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This paper examines the utilization of Arabic tautological expressions, provided by customers as a reiteration of an element of an English compound such as 'apple pie' [ fatˁi:rit ʔabil bai 'an apple pie pie'], from the perspective of Relevance Theory (RT). Data was collected from 90 participants, divided into two groups: 40 native speaker informants recruited from various shopping malls, and 50 shop assistants in Amman, Jordan. The first group was interviewed, whereas the second group filled out a multiple-choice task aimed at identifying the type of expression they typically receive when taking orders from customers. The data analysis revealed that Arabic tautological expressions are more frequently used compared to other alternatives. Drawing on RT, we argue that Arabic tautological expressions function as an ostensive stimulus. We propose that tautological expressions, utilized within a code-switching context, function as a means of pragmatic enrichment. This occurs through the process of ad hoc construction, wherein speakers refine the originally encoded concept to convey corrective or contrasting meanings. Instead of lacking information, the use of tautological phrases can be seen as a pragmatic tactic to maximize relevance by minimizing cognitive effort, optimizing successful communication of the intended meaning, and reinforcing contextual effects. • Examining the use of Arabic tautology in English compounds provided by customers. • Arabic tautologies are preferred and more frequently used than alternatives. • Drawing on RT, Arabic tautological expressions function as an ostensive stimulus. • The use of tautology conveys corrective or contrastive meanings via ad hoc concept construction. • The use of tautological phrases can be seen as a pragmatic tactic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amman, as the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has been said to suffer from a crisis of identity, a condition that is seen as impinging a sense of authentic urban memory and form. As it has become the destination of multiple refugee and migrant communities seeking safety in Jordan, Amman's subsequent migrant make-up has been primarily narrated as a burden – on space, on resources and on understandings of the Jordanian national self-preventing a sense of national unity being found within its capital. Countering these narratives of burden and crises, this paper seeks to reconceptualise the role of migrants in Jordan's capital as contributing to and participating in the development of Amman as a modern urban centre. By discussing one particular communal group – Palestinian Christians – and their contributions to the socio-spatial fabric of the city this paper aims to promote a shift in narrative around Amman in particular, and Jordan in general, as one which can embrace its history of not only migrating people but their ideas of modernity and urbanity and how they are imprinted on the urban landscape today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was conducted to delimit the water influx in the Hamzeh oil reservoir, located in northeastern Jordan approximately 150 km east of Amman. Petroleum reservoirs are frequently encompassed by water aquifers that back up the reservoir pressure through water inflow. When the pressure declines in a petroleum reservoir, the water aquifer responds by providing an influx of water. Gradually, the damage is reduced and then eliminated, and more oil is produced from the reservoir. The material balance equation (MBE) is used as the fundamental method for this study, predicting reservoir performance for a period of 11 years. The results for this study prove that the reservoir has a water drive mechanism and that the original oil in place (OOIP) was 24,958,290 m3. The projected oil recovery factor ranges from 10.9 to 25 percent for the Hummar and Shueib formations, respectively, depending on the areal efficiency assumed in the calculations. The water influx for the 11-year period was predicted by an MBE, an unsteady-state model, and the results of the performance reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic energy-generating has attracted widespread attention, because of its efficiency and environmental benefits. As the number of buildings floors increases, the area of the façade grows substantially larger than the roof, which led to increasing the potential for a solar system installed on the vertical walls, although they receive less solar radiation than roof surfaces. As a result, it has become critical to assess the solar installation possibilities on buildings’ roofs as well as facades in the early design stage. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to present a method to evaluate the suitable area on the building surfaces for photovoltaic installation, taking Apartment buildings in Amman, Jordan as a case study. The methodology is based on the assessment of the incident solar radiation on different surfaces, considering the shading effect from surrounding buildings in the most common residential urban zone in Jordan, and architectural suitable areas for PV installation. Different simulation software was used, Autodesk Ecotect simulation software was used to calculate the incident solar radiation on the building surfaces and IDA ICE 4.8 simulation software to predict the overshadowing area. The main findings of this study show that conducting a solar potential in the early design stage is critical to defining the most suitable surfaces for PV installa- tion. Moreover, the highest potential envelope part of installing the solar photo- voltaic technologies is the roof because it is unshaded and received the highest solar radiation, followed by the south façade with about 40% less received solar radiation. This study can contribute to supporting energy and urban planners in determining the best locations for solar photovoltaic installations on building surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to examine the influence of human capital (HC), measured by value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC), on the return on equity (ROE) of commercial banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) from 2010 to 2015. The sample included 14 commercial banks listed on the ASE, that have disclosure of the salaries and expenses of training the employees. The results of the study were extracted using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 20, to find the values mean, standard deviations and multiple regression analysis. The authors find that HC is one of the most important components of intellectual capital (IC) at a rate of 84.0410%. It referred that there is no statistically significant effect of human capital in evaluating the ROE of commercial banks in Jordan. Based on these findings, researchers recommend that commercial banks increase their interest in human capital, because it is considered asthe main driver of banks' work. The study's findings support investments in intellectual capital as a means for improving the performance of banks in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: the aim of this study is to evaluate patients' experience of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with statins "HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors" use and the patients' attitude toward these ADRs in Jordan, in terms of reporting ADRs, patient adherence and patients’ beliefs, from the patients’ point of view. Methods: A cross sectional study was used via a paper-based questionnaire that was distributed among community pharmacies in the capital Amman to be filled by eligible adult patients. A total of 153 patients had completely answered the questionnaire. Results: A percentage of (72.5%) of the patients reported experiencing ADRs associated with statin drugs. Percentages of patients experienced symptoms related to myopathy, peripheralneuropathy, and some incidents of memory loss problems were (64.7%) (41.2%) (35.9%),` respectively. The prevalence of ADRs was influenced by drug generics; simvastatin showed the highest rate of ADRs. Patient adherence to statin therapy was affected by the presence of ADRs, only 58.2% of participants were adherent to their statin drug. Conclusion: There were differences between different statin agents in the pattern of reporting ADRs. The variability between associated ADRs needs to be considered by physicians when prescribing this drug. Determining the best tolerated statin drug may enhance the patient’s adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nucleic acid hybridization (NAH) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a practical and reliable tool for virus genotyping. Genotype assignment is an important factor in the prediction of treatment success in chronic hepatitis C patients. The aim of this study was to determine the genotype distribution among HCV clinical isolates in Jordan between 2007 and 2018.Methods: Electronic and paper-based clinical data registry records from 2007 to 2018 at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) were retrospectively examined for individuals with HCV genotype, HCV viral load, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) testing results. Genotype determination was based on NAH technique using the HCV 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) with 386 requests available from 342 unique individuals.Results: A total of 263 out of 342 unique individuals (76.9%) had genotyping results available for final analysis with 259 individuals each having a single genotyping result. The most common HCV genotypes in the study were: genotype 4 (n = 142, 54.0%), genotype 1 (n = 87, 33.1%), genotype 3 (n = 16, 6.1%), genotype 2 (n = 9, 3.4%), other undetermined genotypes (n = 5, 1.9%) and mixed infections (n = 4, 1.5%). Sub-genotyping results were available for 46 individuals as follows: sub-genotype 4c/d (n = 13, 28.3%), sub-genotype 1a (n = 11, 23.9%), sub-genotype 1b (n = 10, 21.7%), sub-genotype 4a (n = 8, 17.4%), sub-genotype 3a (n = 2, 4.3%), sub-genotypes 2a/c and 4 h (n = 1, 2.2% for both). Individuals infected with genotype 1 showed higher viral load when compared to those infected with genotype 4 (p = 0.048, t-test). Younger HCV-infected individuals (< 52 years) had higher ALT levels compared to older individuals (p = 0.036, t-test). Self-reported risk factors for HCV acquisition included: history of previous surgery, invasive dental procedures, and blood transfusion, delivery at home, circumcision at home and wet cupping therapy (hijama).Conclusions: High genetic diversity of HCV was found in Jordan, with genotypes 4 and 1 as the most prevalent genotypes co-circulating in the country. Potential impact of virus genotype on disease markers (viral load, ALT) was detected and needs further assessment. The study can be helpful to plan for future prevention and management of HCV infection in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a small-scale qualitative research project with Iraqis living in Jordan, this paper aims to shed light on how ethnic identity and social class intersect to shape Iraqi experience of displacement. It focuses on two major themes. First, it discusses the relationship between the shifting social and political landscape in Iraq and ethnoreligious identity of Iraqis in Jordan. Second, it explores the ways in which ethnicity and class intersect to affect the dynamics of Iraqis' integration into their host society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme event magnitude and frequency are prerequisites for accurately designing and managing various water infrastructure systems. This paper studies precipitation extremes in the Amman Zara Basin (AZB) using daily precipitation records from 24 weather stations during a period that exceeds 50 years. Two extreme precipitation series (the annual maximum (AM) and the peak over threshold (POT)), four generalized probability distributions (generalized extreme value (GEV), generalized Pareto (GP), generalized lognormal (GLN), and generalized logistic (GLO)) and the L moment method for distribution parameter estimation are used. A mix of increasing and decreasing trends is observed at different stations for both the AM and POT series over the study period. Since the POT series considers up to the fifth largest precipitation in some years, in contrast to the AM series, and skips the largest precipitation in the AM series in other years, the trend analysis results for the POT series differ slightly from those for the AM series. According to the goodness-of-fit (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and L moment diagram), the probability distributions GEV, GLN, and GLO can better fit the AM series, with no unique distribution among them consistently ranking the best for all stations, while the POT series is better fitted by the GP distribution. The calculated extreme precipitation amounts of the AM series are up to 18% greater than those of the POT series for the same return period. Additionally, the AM series can describe extreme precipitation events better than the POT series based on relative error calculations. The 50- and 100-year extreme precipitation events occurred more frequently in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of climate change, population growth and urbanization, water resources are under severe pressure like never before. Many developing and even developed countries around the world have suffered from water scarcity, with more to come if no management actions take place. In response to these pressures, governments and water authorities have shifted from supply-side to demand-side policies. Pricing and non-pricing policies are the two main categories for managing the demand for water. Many studies have shown the inadequacy of pricing policies to reduce consumption due to the inelasticity of demand related to price. Hence, the trend in managing water resources has focused on non-pricing policies. Of these is the installation of water-saving devices, which can save up to 50% of water consumption. To date, remarkably, studies on the adoption of such devices are limited. This is attributed to the fact that the acquisition of data for this type of study is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by understanding the perception of water consumers about water-saving devices; the belief being that policy makers and water authorities need to better understand the perception of consumers of such tools before applying them. The research was undertaken in one of the poorest countries in terms of water resources by conducting a questionnaire-based survey of the water situation in Amman, the capital city of Jordan. A binary logistic model was developed based on the attributes of water consumers in Amman. Results suggest that as the amount of the water bill increases, the tendency to appreciate water-saving devices will decrease. On the other hand, those who are not willing to respond to water-demand management policies were found to be less recognizing of the importance of water-saving devices compared to those who are willing to respond to such policies. The study suggests that media and educational campaigns should be utilized to increase public awareness of water-saving devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of service quality on graduates' satisfaction as perceived by Middle East University (MEU) graduates. Design/methodology/approach: This research is cross-sectional and aims to explore the effect of service quality dimensions (academic staff, administration, classrooms and library services) on graduates' satisfaction. Data were collected from 399 graduates. After confirming validity, reliability and normality of the data, and the correlation between variables, multiple regressions were used to test the hypothesis. Findings: The results show that all service quality dimensions are highly implemented by the MEU. The relationships between all service quality dimensions and graduates' satisfaction are strong. Finally, results show that all service quality dimensions affect graduates' satisfaction. Research limitations/implications: To generalize the results of this research, further studies are recommended to be carried out on other universities especially in Jordan. Testing the perception and satisfaction of other universities, stakeholders will help to improve service quality and to gain suitable competitive strategies. Practical implications: Service quality is a key driver for universities' sustainable competitive advantage; therefore, dimensions of service quality should be included within universities plan, strategies and daily activities. Social implications: Considering service quality in higher education improves countries' economic development, quality of life and well-being. All corporate social responsibility pillars (social, economic, environmental responsibilities and national and international regulation and norms) should be adapted and adopted within services quality systems and programs. Originality/value: Most of previous studies were carried out to test the students' perception while this research is dedicated to explore graduates' perception regarding service quality offered by the MEU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Zika virus (ZIKAV) disease is a public health problem of international concern. Recent evidence has documented imported ZIKAV cases into the Middle East and the existence of ZIKAV-transmitting mosquitoes in Jordan. However, limited data exist on the role of physicians in public awareness in this regard. This study aimed to assess ZIKAV knowledge, attitudes and counseling practices (KAP) of general physicians and gynecologists in Amman, Jordan. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, a structured paper-based questionnaire was completed by 119 participants during 2016-2017. Results: Only 4.2% of the physicians correctly addressed ZIKAV-complication questions. A misconception of considering direct contact between individuals and breastfeeding as modes of ZIKAV transmission was observed. Only one participant correctly recognized that isolation of infected or exposed persons is not recommended. Having at least five years of experience in medical practice was the only factor that was significantly associated with a high knowledge score (P-value = 0.011). Although prevention measures are the sole method to control ZIKAV spread, only 50% of participants believed in the efficacy of such measures. Despite a quarter of participants perceiving ZIKAV as a threat to their patients, none of them have counseled a patient in this regard before. The presence of an evidence of ZIKAV in Jordan and health authorities' recommendations were the most important predictors for adoption of counseling practice. Conclusions: General physicians and gynecologists in Jordan had several gaps in knowledge of key aspects of ZIKAV disease, and there is a need for specific training programs of physicians and gynecologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining and quarrying sector represented by stone sawing and bricks factories is considered as the vital industrial sector in Jordan, due to the fast economic growth, urbanization, and forced migration. However, Bricks and stone sawing resulted in environmental degradations, due to the emission of significant quantities of gaseous and particulate pollutants, besides visual pollution caused by the random distribution of these factories. Hence the importance of this paper lies in examining quarries and brick factories rehabilitation issue within Amman Metropolitan Area. The study is based on comprehensive survey for nine industrial zones, strengthening it via statistical data acquired from Greater Amman Municipality, using as a case study of Al Muqabalain industrial zone. According to survey results, the proposed solutions for the random distribution of stone saw and brick factories in Al Muqabalain area are summarized by either rehabilitation of brick factories and old quarries that are inevitable to transfer through proposed legislative policies or relocation for the factories that cannot be rehabilitated to appropriate alternative site through organized procedures, then decision-making. In this study, Wadi Al-Ish is the proposed alternative site where most of appropriate criteria were achieved. Finally, further environmental recovery studies will be needed to help the use of solid and liquid factories waste, and this is not to be without formation of a committee of stakeholders to develop an applied plan for these proposed solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to identify the key spatial and environmental housing related challenges facing Amman and to consider them in the context of past, present and future planning policies. The paper reports on face-to-face, in-depth interviews conducted with planning professionals based in Amman, designed to explore their concerns regarding current planning issues and their proposals for addressing them. Information from local and international literature has been used to contextualize the findings. The study revealed that current planning legislation, poorly implemented, has resulted in uncontrolled land use, water shortages, increased energy consumption, road congestion, air pollution, and ineffective waste management. The research identified a range of policies proposed by planning professionals for ameliorating past errors and providing a more sustainable and healthy environment. These proposals include: an enforceable legal framework, updated planning and design regulations, private/public partnerships, the enhancement of public participation and greater professionalization of the planning sector. The paper concludes by benchmarking these against the aims of the latest planning policy document, Amman 2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes an assessment of a site for solid waste disposal by landfill near Amman, Jordan. The research took an integrated approach to site selection for a new solid waste disposal site at Wadi Madoneh (Ghabawi landfill). The paper reports the related geological, geophysical and hydrogeological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to document the experience of public-private partnership (PPP) in the management of the domestic water sector in Amman city, Jordan. It also intends to reflect on the transformations in water management after the introduction of PPP using metaphors from ecology. Scenarios for water management are developed and assessed based on financial viability and political feasibility. Four scenarios for sustainable water development in Amman city are developed under two major drivers, i.e. importance and uncertainty. The scenarios developed in this paper are intended to illuminate possible ways that could affect the future of PPP for domestic water in Jordan. Based on document analysis, observations and lessons learned from ecology, scenarios for water management are developed. The process of building scenarios involves a number of steps, which include: (1) identification of focal issues and key decisions; (2) identification of key factors in the local environment; (3) listing and ranking driving forces by importance and uncertainty; (4) ranking driving forces by importance and uncertainty; and (5) considering implications. The outcomes under each critical uncertainty are assessed. Combinations of these outcomes will determine the general characteristics of each scenario. Lessons learned from the evolution of living organisms in nature, i.e. from innovation, growth, improvement and release, were utilized to characterize the water sector in Amman city after the introduction of PPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with pottery vessels from a newly discovered Ammonite dovecote located at Ain al-Baida in north-east Amman. This dovecote may have operated independently or as an adjunct to a large estate or farm holding. Based on parallel ceramic studies, the writers date the establishment to the period from the late eighth to the sixth centuries BC. This discovery is unique, since no other comparable example from the late Iron Age is attested in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the potential of utilizing a solar cooling system to improve the indoor air quality is investigated. The analysis is performed for a 41m2 with a 3.65m height laboratory located at Mango Center for Scientific Research – University of Jordan in Amman. The hourly ambient temperatures and the monthly solar radiation in Amman are recorded. The calculations of the cooling demand were done using two methods, i.e. manual calculations and block load software. For the analysis, the internal loads of lightning, computer, etc. and the building envelope (e.g. double glass, no shading) were considered. The results show that proposed solar collectors of 40m2 area can provide solar heat for an 8kW solar air-conditioning system. Moreover, domestic hot water (solar fraction up to 100%) and solar heating (approx. 15–25% solar fraction) could be also provided, with the solar air-conditioning system, for the centre. An economic study was also carried, which showed that the estimated payback period of the solar cooling system, exceeds that of project life time of the project, which is assumed to be 24years unless the government of Jordan issues a new law for renewable energy that grants incentives, exemptions and subsidizes projects that invest in solar energy applications by about 40% of initial investment cost of the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of daylight quality on the dynamics of architectural space. Observation of visual daylight aspects is photographically recorded in the main atrium of City Mall (CM), as an architectural space adopting daylight strategy. Classified photos explore the effects of daylight quality aspects on the dynamics of architectural space. Questionnaire is designed in-relation to the classified photos, and is subjectively assessed by a selected group of architects. Statistical analysis of questionnaire findings agrees that daylight quality affects the dynamics of architectural space, and could be an efficient design element for increasing esthetical and emotional aspects of architectural space. Measurements show dynamic daylight variations at different locations in the atrium and sufficient quantities for atrium activities. The study concludes that daylight quality can activate the dynamics of architectural space through adopting comprehensive daylight design to elaborate and advance dynamic visual daylight aspects, while providing required daylight quantities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents two new Nabataean inscriptions, which have come to light from Wādī Mūsā near Petra. They were found accidentally in September 2009 by the writers of the article. Both mention the ancient Nabataean name of Wādī Mūsā and one of them refers to the existence of a rb mrzḥ', ‘Head of the Symposium’, there during the Nabataean period. The texts may be considered an important addition to the small gazetteer of Nabataean remains in Wādī Mūsā, whose most important Nabataean remains are hidden beneath the modern village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The recent plan for Amman, Jordan, combined elements of both master planning and strategic planning while pushing beyond the boundaries of both to incorporate governmental reorganization, national development concerns, and the “branding” of the city. The paper explores this deviation from traditional master planning and documents the innovations that emerged from a commitment to bring planning and implementation closer together in time and use the planning process to build planning capacity in Amman and throughout Jordan. As planners continue to negotiate between holistic visions and the pressures of development, Amman 2025 exposes the strengths and weaknesses of strategic planning and offers useful lessons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Econometricians have long studied the effect of price on residential water demand and the impact on water use of the rate (tariff) structure in which price signals are embedded. This paper applies an existing deductive model of residential water use for the intermittent supply system in Amman, Jordan and simulates demand responses across a cross section of households over many uniform, increasing block, and linear price (quadratic charge) rate structures at historically low and significantly higher prices. Results show inelastic piped water demand responses for all rate structures at historically low prices similar to findings from a prior econometric study for Amman. However, piped water demand turns more elastic when prices rise above $0.50/m3 with uniform rates showing the most elastic response. But results also highlight several complications to determine and interpret price elasticity of demand under different rate structures. They also illustrate trade-offs among rate structures and rate structure components for key rate-setting objectives such as to encourage water conservation, recover costs, promote efficiency, and more equitably allocate costs among users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the interest grew in research on measuring the “quality of life” (QOL) in cities. This interest comes from the success QOL measurement achieved in understanding communities’ needs, tracking changes in different aspects of life and assessing the most desired types of future development among citizens. This research highlights the importance of measuring QOL in Jordan. It examines the opportunity and applicability of carrying out QOL measurement studies in Amman, the capital city. It outlines different scopes, visions and approaches that can be used to study and measure QOL and the most suitable mechanism that can work firmly. A professional top–bottom approach was used for that. Thirty-three experts with different backgrounds were interviewed in order to determine the appropriate scopes and visions for studying QOL, define the most significant aspects affecting QOL in Amman, and define the appropriate domains to be studied. Results were analyzed, limitations were defined and the final set of representative domains was stated. Domains were ranked according to their relevance and the important -underneath- aspects were defined in the form of models, each representing a certain domain. The paper attempts by the end to set the stage for setting up criteria for measuring QOL in Amman and to open the way for future QOL research to take place in Jordan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the economic and social impact of the growing participation of young urban women in the workforce in Amman, Jordan. The writer argues that there is a new ‘stage' in women's life-course in Jordan: single, employed adulthood. This is expanding young women's horizons, and challenging relationships between women and men, and between different generations, at all levels of society, including within the household. However, traditional values concerning family honour are challenged by this, and are sometimes being reinforced through new forms of control over young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]