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Tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever encountered. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of nicotine dependence among university students in Jordan and assess factors associated with this dependence. A cross-sectional study using simple random sampling was conducted among university students from 3 public and 3 private universities selected for their convenience from central, middle, and east Jordan via administering a questionnaire between October 2016 and January 2017. The total number of participants was 892. The overall nicotine dependence was 51.2%. Correlates to nicotine dependence were studying at an undergraduate level (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.4-8.1); studying humanities (OR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1); existing of a smoking family member (OR=1.63; 95% CI: 1.5-1.9); starting smoking before age of 15 years (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1); water pipe smoking (OR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0); and studying at governmental universities (OR=1.36; 95% CI: 1.0-1.8). Several socio-demographic characteristics had an impact on nicotine dependence. Future research is necessary to further improve our understanding of motives for smoking and dependence.

Raed Ennab,1 Waleed Al-Momani,2 Rama Al-Titi,2 Ayah Elayan2 1Department of Clinical Medical Sciences/General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Basic Medical Sciences/Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, JordanCorrespondence: Raed EnnabDepartment of Clinical Medical Sciences/General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan, Tel +962797122559, Email Raed.ennab@yu.edu.joBackground: Surgical site infections are hospital-acquired, vary from one hospital to another, and can cause significant postoperative morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospital stay.Objective: The main aim of the study was to identify the bacterial pathogens associated with surgical site infections and their antibiotic susceptibility in a public hospital in northern Jordan.Methods: Postsurgical wound samples were collected and processed in a microbiology laboratory using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using 13 antibiotics covering the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the disc diffusion test.Results: The bacterial species that were identified in this study include Escherichia coli 8 (29%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3 (11%), Proteus mirabilis 1 (3.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 4 (14%), Salmonella enterica 2 (7%), Staphylococcus aureus 8 (29%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 1 (3.5%), and Streptococcus pyogenes 1 (4%). The antibiotic profiles of these bacteria showed high resistance. The MAR indices showed that 17 of 28 bacteria isolated were above 0.2 indicating high resistance.Conclusion: Resistant bacteria are becoming more dominant in wound infections with a high prevalence of multidrug resistant isolates. Hospital disinfection and treatment protocols regarding the use of antibiotics should be practiced vigorously and monitored regularly to combat resistance.Keywords: surgical site infection, antimicrobial susceptibility, bacterial resistance, multidrug resistance, bacterial isolation, wound swab

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]) is a novel virus that causes severe pneumonia and may lead to death The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of Jordanian population toward COVID 19, which is essential to inform policy makers and raise public awareness of the importance of self-isolation, social distancing, and screen testing The knowledge gaps and the essential elements required to educate and encourage the Jordanian population to play active roles in the prevention of COVID-19 disease is highlighted

Introduction This study aimed to isolate bacterial pathogens from the dominant hand and mobile phones and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. The dominant hand and mobile surfaces were swabbed to detect the transmission of bacterial pathogens among university students. Methods Two hundred and twenty hand and mobile phone swabs were collected from the students of four different colleges in a Jordanian university between October and December 2017. The swabs were collected and transported to the Microbiology laboratory within one hour. At the lab, swabs were inoculated on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, blood agar and mannitol salt agar. The subsequent bacterial isolates were identified by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Results Eight bacterial species were isolated and identified in the current study, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus spp. and Escherichia coli. The percentage of isolated bacteria was 54.5%, 25.5%, 14.5% and 5.5% from veterinary, biology, biomedical engineering and chemistry students, respectively. Many isolates were highly resistant to most tested antibiotics. Conclusions Pathogenic bacteria were detected with multiple antibiotic resistance indexes. Hands and mobile phones can act as carriers for infectious agents, suggesting the need for proper hand hygiene and disinfecting mobile phones surfaces.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 has necessitate the routine use of masks worldwide. This study assessed the relationship between wearing a facemask and dry eye disease (DED) among a sample of medical students in Jordan. Methods This cross-sectional online survey enrolled medical students from all medical schools in Jordan. The questionnaire, which was shared via social media platforms, assessed sociodemographic information, ocular and medical history, facemask-wearing habits, the use of ocular devices, and the relationship with ocular discomfort. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire was also administered to quantify DED symptoms. Results A total of 1,219 students participated in this study. In total, 58.3% participants were females, and 52% were in the clinical science years. Symptomatic DED was found in 71.7% of participants. Female sex, basic science years, allergy reporting, and spending more than 6 h looking at screens were significantly associated with symptomatic DED. Conclusion Wearing a facemask was not significantly associated with symptomatic DED. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of wearing a facemask on the ocular surface.

Aim: Clinical, microbiological, molecular, and pathological assays were undertaken to characterize an outbreak of increasingly reported signs of unresponsive arthritis and pneumonia of Mycoplasma bovis infection in young calves in Jordan. Materials and Methods: Clinical history of the affected bovine herd was investigated for the presence of respiratory and/ or joint problems. Two calves with such history were clinically examined and necropsied. Representative tissues were sent for microbiological, molecular, and pathological examinations for M. bovis infection. Results: The outbreak started in a herd of 220 nursing calves, 2 months before the receiving of two calves for postmortem examination. Clinically, respiratory signs and infection of one or more joints dominated in the affected calves. The morbidity and case fatality rates were 27.27% and 61.7%, respectively. The left carpal joint was markedly swollen in both calves and exhibited necrofibrinous to granulomatous arthritis in varying degrees of severity. The anteroventral lung lobes in both calves were consistently affected and revealed multifocal to coalescing severe necrogranulomatous and fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia. Microbiological and molecular findings confirmed the pathological examination. Furthermore, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) was diagnosed in one calf by histopathology and polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: This investigation reports the first outbreak of M. bovis infection in calves located in Jordan that could occur concurrently with BVD.

Sulfurous springs have been traditionally used in medical treatment for different purposes. These beneficial effects of sulfurous water have been attributed to the presence of sulfurous compounds mainly in the form of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects of long-term exposure to sulfurous springs on oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers responses in individuals who lived nearby the sulfurous springs. The studied area was Al- Hammah sulfurous springs, which is located in the northern part of the Jordan Rift Valley and host many sulfurous springs. Residents in sulfurous springs area are continuously exposed to water and gases emission more than the overall population. We have found that the sulphate levels were 7 times higher in sulfurous springs water samples than control water samples. The majority of the volunteers involved in the present study were more than ten years long residence and lived in range distance between one to five kilometers (less than 3 miles) away from main sulfurous spring, and visited the sulfurous spring at least once a month. We did not find any noticeable symptoms in sulfur spring residents such as headaches, nausea, breathing problems. The total oxidative stress (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in sulfurous spring residents were lower than control individuals. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total nitric oxide (NOX) levels were higher in sulfurous spring residents compared to control group. Furthermore, we have highlighted that living nearby the sulfurous springs does not affect oxygen saturation levels (SPO2) or heart pulse rate . These findings suggest that long-term exposure to sulfurous springs boost the antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress levels in the human body. Hence, visiting sulfurous springs can act as natural remedies to diminish oxidative stress as they show promising potential in several-oxidative stress-related diseases treatment., Environmental science; Public health; Oxidative stress; Antioxidant; Lipid peroxidation; Biomolecules; Aging; Al- Hammah springs; Antioxidant capacity; Hydrogen sulfide; Long term H2S exposure; Oxidative stress, Sulfurous springs treatment

A Schiff base L [2-thiophenecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-pyridinylmethylene)hydrazide] with its lanthanide metal complexes was synthesized. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurements, spectral analysis (NMR, FT-IR, and UV-Vis), luminescence and thermal gravimetric analysis. The Schiff base ligand was a tridentate chelate and coordinates to the central lanthanide ion with 1:2 metal:ligand ratio. The conductivity data showed a 1:1 electrolytic nature with a general formula [LnL2(NO3)2]NO3. The luminescence emission properties for Sm, Tb, and Eu complexes were observed and showed that the ligand L could absorb and transfer energy to Sm(III), Tb(III) and Eu(III) ions. The complexes possessed a good antibacterial activity against different bacterial strains. In addition, the scavenging activity of the Ln(III) complexes on DPPH was concentration dependant and the complexes were significantly more efficient in quenching DPPH than the free Schiff base ligand.

The lanthanide Schiff base complexes: [La(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (1), [Sm(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (2), [Eu(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (3), [Gd(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (4), [Tb(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (5) and [Dy(H2L)2(NO3)2]NO3 (6) were prepared by reactions between Ln(NO3)3.xH2O {where Ln, x: La, 6; Sm, 6; Eu, 5; Gd, 6: Tb, 5; Dy, 6} and salicylaldehyde picolinoylhydrazone (H2L) Schiff base ligand. These complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, UV–vis, and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, molar conductance and thermogravimetric analysis. The two H2L units are coordinated to the central lanthanide ion as tridentate ONO ligand through their carbonyl and phenolic oxygen atoms, and azomethine nitrogen atoms. Two nitrate groups acting as bidentate ligands are coordinated to Ln(III) ion which results in a coordination number of eight for Ln(III). The luminescence study on the free H2L and its corresponding complexes revealed that all complexes exhibit ligand-centered emission. Coordination of H2L to Ln(III) ions and as a result the LMCT explains the blue shift observed in the ligand-centered emission band in the complexes. The MIC values showed that 1–6 complexes exhibit moderate antibacterial activity against treated gram negative bacteria (S., Kp. and Ec.) and are inactive against treated gram positive bacteria (Sa., M. and Ef.). In contrast, H2L ligand is inactive against all treated bacteria. H2L and 1–6 complexes exhibit good antifungal activity against C. albicans fungal as compared to that of reference drug. The DPPH scavenging activity of H2L enhances on complex formation and complex 5 possess the highest activity. The catalytic activities of complexes 1–6 were investigated toward the oxidation of aniline and substituted anilines using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant at room temperature. Complex 6 provided the highest conversion with the highest selectivity towards azoxybenzene, 79.9%. The oxidative reaction of aromatic aniline incorporated with 4-(4-chlorophenoxy) on the para position proceeded with the formation of azoxybenzene with excellent yield, 91%.

The aim of the study is to present an analytical model to predict the temperature profiles in thermal stratified environment. Thermal stratification is encountered in many situations. The flow of contaminants and hydrocarbons in environment often get stratified. The prediction of temperature profiles and flow characteristics are essential for HVAC applications, environment and energy management. The temperature profiles in the stratified region are successfully obtained, in terms of flow-operating functions. The analytical model agrees well with the published experimental data as well as the related closed-form solutions, which is helpful for HVAC applications. The model will be further developed and incorporated within a numerical model in order to investigate the flow field characteristics and establish correlations for a wide range of parameters.

This paper presents a simulation and analysis to diagonal load affects on aluminum centered hole sheet metal stress and strain distributions and also deformations are distinguished. Many applications of metal forming included diagonal loading of such case. In many manufacturing processes this case is applied. Solidworks is used here to analyze such loads and their effects. It is found that the stress and the strain have maximum values at the fixed edge while the displacement has maximum values at the free end of the plate.

To establish the antibacterial activity of lanthanides complexes with a tetradentate Schiff base ligand L.(N, N'-bis (1-naphthaldimine)-o-phenylenediamine) was prepared from the condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with o-phenylenediamine in a molar ratio of 2:1. The antimicrobial activity of the resultant Ln (III) complexes was investigated using agar well diffusion and micro-broth dilution techniques; the latter was used to establish the minimum inhibitory concentrations for each compound investigated.Most of Ln (III) complexes were found to exhibit antibacterial activities against a number of pathogenic bacteria with MICs ranging between 1.95-250.00 µg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible bacterial species to [LaL(NO3)2(H2O)](NO3) complex while Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli required a relatively higher MIC (250 µg/mL). The complexes La (III) and Pr (III) were effective inhibitors against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas Sm (III) complex was effective against Serratia marcescens. On the other hand, Gd (III), La (III) and Nd (III) were found to be more potent inhibitors against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than two of commonly used antibiotics. The remaining Ln (III) complexes showed no remarkable activity as compared to the two standard drugs used.Tetradentate Schiff base ligand L and its complexes could be a potential antibacterial compounds after further investigation.

Five Schiff base ligands bearing a 9-fluorenylidene unit, L1-L5 where (L1= N'-(9H-fluoren-9ylidene)-2-hydroxy-1-naphthohydrazide, L2= N'-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)-3-methoxybenzohydrazide, L3= N'-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)nicotinohydrazide, L4= N'-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene) isonicotinohydrazide, and L5=N'-(9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)-2-phenylacetohydrazide) and their [Zn(L)Cl2] and [Cu(L)Cl2] complexes have been synthesized. The characterization and nature of bonding of these complexes were elucidated by elemental analyses, spectral analyses ( 1 H NMR, FTIR), molar conductivity measurements and thermo-gravimetric studies. Analytical and spectral data revealed that L1 coordinates to metal ions by its imine nitrogen atom and the phenolic oxygen atom with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The L2-L5 coordinates to metal ions by their imine nitrogen atom and the carbonyl oxygen atom with the same as L1 stoichiometry. Most of the free ligands and their complexes exhibit antibacterial activities against a number of pathogenic bacteria. The activities of metal complexes are found to be higher than those of the free ligands.

New eight lanthanide metal complexes were prepared. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurements, spectral analysis (1H NMR, FT-IR, UV–vis), luminescence and thermal gravimetric analysis. All Ln(III) complexes were 1:1 electrolytes as established by their molar conductivities. The microanalysis and spectroscopic analysis revealed eight-coordinated environments around lanthanide ions with two nitrate ligands behaving in a bidentate manner. The other four positions were found to be occupied with tetradentate LIII ligand. Tb–LIII and Sm–LIII complexes exhibited characteristic luminescence emissions of the central metal ions and this was attributed to efficient energy transfer from the ligand to the metal center. The LIII and Ln–LIII complexes showed antibacterial activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria.

A series of lanthanide complexes with a Schiff base ligand, L (N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)-1,6-hexadiimine) are presented. The ligand and its complexes were synthesized and characterized based on elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, UV–Vis, and TGA studies. These analytical and spectral data reveal that the ligand L coordinates to the central Ln(III) ion by its two imine nitrogen atoms and two phenolic oxygen atoms and the general formula of the complex is [LnL(NO3)2·2H2O]NO3, Ln = [Ln = La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III) and Er(III)] Under the excitation at 396 nm, the luminescence emission properties for Sm, Tb, and Eu complexes are observed. These observations show that the ligand favors energy transfers to the emitting energy level of these lanthanide ions. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of all complexes were studied against a number of pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity results show that most of the synthesized Ln(III) complexes possessed good antibacterial activity and in most cases higher than that of the corresponding ligand L.

The present work provides a detailed thermodynamic analysis of a 10 kW solar absorption refrigeration system using ammonia-water mixtures as a working medium. This analysis includes both first law and second law of thermodynamics. The coefficient of performance (COP), exergetic coefficient of performance (ECOP) and the exergy losses (ΔE) through each component of the system at different operating conditions are obtained. The minimum and maximum values of COP and ECOP were found to be at 110 and 200°C generator temperatures respectively. About 40% of the system exergy losses were found to be in the generator. The maximum exergy losses in the absorber occur at generator temperature of 130°C for all evaporator temperatures. A computer simulation model is developed to carry out the calculations and to obtain the results of the present study.

Problem statement: The effects of excess feeding oxygen to the fuel-air mixture on the exhausts gasses emissions concentrations are investigated here. It is known that spark-ignition and diesel engines are considered as major sources of urban air pollution; such pollutants are CO2, CO, HC. Hence, many techniques have been used to decrease such emissions such as: Catalytic converters, oxidizers, traps and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), but these techniques have some disadvantages represented by: Forming back pressure which affects the engine performance, plugging and high costs. Approach: In present study the effects of feeding more oxygen to the combustion mixture is studied experimentally. Results: It was found from tests applying on an engine that excess oxygen has positive results in decreasing concentration of both CO and HC's. Conclusion/Recommendations: CO2concentration at oxygen injection test is greater than that at without oxygen injection at the two cases: With load and without load tests and at nearly all engine speeds. CO concentration at oxygen injection test is much less than that at without oxygen injection at the two cases: With load and without load tests and at nearly all engine speeds. HC concentration at oxygen injection test is less than that at without oxygen injection at the two cases: With load and without load tests and at nearly all engine speeds. It also recommended using more amount of oxygen in the future to find the optimal value of oxygen can be fed and if anther fuel additives can be used.

The effects of excess feeding oxygen to the fuel-air mixture on air and fuel mass flow rates and also on air-fuel ratio are investigated here experimentally. This study concerned with the effects of injecting pure oxygen quantity to the mixture of fuel and air before interring the combustion chambers. It is found that the mass flow rate of fuel with the oxygen feeding is less than that of with no oxygen feeding at some specific values of engine speeds and the same thing was found for air mass flow rate. The air-fuel ratio also is less with considerable values in the case with oxygen feeding than that with no oxygen samples. Also this technique can be used partially, in some conditions oxygen can be feed into the combustion chambers to increase engine performance.

A tetradentate Schiff base ligand L (N,N'-bis(1-naphthaldimine)-o-phenylenediamine) was prepared from the condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with o-phenylenediamine in a molar ratio of 2:1. New eight lanthanide metal complexes [LnL(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(x)](NO(3)) {Ln(III) = Nd, Dy, Sm, Pr, Gd, Tb, La and Er, x = 0 for Nd, Sm, 1 for La, Gd, Pr, Nd, Dy, and 2 for Tb} were prepared. The characterization and nature of bonding of these complexes were elucidated by elemental analysis, spectral analysis ((1)H NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis), molar conductivity measurements, luminescence spectra and thermogravimetric studies. Analytical and spectral data revealed that the ligand L coordinates to the central Ln(III) ions by its two imine nitrogen atoms and two phenolic oxygen atoms with 1:1 stoichiometry. Under the excitation with 329 nm at room temperature, Tb and Dy complexes exhibited characteristic luminescence of the central metal ions attributed to efficient energy transfer from the ligand to the metal center. Most of Ln(III) complexes found to exhibit antibacterial activities against a number of pathogenic bacteria. We found that the antioxident activity of Ln(III) complexes on DPPH(•) is concentration dependent and higher than that of the free ligand L.