Research Title: Evaluating the Interplay of Macroeconomic Indicators and the Amman Stock Exchange: Implications for Contemporary Investment Strategies

Author: Izzeddien Naef Ananzeh, Published Year: 2026

Faculty: Business

Abstract: This research aims to examine the dynamic interrelationships among pivotal Jordanian macroeconomic indicators, including GDP, CPI, IPI, M2, Worker Remittances (WRMIT), and Amman Stock Exchange Index (ASEI) over the period spanning from 2012 to 2022. The study employs many statistical methodologies, including the Johansen co-integration test, ARDL approach, the Error Correction Model (ECM), and the Granger causality test. The findings of this study robustly affirm the existence of both long-term and short-term relationships between the ASE and the macroeconomic variables. Specifically, the research substantiates a sustained long-term equilibrium association between ASEI and GDP, CPI, M2, IPI, and WRMIT. Furthermore, it identifies a long-term causality running from these economic indicators to the Amman Stock Exchange, as well as a short-term causality from CPI, GDP, and WRMIT to the ASE. These results raise questions about the ASE's operational efficiency, and investors should incorporate prevailing macroeconomic variables into the investment decision process

Keywords: Amman Stock Exchange; Macroeconomic Variables; Cointegration Test; ARDL approach; Granger Causality Test

Research Title: A Two-Stage Framework for Optimal Planning and Operation of EV Charging Stations in Distribution Networks

Author: Wasseem Hani Al Rousan, Published Year: 2026

Sustainability, 18

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Electric vehicle (EV) usage has increased significantly in the past few years, which may create challenges for distribution system operators due to EV charging needs. In this paper, we propose an approach for planning and operating EV charging stations, considering the challenges that distribution networks may face. A two-step framework is proposed in this paper. First, the optimal size and location of a charging station is determined using a multi-objective optimization problem considering minimizing power losses and voltage drop while maximizing load placements. Then, an optimal scheduling scheme is employed to charge and discharge the vehicles on the selected buses. Simulation studies were conducted using IEEE 33- and 123-bus systems; the results show that the proposed framework significantly enhances the buses’ voltages and line power flows. In order to plan for charging stations, several factors need to be considered, such as optimal size and location, the daily load curve for the given system, the time of use (TOU), and the charging patterns of EV owners. Without careful planning and operation, the system may suffer vulnerability and line overloading, which may lead, eventually, to cascading outages and interruptions. By improving grid utilization, reducing losses, and enabling coordinated EV charging and discharging, the proposed framework supports more sustainable energy use and facilitates the integration of electric mobility into future low-carbon power systems.

Keywords: electric vehicle; charging station; optimal size and location; multi-objective genetic algorithm; optimal scheduling; sustainability

Research Title: اللغة العربية في الشعر الأوروبي لماذا كيف

Author: Leedya Rashed Abu mariam, Published Year: 2026

“The presence of Arabic in the languages of the world”, رورمانيا

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: تتأسس هذه الورقة على سؤال جوهري مفاده: لماذا وظف بعض الشعراء الأوروبيين كلمات عربية في أشعارهم؟ وما أثر هذا التوظيف في المعمار الفني والدلالي للقصيدة؟ وهل ارتحال المفردات العربية إلى لغات أخرى كانت ارتحالا حرفيًّا أم اكتسبت المفردة لباسًا دلاليًّا جديدًا مُكتسبًا من اللغات الأخرى؟ وتطمح هذه الورقة إلى تقصي أسباب استدعاء الشعراء الأوروبيين لبعض الكلمات العربية في أشعارهم، من خلال رصد هذه الظاهرة عند كل من: اللورد بايرون الإنجليزي والكوزمبوليتانية، واللغة العربية المشتركة عند أندريه ميكيل الفرنسي عبر دراسة نماذج مختارة من قصائدهم تظهر هذا الاسترفاد من اللغة العربية وتوظيفها في الإنجليزية والفرنسية. كما تسعى الورقة إلى الوقوف عند هذا التأثر والتأثير لدى الشعراء الأوروبيين بين الشرق والغرب، من خلال الاستفادة من أدوات المنهج المقارن والوقوف عند آليات المنهج الجمالي.

Keywords: الشرق والغرب، ارتحال اللغة العربية، الشعر الأوروبي، التأثر والتأثير

Research Title: Determinants of Quality of Life Among Hemodialysis Patients: Roles of Associated Comorbidities, Smoking, Climate Change, and Residence

Author: Mohamed Ali Elsayed Abdullah, Published Year: 2026

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2026 , issue 1

Faculty: Allied Medical Sciences

Abstract: Problem considered Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) frequently experience impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to multifactorial influences, including comorbidities, environmental stressors, and lifestyle factors. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the determinants of HRQoL of hemodialysis patients, with a focus on the roles of comorbidities, cigarette smoking, environmental exposure, and residential setting. Methods A cross-sectional observational study of 84 adult (ranging in age from 18 to 65 years) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis was conducted at Hehia Hospital in Egypt for one year, extending from May 2024 to May 2025. The study sample consisted predominantly of middle-aged to older adults (mean age 55.33 ± 12 years), with a majority being male (64.3%), having primary education or less (46.4%), and residing in rural areas (83.3%). The HRQoL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Sociodemographic, clinical, and environmental data were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of the overall QoL of hemodialysis patients with ESRD. Results Multivariate analysis revealed that educational attainment (β = −0.295, p = 0.002), presence of comorbid conditions (β = 0.178, p = 0.043), occupational exposure to excessive climate (β = −0.183, p = 0.039), smoking status (β = 0.204, p = 0.021), perceived stress (β = 0.180, p = 0.039), and pain intensity (β = 0.322, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of the HRQoL of the hemodialysis patients with ESRD. These predictors, together, explained 45.5% of the variance in the QoL scores of the patients (R2 = 0.455). Notably, smokers had significantly lower HRQoL scores than the nonsmokers. Conclusion The HRQoL of hemodialysis patients is adversely affected by smoking, pain, stress, educational background, comorbid diseases, and climate exposure. These findings underscore the need for holistic, patient-centered interventions that incorporate smoking cessation, psychosocial support, and environmental adaptations to improve the well-being of this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Keywords: climate change |Egypt| hemodialysis| quality of life| smoking

Research Title: Co-Design of Photovoltaic-Battery-Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Refueling Vehicles Station

Author: Firas Abdullah Obeidat, Published Year: 2026

ES Energy & Environment, 32

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: This paper proposes a decision-oriented framework for the optimal design of green hydrogen production plant using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer powered by photovoltaic (PV) system with energy storage for a hydrogen fueling station. The station is designed and calculations are performed to determine the amount of hydrogen needed to fuel 10 vehicles peak daily, then the model of PEM electrolyzer is presented and simulated with variation of critical parameters such as temperature, cathode activation overpotential and anode activation overpotential. Grey wolf optimizer (GWO) is used as a numerical tool to calculate the optimal parameters for the PV system configuration that match the PV system voltage at any irradiance with PEM electrolyzer voltage in order to generate the required amount of hydrogen. These parameters include PV array current and voltage, number of PV modules connected in series/parallel, PEM cell area and number of PEM cells. Then, the GWO is performed to obtain the optimal battery storage system capacity required for different scenarios. MATLAB software is used to run the system according to optimal parameters to show the performance of the system based on daily real irradiance readings for sunny and cloudy dates with certain load profile. Calculations and simulation results show that PEM electrolyzer voltages match with PV system maximum power voltages for each irradiance value, battery capacity is obtained also for three scenarios: importing zero power from the grid, exporting zero power to the grid, or exporting/importing power to/from the grid for given sunny/cloudy days profiles and load profile.

Keywords: Green hydrogen; Photovoltaic energy system; Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer; Hydrogen refueling station; Battery storage system

Research Title: A Graph-Based Approach for Optimal Sizing and Siting of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Distribution Networks

Author: Wasseem Hani Al Rousan, Published Year: 2026

IEEE Jordan Conference on Applied Electrical Engineering and Computing Technologies (AEECT 2026), Amman, Jordan

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Electric Vehicles (EVs) are witnessing a rapid increase all over the world. Distribution systems operators (DSOs) are facing an increasing challenge to address the new demand. This paper lays out an approach that aims to find the optimal size in terms of power demand and the optimal site (i.e., location) in terms of bus ID. The approach is utilized in two stages; The first stage finds a set of candidate buses for the given distribution system based on the system topology, where a mixed integer linear programming problem is solved. The second stage finds the optimal size of load increment for the given candidate buses using a binary search algorithm. The proposed approach is applied to the IEEE 123-bus system and the 533-bus system using MATLAB. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results show total feasible EVCS capacities of 277 kW and 5465 kW, respectively. Compared with the baseline cases, the method accommodates these additional EVCS loads while keeping the expanded systems feasible; total real-power losses increase from 186.4 kW to 224.1 kW in the IEEE 123-bus system and from 175.1 kW to 555.2 kW in the 533-bus system, illustrating the additional loading impact captured by the proposed planning framework.

Keywords: Electric Vehicles, Charging station, Optimal sizing, Power system planning, Optimal location, Optimal siting, EVCS.

Research Title: Determinants of Quality of Life Among Hemodialysis Patients: Roles of Associated Comorbidities, Smoking, Climate Change, and Residence

Author: Hani Jameel Mohammad Hamad, Published Year: 2026

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2026, issue 1

Faculty: Allied Medical Sciences

Abstract: Problem considered: Hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) frequently experience impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to multifactorial influences, including comorbidities, environmental stressors, and lifestyle factors. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating the determinants of HRQoL of hemodialysis patients, with a focus on the roles of comorbidities, cigarette smoking, environmental exposure, and residential setting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 84 adult (ranging in age from 18 to 65 years) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis was conducted at Hehia Hospital in Egypt for one year, extending from May 2024 to May 2025. The study sample consisted predominantly of middle-aged to older adults (mean age 55.33 ± 12 years), with a majority being male (64.3%), having primary education or less (46.4%), and residing in rural areas (83.3%). The HRQoL was assessed using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™), Sociodemographic, clinical, and environmental data were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors of the overall QoL of hemodialysis patients with ESRD. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that educational attainment (β = −0.295, p = .002), presence of comorbid conditions (β = 0.178, p = .043), occupational exposure to excessive climate (β = −0.183, p = .039), smoking status (β = 0.204, p = .021), perceived stress (β = 0.180, p = .039), and pain intensity (β = 0.322, p = .001) were significant predictors of the HRQoL of the hemodialysis patients with ESRD. These predictors, together, explained 45.5% of the variance in the QoL scores of the patients (R² = 0.455). Notably, smokers had significantly lower HRQoL scores than the non-smokers. Conclusion: The HRQoL of hemodialysis patients is adversely affected by smoking, pain, stress, educational background, comorbid diseases, and climate exposure. These findings underscore the need for holistic, patient-centered interventions that incorporate smoking cessation, psychosocial support, and environmental adaptations to improve the well-being of this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Hemodialysis, Smoking, Climate change, Egypt

Research Title: Bi-allelic KICS2 mutations impair KICSTOR complex-mediated mTORC1 regulation, causing intellectual disability and epilepsy

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Nutrient-dependent mTORC1 regulation upon amino acid deprivation is mediated by the KICSTOR complex, comprising SZT2, KPTN, ITFG2, and KICS2, recruiting GATOR1 to lysosomes. Previously, pathogenic SZT2 and KPTN variants have been associated with autosomal recessive intellectual disability and epileptic encephalopathy. We identified bi-allelic KICS2 variants in eleven affected individuals presenting with intellectual disability and epilepsy. These variants partly affected KICS2 stability, compromised KICSTOR complex formation, and demonstrated a deleterious impact on nutrient-dependent mTORC1 regulation of 4EBP1 and S6K. Phosphoproteome analyses extended these findings to show that KICS2 variants changed the mTORC1 proteome, affecting proteins that function in translation, splicing, and ciliogenesis. Depletion of Kics2 in zebrafish resulted in ciliary dysfunction consistent with a role of mTORC1 in cilia biology. These in vitro and in vivo functional studies confirmed the pathogenicity of identified KICS2 variants. Our genetic and experimental data provide evidence that variants in KICS2 are a factor involved in intellectual disability due to its dysfunction impacting mTORC1 regulation and cilia biology.

Keywords: KICSTOR complexintellectual disabilityMTOR regulationKICS2C12orf66ciliogenesis

Research Title: PSMF1 variants cause a phenotypic spectrum from early-onset Parkinson’s disease to perinatal lethality by disrupting mitochondrial pathways

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2026

,

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Dissecting biological pathways highlighted by Mendelian gene discovery has provided critical insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and neurodegeneration. This approach ultimately catalyzes the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Here, we identify PSMF1 as a novel gene implicated in parkinsonism and childhood neurodegeneration. We find that biallelic PSMF1 missense and loss-of-function variants co-segregate with phenotypes from early-onset PD to perinatal lethality with neurological manifestations across 17 pedigrees with 24 affected subjects, showing clear genotype-phenotype correlation. PSMF1 encodes the proteasome regulator PSMF1/PI31, a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed partner of the 20S proteasome and neurodegeneration-associated F-box-O 7 and valosin-containing proteins. We demonstrate that PSMF1 variants impair mitochondrial membrane potential, dynamics and mitophagy, and may affect proteasomal abundance and assembly in patient-derived fibroblasts. Furthermore, Drosophila and mouse models of PSMF1 loss of function exhibit age-dependent motor impairment, as well as brain-wide mitochondrial membrane depolarization and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in aged flies, and diffuse gliosis in mice. Collectively, our findings unequivocally link defective PSMF1 to early-onset parkinsonism and neurodegeneration, and suggest proteasomal and mitochondrial dysfunction as mechanistic contributors.

Keywords: Mitochondria Mutation Neurodevelopmental disorders Parkinson's disease Proteasome

Research Title: A Foundational Exome Resource for Jordan: Dual Ancestry Admixture and Population-Specific Variants to Improve Clinical Variant Interpretation

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2026

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Background: The genetic architecture of Middle Eastern populations is underrepresented in global genomic databases, which increases the rate of Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUSs) and clinical misinterpretations especially in Middle Eastern populations. Methods: Whole exome sequencing was conducted on 90 healthy Jordanian individuals and the data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and multi-computational filtering. Results: PCA revealed a double ancestry (EUR-AFR) admixture rather than a triple admixture (EUR-AFR-AMR). More than 3,500 populations-specific variants (PSVs) were identified, of which 72% were singletons. Additionally, 19 variants were significantly enriched compared to the maximum allele frequencies (AF) in public global databases (Fisher's exact test with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate correction, p-value < 0.05). Consequently, the results suggest the reclassification of VUS which resides in the ECE2 gene to likely benign and the variants in IL1RN and THPO genes to benign based on the significant AF (0.0389, p-value < 0.05). Furthermore, a pathogenic ClinVar variant was identified in a healthy individual, warranting careful interpretation. Conclusion: The study serves as a foundational resource for precision medicine in the region to minimize clinical misdiagnosis and highlight the unique genetic signature in Jordan.

Keywords: Whole-exome sequencing, Jordanian population, Population-specific variants, Variant reclassification, Admixture analysis, Middle East genomics.