Research Title: Future Energy Mix Mapping for Jordan using Multi Criteria Decision Analysis

Author: Firas Abdullah Obeidat, Published Year: 2021

12th International Renewable Engineering Conference – IREC2021, jordan

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Jordan is one of the most hydrocarbon-poor countries in the Middle East, with neither significant production of oil nor natural gas. It relies heavily on imported oil and gas for power generation. This let energy remains Jordan’s top challenge. In its future energy strategy, Jordan pledged to diversify its energy supply by increasing domestic sources contribution to the total energy mix. The available alternatives vary from conventional energy sources including natural gas power plants, nuclear power, and oil shale to renewable energy comprising PV power plants, wind energy, and concentrated solar power plants. This makes it a very challenging task for the decision makers to choose in which track to invest more heavily than others. This paper uses Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to accomplish this goal. MCDA are techniques used to compare a number of alternatives using monetized, quantitative or qualitative criteria. Six options were compared; new CCGT plants, nuclear power plants, oil shale direct combustion, wind turbines, PV technology, and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). The value tree of the objectives was constructed with five high level factors that each option is evaluated against that include the aspects of environmental, economic, political, social, and technical. These factors are then broken down into 15 performance criteria. Criteria used for the evaluation were CO2 emissions, external costs, visual impact, noise, capital cost, operation and maintenance costs, fuel costs, cost of generated electricity, water requirements, promotion of renewables, jobs creation, capacity factor, predictability, and hybridization. Results show that renewable energy technologies outperform conventional ones in terms of the overall weighted score. In the renewables; PV technology come first with overall weighted score of 84.89 out of 100. CSP energy come second with this score of 64.61 while wind energy scored 61.14. The overall weighted score for the conventional technologies of natural gas, nuclear, and oil shale power plants were 31.57, 324.17 and 26.94 respectively. Conclusions withdrawn from this research work are that power supply systems based on renewable technologies, will play a greater role in generating electricity in Jordan and are the most preferred options to invest more heavily in to diversify the future energy mix and that MCDA is a great tool serving decision makers in their energy sector policies that can handle complex decision-making problems.

Keywords: energy mix, multi criteria, decision making

Research Title: Optimization of Kumada-Corriu-Tamao cross-coupling reactions of tri- and tetra- bromothiophenes and symmetrical di-bromo-2, 2' bithiophene with cyclohexylmagnesium bromide: Synthesis, DFT studies and nonlinear optical analysis

Author: Adnan Dahadha, Published Year: 2022

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Tri-, tetra-bromothiophene and symmetrical dibromo-2,2'-bithiophene derivatives were coupled efficiently with cyclohexylmagnesium bromide in the presence of iron, nickel and palladium as catalysts under optimized mild reaction conditions. Additives such as lithium chloride and bromide were employed to enhance the efficiency of the Grignard reagent. The corresponding coupled products, which were widely used as precursors or additives in photonic industries were studied by DFT method at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory using Gaussian 09W to explore the global chemical reactivity descriptors and nonlinear optical activities ( NLO). According to the results of NLO analysis, polarizability (α), anisotropy hyperpolarizability (Δα) and first order hyperpolarizability (β) exhibited higher value than the standard urea, which reflect a promising molecular non-linear susceptibility, indicating that the compounds 4a-4f are good candidates in the potential photonic applications.

Keywords: Iron; nickel; palladium; thiophene; nonlinear optical analysis

Research Title: Polyethylene Glycols Catalyzed Reaction of Catechol and Resorcinol with Cerium Ammonium Sulfate in the Aqueous Medium: Kinetic and Mechanistic Study

Author: Adnan Dahadha, Published Year: 2022

Chemistry Africa,

Faculty: Science

Abstract: The reaction kinetics of catechol or resorcinol with cerium (Ce) ammonium sulfate were spectrophotometrically investigated in polymer media containing polyethylene glycol (PEG 200, 600, 1500, and 4000). Kinetic runs for Ce(IV) were performed under pseudo-first-order reaction conditions. The reaction was found to be first-order for Ce(IV) and fractional orders for catechol, resorcinol, and H+. The presence of PEG caused considerable acceleration of the oxidation of the two substrates. Of note, PEG 4000 presents a distinguished catalytic activity when compared with PEG 200, 600, and 1500 in an acidic medium. The kinetic results were modeled using the Benesi–Hildebrand and Menger–Portnoy equations to explain the nature of the catalytic effects of both PEG forms and substrates. Hence, the efficiency of the reaction was optimal in the presence of resorcinol as a substrate. Based on kinetic features and thermodynamic parameters, probable mechanisms and expected final products are suggested and discussed.

Keywords: Catechol · Resorcinol · Cerium(IV) · Polyethylene glycols · Spectrophotometry

Research Title: The Catalytic Influence of Polymers and Surfactants on the Rate Constants of Reaction of Maltose with Cerium(IV) in Acidic Aqueous Medium.

Author: Adnan Dahadha, Published Year: 2022

Journal of Chemistry, 2022

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Kinetics of the reaction of maltose with cerium ammonium sulfate were analyzed spectrophotometrically by observing the decrease of the absorbance of Cerium(IV) at 385 nm in the presence and absence of polyethylene glycols (600, 1500, and 4000) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), in addition to anionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and nonionic micelles of Tween 20 surfactants. Generally, there are few literatures about using the polymers (PEGs and PVP) as catalysts in the oxidation-reduction reactions, therefore the major target of this work was to investigate the influence of the nature of polymers and surfactants on the oxidation rates of maltose by Cerium(IV) in acidic aqueous media, as well as employing the Piszkiewicz model to explain the catalytic effect. The kinetic runs were derived by adaptation of the pseudo first-order reaction conditions with respect to the Cerium(IV). The reaction was found to be first-order with respect to the oxidant and fractional-order to maltose and H2SO4. The reaction rates were enhanced in the presence of polymer and micellar catalysis. Indeed, the surfactants were found to work perfectly close to their critical micelle concentrations (CMC). The electrostatic interaction and H-bonding appear to play an influential role in binding maltose molecules to polymer/ surfactant micelles, while oxidant ions remain at the periphery of the Stern layer within the micelle.

Keywords: Polymer catalysis, Micellar Catalysis, Surfactants, Cerium(IV), Maltose, Oxidation reactions

Research Title: An Acoustic Account of Prosodic Competence through Shadowing

Author: Abdu Al-Kadi, Published Year: 2022

Journal of English Studies in Arabia Felix, 1

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: Adopting an acoustic framework, this experimental study elucidates the effect of the shadowing technique on the prosodic competence of learners of English whose L1 (Arabic) and English have quite dissimilar phonological systems. It appertains to prosodic aspects such as pauses, stress, and sound length that cause challenges to non-English native speakers. Two individuals of heterogeneous linguistic background participated in a pre-test and a post-test before and after five weeks of shadowing sessions. The data was analyzed acoustically using Praat Software. Findings showed that the participant with the elementary level outperformed the other participant whose level was intermediate, partially because the former was highly motivated to improve her English. The study concluded that shadowing per se is in no way a panacea for improving supra-segmental features unless it is coupled with a motivation to do so, regardless of the level of proficiency.

Keywords: Pauses, Pronunciation, Prosody, Shadowing, Supra-segmental Features

Research Title: Towards Green Driving: Efficient Driving Techniques

Author: Maram Bani Younes, Published Year: 2022

World Electric Vehicle Journal, 13

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: The exponential increase in the number of daily traveling vehicles has exaggerated the global warming and environmental pollution issues. These problems directly threaten the continuity and the quality of life on the planet. Several techniques and technologies have been used and developed to reduce the fuel consumption and gas emissions of traveling vehicles over the road network. In this paper, we investigate some solutions that assist drivers to follow efficient driving tips during their trips. Advanced technologies of communications or vehicle manufacturing have considered enhancing the traffic efficiency over road networks. Besides, several advisory systems have been proposed to recommend drivers with the most efficient speed, route, or other decisions to follow towards their targeted destinations. These recommendations are selected according to the real-time traffic distribution and the context of the road network. In this paper, first different highly fuel consumption reasons and scenarios are investigated over the road networks. Then, the details of efficient driving techniques that were proposed to tackle each case accordingly are reviewed and categorized over downtown and highways. Finally, set of remarks and existed gaps are reported to researchers in this field.

Keywords: Green driving; Road context; Driving Assistance; Traffic situation.

Research Title: Towards Green Driving: Efficient Driving Techniques

Author: Maram Bani Younes, Published Year: 2022

World Electric Vehicle Journal, 13

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: The exponential increase in the number of daily traveling vehicles has exaggerated the global warming and environmental pollution issues. These problems directly threaten the continuity and the quality of life on the planet. Several techniques and technologies have been used and developed to reduce the fuel consumption and gas emissions of traveling vehicles over the road network. In this paper, we investigate some solutions that assist drivers to follow efficient driving tips during their trips. Advanced technologies of communications or vehicle manufacturing have considered enhancing the traffic efficiency over road networks. Besides, several advisory systems have been proposed to recommend drivers with the most efficient speed, route, or other decisions to follow towards their targeted destinations. These recommendations are selected according to the real-time traffic distribution and the context of the road network. In this paper, first different highly fuel consumption reasons and scenarios are investigated over the road networks. Then, the details of efficient driving techniques that were proposed to tackle each case accordingly are reviewed and categorized over downtown and highways. Finally, set of remarks and existed gaps are reported to researchers in this field.

Keywords: Green driving; Road context; Driving Assistance; Traffic situation.

Research Title: Effects of Liraglutide Combined with Normal Fat Diet on Neural and Thermogenic Activities of 5’ - AMPK in the Hypothalamus

Author: Nour Ratib Batarseh, Published Year: 2022

Progress in Nutrition, 24

Faculty: Allied Medical Sciences

Abstract: Abstract. Background: Medical nutrition therapy is essential in managing and preventing diseases, and liraglutide plays a critical role in controlling weight and modulating the effectiveness of 5’ AMP-activated protein kinase (5’-AMPK) in the hypothalamus. On the other hand, the neural effects of liraglutide and 5’- AMPK are negatively altered by a high-fat diet (HFD); in addition to that, it remains unclear how normal fat diets combined with liraglutide could counteract the HFD effect. Objectives: To investigate the effects of a high-fat versus normal diet on the neural and thermogenic activities of liraglutide and 5’ –AMPK in the hypothalamus. Methods: We searched the available literature for studies published in PubMed, Science Direct, and ClinicaTrials.gov between November/2020 and January /2021, and we included controlled clinical trials based on the animals’ model issued in the past six years. Findings: A total 101 out of 250 articles were included in our search, and findings revealed that high-fat diets negatively influence liraglutide and 5’-AMPK in the hypothalamus. In contrast, a normal-fat diet could reverse this negative influence if combined with a dose of 1.8-3 mg/kg of liraglutide for up to 16 weeks. Conclusion: High-fat diets counteract the activity of liraglutide and 5’-AMPK in controlling food intake and energy hemostasis in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, we didn’t find adequate studies that examined the effect of combining a normal-fat diet with liraglutide on 5’-AMPK in the hypothalamus; hence, our concern was reviewing and predicting the possible effect of normal-fat diets.

Keywords: liraglutide, hypothalamus, 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase, high fat diet, obesity

Research Title: Pharmacists-physicians collaborative intervention to reduce vaccine hesitancy and resistance: A randomized controlled trial.

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2022

Vaccine X, 100135

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Purpose: Given their negative influence on community health, vaccine hesitancy and resistance are emerging challenges that require healthcare intervention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of physician-pharmacist collaborative health coaching on rates of hesitancy and resistance for a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: After an initial assessment of rates of hesitancy and resistance for a COVID-19 vaccine was conducted, hesitant and resistant participants were approached, recruited, and randomized into an active and control group. Pharmacists-physicians collaborative coaching intervention was delivered to active group subjects over two months through Facebook live sessions. The outcome measures were assessed in both groups before coaching, directly after coaching, and a month after coaching. Results: The proportions of hesitancy and resistance for a COVID-19 vaccine among subjects in the active group were significantly reduced from 64.3% and 35.7?fore coaching to 20.1% and 7.8% directly after coaching, respectively. These proportions were further reduced to 11.1% and 3.3% a month after coaching, respectively. Furthermore, the mean scores for knowledge on, and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine were significantly increased from 4.6 ± 1.8 and 4.1 ± 1.7 before coaching to 7.5 ± 3.1 and 8.9 ± 3.8 directly after coaching, respectively. However, the change in mean score of beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines among active group subjects was not significant. Conclusion: High rates of hesitancy and resistance for a COVID-19 vaccine were found in Jordan. These rates can be significantly reduced through online pharmacists-physicians collaborative coaching, which can also improve knowledge of and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; Health coaching; SARS-Cov-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Vaccine hesitancy; χ2, chi-square.

Research Title: Assessment of A new Strategy to Prevent Prescribing Errors Involving COVID-19 Patients in Community Pharmacies

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2022

Hospital Pharmacy, April

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Background: Because COVID-19 patients are vulnerable to prescribing errors (PEs) and adverse drug events, designing and implementing a new approach to prevent prescribing errors (PEs) involving COVID-19 patients has become a priority in pharmacotherapy research. Objectives: To investigate whether using WhatsApp to deliver prescribing error (PE)-related clinical scenarios to community pharmacists could enhance their ability to detect PEs and conduct successful pharmaceutical interventions (PIs). Methods: In this study, 110 community pharmacies were recruited from different regions across Jordan and equally allocated to 2 groups. Over the course of 4 weeks, WhatsApp was used to send PEs-related clinical case scenarios to the active group. The second group was controlled with no clinical scenarios. After completion of the 4-week phase, pharmacists from both groups were asked to document PEs in COVID-19 patients and their interventions using a data-collection form. Results: The incidence of PEs in COVID-19 patients documented in the active group (18.54%) was higher than that reported in the control group (3.09%) (P = .001). Of the 6598 and 968 PIs conducted by participants working in the active and control group pharmacies, 6013 (91.13%) and 651 (67.25%) were accepted, respectively. The proportions of wrong drug (contraindication), wrong drug (unnecessary drug prescribed/no proof of its benefits), and omission of a drug between the active and control groups were 15.30% versus 7.21% (P = .001), 11.85% versus 6.29% (P = .03), and 17.78% versus 10.50% (0.01), respectively. Additionally, the proportions of lethal, serious, and significant errors were 0.74% versus 0.35% (P = .04), 10.52% versus 2.57% (0.002), and 47.88% versus 9.57% (0.001), respectively. Addition of drug therapy interventions (AOR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.21-0.84) and errors with significant clinical seriousness (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.16-0.64). Conclusions PEs involving COVID-19 patients in community settings are common and clinically significant. The intervention assessed in this study could be promising for designing a feasible and time-efficient interventional tool to encourage pharmacists’ involvement in identifying and correcting PEs in light of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 patients, prescribing errors, clinical scenarios