Volcanoes as a Sustainable Resource for Engineering Applications: A case study from Harrat Ash Shaam Basalt (HASB), NE Jordan.

Volcanic rocks have long been utilized in engineering applications due to their unique physical and mechanical properties. However, the sustainability of these practices remains an area of concern. This paper examines the importance of volcanoes as a sustainable resource for engineering applications, focusing on a case study of NE Jordan at Harrat Ash Shaam Basalt (HASB). The study evaluates the geotechnical properties of basalt rocks and pyroclastic materials of volcanoes and their potential applications in construction, such as aggregate and asphalt production, as well as their use in road construction and as building or decoration stones. Additionally, the paper assesses the environmental impact of exploiting volcanic resources and explores potential measures to mitigate adverse effects. Results suggest that Jordan basalt presents promising properties for engineering applications and that its sustainable use can support economic development while minimizing environmental impacts. However, careful management and monitoring are necessary to ensure sustainable exploitation and preservation of natural resources. This study provides insight into the potential of volcanoes as a sustainable resource and highlights the importance of sustainable practices in engineering applications. The study revealed that the sustainable use of volcanic resources requires careful management, monitoring, and enforcement of regulations. Stakeholder engagement and community involvement are also critical to ensure the preservation of natural resources and minimize social and environmental impacts. Keywords: Volcanoes, HASB, sustainability, pyroclastic, resources DOI: 10.7176/CER/15-3-04 Publication date: October 31st 202

Modelling the usage of mobile banking apps from the perspective of bank customers in Jordan

Mobile banking, M-banking or MB is one of the latest mobile technological booms that allow people to have access to their bank accounts and perform transactions anytime and anywhere. Mobile banking allows bank customers to perform banking services via their portable devices or smart phones, such as: general inquiries, account management, payment of bills, find ATM locations, transferring money and other financial banking transactions. Therefore, such technology enhanced the customer satisfaction and banking services as well; banks have now developed from the traditional branch banking services to e-services, which gives banks’ customers more flexibility and convenience to perform transactions. Nevertheless, the adoption rate of mobile banking technology is not ideal. Despite the large amounts of effort and money being invested, the adoption of electronic banking services in Jordan is not in line with what was expected, and Jordanian banking customers are still slow to adopt these technologies. As it is in the early stages of development and implementation, mobile banking-related concerns and matters have yet to be examined empirically in the Jordanian context. In addition, there is a scarcity of literature addressing customer intention and usage of mobile banking apps by Jordanian banking customers

Hierarchical Risk Communication Management Framework for Construction Projects

Risk, as an effect of uncertainty, is associated with every human activity. Like any other industry, construction companies are eager to reduce the uncertainty of reluctant events. A well-planned risk communication system could contribute to the success of a construction project. A proper announcement protocol could be a mitigating lever for identified or unidentified risks during planning and monitoring processes. This research aims to present a risk communication management system (RCMS) for construction companies involved in large projects. The proposed model includes a step-by-step communication procedure considering the authority level within the organisational hierarchical structure. The model aims to remove the ambiguity of risk communications during the construction process under uncertain conditions. It leaves no or little room for the emergence of unplanned risks. The proposed communication structure has been implemented in GRC cladding construction projects, and the risk communication time and response have been significantly improved

A Mathematical Study for Investigation the Problems of Soft Shells Materials

Abstract The current study investigates the problems of soft shells theory for manufacturing composite products by superimposition on each 2D layers. Analytical and numerical methods are considered to study the layers imposing winding around the halffinished materials or pulling some additional shells on the surface of materials which are partly made. Based on this, the smoothness of layers, and the criteria of the absence of wrinkles and folds are obtained. Methods for calculation the deformations and residual stresses of the textile structure of used materials were established. The results obtained by the analytical and numerical methods indicated that it is possible to establish mathematical equations which can be applied to find the strains and stresses developed in the shells and bands and their pressure on the surfaces of covered solid. The results of the present work can also be implemented for manufacturing composite materials having complex geometric forms

The Effects of Disinfectants on Dimensional Accuracy and Surface Quality of Impression Materials and Gypsum Casts

Abstract Background: The study aimed to evaluating the effect of disinfecting impression materials on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the resulting casts

Antibacterial synergy of Tritirachium oryzae-produced silver nanoparticles with different antibiotics and essential oils derived from Cupressus sempervirens and Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk)

Purpose: To carry out eco-friendly biosynthesis of fungi-derived silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and investigate their antibacterial synergies with essential oils (EOs) of Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less. and Cupressus sempervirens. Methods: Biosynthesis of AgNPs was carried out using a cell-free filtrate of Tritirachium oryzae. The biosynthesized AgNPs characteristics were assessed using different methods, including ultravioletvisible spectrophotometry (UV), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Obvious synergistic effects were observed between AgNPs and chloramphenicol, vancomycin, nitrofurantoin or tetracycline with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, through increases in fold area of inhibition (IFAs) within the range of 2.4 to 9.0. Synergistic interactions were also seen between AgNPs and the antibiotics used, depending on the strain. Increase in IFA ranged from 1- to 3-fold for S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Similarly, combinations of AgNPs, EO of A. graveolens and cefotaxime, nitrofurantoin or amoxicillin against P. aeruginosa led to 10-, 3- and 10-fold synergy, respectively. In contrast, the use of AgNPs and trimethoprim, tetracycline or amoxicillin against E. coli led to 1 to 6-fold synergy. The best synergistic capacity resulted from AgNPs and the EO of C. sempervirens and trimethoprim against S. epidermidis, which yielded 29-fold increase in IFA. The use of combination of AgNPs and vancomycin against P. aeruginosa led to 16.4-fold enhancement of IFA. Conclusion: The findings can potentially lead to the development of a new perception of antibacterial agents (innovative medications) involving the incorporation of nanoparticles (NPs) or new materials that potentially synergize with antibiotics, NPs and the EOs of different plants

Bacterial quality of urinary tract in patients with alkaptonuria

Background The aim of the current study is to determine whether there is an association between alkaptonuria (AKU) and urinary tract infection (UTI) by exploring the bacterial quality of the urinary tract, as most of the patients with AKU present with frequent occurrence of UT symptoms such as incomplete emptying of urinary bladder, dysuria and nocturia. Methods Study samples were collected from 22 participants; 9 from patients with AKU, 9 from individuals who were AKU carriers, and 4 people served as control. Confirmation of AKU diagnosis was established by the ferric chloride test and quantitative determination of urinary homogentisic acid (HGA) levels. Results In the ferric chloride test, the urine samples of AKU patients showed a characteristic black ring upon addition of few drops of ferric chloride solution. During urinary HGA determination, patients with AKU reported increased levels of urinary HGA as compared to carriers and controls. The following 10 bacterial species were isolated from the UT of AKU patients, carriers and controls: Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis, Kytococcus sedentarius, Serratia fonticola and Granulicatella adiacens. The presence of S. paucimobilis was found in three male patients, and one female each from the carrier and control groups. Almost all study samples were positive for D. nishinomiyaensis and K. sedentarius. S. fonticola and G. adiacens were found only in AKU carrier females. Conclusions The results deduced that males show symptoms of arthritis early and more severely than females and by this it appears that there is an association between these symptoms and the percentage of bacterial infection in males that requires more accurate diagnosis and treatment to clarify such relationship. In the current study, males (patients, carriers, and controls) were more likely to have bacterial infections than females (64% vs. 36%). The 16 and 2 bacterial isolates, detected in 7 males and 2 females AKU patients, respectively revealed that male AKU patients had a 2.3-fold greater rate of bacterial infection than female AKU patients. Therefore, further studies are warranted to investigate if there's any relationship between higher incidence of bacterial infections and development of AKU-related clinical symptoms in male population