The Impact of Innovation in Jordanian Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries on Export Performance

Innovation has long been considered an important factor for creating and maintaining the competitiveness of the firms. Common knowledge stands that innovation is the cause of the increase of exports. However, contradicting empirical evidences are reported in the literature on the relationship between innovation and export performance. In this research we examine whether innovation performed by Jordanian chemical and pharmaceutical industries enhances their export performance. Based on research objectives, a structured questionnaire was developed to collect the needed data to test the developed hypotheses. Data were collected from twenty two companies, representing a sixty-five percent response rate. Data were analyzed and hypotheses were tested using various analytical methods. Research findings indicate that there is a statistical significant relationship between innovation and export performance for the sample under study; mainly for research and development, marketing data base, management (atmosphere conductive to innovation), promotion and product (quality). Based on the results, several recommendations are suggested

Using of Chroococcus SP. to Treat Polluted Water with Cadmium & Nickel

Chroococcus sp. was exposed to different concentrations 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 ppm, from cadmium and nickel. The results revealed that the ability of the alga to remove cadmium and nickel was increased with the increase of the metal concentration which the alga exposed to them and this case does not record before. This may relate to mechanisms of adsorption and removal which not understood perfectly till now according to many researches that concerned with this field of studies. It was noticed that the removal percentage of cadmium reaches to 77.66 & 76% in the two higher concentrations 6 & 7 ppm, which exposed to the alga till the last day (twelve days) from the experiment, but same percentage (77.66 & 76%) was recorded on the eighth day of the experiment to remove nickel and decrease to 12.5 & 28% on the last day of the experiment for the above two concentrations

Recycling of Date Pits Into a Green Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metals: A Fractional Factorial Design-Based Approach

Date pits (DPs) have been recycled into a low-cost adsorbent for removing of selected heavy metals (HMs) from artificially contaminated aqueous solutions. Adsorption of targeted HMs, both by raw date pits (RDP) and burnt date pits (BDP) was tested. Results showed that BDP is more efficient as an adsorbent and mostly adsorbing Cu(II). A novel approach; fractional factorial design (2k−p – FrFD) was used to build the experimental pattern of this study. The effects of four factors on the maximum percentage (%) of removal (Y) were considered; pH, adsorbent dose (AD), heavy metal concentration (HMC), and contact time (CT). Statistically significant variables were detected using Pareto chart of standardized effects, normal and half-normal plots together with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence intervals (CI). Optimizing (maximizing) the percentage (%) removal of Cu(II) by BDP, was performed using optimization plots. Results showed that the factors: pH and adsorbent dose (AD) affect the response positively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of both adsorbents while fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to get an idea on the functional groups on the surface and hence the adsorption mechanism. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the prepared adsorbents before and after adsorption of Cu(II). Equilibrium studies show that the adsorption behavior differs according to the equilibrium concentration. In general, it follows Langmuir isotherm up to 155 ppm, then Freundlich isotherm. Free energy of adsorption (ΔGad) is −28.07 kJ/mole, when equilibrium concentration is below 155 ppm, so the adsorption process is spontaneous, while (ΔGad) equals +17.89 kJ/mole above 155 ppm, implying that the process is non-spontaneous. Furthermore, the adsorption process is a mixture of physisorption and chemisorption processes, which could be endothermic or exothermic reactions. The adsorption kinetics were described using a second order model.Funding. This work was made possible by UREP award [UREP 20-116-1-020] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Non-Invasive Haemoglobin Estimation in Patients with Thalassaemia Major

Objectives: This study aimed to validate pulse CO-oximetry-based haemoglobin (Hb) estimation in children and adults with thalassaemia major (TM) and to determine the impact of different baseline variables on the accuracy of the estimation. Methods: This observational study was conducted over a five-week period from March to April 2012. A total of 108 patients with TM attending the daycare thalassaemia centre of a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, were enrolled. Spot (Sp) Hb measurements were estimated using a Pronto-7® pulse CO-oximetry device (Masimo Corp., Irvine, California, USA). These were compared to venous samples of Hb using the CELL-DYN Sapphire Hematology Analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA) to determine the reference (Ref) Hb levels. A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the impact of baseline variables such as age, gender, weight, height, Ref Hb and blood pressure on the Hb estimations. Results: Of the 108 enrolled patients, there were 54 males and 54 females with a mean age of 21.6 years (standard deviation [SD] = 7.3 years; range: 2.5–38 years). The mean Ref Hb and Sp Hb were 9.4 g/dL (SD = 0.9 g/dL; range: 7.5–12.3 g/dL) and 11.1 g/dL (SD = 1.2 g/dL; range: 7.5–14.7 g/dL), respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) was 21% with a mean difference of 1.7 g/dL (SD = 1.1 g/dL; range: −0.9–4.3 g/dL). In the multivariable model, the Ref Hb level (P = 0.001) was the only statistically significant predictor. Conclusion: The Pronto-7® pulse CO-oximetry device was found to overestimate Hb levels in patients with TM and therefore cannot be recommended. Further larger studies are needed to confirm these results

Strengthening and Closing Cracks for Existing Reinforced Concrete Girders Using Externally Post-Tensioned Tendons

This research is devoted to study the strengthening technique for the existing reinforced concrete beams using external post-tensioning. An analytical methodology is proposed to predict the value of the effective prestress force for the external tendons required to close cracks in existing beams. The external prestressing force required to close cracks in existing members is only a part from the total strengthening force. A computer program created by Oukaili (1997) and developed by Alhawwassi (2008) to evaluate curvature and deflection for reinforced concrete beams or internally prestressed concrete beams is modified to evaluate the deflection and the stress of the external tendons for the externally strengthened beams using Matlab 7.0. The analytical investigation is implemented on three ideal reinforced concrete beam models, each model is considered to be strengthened using three types of external tendon profile (straight, draped and double draped), where each type of tendon profile is analyzed separately. No comparisons were made with analytical or experimental investigations, because no publications for this kind of studies were found

A Triad of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis, Mandibular Retrognathia and Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Case report

The surgical management of paediatric patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, mandibular retrognathia and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is challenging. We report a nine-year-old boy who presented to the Department of Oral Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2016 with complaints of limited mouth opening, loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. He was diagnosed with TMJ ankylosis, mandibular retrognathia and severe OSA. The patient initially underwent mandibular distraction and, subsequently, release of the TMJ ankylosis and rib graft reconstruction. The overall patient outcome was successful, with improvement in OSA-related symptoms, good facial symmetry and adequate mouth opening. Keywords: Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Temporomandibular Ankylosis; Retrognathia; Obstructive Sleep Apnea; Case Report; Oman

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles using sol gel technique for dye sensitized solar cells applications

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using sol gel technique at differentcalcination temperature. The effect of calcination temperature on the structure and opticalproperties of ZnO NPs were studied in detail by using different techniques, X-raydiffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, UV-VIS spectroscopy andphotoluminescence spectroscopy.X-ray diffractionanalysis revealed that the ZnO NPs werecrystalized in a wurtzite structure and the estimated average particle size increased from24.7 to40.4 nm with increasingcalcinationtemperature. In addition, the d spacingincreased from 0.28196 nm to 0.28213 nm.High-resolution transmission electronmicroscopy analysisimage showed spherical ZnONPs were formed. UV-VIS absorptionmeasurement was employed to evaluate the absorption edge and the optical band gapusingTauc plot. Energy gaprevealed a red shift from 3.15 to 2.96 eV when thecalcinationtemperaturewas increased. Dye sensitized solar cells were fabricated using synthesizedZnO NPs as a semiconducting layer that were dyed withdifferentXanthene(CH2[C6H4]2O)dyesseparately;(Eosin B, Eosin Y and Rhodamine B) which arelow costdyes. Thin layer of ZnO were deposited on transparentfluorine doped tin oxideconductiveglass using doctor blade method. Eosin Y exhibited the bestphotosensitizing. Theconversion efficiency showed a significant improvement from 0.1% to 1.08%.This research activity carried out between Gaza-Palestine and Cairo-Egypt, which was financially supported by Qatar Charity IBHATH Project grant funded by the Gulf Cooperation Council for the Reconstruction of Gaza through the Islamic Development Bank.ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using sol gel technique at differentcalcination temperature. The effect of calcination temperature on the structure and opticalproperties of ZnO NPs were studied in detail by using different techniques, X-raydiffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, UV-VIS spectroscopy andphotoluminescence spectroscopy.X-ray diffractionanalysis revealed that the ZnO NPs werecrystalized in a wurtzite structure and the estimated average particle size increased from24.7 to40.4 nm with increasingcalcinationtemperature. In addition, the d spacingincreased from 0.28196 nm to 0.28213 nm.High-resolution transmission electronmicroscopy analysisimage showed spherical ZnONPs were formed. UV-VIS absorptionmeasurement was employed to evaluate the absorption edge and the optical band gapusingTauc plot. Energy gaprevealed a red shift from 3.15 to 2.96 eV when thecalcinationtemperaturewas increased. Dye sensitized solar cells were fabricated using synthesizedZnO NPs as a semiconducting layer that were dyed withdifferentXanthene(CH2[C6H4]2O)dyesseparately;(Eosin B, Eosin Y and Rhodamine B) which arelow costdyes. Thin layer of ZnO were deposited on transparentfluorine doped tin oxideconductiveglass using doctor blade method. Eosin Y exhibited the bestphotosensitizing. Theconversion efficiency showed a significant improvement from 0.1% to 1.08%

A Review of MRI Acute Ischemic Stroke Lesion Segmentation

Immediate treatment of a stroke can minimize long-term effects and even help reduce death risk. In the ischemic stroke cases, there are two zones of injury which are ischemic core and ischemic penumbra zone. The ischemic penumbra indicates the part that is located around the infarct core that is at risk of developing a brain infarction. Recently, various segmentation methods of infarct lesion from the MRI input images were developed and these methods gave a high accuracy in the extraction and detection of the infarct core. However, only some limited works have been reported to isolate the penumbra tissues and infarct core separately. The challenges exist in ischemic core identification are traditional approach prone to error, time-consuming and tedious for medical expert which could delay the treatment. In this paper, we study and analyse the segmentation algorithms for brain MRI ischemic of different categories. The focus of the review is mainly on the segmentation algorithms of infarct core with penumbra and infarct core only. We highlight the advantages and limitations alongside the discussion of the capabilities of these segmentation algorithms and its key challenges. The paper also devised a generic structure for automated stroke lesion segmentation. The performance of these algorithms was investigated by comparing different parameters of the surveyed algorithms. In addition, a new structure of the segmentation process for segmentation of penumbra is proposed by considering the challenges remains. The best accuracy for segmentation of infarct core and penumbra tissues is 82.1% whereas 99.1% for segmentation infarct core only. Meanwhile, the shortest average computational time recorded was 3.42 seconds for segmenting 10 slices of MR images. This paper presents an inclusive analysis of the discussed papers based on different categories of the segmentation algorithm. The proposed structure is important to enable a more robust and accurate assessment in clinical practice. This could be an opportunity for the medical and engineering sector to work together in designing a complete end-to-end automatic framework in detecting stroke lesion and penumbra