Traffic Volume Forecasting for Rural Roads in Jordan

The accuracy of traffic forecasting is a point of considerable importance to the effective allocation of limited resources. Thus, reasonable and accurate forecasting methods should be developed to help engineers and planners make rational decisions and reduce probable associated risks. This study investigated the performance of three forecasting methods: aggregate regression, disaggregate trend and empirical Bayesian analysis. To accomplish this objective, traffic volumes for major rural roads in 1996 through 2004 were obtained from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Jordan. For each city or zone, cross-sectional data on socio-economic and demographic variables were collected. Multivariate regression analysis was carried out to develop mathematical relationships that could have practical applications. The results indicated that the products of populations-to-roadway length ratio, number of employees, fuel consumption, number of buildings and road type significantly influenced traffic interchange between cities or zones. For Jordan conditions, the linear model was recommended. Trend models, having exponential form, were also developed. Performance analysis indicated that aggregate regression and empirical Bayesian analysis provided comparable results. In contrast, the performance of trend method was considered to be poor. Finally, while these results are related to Jordan, they possibly apply elsewhere as well

Job Satisfaction of the Teachers of the First Three Grades in the Schools Under the Supervision of First Zarqa Directorate of Education from Their Perspective

The present study aimed to explore the job satisfaction level of the teachers of the first three grades in the schools under the supervision of First Zarqa Directorate of Education from their perspective. The sample consists from 177 teachers. This study was conducted during the academic year (2017/2018). Those teachers were selected through using the simple random sampling method. They were selected from the schools under the supervision of First Zarqa Directorate of Education in Jordan. A questionnaire was used for data collection. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were measured. It was found that the job satisfaction level of the teachers of the first three grades in the schools under the supervision of First Zarqa Directorate of Education is moderate. It was found that there isn’t any statistically significant difference - at the statistical significance level of (α ≥0.05)- between the respondents’ job satisfaction levels which can be attributed to (gender, academic achievement and experience). It was found that there is a statistically significant correlation between job satisfaction from one hand and (work environment, teachers’ relationships with the administration, moral and financial incentives & teachers’ relationships with colleagues and society members) from another hand. The researcher recommends improving the physical work environment of the teachers of the first three grades. That shall raise the job satisfaction level of those teachers. Keywords: Job satisfaction, the first three grades, First Zarqa Directorate of Education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-24-04 Publication date:August 31st 202

Psychometric and Oral Function Assessment of Patients Treated by the Use of Implant-Retained Prostheses

The loss of natural teeth followed by alveolar bone resorption results in the deterioration of the alveolar ridges. These atrophic changes, particularly in the mandible, contribute significantly to a reduction in the stability, retention and load bearing capacity of complete dentures. In addition to a compromised functional capacity, there is a loss of facial support and a reduction in face height. In recent years the use of osseointegrated dental implants for the rehabilitation of edentulous and partially dentate subjects has gained considerable clinical acceptance owing to the high clinical success rates reported. In addition to improvements in dental function there are reported psychological benefits for patients treated with implants, particularly in the case of patients who previously have suffered long-standing problems with conventional complete dentures. It IS useful for the dentist to have an insight into the psychological make-up of patients, particularly when considering the edentulous patient's expectations of what will be achieved from the provision of dentures. Clinical success requires not only the use of appropriate techniques and materials, but depends also upon patients' adaptation potential and upon influences such as motivation and behavioural patterns. The most common complaints arising following the provision of conventional complete dentures are lack of denture stability/retention, pain/discomfort, reduction of masticatory function, difficulty with speech and aesthetic problems, all of which may cause varying degrees of psychological dissatisfaction. In this study, there are two sections. Chapters One and Two comprise the first section. In Chapter One there is a description for the history of implant dentistry and a brief review of the main dental implant systems currently in use. Chapter Two consists of a prospective psychometric analysis of two groups of edentulous patients to investigate their psychological profiles before and after implant treatment. The first group consisted of twenty edentulous subjects who were followed-up over a three year period, using the Cattell's 16-PF psychological test. A second group of ten edentulous subjects were assessed over a shorter period of time using the SCL-90-R psychological test. The second section of this work consists of three chapters developing the work started in Chapter Two dealing with the group of ten edentulous subjects, who had been selected from the waiting list at Glasgow Dental Hospital. All had been referred to the Department of Prosthodontics with long-standing problems centred on their mandibular complete dentures; problems such as denture instability and discomfort, often associated with psycho-social difficulties. The main aims of the present study were: (1) To provide all ten patients with new complete dentures of optimised design and to evaluate the outcome of this treatment by measuring of patients' speech and bite force. Patient self-evaluation of masticatory function, denture stability, comfort, appearance, self-confidence, social interaction, patients' perception of their prostheses, and overall satisfaction was also measured, by the use of self-administered questionnaires designed specifically for this purpose. In addition, the psychological status of patients was evaluated with the use of professionally analysed psychological tests. These assessments were carried out three months after the patients started wearing optimised conventional dentures. (2) To provide all ten patients with mandibular implant-retained overdentures anchored by two implant fixtures with ball attachments, to evaluate this treatment outcome and to compare it to the earlier conventional denture treatment. Two months after the use of the implant-retained overdentures all the above assessments were repeated, in order to allow comparison with respect to the evaluated variables. (3) To assess any correlation between maximum occlusal force as measured by the use of a bite force transducer, speech performance as measured by means of perceptual analysis and the subjective measure of patients' perception of treatment outcome as assessed by self-administered questionnaires, before and after implant treatment

Total Quality Management in Higher Education

This research paper aims at highlighting the Total Quality Management (TQM) elements at university, through environmental scanning the researcher found many important factors in University, where quality of education Is the main purpose of a university education when providing service for students. A lot of researcher have been  studied (TQM)  around the world by educational institution , that’s indicators how is very important quality assurance in education sector based on revolution and hyper competition  between institution specially university.  accordingly this paper focus on TQM as a approach used in organization to enhance managerial method pulse increase the performance at university output. so the  main objectives in this paper to concentration on principle of TQM. Also, it studies the core concept of principle and highlight on important part that enhances the quality in university plus that what the distinguish from others papersto achieve academic excellence. Key words: Higher education, quality, Total Quality Management, academic excellence, Jordan

The determinants of social CRM entrepreneurship : An institutional perspective

Despite a growing interest in social media adoption by corporations, there is minimal knowledge about the drivers of social customer relationship management (SCRM). This study examines the determinants of SCRM entrepreneurship from an institutional perspective and specifically from the banking sector. Data on 19 banks were obtained from 183 responses to a questionnaire. These data were analyzed using Partial Least Square (PLS) path modeling. The findings show that organizational and technological contexts have a significant positive impact on SCRM entrepreneurship. The results also reveal a significant impact of institutional normative and coercive pressures on SCRM entrepreneurship. The findings of this study provide researchers and practitioners with a deeper understanding of how external institutional pressures and internal organizational and technological contexts can interact to create SCRM entrepreneurship. Furthermore, this study contributes to knowledge about the motivations and methods of SCRM adoption and evaluation

Leveraging robotics to enhance accessibility and engagement in mathematics education for vision-impaired students

There is potential to use robotics in education to revolutionize teaching and learning in mathematics. This is particularly relevant for vision-impaired students, who face different challenges when accessing mathematical content. Educational robotics can potentially enhance accessibility, motivation, and engagement in mathematics for students through enjoyable and novel interactions. Students commonly experience positive interactions with educational robots during learning activities, which influences their learning motivation. Recent studies show that students with disabilities face issues related to classroom participation, lack of collaborative learning, reduced social engagement, and potential for isolation. Digital-based learning technologies have transformed how vision-impaired students engage with and learn mathematics. Leveraging robotics in mathematics teaching and learning through personalised guidelines offers considerable benefits for vision-impaired students, including enhanced engagement, multimodal learning opportunities, and improved collaboration and communication skills, which enhances the opportunities for inclusive classroom experiences. This paper outlines the role of educational robotics in inclusive education. It examines the challenges and benefits of using educational robotics in mathematics for vision-impaired students. The importance of human-robot interaction (HRI) in steering the design and functionality of educational robots and their potential use within the classroom to facilitate learning is also highlighted

Personalised presentation of mathematics for visually impaired or dyslexic students: challenges and benefits

Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd) has the potential to transform learning by providing personalised and adaptive environments and enabling more effective assessment and feedback (Luckin et al., 2016). Implementing AIEd has different challenges involving accommodating different learning styles, understanding how learners interact with tools, creating accessible technology for students with learning or sensory disabilities, and managing cognitive load and stress. The potential benefits of using AIEd for the personalised presentation supports inclusive learning environments, including improved understanding, accessibility to learning (Costas-Jauregui et al., 2021), reduced stress (Hsu et al., 2021), and cognitive load (Turan & Goktas, 2016), to improve mathematical understanding and student confidence. Neto et al. (2021) argue that the opportunity to utilise robots to enhance inclusive classroom experiences lies in their ability to utilise their physical attributes, multimodal feedback systems, customised social behaviours, and sensory functions. The potential benefits promote the development of inclusive and intelligent educational frameworks. In this paper, the authors examine the potential of using AIEd combined with robotics to provide a personalised learning framework for students with learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia) and sensory disabilities (e.g., vision impairment/blindness). The paper will assess the challenges and benefits of the AIEd framework combined with robotics for inclusive mathematics education

Technology-enhanced inclusive mathematics learning: promoting equity and lifelong learning opportunities for vision-impaired students

The paper investigates the dynamic relationship between technology and inclusive mathematics education for students with vision impairments. The paper examines the transformative potential of technology integration in fostering an inclusive educational environment while acknowledging the challenges that need to be addressed. The authors highlight the imperative of teacher training, data privacy, and ethical considerations in effectively integrating technology into educational practices. The evolving role of educators in facilitating meaningful and inclusive learning experiences is emphasized. A collaborative effort involving governments, educational institutions, technology developers, and the community is indispensable in pursuing inclusive education; by collectively addressing challenges, embracing technological advancements, and adhering to ethical principles, a transformative educational landscape can be cultivated

Networking and knowledge creation: social capital and collaborative innovation in responding to the COVID-19 crisis

This study empirically explores the role of social capital in creating collaborative innovation and collective intelligence and maintaining organizational sustainability in the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Data were collected from a sample of 289 managers, directors and heads of departments of top 50 manufacturing firms in Jordan and analyzed using Smart-PLS-SEM. The results indicate that social capital significantly impacts collaborative innovation, collective intelligence and organization sustainability during the COVID-19 crisis. They also reveal that collective intelligence significantly impacts collaborative innovation and organization sustainability. This study enriches the literature on social capital, collaborative innovation and collective intelligence. It elucidates the role of such dynamic capabilities in maintaining both organizational sustainability and the chance of recovery from unprecedented crises

Interactive multimodal learning: towards using pedagogical agents for inclusive education

A pedagogical agent is an animated interface in an interactive online learning environment. Its role involves guiding users through instructions and participating in direct discussions. Numerous research studies underline the advantages of pedagogical agents in delivering instruction, tailoring learning experiences, and promoting inclusivity. The authors utilize machine learning techniques to develop an interactive multimodal application (combining visuals and audio) designed as a pedagogical agent. This application is intended to assist in teaching primary school students (aged 6 to 8) the recognition of colors and letters. Additionally, it incorporates voice interaction to assess their learning progress. The overarching objective of this pedagogical agent is to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into educational settings, thereby amplifying student engagement and motivation during the learning process. This paper will explore the journey of creating a machine learning- based application and its potential utility in supporting educators. Furthermore, the authors will investigate potential augmentations that could render the application more adept at aiding students with dyslexia. The paper will emphasize the significance of human- computer interaction (HCI), as it significantly shapes pedagogical agents' design and operational aspects