Optical Channel Capacity Upgrade Based on Multiwavelength Conversion XGM Using Semiconductor Optical Amplifier for Access Networks

This paper demonstrates a 10 Gb/s one-to-two-wavelength conversion configuration based on cross-gain modulation for optical access networks using a single TW-SOA. The method is capable of converting a signal data of specific wavelength 1541 nm to certain wavelengths of CW’s laser 1554 nm and 1558 nm with 4 nm spacing. The pump power level was classified due to channel response. A result obtained was the best power level offering wavelength converter between −6 and 3 dBm. The conversion efficiency achievement provided an acceptable result for probe signals. The findings of Q-factor performance were investigated. The Q values were found to be more than 9 for point to point transmission and 20 km fiber configurations for the original and converted signal. The technique implemented at 20 km and the power of all channels were adequate to provide a splitting ratio of 1/64 for the launched pump power 3 dBm

Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases among Gram-Negative Bacterial Isolates from Clinical Specimens in Three Major Hospitals in Northern Jordan

Background and Objectives. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production is increasing all over the world, and organisms other than E. coli and K. pneumoniae are acquiring this character. ESBL production is detectable by automation, E-test, double disk diffusion (DDD), and PCR. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ESBL production among clinical isolates of gram-negative rods, and to evaluate the effectiveness of augmentation of clavunate with Cefotaxime, Ceftazoxime, Aztreonam, Ceftriaxone, and Cefpodoxime in detecting ESBL production. Methods. 472 clinical gram-negative isolates identified by standard methods were tested for ESBL-production by (DDD) method using six cephalosporins and amoxicillin-clavulinate discs. Results. 108/472 (22.9%) of the isolates were ESBL producers, and were prevalent in tertiary care hospitals. 88.2% of E. cloacae, 71.4% of K. pneumoniae, 28.6% of K. oxytoca, 12.5% of C. freundii, 11.1% of A. calcoacceticus, and 10.8% of E. coli were ESBL producers. The DDD test demonstrated some variations in the efficacy of the different cephalosporins in detecting all the ESBL producers. The inclusion of ceftizoxime discs increased the efficacy of the test. It is concluded that ESBL-producing bacteria were prevalent among our hospitalized patients, and involved genera other than Klebsiella and Escherichia, and the inclusion of ceftizoxime increased the efficacy of ESBL detection by the DDD test

درجة تضمين منهاج التربية الوطنية الحياتية للصفين الأول والثاني الأساسيين للمهارات الحياتية من وجهة نظر المعلمين في المدارس الحكومية في مديرية قباطية

The study aimed to identify the degree to which national and life education curriculum for the first and second basic grades includes the life skills from the point of view of teachers in government schools in Qabatia. Furthermore, to determine the differences according to gender and specialization variables. To achieve that, the study conducted on (72) male and female teachers, and (42) items questionnaire was applied for collecting data.The results of the study indicated that the degree to which National and life Education curriculum for the first and second basic grades includes the life skills from the point of view of teachers in government schools in Qabatia was high, as it came with a mean of (3.90) and a weight of (%78), and that there are no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α=0.05) in the degree to which National and life Education curriculum for the first and second basic grades includes the life skills from the point of view of teachers in government schools in Qabatia due to gender and specialization variables. In the light of the results, the researcher recommended providing the means, materials, and techniques to provide an opportunity for teachers of the national and life education curriculum to employ activities appropriately as well as enhancing the student’s personality through the adoption of various programs in schools such as the child friendly school, in addition to employing the interactive national education curriculum in line with the digitization of education

Association of variations in the dynamics of the lithosphere with sea temperature

Variations in the dynamics of the oceanic lithosphere are important at the societal and research levels because geological activities are associated with these variations. At any given section of the lithosphere, the time in which typical geophysical parameters vary is considerably smaller than section’s age. The lithosphere can, therefore, be assumed to proceed from one state of dynamic equilibrium to another displaced differentially. When these conditions are accounted for in the thermal analysis of the oceanic lithosphere, the earth’s internal heat flux through the lithosphere is found to be an adiabatic invariant. Lithosphere physical parameters exhibit constant change and linearity. These findings simplify analysis of heat and work interactions between oceanic lithosphere and continents, lithosphere dynamics, and deep mantle heat transfer. The temperature of the solid earth remains unchanged for the foreseeable future, and variations in sea temperature vary the intensity of geological activities. If sea temperature increases, the geological activities increase and vice versa. Relevant equations are derived using this thermal analysis of the lithosphere and validated based on observations and the work of others. In addition, the analysis reveals that the eleven-year solar constant cycle is capable of inducing 1.56 x 1016 J yr-1 of geological activities

Living Matter and the Laws of Thermodynamics for the Biosphere

The laws of thermodynamics have been developed for inert matter, and living matter has not been considered as a variable in these laws. Living matter possesses properties that have had major effects on biosphere evolution with time. The zeroth property is “Living matter is produced from living matter only.” The first property may be summarized as ”Living matter occupies the available spaces to the maximum extent when environmental conditions are favorable and no obstacles are present.” And the second property is “ Living matter mutates, changes, and adapts to maintain the continuity of life and size as large as possible when environmental conditions are unfavorable.” While the zeroth property is objective in nature, the first and second properties are subjective, in that they are driven by internal stimuli characterizing living matter. Their interaction with the laws of thermodynamics may be thought of as “philosophy intertwining with science.” Accordingly, the laws of thermodynamics are revised to factor in life as a variable. Mathematical expressions of the first and second laws are derived and some of their applicability to the biosphere and climate is explained and discussed. The main conclusion is that life changes climates and the fabric of the biosphere

Transfusion transmitted virus and dengue virus among healthy blood donors: A prevalence report from Jordan

Transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) is thought to contribute to non-A non-E hepatitis and other diseases. Dengue virus (DENV) is a serious mosquito-borne pathogen. Reports on TTV and DENV in Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa region are limited. Herein, the prevalence of TTV antigen and anti-DENV IgG antibodies among apparently healthy blood donors from Northern Jordan and the Northern Agwar region of Jordan was investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to correlate positivity with possible infection risk factors (age, sex, residence location, and occupation). One hundred ninety apparently healthy blood donors were included in the study (age 18 - 54 years). TTV antigen was detected in 17.9% of the samples. Lower antigen positivity was observed among Agwar residents than non-residents (7.1% vs 24.5%; chi-square test P < 0.001), which was confirmed by regression analysis (odds ratio 0.262 [95% confidence interval 0.086-0.805]; P = 0.019). Antigen positivity did not differ by age, sex, or occupation. Seropositivity for anti-DENV IgG was 17.9%. Seropositivity did not differ by age, sex, or occupation. Higher seropositivity was observed among Agwar residents than non-residents (36.1% vs 9.4%; chi-square test P < 0.001), which was confirmed by regression analysis (odds ratio 5.420 [95% confidence interval 2.377-12.359]; P < 0.001). Overall, low TTV antigen prevalence and DENV seroprevalence were found among blood donors from Northern Jordan and the Northern Agwar region of Jordan

An Interactive Graphical User Interface Module for Soldier Health and Position Tracking System

Soldiers are the backbone of any armed force. They usually lose their lives due to the lack of medical assistance in emergency situations. Furthermore, army bases face problems due to the inability to track soldiers’ locations in the field. Hence, this paper proposes an interactive graphical user interface module (IGUIM) for soldiers’ bioinformatics acquisition and emergency reaction during combat, a global positioning system (GPS) is used to track soldiers’ locations through a device carried by the soldier. Soldiers’ bioinformatics are gathered using health monitoring biosensors, bidirectional communication between the soldiers and the army base is established via a global system for mobile (GSM). The proposed interactive module aims to enumerate the soldiers on the battlefield within a database that easily facilitates health monitoring, position tracking and bidirectional communication with each soldier through their identification number. The proposed IGUIM will increase the rate of soldiers’ survival in emergencies, which contributes to preserving the human resources of the army during combat

Transfusion transmitted virus and dengue virus among healthy blood donors: A prevalence report from Jordan

Transfusion transmitted virus (TTV) is thought to contribute to non-A non-E hepatitis and other diseases. Dengue virus (DENV) is a serious mosquito-borne pathogen. Reports on TTV and DENV in Jordan and the Middle East and North Africa region are limited. Herein, the prevalence of TTV antigen and anti-DENV IgG antibodies among apparently healthy blood donors from Northern Jordan and the Northern Agwar region of Jordan was investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to correlate positivity with possible infection risk factors (age, sex, residence location, and occupation). One hundred ninety apparently healthy blood donors were included in the study (age 18 - 54 years). TTV antigen was detected in 17.9% of the samples. Lower antigen positivity was observed among Agwar residents than non-residents (7.1% vs 24.5%; chi-square test P < 0.001), which was confirmed by regression analysis (odds ratio 0.262 [95% confidence interval 0.086-0.805]; P = 0.019). Antigen positivity did not differ by age, sex, or occupation. Seropositivity for anti-DENV IgG was 17.9%. Seropositivity did not differ by age, sex, or occupation. Higher seropositivity was observed among Agwar residents than non-residents (36.1% vs 9.4%; chi-square test P < 0.001), which was confirmed by regression analysis (odds ratio 5.420 [95% confidence interval 2.377-12.359]; P < 0.001). Overall, low TTV antigen prevalence and DENV seroprevalence were found among blood donors from Northern Jordan and the Northern Agwar region of Jordan