The Extent to Which the Jordanian Private Industrial Companies Use SMA Techniques

This study aims to examine the extent of usage of SMA techniques in the Jordanian private industrial companies (JPIC) and to examine the impact of general and financial managers’ characteristics on the adoption of SMA techniques. It also aims to explore the importance of usage the SMA techniques by JPIC in the future. The study is based on a questionnaire survey of JPIC. The study reveals that 12 out of 19 SMA techniques were adopted by JPIC. These techniques are ABC, COQ, VCC, SCM, EMA, benchmarking, BSC, competitor cost assessment, competitor position monitoring, CPA, customer lifetime value and valuation of customer assets. The results also provide interesting findings; whenever JPIC used the SMA technique they placed high importance of usage rate in the future. The SMA techniques that were not used by JPIC had a low importance of usage rate in the future, in exception of integrated PMS which achieved high importance of usage rate and the LCC which achieved a moderate rate. Finally, no impact of general and financial managers' characteristics was found on the adoption of SMA techniques in JPIC. Keywords: strategic management accounting, private companies, Jordan

Optimization of hot press forging parameters in direct recycling of aluminium chip (AA 6061)

This study introduces a new approach of direct recycling using the hot press forging process that eliminates the two intermediate processes of cold-compact and pre-heating. This method leads to low energy consumption without intervening the metallurgical processes. In this study, the optimum of machined chips from high speed milling is recycled by hot press forging. The mechanical properties and surface integrity of the different chips were investigated. The performance of recycled aluminium AA 6061 chips in the mechanical and physical properties were compared with the original aluminium billet. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop mathematical model of the effects on pre-compaction cycle, holding time and suitable pressure significant to the process. It is hoped that, utilization of primary metal could be fully utilized by direct recycling technique (hot press forging) introduced in this study and at the same time developing a sustainable manufacturing process technology for future needs

Changing Trends of Breast Cancer Survival in Sultanate of Oman

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in women, with elevated incidence in developing countries. This retrospective study included all 122 patients diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2003 to December 2008 in the Sultanate of Oman. Age at presentation was 47.41 years (SD±12.88), with one-third of patients younger than 40 years. The majority of patients presented with stage III (41.2%) and IV (18.2%) breast cancer. T size (P = .023), skin involvement (P = .003), and stage at presentation (P = .004) were significantly associated with overall survival. Skin involvement at presentation (P = .003), T size (P = .09), lymph node status (P = .013), and stage (P = .003) were strong predictors of relapse-free survival. Patients had a 5-year survival of 78%, compared to 64% of breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2002 identified in our previously published study. Thus, despite Omani breast cancer patients continuing to present with advanced breast cancer, survival rates have significantly improved

Acacia senegal gum exudate offers protection against cyclophosphamide-induced urinary bladder cytotoxicity

Cylophosphamide (CYCL) is a strong anticancer and immunosuppressive agent but its urotoxicity presents one of the major toxic effects that limit its wide usage particularly in high dose regimens. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate Acacia Senegal gum exudate, Gum Arabic (GA), for its possible role as a natural, nontoxic agent against CYCL-induced urotoxicity. Male Swiss albino rats were exposed to CYCL (150 mg/kg BW, once i.p) with or without GA oral supplementation (7.5 g/kg/day for 6 days) through drinking water. Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric oxide (NO) bladder contents were assessed. Responsiveness of the bladder rings to acetylcholine (ACh) in vitro, microscopic and macroscopic features are also investigated. CYCL produced pronounced harmful effects on bladder urothelial lining with significant increases in (MDA) and NO levels in the tissue homogenates. Bladder-GSH content is dropped by over 60% following CYCL injection. Bladder contractility, as measured by its responsiveness to ACh, recorded a marked reduction. The isolated bladders exhibited such macroscopic changes as severe edema, inflammation and extravasation. The bladder weight increased as well. Histological changes were evident in the form of severe congestion, petechial hemorrhage and chronic inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria accompanied with desquamated epithelia. GA, a potential protective agent, produced an almost complete reversal of NO induction, lipid peroxidation or cellular GSH bladder contents in the GA + CYCL-treated group. Likewise, bladder inflammation and edema were reduced. Bladder rings showed a remarkable recovery in their responsiveness to ACh. Bladder histological examination showed a near normal configuration and structural integrity, with a significant reduction in inflammation and disappearance of focal erosions. These remarkable effects of GA may be attributed to its ability to neutralize acrolein, the reactive metabolite of CYCL and/or the resultant reactive oxygen metabolites, through a scavenging action. GA may limit the cascading events of CYCL-induced damage, initiating a cytoprotective effect leading to structural and functional recovery of the bladder tissues

2-Amino­pyrimidinium hydrogen sulfate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C4H6N3 +·HSO4 −, hydrogen sulfate anions self-assemble through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis, while the cations form centrosymmetric pairs via N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. The 2-amino­pyrimidinium pairs are linked to the sulfate anions via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (10). In addition, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O contacts generate a three-dimensional network

Scale effects of non-aerated flow properties over gabion stepped spillways

One of the oldest types of human-made hydraulic structures is known as a stepped spillway, and the main use of such structures is to control and monitor the flow of water over embankment dams. However, a common problem encountered by designers of these structures is how to measure the impact of scaling on the structures’ performance. This paper thus investigates the effect of scale on the Reynolds and Froude similitudes of such structures using two-dimensional numerical models developed based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Dam break conditions were selected to simulate the experiments of this study; therefore, all the essential requirements were applied to achieve model stability. The impact of scaling ratio of 1:2 in gabion stepped spillways on the location of the inception point, the velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, and pressure distribution were explored. The results were then discussed and compared with previous research which conducted over normal stepped spillways. The current study is among the first to provide guidance for the flow properties over gabion stepped spillways which could be impact significantly by the scale effects. This comparative analysis emphasised that full-scale prototype extrapolation conditions may not be feasible based on the Reynolds and Froude similitudes. The current results could be appropriate to be adopted for additional types of water flow over porous steps. Nevertheless, more comprehensive experimental tests for the properties of the water flow at the prototype scale are required

GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in central Iraq

In many parts of the world, groundwater is considered to be a key source of fresh water for both the domestic and non-domestic sectors. Where groundwater extraction is implemented, systems to monitor water quality must ensure a safe and sustainable supply. Over the years, Iraq has suffered from surface water quality and supply problems, necessitating groundwater extraction in many regions. This study investigates groundwater quality in a region of central Iraq around Babylon city, covering an area of 5119 km2. The data gathered for this study included maps, well locations and water quality data and was sourced from the relevant governmental departments. A base map of the focussed region was initially prepared following data collection. The analysed water quality parameters were used as an attribute database to produce thematic maps using a geographical information system (GIS) environment. In this paper, the water quality index (WQI) and the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) were calculated for different groundwater samples using various parameters including the Electrical Conductivity (EC), Cl−, HCO3−, Na+ and pH. Moreover, the groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes has been assessed using indices such as Kelly’s ratio (KR), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and permeability index (PI). Water quality index maps have been developed using the GIS environment. The obtained results reveal that the groundwater in the study location requires specific treatments to be usable

The production of novel sustainable lightweight mortar from the electronic plastic waste

Electronic plastic waste (EPW) like Compact Discs, also known as CDs or Digital Video Disc DVDs, is considered a massive challenge because of the low biodegradability of the material and exists in large quantities. Thus, using friendly alternative disposal methods for waste is becoming a significant research issue. This paper aims to explore producing lightweight mortar with fine EPW as fine aggregate to produce sustainable lightweight mortar (SLWM). To address the aim, the effect of a high percentage (50 %, 75 %) of electronic plastic waste EPW as a replacement material with sand (by weight of the sand) is compared with standard mortar (NM). Physical and mechanical characteristics such as water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, bulk density, and compressive strength were measured on all specimens at 7, 28, and 90 days. The results show that there is a possibility of producing SLWM from EPW, and the 50 % replacement of sand by weight gives better results than 75 % and has a mechanical strength adequate for lightweight materials