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Developing A Welfare Index Based On Maqasid Shariah: Assessing The Contribution Of Hajj Fund Management In Indonesia, Agus Khoeron Fadli, Nugroho Bhanuaji Susanto, Fikri Rafif Nurcahyo

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose – This study evaluates the welfare contribution of the Ummah’s Endowment Fund (Dana Abadi Umat, DAU) within Indonesia’s Hajj fund management by constructing a Maqasid Shariah-based Welfare Index (WI–DAU) to assess whether allocations translate into community welfare benefits.

Design/methodology/approach – Using Al-Najjar’s Maqasid Shariah framework, the research combines expert judgment and practitioner insights with the Analytic Network Process (ANP) to derive weights for welfare dimensions and program activities. The index is calculated from planned budgets and realized DAU allocations over 2018–2024.

Findings – The weighting results place safeguarding the physical environment as the most important dimension (0.299), while safeguarding …

Financial And Social Maslahah Efficiency Of Bpkh In Managing, Hapid Durohman, Nanik Shofiatin, Danial Muhammad Wirdyansyah

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose – This study assesses the financial and social (maslahah) efficiency of Indonesia’s Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) over 2018–2024, examining how effectively pilgrimage funds generate returns and public-benefit distributions consistent with Islamic finance principles and BPKH’s mandate.

Design/methodology/approach – An input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model under Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) evaluates the transformation of inputs—total managed funds and operational expenditures—into outputs: investment income, benefit disbursements to pilgrims, and allocations to social welfare programs. Data come from BPKH audited annual reports (2018–2024). Robustness is assessed using Bootstrap DEA and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to test stability and cross-method …

Democracy And Environmental Sustainability: A New Study Based On Gdp Per Capita In Developing Islamic Countries (Oic), Basri Basri, Abdullah Abdullah, Herianti Herianti

International Journal of Islamic Economics and Business Sustainability

Purpose - This study investigates the moderating role of democracy in shaping environmental sustainability, measured by CO₂ emissions, across 35 developing member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Design/methodology/approach - A dual-model econometric framework is employed, combining the System Generalized Method of Moments (SYS-GMM) to address endogeneity and dynamic panel bias with the Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to capture both short-run dynamics and long-run equilibrium. This approach enables a nuanced analysis of how democracy conditions the effects of GDP per capita, agricultural productivity, and renewable energy on emissions.

Findings - The results reveal a complex and …

Keeping It Together: Assessing The Wellbeing Of Project-Based Development Practitioners In Egypt, Amira Ahmed Abdallah Fekry Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the wellbeing of project-based development practitioners in Egypt, revealing how systemic pressures—bureaucracy, job insecurity, and fragmented workloads—undermine both wellbeing and productivity. The study employed a mixed-approach, combining 10 in-depth interviews with subject matter experts and practitioners and 75 surveys with development practitioners in Egypt. Data revealed that while many practitioners are driven by purpose, structural challenges erode resilience and motivation over time. Social support networks and personal coping strategies help but cannot replace institutional protections. The study argues that wellbeing must shift from being treated as an individual concern to a structural responsibility. Reframing organizational models around …

Mechanical Characterization And Modeling Of Rat Myocardia Under The Influence Of Epirubicin, Abdallah Mahmoud Alkhaiyat

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer remains a predominant health challenge that is responsible for a significant portion of global morbidity and mortality. Epirubicin (EPI), a chemotherapeutic anti-cancer drug, has shown remarkable efficacy in combating various malignancies. However, it is known to have undesirable side effects on the heart, collectively referred to as cardiotoxicity. This research investigates the adverse effects of chemotherapy on cardiac contractility through an in vitro examination of the mechanics of healthy and infarcted animal heart tissues. Electrically stimulated slices of rat ventricular tissue were tested using an isometric force measurement tissue bath. The tissue slices were subjected to uniaxial stretching, allowing …

Disinterestedness In Bankruptcy Cases: Does It Really Matter?, Michelle M. Harner

BYU Law Review

The title of this Essay asks whether disinterestedness (of professionals) in bankruptcy cases really matters. Spoiler alert: Yes, it really does.

Cancer Vaccine Targeting Mutated Gnaq-Expressing Uveal Melanoma, Vitali Alexeev, Mizue Terai, Sergei Koshkin, Olga Igoucheva, Takami Sato

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Although brachytherapy of the primary tumor provides an approximate 80% five-year survival, with time, nearly half of patients experience predominant liver metastases. It was proposed that malignant cells migrate early and stay dormant as they adapt to the liver microenvironment. We propose that cancer vaccine-mediated activation of UM-targeted immunity in primary UM patients could prevent progression of metastatic disease from dormant cells or malignant seeds. Thus, this study explored DNA vaccination as a measure to educate the immune system to recognize the most common UM-associated Q209L tumor driver …

In Pursuit Of Culturally And Socially Respectful Research: Relational Theory And Practice, Gregory Smith, Mark Hammersley, Leslie Stanley

The Qualitative Report

Our article supports researchers committed to culturally and socially respectful practices, irrespective of the setting. When involved in social research, we are challenged by differences in culture, society and individual experience. These differences impact directly on peoples we are seeking to support through research, on ourselves as researchers and the design and conduct of the research project. These can involve perplexing and demanding challenges to respectful practice. In recent decades social research methodologies have sought to respond to these challenges. We describe a framework of relational theory that supports research practices seeking to reflect the experiences, knowledges and priorities of …

Expressing Experiences Of Being Gender Non-Conforming In The “Ladies” Restroom Through Autoethnography-Based Research Poetics, Ellen D. B. Riggle

The Qualitative Report

Three research poems are created as an autoethnographic response to feedback on a research article on the author’s experiences as a gender non-conforming person in women’s public restrooms.  The feedback loop includes the sharing of lived experiences by others and theoretical (why?) discussions in the context of the gendered policing and politicalization of women’s restrooms.  The first found poem includes words, phrases, and descriptions of images used to label spaces designated as women’s restrooms.  The second prose poem recounts the author's experiences through a reframing of risk to women’s health, understanding the cultural context of male entitlement and White supremacy, …

Global Dose Prescription Variances Exemplified Through Oropharynx Cancer: When Is 70 Gray 70 Gray?, Christian Rønn Hansen, Tony Tadic, Manju Sharma, Gareth Price, Jens Petersen, Mohamed A Naser, Ying Xiao, Nataliya Kovalchuk, Pernille Lassen, Jens Overgaard, Lachlan Mcdowell, Prabhakar Ramachandran, Jun Won Kim, Clifton David Fuller, David J Thomson, Jørgen Johansen, Jeppe Friborg, Sue S Yom, Andrew Hope

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose/objectives: Radiation therapy treatment planning hinges on a critical factor: the prescribed dose. Surprisingly, there is no consistent, standardized global approach to evaluating the dosimetry of this prescription across different centers treating head and neck cancer (HNC). This study aimed to quantify global dose variations for identical prescriptions across international centers treating oropharyngeal cancer, to establish the foundation for future outcome-based studies and improve consistency of interpretation worldwide.

Materials and methods: The study included patients with oropharyngeal cancer who were consecutively treated from 2017 onward with intensity-modulated radiation therapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy at 8 globally recognized radiation therapy …

Thresholds Of Wave Forcing: Implications For Atoll Reef Dynamics Under Sea Level Rise, Mathilde Lindhart, Gerd Masselink, Ashley Holsclaw, Tim Scott

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

We investigate the response of shallow reef flow to tidal variability and wave exposure during a 4-month field campaign in southern Huvadhu Atoll, Maldives. Incident waves breaking on steep fore reefs and reef crests generate a setup proportional to offshore wave height that drives a cross-reef flow. We emphasize a critical threshold—where the depth on the reef flat equals the depth at wave breaking—that separates two distinct reef flow regimes: one dominated by strong, unidirectional flow from the ocean into the lagoon and another where wave breaking ceases, flow rates decrease, and occasionally reverse direction. Recognizing the relative importance of …

Determinants Of Severe Financial Distress In U.S. Acute Care Hospitals: A National Longitudinal Study, James R Langabeer, Francine R Vega, Audrey Sarah Cohen, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, Andrea J Yatsco, Karima Lalani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Financial sustainability remains a central challenge for U.S. hospitals as rising operating costs, shifting federal reimbursement, and policy uncertainty intensify economic pressures. This study estimates the prevalence and recent changes in financial distress among U.S. short-term acute care hospitals.

Methods: We conducted a national longitudinal analysis of all U.S. short-term acute care hospitals from 2021 to 2023 using financial and operational data from Medicare cost reports linked with community-level data from the American Community Survey. Financial distress was measured using the Altman Z-score, with severe distress defined as Z ≤ 1.8. Logistic regression models were used to …

Factors Associated With Upstaging In Patients With Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Modern Institutional Sample, Sneha Alaparthi, Hamza Rshaidat, Luke Meredith, Scott H. Koeneman, Christina Grindley, Jacob Heilizer, Purab Kothari, Prarthna Chandar, Tyler Grenda, Nathaniel R. Evans Iii, Olugbenga T. Okusanya

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is significant value in predicting and better assessing patients who are at risk of post-surgery upstaging in lung cancer. The objective of this study is to review patients who were upstaged following resection and evaluate their clinical and demographic data to elucidate which factors portend an increased risk of pathologic upstaging at our institution (the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital).

METHODS: A retrospective review of institutional data was performed between 2011 and 2023. Patients with stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were included. Patients were excluded if they received neoadjuvant systemic therapy, including chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy, and were …

Emergency At The Borders: Response To Refugees In Sallum Camp, Shaimaa Hy Hassanein

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the emergency humanitarian response at Sallum camp at the Egyptian border upon the Lybian crisis between 2011 and 2014. By positioning the lived experiences and perspectives of humanitarian aid workers at the center, this research argues that the camp constituted a distinct and dynamic space shaped by shifting geopolitical conditions, state sovereignty concerns, and bureaucratic ambiguity. Drawing on qualitative interviews with frontline humanitarian aid workers who operated and lived in the camp over extended periods, the study explores how humanitarian interventions were negotiated, adapted, and implemented within a highly constrained environment.

The thesis highlights the Egyptian state’s …

A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach To Evaluating Perceptions Of Bilingualism Among Latino Parents Of Autistic Children, Ana C. Ramirez, Philip Gerard Gasquoine, Amy A. Weimer, Gabriel González Núñez, Juan R. Maldonado-Coronado, Sarah Surrain, Ana M. Gonzalez-Barrero, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Bilingualism has multiple benefits, however, non-native English speakers in the United States often lose their minority language. Nevertheless, language attrition is preventable, as parental perceptions of bilingualism (PoB) contribute to a child’s active use of each language and influence proficiency. At present, there is a significant gap in understanding how different cultures and belief systems might influence the language development of autistic children from bilingual Latino families. Furthermore, research on PoB among parents of autistic children has mainly been qualitative in nature. The purpose of this study was to (a) employ a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop a …

Managing Capacity Development For Administrative Staff In Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study Of The American University In Cairo, Amal Gamal Kaldas

Theses and Dissertations

Capacity development (CD) is a fundamental factor in the success of an organization, particularly in the initiation of higher education (HEIs) where administrative staff have a significant role in operational functions. This thesis presents several aspects that shape the capacity development for administrative staff in higher education institutions and the foundation of theories that relate to CD. Focusing on The American University in Cairo (AUC) as a case study to explore the current CD programs, how the administrative staff perceive the CD programs, and the challenges that hinder AUC in implementing these programs, and how AUC manages these programs. A …

Assessing School Readiness For Social And Emotional Learning: A Study Of School Leadership Perceptions And Attitudes, Nahla Elharati

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the integration of social and emotional learning (SEL) in a number of British schools across Egypt, focusing on how school leaders defined and perceived its importance in student development. Through in-depth interviews with twelve school leaders, this study found that school leaders’ definitions of SEL emphasized self- awareness, self-regulation, and relationship-building, alongside a strong focus on the real-life applicability of SEL both within school settings and in students’ future lives. School leaders also expressed positive attitudes toward the benefits of SEL, particularly its role in enhancing academic performance, promoting student well-being, improving peer relationships, and reducing bullying, …

Cognivault: Enabling Privacy-Aware Cognitive Distortion Detection In Intelligent Mental Health Applications, Mariam Dawoud

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health applications are increasingly leveraging intelligent systems to sup- port psychological well-being, yet preserving user privacy remains a major concern. This thesis presents CogniVault, a secure ecosystem for cognitive distortion data. The framework includes Cognify, a mobile journaling application that detects cog- nitive distortions in user-written journal entries using a locally deployed machine learning model. Cognitive distortions are maladaptive thought patterns such as catastrophizing or personalization, which the app identifies to provide therapeu- tic insights. To ensure privacy-preserving data analytics, CogniVault includes the design and implementation of a hybrid security architecture, PRISM-HDI, that combines Paillier Homomorphic Encryption (HE), Differential …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Afl Teachers On Teacher Development Needs, With Reference To The Level Of Professional Experience, Fathiyya Refky Abdelwahhab

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the perceptions of teachers of Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) regarding their training needs, with an attempt to examine whether those needs might vary according to the level of teaching experience. It also examines the views and reflections of AFL teachers about their training experiences; highlighting perceived strengths, weaknesses, and preferred training formats. The teaching competence examined in this study are based on the Cambridge Framework (n.d.) and the British Council CPD (1) Framework (2016). The key areas surveyed are Learning and the Learner, Teaching and Assessment, Arabic Language in the Classroom, Arabic Language Knowledge and …

Harnessing Ml And Iiot For Traceability In Continuous Production Systems: A Conceptual Framework, Kholoud M. Abdelaal

Theses and Dissertations

In the era of rapid technological advancement, the manufacturing sector faces increasing pressure to leverage emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency and minimize waste. In this context, traceability plays a pivotal role, as it provides complete visibility of processes and products throughout manufacturing systems, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and take corrective actions accordingly. Additionally, traceability ensures compliance, supports product recalls, provides a clear understanding of the system’s performance, and enables fact-driven decision-making in multiple aspects of the manufacturing system. Although the broad spectrum of traceability applications in batch production-based plants, traceability remains challenging to achieve in continuous …

Irrigation Efficiency In Green Wall Systems Utilizing Iot: Developing And Testing A Method To Optimize Water Use For Green Walls, Yomna Zaghloul

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the application of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automated irrigation system for green walls in Cairo, Egypt, assessing its impact on water conservation, energy consumption, and plant health across a three-month experimental period. The research compared a sensor-controlled drip irrigation system utilizing the ESP8266 microcontroller and real-time environmental monitoring against conventional timer-based irrigation methods. Water usage data revealed that the IoT system consistently achieved substantial savings—averaging nearly 60% less water consumption than the control group—without compromising overall plant vitality. Energy efficiency was also improved, with automated cycles reducing pump operating time by more than 50%. Plant growth …

A Virtual-Reality-Based Dental Simulator For Endodontics With Automated Formative Feedback, Yousef Salah Abo El Ela

Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in virtual reality (VR) and haptic technology are transforming the landscape of medical and dental education, offering new avenues for safe, immersive, and repeatable training experiences. Within dentistry, endodontics presents unique challenges for preclinical education due to anatomical complexity, limited access to extracted teeth, ethical concerns, and the shortcomings of conventional plastic models. Despite endodontics specific plastic teeth being available, they fall short of replicating the hardness of real extracted teeth, are relatively costly compared to generic plastic teeth, and are ultimately a disposable item which makes them inadequate as a sustainable long-term solution. Extracted teeth do a much …

Copper Metal Organic Framework-Based Nanomaterial For Non-Enzymatic Glucose Electrochemical Sensor, Sameha Mohamed Sadek

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensors by engineering advanced electrode materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Conventional enzymatic glucose sensors, although widely used, suffer from inherent limitations, including poor long-term stability, narrow operating conditions, and sensitivity to environmental factors, due to their reliance on biological enzymes. Non-enzymatic sensors offer a more robust alternative by enabling direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose on engineered electrode surfaces. MOFs represent a highly tunable class of hybrid materials with structural and chemical features that are ideal for sensor applications, including a high surface area, tailored porosity, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. …

Targeting The Cd47/Calreticulin Axis In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Ha Grafted Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded With Doxorubicin And Polygodial, Hadir M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Although progress in cancer treatment has led to better results for different types of breast cancer, TNBC remains particularly challenging due to persistent resistance to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This resistance ultimately renders chemotherapy less effective and is frequently associated with substantial side effects. Immunosurveillance significantly impacts the onset of cancer, the rise of resistance to therapies, and the likelihood of tumor recurrence. In this immunomodulatory process, Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) and Calreticulin (CALR) are two key regulators. CD47 expression is strongly linked to anti-phagocytic …

Women Representation In Higher Education Leadership In Egypt: A Qualitative Study, Eman Fouda

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate women representation in higher education leadership in Egypt. Currently, the representation of women in leadership roles in higher education is not proportionate to the percentage of women in Egypt, or even to the percentage of women employed in education. The importance of this topic arises from the implications of gender inequality. This research explores the perceptions of women in higher education regarding the social and cultural barriers that hinder their advancement to leadership positions. The discussion is in light of the social dominance theory and the cultural and social issues that stand …

The Voices Of Educators And Elders: Examining A Supplemental Educational Program Through A Culturally Responsive Lens In Gullah Geechee And African American Communities, Kelly D. Shelton

Dissertations

African American students in South Carolina experience historical educational suppression (Anderson, 1988; Bowers et al., 2018; Fabel, 2019). This qualitative case study investigated how the use of African Diaspora and Gullah Geechee culture in supplemental education programs supported the academic success of youth. Using a culturally and historically responsive literacy and critical race theoretical framing (Gay, 2013; Hammond, 2015; Ladson-Billings, 2014; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1997; Mills, 1997; Muhammad, 2020), this study captured the voices and insights of community elders and program directors of The Village Group, that makes use of Gullah Geechee cultural, academic, and vocational practices to engage and …

Harmonization And Ambiguity In Regulations For Physicians With Family Medicine Competence Post-Law No. 17 Of 2023, Danar Wahyu Giwang Katon, Dumilah Ayuningtyas, Purnawan Junadi, Wahyu Sulistiadi, Roberth J. Pattiselanno, Fitria Fitria, Ika Fitri Alfiani

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Strengthening primary care services in Indonesia requires that community health centers, namely Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat (Puskesmas), involve medical personnel with family medicine competence. However, the fulfillment of physicians with this competence, especially Primary Care Family Medicine Specialists or Spesialis Kedokteran Keluarga Layanan Primer (Sp.KKLP), still face significant obstacles. This qualitative research uses the integrated Easton's System Model and Buse's Policy Framework to analyze the dynamics of this policy. The findings reveal a gap between the strong legal foundation and weak implementation mechanisms on the ground. First, there is ambiguity in terminology and lack of harmonization among regulations, especially concerning the …

The Relationship Between Accessibility Factors And Post-Inpatient Control Visits Among Non-Jkn Participants At Hospital X, Putri Candaika, Desy Kartika Ningsih, Risky Kusuma Hartono

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

The rate of post-inpatient control visits remains relatively low due to various factors, including accessibility. At Hospital X, 220 of non-Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) participants scheduled for post-inpatient control visits between January and March 2025, 71.82% attended, and 28.18% did not. Patients who did not attend control visits were twice as likely to be readmitted. This study aimed to determine the relationship between accessibility and post-inpatient control visits for non-JKN participants at Hospital X. This quantitative study employed an analytical cross-sectional design, with a population of 220 patients and a sample of 142 patients selected using probability sampling. Bivariate …

Preoperative Malnutrition Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications Following Lumbar Fusion: A Propensity-Matched Analysis, Ali Mehaidli, Muaaz Wajahath, Jad Lawand, Omar Abdalla, Lorenzo Deveza, Noah Hodson, Ryan J Berger, Kevin Taliaferro

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Lumbar fusion (LF) is a common surgical intervention for degenerative spinal conditions but carries significant short- and long-term risks. Preoperative malnutrition, characterized by low serum albumin or leukocyte counts, impairs wound healing and increases susceptibility to infection, yet its influence on LF outcomes remains underexplored. This study evaluates the association between preoperative malnutrition and long-term postoperative outcomes following LF.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing LF between 2003 and 2023 were identified in the TriNetX US Collaborative Network. Malnutrition was defined as serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL or leukocyte count < 1,500/mm3 within 1 year preoperatively. A 1:1 propensity score match was performed for demographics, comorbidities, surgical approach, and body mass index (BMI), yielding two cohorts (n=20,693 each). Ninety-day and 5‑year postoperative outcomes were compared using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Malnourished patients experienced significantly higher 90‑day rates of transfusion (8.4% vs. 4.5%; HR 1.87, 95% CI: …

Red Bumps, Red Flags: A Case Series Of Four Neoplasms Masquerading As Inflamed Cutaneous Cysts, Jared Hensley, Smaran Marupudi, Kelly Maedo, Saba Suleman, Eric Sandrock

School of Medicine Publications

Red, inflamed cutaneous nodules are frequently diagnosed as epidermal inclusion cysts in both primary care and dermatology settings. However, several benign and malignant entities can closely mimic an inflamed cyst, leading to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal management. We present four patients who initially presented with erythematous nodules clinically suspected to be cysts; final histopathologic diagnoses included dermatofibroma, amelanotic melanoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. For each case, we describe the clinical presentation, histopathology, and management. The presence of a central punctum and superficial mobility strongly favors an epidermal inclusion cyst. In contrast, the absence of a punctum, rapid growth, …