A Comparative Study of the Microbial, Physiochemical and Sensory Properties of Samples of Labneh Produced at Large (Industrial) Scale and Small Scale

Labneh is a semi-sold fermented dairy product obtained by the removal of the whey from yogurt samples. The present study is aimed to study the influence of method of labneh production on its microbial, physiochemical, and sensory properties. For this purpose (4) branded (produced at large scale) and (4) unbranded (produced at small scale) labneh samples were collected from Irbid City markets, Northern of Jordan. The data were analyzed by SPSS method. The mean values of total solids content were lower than the Jordanian Codex in branded samples while unbranded samples were conform these standards. However, the mean pH values of branded were high as compared to unbranded pH (4 vs. 3.6) and the acidity were ranged between (1.33 to 1.8%) and (1.78 to 2.2%), respectively. The range of the total count and coliform for branded and unbranded samples were (1×103 to  1.5×104 cfu/ml)  and ( 5 × 107 to 3 × 10 8 cfu/ml)  respectively. While the range of the coliform for branded and unbranded samples were (0.6×10 to  1×10 cfu/ml)  and ( 3 × 102 to 8 × 102 cfu/ml)  respectively. Also, unbranded samples had higher numbers of yeast and mold. Method of labneh production had a significant effect on overall acceptability and acceptability of texture, flavor and appearance. Keywords: branded Labneh, physiochemical, microbiological, sensory characters

Enhancing the Historical Identity of Jerash by Introducing Greenway Culture

As a city state and as one of the Roman ten cities (Decapolis) Jerash (Gerasa) in Jordan have been populated for over two thousand years. Jerash is divided into two halves; the historic quarter and the modern quarters. Historical areas need to become part of everyday culture that adds a sense of unique identity and not just a historical site to preserve. There are many issues at risk in Jerash. These include quality of life, historical identity, cultural identity, transportation, public safety, and health. The aim of this paper is to protect the past Roman traces while adapting to present demands for green open spaces and greenways. It is proposed that a network of greenways may enhance the cultural and historical value and enrich the city identity and quality of life. This study analyzes the existing conditions and suggests phases for the proposed greenway planning. The compacted modern city is lacking recreational open places and is strongly lacking the historical reference due to the strict disengagement. The main problem is to define the appropriate space organization for a local scale in Jerash. The paper also discusses the feasibility and prospect solutions for such proposal

Evaluation of Good Manufacturing Practices in Small Dairy Plants in Jordan

The aim of this study was to assess the good manufacturing practices (GMPs) in small dairy plants in Jordan. In addition, the microbial product quality was used to assess the quality control practices in the production of concentrated yogurt (Labanah). The study was applied to 40 small dairy plants in the governorates of Irbid and Jerash, north of Jordan. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which consisted of a general information section besides two sections that addressed GMPs and the barriers to implementation of GMPs in the small dairy plants in Jordan. Assessment of GMPs was performed by using a structured questionnaire (checklist) that consisted of four sub-sections that addressed contemplating building, personnel, equipment, and food production. The mean overall score of implementation of GMPs in Irbid was 2.75, meaning that implementation of GMPs was low to moderate, while in Jerash it was 2.14, suggesting a low level of implementation of GMPs. Results showed that poor infrastructure and lack of financial resources were the most prominent obstacles to implementation of GMPs in the sample dairy plants in both governorates. The mean total counts of bacteria in the Labanah samples collected from the 40 dairy plants were 4.36 and 6.8 log10 cfu/mL, respectively. All the Labanah samples showed negative results of salmonella and staphyllocccus. Contamination of the Labanah samples with yeast and molds, and coliform bacteria was an indicator of insufficient hygienic practices. Implementation of the food safety practices by the dairy producers is necessary. Keywords: Food safety, Labanah, Microbiological quality. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/84-05

Greenway Planning; Developing A Network Methodology For Jordan

Greenway network planning has become an acknowledged tool for allocating land for recreational purposes. Within developing countries such as Jordan, urban laws lack implementation plans and/or policies regarding green open spaces, ecological networks and greenway planning. A review of the currently effective planning policies and city mandates of Jordan reveals that the concept of preserving land for environmental and recreational purposes is addressed (Laws no: 79/15/F, 79/19/F, 79/23/F, 79/52/F, 79/58/F, 1966), yet no strategies are present to instrument land acquisition other than land subdivision laws (Law no: 12/6, 1976 and 1980). Since these measures were not part of the physical planning of districts in Jordan, this study proposes a methodology that predicates on seizing opportunities for implementing such networks. Consequently, as no land is planned for the network; this study is engaging allotted land for drainage and natural water courses as a prospect solution. The process systematizes the selection of the network links based on three factors; assessment of connectivity supplies; assessment of site suitability; and assessment of accessibility. This study creates a modified planning system that considers recreational land allocation based on local legislations and land provision strategies for the first time in Jordan. Al-Jubaiha District (population: 50,800 people, 2004) in Greater Amman Municipality is chosen to test the applicability of the proposed hypothesis and methodology. The main reason is its physiography, its demography, and the potential abundance of vacant undeveloped land

The Role of Self-Awareness in Predicting the Level of Emotional Regulation Difficulties among Faculty Members

University faculty members seek to regulate emotions to achieve professional and social goals in the work environment. The process of emotion regulation is influenced by self-awareness, as self-awareness is an important predictor of self-regulation, and the outcomes of the self-regulation process depend, in part, on the level of self-awareness. The purpose of the present paper was to examine whether or not self-awareness is used to predict emotional regulation difficulties among faculty members. The current quantitative study was designed using a survey research design. The participants comprised 172 faculty members from Philadelphia University in Jordan, the Arab Open University in Jordan, and Al Falah University in the U.A.E. Data were collected using the Self-Awareness Scale (SAS) and Emotional Regulation Difficulties Scale (ERDS). The researchers revealed that increasing the self-awareness subscale (self-critical) decreases the non-acceptance of emotional responses. The researchers also found that when there is an increase in the self-awareness subscale (desire for realistic awareness), there is a tendency toward lower levels of non-acceptance of emotional responses and difficulties engaging in goal-directed. Researchers also came to that an increase in the self-awareness subscale (self-reflection) decreases the non-acceptance of emotional responses, difficulties engaging in goal-directed and impulse control difficulties. The researchers concluded there is a need to work on university faculties' self-awareness and emotional regulation to balance realistic awareness and emotional responses related to task engagement and control difficulties. Based on the findings, it is concluded that it is necessary to pay attention to enhancing self-awareness and emotion regulation among faculty members in general and conduct more scientific studies on emotional regulation difficulties to examine their relationship with other variables. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-017 Full Text: PD

Autism Electromagnetic and Diet Therapy

Autism is a neurological disorder of childhood with poorly understood, in terms of its etiology and pathology. Oxidative stress may play a role in the disease pathophysiology. Oxidative stress results in an excess of free radicals which leading to organ dysfunction. Mitochondria are the main intracellular source of free radicals. In this experimental study, an innovative approach of using a DC electrical pulsating device with an antioxidants supplements in early treatments of disease is introduced. The current study included (20) autistic children as the intervention group and (20) non-autistic children as a control. The intervention group received an electromagnetic treatments and the antioxidants supplements for four months. Their autistic states were evaluated according to the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Lactate (The mitochondrial dysfunction biomarker), Ceruloplasmin and Transferrin were tested for the presence of the oxidative stress. Pre-treatment values were compared with post- treatment values and with standard values. Results indicate that there is a significant decrease in lactate values after intervention (mean ± SD 2.6 ± 0.82 and 1.88 ± 0.61) pre- and post intervention. Assessment of the autism state by (ATEC) reported that 90% of the respondents showed a decrease in total ATEC scores after the treatment process by an average of 69.28%. The strong correlation of the oxidative stress biomarkers  associated with autism severity. Suggesting a good ground to use electromagnetic and antioxidant supplements treatment for autistic children. Keywords: electromagnetic therapy, autism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, food supplements

Assessing Site Selection of College Student Housing : Commuting Efficiency across Time

Universities around the world are promoting walking for their students because it provides many health and environmental benefits at the personal as well as the community level. This paper aims to help universities, city planners and housing investors in the process of efficient site selection for future student housing projects, by analyzing off-campus students’ commuting habits and travel time preferences to and from the university campuses. An online survey is operated to collect responses of students (n= 527) from two Jordanian universities located within the city of Irbid (N-Jordan). Results indicate that the mean value for students’ longest preferred one-way walking duration is 17.04± 8.25 minutes for the whole sample. A statistically significant negative correlation is found between students’ longest preferred one-way walking duration and age. The percentage of students who would accept this duration was represented in a formula in order to calculate the accumulated walking potential of varied sites around university campuses. The paper presented a local scenario using GIS mapping where this process was implemented to evaluate prospect vacant sites' walking potential around Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

The language of dialogue in the Arabic novel ; Язык диалога в арабском романе

Sve do savremene epohe, pridržavanje normi „božanskog“ i „božanstvenog“ arapskog jezika presuđivalo je statusu književnog dela i njegovom pripajanju zvaničnom arhivu kulturnih uzora. Dela popularne i narodne književnosti istisnuta su iz ove reprezentativne riznice zbog prisustva nestandardnih varijeteta u njihovom sastavu. Dati lingvistički kriterijum u selekciji tekstova učinio je elitnu književnost jednim od najvažnijih svetovnih bastiona čistog, ispravnog, rečitog arapskog koda – fushe, ali i paravanom koji je prikrivao slojevitu jezičku stvarnost arapske govorne zajednice. Krajem XIX veka, lingvističke „pregrade” između pomenutih tipova književnosti relativizovane su pod uticajem savremenog lingvističkog pristupa, koji se temelji na posmatranju jezika kao evolutivnog bića. Tome je, zatim, doprineo uticaj književno-jezičkih principa iz zapadne književnosti, koju su arapski pisci počeli da prevode i oponašaju. Jezički preobražaj najpre je postao osetan u novim formama pripovedačke proze – drami, priči i romanu, dok su se arabljanski poetski kanoni, u okviru kojih se fusha podrazumevala kao jedino validno sredstvo izraza, zadržali sve do početka XX veka...Until the contemporary era, the adherence to the norms of the “celestial” and “divine” Arabic language served as the final verdict on the status of a literary work and its inclusion into the offical archive of cultural models. The works of popular and folk literature were ousted from this representative treasury due to the presence of non-standard varieties in their texts. The given linguistic criterion in the textual selection made elite literature one of the staunchest secular bastions of the pure, correct, eloquent Arabic code – the Fusha, but also a screen that concealed a multi-layered linguistic reality of the Arabic-speaking community. In the late 19th century, the linguistic “barriers” between the above-mentioned types of literature were relativised under the influence of the contemporary linguistic approach, based on the observation of language as an entity prone to evolutionary change. Its cause was, thereafter, supported by literary-linguistic principles from Western literature, which Arabic authors engaged in translating and imitating. The language change was first felt in the new forms of narrative – the drama, the short story and the novel, whereas the Arabic poetic canons, within which the Fusha was taken for granted as the only valid means of expression, were preserved all until the early 20th century..