Research Title: A Green, Solvent- and Cation-Free Approach for Preparing 5-Fluorouracil-Loaded Alginate Nanoparticles Using Microfluidic Technology

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2025

Pharmaceutics, 17

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Alginate nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly synthesised using either an emulsion technique that involves organic solvent use or ionotropic gelation utilising multivalent cations, e.g., Ca+2. However, the extensive use of organic solvents imposes detrimental effects on the ecosystem, and using multivalent cations as crosslinkers could eventually lead to the leakage of these cations, thus disrupting nanoparticle matrices. Therefore, this study aimed to overcome the limitations of these techniques by eliminating the usage of organic solvents and multivalent cations. Methods: In this research, alginate nanoparticles were synthesised using proton gelation by microfluidic technology through protonating alginate carboxylate groups to crosslink alginate chains through H-bond formation. Results: The prepared acid-gelled alginate nanoparticles demonstrated an MHD circa 200 nm and a PDI of less than 0.4 at pH 0.75. Moreover, 5-FU was successfully encapsulated into acid-gelled alginate nanoparticles and displayed a high EE% of around 30%, comparable to the EE% at high alginate concentration and molecular weight (0.4 H-ALG) achieved by Ca+2-crosslinked alginate nanoparticles; however, 5-FU NPs had superior characteristics, i.e., a lower MHD (around 500 nm) and PDI (<0.5). The optimum formula (0.4 H-ALG) was explored at various pH values, i.e., low pH of 4.5 and high pH of 10, and alginate NPs produced by acid gelation demonstrated high stability in terms of MHD and PDI, with slight changes at different pH values, indicating stable crosslinking of alginate matrices prepared by technology compared with Ca+2-crosslinked alginate NPs. Conclusions: In conclusion, this research has invented an ecologically friendly approach to producing acid-gelled alginate nanoparticles with superior characteristics compared with the conventional methods, and they could be harnessed as nanocarriers for therapeutics delivery (5-FU). Also, this research offers a promising approach for developing eco-friendly and biocompatible drug carriers. The produced nanoparticles have the potential to enhance drug stability, improve controlled release, and minimise toxic effects, making them suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords: alginate nanoparticles; 5-FU; microfluidic technology; proton gelation; ecologically friendly; optimum formula

Research Title: Computational and Experimental Insights into the Anticancer Activity of Benzylidene Amino Benzoate Derivatives: A Study Based on Docking, DFT, and In Vitro Assays

Author: Adnan Dahadha, Published Year: 2025

Journal of Molecular Structure,

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Series of benzylidene amino benzoate derivatives were synthesized under mild conditions, chemical structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed through different spectroscopic analysis. Anticancer activity was evaluated against four cancer cell lines (PC3, A549, A2780, and MDA-MB-231). The results showed potent cytotoxic effects with notable selectivity. Compounds 5, 6, 9, and 10 displayed significant activity, with IC50 values ranging from 0.11 µM to 1.37 µM. Molecular docking studies indicated favourable binding affinities for compound 8 toward different tyrosine kinases receptors, with the highest affinity for binding to VEGFR2. This result was consistent with 76.25% in vitro inhibition activity against VEGFR2. Docking simulations revealed that hydrogen bonds could form between compound 8 and the residues Asp 1046 and Lys 868, while electrostatic interactions were observed with residues His 1026 and Glu 885, at the ATP-binding pocket. The compounds complied with Lipinski's Rule of Five, supporting their suitability for further development as orally active drugs. Non-substrate behaviour toward P-glycoprotein was observed for the synthesized compounds, implying they were unlikely to be expelled by this transporter. DFT calculations highlighted important reactive regions within the target compound, particularly around the nitro and ester groups, which participated in hydrogen bonding interactions. Furthermore, FMO suggested versatility in the chemical reactivity. Enhanced inhibition of VEGFR2 by compounds like 5 and 8 was predicted with lower chemical potential and higher electrophilicity indices. Based on these findings, imine compounds should be prioritized for the synthesis of more derivatives and for in vivo studies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy as anticancer agents.

Keywords: Benzylidene Amino Benzoate

Research Title: Polyvinyl Alcohol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone as Efficient Catalysts for the Reaction of Acetylsalicylic Acid with Potassium Permanganate in Sulfamic Acid Medium

Author: Adnan Dahadha, Published Year: 2025

Topics in Catalysis,

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The catalytic effects of two water-soluble polymers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), on the oxidation kinetics of acetylsalicylic acid by potassium permanganate in the presence of sulfamic acid were examined for the first time. The progress of the oxidation reaction in acidic aqueous solutions was monitored using a spectrophotometric method. The kinetic experiments were conducted under pseudo-first-order reaction conditions with respect to the oxidant. The current study confirmed that the oxidation reaction follows first-order kinetics for [potassium permanganate] and fractional orders for [acetylsalicylic acid] and [hydrogen ion]. Additionally, the reaction rate constants significantly increased in the presence of PVA and PVP. Consequently, Piszkiewicz’s cooperativity and Benesi-Hildebrand equations were effectively applied to the kinetic data to explain the catalytic behaviour of these polymers. The activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy of the studied reaction were determined using Arrhenius and Eyring equations. A plausible mechanism and rate law consistent with the kinetic data were proposed.

Keywords: Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Research Title: توظيف الذكاء الاصطناعي في تعليم اللغة والنحو لطلبة أقسام اللغة العربية: دراسة ميدانية لتأثير التقنيات الحديثة على تطوير المهارات اللغوية

Author: Omar Hajeej Alrawajfeh, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: ملخص الأهداف: يهدف هذا البحث إلى استقصاء دور الذكاء الاصطناعي في تطوير تعليم طلبة أقسام اللغة العربية في الجامعات، مع التركيز على تحليل الفوائد والتحديات المترتبة على استخدام هذه التقنيات. كما يستهدف البحث الوقوف على مدى تأثير الذكاء الاصطناعي في تعزيز كفاءة الطلاب، وتحسين جودة تعلمهم، بالإضافة إلى ذلك تحقيق الأهداف التعليمية بشكل أسرع وأكثر دقة، أيضا إلى استكشاف الفجوة بين الواقع الحالي لإدماج الذكاء الاصطناعي في التعليم والفرص المستقبلية. المنهجية: اعتمد البحث على استبيان ميداني مُصمم بعناية طبق على عينة شملت 216 طالبًا وطالبة من قسم اللغة العربية في جامعة فيلادلفيا في الأردن. وقد تنوعت أسئلة الاستبيان لتغطي الجوانب العامة لاستخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي، مثل زيادة المعرفة، وتحسين الأداء الأكاديمي، وحل الواجبات، بالإضافة إلى قياس تصورات الطلاب حول تأثير الذكاء الاصطناعي في الكفاءة والقدرة على التعلم. النتائج: أظهرت النتائج أن الذكاء الاصطناعي يمثل إضافة نوعية للتعليم الجامعي، حيث رأى غالبية الطلاب أنه يسهم في توفير الوقت والجهد وتحسين جودة الأداء الأكاديمي. ومع ذلك، أشارت النتائج إلى تحديات متعلقة بجودة المخرجات باللغة العربية، وضعف التدريب على استخدام التقنيات، كذلك الاعتماد المفرط على الذكاء الاصطناعي مما قد يؤثر سلبًا على تطوير مهارات التفكير النقدي والإبداعي. الخلاصة: يعكس البحث أهمية الذكاء الاصطناعي بوصفه وسيلة تعليمية واعدة، لكنه يبرز الحاجة إلى تطوير أدوات وتقنيات أكثر توافقًا مع خصوصيات اللغة العربية، إضافةً إلى ضرورة تعزيز الوعي الأكاديمي حول الاستخدام الأمثل لهذه الأدوات، بما يضمن تحسين جودة التعليم ويقلل من المخاطر المرتبطة باستخدامها.

Keywords: التعليم الإلكتروني، اللغة العربية، الذكاء الاصطناعي، اللسانيات الحاسوبية

Research Title: The Role of Fintech and Financial inclusion in the economic development of countries: A comparative analysis

Author: Izzeddien Naef Ananzeh, Published Year: 2025

Bank and Banks, 20

Faculty: Business

Abstract: The integration of digital financial technology has revolutionized the global financial system, driving financial inclusion as an important pillar of sustainable economic development. This study examines the multidimensional effects of Digital Financial Technology and Financial Inclusion for Economic Development in middle- and highincome countries. The study employs various indicators of financial inclusion and technology, namely access to the internet, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), bank branches, and the number of depositors using panel regression analysis covering 20 middle-income countries and 22 high-income countries from 2010 to 2021. The regression analysis results show that ATMs, internet access, bank branches, and number of depositors all have a positive correlation with the Index of Human Development, which was used to measure economic development. This supports the idea that wider use of technology and increased financial inclusion can lead to higher levels of human development. Conversely, the study highlights a negative correlation between inflation rates (as a control variable) and the Human Development Index (HDI) emphasized the significance of maintaining price stability for sustained economic progress. The study concludes that digital financial technology and financial inclusion positively impact the economic development of countries and the disparity between middle- and high-income countries. So, the middle-income countries should prioritize t

Keywords: financial technology, financial inclusion, economic development, panel regression analysis, middle-income countries, high-income countries

Research Title: Anticancer and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Activity of Benzylidene Derivatives of Fenobam and its Thio Analogues

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2025

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract: Introduction: A series of benzylidene derivatives of fenobam and its thio analogues (1-22) have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity against breast cancer (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231), ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV-3) and cervical cancer (HELA) cell lines. Method: These compounds (1-22) exhibited 72-83% inhibition of Erk activity against the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780). Compounds 3 and 20 showed the highest DNA damage effect in comet assay against the A2780 cancer cell line as compared to the other tested analogues (4, 8, 11, 12, and 13) by using % Tail DNA and OTM. Compounds 3, 4, and 11 showed significant activities and selectivity towards COX-2 with 78%, 97%, and 89% inhibition, as compared to 17%, 57%, and 26% inhibition against COX-1 isoenzyme, respectively. Results: Interestingly, molecular docking scores were also in very good agreement with the experimental results regarding discriminating the selectivity index of the tested compounds against COX-1 & COX-2 enzymes. Further molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study revealed that the most selective compound, 13, binds with the COX-2 enzyme in a similar fashion to that of Rofecoxib, which was further supported by their MD-based free binding energies (MM-GBSA) of -49.76 ± 4.27 kcal/mol, and -44.84 ±3.78 kcal/mol, respectively. Conclusion: Moreover, in silico ADMET predictions showed adequate properties for these compounds, making them promising leads worthy of further optimization.

Keywords: cancer

Research Title: Unveiling the anti-cancer potentiality of phthalimide-based Analogues targeting tubulin polymerization in MCF-7 cancerous Cells: Rational design, chemical Synthesis, and Biological-coupled Computational investigation

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2024

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The present study deals with an anti-cancer investigation of an array of phthalimide-1,2,3-triazole molecular conjugates with various sulfonamide fragments against human breast MCF-7 and prostate PC3 cancer cell lines. The targeted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives 4a-l and 6a-c were synthesized from focused phthalimide-based alkyne precursors using a facile click synthesis approach and were thoroughly characterized using several spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1H, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis). The hybrid click adducts 4b, 4 h, and 6c displayed cytotoxic potency (IC50 values of 1.49, 1.07, and 0.56 μM, respectively) against MCF-7 cells. On the contrary, none of the synthesized compounds showed apparent cytotoxic efficacy for PC3 cells (IC50 ranging from 9.87- >100 μM). As a part of the mechanism analysis, compound 6c demonstrated a potent inhibitory effect (78.3 % inhibition) of tubulin polymerization in vitro with an IC50 value of 6.53 μM. In addition, biological assays showed that compound 6c could prompt apoptotic cell death and induce G2/M cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 cells. Accordingly, compound 6c can be further developed as an anti-breast cancer agent through apoptosis-induction.

Keywords: Keywords: 1,2,3-Triazoles Phthalimides Sulfonamides Apoptosis activity Tubulin inhibitor

Research Title: Design and synthesis of chromene-1,2,3-triazole benzene sulfonamide hybrids as potent carbonic anhydrase-IX inhibitors against prostate cancer

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2024

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Considering the promising effects of molecular hybridization on drug discovery in recent years and the ongoing endeavors to develop bioactive scaffolds tethering the 1,2,3-triazole core, the present study sought to investigate whether the 1,2,3-triazole-linked chromene and benzene sulfonamide nucleus could exhibit activity against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and prostate cancer cell line PC-3. To this end, three focused bioactive series of mono- and -bis-1,2,3-triazoles were effectively synthesized via copper-assisted cycloaddition of mono- and/or di-alkyne chromenone derivatives 2a and b and 9 with several sulfa drug azides 4a–d and 6. The resulting molecular derivatives were tested for cytotoxicity against prostate and breast cancer cells. Among the derivatives, 10a, 10c, and 10e exhibited potent cytotoxicity against PC-3 cells with IC50 values of 2.08, 7.57, and 5.52 μM compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 2.31 μM) with potent inhibition of CA IX with IC50 values of 0.113, 0.134, and 0.214 μM. The most active compound, 10a, was tested for apoptosis-induction; it induced apoptosis by 31.9-fold cell cycle arrest at the G1-phase. Further, the molecular modeling approach highlighted the relevant binding affinity for the top-active compound 10a against CA IX as one of the most prominent PC-3 prostate cancer-associated biotargets

Keywords: cancer

Research Title: Synthesis, Characterization and antitumor activity of ethyl 8-nitrociprofloxacin – 1,2,3-triazole conjugates against prostate cancer cell lines PC3, DU145

Author: Wafa Moh'd Khair Hourani, Published Year: 2024

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Five novel 8-nitrociprofloxacin-1,2,3-triazole conjugates(9a-e) were synthesized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, by reacting ethyl 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-7-(4-(3-oxobutanoyl) piperazin-1-yl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline- 3-carboxylate(7) with various aryl azides. The new compounds were characterized using High- Resolution Mass Spectrometry(HRMS), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. Conjugates(9a-e) were tested for their in vitro anticancer activity against two prostate cancer cell lines, namely, PC3, DU145. Conjugates 9d and 9e exhibited remarkable anti-proliferative activity against DU145 and PC3 cell-lines. The IC50 of 9d and 9e for PC3 cell line is 0.0496 ± 0.2372 μM and 0.145 ± 0.337 μM, respectively. All derivatives (9a-e) significantly increased the amount of DNA damage. Two conjugates 9d and 9e, showed enhanced cytotoxic activity against both prostate cancer cell lines in comparison to the other conjugates. Derivatives 9e, 9c and 9d significantly enhanced the expression of p53, Caspases3 and p21 by 4-folds. The AnnexinV–FITC/PI test revealed a late apoptosis at the level of 9.1–13.5 % as performed with DU145 cells cultured with derivatives 9e and 9d

Keywords: Prostate cancer Anti-tumor Ethyl 8-nitrociprofloxacin-1 2, 3-Triazole conjugates PC3 and DU145 Prostate cancer cell lines

Research Title: Artificial intelligence applications for enhancing organizational excellence: Modifying role of supply chain agility”

Author: Shadi Mohammad Al-Tahat, Published Year: 2024

Problems and Perspectives in Management,, 22

Faculty: Business

Abstract: The study’s goal was to demonstrate the modifying role of supply chain agility in the impact of artificial intelligence applications on organizational excellence in Jordanian e-commerce companies. The analytical and descriptive approach was adopted. The study population consisted of 160 companies operating in the e-commerce sector in Jordan. The sample comprised 400 respondents working in senior and middle management positions. The questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. The results showed an impact of artificial intelligence applications in all dimensions (expert systems and neural networks) on the organizational excellence of e-commerce companies in Jordan. The value of the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. R2) was .265%. Based on the model’s F value (4.1190) and its level of significance (P; 0.00), the impact of these techniques on organizational excellence is statistically significant. Additionally, the results displayed an impact of supply chain agility on improving the impact of artificial intelligence applications on organizational excellence. The value of the degree of influence ß after introducing the modified variable supply chain agility and the value of R Square increased by .11 at the significance level (Sig). = 0.000. This study recommended training workers to stay up to date with developments in artificial intelligence, expert systems, and neural networks in their operations, control of searching for this evidence within databases, and knowledge representation.

Keywords: supply chain agility, artificial intelligence, organizational excellence, e-commerce, Jordan