University of Jordan

About: University of Jordan is a education organization based out in Amman, Jordan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 7796 authors who have published 13764 publications receiving 213526 citations.

Seismicity and tectonics of the Red Sea and western Arabia

Abstract: SUMMARY Search in a number of seismological sources revealed that in the period 1913-86 some 135 earthquakes (3 M s 6.9) occurred in the Red Sea and western Arabia between latitudes 14" and 27.2"N. In the same period, 49 earthquakes (M s 6.9) and 247 earthquakes (M c 4.9) are reported to have occurred in the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba respectively. Twenty-three historical earthquakes are reported to have been felt in the region with intensities IV-IX and a few more with unassigned intensities, during the period AD 627-1884. The epicentral distribution of both instrumental and historical data and their characteristics show a general correlation with the regional geology and tectonics. Sixty per cent of the total energy released from all instrumental earthquakes is released from earthquakes epicentred within the spreading zone. Concentrations of activity are seen where the spreading zone is intersected by the NE transform faults and where this zone shifts in direction. Much of the seismicity of this region is of the swarm type and volcanic-related. Both instrumental and historical data show an apparent lower seismicity in the northern Red Sea region between latitudes 22" and 27.2"N, but the whole region is of a noticeable seismic risk that is mostly associated with regional land faults, some of which are continuations of the Red Sea transform faults. The instrumental seismicity of the whole region conforms with the relation: log N = 4.23 - 0.53M. When historical data are considered, both datasets conform with the relation: log N = 4.1 - 0.47M. The b constant correlates with the shield-type of environment and seems to increase gradually northwards to attain a value of 0.71 in the Gulfs region. This may be caused by either heterogeneity in the lithosphere or most probably asymmetry of the regional stress field in the vicinity of latitude 27.5"N or both causes.

Atangana-Baleanu fractional framework of reproducing kernel technique in solving fractional population dynamics system

Abstract: In this article, a class of population growth model, the fractional nonlinear logistic system, is studied analytically and numerically. This model is investigated by means of Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative with a non-local smooth kernel in Sobolev space. Existence and uniqueness theorem for the fractional logistic equation is provided based on the fixed-point theory. In this orientation, two numerical techniques are implemented to obtain the approximate solutions; the reproducing-kernel algorithm is based on the Schmidt orthogonalization process to construct a complete normal basis, while the successive substitution algorithm is based on an appropriate iterative scheme. Convergence analysis associated with the suggested approaches is provided to demonstrate the applicability theoretically. The impact of the fractional derivative on population growth is discussed by a class of nonlinear logistical models using the derivatives of Caputo, Caputo-Fabrizio, and Atangana-Baleanu. Using specific examples, numerical simulations are presented in tables and graphs to show the effect of the fractional operator on the population curve as . The present results confirm the theoretical predictions and depict that the suggested schemes are highly convenient, quite effective and practically simplify computational time.

First Report of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 associated with Panama Disease of banana outside Southeast Asia

Abstract: Fusarium wilt or Panama disease of banana, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is among the most destructive plant diseases (3). Race 1 ravaged ‘Gros Michel’-based export trades until the cultivar was replaced by resistant Cavendish cultivars. However, a new variant of Foc, tropical race 4 (TR4), was identified in Southeast Asia in 1992 and has spread throughout the region (3). Cavendish clones, which are most important in subsistence and export production, are among the wide range of cultivars that are affected, and there is a huge concern that TR4 will further disseminate in Africa since its presence was announced in November 2013 and move into Latin America, thereby threatening other vital banana-growing regions. In Jordan, Cavendish bananas are produced on 1,000 to 1,500 ha in the Jordan Valley (32°N, 35.5°E). In 2006, symptoms of Fusarium wilt were observed and sampled for the isolation of Foc. On half-strength PDA amended with 100-ppm streptomycin sulfate, pale salmon-colored colonies...

Stage, age, and EBV status impact outcomes of plasmablastic lymphoma patients: a clinicopathologic analysis of 61 patients

Abstract: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare aggressive neoplasm with lymphoid and plasmacytic differentiation that is commonly associated with immunodeficiency and an unfavorable prognosis. Clinicopathologic features have been largely derived from cases reports and small series with limited outcome analyses. The demographic, clinicopathologic features, and clinical outcomes of a cohort of 61 patients with PBL were reviewed and analyzed. Patients had a median age of 49 years (range 21–83 years) and most (49/61; 80 %) were men. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status was available for 50 patients: 20 were HIV-positive and 30 HIV-negative. Twenty-three patients were immunocompetent. Abdominal/gastrointestinal complaints were the most common presenting symptoms, reported in 14 of 47 (30 %) of patients. At presentation, 24 of 43 (56 %) patients had stage III or IV disease. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected in 40 of 57 (70 %) cases. MYC rearrangement was identified in 10/15 (67 %) cases assessed, and MYC overexpression was seen in all cases assessed regardless of MYC rearrangement status. HIV-positive patients were significantly younger than those who were HIV-negative (median 42 vs. 58 years; p = 0.006). HIV-positive patients were also significantly more likely to have EBV-positive disease compared with HIV-negative patients (19/19, 100 % vs. 15/29, 52 %; p = 0.002). Patients who received CHOP chemotherapy tended to have better overall survival (OS) compared with those who received hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (hyper-CVAD) (p = 0.078). HIV status had no impact on OS. Patients with EBV-positive PBL had a better event-free survival (EFS) (p = 0.047) but not OS (p = 0.306). Notably, OS was adversely impacted by age ≥50 years (p = 0.013), stage III or IV disease (p = <0.001), and lymph node involvement (p = 0.008). The most significant prognostic parameters in patients with PBL are age, stage, and, to a lesser extent, EBV status. In this study, two-thirds of PBL cases assessed were associated with MYC rearrangement and all showed MYC overexpression.

Are university rankings useful to improve research? A systematic review

Abstract: Introduction Concerns about reproducibility and impact of research urge improvement initiatives. Current university ranking systems evaluate and compare universities on measures of academic and research performance. Although often useful for marketing purposes, the value of ranking systems when examining quality and outcomes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate usefulness of ranking systems and identify opportunities to support research quality and performance improvement. Methods A systematic review of university ranking systems was conducted to investigate research performance and academic quality measures. Eligibility requirements included: inclusion of at least 100 doctoral granting institutions, be currently produced on an ongoing basis and include both global and US universities, publish rank calculation methodology in English and independently calculate ranks. Ranking systems must also include some measures of research outcomes. Indicators were abstracted and contrasted with basic quality improvement requirements. Exploration of aggregation methods, validity of research and academic quality indicators, and suitability for quality improvement within ranking systems were also conducted. Results A total of 24 ranking systems were identified and 13 eligible ranking systems were evaluated. Six of the 13 rankings are 100% focused on research performance. For those reporting weighting, 76% of the total ranks are attributed to research indicators, with 24% attributed to academic or teaching quality. Seven systems rely on reputation surveys and/or faculty and alumni awards. Rankings influence academic choice yet research performance measures are the most weighted indicators. There are no generally accepted academic quality indicators in ranking systems. Discussion No single ranking system provides a comprehensive evaluation of research and academic quality. Utilizing a combined approach of the Leiden, Thomson Reuters Most Innovative Universities, and the SCImago ranking systems may provide institutions with a more effective feedback for research improvement. Rankings which extensively rely on subjective reputation and “luxury” indicators, such as award winning faculty or alumni who are high ranking executives, are not well suited for academic or research performance improvement initiatives. Future efforts should better explore measurement of the university research performance through comprehensive and standardized indicators. This paper could serve as a general literature citation when one or more of university ranking systems are used in efforts to improve academic prominence and research performance.