Digital Commons Network^™

Microplastics-Resistant Fo Membranes: Zwitterionic Mof Nanoparticles For Superior Fouling Control, Mitra Golgoli, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mehdi Khiadani, Michael L. Johns, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing contamination of water by microplastics (MPs) underscores the need for efficient tertiary treatments such as forward osmosis (FO). Developing advanced, low-fouling membranes is essential for enhancing FO system effectiveness. This work studies an innovative modification of FO membranes by the incorporation of a synthesized hybrid nanoparticle comprising metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and sulfobetaine zwitterions into the thin layer of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes. The ZW/MOF (UiO-66-NH2), nanoparticles were synthesized using a post-synthetic free-radical copolymerization method, resulting in a uniform polymer shell around the MOF nanoparticles. The incorporation of ZW/MOF nanoparticles into the membranes enhanced the hydrophilicity of the membranes …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: March 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In March 2025, U.S. employment rose by 228,000, with notable gains in health care, social assistance, and transportation, while the overall unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%. Veteran unemployment declined overall, though trends varied by age, gender, and race, with some subgroups—such as older veterans and Black veterans—experiencing increases.

Construction Of Stock Portfolios By Machine Learning Methods, Alfan Gehad Abulehia

Theses

We study the theory and application of two machine learning (ML) algorithms: Long-Short Term Memory Network (LSTM) and Random Forest. The study begins by providing an overview of mathematical foundation, highlighting the significance of mathematics in machine learning. We study and explain the mathematical details involved in these two algorithms. We also study closely related subjects which include but not limited to gradient descent, automatic differentiation, and recurrent neural network. The main ideas behind these topics form the foundation of any ML algorithms.

As an application of the ML algorithms, we focus on the U.S. stock market. We build stock …

The Impact Of Rubric-Based Feedback On Efl Writing Proficiency: Exploring Revision Skills And Learning Transfer, Ahmed Abdelraheem Elyan

Theses

This study explores how rubric-based feedback influences the writing development of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, with a particular focus on their revision practices, learning transfer, and the challenges they face with cognitive overload. The research was carried out in a high school context in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to understand the real impact of structured feedback on students’ writing performance.

Twenty Arabic-speaking students participated in the study, completing four essay writing tasks over eight weeks. These included a pre-test, two feedback-supported drafts, and a post-test. Their essays were assessed using an analytic rubric designed to …

A Bayesian Belief Networks Approach To Prioritize Road Safety Mitigation Measures For Eco-Mobility Modes, Fatmah Mohamed Alyammahi

Theses

This study presents an innovative decision-making approach that enables the prioritization of road safety measures for eco-mobility users—pedestrians, cyclists and light-electric micromobility riders—in Abu Dhabi. The analysis uses 2032 eco-mobility crash records (1016 pedestrian, 567 bicycle, 449 e-scooter) from 2020-2023 supplied by Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Municipalities and Transport. A supervised Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) was constructed around six empirically estimated variables: visibility, predictability, road curvature, obstructions, lighting and speed limit. Maximum-likelihood conditional-probability tables were derived from the cleaned dataset; Beta priors were applied only where cell counts were sparse. Ten conventional machine-learning models—including Random Forest, Gradient …

Continuous Professional Development (Cpd) For Inclusive Education In Uae Schools: Current Practices And In-Service Teachers’ Preferences, Hafsa Khaled Aishan

Theses

Professional development serves as a driving force in empowering teachers within inclusive education settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of both general and special education teachers about the effectiveness of currently implemented professional development practices. Data were collected using explanatory mixed-methods design, which included a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. This method was utilized to improve the depth of research through the integration of quantitative and qualitative data. The combination of these two methods strengthens validity, reduces bias, and increases reliability. Non-probabilistic purposive sampling method was employed to collect the data as a total of 115 …

Collaborative Network Traffic Management Strategies Using Distributed Reinforcement Learning And Large Language Models, Saeed Rashed Alkuwaiti

Theses

The focus of this research is to explore collaborative network traffic management strategies using the Distributed Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Large Language Models (LLMs) approaches. It emphasizes exploring a new tool for addressing network traffic by utilizing Distributed Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Large Language Models (LLMs). This is achieved by utilizing self-organizing and self-directing techniques to optimize the network performance. Using the NF-TON-IOT dataset, various classifiers such as Random Forest, AdaBoost, C4. 5, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and SVM with an RBF kernel were tested for traffic classification and intrusion detection. Research recommends that DRL optimizes the complexity of the network …

نحو مظلة تشريعية إماراتية لإقرار الشخصية القانونية للروبوتات, سعيد سالم الشامسي

Theses

Electronic Monitoring in UAE Criminal Legislation

With the great progress witnessed in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics, these technologies have had a direct impact on various aspects of daily life. Smart robots, which have the ability to self-learn and make decisions, are no longer mere technical tools, but have become entities that play vital roles in many sectors such as health, industry, security, and government services. How can the relationship between humans and robots be regulated? Is it possible to give robots a "legal personality" that allows them to bear responsibility for their actions?

The United Arab Emirates …

المسؤوليَّة الجِنَائِيَّة عن الاتجار بالأعضاء والأنسجة البشريَّة في ضوء المرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم (25) لسنة 2023 – دراسة مقارنة, مريم سعيد الحمودي

Theses

Criminal Liability for Trafficking in Human Organs and Tissues in Light of Federal Decree Law No. (25) of 2023 – “A Comparative Study”

The crimes of trafficking in human organs and the legal responsibilities they raise are among the most heinous, complex, and multidimensional criminal phenomena, and are considered the most dangerous sources of human rights violations, because they have taken an approach that violates the integrity, dignity, and humanity of the human body

The trade in human organs, as one of the forms of human trafficking crimes, which is an organized cross-border crime, has become a fast …

Smart Traffic Intersections: Leveraging Isac And Millimeter-Waves For Advanced Vehicle Platooning, Mohammed Risal Thadathil

Theses

The rapid advancement of self-driving cars is reshaping the transportation industry and accelerating the development of smart cities. Vehicle platooning, a key capability of autonomous vehicles, has the potential to enhance traffic efficiency, reduce congestion, and improve safety at intersections. However, maintaining platoon cohesion, minimizing latency, and optimizing traffic signal interactions remain significant challenges. This study addresses these issues by leveraging Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology with millimeter-Waves (mmWaves) signals to optimize platooning performance at traffic signal intersections.

The research identifies gaps in existing Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication frameworks, particularly in managing platoon movements in urban traffic intersections. To bridge …

Investigating Teachers' Perceptions On The Effectiveness Of School Inspection In Public Schools In The United Arab Emirates, Ruqaia Adel Mohammed

Theses

School inspection plays a significant role in ensuring quality education in UAE public schools. This paper investigates public school teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of school inspections in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and examines the impact of teachers’ demographic factors on these perceptions. A total of 218 teachers across the UAE participated in the study. The research focused on four key domains within the School Inspection Perception Framework (SIPF): Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspections (PESI), Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspection Training (PESIT), Perceived Credibility of School Inspections (PCSI), and Perceived Usefulness of School Inspection Feedback (PUSIF). Data were collected …

The Development Of Year One Students’ Reading Ability In A Curriculum Using Monster Phonics Scheme In The Uae, Sara Berrandjia

Theses

This study explores the impact of the Monster Phonics program on the reading development of Year 1 students in Al Ain, UAE. Reading proficiency is a fundamental skill in early education, and phonics instruction plays a crucial role in literacy acquisition. Monster Phonics, a color-coded synthetic phonics program, has been increasingly adopted in classrooms, yet its effectiveness in multilingual settings remains underexplored. This research aims to investigate how students' reading ability develops in the context of a curriculum using the Monster Phonics scheme. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative assessments pre- and post-tests on grapheme-phoneme correspondence, word reading, and …

التَّسوية الجزائيَّة في قانون الإجراءات الجزائيَّة الإماراتي, Fatima Salem Al Dhaheri

Theses

Penal Settlement in the UAE Criminal Procedure Law

In pursuit of enhancing justice and improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system, modern legislations have witnessed significant developments in the mechanisms through which the state exercises its right to impose sanctions. This has been achieved through the adoption of innovative approaches in criminal policy. Several legal systems have embraced alternative mechanisms to resolve criminal disputes outside the framework of traditional criminal proceedings, whether in cases of violations (infractions), misdemeanors, or even certain felonies. In line with this approach, the UAE legislator introduced the Criminal Settlement System in the latest amendment …

Hybrid Treatment Method Of Biofiltration Preceded With Advanced Oxidation Process For The Removal Of Emerging Contaminants From The Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent, Anjali Mohan Payathuparambil

Theses

The global demand for potable quality water has been on a continuous rise. Consequently, water reuse is now considered as an alternative to significantly expand supplies of freshwater in communities facing water shortages. Most of the conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are not efficient in the removal of emerging contaminants from the water, which will cause serious issues to the environment, human and animal life. This research investigated the possibilities of treating wastewater for reuse. First, the feasibility of utilizing a biofiltration system without pre-treatment for removing emerging contaminants from the WWTP effluent was investigated. Two types of biofilter media- …

Design And Evaluation Of Geopolymer Composite As A Potential Sorbent Of Heavy Metals From Water, Ebtesam Mohammed Alghafri

Theses

Reducing the levels of heavy metals in water is crucial, given their severe environmental and health impacts. Various methods exist for heavy metals removal. Yet, they mostly come with multiple drawbacks, such as costly treatments and limited efficiency. Previous studies have found geopolymer to be a promising sorbent because it is synthesized using by-product materials, making it an eco-friendly and economically sustainable alternative. Limited studies explored the sorption potential of fly ash-slag blended geopolymers; none examined the effect of mix design factors synergically on sorption, mechanical properties, and durability, and few considered solution characteristics and operating conditions simultaneously. Therefore, this …

Study Of Falāj Pathways And Their Unknown Extension In Al Ain City Using Geophysical Methods, Saud Mohammed Alsenaani

Theses

Historically, the city of Al Ain has relied on its Falāj systems as historic water resources for freshwater, which is vital for drinking and irrigating its oases and essential for supporting life in the region for centuries, providing the foundation for communities and farming. The remarkable rainfall in 2024 uncovered several hidden ancient Falāj systems and newly enlarged versions of previously recorded ones, highlighting the importance of ongoing research for their preservation. This research project aims to examine the current Falāj systems in Al Ain, particularly Falāj Mezyad, using geophysical methods to identify uncharted extensions and to examine current Falāj …

School Leadership Insights And Practices: Understanding Bullying Prevention Strategies Among Teachers In Private And Public Schools Across The Uae, Wissal Mohsen

Theses

This thesis investigates the detrimental effects of bullying on students, including its impacts on mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Addressing this issue necessitates a proactive strategy involving school leaders, teachers, and parents. Data was collected via a questionnaire: selected items employed a 5-point Likert scale, while others used a multiple-choice format. Analysis was conducted in SPSS and included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, t-tests, and binary logistic regression. The t-tests indicated that leadership practices implemented to prevent bullying in both public and private schools were highly effective and statistically significant (p < .05). This research contributes to our understanding of how school leadership and teacher involvement influence the efficacy of bullying-prevention strategies. By using quantitative methods, the study offers a comprehensive examination of school policies, bullying-awareness initiatives, and reporting systems. The findings highlight the importance of adopting context-specific approaches to bolster prevention efforts within schools. Future research that combines qualitative and quantitative analyses may yield deeper insights into the real-world challenges encountered in bullying-intervention strategies, thereby bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical implementation to ensure anti-bullying programs are both effective and culturally relevant.

Study Of The Extension Of Cavities In Jebel Hafeet By Implementing Geophysical Methods, Mai Rashed Alkaabi

Theses

Subsurface cavities pose challenges to the buildings and their stability, leading to ground instability and subsidence. In Al Ain City, UAE, particularly in Jebel Hafeet, cavities within carbonate formations and sedimentary rocks present risks to infrastructure and urban development. This study employs Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Gravity Surveys to detect, locate, and determine the depth of these cavities, enhancing geological understanding and geohazard assessment. The ERT survey, using a pole-dipole array, was conducted along eight lines to identify subsurface anomalies. It revealed high-resistivity anomalies (> 45 Ω·m), indicative of air-filled cavities, and low-resistivity zones (< 6 Ω·m), corresponding to water-saturated or clay-rich deposits. The ERT survey detected resistivity variations, highlighting anomalies ranging from 45 to 120 Ω·m at depths between 1 m and 17 m. The gravity survey, conducted at 28 stations, detected low-density anomalies, which aligned with high-resistivity ERT zones, confirming subsurface cavities at depths between 10 m and 220 m (below ground level). Five 3D gravity inversion models visualized density variations, revealing cavities at different depths for the models from 0 m to 195 m (a.s.l). The integration of ERT and gravity methods significantly improved cavity detection accuracy, demonstrating a strong correlation between low-density gravity anomalies and high-resistivity features. This study recommends increasing gravity station density, and avoiding heavy infrastructure in cavity-prone areas. The findings contribute to the geological understanding of Jebel Hafeet, providing insights for sustainable urban planning, risk mitigation, and infrastructure safety in Al Ain City.

The Cellular Trafficking And Targeting Of Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme-2 (Ace2) And Neutral-Amino-Acid-Transporter (B0at1) Variants: Implications For The Pathogenesis Of Associated Diseases And Therapy, Nesreen Fayyad Alkhofash

Dissertations

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1, encoded by SLC6A19, are membrane proteins with pivotal roles in human physiology. ACE2 is involved in regulating blood pressure and serves as the cellular entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, while B0AT1 facilitates amino acid absorption in the intestine. The interplay between ACE2 and B0AT1, particularly their physical interaction and co-expression in the intestine, underscores their relevance in both normal physiology and disease. Dysregulation of these proteins has been implicated in conditions such as hypertension, and Hartnup disease and they have been usurped by SARS-CoV-2 to cause COVID-19. Despite their …

Exploring The Relationships Between G2g, G2e And G2c E-Government Interactions And Organizational Readiness For Citizen Centricity In The Uae Government: Organizational Culture As A Moderator, Esam Al Sayed Ahmed

Dissertations

The UAE has topped the e-Gov development rankings globally over the last two decades. But during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain problems befell the model of e-Gov, like no coherent strategy, inconsistencies in digital practice, inadequate collaboration, the lack of mechanisms for innovation, poor digital talent, and concerns with public trust. After the pandemic, the government released its digital strategy (2021-2025) as part of the rapid recovery plan to stimulate the economy and society. The strategy aimed at increasing sustainability and innovation and putting citizens first. Yet, the strategy can be improved in regard to how prepared government …

Exploring Date Pomace As A Functional Ingredient In Bread: Nutritional And Functional Properties, Alaa Almoumen

Dissertations

This study investigated the incorporation of desugared date fruit pomace into wheat bread rolls and evaluated its effects on dough handling, bread quality, staling behavior, sensory acceptability, and nutritional composition. The research was conducted in three experimental phases: (i) development and characterization of a high-fiber dietary ingredient (HFDI) from date pomace, including its physicochemical and functional properties; (ii) bread fortification and quality assessment, where wheat flour was partially replaced with 0–20% HFDI to evaluate its effects on dough rheology, bread texture, color, moisture retention, shelf life, and consumer acceptance; and (iii) nutritional and physiological evaluation of the fortified breads, including …

The Epidemiology Of Major Congenital Anomalies In The United Arab Emirates: The Mutaba'ah Study, Hiba Mahdi Adam

Dissertations

Major Congenital Anomalies (MCAs) are significant contributors to perinatal morbidity and mortality. The absence of clear baseline prevalence data for MCAs hinders the development of targeted interventions to mitigate their burden. Furthermore, studies on adverse obstetric and birth outcomes in pregnancies complicated by MCAs are scarce, emphasizing the need for research to enhance management strategies. This dissertation aimed to: (1) estimate the live birth prevalence of perinatally diagnosed MCAs and describe study population characteristics by MCA status, (2) investigate the impact of MCAs on fetal presentation and delivery mode, and (3) investigate the impact of MCAs on preterm and low …

From Microplastic Impact To Biodegradation Solutions: Investigating Microplastic Pollution, Microbial Responses, And Efficacy Of Synthetic Microbial Consortia In Plastic Degradation, Rener Sahot De Jesus

Dissertations

Plastics, including microplastics, pose significant environmental threats due to their widespread presence and harmful ecological effects. This dissertation present three distinct, yet interconnected studies. First, a study on microplastic contamination in urban recreational parks was conducted in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Results showed that low-density microplastics were present in 87% of soil samples, with spectroscopic analysis identifying synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Additionally, these microplastics were found to negatively affect soil pH and moisture levels, emphasizing the need for enhanced monitoring and management strategies. Second, the effects of ground microplastics on Photobacterium leiognathi strains, a marine luminous …

Exploring Transfer Learning For Deep Learning Polyp Detection In Colonoscopy Images Using Yolov8, Fabian Vazquez Jr., Jose Angel Nuñez, Xiaoyan Fu, Pengfei Gu, Bin Fu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Deep learning methods have demonstrated strong performance in object detection tasks; however, their ability to learn domain-specific applications with limited training data remains a significant challenge. Transfer learning techniques address this issue by leveraging knowledge from pre-training on related datasets, enabling faster and more efficient learning for new tasks. Finding the right dataset for pre-training can play a critical role in determining the success of transfer learning and overall model performance. In this paper, we investigate the impact of pre-training a YOLOv8n model on seven distinct datasets, evaluating their effectiveness when transferred to the task of polyp detection. We compare …

Baseline Associations Of Office And Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring With Cognitive Function And Dementia Prevalence, Jesus Melgarejo, Dhrumil Patil, Sokratis Charisis, Kristina P. Vatcheva, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Luis J. Mena, Claudia Satizabal, Eron G. Manusov, Sudha Seshadri, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background: High blood pressure has been associated with dementia prevalence and incident. However, it is unclear the relationship of office and ambulatory BP monitoring with cognitive function and dementia and in particular, it remains unknown whether ambulatory BP variability relates to dementia.

Objective: To investigate the associations of office and 24-h blood pressure (BP) with cognitive function and dementia prevalence.MethodsCross-sectional population-based study of 1435 participants aged ≥40 years with office BP/24-h BP, and cognitive assessments (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Selective Reminding Test [SRT]). Dementia was diagnosed with a clinical dementia rating ≥1.0. Statistics included logistic and linear regression models. …

Apoe And Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias Risk Among 12,221 Hispanics/Latinos, Sandra Barral, Zikun Yang, Nicole Phillips, Robert Barber, Adam M. Brickman, Lawrence S. Honig, Basilio Cieza, Dolly Reyes-Dumeyer, Richard Mayeux, Silvia Mejia-Arango

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Effect of apolipoprotein E (APOE) on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) risk is heterogeneous across populations, with scarce data on Hispanics/Latinos.

Methods: APOE genotype was studied in 12,221 Hispanics/Latinos (per cohort and via metanalysis): Caribbean-Hispanics, Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Peruvians/Bolivians. A subsample had longitudinal assessment and plasma p-tau. We tested the modifying effects of global and local ancestries. Results were replicated in an independent Peruvian cohort and brain samples.

Results: APOE ε4 effect was strongest in Peruvians/Bolivians (odds ratio [OR] = 6.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.71-13.83), followed by Mexicans (OR = 4.31, 95% CI = 1.58-11.74), Mexican-Americans …

Trapping The Effects Of Tobacco Smoking: The Regulation And Function Of Acp5 Expression In Lung Macrophages, Suzanne H. Willems, Shilei Qian, Pernilla Lång, Bjarne E. Overtoom, Sina Alimostafazadeh, Rocío Fuentes-Mateos, Gwenda F. Vasse, T. Anienke Van Der Veen, Jelmer Vlasma, Marina H. De Jager, Victor Guryev, Gyorgy Fejer, Göran Andersson, Barbro N. Melgert

School of Biomedical Sciences

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase [TRAP, gene acid phosphatase 5 (Acp5; gene name for TRAP)] is highly expressed in alveolar macrophages with proposed roles in lung inflammation and lung fibrosis development. We previously showed that its expression and activity are higher in lung macrophages of smokers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting involvement in smoke-induced lung damage. In this study, we explored the function of TRAP and regulation of its different mRNA transcripts (Acp5 201-206) in lung tissue exposed to cigarette smoke to elucidate its function in alveolar macrophages. In mice exposed to cigarette smoke or air for 4–6 …

The Reality Of Including Preventive Education Concepts To Reduce Risks And Crises In Social Studies Textbooks In The Sultanate Of Oman For Grades (3-12), Saif Nasser Al-Maamari, Awadh Al-Nassri, Muna Rashed Al-Na'aimi

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The study aimed to identify the reality of including preventive education concepts to reduce risks and crises in social studies textbooks for grades from the third basic to the twelfth for post-basic education in the Sultanate of Oman. Use the descriptive analytical approach by following the content analysis method. The study included all social studies textbooks scheduled for the academic year (2023-2024). A list of preventive education concepts for risk and crisis reduction was prepared, which included five areas: concepts (causes, effects, prevention, recovery, management), which included (143) sub-concepts. Based on it, a comprehensive content analysis card was designed. After …

Against Monetary Primacy, Yair Listokin, Rory Van Loo

Faculty Scholarship

To reduce inflation, the Federal Reserve (Fed) raises interest rates. But every month with high interest rates increases the risk of a devastating recession. Recessions impose not only short-term pain in the form of widespread unemployment but also lifelong harm for many, as vulnerable workers and those who start their careers during a downturn never fully recover. Yet hiking interest rates is the centerpiece of U.S. inflation-fighting policy. When inflation is high, the Fed raises interest rates until inflation is tamed, regardless of the consequent sacrifices. We call this inflation-fighting paradigm “monetary primacy.” Despite its great risks, monetary primacy has …

Promises, Promises: Understanding Claims Made In Social Robot Consumer Experiences, Johanna Gunawan, Sarah Elizabeth Gillespie, David Choffnes, Woodrow Hartzog, Christo Wilson

Faculty Scholarship

Social robots are a class of emerging smart consumer electronics devices that promise sophisticated experiences featuring emotive capabilities, artificial intelligence, conversational interaction, and more. With unique risk factors like emotional attachment, little is known on how social robots communicate these promises to consumers and whether they adequately deliver upon them within their overall product experiences prior to and during user interaction.

Animated by a consumer protection lens, this paper systematically investigates manufacturer claims made for four commercially available social robots, evaluating these claims against the provided user experience and consumer reviews. We find that social robots vary widely in the …