Topic outline

  • LOGISTIC SUPPORT FOR DISASTER - STRICKEN AREAS:THE CONCEPT AND PRACTITIONER'S CHALLENGES DURING NATURAL DISASTERS

    Submitted by: Hamam Obaied

    Published by: Journal of Maritime Logistics Volume 3, Number 1, 36-45

    Date: August 2023

    Abstract.

    Purpose- The aim of this paper is to give new insights into the concept of humanitarian logistics stimulate discussion to the vital role-played by logistic support for the Stricken Areas and the most important problems and challenges facing it.

    Design/methodology/approach- This paper is based on a conceptual discussion of outlines the problems and challenges associated with the Logistic Support for the Stricken Areas , Based on the nature of the purpose and in order to achieve it, an inductive approach was applied.

    This research does not involve conducting any practical experiments; it does not depend on numbers as in quantitative studies, but on qualitative data.

    Findings- The main problem and the greatest challenge that face the relief operation in general, and the humanitarian logistics sector in particular, is in the system itself that replaces a collapsed one or about to collapse, with weak facilities and doubled needs in a complex environment that has hostility towards establishing a system, especially at war time. Disasters have a distinguished nature, as each is different in its characteristics and conditions.

    Originality/value – This paper certainly paves the way for a more comprehensive approach for further development in this field.

  • LOGISTIC SUPPORT FOR DISASTER - STRICKEN AREAS:THE CONCEPT AND PRACTITIONER'S CHALLENGES DURING NATURAL DISASTERS

    • Towards Sustainable Online Education at Schools: The Determinants of Teachers' Intentions to Adopt E-Learning

      Submitted by:  Alsakka, K. & Orabi, A.

      Published by: Journal of Service, Innovation and Sustainable Development, vol.4, No.1,

      Date: 2023

      Abstract.

      Despite the global increasing trend towards accepting and implementing online education, Syrian school teachers are still reluctant to adopt such advancement. We examine factors that influence the intention-to-use technology for online education among teachers of Alwataniah private school, a leading private school in Damascus. We find that school teachers consider the expected benefits, easiness-to-use, as well as affordability as the key determinants of their intention to use online education. However, resources and support availability, social influence and achieving additional educational goals seem to be insignificant determinants of teachers' intention to use remote education. We recommend that the Ministry of Education encourage both private and public schools to start offering some classes using e-learning platforms. Moreover, to enhance the sustainability of the education system, more efforts should be directed towards improving the attitude of students and parents towards the use of e-learning platforms in the educational process. This could be achieved through various means such as social media, television programs, and awareness workshops

    • Measurement of Humanity Among Health Professionals: Development and Validation of the Medical Humanity Scale Using the Delphi Method

      Submitted by: Ataya, J. , Jamous, I. , & Dashash, M.

      Published by: JMIR formative research,  Vol 7

      Date: 2, May, 2023

      Abstract

      Background: Despite the importance of humanism in providing health care, there is a lack of valid and reliable tool for assessing humanity among health professionals.

      Objective: The aim of this study was to design a new humanism scale and to assess the validity of this scale in measuring humanism among Syrian health professional students.

      Methods: The Medical Humanity Scale (MHS) was designed. It consists of 27 items categorized into 7 human values including patient-oriented care, respect, empathy, ethics, altruism, and compassion. The scale was tested for internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach α and test-retest methods. The construct validity of the scale was also tested to assess the ability of the scale in differentiating between groups of health professional students with different levels of medical humanity. A 7-point Likert scale was adopted. The study included 300 participants including 97 medical, 78 dental, 82 pharmacy, and 43 preparatory-year students from Syrian universities. The Delphi method was used and factors analysis was performed. Bartlett test of sphericity and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sample adequacy were used. The number of components was extracted using principal component analysis.

      Results: The mean score of the MHS was 158.7 (SD 11.4). The MHS mean score of female participants was significantly higher than the mean score of male participants (159.59, SD 10.21 vs 155.48, SD 14.35; P=.008). The MHS mean score was significantly lower in dental students (154.12, SD 1.45; P=.005) than the mean scores of medical students (159.77, SD 1.02), pharmacy students (161.40, SD 1.05), and preparatory-year students (159.05, SD 1.94). However, no significant relationship was found between humanism and academic year (P=.32), university type (P=.34), marital status (P=.64), or financial situation (P=.16). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.730) and Bartlett test of sphericity (1201.611, df=351; P=.01) were performed. Factor analysis indicated that the proportion of variables between the first and second factors was greater than 10%, confirming that the scale was a single group. The Cronbach α for the overall scale was 0.735, indicating that the scale had acceptable reliability and validity.

      Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the MHS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring humanity among health professional students and the development of patient-centered care.

    • The Nexus between Extrinsic Motivation and Employees’ Retention; Do Compensation Packages and Flexible Working Hours Matter?

      Submitted by: Haddad, H., El Khatib, N., & Ashaal, A.

      Published by: Open Journal of Business and Management, Vol.11 , No.2,

      Date: 16 March 2023

      Abstract

      Purpose: This study aims to identify the motivating factors that can help banks succeed in a highly competitive environment, and to explain the relevance of effective motivational factors that banks can utilize to encourage and retain competent personnel. Design/methodology/approach: This study was quantitative. Primary data were obtained from the BLC Bank and Fransabank, both of which are located in Beqaa, Lebanon. A questionnaire was distributed to 97 employees of two commercial banks. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to assess the data and validate our research hypotheses. Findings: Bank employees at the two institutions did not differ significantly in their preferences for extrinsic motivations. In addition, employees agreed that this compensation package and flexibility in working hours were critical to keeping them engaged in their work and dedicated to the bank. Research limitations/implications: The study’s findings relied entirely on extrinsic factors; they did not account for or even considered intrinsic motivation. Practical implications: Leaders in the banking sector would do well to pay attention to the remuneration packages supplied to employees and adapt the work schedule to retain staff members in an increasingly competitive job market. Social implications: If a bank provides extrinsic motivation, it may increase workers’ sentiment regarding safety, security, and belonging. Thus, satisfied customers become brand ambassadors by sharing their positive experiences. Originality: This study adds to our understanding of the role of two extrinsic factors in boosting motivation and maintaining bank personnel (pay packages and flexible work). Our study also contributes to literature on leadership and motivation.

    • Predicting Effluent Quality in Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants Using Shallow and Deep Artificial Neural Networks

      Submitted by: Raed Jafar -Adel Awad - Kamel Jafar -Isam Shahrour

      Published by: Sustainability 2022, (International Journal), Volume 14, Issue (23), 15598; November 2022.

      Date:  23 November 2022

      Abstract
      This research focuses on applying artificial neural networks with nonlinear transformation (ANNs) models to predict the performance of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) processes. The paper presents a novel machine learning (ML)-based approach for predicting effluent quality in WWTPs through explaining the relationships between the multiple influent and effluent pollution variables of an existing WWTP. We developed AI models such as feed-forward neural network (FFNN) and random forest (RF) as well as deep learning methods such as convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), and pre-train stacked auto-encoder (SAE) in order to avoid various shortcomings of conventional mechanistic models. The developed models focus on providing an adaptive, functional, and alternative methodology for modeling the performance of the WWTP. They are based on pollution data collected over three years. It includes chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), phosphates ( P O ₄ − 3 ), and nitrates ( N O ₃ − ), as well as auxiliary indicators including the temperature (T), degree of acidity or alkalinity (pH), electric conductivity (EC), and the total dissolved solids (TDS). The paper presents the results of using SNN- and DNN-based models to predict the effluent concentrations. Our results show that SNN can predict plant performance with a correlation coefficient (R) up to 88%, 90%, 93%, and 96% for the single models COD, BOD5, N O ₃ − , and P O ₄ − 3 , respectively, and up to 88%, 96%, and 93% for the ensemble models (BOD5 and COD), ( P O ₄ − 3   and N O ₃ − ), and (COD, BOD5, N O ₃ − , P O ₄ − 3 ), respectively. The results also show that the two-hidden-layers model outperforms the one-hidden-layer model (SNN). Moreover, increasing the input parameters improves the performance of models with one and two hidden layers. We applied DNN (CNN, RNN, SAE) with three, four, and five hidden layers for WWTP modeling, but due to the small datasets, it gave a low performance and accuracy. In sum, this paper shows that SNN (one and two hidden layers) and the random forest (RF) machine learning technique provide effective modeling of the WWTP process and could be used in the WWTP management.

    • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS

      Submitted by: ALKHATIB BASSEL [AT]; KAWAS MOUHAMAD [AT]; MURAI WESSAM [AT]
      Date:
      Application: EP2020060809W·2020-04-17

      Publication: WO2020212547A1·2020-10-22

      Published as: WO2020212547A1

      Abstract

      The present invention relates to a system and a method for facilitating medical diagnosing, particularly by using health data. A data processing system us disclosed. The data processing system is configured for verifying a presence of at least one state. The verification is done based on input data.

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    • SECURE MEDICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR MOBILE DEVICES

      Submitted by: AL HAKIM BAHER [AT]; ALKHATIB BASSEL [AT]; ATAYA FIRAS [AT]; ATAYA HAZEM [AT]; KAWAS MOUHAMAD [AT]; SALEH MAKRAM [AT]; VARTIAN RAFAEL [AT]
      Date:
      Application: EP2020060925W·2020-04-17
      Publication: WO2020212609A1·2020-10-22

      Published as:WO2020212604A1;WO2020212609A1;WO2020212610A1;WO2020212611A1

      Abstract

      Disclosed are a method and system for processing data on an end user computer device. The method comprises processing user data by an application that is executed by the end user computer device, and a user data storing step. The user data storing step comprises storing at least a part of the user data on the end user computer device, wherein the user data storing step comprises storing medical data and a technical user data storing step that comprises storing technical user data in a machine-interpretable form. The system comprises an end user computer device and a server, wherein the end user computer device comprises a data storage component, a data processing component, an input interface component, application data and user data. The application data are configured to specify an application that derives information from user data once it is executed by the end user device. The application data are furthermore configured for performing the functionality of an expert system by the application once the application data are executed. The invention relates to a corresponding computer program product.

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    • The Implementation of Quality Circles in the Public -- Service Organizations . A Case Study : The Syrian Communications Company

      Submitted by: Mohammad Adrah HASSAN, Barhoum ADEEB

      QUALITY access to success- Vol. 18, No 156/February 2017

      Date

      		 February 2017

      Abstract:

      This study addressed the implementation of quality Circles in public-service organizations according to a case study of the Syrian communications company, through the definition of the concept of quality Circles and the mechanism for its work, and to identify the availability of the main requirements for the implementation of quality Circles, through four main variables, which are: Organizational culture, Training, Awareness and Understanding of the higher administration of the concept of quality Circles, in response to and support of the higher administration for the implementation of quality Circles.
      The researcher has presented a number of recommendations which conform to the results reached, the most important results were: the lack of a sufficient level of organizational culture and training, the lack of a sufficient level of response and support at the higher administration about the implementation of quality Circles in Syrian Communications Company. Therefore, quality Circles can not be applied in the studied company.

    • Comparison of resource related economic sectors with non-resource sectors from the point of view of GDP growth and Dutch Disease potential, studied on the case of four resource dependent countries

      Submitted by: Haiyan Sulaiman, Ing. SAMUEL Mintah , Ali Salman

      Journal of Applied Economic Sciences

      Date

      		 September - 2016

      Abstract :

      The Dutch Disease phenomenon makes scholars conclude on the base of the historical empiric evidence, that natural resources can be actually a thread to the long term stability and prosperity of countries. This view of natural resources as a curse rather than a blessing was shown on many cases of national economies. No studies had however compared different commodities in order to draw a conclusion on the severity of their impact on GDP growth with other sectors and also on the lagged impact in a mid-term time span. The study compares on the base of historic longitudinal panel data analysis, selected types of resources with a Dutch Disease impact potential on GDP creation, such as crude oil and gold and compares these with agricultural and industrial output and high-tech exports in chosen countries.

    • A proposed model for applying total quality management in Syrian banks: A case study in the industrial bank of Syria

      Submitted by: Ali Salman, Ing. SAMUEL Mintah, Haiyan Sulaiman

      Investment Management and Financial Innovations, Volume 13

      Date

      		 May - 2016

      Abstract:

      Syrian banks have witnessed an important changed since 2002 with applying the advanced technology. Industrial bank played a crucial role in developing the industrial sector which provides about 25% to the GDP and this sector is the main engine of the national economy in Syria. This research aims to apply total quality management (TQM) to industrial banks of Syria. A random sample of 120 bank employees from higher and middle management were selected to investigate the current situation of TQM in the bank and to develop a new suitable TQM Model. The results show the levels of implementing TQM criteria in the industrial bank, and provide a proposed TQM Model with an implementation plan that could help other Syrian banks to apply TQM in an effective way.

    • تحسين نتائج استرجاع المعلومات العربية دلالياً باستخدام الأنتولوجيا

      إعداد الطالبة: أمل الخضري

      إشراف: د. مصطفى ياسين دقاق

      الورقة البحثية موجودة في الصفحة 41

      ملخص البحث :

      نظراً لانتشار المعلومات بشكل واسع وتنوع مصادرها فيناك حاجة لاستعادة المعمومات الهامة والمختصرة فقط بحيث تكون دقيقة, متناغمة في الربط بين العبارات ومنسقة في محتوى جديد بأقل وقت وجهد. يهدف هذا البحث إلى اقتراح طريقة لتحسين نتائج استرجاع المعمومات العربية دلالياً وذلك بتلخيص النصوص تجريدياً )Summary Abstractive )باستخدام خوارزميات معالجة اللغات الطبيعية )NLP ,)حل غموض معاني الكلمات (WSD (و قياس التشابهية الدلالية )Similarity Semantic )فيما بينها باستخدام الأنتولوجيا العربية Arabic .WordNet