Models and Estimation for Phylogenetic Trees

In this thesis, we consider Markov models for matched sequences. De¯ne fij(t) = P(X(t) = i; Y (t) = jjX(0) = Y (0)); where fij is the joint probability that, for a given site, the ¯rst and second sequences have the values i and j at a given site, given that they were the same at time 0. This can generalized to several sequences. The sequences (taxa) are then arranged in an evolutionary tree (phylogenetic tree) depicting how taxa diverge from their common ancestors. We develop tests and estimation methods for the parameters of di®erent models. Standard phylogenetic methods assume stationarity, homogeneity and reversibility for the Markov processes, and often impose further restrictions on the parameters. The parameters in these cases are estimated using many popular packages, including PHYLIP and PAUP*. We describe a new and more general method for calculating the joint probability distribution under stationary and homogeneous models for the more general models with some weakening of the stationarity and homogeneity assumptions. We describe the method for a two edged tree and then extend it to the case for a K tipped tree. We discuss the case of a ¯ve edged tree for a set of bacterial sequences for which stationarity and homogeneity are not present. This data set is very similar to that of Galtier and Gouy (1995), and the search for methods appropriate for its analysis has provided the raison d'etre for this work. The extension we propose is to allow non-stationarity, so that from the root of the tree we permit di®erent Markov processes to operate along different descendant lineages; furthermore, we permit non-homogeneous Markov processes to operate across the tree. We obtain methods tha

Term Condition in Marine Insurance of Goods in Light of the Latest Version of the Terms of Marine Insurance: A comparative study between the Jordanian and British laws

This paper aims to investigate the Term clauses in the marine cargo insurance contract as manifested in the new version issued by the Institute of London Underwriters and Lloyds committees in 2009. The importance of this research comes from the fact that most of the Arab Marine Insurance market, including Jordan, using the Institute Cargo Clauses for insuring the goods is shipped by sea. The term of the insurance cover is a corner stone in the marine insurance contract as it provides the commencement and the cases where the insurance terminates. The complicated dispute between the two parties of the marine insurance contract in the continuing and terminating the coverage may invoke legal disputes. In order to enhance the understanding of these new amendments, we need to explore these new Institute Cargo Clauses, which have become international clauses and interpret insurance contracts and avoiding the limited wording of the local marine insurance legislation concerning the term of the marine insurance contract. Key Words; Institute cargo clauses, Duration clauses, Transit Clause, Change of Voyage, Jordanian Maritime Commercial La

Linking Ontology, Epistemology And Research Methodology

The purpose of this paper is to offer insights that can help researchers to link ontology, epistemology and research methodology. This paper outlines the links among ontology, epistemology and research methodology by exploring ontological, epistemological and methodological perspectives in the research. It discusses how ontological and epistemological issues influence research methodology by providing a clear understanding for different research methodologies based on ontology and epistemology. Furthermore, attention is given to research aspects such as the elements of research process, research philosophy, research approach, research strategy, the choice of method, and research design

Employees’ Service Innovation Behavior and New Service Development in Four- and Five-Star Hotels

This study aims to explore the impact of Employee Service Innovation Behavior (ESIB) on New Service Development (NSD) among hotels’ employees. A research model was proposed in which one hypothesis was developed. The empirical data were collected from employees who are working in four- and five-star hotels in Jordan. A total of 332 questionnaires were returned and the data were analyzed using a single regression to determine the relationship between ESIB and NSD. The results supported the proposed model that there is a significant relationship between ESIB and NSD, and it also found that service innovation performance is exited in the hotel industry. The theoretical and managerial implications were drawn based on the study findings, and recommendations for future researchers were made, and limitations and conclusions are discussed

Employees’ perspectives of service quality in hotels

Although the importance of service quality has been recognised, few studies have addressed service quality in hotels from the perspective of employees. Therefore, this study aims to measure the service quality of four and five-star hotels in Jordan from the employees’ perspective based on the SERVQUAL model. The current study was carried out by measuring the data gathered according to a five-point Likert scale. A quantitative survey method was applied, and therefore the SERVQUAL instrument was used to measure service quality. Data obtained from a sample of 238 respondents drawn from ten four- and five-star hotels in Jordan were analysed with the SPSS software based on descriptive statistics. The study’s findings indicated that service quality of five-star hotels in Jordan was higher than that of four-star hotels.Keywords: service quality, SERVQUAL, work environment, competitive advantage, hotel industr

A Weighted Exponential Detection Function Model for Line Transect Data

A new parametric model is proposed for modeling the density function of perpendicular distances in line transects sampling. The model can be considered a weighted exponential model in the sense that it combines two exponential models with different weights. The proposed model is appealing because it is monotone decreasing with distance from transect line; in contrast to the classical exponential model, it satisfies the shoulder condition at the origin. Simulation results for a wide range of target densities show reasonable and good performances of the weighted exponential model in most considered cases compared to the classical exponential and the half-normal models

A performance comparison of the contiguous allocation strategies in 3D mesh connected multicomputers

The performance of contiguous allocation strategies can be significantly affected by the distribution of job execution times. In this paper, the performance of the existing contiguous allocation strategies for 3D mesh multicomputers is re-visited in the context of heavy-tailed distributions (e.g., a Bounded Pareto distribution). The strategies are evaluated and compared using simulation experiments for both First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) and Shortest-Service-Demand (SSD) scheduling strategies under a variety of system loads and system sizes. The results show that the performance of the allocation strategies degrades considerably when job execution times follow a heavy-tailed distribution. Moreover, SSD copes much better than FCFS scheduling strategy in the presence of heavy-tailed job execution times. The results also show that the strategies that depend on a list of allocated sub-meshes for both allocation and deallocation have lower allocation overhead and deliver good system performance in terms of average turnaround time and mean system utilization

Exploring experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use.

There is an accumulation of evidence that healthcare professionals are increasingly using social media to provide services to patients, share and disseminate information, and develop their professional skills. Research originating from the Middle East is rare and guidelines for healthcare professionals on appropriate use have only recently emerged. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants of healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding medically related social media use and recently issued national guidelines. Doctors and pharmacists in Qatar posting medically related information at least once per month on social media platforms and who had more than 300 followers were identified. Potential participants for qualitative interviews were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to provide a range of professions, sexes, and clinical specialities. A semi-structured interview scheduled was developed underpinned by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), and piloted. Interviews were conducted via Zoom, transcribed, and independently analysed by two researchers using a framework approach. The study received ethics approval prior to data generation. Identified themes related to experiences, behaviours and associated behavioural determinants. Eight interviews have been conducted (five physicians and three pharmacists), with additional interviews planned until data saturation. Emerging themes at this stage relating to behaviours are that the choice of platform and nature of posting vary with intended use (e.g., social versus professional). Associated determinants align to several TDF domains, largely belief of consequences (e.g., likely improvement in knowledge of others), professional role, social influences of others, and behavioural regulation (e.g., feedback on posts). Positive (rewarding) and negative (responses of others) experiences of social media use were described. Most were unaware of the specific content of the national guidelines, and although largely supportive of their introduction, they identified multiple issues (e.g., the need to include professional registration details in biography). A range of determinants influence medically related social media use. While there may be potential to align behaviour to the guidelines, there may be merit in review of the guidelines

Ovine and Caprine Brucellosis (Brucella melitensis) in Aborted Animals in Jordanian Sheep and Goat Flocks

Two hundred and fifty five biological samples were collected from 188 animals (81 sheep and 107 goats) during the lambing season from September 2009 to April 2010 from the Mafraq region of Jordan. Sampled animals belonged to 93 sheep and goat flocks that had abortion cases in the region. One hundred and seven (41.9%) biological samples were positive for the omp2 primers that were able to identify all Brucella species in the collected samples which were obtained from 86 aborted animals (86/188 = 45.7%). Using the B. melitensis insertion sequence 711 (IS711) primers on the 107 omp2 positive samples, only 61 confirmed to be positive for B. melitensis. These positive samples were obtained from 28 sheep and 33 goats. The prevalence rate of B. melitensis was 27.1% (51/188) among aborted animals. For differentiation between vaccine strain and field strain infection, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method using PstI endonuclease enzyme was used. Vaccination with Rev-1 in the last year (OR = 2.92, CI: 1.1–7.7) and grazing at common pasture (OR = 2.78, CI: 1.05–7.36) were statistically significant (P ≤ .05) risk factors positively associated with the occurrence of brucellosis in sheep and goat flocks

The Impact of Total Quality Management Implementation on Employees’ Service Recovery Performance in Five-Star Hotels in Jordan

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of total quality management (TQM) implementations on employees’ service recovery performance in five-star hotels in Jordan. TQM implementations and service recovery performance have received significant attention in previous research. However, the impact of TQM on service recovery performance has remained unexplored research area. A 67-item questionnaire, measuring TQM implementations and service recovery, was distributed to 400 employees in 12 five-star hotels in Jordan with a 63.5 response rate. Principle Component Analysis was utilized to determine the factor structure for both TQM and service recovery and Regression Analysis to determine the impact of TQM implementations on service recovery performance. The result revealed that the TQM implementations in five-star hotels in Jordan was  implemented effectively and thus, have a positive impact on employees’ service recovery performance. This result is attributed to be unique and this is due to the fact that previous studies have focused on manufacturing sector not on hotel sector in measuring either TQM implementations or service recovery performance. This paper suggests replicating the study in additional settings to determine if similar results will be obtained outside five-star-hotels in Jordan. Many of the previous studies on TQM and service recovery performance have been conducted in the context of western economies and very little research has been done in the Middle East in general and Jordan in particular. As such, there is a need to examine, from the employees’ perspective, the levels of implementing TQM that are being encouraged in the hospitality industry and it is effect on service recovery performance among employees towards their both employers and customers. The present paper contributes to filling the gap in the literature by measuring the TQM implementations and service recovery as a whole in a new context. Keywords: Total Quality Management (TQM), Service Failure, Service Recovery Performance, Hotels, Jordan