Showing papers by "University of Jordan published in 1999"

Perceptions of leader charisma and effectiveness: The effects of vision content, delivery, and organizational performance

Abstract: This study examined the effects of vision content, delivery and organizational performance on perceptions of leader charisma and effectiveness. Subjects included 304 undergraduates who were presented videotaped speeches by a bogus CEO of a software company. A 2 × 2 × 2 design was employed in which message content (visionary/non-visionary), delivery (strong/weak), and organizational performance (high/low) were manipulated. A modified, 7-item version of Meindl and Ehrlich's (1988) Romance of Leadership Scale (RLS-D) served as a covariate. A MANCOVA analysis indicated significant effects of delivery, content, and organizational performance on both perceived leader charisma and effectiveness. The RLS-D was unrelated to either dependent variable as a covariate. The results suggest that strength of delivery is an especially important determinant of perceptions' of leader charisma and effectiveness. Although speech content and organizational performance cues likewise accounted for variance in these perceptions, their effects were at times offset by those of delivery.

Perceptions of leader charisma and effectiveness: The effects of vision content, delivery, and organizational performance

Abstract: This study examined the effects of vision content, delivery and organizational performance on perceptions of leader charisma and effectiveness. Subjects included 304 undergraduates who were presented videotaped speeches by a bogus CEO of a software company. A 2 × 2 × 2 design was employed in which message content (visionary/non-visionary), delivery (strong/weak), and organizational performance (high/low) were manipulated. A modified, 7-item version of Meindl and Ehrlich's (1988) Romance of Leadership Scale (RLS-D) served as a covariate. A MANCOVA analysis indicated significant effects of delivery, content, and organizational performance on both perceived leader charisma and effectiveness. The RLS-D was unrelated to either dependent variable as a covariate. The results suggest that strength of delivery is an especially important determinant of perceptions' of leader charisma and effectiveness. Although speech content and organizational performance cues likewise accounted for variance in these perceptions, their effects were at times offset by those of delivery.

Synthesis of chitosan succinate and chitosan phthalate and their evaluation as suggested matrices in orally administered, colon-specific drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The naturally occurring polymer chitosan was reacted separately with succinic and phthalic anhydrides. The resulting semisynthetic polymers were assessed as potential matrices for colon-specific, orally administered drug delivery. Sodium diclofenac was used as the dispersed model drug. The prepared matrices were incorporated into tablets, which were evaluated in vitro. The evaluation included dissolution studies conducted under simulated gastrointestinal conditions of pH and transit times. The percentage fluid uptake was used to indicate the ability of the matrix to protect an embedded drug from gastric juices. The prepared matrices resisted dissolution under acidic conditions. On the other hand, improved drug release profiles were observed under basic conditions. Therefore, the results suggest the suitability of the prepared matrices in colon specific, orally administered drug delivery system. However, future in vivo testing is planned to fully establish the suitability of the prepared polymers for colon-specific drug delivery.

Familial Mediterranean fever in children: the expanded clinical profile

Abstract: The clinical picture of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) has been appreciably expanded in the last 10 years. Over 8 years, we studied the expanded clinical profile of FMF in 476 children. Of these, 81% had abdominal pain, 41% chest pain, 42% arthritis, 12% severe myalgia, 12% skin manifestations, 4% scrotal swelling, 3% recurrent episodic fever, and one child (0.2%) developed recurrent hyperbilirubinaemia. Two (0.4%) children developed renal complications which were reversed by colchicine; however of 19 probands, 36 family members suffered from chronic renal failure. Our study indicates a familial predisposition to nephropathy in certain families with FMF. This study is the first to report the expanded clinical profile of FMF in a large group of Arab children, giving an opportunity to compare the findings with those in children with FMF in other ethnic groups, and to help in the study of genotype-phenotype correlation.

COMMUNICATING BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH TO CAMPUS DESIGN Factors Affecting the Perception and Use of Outdoor Spaces at the University of Jordan

Abstract: This article focuses on the study of outdoor spaces at the University of Jordan located in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The objective is to assess user perceptions and patterns of outdoor space use. This researcher used a qualitative approach to gain insights into aspects of human-environment intersections. The present study analyzed a qualitative data set on decision choices to visit an outdoor campus area. The aim was to determine whether meanings and significance existed. A total of 140 participants including students, faculty, and administrative staff made a series of choices concerning outdoor spaces that they would visit. Following the interviews, this researcher inspected the most frequented 10 open spaces, as mentioned by the participants, and recorded the physical features that were noted to be related to use of the space. Findings of this study revealed that outdoor spaces between university buildings are focal points in student everyday behavior. Designers of outdoor spaces need to keep abreas...

An appraisal of the peer assessment rating (PAR) index and a suggested new weighting system

Abstract: The PAR Index was developed to measure treatment outcome in orthodontics Validity was improved by weighting the scores of some components to reflect their relative importance However, the index still has limitations, principally due to the high weight assigned to overjet Difficulties also arise from the application of one weighting system to all malocclusions, since occlusal features vary in importance in different classes of malocclusion The present study examined PAR Index validity using orthodontic consultant assessments as the 'Gold standard' and clinical ranking of occlusal features and statistical modelling to derive a new weighting system, separate for each malocclusion class Discriminant and regression analyses were used to derive new criteria for measuring treatment outcome As a result a new and more sensitive method of assessment is suggested which utilizes a combination of point and percentage reductions in PAR scores This was found to have better correlations with the 'Gold standard' than the PAR nomogram

Solid state fermentation of waste pomace from olive processing

Abstract: Typical samples of the solid waste (50% moisture) from olive oil processing were subjected, after an alkaline pretreatment, to delignification by Phanerochaete chryosporium, Phlebia radiata, Pleurotus ostreatus or Dacrymyces stellatus. The fermented material was then saccharified by Trichoderma spp to provide a substrate for the yeasts, Candida utilis or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Success was judged by the level of crude protein generated, and a combination fermentation involving Phan chryosporium, T reesei and S cerevisiae increased the level of crude protein from 5.9% in the raw pomace to 40.3% in the fermented material. It is suggested that this solid-state fermentation process could be used to manufacture an animal feed for the poultry industry in Jordan. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and zinc bacitracin as dietary additives for broiler chickens.

Abstract: 1. The influence of Lactobacillus acidophilus and zinc bacitracin alone, or in combination, on the growth of broiler chickens was monitored over a period of 8 weeks. 2. The maximum improvement in body weight over the controls was 10.8% with both additives in the diet but the use of bacitracin alone induced a 9.1% improvement. 3. Food conversion was reduced by zinc bacitracin alone but was improved by the use of L. acidophilus and bacitracin in combination. 4. The combination treatment increased abdominal fat deposition in the female chickens by 31%.

Chromosome 17p-linked myasthenias stem from defects in the acetylcholine receptor ε-subunit gene

Abstract: Objective: To identify and to characterize functionally the mutational basis of congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) linked to chromosome 17p. Background: A total of 37 patients belonging to 13 CMS families, 9 of them consanguineous, were investigated. All patients were linked previously to the telomeric region of chromosome 17p. Two candidate genes in this region encode synaptobrevin 2, a presynaptic protein, and the e-subunit of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Direct sequencing of the synaptobrevin 2 gene revealed no mutations. The authors thus searched for mutations in the e-subunit gene of AChR. Methods: Direct sequencing of the AChR e-subunit, restriction analysis, allele-specific PCR, and expression studies in human embryonic kidney cells were performed. Results: The authors identified two previously characterized and five novel e-subunit gene mutations, all homozygous, in the 13 kinships. Two of the novel mutations are truncating (e723delC and e760ins8), one is a missense mutation in the signal peptide region (eV-13D), one is a missense mutation in the N-terminal extracellular domain (eT51P), and one is a splice donor site mutation in intron 10 (eIVS10+2T→G). Unaffected family members have no mutations or are heterozygous. Expression studies indicate that the four novel mutations in the coding region of the gene and the most likely transcript of the splice-site mutation, which skips exon 10, are low-expressor or null mutations. Conclusions: Chromosome 17p-linked congenital myasthenic syndromes are caused by low-expressor/null mutations in the AChR e-subunit gene. Mutations in this gene are a common cause of CMS in eastern Mediterranean countries.

High prevalence of factor V Leiden in healthy Jordanian Arabs.

Abstract: The prevalence of APC resistance in healthy Jordanian Arabs was studied. Between October 1996 through September 1997 a total of 400 healthy subjects were studied. There were 212 males and 188 females. APC resistance was studied by functional and DNA methods. There were a total of 52 subjects (13%) who were APC resistant by the functional test. There were 49 subjects (12.25%) who had FV Q506 by DNA test. Of these there were 42 heterozygous and 7 homozygous (allele frequency 0.07). None of the subjects had clinical thrombosis. It is concluded that the prevalence of APC resistance due to FV Q506 is high in Jordanian Arabs.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura and streptococcal infection: a prospective case-control study.

Abstract: A prospective, matched, case-control study conducted over a period of 3 years was designed to examine the association of group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections and Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Demographic and clinical data were collected as well as measurement of antistreptolysin O titres and throat swab culture on all children admitted with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, as well as their matched controls. Antistreptolysin O titre positivity was associated with a 10-fold increase in the risk of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Renal involvement was common among cases with positive antistreptolysin O titres (27%) compared with cases with a negative titre (8%) but this difference has no statistical significance.

Fundamental information analysis: an extension and uk evidence

Abstract: This paper reports a replication and extension of the Fundamental Information Analysis of Lev & Thiagarajan (1993). Using data for a large sample of UK companies we examine the improvements in explanatory value that are achievable by allowing for both macro-economic state and industry variation in the response parameters of non-earnings signals. We interpret this evidence as a test of the beliefs of previous researchers who have suggested that the influence of non-earnings signals is likely to be more conditional than the influence of earnings. In particular we find that the most informative non-earnings signals are those relating to the operating margins and/or cost management of the firm. The final section of the paper reports the UK evidence for the existence of an inverse relation between the Lev & Thiagarajan measure of earnings quality and earnings response coefficients. In contrast to Lev & Thiagarajan we find no significant relation for UK companies.

Mortality and Causes of Death in Jordan 1995-96: Assessment by Verbal Autopsy

Abstract: 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.

Film cooling and heat transfer from a combination of two rows of simple and/or compound angle holes in inline and/or staggered configuration

Abstract: This paper describes the results of an experimental investigation into the film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer characteristics of two staggered injection rows of either a combination of one row of simple angle holes with another row of compound angle holes or with both rows of compound angle holes. The effect of using various injections holes arrangements as well as the relative location of the compound angle holes row to the simple angle holes row have been investigated for different blowing rates. Using combination of one row of downstream compound angle holes with another upstream simple injection holes row provides a significant increase in the film cooling protection over a flat plate surface, over that obtained from either two rows of only simple injections holes or compound angle holes.

Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Jordanian children aged 0-14 y during 1992-1996.

Abstract: An attempt was made by the Jordanian National Center for Diabetes, Endocrine and Genetic Diseases (NCDEGD) to identify all cases of type 1 diabetes among Jordanian children aged 0-14 y. Data were obtained retrospectively for the years 1992-1994 and prospectively for the years 1995 and 1996, including full name, national identifying number, date of birth, date of diagnosis and family history. The incidence was calculated as the number of cases per 100000 population, according to the national census of 1994. The incidence rate for these years (1992 through 1996) was 2.8, 2.9, 3.2, 3.6 and 3.6 per 100000 population, respectively. The ma1e:female ratio was (1: 1.03). Seasonal variation at clinical onset was noticed, with maximum incidence in the winter months and minimum incidence in the summer months. In conclusion, the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Jordanian children aged 0-14y is among the lowest in the region, but is rising. □Children, incidence, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Jordan, type 1 diabetes

Isolation of endospore-forming bacilli toxic to Culiseta longiareolata (Diptera : Culicidae) in Jordan

Abstract: Ten of 80 endospore-forming bacilli, isolated from various habitats of Jordan, were found to be highly toxic to the 4th instar larvae of Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart). The bacilli were identified into the following species and strains: Bacillus sphaericus (H6), B. sphaericus (H9a, 9b), B. cereus Frankland and Frankland, B. brevis Migula and B. megaterium Bary. Bacillus cereus comprised 50% of the isolates. The toxic concentrations of these isolates against C. longiareolata ranged between 1.2 x 10(7) and 1.1 x 10(9) viable spores ml-1.

Management of gallbladder stones during pregnancy: conservative treatment or laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Abstract: Background/aims Safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) during pregnancy is still controversial, we report our experience in the management of 42 pregnant patients suffering from symptomatic gallbladder stones. Methodology Between June 1993 and July 1998, we performed 1700 LC's. During this period we dealt with 42 pregnant patients who had symptoms of gallbladder stones. Following an initial period of conservative management, only 16 patients underwent LC during pregnancy and 26 patients responded to medical management and were operated upon later on after delivery. Results Sixteen patients were operated upon successfully during pregnancy, 2 in the 1st trimester, 10 in the 2nd trimester and 4 in the 3rd trimester. No complications occurred and all patients carried on their pregnancies to term and delivered healthy babies. Conclusions From our experience and from the review of the literature on this subject, LC during pregnancy is safe, however the indications should be restricted to patients with complications or to those suffering from repeated and persistent symptoms not responding to medical management.

Appendectomy in pregnancy: the experience of a university hospital

Abstract: The files of pregnant patients who underwent appendectomy at our hospital over the period 1977-96 were studied retrospectively. Forty-six patients were operated upon amongst 52 108 deliveries over this period. Of those 27 had uncomplicated acute appendicitis and six had one of the complications of acute appendicitis (a prevalence of 0.063%). Thirteen had normal appendices (71.7% accuracy). Obstetric complications occurred in four patients, with three fetal losses (6.5%). Those with complicated appendicitis had significantly delayed presentation, in-hospital delay and prolonged postoperative stay. Recently we used diagnostic laparoscopy in two patients for diagnosis and to perform appendectomy in one. In conclusion, the incidence of acute appendicitis in pregnancy seems to be the same over the period of gestation and the diagnostic accuracy seems to be related both to the late presentation by the patient and to physician delay. Maternal morbidity and fetal loss are mostly limited to those with complicated ...

Effect of aluminum phosphide on blood glucose level.

Abstract: Aluminum phosphide (AlP), a poison extensively used as a grain fumigant and rodenticide, can cause an increase or decrease in blood glucose levels Both hypo- and hyper-glycemic effects of AlP can be attributed to the wide variety of changes in magnesium, calcium, phosphate, citrate and cortisol levels. These biochemical changes can act as active stimulatory or inhibitory modulators to enzymes and hormones that catalyze and regulate glucose metabolism. According to the type of biochemical changes, AlP can cause either elevation, decrease or no change in blood glucose levels. A case of AlP-caused death is reported.