Marine sponge\u27s biological activities: Their Biotechnological Uses

The most of the time, marine sponges are an invertebrate species found in the tropics, subtropics, and temperate zones of the oceans and seas. They are acknowledged as being among the most important sources of bioactive chemicals, which are found in marine habitats and can then be recovered from those settings. These bioactive chemicals are found in marine environments and can then be extracted from those environments. It is common knowledge that the chemicals that are extracted from these sponges demonstrate a wide range of bioactivities, such as antibacterial activity, anticancer activity, and general cytotoxicity. These bioactivities can be found in the isolated chemicals. In this article, we discuss the bioactive chemicals that have been found in marine sponges and their potential applications. These compounds have the potential to serve as antibacterial, antiviral, and antimalarial agents against human infections as well as fish pathogens in the aquaculture industry. In addition, these compounds may also operate as antifungal agents. Sponge organisms found in the ocean have also been shown to have these chemical compounds. This article discusses the importance of marine sponges to the fields of chemistry, microbiology, cell biology, and molecular biology from a biotechnological standpoint. Researchers of marine natural products have discovered new potential medications as a result of their efforts to exploit the remarkable chemical variety that can be found in sponges

Obstacles to the Application of Total Quality Management in the College of Princess Rahma University of Al- Balqa Applied University from the Point of View of Faculty Members and Ways to Overcome Them

The study aimed at identifying the obstacles to the application of TQM at Al-Balqa Applied University from the point of view of the faculty members. Specifically, this study attempts to answer the following questions: - What are the obstacles to applying TQM at Al-Balqa Applied University from the point of view of faculty members? - Are there any differences in the application of TQM in BQU (gender, academic level)? - What are the ways to overcome obstacles to the application of TQM in Al-Balqa Applied University from the point of view of faculty members? The study sample consisted of (51) faculty members The results indicated that the main obstacles to the application of TQM include the following: lack of financial resources to implement quality management, failure to develop and renew the organizational structure in line with the principles of quality management The study also showed that there are no significant differences in the constraints of applying TQM according to the variables (gender and academic level). One of the most important ways to overcome obstacles to the application of TQM: Holding seminars and workshops to develop the capabilities of the employees towards the total quality management system, providing the classrooms with modern educational means. The study presented a number of recommendations, the most important of which is the establishment of a new structure for the college that adapts the educational quality applications. Keywords: Obstacles , Total Quality Management ,College of Princess Rahma University ,Al-Balqa Applied Universit

Management styles and managers attitudes towards IT: A developing country context.

Successful Information Technology Diffusion (ITD) requires a clear understanding of the organizational context including human and technological dimensions. Towards the establishment of this understanding, this research explores the management styles within a developing country context and the managers' attitudes towards IT. In particular, relationships between certain demographic characteristics and managers' attitudes towards IT are explored. Finally, association between management styles and managers' attitudes towards IT as a part of an e-govemment program is explored.The sample for this research was drawn from a list of the Jordanian Governmental Organizations (JGOs). Lower and middle line managers of public service organizations were selected to investigate the research issues. This research is mainly deductive and includes elements of both quantitative and qualitative methods. A survey approach was employed to achieve the research objectives. Moreover, six interviews were carried out with some managers to obtain insightful data and to enhance the interpretation of quantitative findings. Exploratory factor analysis, bivariate approaches, and general linear modelling were employed to explore patterns of complex multidimensional relationships for various attitudinal components towards management styles, IT and demographic characteristics.Five styles of management that represent two managerial dimensions were identified and ordered according to their preference. Although all these styles were prevalent to the research context indicating the diversity of management styles, people oriented management which represents the New Management Paradigm (NMP) including innovative, democratic, and participative styles was found to be more dominant than task oriented management which represents the traditional management styles including autocratic and authoritarian management. Moreover, the findings revealed that managers were found to have highly favourable attitudes towards IT. Additionally, a significant positive relationship was found between educational level and managers' attitudes towards IT. In contrast, significant negative relationships were found between managers' attitudes and age and organizational experience. No significant differences were found between male and female managers' with respect to their general attitudes towards IT. Finally, no significant relationship was found between managers' span of control and their attitudes towards IT. Managers' attitudes towards IT including computer anxiety, computer confidence, computer liking and computer usefulness were found to have significant positive relationship with the people oriented management styles including innovative, democratic, and participative style except the relationship between participative management style and computer liking which was not statistically significant.Considering the scarcity of previous literature in the research's particular context (Jordan) and its broader context (Arab and developing countries), this research provides an original contribution concerning the effect and appropriateness of management styles and attitudes towards IT on the use of modem computer technology within the context of governmental organizations in developing countries. Unlike previous studies within developed and developing countries, this research focuses on some organizational aspects of IT diffusion and puts emphasis on people's management styles and characteristics as the key driver towards successful ITD

Intellectual Capital Strategies and their Impact on Achieving Organizational Performance Excellence at the Jordanian Income and Sales Tax Department

This study aimed to examine the impact of intellectual capital strategies on achieving organizational performance excellence at the Jordanian Income and Sales Tax Department. The study adopted a quantitative analytical survey method. The study population consisted of employees in leadership and supervisory positions, totaling 333 individuals. A questionnaire was distributed using a stratified random sampling method. A total of 195 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 58%, with 180 valid questionnaires available for statistical analysis. The results indicated a moderate practice of intellectual capital strategies and a moderate level of organizational performance excellence within the department. The analysis showed that both the structural capital strategy and social capital strategy had an impact on organizational performance excellence, while no impact was found for human capital and relational capital. Based on the study results, it is recommended that the department prioritize the application of intellectual capital strategies to achieve organizational excellence, making intellectual capital and performance excellence key priorities in the department\u27s strategic plans

Reduction of energy consumption using smart home techniques in the household sector

Outcomes of exhaustion of natural resources started influencing each spirit on this planet. Energy is an essential factor in this aspect. To restore the circumstance to the appropriate track, all attempts must focus on two fundamental branches: producing electricity from clean and renewable reserves and decreasing the overall unnecessary consumption of energy. The focal point of this paper will be on lessening the power consumption in the household's segment. This paper is an attempt to give a clear understanding of a framework called Reduction of Energy Consumption in Household Sector (RECHS) and how it should help householders to reduce their power consumption by substituting their household appliances, turning-off the appliances when stand-by modus is detected, and scheduling their appliances operation periods. Technically, the framework depends on utilizing Z-Wave compatible plug-ins which will be connected to the usual house devices to gauge and control them remotely and semi-automatically. The suggested framework underpins numerous quality characteristics, for example, integrability, scalability, security and adaptability

Strategic Planning and its Relationship to School Performance among Private Secondary School Principals in the Capital Amman from the Teachers Point of View.

The study aims at identifying the relationship between strategic planning and school performance among private secondary school principals in Jordan from the teachers point of view. The researchers used the descriptive correlative approach, and the study sample consisted of (310) male and female teachers who work in private secondary schools in Marka District in the capital (Amman) in Jordan, they were selected by simple random sampling method. To achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was developed that included (44) items. The results of the study showed that the degree of application of strategic planning, and the level of school performance was high,. They also showed that there were statistically significant differences due to the gender variable in favor of males, and the educational qualification variable in favor of the bachelor’s degree between the average responses of the study sample to the degree of strategic planning application. The results also showed that there were differences due to the gender variable in favor of males for the level of school performance. The study revealed a positive correlation between the degree of strategic planning application and the level of school performance The researcher recommended the need to continue developing and encouraging the application of strategic planning in order to reach the desired goals

أثر تطبيق الحوكمة المؤسسية على الثقافة التنظيمية: دراسة ميدانية في وزارة الصحة األردنية

هدف المقال التعرف إلى أثر تطبيق الحوكمة المؤسسية بأبعادها )الشفافية، والمساءلة، والعدالة، والمشاركة، وتطبيق القانون( على الثقافة التنظيمية في وزارة الصحة األردنية. وتكون مجتمع الدراسة من جميع القيادات اإلدارية العاملين في الوزارة والمديريات التابعة والمحافظات، والبالغ عددهم )755( إداري، وتم تحديد حجم العينة بـ )300( من القيادات اإلدارية في الوزارة، حيث جرى اختيار العينة بالطريقة العشوائية الطبقية. بينت الدراسة وجود درجة متوسطة لمستوى تطبيق الحوكمة المؤسسية في وزارة الصحة األردنية، أما الثقافة التنظيمية في الوزارة؛ فكانت بمستوى مرتفع، كما أشارت النتائج إلى وجود أثر ذو داللة للحوكمة المؤسسية بأبعادها )الشفافية، والمساءلة، والعدالة، والمشاركة في اتخاذ القرار، وتطبيق القانون( على الثقافة التنظيمية. وبنا ًء على نتائج الدراسة، فإنها توصي بما يلي: أن تتبنى اإلدارة العليا في وزارة الصحة األردنية، مبادئ تطبيق الشفافية اإلدارية في كافة العمليات اإلدارية في الوزارة وتعزيز الثقافة التنظيمية القوية الموجودة فيها. وزيادة االهتمام بالمشاركة والمساءلة والعدالة

Titanium Dioxide for Improved Performance of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Aggregates in Concrete

Data Availability Statement: Data will be available upon request.This work presents an innovative approach to enhancing the performance of concrete with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) aggregates using titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Traditional limestone coarse aggregates were partially replaced with 30% and 50% RAP aggregates; a subset of mixtures containing RAP aggregates was treated with TiO2 nanoparticles. The rheological, mechanical, and long-term properties of concrete, along with changes in its chemical composition following the addition of RAP and TiO2, were evaluated. Results revealed that using 30% and 50% RAP in concrete mixtures reduced their compressive strength by 18% and 27%, respectively. However, using TiO2 in those mixtures enhanced their compressive strength by 8.7% and 6.3%. Moreover, concrete with 50% RAP exhibited an 85% increase in water absorption (the highest among all mixtures) compared to the control. TiO2 treatment was most beneficial in the 30% RAP mixture, reducing its water absorption by 32.5% compared to its untreated counterpart. Additionally, the 30% RAP mixture treated with TiO2 showed the highest resistance to sulfates among modified mixtures, as its compressive strength decreased by 10.4% compared to a decrease of 23% in the strength of the untreated 30% RAP mixture. Statistical analysis using single-factor ANOVA showed that integrating RAP aggregates with or without the presence of TiO2 particles would significantly affect the concrete properties in terms of their population means. The t-test analysis, on the other hand, proved sufficient evidence that the mean values of the 30% RAP mixture treated with TiO2 would not differ significantly from the control in terms of its slump and water absorption properties. The chemical structure analysis revealed an increase in the Si-O-Si and Si-O functional groups when using TiO2 in RAP mixtures, suggesting improved hydration activity and accelerated C-S-H formation in the treated RAP mixtures. Moreover, distinct C-H peaks were witnessed in concrete with untreated RAP aggregates, resulting from the aged asphalt coating on the RAP, which weakened the bond between the RAP and the cementitious matrix.This research received no external funding

Drought Vulnerability and Mitigation Measures in Jordan based on Spatio-temporal Assessment of Single and Composite Meteorological Drought Indices

Drought Vulnerability and Mitigation Measures in Jordan based on Spatio-temporal Assessment of Single and Composite Meteorological Drought Indices. Ph.D. Dissertation by; Haitham AlAdaileh Supervisor; Dr. Barta Károly, PhD and Prof. Dr. Rakonczai János Abstract Long monthly data (1980-2017) of rainfall, air temperature, vegetation index, and barely production data were collected and implemented to investigate drought in Jordan. Twenty-nine weather stations across the country were used as a reference for generating interpolation maps. The drought was assessed using various drought indicators; SPI, PDI, TDI, VDI, and CDI at various timescales of 12, 6, 3, and 2 months. The CDI was further used to correlate with barely production to assess the applicability for crop monitoring. Also, the CDI was implemented in groundwater vulnerability assessment in Jordan. Jordan experienced significant annual rainfall reduction trends ranging from 0.01 to 5.2 mm/year. The trend's significance and reduction rates were related to both the geographic locations and stational altitudes. Jordan highlands seem to be most affected by the reduction followed by Jordan Rift Valley and the desert region. The rainfall reduction was highly obvious at both March and November with distinct rainfall shifts at both sides of the wet season (i.e. September and May). Drought spatial and temporal assessments using 29 weather stations from 1980 till 2017 indicted that Jordan experienced periodic cycles of drought with various severity and frequency. The use of drought indicators enabled the investigation for the drought event’s characteristics. The standardized precipitation index provided a clear tool to indicate drought frequency and magnitude trends that appeared to be once every two to three years with a significant increase rate of occurrence. Although SPI12 is less effective in providing a clear understanding of the rainfall shifts and monthly reduction as compared to SPI3, however, it provides a general indication of the droughts, especially if was coupled with the Krig interpolation technique. The generated drought krig maps revealed the presence of two drought trends; local and national. With the implicitly of statistical tools as cluster analyses, three main regions of droughts were grouped in terms of severity holding similar micro-climatological conditions; northern, eastern, and southern