Research Title: Synthesis and evaluation of 2,4,5-trisubstitutedthiazoles as carbonic anhydrase-III inhibitors

Author: Soha Telfah, Published Year: 2020

JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, 35

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A series of 17 compounds 12–16 b with 2,4,5 trisubstitutedthiazole scaffold having 5 aryl group, 4 carboxylic acid/ester moiety, and 2-amino/ amido /ureido functional groups were synthesized, characterized,

Keywords: Carbonic anhydrase III inhibitors; 2-amino-5-arylthiazole Hummel–Dreyer method of chromatography

Research Title: Intertextuality in the Cordovan Maqama_ An Analytical Statistical study

Author: Omar Faris Yousif AlKafaween, Published Year: 2023

مجلة المشكاة للعلوم الإنسانية والاجتماعية, 10/1

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: The study aimed to shed light on an important mechanism for the construction of the text in the Cordovan Maqama, one of the Andalusian Maqamat in the 6th century AH, that is the mechanism of intertextuality. The study starts with introducing this Maqama and the context of its production besides a summary of its plot, and then the definition and importance of intertextuality are introduced before explaining the main intertextual forms that are found in this Maqama via a statistical process which highlights the role of intertextuality in constructing the Maqama text on both the aesthetic and the thematic aspects. The main forms of intertextuality in the Maqama are the religious intertextuality, especially the Quranic one, and the literary intertextuality, such as poetic and proverbial intertextuality, in addition to references to traditional figures. The research method used was the statistical one in combination with the descriptive and formalist methods. The study ends with several conclusions, the most important of which is that literary intertextuality, particularly poetry, is the most common in the Maqama, while the rest of the forms are present almost equally, and the style of intertextuality in most of them takes the form of direct quotation.

Keywords: Intertextuality, Intertextuality Forms, Cordovan Maqama

Research Title: Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of Aristolochia maurorum L

Author: Soha Telfah, Published Year: 2006

Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung, 61

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Aristolochia maurorum L. of Jordanian origin has been investigated phytochemically, quantitatively, and biologically. Three atypical alkaloids, namely aristolochic acid I (1), aristolochic acid II (2) and aristolochic acid IIIa (3), have been isolated and identified. Of these known 1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acids, 2 and 3 are reported for the first time from this species. The identified compounds 1-3 were first evaluated biologically as cytotoxic agents against the brine shrimp lethality test (BST), in which compound 1 was found to be the most potent (LC50, 4.9 microg/mL). The antiplatelet activity of the methanolic extracts, the acidic fractions of aerial and root parts, and the identified compounds 1-3 were evaluated using an automatic platelet aggregometer and coagulation tracer (APACT 2). Using external reference standards, and a reverse-phase isocratic method, the distribution of aristolochic acid I and aristolochic acid II in different plant parts of Aristolochia maurorum L. during flowering stage was analyzed by PDA-HPLC. A quantitative comparison between two previously reported extraction methods was also made. Roots were found to be the main storage of aristolochic acid I and aristolochic acid II during flowering stage with about 0.22 and 0.108% (w/w), respectively.

Keywords: Aristolochic Acids, Aristolochia maurorum, Antiplatelet Activity

Research Title: ‎A Holystic Self-adaptive systems model‎

Author: Said Ahmad Ammar Ghoul, Published Year: 2021

‎, International Journal of Software Engineering & Applications (IJSEA), , 12, 2/3, May 2021‎

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: The recent self-adaptive software systematic literature reviews stated clearly the following ‎insufficiencies: (1) the need for a holistic self-adaptive software model to integrate its different ‎aspects (2) The limitation of adaptations to context changes (3) The absence of a general and ‎complete adaptations’ picture allowing its understandability, maintainability, evaluation, reuse, and ‎variability. (4) The need for an explicit and a detailed link with resources, and (5) a usual limitation ‎to known events. ‎ In order to metigate these insufficiencies, this paper is proposing a holistic model that integrates the ‎operating, adaptations, and adaptations’ manager aspects. The proposed model covers all possible ‎adaptations: operating (dealing with software functions failures), lifecycle (handling adaptations ‎required by some software lifecycle steps), and context (facing context changes events). The ‎presented work introduces the concept of software adaptations process integrating the ‎specifications of all the above kind of adaptations. In fact, this work shows an explicit trace to its ‎pure bio-inspired origin. ‎ An application of the proposed approach on a “car industry case study” demonstrated its feasibility ‎in comparison with similar works that proved its meaningful added value and its promising research ‎perspectives.‎

Keywords: Self-adaptive software, bio-inspired approach, adaptation events, immune system.‎

Research Title: ‎A Feature Model Based Configuration Reuse for Context-aware Systems‎

Author: Said Ahmad Ammar Ghoul, Published Year: 2021

Computers, Materials & Continua (‎Scopus, Q2), Under press

Faculty: Information Technology

Abstract: Most of Self-Adaptive Systems (SAS) use Feature Models (FMs) to represent their complex ‎architecture and benefit from reusing commonalities and variability information. However ‎triggering SAS reconfiguration process, each time a system needs to be adapted, continues to ‎cost time and effort. Current FM techniques have modelled SAS concepts, focusing on ‎representing and reusing elementary features without taking into consideration modelling and ‎reusing configurations. This work presents an extension to the FM in order to remedy this ‎important problem by introducing and managing the configuration feature. Evaluation shows that ‎the reuse of configuration feature reduces reconfiguration process effort and time during the run ‎time in order to meet the required scenario according to the context.‎

Keywords: Self-Adaptive system, Feature Model, System reuse, Configuration management, Variability ‎modelling‎

Research Title: Investigating the efficiency of financial markets: Empirical evidence from MENA countries

Author: Izzeddien Naef Ananzeh, Published Year: 2021

Investment management and financial innovations, Volume 18, Issue 1,

Faculty: Business

Abstract: The market efficiency hypothesis has become an important concept for all investors looking to own internationally diversified portfolios, which coincides with an increase in investment flows between all countries, both developed and undeveloped. This study was aimed at investigating the efficiency of a group of Arab stock markets located in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region according to the Random Walk Hypotheses (RWH) at weak form. The study covered the markets of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Oman. The empirical results of all tests used in this study rejected the RWH at a weak form for all markets through all tests applied – Unit root test, Variance Ratio Test, and Run Test. The result of this study contradicts the results of many studies conducted on developed and emerging markets. This can be a good indication of the ineffectiveness of the reforms that have been adopted by responsible bodies on these markets. Based on this result, all efforts made to expand and deepen these markets should be intensified by improving liquidity, transparency, enhancing investment culture in these countries; supporting legislative and regulatory reforms to attract investment, and developing the financial sector in these markets as a whole.

Keywords: MENA markets, market efficiency, financial markets, unit root tests, run test, variance ratio test

Research Title: Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of FINCA (fibrosis, neurodegeneration, and cerebral angiomatosis) syndrome beyond infancy

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2021

Clinical genetics, 100

Faculty: Science

Abstract: Fibrosis, neurodegeneration, and cerebral angiomatosis (FINCA, MIM#618278) is a rare clinical condition caused by bi-allelic variants in NHL repeat containing protein 2 (NHLRC2, MIM*618277). Pulmonary disease may be the presenting sign and the few patients reported so far, all deceased in early infancy. Exome sequencing was performed on patients with childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) and additional neurological features. The chILD-EU register database and an in-house database were searched for patients with NHLRC2 variants and clinical features overlapping FINCA syndrome. Six patients from three families were identified with bi-allelic variants in NHLRC2. Two of these children died before the age of two while four others survived until childhood. Interstitial lung disease was pronounced in almost all patients during infancy and stabilized over the course of the disease with neurodevelopmental delay (NDD) evolving as the key clinical finding. We expand the phenotype of FINCA syndrome to a multisystem disorder with variable severity. FINCA syndrome should also be considered in patients beyond infancy with NDD and a history of distinct interstitial lung disease. Managing patients in registers for rare diseases helps identifying new diagnostic entities and advancing care for these patients.

Keywords: cerebropulmonary disease, childhood interstitial lung disease, cholesterol pneumonia, FINCA, lung fibrosis, lipoid pneumonitis, multi-organ disease, NHLRC2

Research Title: Conditions de vie des Chrétiens sous le règne de l'Empire Ottoman au début du 19ème siècle

Author: Mohammad Al-Ghazu, Published Year: 2020

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: Résumé Cette recherche vise à éclaircir les conditions de vie des Chrétiens au début du 19ème siècle sous le règne de l'Empire Ottoman. Nous avons essayé de savoir si les Chrétiens orientaux étaient-ils les seuls à vivre dans des conditions difficiles et qui ont été les causes? Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons déterminé les communautés chrétiennes orientales, ensuit, nous avons analysé l'influence politique de l’Occident et celle de certains gouverneurs turcs sur ces conditions. Nous avons pris, comme exemple, l'avis de Chateaubriand, et nous l'avons comparé avec celui d'autres voyageurs contemporains pour arriver à une conclusion générale bien fondée. Nous avons trouvé que, bien que les Chrétiens d'Orient aient subi de mauvais traitements de la part de certains gouverneurs turcs pour des raisons politiques et financières, ils ont reçu également de la part de la majorité musulmane le respect et avaient la liberté d'exercer leurs cultes.

Keywords: Mohamed ghazo, Chrétiens d'orient, l'Empire ottoman, conditions de vie.

Research Title: Aqueous core microcapsules as potential long-acting release systems for hydrophilic drugs

Author: Yazan Mohammad Al-Thaher, Published Year: 2021

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, (606)120926

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: We have previously optimized the internal phase separation process to give rise to aqueous core microcapsules with polymeric shells composed of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly(lactide) (PLA). In this study, the ability of these microcapsules to act as controlled release platforms of the model hydrophilic drug phenobarbital sodium was tested. Furthermore, the effect of the initial amounts of drug and water added to the system during microcapsule synthesis was investigated. Finally, the effect of varying polymer properties such as end functionalities, molecular weights, and lactide to glycolide ratios, on the characteristics of the produced microcapsules was studied. This was done by utilizing seven different grades of the polyester polymers. It was demonstrated that, within certain limits, drug loading is nearly proportional to the initial amounts of drug and water. Furthermore, drug encapsulation studies demonstrated that ester termination and increases in polymeric molecular weight result in lower drug loading and encapsulation efficiency. Moreover, drug release studies demonstrated that ester termination, increases in molecular weight, and increases in the lactide to glycolide ratio all result in slower drug release; this grants the ability to tailor the drug release duration from a few days to several weeks. In conclusion, such minor variations in polymer characteristics and formulation composition can result in dramatic changes in the properties of the produced microcapsules. These changes can be fine-tuned to obtain desirable long-acting microcapsules capable of encapsulating a variety of hydrophilic drugs which can be used in a wide range of applications.

Keywords: Internal phase separation, PLA, PLGA, Long-acting release, Phenobarbital sodium

Research Title: Gene Associated Divergence of COVID-19 Morbidity & COVID-19 Vaccines

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2021

American Journal of Biomedical Research and Science , 14

Faculty: Science

Abstract: indeed caused a considerable increase in morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Abstract There is an underlying complex interplay between the infectious agents and the human host, which is related to different biological mechanisms. Phenotypic spectrums associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 range from asymptomatic to severe systemic complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death. Around 15 % of cases are severe. Some are accompanied by a dysregulated immune system or a cytokine storm, and others with both. There is increasing evidence that the severe manifestations of COVID-19 might attribute to human genetic variants. Polymorphisms in genes that are related to immune deficiency and or inflammasome activation (cytokine storm) are examples of these variants. The question is, is the variability of the hosts’ genetic background the reason behind the different responses to COVID-19? Or are there other factors? Case reports and GWAS studies showed that the susceptibility to severe viral infections was associated with the genetic variants in the immune response genes. Identifying the candidate’s genes is likely to aid in explaining why COVID-19 symptoms are severe to some but not others. Not to mention that it will provide insights that help us further understand the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, to then make it possible to come out with more effective treatments and vaccines. There are forty genes associated with viral susceptibility. Twenty-one of them were associated with severe SARS-CoV disease and severe COVID-19. Some of these genes are implicated in the TLR pathways and others in C-lectin pathways. Additionally, there are some genes related to inflammasome activation (cytokine storm). This explains the diverse observations of the disease’s severity associated with genes. A vaccine should protect humans against SARS-CoV-2 severe infection and death. It acts against infection, disease, or transmission. A vaccine capable of reducing any of these elements will contribute t

Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccines