Showing papers by "University of Jordan published in 1996"

The influence of lactobacillus acidophilus and bacitracin on layer performance of chickens and cholesterol content of plasma and egg yolk

Abstract: 1. The influence of Lactobacillus acidophilus alone or in combination with zinc bacitracin on the performance of laying hens was monitored over a period of 4 months. 2. Lactobacillus acidophilus improved egg production, food conversion and reduced the cholesterol concentration in the eggs, but zinc bacitracin had no effect when administered alone. 3. In combination, bacitracin had an adverse effect on the otherwise beneficial activity of the culture.

External users of financial reports in less developed countries: the case of jordan☆☆☆

Abstract: This article reports a study of the way in which users of external financial reports view those reports in a less developed country with a moderately sophisticated capital market. Most users consider that they make at least moderate use of corporate annual reports. What different user groups say about the extent to which they use reports is examined together with what they say about the number of reports read and the time spent reading them; there is some apparent inconsistency. The pattern of usage of the individual report sections is broadly consistent with that in developed countries except that greater attention is given to auditors' reports. Users complained of lack of comparability and consistency between different companies within a single industry and about lack of reliability. By comparison with developed countries, users relied more heavily on information obtained from the company, either from the annual report or via other channels. All these findings may reflect the financial reporting environment to be found in a less developed country. Users do not perceive themselves to suffer from significant difficulty in understanding financial information.

Fungicidal Activity of Some Common Weed Extracts Against Different Plant Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract: Aqueous extract effects of 64 weed species on growth and development of Alternaria solani Sorauer, Helminthosporium sativum King & Bakke and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, plant pathogenic fungi were studied in vitro. Extracts varied in the strength and persistence of their antifungal effects against the three fungi species. Some stimulated, others inhibited or had no effect. Among all species tested, extracts of Chenopodium murale, Falcaria vulgaris, Ranunculus asiaticus and Sisymbrium irio were the most toxic to A. solani. Anagallis arvensis, Atriplex leucoclada, Crepis aspera, Notobasis syriaca, R. asiaticus, Rumex crispus, S. irio, Sonchus oleraceous and Vicia narbonensis to H.sativum and R. asiaticus, S. oleraceous and Mercurialis annua to R. solani. However, R. asiaticus extract was the most effective and completely inhibited growth and sporulation of the three fungi species at all incubation periods.

Evaluation of a small basin water-harvesting system in the arid region of Jordan

Abstract: The performance of a small runoff-basin water-harvesting system (negarim) was evaluated under a typical Mediterranean arid environment in Jordan. Rainfall, runoff, catchment area, soil water storage, and crop evapotranspiration were analyzed as elements of one system. Three micro-catchment areas (25, 50, and 75 m2) and three surface treatment methods (natural, plastic cover, and compaction) were used. Runoff efficiency was evaluated for 16 storms. Storage efficiency was evaluated for eight periods by monitoring soil water balance in the crop root zone. The overall efficiency of the water-harvesting system was determined as the ratio of the amount of water stored and used by the crop to the amount of rainfall received in the catchment area. The overall efficiency of the system varied from over 85% to as low as 7% depending on the size of the catchment and the root zone capacity. Gains in runoff improvement were lost when the soil moisture in the cultivated area was near field capacity. The required ratio of the catchment area to the cultivated area was found to be strongly related to the root zone storage capacity and the rate of consumptive use as well as rainfall-runoff characteristics.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura: clinical experience and contemplations on a streptococcal association.

Abstract: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is a common cause of vasculitis in children. The role of an antecedent streptococcal infection is still controversial. The aim of this study is to verify such a relationship, as well as to provide a profile of the clinical features and the magnitude of this disorder in Jordan. We identified 69 cases of HSP below the age of 13 years between January 1991 and April 1994 admitted to the two main hospitals in northern Jordan. Thirty-five of these cases were prospectively enrolled during the last year of the study. Forty-three controls, frequency-matched to the cases on age and sex, were selected from the out-patient clinics of the same two hospitals. The minimum estimate of the annual incidence was 8.5/100,000. All patients recovered completely and were well after a mean period of follow-up of 16 months. The clinical features were essentially similar to those reported by others. Unusually, two of our cases followed mumps and one occurred after otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Forty-nine per cent of all patients in this series had evidence of a recent streptococcal infection (elevated antistreptolysin O titre) compared to 16 per cent of the controls. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.004). This finding supports a role for antecedent streptococcal infection in the pathogenesis of HSP.

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis among High Risk People in Northern Jordan

Abstract: The seroprevalence of brucellosis among high risk people in Northern Jordan، للحصول على النص الكامل يرجى زيارة مكتبة الحسين بن طلال في جامعة اليرموك او زيارة موقعها الالكتروني

Computational model for conceptual design based on extended function logic

Abstract: Function logic methods have been successfully used in Value Analysis (VA) and Value Engineering (VE) for several decades. This functional approach attempts to provide a common language for specialists in multiple domains. This paper describes an extension of function logic that assists in systematic identification of design functions, allocations, and their interrelations. Our approach identifies a three-level function/allocation/component information structure to represent the state of the design. We illustrate new types of links that exist between functions and the effect of these on the representation of the interrelated functions. These linkages provide new pathways for design information and function evaluation through allocation arithmetic and supported functions. A computational model of the conceptual design process is proposed based on the extended function logic design representation. An outline of the inputs, outputs and operations on form and function variables is given as a step prior to the synthesis process. We illustrate, by example, the process of translating functional representations across specialist domains. Finally, a computer-based aid to developing functional models is described.

Organizational commitment of civil service managers in Jordan: a field study

Abstract: Probes organizational commitment of civil service managers in Jordan. Employs descriptive, analytical and field survey methodologies. A specially‐designed questionnaire was distributed to 420 civil service managers in Jordan of which 293 have been returned and analysed. Explains that the study reveals a weak yet negative relationship between managers’ commitment and sex, age, education and length of service and a weak yet positive relationship between managers’ commitment and organizational level. Claims that the study reflects a relatively high level of commitment of civil service managers in Jordan. Recommends that more attention and recognition be given to the importance of commitment in Jordan’s civil service. Argues for the making of a strong connection between commitment, its measures and motivation and control systems in the civil service in Jordan.

Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts of Herbal Plants used in the Traditional Medicine of Bahrain

Abstract: Petroleum ether, methanol, hexane, butanol and aqueous crude extracts of the whole aerial parts of Suaeda vermiculata, Prosopis farcta, Capparis spinosa and Salsola villosa exhibited variable degrees of antimicrobial activity. Extracts had low to moderate actvity against four bacterial and two fungal species compared with that exerted by antibiotics. The petroleum ether extract of S. vermiculata and the butanol extract of S. villosa had high antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum comparable to the antifungal miconazole nitrate.

Hepatitis B in the Middle East: aspects of epidemiology and liver disease after infection.

Abstract: Postnatal horizontal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in early childhood seems to be the predominant method by which high hepatitis B carrier rates in the Middle East are maintained. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive status among siblings of HBV carriers is similar during childhood and adulthood, suggesting that childhood intrafamilial transmission patterns persist into adult life. There is a tendency for asymptomatic HBV carriers to have higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, a feature that also tends to cluster in families. Infection in the first five years of life contributes most to the case load of chronic liver disease and thus to mortality from HBV. Mass hepatitis B immunisation programmes have been started, and while they may eventually reduce the HBV carrier state and liver disease loads significantly, prospects for total eradication of HBV in the near future are not good.

Room temperature oxidation enhancement of porous Si(001) using ultraviolet–ozone exposure

Abstract: The interaction of porous silicon (001) with ozone and ultraviolet (uv) was investigated at room temperature and ambient pressure. The O/Si atomic ratio in oxidized samples, as measured by Auger depth profiling, was similar to those measured from thermally oxidized samples. For long exposure times (≳15 min), the O/Si ratio stayed constant throughout the porous layer, indicating full oxidation of the porous structure. Additionally, the carbon concentration decreased significantly in the uv–ozone oxidized layers as compared to the untreated porous layers. Oxide layers up to 400 nm were measured. Fourier transform ir absorption measurements show both an increase in the oxygen concentration and a decrease in hydrogen concentration after oxidation. Photoluminescence data show that this method of oxidation quenches light emission from the porous layer. We believe that uv induced excitation of valence electrons results in higher reactivity and diffusion of oxygen and ozone as well as bond softening. The large vo...

Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in jordan: 1983–1992

Abstract: Background The extent of the problem of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan during the decade 1983 to 1992 was investigated. Methods. Data were collected from the dermatology departments and the laboratories of the Royal Medical Services and the Ministry of Health as well as from private dermatologists. Two thousand two hundred and ninety-five cases were verified of whom men represented 80%. The majority (80%) were < 25 years with the highest percentage (31%) occurring in the 16 to 20-year age group. Results. The lowest number of cases was reported in June compared to the maximum in October, and the highest number recorded per year was 463 in 1992. For the decade, the Jordan Valley was the most important locality where 43% of the cases occurred. The incidence rate per 100,000 ranged from 1.89 in 1989 to 14.39 in 1984 and the period prevalence for the decade was 5.36 per 100,000. The time-lag between the appearance of a lesion and the first diagnosis extended from 0 to 23 months with the average being 2 months. The number of lesions per patient ranged from one to 45; 24% were located on the face, 28% on the upper extremity, 36% on the lower extremity, and 12% on other sites. Conclusions. The factors that contributed to the findings include infected rodent, nonexposed army recruits and farm workers, land reclamatory and relaxation of preventative measures.

Neonatal Meningitis in Northern Jordan

Abstract: A two-and-a-half year prospective study of neonatal meningitis in the two main referral hospitals in Northern Jordan was carried out to determine the clinical spectrum and particular characteristics of meningitis in the newborn. The 53 cases studied represented an incidence of 1.1 per 1000 live births. The commonest bacterial pathogen isolated was Klebsiella species (40 per cent) followed by Enterobacter (19 per cent). The mortality rate and neurological sequelae among surviving children were 32 and 39 per cent, respectively, with higher rates among preterm/low birth weight and early onset meningitis groups. Of the presenting clinical features, there was a highly positive association between two risk factors and outcome. A bulging anterior fontanelle was the only significant predictor of mortality (P = 0.009) and altered sensorium was the only predictive of post-meningitis sequelae (P = 0.016). The need to recognize that Klebsiella species is an increasingly important pathogen; cefotaxime or ceftazidime plus ampicillin are the most appropriate antibiotics to be used initially, and continuous surveillance thereafter have been stressed.

Simulation of glucose isomerase reactor: optimum operating temperature

Abstract: A design equation for immobilized glucose isomerase (IGI) packed bed reactor is developed assuming enzyme deactivation and substrate protection. The developed equation is used to simulate the performance of the reactor at various temperatures (50–80 °C). Enzyme deactivation is significant at high temperature. Substrate protection showed to have significant effect in reducing enzyme deactivation and increasing the enzyme half-life. Factors affecting the optimum operating temperature are discussed. The optimum operating temperature is greatly influenced by the operating period and to a lesser extent with both initial glucose concentration and glucose conversion.