Research Title: Impact of Financial Management on Improving Quality at Jordanian Public University Hospitals

Author: Atef Al-Raoush, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, Vol. 19, No. 03, 205

Faculty: Business

Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of financial management on improving quality at the public university hospitals in Jordan. We used a quantitative method with a sample of 220 public university hospital staff. Using simple linear regression analysis, we showed via our findings a significant impact of the financial management dimension on the quality management dimension. These findings emphasise that using a proficient financial management system would improve the quality of services and overall organisational performance in the Jordanian public healthcare sector.

Keywords: Public administration financial management quality management public university hospitals Jordan

Research Title: The lived experience of family members who care for children with cancer: An interpretative phenomenological approach

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2021

European Journal of Nursing Oncology , NA

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Purpose This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of family carers in the care of children with cancer. Method A phenomenological hermeneutic approach was conducted, informed by the philosophy of Martin Heidegger. Fourteen interviews were conducted with family members: mothers (n = 9), grandmothers and fathers (n = 5). Fourteen family carers were voluntarily enrolled from a public children's oncology department in Bethlehem in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. Results Three major themes emerged from the data analysis. The first theme was the caring experience, which included three subthemes: changing priorities over time, information given about children's illness, and parents suffering due to treating irritable children. The second theme was the challenges to effective care, which illustrates the most significant challenges faced during caring, including the effects of family relations and emotional support. The final theme was around the support system; family carers found several resources to support them in their children's care, including other parents' experiences with similar diseases, the hospital environment, and their religious beliefs. Conclusions This study informs parents and healthcare providers about the daily lived experiences of family carers. Healthcare providers can fulfil a significant role in giving emotional support and relief to family carers. However, they will need continuous practise to equip them with the communication skills they require to deal with the family carers in these difficult situations.

Keywords: Family carers children cancer experience phenomenology

Research Title: The Nature of the Relationship between Money Supply and Inflation in the Jordanian Economy (1980–2019)

Author: Atif Issa Batarseh, Published Year: 2021

banks and bank systems, 16 issue 1

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: The current study aims at investigating and analyzing the relation between money supply (M1) and inflation in the Jordanian economy during the period of 1980–2019. In order to achieve the goal of the study, the methodology of econometric analysis of time series was utilized through the following tests: Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) to test the stability of the study variables, Johansen’s Cointegration Approach to determine the long-term equilibrium relationship between the study variables, and Granger Causality Test to determine the direction of the causal relationship if it exists in the short term. The results of the study demonstrate that inflation has stabilized at the level, while the money supply M1 was unstable at a level and stabilized after taking the first difference. The results of the Cointegration test indicated that there was no causal link between the money supply M1 and inflation in the long term. Finally, the results of Granger Causality presented a unidirectional causality running from the money supply M1 to inflation in the short term, meaning that money supply causes inflation, not vice versa; this means that the money supply M1 can explain the changes that occur in the consumer price index (CPI) in the Jordanian economy. The study recommends that monetary authority in Jordan should have greater control over the money supply because of its impact on the stability of the general level of prices, in order to avoid a repeat of the 1989 crisis represented by the hard decline of the dinar exchange rate against other currencies and the increase in the inflation rate that year to 25.6 %.

Keywords: Money Supply M1, Inflation, ADF Test, Causality Test, Co-Integration Test, Jordanian Economy.

Research Title: Haploinsufficiency of PRR12 causes a spectrum of neurodevelopmental, eye, and multisystem abnormalities

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2021

Faculty: Science

Abstract: PURPOSE: Proline Rich 12 (PRR12) is a gene of unknown function with suspected DNA-binding activity, expressed in developing mice and human brains. Predicted loss-of-function variants in this gene are extremely rare, indicating high intolerance of haploinsufficiency. METHODS: Three individuals with intellectual disability and iris anomalies and truncating de novo PRR12 variants were described previously. We add 21 individuals with similar PRR12 variants identified via matchmaking platforms, bringing the total number to 24. RESULTS: We observed 12 frameshift, 6 nonsense, 1 splice-site, and 2 missense variants and one patient with a gross deletion involving PRR12. Three individuals had additional genetic findings, possibly confounding the phenotype. All patients had developmental impairment. Variable structural eye defects were observed in 12/24 individuals (50%) including anophthalmia, microphthalmia, colobomas, optic nerve and iris abnormalities. Additional common features included hypotonia (61%), heart defects (52%), growth failure (54%), and kidney anomalies (35%). PrediXcan analysis showed that phecodes most strongly associated with reduced predicted PRR12 expression were enriched for eye- (7/30) and kidney- (4/30) phenotypes, such as wet macular degeneration and chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: These findings support PRR12 haploinsufficiency as a cause for a novel disorder with a wide clinical spectrum marked chiefly by neurodevelopmental and eye abnormalities.

Keywords: PRR12

Research Title: In Silico Screening of Natural Phytoconstituents Towards Identification of Potential Lead Compounds to Treat COVID-19

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2021

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: COVID-19 is one of the members of the coronavirus family that can easily assail humans. As of now, 10 million people are infected and above two million people have died from COVID-19 globally. Over the past year, several researchers have made essential advances in discovering potential drugs. Up to now, no efficient drugs are available on the market. The present study aims to identify the potent phytocompounds from different medicinal plants (Zingiber officinale, Cuminum cyminum, Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, and Allium sativum). In total, 227 phytocompounds were identified and screened against the proteins S-ACE2 and Mpro through structure-based virtual screening approaches. Based on the binding affinity score, 30 active phytocompounds were selected. Amongst, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-elemene against S-ACE2 showed −12.0 and −10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, the binding affinity for beta-sitosterol and beta-chlorogenin against Mpro was found to be −9.7 and −8.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Further, the selected compounds proceeded with molecular dynamics simulation, prime MM-GBSA analysis, and ADME/T property checks to understand the stability, interaction, conformational changes, binding free energy, and pharmaceutical relevant parameters. Moreover, the hotspot residues such as Lys31 and Lys353 for S-ACE2 and catalytic dyad His41 and Cys145 for Mpro were actively involved in the inhibition of viral entry. From the in silico analyses, we anticipate that this work could be valuable to ongoing novel drug discovery with potential treatment for COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, main protease, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Natural medicinal plants, S-ACE2, Structure-based virtual screening

Research Title: الإصلاح السياسي في الأردن: قراءة في تجربة اللامركزية لعام 2017

Author: Muwafaq Abu Hammoud, Published Year: 2021

مجلة الجامعة الإسلامية للدراسات الإنسانية, vol.29 No.2 pp 111-1

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: تحاول دراستنا هذه تسليط الضوء على تجربة اللامركزية التي أجراها الأردن في شهر آب لعام 2017 بعد انتخابات مجالس المحافظات، وفقاً لقانون اللامركزية رقم (49) لعام 2015، باعتبارها جزءاً من الإصلاحات السياسية والقانونية والإدارية التي أجراها النظام السياسي الأردني منذ العام 2011، والتي من شأنها إقامة دولة المواطنة، وسيادة القانون، وتكافؤ الفرص، وتوسيع مساحة المشاركة في صنع القرار، وتعزيز ثقة الموطن بالحكومات ومؤسساتها، ولإيجاد مجالس محافظات تحدد الأولويات التنموية والخدماتية في مناطقهم. وتُعد اللامركزية عملية إصلاح سياسي، ومن أهم التدابير الإصلاحية في مجال الحكم. وتهدف اللامركزية إلى تحويل محافظات المملكة إلى وحدات تنموية، الأمر الذي يخفف العبء على الحكومة المركزية في لعب دور الممول والمجهز والموفر للخدمات، خاصة في ظل عدم قدرة الحكومات المتعاقبة في تحقيق التنمية، وفي إدارة الشؤون المحلية بشكل يحقق العدالة والمساواة في توزيع الموارد. واعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي في تتبع ورصد تجربة اللامركزية لعام 2017 باعتبارها نوعاً من الإصلاح السياسي، كما اعتمدت على المنهج التاريخي في عرض وتحليل تطور اللامركزية ومعطياتها منذ بدأ عملية التحول الديمقراطي في الأردن منذ العام 1989. وأظهرت الدراسة أن تطبيق اللامركزية في الأردن يبدو ليس بالأمر السهل من الناحية السياسية، خاصة أن الإصلاح السياسي ليس من أولويات واهتمامات الحكومات الأردنية المتعاقبة، وأن الإصلاحات ما زالت تدار بالطرق التقليدية دون وجود إرادة سياسية حقيقية وواضحة للتشاركية المجتمعية الفعلية في اتخاذ القرارات.

Keywords: اللامركزية، السلطة المركزية، الإصلاح السياسي، مجالس المحافظات.

Research Title: Perceptions of nurses about reporting medication administration errors in Jordanian hospitals: A qualitative study

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2021

Applied Nursing Research , In press

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: Introduction: Reporting Medication Errors (MEs) is a critical issue that confronts healthcare providers and institutions all over the world, yet this issue has only recently been examined in developing countries. Purpose: To explore the perceptions of Jordanian nurses around reporting MEs and to identify potential barriers to reportage in their context. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach was followed; whereby24 Jordanian nurses were interviewed. Results: Two main themes emerged. The first revolved around nurses' perceptions of ME reporting, and the second theme pertained to the daily barriers that prevented them from reporting MEs. Conclusion: This study identified many individual behaviors and system defects that exacerbate the lack of ME reporting in Jordan. The results point to an opportunity for Jordanian hospital managers to acknowledge these problems and thereby facilitate their resolution and increase the quality of healthcare in their organizations.

Keywords: Medication errors Error reporting Nurses Barriers to reporting Jordan Qualitative

Research Title: The Perceptions of Palestinian Health Professionals toward Factors Facilitating or Impeding the Prevention of Home Injuries among Young Children: A Qualitative Study

Author: Maha Mohammed Wahbi Atout, Published Year: 2021

CHILD CARE IN PRACTICE,

Faculty: Nursing

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background: Unintentional injuries are a major global health problem that affects children considerably. Such injuries are most common among under-fives and this places a significant burden on healthcare systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Palestine, there is a paucity of research in this area. Aim: To explore health professionals’ perceptions regarding factors affecting the prevention of home injuries to children aged below five in Ramallah. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted, employing semistructured interviews with 24 health professionals who worked with children in a primary health care setting. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three types of factors that facilitated or impeded the prevention of home injuries emerged: health professional-related factors, i.e. lack of training, workload, and team collaboration; parent-related factors, i.e. low economic status, lack of awareness, and the mothers’ employment status; and environmental factors, i.e. home size and structure, lack of data, low prioritisation among policymakers, lack of funds, and the political situation. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that continuous education and specialised training of healthcare professionals is imperative to their pivotal role in increasing the awareness of parents and children about the prevention of home injuries, mainly in healthcare settings with limited resources such as Palestine

Keywords: Unintentional home injuries; health professionals; children under five; palestine

Research Title: Application of FT-IR Microspectroscopy in the Investigation of the Stratum Corneum Barrier Function

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2016

Biophysical Society 60th Annual Meeting, USA

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: FT-IR microspectroscopy is acombination of FT-IR spectroscopy and optical microscopy in whichthe samples are magnified by the optical microscope, while infrared spectroscopy provides information on molecular chemistry. This combination has proven to be a highly beneficial technique with wide potential of applications principally in the biological and biomedical research areas in which samples of high complexity and intrinsic heterogeneity are investigated. Recently, IR microspectroscopy has been introduced as a powerful tool for investigation of whole skin and stratum corneum (SC) composition and heterogeneity; it also represents a method to study the effect of penetration enhancement approaches on the biochemical properties of the SC, giving important information related to the mechanism through which penetration enhancers modulate the barrier function of the SC. Visualization of the percutaneous permeation of exogenous agents is also feasible by this technique. The biochemical composition of the SC has important implications for understanding its barrier function hence, the impact of some penetration enhancers on the biochemical composition and structural alterations of the SC,mainly lipids and proteins, is illustrated in this study. Specific regions of the IR spectrum of the SC are sensitive to lipid chain conformational order and packing, and protein secondary structure thus; very useful information can be obtained concerning alteration of the structural properties of the endogenous skin components and themechanisms of penetration enhancement.Large numberof IRspectra for each investigated samplewere obtained by IRmapping technique and principal component analysis, in the form of score and loadings plots, was performed to analyze the results. Changes in the structure of the SC was also observed using other techniques like differential scanning calorimetry and permeation studies.

Keywords: IR microspectroscopy , stratum corneum

Research Title: EVALUATION OF PHARMACY STUDENT AND COMMUNITY PHARMACIST KNOWLEDGE AND IMPACT ON DISEASE STATE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

Author: Randa Shehda Mansour, Published Year: 2020

Systematic Rreviews in Pharmacy, 11

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of pharmacy students and community pharmacists regarding etiology, symptoms, medications, prevention and history of asthma to correlate with the needs of training and years of experience and their impacts on patient. Methodology and design: This study was a cross sectional randomized study, involved pharmacy students in their last year from Philadelphia University-Amman, and different community pharmacists. Data was collected from 400 pharmacy students and 200 community pharmacists with different years of experience. Conclusion: Community pharmacists have good impact on patients with asthma; especially after having more than 6 years’ experience. Well-trained pharmacists with asthma knowledge of optimal device technique and medication maintenance in addition to good communication skills reduces the rate of hospital admission and improve quality of life for asthmatic patients

Keywords: Asthma, Knowledge, pharmacist, pharmacy students