Aim: This research aims to evaluate patient-centeredness and communication skills from the patients’ point of view and that of the physicians’ point of view and compares the two outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-s...Aim: This research aims to evaluate patient-centeredness and communication skills from the patients’ point of view and that of the physicians’ point of view and compares the two outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 418 patients and 94 residents. Instrument of the study was a structured questionnaire that aimed to evaluate patient centeredness and communication skills of the residents. Results: Residents gave themselves a significantly higher score than the score given to them by patients in most studied aspects such as the extent to which the doctor discussed the patient’s problem, the extent to which the doctor explained the problem, the doctor introduced himself, the doctor greeted the patient properly and others. The only aspect for which patients gave residents higher score than that residents gave themselves was the extent to which the doctor asked the patient about what is expected to be done (ECG, CT scan, giving antibiotics, …). Conclusion: A transformation from doctor centered approach to patient centered approach is needed.展开更多
This study＇s purpose is to evaluate and analyse the indoor daylight quality in Pediatrics Ward in JUH （Jordan University Hospital）. It conducts an investigative analysis associated with an evaluative approach for t...This study＇s purpose is to evaluate and analyse the indoor daylight quality in Pediatrics Ward in JUH （Jordan University Hospital）. It conducts an investigative analysis associated with an evaluative approach for the daylight situation in patient rooms in the children section. A multi-method approach used including on-site measurements, and building model to develop a framework for lighting design in Paediatrics Ward, in order to determine whether the current quality meets the recommended values for patient rooms by CIBSE or not. The study considered the following variables： the differences in daylight environments （illuminance, luminance level, daylight factor）, and the physical environment properties of patient rooms in the hospital. The study found that the indoor daylight performance in terms of illuminance, luminance level, and daylight factor in east patient rooms are higher than the recommended values by CIBSE in the area nearest to glass window at the morning and less than the recommended values in the depth of the room at afternoon. Therefore, solar reflective technologies and shading system must be provided for enhanced day lighting control, avoid excessive glare and to guarantee a good level of visual comfort for patients and staff while reducing artificial lighting demand.展开更多
BACKGROUND Childhood nephrotic syndrome(NS)outcomes vary widely based on steroid responsiveness and complications.AIM To evaluate steroid response,outcomes,and the use of steroid-sparing medications in children with n...BACKGROUND Childhood nephrotic syndrome(NS)outcomes vary widely based on steroid responsiveness and complications.AIM To evaluate steroid response,outcomes,and the use of steroid-sparing medications in children with nephrotic syndrome in Jordan.METHODS This retrospective study evaluated the demographics and outcomes of 122 children aged 1-18 years with NS between 2011 and 2021 across three centers in Jordan.The outcomes assessed included steroid sensitivity rates,dependence,frequent relapses,complications[chronic kidney disease(CKD),end-stage kidney disease(ESKD)],infections,and need for steroid-sparing treatment.RESULTS Of 64%were boys;median age of disease onset was 4 years.Steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant NS(SRNS)were observed in 81.1%and 18.9%of patients,respectively;28.7%and 9%had steroid-dependent and frequently relapsing NS,respectively.Kidney biopsies were conducted in 46.7%,the most common finding was minimal change disease in 56.1%;82.6%of biopsied SRNS cases showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.The median time to first relapse was 9 months.41.8%of patients required steroidsparing medications,with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil being the most frequently used.Despite these treatments,relapse occurred in 11.5%of cases.Infections,primarily urinary tract infections,affected 24.6%of patients,7.4%progressed to high-grade CKD,and 6.6%required dialysis.SRNS was significantly associated with hematuria,hypertension,and ESKD.CONCLUSION Most patients were steroid sensitive,with minimal change being the most common.Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the predominant histopathology in the steroid-resistant cases.SRNS patients had worse outcomes,with more infections,CKD,and ESKD.展开更多
Adversarial Reinforcement Learning(ARL)models for intelligent devices and Network Intrusion Detection Systems(NIDS)improve systemresilience against sophisticated cyber-attacks.As a core component of ARL,Adversarial Tr...Adversarial Reinforcement Learning(ARL)models for intelligent devices and Network Intrusion Detection Systems(NIDS)improve systemresilience against sophisticated cyber-attacks.As a core component of ARL,Adversarial Training(AT)enables NIDS agents to discover and prevent newattack paths by exposing them to competing examples,thereby increasing detection accuracy,reducing False Positives(FPs),and enhancing network security.To develop robust decision-making capabilities for real-world network disruptions and hostile activity,NIDS agents are trained in adversarial scenarios to monitor the current state and notify management of any abnormal or malicious activity.The accuracy and timeliness of the IDS were crucial to the network’s availability and reliability at this time.This paper analyzes ARL applications in NIDS,revealing State-of-The-Art(SoTA)methodology,issues,and future research prospects.This includes Reinforcement Machine Learning(RML)-based NIDS,which enables an agent to interact with the environment to achieve a goal,andDeep Reinforcement Learning(DRL)-based NIDS,which can solve complex decision-making problems.Additionally,this survey study addresses cybersecurity adversarial circumstances and their importance for ARL and NIDS.Architectural design,RL algorithms,feature representation,and training methodologies are examined in the ARL-NIDS study.This comprehensive study evaluates ARL for intelligent NIDS research,benefiting cybersecurity researchers,practitioners,and policymakers.The report promotes cybersecurity defense research and innovation.展开更多
Covert timing channels(CTC)exploit network resources to establish hidden communication pathways,posing signi cant risks to data security and policy compliance.erefore,detecting such hidden and dangerous threats remain...Covert timing channels(CTC)exploit network resources to establish hidden communication pathways,posing signi cant risks to data security and policy compliance.erefore,detecting such hidden and dangerous threats remains one of the security challenges. is paper proposes LinguTimeX,a new framework that combines natural language processing with arti cial intelligence,along with explainable Arti cial Intelligence(AI)not only to detect CTC but also to provide insights into the decision process.LinguTimeX performs multidimensional feature extraction by fusing linguistic attributes with temporal network patterns to identify covert channels precisely.LinguTimeX demonstrates strong e ectiveness in detecting CTC across multiple languages;namely English,Arabic,and Chinese.Speci cally,the LSTM and RNN models achieved F1 scores of 90%on the English dataset,89%on the Arabic dataset,and 88%on the Chinese dataset,showcasing their superior performance and ability to generalize across multiple languages. is highlights their robustness in detecting CTCs within security systems,regardless of the language or cultural context of the data.In contrast,the DeepForest model produced F1-scores ranging from 86%to 87%across the same datasets,further con rming its e ectiveness in CTC detection.Although other algorithms also showed reasonable accuracy,the LSTM and RNN models consistently outperformed them in multilingual settings,suggesting that deep learning models might be better suited for this particular problem.展开更多
AIM:To investigate and identify prevalent hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotypes and to explore lamivudine-resistant mutations among treated and untreated patients in Jordan.METHODS:A total of 107 cases with chronic hepatit...AIM:To investigate and identify prevalent hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotypes and to explore lamivudine-resistant mutations among treated and untreated patients in Jordan.METHODS:A total of 107 cases with chronic hepatitis B were recruited from different medical centers in Jordan.Serological tests were preformed for all cases using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay.HBV Genotyping was performed for 70 cases using Line probe genotyping assay.The YMDD mutations were explored for 20 cases(4 were lamivudine naive) using the INNO-LiPA HBV DR assay.RESULTS:Genotype D was the only detected genotype.A total of 6 YMDD mutations were detected in 5 treated patients(31%) while one mutation was detected in the naive patients.Seventeen percent of cases were positive for HBeAg and had statistically significant higher levels of serum aminotransferases.CONCLUSION:HBV genotype D appears to be the only circulating type in Jordanian patients.The YMDD mutations were detected in 31% of lamivudine-treated cases with similar patterns to those found in the literature.We also found a relatively low prevalence of HBeAg expression among examined cases(17%).Awareness of these serologic,genotypic and resistance patterns might help in the formulation of management plans and for predicting clinical outcomes.Further larger scale studies are needed to confirm our results and to examine possible associations among clinical,serologic,and genetic patterns of HBV infections in Jordan.展开更多
AIM:To study the epidemiology of gastric malignancies in Jordan as a model for Middle East countries where such data is scarce. METHODS:Pertinent epidemiological and clinicopathological data for 201 patients with gast...AIM:To study the epidemiology of gastric malignancies in Jordan as a model for Middle East countries where such data is scarce. METHODS:Pertinent epidemiological and clinicopathological data for 201 patients with gastric malignancy in north of Jordan between 1991 and 2001 were analyzed. RESULTS:Male:female ratio was 1.8:1.The mean age was 61.2 years,and 8.5% of the patients were younger than 40 years of age.The overall age-adjusted incidence was 5.82/100 000 population/year.The age specific incidence for males raised from 1.48 in those aged 30-39 years to 72.4 in those aged 70-79 years.Adenocarcinomas, gastric lymphomas,malignant stromal tumors,and carcinoids were found in 87.5%,8%,2.5%,and 2% respectively.There was an average of 10.1-month delay between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis.Only 82 patients underwent“curative”gastrectomy.Among adenocarcinoma groups,Lauren intestinal type was the commonest(72.2%)and the distal third was the most common localization(48.9%).The mean follow up for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was 25.1 mo(range 1-132mo).The 5-year survival rates for stages Ⅰ(n=15), Ⅱ(n=41),Ⅲ(n=59),and Ⅳ(n=53) were 67.3%,41.3%, 5.7%,and 0% respectively(P=0.0001).The overall 5 year survival was 21.1%. CONCLUSION:Despite low inddence,some epidemiological features of gastric cancer in Jordan mimic those of high- risk areas.Patients are detected and treated after a relatively long delay.No justification in favor of a possible gastric cancer screening effort in Jordan is supported by our study;rather,the need of an earlier diagnosis and subsequent better care.展开更多
Despite being in arid and semi-arid areas,erosion is largely a result of infrequent but heavy rainfall events; therefore,rainfall erosivity data can be used as an indicator of potential erosion risks.The purpose of th...Despite being in arid and semi-arid areas,erosion is largely a result of infrequent but heavy rainfall events; therefore,rainfall erosivity data can be used as an indicator of potential erosion risks.The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of annual rainfall erosivity in North Jordan.A simplified procedure was used to correlate erosivity factor R values in both the universal soil loss equation (USLE) and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) with annual rainfall amount or modified Fournier index (F mod ).Pluviometric data recorded at 18 weather stations covering North Jordan were used to predict R values.The annual values of erosivity ranged between 86-779 MJ mm ha ?1 h ?1 year ?1 .The northwest regions of Jordan showed the highest annual erosivity values,while the northeastern regions showed the lowest annual erosivity values.展开更多
Groundwater forms the main freshwater supply in arid and semi-arid areas,and contamination of this precious resource is complicated by the slow rate of recharge in these areas.Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a...Groundwater forms the main freshwater supply in arid and semi-arid areas,and contamination of this precious resource is complicated by the slow rate of recharge in these areas.Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a global water quality problem,as it entails threat to human health as well as aquatic ecosystems.Source identification of contamination is the cornerstone and a prerequisite for any effective management program of water quality.Stable isotope composition of the dissolved nitrate(δ^(15)N-NO_(3)-andδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-)has been applied to identify NO_(3)-sources and the main transformation processes in the upper aquifer system(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7 aquifers)in the Wadi Shueib catchment area,Jordan.Moreover,the stable isotope compositions of the groundwater(δ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)O-H_(2)O)in conjunction with the groundwater hydrochemistry were integrated to investigate the origin and evolution of the groundwater.Results revealed that groundwater in the study area is fresh and hard-very hard water,and mainly a Ca-Mg-Cl type.NO_(3)-concentration was in the range of 7.0-74.0 mg/L with an average of 37.0 mg/L.Most of the samples showed concentration higher than the natural background concentration of NO_(3)-(5.0-10.0 mg/L).Theδ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)O-H_(2)O values indicated that the groundwater is meteoric,and of Mediterranean origin,with a strong evaporation effect.Theδ^(15)N-NO_(3)-values ranged between 6.0‰and 11.3‰with an average of 8.7‰,and theδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-values ranged between 1.6‰and 5.9‰with an average of 3.4‰.These values are in conformity with the stable isotope composition of nitrate derived the nitrification of wastewater/manure,and soil NH4.Nitrification and denitrification are the main transformation processes affecting nitrogen species.Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in theδ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)OH_(2)O values,andδ^(15)N-NO_(3)-andδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-values for the three aquifers(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7),indicating that the groundwater of these aquifers has the same origin,and a common source of pollution.展开更多
The integrated effect of irrigation and agricultural practices on soil salinity in the Jordan Valley （JV）, where over 60% of Jordan＇s agricultural produce is grown, was investigated in this study during 2009-2010. ...The integrated effect of irrigation and agricultural practices on soil salinity in the Jordan Valley （JV）, where over 60% of Jordan＇s agricultural produce is grown, was investigated in this study during 2009-2010. Due to the differences in agricultural operations, cropping patterns, irrigation management, and weather conditions, 206 top- and sub-soil samples were taken every 1 to 3 km from representative farms along a north-south （N-S） transect with 1 to 2 km lateral extents. Soil electrical conductivity of saturated extract （ECse）, Ca, Mg, K, Na, CI, and Na adsorption ratio （SAR） were determined in saturated paste extracts. Results indicated that about 63% of soils in the JV are indeed saline, out of which almost 46% are moderately to strongly saline. Along the N-S transect of the JV, ECse increased from 4.5 to 14.1 dS m-1 in top-soil samples. Similar increase was observed for the sub-soil samples. The major chemical components of soil salinity; i.e., Ca, Mg, and C1, also showed a similar increase along the N-S transect of the valley. Moreover, compared to previous field sampling, results showed that changes in soil salinity in the JV were dramatic. In addition, it was found that C1 imposed an existing and potential threat to sensitive crops in 60% of the soils in the JV, where C1 concentrations were greater than 710 mg L-1. Under the prevalent arid Mediterranean conditions, improving the management of .irrigation water, crops, and nutrient inputs and increasing water and fertilizer use efficiencies should be indispensable to conserve and sustain the already fragile agricultural soils in the JV.展开更多
A comprehensive assessment of heavy metals and organic content was performed for leachates produced from a number of old and new landfills in Jordanover 9 month in efforts to set a framework for treatment regulations....A comprehensive assessment of heavy metals and organic content was performed for leachates produced from a number of old and new landfills in Jordanover 9 month in efforts to set a framework for treatment regulations. All leachates were basic (pH = 7 - 9) and have high electric conductivity and high organic contents (COD = 3000 - 500,000 mg/L, TOC= 500 - 21,000 mg/L). The organic content was inversely proportional to the age of landfill. Heavy metals analysis showed no significant threat of Co, Zn, Pb and Al in any site. Meanwhile, the concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cd and As were high, exceeding local and international standard limits. Typical physical, chemical and biological treatments can be employed to upgrade the leachates of the active Ghabawi and Akaider sites. Whereas for the high organic strength of Russeifeh, an adsorption treatment by activated carbon is recommended.展开更多
Objectives This study aimed to assess the level of resilience and related factors among patients with coronary heart disease.Methods A cross-sectional was used to determine the factors associated with the level of res...Objectives This study aimed to assess the level of resilience and related factors among patients with coronary heart disease.Methods A cross-sectional was used to determine the factors associated with the level of resilience.A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 134 patients with coronary heart disease who attended the out-patients cardiology clinics at two leading public hospitals in Jordan from July to September 2017.The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)was used to collect the data via a face-to-face structured interview.Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze the data.Results The results showed a moderate level of resilience among patients with coronary heart diseases.Patients who reported having no history of a cardiac procedure reported a higher total resilience score(69.50[63.25,75.00]vs.65.50[58.00,72.00])and a higher score in dimension 1,“personal competence,high standards,and tenacity”than their counterparts(22.00[18.50,26.00]vs.21.00[15.75,23.00])(P<0.05).Dimension 3“positive acceptance of change and secure relationships”score was higher for employed patients than retired patients(15.00[14.00,16.00]vs.14.00[12.00,15.00])(P<0.05).However,no significant associations were found between other socio-demographic characteristics and resilience levels across the five dimensions.Conclusion Identifying the resilience level and related factors among patients with cardiac problems should be integrated into the comprehensive plan of care to improve patient quality of life,enhance effective coping strategies,improve mental health and well-being,and prevent further disease complications.展开更多
Various bacterial species are known to be agents causing soft rot of potatoes. The results of this study showed that potato soft rot is widely spread in different potato planting areas in Jordan. A survey was conducte...Various bacterial species are known to be agents causing soft rot of potatoes. The results of this study showed that potato soft rot is widely spread in different potato planting areas in Jordan. A survey was conducted through the years 2013-2015 to detect potato soft rot disease in Jordan, two hundred and four rotted potato samples were collected from different potato growing areas through different potato growing seasons. One hundred and thirty one bacterial isolates were isolated, purified on selective media and identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subspecies carotovorum (Pcc) by different biochemical and physiological tests. Furthermore, 131 Pcc Jordanian (Jo) isolates were identified by PCR analysis of total DNA extracted from isolates that were biochemically identified as Pcc using universal primer Fd1/Rd1. Cloning and sequencing of representative PCR products, amplifying the 16S rDNA region were done. Phylogenetic analysis of the Pcc Jo-isolates revealed other than 90% similarity with different reference Pcc strains available at the GenBank. Different rot causal agents also were detected by PCR amplification and further sequences. The sequencing data revealed similarities to Pseudomonas fluorescence, Enterobacteriaceae genera such as Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp. and Klebsiella spp., in addition to Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. This study indicated that using molecular techniques such as amplification of 16S rDNA region is a sensitive and specific method for detecting Pcc as potato soft rot causal agent. So far this is the first study where Pcc has been identified by using PCR and sequencing approaches in Jordan.展开更多
In this study,we survey the plant diversity of Wadi Hassan,which is located in the Northeastern Badia of Jordan,about 120 km east of Amman.All plant species were collected and herbarium specimens have been prepared,id...In this study,we survey the plant diversity of Wadi Hassan,which is located in the Northeastern Badia of Jordan,about 120 km east of Amman.All plant species were collected and herbarium specimens have been prepared,identified and deposited at the University of Jordan herbarium(Department of Biology,Faculty of Science).The final plant checklist includes 206 species belonging to 138 genera and 35 families.The most diverse families are Compositae(20.5%),Cruciferae(10.2%),Leguminosae(8.3%)and Boraginaceae(6.8%),followed by Caryophyllaceae and Gramineae(5.4%).These six families represent 60%of the total families recognized in the study area,while nine families each are represented by only one species.Most plants recorded are annual plants(61%),some plants are hemicryptophtes(18%)and camaephytes(15%),while the least frequent life form class was the phanerophyte shrub and perennial(0.5%).Chorological characteristics of the recorded flora show that Saharo-Arabian Region elements,IranoTuranian elements and Mediterranean elements constitute(58%)of the total flora.This research shows that even small portion of the Jordan Badia such as the Wadi Hassan plant community has high species diversity.Thus,we recommended further of the unexplored Wadi plants communities of the Jordan Badia.展开更多
AIMTo evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jord...AIMTo evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jordan, and to highlight weakness points that may be improved and strengthened.展开更多
Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, its account for up to 16% of all healthcare-associated infections worldwide. The SSIs can contribute to post-operat...Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, its account for up to 16% of all healthcare-associated infections worldwide. The SSIs can contribute to post-operative morbidity, prolonged recovery, delayed discharge and increasing cost. Nurses’ knowledge of the evidence-based recommendations is necessary to provide high-quality nursing care. Aims: To assess the level of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs, to describe the relationship between nurses’ knowledge and selected sociodemographics, to examine the differences in nurses’ knowledge with respect to selected dichotomized variables, and to identify the most significant predictors of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs. Design: Cross-sectional design. Sample: Two hundred registered nurses at four targeted hospitals were recruited conveniently. Results: The mean of the total knowledge scores of the sample was 3.28 out of nine (SD = 1.72, range = 0 - 7), the median was 3 out of nine. There were a statistically significant correlation between all tested continuous sociodemographics variables and the total knowledge score (p > 0.05). There is a significant difference in nurses’ knowledge between those who are attending to special surgical related training course and who are not. The most significant predictors of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge were: the number of credit hours attended by nurses for surgical-related training courses and the total years of work experience in nursing. These variables explained 16.7% of variance. Conclusion: The results of this study shed light on the obstacles that hampers the Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs in acute care settings. However, the successful implementation of infection control measures, particularly SSIs prevention measures, and well-structured continuing education programs are considered as a substantial element that would improve nurses’ knowledge.展开更多
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate oral health knowledge and practices among under-graduate university students from various disciplines with access to free dental care. Materials and Methods: A total of 70...Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate oral health knowledge and practices among under-graduate university students from various disciplines with access to free dental care. Materials and Methods: A total of 709 questionnaires were filled out. Data collected included: demographic data, oral health knowledge, and self-reported oral health practices and dental service utilization. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were performed;significance level was set at P < 0.05. Mean age was 20.8 ± 1.5 years. Results: There were (90.1%) of students who considered the toothbrush an oral hygiene aid, (91.1%) thought fluoride was beneficial to teeth, and almost (80%) students believed smoking has harmful effects on oral health. Regarding oral health practices, nearly half of the samples reported twice daily tooth-brushing, one-third received regular dental check-ups, and half visited the dentist because of pain or bleeding gums;fear was the main reason for not visiting the dentist. Females primarily visited the dentist for esthetic reasons (70%) and males upon complaint (59.8%). Oral health knowledge and practices among university students were poor. Conclusion: Dental students showed higher knowledge and better practices among disciplines studied. It is also important that dental hygienists take an active role in educating students in the aspect of oral health.展开更多
Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm o...Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm or more. Jordan is characterised as a “water scarce” country because the current per capita share of water is estimated to be of the order of 140 m3 per year which is well below the 1000 m3 threshold. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation or to refill aquifers as a groundwater recharge. GIS has been widely used in selecting the best sites for water harvesting schemes. This research aims at selecting optimum sites for water harvesting schemes in the Jordan arid lands (Badia) using indigenous knowledge and geo-informatics. To achieve this aim, a community-based research and desktop investigating is applied. The community-based research focused on consulting with 200 stakeholders form local communities where they provided knowledge on opportunities and constrains form their experience on water management in the arid lands where they live and interact. Also they provided information on potential location for water collecting sites that has been used for ages to provide water to humans and livestock. On the other hand, desktop research is conducted on sitting criteria for water harvesting based on physical and socio-economic characteristics. The physical criteria include rainfall volumes, slope, distance to water courses (wadis), distance form geologic faults and soil texture, where socio-economic criteria include distance to groundwater wells, distance to urban area, distance to agriculture activities and distance to international brooders. This selecting criterion in combination with indigenous knowledge is used within GIS environment to identify optimum sites for water harvesting. GIS analysis resulted in identifying 118 potential sites. Of those, 30 sites had already recommended by the community consultations.展开更多
AIM： To evaluate the features and outcome of management of malignant conjunctival squamous tumors in King Hussein Cancer Center（a referral tertiary cancer center in the Middle East）. METHODS： Retrospective case se...AIM： To evaluate the features and outcome of management of malignant conjunctival squamous tumors in King Hussein Cancer Center（a referral tertiary cancer center in the Middle East）. METHODS： Retrospective case series of 31 eyes for 31 patients with conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Main outcome measures included： age, gender, laterality, tumor location, pathological features, tumor stage, treatment modality, and outcome. RESULTS： Twenty（65%） patients were males and median age was 58 y. Twenty-two（71%） eyes had the tumor in the nasal quadrant. Tumor invasion to nearby structures was seen in 19（61%） eyes, including the cornea, fornix, eyelid, and orbit in 17（55%）, 1（3%）, 2（6%）, and 3（10%） eyes, respectively. Eye salvage was achieved by surgical excision with cryotherapy followed by topical chemotherapy in 28（90%） eyes, and orbital exenteration was necessary in 3（10%） eyes due to orbital tumor invasion. Tumor recurrence was seen in 7（23%） eyes, and the significant predictive factors for recurrence were tumor extension onto the nearby structures（P=0.04）, tumor invasiveness（P=0.038）, and tumor TNM stage（P=0.031）. No significant change in visual acuity was seen, and disease related mortality was 6%（2 patients, both had orbital invasion by invasive squamous carcinoma）. CONCLUSION： Conjunctival squamous carcinoma is more common in males. Advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer（AJCC） T-stage, tumor local invasion, more pathologically aggressive tumors, and surgical treatment alone（without adjuvant therapy） are associated with higher risk for recurrence, and orbital invasion is the most important poor prognostic factor for metastasis and death. Treatment strategies should be affected by tumor characteristics at presentation.展开更多
This study aims to evaluate the role of Jordanian veterinarians in terms of their knowledge,attitudes and common practices in combating antimicrobial resistance(AMR)and summarize the registered veterinary drugs betwee...This study aims to evaluate the role of Jordanian veterinarians in terms of their knowledge,attitudes and common practices in combating antimicrobial resistance(AMR)and summarize the registered veterinary drugs between 20172020.Descriptive study data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that focused on the knowledge,attitudes,and practices of Jordanian veterinarians.The findings were analyzed descriptively;84%of the participants agreed with the statement on the definition of AMR.The majority(95.65%)of participants agreed that AMR is a challenge for the veterinary sector in Jordan and that it should be prioritized over other zoonotic diseases.Approximately 69%of the participants believed that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials by unqualified,fraudulent,or unauthorized practitioners is the primary reason for the rise of cases associated with AMR and the challenges that accompany these.The most common practice among the respondents in this study was to recommend clients(e.g.,farmers and owners)to practice good animal husbandry(80.00%).The study also revealed that there was a significant difference(p=O.015)between attendance at AMR training sessions and the professional sector(private,public,and academic)of the veterinarians.This study underscores the importance of implementing a continuous education program on AMR so as to enhance the all-round knowledge of veterinarians and improve their advisory skills.In addition,laws should be enacted to ensure that veterinarians prescribe the correct antimicrobials and to improve surveillance systems for monitoring the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.展开更多
文摘Aim: This research aims to evaluate patient-centeredness and communication skills from the patients’ point of view and that of the physicians’ point of view and compares the two outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 418 patients and 94 residents. Instrument of the study was a structured questionnaire that aimed to evaluate patient centeredness and communication skills of the residents. Results: Residents gave themselves a significantly higher score than the score given to them by patients in most studied aspects such as the extent to which the doctor discussed the patient’s problem, the extent to which the doctor explained the problem, the doctor introduced himself, the doctor greeted the patient properly and others. The only aspect for which patients gave residents higher score than that residents gave themselves was the extent to which the doctor asked the patient about what is expected to be done (ECG, CT scan, giving antibiotics, …). Conclusion: A transformation from doctor centered approach to patient centered approach is needed.
文摘This study＇s purpose is to evaluate and analyse the indoor daylight quality in Pediatrics Ward in JUH （Jordan University Hospital）. It conducts an investigative analysis associated with an evaluative approach for the daylight situation in patient rooms in the children section. A multi-method approach used including on-site measurements, and building model to develop a framework for lighting design in Paediatrics Ward, in order to determine whether the current quality meets the recommended values for patient rooms by CIBSE or not. The study considered the following variables： the differences in daylight environments （illuminance, luminance level, daylight factor）, and the physical environment properties of patient rooms in the hospital. The study found that the indoor daylight performance in terms of illuminance, luminance level, and daylight factor in east patient rooms are higher than the recommended values by CIBSE in the area nearest to glass window at the morning and less than the recommended values in the depth of the room at afternoon. Therefore, solar reflective technologies and shading system must be provided for enhanced day lighting control, avoid excessive glare and to guarantee a good level of visual comfort for patients and staff while reducing artificial lighting demand.
文摘BACKGROUND Childhood nephrotic syndrome(NS)outcomes vary widely based on steroid responsiveness and complications.AIM To evaluate steroid response,outcomes,and the use of steroid-sparing medications in children with nephrotic syndrome in Jordan.METHODS This retrospective study evaluated the demographics and outcomes of 122 children aged 1-18 years with NS between 2011 and 2021 across three centers in Jordan.The outcomes assessed included steroid sensitivity rates,dependence,frequent relapses,complications[chronic kidney disease(CKD),end-stage kidney disease(ESKD)],infections,and need for steroid-sparing treatment.RESULTS Of 64%were boys;median age of disease onset was 4 years.Steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant NS(SRNS)were observed in 81.1%and 18.9%of patients,respectively;28.7%and 9%had steroid-dependent and frequently relapsing NS,respectively.Kidney biopsies were conducted in 46.7%,the most common finding was minimal change disease in 56.1%;82.6%of biopsied SRNS cases showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.The median time to first relapse was 9 months.41.8%of patients required steroidsparing medications,with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil being the most frequently used.Despite these treatments,relapse occurred in 11.5%of cases.Infections,primarily urinary tract infections,affected 24.6%of patients,7.4%progressed to high-grade CKD,and 6.6%required dialysis.SRNS was significantly associated with hematuria,hypertension,and ESKD.CONCLUSION Most patients were steroid sensitive,with minimal change being the most common.Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the predominant histopathology in the steroid-resistant cases.SRNS patients had worse outcomes,with more infections,CKD,and ESKD.
文摘Adversarial Reinforcement Learning(ARL)models for intelligent devices and Network Intrusion Detection Systems(NIDS)improve systemresilience against sophisticated cyber-attacks.As a core component of ARL,Adversarial Training(AT)enables NIDS agents to discover and prevent newattack paths by exposing them to competing examples,thereby increasing detection accuracy,reducing False Positives(FPs),and enhancing network security.To develop robust decision-making capabilities for real-world network disruptions and hostile activity,NIDS agents are trained in adversarial scenarios to monitor the current state and notify management of any abnormal or malicious activity.The accuracy and timeliness of the IDS were crucial to the network’s availability and reliability at this time.This paper analyzes ARL applications in NIDS,revealing State-of-The-Art(SoTA)methodology,issues,and future research prospects.This includes Reinforcement Machine Learning(RML)-based NIDS,which enables an agent to interact with the environment to achieve a goal,andDeep Reinforcement Learning(DRL)-based NIDS,which can solve complex decision-making problems.Additionally,this survey study addresses cybersecurity adversarial circumstances and their importance for ARL and NIDS.Architectural design,RL algorithms,feature representation,and training methodologies are examined in the ARL-NIDS study.This comprehensive study evaluates ARL for intelligent NIDS research,benefiting cybersecurity researchers,practitioners,and policymakers.The report promotes cybersecurity defense research and innovation.
基金This study is financed by the European Union-NextGenerationEU,through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria,Project No.BG-RRP-2.013-0001.
文摘Covert timing channels(CTC)exploit network resources to establish hidden communication pathways,posing signi cant risks to data security and policy compliance.erefore,detecting such hidden and dangerous threats remains one of the security challenges. is paper proposes LinguTimeX,a new framework that combines natural language processing with arti cial intelligence,along with explainable Arti cial Intelligence(AI)not only to detect CTC but also to provide insights into the decision process.LinguTimeX performs multidimensional feature extraction by fusing linguistic attributes with temporal network patterns to identify covert channels precisely.LinguTimeX demonstrates strong e ectiveness in detecting CTC across multiple languages;namely English,Arabic,and Chinese.Speci cally,the LSTM and RNN models achieved F1 scores of 90%on the English dataset,89%on the Arabic dataset,and 88%on the Chinese dataset,showcasing their superior performance and ability to generalize across multiple languages. is highlights their robustness in detecting CTCs within security systems,regardless of the language or cultural context of the data.In contrast,the DeepForest model produced F1-scores ranging from 86%to 87%across the same datasets,further con rming its e ectiveness in CTC detection.Although other algorithms also showed reasonable accuracy,the LSTM and RNN models consistently outperformed them in multilingual settings,suggesting that deep learning models might be better suited for this particular problem.
文摘AIM:To investigate and identify prevalent hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotypes and to explore lamivudine-resistant mutations among treated and untreated patients in Jordan.METHODS:A total of 107 cases with chronic hepatitis B were recruited from different medical centers in Jordan.Serological tests were preformed for all cases using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay.HBV Genotyping was performed for 70 cases using Line probe genotyping assay.The YMDD mutations were explored for 20 cases(4 were lamivudine naive) using the INNO-LiPA HBV DR assay.RESULTS:Genotype D was the only detected genotype.A total of 6 YMDD mutations were detected in 5 treated patients(31%) while one mutation was detected in the naive patients.Seventeen percent of cases were positive for HBeAg and had statistically significant higher levels of serum aminotransferases.CONCLUSION:HBV genotype D appears to be the only circulating type in Jordanian patients.The YMDD mutations were detected in 31% of lamivudine-treated cases with similar patterns to those found in the literature.We also found a relatively low prevalence of HBeAg expression among examined cases(17%).Awareness of these serologic,genotypic and resistance patterns might help in the formulation of management plans and for predicting clinical outcomes.Further larger scale studies are needed to confirm our results and to examine possible associations among clinical,serologic,and genetic patterns of HBV infections in Jordan.
文摘AIM:To study the epidemiology of gastric malignancies in Jordan as a model for Middle East countries where such data is scarce. METHODS:Pertinent epidemiological and clinicopathological data for 201 patients with gastric malignancy in north of Jordan between 1991 and 2001 were analyzed. RESULTS:Male:female ratio was 1.8:1.The mean age was 61.2 years,and 8.5% of the patients were younger than 40 years of age.The overall age-adjusted incidence was 5.82/100 000 population/year.The age specific incidence for males raised from 1.48 in those aged 30-39 years to 72.4 in those aged 70-79 years.Adenocarcinomas, gastric lymphomas,malignant stromal tumors,and carcinoids were found in 87.5%,8%,2.5%,and 2% respectively.There was an average of 10.1-month delay between the initial symptoms and the diagnosis.Only 82 patients underwent“curative”gastrectomy.Among adenocarcinoma groups,Lauren intestinal type was the commonest(72.2%)and the distal third was the most common localization(48.9%).The mean follow up for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was 25.1 mo(range 1-132mo).The 5-year survival rates for stages Ⅰ(n=15), Ⅱ(n=41),Ⅲ(n=59),and Ⅳ(n=53) were 67.3%,41.3%, 5.7%,and 0% respectively(P=0.0001).The overall 5 year survival was 21.1%. CONCLUSION:Despite low inddence,some epidemiological features of gastric cancer in Jordan mimic those of high- risk areas.Patients are detected and treated after a relatively long delay.No justification in favor of a possible gastric cancer screening effort in Jordan is supported by our study;rather,the need of an earlier diagnosis and subsequent better care.
基金Supported by the Deanship of Research, Jordan University of Science and Technology (No. 91/2004)
文摘Despite being in arid and semi-arid areas,erosion is largely a result of infrequent but heavy rainfall events; therefore,rainfall erosivity data can be used as an indicator of potential erosion risks.The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of annual rainfall erosivity in North Jordan.A simplified procedure was used to correlate erosivity factor R values in both the universal soil loss equation (USLE) and the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) with annual rainfall amount or modified Fournier index (F mod ).Pluviometric data recorded at 18 weather stations covering North Jordan were used to predict R values.The annual values of erosivity ranged between 86-779 MJ mm ha ?1 h ?1 year ?1 .The northwest regions of Jordan showed the highest annual erosivity values,while the northeastern regions showed the lowest annual erosivity values.
基金funded by the by the Deanship of Scientific Research,Jordan University of Science and Technology(20170338).
文摘Groundwater forms the main freshwater supply in arid and semi-arid areas,and contamination of this precious resource is complicated by the slow rate of recharge in these areas.Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a global water quality problem,as it entails threat to human health as well as aquatic ecosystems.Source identification of contamination is the cornerstone and a prerequisite for any effective management program of water quality.Stable isotope composition of the dissolved nitrate(δ^(15)N-NO_(3)-andδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-)has been applied to identify NO_(3)-sources and the main transformation processes in the upper aquifer system(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7 aquifers)in the Wadi Shueib catchment area,Jordan.Moreover,the stable isotope compositions of the groundwater(δ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)O-H_(2)O)in conjunction with the groundwater hydrochemistry were integrated to investigate the origin and evolution of the groundwater.Results revealed that groundwater in the study area is fresh and hard-very hard water,and mainly a Ca-Mg-Cl type.NO_(3)-concentration was in the range of 7.0-74.0 mg/L with an average of 37.0 mg/L.Most of the samples showed concentration higher than the natural background concentration of NO_(3)-(5.0-10.0 mg/L).Theδ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)O-H_(2)O values indicated that the groundwater is meteoric,and of Mediterranean origin,with a strong evaporation effect.Theδ^(15)N-NO_(3)-values ranged between 6.0‰and 11.3‰with an average of 8.7‰,and theδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-values ranged between 1.6‰and 5.9‰with an average of 3.4‰.These values are in conformity with the stable isotope composition of nitrate derived the nitrification of wastewater/manure,and soil NH4.Nitrification and denitrification are the main transformation processes affecting nitrogen species.Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in theδ^(2)H-H_(2)O andδ^(18)OH_(2)O values,andδ^(15)N-NO_(3)-andδ^(18)O-NO_(3)-values for the three aquifers(A1/2,A4,and B2/A7),indicating that the groundwater of these aquifers has the same origin,and a common source of pollution.
文摘The integrated effect of irrigation and agricultural practices on soil salinity in the Jordan Valley （JV）, where over 60% of Jordan＇s agricultural produce is grown, was investigated in this study during 2009-2010. Due to the differences in agricultural operations, cropping patterns, irrigation management, and weather conditions, 206 top- and sub-soil samples were taken every 1 to 3 km from representative farms along a north-south （N-S） transect with 1 to 2 km lateral extents. Soil electrical conductivity of saturated extract （ECse）, Ca, Mg, K, Na, CI, and Na adsorption ratio （SAR） were determined in saturated paste extracts. Results indicated that about 63% of soils in the JV are indeed saline, out of which almost 46% are moderately to strongly saline. Along the N-S transect of the JV, ECse increased from 4.5 to 14.1 dS m-1 in top-soil samples. Similar increase was observed for the sub-soil samples. The major chemical components of soil salinity; i.e., Ca, Mg, and C1, also showed a similar increase along the N-S transect of the valley. Moreover, compared to previous field sampling, results showed that changes in soil salinity in the JV were dramatic. In addition, it was found that C1 imposed an existing and potential threat to sensitive crops in 60% of the soils in the JV, where C1 concentrations were greater than 710 mg L-1. Under the prevalent arid Mediterranean conditions, improving the management of .irrigation water, crops, and nutrient inputs and increasing water and fertilizer use efficiencies should be indispensable to conserve and sustain the already fragile agricultural soils in the JV.
文摘A comprehensive assessment of heavy metals and organic content was performed for leachates produced from a number of old and new landfills in Jordanover 9 month in efforts to set a framework for treatment regulations. All leachates were basic (pH = 7 - 9) and have high electric conductivity and high organic contents (COD = 3000 - 500,000 mg/L, TOC= 500 - 21,000 mg/L). The organic content was inversely proportional to the age of landfill. Heavy metals analysis showed no significant threat of Co, Zn, Pb and Al in any site. Meanwhile, the concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cd and As were high, exceeding local and international standard limits. Typical physical, chemical and biological treatments can be employed to upgrade the leachates of the active Ghabawi and Akaider sites. Whereas for the high organic strength of Russeifeh, an adsorption treatment by activated carbon is recommended.
基金This work was supported by the Deanship of Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology(Research Grant No:245/2017).
文摘Objectives This study aimed to assess the level of resilience and related factors among patients with coronary heart disease.Methods A cross-sectional was used to determine the factors associated with the level of resilience.A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 134 patients with coronary heart disease who attended the out-patients cardiology clinics at two leading public hospitals in Jordan from July to September 2017.The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RISC)was used to collect the data via a face-to-face structured interview.Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze the data.Results The results showed a moderate level of resilience among patients with coronary heart diseases.Patients who reported having no history of a cardiac procedure reported a higher total resilience score(69.50[63.25,75.00]vs.65.50[58.00,72.00])and a higher score in dimension 1,“personal competence,high standards,and tenacity”than their counterparts(22.00[18.50,26.00]vs.21.00[15.75,23.00])(P<0.05).Dimension 3“positive acceptance of change and secure relationships”score was higher for employed patients than retired patients(15.00[14.00,16.00]vs.14.00[12.00,15.00])(P<0.05).However,no significant associations were found between other socio-demographic characteristics and resilience levels across the five dimensions.Conclusion Identifying the resilience level and related factors among patients with cardiac problems should be integrated into the comprehensive plan of care to improve patient quality of life,enhance effective coping strategies,improve mental health and well-being,and prevent further disease complications.
文摘Various bacterial species are known to be agents causing soft rot of potatoes. The results of this study showed that potato soft rot is widely spread in different potato planting areas in Jordan. A survey was conducted through the years 2013-2015 to detect potato soft rot disease in Jordan, two hundred and four rotted potato samples were collected from different potato growing areas through different potato growing seasons. One hundred and thirty one bacterial isolates were isolated, purified on selective media and identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subspecies carotovorum (Pcc) by different biochemical and physiological tests. Furthermore, 131 Pcc Jordanian (Jo) isolates were identified by PCR analysis of total DNA extracted from isolates that were biochemically identified as Pcc using universal primer Fd1/Rd1. Cloning and sequencing of representative PCR products, amplifying the 16S rDNA region were done. Phylogenetic analysis of the Pcc Jo-isolates revealed other than 90% similarity with different reference Pcc strains available at the GenBank. Different rot causal agents also were detected by PCR amplification and further sequences. The sequencing data revealed similarities to Pseudomonas fluorescence, Enterobacteriaceae genera such as Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp. and Klebsiella spp., in addition to Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. This study indicated that using molecular techniques such as amplification of 16S rDNA region is a sensitive and specific method for detecting Pcc as potato soft rot causal agent. So far this is the first study where Pcc has been identified by using PCR and sequencing approaches in Jordan.
基金supported by the Biology Department,University of Jordan,AmmanUniversity of Jordan support for Scientific Research
文摘In this study,we survey the plant diversity of Wadi Hassan,which is located in the Northeastern Badia of Jordan,about 120 km east of Amman.All plant species were collected and herbarium specimens have been prepared,identified and deposited at the University of Jordan herbarium(Department of Biology,Faculty of Science).The final plant checklist includes 206 species belonging to 138 genera and 35 families.The most diverse families are Compositae(20.5%),Cruciferae(10.2%),Leguminosae(8.3%)and Boraginaceae(6.8%),followed by Caryophyllaceae and Gramineae(5.4%).These six families represent 60%of the total families recognized in the study area,while nine families each are represented by only one species.Most plants recorded are annual plants(61%),some plants are hemicryptophtes(18%)and camaephytes(15%),while the least frequent life form class was the phanerophyte shrub and perennial(0.5%).Chorological characteristics of the recorded flora show that Saharo-Arabian Region elements,IranoTuranian elements and Mediterranean elements constitute(58%)of the total flora.This research shows that even small portion of the Jordan Badia such as the Wadi Hassan plant community has high species diversity.Thus,we recommended further of the unexplored Wadi plants communities of the Jordan Badia.
基金Supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness,Inc.New York,N.Y,USA
文摘AIMTo evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jordan, and to highlight weakness points that may be improved and strengthened.
文摘Background: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections, its account for up to 16% of all healthcare-associated infections worldwide. The SSIs can contribute to post-operative morbidity, prolonged recovery, delayed discharge and increasing cost. Nurses’ knowledge of the evidence-based recommendations is necessary to provide high-quality nursing care. Aims: To assess the level of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs, to describe the relationship between nurses’ knowledge and selected sociodemographics, to examine the differences in nurses’ knowledge with respect to selected dichotomized variables, and to identify the most significant predictors of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs. Design: Cross-sectional design. Sample: Two hundred registered nurses at four targeted hospitals were recruited conveniently. Results: The mean of the total knowledge scores of the sample was 3.28 out of nine (SD = 1.72, range = 0 - 7), the median was 3 out of nine. There were a statistically significant correlation between all tested continuous sociodemographics variables and the total knowledge score (p > 0.05). There is a significant difference in nurses’ knowledge between those who are attending to special surgical related training course and who are not. The most significant predictors of Jordanian nurses’ knowledge were: the number of credit hours attended by nurses for surgical-related training courses and the total years of work experience in nursing. These variables explained 16.7% of variance. Conclusion: The results of this study shed light on the obstacles that hampers the Jordanian nurses’ knowledge regarding evidence based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs in acute care settings. However, the successful implementation of infection control measures, particularly SSIs prevention measures, and well-structured continuing education programs are considered as a substantial element that would improve nurses’ knowledge.
文摘Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate oral health knowledge and practices among under-graduate university students from various disciplines with access to free dental care. Materials and Methods: A total of 709 questionnaires were filled out. Data collected included: demographic data, oral health knowledge, and self-reported oral health practices and dental service utilization. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were performed;significance level was set at P < 0.05. Mean age was 20.8 ± 1.5 years. Results: There were (90.1%) of students who considered the toothbrush an oral hygiene aid, (91.1%) thought fluoride was beneficial to teeth, and almost (80%) students believed smoking has harmful effects on oral health. Regarding oral health practices, nearly half of the samples reported twice daily tooth-brushing, one-third received regular dental check-ups, and half visited the dentist because of pain or bleeding gums;fear was the main reason for not visiting the dentist. Females primarily visited the dentist for esthetic reasons (70%) and males upon complaint (59.8%). Oral health knowledge and practices among university students were poor. Conclusion: Dental students showed higher knowledge and better practices among disciplines studied. It is also important that dental hygienists take an active role in educating students in the aspect of oral health.
文摘Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm or more. Jordan is characterised as a “water scarce” country because the current per capita share of water is estimated to be of the order of 140 m3 per year which is well below the 1000 m3 threshold. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation or to refill aquifers as a groundwater recharge. GIS has been widely used in selecting the best sites for water harvesting schemes. This research aims at selecting optimum sites for water harvesting schemes in the Jordan arid lands (Badia) using indigenous knowledge and geo-informatics. To achieve this aim, a community-based research and desktop investigating is applied. The community-based research focused on consulting with 200 stakeholders form local communities where they provided knowledge on opportunities and constrains form their experience on water management in the arid lands where they live and interact. Also they provided information on potential location for water collecting sites that has been used for ages to provide water to humans and livestock. On the other hand, desktop research is conducted on sitting criteria for water harvesting based on physical and socio-economic characteristics. The physical criteria include rainfall volumes, slope, distance to water courses (wadis), distance form geologic faults and soil texture, where socio-economic criteria include distance to groundwater wells, distance to urban area, distance to agriculture activities and distance to international brooders. This selecting criterion in combination with indigenous knowledge is used within GIS environment to identify optimum sites for water harvesting. GIS analysis resulted in identifying 118 potential sites. Of those, 30 sites had already recommended by the community consultations.
文摘AIM： To evaluate the features and outcome of management of malignant conjunctival squamous tumors in King Hussein Cancer Center（a referral tertiary cancer center in the Middle East）. METHODS： Retrospective case series of 31 eyes for 31 patients with conjunctival squamous neoplasia. Main outcome measures included： age, gender, laterality, tumor location, pathological features, tumor stage, treatment modality, and outcome. RESULTS： Twenty（65%） patients were males and median age was 58 y. Twenty-two（71%） eyes had the tumor in the nasal quadrant. Tumor invasion to nearby structures was seen in 19（61%） eyes, including the cornea, fornix, eyelid, and orbit in 17（55%）, 1（3%）, 2（6%）, and 3（10%） eyes, respectively. Eye salvage was achieved by surgical excision with cryotherapy followed by topical chemotherapy in 28（90%） eyes, and orbital exenteration was necessary in 3（10%） eyes due to orbital tumor invasion. Tumor recurrence was seen in 7（23%） eyes, and the significant predictive factors for recurrence were tumor extension onto the nearby structures（P=0.04）, tumor invasiveness（P=0.038）, and tumor TNM stage（P=0.031）. No significant change in visual acuity was seen, and disease related mortality was 6%（2 patients, both had orbital invasion by invasive squamous carcinoma）. CONCLUSION： Conjunctival squamous carcinoma is more common in males. Advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer（AJCC） T-stage, tumor local invasion, more pathologically aggressive tumors, and surgical treatment alone（without adjuvant therapy） are associated with higher risk for recurrence, and orbital invasion is the most important poor prognostic factor for metastasis and death. Treatment strategies should be affected by tumor characteristics at presentation.
文摘This study aims to evaluate the role of Jordanian veterinarians in terms of their knowledge,attitudes and common practices in combating antimicrobial resistance(AMR)and summarize the registered veterinary drugs between 20172020.Descriptive study data were collected using a standardized questionnaire that focused on the knowledge,attitudes,and practices of Jordanian veterinarians.The findings were analyzed descriptively;84%of the participants agreed with the statement on the definition of AMR.The majority(95.65%)of participants agreed that AMR is a challenge for the veterinary sector in Jordan and that it should be prioritized over other zoonotic diseases.Approximately 69%of the participants believed that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials by unqualified,fraudulent,or unauthorized practitioners is the primary reason for the rise of cases associated with AMR and the challenges that accompany these.The most common practice among the respondents in this study was to recommend clients(e.g.,farmers and owners)to practice good animal husbandry(80.00%).The study also revealed that there was a significant difference(p=O.015)between attendance at AMR training sessions and the professional sector(private,public,and academic)of the veterinarians.This study underscores the importance of implementing a continuous education program on AMR so as to enhance the all-round knowledge of veterinarians and improve their advisory skills.In addition,laws should be enacted to ensure that veterinarians prescribe the correct antimicrobials and to improve surveillance systems for monitoring the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.
