Feasibility of producing sustainable geopolymer composites made of locally available natural pozzolan

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The feasibility of using locally available natural pozzolanic materials as complete replacement of cement binder to produce sustainable geopolymer...     

Seasonal and spatial trends in the sources of fine particle organic carbon in Israel,Jordan, and Palestine

A study of carbonaceous particulate matter (PM) was conducted in the Middle East at sites in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. The sources and seasonal variation of organic carbon, as well as the contribution to fine aerosol (PM_2.5) mass, were determined. Of the 11 sites studied, Nablus had the highest contribution of organic carbon (OC), 29%, and elemental carbon (EC), 19%, to total PM_2.5 mass. The lowest concentrations of PM_2.5 mass, OC, and EC were measured at southern desert sites, located in Aqaba, Eilat, and Rachma. The OC contribution to PM_2.5 mass at these sites ranged between 9.4% and 16%, with mean annual PM_2.5 mass concentrations ranging from 21 to 25 ug m^?3. These sites were also observed to have the highest OC to EC ratios (4.1–5.0), indicative of smaller contributions from primary combustion sources and/or a higher contribution of secondary organic aerosol. Biomass burning and vehicular emissions were found to be important sources of carbonaceous PM in this region at the non-southern desert sites, which together accounted for 30%–55% of the fine particle organic carbon at these sites. The fraction of measured OC unapportioned to primary sources (1.4 μgC m^?3 to 4.9 μgC m^?3; 30%–74%), which has been shown to be largely from secondary organic aerosol, is relatively constant at the sites examined in this study. This suggests that secondary organic aerosol is important in the Middle East during all seasons of the year.     

Mitochondrial DNA depletion presenting prenatally with skin edema and multisystem disease immediately after birth

We describe two newborn sisters who presented in the third trimester with diminished fetal movements and skin edema, but with no other signs of hydrops fetalis. Within hours of birth, both developed profound lactic acidemia, followed by multi-organ failure. In muscle mitochondria, the activity of all enzymatic complexes that contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded subunits was markedly decreased. Southern blot analysis revealed a profound reduction in the mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio, implying mtDNA depletion. The prenatal identification of skin edema in two patients with mtDNA depletion, and its absence in a healthy sibling, suggest that skin edema should be regarded as a novel manifestation of mtDNA depletion. This finding shows that mtDNA depletion can present prenatally and, consequently, may aid the clinician in making a diagnosis, prenatally, of this genetic defect. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetic population structure of sardine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sardina pilchardus</Emphasis>) off Morocco detected with intron polymorphism (EPIC-PCR)

The upwelling systems along the coast of Morocco support some of the largest populations of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the world. Although these populations provide a base for a substantial fishing industry, virtually nothing is known about the genetic stock structure of this fish. Samples (n = 346), collected from seven sites along the Atlantic coast and in the Alboran Sea, were examined for exon-primed intron-crossing PCR (EPIC-PCR) polymorphism. Two markers, CaM-4 and Ops-1, had 6 and 9 alleles, respectively, after the pooling of gel fragments into 5 bp length classes, Correspondence analysis and the distribution of F _st among samples indicated that Moroccan populations were divided into two groups with F _st = 0.034 (P < 0.05) across the Gibraltar Strait. Populations along the Atlantic coast of Morocco comprise one genetic unit, except for a weak genetic boundary south of Cape Ghir and the peculiar behavior of the Safi sample would indicate a genetic drift. Complex ocean hydrodynamics around Gibraltar Strait and across Cape Ghir, likely, contributes to these genetic isolations. These results point out the usefulness of population genetic studies in stock management for sardine populations that may be particularly vulnerable to overexploitation especially during upwelling intensity shifts.     

A new index for assessing the contribution of energy efficiency in LEED 2009 certified green buildings to achieving UN sustainable development goals in Jordan

Jordan faces stringent energy challenges mainly in the form of import dependence and escalating demand. The building sector accounts for 58% of total national electricity consumption and therefore plays an important role in addressing these challenges. This article investigates how energy efficiency in green buildings certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system contribute towards achieving United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Jordan. Furthermore, this paper proposes a new Comprehensive Contribution to Sustainable Development Index (CCSDI) to assess the contributions of implementation of the LEED 2009 prerequisites and credits in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category to achieve UN SDGs in Jordan. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to obtain data. Relative Importance Index (RII) method was used to evaluate the contributions of LEED 2009 prerequisites and credits in the EA category. Results indicate a positive relationship between the LEED 2009 prerequisites and credits in category and UN SDGs 7?9 and 12?13. We conclude that our proposed CCSDI is a robust tool for assessing the contribution of energy efficiency in LEED 2009 certified green buildings towards achieving UN SDGs in Jordan.     

Jordan,minerals extraction and the resource curse

In its role as a competitive producer of phosphate and potash Jordan has not suffered noticeably from the Resource Curse over the past 50 years. However, the effects on its economy because of its geographical proximity to major oil-producing states have been both positive and negative. It is arguable that an oil resource curse has applied to Jordan.