Research Title: A short note on generalized variation diminishing wavelets

Author: Abdulla M. M. Al-Jarrah, Published Year: 2024

Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transaction A: Science, 48

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Pathak [25] introduced variation diminishing wavelets and wavelets of specified changes in sign by utilising Schoenberg’s notion of variation-diminishing integral operators of convolution type. In this paper, we introduce some generalized variation diminishing wavelets based on the Hartley kernel and the Boas transforms. In particular, we introduce wavelets with specific changes of sign and wavelets based on Tanno’s form of convolution kernels.

Keywords: Wavelet, variation diminishining kernel, hartelty kernel, Boas transfroms, Hartely-Baos-like Wavelets

Research Title: On singular integral operators along surfaces

Author: Abdulla M. M. Al-Jarrah, Published Year: 2025

Georgian Mathematical Journal, 32

Faculty: Science

Abstract: : Suppose that Ω ∈ L 1 (???? n−1 × ???? n−1 ) is a homogeneous function of degree zero in the sense Ω(tx, sy) = Ω(x, y) for any t, s > 0 satisfying the cancellation property ∫????n−1Ω(u, ⋅ ) dσn(u) = ∫????m−1Ω( ⋅ , v) dσm(v) = 0. Under suitable growth conditions on the mappings ϕ1, ϕ2 : (0, ∞) → ℝ, we prove that the singular integral operator T (ϕ1????????ϕ2)Ω (f)(x, y) = p.v. ∫ℝn×ℝm f((x − ϕ1(|v|)u, y − ϕ2(|u|)v)) Ω(u, v) |u| n|v|m du dv is bounded on L p (ℝn × ℝm), 1 < p < ∞, provided the kernel function Ω satisfies weak size condition

Keywords: Singular integral operators, product domains, rough kernels, Hardy–Littlewood maximal function, truncated maximal singular integrals, twisted surfaces

Research Title: The Arabic Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and its three-item version: Factor structure and measurement invariance among university students

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2025

Acta Psychologica, 255

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Background: University students face numerous challenges, which may adversely influence their mental/physical well-being and academic performance. Satisfaction with life implicates the psychological, social, and educational functioning of students—justifying its use for clinical screening and monitoring of treatment outcomes. Objective: Given the growing interest in the equivalence of this construct across cultures, this study assessed the structure and invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and its three-item version (SWLS-3). Methods: In this cross sectional study, data collected from two samples of Saudi students (N = 422 and 979, females % = 75.6 and 65.9 %) were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: In exploratory factor analysis, a single factor with eigenvalue >1 explained 69.0 % and 80.6 % of the variances in the SWLS and the SWLS-3. The fit of both the one- and two-factor structures of the SWLS (χ2 (4) = 10.10, CMIN/DF = 2.5, p = 0.040, CFI = 0.994, TLI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.060, SRMR = 0.017) as well as the unidimensional SWLS-3 (χ2 (4) = 91.35, CMIN/DF = 2.34, p = 0.001, CFI = 0.977, TLI = 0.968, RMSEA = 0.056, SRMR = 0.030) was good. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis depected invariance of the three models at the configural, metric, and scalar levels across groups of gender, age, area of specialty, and academic degree. In both samples, the SWLS-3 followed the non-normal distribution of the SWLS; it had similarly high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86, 0.88), convergent validity (item-total correlation range = 0.73–0.75 and 0.76–0.77), and predictive validity (correlation with the SWLS = 0.93 and 0.94). The SWLS and the SWLS-3 expressed adequate concurrent validity by positively correlating with positive affect and negatively correlating with negative affect and somatic complaints. Conclusion: The Arabic SWLS-3 is a unidimensional ultra-brief measure, which demonstrates measurement invariance along with high internal consistency, convergent validity, and predictive validity similar to the parent scale. It may mirror other constructs of well-being (e.g., positive affect) and psycho-pathogenicity (negative affect and somatic complaints).

Keywords: Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) Well-being Positive affect/negative affect/somatic complaints University students Arab/Saudi Validation/ validity/ psychometric/ factor structure/ measurement invariance Age/gender/academic degree/area of specialty

Research Title: Prevalence and predictors of anxiety and stress among Jordanian women following hysterectomy: an observational multicentre study

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2025

BMC Psychology , 13

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Abstract Background Jordan is a collectivist society where fertility is rated highly. Hysterectomy, therefore, has the potential to negatively impact a woman’s standing in a collectivist society leading to increased levels of anxiety and stress. Purpose To assess the impact of hysterectomy on the levels of anxiety, stress, body appreciation, and social support among women. Methods A cross-sectional design was utilized to recruit 251 women post-hysterectomy. The study used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), the Enriched Social Support Instrument (ESSI), and the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). Results Sexual difficulties were experienced by the majority. Severe anxiety was reported by 39% with around 89% of women reporting stress that was moderate or higher. Overall, participants had moderate levels of body appreciation and a high level of perceived support. Sexual problems, body appreciation, stress, post-surgery duration, and social support predicted the levels of anxiety, with both a desire for more children and longer post-surgery durations heightening both anxiety and stress. Conclusion Hysterectomy negatively impacts women’s mental health, leading to high levels of anxiety and stress. Body appreciation and social support are important facets in buffering the consequences of hysterectomy. A culturally sensitive healthcare addressing the individual needs of women in collectivist communities is paramount.

Keywords: Hysterectomy, Anxiety, Stress, Body appreciation, Social support

Research Title: Morphological, distributional, and molecular study of the Phlebotomus sand flies of Jordan

Author: Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Published Year: 2024

Journal of Vector Ecology, 49 (1)

Faculty: Science

Abstract: ABSTRACT: Sand flies were collected from 55 locations in Jordan covering all governorates during May, 2019–October, 2019. A total of 595 sand fly specimens were collected and were identified. Eight species of genus Phlebotomus: Ph. alexandri, Ph. tobbi, Ph. perfiliewi, Ph. major syriacus, Ph. jacusieli, Ph. papatasi, Ph. sergenti, and Ph. canaaniticus were recorded in this study. DNA barcoding and molecular characterization for collected Phlebotomus sand fly species were performed. Molecular work confirmed the morphological identification. This study shows the presence of low genetic differentiation within Ph. papatasi, Ph. alexandri, and Ph. sergenti populations which could be due to high gene flow, suggesting that gene flow is not restricted by geographic distance or climate for our samples.

Keywords: Diptera, Psychodidae, molecular, distribution, taxonomy.

Research Title: Genetic causes of primary immunodeficiency in the Jordanian population

Author: Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Published Year: 2024

Biomedical reports, 21

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Abstract. Ιnborn errors of immunity (IEI) represents a heterogenous collection of >480 immune system anomalies, leading to severe infections, autoimmune disorders and malignancies. While these conditions are rare globally, their prevalence is notably higher in the Jordanian population, attrib- uted to elevated rates of consanguinity. The intricate nature of IEI has driven the adoption of genomic technologies for the identification of associated genetic defects. In the present study, whole‑exome sequencing was performed on nine Jordanian IEI patient samples, confirming germline single‑nucleotide variations (SNVs) in 14 genes through Sanger sequencing. Of note, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), elastase, neutrophil expressed (ELANE) and inter- feron induced with helicase c domain 1 ( IFIH1) harbored mutations that were previously unreported in the Jordanian IEI population. In addition, mutations in capping protein regulator and myosin 1 linker 2 (c.3683C>T), TNF α‑induced protein 3‑interacting protein 1 ( TNIP1) (c.460C>G) and STAT1 (c.1061T>C) were confirmed, marking their associa- tion with Jordanian IEI. For robustness, the genomic databases Ensemble, Genome AD and ClinVar were used to confirm the SNVs' associations with IEI. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis also showed involvement of the IL‑17 signaling pathway (including IL‑17 receptor A), T‑helper type 17 cell differentiation (including STAT1), the JAK‑STAT signaling pathway (including STAT2 and tyrosine kinase 2), neutrophil extracellular trap formation (including ELANE), cocaine addiction [G protein signaling modulator 1 (GPSM1)] and cytokine‑cytokine receptor interaction (IL‑17 receptor C). In summary, exome sequencing identified a likely causative genetic defect in ELANE (PID‑28), STAT1 (PID‑30) and IFIH1 (PID‑33). The present findings reveal the association of novel STAT1, ELANE mutations with the clinical phenotype of the patients, as well as known mutations in NLRP12, GPSM1 and TNIP1, in addition to novel ELANE, STAT1 and IFIH1 mutations associated in the context of Jordanian IEI

Keywords: primary immunodeficiencies, whole exome sequencing, genetic diagnosis, primary immunodeficiency disorders

Research Title: RESEARCH ARTICLE Molecular identification and genetic diversity analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. infecting dogs from central and northern Jordan: Detection of zoonotic genotype IId

Author: Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Published Year: 2024

Plos One, 20(2)

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Abstract Cryptosporidium spp. are common causes of gastrointestinal disease in both humans and animals. This was a cross-sectional study conducted to determine the infection rate and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium infecting dogs in Jordan. A total of 249 faecal samples were collected from stray, pet, and breeding dogs from kennels (independent of their clinical condition) across three governorates in Jordan (Amman and Zarqa in Central Jordan and Irbid in Northern Jordan). Faecal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene, revealing an overall infection rate of 18.9% (47 out of 249). Cryptosporidiosis was significantly associated with indoor dogs, dogs cohabiting with other animals, and consuming raw food. Among the suc- cessfully sequenced samples, 25 (58.1%) were Cryptosporidium canis, 15 (34.9%) were Cryptosporidium parvum, and three (7.0%) were Cryptosporidium baileyi. Multiple diversity tests were employed, indicating low genetic differentiation between the studied populations of C. parvum and C. canis. Stability was observed for C. parvum, with minimal expansion observed for C. canis. Notably, each species exhibited a single dominant haplotype, consis- tent with the AMOVA results, where most of the variability occurred within populations. Fur- ther genotyping of C. parvum and C. canis was conducted by sequencing the gp60 gene. C. parvum isolates worldwide displayed solely the zoonotic IId genotypes, namely, IIdA20G1, IIdA22G1, IIdA18G1, and IIdA19G1. In contrast, the C. canis isolates exhibited the animal subtypes XXe and XXd. Consequently, dogs may serve as a source of infection with C. par- vum and pose a public health risk in Jordan.

Keywords: cryptosporidium, C. parvum, zoonotic, genotypeIID, Jordan

Research Title: Quadruplex qPCR for detection and discrimination of C. Coli,C. fetus, and C. Jejuni from other Campylobacter species in chicken and sheep meat

Author: Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Published Year: 2024

Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 55

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Abstract Campylobacter is gram-negative bacteria considered the predominant genera isolated from poultry samples and associated with gastroenteritis. Due to the problems in conventional cultural methods of time-consuming and technically demanding requirements, a rapid and feasible method for their identification and discrimination of the closely related spp. Including Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, and Campylobacter jejuni is needed. This study analyzes the chicken and sheep meats samples (n = 125) using culture and pre-enrichment-based Quadraplex real-time PCR by targeting OrfA, CstA, HipO, and 16 S rRNA genes of C. coli, C. fetus, C. jejuni and Campylobacter spp. Respectively. The analysis of 125 chicken and sheep meat samples by culture and real-time PCR showed high concordance between the results of the two methods. The present study show high prevalence of Campylobacter species (35% and 32% from chicken and meat respectively) of which C. jejuni were the most abundant. Reaction efficiencies were between 90 and 110%, and detect as low as 8.9 fg in C. jejuni. The need for quick detection and discrimination methods in sheep and chicken meat can be met using the described Quadraplex real-time PCR methodology.

Keywords: Quadraplex real-time PCR · Campylobacter · Species · Differentiation

Research Title: Parasitology Research (2024) 123:290Vol.:(0123456789) https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08296-w RESEARCH Molecular and serological prevalence rates of Neospora caninum infection in dogs from Jordan

Author: Marwan Abu-Halaweh, Published Year: 2024

Parasitology Research, 123

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Abstract Neosporosis is a proven disease of farm animals and dogs caused by Neospora caninum. This cross-sectional study investi- gates N. caninum prevalence and seroprevalence among 268 dogs. Nc5 gene PCR was carried out on dog faeces and confirmed by sequencing. Seroprevalence was detected using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Three age groups, gender, locality (Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa Governorates), dog type (stray, pet, and breeding), place of living (indoor/outdoor), food type (raw/cooked), having diarrhoea, having abortion in the area, and having animals nearby were tested as independent variables for associations with positivity to N. caninum using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The true prevalence of N. caninum was 34.3% (95% CI 28.4, 40.5) using the Nc5-PCR test. The true seroprevalence rate of N. caninum among dogs in Jordan was 47.9% (95% CI 41.4, 54.5) using IFAT. The sequenced isolates of Nc5-PCR products (n = 85) matched three N. caninum strains, namely, NcHareGre (n = 70, 82.4%, 95% CI 72.6–89), NC MS2 (n = 14, 16.5%, 95% CI 9.3–26.1), and L218 (n = 1, 1.2%, 95% CI 0.03–6.4). The three strains were isolated previously from three differ- ent countries and continents. N. caninum shedding is associated with abortion among dogs and animals in the area (odds ratio = 3.6). In Amman and Zarqa, living indoors reduced seroprevalence at 0.45, 0.24, and 0.02 odds ratios, respectively. Jordan shares three molecular N. caninum strains with three different countries and continents.

Keywords: Neospora caninum · Dogs · Prevalence · IFAT · PCR · Jordan

Research Title: Penal Liability for the Oil Leak Incident Heavy Fuel in the Jordanian Port of Aqaba and Its Impact on the Environment

Author: Moayd Husni Al-Kawaldah, Published Year: 2023

Faculty: Law

Abstract: Pollution by oil "heavy fuel" poses an environmental problem. Therefore, there must be legal protection through civil and penal liability to combat this. Still, in this research, we will address the penal protection relating to preserving the marine environment in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, Jordan's only water crossing and a source of economic and tourism income for Jordan. The study reached several conclusions and recommendations, the most important of which was: The Jordanian legislator provides in article 54/b of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Act and article 54 ter for penalties applicable to those responsible for pollution of the marine environment, in particular concerning the issue of the oil leak, such responsible must have criminal intent according to the general rules of the Criminal Code. Regarding the recommendations, articles 54/b and 54 make it clear that a penalty must be imposed whether or not there is criminal intent. Also, there must be a gradation of penalty; therefore, I wish the Jordanian legislator to amend article 54/b of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Act and the proposed provision as follows: "If there is pollution in the seawater or the marine environment, whether the criminal intent is available or not, the penalty must be imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not more than three years or a fine from (2000) JD to (20,000) JD or both penalties if they are for the first time. If they are for the second time or have devastating and persistent effects on the environment, article 54 ter of the same code must be applied and determined by a specialized committee to be determined by the competent court”.

Keywords: environment,oil, heavy fuel,penal liability.penalty