Ghaleb J. Sweis

Ocrelizumab: a step forward in the evolution of B-cell therapy

Recent advances in our understanding of B-cell dysregulation and its important link to autoimmunity have brought about a radical change in the management of autoimmune diseases. Over the past few years, encouraging data from several clinical trials of rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 antibody, have led to its approval for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These data, regarding clinical efficacy, safety, improved patient-reported outcomes and cost-effectiveness with the use of rituximab in patients with RA, have led to the exploration of other agents targeting B-cell functions. Ocrelizumab, a novel humanized anti-CD20 antibody, has shown clinical efficacy and safety in a recently reported trial in patients with RA. Future clinical trials will help evaluate further the role of ocrelizumab in RA and its potential use in other autoimmune diseases. This review describes current understanding of B-cell therapy, the role of rituximab in the treatment of RA and the evolving role of ocrelizumab as a B-cell-targeted therapy.

Critical appraisal of tocilizumab in the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis

Recent advances in our understanding of the role of interleukin (IL)-6 in autoimmunity and in particular rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have brought about important changes in the way we think about autoimmune diseases. Encouraging data from several phase III clinical trials of tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-6R, have led to its approval in Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe RA. Data on clinical efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness with the use of tocilizumab in patients with RA will be summarized in this review, with particular emphasis on phase III clinical trials. Furthermore, adverse events associated with the use of tocilizumab will be reviewed. Future clinical trials will evaluate the role of tocilizumab in other autoimmune diseases. The goal of this review is to describe the current understanding of the role of IL-6 in mediating the inflammatory response in RA, as well as the role of tocilizumab in the treatment of RA and the evolving role of this agent in other autoimmune diseases.

Factors Affecting Baseline Productivity in Masonry Construction: A Comparative Study in the US, UK and Jordan

Abstract This paper presents a comparative study of masonry construction productivity among three countries, namely United States, United Kingdom, and Jordan. It aims at quantifying factors that cause significant changes in baseline productivity. This is done by theoretically reviewing, quantifying, and comparing the baselines among the three selected countries. Analysis showed the quantified differences in the baseline value from one country to another are due mainly to skills and work methods used especially the labor component that is frequently assigned to material handling.

Factors affecting construction labour productivity: a case study of Jordan

Improving productivity in construction is a way of increasing profit with little or no increase in cost. Labour productivity in construction in developing countries, including Jordan, is relatively low and needs to be improved significantly. The objective of this paper is to describe and analyse the factors that affect construction labour productivity. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire survey containing 27 questions (variables) was conducted. It was sent to 200 engineers and foremen who work for contractors. The 90 returned responses were statistically analysed by calculating the average, standard deviation, and RII of each variable. The results of a Spearman correlation‒rank‒coefficient test showed that no significant differences existed between the responses of the engineers and foremen. It was concluded that the top three ranked dimensions were ‘Productivity increases as experience increases’, ‘Financial incentives increase productivity’, and ‘Trust and communications between management and workers increase productivity’. Furthermore, the data was analysed using the principal components method of factor analysis. Of the 11 extracted factors, only five were considered, while the others were dropped since the observed variables had low loadings on these factors. Contractors and officials can benefit from this study in understanding factors affecting productivity, and act upon that understanding.

Assessment of droughts in Jordan: The Yarmouk and Zarqa basins

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify drought conditions in Jordan in the period 1960‐2006 for two major basins – the Yarmouk and the Zarqa. This study aims to look at the long‐term drought conditions (hydrological droughts) and to investigate the possibility of changes in the monthly precipitation pattern for the period of 1997‐2006, as this period has suffered from the average slightly dry conditions for the two basins.Design/methodology/approach – The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) is used to assess drought conditions in the Yarmouk and Zarqa basins. The SPI is applied on an annual basis to assess the hydrological long‐term droughts. Average monthly precipitation is used as the input to the SPI procedure.Findings – The SPI is applied on an annual basis (12 months) SPI‐12. Results of the SPI‐12 assessment show that the years 1978, 1995, and 1999 represented extremely dry conditions in both basins. The years 1989 and 1993 represented severely dry conditions in the Zarqa basin and extreme...

The Relationship between Information Technology Adoption and Job Satisfaction in the Jordanian Construction Industry

Despite the popularity of Information Technology and job satisfaction research, little empirical evidence exists of the relationship between IT adoption and job satisfaction within the Jordanian construction industry. This research fills these knowledge gaps by exploring the relationship between IT adoption and job satisfaction from the perspective of construction companies, contractors, consultants, and architectural and engineering firms in Jordan. Measures were developed using MSQ and IT Barometer surveys. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to investigate this relationship among different companies from the Jordanian construction sector. Descriptive statistics were obtained and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. Results show that more investment in technology would increase employee job satisfaction regarding intrinsic, extrinsic, and general perspectives.

The Impact of Information Technology IT Adoption on the Quality of Construction Projects: The Case of Jordan

Despite the advances and the developments of technology, research investigating the impact of Information Technology adoption on the quality of construction projects has been limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of Information Technology adoption on the quality of Jordanian construction projects. Measures and analysis procedures were survey based. Ninety questionnaires were distributed among different construction companies to study the impact of IT adoption on the quality of the project during the four phases of construction. Descriptive statistics were obtained and regression test was applied. Results indicate that more investment and encouragement of the use of IT in the construction sector essentially increase the quality of the project in the construction throughout its four phases Planning, Design, Construction and Finishing. The main limitation of this study is that it is conducted with a convenience sample. The academic and managerial implications of the findings are discussed and further research directions are offered.

Factors affecting the accuracy of cost estimate: case of Jordan

Purpose Cost estimating process is an important element within the project life cycle. Comprehensive information, expanded knowledge, considerable expertise, and continuous improvement are needed to obtain accurate cost estimation. The main objectives of this study are to identify the critical factors that affect accuracy of cost estimation and evaluate the degree to which these factors are important from contractors’ and consultants’ viewpoints. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative, and quantitative research approaches were adopted in collecting and analyzing the data, and testing the hypotheses. Based on literature review, a questionnaire was prepared and then was modified according to the results of face-to-face open-ended interviews conducted with 11 project managers. The final version of the questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 265 respondents. For analyzing the collected data Kendall’s and Mann Whitney tests were conducted Findings The analysis revealed that there is a strong agree...

Factors leading to construction projects' failure in Jordon

ABSTRACT The construction industry is contemplated as one of the most essential and supportive pillars of the business environment in Jordan. Notwithstanding, the construction industry continues to struggle to achieve higher levels of success. An increasing number of projects in the construction industry have failed. However, research on the causes of failure is scarce. Thus, this study aims to identify the main factors and causes for construction projects’ failure in Jordan. To fulfil the study objectives, 50 factors were recognized through a literature review and were categorized referring to Drewins Open Conversion System; the most widely identified factors were assessed using complied data in a survey of construction industry contractors, consultant engineers and clients, and senior experts’ interviews in the sector. The results show that major factors leading to construction projects’ failure are related to the internal hierarchy of the system, especially that of the contractor.

Demotivating factors influencing productivity in Jordanian residential construction projects

Residential construction involves labour-intensive tasks where workers are frequently confronted with problems that could lead to demotivation. Demotivation is caused not simply by a lack of motivators but the existence of certain situations that cause dissatisfaction and discourage individuals, therefore reducing overall productivity potential. Since low productivity is one of the significant challenges facing the construction industry in Jordan, the objective of this study is to identify the most critical factors that demotivate manpower in the residential projects in Jordan. A host of causes of demotivation in residential projects are identified and classified according to Thomass factor model. The most common causes are evaluated by using both, the data collected in a survey conducted to residential projects contactors and workers, and interviews with senior professionals in the field. Most correspondents agree that, working overtime and specifications and quality requirements are the leading causes of demotivation. Lack of suitable tools and sequencing problems rank among the least important causes. Although this study is specific to the country of Jordan, its results can be applicable to other developing countries facing similar problems in their residential construction sectors.