Evaluation of the validity of the pre-marriage mean corpuscular volume value as a predictive test for b-thalassemia carrier status

Background: The national mandatory premarital screening test is based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV) > 80 fL value for the detection of b-thalassemia to provide acceptance for marriage. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of MCV as a screening test for b-thalassemia trait in the present population. Methods: This study was conducted on 418 blood samples collected from adult individuals. The diagnosis of b-thalassemia carrier was given to those having HbA2 values equal to or above 3.5%. The diagnostic reliability of different RBC indices and formulas in discriminating cases of b-thalassemia trait were evaluated. Finally, a new index called "Momani" was determined based on MCV, RDW and RBC count. Results: b-thalassemia trait was identified in 10% of the cases. The measured MCV value was significantly lower in b-thalassemia carrier group compared to non-carrier group (p = <0.001). MCV value and RBC count showed a higher diagnostic reliability than other RBC indices. We found that MCV ≤ 74.45 fL is more suitable cutoff value of MCV with 86.2% specificity, 71.4% sensitivity, 36.6% positive predictive value, and 96.4% negative predictive value. Finally, our index "Momani" was found to be useful in predicting carrier and paralleled the performance of Sirdah, Mentzer, and Ehsani indices. Conclusions: MCV<80 is a useful but not a perfect cutoff point for the screening of b-thalassemia carriers from noncarriers. The diagnostic accuracy of MCV can be improved by selecting a new cutoff value. Moreover, "Momani" index shows good discrimination ability in diagnosing b-thalassemia carrier in our population

Nexus between Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance Sustainability: Evidence from Listed Jordanian Firms

Purpose: The authors observe the effect of exploring the reality of Intellectual Capital (IC) and its impact on the financial performance of Jordanian industrial firms in Amman Stock Exchange. This empirical research explores the effect of intellectual capital on financial performance using data from 36 Jordanian industrial firms listed in Amman Stock Exchange for the period 2016-2020. The Value-Added Intellectual coefficient (VAIC) was adopted to measure the intellectual capital, while the return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and earnings per share (EPS) were adopted as measures of the companys financial performance. The effect of IC was tested by using statistical analysis, dependent on the data obtained from annual financial statements. The results showed that the IC has a significant and positive effect on profitability due to its significant effect on ROA and EPS. However, it has not been proven that IC affects the ROE. This research extends the research on IC and aims to enrich studies in this field, especially in the Jordanian market. It reflects the reality of Intellectual Capital and its impact on industrial firms’ performance in Jordan as an example of developing countrie

Effects of interactive teaching on university students&rsquo; knowledge and attitude toward reproductive health: a pilot study in Jordan

Reem A Ali,1 Ahlam Alnatour,2 Karimeh Alnuaimi,1 Fatmeh Alzoubi,1 Maysa Almomani,3 Areej Othman4 1Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Department of Adult Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 4Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan Background: Youths in Jordan lack knowledge related to reproductive health (RH). Interactive teaching methods showed positive results in enhancing health awareness and adopting healthy practices among students. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of interactive teaching in promoting health awareness of RH among nonmedical university students in Jordan.Methods: We employed a quasi-experimental one group pretest and posttest design for a purposive sample of 210 students (18&ndash;24 years). Knowledge and attitudes regarding RH issues were assessed using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Results: A significant improvement in students&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes toward RH was evident. Female students had higher scores on knowledge than male students in the pretest; this difference was smaller in the posttest. Also, female students had significantly more positive attitudes toward RH in pretest than males, although this difference vanished in the posttest. Study results indicated that students benefit from study intervention regardless their gender. Conclusion: Integrating RH into university&rsquo;s curriculum coupled with interactive learning approach is a powerful way to promote RH awareness among youths. Keywords: STIs, young adult, family planning, premarital examination, health promotio

Comprehensive insights into sustainable conversion of agricultural and food waste into microbial protein for animal feed production

The growing global population and higher living standards instantly demand the transition in the direction of a sustainable food system. A substantial section of means and agricultural lands are presently committed to protein-rich feed production to rear livestock for human consumption. Conversely, accelerated farming activities and the food industry have rendered a drastic increase in waste which impair the economic and environmental sustainability of the ecosystem. This situation emerges the need for developing an integrated technology for waste management and to improve sustainability footprints. Microbial protein (MP) production based on renewable electron and carbon sources has the potential as a substitute protein source. MP production for animal feed use is growing fast and is derived from bacteria, algae, and fungi including yeast. MP produced from all types of microbes is currently commercialized and in use. However, novel methods and processes are also under investigation to make MP production more economical and sustainable. Current research on MP has concentrated on the valorization of waste materials by using high protein content-containing microorganisms, which can then be used in animal feed. Using such kind of integrated approach, the agroindustry waste resources upcycling can contribute towards finding sustainable, cheaper, and environment-friendly protein sources. This review first describes the potential waste feedstock for MP production and summarizes the recent progress in the application of MP-producing microorganisms including fungus, yeast, bacteria, and phototrophic microbes. Bioprocesses, and production technology advances for MP production have been explored and discussed in detail. Finally, the MP application as animal feed, its challenges, and future perspectives in research have been evaluated

Aqueous ethylaminoethanol blended solvents: Promising candidates for CO2 capture

This paper reports the investigation of effect of temperature on physico-chemical properties of formulated solvent (comprises on ethylaminoethanol, N-methyl-2-pyrollidone, and K2CO3/KHCO3) and reaction kinetics of the absorption of CO2 in this formulated solvent. The physico-chemical properties were estimated by using a specific gravity bottle (density), an Ostwald's capillary viscometer (viscosity), and a stirred cell reactor (diffusivity and solubility of CO2 in formulated solvent). Similarly, a stirred cell reactor was used for the investigation of CO2 absorption kinetics by following a novel fall in CO2 pressure technique.Qatar UniversityScopu

Solar thermochemical reforming of natural gas via metal oxide based redox reactions

This paper reports the thermodynamic analysis of Sm2O3 based solar thermochemical CH4 reforming process. Thermodynamic equilibrium compositions of the syngas production via CH4 reforming via Sm2O3 reduction as a function of reaction temperature were determined. Second law thermodynamic analysis was performed to determine the cycle efficiency and solar to fuel energy conversion efficiency attainable without heat recuperation.Qatar UniversityScopu

Computational thermodynamic analysis of solar fuel production via metal oxide based H2O and CO2 splitting thermochemical cycles

In this paper thermodynamic feasibility of the production of solar fuel via SnO2/SnO based thermochemical CO2 splitting redox reactions was investigated. The first step is the thermal dissociation of SnO2 into SnO where concentrated solar energy is the source of this high temperature process heat. The second step which is a non-solar exothermic stage is the reaction of SnO with CO2 to produce CO together with SnO2 that is recycled back to the first step. Commercially available HSC Chemistry software and databases were used for the thermodynamic modeling of this process. Thermodynamic analysis was performed in two sections, namely, a) equilibrium thermodynamic calculations, and b) second law thermodynamic modeling of the SnO2/SnO based thermochemical CO2 splitting process. Results obtained via the computational thermodynamic modeling are presented.Qatar UniversityScopu

Solar reactor efficiency analysis for alternative fuel production via ferrite based two-step thermochemical splitting of water and CO2

In this paper computational thermodynamic modeling of solar syngas production via ferrite based (Fe3 O4 /FeO) thermochemical H2O and/or CO2 splitting cycle. This two-step cycle involves solar thermal reduction of Fe3O4 into FeO and O2 and non-solar splitting of H2O and CO2 via exothermic oxidation of FeO into Fe3O4. Solar syngas produced will be used for the production of solar liquid transportation fuels by catalytic Fischer Tropsch process. This paper reports the solar reactor efficiency analysis for the iron oxide based solar syngas production process. Second-law thermodynamic analysis is applied to determine the cycle efficiencies attainable with and without heat recuperation. Also, the energy required for the inert Ar heating during the solar thermal reduction step was included during the efficiency calculation. Thermodynamic analysis has been performed and the analysis shows that solar syngas production via the Iron Oxide redox cycle is a promising approach for CO2/H2O conversion into alternative fuels.Qatar UniversityScopu

CO2 capture using aqueous ethylaminoethanol: Study of oxidative degradation

This paper reports oxidative degradation of various aqueous solutions of alkanolamines as an effort to find a suitable replacement for monoethanolamine (MEA). Diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), methyl diethanolamine (MDEA), ethylaminoethanol (EAE), and diethylaminoethanol (DEAE) were screened. A high temperature high pressure subcritical reactor was used for this study and all the oxidative degradation experiments were carried out at 150 C. The results obtained indicate that aqueous EAE undergoes less % oxidative degradation as compared to other aqueous amines and seems to be a suitable solvent for CO2 capture via chemical absorption-desorption method (CADM).Scopu

A novel two-step metal oxide - Metal sulfate water splitting cycle for the production of solar hydrogen

This paper reports the thermodynamic analysis of solar H2 production via two-step thermochemical Strontium oxide - Strontium Sulfate (SO-SS) water splitting cycle. The first step belongs to the exothermic oxidation of SrO via SO2 and H2O producing SrSO4 and H2 and second step corresponds to the endothermic reduction of SrSO4 into FeO, SO2, and O2. The products, SrO and SO2 can be recycled to step 1 and hence, reutilized for the production of H2 via water splitting reaction. Thermodynamic equilibrium compositions of the thermal reduction and water splitting reactions were computed as a function of reaction temperatures. Second law thermodynamic analysis was performed to determine the cycle efficiency and solar to fuel energy conversion efficiency attainable without heat recuperation.Scopu