Al Yarmouk University College

To investigate the influence of surface characteristics on the shear strength of sand-fines mixture soil-foundation interface, a modified shear box was utilized. In this study, a smooth and two textured (or rough) surfaces that simulate conventional and innovative foundation elements were used, and the soil-surfaces interface was subjected to monotonic shear loading. The soil used in the present study is a mixture of medium sand and fine-grained soils. Two sand-fines mixtures were prepared (i.e., 100% sand–0% fines and 60% sand–40% fines). The results presented herein show that the increase in roughness level of tested surfaces leads to an increase in the interface shear resistance when compared to smooth condition. The higher interface resistance of textured (or rough) surface could be attributed to the creation of highly confined soil wedges (passive zones) at the face of elements and soil dilation with the displacement of surfaces against interface soil at a constant rate. The percentage of increase was up to 68.5% for 100% sand–0% fines mixture and 75.0% for 60% sand–40% fines mixture soils when compared to the interface resistance of smooth surface, respectively. The findings of the present study encourage the adoption of foundation elements with a textured (or rough) surface in sites consisting of sand-fines mixture soils.

To analyze Hesperidin (HES) in its pure form and in supplement formulations, a new spectrophotometric method was developed using a flow injection system (FI) as an integrated, semi-automated technique for quantitative analysis. An orange-colored product was produced during the reaction of HES with diazotized Procaine penicillin (PRP), and was spectrophotometrically detectable at 434nm wavelength (HES–N=N–PRP). The optimum conditions for the Flow injection method were established after evaluating all relevant chemical and physical parameters. The linearity range (LR), the correlation coefficient(r), limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ) were obtained at 5 -100 μg mL-1, 0.9936, 0.679 μg mL-1, and 1.86 μg mL-1, respectively, for 79 samples per hour. The Azo bond (R-N=N-R) was obtained between the HES ring (nucleophilic) and diazotized PRP (electrophile). So, the reaction creates a highly conjugated chromophore that forms an intensely colored azo compound dye. The procedure demonstrated successful applicability for HES quantification in pharmaceutical formulations. Finally, the environmental sustainability of the developed method was assessed using complex MoGAPI and AGREE Preparation techniques. The evaluation confirmed that the approach is both environmentally friendly and aligned with green analytical principles.

Background: The focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) has played a pivotal role in the evaluation of patients presenting with abdominal trauma. Despite its proven advantages, the technique demonstrates variable sensitivity and carries certain limitations. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the FAST scan in detecting emergent abdominal trauma compared to an abdominopelvic CT scan or intraoperative findings. Methods: A total of 228 patients with blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma were included. Following ATLS protocols and adequate resuscitation, patients without higher-priority conditions underwent FAST to detect intra-abdominal free fluid. Results were compared with CT or intraoperative findings to assess diagnostic accuracy. Results: Among 228 trauma patients. Intra-abdominal injuries were confirmed in 39.5% either by CT for stable patients or intraoperative findings for unstable patients. FAST scan identified free fluid in 33.3% of scans, with a sensitivity of 58.88%, specificity of 83.33%, positive predictive value of 69.73%, and negative predictive value of 75.65%. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 73.68%, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.711. Sensitivity was significantly higher in unstable patients than stable patients (p<0.001) and in penetrating trauma compared to blunt trauma (p<0.05). Conclusions: FAST scan shows moderate diagnostic accuracy for detecting intra-abdominal injuries in trauma patients in the ED. Its sensitivity is higher in hemodynamically unstable patients and those with penetrating trauma, while it is lower in stable patients and those with blunt trauma.

Effective quality management in construction projects is relevant but quite difficult because of the dynamic nature of the industry and its complexities. Thereby, traditional quality management systems face immense integration and interpretation difficulties concerning diverse and conflicting data sets that will more likely result in inefficiencies and a heightened risk of errors. This work identifies the knowledge gap and proposes novel evidential reasoning and belief functions framework to enhance the effectiveness of quality assurance and control protocols. Based on Dempster’s rule of evidence combination, this framework systematically aggregates and processes observational data and past performance metrics to provide a more robust mathematical foundation for quality management decisions. This approach enables continuous improvements by dynamically updating belief systems with new evidence. It allows for more standardization within projects by providing a consistent method for evaluating and mitigating risks from human error or other quality-related issues. Numerical examples illustrate the framework’s functionality; hence, this may alter current quality management practices in construction by providing a more accurate and explicit view of project quality standards and results.

Background: Bladder cancer ranks among the most common malignancies globally, with significant variations in incidence due to environmental and lifestyle factors. Iraq presents a unique epidemiological context for bladder cancer, impacted by environmental pollutants, occupational risks, and high tobacco use, particularly among males. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of bladder cancer incidence patterns across Iraq's governorates in 2022, focusing on malignancy type, age-related trends, and regional disparities. Aim: This study aims to identify the patterns of bladder cancer incidence in Iraq, examining the influence of demographic factors (age, gender) and geographical variations on cancer distribution. Method: A descriptive study was conducted using data from the Iraqi Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Department. Data from cancer registries were cross-verified with records from Iraqi cancer centers. Bladder cancer cases were categorized by tumor site, morphology, age, and governorate, following the WHO's ICD-Oncology classifications. The data were analyzed to determine incidence rates per 100,000 populations for each category. Results: Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) was the predominant type, comprising 95.3% of male cases and 91.5% of female cases. Incidence rates increased markedly with age, especially in males, peaking in the 75-79 age group. Geographic analysis revealed that southern governorates, including Karbala and Wasit, exhibited the highest incidence rates, while northern regions reported lower rates. These regional disparities may be attributed to variations in industrial exposure, environmental pollutants, and access to healthcare. Conclusion: Bladder cancer incidence in Iraq shows a predominance of TCC, with higher rates among males and a notable increase in older age groups. Geographic disparities highlight the influence of environmental and occupational factors, particularly in southern Iraq. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention and early detection strategies, particularly in high-incidence areas and among at-risk populations.

هدفت الدراسة إلى الكشف عن مستوى الرشاقة التعليمية، وقدرتها التنبؤية بالاندماج بالعمل، ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة، تم اختيار عينة مكونة من (600) معلماً ومعلمة، وطبق عليهم النسخة العربية من مقياس الرشاقة التعليمية (Özgenel & Yazıcı, 2020)، والنسخة العربية من مقياس الاندماج في العمل (Schaufeli et al., 2006)، وأظهرت النتائج أن مستوى الرشاقة التعليمية لدى العينة جاء بدرجة مرتفعة، وأظهرت النتائج أن المتغيرات الداخلة في التنبؤ بمقياس الاندماج بالعمل هي رشاقة النتائج، ورشاقة التغير، والتي فسَّـرت مجتمعة ما نسبته (16.2٪) من التباين المفسر لمقياس الاندماج بالعمل، وكان متغير رشاقة النتائج الأكثر قدرة على التنبؤ بمقياس الاندماج بالعمل.

This an exploratory study examines the diplomatic activity of the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Twitter, focusing on the network's structure, influence, and key themes. Using NodeXL for social network analysis, the study investigates the interaction dynamics within the ministry's Twitter network during the first three weeks of 2024. The analysis highlights the network's general framework, identifying influential entities through metrics like betweenness centrality and eigenvector centrality. It also explores the sub-clusters of the network, and the most commonly used words, hashtags, and content shared on the platform. The findings reveal a highly connected yet low-density network, with limited reciprocal interactions and a predominance of one-sided communications. Influential actors, including media institutions and individual activists, play a significant role in shaping discussions. The study underscores the impact of time-specific events, such as the Davos Economic Forum, on the level of activity and interaction. By integrating Habermas' theory of the public sphere, the study contextualizes the network's dynamics within broader public discourse, offering insights into the Ministry's engagement strategies and their implications for digital public diplomacy.

Purpose This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of human resource management (HRM) practices between domestic and multinational enterprises within India, a large emerging economy. It also highlights the distinct institutional arrangements that potentially influence the employment practices of these organizations. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a diverse sample of domestic and multinational enterprises in India. The study utilized multivariate analysis to examine HRM practices, focusing on training and development, incentives and rewards and retention practices. Findings Contrary to initial expectations, the results indicate that DEs place significantly more emphasis on HRM practices than MNEs. This finding suggests that organizational scale and global presence do not consistently translate into a greater emphasis on critical HRM parameters. Instead, DEs leverage their local market knowledge and understanding of cultural and institutional nuances to prioritize effective HRM strategies. Research limitations/implications The study did not categorize the nationality of MNEs, which could reveal how different cultural contexts impact HRM practices. It is possible that MNEs headquartered in distinct cultural contexts may exhibit varying behaviors compared to enterprises based in different cultural environments. Additionally, while our findings reveal that domestic enterprises prioritize certain HRM practices over multinational firms, the question remains whether this emphasis translates into favorable organizational performance outcomes. Practical implications Both multinational and domestic enterprises should tailor their HRM practices to align with local dynamics and institutional arrangements. DEs can use their emphasis on HRM practices as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining local talent, while MNEs should enhance cross-cultural competence to better integrate within different national contexts. Originality/value This study introduces a critical rethinking of HRM practices by illustrating the unique ways DEs and MNEs navigate institutional complexities within India. Unlike traditional assumptions that emphasize the superiority of MNE practices, this research uncovers how DEs strategically leverage local institutional knowledge to outperform MNEs in HRM dimensions. By embedding these findings within institutional theory, this study extends the theoretical discourse on organizational adaptability in emerging markets and provides actionable insights for aligning HRM strategies with local institutional contexts, fostering a comprehensive understanding of HRM dynamics across diverse economies.

(1) Study the preoperative predictive factors (such as duration of symptoms, tumor size, and cystic component) and their effects on the type of resection and facial nerve (FN) outcomes. (2) Analyze the intraoperative predictive factors, such as the extent of resection and intraoperative FN stimulation. (3) Compare our approaches (enlarged translabyrinthine approach, transotic and transcochlear approaches) to other approaches (retro sigmoid) and review the literature comparing different approaches. (4) To inquire if the surgical decision (total vs. non-total removal) and outcomes (complications and facial nerve function) of large and giant VS surgery have changed during 35 years at Gruppo Otologico. A total of 567 cases out of 3707 were enrolled. The inclusion criteria were patients with tumors > 30 mm extrameatal diameter undergoing a translabyrinthine approach with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The mean duration of symptoms was 35.9 months, pronounced more in the elderly (53.4 months) than in younger individuals (33.9 months). The mean tumor diameter was 36.6 mm, and 50.4% of them were cystic. Total resection (TR), near-total resection (NTR), subtotal resections (STR), and partial resection (PR) were achieved in 73.2%, 7.4%, 10.2%, and 9.1% of cases, respectively. Regrowth was observed only after STR and PR (20.7% and 44.2%, respectively). We excluded the sacrificed facial nerves (no.86) from the results of the FN outcomes. Postoperatively, FN outcomes were as follows: HB I-II 42.2%, HB III 46.9%, and HB IV-VI 10.8%. Younger individuals underwent TR in 403 (79.3%) cases, against 12 (20.3%) elderly individuals. Non-total resections (NTR/STR/PR) were performed in 47 (79.7%) cases in the elderly as against 105 (20.7%) in younger individuals. For experience effect, there were increased cases of NTR, STR, and PR (18.8% before 2004, 28.9% ≥ 2004), while the rate of complications decreased (24.8% before 2004, 13.1% ≥ 2004). TR and NTR are good strategies for tumor control and FN outcomes. Preoperatively, longer symptom duration, profound deafness, and tumor diameter of ≥ 4 cm adversely influence facial nerve outcome after surgery. Conversely, cystic tumors may have a favorable influence. Additionally, intact FN responding to a stimulus after tumor resection anticipates good long-term FN (HB I-III) outcomes. With experience, operating time decreases and there may be an increase in poor outcomes of FN due to the high rate of operated giant tumors. Long-term follow-up is recommended.