The Effect of Small-Scale Industry on Local Development Case Study: Karak Governorate

The study aimed at knowing the characteristics of Small– Scale Industries SSIs in the governorate of karak and its important role in local development, Analyzing the relationship between the characteristics of SSIs that include the nature of activity, financing and location and the local development as well as the effect of this sector on the local development of Karak.A statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program was used for descriptive analysis. All SSIs were selected for the purpose of this study.The main findings indicate that there is a high level of characteristics importance for SSIs. Financing SSIs ranked in the 1st place and location in the 2nd place followed by nature of activity in the 3rd place. There is a significant effect of the characteristics of SSIs on local development in Karak Governorate. There is a significant effect of the nature of the activity and location of the firm on local development in Karak Governorate. But there is no significant effect of finance for SSIs on local development in Karak Governorate.This study has verified further research opportunities that could enrich the understanding of SSIs in the southern region of the kingdom. The paper provides some relevant recommendations to policy makers, development agencies, entrepreneurs, and SSIs managers to ascertain the appropriate strategy to improve the SSIs sector.Key words: SSIs; SMEs; Industry; Enterprises; Local development; Jorda

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on the Profitability of the Industrial Companies in Jordan

This study aimed to identify the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the profitability of the industrial companies in Jordan. We used a descriptive approach for the purposes of the study. The sample of the study consists of (50) workers in the industrial companies in Jordan to obtain the answers of the questionnaires. Statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) program was used for descriptive analysis for the variables of this study (awareness & guidance campaigns, donations & establish non-profit projects and support projects and charities associations).The most important findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between CSR activities and profitability of the industrial companies in general and there is effect of the variables Provide donations & establish non-profit projects and support projects & charities associations on the profitability of industrial companies in particular. The study recommends that the Industrial companies should increase the efficiency of workers constantly in order to improve efficiency and productivity to maxinamize profits, Industrial companies should pay more attention to public interest for the community.Key words: CSR; Industrial; Companies; Marketing; Profit; Jorda

Development of a novel electromagnetic double action meso-scale pump

This paper presents the design and performance evaluation of a meso-scale electromechanical fluid pump. A prototype was designed and fabricated using Polycarbonate for the housings and controlled by sequential pulsing of channel piston and valve coils. The pumping concept is based on reciprocating a hard magnet acting as a piston in a circular channel, and synchronizing this movement with two electromagnetically actuated valves located at the pump inlet and outlet ports. The pumping system is programmed to allow simultaneous energization of a set of coils that control the magnet positions. Each pump port has an inlet and outlet channel. According to the piston movement direction, i. e. clockwise or counter clockwise, the valve will change its position to allow for inflow or outflow. The pump concept was tested on a meso-scale setup for pumping water. Tests showed that a magnet rotational speed of 70 strokes per minute is achievable. A flow rate of 6.1 ml/min and a pressure of 400 Pa were obtained at this speed

Are there any benefits of using an inlay graft in the treatment of primary hypospadias in children?:A systematic review and metanalysis

INTRODUCTION: Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty (DIGU) has been described as an effective method for hypospadias repair with the proposed advantage of reducing the risk of complications. We aimed to systematically assess whether DIGU has any additional advantages over standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) repair in children with primary hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The a priori protocol is available at the PROSPERO database (CRD42020168305). A literature search was conducted for relevant publications from 1946 until January 10, 2020 in seven different databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparative studies (TIPU vs DIGU) and single arm case series (>20 cases) of DIGU were eligible for inclusion. Secondary hypospadias, two-stage repairs, disorders of sex development, significant curvature of >30°, and a mean or median follow-up of less than 12 months were excluded. DISCUSSION: A total of 499 articles were screened and 14 studies (3 RCTs, 5 non-randomized studies (NRSs), and 6 case series) with a total of 1753 children (distal: 1334 (76%) and proximal: 419 (24%)) were found eligible. Mean follow-up of the studies was between 16 and 77 months. DIGU was found superior to TIPU in decreasing meatal/neourethral stenosis (p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.78). All other parameters were found comparable including overall complications, fistula and glans dehiscence rates. Success rates were similar among the groups ranging between 48% and 96% for DIGU and 43-96% in the TIPU group. The lack of standardization in the definition of complications and success was the major limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Using an inlay graft during primary hypospadias repair decreases the risk of meatal/neourethral stenosis. However, current evidence does not demonstrate superiority of DIGU over TIPU in terms of treatment success and overall complication rates

EAU-ESPU pediatric urology guidelines on testicular tumors in prepubertal boys

Background: Testicular tumors in prepubertal boys account for 1–2% of all solid pediatric tumors. They have a lower incidence, a different histologic distribution and are more often benign compared to testicular tumors in the adolescent and adult group. This fundamental difference should also lead to a different approach and treatment. Objective: To provide a guideline for diagnosis and treatment options in prepubertal boys with a testicular mass. Method: A structured literature search and review for testicular tumors in prepubertal boys was performed. All English abstracts up to the end of 2019 were screened, and relevant papers were obtained to create the guideline. Results: A painless scrotal mass is the most common clinical presentation. For evaluation, high resolution ultrasound has a detection rate of almost 100%, alpha-fetoprotein is a tumor marker, however, is age dependent. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was not a tumor marker for testis tumors in prepubertal boys. Conclusion: Based on a summary of the literature on prepubertal testis tumors, the 2021 EAU guidelines on Pediatric Urology recommend a partial orchiectomy as the primary approach in tumors with a favorable preoperative ultrasound diagnosis

EAU/ESPU guidelines on the management of neurogenic bladder in children and adolescent part I diagnostics and conservative treatment

BACKGROUND: In childhood, the most common reason for a neurogenic bladder is related to spinal dysraphism, mostly myelodysplasia.AIMS: Herein, we present the EAU/ESPU guidelines in respect to the diagnostics, timetable for investigations and conservative management including clean intermittent catheterization (CIC).MATERIAL AND METHODS: After a systematic literature review covering the period 2000 to 2017, the ESPU/EUAU guideline for neurogenic bladder underwent an update.RESULTS: The EAU/ESPU guideline panel advocates a proactive approach. In newborns with spina bifida, CIC should be started as soon as possible after birth. In those with intrauterine closure of the defect, urodynamic studies are recommended be performed before the patient leaves the hospital. In those with closure after birth urodynamics should be done within the next 3 months. Anticholinergic medication (oxybutynin is the only well-investigated drug in this age group-dosage 0.2-0.4 mg/kg weight per day) should be applied, if the urodynamic study confirmed detrusor overactivity. Close follow-up including ultrasound, bladder diary, urinalysis, and urodynamics are necessary within the first 6 years and after that the time intervals can be prolonged, depending on the individual risk and clinical course. In all other children with the suspicion of a neurogenic bladder due to various reasons as tethered cord, inflammation, tumors, trauma, or other reasons as well as those with anorectal malformations, urodynamics-preferable video-urodynamics, should be carried out as soon as there is a suspicion of a neurogenic bladder and conservative treatment should be started soon after confirmation of the diagnosis of neurogenic bladder. With conservative treatment the upper urinary tract is preserved in up to 90%, urinary tract infections are common, but not severe, complications of CIC are quite rare and continence can be achieved at adolescence in up to 80% without further treatment.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The transition into adulthood is a complicated time for both patients, their caregivers and doctors, as the patient wants to become independent from caregivers and treatment compliance is reduced. Also, transition to adult clinics for patients with neurogenic bladders is often not well-established.</p

The prognostic value of testicular microlithiasis as an incidental finding for the risk of testicular malignancy in children and the adult population:A systematic review. On behalf of the EAU pediatric urology guidelines panel

Introduction: The exact correlation of testicular microlithiasis (TM) with benign and malignant conditions remains unknown, especially in the paediatric population. The potential association of TM with testicular malignancy in adulthood has led to controversy regarding management and follow-up. Objective: To determine the prognostic importance of TM in children in correlation to the risk of testicular malignancy or infertility and compare the differences between the paediatric and adult population. Study design: We performed a literature review of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane controlled trials databases until November 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Twenty-six publications were included in the analysis. Results: During the follow-up of 595 children with TM only one patient with TM developed a testicular malignancy during puberty. In the other 594 no testicular malignancy was found, even in the presence of risk factors. In the adult population, an increased risk for testicular malignancy in the presence of TM was found in patients with history of cryptorchidism (6% vs 0%), testicular malignancy (22% vs 2%) or sub/infertility (11–23% vs 1.7%) compared to TM-free. The difference between paediatric and adult population might be explained by the short duration of follow-up, varying between six months and three years. With an average age at inclusion of 10 years and testicular malignancies are expected to develop from puberty on, testicular malignancies might not yet have developed. Conclusion: TM is a common incidental finding that does not seem to be associated with testicular malignancy during childhood, but in the presence of risk factors is associated with testicular malignancy in the adult population. Routine monthly self-examination of the testes is recommended in children with contributing risk factors from puberty onwards. When TM is still present during transition to adulthood a more intensive follow-up could be considered

Endoscopic dilatation/incision of primary obstructive megaureter. A systematic review. On behalf of the EAU paediatric urology guidelines panel

Introduction: Historically, ureteral reimplantation (UR) has been the gold standard for treatment of primary obstructive megaureter (POM) with declining renal function, worsening obstruction, or recurrent urinary tract infections. In infants, open surgery with reimplantation of a grossly dilated ureter into a small bladder, can be technically challenging with significant morbidity. Therefore, less invasive endoscopic management such as dilatation or incision of the ureter–vesical junction, has emerged as an alternative to reimplantation during the last decades. Objective: To systematically evaluate the effectivity, safety, and potential benefits of endoscopic treatment (dilatation with or without balloon or incision) of POM in comparison to UR. Study design: A systematic review was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized comparative studies (NRSs), and single-arm case series including a minimum of 20 participants and a mean follow-up more than 12 months were eligible for inclusion. Results: Of 504 articles identified, 8 articles including 338 patients were eligible for inclusion (0 RCTs, 1 NRSs, and 7 case series). Age at time of surgery was minimum 15 days to a maximum of 192 months. Indications for endoscopic treatment (ET) included patients with loss of split renal function (&gt;10%) and worsening of hydroureteronephrosis. The studies analysed reported a success rate ranging from 35% to 97%. Success was defined as stabilization of differential renal function without further procedures. A post-operative complication rate of 23–60% was reported (mostly transient haematuria, urinary tract infections and stent migration or intolerance). In 14% of the cases salvage UR following initial ET, was performed due to relapse of symptomatic POM. Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment for persistent or progressive POM in children is a minimally invasive alternative to UR with a long-term modest success rate. Additionally, it can be performed within a wide age span, with equal success rate and complication rates.</p

International multicenter propensity score matched study on laparoscopic versus open left lateral sectionectomy

Background: Despite a lack of high-level evidence, current guidelines recommend laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy (LLLS) as the routine approach over open LLS (OLLS). Randomized studies and propensity score matched studies on LLLS vs OLLS for all indications, including malignancy, are lacking.Methods: This international multicenter propensity score matched retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing LLLS or OLLS in six centers from three European countries (January 2000-December 2016). Propensity scores were calculated based on nine preoperative variables and LLLS and OLLS were matched in a 1:1 ratio. Short-term operative outcomes were compared using paired tests.Results: A total of 560 patients were included. Out of 200 LLLS, 139 could be matched to 139 OLLS. After matching, baseline characteristics were well balanced. LLLS was associated with shorter operative time (144 (110-200) vs 199 (138-283) minutes, P &lt; 0.001), less blood loss (100 (50-300) vs 350 (100-750) mL, P = 0.005) and a 3-day shorter postoperative hospital stay (4 (3-7) vs 7 (5-9) days, P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: This international multicenter propensity score matched study confirms the superiority of LLLS over OLLS based on shorter postoperative hospital stay, operative time, and less blood loss thus validating current guideline advice.</p