Research Title: The practice of mutual protection in the care of children with palliative care needs: multiple case study approach from Jordan

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2018

Journal of Pediatric Nursing (Elsevier) ,

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Abstract Purpose This study explores the experience of disclosing critical information in the care of children with palliative care needs, from the perspective of physicians, nurses, and mothers in Jordan. Design and methods This study employed a qualitative case study approach. It was conducted in three paediatric units in a Jordanian hospital. Each case comprised a child aged 1–12 years with a condition eligible for palliative care who received health care in one of these units, and their most involved carers (e.g. mother, physician and nurse). Two data collection methods were employed: participant observation and semi-structured interviews with three categories of participants: mothers, physicians, and nurses. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital ethical review board. Written consent was obtained from all participants. Results Qualitative case studies were developed around 15 children (aged 1–12 years, nine were boys and six were girls, with varying diagnoses: renal disease, neurological conditions, and congenital heart defects). A total of 197 observational hours and 60 interviews were completed (15 mothers, 12 physicians and 21 nurses). The findings demonstrate that the practice of ‘mutual protection’ dominated communication between children, parents and clinical staff. Parents protected their children by disclosing only partial information about their disease, and by avoiding any information they thought would cause the child distress or loss of hope. Similarly, children avoided expression to their parents of their anxieties or fears, in order to protect them. In turn, nurses attempted to ensure observance of professional boundaries with children and mothers to avoid a sense of loss when a child died. Conclusion The findings of the current study indicate that while open and honest communication between parents and children is generally recommended by literature, not all mothers agree with adopting open communication with their children concerning their illnesses. Therefore, any future intervention planned for them should respect parents' autonomy and decisions in addition to their cultural backgrounds. Practical implications The provision of ongoing education and specialised training for professionals to provide them with culturally sensitive skills in communication and provision of emotional support for children and parents is needed to improve clinical practice in healthcare settings with limited access to specialist palliative care such as Jordan.

Keywords: Child, Life- limiting, Communication, Mutual protection, Palliative care, Jordan, Qualitative

Research Title: The role of financial inclusion in financial stability: lesson from Jordan

Author: Mohammad Oqlah Al-Smadi, Published Year: 2018

Banks and Bank Systems, 13

Faculty: Business

Abstract: This study aims to examine the relationship between financial inclusion and financial stability in Jordan by using Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) technique. The analysis is based on time series from 2006 to 2017. Jordanian financial inclusion index is developed to assess the level of financial inclusion, whereas financial stability was measured by Jordanian financial stability index proposed by Central Bank of Jordan.The results show a weak significant and positive impact of financial inclusion on the financial stability in Jordan. Additionally, five control variables are used in the study. The results show a negative impact of domestic credit to private sector, income inequality,financial integration, and global financial crisis on financial stability. In contrast, real GDP per capita has a significant and positive impact. It is expected that the findings of the study can be used by policy makers and supervising authorities to realize the objectives of the national strategy of financial inclusion in Jordan.

Keywords: financial inclusion, financial stability, Jordan, FMOLS technique

Research Title: Wavelet Transformation method to allocate the OFDM signals peaks

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2016

IEEE SSD'16, 13th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals & Devices, Germany

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: This work makes use of the entropy in order to propose a wavelet transformation algorithm to detect the odd peaks. Furthermore, this algorithm has been used to enhance the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system performance based on combatting the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) problem. Three main stages are used to fulfill the process requirements; OFDM signal transformation based on the wavelet structure, thresholding process based on a predetermined criterion, and the filtration stage based on the moving filter. The proposed algorithm performance has been checked and validated not just numerically but also by a MATLAB conducted simulation. Furthermore, to check the simulation results, a comparison has been made to the literature; and shows promising results under the same bandwidth occupancy and systems limitations

Keywords: --

Research Title: Wavelet Transform Basis to Detect the Odd Peaks

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2014

”, IEEE SSD'14, 11th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals & Devices, Spain

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: The performance of wireless systems has been studied on the basis of tackling the unwanted peak. A wavelet transform method was used for this purpose. Specifically, this proposition has been applied to combat the large peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), which is one of the major Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system’s drawbacks Furthermore, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology also imposed to enhance the wireless systems performance. To draw the best performance of this work, a MATLAB simulation has been used and it is divided into three main stages; MIMO-OFDM symbols’ reconstruction based on wavelet transform, then a predetermined thresholding formula that is used, and finally, imposing moving filter. This algorithm is called Peaks’ detection based Entropy Wavelet Transform; PDEWT. Moreover, a numerical analysis also used to check its validity. Based on our simulation and under some constrains such as the bandwidth occupancy and the complexity structure of the transceivers, a peak detection ratio has been achieved and reaches around 85%. Comparing to our previously published works, the PD-EWT enhances the detection ratio for 25% more peaks.

Keywords: --

Research Title: OFDM Peak Detection Algorithm based on Wavelet Transform

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2013

European Journal of Scientific Research, 101

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: This work proposes a new peak detection algorithm based on the entropy of the wavelet transforms. Moreover, this work has been applied to combat one of the major Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system’s drawbacks; namely peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). The proposed algorithm is divided into three main stages; reconstruction based on wavelet transform, predetermined thresholding, and imposing moving filter. This algorithm is called OFDM system based Entropy Wavelet Transform (O-EWT). The O-EWT performance and validity have been checked based on a numerical analysis and a conducted simulation. As a comparison with the techniques found in the literature, O-EWT gives promising results reach to around 80% improvement for the same bandwidth occupancy, which is attained at the cost of introducing additional complexity to the transceiver's structure

Keywords: ---

Research Title: Enhancing the Performance of Speaker Verifications-Based DVB-T Systems

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2017

14th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals & Devices, Morocco

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T) is considered as one of the main two popular broadcasting standards, which facilitates the transmission of digital television in handheld receivers. In this work, a comparison will be held to enhance the mobile communications performance. This work aims to reduces the effect of a major problem found in the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique, namely Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) problem; one of the main drawbacks of. Two main factors will be the main factor of this comparison; BER curves and CCDF curves. This work combined three different stages together; wavelet transformation in order to remove the noise from the signal; a globally statistical adaptive detecting algorithm; and replacing the affected peaks with a moving average filter process. At the same bandwidth occupancy of the speaker verification-based systems, the simulation has been run and shows additional enhancement in both of CCDF and BER curves; an extra 15% reduction is achieved in the essence of PAPR and around 25% extra noise immunity

Keywords: OFDM, PAPR, wavelet, entropy, average filters, signal processing.

Research Title: DVB-T Systems Speaker Verifications Performance

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2016

in the 21st World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics (WMSCI 2017), Florida

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: In this work, a popular broadcasting standard’s performance has been checked, namely Handheld Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB-T). DVB-T facilitates the digital television transmission by making use of handheld receivers, which uses the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique as a modulation technique. This performance has been examined by proposing different techniques to overcome one of the main OFDM drawbacks namely Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) problem. Two main factors have been used in order to check the PAPR enhancements; BER curves and CCDF curves. The proposed work consists of three different stages; de-noising the signal by making use of the wavelet transformation; the odd peaks detecting criterion based on a globally statistical adaptive method; and the moving average filters to replace the affected peaks. A MATLAB simulation test has been performed under the same bandwidth occupancy of the speaker verification-based systems; 15% extra PAPR enhancements achieved and further 25% extra BER enhancements over the previous published work.

Keywords: --

Research Title: Determinants of Foreign Portfolio Investment: The Case of Jordan

Author: Mohammad Oqlah Al-Smadi, Published Year: 2018

Investment Management and Financial Innovation, 15

Faculty: Business

Abstract: This study investigates the determinants of foreign portfolio investment in Jordan using series of data covering the period from 2000 to 2016. Eight independent variables were employed. They are: aggregate economic activity, inflation, interest rate differentiation, stock market performance, risk diversification, country creditworthiness, governance, and corruption. The regression results show that good and stable macroeconomic environment attracts foreign investors. In addition, foreign investors prefer to invest in the capital market which provides an opportunity of risk diversification. A country that has enough liquidity to meet its obligation, and has well-governed environment attracts more portfolio investment. The results of the study provide empirical evidence about the factors that have a significant impact on the flow of foreign portfolio investment to Jordan. These factors can be utilized when formulating polices by the specialized authorities who are seeking to attract more portfolio investment.

Keywords: foreign portfolio investment, macroeconomic factors, financial factors, Jordan

Research Title: TRANSFORMATION OF DISCONTINUOUS WAVE FRONTS IN ELASTIC

Author: Nabil Musa Wanas, Published Year: 2008

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET), Volume 9, Issue 7,

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: In this paper, the problem of interaction of a discontinuous wave with the heterogeneity between two elastic isotropic media with different density parameters is considered. The research object is non-stationary wave with strong discontinuity generated in non-homogeneous elastic medium. The work aims to investigate the diffraction of the discontinuous wave in an interface between two anisotropic media and analysis of received results depending on the anisotropy parameters values. The research method considered is the zeroth approximation of the ray method. The simulation processes of mechanical interaction of elastic discontinuous waves with interfaces between rock media with different properties (particularly, anisotropy parameters) is proposed. The results of the simulation, showed that, the discontinuous wave transformation in the interface planes, not only wave polarization and front geometry can be changed, also the wave intensity can be increased or decreased. This type of the wave diffraction can be accompanied by essential change of the wave intensity in different zones of the wave front. The work results can be implemented for the design of construction of structures, transport and mine destination with the aim of their seismic protection and their screening from action of discontinuous waves generated by different technical failures.

Keywords: shielding, discontinuous waves, anisotropic layered media, elastic medium, ray method.

Research Title: Critical buckling of drill strings in cylindrical cavities of inclined bore-holes.

Author: Nabil Musa Wanas, Published Year: 2016

Journal of Mechanics Engineering and Automation 6 (2016) 25-38, vol.6

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Abstract Notwithstanding the fact that the problem of drill string buckling (Eulerian instability) inside the cylindrical cavity of an inclined bore-hole attracts attention of many specialists, it is far from completion. This peculiarity can be explained by the complexity of its mathematic model which is described by singularly perturbed equations. Their solutions (eigen modes) have the shapes of boundary effects or buckles (harmonic wavelets) localized in zones of the bore-hole that are not specified in advance. Therefore, the problem should be stated in the domain of entire length of the drill string or in some separated part including an expected zone of its buckling. In the paper, a mathematic model for computer analysis of incipient buckling of a drill string in cylindrical channel of an inclined bore-hole is elaborated. The constitutive equation is deduced with allowance made for action of gravity, contact, and friction forces. Computer simulation of the drill string buckling is performed for different values of the bore-hole inclination angle, its length, friction coefficient, and clearance. The eigen values (critical loads) are found and eigen modes (modes of stability loss) are constructed. The numerical results for the case when the inclination angle equals friction angle coincide with ones obtained analytically.

Keywords: Keywords: deep drilling, inclined bore-holes, drill strings, stability, singularly perturbed problem.