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FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN OLIVE TREE TRUNK-BASED HUMAN TISSUE-EQUIVALENT PHANTOM FOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN APPLICATIONS
(An-Najah National University, 2026-08-04) Ali, Montaser Fawaz Badawi
This thesis investigates the potential of olive wood (Olea europaea) as a sustainable and cost-effective tissue-equivalent phantom material for computed tomography (CT). Phantoms are essential in medical imaging and dosimetry as they provide a reproducible substitute for human tissues, enabling accurate calibration, quality assurance, and training applications. Conventional phantom materials, such as water, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), epoxy compounds, and tropical woods like Rhizophora spp., have proven useful but remain limited by cost, availability, mechanical stability, or environmental concerns. Against this backdrop, the study explores olive wood, a dense Mediterranean hardwood, which has received little radiological characterization despite its promising physical and mechanical properties. A multidisciplinary experimental approach was adopted, encompassing physical, radiological, and elemental analyses. Olive wood samples were prepared under controlled conditions and examined for density, equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and mechanical uniformity. Radiological characterization involved determination of the Hounsfield Units (HU) on the basis of CT imaging, calculation of the effective atomic number (Zeff) and mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) based on elemental composition and theoretical modeling. The compositional data was obtained by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy for the elements that could be detected and the Elemental Similarity Index (ESI) was calculated based on the compositional data. Results demonstrated that olive wood exhibits mass density values within 0.906–0.924 g/cm³, within an acceptable range for selected soft-tissue simulation. Equilibrium moisture content stabilized at ~4.7%, suggesting improved measurement stability radiological consistency. The mean HU values (~30 ± 1.4) positioned olive wood within the general soft-tissue CT range, while its Zeff (~7.48) and ESI (~0.96) indicated elemental similarity to biological tissues. Additionally, theoretical μ/ρ values showed compatibility with reference phantoms, reinforcing its radiological adequacy. The findings confirm that olive wood is promising CT phantom material for preliminary QA and educational applications. Its advantages include accessibility in Mediterranean regions, machinability, biodegradability, and ecological sustainability. Therefore, olive wood emerges as a potential low-cost alternative that requires further validation, particularly in low-resource medical and educational settings, where affordability and local availability are critical. By establishing its physical and radiological equivalence, this work contributes to the broader pursuit of sustainable phantom libraries, fostering innovation in diagnostic imaging, The study for CT future dosimetric studies, and medical training.
RECYCLING STONE-CUTTING WASTE FOR ECO-FRIENDLY KERBSTONE PRODUCTION IN HEBRON, PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2026-07-01) Zalloum, Amer Mutlak
The stone industry in Palestine is a major contributor to the Palestinian national economy, with 153 stone cutting factories in the Hebron region alone. The primary problem lies in the massive environmental challenges caused by this industry along the Hebron valley. Approximately 500 m^3of liquid stone cutting waste (liquid slurry), are disposed of through the sewage system, ultimately ending up in the valley and causing widespread environmental and economic challenges along the Hebron valley. This research investigated the sustainable recycling of liquid slurry as a partial replacement for mixing water in eco-friendly Kerbstones production, reducing the need for costly pre-treatment of liquid slurry. This methodology includes three different levels of liquid slurry/water volumetric replacement ratios, namely 0%, 10%, and 20%, with or without the addition of plasticizer. This yield six concrete matrices were evaluated for mechanical and abrasion resistance at 28 days after 28 days. The observed results showed that 10% LS was the best-performing incorporation level among the three tested levels. The C-10-SP mixture recorded the highest observed combined performance, with a mean compressive strength of 45.3 MPa, flexural strength of 5.72 MPa, and abrasion depth of 2.01 mm. Plasticized mixtures showed higher observed performance for several comparisons, but the limited replication did not permit a statistically conclusive general observed plasticizer response. Using the best-performing tested incorporation level of 10% as the calculation basis, this methodology contributes to a more sustainable environmental and economic approach. On a daily production scale expected to reach a maximum capacity of 1000 m^3 of kerbstones, this approach can incorporate up to 18 m^3 of liquid slurry, yields direct environmental benefits, including a reduction in the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 55.1 tons Economically, switching from traditional disposal to direct recycling reduces annual operating costs by approximately 284000 shekels. Therefore, the recycling system described in this thesis offers acceptable feasibility and may contribute to the adoption of more sustainable environmental solutions related to stone cutting waste.
ICU NURSES' KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEIVED BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION PRACTICES: A MULTICENTER SURVEY STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2026-08-06) Ahmad, Karmel
Abstract Background: Nutritional support was considered to be an important aspect when dealing with critical patients admitted to the intensive care units. The enteral nutrition approach should serve as a primary form of nutrition support for those patients that have functioning gastrointestinal tracts. However, even considering the significance of enteral nutrition in ICU practice, there are some barriers related to its use. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude, and perceived barriers to effective enteral nutrition practices among ICUs' nurses. Material and method: This study was conducted by using cross-sectional design. Sample size was calculated by using G*Power program. The calculated sample size was 150 nurses from adult intensive care units departments. The study was conducted from October 2025 to March 2026. Data were collected by using self-administered questionnaire, and analyzed by using SPSS version 25. Result: Nurses demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about enteral nutrition (mean = 15.95). They performed well in most clinical aspects but showed knowledge gaps in technical areas, particularly flushing procedures and drug–nutrient interactions. Nurses showed a positive attitude toward enteral nutrition (mean = 2.52). Most believed enteral nutrition is safe, beneficial, and part of their professional responsibility. The overall perceived barriers were moderate (mean = 4.38). Major barriers included gastrointestinal intolerance, delays due to procedures or radiology confirmation, staffing shortages, limited dietitian coverage, and workflow interruptions. Nurses demonstrated a high level of practice in enteral nutrition care (mean = 3.94), including proper tube flushing, monitoring, and pump use. However, unsafe practice was noted in crushing non-crush medications. Years of intensive care units experience significantly improved knowledge levels. Access to written guidelines and participation in education programs significantly improved knowledge, attitude, and practice. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitude, practice, age, and years of experience. Practice was also positively associated with knowledge, age, and experience. Perceived barriers decreased with increasing years of experience. Demographic factors such as gender had no significant effect on knowledge, attitude, barriers, or practice. Conclusion: Overall, despite moderate knowledge and high practice levels, systemic and workflow-related barriers remain significant challenges in implementing enteral nutrition effectively in intensive care units. Key words: Enteral nutrition, knowledge, attitude, practice, barriers and nurses
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG CLINICAL ISOLATES FROM PATIENTS IN A PALESTINIAN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
(An-Najah National University, 2026-07-23) Samoor, Zahedah
إشكاليات التنظيم القانوني لشركات المحاماة في فلسطين في ظل القرار بقانون رقم 42 لسنة 2021 م بشأن الشركات
(جامعة النجاح الوطنية, 2026-05-21) Marah Abd Alkareem Ismaeel Ibdah
تناولت هذه الدراسة شركة المحاماة وفق احكام القرار بقانون بشأن الشركات الجديد رقم (42) لسنة 2021م، وبالإضافة لدراسة لائحة آداب مهنة المحاماة وقانون تنظيم مهنة المحاماة الفلسطيني، ومقارنتها مع القوانين المقارنة الناظمة لشركة المحاماة و لائحة تنظيم الشركات المهنية للمحاماة الكويتية في القرار الوزاري رقم (161) لسنة 2020، وذلك من خلال البحث في تنظيم شركة المحاماة من ناحية إجرائية وقانونية نظراً للنقص في التنظيم القانوني الذي يعتري التشريع الفلسطيني في مسألة تنظيم شركة المحاماة، والتي طبق عليها قواعد مجلة الاحكام العدلية بشكل كامل باعتبارها القانون المدني النافذ في فلسطين، الذي نتج عنه وقتئذٍ عدة إشكاليات قانونية واهمها بأن شركة المحاماة لا تكتسب الشخصية الاعتبارية؛ وفق احكام المجلة، وبقيت هكذا الى حين اقرار القرار بقانون بشان الشركات والذي اكسبها الشخصية المعنوية. فعالجت الدراسة مسألة تنظيم شركة المحاماة، والشروط الواجب توافرها، وإجراءات قيدها في سجل الشركات، والألية المتبعة في تنظيم عملها الداخلي وإدارة شؤونها، وتنظيم علاقة الشركة مع العملاء، وعلاقتهم فيما بينهم وبين الشركة، وعالجت مسؤولية الشركاء عن الأخطاء المهنية وغيرها، والألية المتبعة في مسائلتهم، وتحدثت أيضا عن حق الشركة في تملك العقارات او الاستثمار باسمها، ومدى جواز رهن وبيع حصص الشركاء. فمن خلال دراسة القوانين الفلسطينية الناظمة لشركة المحاماة وعمل المحامي والقوانين المقارنة، نجد بعض النقص في التنظيم القانوني المتعلق بمسائلة الشركاء شخصياً و بشكل مستقل عن الشركة من قبل الغير، وتجاوز المشرع بعض شروط تأسيس شركة المحاماة ،منها أغفال شرط تعدد الشركاء في الشركة ذات المسؤولية المحدودة ،وعدم أضافة شرط متعلق بتقديم بوليصة تأمين عن الأخطاء المهنية كما في التشريع الكويتي، ومن ناحية أخرى شكل قفزة نوعية وتقدم في تنظيم شركة المحاماة التي ساهمت في زيادة الثقة بها، والمحافظة على أموال و تنظيم إدارة الشركة من خلال إقامة الدعوى المباشرة والفرعية ، فنظم المشرع إجراءات وشروط انشاء شركة المحاماة وازال النقص الذي كان يعتري تنظيم الشركة. ولذلك قسمت الدراسة الى فصلين يتناول الفصل الأول فيها التعريف بماهية مهنة المحاماة والقوانين الناظمة لها، تصنيفها والشكل الذي تتخذه، وتناولت بشكل موسع إجراءات تأسيسها، والية عملها، وتعديلاتها، وانقضائها، تفرد الفصل الثاني بالحديث عن طبيعة العلاقات القانونية الناتجة عن الشركة واثارها بين العملاء والشركة والشركاء فيما بينهم ومسالتهم.