Jordan University of Science and Technology

 

Deanship of Research

Funded

Research

 (1999 & 2000)

 

 

Text Box: Picture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2001


INTRODUCTION

A Royal decree was issued on September 1, 1986 establishing the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) as an autonomous national institute for higher education. It is located at 20 km to the east of Irbid, the second city in Jordan, and 80 km to the north of Amman, the capital. The area of its campus is about 11000 dunums with buildings that were constructed according to the latest architectural designs appropriate to the nature of its scientific faculties. The size of its campus reflects Jordan educational and research ambitions in the various fields of science and technology. Since its foundation the university has witnessed continuous growth in all aspects. The number of its faculties rose from five to eleven, i.e. Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Agriculture, Science and Arts, Veterinary Medicine, Computer and Information Technology, Applied Medical Sciences, and Graduate Studies. In addition, the university has the Deanships of Research and Student Affairs. Also there was a great increase in number of enrolled students which rose from 2300 in 1986 to reach 12000 in 2000/2001. Similarly, the number of the faculty members rose from 110 when the university was founded to reach 550 at the present. The University has 130 scholars still studying for doctorate degrees in various specializations. The university awards B.Sc. degrees in 36 programs, and graduate degrees in 56 different programs (Diploma, High Specialization, M.Sc., and Ph.D.).

Research plays a basic role in the mission of the university. We believe that the university is an institution not only for training young men and women; but also for developing, disseminating, and applying science and knowledge in order to improve in one way or another the quality of life of the people. This can only be achieved through research. Therefore; research is considered an integral part of the development plans of Jordan. We look at research as a major goal of academia and achievements in this area are extremely important. Only through research, the improvement of the academic standards of the university’s faculty members and the international recognition of the university can be accomplished. The deanship of research is in charge of sponsoring, managing, and coordinating research activities conducted by the university faculty members. The major goals of the deanship are:

1-  Encouraging researchers to address problems that are of priority to the developmental needs of Jordan.

2-  Providing needed services and advanced laboratory facilities for research.

3-  Attracting research funds from different outside sources for research projects.

4-  Building relations of cooperation and exchange of expertise with research institutions and centers at home and abroad.

5-  Patenting inventions and their registration in order to protect the rights of the university and the researchers.

This volume introduces the research activities at JUST to national and international agencies. It includes the abstracts of the funded research during the year 2000 and a list of the funded research titles for the year 1999. Also included two figures that show the number of funded research projects and budget allocated for research during the period from 1987 to 2000. We hope that this volume reflects the commitment and aspiration of our faculty members to research.

Deanship of Research

     January 2001


 

 

 

 

Abstracts

for Funded Research

During the Year 2000


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty of Engineering


Theoretical & Experimental Study of Separation of Alcohol-Water Mixture by Molecular Sieve

Hussein Allabon, Fahmi Abu Alrub, and Ammar Eisa

Project No.: 18/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2900 JD

ABSTRACT

Separation of alcohol – water vapor mixtures by adsorption of water vapor on molecular sieves will be investigated. The effects of liquid composition, mass of molecular sieves, alcohol – water vapor flow rate, and pore size on the efficiency of separation will be studied.

A mathematical model that describes the adsorption process will be formulated and solved for each alcohol water mixture and the results will be compared with the experimental ones.


Information System of Progress Evaluation of Public Project in Jordan

Abdalla Qudah, and Hussien AL Battaineh

Project No.: 22/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1150 JD

ABSTRACT

An information system for progress evaluation of projects was developed. The system includes a relational database of contractors, consultants, general and periodic progress information of public projects in Jordan. The system includes a list of all classified contractors and consultants and their classification. The system provides mangers and decision-makers with the progress curves and progress parameters needed to identify and assess the extent of delay and cost overrun of a particular project as well as of group of projects of common characteristics. The information system was used to evaluate the progress of public building and road projects. The evaluation is based on planned and actual progress data of 164 buildings and 28 roads constructed during the period of 1996 – 2000. The evaluation aimed at identifying the different factors and characteristics associated with projects that have encountered extensive delays and cost overrun. The project characteristics considered in the evaluation were: (1) contract duration; (2) contract value; (3) project location; (4) contractor classification; (5) type of consultant; and (6) source of funding. The results of the progress evaluation were: (1) public projects, specially roads, suffered from extensive delay and cost overrun: the respective average time and cost growths were 60.45% and 12.45% for road projects, and 20.32% and 3.93% for buildings; (2) the higher the contract value and contract duration the less the time and the cost growths; (3) international financing improves the cost performance but has negative effect on time performance; (4) projects consulted by private firm has less cost growth but more time growth than projects consulted by public consultants.


Remote Sensing and GIS-Assisted Modeling of Soil Induced

Erosion Hazards: A Case Study in the North & Northwest of Jordan

Abdallah I.Malkawi, and Nezar A. Hammouri

Project No.: 29/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1300 JD

ABSTRACT

Soil erosion is considered as a major problem that restricts and reduces the use of agricultural lands. The problem has a significant impact in arid and semi-arid environments, commonly regions where quantitative information on erosion rates is severely lacking. In Jordan, the agricultural lands are mainly located in the northern and western parts of Jordan. These lands, which represent only (5%) of Jordan, are the only source crops, therefore, the soil erosion is considered as severe problem in Jordan.

The following objectives are expected to be achieved during this study:

-      Estimating erosion impact in the north and north-west of Jordan using GIS and Remote Sensing Analysis.

-      Estimating soil erosion parameters for Jordan

-      Optimizing land use and prevention procedure for sustained soil and land use.

-      Simulation human activities impact on landscape process.


Behavior of Extended End Plate for Beam – to – Column Connection

Khairedin M. Abdalla, G. Abu-Farsakh, and S. Barakat

Project No.: 30/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5000 JD

ABSTRACT

The research project will describes an experimental investigation into the structural behavior of flexible end plate beam–to–column connections. A series of tests on a variety of beams-to-column joints will be tested under gradually increasing static loads. An optical technique will be adopted for the measurement of rotations of the beam and the column. The moment rotation characteristic is the most important influence on the response of members or frames. A review is made of all available test data.


Multiobjective Reliability-Based Optimization of Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges

Samer Barakat, and Mohammed Qahtan

Project No.: 33/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1950 JD

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive study on the optimal probabilistic design of prestressed concrete beams (PCB) is presented. The Feasible Direction Method is used to obtain a set of optimal geometrical dimensions of asymmetrical I-beam cross section, and amount of prestressing steel. The bonded tendon type is considered in application of post-tensioned beam with a single duct of parabolic shape. Many parameters were analyzed including the effect of span length considering different loading cases. The performance constraints in the deterministic approach, according to the ACI 318/95 Building Code provisions, are based upon the flexural stresses, the prestressing losses, the ultimate shear strength, the ultimate moment capacity of the section with respect to cracking moment and factored loads, the crack width, the immediate deflection and the long term deflection. A practical and efficient reliability based-structural optimization (RBSO) approach is conducted to design PCB. The solution is obtained using an optimization-based program linked to a reliability analysis program. In this program, the first order second moment reliability method for the aforementioned components and systems is employed. Material properties, loading and models used to predict structural behavior at all stages, are treated as random variables. An approach of single objective RBSO (SORBO) of PCB to minimize the overall cost of the beam in terms of concrete, prestressing steel, mild steel and formwork is given by a one-point solution. This solution does not provide enough information for decision making in the design process. Hence, the multiobjective reliability-based optimization (MORBO) of PCB is shown to be practically feasible and more beneficial than SORBO. An algorithm to handle uncertainty in MORBO problems considering the -constraint method is used and the Pareto optimum solutions are obtained. Secondary and tertiary competing objective functions have been simultaneously applied for both minimizing the overall cost and the long term deflection, as well as maximizing; the system reliability index, the reliability of flexural strength capacity, and the reliability of tensile stress at service stage. The probabilistic designs are performed using two types of target reliability index. As a result of MORBO solutions, the design charts and their interaction curves are developed. These charts can be used by the designers in selecting the best-desired solutions.


Modeling of Turning Process

Fikri Dweiri, Mohammed Hayajneh, and Wafa' Bataineh

Project No.: 34/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1620 JD

ABSTRACT

This thesis proposes a new three-dimensional cutting process model. The basic features and improvements over previously developed models include: (1) cutting force calculations based on the concept of equivalent orthogonal cutting process (EOC), which converts the modeling of three dimensional cutting process into the modeling of orthogonal cutting processes. In the model, both cutting force coefficient and chip load are considered as functions of cutting conditions, tool geometry, machine-tool structural vibrations. (2) microstructure hardness variation of work piece material has been taken into consideration. (3) the regenerative mechanism and mode coupling effect in machining are included. The structural dynamics equations, which include five vibration modes, are in the form of a set of simultaneous different equations. The forth-order Runge-Kutta method is applied to solve these equations numerically. Based on the proposed model, systematic simulation of turning processes has been conducted. The simulation results show the relation between the cutting force and surface finish (output of the process) and the feed, spindle speed, depth cut, nose radius, rake and lead angles (the input parameters of the process). The simulation results of surface finish and cutting force are verified experimentally. The simulated surface finish and cutting force are in agreement with the experimental results.


Using MODFLOW and MT3D Groundwater Flow and Transport Models as a Management Tool for the Azraq Groundwater System)

Mohanned Al-Sheriadeh, Yahia Majali, and Randeh Hatamleh

Project No.: 35/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1850 JD

ABSTRACT

The present research is intended to manage the withdrawal of groundwater from Azraq Field without the danger of water being depleted or threatened by salinity intrusion into the freshwater. The work methodology stems mainly on models simulation, by the which the groundwater flow and constituents transport are first studied and physically captured. Once completed, management options will be investigated on the basis of scenario simulation to find out the best alternative which groundwater system sustainability.


Effect of Soil-Water Separation Techniques on the Adsorption Characteristics of Bacteria Onto Soil

Munjed Al-Sharif, Jamal Abu-Ashour, and Samah Sami

Project No.: 36/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2850 JD

ABSTRACT

A suite of laboratory batch experiments using a tracer bacterium, nalidixic acid-resistant Escherichia coli (E.coli NAR), were used to study the effect of three soil-water separation techniques on determining the adsorption characteristics of bacteria onto soil. The used techniques are: centrifugation, sedimentation, and filtration. For each method of separation three types of adsorption isotherms were examined to investigate the applicable isotherm. They are: linear, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherm.

 Results showed that, the used biotracer survive well in soil and water for 7 days Period. The partitioning of E.coil NAR with the used loamy soil was controlled by an equilibrium model. The Equilibrium State was reached after 1-hr mixing. Linear isotherm applied to the different separation techniques can best describes the adsorption of E.coli NAR onto soil for the used range of E. coli NAR concentration. Filtration technique provides the highest effect in biotracer retardation, water-soil separation and hence the adsorption of E.coli NAR per unit mass of soil. Whereas, gravity settling of E. coli NAR was not significant when they are present in water, and gives the lowest amount of biotracer adsorption.


Retention of Selected Heavy Metals on Clayey Soils from Irbid Region

Munjed Al-Sharif, and Ruba A. Al-Zoubi

Project No.: 37/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1550 JD

ABSTRACT

The removal of some heavy metals; namely, zinc and cadmium, from aqueous solutions through retention on soil is investigated. A series of laboratory column and batch experiments were conducted with soil from the Irbid region in order to study the retention characteristics. The effect of metal concentration, metal type, and soil clay content is observed and, eventually, used to establish a relationship between the retention of heavy metals in soil and the previously mentioned factors. The developed relationships provide useful tools for an understanding of the retention of heavy metals in Irbid soil under various conditions.

Since trace elements could be toxic, mutagenic, or teratogenic when introduced to human body, bio-systems, or environment. This work could contribute towards finding a method of removal of such elements, and so in providing a safe water supply.

Results has shown a high potential of Irbid soil to retain zinc and cadmium under different influent concentrations and clay content.


Proposed Pavement Design Models for Jordan

Fouad Gharaybeh, and Amani Al-Motairi

Project No.: 38/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1370 JD

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to produce special design models and charts pertinent to Jordan. These models should be simple, easy to use, consider the Jordanian material and climate and valid for all types of roads.

These objectives will be achieved through recognition of the parameters in the original American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design models, characterization of the Jordanian pavement material and environmental conditions, plug in fixed values for some of the parameters used in the original models and eliminate some of the variables, production of new developed models with the least number of variables and drawing design charts for each road category used in Jordan.


Heavy Metals Distribution and Microbial Profile In Zarqa River Water and Sediments

Munjed Al-Sharif, Moh'd Nuseer, and Abed Salam Qublan

Project No.: 39/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1700 JD

ABSTRACT

This research was aimed at studying the distribution of heavy metals including Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb, and Cu in Zarqa river water and sediment. Water and sediment samples were collected along the river from King Talal dam to Amman during February and May 2000,and the frequency of the sampling is monthly.

The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals are below the values recommended by Jordanian standards for irrigation water except Cr and Cd in the dam and Jerash area. The concentration of heavy metals in the river sediment is greater about by about 1000 times relative to that in water demonstrate the importance of suspended matter as transport pathway for the metals. The most contaminated area is located in Russiefa area within industry region and at the confluence of the river with wastewater treatment plants.

Also, the densities of total coliforms, salmonella, shigella, giardia lambila and entamoeba histolytica in the river are studied, the result showed that the river water contain high densities of coliforms and other bacteria and no contains either giardia or entamoeba. The variation of densities of bacteria refers to the point and nonpoint source source of pollution associated within the basin of the Zarqa River. Also these result indicate that the Samra and Jarash wastewater treatment plant are the major source of pollution in the river.


Simulation of Variables that Influence Spray Distribution and Drift

Adnan I. Khdair, and Lau’y Zeatoun

Project No: 40/2000                                                    Amount of Fund: 4970 JD

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this research is to assist in the development of equipment and selection of operating conditions to maximize the pesticide deposit on the target and minimize the spray drift by studying the effects of several variables on spray distributions and drift distances of spray droplets using laboratory test and a computational fluid dynamics computer program (CFD) “FLUENT”. The simulation variables include: operating pressure (1 to 30 bar), droplet size (10 to 2000 mm), wind velocity (0.50 to 10 m/s), initial droplet velocity (0-50 m/s), discharge height (0.25 to 4 m), temperature (10 to 30 C), relative humidity (10 to 100%), and 20% turbulence intensity.


A Study on the Safety Factor of Slopes Using Limiting Equilibrium Approach

Abdallah 1.Husein Malkawi, and Tamara Mubeideen.

Project No.: 41/2000                                       Amount of Found: 1200 JD

ABSTRACT

Locating the critical slip surface and the associated minimum factor of safety are two complementary parts in analyzing the stability of slopes. Recently, a large number of computer programs have been developed to solve slope stability problems. However, most of them have used inefficient and unreliable search procedures to locate the global minimum factor of safety. The main objectives of this research are:

1.  The SAS-MCT program will be used to study the effect of number of slices on the determination of the factor of safety of the slope. Circular and non-circular slip surfaces will be considered. In case of non-circular slip surfaces different vertices will be considered.

2.  The SAS-MCT program will be used to study the use of different limiting equilibrium methods for the safety factor. This will cover various method of stability as Fellenius (1936), Bishop (1955), Janbu (1954,1973), Moregenstern-Price (1965), and Spencer (1967).

3.  Various optimization search methods will be considered to determine the most effective among them. These are grid method, Jumping method and random walking method.


NOx Reduction in Acoustically Enhanced Combustion

Ghassan Tashtoush, and Mohamed Abu-Qudais

Project No.: 55/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3000 JD

ABSTRACT

NOx is recognized as a fundamental component of the ground level ozone problem. Since 1970’s the Utility Industry has been faces with grater pressure from the EPA to reduce the flue gas emissions of SO2 and NOx. Currently in UK, there are limits on the NOx Concentration in the utility-boiler flue gas which are set at 650 mg /Nm3.NOx emission have been reduced on a steady basis by improving the different elements of the combustion process, by installing low NOx burners. The industry has consistently tried to find ways by which NOx reduction can be achieved, relatively inexpensive, and with the new Ozone Season limits, it is becoming more of a requirement.

The objective of this study is to seek a new technology in order to replace a flue gas reburn technology which has been used in order to control nitrogen oxides pollutant emitted from the power plants. The flue gas reburn system consists of a recirculation unit which is effective in reducing the formation of NOx pollutants but expensive in building and maintaining the system. The proposed study will investigate a possible alternative means to achieve the same or even better effectiveness in reducing the NOx pollutants with much less cost.


Artificial Neural Network Based Method for Classification, Identification, Assessment and Performance Prediction of Pre-earthquakes and Post-earthquakes Structures

Khaldoon Bani-Hani, and Samer Barakat

Project No.: 57/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2200 JD

ABSTRACT

The post-earthquake performance of structural systems is tightly related to prior knowledge of the structural characteristics as well as their performance history and pre-earthquake responses. The future stability and reliability of structures and their capabilities of static and dynamic resistance to external loadings depend on the accuracy of the dynamic system models used in analysis, design and construction. Additionally, for existing structures, handy response history and performance records describing the structural response under different environmental loads, such as strong earthquakes, blast waves and wind forces are of great importance to verify, identify, classify and predict the structural performance and sustainability. This study discusses the possibility of introducing a new neural network based method to classify, identify and predict the performance of structures. A comprehensive study is to be conducted in an effort to verify the stability and reliability of recently post-earthquake structures and the future performance of those structures and the new structures. Besides, structures are expected to be classified in several rated categories, according to their importance, strength, geometry, damage resistance, crack developments, crack patterns, yielding, ductility, material properties and their future vulnerability for earthquakes resistance and structural collapse.


Capital Budgeting of Municipal Projects

Abdalla Qudah

Project No.: 60/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2700 JD

ABSTRACT

Due to scarce financial resources and improper planning and capital budgeting, most Municipalities in Jordan face financial problems thus imparting their abilities to deliver vital community services. Proper planning and capital budgeting becomes more important as the demands on public services increase at a much steeper rate than the increase in financial resources. This problem reduces to a special problem of proper planning and allocation of limited resources to achieve maximum value of public services and projects over a limited planning horizon.

This research aims at developing a capital budgeting system that addresses the planning and capital budgeting problems faced by many municipalities and other public agencies in a systematic approach. The system plans for services and infrastructure projects as well as for income-generating projects and investments. The system requires the decision makers to assign priorities among the planned projects and services. Taking the set priorities and the projected cash flow for each project or service, the projected capital budget over the planning horizon, and the rates of discounts on investments and loans as input, the system generates a feasible schedule of the planned services and projects that maximizes the benefits without exceeding the municipality’s financial capabilities.

The system is implemented in an easy to use interactive computer program that utilizes a search algorithm designed to schedule the high value services and projects as early as possible. As a project is scheduled, either from available budget or through a loan, the capital budget is updated according to the discounted project’s and/or loan cash requirements. The updated budget is then checked against the required cash of another project to determine the project’s earliest possible start. This process is repeated until no further projects can be scheduled within the planning horizon. This algorithm is repeated for different combinations of services and projects. The combination that yields the highest value is selected.


Self-Similar Fractality of Urban Growth Systems

Imad Al-hashimi, Abdil-Sahib Al-Azzawi, and Hassan Abd Ali Abdul-Shaheed

Project No.: 63/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1700 JD

ABSTRACT

Fractal Geometry is a mean to represent chaotic systems. It concerns with irregular patterns made of parts that are in some way similar to the whole, e.g., twigs and tree branches, a property called self-similarity or self-symmetry. There are four main features of Fractal Geometry which are self-similarity, hierarchy, irregularity and fractal (not-integer) dimensions.

Geometry is no longer conceived in terms of straight lines (the Geometry of Euclid) but can admit irregularity without abandoning continuity.

The city is a mirror of society and culture. Its physical form is considered to be the ultimate result of a multitude of social and economic processes constrained and shaped by the geometry of the natural and man-made world. Cities growth imply the same systematic order at each level of their hierarchy according to multi fractal dimensions. The goal is to develop a mathematical tool to describe, interpret and simulate reality.


Evaluation of Biomedical Wastes and Its Disposal Practices in Irbid Hospitals

Wa'il E. Abu-El-Shar, Munjed M. Al-Sharif, Attalla Rabi, and Mamdouh Allawzi

Project No.: 72/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

The mounted awareness of the negative impacts of the improper handling of medical wastes on human health and the environment initiated interest in the local Jordanian media which questioned the current medical waste disposal practices of 13 hospitals in Irbid region. In response, this study has been examining the overall medical waste management practices of the targeted 13 hospitals with emphasis on the generated volumes, handling, treatment, and disposal of the "developer and fixer waste produced from the x-ray units at these hospitals. Each hospital was visited and evaluated using a specially prepared questionnaire that was filled with the participation of the designated personal at every hospital. The questionnaire covered many aspects of hospital solid waste management and disposal including: general information, specialty, services, employees, size, departments, handling disposal and management of clinical waste, staff and responsibilities, training and awareness, and external management of clinical waste. To date, site visits of all hospitals have just been completed and the collected data is in the process of analysis.


Experimental and Theoretical Study of Multicomponent Ion Exchange in Fluidized Bed

Fahmi Abu Al-Rub, and Hasan Mosa

Project No.: 73/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1650 JD

ABSTRACT

In this work, the removal of different ions, such as copper and nickel from wastewater by ion exchange in a liquid-solid fluidized bed is to be studied. The relative merits of using ion exchange fluidized bed versus packed bed will be evaluated for the studied ions.

A mathematical model which combines an axial dispersion model with an equilibrium theory is to be formulated for the multicomponent ion exchange in a fluidized bed.


Feasibility of Collecting Ambient Air Moisture by Forced Condensation

Hamid Al-Jalil, Jumah Amayreh, and Mohamad Al-Widyan

Project No.: 74/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2500 JD

ABSTRACT

In this proposal, the potential and feasibility of collecting ambient air moisture and converting it into a useful source of water is investigated. The quality of this water resource is good and the quantity is theoretically unlimited. The methodology of this research is to use a refrigeration system to cool specially designed surfaces (dehumidifying units) to a temperature equal to or below the dew temperature. As a result, air moisture in contact with the cooled surfaces of the units will be forced to condense and then be collected for usage.

Necessary sensors will be utilized to control the process by reporting the collected water and ambient air conditions numerous times during the 24 hours of the day by the aid of a data logger. This shall help determine the effect of ambient conditions including mainly the relative humidity, temperature, …etc. on the collection efficiency during the day. The eventual goal is to determine the best times during the day and in different seasons for water collection.


Thermodynamic Analysis of Vapor-liquid Equilibria in Mixed Aqueous-Organic Systems with Salts

Fawzi Banat, and Sameer Al-Asheh

Project No.: 77/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3800 JD

ABSTRACT

The ease of components separation from a liquid mixture via distillation depends on the vapor-liquid equilibrium characteristics of the liquid mixture. If an azeotrope is encountered in distillation, its composition represents a limit to the separation that can be achieved. Salt-effect distillation is a novel variation on extractive distillation in which the “agent” added to the column to effect the separation is a salt rather than a liquid. When a salt is added to a mixture, the overall effect will be to increase the relative volatility and probably shift the azeotropic point or even break it, if the salt is properly selected. This work aims at studying the effect of different salts on the vapor-liquid equilibrium of selected systems; in particular those systems that can be separated by the membrane distillation process. Different thermodynamic mathematical.


Treatment of Industrial Wastewater by Reverse Osmosis & the Possibility of Usable Materials Recovery from the Wastewater Stream

Hani Abu Qdais

Project No.: 81/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 6800 JD

ABSTRACT

A broad spectrum of industrial wastewater (i.e. olive-oil, selfo-chemical, paint, dairy industries) will be selected for the treatment in a specially designed and fabricated laboratory scale reverse osmosis (RO) unit (see figure 1). The unit will be run under a combination of various operational conditions such as, flow rate, pressure, RO units arrangement (parallel and series) and recycling ratio, with different quality parameters of the feed industrial wastewater, including pH, temperature, and pollutants concentration.

The concentration of the pollutants in the industrial wastewater samples will be determined initially before being introduced into the RO unit, based on which, proper pretreatment steps of the samples will be conducted. After that, the industrial wastewater will be fed into the RO unit for treatment, and the concentration of the pollutants will be measured in both the reject and permeate water. The concentration estimations will be cross-checked by carrying out a mass balance.

The methods and techniques that will be utilized for concentration measurement, will depend on the parameter of interest, and those will mainly include GC/MS, spectrophotometry, BOD, and COD techniques. The data of each experiment will be recorded and the reject ratio for each run to be calculated. The best combination of operational conditions and quality parameters which gives higher reject ratio will be determined for each industrial wastewater stream.

Recycled reject

 


Text Box: 1

Text Box: 3                  

Text Box: 3

 


Text Box: 2 22222

Industrial

Permeate

Wastewater feeding

Legend

Pretreatment process (activated carbon cartridge and pH adjustment)

High pressure pump

Reverse osmosis module

Figure Shows a Block Diagram of the Reverse Osmosis Treatment Unit


Environmental Impact Assessment of Road Construction Projects

Hani Abu Qdais, and Saad Abu-Qudais

Project No.: 87/2000                                                   Publication Support

ABSTRACT

A methodology to calibrate the environmental impacts of constructing or upgrading roads has been provided. This methodology has been applied to upgrading Unaizah-Shoubak-Wadi Mousa road in Jordan. This road connects the desert highway to Petra. Which is considered one of the most significant archeological sites in Jordan. To evaluate the possible environmental impacts of the proposed road, three different construction alternatives were considered, screened and analyzed. These alternatives were no action, rehabilitation of existing road, and construction of new road. Analyzing the three alternatives showed that, the second alternative was the best in terms of environmental and economical impacts. Then the environmental impact of selected alternative has been evaluated in terms of exploitation of raw materials, landscape disfigurement, sites of historical, cultural, and archaeological, values pollution of water resources, soil erosion, sedimentation, and tectonic stability, agricultural land take, severance effect, building take, noise effect, vehicular emission, road accidents, damage to existing infrastructure utilities, impact on local customs and culture, and cumulative and induced impacts. Evaluation results indicated that the most critical impact will be landscape disagurement along limited length of the road, and limited number of buildings will be taken off. In addition to noise and air pollution by engines emission will be significant, especially during construction stage. On the other hand, accidents along the road is expected to be significantly reduced. Finally, mitigation and compensation techniques have been discussed for each impact, in an effort to solve the conflict between upgrading the road and its effect on nature fragmentation (environmental impact).


Constrained Motion Control Using Vector Potential Fields

Samer A. Masoud, and Ahmad A. Masoud

Project No.: 88/2000                                                   Publication Support

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the generation of a control signal that would instruct the actuators of a robotics manipulator to drive motion along a safe and well-behaved path to a desired target. The proposed concept of Navigation control along with the tools necessary for its construction achieve this goal. The most significant tool is the Artificial Vector Potential Field which shows a better ability to steer motion than dose a scalar potential field. The synthesis procedure emphasizes flexibility so that the effort needed to modify the control is commensurate with the change in the geometry of the workspace. Theoretical development along with simulation results are provided.


The Evaluative Image of the City A Case Study of Irbid City Center

Ahmed Y. Al-Zoabi, and Amneh H. AI-Zoubi

Project No.: 93/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2600 JD

ABSTRACT

The proposed study is oriented toward studying the evaluative images of Irbid City Center in order to provide some clear operational strategies to improve a city image appropriate to its public through the process of shaping and reshaping of the city.

This research hypothesize that the professionals Vs public evaluative images of the city are necessary components in improving the city image. A field survey will be used to obtain these evaluative images of Irbid city center through in-person interviews of the professionals (experts, architects, planners,.....) and the public who experience the city using structured questionnaire with the help of maps. The results of this study -as supposed, will enable us seeing the urban environment in an evaluative manner-as seen by the research subjects, the public who experience the city center and the professionals who are responsible for the physical environment. This will give us a snapshot of the perceived quality of the prominent features - as desired or undesired, which represent the degree of satisfaction with the urban quality of the city, and the different reasons (Meanings) associated with environmental characteristics. Add that it will determine the component factors that go to build the image. All these can provide basis for decision and Policy reasons in the time that such a study can provide valid, reliable, and useful information for planning, design, and management of desirable surroundings.


The Applicability of Sustainable City Paradigm to Arabic-Islamic Cities: A Case Study of Jerusalem, Palestine

Ahmad Y. Al-Zoabi, and Ola M. Jarrar

Project No.: 94/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2400 JD

ABSTRACT

Making the world's villages, towns and cities socially and economically sustainable is humanity's most urgent challenge for the 21st century (Findlay, 1996). This issue has been the focus of many researchers and several studies have been carried out in order to establish a sustainable city model. Since this concept is highly contextual, this study is concerned with the investigation of the applicability of sustainable city paradigm to Arabic-Islamic cities in general and Jerusalem in particular. Investigation is limited to one major theoretical area; city form and two minor theoretical areas; street system, and land use.

Researchers have suggested criteria, parameters and indicators for sustainable city model. However, this research is intended to develop criteria, parameters and indicators of the sustainable city form, street system and land use with respect to local values and context of Jerusalem. Development of such criteria, parameters and indicators could help to construct a sustainable Arabic-Islamic City form model.


Modeling the Interaction between Shallow and Deep Aquifers in Yarmouk Basin

Mohanned Al-Sheriadeh, Yahia Majali, and Sa’ed Ayesh

Project No.: 96/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2200 JD

ABSTRACT

Westnorthern Part of Yarmouk Basin Aquifer System is considered hydrogeologically complicated by the fact that many faults exist and saline water of the deep aquifers mixes with the fresh water of the shallow ones. The present research is trying to resolve this problem by model simulation. In it the whole basin was first studied and its physical state being understood. Next, the focus was shifted to westnorthern part of the basin by telescoping meshing. At the end, the interaction of the shallow and deep aquifers was quantified on the basis that other factors were set appropriately.


Heritage Conservation and Islam

"A hermeneutical /critical approach"

Rami Daher, and Zain Khalaf

Project No.: 123/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1200 JD

ABSTRACT

The recent noticeable popularity of heritage conservation within Islamic countries with the inseparable excessive negative outcomes and heritage exploitation, evoked the objective of this research which is to search the issue of heritage conservation in such countries from an Islamic point of view in order to mold rationales for heritage conservation and cultural continuity in Muslim countries today. The research also proposes policies and practices for heritage conservation projects within an Islamic milieu and out-looks (a document for heritage conservation in Islamic countries).

This research is exploratory in nature and is based on an inductive/ hermeneutical and critical inquiry. The research will adopt a multi-method approach to inquiry in order to increase the validity of the study. Methods will encompass hermeneutics, and case studies. The research is of great philosophical and practical importance since many heritage conservation projects are taking place in Islamic countries but no serious research in the epistemology of heritage conservation has been conducted to correctly address the question of conservation in Islamic contexts.


Developing a Locale-Driven Methodology for Cultural Site Management in Jordan

Rami Daher, and Mohammed Hussain

Project No.: 124/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1200 JD

ABSTRACT

Through the last century, essence and consciousness of cultural heritage values and significance, defined by historical cultural sites in Jordan, have been experiencing limited and non-realistic management processes due to the absence of a clear definition and proper identification of the values, dynamics, and contexts that constitute each site's significance. Currently, many cultural sites in Jordan, suffer from foreign and imported management policies that are technically impractical, costly, and do not elicit enough local political support to ensure implementation. In addition, most cultural resource management projects and cultural site management endeavors are initiated by foreign initiatives subject to global investment mechanisms and strategies. Such financial mechanisms increase Jordan's dependency on foreign aids and depts.

On the other hand, local management strategies are aimed to achieve immediate solutions to what is considered as urgent problems, however, this unplanned approach leads to ad hoc decisions that result in unanticipated, negative consequences in the short and long terms. Furthermore, achievement of cultural site management is also challenged by the lack of successful funding strategies, which aim to impose policies instead of practical and comprehensive decision making, considering the conservation and protection of cultural resources. Most of these policies are unsustainable to the local communities involved in such sites.

The objective of this research is to develop a "locale-driven" methodology for cultural site management in Jordan. The research hypothesizes that first; the 'locale' and place politics and dynamics should inform cultural site manage strategies and policies. In addition, the research hypothesizes that current financing mechanisms are impeding to development. New funding and financing mechanisms should be developed that emerge from the community's local concept of development.

The research will accommodate two main methods within a phenomenological framework. The first method will investigate previous cultural site management policies and methods through international and regional case studies. The second method will heavily be based on intensive fieldwork that will explore current cultural site management processes in action at AlQastal Development and Conservation Project, located at the Highway route to Queen Alia airport. The selection criterion of this location is based on: first, the cultural, contextual, historical significance and value they reflect, second, the evaluation of management policies based on "realities" of the sites, considering locale dynamics, values, and environmental condition.


Deformation Control of Rotating Shallow Caps With Unconstrained Central Hole

Maki K. Rashid

Project No.: 125/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 850 JD

ABSTRACT

Several researchers considered the geometrical variations associated with the high speed rotating objects that resulted from high internal mechanical stresses. None of them considered a methodology for controlling such deformations in rotating shallow shells. Conical and spherical shell geometies has no flexibility in controlling deformation in such problems. Nevertheless, combination of these geometries can give devastating results. Such work has application in hybrid machines where the magnetic levitation of rotating objects replaces the traditional bearings. In addition, the work would show how to integrate the analysis, design, and, computer aided manufacturing in one place by using the most recent techniques in this area. A constrained parametric computer graphic would be used for the geometrical representation of the shallow shell. Then a computer analysis should be carried to construct monograms for deformation control of rotating shallow shells. In addition to the geometrical combination layouts for the spherical and conical shells, nine dimensionless groups related to material, inertia, and geometrical parameters are to be investigated in this work.


Enhancement of Soil Physical Properties and Nutrient Content by Composted Olive Cake

Faisal Qassem, Mohamad Al-Widyan, and Hamid Al-Jalil

Project No.: 126/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1330 JD

ABSTRACT

In this research project an attempt will be made to thoroughly investigate the potential and feasibility of composting of the olive mills solid waste (olive cake). It is a fact that this kind of waste is produced in large quantities in Jordan and is undoubtedly the single most important agricultural residue in the country. Composting is a biological process that stabilizes organic wastes and converts the material into a useful and safe product. In particular, composting characteristics and behavior of the material during composting will be examined. The method of composting chosen for this work is the aerated static pile, which minimizes the effort and labor required for mixing the compost pile ingredients and allows for more control over the process.

The other major aspect of this work involves the possibility of utilizing the final product (olive cake compost) as a soil amendment. This includes specifically the effect of adding and mixing the compost with the soil on the basic soil physical properties such as bulk density, water holding capacity, infiltration rate, …etc.


The Effects of Changing the constituents Weight Percentages on the Properties of AL-Mg-Graphite Composites

Adel Mahmood Hassan, Mohammed Hayajneh, and Mohammad Al-Omari

Project No.: 127/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1200 JD

ABSTRACT

Among the many techniques available to synthesize metal matrix composites (MMCs), solidification processes are particularly attractive due to their simplicity, economy and flexibility. Aluminum-graphite composites have widely being acknowledged as potential candidate materials for anti-friction applications. The presence of graphite in Al-alloys ensures smooth functioning in surface under the conditions of boundary lubrication and assist in improving the friction and wear properties. However, in order to qualify the composite for engineering applications, it is important that the addition of reinforcing phase should also assist in improving some of the metal matrix properties. The extreme importance of this subject has motivated this research. Thus, the main objectives of the project are: (1) Designing a mixer to stir the molten metal during casting. (2) Casting of AL-Mg-Graphite composites to produce the test specimens for the present investigation. (3) Studying the effect of graphite, Mg, AL weights percentages on some properties of AL-Mg-Graphite composite. (4) Examining the effect of porosity on properties of the produced composite.


GIS as a Tool in Urban Design

Fuad Malkawi, and Mazen Kana'an

Project No.: 128/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4000 JD

ABSTRACT

Humans have been using maps since the dawn of History. The Greeks, the Romans, and even the Arabs, who were the leading cartographers during the Middle Ages, have always realized the importance of improving mapping techniques to coop with the new realities of the world. Nevertheless, the ways in which geographic information were displayed remained, until recently, limited. New needs for more advanced mapping techniques arose as societies became more developed; the building of roads, canals, railways required the location of towns, lake etc. to be accurately known. The development of electronic computers during the Second World War and their spread for non-military uses in the 1950's lead to the development of computer programs allowed the storage and manipulation of geographic information. In the 1970's a new approach to organize geographic information on computers, known as geographic information systems (GIS), that revolutionized mapping appeared.

Although the majority of GIS applications are concerned with mapping and surveying, it is used for diverse computer based applications involving the capture, manipulation, analysis and display of geographic information. For these reasons, GIS is currently used heavily in many disciplines such as geography, agriculture, environmental studies, forestry, geology, and civil engineering. However, we find minimum utilization of the systems in urban design despite our knowledge of their advantages. A current geographic information system includes a wide range of programmed tools for spatial analysis such as spatial overlay, network analysis or digital terrain modeling. Those various tools make the system a practical tool in urban design models; i.e. land use analysis, circulation pattern analysis, visual analysis, evaluating design proposals, developing concepts at 3D dynamic level, etc. In this research I will investigate those various applications that make GIS valuable for urban designers.

The research will be practical in its nature. The value of GIS to urban design will be explained through a case study. I will take the city of Irbid as a case study using its database to show how urban designers can benefit from GIS not only in organizing and analyzing the data, but also in the synthesis phase and even the design phase. Indeed, the research will show how a GIS can be utilized in any step of the urban design process.


Traffic Delay at Roundabouts in Jordan

Bashar Al-Omari, Hashem Al-Masaeid, and Yahia Al-Shawabkah

Project No.: 129/2001                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

Roundabouts are widely used here in Jordan and in other parts of the world especially in Europe and Australia. This is due to the many advantages roundabouts have over conventional signalized and unsignalized intersections. Roundabouts are safer, more efficient, and have higher capacity and less delay since entering drivers for most of the time do not stop and adjust their speeds to take advantage of approaching gaps in circulating traffic, particularly during off-peak periods. A large number of studies have been conducted on the capacity of roundabouts, however, less attention has been given to the traffic delay at roundabouts.

In this research an effort will be made to develop models for estimating roundabout delay as a function of the influencing factors such as the traffic volumes and geometric conditions. The produced models can be used as tools for evaluating the performance of roundabouts in Jordan.


The Effect of the Gas-Gap Formation Due to Shrinkage on the Rate of Heat Transfer During Solidification

Osamah Haddad, Mohamad Al-Nimer, and Mahmood Sliety

Project No.: 130/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1300 JD

ABSTRACT

The solid-liquid phase change (melting or solidification) of multi- constituent systems is important in many engineering applications, such as the making of ice, the freezing of food, the solidification of castings and ingots, crystal growth, welding, energy storage, etc.

Due to the density difference between solid and liquid, liquid metal is subjected to shrinkage and as a result a gas-gap may form. The gap forms at the interface between the cast and the internal surface of the mold. This situation occurs especially when the dimensions of the mold are respectively small.

The objectives of the present study are: (1) To develop a mathematical model to investigate the gas-gap formation process at the casting -mold interface of a cylindrical casting, (2) To study the effect of the gas-gap on the rate of heat transfer from the mold during solidification & (3) To investigate the heat transfer coefficient between the casting and the mold.


Digital Image Compression Using Modified Vector Quantization Algorithms

Hazem Al-Otum

Project No.: 131/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1100 JD

ABSTRACT

Spectacular advances in technology have altered the related disciplines of computing and telecommunications beyond all recognition. Great developments have been made in the field of digital image coding. One of the most exciting techniques is the Vector Quantization (VQ). Here, there is a lack in investigating different topics related to encoding color images using VQ. Consequently, the expected contributions of this research can be: 1) Investigation and designing of a modified algorithm for codebook production that reduces the number of iterations as well as the computational cost required for the coding process. 2) Investigation and designing new (or modified) algorithms for color image coding that exploit the high correlation between the color components in the color images.; and 3) Designing of a VQ codec (based on expected results in 1,2 &3) for different color image applications.


Soil Thermal Conductivity: Effects of Density, Moisture, Salt Concentration and Organic Matter

Nidal H. Abu-Hamdeh & Randall C. Reeder

Project No.: 132/2000                                                 Publication Support

ABSTRACT

The thermal conductivity of soil under a given set of conditions is most important as it relates to a soil’s microclimate. The effect of bulk density, moisture content, salt concentration, and organic matter on the thermal conductivity of some sieved and repacked Jordanian soils was investigated through laboratory studies. These laboratory experiments used the single probe method to determine thermal conductivity. For the soils studied, thermal conductivity increased with increasing soil density and moisture content. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.58 to 1.94 for sand, from 0.19 to 1.12 for sandy loam, from 0.29 to 0.76 for loam, and from 0.36 to 0.69 W / m K for clay loam at densities from 1.23 to 1.59 g/cm3 and water contents from 1.4 to 21.2 %. The results also show an increase in the amount of added salts at given moisture content (volumetric solution contents q ranged from 0.03 to 0.12 m3 m-3 for the sand and from 0.09 to 0.30 m3 m-3 for the clay loam) decreased thermal conductivity. Increasing the percentage of soil organic matter decreased thermal conductivity. Finally, it was found that the sand had higher values of thermal conductivity than the clay loam for the same salt type and concentrations.


Thermal Conductivity of Disturbed Soils Under Laboratory Conditions

Nidal Abu-Hamdeh, Randall Reeder, Adnan Khdair, and Hamid Al-Jalil

Project No.: 133/2000                                                 Publication Support

ABSTRACT

Fundamental information on how salts and water affect thermal conductivity of soil would be useful in modeling water and energy movement in systems containing salt-affected soils. The results showed that thermal conductivity decreased with an increase in the amount of added salts. Thermal conductivity for sand ranged from 1.17 to 0.56 W / m K at concentrations of NaCl from 0.02 to 0.10 kg/kg, from 1.13 to 0.52 W / m K at concentrations of CaCl2 from 0.01 to 0.05 kg/kg, and from 1.05 to 0.45 W / m K at concentrations of MgCl2 from 0.01 to 0.05 kg/kg. Thermal conductivity for clay loam ranged from 0.61 to 0.16 W / m K at concentrations of NaCl from 0.02 to 0.10 kg/kg, from 0.58 to 0.10 W / m K at concentrations of CaCl2 from 0.01 to 0.05 kg/kg, and from 0.55 to 0.08 W / m K at concentrations of MgCl2 from 0.01 to 0.05 kg/kg.


Perception of Children Safety at the Streets of Single-Family Homes as A Function of Street Layout

Majd Al-Homoud

Project No.: 144/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1900 JD

ABSTRACT

Over time safety of children playing around their homes formed a main source of worry for parents, since the street in front of the house is the traditional playing area for children. Hierarchies of spaces that are created by the street layout affect natural surveillance, zones of influence, and territorial controls, and therefore, children's safety. The target population was located at the city of Amman, Jordan; year 2000. The suggested hypothesis that perception of children safety at the streets of single family homes is associated with street layout was tested at a setting using random sampling. The total sample size was 51 single-family householders from the housing complex. The data was collected through face to face interviews with one of the parents of each household using a structured questionnaire. The results of the study demonstrated that the shape of the street is the most affecting factor to predict perception of children safety at streets of single- family homes.


Consistency of Continuous Horizontal Curves Under Adverse Weather Conditions

Hashem R. Al-Masaeid

Project No.: 147/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 500 JD

ABSTRACT

The author developed guidelines for geometric consistency of simple and continuous horizontal curves under dry-and daytime conditions. The major objective of this study is to investigate the impact of adverse weather conditions; including rain- and nighttime conditions, on geometric design consistency and develop guidelines for design purposes.

Data on geometric design elements of two-lane continuous horizontal curves, traffic speed, and rain intensity will be collected through the course of this study. The data will be analyzed using statistical analysis packages. It is expected that the results of this study will provide guidelines for a consistent design of two-lane highways.


Electrochemical Destruction of Chloro-Phenols Solutions

M. O. J. Azzam, and Y. Tahboub

Project No.: 159/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3000 JD

ABSTRACT

Phenolic wastes in wastewater arise in many segments of the process industry including oil refineries, coke plants, chemical and plastic plants. Phenols have been classified as one of the 65 priority pollutants. Present guidelines limit phenols concentration in wastewater to 0.1 mg/liter (0.1 ppm), where phenols here refer to aromatic derivatives that contain one or more hydroxyl groups. When phenols contain halide compounds, the acceptable concentration limit in wastewater falls to 0.02 mg/liter (20 ppb). Electrochemical methods for wastewater treatment have recently attracted a great deal of attention mainly because of their ease of control and the increased efficiency provided by the use of compact bipolar electrochemical reactors and by the large surface area of three dimensional electrodes. This work proposes a modification to a designed electrochemical cell to study the effect of different parameters on the anodic destruction of chlorinated phenols solutions. Specifically, the effect of current density on the destruction of 2,4,6 tri-chlorophenol solutions is to be investigated.


Non-equilibrium Entropy Production Under the Effect of the Dual-Phase -Lag Heat Conduction Model

Mohammed Al-Nemr

Project No.: 160/2000                                                 Publication Support

ABSTRACT

In the present work, the nonequilibrium entropy production under the effect of the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is investigated. It is shown that the entropy production cannot be described using the classical form of the equilibrium entropy production where using this form leads to a violation for the thermodynamics second law. The effect of the phase-lags in temperature and in heat flux on the nonequilibrium entropy production is investigated. Also, the difference between the equilibrium and the nonequilibrium temperatures under the effect of the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model is studied.


Olive Oil Alcohol Esters as Fuel for Diesel Engines

M. Abu-Qudais, and Mohamad Al-Widyan

Project No.: 161/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

In this study an attempt will be made to thoroughly investigate the potential and feasibility of converting neat olive oil into a fuel that can be utilized in Diesel engines. This step will serve as a preliminary test for the potential of using waste (used or fryer) vegetable oils for the same purpose.

The utilization of both neat and used vegetable oils (VOs) in Diesel engines has been long established because VOs are renewable and locally available. However, in their crude forms, VOs cause many problems to engine performance and components mainly due to their high viscosity. Therefore, in this project, the chemical process known as transesterification will be applied to VOs to convert it into alcohol esters, which are much less viscous and possess fuel characteristics close to those of the standard diesel fuel. Furthermore, numerous studies have reported much less pollutants using VO esters.

A test Diesel engine will be run on the alcohol esters thus produced and the traditional engine performance parameters will be examined and compared to those of diesel fuel. This includes efficiency, specific fuel consumption, power output, ….etc. Moreover, the effect of using the alcohol esters on engine exhaust emissions such as UHC, CO, NOx, … etc. will be studied.


Finite Difference Time Domain Analysis of Cylindrical Structures Containing Ferrite Media

Nihad Dib

Project No.: 162/2000                                      Amount of Fund: 1100 JD

ABSTRACT

The main objective is to extend the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique to analyze cylindrical structures containing ferrite media. Computer codes will be developed which could be used to study any microwave cylindrical structure that might contain magnetized ferrite regions. The codes will be general such that multi-layer, multi-strip cylindrical structures can be analyzed. Mainly, cylindrical microstrip line, coplanar stripline (CPS) and coplanar waveguide (CPW) on ferrite substrate/superstrate will be studied. Field distribution and parameters like propagation constant, and characteristic impedance will be investigated. The effect of many variables on these parameters will be studied too.


Shear Strength of Rock Joints

Omer Mugeid, and Abdelkareem Al-Zoubi

Project No.: 163/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2500 JD

ABSTRACT

The present study will be conducted to investigate the shear strength and failure mechanism of open offset non-persistent rock joints using a uniaxial load.

A series of Uniaxial compression tests will be performed on large size samples made of rock-like material. The parameters that will be investigated are: the effect of joint geometry and arrangements on the shear strength of rock mass, the normal displacements in vicinity of rock joint and rock bridge, the shear displacement along the rock joint and rock bridge, the mode of failure, and mechanism of coalescence.


Evaluation and Prediction of Sinkholes, A Case Study in the Eastern Part of the Dead Sea

Abdallah Malkawi, and Mohammed Al-Sakran

Project No.: 164/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4500 JD

ABSTRACT

Sinkholes appeared for the first time in the early 1960s at the most Southern end of the Dead Sea Shore and continue to develop thereafter. However, sinkholes become a major concern in 1990 with the appearance of several sinkholes at various depths, sizes and shapes at several locations among others Ghor AI Haditha, Wadi Numeira, Qunaiya and Wadi Hasheen.

The study will involve: (1) Studying sinkhole phenomena and their mechanism of development in the eastern part of the Dead Sea, (2) Geological hydrological and geotechnical evaluation of sinkholes will be carried out to aid in understanding of these sinkholes, (3) GIS and Remote sensing assisted models will be used to predict the occurrence of these subsidences & (4) Mathematical modeling and prediction of areas that sinkholes may develop.


Electroosmotic Dewatering of Local Minerals and Biosolids

Rami Jumah, Fawzi Banat, and Sameer Al-Asheh

Project No.: 177/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4500 JD

ABSTRACT

There is a vast range of industries which require means to remove water from colloidal suspensions, clays and fines. The efficiency of conventional non-thermal dewatering techniques depends on the particle size of the product, being dewatered. The electroosmotic dewatering (EOD) becomes the ideal process for the dewatering slurries, with particle sizes in the ultrafine range and possibly for heat sensitive materials which may not be dried thermally. Electroosmotic dewatering utilizes the surface charges which prevent fine particles from agglomerating and are responsible for inherent stability of colloidal suspensions. Moreover, in EOD there is a potential to remove water with smaller amounts of energy than that required by vaporization process. This work attempts to study the EOD of local minerals and biosolids under the effect of different process parameters such as voltage, current, electrode material, initial bed height, initial solid content, pH, and type of filter medium.


Development of Three Different Models to Simulate Liquid Contaminant Flow in Capillary Porous Media During Air Sparging

Yahia Majali

Project No.: 178/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1800 JD

ABSTRACT

The distribution and motions of the air, water and contaminant phases in the saturated zone of a heterogeneous, unconfined aquifer resulting from air sparging will be modeled using three different approaches: (1) continuum approach with macroscopic parameters and laws [ e.g., Darcy's Law]; (2) fingering at the Darcy scale; and (3) channeling at the pore scale. Each of these approaches is expected to represent fluid phase and contaminant concentrations and movements for different porous media and air injection conditions. At low injection rates into coarse media the continuum approach should approximate the diffuse flow of air and contaminant vapor through the saturated porous media, while at higher injection rates into finer media fingering and the channeling approach are more suitable to describe the flow regime. As a first step, air and water phases will be investigated using the above three approaches, and comparison to previously conducted laboratory experiments will be carried out to test, calibrate and validate the models and deduce conditions for which each is best suited. Eventually single constituent and multiconstituent, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be included and investigated. These different modeling approaches are expected to be independent and suitable for particular conditions but complementary in understanding the complex phenomena.


A Seasonal Water Quality Modeling of King Talal Reservoir

Mohanned Al-Sheriadeh, and Mohammed Najeeb

Project No.: 180/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1500 JD

ABSTRACT

King Talal Reservoir of Jordan is plagued with contaminants coming to it from point and non-point sources of the upstream wastewater treatment plants, agricultural land, industries, and mines. The inflow of these contaminants associated with the geometrical and hydraulical characteristics of the reservoir have led to water eutrification and persistent anoxia below the shallow water. This study will address the various quality problems of the reservoir water and will try to model their changes, both with depth and during the seasons. By so doing, internal and external sources of water pollution in the reservoir can be identified and proper treatment methods can be devised.


Change in Traditional Bedouin Home Layout as a Function of Lifestyle

Majd Al-Hmoud, and Amal Alawneh

Project No.: 181/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1900 JD

ABSTRACT

Traditional and indigenous societies used to be collectivist societies that are moving to individualism as an impact of western cultures. Home as a social, psychological, and physical package reflects reality and ideals of a culture. Phenomenally the traditional Bedouin home sustained its identity over generations. The staying power of this landscape of the traditional home is attributable to its cultural importance. The hypothesis of the study suggests that the more the Bedouins lifestyle move towards modernization, the more symbolic the traditional Beit become. A face to face structured questionnaire will be used to elicit the data, year 2000. The sampling technique will stratify for house density in villages of the North Eastern Jordan Badia and will proportionally randomize for a quota sample for the three house type categories of house layouts associated with traditional Bedouin home (Beit Al-Sha'r).


The Sonic Image of the Environment: Characterizing and Evaluating Sound Scapes

Nathir Abu-Obeid, and Dina Abdelkareem

Project No.: 182/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2785 JD

ABSTRACT

This research focuses on how people perceive and evaluate their sonic environments and what are the various dimensions and variables that give the local sonic environments their identity. Hence, the research will include selection of the sonic environments and acoustic communities and studying them in terms of the different dimensions (acoustic, geographical, functional, and socio-cultural). Then, those concepts will be translated into measurable variables (i.e, semantics). Recordings for the chosen environments will be conducted and subjects will be asked to rate the environments through the semantics. The data will be analyzed to investigate the perceived quality of the environments, their perceived character, their evaluation, and the correlational relationships between variables.


Micropiles as A Technique to Control Upward Movement of Foundation of Light Structures on the Expansive Clays of Irbid Area: Experimental Study

Osama Nusier, Baha'a Muhie Eddin Yousif

Project No.: 200/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 5000 JD

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this research is to study the effect of micro-piles on the heave of clay possessing high swelling characteristics and upon which lightweight structure will be constructed.

To achieve this aim, two steel boxes will be constructed with dimensions (50*50*35)cm, and micro-piles with different diameters and lengths will be manufactured, the micro-piles will be placed in the compacted clay inside the box and will be surrounded by a sand interface, several dial gages will be fixed on the model footing to measure the upward movement, then the effect of micro-piles diameter will be studied and a design procedure will be proposed for the optimum number, diameter and length of micro-piles to achieve full or partial reduction of heave.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2- Faculty of Medicine


Plastination, a New Method of Preservation

Nabil, A. Khouri.

Project No.: 24/2000                                       Amount of Fund: 13450 JD

ABSTRACT

The best-modernized and effective techniques that had been recently introduced to the worlds of Anatomy and Pathology is Plastination. The great flexibility as well as the non-toxic and low health hazards effect of the plastinated specimens led many Anatomists worldwide to utilize and improve this new technique. Furthermore, the disadvantages of formalin and phenol used by the old methods of preservation, which are described as toxic, skin irritant and concerogenous agents, led us to initiate this research. One important objectives of this research is to overcome our major problem namely the lack of cadavric materials. This method provides specimens in which tissue water and part of the tissue fat is replaced by polymerized resin (BLODUR). This is performed after embalming with a very low formaline concentration formula and storage for at least 3-4 months at -5 C. Plastination is then carried out in several steps including; fixation and staining, acetone dehydration, impregnation, and curing. This method has proven to be the most valuable tools for teaching and research Other advantages gained by using this technique is the ability of leaving the specimens exposed to air without drying or decomposing. Finally, long usage of less health hazardous specimens and the reduction of their maintenance with respect to deterioration.


Comparison of Performance of Students in Basic Medical Sciences: Traditional vs. Parallel Programs

Marwan Abu-Hijleh, Jamil Al-Alami, Abdel-Fatah Al-Hader, and Zeyad El-Akawi.

Project No.: 42/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2260 JD

ABSTRACT

Several studies have correlated the grade point average (GPA) gained in the secondary school and the students' university performance. However, there is no study in Jordan to correlate the secondary school GPA cumulative and the medical students' performance in particular. A retrospective study of two cohorts of students (total approx. 450) who entered the medical school in 1997 and 1998, will be conducted to analyze the academic performance level of the students in three basic medical sciences courses taken in the second year of the medical program. Students will be divided into two categories based on the criteria of entrance into the medical college. Category I includes students who entered through a tough pre-medical competition based on their high school GPA (the Traditional Program students) (TP). Category II comprised those students who entered through a pliable pre-medical competition based on their high school GPA and their willingness to pay higher university fees (the Parallel Program students) (PP). The TP students and PP students will be compared on the basis of various university test scores and grades, high school GPA, source of the secondary school diploma, and gender using analysis of variance to assess the statistical significance of any differences. The results of this study can help in identifying the characteristics of students who are most likely to perform poorly. Thereafter it will help educators and policy makers identify crucial risk factors that impede effective learning and implement suitable corrective measures.


Treatment of Chronic Urinary Retention

Ibrahim Al-Ghalayeeni, and Ibrahim Banihani

Project No.: 65/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1000 JD

ABSTRACT

Men with features of chronic urinary retention, that is a residual volume of greater than 300 ml after voiding comprise approximately 15% of patients undergoing bladder outflow surgery for obstruction. Previous studies have noted that this group have higher mortality rates and a less satisfactory outcome following surgery. Evidence that low voiding pressures may predict poor outcome have been contradicted by recent reports and therefore the significance of urodynamic evidence of both obstruction and detrusor failure in this condition remains unclear. In other clinical situations intermittent catheterisation (ISC) has proved a very satisfactory method of bladder emptying in the presence of poor detrusor contractility. In this study we aim to determine whether a preliminary period of regular bladder emptying by ISC prior to outflow surgery improves outcome in men with chronic retention. We also aim to identify features that predict poor outcome and hence identify a sub-group of men who will not benefit from surgery, thus avoiding unnecessary morbidity.


Propofol Exhibits Antiepileptic Activity In Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons

Sameer A. Otoom

Project No.: 66/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2400 JD

ABSTRACT

Propofol was reported to exhibit an antiepileptic activity. This study was performed to investigate the effect of propofol on evoked and spontaneous seizure-like activity induced by a model of epilepsy known as the veratridine model. Studies were performed on rat brain slices using conventional electrophysiological intracellular techniques. Alteration of sodium channel function by veratridine (0.3 µM) induced evoked and spontaneous seizure-like activity in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Propofol concentrations (50-100 µM) inhibited both evoked and spontaneous bursting induced by veratridine. The inhibitory effect of propofol (100 µM) was associated with hyperpolarization and an increase in membrane input resistance and current threshold. Results from this study are valuable in solving critical questions regarding the antiepileptic activity of propofol and strengthen the validity of the veratridine model in testing for potential antiepileptic drugs. Further experiments are needed to confirm these results and to investigate whether propofol has any proepileptic activity on the veratridine model.


Effect of Warm Co2 on Shoulder Pain Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Kamal Gharaibeh

Project No.: 67/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1200 JD

ABSTRACT

100 Patients Scheduled for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy will be randomized to two groups. Group (1): Pneumoperitoneum will be carried out using the ordinary Co2. Group (2): Pneumoperitoneum will be carried out Using Warm Co2 (Thermoflator or Similar apparatus). Postoperatively shoulder Pain will be assessed in both groups for 72 hours, the location will be in princess Basma Teaching Hospital, Private Hospital and King Abdullah Hospital. The main Objectives of this research can be Summarized as follow: Evaluation of the effect of Using pre-heated Co2 or normal Temperature, Co2 on Shoulder Pain Following Laparoscopic Cholecystomy which may be as high as 79.6%.


Effect of Long-Term Exposure of Male Rats to Sodium Fluoride on Sex-Behavior, Aggression and Fertility

Hameed Bataineh, and M.H. Al-Hamood

Project No.: 68/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2700 JD

ABSTRACT

Humans are exposed to fluoride from a number of sources including medicines, pesticides, fertilizer residues, dental products (tooth paste and mouth rinses) paediatric supplements, fluoridated water and food. Sodium fluoride has been used in municipal water fluoridation system for over half century because of its proven cariostatic properties.

In the light of the fact that lack of adequate reproductive toxicity data, this work has been planned to evaluate the long-term ingestion of sodium fluoride on fertility, sex behavior, aggressive behavior and structure of male reproductive system of the rat.


Nifedipine Can Prevent Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage in Rats

K. Karim, H. Zahawi, O. Hameed, and Z. Hassan

Project No.: 71/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1000 JD

ABSTRACT

Department of Pharmacology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. The effect of nifedipine on ethanol induced gastric mucosal damage and mast cell count in the glandular wall of the stomach in rats were studied. One ml of 50% ethanol administered into the stomach via intragastric tube resulted after one hour in 100% rate of gastric mucosal damage as demonstrated by the gross and histopathological evaluation. This was associated with a significant decrease in the mast cell count in the mucosa, submucosa and muscle layer, (using aqueous solution of 0.5% w/v toluidine blue). Nifedipine in a dose of 35 mg/kg administered intragastrically either with ethanol or 30 min before ethanol resulted in a significant reduction in number, length and area of gastric mucosal lesions with a preventive index of 40% and 92% respectively together with no change in the number of mast cells in all three layers. In conclusion, these results offer evidence that oral calcium channel blockers may play an important role in the protection against chemically induced gastric injury and therefore offer insight into the mechanism of gastric ulcer formation. This knowledge may prove important in the development of new and improved therapies for the treatment and prevention of gastric ulcer in man.


The Basal Activity of Pyruvate Kinase and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in People Residing at the Below Sea Level Environment

Fayig El-Migdadi, Mohammad Rawachdeh, and Amal Ghazi Mohammed

Project No.: 82/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 8500 JD

ABSTRACT

It was found that transfer from normal altitude to low altitude cause decrease in phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) activity. Thus the decrease serum levels of lactate at low altitude can be due to a decrease glycolytic flux rate as a result of PFK-1 inactivation and /or a decrease in glucose availability; another possible account may be an increase rate of lactate clearance. The significance of this metabolic adjustment was suggested to involve theregulation of glycolytic and phosphorylation. Based on this fact, it is hypothesized that Pyruvate kinase (PK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity in people residing in the Jordan Valley (JV), which is located at 360 meters below sea level, is proposed to be lower than that in people of Irbid city and Amman, which are located at 600-650 meters above sea level. In addition, the incidence and expression of PK and G6PD in people residing in the JV is hypothesized here to be different than those residing in Irbid and Amman. Based on this fact, it is hypothesized that prevalence of PK and G6PD deficiency in the JV is different (higher) than Irbid and Amman city. Our specific objectives are:

1.  The basal activity of PK, G6PD and lactate dehydrogenase in JV, Irbid and Amman.

2.  The incidence of PK and G6PD deficiency in JV, Irbid and Amman.


Levels of Serum Sex Hormones in Ischemic Heart Disease and Hypertension

Mohammed Ja’far, and Abdel-Fattah Al-Hader

Project No.: 95/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1600 JD

ABSTRACT

Both male and female sex hormones secretion varies with age of human being and in different diseases. Also concentration of sex hormones usually decreased at middle and old age particularly in female at menopausal period, while opposite hormones increased in both sex, i.e. estrogen in male and testosterone in female. After menopause, unfavorable changes in the lipid profile develop because of estrogen deficiency which might be a risk factor for hypertension or ischemic heart disease. In this study we will estimate the concentration of these sex hormones (Total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, and ostenedione, hormones bindings globulin and Renin sodium profile) in ischemic heart disease and hypertensive patient. We will examine the relationship between the level of these hormones and the development of coronary artery disease in female menopause patient and hypertensive patients both male and female. We will also measure the concentration of these hormones in patient with acute myocardial infarction. 100 male and 100 female patients will be studied in this project, all composed of different groups with 50 patients in each group. Selection arranged as normal subject ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction and hypertensive patients.


The Effectiveness of Antibiotics in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Anwar Batiha, and Ghada Anis

Project No.: 100/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2100 JD

ABSTRACT

The discovery of antibiotics constitutes a major breakthrough in this century. They provided a magic weapon against many serious bacterial infections. However, these drugs have been abused. Today, antibiotic abuse is considered one of the major challenges of modern medicine. Bacterial resistance, side effects, and the huge cost are among the consequences of inappropriate use of these antibiotics. The major objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of antibiotics in a very common condition in which they are commonly and probably inappropriately used, Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTI). To achieve our objective, a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is being currently conducted. A total of 200 patients will be randomized into 2 groups: the first group will receive the antibiotic and the other group will receive the placebo. A verbal consent will be obtained from all participants. Each patient will be physically examined, relevant information will be obtained using a structured questionnaire prepared for the purpose of this study, and a throat swab will be taken for culture. Follow up assessment will be carried out at 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks after the first visit. Outcome assessment was based on evaluation by the physician and self-reports by the patients. Differences between the 2 groups will be assessed for statistical significance using the chi-square test for proportions or the t-test for means.


Incidence of Legionella Pneumphila in Water System of Hospitals in Northern Jordan

Ziad Elnasser, and Mohammad Al-Azab

Project No.: 116/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3300 JD

ABSTRACT

Legionella pneumophila is considered one of the common organisms that are associated with a typical pneumonia all over the world. The problem of Legionaries disease in Jordan is never studied, and most physicians treat such conditions by either giving antibiotics empirically or considering the condition as viral pneumonia and not treat. We will study the scope of this problem in Jordan by analyzing the habitat of the organism's possible finding, which include water tanks of hospitals, health centers, hotels and schools of three different cities in Jordan (Irbid, Amman, and Alsalt). The specimens are going to be taken from the water reservoirs showers, and air conditioning systems. The specimens are going to be collected and transported in special refrigerators to the clinical laboratories of JUST. The specimens are going to be cultured on a selective agar for Legionella, and will be quantified, and then the organism is going to be finally identifies by doing direct immunoflourescent technique.


Plasmid Pattern Profiles in Coagulase Negative Staphylococci in Northern Province of Jordan

Ziad Al Nasser, and Ali Aljaberi

Project No.: 117/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 9200 JD

ABSTRACT

Coagulase negative staphylococci is considered one of the important opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Virulance factor associated with infection is studied in the past especially the role of the slimy layer and adherence. We are going to study the role of plasmid profiles among Coagulase negative staphylococci in association with different clinical condition, and the possibility of using our finding as an epidemiological tool to trace the source of infection in medical personnel and as indicator for the non proper use of antibiotics. we are going to take specimen from patient infected with these organism, medical personnel, and from other university students as control. Plasmid will be extracted from the isolated Coagulase negative staphylococci and there pattern will be analyzed after running them over agarose gel electrophoresis.


Anticonvulsant Activity of the Intravenous Anesthetic Propofol and Other Conventional Antiepileptic Drugs on Seizures Induced by the Cholinergic Agonist Piolocarpine an Electrophysiological Study in Vitro

Zuheir Hasan

Project No.: 118/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4000 JD

ABSTRACT

Propofol is a short acting anesthetic, which is now widely used for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. However, some controversy still surrounds its use, because of sporadic report suggestion the occurrence of seizures following its administration. In order to determine the effects of propofol on seizure activity, the present in vitro electrophysiological study was designed to investigate the effects propofol on limbic seizures induced seizures induced by the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine. Hippocampal slices of 400 microns in thickness will placed in a recording chamber and prefused with artificially CSF. To examine the effects of propofol on pilocarpine induced seizures, pilocarpine (5 mM) will be added to the bathing media and spontaneous seizure activity will be recorded before and after prefusing the slice with propofol. Extracellular stimulation and recording of hippocampal neuronal activity in normal and epileptic slices will be performed by standard electrophysiological techniques as previously described. The proposed experiments should give further insight on the effects of propofol on seizures activity as well as the effects of propofol on cholinergic synaptic transmission.


Incidence of Ischemia in Patients with Diabetic Foot Infection

Muhammad Khammash

Project No.: 119/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1000 JD

ABSTRACT

Diabetic foot infection is the commonest cause for hospital admission in diabetic patients. More than 50% of lower extremity amputations occur in patients with diabetes. Beside neuropathy and high blood sugar, peripheral vascular disease is a major factor in the evolution and complication of the diabetic foot infection. Peripheral vascular disease and leg ischemia are correctable factors when discovered early or during the management of diabetic foot infection. It has been found that around 10-25% of patients with diabetic foot infection are having a chance of improving the blood flow to their feet and so improving healing and, more important, reducing their chance of having major amputations.

Beside history and clinical examination, Doppler ultrasound examination of the lower extremity vessels, together with measurement of the Doppler pressure of the blood flow and the ankle brakial index pressure, could give an idea about the degree of ischemia and detect patients who need Angiography and proceed for surgical or radiological intervention to improve the foot blood flow. Doppler U.S evaluation of lower limb vascularity is an easy, reliable and non invasive way of evaluation which can be done in the ward by the treating physician.


Assessment of Urine Cultures’ Bacterial Pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Princess Basma Teaching Hospital

ElSheikh Mahgoub, and Hana Saeed Khalil

Project No.: 120/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2800 JD

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to assess and determine the reasons for negative routine cultures of urine from patients suspected to have urinary tract infection. The project has been in progress for the last three months. So far, 1000 specimens of urine have been cultured, organisms isolated identified and their susceptibility pattern to antibiotics determined. This research project will continue till statistically valid results are obtained.


Lower gastro-intestinal fistulas

Abdulkarim H. Al-Omari, Ibrahim Bani-Hani, and Tareq Al-Jaberi

Project No.: 122/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1000 JD

ABSTRACT

Causes of lower gastro-intestinal fistulas in the west are: Malignancy, Crohn’s disease, Diverticulitis, & Iatrogenic. Most authors advocate early surgery for these patients after: Resuscitation, Treatment of sepsis, & Octeotide trial. Our study has two limbs: Retrospective review of cases over the last five years in Princess Basma Hospital & Prospective evaluation of cases over the coming two years in King Abdullah Hospital. We aim at the followings: To compare the causes of fistulas in our group of patients with those of others, To see whether the modern techniques of investigations were used in our patients, To compare the outcome of our management with those of others, To come up with recommendations regarding the best methods of investigation and management that suit our patients & To apply these in the prospective part of the study.


Effect of Diabetes Mellitus and Glucose Imbalances on Different in Vitro Parameters of Immune Competence

Ammar Daoud, Nezar Abu-Harfeel, and Merhe Tayyar

Project No.: 136/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4500 JD

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the evolving metabolic disorders among Jordanian population. The two types of DM (I and II) are the results of; insulin insufficiency (absolute or relative) due to massive damage to insulin producing cells (Beta cells of the pancreas) for type I, and insulin resistance for type II. This disorder results in elevated levels of blood glucose.

Long term, badly controlled DM will lead to complications such as; retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy and chronic infection. On the other hand, DM affects the immune system. This effect results in elevation in the rate and kind of infections that occur in diabetic patients. This effect lowers the immune response in different branches of cellular and humoral system.

This research proposal is intended to investigate the impairment of cellular immune system of diabetic patients. This will enable us to understand the effect of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia conditions on lymphocytes of diabetic patient.


The Effect of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) System Application on Quality of Dairy Products (Yogurt and Halloumi Cheese)

Atallah Rabei’, Reyad Shaker, and Akram Banat

Project No.: 140/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1600 JD

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to identify the quality of dairy products (Yogurt and Halloumi cheese) produced and consumed in Jordan and study the effect of applying HACCP program on the quality of these products which are produced in Danish Jordan Dairy Company (DJDC).

Samples of yogurt and halloumi cheese were collected from five Jordan dairy plants for microbial analysis. It was observed that the mean of Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and the count of Coliform, Staphylococcus aureas and Yeasts and Molds for yogurt collected from those factories were 5.6x104,4.7,1.2x101 and less than 10 CFU/g respectively, but the mean of APC and the count of Coliform, Staphylococcus aureas and Yeasts and Molds for halloumi cheese collected from those factories were 3.0x 06, less than 10, 5.5x105 and 8.3x102 CFU/g respectively.

Before applying HACCP system, samples of yogurt and halloumi cheese were collected from DJDC for microbial analysis but the work in this phase is in progress. And it's early to conclude our results because the study is still in progress.


Ophthalmic Screening of Older Preschool Children in Local Irbid Society

Najeeb Haykal, Muawyah Al-Bdoor, and Fahmi Okour

Project No.: 148/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

A total number of 500 children aged between 3 and 6 years in Irbid area will be screened by trained ophthalmic doctor targeting local pediatric clinics and kindergartens. The method would include external eye examination, checking pupillary reactions, ocular alignment and motility, measuring visual acuities, ophthalmoscopy and, where appropriate, refraction.

This survey would help identifying the prevalence of various eye problems in Jordanian children, and the ophthalmic needs of this important sector of our population as well as establishing long term prophylactic and therapeutic management plans. It would also help assessing the feasibility of establishing a permanent similar screening service for the local society in order to pick up ophthalmic disorders early enough for an effective treatment.


Age-Specific Prevalence & Causes of Blindness in an Older Population in Jordan

Fahmi Okour, Najeeb Haykal, and M. Bdour

Project No.: 149/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To study the prevalence of blindness in subjects aged 50 years and over, the causes of blindness in the same age group and to identify preventable causes of blindness.

Methods: Subjects aged 50 years and older at different sites in the North of Jordan are being studied. Ophthalmological examination includes measurement of visual acuity, anterior segment examination, retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, visual field assessment. WHO definitions of blindness and visual impairment are used.

Results: So far, the leading causes of blindness in Jordan, found by our study, are cataract, refractive errors, glaucoma, and failed medical or surgical treatment.

Conclusions: A survey to determine the age-specific prevalence and causes of blindness needs to be conducted in Jordan. Our study will provide baseline data for the planning, implementation and evaluation of eye service and other preventive programmes.


Cystinuria: A Survey of School Children in Hartha, North Jordan

Kamel Ajlouni, Ibrahim Bani-Hani, Anwar Batieha, Wajih Owais, Hashem Jaddou, and Mohammed Al-Khatib

Project No.: 150/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

Cystinuria is a rare hereditary disease which affects 1 in 600 - 1000 individuals, clinical observations suggest a high prevalence of the condition in a town in north Jordan, Hartha. Therefore, a survey was undertaken among school children of the town during May and June 2000. A total of 984 children (476 boys, and 508 girls) 6 - 17 years of age were included in the study. Each participant was examined for the presence of cystine in his urine and completed a questionnaire which gathered information on socio-demographic factors, family history, and medical history. Cystinuria was detected in 19 males (4.2%) and 28 females (5.8%) with a total prevalence of 5%.

The condition increased with age from 0.7% among children 6 - 9 years 5.2% among children 10 - 14 years, to reach 9.4% among children 14 - 17 years of age (p = 0.00). Cystinuria was more common among children with renal colic, urinary tract infection, and renal stones but none of these associations was statistically significant. Absenteeism from school was significantly more likely among children with cystinuria (1.65 day compared with children without cystinuria (1.36 days), (p = 0.00).

Conclusion: The prevalence of cystinuria is very high in the studied community which provides an opportunity for in-depth studies of the modes of inheritance, factors associated with stone formation, treatment options, and possible ways of prevention.


Light and Electron Microscopic Study of Human Cerebellum and Inferior Olivary Nucleus

Qasem Dwairi, and Saleh Banihani

Project No.: 151/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3200 JD

ABSTRACT

In order to perform its function as the main center for balance and equilibrium in our body, the cerebellum interact with spinal cord, inferior olivary nucleus, vestibular nuclei and several other structures. This project is focusing on studying the human cerebellar Purkinje neurons and their main direct in-put which arise from the inferior olivary nucleus.

The inferior olivary nucleus functions to organize movement in time by entraining motor neuronal firing through rhythmatic activation of the cerebellum. This sophisticated mechanism are achieved via olivocerebellar fibers, which make synapses on the cerebellar Purkinje cells which collaborate to regulate the motor activity of the body.

The Purkinje cells are the only neurons of the cerebellar cortex that send their axons outside the cereballar cortex. Purkinje neurons also, receive synapses directly from the climbing fibers (Olivocerebellar fibers) and indirectly from the mossy fibers through the granular neurons. Therefore Purkinje neurons seem to play an essential role in the processing of information that reach the cerebellar cortex.

The exact mechanisms of how these functions are achieved are not well understood. This is attributed at least to minimal available information about the structure of human brain. The available literature related to the neurons in the inferior olivary nuclei indicated that these neurons have special morphological features such as Zonula adherans, gap junctions, and glomeruli. Unfortunately these features were demonstrated in animal models only. To the best of our knowledge the neurons in the inferior olivary nucleus have not been studied in human at the light as well as EM levels. Studies on these structures may provide additional features of these structures in human. Subsequently the morphological studies may elucidate the possible function of these neurons. The main objectives of this project include:

-      To study the morphology of inferior olivary neurons at light and electron microscopy.

-      To study their synaptic relationship with Purkije cells and other cell.

-      To conduct immuno-histochemistry studies on these neurons using specific antibodies as connexons-43 and neurofilaments (Perpherin). These antibodeis would localize to axons and synaptic circuits.

-      To conduct light and electron microscopy.on the most important cell population of the cerebellum; the Purinje cells.

-      Describe the sub-population types of proteins contained in these structures using specific staining methods namely; basic fuchsin-astra blue and Golgi methods.


Study of Cryptosporidium parvum& Giardia Lamblia, their Diagnostic Methods, Risk of Infection and Various Stages of Development in Laboratory Animals

Elsheikh Mahgoub, Bahaa Latif, and Anas A. Almahbashi

Project No.: 152/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3100 JD

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this project is to: (1) Compare the efficiency of different methods used for diagnosis of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum in stool samples. (2) Correlate infection with presence of these parasites. (3) Study the developmental stages of Cryptosporidium spp., isolated from human feces, in experimentally infected animals. The study will assess increasing infections with Giardia and Cryptosporidium in man and animals in Jordan. In addition it will determine the best methods of early detection. Specimens will be examined by iodine and trichrome stain in wet mounts, concentration and staining with modified Kinyuon Ziehl-Neelsen and direct monoclonal immunofluorescent antibody.


Comparison Between The Efficiency of ELISA & Indirect Hemagglutination(IHA) in Detection of Antiadult Worm Igg for Patients Infected With Schistosoma Mansoni.

Elsheikh Mahgoub, and Nabil A. Abdel Aziz

Project No.: 165/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3000 JD

ABSTRACT

In addition to evaluating these two tests as far as specificity and sensitivity is concerned, the study will lay down the basis for future epidemiological surveys and vaccine trials when developed. The main objectives of this study are to: detect anti worm immunoglobulinG in sera of patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and compare the specificity and efficiency of ELISA and IHA in detection of anti adult worm IgG for Schistosoma mansoni.

Sera collected from patients with symptoms of schistosomiasis and control healthy individuals will be examined by ELISA and IHA for anti adult worm IgG.Stools will be examined by the direct method.


Stress from Exercise Causes Changes in Serum Testosterone Levels in Humans

Ibrahim Banihani, Faeq Meqdadi, and Nabil Al-Bashir

Project No.: 167/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4400 JD

ABSTRACT

A pilot (Comparative) study (N=5) of serum levels of leutinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) between male trained athletes (High-school students, I6-18 years old) living in North and South Shouna in the Jordan Valley (JV), 320-360 meters below sea level, and those living in Ramtha and Irbid, 550-650 meters above sea level, was conducted in November, 1999. A similar study (N=20-40) is needed to confirm the results and data from the pilot study. Serum Levels of LH and T were also measured in these athletes following a 20-Km non-competitive run. The air temperatures on the day of the experiment was comparable (25°C in North and South Shouna versus 23°C in Ramtha and Irbid). Before exercise. Serum levels of LH and T in athletes of the below sea level environment (North and South Shouna) were similar to those levels in athletes of the above sea level environment (Ramtha and Irbid). Exercise caused a significant increase in serum levels of both LH and T only in athletes of North and South Shouna. It seems likely that the higher secretion of LH that contributes, at least in part, for the higher serum levels of T following exercise. Taken together, these data suggest that exercise has an effect on LH and T Secretion that is similar to that of fasting. And finally, the below sea level environmental factors, such as the high barometric pressure, as well as the genetic background of the athletes that affect the pituitary and adrenal cortex as well as the testicular tissue to secrete more of LH and T.


An Immunohistochemical Study for the Expression of Molecular Markers (P21, Cyclin Dl, Cyclin D2, Cyclin E) in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma as Diagnostic, or Prognostic Tests

Kamal Bani Hani, Nidal AI Masri, and Hanan Nabil Karam

Project No.: 169/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4500 JD

ABSTRACT

Gastric adenocarcinoma; a lesion in which the neoplastic epithelial cells grow in gland patterns in the stomach. Genetic alterations occurring in this process could serve as biomarkers for the risk of malignant progression, improve surveillance, and contribute to early diagnosis. We will examine four potential biomarkers, cyclin (D1, D2, E), and p21 in a prospective gastric adenocarcinoma patients.

A total of 50 patients will be enrolled in an endoscopic surveillance cohort, gastric biopsy specimens will be collected at each endoscopy, in addition to surgurgical specimens. Incident cases of adenocarcinoma will be matched to control patients within the cohort by duration of follow-up, age, and sex. Biopsy specimens will be analyzed for cyclin (D1, D2, E) and p21 protein levels by immunohistochemistry using formalin/paraffin sections.


Respiratory Morbidity in Different Jordanian Industries

Ahmad Boran

Project No.: 183/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 5600 JD

ABSTRACT

There is increased realization that repiratory morbidity rates in particular occupational asthma is on the increase through out the world. The prevalence of repiratory symptoms in different Jordanian industries will be investigated. High, medium and low exposure levels of dusts and fumes will be identified from amongst various factories in Jordan. Respiratory symptoms will be investigated using a modified Medical Council Research questionnaire to allow for occupational asthmatic symptoms to be vitalograph to measure lung function indicators in workers who are eposed to different pollutants in the industry will be used. Biological profile will be investigated using available atomic absorption instruments available at JUST and the Criminal Investigation laboratory.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3- Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences


Burkitts lymphoma in Jordan with emphasis on detection of Epstein-Barr virus

Nidal M. Almasri, Hasan S Khalidi, and Suha Fouad Abu-Jabarah

Project No.: 44/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4950 JD

ABSTRACT

Malignant lymphoma (ML) is one of the commonest forms of malignancies in Jordan. Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is a type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is endemic in Africa but occurs sporadically in other parts of the world (including Jordan), and has a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

In this research we studied the features of BL in Jordan with emphasis on detection of EBV in them. Out of 197 ML, we found that 15 BL cases were diagnosed during the years 1996-1999 in the Pathology Departments of Al-Bashir Hospital and Jordan University of Science and Technology. We re-examined hematoxylin and eosin stained slides of these cases to confirm the diagnosis, and reviewed the clinico-epidemiological data of them.

Also, we performed immunohistochemical staining (IHC) on the paraffin sections of the 12 cases with available paraffin blocks, to study the expression of CD3, CD20, CD43 and CD45, CD45RO by BL neoplastic cells. In Situ Hybridization (ISH) was also performed to detect the presence of EBV.

We found that the median age of BL patients was 5 years with a male to female ratio of 5:1. 50% of the cases involved the abdomen, while the remaining 50% involved the head & neck region. In situ hybridization studies showed that 58.3% of these Jordanian BL cases to be positive for EBV, a rate which is considered intermediate between cases in endemic and non-endemic areas.


Hodgkin’s Disease in Jordan with Emphasis on Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus

Nidal M. Almasri, Hasan Khalidi, and BadrEldin Mirgani Yousif

Project No.: 59/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2800 JD

ABSTRACT

Prior studies have show an association between Epstien-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin’s (HD). In developed countries, there is a bimodal incidence of HD and a predominance of nodular sclerosis subtype (NS); while in underdeveloped countries, the bimodality of incidence is not always present with high rates in children and predominance of mixed cellularity subtype (MC).

The aims of this study are to: 1) Detect EBV encoded latent membrane protein (LMP-1), and EBV encoded RNAs (EBER1 & EBER2) in HD among Jordanian. 2) Correlate the incidence of EBV positivity with subtype, age, site and sex.

A total of 64 cases were analyzed, 34 with MC (53.1%), 28 with NS (43.8%) and 2 cases with lymphocytes predominance HD (3.1%). Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections were analyzed for EBV encoded LMP-1 using anti-LMP-1 (DAKO, carpenteria, CA). These cases were also analyzed for leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD15, CD30, CD20 (B cell marker) and CD45RO (T cell marker).

LMP-1 was detected in Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin’s cells in 25 of 64 cases (39.1%). 18/34 MC (52.9%), 7/28 NS (25%), and 0/2 lymphocyte predominance HD (0%).

HD in Jordan appears to run an intermediate course between developed and under-developed countries. The findings further support the hypothesis that there is an strong association between EBV and HD. The association is significantly higher in MC subtype compared with NS subtype. The EBV association has no relation with age, sex and site of HD in our cases.


Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Irbid Town

Al-Sheikh Mahjoob, Mamdooh Muqaddam, and Faisal Awad

Project No.: 166/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) Is gram positive bacteria that have sphere shape and clusters morphology. Strins of S.aureus which are resistant to B-lactamase stable penicillins historically termed methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA mediated by mecA gene, encoding the penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) enzyme, which has reduced affinity for beta lactams agents Nosocomial infection caused by MRSA has been a major problem in large medical centers. This infection is sometimes life threatening for patients with underlying condition, despite extensive care. Therefore important goals include eradication the sources of the organism and preventing the spread of organisms to the patients. In this study we will use the slide latex agglutination test (Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.) as a new method for detection of PBP2a in MRSA and oxacillin disk diffusion as conventional method. Oxacillin minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) measures all isolates show discordant results between slide latex agglutination test and oxacillin disk diffusion. The objectives of this project are: 1- To describe the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Irbid town. 2- To establish a simple, sensitive, and cost effective test for detection of this organism. 3- To suggest a policies and protocol to eradicate and the spread of this organism.


Molecular, Biochemical, and Antibigram Patterns of Helicobacter Pylori from Various Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases and Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia in Irbid, Jordan

Raymond Batchoun, Mamdouh Moqaddam, Hesham Al-Zureiqi, and Taha Abdul Aziz

Project No.: 168/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3250 JD

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral gram negative microaerophilic bacteria associated with chronic gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, non ulcer dyspepsia, and stomach cancer. The diseases pattern is dependent on presence of cage A and Vac A genes that control the severity of infection, and cancer development. Additionally H. pylori is becoming multi resistant to antimicrobial therapy all over the world. In Jordan, Helicobacter pylori or spiral bacteria were detected in gastric biopsies obtained from patients under going endascopy, with various upper GI upsets, microscopically, with limited reponse to antiulcer, antimicrobial. The objectives of this project are: (a) Isolation and biochemical characterization of Helicobacter pylori from the various clinical conditions of upper GI upsets from patient's referred to endoscopy unite in north Jordan, (b) Determination of ulcerogenic strains in relation to cag A and vac A using PCR technology and its correlation with desease pattern, & (c) Determination of the MIC of antimcrobials used in H. Pylori eradication employing E-test, which will become guidelines in treatment selection.


Detection of BCL-2 Oncogene in Malignant Lymphoma Cases in Jordan from Paraffinized Embedded Tissues Using PCR Method

Nidal Al-Masri, Jameel Al-Alami, and Mohammed Faza’

Project No.: 197/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 3500 JD

ABSTRACT

Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are often associated with specific chromosome translocations which is important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of NHL. In follicular lymphoma (FL) which is low-grad NHL approximately 90% of cases carry the translocation t(14;18) where as 20% of diffuse lymphomas (an intermediate-grad NHL) carry the translocation t (14;18) (q32.2;21).

 In this translocation, the BCL-2 oncogene is translocated from chromosome 18 into the heavy chain immunoglobulin locus on chromosome 14. This results in a BCL-2/IGH fusion gene . This translocation constitutes the most common chromosomal translocation in NHL of B-cell type and led to the discovery of the BCL-2 gene. The BCL-2 gene is a survival gene located on chromosome (18;q21.3) and consists of three exons. the bcl-2 protein has the function to prevent programmed cell death (apoptosis) and its localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane and prevents the apoptosis of the tumor cell.

The translocation t(14;18) is most commonly detect by Southern analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the molecular level. Southern blot analysis (SBA) is an expensive procedure, requires large amounts of DNA (10-30mg), radioactivity based method and associated with show turnaround time. On the other hand, PCR characterized by speed (1-3days), ease, lower cost and the ability to amplify small amounts of DNA (1mg ).

In Jordan, no studies have been done to evaluate the association of FL and BCL-2 rearrangement by PCR method from fixed-paraffin-embedded tissue. This will be the first study of NHL and BCL-2 t ( 14;18) it will also attempt to establish the diagnosis of FL by PCR from archive samples.


Thermophilic Bacteria in Jordan and Biotechnology Application

Ziad Al-Naser, Wajeeh Oweis, and Anis Maraqa

Project No.: 198/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 7100 JD

ABSTRACT

This is a biotechnology study designed to isolate the Thermophilic bacteria from hot springs & geothermal areas in Jordan, after complete isolation we will extract the DNA from pure culture and apply molecular biology techniques and analysis to the extracted DNA. Our major attention will be focused on isolation Four different genes that have important value in industry (Amylase, Xylanases, Proteases, and DNA-polymerases) and then they will clone in host vector to produce expected enzymes. The main reasons for selecting enzymes from thermophiles are their high stability and reduced risk of contamination.


Diagnostic Efficiency of Cardiac Troponin I, Troponin T, Myoglobin and CK-MB Mass for Early Evaluation of Patients with Acute Chest Pain: A Comparison of Cardiac Troponins, Myglobin and CK-MB for Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Mohamad Nuser, Sameer Otoom, and Bassam Mahmoud Ababneh

Project No.: 206/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4700 JD

ABSTRACT

The major challenge for physicians is identification of patients who have acute coronary syndromes and who may benefit from treatment. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of cardiovascular death. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance. Delays in clinical decision-making may reduce the opportunity to deploy available strategic to salvage myocardium. In patients with chest pain, the diagnosis depends on the selected use of cardiac markers. Mainly all institutions have relied on serial testing serum levels of creatine kinase (CK-MB) after hospital admission. Myoglobin and Cardiac Troponins: cTnI and cTnT are new tests with diagnostic and prognostic potential. The troponin (Tn) complex (subunit 1, T, and C) on the actin filament regulates the force and velocity of muscle contraction. Troponin T (TnT) anchors the Tn complex to tropomyosin; troponin C (TnC) bind calcium ions and initiates the contractile response; and troponin-I (TnI) inhibit actin - myosin cross-linking. cTnT and cTnI are highly sensitive and specific markers of myocardial necrosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction, like CK-MB they are detectable within 3-12 h of onest of symptoms but troponin concentration remain raised for four times longer than CK-MB concentration. The time profile of cardiac troponin parallels that of the CK-MB fraction, it has an added benefit of late detection of MI, its level remains elevated for 5-7 days after myocardial injury. Unlike CK- MB fraction which is not helpful for early decision-making because it can detect only two- third of infarcts within 4 hours of admission, with the troponins, it makes it possible to detect minor myocardial injury and earlier diagnosis of a cute MI can be made.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4- Faculty of Dentistry


The Incidence Of Oral Cancer In The North Of Jordan

Ma’amon A. Rawashdeh

Project No.: 26/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2720 JD

ABSTRACT

Oral cancer is a serious and growing health problem throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) assesses that oral cancer is the third commonest malignancy among males and sixth commonest in females.

In 1990, cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx represented about 5% of cancers diagnosed in USA, and of the 30,000 newly diagnosed cases in 1990, 8000 deaths were predicted due to the disease. In the UK and Wales the incidence of oral cancer represents about 2% of all malignancies, and there are 1900 new cases of oral cancer and 960 deaths from the disease each year.

To my best Knowledge no data are available on this topic in the North of Jordan. This study will provide a baseline record of the incidence of oral cancer. It is hoped that the study will help in raising the level of awareness of oral cancer in Jordan.


Cytotoxicity of Dental Casting Alloys used in Jordanian Dental Laboratories

Ahmad Al-Hiyasat, Homa Darmani, and Omar Bashabsheh

Project No.: 51/2000                                       Amount of Fund: 12,000 JD

ABSTRACT

Certain dental alloys may elicit adverse tissue and cellular reactions by releasing elements into the oral cavity which then produce harmful biological effects. Since these alloys are used to construct medical prostheses, the possibility of tissue damage must be analyzed through pre-clinical risk assessment. Thus relevant pre-clinical biological tests are highly desirable as a basis for such a risk assessment. The aim of this study is to first carry out a survey to find out which dental cast alloys are used in Jordanian dental laboratories and dental surgeries. A questionnaire will be developed and distributed to dental laboratories in different geographical areas in Jordan. The most frequently used dental cast alloys will then be investigated by determining and analyzing the different elements released from them by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Lastly, cytotoxicity of these dental casting alloys will be investigated using a well established fibroblast cell cytotoxicty model.


Clinical Effect of a Full Arch Maxillary Occlusal Splint on Patients with Signs and Symptoms of TMJDisorders

Firas Al Qurkn

Project No.: 69/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 1800 JD

ABSTRACT

Several epidemiological studies have shown the high prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMJDisorders in the population. Most studies reported at least 50% of the general population having at least one sign, although only 30% of individuals may be aware of symptoms. Pain is the most common reason for patients to seek treatment. It is widely accepted that occlusal splints play an important role in the treatment of TMJDisorders, particularly where muscle pain is a prominent symptom. The aims of this study are to diagnose patients with TMJDisorders, to investigate the clinical effect of hard occlusal splint on patients complaining of signs and/or symptoms of TMJDisorders and to compare the results with studies done on other populations. Criteria for diagnosing the patients and evaluating their symptoms established and a small number of patients have received the treatment but the time is not due to reevaluate changes insymptoms.


Dental Personnel Exposure to Mercury Released from Dental Amalgam Restorative Materials

Wael Al-Omari, and Ahmad Al-Hiyasat

Project No.: 102/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2900 JD

ABSTRACT

There is no doubt that mercury is toxic and that dentists and their assistant are potentially exposed to mercury through the use of amalgam. There has never been any reported study that has investigated the dental mercury hazards in Jordan. The purpose of this project is, therefore, to identify and evaluate the relationship between practice characteristics in Jordan and urine and blood mercury levels to estimate the degree and sources of mercury exposure resulted from dental amalgam fillings and the outcome of pregnancy. Information will be collected about practice characteristics in different regions of Jordan, in the form of comprehensive questionnaire containing mercury related questions. Urine and blood samples will be collected from dentists, dental assistants, and pregnant women having amalgam fillings, and if possible from the newly born babies and analyzed for total mercury content. The urine and blood samples will be stabilized, refrigerated and the total mercury content will be measured using cold atomic absorption method. A questionnaire will be delivered to assess the neurobehavioral performance of the participants. We hope that this project will highlight the state of mercury exposure and the potential risks that could result from that and come forward with recommendations to minimize those risks.


Prevalence of Oral Pigmentation and Oral Candidosis in Workers and Children at Risk for Lead Exposure

Aceil Qassim Al-Khatib

Project No.: 141/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 4100 JD

ABSTRACT

Lead has been shown to be deposited in oral tissue if injested in sufficient quantities or over a long course of time inducing oral pigmentation which can be identified by an oral exam. Iron deficiency aneamia which is more common in people with lead poisoning predisposes to oral candidosis. The aims of this investigation are to determine the prevalence of oral pigmentation, the prevalence of candida albicans among workers and children at risk, and to assess the knowledge of lead poisoning among exposed workers.


Characterization of Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans Fimbriae and Their Role in Adhesion to Human Oral Epithelial Cells

Mohammad Hammad, and AbdelKareem Al-Sallal

Project No.: 195/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 7000 JD

ABSTRACT

Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans is reported to be an active etiological agent for "Localized juvinile periodontitis which is a highly destructive form of inflammatory periodontal disease that affects relatively young patients. This organism has a fimbria which play an important role in the adherence of this bacterium to the host cells. In Jordan, there are no previous reports on the isolation of this organism from patients suffering from periodentitis. So, this project deals with the isolation, cultivation of this organism and also with the effect of thyme extract on the growth of an isolated organism on the adherence mechanism in comparison with known antibiotics and month washing solutions, using light and electron microscopes for such observations.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5- Faculty of Pharmacy


Moisture Interaction with Pharmaceutical Excipients

Mutaz Sheikh-Salem, Bashar Al-Taani, and Dima Al-Fayoumi

Project No.: 10/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3600 JD

ABSTRACT

Many pharmaceutical Excipients are hydrophilic and have the ability to pickup and retain large amounts of moisture in their structure. Water presence in the excipient may influence the physical and chemical properties of the excipient and the product where the excipient is used. Sorption isotherms of the following Excipients: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Crospovidone and chitosan will be constructed by equilibrating them in dessicators of different relative humidity. The excipents will be studied as received from the manufacture and after fractionating them into different particle sizes by sieving. After equilibration the Excipients will be also analyzed using differential scanning calorimetery for the state of water.

The Excipients after equilibration will be mixed with moisture sensitive drug (cefadroxyl) and stored for appropriate period of time and analyze for drug degradation.


Isolation and Characterization of Active Components from Annona Reticulata

Feras Q. Alali, and Ahmed Al-Kofahi

Project No.: 45/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5300 JD

ABSTRACT

In order to verify the presence of cytotoxic annonaceous acetogenins, C35-C37 polyketide, in the cultivated species Annona Reticulata L. (Annonaceae), a pilot sample, bark and stem, was collected from Der-Ala, Jordan Valley, Jordan, where the plant is cultivated. The sample was cut, dried, milled and extracted with ethanol, the residue remained after evaporation (F001) was tested against Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BST) and showed an LC50 value, dose to kill 50% of the shrimp, of 200 ppm. We are now pursuing a large scale activity-guided isolation and fractionation leading to the active constituents.


Solid State Characterization of Fluconazole

Khouloud A. Alkhamis, Aiman Obaidat, and Adi Nuseirat

Project No.: 50/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5000 JD

ABSTRACT

Purpose. Fluconazole is an antifunal drug that is used in the treatment of candidacies. Fluconazole has at least two different polymorphs. Several techniques have been used to characterize these two forms. However, generation of different polymorphs was not performed by previous investigators. Therefore, it is of interest to prepare new polymorphs and solvates of fluconazole and to characterize them using different techniques. Methods. Different polymorphs and solvates will be prepared by crystallization of the original powder in different solvents at different cooling rates. The different polymorphs will be detected using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The intrinsic dissolution and the solubility of the aforementioned polymorphs will also be determined. The results that will be obtained from the generation and the characterization of the different polymorphs of fluconazole will be very useful in improving the bioavailability and therefore the efficacy of fluconzale.


Improving the Compressibility Properties of Powders by Using Additives

Bashar Al-Taani, and Mutaz Sheikh-Salem

Project No.: 54/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5900 JD

ABSTRACT

Compressibility is an important property of powder to be formulated into tablet dosage form. Many solid drugs resist compression into acceptable tablet due to their inherent properties. Certain tablet additives may improve the compressibility properties of poor compressibility drug. Some additives of different physical properties such as hydrophilicity, type and molecular weight will be used to improve the compressibility properties of a poor compressibility drug. The additives used are methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. The additives will be mixed with the drug at different levels and the compression profile will be studied mainly by using Heckel analysis method.


Design and Synthesis of New D1-dopamine receptors ligands

Amjad Qandil, and Mohammad Hassan

Project No.: 56/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4300 JD

ABSTRACT

This research aims at the Design and Synthesis of novel and potentially active dopamine agonists. This work focuses on the class of D1-ligands, a class of compounds represented by the very high affinity but partial agonists: 3-phenyl benzazepines and the somewhat lower affinity but full agonists: 4-phenylisoquinolines. Both classes are rigid analogs of -phenyl dopamine with the main difference between the two classes is the conformation of ethylamine side chain and the planarity of the compound. The most active derivatives of 4-phenylisoquinolines are more planar and have the side chain in the trans-anti-conformation while the 3-phenyl benzazepines have it in an extended gauche-conformation. The compounds proposed in this research will simulate the planarity of the 4-phenylisoquinolines and the ethylamine side chain conformation of 3-phenyl benzazepines. This is an effort to enforce the pluses and reduce the shortcomings of these two classes.


Comparative Chemical Studies on Some Aromatic Medicinal Plants of Jordan

Fawzeyyah Jawad, and Muhsen Al-Mahmoud

Project No.: 78/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4250 JD

ABSTRACT

The volatile oil content of some aromatic medicinal plants of Jordan are to be investigated and comparative qualitative and quantitative studies are to be carried on for several plant species collected at different times of the year. In addition to the relation with different environmental factors that may affect the quality and quantity of these oils.

Plant materials are collected from different environments at different times of the year and the volatile oil obtained from each sample is extracted and investigated for its physical and chemical properties by several analytical methods of analysis including chromatographic methods and GC/MS analysis.

Some related biological studies and the incorporation of specific concentrations of some of these oils in different pharmaceutical bases are to be studied.


Vitamin C and Lipid Disturbances in Animal Fed Alcohol

Khalid Al-Ani

Project No.: 79/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4500 JD

ABSTRACT

It is known that alcohol ingestion is associated with a variety of functional and structural disturbances including cardiovascular diseases and liver cirrhosis.

Chronic alcohol ingestion is associated with a variety of secondary metabolic effects that alter lipid metabolism leading to hyprlipidaemia and accumulation of fat in the liver especially triglycerids and cholesterol ester.

Our previous experiments indicate that supplementation of high dose vitamin C to animals fed alcohol reduce or diminish the effect of alcohol ingestion that when related to lipid disturbances.

In this project we attainted to study the possibility of preventing the structural changes in the liver and aorta caused by alcohol ingestion by simple dietary manipulation such as high vitamin C supplementation.


Synthesis and Evaluation of some mefenamic acids prodrugs for transdermal delivery

Bassam Tashtoush, and Khaled Shawakfeh

Project No.: 98/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3000 JD

ABSTRACT

Mefenamic acid, is one of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used through the oral and suppository routes for the treatment of pain and inflammation. These NSAIDs cause gastrointestinal distress but with lower extent than aspirin. One approach to reduce the GI distress associated with the chronic use of these compounds was the prodrug approach, designed to deliver the parent compound after various chemical or enzymatic transformation. Another approach to reduce these side effects is by delivering the drug by percutaneous administration where many drugs have been formulated in transdermal delivery system.

In this work we are trying to improve the penetration of mefenamic acid across the stratum cornium barrier in order to achieve either local or systemic action. Four prodrugs will be synthesized by esterification of mefenamic acid with a tertiary amine salt.

The main objectives of this work are to synthesize and characterize these prodrugs and then evaluate the stability in buffer, plasma and skin. We will also evaluate the permeability of these prodrugs compare to the parent compound in vitro through the excised mouse skin using Franz diffusion cell.


Topical Drug Delivery System Of Tetracycline HC1 For The Treatment Of Acne Using Niosomes

Shereen Assaf, and Hind H. Abu Judeh

Project No.: 101/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

Tetracycline HC1 (TC-HC1), an anti acne water soluble drug, was used as a model drug. Its entrapment efficiency (E%) was investigated using tween 60 vesicles (niosomes). Neutral niosomes, made of 400 µmole ( 50:50) mole % tween 60: cholesterol, entrapped TC-HC1 at pH (4.5) with E% of (8.20%), whereas negatively charged niosomes, prepared by inclusion of 10 mole % Dicetyl phosphate (DCP), entrapped TC-HC1 at pH (4.5) with E% of (21.0%).

In-vitro preliminary release studies indicated that neutral niosomes made up from tween 60 could retain a considerable amount of TC-HC1 over a prolonged period of time, whereas the extent of release from negatively charged DCP niosomes was higher.

The susceptibility of P. acnes to the antibacterial activity induced by TC-HC1 was performed by a growth inhibition zone method (agar diffusion). The method was quantitative for both free and niosome -encapsulated drug. Neutral niosome-encapsulated TC-HC1 retained its antibacterial activity and gave greater inhibition zone than negatively charged ones.

The neutral niosomal system was osmotically active upon the addition of an NaC1 solution with similar tonicity as that of sweat solution, which concentrates in the pilosebaceous glands, leading to reduction in the niosomal size and consequently to an increase in the amount of drug released from niosomes. This suggests that sweet may increase the amount of drug released from topically applied niosomes.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6- Faculty of Nursing


The Effect of the Health Belief Model in Explaining Medical Care Seeking Decisions of Jordanian Patients Experiencing Myocardial Information Symptoms

Suha Omran, and Musa Al-Hassan

Project No.: 90/2000                                       Amount of Found: 1800 JD

ABSTRACT

Studies investigated the nature of factors affecting medical care seeking decisions of patients experiencing myocardial infarction symptoms were athearchtical (Dracup et al., 1995). Furthermore, how Jordanian myocardial infarction patients decide to seek medical care has never been investigated. Theoretical explanation of medical care seeking decisions may form essential components of intervention strategies that help patients experiencing myocardial infarction symptoms seek medical care promptly. The purposes of this study are to measure the interval between Jordanian patient's recognition of their MI symptoms & their decisions to seek medical care and examine the significance of the Health Belief Model constructs in distinguishing between delayers and non-delayers in seeking medical care. Two researchers-developed questionnaires, will be used to measure the HBM constructs and health characteristics of the participants. The questionnaires will be administered to all patients who will be admitted to cardiac care units of 3 major hospitals in Amman area over a two-month period to confirm or rule out myocardial infarction. Descriptive statistics and discriminant function analysis will be used to analyze the collected data.


The Meaning of Hope Following Spinal Cord Injury

Hashim Fraijat

Project No.: 91/2000                                       Amount of Found: 1800 JD

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is two-fold: to describe the meaning of personal hope following spinal cord injury (SCI), and to investigate the subjective relationships between functional status, social support, spirituality, coping responses, and hope in patients with SCI. The six research questions include: (a) what meaning dose hope have for patients with SCI? (b) what is the relationship between functional status and hope of patients with SCI? (c) what is the relationship between social support and hope of patients with SCI? (d) what is the relationship between spirituality and hope of patients with SCI? (e) what is the relationship among functional status, social support, spirituality, coping responses, and hope of patients with SCI?

Spinal cord injury is considered one of the most life-changing injuries a person can experience. Spinal cord injury affects between seven to eleven thousand persons each year in the united states (American Paralysis Association, 1995). In Jordan, diseases of the nervous system and SCI are considered the second leading cause of death (World Bank, 1996). Like many chronic illnesses, SCI is a condition of long duration having residual features that impose limitations on the individual's functional capabilities (Hayes, 1994).

This is an exploratory study employs a descriptive correlational design. Subjects will be derived from a convention sampling from medical files of the only spinal cord injury unit which located at the Royal Medical Services. (such as) main SCI units rational royal med. Subjects will be selected to obtain a broad representation of SCI patients. The sample size will be determined by Cohen's and Cohen's (1983) power analysis for simple regression analysis.


Nurses' attitudes toward elderly patients in acute care settings

Issa M. Hweidi

Project No.: 92/2000                                       Amount of Found: 1800 J.D

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of nurses' attitudes toward elderly patients and selected nurse subjects demographic variables such as: nurses' age, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, clinical experience, religion, residential area, and experience of living with elderly.

The exploration of nurses' attitudes toward elderly patients is expected to identify health care needs and problems of this age group. Exploring such variables will assist health care policy makers in selecting nursing staff that can address and meet the needs, concerns, and expectations of Jordanian elderly in acute care settings. Furthermore, this study will help in improving the quality of nursing care provided to such patient sand provide bases for future research on nurses attitudes toward elderly patients.

This study will be conducted in 4 hospitals located in the Northern part of Jordan that represent the public, military, and the private sector. Over three month period nurses from selected units will be considered as potential subjects. A convenience sample of 300 Jordanian nurses working in the selected units will participate in the study. Kogan attitudes scale (Kogan, 1961) will be used as a mj to measure nurses' attitudes toward elderly patients, demographic data will be obtained through the personal information sheet developed by the purpose of the study and the right to withdraw from the study at anytime. Confidentiality for participants will be maintained. All part ….pants will be salved to provide a written consent from for participation in this study. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe all variables of interest, and frequents will be tabulated for all variables. Co relational analysis will be computed to detect the relationship between nurses' attitudes and the sociodemographic variables of interest.


Jordanian Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Survey (JAHRBS)

Salwa Obeisat

Project No.: 134/2000                                                 Amount of Fund: 1300 JD

ABSTRACT

According to the WHO, UNFPA, & UNICEF (1997) adolescents constitutes 20% of the world population, of these 85% live in the developing countries. Purpose: a) to assess the prevalence of health risk behaviors among Jordanian adolescents in five risk categories: injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, dietary behaviors, physical inactivity; b) to examine the relationship between selected demographics (age, place of residence, socioeconomic status, parents marital status, parents educational level) and the prevalence of health risk-behaviors among Jordanian adolescents. Research Question: a) What are the health risk-behaviors prevailed among Jordanian adolescents? b) Is there a relationship between selected demographics and the prevalence of health risk-behaviors among Jordanian adolescent?. Sample: A convenience sample of 6oo adolescent will be selected randomly from both private & public schools in Irbid governorate. Instrumentation: a modified version of the Center of Disease Control (CDC) 1999 Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire. Plans for data analysis: The data will be analyzed using descriptive and Correlation analysis.


The Differences in the Levels of Labor Pain Between Primiparae and Multiparae Jordanian Women Who Delivered Vaginally

Lubna Abu-Shaikha

Project No: 135/2000                                                  Amount of Fund: 1300 JD

ABSTRACT

Pain is considered an integral part of the process of labor. Throughout the years, the major goal of health care professionals in the field of obstetrics was to ensure optimal childbirth with minimal pain and discomfort. The purposes of this study are to assess and compare the levels of pain during labor between primiparous and multiparous Jordanian women and to establish a database for pain during labor in Jordan. With a convenience sample of 100 postnatal women, a retrospective descriptive design will be used. Labor pain will be measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and a structured interview form. Demographic information will be gathered using a demographic questionnaire designed for this study. Parametric tests will be used to analyze the data.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7- Faculty of Science & Art


Antibacterial Activity of Some Jordanian Medicinal Plants on Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Clinical Specimens

Mamdouh M. Meqdam, Ahmad AI-Kofahi, and Fadia Ibrahim

Project No.: 2/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 3550 JD

ABSTRACT

During the period between February to April, 2000 a total of 100 clinical specimens were collected from different hospitals in Amman/Jordan. The antimicrobial activity of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of eighteen medicinal plants belonging to 11 families and used in traditional medicine in Jordan were tested. Extracts of certain parts of these plants were subjected to preliminary testing against 20 pathogenic microorganisms including three reference strains ( E. coli # 25922, Staphylococcus aureus # 25923, Pseudomonas aerugenosa # 27852 ) using the disk diffusion method. Results evaluated as the diameter of inhibition zone of bacterial growth showed that 200 mg/ml of 18 plant extracts have antimicrobial activity against most of the tested bacteria ( 45%) with a significant difference between the two types of extracts. Three plants exhibited broad spectrum activity: Rhus coriaria L., Eugenia caryophyllus L. and Thymus vulgaris. The most susceptible bacteria was Enterobacter while the most resistant bacteria were Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus species. Further fractionation of the most active plants using different organic solvents and antimicrobial testing showed that Rhus coriaria fraction number 7 and 8 is the most active ones. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the active extracts ranged from 6.25-25 mg/ml whereas the minimum bactericidal concentrations ranged from 12.5-50 mg/ml.


Determination of Pesticide Residue in Jordanian Surface Water by GC/MS

Yahya R. Tahboub, Mohammed F. Zaater, and Ziad A. Al-Talla

Project No.: 3/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 3800 JD

ABSTRACT

The development and evaluation of an analytical method for determination of pesticide-residue in Jordanian Surface water by Gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry was evaluated. Fifteen pesticides including Organochlorine and Organophosphorous were selected. Optimization of various chromatographic conditions, and extraction methods was performed. The best temperature program was between 70 and 244 C0 and the mass rang between 50 and 410 u at the TIC mode. The method showed that Liquid-Liquid extraction with (70:30) petroleum ether: dichloromethane is preferred over other Liquid-Liquid extraction methods with other solvents or combination, and Solid-phase extraction methods. The method is linear for all pesticides between (0.07-1.5) ppb. Recoveries vary between (80%) for Malaoxon and 92% for most of studied pesticides. Analysis of (30) surface water samples of Jordanian surface water samples of Jordanian surface water from (15) sites indicated non-to-very low level of studied pesticides.


Destruction of Freon 12 (CF2C12) By Catalytic Hydrogenation Reactions

Rateb H. Hina, Rasha Al-Fayyoumi

Project No.: 4/2000                                         Amount of Found: 4900 JD

ABSTRACT

Halogenated alkanes are one of the chemical compounds that have drastic effects on the depletion of Ozone layer. When these compounds go through photolysis reactions in the upper atmosphere, they produce free radicals that consume ozone and damage its shield. Examples of such haloalkanes are the CFC's compounds: CFCl3, CF2Cl2, and CF2C1Br. This research involves the preparation of supported transition metals catalysts and their alloys. These catalysts are newly prepared and expected to have high catalytic activity and selectivity. Also their stability will be studied and surface area will be measured. Then, by hydrogenation reactions the reactivity and selectivity of the catalysts will be investigated on the destruction of Freon 12 (which is used as coolant in refrigerators and air conditioners) and the conversion of the Freon 12 to harmless materials to the environment. Finally, by using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography/Mass spectroscopy the products will be analyzed.


Jordanian Population Data On The PCR - Based Short Tandem Repeat Loci-CSF1PO, TPOX, THO1, D13S317, D7S820, & DI6539

Nabil Al-Bashir, Ahmad Batiha, Mohammed Alazab, and Suzan Momani

Project No.: 5/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 9100 JD

ABSTRACT

Genes in the form of DNA molecules (chromosomes) are transmitted from generation to generation. Nucleotide sequences encoded in the DNA molecule are unique to every individual, and all the cells from a person, except for red blood cells and sperms or eggs, contain identical sequences of nucleotides, which are the DNA subunits. Red blood cells do not have DNA, and sex cells have half amount of DNA found in other cells. The uniqueness of each person DNA allows the unequivocal identification of any individual, thus, the name

DNAfingerprinting.”

In 1990, the amplitype STR forensic DNA amplification and typing kit a non isotopic forensic DNA test based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as introduced and made commercially available by the cetus corporation and was qualified for forensic testing.This test permitted amplification and detection of nine on human chromosome six. The STR assay format, frequently described as a vertical electrophoresis’s based on detecting alleles in amplified DNA by hybridization to sequence-specific probes that are immobilized on a membrane. In late 1993,the STR PCR amplification and typing kit developed by Roche Molecular Systems became commercially available.

One could ask many questions in this field such as: what is the allele and genotype frequency for these marker for Jordanian population? are they meet Hardy Weinberg equilibrium? does the interbreeding between different group affect these frequencies or not?

The aim of this study is investigating the allele and genotype frequency distribution of these loci in Jordanian population. Statistical analysis to determine whether allele frequencies are in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium as well to obtain some parameters of medicolegal interest and to confirm the usefulness of the polymarker loci in forensic casework and paternity testing. The data will be compared with other sample populations. such as other Caucasians, Hispanic, Afro-Americans, and Japanese.

Subculturing are believed to have effect on the distribution of the allele and genotype frequencies. So comparison will be done between groups in the major group. Another aim for this study is to examine the effects of population subdivision of ethnic groups on the pattern of genetic variation in a total sample. Phenotypic studies to determine whether these intra/interbreeding results in concentrated appearance for some trait in an ethnic group.


Synthesis and Reactivity of S-Bonded Thiophene(S) Complexes, Models for Hydrodesulfurization of Thiophenes

Mazin Y. Shatnawi, and Mohammad A. Al-Anber

Project No.: 6/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 3600 JD

ABSTRACT

Thiophenes and other organosulfur compounds are associated with fossil fuels deposits. These compounds have to be removed from petroleum fractions due to the deleterious problems they cause during refining (catalyst deactivation) or the environmentally hazardous pollutants they form upon oxidation (SOx). Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is the catalytic removal of sulfur, as hydrogen sulfide, from organosulfur compounds in petroleum distillates by treatment with hydrogen over a supported metal catalyst.

In this project, we intend to design experiments to form coordinatively unsaturated molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) complexes that will be reacted in situ with the Thiophenes. The produced complexes will be characterized by several techniques, and then be subjected to several specific reactions such as reactions with nucleophiles (like H-) and electrophiles (like H+). The results of this project will be used in the development, or refinement of an HDS mechanism.


Synthesis of Sclerotigenin:

A New Antiinsectant Benzodiazepine Natural Product

Naim Al-Said, and Zakariyya Ishtaiwi

Project No.: 7/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 4100 JD

ABSTRACT

Condensation of ethyl amino acetate with isatoic anhydride in acetonitrle in the presence of triethylamine yielded amide 1. The free amino group in amide 1 was coupled with different benzoyl chloride derivatives 2 (X= H, NO2, N3) in THF to from diamide 3 in respectable percentage yield. The transformation of diamide 3 to sclerotigenin will be investigated in the final phase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sclerotigenin


Fluorimetric and Spectrophotometric Study of the Inclusion Complexes of Nifedipine and Glibenclamide with Cyclodextrins in Aqueous Solution

Nathir, A.F. AI-Rawashdeh, Idrees AI-Momani, Khaled Shawakfeh, and Samah A. Ata

Project No.: 8/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 5950 JD

ABSTRACT

As the complexation process implies an interaction producing a protection of the included species, the Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been used in the pharmaceutical industry to encapsulate drugs that are sensitive of light and atmosphere and can be easily handled and stored in powder form. Also, substances which are not very soluble in water become more soluble in the presence of CDs.

In this proposed project, the absorption and luminescent characteristics of the inclusion complexes of the proposed drugs with Cyclodextrins will be investigated, with the object of characterizing the inclusion processes involved, and giving a clearer understanding of the factors affecting complexation, which is of vital importance to the use of these systems for the development of new analytical or industrial methodologies. In particular, the mechanism, the photostability, and the formation constants of the inclusion complexes of Cyclodextrins with proposed drugs in aqueous solution will be investigated.


Determination of Organochlorine pesticide residues in honey via Gas chromatography / Mass spectrometry (GC / MS)

Yahya R. Tahboub, and Thaer A. Barri

Project No.: 9/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 3100 JD

ABSTRACT

The development and evaluation of an analytical method for determination of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey by Gas chromatography / Mass spectrometry was described. Eleven Organochlorine pesticides were selected. Optimization of various chromatographic conditions and extraction methods was performed. The best temperature program was between 80 C0 and 240 C0 and the mass rang between 40 and 410 u at the TIC mode.

The method showed that liquid- liquid extraction with 80:20: petroleum ether: dichloromethane is preferred over other liquid-liquid extraction methods with other solvents or combinations followed by elimination of matrix interference’s through a cleanup step with florisil cartridges which were eluted with 50:50 hexane:dichloromethane The method is linear for all pesticides between 5 to 50 ppb and recoveries vary between 80.2 % for endrin and 110.8 % for endosulfan (II).

Analysis of real honey samples were carried out for eighteen locally produced samples from six locations and five imported samples, the results indicated to non- to very low level of studied pesticides.


Effect of Soil Amendment with Olive Mill Byproduct Under Soil Solarization Upon Growth of Three Legumes Crops and Associated Mycorrhiza

Khalid Hameed, Muneer Al-Turk, and Taher Assaf.

Project No.: 14/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3100 JD

ABSTRACT

Olive oil by-products (Jift) are increasingly reaching cultivated soil. Previous observation indicated a variable number of Mycorrhiza spore in soil treated with such product. Present investigation was designed to reveal the impact of those products on the Mycorrhiza associated with three different legume crops, faba bean, chickpea, and lentil. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted using treated soil with the following rates of Jift, 0: 10, 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, and 4:6, on the basis of V:V ratio. Those mixtures of soil and olive mill by-product were subjected to, fungicide (Metalaxyl, four Kg per donum), solarization, and methyl bromide fumigation. Crop plants were sampled three times along the duration of growing period; first at start of flowering, second at start of podding, and the third sampling was done at physiological maturity. At each stage one plant from each experimental unit was cut at the soil level and the following parameters were recorded: plant height, number of branches, number of leaves,, number of flowers, number of pod, number of seeds, plant dry weight, number of Mycorrhiza spores in the soil, and root infection percentage.


Production of Magnesia from the Dead-Sea Water and Carnallite

Mohammad Al-Mulqui, Isam Arafa, and Fares Khairallah

Project No.: 16/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4200 JD

ABSTRACT

The present research aims to study various factors (parameters) affecting the reaction of producing Magnesia from Dead-Sea water. Parameters such as the brine concentration, the nature of precipitating agent, the temperature and duration of the reaction are very important in determining the quality and yield of Magnesia.In addition, the process of manufacturing Magnesia from Carnallite (produced during Potash production) will be tested as an alternative route. The findings of this project will be discussed with the Arab Potash Co., and the Jordan magnesia Co. We hope that this study will contribute positively to the chemical industries of Dead Sea. þþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþþ

The process that will be followed in the production of Magnesia is based on: First, precipitation of magnesium as the hydroxide using various bases such as (NaOH, Ca(OH)2,CaO,Na2CO3, dolime, and organic bases (amines)).Second calcination at different temperatures to produce various commercial grades of Magnesia. The various parameters that may affect quality and yield will be investigated as well as the optimum conditions (mentioned before) required for the production of industrial grade Magnesia.


Conversion of phosphogypsum waste into Ammonium & Potassium fertilizers

Mohammed Al-Mulqui, Isam Arafa, and Ahmed Hijazi

Project No.: 17/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5200 JD

ABSTRACT

This investigation is based on reacting phospho-gypsum with solutions of ammonium carbonate to produce ammonium sulfate and limestone. Also, reactions of phospho-gypsum with potash (KCl) from the dead sea will be investigated for the preparation of potassium sulfate. This involves the following steps: (1) Pretreatment of phospho-gypsum with water, to remove residual phosphoric acid and insoluble salts. (2) Conversion of phospho-gypsum to ammonium sulfate. The effect of temperature, PH, reaction time, and the purity of phospho-gypsum will be examined. (3) Conversion of phospho-gypsum to potassium sulphate. The effect of temperature, PH, and the time of the reaction will be examined.


The Effect of Methamidophos Insecticide on the Murine Humoral Immune Response to Larval Toxocara Canis Infection

Nizar Abuharfeil, Zuhair Amr, and Ala' Mohammed Al-Akhdar

Project No.: 19/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2100 JD

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is measuring the levels of anti-Toxocara canis antibody classes; IgG and IgM in control and Methamidophos exposed mice that infected with T. canis. And investigate the presence and levels of anti nuclear antibodies in T. canis infected mice exposed to two different levels Methamidophos.

Groups of 40 mice will be used; one uninfected control other group infected with T. canis only, and one uninfected and exposed to high level (1/5 LD50) of Methamidophos the other infected and exposed to high level, and the last two groups, one Uninfected and exposed to low level (1/10LD50) of Methamidophos the other infected with T. canis eggs and exposed to low level.

Blood will be collected from mice (4 mice at a time) twice/week during the first 2 weeks, then biweekly for 2 month. Then Sera will collected from the mice and will be tested for the presence of IgG, IgM, and ANA. By ELISA.


Application of Yeast Cells in the Measurement of Rheumatoid Factor By "Passive" Agglutination

Nizar Abu-Harfil, and Eyad Talal

Project No.: 20/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2350 JD

ABSTRACT

In this study, yeast cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae instead of latex particles were used in rheumatoid factor kits to diagnosis rheumatoid factors by passive agglutination. Aggregated yeast cells were removed by centrifugation in Ficoll-hypaque solution. Tannic acid and carbodiimide methods were applied for coating of yeast cells by purified human IgG molecules. Removal of cellular aggregates in yeast cells suspension was achieved by using glycine buffered saline followed by centrifugation on Ficoll-hypaque solution and the remained aggregates was 0.28%. Constant numbers of yeast cells (12X106 cells/ìL) and different concentrations of human IgG were used in the coating process by two different methods (tannic acid and carbodiimide). After coating, passive agglutination was performed with serial dilutions of anti human IgG (5 mg/mL).

A comparison study between the coated yeast cells and commercial latex kits were conducted to find out the precision, accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of the new method. The new reagent is comparable to well-known international reagents like TECO DIAGNOSTICS, and CHRONOLAB, Switzerland.).


Determination of peroxide by derivative spectroscopy

Biamperometric-segmented flow analysis

Salem Barakat, Abdul-Rahman Attyat, and Dia Shamekh Al Rubaee

Project No.: 23/ 2000                                                  Amount of Fund: 4000 JD

ABSTRACT

The determination of peroxide and hydroperoxide was achieved by using two techniques, derivative spectroscopy and biamperometric-SFA techniques.In The derivative spectroscopy the condition were optimized using triphenylphosphine oxide/ triphenylphosphine couple. triphenylphosphine react with hydroperoxide present in sample to produce triphenylphosphine oxide which is absorbed at 280 NM in the mixture of heptane –ethanol (1:3) using 2nd derivative mode.In 2nd techniques biamperometric-segmented flow analysis system was developed to determine the presence of peroxide and hydroperoxide by monitoring of (Iˉ/I2 ) couple. Surfactant was used as emulsifier for oil sample and also organic solvent chloroform-acetic acid mixture (2:3).


Reading Strategies of Advanced ESP Learners

Brenda Refaei

Project No.: 27/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2400 JD

ABSTRACT

This study explores English as a Foreign Language students use of reading strategies and the influence of a text's metacommunicative language. The study sought to answer three questions, how do student's use a text's metadiscourse, what strategies do students use to make sense of the text, and how well do these strategies work? Students were interviewed about their reading experiences. Verbal reports of their reading the text "Tea, Anyone" were tape recorded and transcribed. Students were also asked to summarize each paragraph of the text as well as answer ten true/false questions related to the text. Students do use a text's metadiscourse for a global understanding of the text. Most students involved in this study received little if any instruction in how to use reading strategies while they read. The majority of strategies students did use were related to learning new vocabulary items. These strategies worked well to get a global understanding of the text, but not very well for a close reading of the text as evidenced by the true/false responses. It is recommended that EFL reading instructors include reading strategy instruction and vocabulary instruction in the context of the text.


Preparation and Characterization of High Temperature

Superconductors (HTSCs)

Borhan Albiss, M. K. Hasan, and M. Ali Al-Akhras

Project No.: 28/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 5400 JD

ABSTRACT

Since the discovery of high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) in 1987, a great attention is paid to develop the preparation techniques for these materials in the forms of polycrystals, single crystals, thin films, wires and tapes. The three major HTSCs YBCO, BSCCO and TBCCO are called copper-oxide superconductors HTSCs However, these compounds suffer from major problems. One of the major problems is the reduction of its capacity for carrying high electrical currents due to existence of the weak links such a problem will terminate its technological applications. Moreover, applying magnetic field will reduce the electrical current sustains by these materials. Making good quality samples will reduce the effect of weak links and reduce the impurities inside materials, and more critical currents can be driven in the sample due the increase in the critical currents (Jc). The main objectives of this project are:1) To prepare high Tc - Superconductor samples using Solid-State Reaction method. 2) Characterization of these materials including its structural, thermal, electrical and magnetic Properties. 3) To study the effect of magnetic field and temperature on these properties. And 4) To study the effect of different kinds of irradiation on these materials.


The Effect of Interactional, Classroom Peer Work on the Treatment of Mistakes in Students’ Academic Essays

Abdullah A. Khuwaileh

Project No.: 31/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 550 JD

ABSTRACT

There is a wide body of theoretical and practical research on the importance of the writing skill in teaching and learning Academic English. The focus of the vast majority of this research has been on error analysis, testing, needs and evaluation of writing. However, the purpose of this study was to measure the effect of classroom peer work on the development of students' ability of academic essay writing, a topic which is relatively a neglected area. By focusing on the treatment of writing mistakes, the study gives more attention to the students' role in developing their ability to identify their errors and to treat them properly through a process of three stages carried out under the supervision of their teacher (the researcher). Therefore, the study aims at reducing if not eliminating these mistakes through classroom interaction. After establishing a control group and an experimental one, we found that maximizing the students' role in learning essay writing initiated very positive results on their ability to write essays free of mistakes and even to speak to audience. The three stages-intersectional process of essay writing was very practical in Jordan University of Science and Technology: (hereafter JUST) where the study was carried out. But it can be applied in other English language teaching situations similar to that of JUST. Therefore, the process is highly recommend in the case of teaching paragraph writing, term papers and skill integration not only for Arab learners of English, but also for other speakers of English who have different first languages.


Evaluation of the Reproductive and Fertility Toxic Potentials of Aluminum Chloride on Male and Female Mice

Ahmad Batiha, Wael Khammas, and Isam Mayyas

Projct No.: 43/2000                                                     Amount of Fund: 3500 JD

ABSTRACT

Adult male and female Swiss mice will be exposed to different concentrations of AlCl via drinking water for a period of 12 weeks. The effect of AlCl on male and female fertility and reproduction will be assessed by using standard procedures. Several reproductive parameters will be investigated such as the rate of pregnancy, the number of implantation’s, the number of viable fetuses and the number of resorptions. In treated males sperm quantity and quality will be investigated. Testicular and ovarian histology will be conducted. The effect of AlCl on body and organ weights for both males and females will be monitored. The results of this work will be of grate value to assess the environmental hazard of exposure to AlCl.


Detection of Hepatitis C Virus Antigen by PCR in Thalassemia

Nabil Al-Bashir, Musa Barqawi, and Ahmad Jameel Bashireh

Project No.: 46/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2500 JD

ABSTRACT

The goals for this research are to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus in Thalassemia patients by ELISA, and to detect the presence of hepatitis C antigen by PCR. Genotypes of hepatitis C will also be determined. Blood samples will be collected, and hepatitis C antibodies and the antigens will be screened using ELISA and PCR, respectively. Amplified cDNA in the positive samples will be digested by specific restriction endonncleases for genotype determination.


Phenotype - Genotype Correlation in Thalassemia in Jordan

Nabil Al-Bashir, Musa Barqawi, and Mohammad Jameel Salem

Project No.: 48/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2100 JD

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research proposal is to determine the genotypes of Thalassemia patients by using the PCR. Another objective is to investigate the relationship between different types of mutations that cause Thalassemia with the clinical course of the disease. Blood samples will be collected from Thalassemia patient, for Hb electrophoresis, hematological parameters and PCR reaction for mutation determination. These results will be correlated with the clinical course of the disease, which will be search in the medical records for each patient.


Molecular study of local phytopathogenic Agrobacterium strains isolated from Northern Jordan

Fouad Al-Momani, and Sammy Al-Basheir

Project No.: 49/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3900 JD

ABSTRACT

Agrobacterium is a plant pathogenic bacterium. The pathogenicity is due to interkingdom genetic exchange between bacteria and plant. Part of an extrachromosomal DNA of the pathogenic will be transferred from the bacterium to the host plant cell. The recipient plant cell will change into malignant cell that divides without control to form a tumor known as crown gall disease. The oncogenes of the tumor inducing (Ti) plasmid of the pathogenic isolates was deleted and instead of them the gene of interest such as pest drought or salinity resistance. The host range specificity of Agrobacterium is wide or limited. Some very important plant crops especially serial are not included as host for A. tumefaciens some unique strains of A. tumefaciens proved their capability to transform plant cells with any selected gene, the transformed cells expressed the gene of interest. In this research we will conduct microbial survey of the genus Agrobacterium from different ecological habitats especially infected plants as grape, olive, apple, stone fruits and other herbaceous plants. The Ti plasmid of the pathogenic isolates will be isolated and will be used as a vector for plants improvement after being disarmed from its oncogenes. We are anticipating a unique isolates that could be able to transform monocot or economic plants.


Effect of Sodium Nitrite on Isolated Mouse T, B and NK Lymphocytes in vivo and in vitro

Nizar Abu- Harfeil, and Jeehan AL-Zeidat

Project No.: 52/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2640 JD

ABSTRACT

It is known that chemicals may induce selective toxicity, which may alter the interaction between immunocompetent cells, especially if the toxicity occurs during proliferation and differentiation. Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is one of the chemicals that has an effect on the health of both animals and humans. It is a widely used chemical in the manufacture of drugs such as pain relieving agents, in muscle contraction, in the food industry as a preservative, and in dye manufacturing.

Since the effect of sodium nitrite on separated T, B and NK lymphocytes has not been investigated previously, this research aims to investigate the effect of sodium nitrite on the proliferation of isolated lymphocytes of mice both in vivo and in vitro exposure. Subtoxic doses of sodium nitrite will be administered orally, and serial dilutions of sodium nitrite will be added in vitro to isolated lymphocytes using glucose consumption and MTT tetrazolium methods to measure the proliferative activity of lymphocytes.


Family Environment and Self-Concept of PalestinianYouth Living in Jordanian Refugee Camps

Fayez Al-Smadi

Project No.: 58/2000                                                   Publication Support

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the findings from a study of some Palestinian youth living in Jordanian camps that are considered economically distressed social environments. Variables of interest included parental relationships, family functioning, and self-concept. Results indicate that parent adolescent relationships are within the normal, expected functional range although difficulties that reflect a more authoritarian parenting style are apparent. The self-concept of this population is moderate negative. The overall quality of family life appears to be diminished, with a distinct tendency toward more rigid and disengaged patterns of interaction. The results are discussed in reference to socio-cultural differences.


Wild Mushrooms, 'Fleshy Fungi' in Jordan, in a Field Manual and the Possibility of Their Cultivation for Human and Animal Consumption

Rashad Al-Natour, Khalid M. Hameed, and Ismail Saadoun

Project No.: 64/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 7900 JD

ABSTRACT

Wild mushrooms or 'Fleshy Fungi' is a generic name widely used for centuries to designate a group of organisms encountered by man, in the wilderness, whenever enough moisture, organic derbies and suitable temperature prevails. Those fungi constituted part of human and animal food, medicinal uses and witch crafting, and poisoning throughout man life history. Biologically, they are part of the diversity the wild inhabitants of the environment on our planet, Earth. They represent significant links in the food chain and natural cycles of matter in our environment, as well. Therefore, they are one of the components of the natural wealth and resources of all nations. Thus, nations around the globe have been competing in putting out field manuals, describing the habitat, seasonal appearance, and distribution of their fungi, as well as their significance to man and other organisms. Many of those fungi have been domesticated in agricultural farming industry of mushroom production, and many others were utilized in aiding and facilitating proper growth productivity of plant crops as mycorrihae fungi. The present project was put aiming to document the natural national wealth of wild fungi in Jordan and investigate the possibility of domesticating some of the endogenous edible mushrooms. It also aims to utilize some of those fungi in the bioconversion of some of the abundant organic by-products and waste material in Jordan as a source of protein for animal feed ingredient.


Fabrication of an Improved Zinc Oxide Thin Films Doped with Silicon for Energy-Stored Antireflection Optical Coating and Solar Cells

Adnan Shariah, and Ahmad A. Omari

Project No.: 75/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 3100 JD

ABSTRACT

Varieties of thin films deposition techniques were employed to enhance efficient optical coatings to solar cell windows such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD). They are of considerable interest in the applications to the optical coatings, liquid-crystal display units, solar cell windows, heat-mirror materials and semiconductor gas sensors. Optimization to the experimental conditions will be made to achieve highly oriented microstructure with high optical reflectivity. These films are expected to be promising for applications to coated solar cell windows for improved energy saving efficiency. The objectives of this research are:

1-  Establish a general purpose thin film coating laboratory which can be utilized not only to this project but also will serve almost every project in this university based on thin films production.

2-  Developing coating materials such as zinc oxide which is most convenient for solar cells and antireflection

Propose the results of this research and the thin film technology to the local industry.


Coating the Biomedical Titanium Alloys and Stainless Steel by Extremely Thin Films of Diamond –Like Carbon (DLC) Material to Eliminate or Highly Reduce the Failure of Bone-Based Orthopedic Implanted Organs in the Human Body

Ahmad A. Omari, Hamid Aziz, Mohammad Mesmar, and Akram Rousan.

Project No.: 76/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 6600 JD

ABSTRACT

The screws, plates and metal-joins used in orthopedic treatment (internal fixation) for human bone fractures are usually made of the biomedical titanium alloy and stainless steel material. The mechanical and chemical interactions of the implants with the blood cells, tissues and bones causes a production of wear particles on the implants surfaces which normally fail to last in the human body. This requires a bone refracturing process to replace the implants causing human pain and suffering as well as high money-waste on the national scale. The reliability of the implants will be increased several times by coating them with an inert and very adhesive improved diamond like carbon (DLC) thin films. We expect to reduce the orthopedic treatment coast as well as to eliminate or highly reduce the human pain and suffering as a result of exploring a basic research on improving DLC material. Our collaboration with the local industry will be expected to be promoted by proposing a new, low cost and reliable biomedical alloys or compatible metals. This brings the hope of exporting rather than importing such implants and instrumentation in this field.


Systematic and Ecological Investigation of the freshwater Algae of Jordan

Adil Y. Al-Handal, and Ismail Saadoun

Project No.: 80/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 4000 JD

ABSTRACT

The work aims to contribute to the knowlegde on floristic of the algae in Jordanian water systems. The work is still in its practical part. A number of samples were collected from several freshwaters including Azraq oasis, King Talal Reservoir, lake of Wadi Al-Arab dam and some other regions. Ecological parameters are also continuously measured. A number of taxa have been identified including several groups such as cyanobacteria, chlorophyta, euglenophyta.. etc. Water quality is also monitoredf depending on both algal and environmental data.


Changes in Plasma Level of Homocysteine in Cancer Patients

Nabil Al-Bashir, Nezar Abu Harfeel, and Talat Tareq Khaleel

Project No.: 83/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2000 JD

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research proposal is to determine the level of total homocysteine as a risk factor in cancer patients by ELISA. Blood samples will be collected from breast cancer patients, and prepared, microplates will be coated with the proper reagent, homocysteine will be converted to S-adenosyl-L-homocystein by enzymatic treatment and finally immunoassay will be performed.


Thermal and Structural Analysis of High Temperature Superconductors

Akram Rousan, and Borhan Albiss

Project No.: 84/2000                                                   Amount of Fund: 2100 JD<