Research Title: Conceptual and Legal Issues for National Cyber Sovereignty

Author: Noor Saleh Al-Zyoud, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Law

Abstract: The research delves into the intricate legal hurdles posed by cyberspace to the notion of sovereignty in both international and national legal frameworks, highlighting two pivotal aspects: issues stemming from the essence of sovereignty and those arising during its practical enforcement. Cyberspace introduces legal complexities to state sovereignty, given its inherent openness, which stands in stark contrast to the traditional closed nature prerequisite for sovereignty. The phenomenon of globalization exacerbates these complexities, as transnational governmental bodies and communities endeavor to leverage cyberspace for economic and cultural pursuits, thereby intensifying the clash between sovereignty and the inherent openness of cyberspace. The delineation of cyber sovereignty necessitates a delicate equilibrium between the principles of sovereignty and the unique characteristics of cyberspace to uphold their respective identities. A nuanced understanding of cyber sovereignty aids in delineating the actual scope of state jurisdiction in governing and regulating cyberspace, thereby addressing the legal dilemmas confronted by states in this domain. The research concludes that cyber sovereignty embodies an application of sovereignty in its conventional sense, rather than a mere synonymous concept. It advocates for international acknowledgment of this novel application and advocates for collaborative endeavors aimed at its regulation to tackle emergent issues in cyberspace, ensuring global security and stability.

Keywords: Legal concepts,National law,Cyber sovereignty

Research Title: Secure Context-Aware Traffic Light Scheduling System: Integrity of Vehicles’ Identities

Author: Said Ahmad Ammar Ghoul, Published Year: 2025

world electric vehicle Journal, 16

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles and intelligent traffic transportation are widely investigated for road networks. Context-aware traffic light scheduling algorithms determine signal phases by analyzing the real-time characteristics and contextual information of competing traffic flows. The context of traffic flows mainly considers the existence of regular, emergency, or heavy vehicles. This is an important factor in setting the phases of the traffic light schedule and assigning a high priority for emergency vehicles to pass through the signalized intersection first. VANET technology, through its communication capabilities and the exchange of data packets among moving vehicles, is utilized to collect real-time traffic information for the analyzed road scenarios. This introduces an attractive environment for hackers, intruders, and criminals to deceive drivers and intelligent infrastructure by manipulating the transmitted packets. This consequently leads to the deployment of less efficient traffic light scheduling algorithms. Therefore, ensuring secure communications between traveling vehicles and verifying the integrity of transmitted data are crucial. In this work, we investigate the possible attacks on the integrity of transferred messages and vehicles’ identities and their effects on the traffic light schedules. Then, a new secure context-aware traffic light scheduling system is proposed that guarantees the integrity of transmitted messages and verifies the vehicles’ identities. Finally, a comprehensive series of experiments were performed to assess the proposed secure system in comparison to the absence of security mechanisms within a simulated road intersection. We can infer from the experimental study that attacks on the integrity of vehicles have different effects on the efficiency of the scheduling algorithm. The throughput of the signalized intersection and the waiting delay time of traveling vehicles are highly affected parameters.

Keywords: intelligent transport system; context-aware algorithm; traffic light; security; integrity; vehicle identity

Research Title: The influence of occupational stress and job satisfaction on burnout among healthcare workers in the UAE: A cross-sectional study

Author: Ahmad Mohammad Hassan Al-bashaireh, Published Year: 2025

Plos One, 20 (10)

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: ackground Healthcare Workers (HCWs) frequently face high levels of occupational stress, job dissatisfaction, and burnout due to the demanding nature of their work. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), these challenges are further intensified by the rapid growth of the healthcare sector and increasing workloads, making it particularly critical to study these variables. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of occupational stress and job satisfaction on burnout and to identify the key predictors of burnout among HCWs in the UAE. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 498 HCWs from hospitals and primary healthcare centers under Emirates Health Services/ Ministry of Health and Prevention. Data was collected using the Work Stress Questionnaire (WSQ), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Results The mean level of occupational stress was moderate, with a mean of 34.68 (SD = 10.15). The most affected subscales were “work-to-leisure time interference” and “influence at work.” The level of job satisfaction was also moderate, with a mean of 3.13 (SD = 0.75), and the highest satisfaction was related to extrinsic factors. The levels of burnout were notably high for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, whereas “personal accomplishment” was less affected. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed significant predictors of emotional exhaustion (R2 = 0.530), including individual demands, work-to-leisure conflict, job satisfaction, income, and marital status. Depersonalization was predicted by indistinct organization, income, and employment type (R2 = 0.254). The least affected personal accomplishment subscale was predicted by occupational stress, age, education, nationality, and working hours, accounting for 6.9% of the variance (R2 = 0.069). Conclusion The present study has highlighted the urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce occupational stress and improve job satisfaction to combat burnout among HCWs in the UAE. Organizational strategies should focus on workload management, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and clearly defining roles. These findings offer a foundation for informed policy actions to safeguard HCW well-being and elevate healthcare quality.

Keywords: Occupational Stress, Job Satisfaction, Burnout, Healthcare Workers

Research Title: Prevalence of physical activity and its association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors in young women in the middle east: a sub-analysis of the ANCHORS study

Author: Ahmad Mohammad Hassan Al-bashaireh, Published Year: 2025

BMC Public Health, 25 (1)

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Background Physical inactivity is a major driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) globally, with women in transitional regions like the Middle East facing unique challenges. This is the first study in the Middle East to explore the prevalence of physical activity and its association with ASCVD risk factors in young women, as part of a sub-analysis of the ANCHORS study. Methods In this cross-sectional Analysis of 626 women aged 18–50 from the ANCHORS study (2021–2023), participants were categorized as physically active (≥ 150 min/week) or inactive based on self-reported exercise. Data on traditional and emerging ASCVD risk factors were collected through questionnaires and physical assessments. Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression, adjusting for age, residence, education, and BMI. Results Only 25.1% of participants met recommended physical activity levels. Inactivity was significantly associated with higher BMI (p < 0.001), postpartum weight retention (p = 0.010), and a history of gestational hypertension (p = 0.001) and diabetes (p = 0.015). No link was found with dyslipidemia or family history of CVD. Surprisingly, active women reported more depressive symptoms (p = 0.042), possibly indicating greater mental health awareness. Conclusions Physical inactivity is widespread among young Middle Eastern women and closely linked to key ASCVD risk factors. These findings highlight an urgent need for culturally tailored physical activity strategies that also consider mental and social health influences.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular, Young Women, Middle East, ANCHORS study

Research Title: Flaxseed-Coated Titanium: A Natural Antibacterial Strategy for Dental Implants

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2025

JIDMR, 18

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) has been used since ancient times for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It is increasingly recognized for its rich content of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. In the field of dentistry, titanium (Ti) is widely utilized for implants due to its biocompatibility; however, implant-associated infections remain a clinical concern. This has led to interest in natural bioactive coatings that could enhance antimicrobial protection. This study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of flaxseed-coated titanium plates against common oral pathogens. Titanium specimens were coated with flaxseed extract and tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis using agar diffusion methods. Zones of inhibition were measured and compared to positive (broth) and negative (ethanol) controls. Experiments were conducted in triplicate, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The flaxseed-coated titanium exhibited measurable antibacterial activity, with zones of inhibition comparable to those produced by ethanol and broth. Notably, the combination of flaxseed and ethanol showed enhanced antimicrobial effects against both bacterial strains. The findings demonstrate that flaxseed extract has promising antimicrobial potential when used as a coating on titanium surfaces. This natural, plant-based approach may contribute to the development of antimicrobial dental implants and help reduce postoperative complications related to infection.

Keywords: Assessments; Antibacterial activity; Flaxseed; Titanium plates

Research Title: Alkaloid production of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav from callus for anticancer potential using gene expression of cancer-related genes

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2025

PLOS One , 20

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Cancer is one of the major diseases that threaten human life and causes death for many people worldwide. Some alkaloids derived from plants show promising potential for cancer treatment. Solanaceae family is of these plants that have promising alkaloid. In this study alkaloid production from Solanum elaeagnifolium callus cultures was investigated and their anticancer properties were evaluated. Optimal callus growth and alkaloid production were achieved in media enriched with a combination of BAP and 2,4-D at a ratio of 1.0:1.0 mg/L. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that β-Solamargine, tomatidenol, Solasonine, solanidine and solasodine are the most important alkaloids of Solanum elaeagnifolium. Moreover, the analysis revealed that β-Solamargine is the predominant alkaloid (78.7%) in callus extracts. The results of MTT assay, demonstrated that the most effective response were obtained from callus extracts medium containing a balanced concentration of BAP and 2,4-D, and it yielding an IC50 of 6.25 µl/ml. In contrast, lower efficacy was observed with IC50 values of 25 and 50 µl/ml, when callus medium were supplemented with NaCl and yeast extract, respectively. Gene expression analysis shows an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio following 24 h of the extracts treatment. Along with a down regulation of CDK1 gene expression in comparison to untreated MCF7 cells, the CDK1 levels were elevated. Alkaloids derived from S. elaeagnifolium may be a promising candidate for anticancer therapy; further investigation is needed in vivo.

Keywords: Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav; anticancer

Research Title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendation Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author: Rania Nafi Suleiman Mohammad Al_sabi, Published Year: 2025

Infectious Disease Reports, 17

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant global public health concern, with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination serving as an effective preventive measure. Despite its proven efficacy, HPV vaccine uptake in Jordan remains low. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) influencing HPV vaccine recommendation among healthcare professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August 2023 and February 2024 among 304 healthcare professionals and trainees in Amman, Jordan, using a pre-validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and Firth’s penalized logistic regression were employed to examine predictors of vaccine recommendation behavior. Results: Positive attitudes (OR = 3.89; p < 0.001) and active clinical practice (OR = 5.02; p < 0.001) were strong predictors of HPV vaccine recommendation. Unexpectedly, higher knowledge scores were associated with reduced likelihood of recommending the vaccine (OR = 0.44; p = 0.032). Significant variation in KAP scores was observed across professional groups, with physicians and academic staff demonstrating higher levels of engagement. Conclusions: Attitudes and practical engagement were more influential than knowledge alone in shaping HPV vaccine recommendation behavior among healthcare professionals. These findings underscore the need for interventions that not only enhance knowledge but also foster supportive attitudes and strengthen clinical advocacy skills. The results provide actionable evidence to inform targeted strategies for increasing HPV vaccine uptake and reducing cervical cancer incidence in Jordan.

Keywords: human papillomavirus vaccination; cervical cancer; healthcare professionals; knowledge; attitudes; practices; Jordan

Research Title: Smart Polymeric Carriers for Efficient Drug Delivery

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Smart polymeric materials are usually made with synthetic monomers rather than natural ones. They have the ability to swell/shrink according to the conditions of their aqueous/biological environments and thus affecting their release kinetics. These conditions can be changed chemically (such as pH) or physically (such as temperature). The thermoresponsive hydrogel systems are based on the ability of polymers to exhibit a volume phase transition or a sol-gel phase transition at their characteristic critical temperature. Photoresponsive hydrogels have photo-reactive cross-links or pendant groups attached to their primary polymeric backbone. Enzyme-sensitive hydrogels have enzyme-reactive cross-links or pendant groups attached to their polymeric backbone, which react with a specific enzyme to elicit a stimulus-responsive hydrogel swelling or collapse. Different body parts have different pH values, and different tissues have different pH values under both healthy and unhealthy circumstances. This supports developing pH-responsive polymeric systems for targeted and controlled delivery of pharmaceuticals and biotechnological agents. Smart polymers can also display either a volume phase transition or a sol-gel phase transition at a specific temperature, which is the basis for thermoresponsive polymeric systems. Reactive cross-links or pendant groups coupled to their main polymeric backbone are characteristics of photoresponsive polymeric systems. Enzyme-reactive cross-links, or pendant groups, are affixed to the polymeric backbone of enzyme-sensitive polymeric systems. These cross-links allow the polymeric system to react to an external stimulus by either contracting or swelling when a specific enzyme is present. The development of smart polymeric carriers and their use in drug delivery are covered in this chapter.

Keywords: Polymers, drug delivery, hydrogels, p-HEMA, smart carrier

Research Title: Nanopolymers for Smart Drug Delivery Applications

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: For smart drug delivery applications, nanopolymeric materials are widely employed in the pharma and biotech industries. Nanopolymers are nanostructured polymers, and they contribute significant modifications to the intrinsic properties of a matter. Thus, they can swell/shrink according to the aqueous/biological environments affecting the drug release kinetics. The development of smart polymeric carriers and their use in drug delivery are the current topics in scientific research. This chapter detailed the drug delivery applications of nanopolymers in ocular delivery, targeted delivery of drugs to cancer cells, cardiac tissue engineering, and dental adhesive therapy. Moreover, we have highlighted the polymeric and magnetism characteristics for smart drug delivery.

Keywords: Nanopolymers, smart carrier, ocular drug delivery, oncogenic treatment

Research Title: Polymers in Novel Drug Delivery Systems: Strategies and Enhancement of Vesicular Polymeric Nanocarrier Loaded with Bioactive Phytoconstituents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Some conventional RA treatments have adverse effects, while others worsen the illness. Even a rare negative effect must be balanced against the drug's therapeutic potential. Conventional drugs that pass early testing and are approved for human use cannot treat RA. Flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins prevent and cure RA with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and enzymatic capabilities. These secondary metabolites include several disease-fighting chemicals. Thus, these secondary metabolites may provide an alternative to RA medications that improve quality of life. Recent studies have revealed that nano/submicrocarriers may deliver phyto molecules to the RA site for better medication localization and therapy efficacy. Nanocarrier safety data in vitro , in vivo , and optimum bioactive delivery need more investigation. Nano/submicromedicine may become the main approach for bioactive delivery for RA treatment.

Keywords: Polymers, nanocarriers, targeted, vesicular nanocarrier, novel