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Estimation of Metallic Coating Thicknesses Using Eddy Current Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Mechanical Engineering by Atheer Ghiath Aldbaisi entitled, “Estimation of Metallic Coating Thicknesses Using Eddy Current Spectroscopy and Machine Learning”, submitted in March 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Bassam Abu-Nabah and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Maen Alkhader. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).College of EngineeringDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringMaster of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME
The Business Value of Digital Transformation in the Tourism Industry: A Multi-Country Comparison
No full textA Master of Business Administration (MBA) thesis by Sara Hassanin entitled, “The Business Value of Digital Transformation in the Tourism Industry: A Multi-Country Comparison”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Taisier A. Zoubi. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA
Implicit feedback and lexical stress: Development of perception and production in a classroom environment
No full textThe current study explored the effects of recasts on the production and perception of primary stress in a classroom context. Following a pretest-posttest-delayed posttest design, 28 L1 Arabic speakers were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Participants received four hours of instruction over a period of four days, and the lessons were recorded for stimulated recall. Teaching materials focused on argumentation, and were embedded with the target vocabulary to facilitate incidental mispronunciation. When the intervention group produced target words with misplaced primary stress, they received a recast. The control group did not receive corrective feedback. The results of linear mixed-effects analyses showed that recasts facilitated primary stress development through increased vowel duration. Stimulated recall data confirmed that participants noticed the recasts they received. However, there were no changes in participants’ perceptions of stress placement. These findings suggest that incidental pronunciation errors can be addressed through implicit feedback.American University of SharjahCollege of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Englis
Insights into the Entrepreneurial Process from the UAE
No full textA Master of Business Administration (MBA) thesis by Khalid Abdalla AlHarmoodi entitled, “Insights into the Entrepreneurial Process from the UAE”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Jamal Maalouf. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).The present study showcases the impact of digital transformation in the startup companies in the United Arab Emirates and the success factors. The study has formulated aims and objectives that identify the goal of the study. Besides, the research questions have also been developed in the introduction chapter. Here, the rationale and problem statement have also been described. An outline of research methodology has also been constructed here. This study analyzes the progress of the literature on digital startups and policy responses, evaluates its present focus and constraints critically, and offers an innovative viewpoint for further study. It examines the lifespan of digital companies by doing a thorough literature study, highlighting significant obstacles through the start until maturity. The study also underlines the need for flexible policy structures at the various levels to help business owners overcome obstacles related to financing, regulations, and integrating into the market. The results show that in order to provide comprehensive assistance throughout the startup phases, the regulatory structure should encourage creativity, secure finance, minimize laws in the earliest phases, assist developing and growth in the market, and encourage international cooperation. The literature review has been developed and provided various outcomes of the study. A detailed theoretical underpinning helps to emphasize the study properly. Besides, the strategies needed to be taken by the startups have also been described in the present chapter.School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA
Numerical Modeling of Brittle Fracture Using the Phase-Field Method
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Mathematics by Ghaid Saeed entitled, “Numerical Modeling of Brittle Fracture Using the Phase-Field Method”, submitted in July 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Youssef Belhamadia. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).This thesis presents a numerical study of brittle fracture using the phase-field method. The models are based on Griffith’s energy principle, which formulates fracture as an energy minimization problem. In the phase-field method, cracks are described using a variable d, where d = 0 indicates intact material and d = 1 represents fully damaged zones. Two different mathematical models are considered. The first is a hybrid formulation that degrades the full strain energy isotropically but drives damage only from the tensile part. The second is an anisotropic model that separates the strain energy into deviatoric (shear) and volumetric (tensile and compressive) components, applying degradation only to the tensile and shear parts. All the obtained models consist of a system of coupled partial differential equations. Numerically, the governing equations are solved using the finite element method. Several fracture examples in two-dimensional structures are studied, including a square plate with two asymmetric notches, a notched plate with a circular hole, a dog-bone specimen under uniaxial tension, and a cruciform plate with an inclined notch. The results demonstrate how each formulation captures the fracture process and how the strain energy formulation influences crack initiation and propagation.College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Mathematics and StatisticsMaster of Science in Mathematics (MSMTH
Generation and Detection of Sign Language Deepfakes - A Linguistic and Visual Analysis
No full textThis research explores the positive application of deepfake technology for upper body generation, specifically sign language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHoH) community. Given the complexity of sign language and the scarcity of experts, the generated videos are vetted by a sign language expert for accuracy. We construct a reliable deepfake dataset, evaluating its technical and visual credibility using computer vision and natural language processing models. The dataset, consisting of over 1200 videos featuring both seen and unseen individuals, is also used to detect deepfake videos targeting vulnerable individuals. Expert annotations confirm that the generated videos are comparable to real sign language content. Linguistic analysis, using textual similarity scores and interpreter evaluations, shows that the interpretation of generated videos is at least 90% similar to authentic sign language. Visual analysis demonstrates that convincingly realistic deepfakes can be produced, even for new subjects. Using a pose/style transfer model, we pay close attention to detail, ensuring hand movements are accurate and align with the driving video. We also apply machine learning algorithms to establish a baseline for deepfake detection on this dataset, contributing to the detection of fraudulent sign language videos.American University of Sharja
Photoactivated carbon dots immobilized on cellulose for antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition
No full textPathogenic bacterial infections represent a major threat to human health, which is worsened by the rise of antibiotic resistance stemming from misuse. Carbon dots (CCM-PBA-NH₂) were synthesized and examined for their potential as photo-activated antimicrobial agents to address this issue. Various characterization methods were employed to investigate the structure and morphology of the CCM-PBA-NH₂ carbon dots (CDs). Techniques including UV-VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR, zeta potential analysis, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM were utilized to assess their physicochemical properties, such as size, shape, surface functionalities and charge distribution. These carbon dots exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. They effectively prevented biofilm formation and disrupted preformed biofilms while displaying low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells at concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL. The antibacterial properties of carbon dots were also evaluated on cellulose and oxidized cellulose fiber surfaces, where a significant reduction in bacterial growth was noted. CD-modified oxidized cellulose displayed strong adhesion, positioning carbon dots as a promising candidate for use in antimicrobial materials, including wound dressings and sterilization tools. Combining carbon dots with biocompatible carriers, like cellulose, presents a versatile and effective strategy for fighting bacterial infections.American University of SharjahAbu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)Emirates NBDSharjah Electricity Water & Gas Authority (SEWA)Technology Innovation Institute (TII)GSK sponsors of the 4th Forum for Women in Research (QUWA
Electric Grid Resilience Enhancement During Natural Disasters: An Optimization-Based UAV Inspection and Dynamic Crew Dispatch Model
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Electrical Engineering by Yousef Serag entitled, “Electric Grid Resilience Enhancement During Natural Disasters: An Optimization-Based UAV Inspection and Dynamic Crew Dispatch Model”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mostafa Shaaban and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).Natural disasters pose significant challenges to power grid resilience, often resulting in prolonged outages and substantial economic losses due to inefficient restoration processes. Traditional methods primarily focus on optimizing repair crew (RC) sequences while neglecting the critical inspection phase, leading to delayed fault detection and increased costs of interruption . This thesis introduces a holistic, UAV-assisted framework that integrates unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspections, dynamic RC dispatch, and strategic charger placement to address these shortcomings. The approach leverages probabilistic failure analysis to prioritize high-risk lines, optimizes UAV inspection sequences with battery-aware path planning, and dynamically coordinates repair efforts to minimize COI.
The framework’s efficacy is evaluated using three distinct methods: Optimization based Approach, (GA), and Deep Learning (DL). OPTIMIZATION BASED APPROACH provides high accuracy in simplified scenarios but lacks scalability for real-time applications. GA offers a balanced trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency, while DL delivers rapid, scalable solutions with acceptable accuracy, making it ideal for urgent disaster response. Tested on a 33-bus system, the framework achieves a 56.34% reduction in COI compared to conventional strategies, demonstrating its superiority in reducing downtime and enhancing resilience. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive integration of inspection and repair processes, utilizing advanced technologies for real-time adaptability. By addressing the overlooked inspection phase and optimizing resource allocation, this thesis presents a scalable, data-driven solution that significantly advances post-disaster grid restoration, offering a practical approach to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of power outages in large-scale disaster scenarios.College of EngineeringDepartment of Electrical EngineeringMaster of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE
Cellulose-based materials for antimicrobial water treatment: functionalization strategies and applications
No full textWater contamination by pathogenic microorganisms poses a significant threat to public health and ecosystems, necessitating the development of sustainable and efficient water decontamination technologies. Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, has gained significant attention as a platform for antibacterial water treatment due to its inherent biocompatibility, renewability, and highly adaptable properties. This review provides an in-depth examination of strategies for functionalizing cellulose with antibacterial agents, including nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks, and cationic groups, to enhance its antimicrobial performance. The underlying mechanisms, such as bacterial membrane disruption, generation of reactive oxygen species, and ion release, are discussed in detail to elucidate the effectiveness of these functionalized materials. Additionally, applications in membrane-based and coating systems are highlighted, with an emphasis on their potential for addressing microbial contamination in water. Despite their promising potential, challenges such as scalability, long-term durability, and environmental and health safety remain pressing issues. This review highlights a strategic approach of using cellulose-based materials for the development of sustainable and efficient solutions to address global water decontamination challenges.American University of Sharja
Searching for coherence: A study on education and identity construction in the United Arab Emirates
No full textA Master of Arts thesis in International Studies by Reem Al Mheiri entitled, “Searching for coherence: A study on education and identity construction in the United Arab Emirates”, submitted in July 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Neha Vora. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).As a federation of seven constituent monarchies, the United Arab Emirates recognized early on the need for a unifying force to transcend tribal allegiances and genealogical affiliations, particularly against the backdrop of a vibrant cosmopolitan past and a growing migrant population. A clear manifestation of this state effort was the construction and promotion of a homogenized national identity through educational systems. Curricular reforms thus reflected evolving articulations of the Emirati national identity, closely aligned with shifting state priorities. Nonetheless, citizens were not passive recipients of these state-sanctioned articulations. They actively negotiated and reinterpreted them to reflect their own social realities, paving the way for alternative articulations of identity. While extant literature has examined recent curricular reforms in the UAE’s educational system, the topic of how national identity is constructed for citizens through the subject of social studies remains unexplored. The study investigated how the Emirati national identity is constructed through social studies textbooks and the implications of imposing a homogenous national identity onto a heterogeneous populace. Data collection involved a qualitative content analysis of thirty-nine social studies textbooks targeting primary and secondary students across three terms for the academic year 2023/2024, alongside a series of semi-structured interviews to discern on how identity is constructed, negotiated, and expressed in the United Arab Emirates. The findings of this study suggest that the intricate interplay between tribalism, state narratives and ethnic heterogeneity generates varied levels of belonging and an incoherent understanding of national identity among the UAE’s citizens, due to the lack of synergy between the state-constructed national identity and it’s articulation by the populace.College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of International StudiesMaster of Arts in International Studies (MAIS