Research Title: The Crime of Committing Acts of Indecency Using Social Media

Author: Moayd Husni Al-Kawaldah, Published Year: 2020

British Journal of Science, 18

Faculty: Law

Abstract: The crime of acts of indecency committed by using social media sites is a new type of crime that differs from the traditional crime of acts of indecency, as the major difference includes the specific competence of the major criminal court and the presence of physical contact between the offender and the victim. While the crime of acts of indecency is committed through social media sites with the absence of physical contact between the offender and the victim. This type of crime is usually conducted by publishing images or videos through WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other means of communication which abuse the victim. These social media are considered the means of committing this type of crime, which rise these questions: Is this type of crime subject to the jurisdiction of the High Criminal Court? And since it was committed through an electronic means, what is the law that it is subject to? Is it the penal law or the Cybercrime Law? This research aims to clarify this legal subject in a simple and clear way. The results of the research indicated that the traditional crime of indecent assault “sexual offence” differed from the crimes of indecent assault committed by using the social media in terms of the used means of conducting the offence. The recommendations of the research included adding the following text in the Jordanian Cybercrime Law: The first paragraph " Anyone who intentionally publishes or sends through the information network images or video clips of a male or female and these images violate the honor of the victim, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not less than three years or by a fine of not less than (40.000) four thousand Dinars. The second paragraph includes constituting a judicial body in the High Criminal Court consisting of three judges to pass judgment on crimes of indecent acts.

Keywords: Acts of indecency, social media, cybercrime, physical elements, moral elements.

Research Title: Elucidation of penetration enhancement mechanism of Emu oil using FTIR microspectroscopy at EMIRA laboratory of SESAME synchrotron.

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2017

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 185

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: It has been proposed that Emu oil possesses skin permeation-enhancing effect. This study aimed to address its possible penetration enhancement mechanism(s) using IR microscopy, in accordance with LPP theory. The penetration of Emu oil through the layers of human skin was accomplished by monitoring oil-IR characteristic feature at 3006 cm−1. The unsaturated components of Emu oil accumulated at about 270 μm depth of skin surface. The interaction of Emu oil with lipid and protein constituents of SC was investigated in comparison with a commonly used enhancer, IPM. Inter-sample spectral differences were identified using PCA and linked with possible enhancement mechanisms. Emu oil treatment caused a change in the slope of the right contour ofamide I band of the protein spectral range. This was also clear in the second derivative spectrawhere theemergence of a newshoulder at higher frequencywas evident, suggesting disorganization of keratinα-helix structure. This effect could be a result of disruption of some hydrogen bonds inwhich amide C=O andN-H groups of keratin are involved. The low intensity of the emerged shoulder is also in agreement with formation of weaker hydrogen bonds. IPM did not affect the protein component. No conclusions regarding the effect of penetration enhancers on the SC lipids were obtained. This was due to the overlap of the endogenous (skin) and exogenous (oil) CH stretching and scissoring frequencies. The SC carbonyl stretching peak disappeared as a result of IPM treatment which may reflect some degree of lipid extraction.

Keywords: Emu oil

Research Title: Role of Amorphous State in Drug Delivery

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2018

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: This chapter is dedicated to explain the bases, means, and problems for application of amorphous solid forms in pharmaceutical formulations. Glass transition and related topics, in addition to the pharmaceutical significance of amorphous state, including solubility and functionality enhancement are discussed. Different amorphous form stabilization techniques are also represented. The concept, bases and preparation methods of amorphous solid dispersions are discussed in details. Characterization of amorphicity, using thermal, spectroscopic and microscopic methods among others, is also emphasized. Illustrative examples are included to contextualize the chapter. At the end, some case studies of amorphous preparations are explored to show the practical applicability of amorphous active ingredients.

Keywords: Amorphous, crystalline, glass transition, fragility, molecular mobility, solubility, dissolution, amorphous solid dispersion, solvent-free methods, solvent-based methods, polymeric carriers, thermal analysis, spectroscopic analysis, novobiocin, melt extruded tablets, insulin suspension.

Research Title: Formulation and evaluation of diclofenac controlled release matrix tablets made of HPMC and Poloxamer 188 polymer: An assessment on mechanism of drug release

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2018

Pak. J. Pharm. Sci, 31

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: In this study, hydrophilic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrices with various concentrations of Poloxamer 188 were used in the development of oral controlled release tablets containing diclofenac sodium. Four formulations of hydrophilic matrix tablets containing 16.7% w/w HPMC and 0, 6.7, 16.7 and 25.0% w/w Poloxamer 188, respectively, were developed. Tablets were prepared by direct compression and characterized for diameter, hardness, thickness, weight and uniformity of content. The influence of various blends of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Poloxamer 188 on the in vitro dissolution profile and mechanism of drug release of was investigated. In the four formulations, the rate of drug release decreased with increasing the concentration of Poloxamer 188 at the initial dissolution stages due to the increase in the apparent viscosity of the gel diffusion layer. However, in the late dissolution stages, the rate of drug release increased with increasing Poloxamer 188 concentration due to the increase in wettability and dissolution of the matrix. The kinetic of drug release from the tablets followed non-Fickian mechanism, as predicted by Korsmeyer-Peppas model, which involves diffusion through the gel layer and erosion of the matrix system.

Keywords: Poloxamer 188, iclofenac sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, dissolution rate, controlled release

Research Title: Preparation and Physicochemical Characterization of Atorvastatin Choline Salt and its Potential for Transdermal Permeation

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2020

Jordan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Atorvastatin calcium (ATV) is an anti-hyperlipidemic agent with poor bioavailability. Several approaches were reported to improve the solubility of ATV. In this study ATV was prepared as a choline salt (ATV-C) and a complex of the prepared salt with hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) (ATV-C-CD) hoping to enhance ATV solubility, decrease the partition coefficient and improve its transdermal permeability. The pharmaceutical properties of the products were investigated. The prepared salts were characterized by FTIR, NMR and DSC, UV and HPLC. 2D NMR was successfully employed to unequivocally assign the protons of ATV, which was essential for better understanding of the structure of the formed salt. ATV-C showed higher solubility in phosphate buffer than ATV. Its log Po/phosphate buffer was found to be 1.1 while that for ATV 1.78. This change had an effect on the transdermal permeation where the ATV-C compound achieved a 4 times greater diffusion compared to ATV. Interestingly, ATV-C seemed to cause a tighter fitting of the drug into the HPβCD cavity leading to higher binding constant. However, the ATV-C-CD complex showed a negative effect on transdermal permeation

Keywords: atorvastatin, bioavailability, transdermal, Log P

Research Title: Genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders in 103 Jordanian families

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2020

Clinical Genetics, 97

Faculty: Science

Abstract: We recruited 103 families from Jordan with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and patterns of inheritance mostly suggestive of autosomal recessive inheritance. In each family, we investigated at least one affected individual using exome sequencing and an in‐house diagnostic variant interpretation pipeline including a search for copy number variation. This approach led us to identify the likely molecular defect in established disease genes in 37 families. We could identify 25 pathogenic nonsense and 11 missense variants as well as 3 pathogenic CNVs and one repeat expansion. Notably, 11 of the disease‐causal variants occurred de novo. In addition, we prioritized a homozygous frameshift variant in PUS3 in two sisters with intellectual disability. To our knowledge, PUS3 has been postulated only recently as a candidate disease gene for intellectual disability in a single family with three affected siblings. Our findings provide additional evidence to establish loss of PUS3 function as a cause of intellectual disability.

Keywords: exome sequencing, Jordan, neurodevelopmental disorder, PUS3

Research Title: Chapter 6 - Influence of Drug Properties and Routes of Drug Administration on the Design of Controlled Release System, IN Dosage Form Design Considerations Volume i Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research 2018, Pages 179-223

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2018

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: To achieve therapeutic drug concentration is not a major task, rather maintaining that concentration for the desired period is clinically more important and is a demanding area of drug delivery science. However, the design of controlled release formulations requires many factors to be considered such as drug delivery rate, delivery duration, physicochemical properties of the drug, nature of excipients, the route of administration, and the dosing interval etc. The objective of the chapter is to provide a complete understanding of several physicochemical properties of the drug that ultimately influence the performance of drug molecule. The chapter includes various aspects of designing controlled release formulations which includes rationale of design, drug properties (molecular weight, pH, pKa, etc.), pharmacokinetic aspects (absorption, distribution, etc.), pharmacodynamic aspects (dosing interval/frequency, patient condition, etc.), and route of drug administration (oral, transdermal, parenteral, etc.).

Keywords: Drug properties, controlled release, delivery system, routes of administration, patented CRS, pharmacokinetics pharmacodynamics, patient compliance

Research Title: Chapter 15 - Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Metal Nanoparticles, IN Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research , Pages 527-612

Author: Abeer Shnoudeh, Published Year: 2019

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The most emerging branch of science during the last decade is nanoscience and nanotechnology. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have a great role in many scientific fields such as medicine, physics, mechanics, pharmaceutics, and others. In the last few years, scientists found great potential in metal NPs synthesis and applications and even used different spectroscopic or microscopic characterization methods. This book chapter covers the concept behind metal NPs, the advantages and role of metal NPs in pharmaceutical systems, and will focus on the synthetic methods for the production of different metal NPs by using physical, chemical, and biological approaches; allied characterization techniques including spectroscopic, microscopic, and physiochemical techniques; and the applications in medical technology of metal NPs including applications in drug, protein, peptide, and gene delivery; tissue engineering; enzymology; surface coating; biosensing devices; diagnostics and theranostics; in addition to many other applications, concluding with metal NPs’ future potential.

Keywords: Metal nanoparticlesgold NPssilver NPsiron NPscopper NPsselenium NPssulfur NPsplatinum NPsbimetallic NPs synthesis approachesnanoparticles characterizationnanoparticles applications

Research Title: Development of a chemical fingerprint as a tool to distinguish closely related Tinospora species and quantitation of marker compounds

Author: Manal Mohammad Alhusban, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 178

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Tinospora species are morphologically similar. Several cases of human toxicity have been reported in association with T. crispa. A chemical fingerprint was developed to differentiate T. crispa from its closely related species and to quantitate its major furanoditerpenes namely as borapetosides B, C and F. The rapid, sensitive and repeatable method was established using ultra–high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array and single quadrupole electrospray mass spectrometry detectors using a flavonoid, two alkaloids, an amide and six diterpenoids. Qualitative and quantitative determination was performed by UHPLC-UV and confirmed by MS. The intra-day RSD for replicates was between 0.9 and 6.8% and inter-day RSD was between 1.2 and 9.1%. Recovery was 97–103 %. The method is useful to achieve decisiveness in not only identifying but also differentiating T. crispa from T. sinensis and other closely related Tinospora species. Seventeen Tinospora plant samples and seventeen dietary supplements claiming T. crispa, T. sinensis and T. cordifolia were analyzed. The newly developed and validated method successfully resulted in the conclusive identification of two dietary supplements to be mislabeled.

Keywords: T. crispaBorapetoside CT. sinensisTinosineside AMagnoflorineDietary supplements

Research Title: Rearranged clerodane diterpenoid from Tinospora crispa

Author: Manal Mohammad Alhusban, Published Year: 2019

Natural Product Research, 34

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A new rearranged clerodane diterpenoid, tinocrispide was isolated from the stems of Tinospora crispa along with thirteen known compounds including eight clerodane diterpenoids. Among the known compounds baenzigeride A, (6S, 9 R)-vomifoliol and steponine are being reported for the first time from T. crispa. Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR and confirmed by HRESIMS. The 13C NMR data of borapetol A has been revised.

Keywords: Tinospora crispa, isolation, NMR, tinocrispide, borapetol A