Digital Commons Network^™

Risk Factors And Fraud Loss Magnitude: Informing Anti-Fraud Strategies, Robert Elias

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fraud research posits risk factors may be utilized to identify individuals who are predisposed to perpetrate fraud (ACFE 2024). I find perpetrators who exhibit the following risk factors result in statistically higher fraud losses: living beyond their means, excessive pressure to perform within the organization, having excessive control issues regarding their job, are reluctant to take vacations, have a “wheeler-dealer” attitude, or addiction problems. I further find perpetrators who exhibit risk factors which are likely to be observed in a work setting are more likely to result in higher fraud losses. However, perpetrators who exhibit risk factors which are more …

Understanding The Prevalence Of Γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid In Hair For Clinical And Forensic Applications, Collin J. Kustera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual assault affects over 400,000 Americans annually, including 13% of college students, yet only 2.5% of assailants face incarceration. This disparity stems from significant challenges in evidence collection, particularly in drug-facilitated crimes (DFCs). Victims often delay reporting due to fear, self-blame, or unawareness of the assault which is common in cases involving substances like γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). Current forensic standards rely on blood and urine, which offer detection windows of just 48 and 120 hours, respectively. These short timeframes frequently fail to capture critical toxicological evidence, leaving investigators with only victim testimony, which the judicial system struggles to act upon …

Global Decoupling Of Functional And Phylogenetic Diversity In Plant Communities, Stefan A. Schnitzer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Plant communities are composed of species that differ both in functional traits and evolutionary histories. As species’ functional traits partly result from their individual evolutionary history, we expect the functional diversity of communities to increase with increasing phylogenetic diversity. This expectation has only been tested at local scales and generally for specific growth forms or specific habitat types, for example, grasslands. Here we compare standardized effect sizes for functional and phylogenetic diversity among 1,781,836 vegetation plots using the global sPlot database. In contrast to expectations, we find functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity to be only weakly and negatively correlated, implying …

Cumulative Effects Of H+ And PI On Force And Power Of Skeletal Muscle Fibres From Young And Older Adults, Christopher W. Sundberg, Laura E. Teigen, Sandra K. Hunter, Robert H. Fitts

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The cellular causes of the age-related loss in power output and increased fatigability are unresolved. We previously observed that the depressive effects of hydrogen (H+) (pH 6.2) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) (30 mm) did not differ in muscle fibres from young and older men. However, the effects may have been saturated in the severe fatigue-mimicking condition, potentially masking age differences in the sensitivity of the cross-bridge to these metabolites. Thus, we compared the contractile mechanics of muscle fibres from the vastus lateralis of 13 young (20–32 years, seven women) and 12 older adults (70–90 years, six women) in conditions mimicking …

Lung Uptake Of Two Spect Markers Identifies Sensitivity To Hyperoxia-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome In Rats, Anne V. Clough, Taheri Pardis, Guru P. Sharma, Ming Zhao, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Said H. Audi

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Exposure of adult rats to hyperoxia is a well-established model of human Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Although rats exposed to 100% O₂ display clinical evidence of lung injury after ∼40 h and death by 72 h, rats exposed to 60% O₂ for up to 7 days show little sign of injury. However, when subsequently exposed to hyperoxia, these pre-exposed rats become more susceptible to ARDS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of imaging biomarkers to track this hyperoxia susceptibility and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either room …

Mapping Oral Medicine (Stomatology) & Oral And Maxillofacial Pathology International Organizations: A Scoping Review Of Global Data And Historical Analysis, Alessandro Villa

All Publications

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer in which treatment is associated with toxicities that can result in therapy discontinuation or death. This analysis investigated clinical and genetic markers of vascular toxicities in GBM patients during active treatment.

Methods: In total, 591 non-Hispanic White GBM patients with clinical data were included in the analysis from NRG RTOG-0825. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed from genotyped blood samples (N = 367) by occurrence of thrombosis or hypertension (grade ≥ 2). A clinical prediction model was produced for each vascular toxicity. Significant GWAS variants were then added to the …

Deep Learning Approaches For Eeg-Based Biometrics: A Systematic Review, Ali E. Albaiati, Muhammad Firdaus Akbar, Murtadha D. Hssayeni, Ashraf Khalil, Mohd Nadhir Ab Wahab, Sundus Sulaiman Weli, Enas A. Raheema

All Works

Biometics such as fingerprint, face, and iris are vulnerable to spoof attacks. The unique characteristics of Electroencephalography (EEG) make it a promising biometric modality especially because of its resistance to spoofing attacks. Many deep learning methods have been proposed for EEG-based biometric systems. This systematic review examines these methods in terms of their feature extraction ability and authentication performance. We follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to search IEEE Xplore, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Springer databases. Initially, we identified 285 relevant articles published between 2018 and 2024. After removing duplicates and applying …

Legal Pathways To Professionalizing The Procurement Workforce For Good Governance To State Contracts: A Comparative Study, Karem Sayed Aboelazm, Fady Tawakol, Emad Ibrahim, Hanadi Sharif

All Works

This study addressed several concepts in the study’s conceptual framework, which were based on profession, professionalization, and professionalism in public procurement. It also discussed the importance of professionalizing public procurement functions and its impact on public procurement performance (Angaw, 2020). The study also aimed to analyze the most prominent global practices in raising the efficiency and capabilities of public procurement workers to reach complete professionalism in public procurement. The paper attempted to investigate the possibility of professionalism in public procurement and its effects on the good governance of state contracts. The paper relied on two basic research approaches, namely the …

The Impact Of Perfumes And Cosmetic Products On Human Health: A Narrative Review, Sharifa Alblooshi

All Works

Background: The use of perfumes and cosmetic products is widespread, serving personal hygiene, aesthetic, and olfactory functions. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential health impacts associated with long-term exposure to various ingredients used in these products. Objectives: This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on the health risks associated with perfumes and cosmetics, focusing on specific health concerns, including fertility, respiratory health, cancer risk, allergies, skin disorders, endocrine disruption, and neurological effects. It also discusses the presence of heavy metals in cosmetics, regulatory challenges, and the need for transparency in ingredient disclosure. Methods: A comprehensive review of the …

Empowering Women On Screen: Exploring The Influence Of Female Protagonists On Contemporary Culture And Gendered Enjoyment In Film, Fokiya Akhtar, Azmat Rasul

All Works

A prevalent notion in the film industry across the globe suggests that female-led films may underperform, leading producers to avoid casting women as leads. This fear of alienating male audiences perpetuates patriarchal ideologies, objectifies female bodies, reinforces gender stereotypes, and alters perceptions of femininity. Examining this perception, the present study investigated the impact of the gender of the protagonist on the audience preference, challenging the misconception that exists in the film industry globally that films starring females as protagonists are less commercially successful. The study conducted an online experiment of 434 participants who were assigned different movies starring male and …

Improving The Performance Of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships For Sustainable Development In Coastal Areas : Sweden (Hanö Bay) As A Case Study, Jennie Larsson

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

Coastal areas are vital for both ecosystems and human societies. Comprising diverse terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, coastal areas provide us with essential resources and services. However, these areas are under threat from human activities and climate change, necessitating new governance structures to ensure their sustainable management and conservation. This research investigates how to improve the performance of local multi-stakeholder partnerships (M-SPs) in coastal areas, promoted as key mechanisms for achieving sustainable development goals. By drawing on stakeholder theory and using Pattberg & Widerberg’s (2014) analytical framework with nine building blocks for successful M-SPs as a foundation, the study examined …

Hydrogen-Enriched Lng As A Mid-Term Solution To Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Shipping, Kang-Ki Lee

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

In light of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ambitious Initial GHG Strategy, the rise in international shipping’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2 percent in 2022 compared to 2019 poses a formidable challenge. This increase underscores the pressing need to address the limited availability of green hydrogen, prompting the exploration of mid-term solutions to bridge this critical gap. The IMO’s 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships attempted to tackle this challenge head-on, recognizing the urgency of reducing the industry’s substantial carbon footprint. While hydrogen offers a simple solution as a zero-carbon fuel, LNG remains the most widespread alternative …

Measuring The Effectiveness Of Internship Programs In Aligning Education With Industry During Covid-19: A Case Study, Fokiya Akhtar, Tarannum Parkar

All Works

This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of internship programs in aligning education with industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research focuses on the internship outcomes of College of Communication and Media Sciences (CCMS) students in various UAE organizations. This study employs Kirkpatrick's framework and analyzes 64 student reports over ten weeks to understand the strengths and areas of improvement in aligning academic instruction with real- world applications. The research focuses on the reaction and learning constructs in the alignment of theoretical teachings with practical experiences based on Kirkpatrick's framework. The study revealed that internships offer students a chance to …

Improving Public Sector Procurement Methods In International Practices: A Comparative Study, Karem Sayed Aboelazm, Fady Tawakol, Emad Ibrahim, Hanadi Sharif

All Works

Objective: This paper presents the methods of public sector procurement in some public procurement laws such as UNITRAL law, Egyptian Law, Indian Law, Kenyan Law, and UAE law. Theoretical Framework: Some of the modern methods used by many countries, the research also sought to develop a clear definition of public sector procurement and relied in this research on the comparative approach as a significant approach to study for comparing the laws of countries. Method: This paper used descriptive-analytical methodology to analysis the legal frameworks of public sector procurement methods in Egypt, UAE, and other laws in comparison, the research reached …

An Explainable Ai And Optimized Multi-Branch Convolutional Neural Network Model For Eye Anemia Diagnosis, Kamel K. Mohammed, Nadia Dahmani, Rania Ahmed, Ashraf Darwish, Aboul Ella Hassanien

All Works

This paper proposes a novel, non-invasive approach to diagnosing eye anemia using deep learning techniques. Traditional methods, reliant on invasive procedures like venipuncture, are costly and can cause patient discomfort. Our model leverages a multi-branch convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, incorporating the Hippopotamus Optimization (HO) algorithm and multiclass support vector machines (SVMs) for enhanced accuracy. To address data imbalance, we employ the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) and data augmentation. The model is trained and evaluated on a dataset of 211 eye images. The model achieves a remarkable 97.06% accuracy, with a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrating an Area …

Digital Transformation Of Education: An Integrated Framework For Metaverse, Blockchain, And Ai-Driven Learning, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Omar Alfandi, Ravi S. Sharma, Saed Alrabaee

All Works

The integration of Metaverse, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the educational landscape by providing immersive, secure, and personalized learning environments. This study proposes a conceptual framework that combines these technologies to address the key challenges faced by contemporary education systems, including accessibility, engagement, security, and personalization. The Metaverse serves as the immersive platform, offering virtual classrooms, interactive simulations, and gamified learning experiences. Blockchain provides the foundation for secure and transparent academic records, enabling tamper-proof credential verification and decentralized data management. AI enhances the educational experience by powering adaptive learning systems, predictive analytics, and intelligent tutoring …

On The Validity Of Traditional Vulnerability Scoring Systems For Adversarial Attacks Against Llms, Atmane Ayoub Mansour Bahar, Ahmad Samer Wazan

All Works

This research investigates the effectiveness of established vulnerability metrics, such as the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), in evaluating attacks on Large Language Models (LLMs), with a focus on Adversarial Attacks (AAs). The study explores the influence of different metric factors in determining vulnerability scores, providing new perspectives on potential enhancements to these metrics. Approach - This study adopts a quantitative approach, calculating and comparing the coefficient of variation of vulnerability scores across 56 adversarial attacks on LLMs. The attacks, sourced from various research papers, and obtained through online databases, were evaluated using multiple vulnerability metrics. Scores were determined by …

Females On Board, Stakeholder Orientation, And Esg Disclosure: An Evidence From The Tourism And Transportation Industries, Akrum Helfaya, Phuong Bui, Ahmed Aboud

All Works

In the tourism and transportation (T&T) industries, female directors' contributions are undervalued despite the strong emphasis on board gender diversity in management research. We investigate whether the impact of multiple board gender diversity measures on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices varies between shareholder- and stakeholder-oriented countries and between T&T industries, drawing on insights from both managerial and psychological perspectives. Using an international sample of 790 firm-year observations representing 79 listed firms from 16 countries, we find that gender diversity is positively associated with ESG disclosure practices, and this relationship is more pronounced in shareholder-oriented countries and the transportation sector. …

Intrinsic Motivation, Future Orientation, And Financial Stress: A Student-Centered Model Of Metaverse Classroom Adoption In Low-Income Contexts, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Omar Alfandi, Saed Alrabaee

All Works

The rapid rise of immersive technologies has placed metaverse-based classrooms at the center of higher education innovation. Yet, little is known about how students in low-income contexts perceive and adopt these platforms, particularly when motivation, career goals, and financial pressures intersect. This study develops and tests a student-focused model that integrates intrinsic motivation, future time perspective, career relevance, and financial stress to explain behavioral intention toward metaverse adoption. A survey of 292 university students in Jordan—a lower-income national setting—was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed all hypothesized paths were significant. Future time perspective and career …

The Effectiveness Of A Proposed Guide To Improve The Role Of Parents In Developing Their Kindergarten Children English Language Skills, Laila Mohebi, Ghadah Al Murshidi, Asmaa Awad, Bushra Areashi, Ahmed Al Zaabi, Ahlam Hendawy

All Works

The aim of this study is to explore United Arab Emirates (UAE) parents’ perceptions of their involvement in their kindergarten children’s English language learning as a second language (L2) and the challenges they face. The study consisted of two phases: the first investigated the role of 329 parents using a questionnaire, revealing a strong need for guidance on how to support their children’s English learning. The second phase assessed the effectiveness of a structured educational guide. Pre/post-test results showed that the guide enhanced parents’ abilities to teach English as an L2 and apply strategies aligned with their children’s learning styles.

Llm-Driven Apt Detection For 6g Wireless Networks: A Systematic Review And Taxonomy, Muhammed Golec, Yaser Khamayseh, Suhib Bani Melhem, Abdulmalik Alwarafy

All Works

Sixth Generation (6G) wireless networks, which are expected to be deployed in the 2030s, have already created great excitement in academia and the private sector with their extremely high communication speed and low latency rates. However, despite the ultra-low latency, high throughput, and AI-assisted orchestration capabilities they promise, they are vulnerable to stealthy and long-term Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Large Language Models (LLMs) stand out as an ideal candidate to fill this gap with their high success in semantic reasoning and threat intelligence. This paper presents the first systematic review and taxonomy for LLM-assisted APT detection in 6G networks. It …

Streamlining Digital Elevation Model Construction From Historical Aerial Photographs: The Impact Of Reference Elevation Data On Spatial Accuracy, Xin Hong, Christopher H. Roosevelt

All Works

This study proposes a streamlined workflow for producing historical digital elevation models (hDEMs) from scanned 1950s aerial photographs using structure-from-motion and multi-view-stereo (SfM-MVS) techniques along with co-registration methods. We also conducted a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of DEM references with varying spatial resolutions on the SfM-MVS process and co-registration accuracy. The DEM references included a 30 m SRTM DEM (low resolution), a 12 m TanDEM-X DEM (medium resolution), and a 5 m DEM provided by the General Directorate of Mapping of the Ministry of National Defense, Republic of T & uuml;rkiye (high resolution). Results indicate that higher resolution …

Deep Learning Models Based On Cnn, Rnn, And Lstm For Rainfall Forecasting: Jordan As A Case Study, La'aly A. Al-Samrraie, Ayman M. Abdalla, Khalideh Al Bkoor Alrawashdeh, Abeer Al Bsoul, Mohammad Abu Awad, Kamel Alzboon, Ahmed A. Al-Taani

All Works

This study is the first to compare deep learning models for rainfall prediction across several Jordanian cities representing diverse climates using 11 years of recorded climate data, something that previous studies have not addressed in the Jordanian context. The climate records for four Jordanian cities (Amman, Irbid, Karak, and Ajloun) were recorded hourly. The data was divided into training sets (80%) and test sets (20%), with and without the application of correlation analysis, feature selection, and data standardization steps applied. Three neural network models, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Network-Recurrent Neural Network (CNN-RNN) were …

Assessing The Role Of Leadership In Shaping Digital Transformation Capabilities In Uae Governance, Arif Alshamsi, Maytha Al Ali, Noura Metawa

All Works

The present study aims to investigate the impact of leadership on digital transformation in the UAE government, using a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) analytical framework. This study examines the effect of leaders’ familiarity with digital technologies, their attitudes towards innovation, and their practical tactics for execution on the process of digitalizing government services. Employing a mixed-methods methodology, this research uses surveys and interviews to gather data from influential policymakers while also conducting a comprehensive examination of case studies on digital projects. The findings suggest that considerable knowledge and favorable attitudes towards digital transformation exist. However, implementing digital transformation methods …

Science Education In The Age Of Misinformation, Elissar Gerges

All Works

No abstract provided.

Association Of Socio-Demographic Factors, Perinatal Characteristics, And Hospital Maternity Practices With Breastfeeding Outcomes In The Uae, Zainab Taha, Farid El Ktaibi, Rafiq Hijazi

All Works

Breastfeeding (BF) rates remain suboptimal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite global and national efforts. This study examined the association of socio-demographic factors, perinatal characteristics, and hospital maternity practices with breastfeeding outcomes in the UAE. In this cross-sectional study, 1,815 participating mothers with children below the age of 2 answered structured questions related to socioeconomics, hospital practices, and BF. Multivariate analysis showed that a non-Emirati nationality and vaginal birth were significantly associated with higher initiation rates (AOR = 6.19, 95% CI 1.96–19.54 and AOR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.35–5.21, respectively), timely initiation (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI 0.35–0.66, respectively), longer …

Sulfur Cycling In The Gabbroic Section Of The Oman Ophiolite, Ana P. Jesus, Harald Strauss, Mário A. Gonçalves, Michelle Harris, Diogo Silva, Martin J. Whitehouse, Damon A.H. Teagle

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

We present sulfur mineralogy and isotope geochemistry from the gabbro transect of the Oman Drilling Project to unravel the sulfur cycle during hydrothermal alteration of the plutonic oceanic crust. The sheeted dike–gabbro transition (Hole GT3A) shows low sulfide‑sulfur concentrations (GT3A_median = 178 ppm, σ = 4873 ppm) but with great sulfur isotope variability (δ³⁴S = −12.8 to 14.4 ‰ V-CDT, weighted average + 5.8 ‰) and unusually heavy compositions relative to in-situ or ophiolitic crust. These features are consistent with abiogenic thermochemical sulfate reduction during intense hydrothermal alteration under greenschist facies conditions which formed a low-variance and …

New Insights Into Active Tectonics And Landscape Evolution Of The Northernmost Chilean Central Depression, A. Vega-Ruiz, P. Victor, K. Reicherter, A. Binnie, L. Evenstar, G. González, S. A. Binnie

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Active deformation and landscape evolution in North Chilean forearc involve multiscale tectonic processes, such as crustal thickening causing orogenic-scale uplift and faulting modulating the mountain-front landscape. In the Central Depression, faults redirecting Quaternary drainages are poorly understood due to their subtle surface expressions and limited structural data acquisition. To address this, we combined remote-sensing analysis of high-resolution DEMs, satellite and UAV imagery, new geomorphic mapping, structural data, and morphometric analysis with available surface age dating to identify and give temporal constraints on previously unmapped faults impacting drainages across this region. Our findings reveal the reactivation of east-vergent NNW-SSE reverse to …

Care‐Ful Encounters: A Case For Empathetic Youthful Encounters With Coastal Environments, Mark Holton

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

This paper extends discourse of environmental stewardship and coastal management by examining the intersecting and overlapping relationships between notions of care and encounter in generating and maintaining forms of environmental empathy among young people at various socio-spatial scales. Exploring ‘care-ful encounters’ matters in terms of developing new ways of understanding how the choreographies of care and self-care shape, and are shaped by, encounters with human and non-human others, and prompts critical engagement and reflection with care as felt and experienced, that could otherwise be considered as distanced and ‘over there‘. Two key contributions emerge – first, that the combined role …

Effects Of Cognitive Rehabilitation And Exercise On Brain Structure In Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Results From The Cogex Trial, Cogex Research Team, Francesco Romanò, Maria A. Rocca, Elisabetta Pagani, Maria Pia Amato, Giampaolo Brichetto, Jeremy Chataway, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, Gary Cutter, Ulrik Dalgas, John Deluca, Rachel Farrell, Peter Feys, Jennifer Freeman, Matilde Inglese, Emilio Cipriano, Cecilia Meza, Robert W. Motl, Amber Salter, Brian M. Sandroff, Anthony Feinstein, Massimo Filippi

School of Health Professions

Background: We previously showed increased cortical grey matter (GM) volume in CogEx trial participants who performed cognitive rehabilitation (CR). Here, we explore combined CR and aerobic exercise (EX) effects on regional changes in brain volumes and white matter (WM) integrity. Methods: Seventy-three patients were randomized into four groups receiving a combination of CR and EX or their sham versions: CR + EX, CR + EX-sham, EX + CR-sham, and CR-sham + EX-sham. A diagnosis of progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) and impaired information processing speed were required for inclusion. Participants attended a 12-week intervention twice/week. Assessments were performed at baseline, week-12 …