Research Title: Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2026

The Lancet Neurology , 25

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Summary Background Meningitis remains the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities globally, disproportionately affecting children younger than 5 years and populations in the African meningitis belt. Whereas previous global estimates focused on ten pathogen categories, this study presents the most comprehensive analysis to date, assessing the meningitis burden attributable to 17 causative pathogens based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 framework. Methods GBD is a systematic, scientific effort aimed at quantifying the comparative magnitude of health loss caused by diseases, injuries, and risk factors across age groups, sexes, and geographical locations over time. We estimated meningitis mortality using the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) and morbidity using DisMod-MR 2.1, incorporating data from vital registration, verbal autopsy, surveillance, hospital data, and systematic reviews. Aetiology-specific estimates were generated with pathogen-linked case-fatality ratios and splined binomial regression models. Risk factor attribution was based on established risk–outcome pairs and population attributable fractions. Findings In 2023, there were 259 000 (95% uncertainty interval 202 000–335000) global deaths and 2·54 million (2·20–2·93) incident cases of meningitis. Children younger than 5 years accounted for more than a third of deaths (86 600 [53 300–149 000]). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, non-polio enteroviruses, and other viruses were the leading causes of death, while non-polio enteroviruses caused the most cases. The four WHO-defined preventable meningitis pathogens of interest (S pneumoniae, N meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Group B streptococcus) contributed to 98700 deaths (77000–127000) and 594000 cases (514000–686000). Low birthweight, short gestation, and household air pollution were the top risk factors for meningitis-related mortality. Interpretation Although mortality and incidence have declined significantly since 1990, progress is insufficient to meet WHO 2030 targets. Despite marked progress in reducing bacterial meningitis via global vaccination campaigns, a substantial meningitis burden persists, attributable both to common pathogens such as S pneumoniae and N meningitidis and to emerging non-bacterial pathogens such as Candida spp and drug-resistant fungi. Achieving WHO goals will require sustained investment in surveillance, vaccination, maternal screening, and health-system strengthening, especially in high-burden settings.

Keywords: Global, meningitis, a systematic analysis, Global Burden of Disease Study

Research Title: الاحتلال الفرنسي لدمشق وانعكاساته المباشرة على اهالي شرق الاردن

Author: Amjad Ahmad Alzoubi, Published Year: 2020

مجلة الآداب, 135

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: تتناول هذه الدراسة موضوع (الاحتلال الفرنسي لسوريا وسقوط دمشق وانعكاساته المباشرة على شرق الأردن)، بهدف تسليط الضوء على الأوضاع السياسية في شرق الأردن عقب سقوط الحكومة العربية في دمشق في تموز عام 1920م، على أثر معركة ميسلون ودخول القوات الفرنسية إليها، وما أحدثه ذلك من فراغ سياسي وإداري في المنطقة؛ نتيجة لقطع صلتها بدمشق، الأمر الذي دفع ببريطانيا لتشكيل حكومات محلية في كل من الكرك والسلط وعجلون، واشترطت أن تكون هذه الحكومات منفصلة عن بعضها بعضاً، وتعتمد على مواردها الذاتية؛ بغية الحفاظ على الأمن والهدوء في المنطقة، تمهيداً لتنفيذ مخططاتها الاستعمارية. وقد ركزت الدراسة على مظاهر الوعي السياسي لأهالي شرق الأردن، والتي تجلت بوضوح في المؤتمرات والاتفاقيات التي عُقدت مع المسؤولين البريطانيين، وفي مقدمتها اتفاقية أم قيس في 2 أيلول 1920م، والتي طالب فيها الأهالي بتشكيل حكومة عربية في شرق الأردن، ترفض الانتداب الفرنسي والهجرة الصهيونية، وتؤكد على الهوية العربية للمنطقة. كما بينت الدراسة كيف تحولت منطقة شرق الأردن إلى ملاذ آمن لرجالات الحركة الوطنية السورية الفارين من وجه بطش الاحتلال الفرنسي، والذين اتخذوا من الأراضي الأردنية قاعدة انطلاق لمقاومة الوجود الفرنسي في سوريا، وكان لهذه الأحداث وتداعياتها الأثر الأكبر في تهيئة الظروف السياسية المناسبة لقدوم الأمير عبد الله بن الحسين إلى شرق الأردن وتأسيس الإمارة عام 1921م.

Keywords: الاحتلال الفرنسي، سوريا، سقوط دمشق، شرق الأردن، الحكومات المحلية.

Research Title: Privacy-Preserving Skin Cancer Detection: A Comparative Study of Federated and Centralized Deep Learning Approaches for Dermoscopic Image Classification

Author: Mousab Mohammad Mahmoud Shtayat, Published Year: 2026

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: Deep learning models show strong potential for automated skin cancer screening from dermoscopic images, yet multi-institutional model development is constrained by privacy regulations and the sensitive nature of medical imagery. We compare centralized learning and cross-silo federated learning (FL) for binary malignant/benign classification using 2,357 dermoscopic images distributed across four simulated institutions under non-IID Dirichlet partitioning (α = 0.5). Using an EfficientNet-B2 backbone, centralized training achieves 94.18% test accuracy, while FL with Federated Averaging attains 91.24% (96.88% of the centralized baseline) without transferring raw images. Class-wise analysis shows malignant recall decreases from 90.55% to 85.83%, highlighting a clinically relevant privacy–utility trade-off

Keywords: Federated Learning, Skin Cancer Detection, Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning, Medical Image Analysis, Deep Learning, Dermoscopy, EfficientNet, Non-IID Data, Healthcare AI, HIPAA Compliance

Research Title: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle behaviors and quality of sleep based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model among women with gestational diabetes in Jordan: A quasi-experimental study

Author: Rabia Hani Amin Haddad, Published Year: 2026

Women's Health, Volume 22

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Background: Continuous educational programs based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model are recommended for women with gestational diabetes to improve their knowledge and awareness of the condition. These programs should address individual, organizational, and healthcare-related factors. Objectives: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of a nursing approach based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model on health behaviors and sleep quality among women with gestational diabetes. Design: This study is a quasi-experimental research (pre-posttest design for control and study groups). Methods: This study includes a purposive sample of 90 pregnant women. This study was carried out in obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic at Al-Basheer hospital in Jordan. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, the questionnaire incorporated constructs from the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, along with the health-promoting lifestyle profile-II and Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Results: Following the intervention, participants in the study group achieved higher overall health-promoting lifestyle scores than those in the control group. The mean score in the intervention group was 97.02 ± 15.27, compared with 77.71 ± 11.55 in the control group, indicating a statistically significant difference. Significant improvements were also observed in key lifestyle domains, including nutrition (28.04 ± 5.52), physical activity (17.08 ± 3.34), and stress management (18.46 ± 2.69). In addition, sleep quality improved in the intervention group, as reflected by a reduction in the mean sleep disturbance score to 8.20 ± 2.65 compared with 11.24 ± 5.32 in the control group. Conclusion: The PRECEDE-PROCEED model was effective in improving knowledge, attitude, sleep quality, and health behaviors among pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Keywords: PRECEDE-PROCEED model, health behaviors, sleep quality, gestational diabetes

Research Title: The Impact of the Israeli War on the Gaza Strip between 2006–2024 from Social and Environmental Perspectives: A Documentary Study

Author: Abdalla Ahmad Abdalla, Published Year: 2026

مجلة ابحاث اليرموك, مجلد 34 عدد1

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: This study aims to shed light on the environmental and social damages resulting from the Israeli wars on the Gaza Strip, drawing on official documents issued by the Palestinian governmental body and United Nations reports. The study reveals the escalating environmental damages that the Palestinian people have endured throughout the occupation period. Among the most significant of these damages is the increased rate of environmental pollution caused by a rise in radiation and oxides in the air, attributed to actions by the occupying forces. This, in turn, has led to prolonged environmental deterioration experienced by the Palestinian people. The study concludes that repeated Israeli wars on the Gaza Strip have had extensive repercussions on the Palestinian people, both environmentally and socially, aiming to create a challenging environmental reality that forces residents of the Strip to emigrate, thereby enabling the occupying state to achieve its primary goal of expansion and settlement.

Keywords: Israeli wars, Gaza strip, Environmental impact, Social impact.

Research Title: Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of a new continuing professional development system: barriers and recommendations from Jordan

Author: Audi Naji Khaled Al Smadi, Published Year: 2026

Faculty: Business

Abstract: requirement for professionals working in healthcare systems across the world. In the last 10 years, several lower- and middle-income countries, including Jordan, have introduced CPD systems for licence renewal. This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding CPD, as well as perceived barriers to CPD activity completion and recommendations for improvement. Methods An online survey study was conducted with healthcare professionals from across sectors (government, private, educational, military and non-profit) in Jordan. A self‑administered survey was used to collect data between December 2024 and March 2025. Knowledge and practices were measured using ‘yes/no’ questionnaires, while attitudes and barriers were measured using a 5-point Likert scale. An open-ended question was included for recommendations for improvement. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, with one-way ANOVA used to assess differences between employment sectors. Results A total of 1002 healthcare professionals completed the survey. The mean knowledge score was 92% and the mean attitude score was 3.90 out of 5.00, indicating generally positive attitudes towards CPD. The most common CPD activity was attending local seminars (85.0%), while publishing articles was the least practised activity (44.9%). Some significant differences were found between employment sectors in terms of attitudes and perceived barriers. The two greatest barriers reported by participants were a lack of quality learning activities availability and family responsibilities. All barriers were rated ‘moderate’. Conclusions Healthcare staff demonstrated high levels of knowledge, fairly favourable attitudes and active engagement in CPD, but barriers to completing these activities exist. These findings can provide key insights for leaders and policy makers to improve the effectiveness of, and access to, CPD in Jordan and beyond. Implications for practice Development of a wider range of accessible CPD activities, including online delivery, with a digital platform to help healthcare professionals track and manage their hours, could help to increase engagement and improve perce

Keywords: Attitude; Barriers; Continuing professional development; Healthcare professionals; Knowledge; Practices

Research Title: HBV-IoT: Hierarchical Blockchain-Based Vehicular IoT Network Model for Secured Traffic Monitoring and Control Management

Author: AHMAD MOHAMMAD SALEH KHASAWNEH, Published Year: 2026

Sensors, 8

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: Smart vehicles integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) provide rich data for traffic management, safety, and liability services; however, existing blockchain-enabled vehicular architectures still struggle with consensus scalability, heavy centralized validation, limited interaction-based corroboration, incomplete attack coverage, and rapid ledger growth. In particular, many schemes either optimize single-layer consensus or embed detailed reputation information into every transaction, while pushing most validation to central servers. This leads to bottlenecks under dense traffic and leaves replay, Sybil-assisted 51% attacks on roadside units (RSUs), and man-in-the-middle tampering only partially addressed. In this context, this paper proposes a novel hierarchical blockchain for vehicular IoT (HBV-IoT) model to address the above challenges. An independent transaction for periodic vehicle status reporting and an interaction-based transaction for corroborating data between vehicles in proximity are presented. Three smart contracts are designed to automate the validation and processing of transactions, and to identify compromised or malicious vehicles within the HBV-IoT network. Algorithms for distributed consensus to accept transactions into the blockchain and for vehicle reputation management to enforce edge-level filtering and down-weighting of malicious nodes are implemented. Simulation results demonstrate significant improvements compared to conventional vehicular blockchain approaches, with performance gains validated by 95% confidence intervals. The model supports practical applications, including real-time traffic monitoring, automated e-challan issuance, intelligent insurance claim processing, and blockchain-based vehicle registration.

Keywords: vehicular IoT; hierarchical blockchain; smart contracts; traffic management; edge computing; cybersecurity

Research Title: Distributed Generator Offset Armored Synchronous Reference Frame-Phase-Locked Loop using Arbitrary Delay Signal Cancellation for Grid Connected Modular Multilevel Converter

Author: Firas Abdullah Obeidat, Published Year: 2026

Engineered Science, 40

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: This paper addresses the distributed generator (DC) offset problem in the grid-connected modular multilevel converter and proposes a simple solution adopting a three-phase synchronous reference frame (SRF) phase-locked loop (PLL) and an arbitrary delay signal cancellation (ADSC). The ADSC is used to mitigate DC offset, along with phase and amplitude correction methods, to accurately estimate the grid voltage's phase, frequency, and amplitude. The proposed method is not limited to a specific delay time, unlike the other PLLs. This freedom in selecting the delay time can be used to enhance the dynamic response of the grid synchronization unit, which is essential for MCC's power flow. The small-signal model of the proposed PLL is derived, which paves the way to study its closed-loop stability and provides guidelines to design the loop filter gains. Simulation results demonstrate the viability of the proposed PLL when used with the grid-connected 5-level Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) system. Compared with the αβDSC-PLL, the proposed method reduces total harmonic distortion (THD) by up to 70% and improves DC voltage settling time by more than 50%, confirming its practical viability and robustness.

Keywords: Modular Multilevel Converter, phase-locked loop, grid synchronization, small-signal analysis

Research Title: Factors influencing Jordanian nursing students’ attitudes toward caring for terminally ill patients

Author: Omiama Zein Eddin Abdulraheem Alrajabi, Published Year: 2026

International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 32

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Background: Providing care for terminally ill patients is demanding and many nursing students are insufficiently prepared to care for terminally ill patients. Objectives: This study aimed to explore nursing students’ attitudes toward caring for terminally ill patients at universities in Jordan and identify the factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A multistage random sampling method was employed to recruit 500 nursing students from five governmental universities in Jordan. A structured questionnaire consisting of two parts, including a demographic information sheet and the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (FATCOD-B), was used to collect the data. Results: The majority of nursing students expressed unfavourable opinions about end-of-life care. No significant relationships were found between students’ sociodemographic variables and attitudes toward end-of-life care, except for age and academic year (F=2.5, P=0.006). Conclusion: Nursing students observe adverse perceptions regarding the care of terminally ill patients. Nurse educators need to make extensive efforts to understand students’ perspectives on this topic. Integrating palliative educational courses into the nursing curriculum should improve students’ attitudes toward end-of-life care.

Keywords: l attitudes l end of life l nursing students l palliative care l terminally ill

Research Title: Knowledge and attitude of mother towards home management of febrile seizure in children: A cross-sectional study

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2026

sage open medicine , 14

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Abstract Background: Typically, mothers are the primary caregivers for their children; therefore, their knowledge and attitude towards febrile seizures impact the management of this condition in the home environment. Aims: This study is designed to explore mothers’ knowledge, attitudes towards managing febrile seizures at home, and the correlation between socio-demographic variables and knowledge and attitudes towards managing febrile seizures. Methods: This research adopted a cross-sectional design consisting of a convenience sample of 84 mothers who had attended a paediatric clinic or accompanied their child during hospitalisation at two public hospitals in northern Jordan between August 2021 and December 2021. The data employed by this study were gathered via a valid structured questionnaire that was adapted from the work of Elbilgahy and Abd El Aziz. Results: This study revealed that 63.6% of participants possessed a good knowledge of the condition, and that 63.1% of participants exhibited positive attitudes towards febrile seizure management. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.274, p=0.012) of mothers regarding the management of febrile seizures in children. Furthermore, the findings of this study indicate that the educational level of mothers was only an associated factor of knowledge (B=−0.821, p=0.034). Conclusion: Mothers demonstrated generally good knowledge and positive attitudes towards febrile seizure management; however, important misconceptions persist. Targeted educational interventions by healthcare professionals are needed to improve safe home management and support parental confidence.

Keywords: febrile seizure, knowledge, attitude, home management, children under 6