the 2014 Hajj. Surveillance for respiratory illness among pilgrims returning to Jordan after the 2014 Hajj was conducted at sentinel health care facilities using epidemiologic surveys and molecular diagnostic testing of upper respiratory specimens for multiple respiratory pathogens, including MERS-CoV. Among the 125 subjects, 58% tested positive for at least one virus; 47% tested positive for rhino/enterovirus. No cases of MERS-CoV were detected. The majority of pilgrims returning to Jordan from the 2014 Hajj with respiratory illness were determined to have a viral etiology, but none were due to MERS-CoV. A greater understanding of the epidemiology of acute respiratory infections among returning travelers to other countries after Hajj should help optimize surveillance systems and inform public health response practices. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The PCDD/PCDF Dioxin releases in the climate of environment of Jordan in the period (2000-2008)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Dabbas, Mohammed Awwad

2010-04-01

Many environment problems of the full using of several categories of processing include mining, heat generators, direct combustion of forest fires, cement production, power plant, transport, medical waste. Dioxin/furan releases from these categories are one of these environment problems. Possible lines of reducing the PCDD/PCDF (Polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins/Polychlorinated dibenzofurans) releases from these categories are elucidated. The contribution of this paper is present the identification and estimation of the latest figure of dioxin/furan releases in the climate of environment of Jordan in the period 2000-2008 from the following categories (cement, aluminum, ceramic, medical waste, power plant, land fill, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, uncontrolled combustion process (biomass burning, waste burning, accidental fires in house, transport). These finding shows the sign of growth of estimated PCDD/PCDF releases from categories which did not calculated and followed after 2003. The result shows the highest PCDD/PCDF release from landfill fires (62.75 g TEQ/year), medical waste (8.8264 g TEQ/year), and transport (3.0145 g TEQ/year). Jordan seeks by next years, a reduction in total releases of dioxins and furans from sources resulting from human activity. This challenge will apply to the aggregate of releases to the air nationwide and of releases to the water within the Jordan area. Jordan should conduct air monitoring for dioxin in order to track fluctuations in atmospheric deposition levels.

Preliminary evaluation of ground-water contamination by coal-tar derivatives, St. Louis Park area, Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hult, Marc F.; Schoenberg, Michael

1981-01-01

Operation of a coal-tar distillation and wood preserving plant for 1918-72 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, resulted in ground-water contamination. This report presents the results of the first year (1979) of an ongoing study. By 1932, water in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, the region 's major source of ground water, was contaminated 3,500 feet from the plant. The hydraulic characteristics of the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer , its long contamination history, and fluctuating pumpage combine to creat a complex distribution of coal-tar derivatives observed in the aquifer. The Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer underlies the area at depths of 250 to 500 feet and is overlain by two bedrock aquifers (Platteville and St. Peter), two confining beds (Glenwood and basal part of St. Peter), and 70 to 100 feet of glacial drift. Multiaquifer wells in the area have permitted contaminated water from near-surface aquifers to flow downward into the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer. Flow rates of 20 to 150 gallons per minute from the shallower aquifers into the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer were observed in five wells. In the drift, a hydrocarbon fluid phase is moving vertically downward relative to the aqueous phase. Dissolved constituents in the drift and Platteville aquifer, the uppermost bedrock unit over most of the area, have moved at least 4,000 feet. Low-molecular-weight compounds are moving preferentially through the drift and Platteville aquifer system. (USGS)

The case of the downsizing decision.

PubMed

Train, A S

1991-01-01

New CEO Charles Rampart's decision to make deep across-the-board cuts at Universal Products Company, Ltd. presents division manager Andrew Jordan with a thorny problem. Plagued by slow growth, a declining stock price, and an increasingly skeptical investment community, UPC needs to control costs and control them fast. But Jordan's division is the most profitable in the company, and the 11% cut proposed by Rampart could destroy already shaky morale and seriously threaten the division's ability to compete. "There comes a time in every manager's career when he has to fight a bad decision made by his boss," argues Sam Godwyn, Jordan's vice president for marketing and sales. "To cut across the board is to take a blunt axe to the company when a surgeon's scalpel is called for." He suggests it is better to line up support for an alternative plan that links cuts to a long-term strategy and that differentiates between successful and unsuccessful divisions. "It would be a terrible mistake for us to focus only on the narrow needs of the division when the future of the whole company is at stake," counters Mary Wyatt, Jordan's vice president for finance. Yes, the downsizing will hurt the division in the short term, but the real issue is getting behind the new CEO. Supporting the downsizing decision is a necessary investment in this future credibility and effectiveness--whatever the short-term costs. Four commentators debate Jordan's dilemma and how he should resolve it.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rates, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs in Jordan: A Comprehensive Study.

PubMed

Assaf, Areej M; Hammad, Eman A; Haddadin, Randa N

2016-11-01

Influenza vaccination is the most effective method in preventing influenza and its complications. This study's objectives were to investigate the vaccination coverage and frequency and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward influenza vaccination in Jordan during the year 2012 and the 5 years preceding it. Additionally, it aimed at identifying the barriers and motivations to receive the vaccine and the factors contributing to its uptake. In May 2012, a self-administered cross-sectional survey was distributed to 3,200 adults conveniently selected across Jordan to explore influenza vaccination status, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the influenza vaccine. The survey response rate was 98.3%. The overall coverage rate of seasonal influenza vaccination ranged from 9.9% to 27.5%. Results of the univariate analysis revealed that males, participants older than 45 years, business owners, and university students or graduates were more likely to take the vaccine. Healthcare workers (HCW) showed higher rates than non-HCW and those with concomitant chronic diseases were more committed to receive the vaccine. Knowledge about the influenza vaccine is considered high in the Jordanian population. Fear from side effects was the major barrier, while the fear of the virus spread and outbreak was the major reason to receive the vaccine. The coverage rates were low in Jordan compared to other countries. The need for influenza vaccine campaigns and on-going education in Jordan health schools is crucial to increase the rate and remove misconceptions and negative attitudes toward vaccination.

Intermediate accelerated solutions as generic late-time attractors in a modified Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cid, Antonella; Leon, Genly; Leyva, Yoelsy, E-mail: acidm@ubiobio.cl, E-mail: genly.leon@ucv.cl, E-mail: yoelsy.leyva@uta.cl

2016-02-01

In this paper we investigate the evolution of a Jordan-Brans-Dicke scalar field, Φ, with a power-law potential in the presence of a second scalar field, φ, with an exponential potential, in both the Jordan and the Einstein frames. We present the relation of our model with the induced gravity model with power-law potential and the integrability of this kind of models is discussed when the quintessence field φ is massless, and has a small velocity. The fact that for some fine-tuned values of the parameters we may get some integrable cosmological models, makes our choice of potentials very interesting. Wemore » prove that in Jordan-Brans-Dicke theory, the de Sitter solution is not a natural attractor. Instead, we show that the attractor in the Jordan frame corresponds to an ''intermediate accelerated'' solution of the form a(t) ≅ e{sup α{sub 1} t{sup p{sup {sub 1}}}}, as t → ∞ where α{sub 1} > 0 and 0 < p{sub 1} < 1, for a wide range of parameters. Furthermore, when we work in the Einstein frame we get that the attractor is also an ''intermediate accelerated'' solution of the form a(t) ≅ e{sup α{sub 2} tp{sub 2}} as t → ∞ where α{sub 2} > 0 and 0« less

Facing Water Scarcity in Jordan: Reuse, Demand Reduction, Energy and Transboundary Approaches to Assure Future Water Supplies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, C. A.; El-Naser, H.; Hagan, R. E.; Hijazi, A.

2001-05-01

Jordan is extremely water-scarce with just 170 cubic meters per capita per year to meet domestic, industrial, agricultural, tourism, and environmental demands for water. Given the natural climatological conditions, demographic pressure, and transboundary nature of water resources, all renewable water resources of suitable quality are being exploited and some non-renewable aquifers are being depleted. The heavy exploitation of water resources has contributed to declines in the level of the Dead Sea. Rapid growth in demand, particularly for higher quality water for domestic, industrial and tourism uses, is significantly increasing pressure on agricultural and environmental uses of water, both of which must continue to adapt to reduced volumes and lower quality water. The agricultural sector has begun to respond by improving irrigation efficiency and increasing the use of recycled water. Total demand for water still exceeds renewable supplies while inadequate treatment of sewage used for irrigation creates potential environmental and health risks and presents agricultural marketing challenges that undermine the competitiveness of exports. The adaptive capability of the natural environment may already be past sustainable limits with groundwater discharge oasis wetlands that have been seriously affected. Development of new water resources is extremely expensive in Jordan with an average investment cost of US\\$ 4-5 per cubic meter. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) that incorporates factors external to the 'water sector' as conventionally defined will help to assure sustainable future water supplies in Jordan. This paper examines four IWRM approaches of relevance to Jordan: water reuse, demand management, energy-water linkages, and transboundary water management. While progress in Jordan has been made, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation continues to be concerned about the acute water scarcity the country faces as well as the need to continue working with concerned stakeholders to assure future water supplies.

Children's media policy.

PubMed

Jordan, Amy B

2008-01-01

Amy Jordan addresses the need to balance the media industry's potentially important contributions to the healthy development of America's children against the consequences of excessive and age-inappropriate media exposure. Much of the philosophical tension regarding how much say the government should have about media content and delivery stems from the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protection against government interference in free speech, including commercial speech. Courts, Jordan says, have repeatedly had to weigh the rights of commercial entities to say what they please against the need to protect vulnerable citizens such as children. This balancing act is complicated even further, she says, because many government regulations apply only to broadcast television and not to non-broadcast media such as the Internet or cable television, though Congress has addressed the need to protect children's privacy online. The need to protect both free speech and children has given rise to a fluid media policy mix of federal mandates and industry self-regulation. Jordan describes the role of the three branches of the federal government in formulating and implementing media policy. She also notes the jockeying for influence in policymaking by industry lobbies, child advocacy groups, and academic researchers. The media industry itself, says Jordan, is spurred to self-regulation when public disapproval grows severe enough to raise the possibility of new government action. Jordan surveys a range of government and industry actions, from legislatively required parental monitoring tools, such as the V-Chip blocking device on television sets, to the voluntary industry ratings systems governing television, movies, and video games, to voluntary social website disclosures to outright government bans, such as indecency and child privacy information collection. She considers the success of these efforts in limiting children's exposure to damaging content and in improving parents' ability to supervise their children's media use. Jordan concludes by considering the relevance and efficacy of today's media policy given the increasingly rapid pace of technological change. The need for research in informing and evaluating media policy, she says, has never been greater.

Intention to stay of nurses in current posts in difficult-to-staff areas of Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

El-Jardali, Fadi; Murray, Susan F; Dimassi, Hani; Jamal, Diana; Abualrub, Raeda; Al-Surimi, Khaled; Clinton, Michael; Dumit, Nuhad Y

2013-11-01

The nursing workforce shortages in difficult-to-staff areas have implications not only for quality of care but also for population health outcomes. An understanding of attrition and of retention is important to inform policies on the nursing workforce. This paper draws on questionnaire survey data from nurses working in difficult-to-staff areas in four countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar). It aims to identify the specific and common factors associated with nurses' intention to stay in their current post for the coming 1-3 years in three countries with an internally trained nursing workforce and in a fourth where the workforce is externally recruited. Nurses working in 'difficult to staff' areas in Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Qatar were surveyed. A conceptual model composed of 6 dimensions based on that of the World Health Organization was constructed with 'intent to stay' (Career Decisions) as the main outcome. Regression models were constructed for each of the dimensions in the conceptual model with 'intent to stay' as the dependent variable for each of the study countries. Subsequently, a collective model that combined Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen was constructed to identify common factors that are associated with intent to stay. Factors associated with intent to stay differed for study countries. Marriage was positively associated with intent to stay in Lebanon and Jordan whereas years of experience were positively significant for Lebanon and Yemen. Shorter commuting time was significantly associated with intent to stay in Jordan whereas a preference for village life was significant for Lebanon. Job satisfaction was significantly associated with intent to stay in all study countries. Nurses in Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar who indicated that they would choose nursing if they had the opportunity to choose a career all over again were significantly more likely to intend to stay in their current post. Studies of nurses working in these areas can help national policymakers and local nursing directors better manage the sparse nursing workforce in these localities and to provide them with appropriate incentives and support to encourage them to stay. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A single sample GnRHa stimulation test in the diagnosis of precocious puberty

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been the standard test for diagnosing central precocious puberty. Because GnRH is no longer available, GnRH analogues (GnRHa) are now used. Random LH concentration, measured by the third-generation immunochemiluminometric assay, is a useful screening tool ...

Configuration of water table and distribution of downward leakage to the Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Larson-Higdem, Dana C.; Larson, S.P.; Norvitch, Ralph F.

1975-01-01

Based on available data and estimates of vertical hydraulic conductivity for geologic units, major leakage to the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer is indicated to occur in formation subcrop areas, especially where these areas are. overlain by the most permeable glacial drift.

Prevalence and Pattern of Learning Difficulties in Primary School Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hamour, Bashir; Al-Hmouz, Hanan

2016-01-01

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of learning difficulties (LDs) among primary school students (Grade 1 to Grade 3) in Jordan. A total of 306 students were randomly selected and tested using the Arabic version of the Woodcock-Johnson Basic Achievement Tests that measure reading, spelling, and calculation skills. The…

Effectiveness of Analogy Instructional Strategy on Undergraduate Student's Acquisition of Organic Chemistry Concepts in Mutah University, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Samara, Nawaf Ahmad Hasan

2016-01-01

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of analogy instructional strategy on undergraduate students' acquisition of organic chemistry concepts in Mutah University, Jordan. A quasi-experimental design was used in the study; Participants were 97 students who enrolled in organic chemistry course at the department of chemistry during the…

Leadership Style in the Deaf Community: An Exploratory Case Study of a University President

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kamm-Larew, Deborah; Stanford, Jevetta; Greene, Robert; Heacox, Christopher; Hodge, Warren

2008-01-01

A qualitative mini-case study of I. King Jordan and his leadership style explores the influence of a transformational leader on Gallaudet University and the Deaf community. The study features a template-style semistructured interview with Jordan regarding his perceptions of leadership and his personal insights. The study highlights the attributes…

Potential Use of Course Management Systems in Higher Education Institutions in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Shboul, Muhannad

2011-01-01

Given the increased adoption of the CMS (course management systems) as an instructional tool, it is important to address the potential use of this technology in Jordanian higher education institutions. This study investigates the potential to use CMS tools in instruction in the academic institutions in Jordan. This study does not seek to evaluate…

Situation Report--Algeria, Bangladesh, Fiji, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International Planned Parenthood Federation, London (England).

Data relating to population and family planning in nine foreign countries are presented in these situation reports. Countries included are Algeria, Bangledesh, Fiji, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. Information is provided under two topics, general background and family planning situation, where…

Gender Differences in Mathematics Achievement in Jordan: A Differential Item Functioning Analysis of the 2015 TIMSS

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Innabi, Hanan; Dodeen, Hamzeh

2018-01-01

This study is within the framework of the United Nations sustainable development goals related to equitable quality education. The total score on the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study that indicated eighth-grade girls in Jordan significantly outperformed boys is hiding many details related to the quality of mathematics…

A Leg up

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henderson, Nancy

2010-01-01

This article features Jordan Thomas, who lost his feet in a spear fishing accident in August 2005. It describes how Thomas turned his own loss into a way to help kids get the prosthetics they need. Just three weeks after losing his feet, Thomas filed the paperwork for the Jordan Thomas Foundation, which aims to raise funds for prosthetic limbs for…

Factors Influencing the Career Planning and Development of University Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khasawneh, Samer

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to translate and validate an Arabic version of the career influence inventory for use in Jordan. The study also investigated perceptions of university students of the influential factors that have influenced their career planning and development. The validated career influence inventory was administered to 558…

New records for the horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Jordan with remarks on ecology and zoogeography.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Jordan is the richest in the Levant, with 24 known species. During the 20-year project “the ecology and zoogeography of the Lepidoptera of the Near East,” USDA, Agricultural Research Service scientists in Gainesville, FL and Israeli scientists regularly c...

Parents' Attitudes towards Inclusion of Students with Autism in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hamour, Bashir; Muhaidat, Mohammad

2014-01-01

This study investigated the attitudes of parents in Jordan towards the inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in public schools and what the parents believed to be the most important prerequisite of child-based skills for successful inclusion. A total of 148 parents were selected to complete the survey. The researchers explored…

The Adoption of Technology-Enhanced Instruction to Support Education for All

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khatib, Nahla M.

2014-01-01

This study aimed at investigating the efforts of academic tutors at Arab Open University in Jordan (AOU) to implement technology enhanced instruction through using the learning management system software Moodle (LMS). The AOU has adopted an open learning approach. The aim is to support its vision to reach students in different parts of Jordan and…

Faculty Attitudes toward Students with Disabilities in a Public University in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Hamour, Bashir

2013-01-01

This study explores the attitudes of higher education (HE) faculty members towards inclusion of students with disabilities at one large public University in Jordan using a survey approach. A total of 170 faculty members completed the survey. The most important findings of this study are: (a) regardless of the academic discipline, the majority of…

Primary School Teachers' Knowledge, Attitudes and Views on Barriers to Inclusion in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amr, Muna; Al-Natour, Mayada; Al-Abdallat, Bassam; Alkhamra, Hatem

2016-01-01

This study explores teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward the inclusion of students with special education needs (SEN) in mainstream schools in Jordan. It also examines the barriers the teachers perceived to hinder successful inclusions. The study sample consisted of 87 primary school teachers who responded to an open-ended questionnaire asking…

Effectiveness of Web Quest Strategy in Acquiring Geographic Concepts among Eighth Grade Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

AL-Edwan, Zaid Suleiman

2014-01-01

This study aimed at identifying the Effectiveness of using Web Quest Strategy in acquiring the geographic concepts among eighth grade students in Jordan. The study individuals consisted of (119) students in the scholastic year 2013-2014. Four sections were randomly selected from two schools divided into experimental and control groups. They were…

Mobile Phone Applications in the University Classroom: Perceptions of Undergraduate Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashour, Rateb; Alzghool, Haneen; Iyadat, Yousef; Abu-Alruz, Jamal

2012-01-01

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the level of mobile phone applications in university classrooms in Jordan. A sample of 313 undergraduate students participated in the study by completing the researchers' designed questionnaire, which is composed of 13 items. The results of the study indicate that participants perceived a high…

On the Myth of the Crisis of Representation: A Response to Gilbourne, Jones and Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gard, Michael

2014-01-01

The author observes that, in "Applied Utility and the Auto-Ethnographic Short Story: Persuasions for, and Illustrations of, Writing Critical Social Science," Gilbourne, Jones and Jordan present claims about why we might choose to represent auto-ethnographic data in a literary form such as short story and for the "potential" or…

Determination of the Fate of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in the Three Wastewater Treatment Plants, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wedyan, Mohammed; Al Harahsheh, Ahmed; Qnaisb, Esam

2016-01-01

This research aimed to assess the composition of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) species, particularly dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), over the traditional wastewater treatment operations in three biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Jordan. It had been found that the DON percentage was up to 30% of TDN within…

Beliefs about Chemistry Teaching and Learning--A Comparison of Teachers' and Student Teachers' Beliefs from Jordan, Turkey and Germany

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Amoush, Siham; Markic, Silvija; Usak, Muhammet; Erdogan, Mehmet; Eilks, Ingo

2014-01-01

This paper discusses beliefs about teaching and learning chemistry. The sample includes chemistry student teachers and in-service teachers from Jordan, Turkey, and Germany. Two test instruments were used to investigate (student) teachers' beliefs. A qualitative instrument was used to explore Beliefs about Classroom Organization, Beliefs about…

Obstacles of Teaching Mathematics Faced by the Class Teachers in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nejem, Khamis Mousa; Muhanna, Waffa

2013-01-01

The purpose of the study is to investigate the obstacles of teaching mathematics faced by the class teachers in Jordan. To achieve this purpose a study sample of 192 male and female class teachers was selected randomly from government schools. The instrument of the study was a questionnaire used to investigate the obstacles of mathematics…

A 16th Suggestions for Educational Curriculum Improvement in Jordan, from the Experts Point of View

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mahasneh, Omar

2015-01-01

The present research was conducted to identify the most important suggestions for educational curriculum improvement in Jordan, from the expert's point of view. A descriptive survey through data and information collection tool (questionnaire) was used as an approach. The study sample consisted of (620) educational experts in the field of…

Loneliness among Students with Blindness and Sighted Students in Jordan: A Brief Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadidi, Muna S.; Al Khateeb, Jamal M.

2013-01-01

This study investigated loneliness among students with blindness and those who are sighted in Jordan, and examined whether loneliness levels vary according to gender. Students included 90 students with blindness and 79 sighted students selected from high schools and universities in the capital city of Amman. The instrument used to collect…

Morphological Derivations: Learning Difficulties Encountered by Public Secondary School Students in Amman/Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naseeb, Maha Zouhair; Ibrahim, Majid Abdulatif

2017-01-01

This study aims at investigating the difficulties encountered by public school students in Amman/ Jordan. The study raises the following questions: What are the obstacles that students may encounter in relation to the derivations? What are the causes of such obstacles? To achieve the aims of the study, the researchers manipulate two methods: A…

Examining E-Learning Barriers as Perceived by Faculty Members of Engineering Colleges in the Jordanian Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Alawneh, Muhammad K.

2014-01-01

Employing computer's technology that includes e-learning system in the field of Engineering is a vital issue which needs to be discussed. Therefore, this study purposed to examine e-learning barriers as perceived by faculty members of engineering in three major universities in Jordan (Yarmouk University, Jordan University of Science and…

Attitude of Ash-Shobak University College Students to E-Exam for Intermediate University Degree in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Da'asin, Khaled Awad

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the attitude of Ash-Shobak university college students concerning the electronic exam for intermediate university degree in Jordan, and identify the impact of gender and grade point average (GPA) variables on students' attitudes. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire consisting of (26) items was used, and…

77 FR 43429 - Unblocking of 1 Individual and 2 Entities Designated Pursuant to Executive Order 13315

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-24

.... The following designations are removed from the SDN List: Individual 1. KARAM, Nabil Victor, c/o ALFA COMPANY LIMITED FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND MARKETING, P.O. Box 212953, Amman 11121, Jordan; c/o ALFA... 910606, Amman 11191, Jordan; DOB 1954; nationality Lebanon (individual) [IRAQ2]. Entities 1. ALFA COMPANY...

Phosphate Mines, Jordan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

Jordan's leading industry and export commodities are phosphate and potash, ranked in the top three in the world. These are used to make fertilizer. The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company is the sole producer, having started operations in 1935. In addition to mining activities, the company produces phosphoric acid (for fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals), diammonium phosphate (for fertilizer), sulphuric acid (many uses), and aluminum fluoride (a catalyst to make aluminum and magnesium).

The image covers an area of 27.5 x 49.4 km, was acquired on September 17, 2005, and is located near 30.8 degrees north latitude, 36.1 degrees east longitude.

The U.S. science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Its Association With Psychological Distress and Coping Strategies Among University Students in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Gamal, Ekhlas; Alzayyat, Abdulkarim; Ahmad, Muayyad M

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) and its association with psychological distress and coping strategies among university students in Jordan. A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design was used with a random sample of 587 university students in Jordan. The Perceived Stress Scale, Coping Behavior Inventory, and Internet Addiction Test were used. The prevalence of IA was 40%. IA was associated with high mental distress among the students. Students who used problem solving were more likely to experience a lower level of IA. This study should raise awareness in nurses and other healthcare providers that IA is a potential problem for this population. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patients' preferences for nurses' gender in Jordan.

PubMed

Ahmad, Muayyad M; Alasad, Jafar A

2007-08-01

The purpose of the study was to examine patients' preferences for nurses' gender in Jordan. The public, private and university hospitals are represented by selecting one major hospital from each health sector. The sample size was 919 participants. Data were collected by a questionnaire through standardized individual interviews with patients. The findings of the study indicate that gender preferences are stronger among female patients than among male patients. Furthermore, two-thirds of female patients preferred female nurses, whereas only 3.4% preferred male nurses to care for them. In contrast, one-third of male patients' preferred male nurses, and only 10% preferred female nurses. The authors recommend that the high percentage of male nursing students need to be reconsidered by health policy-makers in Jordan.

ATP analogues at a glance.

PubMed

Bagshaw, C

2001-02-01

ATP has long been known to play a central role in the energetics of cells both in transduction mechanisms and in metabolic pathways, and is involved in regulation of enzyme, channel and receptor activities. Numerous ATP analogues have been synthesised to probe the role of ATP in biosystems (Yount, 1975; Jameson and Eccleston, 1997; Bagshaw, 1998). In general, two contrasting strategies are employed. Modifications may be introduced deliberately to change the properties of ATP (e.g. making it non-hydrolysable) so as to perturb the chemical steps involved in its action. Typically these involve modification of the phosphate chain. Alternatively, derivatives (e.g. fluorescent probes) are designed to report on the action of ATP but have a minimal effect on its properties. ATP-utilising systems vary enormously in their specificity; so what acts as a good analogue in one case may be very poor in another. The accompanying poster shows a representative selection of derivatives that have been synthesised and summarises their key properties.

The effect of fluorine substitutions on the refractive index properties for π-conjugated calamitic nematic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arakawa, Yuki; Tsuji, Hideto

2017-06-01

In order to reveal the effect of fluorine substitutions on the refractive index properties for calamitic nematic materials, we carried out a comparative study with respect to non-fluorinated and two types of laterally fluorinated 1,4-bis[4-(hexyloxy)phenyl]ethynylbenzene molecules. Phase transition behaviours were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarised optical microscopy. Additionally, extraordinary and ordinary refractive index and birefringence were evaluated from each single component system. All the analogues exhibited high birefringence values beyond 0.3 at 550 nm, of which an analogue with a fluorine substitution at the central benzene ring showed the highest Δn-value of 0.43. With respect to an analogue with the highest level of fluorination, Δn as well as ne and no values were declined due to decreased order parameter and diluted molecular density. Not only the mesomorphic behaviours but also optical properties strongly relied on the manner of fluorine substitution including the number and position.

The effects of the phyllolitorin analogue [desTrp3,Leu8]phyllolitorin on scratching induced by bombesin and related peptides in rats

PubMed Central

Johnson, Mark D.; Ko, Mei-Chuan; Choo, Kevin S.; Traynor, John R.; Mosberg, Henry I.; Naughton, Norah N.; Woods, James H.

2010-01-01

Bombesin along with several closely related neuropeptides elicit scratching behavior when administered centrally. The first part of the study was designed to determine the antagonistic effects of a novel phyllolitorin analogue wdesTrp3,Leu8]phyllolitorin (DTP) on scratching induced by three peptides (bombesin, neuromedin-C, and [Leu8]phyllolitorin). In addition, the binding affinity of each peptide for the bombesin receptor site was determined. DTP (30 μg) inhibited scratching induced by these peptides, but unlike the peptides, DTP had no affinity for the bombesin site, thereby suggesting that DTP is displaying physiological antagonism through an unknown mechanism. PMID:10482814

Numerical representation of rainfall field in the Yarmouk River Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shentsis, Isabella; Inbar, Nimrod; Magri, Fabien; Rosenthal, Eliyahu

2017-04-01

Rainfall is the decisive factors in evaluating the water balance of river basins and aquifers. Accepted methods rely on interpolation and extrapolation of gauged rain to regular grid with high dependence on the density and regularity of network, considering the relief complexity. We propose an alternative method that makes up to those restrictions by taking into account additional physical features of the rain field. The method applies to areas with (i) complex plain- and mountainous topography, which means inhomogeneity of the rainfall field and (ii) non-uniform distribution of a rain gauge network with partial lack of observations. The rain model is implemented in two steps: 1. Study of the rainfall field, based on the climatic data (mean annual precipitation), its description by the function of elevation and other factors, and estimation of model parameters (normalized coefficients of the Taylor series); 2. Estimation of rainfall in each historical year using the available data (less complete and irregular versus climatic data) as well as the a-priori known parameters (by the basic hypothesis on inter-annual stability of the model parameters). The proposed method was developed by Shentsis (1990) for hydrological forecasting in Central Asia and was later adapted to the Lake Kinneret Basin. Here this model (the first step) is applied to the Yarmouk River Basin. The Yarmouk River is the largest tributary of the Jordan River. Its transboundary basin (6,833 sq. km) extends over Syria (5,257 sq.km), Jordan (1,379 sq. km) and Israel (197 sq. km). Altitude varies from 1800 m (and more) to -235 m asl. The total number of rain stations in use is 36 (17 in Syria, 19 in Jordan). There is evidently lack and non-uniform distribution of a rain gauge network in Syria. The Yarmouk Basin was divided into five regions considering typical relationship between mean annual rain and elevation for each region. Generally, the borders of regions correspond to the common topographic, geomorphologic and climatic division of the basin. Difference between regional curves is comparable with amplitude of rainfall variance within the regions. In general, rainfall increases with altitude and decreases from west to east (south-east). It should be emphasized that (i) Lake Kinneret Basin (2,490 sq. km) was earlier divided into seven "orographic regions" and (ii) the Lake Kinneret Basin and the Yarmouk River Basin are presented by the system of regional curves X = f (Z) as one whole rainfall field in the Upper Jordan River Basin, where the mean annual rain (X) increases with altitude (Z) and decreases from west to east and from north to south. In the Yarmouk Basin there is much less rainfall (344 mm) than in the Lake Kinneret Basin (749 mm), wherein mean annual rain (2,352 MCM versus 1,865 MCM) is shared between Syria, Jordan and Israel as 80%, 15% and 5%, respectively. The provided rainfall data allow more precise estimations of surface water balances and of recharge to the regional aquifers in the Upper Jordan River Basin. The derived rates serve as fundamental input data for numerical modeling of groundwater flow. This method can be applied to other areas at different temporal and spatial scales. The general applicability makes it a very useful tool in several hydrological problems connected with assessment, management and policy-making of water resources, as well as their changes due to climate and anthropogenic factors. Reference: I. Shentsis (1990). Mathematical models for long-term prediction of mountainous river runoff: methods, information and results, Hydrological Sciences Journal, 35:5, 487-500, DOI: 10.1080/02626669009492453

Masking of central diabetes insipidus and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism by germ cell tumour in suprasellar--pineal region.

PubMed

Isa, S H Md; Wong, M; Khalid, B A K

2006-12-01

A patient with beta hCG-secreting germ cell carcinoma of the pineal and suprasellar regions presented with hydrocephalus, Parinaud's syndrome, hypopituitarism and polyuria. Central diabetes insipidus was strongly suspected although the water deprivation test was not diagnostic. The polyuria however, responded to ADH analogue when the hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism were treated. Pubertal development was evident and serum testosterone was normal despite the low FSH/LH, suggesting hCG stimulation of Leydig cells. This case illustrates that a beta hCG-germ cell tumour of the suprasellar region causing hypopituitarism can mask the presence of central diabetes insipidus and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

Kerosene poisoning in childhood: a 6-year prospective study at the Princess Rahmat Teaching Hospital.

PubMed

Shotar, Ali M

2005-12-01

Poisoning due to drugs is influenced to a large extent by the population's socioeconomic and cultural status. The purpose of our study was to determine and present the pattern of poisoning with kerosene in Princess Rahmat hospital, Irbid, Jordan, and to assess the effects of variables such as age, season, sex and agent on poisoning frequency in Princess Rahmat hospital, northern Jordan. This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 122 cases of poisoning with kerosene who were hospitalized in Princess Rahmat hospital, northern Jordan, during a six-year period from 1996 to 2001. The data collected include: age, sex, seasonal variation, material ingested, symptomatic or not on admission, time and place of ingestion, history of similar problem among the patient or his siblings, whether vomiting was induced by the parent before seeking medical help or not and the outcome regarding mortality and morbidity. Chi-square and values were considered for the statistical analysis. In a 6-year prospective study of kerosene poisoning in children admitted to the Rahmat Hospital, between January 1996 and December 2001, a total of 122 children (under 11 years of age). Among the children 48 (39.3%) were girls and 74 (60.6%) were boys. Majority (80.1%) were below 2 years. The largest group of patients was admitted during the summer months. The most commonly observed symptoms were cough (67.2%), tachypnea (56.5%), fever (54.1%), and vomiting (27.8%). About one third of the patients showed signs of central nervous system (CNS) impairment, including drowsiness, restlessness, stupor, and convulsions. 1) There is a higher risk of kerosene poisoning during the hot months of the year; 2) the respiratory system is the main target organ affected; 3) pneumonia is in most cases interstitial and bilateral; 4) vomiting after hydrocarbon ingestion is related to the rate of development of pneumonia; 5) symptoms of CNS impairment were correlated with hypoxemia, pneumonia, and fever; and 6) CNS toxicity may occur without hypoxemia, concurrent pulmonary pathology, or other pathology.

The monoamine oxidase inhibition properties of selected structural analogues of methylene blue.

PubMed

Delport, Anzelle; Harvey, Brian H; Petzer, Anél; Petzer, Jacobus P

2017-06-15

The thionine dye, methylene blue (MB), is a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A, a property that may, at least in part, mediate its antidepressant effects in humans and animals. The central inhibition of MAO-A by MB has also been linked to serotonin toxicity (ST) which may arise when MB is used in combination with serotonergic drugs. Structural analogues and the principal metabolite of MB, azure B, have also been reported to inhibit the MAO enzymes, with all compounds exhibiting specificity for the MAO-A isoform. To expand on the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of MAO inhibition by MB analogues, the present study investigates the human MAO inhibition properties of five MB analogues: neutral red, Nile blue, new methylene blue, cresyl violet and 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue. Similar to MB, these analogues also are specific MAO-A inhibitors with cresyl violet (IC 50 =0.0037μM), Nile blue (IC 50 =0.0077μM) and 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue (IC 50 =0.018μM) exhibiting higher potency inhibition compared to MB (IC 50 =0.07μM). Nile blue also represents a potent MAO-B inhibitor with an IC 50 value of 0.012μM. From the results it may be concluded that non-thionine MB analogues (e.g. cresyl violet and Nile blue) also may exhibit potent MAO inhibition, a property which should be considered when using these compounds in pharmacological studies. Benzophenoxazines such as cresyl violet and Nile blue are, similar to phenothiazines (e.g. MB), representative of high potency MAO-A inhibitors with a potential risk of ST. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Type and location of fluorescent probes incorporated into the potent mu-opioid peptide [Dmt]DALDA affect potency, receptor selectivity and intrinsic efficacy.

PubMed

Schiller, P W; Berezowska, I; Weltrowska, G; Chen, H; Lemieux, C; Chung, N N

2005-06-01

The dermorphin-derived tetrapeptide H-Dmt-d-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH(2) (Dmt = 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine) ([Dmt(1)]DALDA) is a highly potent and selective mu-opioid agonist capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier and producing a potent, centrally mediated analgesic effect when given systemically. For the purpose of biodistribution studies by fluorescence techniques, [Dmt(1)]DALDA analogues containing various fluorescent labels [dansyl, anthraniloyl (atn), fluorescein, or 6-dimethylamino-2'-naphthoyl] in several different locations of the peptide were synthesized and characterized in vitro in the guinea-pig ileum and mouse vas deferens assays, and in mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor-binding assays. The analogues showed various degrees of mu receptor-binding selectivity, but all of them were less mu-selective than the [Dmt(1)]DALDA parent peptide. Most analogues retained potent, full mu-agonist activity, except for one with fluorescein attached at the C-terminus (3a) (partial mu-agonist) and one containing beta-(6'-dimethylamino-2'-naphthoyl)alanine (aladan) in place of Phe(3) (4) (mu- and kappa-antagonist). The obtained data indicate that the receptor-binding affinity, receptor selectivity and intrinsic efficacy of the prepared analogues vary very significantly, depending on the type of fluorescent label used and on its location in the peptide. The results suggest that the biological activity profile of fluorescence-labeled peptide analogues should always be carefully determined prior to their use in biodistribution studies or other studies. One of the analogues containing the atn group (2a) proved highly useful in a study of cellular uptake and intracellular distribution by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Epidemiology and management of hypertension among Bedouins in Northern Jordan.

PubMed

Jaddou, Hashem Y; Bateiha, Anwar M; Al-Khateeb, Mohammed S; Ajlouni, Kamel M

2003-05-01

To estimate the magnitude of hypertension, and its levels of awareness and control of hypertension among a community of Jordanian aborigines in Northern Jordan; and to compare the study findings with findings from other Jordanian communities. A systematic sample of 50% of all households of Qafqafa, Northern Jordan was selected and all members of the selected households were included in the study at Qafqafa Health Center, Qafqafa, Jordan. A structured questionnaire was administered to all study participants and measurement of blood pressure was performed according to a preset criteria. Data on 366 subjects included in the sample were collected during the months of April and May 2002. A total of 40 subjects or 10.9% were suffering from hypertension. Prevalence rate of hypertension was significantly lower than the 16.1% and 16.3% prevalence rates reported from other more modernized Jordanian communities. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was positively associated with masculinity, age, illiteracy, obesity, and with positive family history of hypertension. No association was detected between hypertension and each of smoking, Diabetes mellitus, and total serum cholesterol. This study showed that one-half (47.5%) of hypertensives were unaware of their diagnosis and more than one-half (57.1%) of those aware of their diagnosis did not achieve control of their hypertension. Population of the study community has significantly lower levels of hypertension than both semi-urban and recently urbanized Jordanian communities, and much of the rise in blood pressure levels is attributed to environmental factors. Moreover, hypertension management programs in Jordan are far below the optimal standards.

The Use of Economic Evidence to Inform Drug Pricing Decisions in Jordan.

PubMed

Hammad, Eman A

2016-01-01

Drug pricing is an example of a priority setting in a developing country with official requirements for the use of cost-effectiveness (CE) evidence. To describe the role of economic evidence in drug pricing decisions in Jordan. A prospective review of all applications submitted between November 2013 and May 2015 to the Jordan Food and Drug Association's drug pricing committee was carried out. All applications that involved requests for CE evidence were reviewed. Details on the type of study, the extent, and whether the evidence submitted was part of the formal deliberations were extracted and summarized. The committee reviewed a total of 1608 drug pricing applications over the period of the study. CE evidence was requested in only 11 applications. The submitted evidence was of limited use to the committee due to concerns about quality, relevance of studies, and lack of pharmacoeconomic expertise. There were also no clear rules describing how CE would inform pricing decisions. Limited local data and health economic experience were the main barriers to the use of economic evidence in drug pricing decisions in Jordan. In addition, there are no official rules describing the elements and process by which the CE evidence would inform drug pricing decisions. This study summarized accumulated observations for the current use of economic evaluations and evidence-based decision making in Jordan. Recommendations have been proposed to applicants and key decision makers to enhance the role of economic evidence in influencing health policies and evidence-based decision making across priority settings. Copyright © 2016 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Work, family socioeconomic status, and growth among working boys in Jordan.

PubMed

Hawamdeh, H; Spencer, N

2001-04-01

To describe the work, family socioeconomic characteristics, and growth of a representative sample of working children in Jordan. In a cross sectional survey of growth and health, 135 working children (aged 10-16 years) were studied in the areas of Irbid, Jarash, and North Jordan Valley. The children and their parents were interviewed and data collected on length of working week, income earned by the child, duration of work in years, age of starting work, type of work, child's smoking status, and family socioeconomic status. The mean age of the children was 13.3 years; 14.8% had started work before the age of 10 and 12.6% had been working for more than four years. Mean income was 34 Jordanian Dinars but 6.7% were unwaged; 34% were working more than 60 hours per week, and 85.9% more than 40 hours. Monthly income and working hours were positively correlated with the age of the child. There was no correlation between age and smoking status; 37.8% smoked more than five cigarettes per day. Mean height and weight z scores were -0.365 and -0.081 of the UK standard respectively. Packed cell volume was within the anaemic range in 34.1% of children. In Jordan many children start work at an early age and work long hours for little or no income. Stunting and anaemia are common and many are established smokers. Relevance of these findings for social policy and health care of working children in Jordan and elsewhere is discussed.

Regional inequalities in child malnutrition in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen: a Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis.

PubMed

Sharaf, Mesbah Fathy; Rashad, Ahmed Shoukry

2016-12-01

There is substantial evidence that on average, urban children have better health outcomes than rural children. This paper investigates the underlying factors that account for the regional disparities in child malnutrition in three Arab countries, namely; Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. We use data on a nationally representative sample from the most recent rounds of the Demographic and Health Survey. A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis is conducted to decompose the rural-urban differences in child nutrition outcomes into two components; one that is explained by regional differences in the level of the determinants (covariate effects), and another component that is explained by differences in the effect of the determinants on the child nutritional status (coefficient effects). Results show that the under-five stunting rates are 20 % in Egypt, 46.5 % in Yemen, and 7.7 % in Jordan. The rural- urban gap in child malnutrition was minor in the case of Egypt (2.3 %) and Jordan (1.5 %), while the regional gap was significant in the case of Yemen (17.7 %). Results of the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition show that the covariate effect is dominant in the case of Yemen while the coefficients effect dominates in the case of Jordan. Income inequality between urban and rural households explains most of the malnutrition gap. Results were robust to the different decomposition weighting schemes. By identifying the underlying factors behind the rural- urban health disparities, the findings of this paper help in designing effective intervention measures aimed at reducing regional inequalities and improving population health outcomes.

Attractor cosmology from nonminimally coupled gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Odintsov, S. D.; Oikonomou, V. K.

2018-03-01

By using a bottom-up reconstruction technique for nonminimally coupled scalar-tensor theories, we realize the Einstein frame attractor cosmologies in the Ω (ϕ )-Jordan frame. For our approach, what is needed for the reconstruction method to work is the functional form of the nonminimal coupling Ω (ϕ ) and of the scalar-to-tensor ratio, and also the assumption of the slow-roll inflation in the Ω (ϕ )-Jordan frame. By appropriately choosing the scalar-to-tensor ratio, we demonstrate that the observational indices of the attractor cosmologies can be realized directly in the Ω (ϕ )-Jordan frame. We investigate the special conditions that are required to hold true in for this realization to occur, and we provide the analytic form of the potential in the Ω (ϕ )-Jordan frame. Also, by performing a conformal transformation, we find the corresponding Einstein frame canonical scalar-tensor theory, and we calculate in detail the corresponding observational indices. The result indicates that although the spectral index of the primordial curvature perturbations is the same in the Jordan and Einstein frames, at leading order in the e -foldings number, the scalar-to-tensor ratio differs. We discuss the possible reasons behind this discrepancy, and we argue that the difference is due to some approximation we performed to the functional form of the potential in the Einstein frame, in order to obtain analytical results, and also due to the difference in the definition of the e -foldings number in the two frames, which is also pointed out in the related literature. Finally, we find the F (R ) gravity corresponding to the Einstein frame canonical scalar-tensor theory.

Physical and verbal workplace violence against nurses in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Omari, H

2015-03-01

To explore the prevalence of physical and verbal workplace violence among nurses working in general hospitals in Jordan, and to investigate the relation between physical violence, verbal violence, anxiety about violence, and some certain demographic variables. Violence against nurses at the workplace is an alarming problem in both developed and developing countries. This study explicates physical and psychological workplace violence and its relation to anxiety about violence at workplace and to some demographic variables. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on a convenience sample of nurses working in general hospitals in Jordan. A total of 468 nurses completed the questionnaire, 52.8% of the participants reported that they were physically attacked, and 67.8% were verbally attacked in the last 12 months. Of those who were physically attacked, 26.5% reported a physical violence with a weapon. The logistic regression analysis revealed that female nurses were 0.5 times less likely to report being physically attacked and were 1.5 times more likely to report being verbally abused than male nurses. Violence against nurses is highly prevalent in Jordan. More than half of the participants were victims of violence at their workplace during the last year. Verbal abuse was more common among females than males. Nurses are in the frontline of the healthcare system and their safety is a high priority. They need to be involved in the development and formulation of workplace violence policy decisions. Physical and verbal workplace violence in Jordan, like other countries, is a dangerous behavior that negatively affects general hospital nurses. © 2015 International Council of Nurses.

The monoamine oxidase inhibition properties of selected structural analogues of methylene blue

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delport, Anzelle

The thionine dye, methylene blue (MB), is a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A, a property that may, at least in part, mediate its antidepressant effects in humans and animals. The central inhibition of MAO-A by MB has also been linked to serotonin toxicity (ST) which may arise when MB is used in combination with serotonergic drugs. Structural analogues and the principal metabolite of MB, azure B, have also been reported to inhibit the MAO enzymes, with all compounds exhibiting specificity for the MAO-A isoform. To expand on the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of MAO inhibition by MB analogues, themore » present study investigates the human MAO inhibition properties of five MB analogues: neutral red, Nile blue, new methylene blue, cresyl violet and 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue. Similar to MB, these analogues also are specific MAO-A inhibitors with cresyl violet (IC{sub 50} = 0.0037 μM), Nile blue (IC{sub 50} = 0.0077 μM) and 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue (IC{sub 50} = 0.018 μM) exhibiting higher potency inhibition compared to MB (IC{sub 50} = 0.07 μM). Nile blue also represents a potent MAO-B inhibitor with an IC{sub 50} value of 0.012 μM. From the results it may be concluded that non-thionine MB analogues (e.g. cresyl violet and Nile blue) also may exhibit potent MAO inhibition, a property which should be considered when using these compounds in pharmacological studies. Benzophenoxazines such as cresyl violet and Nile blue are, similar to phenothiazines (e.g. MB), representative of high potency MAO-A inhibitors with a potential risk of ST. - Highlights: • MB analogues, cresyl violet and Nile blue, are high potency MAO-A inhibitors. • Nile blue also represents a potent MAO-B inhibitor. • Potent MAO-A inhibition should alert to potential serotonin toxicity.« less

Predators and Prey: Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades K-3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boswell, Henry, III; Stamm, Daniel K.

This document provides hands-on environmental education activities for the classroom and the outdoor setting of Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The activity packet, designed for grades K-3, meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. It includes on-site…

Learning English as a Second Language at the University Level in Jordan: Motivation, Self-Regulation and Learning Environment Perceptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alzubaidi, Eman; Aldridge, Jill M.; Khine, Myint Swe

2016-01-01

The overarching aim of this study was to investigate students' perceptions of the learning environment and whether these influenced their motivation and self-regulation in learning English as a second language at the university level in Jordan. Our sample involved 994 students, drawn from 13 schools, within three faculties (humanities, health…

Too Many Problems and Not Enough Help: Exploring the Need for School Social Workers in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alhajjaj, Huda A.

2017-01-01

Social work encompasses many different fields of practice. School social workers provide services to students encountering a wide spectrum of psychosocial and behavioral challenges at school, home, and society. While school social workers exist in many countries across the globe, many countries such as Jordan remain without school social workers.…

Integrated research - water quality, sociological, economic, and modeling - in a regulated watershed: Jordan Lake, NC

Treesearch

Deanna Osmond; Mazdak Arabi; Caela O' Connell; Dana Hoag; Dan Line; Marzieh Motallebi; Ali Tasdighi

2016-01-01

Jordan Lake watershed is regulated by state rules in order to reduce nutrient loading from point and both agricultural and urban nonpoint sources. The agricultural community is expected to reduce nutrient loading by specific amounts that range from 35 - 0 percent nitrogen, and 5 - 0 percent phosphorus.

Problems of Understanding English Ironic Expressions by M.A. Students of Applied Linguistics at Mu'tah University in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Khawaldeh, Suhaib

2015-01-01

The present study attempts to investigate the problems of understanding English ironic expressions M.A. of Applied Linguistics students at Mu'tah University in Jordan. This quantitative and qualitative study includes 15 of M.A. students of Applied Linguistics at Mu'tah University. The participants were selected randomly. Two research instruments…

Does the Type of Higher Education Affect Labor Market Outcomes? Evidence from Egypt and Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Assaad, Ragui; Krafft, Caroline; Salehi-Isfahani, Djavad

2018-01-01

In Egypt and Jordan, there is a substantial mismatch between the output of the higher education system and the needs of the labor market. Both demand and supply-side factors could be driving this mismatch. This paper tests a key supply-side issue, whether differences in the institutional structures and incentives in higher education affect the…

Social Adaptation and Its Relationship to Achievement Motivation among High School Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

AlZboon, Saleem Odeh

2013-01-01

The study amid at exploring and detecting the level of social adaptation and its relationship with the achievement motivation of the secondary school students in Jordan, the study sample consisted of 495 secondary school students in the province of Jerash, and to achieve the objective of this study comes the development of two tools: the first one…

Growing School Networks for Instructional Improvement in Jordan, 2009-2010. CPRE Research Report, # RR-70

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robinson, Marian A.

2011-01-01

In the last decade, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has made a substantial commitment to improving the quality of its public education system. The main vehicle for this work has been the Education Reform for Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) initiative. To date, key investments have been made in early childhood education, school infrastructure,…

Factors Influencing Jordanian and Saudi Arabian Teacher Decisions to Pursue the Principalship: A Comparative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Omari, Aieman Ahmad; Wuzynani, Muhammad M.

2013-01-01

The present study was carried out to gain a better understanding of how teachers in Jordan and Saudi Arabia view the principalship and identify factors that influence teachers' candidacy to pursue a position as principal. Study participants comprised 800 teachers who worked in public schools in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Participants rated 2 out of…

Looking under the Bonnet: Factors Affecting Student Adoption of E-Learning Systems in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abbad, Muneer Mahmood; Morris, David; de Nahlik, Carmel

2009-01-01

The primary questions addressed in this paper are the following: what are the factors that affect students' adoption of an e-learning system and what are the relationships among these factors? This paper investigates and identifies some of the major factors affecting students' adoption of an e-learning system in a university in Jordan. E-learning…

Construct Validation of an Arabic Version of the Learning Transfer System Inventory for Use in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khasawneh, Samer; Bates, Reid; Holton, Elwood F., III

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to translate and validate an Arabic version of the Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) for use in Jordan. The study also investigated the perceptions of transfer system characteristics across selected individual and situational variables. The LTSI was administered to 450 employees of 28 different public and…

An Integrated Learning Management System for Islamic Studies: An Innovation from Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rumzan, Ismael; Chowdhury, Imran; Mirza, Saudah; Idil, Raidah Shah

2010-01-01

The use of ICT in the Middle East is expanding at a fast rate; hence managers and decision makers must decide on the best learning solution for their organizations. This article describes how a small team of individuals in Jordan developed an effective learning solution to a social problem. This may provide some useful lessons for other…

The Attitudes of the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf-Salt, Jordan towards Deaf Socially and Educationally

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ziadat, Ayed H.; Atiyat, Fatima A.

2018-01-01

The study aimed to recognize the attitudes of the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf-Salt, Jordan towards Deaf Socially and Educationally in the academic year 2016-2017, which consists of instructional and vocational staff towards deaf socially and educationally according to some variables (gender, age, the level of education). The sample of the…

Prevalence of Speech Disorders in Elementary School Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Jazi, Aya Bassam; Al-Khamra, Rana

2015-01-01

Goal: The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of speech (articulation, voice, and fluency) disorders among elementary school students from first grade to fourth grade. This research was based on the screening implemented as part of the Madrasati Project, which is designed to serve the school system in Jordan. Method: A sample of 1,231…

Beliefs about Parental Authority Legitimacy among Refugee Youth in Jordan: Between- and Within-Person Variations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smetana, Judith G.; Ahmad, Ikhlas; Wray-Lake, Laura

2016-01-01

We examined within- and between-person variations in parental legitimacy beliefs in a sample of 883 Arab refugee youth (M[subscript age] = 15.01 years, SD = 1.60), 277 Iraqis, 275 Syrians, and 331 Palestinians, in Amman, Jordan. Latent profile analyses of 22 belief items yielded 4 profiles of youth. The "normative" profile (67% of the…

Gender Gaps in Mathematics, Science and Reading Achievements in Muslim Countries: Evidence from Quantile Regression Analyses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafiq, M. Najeeb

2011-01-01

Using quantile regression analyses, this study examines gender gaps in mathematics, science, and reading in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, Tunisia, and Turkey among 15 year-old students. The analyses show that girls in Azerbaijan achieve as well as boys in mathematics and science and overachieve in reading. In Jordan,…

Gender Gaps in Mathematics, Science and Reading Achievements in Muslim Countries: A Quantile Regression Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafiq, M. Najeeb

2013-01-01

Using quantile regression analyses, this study examines gender gaps in mathematics, science, and reading in Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, Tunisia, and Turkey among 15-year-old students. The analyses show that girls in Azerbaijan achieve as well as boys in mathematics and science and overachieve in reading. In Jordan,…

Impact of Conflict in Syria on Syrian Children at the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jabbar, Sinaria Abdel; Zaza, Haidar Ibrahim

2014-01-01

This paper describes a study performed to investigate the impact of the conflict in Syria on Syrian refugee children. The Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan was chosen for this task. Two control (comparison) groups of children were selected: one from the Jordanian Ramtha district, which is just across the border from Syria, and that indirectly feel…

The Effect of Herrmann Whole Brain Teaching Method on Students' Understanding of Simple Electric Circuits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bawaneh, Ali Khalid Ali; Nurulazam Md Zain, Ahmad; Salmiza, Saleh

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Herrmann Whole Brain Teaching Method over conventional teaching method on eight graders in their understanding of simple electric circuits in Jordan. Participants (N = 273 students; M = 139, F = 134) were randomly selected from Bani Kenanah region-North of Jordan and randomly assigned to…

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Challenge and a Model for Inclusion in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jordan, Rita

2008-01-01

Rita Jordan, Professor in Autism Studies at the School of Education, University of Birmingham, gave last year's Gulliford Lecture at the University of Birmingham on 4 October 2007. This article is based upon that lecture. In it, Professor Jordan discusses the role of education in the lives of people with autistic spectrum disorders. She traces the…

Do School Incentives and Accountability Measures Improve Skills in the Middle East and North Africa? The Cases of Jordan and Tunisia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafiq, M. Najeeb

2011-01-01

There is general agreement that skill-enhancing school reforms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are necessary for economic, political and social reasons. Using student-level data from Jordan and Tunisia, this study assesses the relationship between skills and the following school incentive and accountability measures: pedagogical…

Jordan and Lange: The California Junior College as Protector of Teaching. Working Papers in Education ED-94-1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gallagher, Edward A.

A group of contemporary historians has recently accused community and junior colleges of not offering the American masses new opportunities of upward social mobility, but instead of serving to divert them away from four-year colleges and universities. In particular, historians have taken issue with the efforts of David Jordan, of Stanford…

Human Capital Planning in Higher Education Institutions: A Strategic Human Resource Development Initiative in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khasawneh, Samer

2011-01-01

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to determine the status of human capital planning in higher education institutions in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: A random sample of 120 faculty members (in administrative positions) responded to a human capital planning (HCP) survey. The survey consisted of a pool of 38 items distributed over…

Rationales of a Shift towards Knowledge Economy in Jordan from the Viewpoint of Educational Experts and Relationship with Some Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Zboon, Mohammad Saleem; Al Ahmad, Suliman Diab Ali; Al Zboon, Saleem Odeh

2009-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to identify rationales underlying a shift towards knowledge economy in education as perceived by the educational experts in Jordan and relationship with some variables. The random stratum sample (n = 90) consisted of educational experts representing faculty members in the Jordanian universities and top leaders…

Circulation of a Simbu Serogroup Virus, Causing Schmallenberg Virus-Like Clinical Signs in Northern Jordan.

PubMed

Abutarbush, S M; La Rocca, A; Wernike, K; Beer, M; Al Zuraikat, K; Al Sheyab, O M; Talafha, A Q; Steinbach, F

2017-08-01

Schmallenberg virus (SBV)-like clinical cases of abortions in northern Jordan in early 2013, together with the emergence of SBV in Europe in 2011, its rapid spread within the following years and the detection of this virus in Turkey, raised questions about the distribution of SBV or related orthobunyaviruses. To evaluate the occurrence of SBV or related members of the Simbu serogroup of orthobunyaviruses in Jordan, bulk milk (cattle) and serum samples (cattle, sheep and goat) collected in northern Jordan in 2013 were first tested by commercially available SBV antibody ELISAs. Indeed, 3 of 47 bulk milk samples and 57 of 115 serum samples provided positive results, but SBV specificity of the ELISA results could not be confirmed by virus neutralization assays. Instead, subsequent cross-neutralization tests were able to further investigate the specificity of these antibodies. Here, a significant inhibition of Aino virus was observed. Thus, the causative agent was most likely a Simbu serogroup virus closely related to Aino virus. Consequently, these results confirm that members of this group of virus are not only present in Europe, Africa or Australia, but also in the Middle East. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Assessment of Macro-Level Socioeconomic Factors That Impact Waterborne Diseases: The Case of Jordan.

PubMed

Polimeni, John M; Almalki, Ahmad; Iorgulescu, Raluca I; Albu, Lucian-Liviu; Parker, Wendy M; Chandrasekara, Ray

2016-11-25

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an example of a country that suffers from high water scarcity. Additionally, due to the economic drivers in the country, such as phosphate and potash extraction and pharmaceutical production, the little fresh water that remains is generally polluted. The infrastructure, often antiquated in urban areas and non-existent in rural areas, also contributes to poor water conditions and to the spread of waterborne diseases. This paper examines the socioeconomic factors that contribute to diarrhea and hepatitis A on a macro level in Jordan and discusses the public-policies that government officials could use to abate those problems. Ordinary least squares time series models are used to understand the macro-level variables that impact the incidence of these diseases in Jordan. Public health expenditure has a significant impact on reducing their incidence. Furthermore, investment in sanitation facilities in rural regions is likely to reduce the number of cases of hepatitis A. Perhaps the most surprising outcome is that importation of goods and services likely results in a decrease in cases of hepatitis A. However, income has little impact on the incidence of diarrhea and hepatitis A.

Assessment of Macro-Level Socioeconomic Factors That Impact Waterborne Diseases: The Case of Jordan

PubMed Central

Polimeni, John M.; Almalki, Ahmad; Iorgulescu, Raluca I.; Albu, Lucian-Liviu; Parker, Wendy M.; Chandrasekara, Ray

2016-01-01

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an example of a country that suffers from high water scarcity. Additionally, due to the economic drivers in the country, such as phosphate and potash extraction and pharmaceutical production, the little fresh water that remains is generally polluted. The infrastructure, often antiquated in urban areas and non-existent in rural areas, also contributes to poor water conditions and to the spread of waterborne diseases. This paper examines the socioeconomic factors that contribute to diarrhea and hepatitis A on a macro level in Jordan and discusses the public-policies that government officials could use to abate those problems. Ordinary least squares time series models are used to understand the macro-level variables that impact the incidence of these diseases in Jordan. Public health expenditure has a significant impact on reducing their incidence. Furthermore, investment in sanitation facilities in rural regions is likely to reduce the number of cases of hepatitis A. Perhaps the most surprising outcome is that importation of goods and services likely results in a decrease in cases of hepatitis A. However, income has little impact on the incidence of diarrhea and hepatitis A. PMID:27898017

Epidemiology, attitudes and perceptions toward cigarettes and hookah smoking amongst adults in Jordan.

PubMed

Abu-Helalah, Munir Ahmad; Alshraideh, Hussam Ahmad; Al-Serhan, Ala-Aldeen Ahmad; Nesheiwat, Adel Issa; Da'na, Moh'd; Al-Nawafleh, Ahmad

2015-11-01

The aims of this study are to assess cigarette and hookah smoking rates amongst adult population in Jordan and to determine predictors of smoking status. Selected beliefs, perceptions and attitudes toward cigarettes and hookah smoking were also assessed. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five regional governorates of Jordan through face-to-face interviews on a random sample of adult population aged 18-79 years. Data was collected using a piloted questionnaire based on the Global Adult Tobacco Questionnaire. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking in our sample (869) was 59.1 % amongst males and 23.3 % amongst females, while the overall prevalence of hookah smoking was 18.9 % amongst males and 23.1 % amongst females. Leisure and imitation were the most commonly reported reasons for smoking. Regardless of smoking status, people were aware of health risks associated smoking and also had negative perceptions toward smoking. Smoking rates for both genders have reached alarmingly high rates in Jordan. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive national programme to target the country's growing burden of smoking. Suggestions on leisure time activities should be included in such programmes.

On dynamical systems approaches and methods in f ( R ) cosmology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alho, Artur; Carloni, Sante; Uggla, Claes, E-mail: aalho@math.ist.utl.pt, E-mail: sante.carloni@tecnico.ulisboa.pt, E-mail: claes.uggla@kau.se

We discuss dynamical systems approaches and methods applied to flat Robertson-Walker models in f ( R )-gravity. We argue that a complete description of the solution space of a model requires a global state space analysis that motivates globally covering state space adapted variables. This is shown explicitly by an illustrative example, f ( R ) = R + α R {sup 2}, α > 0, for which we introduce new regular dynamical systems on global compactly extended state spaces for the Jordan and Einstein frames. This example also allows us to illustrate several local and global dynamical systems techniquesmore » involving, e.g., blow ups of nilpotent fixed points, center manifold analysis, averaging, and use of monotone functions. As a result of applying dynamical systems methods to globally state space adapted dynamical systems formulations, we obtain pictures of the entire solution spaces in both the Jordan and the Einstein frames. This shows, e.g., that due to the domain of the conformal transformation between the Jordan and Einstein frames, not all the solutions in the Jordan frame are completely contained in the Einstein frame. We also make comparisons with previous dynamical systems approaches to f ( R ) cosmology and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.« less

Probabilistic Solar Wind and Geomagnetic Forecasting Using an Analogue Ensemble or "Similar Day" Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Owens, M. J.; Riley, P.; Horbury, T. S.

2017-05-01

Effective space-weather prediction and mitigation requires accurate forecasting of near-Earth solar-wind conditions. Numerical magnetohydrodynamic models of the solar wind, driven by remote solar observations, are gaining skill at forecasting the large-scale solar-wind features that give rise to near-Earth variations over days and weeks. There remains a need for accurate short-term (hours to days) solar-wind forecasts, however. In this study we investigate the analogue ensemble (AnEn), or "similar day", approach that was developed for atmospheric weather forecasting. The central premise of the AnEn is that past variations that are analogous or similar to current conditions can be used to provide a good estimate of future variations. By considering an ensemble of past analogues, the AnEn forecast is inherently probabilistic and provides a measure of the forecast uncertainty. We show that forecasts of solar-wind speed can be improved by considering both speed and density when determining past analogues, whereas forecasts of the out-of-ecliptic magnetic field [BN] are improved by also considering the in-ecliptic magnetic-field components. In general, the best forecasts are found by considering only the previous 6 - 12 hours of observations. Using these parameters, the AnEn provides a valuable probabilistic forecast for solar-wind speed, density, and in-ecliptic magnetic field over lead times from a few hours to around four days. For BN, which is central to space-weather disturbance, the AnEn only provides a valuable forecast out to around six to seven hours. As the inherent predictability of this parameter is low, this is still likely a marked improvement over other forecast methods. We also investigate the use of the AnEn in forecasting geomagnetic indices Dst and Kp. The AnEn provides a valuable probabilistic forecast of both indices out to around four days. We outline a number of future improvements to AnEn forecasts of near-Earth solar-wind and geomagnetic conditions.

Child, family, and community characteristics associated with school readiness in Jordan

PubMed Central

Al-Hassan, Suha M.; Lansford, Jennifer E.

2010-01-01

The present study investigated demographic differences in school readiness within Jordan, a particularly interesting context because of wide-spread national reform currently sweeping the education system in Jordan. Teacher reports and researcher direct assessments of the school readiness of a national sample of 4,681 Jordanian first grade children were used to describe the levels of school readiness of children with respect to seven demographic characteristics. Higher levels of school readiness were associated with male gender, higher family income, higher paternal education, higher maternal education, smaller family size, fewer siblings, and urban residence. Taken together, the findings highlight the importance of Jordanian education reform, one aim of which is to improve the school readiness of all children by implementing public kindergartens, especially in poor, rural areas. PMID:21132066

Massive sulfide metallogenesis at a late Mesozoic sediment-covered spreading axis: Evidence from the Franciscan complex and contemporary analogues

USGS Publications Warehouse

Koski, Randolph A.; Lamons, Roberta C.; Dumoulin, Julie A.; Bouse, Robin M.

1993-01-01

The Island Mountain deposit, an anomalous massive sulfide in the Central belt of the Franciscan subduction complex, northern California Coast Ranges, formed during hydrothermal activity in a sediment-dominated paleo-sea-floor environment. Although the base of the massive sulfide is juxtaposed against a 500-m-wide melange band, its gradational upper contact within a coherent sequence of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone indicates that hydrothermal activity was concurrent with turbidite deposition. Accumulations of sulfide breccia and clastic sulfide were produced by mass wasting of the sulfide mound prior to burial by turbidites. The bulk composition of sulfide samples (pyrrhotite rich; high Cu, As, and Au contents; radiogenic Pb isotope ratios) is consistent with a hydrothermal system dominated by fluid-sediment interaction. On the basis of a comparison with possible contemporary tectonic analogues at the southern Gorda Ridge and the Chile margin triple junction, we propose that massive sulfide mineralization in the Central belt of the Franciscan complex resulted from hydrothermal activity at a late Mesozoic sediment-covered ridge axis prior to collision with the North American plate.

Massive sulfide metallogenesis at a late Mesozoic sediment-covered spreading axis: Evidence from the Franciscan complex and contemporary analogues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koski, Randolph A.; Lamons, Roberta C.; Dumoulin, Julie A.; Bouse, Robin M.

1993-02-01

The Island Mountain deposit, an anomalous massive sulfide in the Central belt of the Franciscan subduction complex, northern California Coast Ranges, formed during hydrothermal activity in a sediment-dominated paleo-sea-floor environment. Although the base of the massive sulfide is juxtaposed against a 500-m-wide melange band, its gradational upper contact within a coherent sequence of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone indicates that hydrothermal activity was concurrent with turbidite deposition. Accumulations of sulfide breccia and clastic sulfide were produced by mass wasting of the sulfide mound prior to burial by turbidites. The bulk composition of sulfide samples (pyrrhotite rich; high Cu, As, and Au contents; radiogenic Pb isotope ratios) is consistent with a hydrothermal system dominated by fluid-sediment interaction. On the basis of a comparison with possible contemporary tectonic analogues at the southern Gorda Ridge and the Chile margin triple junction, we propose that massive sulfide mineralization in the Central belt of the Franciscan complex resulted from hydrothermal activity at a late Mesozoic sediment-covered ridge axis prior to collision with the North American plate.

Structure-Based Design of an Iminoheterocyclic β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme (BACE) Inhibitor that Lowers Central Aβ in Nonhuman Primates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mandal, Mihirbaran; Wu, Yusheng; Misiaszek, Jeffrey

2016-04-14

We describe successful efforts to optimize the in vivo profile and address off-target liabilities of a series of BACE1 inhibitors represented by 6 that embodies the recently validated fused pyrrolidine iminopyrimidinone scaffold. Employing structure-based design, truncation of the cyanophenyl group of 6 that binds in the S3 pocket of BACE1 followed by modification of the thienyl group in S1 was pursued. Optimization of the pyrimidine substituent that binds in the S2'–S2'' pocket of BACE1 remediated time-dependent CYP3A4 inhibition of earlier analogues in this series and imparted high BACE1 affinity. These efforts resulted in the discovery of difluorophenyl analogue 9 (MBi-4),more » which robustly lowered CSF and cortex Aβ40 in both rats and cynomolgus monkeys following a single oral dose. Compound 9 represents a unique molecular shape among BACE inhibitors reported to potently lower central Aβ in nonrodent preclinical species.« less

Pharmacologic Effects in vivo in Brain by Vector-Mediated Peptide Drug Delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bickel, Ulrich; Yoshikawa, Takayoshi; Landaw, Elliot M.; Faull, Kym F.; Pardridge, William M.

1993-04-01

Pharmacologic effects in brain caused by systemic administration of neuropeptides are prevented by poor transport of the peptide through the brain vascular endothelium, which comprises the blood-brain barrier in vivo. In the present study, successful application of a chimeric peptide approach to enhance drug delivery through the blood-brain barrier for the purpose of achieving a central nervous system pharmacologic effect is described. The chimeric peptide was formed by linkage of a potent vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) analogue, which had been monobiotinylated, to a drug transport vector. The vector consisted of a covalent conjugate of avidin and the OX26 monoclonal antibody to the transferrin receptor. Owing to the high concentration of transferrin receptors on brain capillary endothelia, OX26 targets brain and undergoes receptor-mediated transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier. Systemic infusion of low doses (12 μg/kg) of the VIP chimeric peptide in rats resulted in an in vivo central nervous system pharmacologic effect: a 65% increase in cerebral blood flow. Biotinylated VIP analogue without the brain transport vector was ineffective.

Effect of restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jiang, Zheng; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Yang, Lichuan; Li, Zi; Qin, Wei

2016-03-01

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the restricted protein diet (low or very low protein diet) supplemented with keto analogues in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase, CBM and CENTRAL databases were searched and reviewed up to April 2015. Clinical trials were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software. Seven random control trials, one cross-over trial and one non-randomized concurrent control trial were selected and included in this study according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The changes of eGFR, BUN, Scr, albumin, PTH, triglyceride, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and nutrition indexes (BMI, lean body mass and mid-arm muscular circumference) before and after treatment were analyzed. The meta-analysis results indicated that, comparing with normal protein diet, low protein diet (LPD) or very low protein diet (vLPD) supplemented with keto analogues (s(v)LPD) could significantly prevent the deterioration of eGFR (P < 0.001), hyperparathyroidism (P = 0.04), hypertension (P < 0.01) and hyperphosphatemia (P < 0.001). No differences in BUN, Scr, Albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, hemoglobin, calcium and nutrition indexes were observed between different protein intake groups. Restricted protein diet supplemented with keto analogues (s(v)LPD) could delay the progression of CKD effectively without causing malnutrition.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of new 2,4-syn-functionalized (S)-glutamate analogues and structure-activity relationship studies at ionotropic glutamate receptors and excitatory amino acid transporters.

PubMed

Assaf, Zeinab; Larsen, Anja P; Venskutonytė, Raminta; Han, Liwei; Abrahamsen, Bjarke; Nielsen, Birgitte; Gajhede, Michael; Kastrup, Jette S; Jensen, Anders A; Pickering, Darryl S; Frydenvang, Karla; Gefflaut, Thierry; Bunch, Lennart

2013-02-28

In the mammalian central nervous system, (S)-glutamate (Glu) is released from the presynaptic neuron where it activates a plethora of pre- and postsynaptic Glu receptors. The fast acting ionotropic Glu receptors (iGluRs) are ligand gated ion channels and are believed to be involved in a vast number of neurological functions such as memory and learning, synaptic plasticity, and motor function. The synthesis of 14 enantiopure 2,4-syn-Glu analogues 2b-p is accessed by a short and efficient chemoenzymatic approach starting from readily available cyclohexanone 3. Pharmacological characterization at the iGluRs and EAAT1-3 subtypes revealed analogue 2i as a selective GluK1 ligand with low nanomolar affinity. Two X-ray crystal structures of the key analogue 2i in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of GluA2 and GluK3 were determined. Partial domain closure was seen in the GluA2-LBD complex with 2i comparable to that induced by kainate. In contrast, full domain closure was observed in the GluK3-LBD complex with 2i, similar to that of GluK3-LBD with glutamate bound.

Subdivision of the Cambrian-Ordovician Upper Sandstone Aquifer'' in the Fox Cities area, east-central Wisconsin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Erikson, K.A.; Smith, G.L.

The informally-named Upper Sandstone Aquifer,'' a lithologically heterogeneous unit, has been subdivided into three thinner hydrostratigraphic units, the Upper Cambrian Jordan Formation (sandstone), the Lower Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (dolomite), and the Middle Ordovician St. Peter Formation (mostly sandstone). Reevaluation of the Upper Sandstone Aquifer'' in the Fox Cities area (Appleton, Neenah, Menasha) was based on detailed analysis of 125 geologic well logs and 200 well-construction reports. Isopach maps and geologic cross-sections of these units in the Fox Cities area show extreme variations in thickness over short lateral distances. Although the Jordan Formation has a uniform thickness of 13more » m (40 ft), the Prairie du Chien Group varies from 0--88 m (0--275 ft). The St. Peter Formation varies in thickness from 0--108 m (0--335 ft). The Prairie du Chien Group is relatively thin or absent in the Fox Cities area in locations where the overlying St. Peter Formation is relatively thick. St Peter can be further subdivided into Readstown, Tonti, and Glenwood Members. The Readstown Member is a lithologically heterogeneous unit of variable thickness and distribution. The Tonti Member is a poorly cemented, fine-medium quartz arenite with which is lumped the Glenwood Member, a conglomeratic, silty medium-coarse sandstone. Maximum St. Peter thicknesses represent filled paleokarst depressions developed on top of the Prairie du Chien Group, with profound implications for estimates of hydraulic conductivity.« less

Using stable isotopes and multi-spatial variable parameters in characterising the karstic aquifer of the Ajloun area, NW-Jordan - A case study of the Tanour and Rasoun springs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamdan, Ibraheem; Wiegand, Bettina; Ptak, Thomas; Licha, Tobias; Toll, Mathias; Margane, Armin; Sauter, Martin

2015-04-01

Key words: Karst systems, Groundwater vulnerability, Stable isotopes, Jordan. Water resources are extremely scarce in Jordan, which is considered as one of the poorest countries in the world with respect to water resources availability (UNDP 2014), with more than 90% of the country receiving less than 200 mm/year of rainfall (Al Kharadsheh et al. 2012). The most important aquifer for drinking-water purposes in Jordan is the upper Cretaceous limestone aquifer. The karstic springs of Tanour and Rasoun, located in the Ajloun governorate around 75 kilometres northwest of the capital of Amman, have been selected for this study. These springs are the main source for the local domestic water supply, with an average discharge between the years 2000 and 2012 of 200 m3/h and 60 m3/h, respectively (MWI, 2013). During the past few years, the water supply from these two springs had to be discontinued due to high contamination of the groundwater either by microbiological contaminants or by wastewater from local olive oil presses. This wastewater is locally called 'Zeebar'. Understanding of the karst aquifer system, the pathways and movement within the epikarst, and estimation of the travel and residence time within the aquifer is important for managing and evaluating the pollution risk, which affects the usability of groundwater for drinking purposes. For a better understanding of the karstic system and its behaviour, different methods are applied: 1. Analysis of the stable isotope composition of δ2H and δ18O during the winter season for both (a) Tanour and Rasoun groundwater, and (b) rainfall samples collected from several locations at different elevations within the catchment. 2. Analysis of major ion concentrations in groundwater of the Tanour and Rasoun springs. 3. Long-term measurements of different physico-chemical parameters from the Tanour and Rasoun springs (temperature, conductivity, turbidity, TOC, etc.) using multiparameter probes with telemetric data transfer. 4. Application of a travel time-based groundwater vulnerability method, and other different groundwater vulnerability methods for karst systems. The resulting data will be processed and used as spatially variable parameters for determining the karst aquifer characteristics within the study area. The springs show a rapid response to rainfall events which reflects a fast travel time and short residence time in the karst aquifer. References - Al Kharadsheh E, Akroush S and Mazahreh S (2012) Land Degradation in Jordan - Review of Knowledge Resources, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), OASIS Country Report 1. - MWI - Ministry of Water and Irrigation (2013) Discharge Data for Tanour and Rasoun Springs, Water Information System, National Master Plan Directorate, Amman, Jordan. - UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) (2014, September) About Jordan, http://www.jo.undp.org/content/jordan/en/home/countryinfo/

Short-acting insulin analogues versus regular human insulin for adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Fullerton, Birgit; Siebenhofer, Andrea; Jeitler, Klaus; Horvath, Karl; Semlitsch, Thomas; Berghold, Andrea; Plank, Johannes; Pieber, Thomas R; Gerlach, Ferdinand M

2016-06-30

Short-acting insulin analogue use for people with diabetes is still controversial, as reflected in many scientific debates. To assess the effects of short-acting insulin analogues versus regular human insulin in adults with type 1 diabetes. We carried out the electronic searches through Ovid simultaneously searching the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily and Ovid OLDMEDLINE(R) (1946 to 14 April 2015), EMBASE (1988 to 2015, week 15), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; March 2015), ClinicalTrials.gov and the European (EU) Clinical Trials register (both March 2015). We included all randomised controlled trials with an intervention duration of at least 24 weeks that compared short-acting insulin analogues with regular human insulins in the treatment of adults with type 1 diabetes who were not pregnant. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trials for risk of bias, and resolved differences by consensus. We graded overall study quality using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) instrument. We used random-effects models for the main analyses and presented the results as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes. We identified nine trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria including 2693 participants. The duration of interventions ranged from 24 to 52 weeks with a mean of about 37 weeks. The participants showed some diversity, mainly with regard to diabetes duration and inclusion/exclusion criteria. The majority of the trials were carried out in the 1990s and participants were recruited from Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. None of the trials was carried out in a blinded manner so that the risk of performance bias, especially for subjective outcomes such as hypoglycaemia, was present in all of the trials. Furthermore, several trials showed inconsistencies in the reporting of methods and results.The mean difference (MD) in glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was -0.15% (95% CI -0.2% to -0.1%; P value < 0.00001; 2608 participants; 9 trials; low quality evidence) in favour of insulin analogues. The comparison of the risk of severe hypoglycaemia between the two treatment groups showed an OR of 0.89 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.12; P value = 0.31; 2459 participants; 7 trials; very low quality evidence). For overall hypoglycaemia, also taking into account mild forms of hypoglycaemia, the data were generally of low quality, but also did not indicate substantial group differences. Regarding nocturnal severe hypoglycaemic episodes, two trials reported statistically significant effects in favour of the insulin analogue, insulin aspart. However, due to inconsistent reporting in publications and trial reports, the validity of the result remains questionable.We also found no clear evidence for a substantial effect of insulin analogues on health-related quality of life. However, there were few results only based on subgroups of the trial populations. None of the trials reported substantial effects regarding weight gain or any other adverse events. No trial was designed to investigate possible long-term effects (such as all-cause mortality, diabetic complications), in particular in people with diabetes related complications. Our analysis suggests only a minor benefit of short-acting insulin analogues on blood glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes. To make conclusions about the effect of short acting insulin analogues on long-term patient-relevant outcomes, long-term efficacy and safety data are needed.

Evaluation of Managed Aquifer Recharge Scenarios using Treated Wastewater: a Case study of the Zarqa River Basin, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Rawy, Mustafa; Zlotnik, Vitaly; Al-Maktoumi, Ali; Al-Raggad, Marwan; Kacimov, Anvar; Abdalla, Osman

2016-04-01

Jordan is an arid country, facing great challenges due to limited water resources. The shortage of water resources constrains economy, especially agriculture that consumes the largest amount of available water (about 53 % of the total demand). According to the Jordan Water Strategy 2008 - 2022, groundwater is twice greater than the recharge rate. Therefore, the government charged the planners to consider treated wastewater (TWW) as a choice in the water resources management and development strategies. In Jordan, there are 31 TWW plants. Among them, As Samra plant serving the two major cities, Amman and Zarqa, is the largest, with projected maximum capacity of 135 Million m3/year. This plant is located upstream of the Zarqa River basin that accepts all TWW discharges. The Zarqa River is considered the most important source of surface water in Jordan and more than 78 % of its current is composed of TWW. The main objectives were to develop a conceptual model for a selected part of the Zarqa River basin, including the As Samrapant, and to provide insights to water resources management in the area using TWW. The groundwater flow model was developed using MODFLOW 2005 and used to assess changes in the aquifer and the Zarqa River under a set of different increments in discharge rates from the As Samra plant and different groundwater pumping rates. The results show that the water table in the study area underwent an average water table decline of 29 m prior to the As Samra plant construction, comparing with the current situation (with annual TWW discharge of 110 Million m3). The analysis of the TWW rate increase to 135 million m3/year (maximum capacity of the As Samra plant) shows that the average groundwater level will rise 0.55 m, compared to the current conditions. We found that the best practices require conjunctive use management of surface- and groundwater. The simulated scenarios highlight the significant role of TWW in augmenting the aquifer storage, improving water availability, and better farming activities in the Zarqa River valley. Keywords: Managed Aquifer Recharge, Treated Wastewater, Zarqa River Basin, Jordan, MODFLOW 2005 Acknowledgments This study was funded by USAID-FABRI, project contract: AID-OAA-TO-11-00049 (project codes: 1001626 - 104 and 1001624-12S-19745). First author acknowledges Sultan Qaboos University, Oman for the postdoctoral fellowship. The authors acknowledge support of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan for providing access to the data and field assistance.

Processes for Assessing Outcomes of Multi-national Missions (Processus d’evaluation des resultats de missions multinationales)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-01

la raison d’être du recueil des données relatives aux variables centrales afin de soutenir ces efforts dans...communs utilisés par les pays membres et un ensemble central d’indicateurs complétant les Mesures de Performance (MOP) et Mesures d’Efficacité (MOE...dénomination « STO », « RTO » ou « AGARD » selon le cas, suivi du numéro de série. Des informations analogues, telles que le titre est la date de

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-03

unemployment , high underemployment, and a large fiscal deficit. Small scale protests in Jordan have become a regular occurrence, not only in the...attempted to appear responsive to calls for change by replacing ministers,1 amending the constitution and electoral law, and raising public sector ...estate sectors are dominated by families of Palestinian origin who have an economic stake in the current order. Other former Palestinian refugees have

Early Intervention Services, Importance and Availability Extent from Workers Point of View, Who Serves in the Intellectual Disability Centers in Ma'an, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Almsbhieen, Moneera Meheel

2016-01-01

This study aims to highlight the importance of early intervention as to intellectual disabled children, level of its availability through the point of view generated from workers in Intellectual disability centers at Ma'an-Jordan. Moreover, we shall discuss herein the differences that carry statistical significance in early intervention services…

Are Student Protests in Arab States Caused by Economic and Political Grievances? Empirical Evidence from the 2006-07 "Arab Barometer"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shafiq, M. Najeeb; Mason, Jessica; Seybolt, Taylor; DeLuca, Kristin

2014-01-01

We investigate the nature of protests by students (age 18 and older) in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, and Yemen by using subsamples of students from nationally representative and acclaimed public opinion data (the 2006-07 "Arab Barometer"). We find between 22.1% (Jordan) and 54.7% (Yemen) participated in either the signing of petitions, or…

The Impact of Foreign Housemaids on the Children of Working Mothers: A Case Study from Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jabbar, Sinaria Kamil Abdel

2014-01-01

The role of grandparents and other close relatives in caring for the children of working mothers has been diminishing in modern societies everywhere including Jordan. Concurrently, the dependence on housemaids to care for the children of working mothers has been on the rise. The impact of housemaids on young Jordanian children (4-5 years old) was…

Organizational Conflict among Teachers and the Principal's Strategies of Dealing with It from the Teachers' Perspective in Schools of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jubran, Ali Mohammad

2017-01-01

This research aimed to evaluate the degree of organizational conflict among teachers in Jordanian schools, along with the principal strategies to deal with them effectively. The research population was based on a sample of 123 teachers from Irbid, Jordan for the academic year 2013/2014. A descriptive research approach was adopted with the help of…

Developing a Numerical Ability Test for Students of Education in Jordan: An Application of Item Response Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abed, Eman Rasmi; Al-Absi, Mohammad Mustafa; Abu shindi, Yousef Abdelqader

2016-01-01

The purpose of the present study is developing a test to measure the numerical ability for students of education. The sample of the study consisted of (504) students from 8 universities in Jordan. The final draft of the test contains 45 items distributed among 5 dimensions. The results revealed that acceptable psychometric properties of the test;…

Assessing Special Needs of Students with Hearing Impairment in Jordan and Its Relation to Some Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El-Zraigat, Ibrahim A.

2013-01-01

The main purpose of the present study was to assess special needs for students with hearing impairment. The sample of the study consisted of 231 students enrolled at schools for deaf children in Jordan, 113 males and 118 females. A special needs scale was developed and used in assessing special needs for students. The reliability and validity of…

Islam, Modernity, and the Liminal Space Between: A Vertical Case Study of the Institute of Traditional Islamic Art and Architecture in Amman, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meehan, Mark W.

2012-01-01

This dissertation investigates the development and function of the Institute of Traditional Islamic Art and Architecture in Amman, Jordan. A vertical case study using grounded theory methodology, the research attempts to create a rich and holistic understanding of the Institute. Specific areas of study include the factors involved in the founding…

The Image of Women in the National Education Text Books in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Khalidi, Nasiema Mustafa Sadeq

2016-01-01

The study aimed to identify the image of women and how it was dealt with in the National Education books in Jordan, where the content of the National Education books analyzed and for multiple age stages, also it addressed the content analysis of images, concepts and fees, activities and evaluation to identify the image of women in the family, at…

English Language Education in Jordan: Some Recent Trends and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alhabahba, Mohammad Madallh; Pandian, Ambigapathy; Mahfoodh, Omer Hassan Ali

2016-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to map out the status of English language teaching (ELT) as practised in the Arab World and, specifically, in Jordan today. The study also aims to bring into focus significant issues that need to be addressed in ELT in the Arab World. This paper presents a review of the current status of English language education,…

The Future Justification to Adopt Governance System at the Jordan Universities from the Perspective of Educational Experts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abu-Nair, Natheer Sihan

2015-01-01

The aim of the study was to reveal the future justification to adopt governance system at the Jordanian Universities from the perspective of educational experts. The study society was the academic staff in the field of education at Al-Balqa Applied University and Jordan University, at the first semester of the academic year 2013-2014. The study…

Another elementary proof of the Jordan form of a matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budhi, Wono Setya

2012-05-01

In this paper we establish the Jordan Form for a matrix using the elementary concepts of vector differentiation and partial fractions. The idea comes from the resolvent of the operator. For the matrix, the Laurent series is finite and easy to compute through rational representation. We also give a proof of some famous theorems in matrix analysis as consequences from the result.

The Effectiveness of Neurological Impress Method on Reading Fluency of Students with Learning Disabilities in Amman, Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ziadat, Ayed H.; AL-Awan, Mohammad Soud A.

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Neurological Impress Method (NIM) on reading fluency of students with learning disabilities in Amman, Jordan. A sample of forty students (boys and girls) between the ages 10-12 years old with learning disabilities were selected from the Fourth Amman Educational Directorate in the Hashemite…

Professors' Perceptions of Distance Education in Virtual Environments: The Case of the Education Faculty of University of Al-Yarmouk (Jordan)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oassim-Al-shboul, Oassim Mahmoud; Sabiote, Clemente Rodriguez; Álvarez-Rodríguez, José

2015-01-01

The goal of this study is to determine the perceptions that the teaching staff of the Faculty of Education at University of Al-Yarmouk (Jordan) have of the implementation of distance learning in virtual environments, more specifically, the professors' opinion of the potential and limitations of this educational strategy. To fulfil this goal, we…

The Effect of the Time Management Art on Academic Achievement among High School Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Zoubi, Maysoon

2016-01-01

This study aimed at recognizing the effect of the Time Management Art on academic achievement among high school students in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The researcher employed the descriptive-analytic research to achieve the purpose of the study where he chose a sample of (2000) high school female and male students as respondents to the…

Evaluation of water security in Jordan using a multi-agent, hydroeconomic model: Initial model results from the Jordan Water Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, J.; Klassert, C. J. A.; Lachaut, T.; Selby, P. D.; Knox, S.; Gorelick, S.; Rajsekhar, D.; Tilmant, A.; Avisse, N.; Harou, J. J.; Medellin-Azuara, J.; Gawel, E.; Klauer, B.; Mustafa, D.; Talozi, S.; Sigel, K.; Zhang, H.

2016-12-01

Our work focuses on development of a multi-agent, hydroeconomic model for water policy evaluation in Jordan. Jordan ranks among the most water-scarce countries in the world, a situation exacerbated due to a recent influx of refugees escaping the ongoing civil war in neighboring Syria. The modular, multi-agent model is used to evaluate interventions for enhancing Jordan's water security, integrating biophysical modules that simulate natural and engineered phenomena with human modules that represent behavior at multiple levels of decision making. The hydrologic modules are developed using spatially-distributed groundwater and surface water models, which are translated into compact simulators for efficient integration into the multi-agent model. For the multi-agent model, we explicitly account for human agency at multiple levels of decision making, with agents representing riparian, management, supplier, and water user groups. Human agents are implemented as autonomous entities in the model that make decisions in relation to one another and in response to hydrologic and socioeconomic conditions. The integrated model is programmed in Python using Pynsim, a generalizable, open-source object-oriented software framework for modeling network-based water resource systems. The modeling time periods include historical (2006-2014) and future (present-2050) time spans. For the historical runs, the model performance is validated against historical data for several observations that reflect the interacting dynamics of both the hydrologic and human components of the system. A historical counterfactual scenario is also constructed to isolate and identify the impacts of the recent Syrian civil war and refugee crisis on Jordan's water system. For the future period, model runs are conducted to evaluate potential supply, demand, and institutional interventions over a wide range of plausible climate and socioeconomic scenarios. In addition, model sensitivity analysis is conducted revealing the hydrologic and human aspects of the system that most strongly influence water security outcomes, providing insight into coupled human-water system dynamics as well as priority areas of focus for continued model improvement.

Management options of chronic low back pain. A randomized blinded clinical trial.

PubMed

Nazzal, Mahmoud E; Saadah, Mohammed A; Saadah, Loai M; Al-Omari, Mahmoud A; Al-Oudat, Ziad A; Nazzal, Mohammed S; El-Beshari, Mahfoud Y; Al-Zaabi, Amani A; Alnuaimi, Yousif I

2013-04-01

To compare efficacies of 2 active programs in the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP). This prospective, stratified, randomized single-blinded controlled study was conducted in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan, between February and December 2010. A total of 100 patients were randomized to either 6-weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (group A) or therapist-assisted exercise (group B). At baseline and 6 weeks, the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score was estimated, as a primary outcome measure. McGill pain score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), trunk forward flexion and extension, left and right lateral bending, were applied before and after treatment and were employed as secondary outcome measures. All outcome measures significantly improved in group A after treatment, compared with group B. The VAS, McGill, ODI scores, left and right lateral bending decreased significantly, whereas forward and backward bending increased. A significant number of patients returned to work in group A at the end of 6 weeks, compared with group B. These effects were maintained over 12 and 24 weeks of follow-up. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation improved functional indices and pain scale scores in group A compared with B. This would be an effective strategy in CLBP management.

New prenylated aeruginosin, microphycin, anabaenopeptin and micropeptin analogues from a Microcystis bloom material collected in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, Israel.

PubMed

Elkobi-Peer, Shira; Carmeli, Shmuel

2015-04-15

Thirteen new and eighteen known natural products were isolated from a bloom material of an assembly of various Microcystis spp. collected in November, 2008, from a commercial fishpond near Kibbutz Kfar Blum, the Jordan Valley, Israel. The new natural products included the prenylated aeruginosin KB676 (1), microphycin KB921 (2), anabaenopeptins KB906 (3) and KB899 (4) and micropeptins KB928 (5), KB956 (6), KB970A (7), KB970B (8), KB984 (9), KB970C (10), KB1048 (11), KB992 (12) and KB1046 (13). Their structures were elucidated primarily by interpretation of their 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Marfey's and chiral-phase high performance liquid chromatography methods were used to determine the absolute configurations of their chiral centers. Aeruginosin KB676 (1) contains the rare (2S,3aS,6S,7aS)-Choi and is the first prenylated aeruginosin derivative described in the literature. Compounds 1 and 5-11 inhibited trypsin with sub-μM IC50s, while Compounds 11-13 inhibited chymotrypsin with sub-μM IC50s. The structures and biological activities of the new natural products and our procedures of dereplication are described.

Hydrology and Flood Profiles of Duck Creek and Jordan Creek Downstream from Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Curran, Janet H.

2007-01-01

Hydrologic and hydraulic updates for Duck Creek and the lower part of Jordan Creek in Juneau, Alaska, included computation of new estimates of peak streamflow magnitudes and new water-surface profiles for the 10-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year floods. Computations for the 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, 200-, and 500-year recurrence interval flood magnitudes for both streams used data from U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging stations weighted with regional regression equations for southeast Alaska. The study area for the hydraulic model consisted of three channels: Duck Creek from Taku Boulevard near the stream's headwaters to Radcliffe Road near the end of the Juneau International Airport runway, an unnamed tributary to Duck Creek from Valley Boulevard to its confluence with Duck Creek, and Jordan Creek from a pedestrian bridge upstream from Egan Drive to Crest Street at Juneau International Airport. Field surveys throughout the study area provided channel geometry for 206 cross sections, and geometric and hydraulic characteristics for 29 culverts and 15 roadway, driveway, or pedestrian bridges. Hydraulic modeling consisted of application of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) for steady-state flow at the selected recurrence intervals using an assumed high tide of 20 feet and roughness coefficients refined by calibration to measured water-surface elevations from a 2- to 5-year flood that occurred on November 21, 2005. Model simulation results identify inter-basin flow from Jordan Creek to the southeast at Egan Drive and from Duck Creek to Jordan Creek downstream from Egan Drive at selected recurrence intervals.

Family ties and economic stability concerns of migrant labour families in Jordan.

PubMed

Kamiar, M S; Ismail, H F

1991-12-01

74 labor migrant families from various socioeconomic classes in Amman, Jordan were interviewed to examine changes in relationships among family members, extended family, and neighbors and their concerns about economic stability in the host country, Jordan, and the world market. Another purpose was to determine how current migration policies of the Arab oil-producing countries which prohibit labor migrants from bringing their families to the host country affect labor migration among families. The families consisted of either those who did or did not accompany the labor migrant. Overall labor migration affected unaccompanied families more than accompanied families, e.g., only 19% of the unaccompanied families reported increased family unity compared with 56% of accompanied families. Problems within unaccompanied families increased in 43% of the cases but in only 6% of the accompanied families. Many of these problems resulted in children dropping out of school which reflected the control fathers had within the family, separation, or divorce. Yet labor migration reduced family ties with extended family members and neighbors almost equally for both groups. Accompanied families were not as concerned about economic stability in Jordan as unaccompanied families (38% vs. 50%). Perhaps these families tended not to invest remittances received from the labor migrants working in Arab oil-producing countries in Jordan. Both groups were quite concerned about the economic stability in the host countries (66% and 72%, respectively) and the world market (59% and 62%, respectively), however. Since family unity suffers when families do not accompany labor migrants, it is suggested that oil-producing nations that depend on foreign labor should guarantee family unity as a human right.

Increasing drought in Jordan: Climate change and cascading Syrian land-use impacts on reducing transboundary flow.

PubMed

Rajsekhar, Deepthi; Gorelick, Steven M

2017-08-01

In countries where severe drought is an anticipated effect of climate change and in those that heavily depend on upstream nations for fresh water, the effect of drier conditions and consequent changes in the transboundary streamflow regime induced by anthropogenic interventions and disasters leads to uncertainty in regional water security. As a case in point, we analyze Jordan's surface water resources and agricultural water demand through 2100, considering the combined impacts of climate change and land-use change driven by the Syrian conflict. We use bias-corrected regional climate simulations as input to high-resolution hydrologic models to assess three drought types: meteorological (rainfall decrease), agricultural (soil moisture deficit), and hydrologic (streamflow decline) under future scenarios. The historical baseline period (1981-2010) is compared to the future (2011-2100), divided into three 30-year periods. Comparing the baseline period to 2070-2100, average temperature increases by 4.5°C, rainfall decreases by 30%, and multiple drought-type occurrences increase from ~8 in 30 years to ~25 in 30 years. There is a significant increase in the contemporaneous occurrence of multiple drought types along with an 80% increase in simultaneous warm and dry events. Watershed simulations of future transboundary Yarmouk-Jordan River flow from Syria show that Jordan would receive 51 to 75% less Yarmouk water compared to historical flow. Recovery of Syrian irrigated agriculture to pre-conflict conditions would produce twice the decline in transboundary flow as that due to climate change. In Jordan, the confluence of limited water supply, future drought, and transboundary hydrologic impacts of land use severely challenges achieving freshwater sustainability.

Potentiometric Surfaces and Changes in Groundwater Levels in Selected Bedrock Aquifers in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, March-August 2008 and 1988-2008

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sanocki, Christopher A.; Langer, Susan K.; Menard, Jason C.

2008-01-01

This report depicts potentiometric surfaces and groundwater- level changes in three aquifers that underlie the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Approximately 350 groundwater levels were measured in wells from the three aquifers-the Prairie du Chien-Jordan, the Franconia-Ironton-Galesville, and the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers-in March and August of 2008. The report presents maps, associated data tables, and 22 geographic information system datasets. The maps presented in this report show the potentiometric surfaces in March and August of 2008 for all three aquifers, groundwater-level changes from March to August 2008 for each aquifer, and revised potentiometric-surface contours for the winter of 1988-89 for the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers, and the estimated long-term (winter of 1988-89 to March 2008) groundwater-level changes for the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers. This report documents the methods used to construct the maps and provides a context for the period of the measurements. Although withdrawal demand is increasing in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, particularly in the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, year-to-year changes in withdrawals can be substantial, and the relation between potentiometric surfaces in the major aquifers and year-to-year withdrawals is not well established. The estimated long-term (19-year) groundwater-level changes for the Prairie du Chien-Jordan and Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifers have not been large based on data and maps produced during this study, despite the large seasonal fluctuations shown by the March and August 2008 synoptic measurements.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oegetbil, O.

After reviewing the existing results we give an extensive analysis of the critical points of the potentials of the gauged N=2 Yang-Mills/Einstein supergravity theories coupled to tensor multiplets and hypermultiplets. Our analysis includes all the possible gaugings of all N=2 Maxwell-Einstein supergravity theories whose scalar manifolds are symmetric spaces. In general, the scalar potential gets contributions from R-symmetry gauging, tensor couplings, and hypercouplings. We show that the coupling of a hypermultiplet into a theory whose potential has a nonzero value at its critical point, and gauging a compact subgroup of the hyperscalar isometry group will only rescale the value ofmore » the potential at the critical point by a positive factor, and therefore will not change the nature of an existing critical point. However this is not the case for noncompact SO(1,1) gaugings. An SO(1,1) gauging of the hyperisometry will generally lead to de Sitter vacua, which is analogous to the ground states found by simultaneously gauging SO(1,1) symmetry of the real scalar manifold with U(1){sub R} in earlier literature. SO(m,1) gaugings with m>1, which give contributions to the scalar potential only in the magical Jordan family theories, on the other hand, do not lead to de Sitter vacua. Anti-de Sitter vacua are generically obtained when the U(1){sub R} symmetry is gauged. We also show that it is possible to embed certain generic Jordan family theories into the magical Jordan family preserving the nature of the ground states. However the magical Jordan family theories have additional ground states which are not found in the generic Jordan family theories.« less

Levels of perfluorinated compounds in human breast milk in Jordan: the impact of sociodemographic characteristics.

PubMed

Al-sheyab, Nihaya A; Al-Qudah, Khaled M; Tahboub, Yahya R

2015-08-01

There is scarcity in literature in regards to the exact levels of such compounds in the Middle Eastern region including Jordan. This study was conducted to measure the presence and levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) (perfluoroocane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) in human milk and local fresh cow milk in northern Jordan and also to investigate the relationship between levels of PFASs and some sociodemographic characteristics of breastfeeding mothers and their infants as well as usage of Teflon kitchenware products. Seventy-nine milk samples were collected from breastfeeding women and 25 samples from local fresh cow milk in northern Jordan. Levels of PFOS and PFOA were liquid/liquid extracted (LLE) by acetone followed by purification on an Oasis hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) solid-phase extraction (SPE). Separations and detections were performed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 10 ng/L for both PFOA and PFOS. The measured concentrations ranged between non-detectable (ND) and 178 ng/L for PFOS and between 24 and 1120 ng/L for PFOA in human milk and between ND-178 ng/L and LOQ-160 ng/L in fresh cow milk, respectively. Median concentrations of PFOS in human milk samples from Jordan in this study were lower than those found in a recent study from Italy. Moreover, mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS were significantly higher in milk samples provided by older women. Also, mean concentrations of PFOA was much higher in multiparas and those who have younger infants. The mean rank of PFOA was twice as high in the milk of women who had older Teflon products in kitchen compared to those who had relatively new Teflon products.

Substance Use in Muslim Culture: Social and Generational Changes in Acceptance and Practice in Jordan.

PubMed

Mauseth, Kira B; Skalisky, Jordan; Clark, Noël E; Kaffer, Ray

2016-08-01

Through narrative analysis, this paper explores the changes in acceptance of and response to substance use in Muslim culture by evaluating data collected in qualitative interviews in Jordan in 2013. What is known and unknown about substance use in Muslim culture throughout the Arab world from previous research findings provides a foundation from which to explore new perspectives and compare themes between younger and older generations in Jordan. Trends of social change and behavioral expression influenced by dramatic political and social upheaval in the Arab world in the last 5 years will also be evaluated for the way in which they may be influencing both substance use and its acceptance among young adults in this population. Recommendations for future research and work in this area are also provided based on these findings.

Jordan M. Braciszewski: APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology.

PubMed

2011-11-01

Presents Jordan M. Braciszewski as the 2011 winner of the American psychological Association APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology. "For his concerted efforts to identify the needs of homeless and other at-risk populations and to design and provide necessary services for them. Jordan M. Braciszewski is committed to using applied psychological science and evidence-based intervention methods to assist the most disadvantaged in our society. He has already provided additions to the relevant research literature and has volunteered countless hours of his time to implement community-based interventions and provide direct services himself. He has sought out the training experiences necessary to assist him in doing an even better job in the future in these public service activities." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). 2011 APA, all rights reserved

Mortality and causes of death in Jordan 1995-96: assessment by verbal autopsy.

PubMed Central

Khoury, S. A.; Massad, D.; Fardous, T.

1999-01-01

Mortality indicators and causes of death in Jordan were assessed by verbal autopsy. A random sample of 100 clusters of ca. 300 households each were monitored for one year by notification assistants selected from the study area itself. Registered deaths were reported to research assistants who visited the family to complete the verbal autopsy form, which was structured and contained about 100 questions. Causes of death were determined by two physicians according to preset algorithms. A total of 965 deaths were reported among 198,989 persons, giving a crude death rate of 5 per 1000 population per year. The three leading causes of death were diseases of the circulatory system, malignancies and accidents. In the absence of a health information system, verbal autopsy as implemented in Jordan can serve as a reliable substitute. PMID:10516786

Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Human Breast Milk from the Middle Governorates in Jordan in 2013/2014.

PubMed

Al Antary, Tawfiq M; Alawi, Mahmoud A; Estityah, Hussein; Haddad, Nizar

2017-07-01

One hundred samples of mother breast milk were gathered from six middle governorates and districts in Jordan in 2013/2014 to monitor Organochlorine pesticides pollutants. The results showed clearly that banned organochlorine pesticides are still detected in the monitored samples in low concentration despite banning of these persistent pollutants in Jordan since 36 years ago. However, the results indicated that 1% of the contaminated samples contained β-HCH, 5% γ-HCH, 3% p,p'-DDD, 2% heptachlor, 45% p,p'-DDE and 3% p,p'-DDT. In addition, these monitored samples had no residues of aldrin, dieldrin, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, HCB, o,p'-DD, o,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDE. In conclusion, there was a decline in the residues of Organochlorine pesticides, particularly DDT group members.

Quality assurance and accreditation of engineering education in Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aqlan, Faisal; Al-Araidah, Omar; Al-Hawari, Tarek

2010-06-01

This paper provides a study of the quality assurance and accreditation in the Jordanian higher education sector and focuses mainly on engineering education. It presents engineering education, accreditation and quality assurance in Jordan and considers the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) for a case study. The study highlights the efforts undertaken by the faculty of engineering at JUST concerning quality assurance and accreditation. Three engineering departments were accorded substantial equivalency status by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology in 2009. Various measures of quality improvement, including curricula development, laboratories improvement, computer facilities, e-learning, and other supporting services are also discussed. Further assessment of the current situation is made through two surveys, targeting engineering instructors and students. Finally, the paper draws conclusions and proposes recommendations to enhance the quality of engineering education at JUST and other Jordanian educational institutions.

Doppler ultrasound of the central retinal artery in microgravity.

PubMed

Sirek, Adam S; Garcia, Kathleen; Foy, Millennia; Ebert, Doug; Sargsyan, Ashot; Wu, Jimmy H; Dulchavsky, Scott A

2014-01-01

Ocular changes have been noted during long-duration spaceflight; we studied central retinal artery (CRA) blood flow using Doppler before, during, and after long-term microgravity exposure in astronauts compared with data from a control group of nonastronauts subjected to head-down tilt (HDT). Available Doppler spectra of International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers were obtained from the NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health database, along with 2D ultrasound-derived measurements of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). CRA Doppler spectra and optic nerve sheath images were also obtained from healthy test subjects in an acute HDT experiment at 20 min of exposure (the ground-based analogue). HDT CRA peak systolic velocity in the ground-based analogue group increased by an average of 3 cm -s(-1) (33%) relative to seated values. ONSD at 300 of HDT increased by 0.5 mm relative to supine values. CRA Doppler spectra obtained on orbit were of excellent quality and demonstrated in-flight changes of +5 cm x s(-1) (50%) compared to preflight. ONSD increased in ISS crewmembers during flight relative to before flight, with some reversal postflight. A significant ONSD response to acute postural change and to spaceflight was demonstrated in this preliminary study. Increases in Doppler peak flow velocities correlated with increases in ONSD. Further investigations are warranted to corroborate the relationship between ONSD, intracranial pressure, and central retinal blood flow for occupational surveillance and research purposes.

Structural Basis of the Interaction of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 with Roscovitine and Its Analogues Having Bioisosteric Central Heterocycles.

PubMed

Nekardová, Michaela; Vymětalová, Ladislava; Khirsariya, Prashant; Kováčová, Silvia; Hylsová, Michaela; Jorda, Radek; Kryštof, Vladimír; Fanfrlík, Jindřich; Hobza, Pavel; Paruch, Kamil

2017-04-05

The structural basis for the interaction of roscovitine and analogues containing 13 different bioisosteric central heterocycles with the enzyme cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is elucidated. Although all the central scaffolds are very similar to the purine core of roscovitine, the experimentally determined IC 50 values of the inhibitors span three orders of magnitude. By using an extensive computational chemistry approach, the affinities of the inhibitors to CDK2 are determined as calculated binding scores of complexes of the inhibitors with the protein. The interactions of the inhibitors with CDK2 are computationally described by using a hybrid quantum mechanics/semi-empirical quantum mechanics method (QM/SQM), which combines the DFT-D method for the QM part and the PM6-D3H4X method for the SQM part. The solvent effect is described by the COSMO implicit solvation model at the SQM level for the whole system. The contributions of the scaffolds and the individual substituents, quantified and evaluated in relation to conformations of optimized protein-inhibitor complexes, are found not to be simply additive. The inhibitory activity of the selected candidates, including two newly prepared compounds, is tested against CDK2. The results of the calculations are in close agreement with the experimental data. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Last Interglacial pollen-temperature reconstruction, central North Island, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newnham, Rewi; Alloway, Brent; McGlone, Matt; Juchnowicz, Hannah; Rees, Andrew; Wilmshurst, Janet

2017-08-01

We present new pollen-temperature reconstructions for the Last Interglacial from central North Island, New Zealand using partial least squares regression (PLS) and modern analogue technique applied with the New Zealand pre-deforestation calibration pollen dataset. The pollen-bearing organic sequence includes numerous millimetre- to decimetre- thick tephra mostly from the adjacent Tongariro Volcanic Centre and is overlain by tephric cover-beds including the c. 25.4 ka cal BP Kawakawa/Oruanui Tephra. Fine-resolution pollen and preliminary diatom analyses above and below prominent tephra layers showed that significant vegetation impact followed only the thickest ashfall event (22 cm thickness), with vegetation recovery taking several hundred years. Apart from this, changes in the longer-term pollen record are likely to be related to climate oscillations that resemble the classic five-fold subdivision of MIS 5. The warmest interval, ascribed to MIS 5e, was characterised by tall, temperate rainforest, and occurs at the base of the sequence, with mean annual temperatures reaching around 1.1 °C higher than present. Mean annual temperatures declined to ∼4 °C below present during MIS 5d and MIS 5b and were within 1-2 °C of present during MIS 5c. The PLS temperature reconstructions are corroborated by estimates derived independently from elevational changes to vegetation communities, corresponding to modern temperature controls, inferred from the Karioi pollen spectra. Temperatures reconstructed quantitatively by the modern analogue technique were up to 1.3 °C higher for MIS 5e, MIS 5d and MIS 5b, possibly reflecting weaker modern vegetation analogues for these intervals.

Syrian Refugees: Are They a Non Traditional Threat to Water Supplies in Lebanon and Jordan

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

THREAT TO WATER SUPPLIES IN LEBANON AND JORDAN? 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 6. AUTHOR(S) Stephen J. Klingseis 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS...ES) Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA 93943-5000 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING /MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND...INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ix LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS MWI Ministry of Water and Irrigation NGO non-governmental organization OECD

Features of Computerized Educational Games in Sciences of the Elementary Phase in Jordan from the Point of View of Specialists in Teaching Science and Computer Subjects

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Sarhan, Khaled Ali; AlZboon, Saleem Odeh; Olimat, Khalaf Mufleh; Al-Zboon, Mohammad Saleem

2013-01-01

The study aims at introducing the features of the computerized educational games in sciences at the elementary school in Jordan according to the specialists in teaching science and computer subjects, through answering some questions such as: What are the features of the computerized educational games in sciences at the elementary schools in Jordan…

Competencies That Teachers Need for Teaching Children Who Are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Dababneh, Kholoud Adeeb; Al-Zboon, Eman K.; Akour, Mutasem Mohammad

2016-01-01

This study investigates what competencies are needed by teachers of children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH), in the changing circumstances of their profession in Jordan. One hundred and five teachers of children who are DHH from kindergarten up to primary grade took part in this study. A scale was developed in order to achieve the goals of…

The 2015 Transition of Wartime Operational Control: A Threat or Opportunity for the ROK /US Alliance

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-13

effects in regional stability. In other words, as Matthew J. Jordan pointed out, multilateral efforts will complement and not supplant established...operations. 46Matthew J. Jordan , “Multilateralism in North East Asia” (Master’s Naval War College...dismantling DPRK’s nuclear program. The impetus for these talks emerged in 2003 when the DPRK revealed its uranium enrichment program. This enrichment

Application of Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination Code to Quantum Secret Sharing Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diep, Do Ngoc; Giang, Do Hoang; Phu, Phan Huy

2017-12-01

The QSS codes associated with a MSP code are based on finding an invertible matrix V, solving the system vATMB (s a) = s. We propose a quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination Procedure to produce such a pivotal matrix V by using the Grover search code. The complexity of solving is of square-root order of the cardinal number of the unauthorized set √ {2^{|B|}}.

Application of Quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination Code to Quantum Secret Sharing Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diep, Do Ngoc; Giang, Do Hoang; Phu, Phan Huy

2018-03-01

The QSS codes associated with a MSP code are based on finding an invertible matrix V, solving the system vATMB (s a)=s. We propose a quantum Gauss-Jordan Elimination Procedure to produce such a pivotal matrix V by using the Grover search code. The complexity of solving is of square-root order of the cardinal number of the unauthorized set √ {2^{|B|}}.

Health Care Supervisor's Role in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Health Education Areas in Ma'an City Schools in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Emami, Bassam S.

2017-01-01

This study aimed at showing health supervisor's role in enhancing the effectiveness of health education areas in public schools in the city of Ma'an, Jordan, and its relationship to some demographic variables for the academic year 2016-2017. The study population consists of all health supervisors in public schools in the city of Ma'an for the…

The Security Education Concepts in the Textbooks of the National and Civic Education of the Primary Stage in Jordan--An Analytical Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Edwan, Zaid Suleiman

2016-01-01

The present study aimed at exploring the concepts of the security education in the textbooks of the national and civic education of the higher primary stage in Jordan. It adopted the descriptive analytical method. The study sample consisted of the textbooks of the national and civic education for the basic eighth, ninth and tenth grades. To…

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-17

and internally elected Dr. Hamam Said (alt. sp. Himman Said/ Hammam Sa’id /Hamam Sa’id/ Hammam Saaed) as the movement’s new general guide. Press reports...Jordanian tribal traditions look down on certain types of employment such as construction. In fact, the government estimates that there are...United States is helping Jordan to modernize its armed forces, which have been the traditional mainstay of the regime. The Jordanian military forces

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-24

Brotherhood reorganized in 2008 and internally elected Dr. Hamam Said (alt. sp. Himman Said/ Hammam Sa’id /Hamam Sa’id/ Hammam Saaed) as the movement’s new...tribal traditions look down on certain types of employment such as construction. In fact, the government estimates that there are approximately...Military Cooperation Military Sales The United States is helping Jordan to modernize its armed forces, which have been the traditional mainstay of the

The Status of National Values in the Books of Social Studies for the Grades of the Upper Primary Stage in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Subheyyin, Eid H.; Mawajdeh, Baker S.; Talhouni, Mansour H.; Rfou', Mohammad O.

2017-01-01

This study aimed at determining the most important national values that should be included in the textbooks of social studies for the upper-primary stage grades in Jordan; and then identifying the degree of their inclusion in those books. The study used a descriptive-analytical approach. A study tool which includes twelve national values was…

Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-07-14

161-page report alleging sweatshop -like conditions in 28 out of 100 Qualified Industrial Zone (QIZ) plants in Jordan. Jordan’s trade minister Sharif...Arab Reform Bulletin, Mar. 2005, Volume 3, Issue 2. 1960’s and secular Palestinian nationalism in the 1970s. The Brotherhood’s educational, social ...dispensing social welfare to its supporters. Some estimate that the charity controls over $1 billion in assets. The Jordanian Ministry of Social

33 CFR 165.929 - Safety Zones; Annual events requiring safety zones in the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan zone.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... and time. The last Saturday of April; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (3) Tulip Time Festival Fireworks; Holland, MI....m. to 11 p.m. (9) Harborfest Music and Family Festival; Racine, WI—(i) Location. All waters of Lake... 11 p.m. each day. (10) Jordan Valley Freedom Festival Fireworks; East Jordan, MI—(i) Location. All...

Work-Based Learning Programmes for Young People in the Mediterranean Region: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. Comparative Analyses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sweet, Richard

2009-01-01

This report examines programmes for youth that combine learning in classrooms with participation in work in 10 Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. It is one element, together with the development of a network of policymakers and experts from the…

Using the Training Reactions Questionnaire to Analyze the Reactions of University Students Undergoing Career-Related Training in Jordan: A Prospective Human Resource Development Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khasawneh, Samer; Al-Zawahreh, Abdelghafour

2015-01-01

The primary purpose of the present study was to validate Morgan and Casper's training reactions questionnaire (TRQ) for use in Jordan. The study also investigated the reactions of university students to career-related training programs. Another purpose of the study was to determine the impact of certain aspects of training programs on the overall…

Features of the Jordanian Cultural Identity in the Islamic Education Books for the Two Phases of Primary and Secondary Education in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alsoudi, Khalid A.

2017-01-01

The study aimed to investigate the subjects relating to the features of Jordanian cultural identity in Islamic education books for secondary and basic stages in Jordan which are (23) books through analyzing their content. For achieving the goals of the study, the researcher prepared an analysis list included a number of sub-elements distributed on…

Accidental genital trauma in the female children in Jordan and the role of forensic medicine.

PubMed

Al-Abdallat, Emad M; Al-Ali, Rayyan A; Salameh, Ghada A

2013-10-01

To evaluate the frequency and the nature of genital trauma in female children in Jordan, and to stress the role of forensics. This is a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2008 and December 2011 in Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Sixty-three female children were examined for genital trauma after immediate admission. The mechanism of injury was categorized and reported by the examiners as either straddle, non-straddle blunt, or penetrating. Straddle injury was the cause of injuries in 90.5% of patients, and contusions were the significant type of injury in 34% of patients, followed by abrasions in both labia majora and labia minora. Only one case suffered from non-intact hymen and 2 had hematuria. These 3 cases (4.7%) required surgical intervention and follow-up after 2 weeks. Straddle injuries were the main cause of genital trauma and rarely affect the hymen; however, due to the sensitivity of the subject and the severity of the traumas, forensic physicians should provide consultation and cooperate with gynecologists to exclude or confirm hymenal injuries, where empathy is necessary to mitigate tension associated with such injuries for the sake of the child and the parents as well, along with good management of the injury type.

Home Health Care (HHC) Managers Perceptions About Challenges and Obstacles that Hinder HHC Services in Jordan

PubMed Central

Ajlouni, Musa T.; Dawani, Hania; Diab, Salah M.

2015-01-01

Home care aims at supporting people with various degrees of dependency to remain at home rather than use residential, long-term, or institutional-based nursing care. Demographic, epidemiological, social, and cultural trends in Jordan as in other countries are changing the traditional patterns of care with growing emphasis on home care. The purpose of this study is to highlight the most common challenges related to home health care (HHC) services in Jordan as perceived by the managers of HHC agencies. Methods: a descriptive qualitative design that depends on focus group discussions has been used to collect data from a sample of 18 managers who met the selection criteria and who are willing to participate, the study found that, the main challenges of HHC services as perceived by managers were: shortage of female staff, lack of governance and regulation, poor management, unethical practices, lack of referral systems, and low accessibility of the poor and less privileged as HHC services are not included in health insurance schemes, it concludes also that the home health care industry in Jordan is facing many challenges and problems that may have negative effects on the effectiveness, efficiency, equity and quality of services and should be addressed by health policy makers. PMID:25946949

The in vitro effect of six antimicrobials against Mycoplasma putrefaciens, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum isolated from sheep and goats in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Momani, W; Nicholas, R A J; Janakat, S; Abu-Basha, E; Ayling, R D

2006-01-01

Respiratory disease in sheep and goats is a major problem in Jordan and is often associated with Mycoplasma species. Without effective vaccines, control is mainly by chemotherapy, but the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials has led to concerns about the potential development of antimicrobial resistance. The in vitro effect of chloramphenicol, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, tylosin, erythromycin and oxytetracycline was determined against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species-M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), M. capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions of Jordan. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed some Mycoplasma species-specific differences, with M. capricolum subsp. capricolum being more susceptible to tylosin and erythromycin. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol were the least effective for all three Mycoplasma species. No trends or significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibilities were observed between sheep and goat isolates, between milk or nasal swab isolates, or between isolates from different regions of Jordan. Some isolates of M. capricolum subsp. capricolum and M. putrefaciens showed higher MIC levels with oxytetracycline, as did two isolates of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC with tylosin, possibly indicating signs of development of antimicrobial resistance.

A first hazard analysis of the Harrat Ash Shamah volcanic field, Syria-Jordan Borderline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cagnan, Zehra; Akkar, Sinan; Moghimi, Saed

2017-04-01

The northernmost part of the Saudi Cenozoic Volcanic Fields, the 100,000 km2 Harrat Ash Shamah has hosted some of the most recent volcanic eruptions along the Syria-Jordan borderline. With rapid growth of the cities in this region, exposure to any potential renewed volcanism increased considerably. We present here a first-order probabilistic hazard analysis related to new vent formation and subsequent lava flow from Harrat Ash Shamah. The 733 visible eruption vent sites were utilized to develop a probability density function for new eruption sites using Gaussian kernel smoothing. This revealed a NNW striking zone of high spatial hazard surrounding the cities Amman and Irbid in Jordan. The temporal eruption recurrence rate is estimated to be approximately one vent per 3500 years, but the temporal record of the field is so poorly constrained that the lower and upper bounds for the recurrence interval are 17,700 yrs and 70 yrs, respectively. A Poisson temporal model is employed within the scope of this study. In order to treat the uncertainties associated with the spatio-temporal models as well as size of the area affected by the lava flow, the logic tree approach is adopted. For the Syria-Jordan borderline, the spatial variation of volcanic hazard is computed as well as uncertainty associated with these estimates.

Cross-national study of attitudes towards seeking professional help: Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Arabs in Israel.

PubMed

Al-Krenawi, Alean; Graham, John R; Dean, Yasmin Z; Eltaiba, Nada

2004-06-01

Help-seeking processes provide critical links between the onset of mental health problems and the provision of professional care. But little is known about these processes in the Arab world, and still less in transnational, comparative terms. This is the first study to compare help-seeking processes among Muslim Arab female students in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The present study compares the attitudes of Arab Muslim female students from Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards mental health treatment. A convenience sample of 262 female Muslim-Arab undergraduate university students from Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Arab students in Israel completed a modified Orientation for Seeking Professional Help (OSPH) Questionnaire. Data revealed that nationality was not statistically significant as a variable in a positive attitude towards seeking professional help; year of study, marital status and age were found to be significant predictors of a positive attitude towards seeking help. High proportions of respondents among the nationalities referred to God through prayer during times of psychological distress. The discussion considers implications for professional service delivery and programme development. Future research could extrapolate findings to other Arab countries and to Arab peoples living in the non-Arab world.

A Single-Chip CMOS Pulse Oximeter with On-Chip Lock-In Detection.

PubMed

He, Diwei; Morgan, Stephen P; Trachanis, Dimitrios; van Hese, Jan; Drogoudis, Dimitris; Fummi, Franco; Stefanni, Francesco; Guarnieri, Valerio; Hayes-Gill, Barrie R

2015-07-14

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive and continuous method for monitoring the blood oxygen saturation level. This paper presents the design and testing of a single-chip pulse oximeter fabricated in a 0.35 µm CMOS process. The chip includes photodiode, transimpedance amplifier, analogue band-pass filters, analogue-to-digital converters, digital signal processor and LED timing control. The experimentally measured AC and DC characteristics of individual circuits including the DC output voltage of the transimpedance amplifier, transimpedance gain of the transimpedance amplifier, and the central frequency and bandwidth of the analogue band-pass filters, show a good match (within 1%) with the circuit simulations. With modulated light source and integrated lock-in detection the sensor effectively suppresses the interference from ambient light and 1/f noise. In a breath hold and release experiment the single chip sensor demonstrates consistent and comparable performance to commercial pulse oximetry devices with a mean of 1.2% difference. The single-chip sensor enables a compact and robust design solution that offers a route towards wearable devices for health monitoring.

A Single-Chip CMOS Pulse Oximeter with On-Chip Lock-In Detection

PubMed Central

He, Diwei; Morgan, Stephen P.; Trachanis, Dimitrios; van Hese, Jan; Drogoudis, Dimitris; Fummi, Franco; Stefanni, Francesco; Guarnieri, Valerio; Hayes-Gill, Barrie R.

2015-01-01

Pulse oximetry is a noninvasive and continuous method for monitoring the blood oxygen saturation level. This paper presents the design and testing of a single-chip pulse oximeter fabricated in a 0.35 µm CMOS process. The chip includes photodiode, transimpedance amplifier, analogue band-pass filters, analogue-to-digital converters, digital signal processor and LED timing control. The experimentally measured AC and DC characteristics of individual circuits including the DC output voltage of the transimpedance amplifier, transimpedance gain of the transimpedance amplifier, and the central frequency and bandwidth of the analogue band-pass filters, show a good match (within 1%) with the circuit simulations. With modulated light source and integrated lock-in detection the sensor effectively suppresses the interference from ambient light and 1/f noise. In a breath hold and release experiment the single chip sensor demonstrates consistent and comparable performance to commercial pulse oximetry devices with a mean of 1.2% difference. The single-chip sensor enables a compact and robust design solution that offers a route towards wearable devices for health monitoring. PMID:26184225

Morphological inversion of complex diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, V. A. T.; Vural, D. C.

2017-09-01

Epidemics, neural cascades, power failures, and many other phenomena can be described by a diffusion process on a network. To identify the causal origins of a spread, it is often necessary to identify the triggering initial node. Here, we define a new morphological operator and use it to detect the origin of a diffusive front, given the final state of a complex network. Our method performs better than algorithms based on distance (closeness) and Jordan centrality. More importantly, our method is applicable regardless of the specifics of the forward model, and therefore can be applied to a wide range of systems such as identifying the patient zero in an epidemic, pinpointing the neuron that triggers a cascade, identifying the original malfunction that causes a catastrophic infrastructure failure, and inferring the ancestral species from which a heterogeneous population evolves.

Hydraulic properties and ground-water flow in the St Peter-Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, Rochester area, southeastern Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindgren, R.J.

1997-01-01

Water-level changes in wells from January through February 1988 to February through March 1995 ranged from -6.8 to +15.3 feet. Water-level changes in 12 Rochester municipal wells for the same period ranged from -7.4 to +8.0 feet. Water levels in wells generally rose in the northern and eastern parts of the study area and generally declined in the southwestern and western parts. Near Rochester, water levels in wells generally declined near the city boundaries and showed little change or rose in the central part of the city. Water-level changes from 1988 to 1995 near the ground-water divide generally were less than 2 feet, resulting in no appreciable changes in the location of the divide.

Lactate and Acrylate Metabolism by Megasphaera elsdenii under Batch and Steady-State Conditions

PubMed Central

Prabhu, Rupal; Altman, Elliot

2012-01-01

The growth of Megasphaera elsdenii on lactate with acrylate and acrylate analogues was studied under batch and steady-state conditions. Under batch conditions, lactate was converted to acetate and propionate, and acrylate was converted into propionate. Acrylate analogues 2-methyl propenoate and 3-butenoate containing a terminal double bond were similarly converted into their respective saturated acids (isobutyrate and butyrate), while crotonate and lactate analogues 3-hydroxybutyrate and (R)-2-hydroxybutyrate were not metabolized. Under carbon-limited steady-state conditions, lactate was converted to acetate and butyrate with no propionate formed. As the acrylate concentration in the feed was increased, butyrate and hydrogen formation decreased and propionate was increasingly generated, while the calculated ATP yield was unchanged. M. elsdenii metabolism differs substantially under batch and steady-state conditions. The results support the conclusion that propionate is not formed during lactate-limited steady-state growth because of the absence of this substrate to drive the formation of lactyl coenzyme A (CoA) via propionyl-CoA transferase. Acrylate and acrylate analogues are reduced under both batch and steady-state growth conditions after first being converted to thioesters via propionyl-CoA transferase. Our findings demonstrate the central role that CoA transferase activity plays in the utilization of acids by M. elsdenii and allows us to propose a modified acrylate pathway for M. elsdenii. PMID:23023753

Effect of the Van Hiele Model in Geometric Concepts Acquisition: The Attitudes towards Geometry and Learning Transfer Effect of the First Three Grades Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-ebous, Tahani

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the van Hiele model in Geometric Concepts Acquisition, and the attitudes towards Geometry and learning transfer of the first three grades students in Jordan. Participants of the study consisted of 60 students from the third grade primary school students from the First Directorate, Amman, in the…

Effectiveness of the Teacher Performance Evaluation Methods Practiced by Managers of Public Schools in the Directorate of Education in Southern Jordan Valley/Jordan from the Point of View of Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Tarawneh, Sabri; Al-Oshaibat, Hussein; Ismail, Hairul Al-Nizam

2016-01-01

This study identifies the efficiency of the teacher performance evaluation methods used by government school principals in South Ghour or the hollows educational department from the perspective of teachers. This study dealt with the approaches used by government school principals in the domains of planning assessment, working with the teacher,…

Area Handbook Series: Jordan: A Country Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

forging embryonic classes; however, it was debatable to what extent they were self-conscious and co- hesive. Class structure in Jordan resembled a pyramid ...them so- cially from the small shopkeepers and artisans below them. At the bottom of the pyramid , a large lower class included increasing num- bers of...each tribe. Tribespeople described their system as segmentary; that is, the tribe resembled a pyramid com- posed of ascending segments, or levels, each

The Degree of Adherence to Educational Values by the Students of the University of Jordan--In Their Point of View

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Serhan, Khaled Ali

2016-01-01

The study aimed to probe the degree of adherence by students of the University of Jordan to moral values. To achieve this, a survey was prepared and distributed to a random sample of 1769 students in the second semester of the 2013-2014 school year. The study showed a high degree of adherence to religious, social and behavioral values, and a…

Mechanisms and Development Strategies for Teaching Thinking to Move the Role of Jordan Universities as the Product of the Think Tank from the Faculty Members Point of View

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ziadat, Ayed H.; Abu-Nair, Natheer S.; Abu Sameha, Mansour A.

2011-01-01

The study aimed at revealing the mechanisms and development strategies for teaching thinking to move the role of Jordan universities as the product of think tank from the faculty members point of view. Also aimed to determine the influence of academic rank in shaping the mechanisms and development strategies for teaching thinking in Jordanian…

Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-06

sentences were reduced to 13 months shortly thereafter. The case did not draw a great deal of international attention. According to Sarah Leah Whitson...cooperation. Although the United States and Jordan have never been linked by a formal treaty, they have cooperated on a number of regional and international ...and international issues over the years. The country’s small size and lack of major economic resources have made it dependent on aid from Western and

A canonical state-space representation for SISO systems using multipoint Jordan CFE. [Continued-Fraction Expansion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Chyi; Guo, Tong-Yi; Shieh, Leang-San

1991-01-01

A canonical state-space realization based on the multipoint Jordan continued-fraction expansion (CFE) is presented for single-input-single-output (SISO) systems. The similarity transformation matrix which relates the new canonical form to the phase-variable canonical form is also derived. The presented canonical state-space representation is particularly attractive for the application of SISO system theory in which a reduced-dimensional time-domain model is necessary.

The Effectiveness of Using Brainstorming Strategy in the Development of Academic Achievement of Sixth Grade Students in English Grammar at Public Schools in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malkawi, Nibal Abdelkarim Mousa; Smadi, Mona

2018-01-01

The study aims to identify the effect of using brainstorming method in the teaching of English grammar; to improve the level of sixth grade students in English grammar at public schools in Jordan. The study population consisted of all sixth grade students of both sexes. The sample of the study was chosen in the random stratified manner,…

Effectiveness of Active Learning Strategy in Improving the Acoustic Awareness Skills and Understanding What Is Heard by the Basic Stage Students in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Odwan, Yaser

2016-01-01

This research aims to get acquainted with the effectiveness of the active learning strategy in improving the acoustic awareness skills and understanding what is heard by the basic stage students in Jordan by answering the two following questions: This research has been applied to a sample of 60 students from the basic third grade in Al-Ahnaf Ben…

Results of SEI Independent Research and Development Projects and Report on Emerging Technologies and Technology Trends

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-12-01

W. Collins Peter Feiler John Goodenough Aaron Greenhouse Jorgen Hansson Alan R . Hevner John Hudak Angel Jordan Rick Kazman Richard C. Linger...John Goodenough Aaron Greenhouse Jorgen Hansson Alan R . Hevner John Hudak Angel Jordan Rick Kazman Richard C. Linger Mark G. Pleszkoch Stacy J...operability, sustainability, software R &D, metrics for acquisition, acquisition management, and commercial off-the-shelf products. The IR&D projects conducted

Graduate Students' Perceptions of the Impact of the Alternative National English Course on the Improvement of Their English Language Learning and Their Learning Challenges at the University of Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alkhawaldeh, Ahmad Mokbel

2017-01-01

This qualitative study addressed the English language learning needs and challenges expressed by a sample of 22 postgraduate students from diversified faculties in the University of Jordan. These students were required to take the Alternative National English course. They wrote a self-report reflecting on their English language learning needs and…

Evaluation of the 10th Grade Computerized Mathematics Curriculum from the Perspective of the Teachers and Educational Supervisors in the Southern Region in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Tarawneh, Sabri Hassan; Al-Qadi, Haitham Mamdouh

2016-01-01

This study aimed at evaluating the 10th grade computerized mathematics curriculum from the perspective of the teachers and supervisors in the southern region in Jordan. The study population consisted of all the teachers who teach the 10th grade in the southern region, with the total of (309) teachers and (20) supervisors. The sample consisted of…

Effectiveness of Training Sessions on a Measure of Optimism and Pessimism Concepts among the Kindergarten Children in the District of Al-Shobak in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al-Mohtadi, Reham Mohammad; ALdarab'h, Intisar Turki; Gasaymeh, Al-Mothana Moustafa

2015-01-01

The current study aimed to examine the effects of training sessions on children's levels of optimism versus pessimism among the kindergarten children in the district of Shobak in Jordan. The sample of the study consisted 21 children whom their ages were between 5 to 6 years old. A training program was applied. The level of optimism and pessimism…

Predictors of Coping Strategies Employed by Iraqi Refugees in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Smadi, Ahmed Mohammad; Tawalbeh, Loai Issa; Gammoh, Omar Salem; Ashour, Ala; Alzoubi, Fatmeh Ahmad; Slater, Paul

2017-10-01

The purpose of this study was to examine coping strategies used by Iraqi refugees in Jordan based on their demographic details. A cross-sectional design was used. A representative sample of 333 refugees living in Jordan participated in the study. The Cope inventory and the demographic details were compiled to produce and collate the relevant data. Being older, female, educated, single, and living with more than three family members was associated with greater use of the problem solving coping strategy. Being female, educated, and unemployed was associated with greater use of the active emotional coping strategy. In addition, being older, male, illiterate, unemployed, and living with less than three family members was associated with greater use of the avoidant emotional coping strategy. This study recommends a multidisciplinary approach intervention as being the best method of addressing and fulfilling the health and socioeconomic needs of older, male, illiterate, unemployed people.

MODIS Views the Middle-East

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

To paraphrase English author T.H. White, borders are the one thing a man sees that a bird cannot see as it flies high overhead. For the 15th consecutive day, differences in ideology have sparked violence and tension in the middle-east as the rest of the world watches, concerned. This true-color image of the region was taken on September 10, 2000, by the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying aboard NASA's Terra spacecraft. The image shows the lands of Israel along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, with the countries of Jordan to the southeast and Syria to the Northeast. Jerusalem, labeled, is Israel's capital city and Aman, labeled, is the capital of Jordan. The region known as the West Bank lies between the two countries. Running from north to south, the Jordan River links the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Group, NASA GSFC

Worker programs and resource use: Evidence from better work jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robins, Nathan

This paper examines data collected for the Better Work program in Jordan which aims to protect laborers in the garment industry from poor working conditions. Data are examined to look for benefits to the factories participating in the program beyond improved compliance with labor law. In particular, potential impacts to firm energy use are examined and correlations are tested between electricity use rates and measures of worker outcomes and a number of factory traits such as size and production input costs. Evidence was found to back up work done in Vietnam with regard to resource use and distribution of electricity expenses. It was also found that the type of data being collected is not ideal for examinations of energy, and more direct methods are desirable, and that considerable production obstacles are worker skill level, electricity prices, and to a greater degree in Jordan than in previously examined countries, water prices.

View of the ODS in the Atlantis payload bay prior to docking

NASA Image and Video Library

1996-09-17

STS079-824-081 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- In this 70mm frame from the space shuttle Atlantis, the Jordan River Valley can be traced as it separates Lebanon, Palestine and Israel on the west, from Syria and Jordan on the east. The river flows along the Dead Sea rift; the east side of the fault zone (Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) has moved north about 100 kilometers relative to the west side (Lebanon, Israel, Egypt) during the past 24 million years. The Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee are in depressions formed where faults of the zone diverge or step over. The Dead Sea once covered the area of salt evaporation pans (the bright blue water). The lagoon, barrier islands and evaporite deposits (bright white) along the Mediterranean coast of the Sinai Peninsula (lower left of frame) are just east of Port Said.

Rate, causes and reporting of medication errors in Jordan: nurses' perspectives.

PubMed

Mrayyan, Majd T; Shishani, Kawkab; Al-Faouri, Ibrahim

2007-09-01

The aim of the study was to describe Jordanian nurses' perceptions about various issues related to medication errors. This is the first nursing study about medication errors in Jordan. This was a descriptive study. A convenient sample of 799 nurses from 24 hospitals was obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Over the course of their nursing career, the average number of recalled committed medication errors per nurse was 2.2. Using incident reports, the rate of medication errors reported to nurse managers was 42.1%. Medication errors occurred mainly when medication labels/packaging were of poor quality or damaged. Nurses failed to report medication errors because they were afraid that they might be subjected to disciplinary actions or even lose their jobs. In the stepwise regression model, gender was the only predictor of medication errors in Jordan. Strategies to reduce or eliminate medication errors are required.

Conformal frame dependence of inflation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Domènech, Guillem; Sasaki, Misao, E-mail: guillem.domenech@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp, E-mail: misao@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2015-04-01

Physical equivalence between different conformal frames in scalar-tensor theory of gravity is a known fact. However, assuming that matter minimally couples to the metric of a particular frame, which we call the matter Jordan frame, the matter point of view of the universe may vary from frame to frame. Thus, there is a clear distinction between gravitational sector (curvature and scalar field) and matter sector. In this paper, focusing on a simple power-law inflation model in the Einstein frame, two examples are considered; a super-inflationary and a bouncing universe Jordan frames. Then we consider a spectator curvaton minimally coupled tomore » a Jordan frame, and compute its contribution to the curvature perturbation power spectrum. In these specific examples, we find a blue tilt at short scales for the super-inflationary case, and a blue tilt at large scales for the bouncing case.« less

Syrian Refugee Women’s Health in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan and Recommendations for Improved Practice

PubMed Central

Samari, Goleen

2017-01-01

Since 2011, an estimated nine million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries, and over four million have fled to neighboring countries of Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan. Seventy five percent of Syrian refugees are women and children. In times of conflict, women’s health disproportionately suffers. Based on an assessment of academic literature and international policy and development reports, this study explores the vulnerabilities of Syrian women and girls in Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan, and how these countries approach Syrian refugee women’s health care. In all settings, sexual and gender-based violence, reduced use of modern contraceptives, menstrual irregularity, unplanned pregnancies, preterm birth, and infant morbidity are ongoing issues. Recommendations for improved practice include taking a multilevel approach to eliminate social and service delivery barriers that prevent access to care, conducting thorough needs assessments, and creating policy and programmatic solutions that establish long term care for Syrian refugee women. PMID:29051840

Value and impact of international hospital accreditation: a case study from Jordan.

PubMed

Halasa, Y A; Zeng, W; Chappy, E; Shepard, D S

2015-04-02

We assessed the economic impact of Joint Commission International hospital accreditation on 5 structural and outcome hospital performance measures in Jordan. We conducted a 4-year retrospective study comparing 2 private accredited acute general hospitals with matched non-accredited hospitals, using difference-in-differences and adjusted covariance analyses to test the impact and value of accreditation on hospital performance measures. Of the 5 selected measures, 3 showed statistically significant effects (all improvements) associated with accreditation: reduction in return to intensive care unit (ICU) within 24 hours of ICU discharge; reduction in staff turnover; and completeness of medical records. The net impact of accreditation was a 1.2 percentage point reduction in patients who returned to the ICU, 12.8% reduction in annual staff turnover and 20.0% improvement in the completeness of medical records. Pooling both hospitals over 3 years, these improvements translated into total savings of US$ 593 000 in Jordan's health-care system.

Stream food web response to a salmon carcass analogue addition in two central Idaho, U.S.A. streams

PubMed Central

KOHLER, ANDRE E; RUGENSKI, AMANDA; TAKI, DOUG

2008-01-01

Pacific salmon and steelhead once contributed large amounts of marine-derived carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus to freshwater ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America (California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho). Declines in historically abundant anadromous salmonid populations represent a significant loss of returning nutrients across a large spatial scale. Recently, a manufactured salmon carcass analogue was developed and tested as a safe and effective method of delivering nutrients to freshwater and linked riparian ecosystems where marine-derived nutrients have been reduced or eliminated. We compared four streams: two reference and two treatment streams using salmon carcass analogue(s) (SCA) as a treatment. Response variables measured included: surface streamwater chemistry; nutrient limitation status; carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes; periphyton chlorophyll a and ash-free dry mass (AFDM); macroinvertebrate density and biomass; and leaf litter decomposition rates. Within each stream, upstream reference and downstream treatment reaches were sampled 1 year before, during, and 1 year after the addition of SCA. Periphyton chlorophyll a and AFDM and macroinvertebrate biomass were significantly higher in stream reaches treated with SCA. Enriched stable isotope (δ15N) signatures were observed in periphyton and macroinvertebrate samples collected from treatment reaches in both treatment streams, indicating trophic transfer from SCA to consumers. Densities of Ephemerellidae, Elmidae and Brachycentridae were significantly higher in treatment reaches. Macroinvertebrate community composition and structure, as measured by taxonomic richness and diversity, did not appear to respond significantly to SCA treatment. Leaf breakdown rates were variable among treatment streams: significantly higher in one stream treatment reach but not the other. Salmon carcass analogue treatments had no detectable effect on measured water chemistry variables. Our results suggest that SCA addition successfully increased periphyton and macroinvertebrate biomass with no detectable response in streamwater nutrient concentrations. Correspondingly, no change in nutrient limitation status was detected based on dissolved inorganic nitrogen to soluble reactive phosphorus ratios (DIN/SRP) and nutrient-diffusing substrata experiments. Salmon carcass analogues appear to increase freshwater productivity. Salmon carcass analogues represent a pathogen-free nutrient enhancement tool that mimics natural trophic transfer pathways, can be manufactured using recycled fish products, and is easily transported; however, salmon carcass analogues should not be viewed as a replacement for naturally spawning salmon and the important ecological processes they provide.

"Sleepless nights and sore operation site": patients' experiences of nursing pain management after surgery in Jordan.

PubMed

Shoqirat, Noordeen

2014-09-01

Internationally, it is agreed that pain management is a central component of nursing care. Although much has been written about pain prevalence among patients after surgery, research is scant on patients' experiences of nursing pain management and factors involved. This study explores patients' experiences of nursing pain management in Jordan and identifies contributing factors. A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through focus group discussions (n = 4). A total of 31 patients were purposively selected. Two main themes emerged. The first theme was living in pain and comprised two categories: from sleep disturbances to the fear of addiction and from dependence to uncertainty. The second theme was about barriers that affect nursing pain management. Patients' experiences of nursing pain management were not up to their expectations; their needs were largely ignored and were dealt with in a mechanistic way. Barriers precipitating this situation were referred to in this study as the three "nots," including not being well-informed, not being believed, and not being privileged. The study concluded that patients' experiences of nursing pain management are a complex world that goes beyond medically orientated care. Nurses, therefore, are urged to look beyond standardized assessment tools and use patients' experiences and voices as valuable evidence contributing to more effective pain management. Unless this occurs in their daily encounters with patients, another decade will pass with little change in the practice of pain management. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Days after a Deal with Iran: Implications for the Air Force

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-01-01

spillover, deter aggression against key regional partners—including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan —and wind down operations in...Iran may continue to enrich uranium , but limits are placed on the degree of enrichment, and on the number and types of centrifuges used. • Iran...aircraft, and support aircraft. There are also six F-16s in Jordan on a temporary basis. Security Cooperation and Exercises: Countering Iran is a shared

The Perceptions of King Abdullah II School for Excellence Teachers about the Importance of Using Flipped Learning for the Development of Students' Reflective Thinking in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Al Yousef, Mohammed Bader; Naanah, Ibrahim Ali; Al Khazam, Awad Mufleh

2018-01-01

The study aims to reveal the perceptions of King Abdullah II School for Excellence teachers about the importance of using flipped learning in developing the reflective thinking of their students in Jordan. The population of the study consists of 227 male and female teachers. The sample of the study consists of 180 teachers: 87 males and 93 females…

Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-04

international issues over the years. The country’s small size and lack of major economic resources have made it dependent on aid from Western and friendly Arab...million ( $1.0 above the request) in International Counter- Narcotics and Law Enforcement funds. The Senate’s version would provide an additional $200.0...States and Jordan have never been linked by a formal treaty, they have cooperated on a number of regional and international issues over the years. The

Using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory to Explain the Degree of English Teachers' Adoption of Interactive Whiteboards in the Modern Systems School in Jordan: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jwaifell, Mustafa; Gasaymeh, Al-Mothana

2013-01-01

This study aimed to explain the use of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) by English female teachers in Modern Systems School in Jordan. Viewed from the lens of Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study examined and reported teachers' use of IWB and its features that have impact on their decisions to adopt it in Modern Systems School . The…

Symptom Prevalence of Patients with Cancer in a Tertiary Cancer Center in Jordan.

PubMed

Alawneh, Alia; Anshasi, Huda; Khirfan, Ghaleb; Yaseen, Hesham; Quran, Anood

2017-01-01

Prevalence of symptoms experienced by patients with cancer was studied in different parts of the world. In Jordan, to the best of our knowledge, there is no published data on the prevalence of symptoms among patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of symptoms among patients with cancer in Jordan. This was a secondary analysis of crosssectional survey that evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 15 items Questionnaire for Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) among patients admitted to a tertiary cancer center in Jordan. A total of 175 patients with cancer participated in the study; 51.4% were males, 48.6 % were females, mean age of patients was 50 years. Median number of symptoms per patient was 6, interquartile range was 5-7. The majority of patients (143; 81%) had more than 3 non-pain symptoms each. The most frequently reported symptom was tiredness (82%), whereas the least prevalent symptom was depression (55%). Pain was prevalent in 71% of patients, median severity score was 50%. Patients with cancer suffer from a large constellation of symptoms, frequent assessment with a designated tool can help early identification of these symptoms and subsequent management. This highlights the need for integrated palliative services along with other health care provision.

Conflict and well-being: a comparative study of health-related quality of life, stress, and insecurity of university students in the West Bank and Jordan.

PubMed

Asi, Yara M; Unruh, Lynn; Liu, Xinliang

2018-05-01

A significant body of research indicates that the conflict environment is detrimental to the quality of life and well-being of civilians. This study assesses the health-related quality of life, stress, and insecurity of the West Bank, which has been engaged in conflict for seven decades, in comparison to a demographically and culturally similar population in Jordan, a neighboring nation with no conflict. We expect the Jordanian sample to report better functioning. We collected 793 surveys from university students (mean age = 20.2) in Nablus, West Bank (398 [50.2%]) and Irbid, Jordan (395 [49.8%]). The survey instrument consisted of the SF-36 to measure HRQoL, the PSS-4 to measure stress, and an insecurity scale, along with demographic characteristics. Our findings indicate that outcomes in the West Bank were not significantly worse than in Jordan, and in some cases represented better functioning, especially in the SF-36 measures. Our counterintuitive results suggest that health and well-being outcomes are dependent on many factors in addition to conflict. For one, it may be that the better perceived health and well-being of the Palestinians is because they have developed a culture of resilience. Additionally, Jordanians are undergoing a period of instability due to internal struggles and surrounding conflicts.

The Northern end of the Dead Sea Basin: Geometry from reflection seismic evidence

USGS Publications Warehouse

Al-Zoubi, A. S.; Heinrichs, T.; Qabbani, I.; ten Brink, Uri S.

2007-01-01

Recently released reflection seismic lines from the Eastern side of the Jordan River north of the Dead Sea were interpreted by using borehole data and incorporated with the previously published seismic lines of the eastern side of the Jordan River. For the first time, the lines from the eastern side of the Jordan River were combined with the published reflection seismic lines from the western side of the Jordan River. In the complete cross sections, the inner deep basin is strongly asymmetric toward the Jericho Fault supporting the interpretation of this segment of the fault as the long-lived and presently active part of the Dead Sea Transform. There is no indication for a shift of the depocenter toward a hypothetical eastern major fault with time, as recently suggested. Rather, the north-eastern margin of the deep basin takes the form of a large flexure, modestly faulted. In the N-S-section along its depocenter, the floor of the basin at its northern end appears to deepen continuously by roughly 0.5??km over 10??km distance, without evidence of a transverse fault. The asymmetric and gently-dipping shape of the basin can be explained by models in which the basin is located outside the area of overlap between en-echelon strike-slip faults. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Agent-Based Model of Farmer Decision Making in Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selby, Philip; Medellin-Azuara, Josue; Harou, Julien; Klassert, Christian; Yoon, Jim

2016-04-01

We describe an agent based hydro-economic model of groundwater irrigated agriculture in the Jordan Highlands. The model employs a Multi-Agent-Simulation (MAS) framework and is designed to evaluate direct and indirect outcomes of climate change scenarios and policy interventions on farmer decision making, including annual land use, groundwater use for irrigation, and water sales to a water tanker market. Land use and water use decisions are simulated for groups of farms grouped by location and their behavioural and economic similarities. Decreasing groundwater levels, and the associated increase in pumping costs, are important drivers for change within Jordan'S agricultural sector. We describe how this is considered by coupling of agricultural and groundwater models. The agricultural production model employs Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP), a method for calibrating agricultural production functions to observed planted areas. PMP has successfully been used with disaggregate models for policy analysis. We adapt the PMP approach to allow explicit evaluation of the impact of pumping costs, groundwater purchase fees and a water tanker market. The work demonstrates the applicability of agent-based agricultural decision making assessment in the Jordan Highlands and its integration with agricultural model calibration methods. The proposed approach is designed and implemented with software such that it could be used to evaluate a variety of physical and human influences on decision making in agricultural water management.

The Role of Gastrointestinal Hormones in Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

PubMed Central

Mells, Jamie Eugene; Anania, Frank A.

2014-01-01

Hepatocellular accumulation of free fatty acids (FFAs) in the form of triglycerides constitutes the metabolic basis for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent data demonstrate that excess FFA hepatocyte storage is likely to lead to lipotoxicity and hepatocyte apoptosis. Hence, FFA-mediated hepatocyte injury is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, essential hypertension, and other common medical problems together comprise metabolic syndrome. Evidence suggests that peptide hormones from the L cells of the distal small intestine, which comprise the core of the enteroendocrine system (EES), play two key roles, serving either as incretins, or as mediators of appetite and satiety in the central nervous system. Recent data related to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and other known L-cell hormones have accumulated due to the increasing frequency of bariatric surgery, which increase delivery of bile salts to the hindgut. Bile acids are a key stimulus for the TGR5 receptor of the L cells. Enhanced bile-salt flow and subsequent EES stimulation may be central to elimination of hepatic steatosis following bariatric surgery. Although GLP-1 is a clinically relevant pharmacological analogue that drives pancreatic β-cell insulin output, GLP-1 analogues also have independent benefits via their effects on hepatocellular FFA metabolism. The authors also discuss recent data regarding the role of the major peptides released by the EES, which promote satiety and modulate energy homeostasis and utilization, as well as those that control fat absorption and intestinal permeability. Taken together, elucidating novel functions for EES-related peptides and pharmacologic development of peptide analogues offer potential far-ranging treatment for obesity-related human disease. PMID:24222092

Dispensing of non-prescribed antibiotics in Jordan

PubMed Central

Almaaytah, Ammar; Mukattash, Tareq L; Hajaj, Julia

2015-01-01

Objective Current regulations in Jordan state that antibiotics cannot be sold without a medical prescription. This study aimed to assess the percentage of pharmacies that dispense antibiotics without a medical prescription in the Kingdom of Jordan and identify and highlight the extent and seriousness of such practices among Jordanian pharmacies. Methods A prospective study was performed, and five different clinical scenarios were simulated at pharmacies investigated including sore throat, otitis media, acute sinusitis, diarrhea, and urinary tract infection in childbearing-aged women. Three levels of demand were used to convince the pharmacists to sell an antibiotic. Results A total of 202 total pharmacies in Jordan were visited in the present study. The majority of pharmacies (74.3%) dispensed antibiotics without prescription with three different levels of demand. The percentage of pharmacies dispensing antibiotics without a prescription for the sore throat scenario was 97.6%, followed by urinary tract infection (83.3%), diarrhea (83%), and otitis media (68.4%). The lowest percentage of antibiotic dispensing was for the acute sinusitis simulation at 48.5%. Among the pharmacies that dispensed antibiotics, the pharmacists provided an explanation as the number of times per day the drug should be taken in 95.3% of the cases, explained the duration of treatment in 25.7%, and inquired about allergies prior to the sale of the antibiotic in only 17.3%. Only 52 pharmacies (25.7%) refused to dispense any kind of antibiotics, the majority (61.5%) of this refusal response came from acute sinusitis cases, while the minority (2.4%) came from the sore throat cases. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that antibiotics continue to be dispensed without prescription in Jordan in violation with national regulations regarding this practice. The findings of this study could provide a layout for governmental health authorities to implement strict enfrorcment of national regulations regarding antibiotic dispensing in order to avoid the serious complications that could arise in the future as a result of such practices. PMID:26491267

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among primary school-aged children from Jordan: prevalence, antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics.

PubMed

Alzoubi, Hamed M; Aqel, Amin A; Al-Sarayreh, Sameeh A; Al-Zayadneh, Enas

2014-12-01

Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increases the risk for subsequent infections with an increased mortality and morbidity. Children were suggested to be a major asymptomatic reservoir for community-associated (CA) MRSA with an ability to quickly spread the MRSA within community. Therefore, the availability of epidemiological and antibiotic susceptibility data of CA-MRSA will be useful for the infection control and management policies. This study aimed to assess the nasal carriage, molecular characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA in primary school-aged children from Jordan. A total of 210 nasal swabs were collected from children aged 6-11 years. Isolated MRSA and its SCCmec typing, Spa type and PVL (Panton-Valentine Leukociden) toxin were identified following culture, biochemical and PCR. Antibiogram was determined by the disc diffusion method. The prevalence of CA-MRSA was 7.1%. Allergic rhinitis and recent antibiotic exposure were the only significant risk factors for MRSA nasal carriage among children. Resistance to erythromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline was 33.4, 20 and 13.4%, respectively. All isolates were susceptible to the remaining non-β-lactam antibiotics used in this study, in particular linezolid and mupirocin. All MRSA isolates were SCCmec type IV and PVL toxin negative and the majority were Spa type t223. This is the first study to assess the MRSA prevalence among children aged 6-11 years in Jordan. The prevalence in community children is within the range compared with other studies in other countries. The antibiogram, SCCmec and Spa types of the isolated MRSA are much similar to what was found previously in Jordan. However, all isolates were PVL toxin negative. The study recommends increasing the public awareness of MRSA and the proper antibiotics dispensing. Future studies to follow-up on the changing epidemiology of the CA-MRSA in Jordan are also recommended.

Survey of attitudes, materials and methods employed in endodontic treatment by general dental practitioners in North Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Omari, Wael M

2004-09-10

BACKGROUND: General dental practitioners provide the majority of endodontic treatment in Jordan. The aim of this study was to gather information on the methods, materials and attitudes employed in root canal treatment by dentists in North Jordan, in order to evaluate and improve the quality of current practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was posted to all registered general dental practitioners working in private practice in Irbid Governate in North Jordan (n = 181). The questionnaire included information on methods, materials and techniques used in endodontic treatment. RESULTS: Reply rate was 72% (n = 131). The results demonstrated that only five dentists used rubber dam occasionally and not routinely. The majority used cotton rolls for isolation solely or in combination with a high volume saliva ejector (n = 116). The most widely used irrigants were sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, which were used by 32.9% (n = 43) and 33.6% (n = 44) of the respondents, respectively. Forty eight percent of the respondents (n = 61) used the cold lateral condensation technique for canal obturation, 31.3% (n = 41) used single cone, 9.9% (n = 13) used vertical condensation and 12.2% (n = 16) used paste or cement only for the obturation. The majority used zinc oxide eugenol as a sealer (72.5%). All, but one, respondents used hand instruments for canal preparation and the technique of choice was step back (52.7%). More than 50% (n = 70) of the dentists took one radiograph for determining the working length, whilst 22.9% (n = 30) did not take any radiograph at all. Most practitioners performed treatment in three visits for teeth with two or more root canals, and in two visits for teeth with a single root canal. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that dentists practicing in North Jordan do not comply with international quality standards and do not use recently introduced techniques. Many clinicians never take a radiograph for determining the working length and never used rubber dam or intra-canal medicaments.

Mid-late Holocene palaeoclimate of northern Jordan from speleothem geochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, S. A.; Black, S.; Lovell, J.; Atkinson, T. C.

2009-04-01

The southern Levant region (encompassing the modern countries of Israel and Jordan) is a climatically sensitive area due to the proximity of the Negev and Arabian Deserts to the south and east. Although there is a general pattern of decreasing rainfall to the south and east of the region, local topographic features, most notably the Dead Sea Rift Valley, have a significant effect on detailed rainfall patterns. Our understanding of the Holocene climate of the southern Levant is principally known from records obtained to the west of the Dead Sea Rift, on the borders of the Negev Desert and from the lakes within the rift valley itself. Palaeoclimate records from the more interior regions, such as Jordan, are fewer in number and, generally at lower stratigraphic resolution. A recent archaeological survey has revealed the existence of limestone caves in northern Jordan, many of which were previously unknown to academics working in the region. These caves contain a variety of architectures, including stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones and soda straws. We present geochemical data (oxygen and carbon-isotopes, and uranium-series dates) from a small speleothem that provides the first detailed mid-late Holocene climate record for the area east. The new data are similar in value and contain similar magnitude shifts to previously published data from Israel (Soreq and Nahal Qanah Caves) and Lebanon (Jeita Cave). Through comparison with these other speleothem records we suggest that the oxygen-isotopic composition of the Jordanian speleothem is consistent with rainfall from Mediterranean-sourced weather systems that evolved to lighter isotopic compositions through rainout of 18O as they moved into the interior of the southern Levant. The Ras Muneef GNIP monitoring station provides a limited record of precipitation rates and isotopic compositions of rainwater. Combining this data with the speleothem data, suggests that Holocene temperatures in northern Jordan were broadly similar to present day mean annual temperatures and that the fluctuations in δ18O are likely the result of changes in the amount of precipitation.

The prevalence of isolated growth hormone deficiency among children of short stature in Jordan and its relationship with consanguinity.

PubMed

Zayed, Ayman A; Mustafa Ali, Moaath K; Al-Ani, Mohammad A; Momani, Munther S; Yousef, Al-Motassem F

2014-12-01

The prevalence of isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) among short-statured children in Jordan, where consanguineous marriage (CM) is common, is unknown. No studies have investigated the relationship between degrees of consanguinity and IGHD. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of IGHD among short-statured children referred to a university hospital in Jordan and its relationship with different degrees of consanguinity. We conducted a 24-month cross-sectional observational trial at an outpatient tertiary care center in Amman, Jordan. We obtained detailed family histories, medical evaluations and laboratory tests for 94 short-statured children (50 boys and 44 girls aged 6-16 years). Complete and partial GHD were defined as peak GH responses of 5 and 7 μg/l (15 and 21 mIU/l) [IRMA/DiaSorin®], respectively, in both exercise and insulin tolerance tests. GHD was diagnosed in 69·1% of the short children, including 86% (43/50) of the children of consanguineous parents (83·3%, 93·8% and 81·8% of children of first cousins, first cousins once removed and second cousins, respectively) and 50% (20/44) of the children of nonconsanguineous parents (P = 0·039, 0·002 and 0·013, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of small pituitary MRI between GH-deficient children of consanguineous parents and those of nonconsanguineous parents (28·6% vs 13·6%, P = 0·3). The prevalence of IGHD among referred short children in Jordan was exceptionally high and significantly higher in the children of CM. In countries where CM is common, preconception counselling and rigorous surveillance for GHD in short children may be indicated. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Vietnam Head Injury Study - Phase III: A 30-Year Post-Injury Follow-Up Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

Michael Koenigs1, Edward D. Huey1, Vanessa Raymont1,2, Bobby Cheon2, Jeffrey Solomon3, Eric M. Wassermann1, & Jordan Grafman1 1Cognitive Neuroscience...Currently, Dr. Vanessa Raymont and colleagues are about to submit a manuscript to the journal Brain entitled, “Demographic, Structural and Genetic...PENETRATING HEAD INJURY Vanessa Raymont1&2, Amanda Greathouse1&2, Katherine Reding1&2, Robert Lipsky3, Andres Salazar2, and Jordan Grafman2* 1

Bedload transport associated with high stream power, Jordan River, Israel

PubMed Central

Inbar, Moshe; Schick, Asher P.

1979-01-01

During a flood of a magnitude that recurs once in 100 years, boulders up to 1700 mm in size were transported in the Jordan and Meshushim Rivers, northern Israel. Bedload discharge rates were estimated for periods of 3-72 hr of peak flow by a combination of hydrologic and geomorphic methods. Bedload transport rate is proportional to unit stream power in excess of that necessary for initial motion, raised to the power 3/2, as has been shown for data on other rivers. PMID:16592661

The Effects of the First Part of the CoRT Program for Teaching Thinking (BREADTH) on the Development of Communication Skills among a Sample of Students from Al al-Bayt University in Jordan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alshurman, Wael Mohammad

2017-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the first part of the CoRT program for teaching thinking (BREADTH) on the development of communication skills among a sample of students from Al al-Bayt University in Jordan. The study sample consisted of all the students enrolled in the training session for the first part of the CoRT program held by…

High Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus in Young Dromedary Camels in Jordan.

PubMed

van Doremalen, Neeltje; Hijazeen, Zaidoun S K; Holloway, Peter; Al Omari, Bilal; McDowell, Chester; Adney, Danielle; Talafha, Hani A; Guitian, Javier; Steel, John; Amarin, Nadim; Tibbo, Markos; Abu-Basha, Ehab; Al-Majali, Ahmad M; Munster, Vincent J; Richt, Juergen A

2017-02-01

Prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was determined in 45 dromedary camels from two geographically separated herds in Jordan. Virus shedding was only detected in swabs obtained from the respiratory tract and primarily observed in camels younger than 3 years. MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age of camels. Bovine and sheep sera were seronegative. Phylogenetic analysis of partial S2 clustered the Jordanian MERS-CoV strains with contemporary MERS-CoV strains associated with nosocomial outbreaks.

Assessing the Vulnerability of Agriculture to Climate Change in Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khresat, Sa'eb; Shraidaeh, Fadi; Maddat, Amer

2015-04-01

Climate change represents one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing Jordan. In particular, the combined effects of climate change and water scarcity threaten to affect food and water resources that are critical for livelihoods in Jordan. This is especially true for those communities who live in the dryland area in the country and who rely wholly on rain-fed agriculture. The exact nature and extent of the impact of climate change on temperature and precipitation distribution pattern remain uncertain and it is the poor and vulnerable who will be the most susceptible to climate change adverse effects. A vulnerability assessment of rain fed agriculture to climate change and variability in semi-arid parts of Jordan was conducted in 2014. The purpose of this study is to assess the vulnerability and resilience of the most vulnerable groups where rainfed and irrigated agriculture is practiced. Also, the study focused on quantifying the impacts on agricultural productivity in response to climate change. This will help policymakers and researchers better understand and anticipate the likely impacts of climate change on agriculture and on vulnerable communities in Jordan. Also, it will provide them with tools to identify and implement appropriate adaptation strategies. The data used includes; Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 adopted by the IPCC for its fifth Assessment Report (AR5). Those pathways were used for climate modeling. A decision support system (DSSAT) for agricultural production was used to assess the impact of climate changes on agricultural production. This approach was used for the Identification of climate change risk and their impacts on Agriculture. Outputs from models are used to assess the vulnerability of farmers and crops to climate and socio-economic change by estimating their sensitivity and capacity to adapt to external factors as a means of identifying what causes the differences in their vulnerability. Based on the projection models for the area, average temperature in Jordan is projected to increase between 1.2 and 1.6°C by 2050. These upward temperature trends are projected to continue beyond 2050. Projections for precipitation trends are projected to decrease by 16% by the year 2050. Evaporation is likely to increase due to higher temperatures. This is likely to increase the incidence of drought potential since precipitation is projected to decrease. It is concluded that the Overall vulnerability of agriculture to climate change in Jordan is high, where impacts such as drought and increased temperatures and decreased precipitation will be more pronounced. Major implications on rain fed agriculture are possible shorter growing season, increasing moisture and heat stress to field and horticultural crops and eventually low income and food insecurity. There were different impacts among studied communities, which is related to the: economic capability, local knowledge, physical infrastructure, institutional capacity, modern technology used, age group of farmers and diversification of their income.

Seeking the chemical roots of darwinism: bridging between chemistry and biology.

PubMed

Pross, Addy

2009-08-24

Chemistry and biology are intimately connected sciences yet the chemistry-biology interface remains problematic and central issues regarding the very essence of living systems remain unresolved. In this essay we build on a kinetic theory of replicating systems that encompasses the idea that there are two distinct kinds of stability in nature-thermodynamic stability, associated with "regular" chemical systems, and dynamic kinetic stability, associated with replicating systems. That fundamental distinction is utilized to bridge between chemistry and biology by demonstrating that within the parallel world of replicating systems there is a second law analogue to the second law of thermodynamics, and that Darwinian theory may, through scientific reductionism, be related to that second law analogue. Possible implications of these ideas to the origin of life problem and the relationship between chemical emergence and biological evolution are discussed.

Health-related quality of life of Palestinian refugees inside and outside camps in Jordan.

PubMed

Alduraidi, Hamza; Waters, Catherine M

Jordan hosts more Palestinian refugees than any country in the world. Conditions under which people in a community live influence their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this descriptive comparative cross-sectional study was to compare HRQOL of Palestinian refugees in Jordan who live inside camps with those who live outside camps. Participants, recruited from inside the Baqa'a camp (n = 86) and the surrounding Abu Nsair community (n = 91), completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief questionnaire. There were disparities in education and social relations and environment HRQOL related to income and residency, but not gender, among refugees. Refugees living inside camps, particularly if poorer, fared worse than refugees living outside camps. Enhanced programs and policies may be needed to improve HRQOL, education, and socioeconomics for camp refugees. Nursing's perspective on refugee health could make an important contribution to humanitarian efforts and health diplomacy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intricacies of cosmological bounce in polynomial metric f(R) gravity for flat FLRW spacetime

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bhattacharya, Kaushik; Chakrabarty, Saikat, E-mail: kaushikb@iitk.ac.in, E-mail: snilch@iitk.ac.in

2016-02-01

In this paper we present the techniques for computing cosmological bounces in polynomial f(R) theories, whose order is more than two, for spatially flat FLRW spacetime. In these cases the conformally connected Einstein frame shows up multiple scalar potentials predicting various possibilities of cosmological evolution in the Jordan frame where the f(R) theory lives. We present a reasonable way in which one can associate the various possible potentials in the Einstein frame, for cubic f(R) gravity, to the cosmological development in the Jordan frame. The issue concerning the energy conditions in f(R) theories is presented. We also point out themore » very important relationships between the conformal transformations connecting the Jordan frame and the Einstein frame and the various instabilities of f(R) theory. All the calculations are done for cubic f(R) gravity but we hope the results are sufficiently general for higher order polynomial gravity.« less

Pediculosis capitis among primary-school children in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan.

PubMed

AlBashtawy, M; Hasna, F

2012-01-01

Pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation) is a worldwide public health concern affecting mostly primary-school children. In a cross-sectional study in 2009/2010, the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and some risk factors for infestation were investigated among 1550 randomly selected primary-school children in Mafraq governorate, Jordan. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 26.6%. There were significant differences in the prevalence between girls (34.7%) and boys (19.6%), rural (31.2%) and urban (23.5%) residents, and history of infestation in the previous year (57.4%) versus no history (11.5%), as well as between children of different ages, family size and income (P<0.001). Longer hair length, lack of bathing facilities, low frequency of hair-washing and bathing, and sharing of articles (e.g. combs, scarves) were significantly associated with infestation (P<0.001). The prevalence of infestation was higher than reported in previous studies in Jordan (< 14%). Programmes are needed to increase awareness of pediculosis capitis and the importance of good personal hygiene.

Insight into Jordanian thinking about HIV: knowledge of Jordanian men and women about HIV prevention.

PubMed

Alkhasawneh, Esra; McFarland, Willi; Mandel, Jeffery; Seshan, Vidya

2014-01-01

Research on HIV prevention programs for countries with large Muslim populations is scarce. HIV knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs were assessed in a convenience sample of 128 women and 88 men at two universities in Jordan with the goal of gaining insight into how to approach HIV risk behaviors. In general terms, 97% of participants had heard of AIDS and the majority understood the common methods of transmission. Misconceptions were common; most participants did not recognize condoms as an HIV prevention method. A sense of fatalism regarding the acquisition of HIV was common. In Jordan, challenges to HIV-prevention interventions includes misconceptions about HIV transmission, gender-related differences in the willingness to discuss sexual issues, and fatalism regarding the acquisition of HIV. Silence about sexual activity, particularly among women, was pervasive. Culturally tailored interventions are needed to decrease stigma and address gender inequalities that may contribute to increased risks of HIV in Jordan. Copyright © 2014 Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. All rights reserved.

A study on the Jordanian oil shale resources and utilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakhrieh, Ahmad; Hamdan, Mohammed

2012-11-01

Jordan has significant oil shale deposits occurring in 26 known localities. Geological surveys indicate that the existing deposits underlie more than 60% of Jordan's territory. The resource consists of 40 to 70 billion tones of oil shale, which may be equivalent to more than 5 million tones of shale oil. Since the 1960s, Jordan has been investigating economical and environmental methods for utilizing oil shale. Due to its high organic content, is considered a suitable source of energy. This paper introduces a circulating fluidized bed combustor that simulates the behavior of full scale municipal oil shale combustors. The inside diameter of the combustor is 500 mm, the height is 3000 mm. The design of the CFB is presented. The main parameters which affect the combustion process are elucidated in the paper. The size of the laboratory scale fluidized bed reactor is 3 kW, which corresponds to a fuel-feeding rate of approximately 1.5 kg/h.

Activation of a small ephemeral lake in southern Jordan during the last full glacial period and its paleoclimatic implications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Catlett, Gentry A.; Rech, Jason A.; Pigati, Jeffrey S.; Al Kuisi, Mustafa; Li, Shanying; Honke, Jeffrey S.

2017-01-01

organic matter in sediments for radiocarbon dating and apply it to playa sediments recovered from a 2.35m sediment core from a small playa in southern Jordan. Based on 14C ages of the organic concentrate fraction, the playa was active from ~29 to 21 ka, coincident with the last major high stand of Paleolake Lisan and wet conditions recorded by other paleoclimatic proxies in the southernmost Levant during the last full glacial period (35–20 ka). The timing and spatial pattern of these records suggests that the increased moisture was likely derived from more frequent and deeper eastern Mediterranean (EM) cyclones associated with the intensification of the westerlies. The presence of full glacial pluvial deposits in southern Jordan (29°N), and the lack of similarly aged deposits in the northern Arabian Peninsula to the south, suggests that the southerly limit of the incursion of EM cyclones during last full glacial period was ~28°N.

Assault by burning in Jordan.

PubMed

Haddadin, W

2012-12-31

Criminal attacks by burns on women in Jordan are highlighted in this retrospective study carried out of all proved cases of criminal burns in female patients treated at the burn unit of the Royal Rehabilitation Center in Jordan between January 2005 and June 2012. Thirteen patients were included in our study, out of a total of 550 patients admitted, all in the age range of 16-45 yr. Of these 13 women, six were burned by acid throwing, five by hot water, and two by direct flames from fuel thrown over them. Burn percentage ranged from 15 to 75% of the total body surface area, with involvement in most cases of the face and upper trunk. The mean hospital stay was 33 days and the mortality rate was 3/13, i.e. 23%. Violence against women exists in Jordanian society, yet burning assaults are rare. Of these, burning by throwing acid is the most common and most disfiguring act, with a higher mortality rate in domestic environments.

Assault by burning in Jordan

PubMed Central

Haddadin, W.

2012-01-01

Summary Criminal attacks by burns on women in Jordan are highlighted in this retrospective study carried out of all proved cases of criminal burns in female patients treated at the burn unit of the Royal Rehabilitation Center in Jordan between January 2005 and June 2012. Thirteen patients were included in our study, out of a total of 550 patients admitted, all in the age range of 16-45 yr. Of these 13 women, six were burned by acid throwing, five by hot water, and two by direct flames from fuel thrown over them. Burn percentage ranged from 15 to 75% of the total body surface area, with involvement in most cases of the face and upper trunk. The mean hospital stay was 33 days and the mortality rate was 3/13, i.e. 23%. Violence against women exists in Jordanian society, yet burning assaults are rare. Of these, burning by throwing acid is the most common and most disfiguring act, with a higher mortality rate in domestic environments. PMID:23766757

Prevalence of coeliac disease among adult patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism in Jordan.

PubMed

Farahid, O H; Khawaja, N; Shennak, M M; Batieha, A; El-Khateeb, M; Ajlouni, K

2014-02-11

The prevalence of coeliac disease among patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism has not been studied before in Jordan and other Arab countries. A cross-sectional record-based review was made of all adult autoimmune hypothyroidism patients who attended a referral centre in Jordan, during an 8-month period. Coeliac disease in these patients was diagnosed by the attending physician based on positive serological tests for anti-endomysial antibodies IgA and IgG followed by duodenal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Of 914 patients recruited, 117 (12.8%) were seropositive for coeliac disease. Of 87 seropositive patients who underwent duodenal biopsy, 39 had positive histological findings of coeliac disease (44.8%). Extrapolating from these findings the overall rate of coeliac disease among autoimmune hypothyroidism patients was estimated to be 5.7%. In multivariate logistic regression coeliac disease was significantly associated with older age (> 40 years), presence of other autoimmune diseases, vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia.

First Aid Knowledge Among University Students in Jordan.

PubMed

Khatatbeh, Moawiah

2016-01-01

This study has aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge about the first aid process among the university students in Jordan. The study population consisted of students of the 14 scientific and unscientific faculties at Yarmouk University, Jordan. Data were obtained via questionnaires from 883 students. The majority of participants were females (65.9%) with mean age (standard deviation) of 19.9 (2.6) years. Only 29.2% of students had previous first aid experience. When asked, only 11% of students knew the normal respiration rate of an adult in 1 min. Results revealed that female students, having previous first aid experience, and being a student of the health sciences and scientific colleges were the only factors had significant statistical associations with better level of first aid knowledge. The students' knowledge about first aid is not at an adequate level. It would be advisable that first aid course be handled as a separate and practical course at secondary school level.

Assessing women's knowledge and attitudes toward cord blood banking: policy and ethical implications for Jordan.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Monica M; Dajani, Rana; Khader, Yousef; Matthews, Kirstin R W

2016-08-01

Despite the global expansion of umbilical cord blood (CB) banking, little is known about public opinion and awareness, especially among Arab Muslim populations. CB banking raises policy questions about funding sustainability and quality standards, as well as ethical debates about profitability, informed consent, and medical justification. This study is the first of its kind in the Arab world, and Jordan has a unique, understudied, yet highly relevant setting, especially as a regional medical hub with advanced medical and health policy infrastructures. In addition, the first private and public CB banks are expected to open in 2016. The authors developed and administered, over a 5-month period, an anonymous survey to investigate public opinion and knowledge about CB banking in Jordan. The survey was administered to women in maternity outpatient clinic waiting rooms at five different hospitals. More than 75% of respondents indicated they knew nothing about CB banking in Jordan, and more than 50% had never heard of CB banking before. However, overall public opinion about CB storage is positive. Important factors related to public opinion were also identified, demonstrating that most women want more information on CB banking, especially from their obstetrician. This widespread lack of awareness is likely contributing to misinformation, lack of knowledge, and unfavorable perspectives toward CB donation and research. The results have important implications for the development of national and regional policies and educational campaigns on CB banking targeting both physicians and patients. © 2016 AABB.

Establishing an Iso-Compliant Modern Cancer-Biobank in a Developing Country: A Model for International Cooperation.

PubMed

Sughayer, Maher A; Souan, Lina

2015-01-01

King Hussein Cancer (KHCC) is a specialized cancer center that treats both adult and pediatric cancer patients from Jordan and the neighboring countries. KHCC is acknowledged as a leader in cancer treatment in the Middle East and its vision is to maintain its leading position in cancer therapy and research. Hence, KHCC embarked on establishing the first ISO compliant cancer biobank (KHCCBIO) in Jordan.Currently, there are very few biobanks in the Middle East, hence, KHCC wanted to change this situation by establishing an ISO-compliant cancer biobank which would incorporate all current international guidelines and best-in class practices under an approved quality management system for the benefit of researchers in Jordan, its neighboring countries, and throughout the world. The established biobank would follow the highest ethical standards in collecting, processing, storing and distributing high-quality, clinically annotated biospecimens.The strategy used in establishing KHCCBIO was based on taking advantage of international networking and collaboration. This in essence led to knowledge transfer between well established organizations, institutions and individuals from Europe and Jordan, in existing technological innovation and internationally recognized quality standards. KHCC efforts were facilitated by a grant from the European Union under the seventh frame work program.Future aims of KHCCBIO are to develop KHCC's research infrastructure, increase its scope and visibility and improve its competitiveness throughout the biomedical science arena. Moreover, KHCCBIO is aiming to establish a platform for future knowledge transfer and collaborative research; develop partnerships between European and Middle Eastern organizations.

How Jordan and Saudi Arabia are avoiding a tragedy of the commons over shared groundwater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Marc F.; Müller-Itten, Michèle C.; Gorelick, Steven M.

2017-07-01

Transboundary aquifers are ubiquitous and strategically important to global food and water security. Yet these shared resources are being depleted at an alarming rate. Focusing on the Disi aquifer, a key nonrenewable source of groundwater shared by Jordan and Saudi Arabia, this study develops a two-stage game that evaluates optimal transboundary strategies of common-pool resource exploitation under various assumptions. The analysis relies on estimates of agricultural water use from satellite imagery, which were obtained using three independent remote sensing approaches. Drawdown response to pumping is simulated using a 2-D regional aquifer model. Jordan and Saudi Arabia developed a buffer-zone strategy with a prescribed minimum distance between each country's pumping centers. We show that by limiting the marginal impact of pumping decisions on the other country's pumping costs, this strategy will likely avoid an impeding tragedy of the commons for at least 60 years. Our analysis underscores the role played by distance between wells and disparities in groundwater exploitation costs on common-pool overdraft. In effect, if pumping centers are distant enough, a shared aquifer no longer behaves as a common-pool resource and a tragedy of the commons can be avoided. The 2015 Disi aquifer pumping agreement between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which in practice relies on a joint technical commission to enforce exclusion zones, is the first agreement of this type between sovereign countries and has a promising potential to avoid conflicts or resolve potential transboundary groundwater disputes over comparable aquifer systems elsewhere.

Familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes towards epilepsy among attendees of a family clinic in Amman, Jordan.

PubMed

Masri, Amira T; Shakhatreh, Farouq M; Yasein, Nada A; Barghouti, Farihan F; Al-Qudah, Abdelkarim A

2008-01-01

To investigate the present familiarity, knowledge, and attitudes of Jordanians towards epilepsy. This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted over a 6-month period, from April 2006 to October 2006 at the family clinic of Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. A face-to-face questionnaire interview was conducted with 600 non-epileptic adults who visited the clinic during the study period. The sample matched the overall Jordanian population for literacy rate, however, included a higher proportion of females, and consequently findings may be taken as being only moderately representative of the Jordanian population. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents had heard about epilepsy, 47.3% knew someone with epilepsy, and 39.7% had witnessed a seizure. The major source of knowledge was word of mouth; knowledge about causes and treatment were far below the results reported in western countries. In addition, negative attitudes were present with regard to marriage and employment of epileptic patients (86.8% objected to marriage and 50.8% objected to employment). Eighty-three percent of respondents admitted that their knowledge of epilepsy was not satisfactory and were willing to learn more about epilepsy. The television was believed to be the most efficient and preferred way to disseminate knowledge about epilepsy. Although this study does not represent the whole Jordanian population, however, it demonstrated lack of knowledge and emphasized the extent of negative as well as positive attitudes towards epilepsy in Jordan.

Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Mandatory Premarital Screening Among University Students in North Jordan.

PubMed

Alkhaldi, Sireen M; Khatatbeh, Moawia M; Berggren, Vanja E M; Taha, Hana A

2016-01-01

A mandatory National Premarital Thalassemia Screening Program was implemented in Jordan in 2004. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of university students in North Jordan toward this program. Data was collected from 542 students from four universities (two public and two private universities) located in North Jordan, using a structured questionnaire. Results of t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that while respondents had adequate knowledge of and positive attitudes toward the premarital screening program, there was still a lack of knowledge about the disease itself. Nearly half the respondents were under the impression that β-thalassemia (β-thal) is a disease that can be treated simply. One-third of the respondents believed that if both partners were carriers of β-thal they should proceed with marriage. Negative attitude was revealed when many respondents believed that diagnosing a family member as a carrier affects other family members' future marriage opportunities. Significant associations were detected between the knowledge scores and gender, urban/rural residence, and the university where the students were enrolled. Students in private universities showed significantly lower attitude scores. Consideration of prenatal diagnostic services as part of a β-thal prevention program is necessary. It would also be helpful to include information about β-thal as a preventable inherited illness with a severe debilitating impact on the family in the high school curriculum. There is also a need for social marketing of the program.

3B11-N, a monoclonal antibody against MERS-CoV, reduces lung pathology in rhesus monkeys following intratracheal inoculation of MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Reed F., E-mail: johnsonreed@mail.nih.gov; Bagci, Ulas; Center for Research in Computer Vision

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the causative agent of a severe, lethal respiratory disease occurring across several countries in the Middle East. To date there have been over 1600 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS-CoV in 26 countries with a case fatality rate of 36%. Given the endemic region, it is possible that MERS-CoV could spread during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, necessitating countermeasure development. In this report, we describe the clinical and radiographic changes of rhesus monkeys following infection with 5×10{sup 6} PFU MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012. Two groups of NHPs were treated with either a humanmore » anti-MERS monoclonal antibody 3B11-N or E410-N, an anti-HIV antibody. MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012 infection resulted in quantifiable changes by computed tomography, but limited other clinical signs of disease. 3B11-N treated subjects developed significantly reduced lung pathology when compared to infected, untreated subjects, indicating that this antibody may be a suitable MERS-CoV treatment. - Highlights: • MERS-CoV Jordan-n3/2012 challenge of rhesus monkeys results in a mild disease. • CT can be used to monitor disease progression to aid models of human disease. • Treatment with the human monoclonal antibody 3B11-N resulted in decreased disease.« less

Determination of groundwater travel time in a karst aquifer by stable water isotopes, Tanour and Rasoun spring (Jordan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamdan, Ibraheem; Wiegand, Bettina; Sauter, Martin; Ptak, Thomas

2016-04-01

Key words: karst aquifers, stable isotopes, water travel time, Jordan. Tanour and Rasoun karst springs are located about 75 kilometers northwest of the city of Amman in Jordan. The aquifer is composed of Upper Cretaceous limestone that exhibits a moderate to high degree of karstification. The two springs represent the main drinking water resources for the surrounding villages. The yearly water production is about 1,135,000 m3/yr for Tanour spring and 125,350 m3/yr for Rasoun spring (MWI 2015). Due to contamination from microbiological pollution (leakage of wastewater from septic tanks) or infiltration of wastewater from local olive presses, drinking water supply from the two springs is frequently interrupted. From November 2014 through March 2015, spring water samples were collected from Tanour and Rasoun spring for the analysis of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes to investigate spring response to precipitation and snowmelt events. Both Tanour and Rasoun spring show a fast response to precipitation and snowmelt events, implying short water travel times. Based on the variation of δ 18O and δ 2H in spring discharge, the average maximum water travel time is in the order of 8 days for Tanour spring and 6 days for Rasoun spring. Due to fast water travel times, Tanour and Rasoun spring can be considered as highly vulnerable to pollutants. δ 18O and δ 2H values of Tanour and Rasoun springs parallel other monitored parameter like water temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity and spring discharge. In addition, a high turbidity peak was monitored in Tanour spring during a pollution event from olive mills wastewater (Hamdan et al., 2016; Hamdan, in prep.). The fast response in both Tanour and Rasoun springs to precipitation events requires monitoring potential sources of pollution within the catchment area. References: MWI (Ministry of Water and Irrigation) (2015) Monthly Production values for Tanour and Rasoun Springs for the time period between 1996 and 2014. Water Information System, National Master Plan Directorate. Jordan. Hamdan I., Wiegand B., Toll M., Sauter M. (2016) Spring response to precipitation events using δ 18O and δ 2H in the Tanour catchment, NW-Jordan. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies journal. Accepted GIEH-2015-0139. Hamdan, I.~in preparation.~Characterization of groundwater flow and vulnerability assessment of karstic aquifer - A case study from Tanour and Rasoun spring catchment (Ajloun, NW-Jordan).~Ph.D. Thesis, University of Göttingen, Germany.

A Typology of Secondary Stressors Among Refugees of Conflict in the Middle East: The Case of Syrian Refugees in Jordan.

PubMed

Alfadhli, Khalifah; Drury, John

2018-05-10

As the years of displacement accumulate, the burden of secondary stressors (i.e., stressors not directly related to war) increase on the shoulders of millions of refugees, who do not have the option of either returning home due to war or having a sustainable livelihood in the host countries. This paper aims to shed light on the overlooked importance of secondary stressors among refugees of conflict in developing countries; it will do this by highlighting the experience of Syrian refugees in Jordan, and developing a typology of these stressors. We approached this issue using two levels of exploration. In study 1, we used participant observation and 15 in-depth interviews in Irbid, Jordan. Data were analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis to explore the different types of stressors. In study 2, a questionnaire survey among Syrian refugees in Jordan (n = 305) was used to collect data about a wide range of stressors. Responses were subjected to factor analysis to examine the extent to which the stressors could be organized into different factors. The thematic analysis suggested three different types of secondary stressors: financial (money related), environmental (exile structures and feelings created by it), and social (directly related to social relations). The factor analysis of the survey data produced a similar typology, where secondary stressors were found to be grouped into four main factors (financial, services, safety, and relations with out-groups). The final result is a typology of 33 secondary stressors organised in three main themes. Syrian refugees in Jordan suffer the most from financial stressors, due to loss of income and high living expenses. Environmental stressors arise from exile and are either circumstantial (e.g., services and legal requirements) or created by this environment (e.g., instability and lack of familiarity). Social stressors were observed among a considerable section of refugees, varying from stressors due to being targeted as a refugee by the locals (e.g., discrimination) to more traumatic stressors that came from both locals and other refugees (e.g., assault). The typology of secondary stressors suggested by the present analysis needs to be investigated in a larger sample of refugees of conflict in other countries in the Middle East, in order to determine its generality. We suggest that it is a basis for a framework for practitioners and academics working with refugees in the region. Armed conflict, Syrian, Jordan, refugees, forced displacement, exile, daily stressors, secondary stressors, trauma, typology.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zask, Arie; Verheijen, Jeroen C.; Curran, Kevin

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central regulator of growth, survival, and metabolism, is a validated target for cancer therapy. Rapamycin and its analogues, allosteric inhibitors of mTOR, only partially inhibit one mTOR protein complex. ATP-competitive, global inhibitors of mTOR that have the potential for enhanced anticancer efficacy are described. Structural features leading to potency and selectivity were identified and refined leading to compounds with in vivo efficacy in tumor xenograft models.

A comparison of the gastric and central nervous system effects of two substituted benzamides in normal volunteers.

PubMed Central

McClelland, G R; Sutton, J A

1986-01-01

Eight healthy male volunteers participated in a single-blind, random allocation, crossover, comparison of intravenous metoclopramide (10 mg), the peripherally acting, gastrointestinal stimulant BRL 20627 (10 mg) and saline. The central nervous system effects were assessed by quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) and by visual analogue scales. Gastric motility and emptying were assessed by epigastric impedance. Metoclopramide increased the EEG amplitude by 10.4% (a statistically significant, P less than 0.05, effect) and increased frequencies above 22 Hz, whereas both BRL 20627 and placebo had only minor effect on the EEG frequencies and slightly decreased the EEG amplitude. Ratings on visual analogue scales showed that metoclopramide caused statistically significant (P less than 0.01 difference from placebo) restlessness and slight but significantly less (P less than 0.05 difference from placebo) feeling of happiness. Epigastic impedance changes indicated that both metoclopramide and BRL 20627 increased gastric contractile activity, but the rate of gastric emptying was not significantly altered by either drug although it tended to be shortened following metoclopramide but not BRL 20627 treatment. It is concluded that since the published animal data show that BRL 20627 has only weak dopamine antagonistic properties this study further implicates dopamine receptor blockade in the akathisia but not in the gastric effect of metoclopramide. PMID:3755051

Structure, aromaticity and reactivity of corannulene and its analogues: a conceptual density functional theory and density functional reactivity theory study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Youer; Yu, Donghai; Cao, Xiaofang; Liu, Lianghong; Rong, Chunying; Lu, Tian; Liu, Shubin

2018-04-01

Corannulene is an interesting yet special molecule, which has witnessed widespread applications. It is aromatic, but not planar and the total number of 20 π electrons is in conflict with Hückel's 4n + 2 rule. In this work, we design a series of analogous model systems based on this molecule with the central ring size extended from five members to three to eight members. A number of theoretical and analytical tools available in the literature are employed to systematically examine their structure, aromaticity and reactivity properties. We found that structurally speaking, they change from bowl-like to planar and then to saddle shapes as the central ring size increases from three to eight. From the reactivity perspective, species with five and six-membered-rings in the centre are chemically more stable and less reactive, which are confirmed by the numerical results from aromaticity indexes and quantities from the information-theoretic approach. Overall, our results show that only corannulene and its six-membered-ring, coronene, analogue are aromatic. Even though these two systems are aromatic in nature, they are markedly different in a number of ways in structure, reactivity and other properties. These results should provide with us insights and understanding about the phenomenon of three-dimensional and non-planarity aromaticity.

Uncertainty relation for non-Hamiltonian quantum systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tarasov, Vasily E.

2013-01-15

General forms of uncertainty relations for quantum observables of non-Hamiltonian quantum systems are considered. Special cases of uncertainty relations are discussed. The uncertainty relations for non-Hamiltonian quantum systems are considered in the Schroedinger-Robertson form since it allows us to take into account Lie-Jordan algebra of quantum observables. In uncertainty relations, the time dependence of quantum observables and the properties of this dependence are discussed. We take into account that a time evolution of observables of a non-Hamiltonian quantum system is not an endomorphism with respect to Lie, Jordan, and associative multiplications.

High Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus in Young Dromedary Camels in Jordan

PubMed Central

van Doremalen, Neeltje; Hijazeen, Zaidoun S.K.; Holloway, Peter; Al Omari, Bilal; McDowell, Chester; Adney, Danielle; Talafha, Hani A.; Guitian, Javier; Steel, John; Amarin, Nadim; Tibbo, Markos; Abu-Basha, Ehab; Al-Majali, Ahmad M.

2017-01-01

Abstract Prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was determined in 45 dromedary camels from two geographically separated herds in Jordan. Virus shedding was only detected in swabs obtained from the respiratory tract and primarily observed in camels younger than 3 years. MERS-CoV seroprevalence increased with age of camels. Bovine and sheep sera were seronegative. Phylogenetic analysis of partial S2 clustered the Jordanian MERS-CoV strains with contemporary MERS-CoV strains associated with nosocomial outbreaks. PMID:28009529

Mixing models and ionic geothermometers applied to warm (up to 60°C) springs: Jordan Rift Valley, Israel

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mazor, E.; Levitte, D.; Truesdell, A.H.; Healy, J.; Nissenbaum, A.

1980-01-01

No indications are available for the existence of above-boiling geothermal systems in the Jordan Rift Valley. Slightly higher than observed temperatures are concluded for a deep component at the springs of Hammat Gader (67°C), Gofra (68°C), the Russian Garden (40°C), and the Yesha well (53–65°C). These temperatures may encourage further developments for spas and bathing installations and, to a limited extent, for space heating, but are not favorable for geothermal power generation.

The structural inventory of a small complex impact crater: Jebel Waqf as Suwwan, Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kenkmann, Thomas; Sturm, Sebastian; Krüger, Tim; Salameh, Elias; Al-Raggad, Marwan; Konsul, Khalil

2017-07-01

The investigation of terrestrial impact structures is crucial to gain an in-depth understanding of impact cratering processes in the solar system. Here, we use the impact structure Jebel Waqf as Suwwan, Jordan, as a representative for crater formation into a layered sedimentary target with contrasting rheology. The complex crater is moderately eroded (300-420 m) with an apparent diameter of 6.1 km and an original rim fault diameter of 7 km. Based on extensive field work, IKONOS imagery, and geophysical surveying we present a novel geological map of the entire crater structure that provides the basis for structural analysis. Parametric scaling indicates that the structural uplift (250-350 m) and the depth of the ring syncline (<200 m) are anomalously low. The very shallow relief of the crater along with a NE vergence of the asymmetric central uplift and the enhanced deformations in the up-range and down-range sectors of the annular moat and crater rim suggest that the impact was most likely a very oblique one ( 20°). One of the major consequences of the presence of the rheologically anisotropic target was that extensive strata buckling occurred during impact cratering both on the decameter as well as on the hundred-meter scale. The crater rim is defined by a circumferential normal fault dipping mostly toward the crater. Footwall strata beneath the rim fault are bent-up in the down-range sector but appear unaffected in the up-range sector. The hanging wall displays various synthetic and antithetic rotations in the down-range sector but always shows antithetic block rotation in the up-range sector. At greater depth reverse faulting or folding is indicated at the rim indicating that the rim fault was already formed during the excavation stage.

Evaluation of Glycemic Control, Lifestyle and Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated at King Abdullah University Hospital in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Eitan, Laith N; Nassar, Ahmad M; Saadeh, Nesreen A; Almomani, Basima A

2016-12-01

The study aimed to assess glycemic control in a Jordanian population with type 2 diabetes and to explore the sociodemographic, clinical and medication-related factors as well as the anthropometric indexes and laboratory values associated with and possibly contributing to unsatisfactory glycemic control. We included 237 patients previously diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through direct interviews. Sociodemographic and clinical details were collected using a questionnaire designed for the purpose of the study, anthropometric measurements were obtained at the time of the interviews, and laboratory data were extracted from the medical records of King Abdullah University Hospital. Of the participants, 60.8% were found to have unsatisfactory glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin levels ≥7%). Unsatisfactory glycemic control was associated with younger ages at diabetes diagnosis, higher mean weights and higher prevalences of diabetic neuropathy. No relationships were found among glycemic control and body mass index, waist circumference or central obesity. Patients with adequate control were more likely to have health insurance and to have hypothyroidism as a comorbidity. Insulin use and medication plans containing insulin were associated with unsatisfactory control. Patients with unsatisfactory control had higher mean levels of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides and lower mean levels of high-density lipoproteins. Moreover, elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL) and dyslipidemia were associated with unsatisfactory glycemic control. More than half of the participants had unsatisfactory glycemic control, highlighting the need for a change in the approach and strategies used for patients with diabetes in Jordan. Factors associated with glycemic control that were found in this study should be further studied and used in the prevention and management of diabetes. Copyright © 2016 Canadian Diabetes Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study of Geological Analogues for Understanding the Radar Sounder Response of the RIME Targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakur, S.; Bruzzone, L.

2017-12-01

Radar for Icy Moon Exploration (RIME), the radar sounder onboard the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), is aimed at characterizing the ice shells of the Jovian moons - Ganymede, Europa and Callisto. RIME is optimized to operate at 9 MHz central frequency with bandwidth of 1 MHz and 2.7 MHz to achieve a penetration depth up to 9 km through ice. We have developed an approach to the definition of a database of simulated RIME radargrams by leveraging the data available from airborne and orbital radar sounder acquisitions over geological analogues of the expected icy moon features. These simulated radargrams are obtained by merging real radar sounder data with models of the subsurface of the Jupiter icy moons. They will be useful for geological interpretation of the RIME radargrams and for better predicting the performance of RIME. The database will also be useful in developing pre-processing and automatic feature extraction algorithms to support data analysis during the mission phase of RIME. Prior to the JUICE mission exploring the Jovian satellites with RIME, there exist radar sounders such as SHARAD (onboard MRO) and MARSIS (onboard MEX) probing Mars, the LRS (onboard SELENE) probing the Moon, and many airborne sounders probing the polar regions of Earth. Analogues have been identified in these places based on similarity in geo-morphological expression. Moreover, other analogues have been identified on the Earth for possible dedicated acquisition campaigns before the RIME operations. By assuming that the subsurface structure of the RIME targets is approximately represented in the analogue radargrams, the difference in composition is accounted for by imposing different dielectric and subsurface attenuation models. The RIME radargrams are simulated from the analogue radargrams using the radar equation and the RIME processing chain and accounting for different possible scenarios in terms of subsurface structure, dielectric properties and instrument parameters. For cross-validation, the database is compared with radargrams simulated from the analysis of radio wave propagation through geo-electrical models representing the subsurface hypotheses for the RIME targets.

Synthesis of amide isosteres of schweinfurthin-based stilbenes.

PubMed

Stockdale, David P; Beutler, John A; Wiemer, David F

2017-10-15

The schweinfurthins are plant-derived stilbenes with an intriguing profile of anti-cancer activity. To obtain analogues of the schweinfurthins that might preserve the biological activity but have greater water solubility, a formal replacement of the central olefin with an amide has been explored. Two pairs of amides have been prepared, each containing the same hexahydroxanthene "left half" joined through an amide linkage to two different "right halves." In each series, the amide has been inserted in both possible orientations, placing the carbonyl group on the tricyclic ABC ring system and the amine on the D-ring, or placing the amine on the hexahydroxanthene and the carbonyl group on the D-ring. The four new schweinfurthin analogues have been tested in the NCI 60 cell line screen, and in both cases the more active isomer carried the carbonyl group on the C-ring. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

From Cells to Mice to Target: Characterization of NEU-1053 (SB-443342) and Its Analogues for Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis.

PubMed

Devine, William G; Diaz-Gonzalez, Rosario; Ceballos-Perez, Gloria; Rojas, Domingo; Satoh, Takashi; Tear, Westley; Ranade, Ranae M; Barros-Álvarez, Ximena; Hol, Wim G J; Buckner, Frederick S; Navarro, Miguel; Pollastri, Michael P

2017-03-10

Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that is lethal if left untreated. Existing therapeutics have limited efficacy and severe associated toxicities. 2-(2-(((3-((1H-Benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)propyl)amino)methyl)-4,6-dichloro-1H-indol-1-yl)ethan-1-ol (NEU-1053) has recently been identified from a high-throughput screen of >42,000 compounds as a highly potent and fast-acting trypanocidal agent capable of curing a bloodstream infection of Trypanosoma brucei in mice. We have designed a library of analogues to probe the structure-activity relationship and improve the predicted central nervous system (CNS) exposure of NEU-1053. We report the activity of these inhibitors of T. brucei, the efficacy of NEU-1053 in a murine CNS model of infection, and identification of the target of NEU-1053 via X-ray crystallography.

SALT, a dedicated readout chip for high precision tracking silicon strip detectors at the LHCb Upgrade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bugiel, Sz.; Dasgupta, R.; Firlej, M.; Fiutowski, T.; Idzik, M.; Kuczynska, M.; Moron, J.; Swientek, K.; Szumlak, T.

2016-02-01

The Upstream Tracker (UT) silicon strip detector, one of the central parts of the tracker system of the modernised LHCb experiment, will use a new 128-channel readout ASIC called SALT. It will extract and digitise analogue signals from the UT sensors, perform digital signal processing and transmit a serial output data. The SALT is being designed in CMOS 130 nm process and uses a novel architecture comprising of analog front-end and fast (40 MSps) ultra-low power (<0.5 mW) 6-bit ADC in each channel. The prototype ASICs of important functional blocks, like analogue front-end, 6-bit SAR ADC, PLL, and DLL, were designed, fabricated and tested. A prototype of an 8-channel version of the SALT chip, comprising all important functionalities was also designed and fabricated. The architecture and design of the SALT, together with the selected preliminary tests results, are presented.

Geophysical analysis of the recent sinkhole trend at Ghor-Haditha (Dead Sea, Jordan)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camerlynck, Christian; Bodet, Ludovic; Galibert, Pierre-Yves; Boucher, Marie; Al-Zoubi, Abdallah

2013-04-01

For essentially the last 30 year the water level of the Dead Sea has highly dropped. One of the major associated facts is sinkhole occurrences along the shoreline both in Jordan and Israel. As the principal invoked mechanism, many studies have concluded that sinkhole formation results from the dissolution of a previously immersed salt layer, progressively in contact with fresh to brackish water. In Jordan, the triggering of this phenomenon could also be the result of particular tectonic settings, associated with the Jordan-Dead Sea transform fault system. At Ghor Haditha (south-est Jordan), the consequences have been dramatic for farmers with the shrinking of temporary available lands and industry with the closing of at least one factory. The shallow material in this area is heterogeneous and composed of intercalated sand and clay layers of alluvial-colluvial origin, over a salty substratum, whose precise depth and thickness are yet partially hypothesized. Between 2005 and 2008, a multi-method high-resolution geophysical survey was performed, approximately over a 1 km2 area at Ghor Haditha, associating mainly electromagnetic soundings, magnetic resonance soundings (MRS), and seismic profiling, ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography. At the same time, this specific area was the location of a dramatic evolution of sinkhole occurences, regularly followed by geodetic measurements. Over the 3 years period, about 120 TEM (Transient ElectroMagnetic) soundings allow to map precisely the depth of the conductive layers below the resistive overburden. Two conductive layer are then revealed, the latter showing the lowest resistivity below 1 Ohm.m corresponding to the saline substratum. Several MRS (3 in 2005, repeated in 2007 and 12 additional soundings) show an east-west hydraulic gradient towards the Dead. However, the main sinkhole trend coincides with both: - a clear low transmissivity axis determined from MRS measurements; - the western side of a depression into the top of the most conductive layer. This shows so clearly a correlation between the recent sinkhole phenomenon and the current water circulations, but paleo-topography below the Pleistocene deposits mays equally be a clue in the sinkhole hazard.

Geochemical orientation for mineral exploration in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Overstreet, W.C.; Grimes, D.J.; Seitz, J.F.

1982-01-01

This report is a supplement to previous accounts of geochemical exploration conducted in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by the Natural Resources Authority of the Royal Government of Jordan and the U.S. Geological Survey. The field work on which this report is based was sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of State. Procedures used in collecting various kinds of rocks, ores, slags, eluvial and alluvial sediments, heavy-mineral concentrates, and organic materials for use as geochemical sample media are summarized, as are the laboratory procedures followed for the analysis of these sample materials by semiquantitative spectrographic, atomic absorption, fluorometric, and X-ray diffraction methods. Geochemical evaluations of the possibilities for economic mineral deposits in certain areas are presented. The results of these preliminary investigations open concepts for further use in geochemical exploration in the search for metallic mineral deposits in Jordan. Perhaps the most desirable new activity would be hydrogeochemical exploration for uranium and base metals, accompanied by interpretation of such remote-sensing data as results of airborne radiometric surveys and computer-enhanced LANDSAT imagery. For more conventional approaches to geochemical exploration, however, several fundamental problems regarding proper choice of geochemical sample media for different geologic and geographic parts of the Country must be solved before effective surveys can be made. The present results also show that such common geochemical exploration techniques as the determination of the trace-element contents of soils, plant ash, and slags have direct application also toward the resolution of several archaeological problems in Jordan. These include the relation of trace-elements chemistry of local soils to the composition of botanic remains, the trace-elements composition of slags to the technological development of the extractive metallurgy of copper and iron in the region, and the use of charcoal from slags for the C-14 dating of periods of archaeometallurgical activity. Less directly, interpretations based on the distribution in time and space of the archaeometallurgical activities of the region might add to the knowledge of early climatic conditions and vegetative cover of the area.

Survey of attitudes, materials and methods employed in endodontic treatment by general dental practitioners in North Jordan

PubMed Central

Al-Omari, Wael M

2004-01-01

Background General dental practitioners provide the majority of endodontic treatment in Jordan. The aim of this study was to gather information on the methods, materials and attitudes employed in root canal treatment by dentists in North Jordan, in order to evaluate and improve the quality of current practice. Methods A questionnaire was posted to all registered general dental practitioners working in private practice in Irbid Governate in North Jordan (n = 181). The questionnaire included information on methods, materials and techniques used in endodontic treatment. Results Reply rate was 72% (n = 131). The results demonstrated that only five dentists used rubber dam occasionally and not routinely. The majority used cotton rolls for isolation solely or in combination with a high volume saliva ejector (n = 116). The most widely used irrigants were sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide, which were used by 32.9% (n = 43) and 33.6% (n = 44) of the respondents, respectively. Forty eight percent of the respondents (n = 61) used the cold lateral condensation technique for canal obturation, 31.3% (n = 41) used single cone, 9.9% (n = 13) used vertical condensation and 12.2% (n = 16) used paste or cement only for the obturation. The majority used zinc oxide eugenol as a sealer (72.5%). All, but one, respondents used hand instruments for canal preparation and the technique of choice was step back (52.7%). More than 50% (n = 70) of the dentists took one radiograph for determining the working length, whilst 22.9% (n = 30) did not take any radiograph at all. Most practitioners performed treatment in three visits for teeth with two or more root canals, and in two visits for teeth with a single root canal. Conclusions This study indicates that dentists practicing in North Jordan do not comply with international quality standards and do not use recently introduced techniques. Many clinicians never take a radiograph for determining the working length and never used rubber dam or intra-canal medicaments. PMID:15361258

Trading the Economic Value of Unsatisfied Municipal Water Demand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Telfah, Dua'a. B.; Minciardi, Riccardo; Roth, Giorgio

2018-06-01

Modelling and optimization techniques for water resources allocation are proposed to identify the economic value of the unsatisfied municipal water demand against demands emerging from other sectors. While this is always an important step in integrated water resource management perspective, it became crucial for water scarce Countries. In fact, since the competition for the resource is high, they are in crucial need to trade values which will help them in satisfying their policies and needs. In this framework, hydro-economic, social equity and environmental constraints need to be satisfied. In the present study, a hydro-economic decision model based on optimization schemes has been developed for water resources allocation, that enable the evaluation of the economic cost of a deficiency in fulfilling the municipal demand. Moreover, the model enables efficient water resources management, satisfying the demand and proposing additional water resources options. The formulated model is designed to maximize the demand satisfaction and minimize water production cost subject to system priorities, preferences and constraints. The demand priorities are defined based on the effect of demand dissatisfaction, while hydrogeological and physical characteristics of the resources are embedded as constraints in the optimization problem. The application to the City of Amman is presented. Amman is the Capital City of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a Country located in the south-eastern area of the Mediterranean, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. The main challenge for Jordan, that threat the development and prosperity of all sectors, is the extreme water scarcity. In fact, Jordan is classified as semi-arid to arid region with limited financial resources and unprecedented population growth. While the easy solution directly goes to the simple but expensive approach to cover the demand, case study results show that the proposed model plays a major role in providing directions to decision makers to orient their policies and strategies in order to achieve sustainability of scarce water resources, satisfaction of the minimum required demand as well as financial sustainability. In addition, results map out national needs and priorities that are crucial in understanding and controlling the complexity of Jordan's water sector, mainly for the city of Amman.

Open Software Tools Applied to Jordan's National Multi-Agent Water Management Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knox, Stephen; Meier, Philipp; Harou, Julien; Yoon, Jim; Selby, Philip; Lachaut, Thibaut; Klassert, Christian; Avisse, Nicolas; Khadem, Majed; Tilmant, Amaury; Gorelick, Steven

2016-04-01

Jordan is the fourth most water scarce country in the world, where demand exceeds supply in a politically and demographically unstable context. The Jordan Water Project (JWP) aims to perform policy evaluation by modelling the hydrology, economics, and governance of Jordan's water resource system. The multidisciplinary nature of the project requires a modelling software system capable of integrating submodels from multiple disciplines into a single decision making process and communicating results to stakeholders. This requires a tool for building an integrated model and a system where diverse data sets can be managed and visualised. The integrated Jordan model is built using Pynsim, an open-source multi-agent simulation framework implemented in Python. Pynsim operates on network structures of nodes and links and supports institutional hierarchies, where an institution represents a grouping of nodes, links or other institutions. At each time step, code within each node, link and institution can executed independently, allowing for their fully autonomous behaviour. Additionally, engines (sub-models) perform actions over the entire network or on a subset of the network, such as taking a decision on a set of nodes. Pynsim is modular in design, allowing distinct modules to be modified easily without affecting others. Data management and visualisation is performed using Hydra (www.hydraplatform.org), an open software platform allowing users to manage network structure and data. The Hydra data manager connects to Pynsim, providing necessary input parameters for the integrated model. By providing a high-level portal to the model, Hydra removes a barrier between the users of the model (researchers, stakeholders, planners etc) and the model itself, allowing them to manage data, run the model and visualise results all through a single user interface. Pynsim's ability to represent institutional hierarchies, inter-network communication and the separation of node, link and institutional logic from higher level processes (engine) suit JWP's requirements. The use of Hydra Platform and Pynsim helps make complex customised models such as the JWP model easier to run and manage with international groups of researchers.

Pharmacists in humanitarian crisis settings: Assessing the impact of pharmacist-delivered home medication management review service to Syrian refugees in Jordan.

PubMed

Al Alawneh, Majdoleen; Nuaimi, Nabeel; Basheti, Iman A

2018-04-10

Refugees all over the world are facing several health-related problems. Chronic diseases among Syrian refugees in Jordan are high. The Home Medication Management Review (HMMR) service could be ideal to optimize refugees' health management. To assess the impact of the HMMR service on the type and frequency of Treatment Related Problems (TRPs) among Syrian refugees living in Jordan. This prospective randomized single blinded intervention-control study was conducted in three main cities in Jordan, between May and October 2016. Syrian refugees with chronic conditions were recruited and randomized into intervention and control groups. The HMMR service was conducted for all patients to identify TRPs at baseline. Data were collected via two home visits for all study participants. Clinical pharmacist's recommendations were written in a letter format to the physicians managing the patients in the intervention group only. Physicians' approved recommendations were conveyed to the patients via the pharmacist. Interventions at the patient level were delivered by the pharmacist directly. Patients were reassessed for their TRPs and satisfaction 3 months after baseline. Syrian refugees (n = 106) were recruited with no significant differences between the intervention (n = 53) and control groups (n = 53). A total of 1141 TRPs were identified for both groups at baseline, with a mean number of 10.8 ± 4.2 TRPs per patient. At follow-up, there was a significant decrease in the number of TRPs among the intervention group (P < 0.001, paired sample t-test) but not among the control group (P = 0.116). Physicians' approval rate of the pharmacist's recommendations was high (82.9%), and more than 70.0% of refugees in the intervention group reported high satisfaction with the HMMR service. Identified TRPs are high amongst Syrian refugees living in Jordan. The HMMR service significantly reduced the number of TRPs, and was highly accepted by the physicians. Refugees reported high satisfaction with this service. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Combining Remote Sensing and Multi-Agent Simulation to Assess Alternative Water Management Policies in Conflict-Prone Areas - The Case of the Yarmouk River Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avisse, N.; Tilmant, A.; Zhang, H.; Talozi, S.; Muller, M. F.; Rajsekhar, D.; Yoon, J.; Gorelick, S.

2016-12-01

The Yarmouk River, the main tributary to the Jordan River, is shared but not jointly managed by three countries: Syria, Jordan and Israel. Political distrust and conflicts mean that the equitable sharing of its waters has never materialized despite the signature of bilateral agreements. This state of affairs culminated in the 90ies and led to a rapid change in the flow regime of the Yarmouk River, where both peak and base flows almost disappeared at the turn of the millennium. Jordan blames Syria for building more dams than agreed on in 1987, while Syria blames Israel for doing the same in the Golan Heights. Even though less water is available for downstream Jordan and Israel, these two countries keep exchanging water, following updated rules since the 1994 Peace Treaty. While both literature and stakeholders in the region concur that most freshwater resources are consumed in Syria, there is actually no study that tracks agricultural and storage changes, both legal and illegal, in the Yarmouk basin in relation to the flow regime. This exercise is compounded by unavailability of information on water uses due to the long-standing lack of cooperation in the region, an issue exacerbated more recently by the ongoing civil war in Syria. Using a modeling framework based on remote sensing and a multi-agent simulation model, changes in the Yarmouk River flow regime are explained for three different development stages corresponding to the years 1984, 1998 and 2014. Landsat images, coupled with the analysis of land surface temperature, made possible the distinction of rainfed and irrigated crops, as well as the estimation of reservoirs' storage. For each stage, the impact on downstream riparian countries is assessed using a simulation model of the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty. Other scenarios are also analyzed to assess the effectiveness of alternative policy and cooperation scenarios including water demand management measures in Syria, the reoperation of illegal reservoirs and the restructuring of inter-basin water transfers.

Simulating partially illegal markets of private tanker water providers on the country level: A multi-agent, hydroeconomic case-study of Jordan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klassert, C. J. A.; Yoon, J.; Gawel, E.; Klauer, B.; Sigel, K.; Talozi, S.; Lachaut, T.; Selby, P. D.; Knox, S.; Gorelick, S.; Tilmant, A.; Harou, J. J.; Mustafa, D.; Medellin-Azuara, J.; Rajsekhar, D.; Avisse, N.; Zhang, H.

2016-12-01

In arid countries around the world, markets of private small-scale water providers, mostly delivering water via tanker trucks, have emerged to balance the shortcomings of public water supply systems. While these markets can provide substantial contributions to meeting customers' water demands, they often partially rely on illegal water abstractions, thus imposing an unregulated and unmonitored strain on ground and surface water resources. Despite their important impacts on water users' welfare and resource sustainability, these markets are still poorly understood. We use a multi-agent, hydroeconomic simulation model, developed as part of the Jordan Water Project, to investigate the role of these markets in a country-wide case-study of Jordan. Jordan's water sector is characterized by a severe and growing scarcity of water resources, high intermittency in the public water network, and a strongly increasing demand due to an unprecedented refugee crisis. The tanker water market serves an important role in providing water from rural wells to households and commercial enterprises, especially during supply interruptions. In order to overcome the lack of direct data about this partially illegal market, we simulate demand and supply for tanker water. The demand for tanker water is conceptualized as a residual demand, remaining after a water user has depleted all available cheap and qualitatively reliable piped water. It is derived from residential and commercial demand functions on the basis of survey data. Tanker water supply is determined by farm simulation models calculating the groundwater pumping cost and the agricultural opportunity cost of tanker water. A market algorithm is then used to match rural supplies with users' demands, accounting for survey data on tanker operators' transport costs and profit expectations. The model is used to gain insights into the size of the tanker markets in all 89 subdistricts of Jordan and their responsiveness to various policy interventions. A dynamic coupling of the model with a country-wide groundwater model allows for projections of the spatial development of the tanker market over time. Accounting for this important supply source will be essential for the formulation of any policy aiming to reconcile the interests of water users with resource sustainability.

A study of deficiencies in teamwork skills among Jordan caregivers.

PubMed

Al-Araidah, Omar; Al Theeb, Nader; Bader, Mariam; Mandahawi, Nabeel

2018-05-14

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the deficiencies in teamwork skills at Jordan hospitals as seen by team members. The study aims to identify training needs to improve teamwork-related soft skills of caregivers to enhance staff satisfaction and improve quality of care. Moreover, the paper provides a methodology to identify the training needs in any healthcare workplace by repeating the same questionnaire. Design/methodology/approach A self-administrated questionnaire was designed to study deficiencies in teamwork and team leadership at Jordan hospitals as seen by team members. Surveyed care providers included physicians, nursing and anesthesiologists operating in emergency departments, surgical operating rooms and intensive care units from various hospitals. Findings With a response rate of 78.8 percent, statistical analysis of collected data of opposing staff members revealed low levels of satisfaction (40.7-48 percent opposing), lack of awareness on the impact of teamwork on quality of care (15.6-22.1 percent opposing), low levels of involvement of top management (27.1-57.3 percent opposing), lack of training (52.5-69.8 percent opposing), lack of leadership skills (29.8-60 percent opposing), lack of communication (22.3-62.1 percent opposing), lack of employee involvement (37.6-50.8 percent opposing) and lack of collaboration among team members (28.6-50 percent opposing). Among the many, results illustrate the need for improving leadership skills of team leaders, improving communication and involving team members in decision making. Originality/value Several studies investigated relationships between teamwork skills and quality of care in many countries. To the authors' knowledge, no local study investigated the deficiencies of teamwork skills among Jordan caregivers and its impact on quality of care. The study provides the ground for management at Jordan hospitals and to healthcare academic departments to tailor training courses to improve teamwork skills of caregivers. Data of this study are collected from the society who is working in the field of healthcare. As the results of this are produced from a real data, it is expected that applying the recommendations will impact the society positively by enhancing the patients' satisfaction.

A Bottom-up Vulnerability Analysis of Water Systems with Decentralized Decision Making and Demographic Shifts- the Case of Jordan.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lachaut, T.; Yoon, J.; Klassert, C. J. A.; Talozi, S.; Mustafa, D.; Knox, S.; Selby, P. D.; Haddad, Y.; Gorelick, S.; Tilmant, A.

2016-12-01

Probabilistic approaches to uncertainty in water systems management can face challenges of several types: non stationary climate, sudden shocks such as conflict-driven migrations, or the internal complexity and dynamics of large systems. There has been a rising trend in the development of bottom-up methods that place focus on the decision side instead of probability distributions and climate scenarios. These approaches are based on defining acceptability thresholds for the decision makers and considering the entire range of possibilities over which such thresholds are crossed. We aim at improving the knowledge on the applicability and relevance of this approach by enlarging its scope beyond climate uncertainty and single decision makers; thus including demographic shifts, internal system dynamics, and multiple stakeholders at different scales. This vulnerability analysis is part of the Jordan Water Project and makes use of an ambitious multi-agent model developed by its teams with the extensive cooperation of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation of Jordan. The case of Jordan is a relevant example for migration spikes, rapid social changes, resource depletion and climate change impacts. The multi-agent modeling framework used provides a consistent structure to assess the vulnerability of complex water resources systems with distributed acceptability thresholds and stakeholder interaction. A proof of concept and preliminary results are presented for a non-probabilistic vulnerability analysis that involves different types of stakeholders, uncertainties other than climatic and the integration of threshold-based indicators. For each stakeholder (agent) a vulnerability matrix is constructed over a multi-dimensional domain, which includes various hydrologic and/or demographic variables.

Decline in the prevalence of anaemia among children of pre-school age after implementation of wheat flour fortification with multiple micronutrients in Jordan.

PubMed

Al Rifai, Rami; Nakamura, Keiko; Seino, Kaoruko

2016-06-01

To examine changes in the prevalence of anaemia and its correlates among children of pre-school age after implementation of wheat flour fortification with multiple micronutrients in Jordan. Retrospective analysis of the data from two repeated national cross-sectional panels of pre-school children. The two surveys were conducted in 2007 and 2009, 16-20 months and 34-36 months, respectively, after implementation of wheat flour fortification with multiple micronutrients in Jordan. Anaemia was considered if Hb level was <11 g/dl. An anaemia prevalence of ≥40 % was considered a severe public health problem, while that of 20-39·9 % was considered a moderate public health problem. A total of 3789 and 3447 children aged 6-59 months tested in 2007 and 2009, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia in pre-school children declined from 40·4 % in 2007 to 33·9 % in 2009 (adjusted OR=0·74; P24 months (-13·7 points), children living in urban areas (-8·0 points), children from rich households (-9·0 points), children who had never been breast-fed (-17·0 points) and well-nourished children (-6·8 points). In both surveys, presence of childhood anaemia was strongly associated with child age ≤24 months, living in poor households, breast-feeding for ≥6 months, malnourishment, poor maternal education and maternal anaemia. The public health problem of childhood anaemia declined from severe in 2007 to moderate in 2009, after the implementation of wheat flour fortification with multiple micronutrients in Jordan.

Physical, mental and cognitive disabilities in relation to utilization of dental care services by nursing home residents.

PubMed

Almomani, Fidaa M; Bani-Issa, Wegdan

2017-05-01

The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting dental care utilization among nursing home residents in Jordan. A total of 221 subjects with a mean age of 62.4 years (121 males and 100 females) taken from among nursing home residents across Jordan were recruited and composed a convenience sample for this study. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Tinetti Assessment Battery for gait and balance (TAB), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand test (DASH) were administered and oral health status was assessed for all subjects and examined as expected correlates of dental care utilization among nursing home residents. The response rate was about 88%. One-third of residents suffered from total edentulism and most of the remaining dentate residents exhibited periodontal disease (90%). Of the dentate sample, 90% of residents had bleeding upon probing, 85% were diagnosed with tooth mobility, 88% had presence of dental calculus, and 30% were diagnosed with root caries. Of the denture wearers, 59.1 % reported having soreness with their dentures and 32% of denture wearers reported having poor quality dentures. MMSE score, suffering from tooth sensitivity and having diabetes mellitus were identified to be indicators for utilization of dental care services among the study population. Regular oral care, assessments, and rehabilitation services are considered to be limited for nursing home residents in Jordan. Based upon these findings, future interventions should address oral health among nursing home residents in Jordan. © 2017 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Socioeconomic differences in smoking in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine: A cross-sectional analysis of national surveys.

PubMed

Abdulrahim, Sawsan; Jawad, Mohammed

2018-01-01

The association between education and wealth, as fundamental determinants of health, and smoking is well-established. Yet, social inequalities have received little attention in the expanding field of tobacco research in the Arab region. In this study, we examine inequalities in cigarette smoking by education and wealth in four Arab countries. Utilizing the most recently available population-level data sets (Syria 2009 PAPFAM, Jordan 2012 DHS, Palestine 2010 Family Health Survey, and Lebanon 2004 PAPFAM), we tested the association between cigarette smoking and education and wealth-controlling for age, marital status, and region of residence-for each country, and among men and women depending on data availability. Cigarette smoking prevalence among Arab men is high- 51.3% in Syria, 39.7% in Palestine, and 42.1% in Lebanon; among women, prevalence is 8.4% in Syria, 10.9% in Jordan, and 24.3% Lebanon. Cigarette smoking shows the expected patterns inequalities by education among men in Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon, and among women in Jordan and Lebanon. On the other hand, wealth does not show a clear pattern in its association with cigarette smoking and, in some cases (men in Palestine and women in Syria) the behavioral risk is higher among the wealthiest. Available data from 2004-2012 show that cigarette smoking among men and women in the four Arab countries is predominant among those with limited access to education as a fundamental cause. The weak or absent negative association between wealth and cigarette smoking suggests that access to material resources does not precipitate a reduction in the consumption of tobacco.

The prevalence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in fatalities of road-traffic accidents in Jordan during 2008-2014.

PubMed

Al-Abdallat, Imad M; Al Ali, Rayyan; Hudaib, Arwa A; Salameh, Ghada A M; Salameh, Rakiz J M; Idhair, Ahmed K F

2016-04-01

Several studies confirmed alcohol and psychotropic drug consumption as important risk factors underlying fatal accidents. This paper presents updated toxicological findings in the fatalities of road traffic accidents of Amman district, in order to have an overall picture of the occurrence of these substances in these victims in Jordan. Over a seven-year period (2008-2014), 2743, autopsies were conducted at Jordan University Hospital in which the sum of n = 311 (11.38%) were victims of road traffic accidents. Blood samples from these victims were collected. Toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and alcohol was conducted on these samples, and the results were analyzed according to age, sex and victim's status. This study revealed that Alcohol and psychotropic drugs were positive in 36.5%, (n = 58) of the cases, and for alcohol alone (n = 13, 37.1%). The majority of the victims were pedestrians (n = 155, 49.8%). Additionally, 29.6% (n = 92) of the cases were of ages 19-29. Detected psychotropic drugs were benzodiazepines, barbiturates. None of the collected specimens were positive for illicit cocaine, amphetamines or cannabis. The results from this study proved the existence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in the victims of road traffic accidents; Indicating an association between the uses of these substances in accident involvement. Though having some limitations, other conclusions require further data collection, cooperation with related parties in Jordan, and utilizing simple extended toxicological screens. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Socio-demographic and dietary factors associated with obesity among female university students in Jordan.

PubMed

Musaiger, Abdulrahman O; Hammad, Shatha S; Tayyem, Reema F; Qatatsheh, Ala A

2015-08-01

This study aimed to explore the socio-demographic and dietary factors that may be associated with obesity among female university students in Jordan. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 406 female students recruited from two universities in Jordan. Data were collected through self-reporting, using a previously validated questionnaire. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated to determine the weight status of the participants. High educational level of mothers [odds ratio (OR)=1.25] and monthly pocket money of more than 200 Jordanian Dinars (OR=1.67) were found to be risk factors for obesity, whereas a sibling ranking of more than six was a protective factor (OR=0.31). Those who were eating from the university cafeteria had double the risk for obesity (OR=2.41) than those who did not. Regular eating of meals and snacking between meals were found to be protective factors (OR ranged from 0.42 to 0.79). Regular consumption of milk products, fruit, canned fruit juices, bakery products and legumes were found to be protective factors. In contrast, the regular consumption of potato chips (OR=1.35), chicken (OR=1.51), and fish (OR=1.45) were found to be risk factors for obesity. Using a chi-square test, none of the factors studied showed significant association with obesity. A program to promote healthy eating among university students in Jordan should consider the local socio-demographic and food behavior factors that could be related to obesity to ensure the effectiveness of such a program.

Effects of interactive teaching on university students' knowledge and attitude toward reproductive health: a pilot study in Jordan.

PubMed

Ali, Reem A; Alnatour, Ahlam; Alnuaimi, Karimeh; Alzoubi, Fatmeh; Almomani, Maysa; Othman, Areej

2018-01-01

Youths in Jordan lack knowledge related to reproductive health (RH). Interactive teaching methods showed positive results in enhancing health awareness and adopting healthy practices among students. The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of interactive teaching in promoting health awareness of RH among nonmedical university students in Jordan. We employed a quasi-experimental one group pretest and posttest design for a purposive sample of 210 students (18-24 years). Knowledge and attitudes regarding RH issues were assessed using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. A significant improvement in students' knowledge and attitudes toward RH was evident. Female students had higher scores on knowledge than male students in the pretest; this difference was smaller in the posttest. Also, female students had significantly more positive attitudes toward RH in pretest than males, although this difference vanished in the posttest. Study results indicated that students benefit from study intervention regardless their gender. Integrating RH into university's curriculum coupled with interactive learning approach is a powerful way to promote RH awareness among youths.

Effects of interactive teaching on university students’ knowledge and attitude toward reproductive health: a pilot study in Jordan

PubMed Central

Ali, Reem A; Alnatour, Ahlam; Alnuaimi, Karimeh; Alzoubi, Fatmeh; Almomani, Maysa; Othman, Areej

2018-01-01

Background Youths in Jordan lack knowledge related to reproductive health (RH). Interactive teaching methods showed positive results in enhancing health awareness and adopting healthy practices among students. Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of interactive teaching in promoting health awareness of RH among nonmedical university students in Jordan. Methods We employed a quasi-experimental one group pretest and posttest design for a purposive sample of 210 students (18–24 years). Knowledge and attitudes regarding RH issues were assessed using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Results A significant improvement in students’ knowledge and attitudes toward RH was evident. Female students had higher scores on knowledge than male students in the pretest; this difference was smaller in the posttest. Also, female students had significantly more positive attitudes toward RH in pretest than males, although this difference vanished in the posttest. Study results indicated that students benefit from study intervention regardless their gender. Conclusion Integrating RH into university’s curriculum coupled with interactive learning approach is a powerful way to promote RH awareness among youths. PMID:29719404

Bravyi-Kitaev Superfast simulation of electronic structure on a quantum computer.

PubMed

Setia, Kanav; Whitfield, James D

2018-04-28

Present quantum computers often work with distinguishable qubits as their computational units. In order to simulate indistinguishable fermionic particles, it is first required to map the fermionic state to the state of the qubits. The Bravyi-Kitaev Superfast (BKSF) algorithm can be used to accomplish this mapping. The BKSF mapping has connections to quantum error correction and opens the door to new ways of understanding fermionic simulation in a topological context. Here, we present the first detailed exposition of the BKSF algorithm for molecular simulation. We provide the BKSF transformed qubit operators and report on our implementation of the BKSF fermion-to-qubits transform in OpenFermion. In this initial study of a hydrogen molecule we have compared BKSF, Jordan-Wigner, and Bravyi-Kitaev transforms under the Trotter approximation. The gate count to implement BKSF is lower than Jordan-Wigner but higher than Bravyi-Kitaev. We considered different orderings of the exponentiated terms and found lower Trotter errors than the previously reported for Jordan-Wigner and Bravyi-Kitaev algorithms. These results open the door to the further study of the BKSF algorithm for quantum simulation.

Attributions and Attitudes of Mothers and Fathers in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Hassan, Suha; Takash, Hanan

2011-07-01

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined mean level similarities and differences as well as correlations between mothers' and fathers' attributions regarding successes and failures in caregiving situations and progressive versus authoritarian attitudes in Jordan. DESIGN: Interviews were conducted with both mothers and fathers in 112 families. RESULTS: There were no significant main effects of gender on any of the constructs of interest. Mothers and fathers reported similar levels of attributions regarding uncontrollable success, adult-controlled failure, and child-controlled failure in the same family. Regarding attitudes, mothers and fathers reported greater progressive attitudes than authoritarian attitudes. Large, significant correlations were found for concordance between parents in the same family on all seven attributions and attitudes examined; all remained significant after controlling for parents' age, education, and possible social desirability bias. Significant positive correlations were found for mothers' and fathers' attributions regarding uncontrollable success, adult-controlled failure, child-controlled failure, perceived control over failure, progressive attitudes, authoritarian attitudes, and modernity of attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that in Jordan mothers and fathers hold similar levels of attributions and attitudes.

Medical waste management in Jordan: A study at the King Hussein Medical Center

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oweis, Rami; Al-Widyan, Mohamad; Al-Limoon, Ohood

2005-07-01

As in many other developing countries, the generation of regulated medical waste (RMW) in Jordan has increased significantly over the last few decades. Despite the serious impacts of RMW on humans and the environment, only minor attention has been directed to its proper handling and disposal. This study was conducted in the form of a case study at one of Jordan's leading medical centers, namely, the King Hussein Medical Center (KHMC). Its purpose was to report on the current status of medical waste management at KHMC and propose possible measures to improve it. In general, it was found that themore » center's administration was reasonably aware of the importance of medical waste management and practiced some of the measures to adequately handle waste generated at the center. However, it was also found that significant voids were present that need to be addressed in the future including efficient segregation, the use of coded and colored bags, better handling and transfer means, and better monitoring and tracking techniques, as well as the need for training and awareness programs for the personnel.« less

[Central diabetes insipidus: diagnosis and management].

PubMed

Ballan, B Köhler; Hernandez, A; Rodriguez, E Gonzalez; Meyer, P

2012-11-14

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is caused by deficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) due to different conditions that can affect the hypothalamic neurons. It results in an inability to retain normal quantities of free water, which leads to polyuria, including at night, and polydipsia. In adults, it is mostly due to the "idiopathic" form or present after pituitary surgery or a traumatic brain injury. In rare cases, an underlying systemic disease is found. The diagnosis of CDI is based on the water deprivation test. Pituitary MRI and specific clinical and biological work-up are recommended to precise etiology. Treatment of choice is desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of the endogenous ADH hormone. A multidisciplinary team generally provides management and monitoring of CDI.

Stereochemical requirements for central and peripheral muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity of some acetylenic compounds related to oxotremorine.

PubMed Central

Dahlbom, R.; Jenden, D. J.; Resul, B.; Ringdahl, B.

1982-01-01

1 The enantiomers of some analogues of the central muscarinic agent, oxotremorine, were prepared and investigated for tremorogenic and tremorolytic activity in intact mice and for muscarinic and antimuscarinic activity on the isolated ileum of the guinea-pig. 2 The R-isomers were more potent than the S-isomers both in vivo and in vitro regardless of whether the compounds are agonists, partial agonists or competitive antagonists. 3 It is suggested that in the oxotremorine series, agonists and antagonists interact with a common receptor site, in contrast to classical muscarinic antagonists which are believed to bind also to accessory receptor areas, located close to the agonist binding site. PMID:7093587

Earth as a Tool for Astrobiology—A European Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins, Zita; Cottin, Hervé; Kotler, Julia Michelle; Carrasco, Nathalie; Cockell, Charles S.; de la Torre Noetzel, Rosa; Demets, René; de Vera, Jean-Pierre; d'Hendecourt, Louis; Ehrenfreund, Pascale; Elsaesser, Andreas; Foing, Bernard; Onofri, Silvano; Quinn, Richard; Rabbow, Elke; Rettberg, Petra; Ricco, Antonio J.; Slenzka, Klaus; Stalport, Fabien; ten Kate, Inge L.; van Loon, Jack J. W. A.; Westall, Frances

2017-07-01

Scientists use the Earth as a tool for astrobiology by analyzing planetary field analogues (i.e. terrestrial samples and field sites that resemble planetary bodies in our Solar System). In addition, they expose the selected planetary field analogues in simulation chambers to conditions that mimic the ones of planets, moons and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space conditions, as well as the chemistry occurring in interstellar and cometary ices. This paper reviews the ways the Earth is used by astrobiologists: (i) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extant life from extreme environments, its metabolisms, adaptation strategies and modern biosignatures; (ii) by conducting planetary field analogue studies to investigate extinct life from the oldest rocks on our planet and its biosignatures; (iii) by exposing terrestrial samples to simulated space or planetary environments and producing a sample analogue to investigate changes in minerals, biosignatures and microorganisms. The European Space Agency (ESA) created a topical team in 2011 to investigate recent activities using the Earth as a tool for astrobiology and to formulate recommendations and scientific needs to improve ground-based astrobiological research. Space is an important tool for astrobiology (see Horneck et al. in Astrobiology, 16:201-243, 2016; Cottin et al., 2017), but access to space is limited. Complementing research on Earth provides fast access, more replications and higher sample throughput. The major conclusions of the topical team and suggestions for the future include more scientifically qualified calls for field campaigns with planetary analogy, and a centralized point of contact at ESA or the EU for the organization of a survey of such expeditions. An improvement of the coordinated logistics, infrastructures and funding system supporting the combination of field work with planetary simulation investigations, as well as an optimization of the scientific return and data processing, data storage and data distribution is also needed. Finally, a coordinated EU or ESA education and outreach program would improve the participation of the public in the astrobiological activities.

Interactions of "bora-penicilloates" with serine β-lactamases and DD-peptidases.

PubMed

Dzhekieva, Liudmila; Adediran, S A; Pratt, R F

2014-10-21

Specific boronic acids are generally powerful tetrahedral intermediate/transition state analogue inhibitors of serine amidohydrolases. This group of enzymes includes bacterial β-lactamases and DD-peptidases where there has been considerable development of boronic acid inhibitors. This paper describes the synthesis, determination of the inhibitory activity, and analysis of the results from two α-(2-thiazolidinyl) boronic acids that are closer analogues of particular tetrahedral intermediates involved in β-lactamase and DD-peptidase catalysis than those previously described. One of them, 2-[1-(dihydroxyboranyl)(2-phenylacetamido)methyl]-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, is a direct analogue of the deacylation tetrahedral intermediates of these enzymes. These compounds are micromolar inhibitors of class C β-lactamases but, very unexpectedly, not inhibitors of class A β-lactamases. We rationalize the latter result on the basis of a new mechanism of boronic acid inhibition of the class A enzymes. A stable inhibitory complex is not accessible because of the instability of an intermediate on its pathway of formation. The new boronic acids also do not inhibit bacterial DD-peptidases (penicillin-binding proteins). This result strongly supports a central feature of a previously proposed mechanism of action of β-lactam antibiotics, where deacylation of β-lactam-derived acyl-enzymes is not possible because of unfavorable steric interactions.

Potential climatic mechanisms associated with the mega drought at 4200 cal yr BP: linking proxy data with modern climate analogues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, V.; Shinker, J. J.

2017-12-01

Roughly 4200 years ago, a 150-year long mega drought occurred in the central Rocky Mountains, as indicated by pollen evidence from lake sediments from Long Lake, south-eastern Wyoming. However, pollen evidence does not record the climate mechanisms that caused the drought; they only provide evidence that the drought occurred. A modern climate analogue technique using North American Regional Reanalysis data was applied to the sedimentary data in order to identify possible synoptic and dynamic patterns that may have caused the mega drought at 4200 cal yr BP. Our results suggest warm and dry conditions were a result of anomalously higher-than-normal geopotential heights that were centred over the Great Plains beginning in the spring and persisting through the fall. Drought conditions during the growing seasons was the result of the anomalous high-pressure ridge, which suppressed moisture transport via the low level jet from the Gulf of Mexico, as well as brought in dry continental air from in the interior region of North America. The conditions associated with modern analogues offer a potential climate mechanism that caused the mega drought 4200 years ago, and likely led to the changes in vegetation composition as evidenced by the pollen record from Long Lake, Wyoming.

Power-law viscous materials for analogue experiments: New data on the rheology of highly-filled silicone polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boutelier, D.; Schrank, C.; Cruden, A.

2008-03-01

The selection of appropriate analogue materials is a central consideration in the design of realistic physical models. We investigate the rheology of highly-filled silicone polymers in order to find materials with a power-law strain-rate softening rheology suitable for modelling rock deformation by dislocation creep and report the rheological properties of the materials as functions of the filler content. The mixtures exhibit strain-rate softening behaviour but with increasing amounts of filler become strain-dependent. For the strain-independent viscous materials, flow laws are presented while for strain-dependent materials the relative importance of strain and strain rate softening/hardening is reported. If the stress or strain rate is above a threshold value some highly-filled silicone polymers may be considered linear visco-elastic (strain independent) and power-law strain-rate softening. The power-law exponent can be raised from 1 to ˜3 by using mixtures of high-viscosity silicone and plasticine. However, the need for high shear strain rates to obtain the power-law rheology imposes some restrictions on the usage of such materials for geodynamic modelling. Two simple shear experiments are presented that use Newtonian and power-law strain-rate softening materials. The results demonstrate how materials with power-law rheology result in better strain localization in analogue experiments.

Quantum equivalence of f (R) gravity and scalar-tensor theories in the Jordan and Einstein frames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohta, Nobuyoshi

2018-03-01

The f(R) gravity and scalar-tensor theory are known to be equivalent at the classical level. We study if this equivalence is valid at the quantum level. There are two descriptions of the scalar-tensor theory in the Jordan and Einstein frames. It is shown that these three formulations of the theories give the same determinant or effective action on shell, and thus they are equivalent at the quantum one-loop level on shell in arbitrary dimensions. We also compute the one-loop divergence in f(R) gravity on an Einstein space.

Burnout among clinical dental students at Jordanian universities.

PubMed

Badran, D H; Al-Ali, M H; Duaibis, R B; Amin, W M

2010-04-01

Dentistry is a profession demanding physical and mental efforts as well as people contact, which can result in burnout. The level of burnout among 307 clinical dental students in 2 Jordanian universities was evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory survey. Scores for the inventory's 3 subscales were calculated and the mean values for the students' groups were computed separately. Dental students in both universities suffered high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The dental students at the University of Jordan demonstrated a significantly higher level of emotional exhaustion than their counterparts at the Jordan University of Science and Technology.

The Effect of Lifestyle Food on Chronic Diseases: A Comparison between Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians in Jordan

PubMed Central

Alrabadi, Nizar Issa

2013-01-01

Foods do certainly play an important role in human health. This cross sectional study investigated the effect of lifestyle food on chronic diseases. In specific, it compared these diseases between vegetarians and non- vegetarians in Jordan in 2012. Questionnaires were distributed and the responses of 97 vegetarians and 97 non-vegetarians were analyzed. Chi-square and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. In particular, chronic diseases including Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity were more prevalence among non-vegetarians compared to vegetarian respondents. PMID:23283037

Stability of linear systems in second-order form based on structure preserving similarity transformations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stoustrup, Jakob; Pommer, Christian; Kliem, Wolfhard

2015-10-31

This paper deals with two stability aspects of linear systems of the form I ¨ x +B˙ x +Cx = 0 given by the triple (I;B;C). A general transformation scheme is given for a structure and Jordan form preserving transformation of the triple. We investigate how a system can be transformed by suitable choices of the transformation parameters into a new system (I;B1;C1) with a symmetrizable matrix C1. This procedure facilitates stability investigations. We also consider systems with a Hamiltonian spectrum which discloses marginal stability after a Jordan form preserving transformation.

Water and Security in the Jordan Basin

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-06-11

LATAKIA S, shrn BANIYAS Karm ER(ZZR g SELEMIYA Rasian -- J HOMS I. ®TADMOR D~’AM ASCUS r-’GHUTA- MZERiB P-swe1 d DAM% 100 ,1/ I".98ah n schemes ’a 01110...explain, at least in part, the superiority of the Israeli military. Israel has 11 years of compulsory education from age 5 to age 16; Jordan has 10...years of compulsory education from age 6 to age 15; and Syria has only 6 years of compulsory education, age 6 to age 1i. 1 1 While these few statistics

Spatial analysis of private tanker water markets in Jordan: Using a hydroeconomic multi-agent model to simulate non-observed water transfers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klassert, Christian; Yoon, Jim; Gawel, Erik; Sigel, Katja; Klauer, Bernd; Talozi, Samer; Lachaut, Thibaut; Selby, Philip; Knox, Stephen; Gorelick, Steven; Tilmant, Amaury; Harou, Julien; Mustafa, Daanish; Medellin-Azuara, Josue; Rajsekhar, Deepthi; Avisse, Nicolas; Zhang, Hua

2017-04-01

The country of Jordan is characterized by severe water scarcity and deficient public water supply networks. To address these issues, Jordan's water sector authorities have adopted a water rationing scheme implemented by interrupting piped water supply for several days per week. As in many arid countries around the world, this has led to the emergence of private markets of small-scale providers, delivering water via tanker trucks. On the one hand, these markets play a crucial role in meeting residential and commercial water demands by balancing the shortcomings of the public supply system. On the other hand, providers partially rely on illegal abstractions from rural ground and surface water sources, thereby circumventing regulatory efforts to conserve these resources. Private tanker water markets, therefore, provide a substantial contribution to consumer welfare while jeopardizing freshwater resource sustainability. Thus, a better understanding of these markets is of great importance for the formulation of policy interventions pursuing freshwater sustainability in a socially acceptable manner. Direct assessments of the size of these markets or their responses to policy interventions are, however, impeded by their partially illegal nature and the resulting lack of available information. To overcome this data collection challenge, we use a hydroeconomic multi-agent model developed in the Jordan Water Project to indirectly simulate country-wide tanker water market activities on the basis of demand and supply estimates. The demand for tanker water is conceptualized as a residual demand, remaining after a water user has depleted all available cheap and qualitatively reliable piped water. It is derived from residential and commercial demand functions on the basis of survey data. Tanker water supply is determined by farm simulation models calculating the groundwater pumping cost and the agricultural opportunity cost of tanker water. Finally, a spatial market algorithm matches rural supplies with users' demands across the 89 subdistricts of Jordan. This algorithm is parameterized with survey data we collected on tanker operators' transport costs and profit expectations. The model is successfully validated with available data on tanker truck registrations and tanker water prices. Model results reveal the spatial distribution of the private tanker markets' freshwater extractions, sales quantities, and economic impacts on different water user groups across all of Jordan. The results confirm the quantitative importance of these markets for consumer welfare. A dynamic coupling of farm agents with a country-wide groundwater model allows us to capture feedbacks between tanker water markets and groundwater levels. This enables us to assess policy impacts over time. Model analyses show that policies aiming to mitigate the negative sustainability impacts of private tanker water markets need to simultaneously address the shortcomings of the piped water supply system in order to avoid undue burdens on water users.

Red/near-infrared luminescence tuning of group-14 element complexes of dipyrrins based on a central atom.

PubMed

Yamamura, Masaki; Albrecht, Marcel; Albrecht, Markus; Nishimura, Yoshinobu; Arai, Tatsuo; Nabeshima, Tatsuya

2014-02-03

A dipyrrin complex has been one of the most utilized fluorescent dyes, and a variety of dipyrrin complexes show intriguing functions based on the various coordination structures of the central element. We now report the synthesis, structure, and photophysical properties of germanium and stannane complexes of the N2O2-type tetradentate dipyrrin, L·Ge and L·Sn, which are heavier analogues of the previously reported dipyrrin silicon complex, L·Si. The central group-14 atoms of the monomeric complexes have geometries close to trigonal bipyramidal (TBP), in which the contribution of the square-pyramidal (SP) character becomes higher as the central atom is heavier. Interestingly, L·Sn formed a dimeric structure in the crystal. All complexes L·Si, L·Ge, and L·Sn showed a fluorescence in the red/NIR region. Fluorescence quantum yields of L·Ge and L·Sn are higher than that of L·Si. These results indicated that the central atom on the dipyrrin complexes contributes not only to the geometry difference but also to tuning the fluorescence properties.