Research Title: Enhancing the LTE-based Intelligent Transportation System’s Performance

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2020

Digital Signal Processing (Elsevier), vol. 99

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: An intelligent transportation system is considered as one of the main features of the new generation wireless systems, where both high-speed data transmission and processing play a crucial role. This work presents two propositions in order to attain the performance improvement for both data transmission and processing speed. Thus, the presented work consists of deriving a clustering algorithm based on a weighting algorithm for the head assignments processes and emphasizing the parallel-processing technique based on a variety of wavelet baby functions, respectively. Accordingly, both of the data transmission speed and power will be examined. In order to verify the findings, a simulation has been done and compared with the following clustering algorithms; namely DMAC, PC, DBC, and Lower-ID DCA. This comparison is based on the following factors; namely, efficiency factors involved in this investigation; namely complementary cumulative distributions, bit rates, energy efficiency, the cluster head lifetime and the ordinary nodes reattaching-head average times. The depicted results for the cluster head duration at 20 km/s show remarkable system stability based on both the clustering overhead and the cluster head duration. The attained improvements reach the53% and 88.4% over the DBC work and the Lowest-ID DCA work, respectively.

Keywords: Clustering algorithm, Energy efficiency, UWB-MB-OFDM , V2V

Research Title: Wheelchair Neuro Fuzzy Control and Tracking System Based on Voice Recognition

Author: Qadri Jamal Al-Hamarsheh, Published Year: 2020

sensors (Special Issue Robotics, Sensors and Industry 4.0) , 20(10), 2872

Faculty: Engineering and Technology

Abstract: Autonomous wheelchairs are important tools to enhance the mobility of people with disabilities. Advances in computer and wireless communication technologies have contributed to the provision of smart wheelchairs to suit the needs of the disabled person. This research paper presents the design and implementation of a voice-controlled electric wheelchair. This design is based on voice recognition algorithms to classify the required commands to drive the wheelchair. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy controller has been used to generate the required real-time control signals for actuating motors of the wheelchair. This controller depends on real data received from obstacle avoidance sensors and a voice recognition classifier. The wheelchair is considered as a node in a wireless sensor network in order to track the position of the wheelchair and for supervisory control. The simulated and running experiments demonstrate that, by combining the concepts of soft-computing and mechatronics, the implemented wheelchair has become more sophisticated and gives people more mobility.

Keywords: wheelchair control; voice recognition; autonomous wheelchair ;ANFIS;V-REP; mechatronics

Research Title: Age, gender and climate associations with the seroprevalence of Neospora species infection in horses in Jordan

Author: Raida W. Khalil, Published Year: 2020

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, 29

Faculty: Science

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 379 horses to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in Jordan using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Five variables, namely locality (n= 10), climatic zone (n= 4), age group (n= 3), gender, and breed were tested as risk factors for Neospora–immunoglobulin (Ig) G seropositivity at four cutoff titers (1: 50, 1: 200, 1: 400, and 1: 800) using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 122 (32%; 95% CI: 28, 37) sera samples had anti-Neospora–IgG at a cutoff titer of 1: 50. Increased Neospora–IgG seropositivity was found in horses in three localities (Madaba, Zarka, and Petra) and was associated with the following variables: cool temperate climate; age> 14 years; and female gender. Seropositivity was found among horses from Madaba at all cutoff titers, Zarka at titers> 1: 200, and Petra at titers< 1> 14 years were found to be associated with seropositivity at titers≥ 1: 200. Female gender was associated with high seropositivity at> 1: 800.

Keywords: Neospora spp.; horse; seroprevalence; risk factors; climate; Jordan

Research Title: Homozygous TAF1C variants are associated with a novel childhood-onset neurological phenotype

Author: Tawfiq Froukh, Published Year: 2020

Clinical genetics,

Faculty: Science

Abstract: TATA‐box binding protein associated factor, RNA polymerase I subunit C (TAF1C) is a component of selectivity factor 1 belonging to RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription machinery. We report two unrelated patients with homozygous TAF1C missense variants and an early onset neurological phenotype with severe global developmental delay. Clinical features included lack of speech and ambulation and epilepsy. MRI of the brain demonstrated widespread cerebral atrophy and frontal periventricular white matter hyperintensity. The phenotype resembled that of a previously described variant of UBTF, which encodes another transcription factor of Pol I. TAF1C variants were located in two conserved amino acid positions and were predicted to be deleterious. In patient‐derived fibroblasts, TAF1C mRNA and protein expression levels were substantially reduced compared with healthy controls. We propose that the variants impairing TAF1C expression are likely pathogenic and relate to a novel neurological disease. This study expands the disease spectrum related to Pol I transcription machinery, associating the TAF1C missense variants with a severe neurological phenotype for the first time.

Keywords: NGS

Research Title: A Survey on the Potential Awareness for the Delivery of Insulin Using Transdermal Microneedle Array in Jordan

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 12

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: The conventional SC transdermal insulin injections may create some obstacles to be the preferred technique for diabetic patients, such as pain, needle phobia, skin irritation, bruising at the injection site, and skin hardness, etc. For this purpose, this study has been conducted on "A survey on the potential awareness for the delivery of insulin using transdermal microneedle array in Jordan" involving a sample size of 400 diabetic patients. The questionnaire consists of 17 questions that asked for some problems associated with the conventional SC transdermal injections, a brief introduction for MN technology and acceptance of microneedle patches in the future. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 23. It was found that 75.3% of the sample population used insulin on a regular basis and 39.3% was needle phobic. In conclusion, 85.5% of patients preferred to use microneedle for insulin delivery for controlling glucose levels. More clinical trials should be performed to develop microneedle technologies for insulin delivery.

Keywords: Transdermal microneedle array, Needle phobia and Insulin delivery system.

Research Title: A Guide for Estimating the Maximum Safe Starting Dose and Conversion it between Animals and Humans

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 11

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: With the development of drugs and the emergence of new drugs, new experiences in animals or clinical trials in humans are important in understanding the translation of the drug dose between different species, as well as converting the dose from animal studies to human or vice versa based on the differences in the average body weight (kg) of species to its body surface area (m 2) according Allometric approach during extrapolation doses of starting therapeutic agents among the species. this article have provided basic information about estimating the starting dose for clinical trials, especially for phase I and phase II, or about the translation of doses between species using the allometric scaling also, based on human equivalent dose we provided method for calculation of injection volume of parenteral formulation.

Keywords: drug dose conversion, species, body surface area, starting dose, extrapolation.

Research Title: Production, immunogenicity, stability, and safety of a vaccine against Clostridium perfringens beta toxins

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

Veterinary World, 13

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Background and Aim: The beta toxin is causing the most severe Clostridium perfringens-related diseases. This work was dedicated to developing a vaccine against beta toxin using C. perfringens type C (NCTC 3180). Materials and Methods: The crude toxoid harvest contained 710 limits of flocculation (Lf)/mL. The vaccine was formulated. Each 1 mL of the final vaccine product contained at least 50 Lf/mL of beta toxoids, 0.2 mL 3% aluminum hydroxide gel (equivalent to 5.18 mg of aluminum), <0>0.05). Conclusion: The research showed a procedure for the manufacturing process of the vaccine against C. perfringens beta toxins with a feasible quantity and the vaccine described here showed to be effective in eliciting levels of neutralizing antibodies higher than required by international standards. In addition, the vaccine was stable up to 30 months. Thus, it may represent an effective and safe for preventing C. perfringens-related diseases in rabbits and cattle, although further studies to prove its efficacy in the field on other farm animals are still needed.

Keywords: beta toxin, cattle, Clostridium perfringens type C, potency, safety, stability, toxoid.

Research Title: Recent advances in mesalamine colonic delivery systems

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Background: Increased attention has been focused on the continuous development and improvement of mesalamine colonic specific delivery systems, for the effective treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases; thus enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing potential side effects. Mesalamine is a class IV drug, according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, used usually to treat inflammation associated with colon related diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Main text An ideal colon targeting system aims to deliver a therapeutic agent, selectively and effectively, to the colon. This system should ideally retain the drug release in the upper GI tract (stomach and small intestine); while trigger the drug release in the colon. Several approaches have been used to fabricate formulations to achieve a colon specific delivery of mesalamine such as; time dependent, pH responsive, enzymatic/microbial responsive and ultrasound mediated approaches. This overview outlines the recent advances in mesalamine-colon delivery approaches for the potential treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’ disease. Conclusion: A combined pH-time dependent delivery system can improve mesalamine colonic drug delivery via employing carriers capable of retarding mesalamine release in the stomach and delivering it at predetermined time points after entering the intestine. The existence of specific enzymes, produced by various anaerobic bacteria present in the colon advocates the advantage of designing enzyme sensitive systems and combining it with pHtime dependent system to improve mesalamine colonic delivery. The use of ultrasound has shown promises to effectively treat inflammatory bowel diseases.

Keywords: Mesalamine, 5-amino salicylic acid, Mesalazine, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis

Research Title: Mind Maps of Clinical Nephrology

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: A student who has entered the portals of colleges finds it difficult to understand the subjects taught to him. This book is written in a very simple and easy style. It is up-to-date and exhaustive in covering the core topics of nephrology. The first book of mind maps in clinical nephrology that covered the fundamentals of nephrology to gain a clear understanding, providing detailed, specific information on the principles of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. This book aims to address new changes in a variety of clinical disturbances using diagramming tools, to generate, visualize the structure and classify ideas, and as an aid studying and organizing information, solving problems, making decisions and writing. We continue to welcome constructive comments from all students who use our book as part of their studies and academics who adopt the book to complement their teaching.

Keywords: Mind maps, Nephrology

Research Title: Nanomedicines in Tuberculosis: Diagnosis, Therapy and Nanodrug Delivery

Author: Mohammad Bayan, Published Year: 2020

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Nanoparticle-based delivery systems represent a promising nano medications to deliver a therapeutic agent, selectively and effectively, to a specific tissue or organ in the body; thus treating chronic diseases such as tuberculosis. The delivery of first-line and second-line antituberculosis drugs, using synthetic or natural polymeric carriers, has been extensively reported as a potential intermittent chemotherapy. In addition to the prolonged drug release, this delivery system can enhance the therapeutic efficacy, reduce dosing frequency and side effects, and increase the possibility of selecting different routes of chemotherapy and targeting the site of infection. The choice of carrier, system stability, toxicity and production capacity are the main considerations during the development of such system. Regardless of the obstacles, the nano drug delivery have systems shown a promising effectiveness in treating TB.

Keywords: Nanomedicines, Nanodrug delivery, Chemotherapy, Tuberculosis