With the growing global energy and environmental problems,electric vehicles that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective have seen rapid growth.An electrified vehicle’s effective thermal management must i...With the growing global energy and environmental problems,electric vehicles that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective have seen rapid growth.An electrified vehicle’s effective thermal management must include all of the vehicle’s systems.However,optimizing the thermal behavior of each component is insufficient.A lithium-ion battery’s operating temperature has a significant impact on its performance.When working at low temperatures,the internal resistance of lithium-ion batteries increases,the available energy and power of the system decreases,and lithium precipitation caused by low-temperature charging may cause safety issues;high-temperature operation and temperature inconsistency between battery cells will cause accelerated ageing of the battery,which may result in safety issues such as thermal runaway.As a result,to keep the temperature of the battery module under control,electric cars require a strong thermal management system.Thermal management must be handled at the system level to maximize the vehicle’s overall performance.The integrated thermal manage-ment system for electric vehicles has the potential to significantly increase vehicle energy efficiency.However,it’s construction is complicated due to the thermal requirements of the battery and cabin.In this research,a multi-channel liquid cooling system with a serpentine wavy structure was used to conduct an experimental thermal investigation of a lithium-ion battery pack.The suggested cooling system’s capabilities was examined under various charge/discharge scenarios using varied coolantflow rates and pumping power.Thefindings revealed that the suggested cooling system was successful across a variety of charging and discharging settings,with most of the tested scenarios achieving a maximum temperature difference.展开更多
In the age of universal computing,human life is becoming smarter owing to the recent developments in the Internet of Medical Things(IoMT),wearable sensors,and telecommunication innovations,which provide more effective...In the age of universal computing,human life is becoming smarter owing to the recent developments in the Internet of Medical Things(IoMT),wearable sensors,and telecommunication innovations,which provide more effective and smarter healthcare facilities.IoMT has the potential to shape the future of clinical research in the healthcare sector.Wearable sensors,patients,healthcare providers,and caregivers can connect through an IoMT network using software,information,and communication technology.Ambient assisted living(AAL)allows the incorporation of emerging innovations into the routine life events of patients.Machine learning(ML)teaches machines to learn from human experiences and to use computer algorithms to“learn”information directly instead of relying on a model.As the sample size accessible for learning increases,the performance of the algorithms improves.This paper proposes a novel IoMT-enabled smart healthcare framework for AAL to monitor the physical actions of patients using a convolutional neural network(CNN)algorithm for fast analysis,improved decision-making,and enhanced treatment support.The simulation results showed that the prediction accuracy of the proposed framework is higher than those of previously published approaches.展开更多
Patients with celiac disease(CD)have a mucosal layer that is unable to regulate the gut microbiota,leaving the host vulnerable to dangerous infections and antigens.When compared to healthy people,this dysbiosis is mar...Patients with celiac disease(CD)have a mucosal layer that is unable to regulate the gut microbiota,leaving the host vulnerable to dangerous infections and antigens.When compared to healthy people,this dysbiosis is marked by a decrease in intra-and intergeneric biodiversity,which demonstrates an imbalance between helpful bacteria and possibly harmful or proinflammatory species.The early gut microbiota is influenced by the genotype of newborns with the HLADQ2 haplotypes,and this may modify how gluten is handled in the intestinal lumen,polarize innate or adaptive immune responses,and result in glutensensitive enteropathy.The outcome of gluten digestion can vary depending on the composition of the intestinal gut bacteria and the partial conversion of gluten into peptides larger than ten amino acids in the small intestines,which can be immunogenic.In the small intestine,114 different bacterial strains belonging to 32 different species have 27 of them exhibiting peptidolytic activity.Thus,the individual risk of developing a gluten-related illness is further influenced by microbial composition and gluten degrading capacity.The conclusion that lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium spp.may be used as a probiotic supplement in CD patients is based on their shared possession of the most extensive peptidolytic and proteolytic activity thought to be engaged in the breakdown of gluten among all potential bacterial genera present in the gut microbiota.In children with CD autoimmunity,daily oral dose of Lactobacillus.plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus.paracasei 8700:2 was found to modify the peripheral immune response.Bifidobacterium.breve strains have demonstrated a beneficial effect on reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-production in CD children on gluten-free diets.展开更多
The current research aims to implement the numerical resultsfor the Holling third kind of functional response delay differential modelutilizing a stochastic framework based on Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagationneural...The current research aims to implement the numerical resultsfor the Holling third kind of functional response delay differential modelutilizing a stochastic framework based on Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagationneural networks (LVMBPNNs). The nonlinear model depends uponthree dynamics, prey, predator, and the impact of the recent past. Threedifferent cases based on the delay differential system with the Holling 3^(rd) type of the functional response have been used to solve through the proposedLVMBPNNs solver. The statistic computing framework is provided byselecting 12%, 11%, and 77% for training, testing, and verification. Thirteennumbers of neurons have been used based on the input, hidden, and outputlayers structure for solving the delay differential model with the Holling 3rdtype of functional response. The correctness of the proposed stochastic schemeis observed by using the comparison performances of the proposed and referencedata-based Adam numerical results. The authentication and precision ofthe proposed solver are approved by analyzing the state transitions, regressionperformances, correlation actions, mean square error, and error histograms.展开更多
The immediate international spread of severe acute respiratory syn-drome revealed the potential threat of infectious diseases in a closely integrated and interdependent world.When an outbreak occurs,each country must ...The immediate international spread of severe acute respiratory syn-drome revealed the potential threat of infectious diseases in a closely integrated and interdependent world.When an outbreak occurs,each country must have a well-coordinated and preventative plan to address the situation.Information and Communication Technologies have provided innovative approaches to dealing with numerous facets of daily living.Although intelligent devices and applica-tions have become a vital part of our everyday lives,smart gadgets have also led to several physical and psychological health problems in modern society.Here,we used an artificial intelligence AI-based system for disease prediction using an Artificial Neural Network(ANN).The ANN improved the regularization of the classification model,hence increasing its accuracy.The unconstrained opti-mization model reduced the classifier’s cost function to obtain the lowest possible cost.To verify the performance of the intelligent system,we compared the out-comes of the suggested scheme with the results of previously proposed models.The proposed intelligent system achieved an accuracy of 0.89,and the miss rate 0.11 was higher than in previously proposed models.展开更多
Oversampling is the most utilized approach to deal with class-imbalanced datasets,as seen by the plethora of oversampling methods developed in the last two decades.We argue in the following editorial the issues with o...Oversampling is the most utilized approach to deal with class-imbalanced datasets,as seen by the plethora of oversampling methods developed in the last two decades.We argue in the following editorial the issues with oversampling that stem from the possibility of overfitting and the generation of synthetic cases that might not accurately represent the minority class.These limitations should be considered when using oversampling techniques.We also propose several alternate strategies for dealing with imbalanced data,as well as a future work perspective.展开更多
Dams in Jordan are exposed to a variety of natural and manmade threats like dams worldwide, but with some peculiar threats due to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, steep topography, tectonic activity, especially along the ...Dams in Jordan are exposed to a variety of natural and manmade threats like dams worldwide, but with some peculiar threats due to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, steep topography, tectonic activity, especially along the Jordan Rift Valley, position in the turbulent Middle East area, and weak socio-economic situation. In this study, the threats facing the main dams in Jordan are discussed and their sources are defined. The responsible agencies for reducing the threats and eliminating their sources are identified, as long as they are manmade. Natural threats are dealt with as superimposed and Jordan has to adapt to them by taking the necessary protective measures. The study concludes that all dams in Jordan are threatened by climate change and siltation and hence reduction in storage. The quality of stored water in dams, which are used for supplying drinking water such as Al-Wehdah, Wadi Al-Arab, Ziglab, Al-Wala and to a certain extent Al-Mujib is threatened by pollution due to urbanization, agricultural and industrial activities. All dams in Jordan are exposed to sabotage threats, which may negatively affect dams’ water quantities and quality. The stability of dams due to engineering failures is observed in the cases of Al-Kafrain, the left abutment of Al-Mujib, the spillway of Wheidi and eventually Al-Wala Dam. The latter was raised based on unique construction technology. The study recommends developing and implementing, as soon as possible, rigorous action plans to eliminate or, minimize the impacts of threats facing dams in Jordan.展开更多
Fenton and ozone treatment was investigated at laboratory scale for the degradation of aqueous solutions of nitrobenzene (NB). Effects of reactants concentration (O3, H2O2, and Fe(II)), temperature, and pH on NB degra...Fenton and ozone treatment was investigated at laboratory scale for the degradation of aqueous solutions of nitrobenzene (NB). Effects of reactants concentration (O3, H2O2, and Fe(II)), temperature, and pH on NB degradation were monitored. Reaction kinetic of these processes was also assessed. A rapid reaction took place for Fenton process at higher initial concentration of H2O2, higher temperatures, and more acidic conditions (pH 3). Similarly, ozonation reaction exhibited rapid rates for higher ozone dose, higher temperatures, and more basic conditions (pH 11). Complete NB degradation in 65 min was achieved using Fenton process. The conditions of complete elimination of 100 mg/L of initial NB concentration, were 250 mg/L of H2O2 concentration, pH 3, and 10 mg/L of Fe(II) concentration. Under these conditions, 55% organic carbon elimination was achieved. Total organic carbon mineralization was attained in 240 min reaction time by Fenton process with 900 mg/L of H2O2 concentration, and 30 mg/L of Fe(II) concentration. Fenton reaction showed a pseudo-first order kinetic; the reaction rate constant was ranged from 0.0226 to 0.0658 min-1. Complete NB degradation was also achieved for an ozone dose of the order of 2.5 g/L. The ozonation was studied at different ozone doses, different initial pH (7–11) and at different temperatures (15–35°C ). NB ozonation kinetic was represented by a bi-molecular kinetic model which was reduced to pseudo-first order kinetic. The pseudo-first order reaction rate constant was determined to increase at 20°C from 0.004 to 0.020 min-1 as the used ozone increased from 0.4 to 1.9 g/L.展开更多
Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were determined in the rain and street runoff samples from two sites in the vicinity of Amman City during the pluvial period 1999—2000. The results showed that...Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were determined in the rain and street runoff samples from two sites in the vicinity of Amman City during the pluvial period 1999—2000. The results showed that elevated levels of PAHs were detected in the city center(site 1) than the residential area(site 2) and that the levels were higher in street runoff than rain samples of the same sites. The highest concentration of PAHs in both street runoff and rain samples were observed in the first rainy month(November 1999) which indicated a wash out effect of PAHs originating from vehicular emission accumulated during the long dry summer season before sampling. Within the investigated cold winter seasons, fluctuations in PAHs concentration were observed. The variation was attributed to the fossil combustion for heating purposes and to intervals between rainfalls: as the longer the intervals between rains were, the higher the PAH concentration were. Removal of PAHs from the atmosphere through precipitation over the investigated period varied with time and places depending on the amount of rainfall where higher rainfall removed higher amount of PAHs from the atmosphere. The amount of PAHs washed out through precipitation was estimated to be around 14.8 mg/m 2 and 21.1 mg/m 2 for sites 1 and 2 respectively.展开更多
Information regarding current status of handwashing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and compliance with handwashing practice in nursing students in Jordan is limited. This study aims to explore handwashing knowledge, be...Information regarding current status of handwashing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and compliance with handwashing practice in nursing students in Jordan is limited. This study aims to explore handwashing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and self-reported compliance and to examine significant variables predicting compliance with handwashing practice among nursing students. The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Results found a statistically significant relationship between nursing students’ handwashing compliance and their handwashing knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (r = 0.68, 0.65, 0.58, P β = 0.423, P = 0.000), followed by attitudes (β = 0.322, P = 0.000), and beliefs (β = 0.171, P = 0.027). Specific handwashing training courses integrated in nursing education curriculum are recommended. These courses need to consider nursing students’ handwashing attitudes and beliefs in conjunction with handwashing knowledge.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology(ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jord...AIM:To evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology(ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jordan, and to highlight weakness points that may be improved and strengthened.· METHODS:A closed-ended questionnaire was circulated to all ophthalmologists who completed their training in Jordanian institutions between 2006 and 2011,to measure the quality of residency training and satisfaction level with regards to clinical conferences,journal clubs, scientific lectures, wet lab sessions,simulations, outpatient clinics and operating room training. Barriers to a successful board exam were cited.All ophthalmologists had official residency training in Jordanian Hospitals; this includes military, university,governmental and private sector hospitals.RESULTS:Sixty-one questionnaires completed out of69 circulated. Males(75.4%) were more than females.Mean age was 32.5±3.27 y. A total 21(34.4%) responders expressed an overall satisfaction, 38(62.3%) were dissatisfied and 2(3.3%) were equivocal. Respondents reported insufficient exposure to low-vision rehabilitation57(93.4%),or refraction and glasses prescription 34(55.7%).Regarding operative experiences, the mean cataract extraction per-resident was 43 cataracts; the number of phacoemulsification surgery was 2.96 per-resident, 46(75.4%)of responders never did a single phacoemulsificationduring residency. Nine(14.8%) had training in refractive surgery, and 15(24.6%) assisted orbital surgery. Fortyfour(72.1%) never assisted in vitreoretinal surgery.Among The graduates surveyed, 14(23.0%) passed Jordanian licensing board exam at the first attempt, and felt that their residency programs adequately prepared them for the examinations.· CONCLUSION:Around two thirds(62.3%) of ophthalmologists expressed dissatisfaction with residency training at Jordanian programs, further study is required to assess each program separately and evaluate the system of accreditation in Jordanian residency programs.展开更多
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is currently considered as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Risk factors for NAFLD have been well-described,including obesity,type 2 diabetes ...BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is currently considered as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Risk factors for NAFLD have been well-described,including obesity,type 2 diabetes mellites(T2DM),dyslipidemia(DLP)and metabolic syndrome.Hypothyroidism has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD,although the literature is inconsistent AIM To evaluate the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with NAFLD,assess if it is an independent risk factor and explore the effect of thyroxine replacement therapy.METHODS Our cohort’s data was obtained using a validated,large,multicenter database(Explorys Inc,Cleveland,OH,United States)aggregated from pooled outpatient and inpatient records of 26 different healthcare systems,consisting of a total of 360 hospitals in the United States,and utilizing Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms for coding.We evaluated a cohort of patients with hypothyroidism and NAFLD.Multivariate analysis was performed to adjust for confounding risk factors including hypertension(HTN),T2DM,DLP,obesity and metabolic syndrome.SPSS version 25,IBM Corp was used for statistical analysis,and for all analyses,a 2-sided P value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Exclusion criteria were limited to age<18 years.RESULTS Among the 37648180 included individuals in this database who are above the age of 18 years,there were a total of 2320 patients with NAFLD(6.16 per 100000)in the last five years(2015-2020),amongst which 520 patients(22.4%)had hypothyroidism.Baseline characteristics of patients in this database are described in Table 1.Patients with NAFLD were also more likely to have obesity,T2DM,DLP,HTN,and metabolic syndrome(Table 2).While males and females were equally affected,patients in the age group 18-65 years as well as Caucasians seem to be at a higher risk.There was an increased risk of NAFLD among patients with hypothyroidism(OR=1.587).Furthermore,thyroid hormone replacement was not associated with a decreased risk for developing NAFLD(OR=1.106,C=0.952-1.285,P=0.303).CONCLUSION Hypothyroidism seems to be an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD.Thyroid hormone replacement did not provide a statistically significant risk reduction.Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of thyroid hormone replacement and assess if being euthyroid while on thyroid replacement therapy affects development and/or progression of NAFLD.展开更多
AIM:To share the results of a national screening program for amblyopia in school children in the north of Jordan.METHODS:This is a prospective national screening study for amblyopia.The program rolls first and second-...AIM:To share the results of a national screening program for amblyopia in school children in the north of Jordan.METHODS:This is a prospective national screening study for amblyopia.The program rolls first and second-grade children(6 to 7 years old) in the north of Jordan.The eye examination included:best-corrected visual acuity,cover-uncover test,and cycloplegic retinoscopy.Monocular visual acuity was tested using an ETDRS visual acuity chart without correction.Moreover,children were tested with full cycloplegic refraction when the test criteria were met.Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity difference of 2 or more lines.In comparison,bilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the best eye.RESULTS:The prevalence of amblyopia for the total sample tested(n=17 203) was 2.78%(n=479).The most common cause of amblyopia was hypermetropia(64.45%),followed by previous ocular surgeries(15.1%),myopia(10.43%),strabismus(9.39%),and congenital cataract(0.63%).CONCLUSION:This is the first and only study,identifing modifiable risk factors in Jordanian children with amblyopia.In their first couple of years of elementary education,many Jordanian children are affected by amblyopia and pass unnoticed.A more governmental effort is needed into screening programs to improve vision in the Jordanian population.展开更多
This study is planned to investigate the problems associated with the wasted sheep fleece in Jordan and to suggest methods to decrease its environmental impact. Results indicate that sheep fleece in Jordan makes an ex...This study is planned to investigate the problems associated with the wasted sheep fleece in Jordan and to suggest methods to decrease its environmental impact. Results indicate that sheep fleece in Jordan makes an excellent resource for buildings insulation material. A linear regression model is used to predict sheep number for the period (2017-2030). Based on the predicted number of Sheep an estimated annual average production of wool is found for the period (2017-2030) to be (3.586 × 10<sup>3</sup> ton). The average cost per kg of fleece produced is calculated to be 0.39 JD, and the estimated price of fleece per head, if market is available for raw fleece, is 1 JD. Average annual financial losses by farmers are calculated to be (3.743 × 10<sup>6</sup> JD) for the period 2002-2016, and they were estimated to be (9.421 × 10<sup>6</sup> JD) for the years 2017-2030. Physical characteristics of sheep-wool are presented and compared to other competitive insulation materials (polystyrene and rockwool). Sustainability of sheep-wool production to be utilized as an insulation material is found to be an excellent solution to the huge waste of wool with respect to farmers and National income and to the problems associated with environmental impact. Results can be generalized to similar cases worldwide.展开更多
Total anthocyanins of spices (Syzygium aromaticum L., Coriadrum sativum L., Cuminum cyminum L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., Elettaria cardamomum, Curcuma longa, Rhus coriaria L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Foeniculum...Total anthocyanins of spices (Syzygium aromaticum L., Coriadrum sativum L., Cuminum cyminum L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., Elettaria cardamomum, Curcuma longa, Rhus coriaria L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Foeniculum vulgare Mill and Laurus nobilis L.) were determined using acidified (1% HCl) solvents (methanol, ethanol and acetone) at three temperatures (20℃, 40℃ and 60℃). Also phenolic acids were separated and identified by RP-HPLC. Results showed that sumac and cinnamon had the highest levels of anthocyanins, while for the acetone the cinnamon indicated the highest amount of anthocyanins when methanol and ethanol were used as extracting solvents at 20℃. At 40℃ using ethanol, sumac showed the highest level of anthocyanins whereas acetone solvent yielded the highest anthocyanin contents for cinnamon. At 60℃, cinnamon showed the highest level of anthocyanins when methanol and acetone were the solvents, while sumac had the highest anthocyanins level using ethanol as solvent. HPLC results showed ten phenolic acids found in those spices and varied in their concentrations. Gallic acid had the highest level (1642.3 mg/100g) (cloves). Gentisic acid had the lowest level (1.2 mg/100g) in ginger. Also sumac showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (1528.7 mg/100g). Some acids were not found in some spices, for instance, benzoic acid was not found in coriander, cumin, ginger, green cardamom, cinnamon and sweet laurel.展开更多
Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm o...Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm or more. Jordan is characterised as a “water scarce” country because the current per capita share of water is estimated to be of the order of 140 m3 per year which is well below the 1000 m3 threshold. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation or to refill aquifers as a groundwater recharge. GIS has been widely used in selecting the best sites for water harvesting schemes. This research aims at selecting optimum sites for water harvesting schemes in the Jordan arid lands (Badia) using indigenous knowledge and geo-informatics. To achieve this aim, a community-based research and desktop investigating is applied. The community-based research focused on consulting with 200 stakeholders form local communities where they provided knowledge on opportunities and constrains form their experience on water management in the arid lands where they live and interact. Also they provided information on potential location for water collecting sites that has been used for ages to provide water to humans and livestock. On the other hand, desktop research is conducted on sitting criteria for water harvesting based on physical and socio-economic characteristics. The physical criteria include rainfall volumes, slope, distance to water courses (wadis), distance form geologic faults and soil texture, where socio-economic criteria include distance to groundwater wells, distance to urban area, distance to agriculture activities and distance to international brooders. This selecting criterion in combination with indigenous knowledge is used within GIS environment to identify optimum sites for water harvesting. GIS analysis resulted in identifying 118 potential sites. Of those, 30 sites had already recommended by the community consultations.展开更多
In this study, a point source mathematical model is proposed to describe the diffusion of adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) from either damaged red blood cell (RBC) or activated platelet. The convective diffusion equation ...In this study, a point source mathematical model is proposed to describe the diffusion of adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) from either damaged red blood cell (RBC) or activated platelet. The convective diffusion equation is reduced to describe the suggested problem. The final differential equation is solved using Laplace transforms and ADP concentration profiles around the source are obtained. Thrombi of 5 to 20 μm<sup>3</sup> containing platelets and a range of red blood cells (RBCs) (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) concentrations are used to apply the model. Reported ADP concentrations in the literature are used and its dynamic release from the point source is calculated. Results suggest that RBC chemical contribution to platelet aggregation in the bulk is much less than that of platelet (almost) negligible. However, the physical effect of RBCs is dominant in the bulk through augmentation of released ADP and platelets diffusivities. Moreover, the chemical contribution reported in previous studies is suggested to be as a result of interaction of RBC with the surface under the influence of shear stresses in the boundary region.展开更多
This study investigates the possible nonlinear relationship between working capital and credit rating.Furthermore,it examines the relationship between the three components of working capital(inventory,accounts receiva...This study investigates the possible nonlinear relationship between working capital and credit rating.Furthermore,it examines the relationship between the three components of working capital(inventory,accounts receivable,and accounts payable)and a firm’s credit rating.Employing data for U.S listed firms for the period between 1985 and 2017,the results of our ordered probit model show a nonlinear relationship between working capital and its components and credit rating.Finally,we find that the deviation from the optimal working capital adversely affects the credit rating.The results of this study are of significant importance for policy makers,managers,decision makers,and credit-rating agencies,as they help highlight the importance of working capital management for a firm’s credit rating.展开更多
文摘With the growing global energy and environmental problems,electric vehicles that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective have seen rapid growth.An electrified vehicle’s effective thermal management must include all of the vehicle’s systems.However,optimizing the thermal behavior of each component is insufficient.A lithium-ion battery’s operating temperature has a significant impact on its performance.When working at low temperatures,the internal resistance of lithium-ion batteries increases,the available energy and power of the system decreases,and lithium precipitation caused by low-temperature charging may cause safety issues;high-temperature operation and temperature inconsistency between battery cells will cause accelerated ageing of the battery,which may result in safety issues such as thermal runaway.As a result,to keep the temperature of the battery module under control,electric cars require a strong thermal management system.Thermal management must be handled at the system level to maximize the vehicle’s overall performance.The integrated thermal manage-ment system for electric vehicles has the potential to significantly increase vehicle energy efficiency.However,it’s construction is complicated due to the thermal requirements of the battery and cabin.In this research,a multi-channel liquid cooling system with a serpentine wavy structure was used to conduct an experimental thermal investigation of a lithium-ion battery pack.The suggested cooling system’s capabilities was examined under various charge/discharge scenarios using varied coolantflow rates and pumping power.Thefindings revealed that the suggested cooling system was successful across a variety of charging and discharging settings,with most of the tested scenarios achieving a maximum temperature difference.
文摘In the age of universal computing,human life is becoming smarter owing to the recent developments in the Internet of Medical Things(IoMT),wearable sensors,and telecommunication innovations,which provide more effective and smarter healthcare facilities.IoMT has the potential to shape the future of clinical research in the healthcare sector.Wearable sensors,patients,healthcare providers,and caregivers can connect through an IoMT network using software,information,and communication technology.Ambient assisted living(AAL)allows the incorporation of emerging innovations into the routine life events of patients.Machine learning(ML)teaches machines to learn from human experiences and to use computer algorithms to“learn”information directly instead of relying on a model.As the sample size accessible for learning increases,the performance of the algorithms improves.This paper proposes a novel IoMT-enabled smart healthcare framework for AAL to monitor the physical actions of patients using a convolutional neural network(CNN)algorithm for fast analysis,improved decision-making,and enhanced treatment support.The simulation results showed that the prediction accuracy of the proposed framework is higher than those of previously published approaches.
文摘Patients with celiac disease(CD)have a mucosal layer that is unable to regulate the gut microbiota,leaving the host vulnerable to dangerous infections and antigens.When compared to healthy people,this dysbiosis is marked by a decrease in intra-and intergeneric biodiversity,which demonstrates an imbalance between helpful bacteria and possibly harmful or proinflammatory species.The early gut microbiota is influenced by the genotype of newborns with the HLADQ2 haplotypes,and this may modify how gluten is handled in the intestinal lumen,polarize innate or adaptive immune responses,and result in glutensensitive enteropathy.The outcome of gluten digestion can vary depending on the composition of the intestinal gut bacteria and the partial conversion of gluten into peptides larger than ten amino acids in the small intestines,which can be immunogenic.In the small intestine,114 different bacterial strains belonging to 32 different species have 27 of them exhibiting peptidolytic activity.Thus,the individual risk of developing a gluten-related illness is further influenced by microbial composition and gluten degrading capacity.The conclusion that lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium spp.may be used as a probiotic supplement in CD patients is based on their shared possession of the most extensive peptidolytic and proteolytic activity thought to be engaged in the breakdown of gluten among all potential bacterial genera present in the gut microbiota.In children with CD autoimmunity,daily oral dose of Lactobacillus.plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus.paracasei 8700:2 was found to modify the peripheral immune response.Bifidobacterium.breve strains have demonstrated a beneficial effect on reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-production in CD children on gluten-free diets.
基金This research received funding support from the NSRF via the Program Management Unit for Human Resources&Institutional Development,Research and Innovation[Grant Number B05F650018].
文摘The current research aims to implement the numerical resultsfor the Holling third kind of functional response delay differential modelutilizing a stochastic framework based on Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagationneural networks (LVMBPNNs). The nonlinear model depends uponthree dynamics, prey, predator, and the impact of the recent past. Threedifferent cases based on the delay differential system with the Holling 3^(rd) type of the functional response have been used to solve through the proposedLVMBPNNs solver. The statistic computing framework is provided byselecting 12%, 11%, and 77% for training, testing, and verification. Thirteennumbers of neurons have been used based on the input, hidden, and outputlayers structure for solving the delay differential model with the Holling 3rdtype of functional response. The correctness of the proposed stochastic schemeis observed by using the comparison performances of the proposed and referencedata-based Adam numerical results. The authentication and precision ofthe proposed solver are approved by analyzing the state transitions, regressionperformances, correlation actions, mean square error, and error histograms.
文摘The immediate international spread of severe acute respiratory syn-drome revealed the potential threat of infectious diseases in a closely integrated and interdependent world.When an outbreak occurs,each country must have a well-coordinated and preventative plan to address the situation.Information and Communication Technologies have provided innovative approaches to dealing with numerous facets of daily living.Although intelligent devices and applica-tions have become a vital part of our everyday lives,smart gadgets have also led to several physical and psychological health problems in modern society.Here,we used an artificial intelligence AI-based system for disease prediction using an Artificial Neural Network(ANN).The ANN improved the regularization of the classification model,hence increasing its accuracy.The unconstrained opti-mization model reduced the classifier’s cost function to obtain the lowest possible cost.To verify the performance of the intelligent system,we compared the out-comes of the suggested scheme with the results of previously proposed models.The proposed intelligent system achieved an accuracy of 0.89,and the miss rate 0.11 was higher than in previously proposed models.
文摘Oversampling is the most utilized approach to deal with class-imbalanced datasets,as seen by the plethora of oversampling methods developed in the last two decades.We argue in the following editorial the issues with oversampling that stem from the possibility of overfitting and the generation of synthetic cases that might not accurately represent the minority class.These limitations should be considered when using oversampling techniques.We also propose several alternate strategies for dealing with imbalanced data,as well as a future work perspective.
文摘Dams in Jordan are exposed to a variety of natural and manmade threats like dams worldwide, but with some peculiar threats due to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, steep topography, tectonic activity, especially along the Jordan Rift Valley, position in the turbulent Middle East area, and weak socio-economic situation. In this study, the threats facing the main dams in Jordan are discussed and their sources are defined. The responsible agencies for reducing the threats and eliminating their sources are identified, as long as they are manmade. Natural threats are dealt with as superimposed and Jordan has to adapt to them by taking the necessary protective measures. The study concludes that all dams in Jordan are threatened by climate change and siltation and hence reduction in storage. The quality of stored water in dams, which are used for supplying drinking water such as Al-Wehdah, Wadi Al-Arab, Ziglab, Al-Wala and to a certain extent Al-Mujib is threatened by pollution due to urbanization, agricultural and industrial activities. All dams in Jordan are exposed to sabotage threats, which may negatively affect dams’ water quantities and quality. The stability of dams due to engineering failures is observed in the cases of Al-Kafrain, the left abutment of Al-Mujib, the spillway of Wheidi and eventually Al-Wala Dam. The latter was raised based on unique construction technology. The study recommends developing and implementing, as soon as possible, rigorous action plans to eliminate or, minimize the impacts of threats facing dams in Jordan.
文摘Fenton and ozone treatment was investigated at laboratory scale for the degradation of aqueous solutions of nitrobenzene (NB). Effects of reactants concentration (O3, H2O2, and Fe(II)), temperature, and pH on NB degradation were monitored. Reaction kinetic of these processes was also assessed. A rapid reaction took place for Fenton process at higher initial concentration of H2O2, higher temperatures, and more acidic conditions (pH 3). Similarly, ozonation reaction exhibited rapid rates for higher ozone dose, higher temperatures, and more basic conditions (pH 11). Complete NB degradation in 65 min was achieved using Fenton process. The conditions of complete elimination of 100 mg/L of initial NB concentration, were 250 mg/L of H2O2 concentration, pH 3, and 10 mg/L of Fe(II) concentration. Under these conditions, 55% organic carbon elimination was achieved. Total organic carbon mineralization was attained in 240 min reaction time by Fenton process with 900 mg/L of H2O2 concentration, and 30 mg/L of Fe(II) concentration. Fenton reaction showed a pseudo-first order kinetic; the reaction rate constant was ranged from 0.0226 to 0.0658 min-1. Complete NB degradation was also achieved for an ozone dose of the order of 2.5 g/L. The ozonation was studied at different ozone doses, different initial pH (7–11) and at different temperatures (15–35°C ). NB ozonation kinetic was represented by a bi-molecular kinetic model which was reduced to pseudo-first order kinetic. The pseudo-first order reaction rate constant was determined to increase at 20°C from 0.004 to 0.020 min-1 as the used ozone increased from 0.4 to 1.9 g/L.
文摘Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were determined in the rain and street runoff samples from two sites in the vicinity of Amman City during the pluvial period 1999—2000. The results showed that elevated levels of PAHs were detected in the city center(site 1) than the residential area(site 2) and that the levels were higher in street runoff than rain samples of the same sites. The highest concentration of PAHs in both street runoff and rain samples were observed in the first rainy month(November 1999) which indicated a wash out effect of PAHs originating from vehicular emission accumulated during the long dry summer season before sampling. Within the investigated cold winter seasons, fluctuations in PAHs concentration were observed. The variation was attributed to the fossil combustion for heating purposes and to intervals between rainfalls: as the longer the intervals between rains were, the higher the PAH concentration were. Removal of PAHs from the atmosphere through precipitation over the investigated period varied with time and places depending on the amount of rainfall where higher rainfall removed higher amount of PAHs from the atmosphere. The amount of PAHs washed out through precipitation was estimated to be around 14.8 mg/m 2 and 21.1 mg/m 2 for sites 1 and 2 respectively.
文摘Information regarding current status of handwashing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and compliance with handwashing practice in nursing students in Jordan is limited. This study aims to explore handwashing knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and self-reported compliance and to examine significant variables predicting compliance with handwashing practice among nursing students. The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Results found a statistically significant relationship between nursing students’ handwashing compliance and their handwashing knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (r = 0.68, 0.65, 0.58, P β = 0.423, P = 0.000), followed by attitudes (β = 0.322, P = 0.000), and beliefs (β = 0.171, P = 0.027). Specific handwashing training courses integrated in nursing education curriculum are recommended. These courses need to consider nursing students’ handwashing attitudes and beliefs in conjunction with handwashing knowledge.
基金Supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness,Inc.New York,N.Y,USA
文摘AIM:To evaluate Jordanian ophthalmology residency programs in achieving competencies outlined by the International Council of Ophthalmology(ICO) and residents' satisfaction with available training programs in Jordan, and to highlight weakness points that may be improved and strengthened.· METHODS:A closed-ended questionnaire was circulated to all ophthalmologists who completed their training in Jordanian institutions between 2006 and 2011,to measure the quality of residency training and satisfaction level with regards to clinical conferences,journal clubs, scientific lectures, wet lab sessions,simulations, outpatient clinics and operating room training. Barriers to a successful board exam were cited.All ophthalmologists had official residency training in Jordanian Hospitals; this includes military, university,governmental and private sector hospitals.RESULTS:Sixty-one questionnaires completed out of69 circulated. Males(75.4%) were more than females.Mean age was 32.5±3.27 y. A total 21(34.4%) responders expressed an overall satisfaction, 38(62.3%) were dissatisfied and 2(3.3%) were equivocal. Respondents reported insufficient exposure to low-vision rehabilitation57(93.4%),or refraction and glasses prescription 34(55.7%).Regarding operative experiences, the mean cataract extraction per-resident was 43 cataracts; the number of phacoemulsification surgery was 2.96 per-resident, 46(75.4%)of responders never did a single phacoemulsificationduring residency. Nine(14.8%) had training in refractive surgery, and 15(24.6%) assisted orbital surgery. Fortyfour(72.1%) never assisted in vitreoretinal surgery.Among The graduates surveyed, 14(23.0%) passed Jordanian licensing board exam at the first attempt, and felt that their residency programs adequately prepared them for the examinations.· CONCLUSION:Around two thirds(62.3%) of ophthalmologists expressed dissatisfaction with residency training at Jordanian programs, further study is required to assess each program separately and evaluate the system of accreditation in Jordanian residency programs.
文摘BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is currently considered as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Risk factors for NAFLD have been well-described,including obesity,type 2 diabetes mellites(T2DM),dyslipidemia(DLP)and metabolic syndrome.Hypothyroidism has been identified as an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD,although the literature is inconsistent AIM To evaluate the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with NAFLD,assess if it is an independent risk factor and explore the effect of thyroxine replacement therapy.METHODS Our cohort’s data was obtained using a validated,large,multicenter database(Explorys Inc,Cleveland,OH,United States)aggregated from pooled outpatient and inpatient records of 26 different healthcare systems,consisting of a total of 360 hospitals in the United States,and utilizing Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms for coding.We evaluated a cohort of patients with hypothyroidism and NAFLD.Multivariate analysis was performed to adjust for confounding risk factors including hypertension(HTN),T2DM,DLP,obesity and metabolic syndrome.SPSS version 25,IBM Corp was used for statistical analysis,and for all analyses,a 2-sided P value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Exclusion criteria were limited to age<18 years.RESULTS Among the 37648180 included individuals in this database who are above the age of 18 years,there were a total of 2320 patients with NAFLD(6.16 per 100000)in the last five years(2015-2020),amongst which 520 patients(22.4%)had hypothyroidism.Baseline characteristics of patients in this database are described in Table 1.Patients with NAFLD were also more likely to have obesity,T2DM,DLP,HTN,and metabolic syndrome(Table 2).While males and females were equally affected,patients in the age group 18-65 years as well as Caucasians seem to be at a higher risk.There was an increased risk of NAFLD among patients with hypothyroidism(OR=1.587).Furthermore,thyroid hormone replacement was not associated with a decreased risk for developing NAFLD(OR=1.106,C=0.952-1.285,P=0.303).CONCLUSION Hypothyroidism seems to be an independent risk factor for the development of NAFLD.Thyroid hormone replacement did not provide a statistically significant risk reduction.Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of thyroid hormone replacement and assess if being euthyroid while on thyroid replacement therapy affects development and/or progression of NAFLD.
基金Supported by the Royal medical services and Standard chartered bank。
文摘AIM:To share the results of a national screening program for amblyopia in school children in the north of Jordan.METHODS:This is a prospective national screening study for amblyopia.The program rolls first and second-grade children(6 to 7 years old) in the north of Jordan.The eye examination included:best-corrected visual acuity,cover-uncover test,and cycloplegic retinoscopy.Monocular visual acuity was tested using an ETDRS visual acuity chart without correction.Moreover,children were tested with full cycloplegic refraction when the test criteria were met.Unilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity difference of 2 or more lines.In comparison,bilateral amblyopia was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the best eye.RESULTS:The prevalence of amblyopia for the total sample tested(n=17 203) was 2.78%(n=479).The most common cause of amblyopia was hypermetropia(64.45%),followed by previous ocular surgeries(15.1%),myopia(10.43%),strabismus(9.39%),and congenital cataract(0.63%).CONCLUSION:This is the first and only study,identifing modifiable risk factors in Jordanian children with amblyopia.In their first couple of years of elementary education,many Jordanian children are affected by amblyopia and pass unnoticed.A more governmental effort is needed into screening programs to improve vision in the Jordanian population.
文摘This study is planned to investigate the problems associated with the wasted sheep fleece in Jordan and to suggest methods to decrease its environmental impact. Results indicate that sheep fleece in Jordan makes an excellent resource for buildings insulation material. A linear regression model is used to predict sheep number for the period (2017-2030). Based on the predicted number of Sheep an estimated annual average production of wool is found for the period (2017-2030) to be (3.586 × 10<sup>3</sup> ton). The average cost per kg of fleece produced is calculated to be 0.39 JD, and the estimated price of fleece per head, if market is available for raw fleece, is 1 JD. Average annual financial losses by farmers are calculated to be (3.743 × 10<sup>6</sup> JD) for the period 2002-2016, and they were estimated to be (9.421 × 10<sup>6</sup> JD) for the years 2017-2030. Physical characteristics of sheep-wool are presented and compared to other competitive insulation materials (polystyrene and rockwool). Sustainability of sheep-wool production to be utilized as an insulation material is found to be an excellent solution to the huge waste of wool with respect to farmers and National income and to the problems associated with environmental impact. Results can be generalized to similar cases worldwide.
文摘Total anthocyanins of spices (Syzygium aromaticum L., Coriadrum sativum L., Cuminum cyminum L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., Elettaria cardamomum, Curcuma longa, Rhus coriaria L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Foeniculum vulgare Mill and Laurus nobilis L.) were determined using acidified (1% HCl) solvents (methanol, ethanol and acetone) at three temperatures (20℃, 40℃ and 60℃). Also phenolic acids were separated and identified by RP-HPLC. Results showed that sumac and cinnamon had the highest levels of anthocyanins, while for the acetone the cinnamon indicated the highest amount of anthocyanins when methanol and ethanol were used as extracting solvents at 20℃. At 40℃ using ethanol, sumac showed the highest level of anthocyanins whereas acetone solvent yielded the highest anthocyanin contents for cinnamon. At 60℃, cinnamon showed the highest level of anthocyanins when methanol and acetone were the solvents, while sumac had the highest anthocyanins level using ethanol as solvent. HPLC results showed ten phenolic acids found in those spices and varied in their concentrations. Gallic acid had the highest level (1642.3 mg/100g) (cloves). Gentisic acid had the lowest level (1.2 mg/100g) in ginger. Also sumac showed the highest level of chlorogenic acid (1528.7 mg/100g). Some acids were not found in some spices, for instance, benzoic acid was not found in coriander, cumin, ginger, green cardamom, cinnamon and sweet laurel.
文摘Jordan is located in an arid to semi arid region where around 90% of its land receives an average annual precipitation of less than 100 mm while only 3% of the land receives an average annual precipitation of 300 mm or more. Jordan is characterised as a “water scarce” country because the current per capita share of water is estimated to be of the order of 140 m3 per year which is well below the 1000 m3 threshold. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation or to refill aquifers as a groundwater recharge. GIS has been widely used in selecting the best sites for water harvesting schemes. This research aims at selecting optimum sites for water harvesting schemes in the Jordan arid lands (Badia) using indigenous knowledge and geo-informatics. To achieve this aim, a community-based research and desktop investigating is applied. The community-based research focused on consulting with 200 stakeholders form local communities where they provided knowledge on opportunities and constrains form their experience on water management in the arid lands where they live and interact. Also they provided information on potential location for water collecting sites that has been used for ages to provide water to humans and livestock. On the other hand, desktop research is conducted on sitting criteria for water harvesting based on physical and socio-economic characteristics. The physical criteria include rainfall volumes, slope, distance to water courses (wadis), distance form geologic faults and soil texture, where socio-economic criteria include distance to groundwater wells, distance to urban area, distance to agriculture activities and distance to international brooders. This selecting criterion in combination with indigenous knowledge is used within GIS environment to identify optimum sites for water harvesting. GIS analysis resulted in identifying 118 potential sites. Of those, 30 sites had already recommended by the community consultations.
文摘In this study, a point source mathematical model is proposed to describe the diffusion of adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) from either damaged red blood cell (RBC) or activated platelet. The convective diffusion equation is reduced to describe the suggested problem. The final differential equation is solved using Laplace transforms and ADP concentration profiles around the source are obtained. Thrombi of 5 to 20 μm<sup>3</sup> containing platelets and a range of red blood cells (RBCs) (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) concentrations are used to apply the model. Reported ADP concentrations in the literature are used and its dynamic release from the point source is calculated. Results suggest that RBC chemical contribution to platelet aggregation in the bulk is much less than that of platelet (almost) negligible. However, the physical effect of RBCs is dominant in the bulk through augmentation of released ADP and platelets diffusivities. Moreover, the chemical contribution reported in previous studies is suggested to be as a result of interaction of RBC with the surface under the influence of shear stresses in the boundary region.
文摘This study investigates the possible nonlinear relationship between working capital and credit rating.Furthermore,it examines the relationship between the three components of working capital(inventory,accounts receivable,and accounts payable)and a firm’s credit rating.Employing data for U.S listed firms for the period between 1985 and 2017,the results of our ordered probit model show a nonlinear relationship between working capital and its components and credit rating.Finally,we find that the deviation from the optimal working capital adversely affects the credit rating.The results of this study are of significant importance for policy makers,managers,decision makers,and credit-rating agencies,as they help highlight the importance of working capital management for a firm’s credit rating.
