Jordanian National Research Articles

Evaluation of Pictures and Graphics Semiotics in National kindergarten Interactive Curriculum in Jordan

<p>This research aimed at evaluation of pictures and graphics semiotics in national kindergarten interactive curriculum in Jordan. Frequencies of items reflecting semiotics were used to evaluation pictures and graphics included in the Jordanian National Kindergarten Interactive Curriculum (JNKIC), depending on the study instrument which was built for the study's purposes. The study results showed that a rich curriculum in graphics and pictures in addition to that it's high quality content, in addition, the literacy level in the pictures and graphics high quality. On the other hand, there is a clear lack of observance pictures and graphics that care with special needs. The researchers recommended giving more attention in the curriculum included pictures and graphics take into account the special needs, in addition, conducting further studies on the evaluation of interactive curriculum from the teachers view point and its relationship between their experience and qualification. </p>

(De)constructing Nationalist Imagery: Jordanian Cinema in Times of Crisis

A questioning of national narratives, internal economic struggles and external existential threats have all worked to characterize the current moment in Jordan as one of tension and instability, marked by price hikes, protests and refugee crises. Over the past decade, an emergent cinema industry has served as one means by which these struggles have been chronicled, centring national attention on the diverse communities and economic struggles within Amman in films such as When Monaliza Smiled. Conversely, 50 years earlier, the first Jordanian film, Struggle in Jerash, responded to another period of crisis in Jordanian history by attempting to assert a nationalist narrative in defence of the Hashemite Kingdom’s East Bank identity under King Hussein. By comparing Struggle in Jerash and When Monaliza Smiled, this article will demonstrate how films from two periods of crisis responded to challenges to national narratives in opposite ways, with Struggle in Jerash working to help construct East Bank Jordanian nationalism, and When Monaliza Smiled attempting to deconstruct the narrative. These two films will also be shown to be microcosms of the struggle over national narratives from their respective eras.

High seroprevalence of Simkania negevensis in Jordan.

The bacterium Simkania negevensis is a germ associated with respiratory diseases. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of Simkania in the Jordanian population. Serum samples from 664 Jordanian males and females, aged 2 to 86 years were collected. IgG and IgM Simkania-specific antibodies were detected using an indirect immunofluorescence test. Seropositivity titers for IgG and IgM were defined as 1:8 and 1:10, respectively. The overall prevalence of IgG antibody in all examined Jordanian nationals was 58.4%. IgG seropositivity was low in children under the age of 10 years (34.2%), and increased rapidly with age and ranged between 49.4% and 72%. Simkania-specific IgM was detected in 24.8% of subjects. IgM prevalence in children under 10 years was lowest (10.5%) and increased in older ages and remained above 20%. Overall detection rates of both IgG and IgM were significantly higher in females than males (60.7% vs. 54.5% for IgG and 26.7% vs. 21.7% for IgM). These data indicate that Simkania infection is highly prevalent in Jordan. The high level of seropositivity is most likely maintained by re-infections or chronic infections. Our data may serve as a basis to elucidate the pathogenesis of Simkania in Jordan.

Oral cancer in young Jordanians: potential association with frequency of narghile smoking.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between narghile (water-pipe) smoking and the age of patients when diagnosed with oral cancer. Patients with oral cancer registered in the Jordanian National Cancer Registry were asked about frequency of cigarette, narghile, and alcohol use. Relationship between age at diagnosis and risk factors was assessed using multiple regression analysis. In this sample, 66% of patients were cigarette smokers, and 36% and 17% were narghile smokers and alcohol drinkers, respectively. The multivariate regression analysis adjusted for sex, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking found that narghile smokers were significantly younger when diagnosed with oral cancer compared with nonsmokers. Narghile smoking is an independent risk factor associated with the development of oral cancer at a younger age. Prospective studies of its effect on the earlier development of oral cancer are needed to establish a cause-effect relationship.

Job satisfaction and turnover intention among Jordanian nurses in psychiatric units.

Psychiatric nursing has been identified as a stressful occupation, and this stress could affect individuals' health, well-being, and job satisfaction. The stress of nurses might also affect the organization in terms of absenteeism and quality of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention among Jordanian nurses in the psychiatric units of the Jordanian National Mental Health Center. A descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design was used. Nurses were asked to complete a demographic data sheet and questionnaires regarding job satisfaction and turnover intention. Of the 179 questionnaires distributed, 154 were completed, with an 86% response rate. The results revealed a statistically-significant negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention. The findings of the study are consistent with previous research regarding the negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention. The findings provide new information about Jordanian nurses who work in government hospital psychiatric services.

Characteristics of a Series of Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ) Patients Observed at the National MS Beta-Interferon Committee in Jordan Over a One Year Period ( August 2009 - August 2010 )

Objective: To study the characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a series of Jordanian patients observed at the Beta-Interferon Committee and compare them with those from other Arab/Middle Eastern or Western countries. Methods: Data from 101 patients with MS attending the Jordanian National MS Beta-Interferon Committee over a one-year period, from August 1, 2009 to August 1, 2010, were collected. Results: Mean age at MS onset was 27.1 years, with 70 females and 31 males (F/M ratio=2.26:1) with a peak incidence in the 3rd decade. Ten patients, all female, had early onset(below 18 years of age). The mean disease duration was 3.3 years, with almost 1/2 of the patients having a short duration below one year. The most common clinical manifestation was limb weakness with pyramidal signs related to myelopathy followed by optic neuritis and brainstem symptoms. The most common MS pattern was relapsing-remitting(RR) in 66 patients with a relatively high number of clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) in 28 patients. There were 34 new cases in 2009 and 23 new cases over the study year(August 2009-August 2010), showing a trend toward an increase in incidence compared to previous years. All 101 patients were born and/or live in the center/North of Jordan and none in the South, with 69 patients in the capital Amman. Beta-Interferon was used in 81 patients. Conclusions: The general characteristics of MS in Jordan were similar to most Arab countries and Western reports. There is a possible north/south gradient of MS in Jordan and a trend toward an increase in incidence in recent years.

Characterization of serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) polymorphisms and its association with drug dependence in a Jordanian Arab population

Drug dependence is a pattern of repeated self-administration of a drug, which can result in tolerance, withdrawal and compulsive drug-taking behaviour. It has been recently suggested that 5-HTTLPR (LL/LS/SS) variants and rs25531 (A/G) polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) may play a role in drug dependence. The current study aimed to (1) identify allelic, haplotypic and genotypic frequencies of the 5-HTTLPR variants and rs25531 polymorphisms of SLC6A4 gene in drug and nondrug-dependent Jordanian Arab population and (2) determine whether there is an association of these variants in a drug-dependent population from the same area. Jordanian drug male addicts of Arab descent (n=192) meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fourth edition criteria for drug dependence and 230 healthy male controls from an ethnically homogenous Jordanian Arab population were examined. Genotyping was performed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction-based method to genotype the 5-HTTLPR variants and detect the A/G polymorphism at position rs25531. The biallelic analysis revealed that the frequency of 5-HTTLPR (LL/LS/SS) genotypes was statistically significant different between drug-dependent individuals and controls (χ (2) (2, N=422), p=0.04). Drug-dependent subjects had a higher frequency of 'L' allele. However, using the triallelic approach, the estimated frequency of haplotypes (SA , SG , LA and LG ) and phased genotypes (LA /LA , LA /SA , LA /LG , SA /SA and SA /SG) did not show significant association with drug dependence (χ (2) (3, N=422), p=0.53 and χ (2) (4, N=422), p=0.06, respectively). This study suggests a putative role of the 5-HTTLPR for drug dependence in the Jordanian Nationals of Arab ancestry.

Mu opioid receptor (OPRM1) as a predictor of treatment outcome in opiate-dependent individuals of Arab descent.

Background:A number of research studies on the genetics of opiate dependence have focused on the μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1), which is a primary target for opiates. This study aims to identify genetic polymorphisms within the OPRM1 gene involved in response to the biopsychosocial treatment in opiate-dependent individuals of Arab descent.Methods:Unrelated Jordanian Nationals of Arab descent (N = 183) with opiate dependence were selected for this study. These individuals, all males, met the DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence and were undergoing a voluntary 8-week treatment program at a Jordanian Drug Rehabilitation Centre. All individuals were genotyped for 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the OPRM1 gene using the Sequenom MassARRAY® system (iPLEX GOLD). Statistical analyses were carried out using the R package.Results:Patients receiving biopsychosocial treatment showed that there was a significant difference in their OPRM1 SNPs’ genotyping distribution between good, moderate, and poor responders to the treatment at two sites (rs6912029 [G-172T], and rs12205732 [G-1510A], P < 0.05, Fisher’s exact test).Conclusion:This study is the first report of an association between the OPRM1 G-172T and G-1510A polymorphisms and treatment response for opiate dependence. Specifically, this study demonstrated that the OPRM1 GG-172 and GG-1510 genotypes were more frequent among patients who were nonresponders to the biopsychosocial treatment. However, further pharmacogenetic studies in a larger cohort of opiate-dependent patients of Arab descent are needed to confirm these findings and identify individuals with increased chance of relapse.

Jordan water demand management study: on behalf of the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation in cooperation with the French Development Agency (AFD)

The Jordanian National Water Master Plan (2004) stipulates water demand management (WDM) as one of the central strategies in achieving a more efficient and cost-effective water use. A new study under the funding mechanism of a regional program, led by the French Development Agency, reviewed and analyzed the situation in different sectors of water consumption, updated information on water values and applied economic assessment approaches to selected cases of ongoing WDM activities. The findings provide the basis for analysis and consistency checks of scenarios, which were developed in workshops with experts from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Water Authority of Jordan, the Jordan Valley Water Authority and the Water and Environmental Research and Study Center of the University of Jordan. A core outcome of this study will be a policy brief for wider dissemination to stakeholders and decision makers in Jordan and other Mediterranean countries.

Strategic optimization for implementing the Jordanian National Water Master Plan

The Jordan National Water Master Plan integrates multiple efforts to address the national water shortage, but suffers problems in implementation. The systems analysis-based approach proposed here involves stakeholders in defining: study areas/issues, flow limits (based on infrastructural, sustainability and management reasons), and the optimization objective function. The approach includes using a newly developed computer optimization model to speed analysis of stakeholder proposals. The optimization model calculates multi-period water distribution and allocation strategies, minimizing unsatisfied demand or optimizing economic effect. Implementing the approach would identify opportunities for improving water supply, conveyance and demand management, and help investment planning and international negotiations. It is transferable to other countries.

Black September: The 1970–71 Events and their Impact on the Formation of Jordanian National Identity

Soon after the 1967 War, the Palestinian Resistance Movements (PRM) which established themselves in Jordan challenged Jordan's authority presenting a military and even existential threat to Hashemite rule. The prestige of the fedayeen as the primary torchbearers of the struggle against Israel rose dramatically following the Karameh Operation of March 1968, which was perceived as a military victory by the PRM and entrenched its legitimacy. The period between the Karameh raid and September 1970 was characterized by the strengthening of the fedayeen organizations and their entrenchment in Jordan by means of the establishment of autonomous military, political, and social institutions. The bloody events of September 1970–July 1971 induced a change in Jordan's official ideological line and marked a significant step in the coalescence of Jordanian national identity. From then on, the particularist trans-Jordanian identity in Jordan was emphasized more explicitly, along with such other attributes of this identity as Bedouin tribal identity, Islamic identity, and Hashemite identity.

Side Effects of Regime Building in Jordan: The State and the Nation

Both the September 1970 Jordanian ‘civil war’ and the signing of the Jordanian National Charter in 1991 mark critical junctures in the processes of state, regime, and nation building in the kingdom. The subduing of the fedayeen in 1970–71 eliminated the final significant challenger to the sovereignty of the Jordanian state. The National Charter brought historic opposition groups together to grant legitimacy to the monarchical regime. Both the solidification of state power and the consolidation of the regime, however, had the unintended side effect of undermining the building of national unity on foundations other than a monarchical ‘civic’ nationalism.

تحديد مؤشرات الجهد البدني الخاص لدى لاعبي المنتخب الوطني الأردني للجمباز الفني

This study aimed to identify physical efforts indicators for Jordanian national Gymnastics Team by identifying number of skills, Attempt and its difficulty, and classifying, physical effort levels represented by indicators of (volume, Intensity, Density, and Complexity) comparing with the norm that specified by international Gymnastics Federation. The researcher has used descriptive method because of its compatibility to the nature of this study. The sample (n = 4) was chosen international from national Gymnasts. The duration of the study lasted for 6 weeks with reputation four training units per a week and three hours for each training units, so the researchers identified one hour from the optimal time of the training unit which was the planned time for training. In addition the indicators of (volume, Intensity, Density, and Complexity) for all training units, the number of performed skills, the number of Attempt, and the degree of difficulty were calculated. The results of the study showed that we can know the indicators of physical efforts for Jordanian national gymnastics team that represented by the number of skills and attempt that was the total of the skills reached to (1271) and the number of attempt reached up to (171), also the degree of difficulty ranged between (A-E). the result of the analysis showed the national team for Gymnastics is locating in the lowest level of the performance levels that specified by Norms of Age group development of the F.I.G. The researcher has recommended that it important to follow the sequel steps which used by development countries to improve the performance of national team gymnasts and to follow –up any developments that could be occur in the Gymnastics field. هدفت الدراسة للتعرف الى مؤشرات الجهد البدني الخاص للاعبي المنتخب الوطني الأردني للجمباز (رجال)، وذلك بتحديد عدد المهارات وعدد الجمل الحركية المؤداة وصعوبتها، وتصنيف مستويات الجهد البدني المتمثلة بمؤشرات (الحجم، والشدة، والكثافة، والصعوبة)، ومقارنةً النتائج مع المعيار المحدد من الاتحاد الدولي للجمباز. استخدم الباحثان المنهج الوصفي نظراً لملاءمته لطبيعة هذه الدراسة، وقد اختيرت عينة الدراسة بالطريقة العمدية، للاعبي المنتخب الوطني (رجال)، والبالغ عددهم (4) لاعبين، وكانت مدة الدراسة (6) أسابيع، وبتكرار أربع وحدات تدريبية في الأسبوع، وبمعدل 3 ساعات تدريبية للوحدة الواحدة، وقد حدد الباحثان ساعة واحدة من زمن الوحدة التدريبية الكلي، وهو الزمن المخطط للتدريب، وتم حساب مؤشرات الجهد (الحجم، والشدة، والكثافة، والصعوبة) لكل الوحدات التدريبية، وكذلك تم حساب عدد المهارات المؤداة، وكذلك عدد الجمل الحركية المؤداة، وكذلك تم معرفة درجة الصعوبة المؤداة وتكرار كل صعوبة. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن مؤشرات الجهد البدني للاعبي المنتخب الوطني الأردني للجمباز (رجال) والتي تمثلت بعدد المهارات والجمل الحركية، حيث بلغ عدد المهارات الكلي (الحركات) (1271) حركة، وبلغ عدد الجمل (171) جملة حركية، وإن مستوى صعوبة الحركات والجمل الحركية المؤداة من قبل اللاعبين تراوحت ما بين درجة صعوبة (A-E) حيث تم حساب تكرار كل منها لهذه الحركات، وكذلك الجمل الحركية. وقد تم حساب المستوى التصنيفي في الجهد البدني، وتبين بأن المنتخب الوطني مقارنة مع المعيار الموضوع من قبل الاتحاد الدولي للجمباز بأنه يقع في أقل مستوى من مستويات الأداء المحددة من قبل الاتحاد الدولي، وهي بالنسبة للمؤشرات المذكورة سابقاً. وقد أوصى الباحثان بضرورة مراعاة اتباع الخطوات المنهجية المتبعة من قبل الدول المتقدمة لتطوير أداء لاعبي المنتخب الوطني ومتابعة التطورات الحاصلة في ميدان الجمباز.

The Incidence of Childhood Cancer in Jordan: A Population-Based Study

Marked variations in the incidence of particular types of childhood cancer exist between countries. We report on the geographic variation in the occurrence of childhood cancer in Jordan. Cases were identified from the Jordan National Cancer Registry. We collected data on age, sex, type, primary site, and stage of cancer. Tumor topography and morphology were coded according to the accepted international standard. For all cases registered, 95.2% were histologically diagnosed. Incidence rates were calculated as annual rates per million population. The denominator is the 1997 estimate of the childhood population at ages 0-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years. There were 646 registered primary malignant neoplasms during the three-year study period (1996-1998). The annual incidence rate for all types of cancer combined was 113 per million children. The rate among children less than 5 years of age was 134.5 per million, for 5-9 years it was 97.8 per million, and for 10-14 years it was 104.1 per million. Overall, the age-standardized annual incidence rate was 113.8 per million. The most common diagnostic group was leukemia, accounting for more than a third of all cases, followed by brain tumors and lymphoma. The highest rate was in the capital, Amman. The pattern of childhood cancer in Jordan seems to be generally similar to other countries in the region, particularly the observed excess of lymphoma. Geographical variations in childhood cancer exist in Jordan and could be partly explained on the basis of lower detection or reporting, or both, in certain locations.

Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Jordanian children aged 0-14 y during 1992-1996.

An attempt was made by the Jordanian National Center for Diabetes, Endocrine and Genetic Diseases (NCDEGD) to identify all cases of type 1 diabetes among Jordanian children aged 0-14 y. Data were obtained retrospectively for the years 1992-1994 and prospectively for the years 1995 and 1996, including full name, national identifying number, date of birth, date of diagnosis and family history. The incidence was calculated as the number of cases per 100,000 population, according to the national census of 1994. The incidence rate for these years (1992 through 1996) was 2.8, 2.9, 3.2, 3.6 and 3.6 per 100,000 population, respectively. The male:female ratio was (1:1.03). Seasonal variation at clinical onset was noticed, with maximum incidence in the winter months and minimum incidence in the summer months. In conclusion, the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in Jordanian children aged 0-14 y is among the lowest in the region, but is rising.

On Activism: An Interview with Amal Sabbagh

How do you define activism? Tell me about the pioneering work done by the Jordanian National Commission for Women and what it has achieved in the area of women's political rights?

Extremeness, indifference and moderation response sets: A cross-cultural study

The PFCL was administered to six groups of male and female Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian nationals. All were Moslem secondary school students or university freshmen. A general hypothesis was formulated to the effect that a national group exposed to more rapid and comprehensive cultural changes would tend to earn more extreme responses denoting a higher level of tension if compared with another group subject to slow and limited changes. This hypothesis allowed for four specific predictions which were mostly confirmed in males. Female nationals were not significantly differentiated on most of the variables.