University of Jordan

Abstract In this research, we have examined a food web model to explore the impact of fear effects and harvesting of apex predators on dynamic behaviors. We have utilized Caputo and Caputo–Fabrizio (C–F) fractional derivatives to analyze the model's complexity and dynamics. We have investigated the existence and uniqueness of solutions through fixed point theory and evaluated the system's stability utilizing the Ulam–Hyers (U–H) criterion. We also employed numerical schemes utilizing the Caputo and C–F fractional operators to deepen our understanding of the food web model. The system analysis demonstrates chaotic dynamics, attractors, and periodic windows. Additionally, we have investigated the numerical solution using matlab. We have examined the time series graph while varying the values of the parameters and provided better, more intricate information about the solution of the food web model. We have analyzed the Hopf bifurcation by varying different parameters. Significantly, we have analyzed that the fear effect can mitigate variations in population density, aiding in stabilizing the system.

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences and responses of nurses who contracted COVID-19 infection at work, with a comparison of gender-based experiences. A qualitative-descriptive approach was employed, with purposive sampling of participants from four hospitals in Jordan with specialised COVID-19 units. Seventeen registered nurses were interviewed after full recovery from the disease and returning to work. The analysis revealed disparities in the experience of nurses by gender, with three themes: (a) struggling with mixed emotions, (b) becoming vulnerable and demanding and (c) COVID-19 positively affecting practice. The participants described their struggle with mixed feelings, such as fear and guilt, after the confirmation of being infected with COVID-19. Female nurses more often linked these emotions to family caregiving roles, whilst male nurses more frequently framed their distress around professional identity and responsibility. Furthermore, gendered changes were related in their personalities after being infected with COVID-19, as they became vulnerable and asked people to care for them. Lastly, nurses returning to work after recovering from COVID-19 reported greater compassion and empathy reflected in their patient care. Policymakers should recognise changes that may affect nurses due to illness and provide adequate psychological counselling and physical support to help them overcome these challenging experiences.

Assessment of antiparasitic efficacy of Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia judaica using in vitro, in silico, and animal-based models against Ascaridia galli was conducted. Ethanolic extracts from each Artemisia species were separately prepared in 0.5% DMSO. For the in vitro analysis, a total of 180 adult Ascaridia galli worms were harvested from naturally infected chicks and randomly assigned into four equal groups. Group 1 received Fenbendazole (0.5 mg/mL), Group 2 was treated with A. herba-alba extract (50 mg/mL), Group 3 with A. Judaica extract (50 mg/mL), and Group 4 served as the control, exposed to 0.5% DMSO. All treatments were applied for a duration of 13 hours. For the in vivo investigation, 540 A. galli-infected chicks were divided into six equally sized groups. Groups 1 and 2 received A. herba-alba at 1000 and 3000 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Similarly, Groups 3 and 4 were treated with A. Judaica at 1000 and 3000 mg/kg. Group 5 was administered Fenbendazole (50 mg/kg) as a positive control, while Group 6 served as the untreated control. Both A. herba-alba and A. Judaica significantly inhibited worm motility in vitro compared to the control group. Fenbendazole achieved 100% inhibition (P < 0.001), while A. herba-alba showed 30.1% inhibition (P < 0.05), and A. Judaica demonstrated 23.1% inhibition (P < 0.05). At 14 days post-treatment, Artemisia-treated groups showed a significant decrease in female fecundity, fecal egg count (FEC), and worm burden relative to the control group. Notably, there was no significant variation (P > 0.05) based on the Artemisia species or dose level used. In vitro exposure of nematodes to A. judaica and A. herba-alba extracts resulted in a significant, time-dependent reduction in worm motility compared with control treatments, whereas fenbendazole induced rapid and complete immobilization; no significant differences were observed between the two herbal extracts. Molecular docking analysis indicates that camphor demonstrated robust affinity score of -6.25 kcal/mol against ATP synthase, while camphor against glutathione transferase showed promising interactions with an affinity score of -6.90 kcal/mol. In conclusion, extracts of A. herba-alba and A. Judaica demonstrate significant potential as effective and suitable alternatives for managing A. galli infections in poultry by targeting ATP synthase and glutathione transferase in A. galli.

This quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of a structured childbirth education program on fear of childbirth (FOC) and childbirth self-efficacy (CBSE) among 160 Jordanian pregnant women. The study took place from June to August 2022, and the participants were split into two groups: an intervention group (n=80) and a control group (n=80). The intervention group received the education program, while the control group received routine care, which included standard prenatal assessments, nutritional supplementation, counseling, ultrasounds, and physical examinations. Data were collected using the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) and the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CBSEI). Post-intervention analysis revealed that women in the intervention group had significantly lower fear of childbirth scores (M= 4.74, SD= 1.98) and higher childbirth self-efficacy scores (M= 7.93, SD= 1.49) compared to the control group (M= 8.00, SD= 1.52; p < .001 for FOC and M= 7.40, SD= 1.31; p = .018 for CBSE). These results show that the childbirth education program worked to lower fear of childbirth and raise self-efficacy, which supports its use in regular antenatal care.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a leading cause of bloodstream infections (BSIs) globally, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains complicating treatment outcomes. In South Africa, genomic data on such isolates remain scarce. To elucidate the genomic landscape of E. coli isolates from bloodstream infections (BSIs) collected over a one-year period in the uMgungundlovu District, South Africa, with a focus on the resistance and virulence genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), genetic synteny, sequence types (STs), and phylogenomic context. Twenty-five non-duplicate E. coli isolates were recovered from blood cultures and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. All twelve MDR isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. The MDR isolates comprised six distinct STs, notably high-risk international lineages ST131 (33.3%) and ST69 (25.0%), spanning five phylogroups, predominantly B2 and D. Eight O: H serotypes were identified, with O25:H4 and O45:H16 being most frequent. CH-typing revealed dominant CH types CH40-30 (ST131) and CH35-27 (ST69) and fimH alleles such as fimH30 and fimH27. The isolates encoded β-lactamases, including blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1B and blaOXA-1, frequently co-located with MGEs. Notably, blaCTX-M-15 was chromosomally integrated within a Tn3–ISEcp1 transposon unit, while blaTEM-1B and blaOXA-1 were associated with diverse plasmid-associated syntenic architectures flanked by IS1, IS91, or integron-associated regions. Other antibiotic resistance genes were detected, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides (aph(3’)-Ia, aac(3)-IIa, aac(3)-IIe, aadA1, aadA2), sulfonamides (sul1, sul2) and trimethoprim (dfrA variants). A diverse array of virulence genes was identified, associated with adhesion, iron acquisition, serum resistance, and toxin production. Phylogenomic clustering revealed close relationships between local ST131/ST69 isolates and counterparts across Africa. The study identifies diverse MDR E. coli clones circulating in bloodstream infections, notably high-risk lineages ST131, ST69 and ST10, with complex resistance and virulence gene arsenals facilitated by MGEs. These insights reinforce the imperative for genomic surveillance to guide infection control and antibiotic stewardship in high-burden settings.