Yarmouk Private University

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.

Metaphorical expressions carry layered meanings and serve a range of persuasive functions, especially within the political sphere. Their strategic use often aims to influence public perception and reinforce a speaker’s credibility. Donald Trump’s presidential campaign speeches during the 2016–2017 U.S. election cycle offer a compelling corpus for examining such rhetorical choices. This study analyzes the metaphors in these speeches by categorizing them into three types: structural, ontological, and orientational metaphors. Using a qualitative descriptive design grounded in cognitive metaphor theory, the analysis draws on Lakoff and Johnson’s Metaphors We Live By (1980). Operating within a post-positivist paradigm, the researcher serves as the primary instrument in interpreting the data. The findings show that structural metaphors allow Trump to frame abstract ideas through more concrete conceptual structures; ontological metaphors provide moderate conceptual grounding by attributing entity-like qualities to abstract phenomena; and orientational metaphors offer minimal conceptual structure while shaping spatial or directional understandings. Across these categories, Trump’s metaphors function to evoke emotion, shape audience perception, and construct a particular persona. Taken together, the metaphors project a worldview centered on resilience, national pride, and assertive leadership—features that contributed to the persuasive force of his political messaging.

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.

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.

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.

Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a lifelong oral health issue that affects about one-third of the world’s population, causing frequent, painful, and discomfort lesions. This randomized, triple-blinded study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of olive leaf extract (OLE) compared to acyclovir cream (Veramid 5%) in managing vesicular stage of RHL lesions. Forty patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and were instructed to apply the prescribed medication five times a day for five consecutive days. The evaluation was carried out by measuring the pain intensity on the first day before the treatment was applied (T0), 48 h (T1), and 7 days later (T2). Additionally, the day when the pain completely healed and the day when the lesion’s crust fell off spontaneously were recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of α = 0.05. The study results indicated that there were no significant differences in pain intensity between the two groups during the three evaluation times: T0 (P = 920), T1 (P = 0.596), and T2 (P = 1.00). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the day when the pain was completely healed (P = 0.697). However, the OLE showed a statistically significant advantage regarding the day the lesions’ crust fell off (P = 0.040). In conclusion, OLE may be a potential alternative treatment for RHL.Trial registration: isrctn.com ID: ISRCTN87606522, 04/09/2023.

The study discussed the financial policy of Al-Hajjaj bin Yusuf Al-Thaqafi (75-95 AH) (694-714 AD) in Iraq, especially those related to agricultural lands which; formed the primary source of resources for the Umayyad state. It sheds light on an important aspect of Islamic economic history, and presents the policy of one of the most important governors in the Umayyad era and his policy in this domain. Al-Hajjaj policy generally considered a subject of debate and disagreement between ancient historians and modern researchers. The research reveals other dimensions of Al-Hajjaj’s character, which was characterized by firmness, while reserving the historical exaggeration against him, which focused on his injustice and tyranny. The study sheds light on understanding the justifications for his financial and economic policy in Iraq, which known as conflicts area that might affect the state, so strictness in dealing with opponents based on concern for the state’s economy and financial resources. This study shows the conditions of agricultural lands in terms of their financial resources and their impact on the state treasury. It focuses on the policy of pilgrims and his measures that were reflected in the state’s financial policy. It highlights the reforms he made, the goal of which was to save the state treasury from bankruptcy and to perpetuate the project of expansion of the Umayyad Empire through conquests. It showed The study shows that Al-Hajjaj acted as a man keen on the Islamic State and its project, and it is recorded that he worked to ensure the stability of agricultural communities in agricultural lands, especially those that had been reclaimed. The study examined the evaluation of Al-Hajjaj's financial policy, which had a high price. This policy angered many groups opposed to the state, especially the loyalists, who posed a threat to his authority and the authority of the Umayyad state.

The recent coronavirus-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a global digitally enabled healthcare advancement infrastructure to ease e-coverage in the future and reduce human losses, facilitating access to high-quality and cost-effective health solutions. As the concept of a virtual healthcare system is still premature, it would have required noteworthy speculation in technologies and an overhaul of most of the current classical healthcare infrastructure, policies, and systems around the globe. Aims and objectives: This study aims to create a viable autonomous virtual universal health care system to modify the comfort of health care through emerging digital and communication innovations to fulfil consumer needs. Methodology: This study falls under the fact-finding category, which encompasses an exploratory approach with literature examination, limited field visits with informal interviews with local key authorities, and an initial assessment of current circumstances to examine the possibility of application of virtual health coverage. Findings: This study discovered that it is imperative to organize and develop the prospected healthcare system at the country level to be governed by international organizations as speculatively it is functioning in comparative improved healthcare systems across the world, which should be based on special processing of the prospected six types of data with their operationalization to serve multidisciplinary bunches by e-governance and exchanges between distinctive measurements. It requires more dependence on digital infrastructure and learning materials through electronic resources and ordinary techniques. Among other effective components for the development of virtual health coverage, are the applications of digital technology, the middle utility of voice and brief advising framework, complex functionalities, and applications of fifth generations (5Gs) arranged into universal servers attached to GPS-appropriate for sound choice and high-quality measures. Recommendations: This study recommends the construction of a virtual healthcare system by utilizing the proposed Electronic domestic medical adviser, virtual clinics, or “e-health incubators” which will allow individuals to relate through the web rather than the face-to-face institutive fragmented structure systems.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest pandemic the world has witnessed in the modern era. This has caused suffering, disruption in the lives of millions of people. Method: We got 16581 Arab tweets, whether they express depression or not, and what symptoms they contain while keeping the time series of the tweets to monitor the 1439 Arab Twitter users during the two years 2019 and 2020. We determined whether the user was depressed or not, once in 2019 and again in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic period; to determine the impact of COVID-19 on depression for each user. Result: We have found that approximately 1.18% of users were classified with depression during the year 2019, compared to 36.69% of users who were classified with depression during the 2020 "during the COVID-19 pandemic," from a database of 1439 Arab users. Conclusion: Taking care of people’s mental health during this difficult period is very important, as some measures must be taken to preserve people’s mental health in countries affected by COVID-19. Feelings of fear related to COVID-19 can affect and harm mental health, causing depression.