Digital Commons Network^™

A Multi-Model And Multi-Agency Approach To Expand The Flood Inundation Mapping Capacity Of The Us National Water Center, Samuel Jay Oldham

Theses and Dissertations

The most accurate numerical model for simulating flood extents of rivers has long been a subject of debate. While specialized models exist for specific hydraulic features, we advocate for the principle that the best model is the one the user is familiar with, has adequate data to support input requirements and limitations, and will consistently employ. To support this approach, we have developed a database schema optimized to store riverine flood inundation model output files. This schema is designed to assist U.S. cities, counties, states, and other flood management agencies in leveraging their existing model-generated flood maps, regardless of the …

Two-Key Dependent Permutation (Tkdp) And Its Applications In Information Security, Arulmani K

Theses and Dissertations

Two-Key Dependent Permutation (TKDP) algorithm for generating permutation sequences of fixed sizes, TKDP based Symmetric Block Cipher (TKDPSBC) and TKDP Audio encryption are being proposed in this thesis. TKDP algorithm is capable of generating different sequences for different key pairs. This makes it suitable for constructing dynamic S-boxes and P-boxes that have more degree of randomness and non-linearity to resist cryptanalytic attacks. Rigorous statistical tests validate the efficacy of the generated permutation sequences, affirming their suitability for cryptographic applications in conjunction with Fiestel network-based block ciphers. TKDPSBC encrypts a plaintext block into a ciphertext block of the same size. TKDP …

Fatigue Behaviour Of Al 6063 Alloy In Heat Treated, Deep Cryogenic Treated And Equal Channel Angular Pressing (Ecap) Processed Conditions, Sreearravind M

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on improving the Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) life of Al6063 using three different processing techniques – Heat Treatment (HT), Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT), and Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP). Al 6063, widely used in structural applications, has limited fatigue performance, necessitating the exploration of advanced processing techniques to enhance its LCF life.

In HT phase, Al 6063 T5 samples were subjected to solid solution HT followed by air and water quenching. The air-quenched (T6A) and water-quenched (T6W) samples were subjected to precipitation hardening. The Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of the T6A sample increased to 188 MPa from …

Numerical Analyses Of Construction Materials At Different Scales For Improved Resilience And Sustainability Of Civil Infrastructures, Chenchen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

The resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructure are fundamental to supporting modern society in the face of growing environmental challenges and resource limitations. This study aims to use multi-scale numerical tools to evaluate mechanical performance of different construction materials under various environmental and loading conditions. Firstly, we adopt the discrete element method (DEM) to evaluate the influence of freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) action on the mechanical properties of rock from the micro perspective. A simplified plastic model is proposed to capture the residual deformation produced during FTCs. To further explore the deterioration of FTCs on rock, the water-contained grain-based model (GBM) …

Microfabrication Of Sic Using Femtosecond Lasers, Jared Eldon Payne

Theses and Dissertations

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a desirable material in a wide variety of semiconductor fields. The impressive thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties that make SiC an attractive material also make it very difficult to machine. New fabrication techniques are required to take full advantage of the potential of SiC. First, a new 3-dimensional (3D) non-line-of-sight (NLOS) fabrication technique using two-photon absorption is demonstrated in SiC. NLOS microchannels are shown with aspect ratios higher than 100:1. The process is the only method known, at this time, that can create truly 3D subsurface structures in SiC without direct line of sight to the …

Nature-Based Education As A Learning Tool: Unleashing The Power Of Nature-Based Education In Egyptian Primary Schools. "The Effects Of Outdoor Learning And Open-Air Classrooms On Primary School Students In Egypt.", Nermeen Bekhiet

Theses and Dissertations

When learning modalities are tailored to each student's preferences and needs, academic success follows. This effect is contingent upon both individual and surrounding factors. Many schools in Egypt and the Middle East do not concentrate on how exposure to nature and nature-based learning can affect how the learner perceives his or her learning area. Most schools in Egypt have no exposure to nature to allow students to explore the world in their way; there is no room for diverse students to excel. Therefore, this exploratory research aims to reestablish a connection between private primary school students and the natural world …

Filipino American Parents' Experiences With The United States Special Education System: A Qualitative Study, Greyagail Custodio Surio

Theses and Dissertations

While there have been studies on Asian American (AA) parents' experiences with the U.S. special education (SPED) system, there have been no studies on Filipino American (FA) parents' experiences with the SPED system. As FAs are the third largest Asian group in the United States., there is a need for special education research to be conducted with this population. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) interviews were conducted over Zoom with FA parents of children receiving SPED services. Participants resided in various states in the United States (n = 10). Participants reported varied and nuanced experiences related to advocacy, working with the …

A Randomized Controlled Study Of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback In An Older Adult Sample, Whitney D. Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) is a controlled breathing treatment designed to increase the variation in consecutive heartbeats leading to improved regulation of one's autonomic nervous system thereby improving one's ability to self-regulate and maintain homeostasis. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) are seen in those of increased age and lower HRV is associated with poorer outcomes (e.g., increased mortality, worse emotional functioning, cardiovascular risk factors). As such, older adults are a group that stands to benefit from HRVB principles. The current randomized control trial was designed to understand the impact of HRVB in an older adult population on resting …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Niemann-Pick Type C: Investigating Gene Expression, Lipid Metabolism, And Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Fibroblasts, Sarah Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by the accumulation of lipids, particularly cholesterol, within cells, leading to severe neurological manifestations and developmental issues. This study employs RNA-seq to compare gene expression profiles between fibroblasts derived from a healthy individual and a patient with the NPC1 mutation. A total of 12,978 genes were analyzed, revealing 191 differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis disclosed significant associations with biological processes related to development, lipid metabolism, embryonic organ development, vascularization, and neuroinflammation. Additionally, the connection between mitochondrial function and lysosomal impairment was explored, revealing that NPC1 mutant fibroblasts …

The Impact Of Financial Inclusion On Inflation In The Mena Region: Oil Vs Non-Oil Countries, Jailan Elsaid

Theses and Dissertations

The study examines the impact of financial inclusion on inflation as a tool for monetary policy effectiveness in the MENA region, separating the analysis into oil and non-oil countries from 2004 to 2022. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique is used to create a multidimensional index of financial inclusion through usage and access dimensions. Additionally, PVAR GMM estimation and Granger causality tests are implemented to analyze the dynamics and causality between financial inclusion and inflation, while controlling for other variables such as broad money, real effective exchange rate, and real GDP growth, which may influence the relationship according to the …

1 Studying The Determinants Of Successful Aging: Diet, Lifestyle, And Social Relations In Egypt, Fayrouz Shaltout

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Background

The global population is aging rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2050, one in six people will be over the age of 65. In Egypt, the aging population, particularly those aged 60 and above, is expected to grow significantly, posing a growing public health concern. Unhealthful diets (that are associated with overweight and obesity), are one of the main reasons associated with non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) are major risk factors for poor aging outcomes. Despite this, there is limited research on the specific determinants of successful aging (SA) in Egypt, especially among individuals aged 50 …

Like A Fish Outside The Sea: An Ethnographic Exploration Of Why And How Young Lebanese From El-Mina Migrate To Europe, Lea Farida Studer

Theses and Dissertations

Following the Thawra in 2019, Lebanon’s initial optimism for political change has given way to a harsh reality. The country, troubled by hyperinflation, deteriorating state services, and worsening living conditions, coupled with corruption and sectarianism, is seeing an increasing number of Lebanese seeking alternative futures abroad, including in Europe. Be it via regular or irregular pathways, young Lebanese adults have been leaving the country, their families, their friends – their homes.

This ethnographic Master’s thesis, which was conducted during the Summer of 2023 in El-Mina, a port city in northern Lebanon, delves into the aspirations and capabilities that drive young …

Religion And Politics Under The Būyids: The Case Of Al-Sharīf Al-Murtaḍā And Al-Sharīf Al-Raḍī And The Development Of Twelver ShīʿIsm, Bayan Hasan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to explore the religion and politics of tenth and eleventh-century Baghdad, with a main focus on Twelver Shīʿī doctrine, by shedding light on one highly significant family that was central to the regulation of the ʿAbbāsid and Būyid government. The ʿAlid Mūsawī brothers, al-Sharīf al-Murtaḍā (d. 966/1044) and al-Sharīf al-Raḍī (d. 969/1015), were both influential figures amongst Baghdad’s scholastic community and were closely connected with the ruling elites. In this research, I examine three main activities that the brothers were involved in: their contribution towards Shīʿī law, the niqāba office, and Qur’ānic exegesis.

My thesis shall examine …

The Role Of Non-Coding Rnas As An Innovative Therapeutic Tool For Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Nabila Mohamed Hosni El Kramani

Theses and Dissertations

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second lethal cancer worldwide, with over 60 million new patients added annually. Hepatitis B infection and toxins, e.g., aflatoxin, contribute to the incidence of HCC. Egypt and China show the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis and HCC in the world.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-protein-coding transcripts larger than 200 nucleotides. These transcripts work at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic levels to regulate gene expression by interacting with various biomolecules, such as RNA, DNA, and proteins. They serve essential functions in chromatin remodeling and cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. The role and biological interactions of …

Discretion, Deference, And Dysfunction: U.S. Refugee Resettlement From Egypt, Cassandra Mcclellan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates refugee resettlement from Egypt to the U.S., as facilitated by UNHCR Egypt and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Accordingly, the research questions ask what factors determine the volume and profile of refugees UNHCR Egypt submits to USRAP for resettlement, as well as the related determining factors for refugees rejected from and accepted to USRAP. A fourth research question examines the impacts of U.S. refugee policy on the resettlement system in Egypt, including on UNHCR Egypt and refugees. To answer these questions, the thesis first delves into the history of U.S. immigration and refugee policies, with a …

Identification Of Novel Genetic Biomarkers Linked To The Prodromal Stage Of Parkinson’S Disease (Pd) Patients, Marwa Tawfik Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

Background and Objective: The early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), is particularly challenging because symptoms appear only after significant neuronal damage has already occurred. This study is utilizing variant call format (VCF) analysis to identify genetic variants and novel genes that could serve as early prognostic markers for prodromal PD. Materials and Methods: Data were sourced from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), focusing on prodromal patients with gVCF data from the 2021 cohort. The study included 304 participants, comprising 100 healthy controls, 146 individuals with prodromal genetic indicators, 21 individuals with prodromal hyposmia, and 37 …

The Effect Of Financial Inclusion On Inflation: Implications From Low And High Financially Developed Economies, Rita Fouda

Theses and Dissertations

This paper studies the effect of financial inclusion on inflation in high and low financially developed countries. The author utilizes country-level annual data of 83 world economies covering the period from 2004 to 2022. The Generalized Method of Moments is utilized to estimate the relationship between six financial inclusion indicators and inflation while combating the endogeneity and heteroskedasticity present in the data. Other macroeconomic variables are added to the model to limit the omitted variables bias. At a second stage, the same relationship is tested using a self-constructed financial inclusion index. The results of the study reveal that when testing …

Integrating Planetary Health Into Public Health Education For Sustainable Healthcare Practices, Eman Aboualy

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Integrating planetary health in public health education became an urgent global call for action since the WHO announced that the climate change and environmental degradation are the most threat facing the humanity in the recent decades (1). According to that, many countries are developing strategies for counteracting and mitigating the impact of climate change and restore the planetary health. These strategies are including policy drafting and preparing their public health professionals to recognize and address the health effects of environmental change, promote practices for sustainable healthcare. Although Egypt is formulating different policies to cope with and respond to the …

The Dilemma Of Shareholder Claims For Reflective Loss In International Investment Law: Diversification Or Fragmentation?, Mohamed Leila

Theses and Dissertations

Shareholder reflective loss (SRL) claims are filed by shareholders seeking compensation for the indirect damage they incur due to the injury directly suffered by their company. The loss of shareholders reflects the company’s loss in the form of a reduction of their share value. While national corporate laws generally adopt a consistent approach regarding SRL claims, fragmentation prevails on the international plane. Domestically, corporate laws prohibit SRL claims for policy reasons, granting the directly affected company the exclusive right of action. On the International level, customary international law, as deduced from the judgments of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), …

“I Remember It...I Feel It” Place’S Intangible Identity: Explorations Through The Lens Of Micro-Phenomenology- Case Study Of Al-Sultan Hassan Complex, Sarah Mohamed El Zoheiry

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s contemporary architecture, the growing of anonymous and interchangeable spaces has diminished the distinctive character of the place, its individuality and experiential signification, fostering placelessness. This research argues that the framework of reconsidering place’s atmosphere offers a pathway to reconnect people with places through emotional, sensory, and embodied encounters. This research investigates the phenomenology of place, focusing on the atmosphere as an intangible identity that transcends physical attributes and engages people's senses and feelings. By exploring the Al-Sultan Hassan complex, the study deepens the understanding of the transcendental quality of the atmosphere, it’s unfolding over time, and it’s associated …

Sustaining Private Higher Education Institutions’ Quality With Expandability And Inclusivity, Amal Salah

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract The private higher education sector in Egypt is rapidly expanding. The Government of Egypt (GOE) supports its growth by providing legislation and incentives with the main objective of offering high-quality higher education to the growing youth bulge. Private universities react to the successive economic crises by raising their fees in order to maintain the quality of education. In the absence of supporting financial schemes for individual students, the surge in fees perpetuates inequity in access to private higher education for the lower socio-economic strata of the Egyptian society. This paper aims to address a gap in research concerning the …

Locked Gates: Japan’S Immigration Quandary In The Face Of Economic And Demographic Realities, Merna Karam Emara

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores Japan's reluctance to accept labor immigrants in the post-World War II era through the analytical lenses of identity politics and historical institutionalism. It examines how Japan’s national identity, emphasizing ethnic homogeneity and cultural preservation, has shaped restrictive immigration policies despite its economic need. Historical institutionalism provides a framework for understanding the persistence of these policies, which are rooted in the institutional legacies of Japan's post-war reconstruction. The research investigates the interplay between identity-based motivations and the institutional structures that constrain policy changes, highlighting how these dynamics have led to the exclusion of foreign labor despite the country’s …

Identification Of Novel Argonaute Proteins Using A Metagenomic Mining Approach, Lobna Abdallah Ghonaim

Theses and Dissertations

Gene editing is one of the most promising tools in science. It enables precise modifications of an organism's genetic material. Metagenomics is considered a powerful tool that unlocks the broad genetic potential found in uncultured microbial communities. Exploring the genetic diversity of uncultured microbial communities helps identify novel functional proteins with unique properties and make the best use of these diverse microbial ecosystems.

We developed and employed a metagenomic-based approach to mine more than 1000 metagenomes for prokaryotic argonaute proteins (pAgos), a potential gene editing machinery encoded in bacterial and archaeal genomes. Our workflow involved strict quality control, sequence assembly, …

National Efforts In Climate Change Adaptation In Agriculture: Assessing Policies And Practices In Egypt’S Nile Delta, Youssef Raafat

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change significantly threatens global security and environmental stability, impacting various sectors, especially the agricultural sector (IPCC, 2021). Climate change has already diminished Egypt’s agricultural productivity by 15 percent (Nassr et al., 2021). In response, the Egyptian government has intensified its efforts to increase agricultural practices adaptation, such as Egypt's 2050 Climate Strategy, the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP 2017-2037), and the NWFE program (NCCS, 2022; NWRP, 2017; NWFE, 2022). Nevertheless, the national policies and efforts remain underexplored in the literature, and their evaluations are not accessible to the public (Grindle, 2017). This research aims to assess the extent to …

Social Media’S Influence On Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies In Egypt (2014-2024)900, Yasmine Elleithy

Theses and Dissertations

The study examined the role of social media and women’s online activism in the development of anti-sexual harassment policies in Egypt, specifically from 2014 to 2024. Through employing a qualitative research method involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews, the study engaged different actors, including members of the parliament, the National Council for Women, female online activists, and women’s rights specialists. During this time frame, there has been a remarkable shift in the political, social, and legislative landscape, marked by significant restrictions on traditional activism and the enactment of laws addressing sexual harassment. Throughout this period of unprecedented changes, social media has emerged …

From Home To Abroad: The Intergenerational Impact Of Household Member Migration On Women’S Economic & Social Empowerment In Egypt, Menna Elgohary

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates to what extent the migration of a household member to an Arab country leads to increased social and economic empowerment among Egyptian women of two age categories (15-35 and +35) over two waves. Determined through Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of panel data from Egypt Labor Market Panel Surveys in 2018 and 2023, composite indices of social and economic empowerment serve as dependent variables in an IV 2SLS regression model. The model assesses whether household member migration, proxied by migration prevalence on the district (qism) level as an IV, causes a significant increase in social and economic empowerment …

Re-Defining The Women, Peace And Security Agenda In Libya, Aisha F. Altubuly

Theses and Dissertations

This project aims to examine the effectiveness of implementing the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda in Libya during the armed conflict and through continuous political instability. After the 2011 uprising that took place, Libya has gone through several civil wars, which led the UN Security Council (UNSC) to dedicate a special mission to mediate the armed conflict and facilitate the democratic transition period while ensuring inclusivity. Also, the mission’s mandate is to pay attention to social inequalities and use a gender-sensitive approach to build peace again in Libya and ensure its sustainability. I am particularly interested in researching and …

The Metaphysics Of Time Within Physics, Mohamed Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

The starting point of this thesis is to shed some light on the metaphysical nature of time by reflecting on the physics of time. The aim of this approach is not to [dis]prove or defend a metaphysical position but rather to elucidate the metaphysical position that underlies [or is compatible with] our best scientific theories. This task will be demanding, not only because our best theories may carry different interpretations of their underlying temporal structure but also because there seems to be a conceptual conflict/incompatibility between the notion of time in relativity and quantum mechanics, which are the two major …

Incorporating Sustainability In Facility Layout Planning Algorithms And Assessing Hybridization Techniques On An Egyptian Case Study, Islam Atia

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the growing consequences faced as a result of global warming and climate change; humanity has come together to take an inclusive stance to combat this serious phenomena and work towards a more sustainable future. Large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to global warming, and a vast proportion of this emission come from industrial and commercial facilities. Hence, if industrial facilities are built with a larger focus on carbon footprint, it will yield a significant reduction in global emissions throughout the lifetime of the facility and will constitute a huge milestone in the journey to …

Navigating Trauma: A Linguistic Exploration Of Bilingual Trauma Expressions, Amira Mahmoud Othman

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the relationship between language, trauma, and emotional expression among bilingual Arabic-English speakers, focusing on code-switching patterns and euphemisms, and more broadly the emotional roles of native and non-native languages in trauma narratives. Through qualitative interviews with 20 Egyptian participants, the research reveals that code-switching serves as both a linguistic and emotional tool, allowing speakers to navigate trauma by creating distance or engaging more intimately. Such codeswitching patterns include the integration of English content words within Arabic structures, morphosyntactic innovations, and gender agreement applications, reflecting the creative adaptability of bilingual speakers in emotionally charged contexts, in line with …