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Data-Driven Electricity Demand Modeling for Electric Vehicles Using Machine Learning
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Electrical Engineering by Reza Davoodi Far entitled, “Data-Driven Electricity Demand Modeling for Electric Vehicles Using Machine Learning”, submitted in July 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mohamed Hassan and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Ahmed Osman-Ahmed. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).College of EngineeringDepartment of Electrical EngineeringMaster of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE
Redefining Luxury in the Circular Economy
No full textA Master of Business Administration (MBA) thesis by Ulla Alalwani entitled, “Redefining Luxury in the Circular Economy”, submitted in December 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mona Mrad. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).In recent years, the luxury industry has increasingly embraced circular economy practices by shifting toward green alternatives and the emergence of collaborative fashion consumption such as second-hand. Although the second-hand luxury market is witnessing tremendous growth worldwide, research has focused on exploring this sector from the consumer behavior perspective. In contrast, there is a market paucity in the research addressing the seller motivations, barriers, and the related relationship with the brands and luxury items. To investigate this phenomenon, we conducted 26 semi-structured interviews with luxury consumers who engaged in selling personal luxury items in the United Arab Emirates, a significant second-hand luxury market. The findings revealed four drivers to sell (i.e. democratized luxury, economic motivations, altruistic motivation, and practical considerations) and six barriers and concerns that hinder selling (hedonic barrier, platform challenges, perceived risk, practical constraints, economic and market concerns, seller-buyer dynamics). The results also highlighted how perceptions shifted before and after resale behavior uncovering three mainstreams (positive perception, negative perception, and a shift from positive to negative). Furthermore, the outcomes represented positive (e.g. brand loyalty) and negative (e.g. brand switching) seller-brand relationships as well as positive emotions (e.g. emotional detachment), negative emotions (e.g. emotional attachment), and mixed emotions (e.g. relief and sadness) associated with the seller-product relationship. This research contributes to the circular economy emerging literature by exploring the second-hand luxury market from the seller's perspective, shedding light on the motivations, barriers, and relationship dynamics post-sale.School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA
Motion Images with Positioning Information and Deep Learning for Continuous Arabic Sign Language Recognition in Signer Dependent and Independent Modes
No full textWhile recognition of sign language alphabets and isolated words has matured in recent years, recognition of sign language sentences, or continuous signing, is still a research topic of interest in computer vision, especially in signer independent mode of recognition. Existing state-of-the-art solutions in the continuous Arabic Sign Language Recognition (ArSLR) are promising; however, when implemented in signer independent mode, the accuracies drop noticeably. In this paper, we propose a solution for recognizing continuous Arabic signing in signer dependent and independent modes through the use of motion images with positioning information. Initially, sign videos are converted into several motion images, each emphasizing a different segment of the sentence. This is achieved by a weighted sum of residual images after applying optical flow and motion compensation. Each motion image is composed of the whole sentence video, hence putting the emphasized segment into context in terms of previous and successive sign words. Thereafter, hand-crafted features are calculated from each resultant image, including numerical summaries of the horizontal, vertical and diagonal profiles. With such features, the architecture used for model generation and testing is simplified, where it consists of a single Bi-LSTM layer followed by dropout, softmax, and classification layers. This paper makes use of a recent Arabic Sign Language dataset known as ArabSign. The dataset is composed of 6 signers and 93 words arranged into 50 sentences with 30 repetitions each. Experimental results revealed that the proposed solution is suitable for signer dependent and signer independent modes of continuous sign language recognition. Using a Leave-One-Signer-Out policy, the proposed solution achieved word-recognition rates of 99.8% and 75.3%, respectively. These results noticeably surpass relevant state-of-the-art solutions.American University of Sharja
Control of Unmanned Aerial Manipulator
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Mechatronics Engineering by Saad Eddin Mahfouz entitled, “Control of Unmanned Aerial Manipulator”, submitted in July 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mohammad Jaradat and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Shayok Mukhopadhyay. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).College of EngineeringMultidisciplinary ProgramsMaster of Science in Mechatronics Engineering (MSMTR
Electric Vehicle Adoption: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Technological, Environmental, Organizational and Policy Impacts
No full textThis comprehensive systematic review explores the multifaceted impacts of electric vehicle (EV) adoption across technological, environmental, organizational, and policy dimensions. Drawing from 88 peer-reviewed articles, the study addresses a critical gap in the existing literature, which often isolates the impact of EV adoption without considering holistic effects. Technological advancements include innovations in the battery technology and energy storage systems, enhancing EV performance and mitigating range anxiety. The environmental analysis reveals substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with lifecycle assessments showing significant reductions for EVs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, particularly when charged with renewable energy sources. Key comparisons include lifecycle emissions between mid-size battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), and global average lifecycle emissions by powertrain under various policy scenarios. The organizational implications are evident, as businesses adopt new models for fleet management and logistics, leveraging EVs for operational efficiency and sustainability. Policy analysis underscores the crucial role of government incentives, regulatory measures, and infrastructure investments in accelerating EV adoption. The review identifies future research areas such as efficient battery recycling methods, the potential impact of EVs on grid stability, and long-term economic implications. This study offers insights for stakeholders aiming to foster sustainable transportation and achieve global climate goals
Source apportionment of PM₂̣ ₅ and PM₁₀ pollutants near an urban roadside site using positive matrix factorization
No full textThis paper presents results from a comprehensive study of source apportionment of particulate matter (PM) of size PM₂̣ ₅ and PM₁₀ near a busy highway in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Source apportionment was carried out using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Positive Matrix Factorization model. Furthermore, backward trajectory analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function were used to assess air mass transport pathways and identify potential source regions, respectively. The results revealed six major sources for PM₂̣ ₅, including traffic, sea salt, fugitive dust, secondary aerosols, heavy oil combustion and mineral dust. For PM₁₀, four major sources were identified, including secondary aerosols, traffic, sea salt and mineral dust. Traffic emissions were found to be significant contributors to both PM₂̣ ₅ and PM₁₀ pollution, along with natural sources like sea salt and mineral dust. Backward trajectory analysis indicated the influence of different wind regimes on air mass transport, with contributions from regions like Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Oman and Iran. The Conditional Bivariate Probability Function analysis further explained the impact of local traffic emissions and other sources on PM pollution under varying wind conditions.International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)American University of SharjahUniversity of Sharja
Contract Claims in UAE Residential Construction Projects
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Construction Management by Mohamed Khaled Ali Hassan Shalabi entitled, “Contract Claims in UAE Residential Construction Projects”, submitted in May 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Salwa Beheiry. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).In the context of residential construction projects in the UAE, particularly those operating under lump sum contracts, an investigation was carried out into the common causes of contract claims to uncover the common triggers of contract disputes. This paper aims to better equip UAE practitioners with a contractual framework more resistant to claims by identifying the most significant claim factors, as determined by a comprehensive survey and analysis of industry practitioners. It turned out that changes, delays, and design issues are the top-rated claim-generating factors, while discord among project participants is the least significant. In addition to this research, practitioner ratings are used to assess the effectiveness of proposed contractual terms, produced from a thorough assessment of the literature and the FIDIC red book 2017. These clauses are designed to avoid or reduce the listed claim elements. The claim prevention clauses assessment results were used to gain insights into how practitioners think about what contract clause is better for preventing claims. To set the groundwork for the analysis an approach that focused on ratings for each survey question to uncover insightful findings from the data that was followed. the Relative Importance Index (RII) method was employed to systematically evaluate the survey responses. This approach involved calculating the RII for each survey question by summing up the ratings given by participants and then dividing by the maximum possible score. This quantification provided a precise measure of the importance assigned to each contractual clause by industry experts This method enabled an assessment of how various contractual clauses tackle known factors that lead to claims. The results obtained were analyzed to synthesize contract drafting principles and practical implications. This research is significant because it aims to create contractual frameworks that are more effective and resistant to claims, targeting specifically contract drafters, specialists, and contract procurement managers. The study paves the way for implementing contract management practices in the construction industry of the United Arab Emirates by aligning the recognized claim requirements with particular contractual provisions. These advancements are predicted to enhance project completion, reduce conflict occurrences, and promote sharing risks and responsibilities among involved parties. Subsequent contract designs could leverage insights from this research, potentially leading to more successful construction endeavors in the region.College of EngineeringMultidisciplinary ProgramsMaster of Science in Construction Management (MSCM
The Boyle–Romberg trinomial tree, a highly efficient method for double barrier option pricing
No full textOscillations in option price convergence have long been a problematic aspect of tree methods, inhibiting the use of repeated Richardson extrapolation that could otherwise greatly accelerate convergence, a feature integral to some of the most efficient modern methods. These oscillations are typically caused by the fluctuating positions of nodes around the discontinuities in the payoff function or its derivatives. Our paper addresses this crucial gap that typically prohibits the use of lattice methods when high efficiency is needed. Focusing on double barrier options, we develop a trinomial tree in which the positions of the nodes are precisely adjusted to align with these discontinuities throughout the option’s lifespan and across various time steps. This alignment enables the use of repeated extrapolation to achieve high order convergence, including near barriers, a well-known challenge in many tree methods. Maintaining the inherent simplicity and adaptability of tree methods, our approach is easily applicable to other models and option types
An Empirical Investigation of Parasocial Relationship Theory in the Context of Virtual Influencers
No full textA Master of Business Administration (MBA) thesis by Rooth Shaji entitled, “An Empirical Investigation of Parasocial Relationship Theory in the Context of Virtual Influencers”, submitted in December 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Jeff Baker and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Kichan Nam. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).Social media influencers are individuals who have amassed a significant following on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok due to their expertise, charisma, or relatability. They create content tailored to specific niches and often collaborate with brands for sponsored content, influencing their followers' purchasing decisions. Virtual Influencers, on the other hand, are computer-generated personas created by brands or agencies and are designed to mimic human social media influencers. Despite being virtual rather than authentically human, virtual influencers have gained traction, particularly among younger demographics, challenging traditional influencer marketing paradigms. The purpose of this research is to examine if parasocial relationship theory explains the behavior of their followers – and thus, if the theory holds true in the context of virtual influencers. A literature review of social media, social media influencers, virtual influencers, and parasocial relationship theory is conducted to build a base for the research. Our research model examines the links from attractiveness, intimate self-disclosure, influencer-product congruence, and sponsorship transparency to parasocial relationship and, in turn, the impact of parasocial relationship on purchase intention. The moderating influences of object-related and activity-related authenticity are also observed. Survey results support our hypotheses. Implications for virtual influencer creators and the brands that use them are presented, along with directions for future research.School of Business AdministrationDepartment of Management, Strategy and EntrepreneurshipMaster of Business Administration (MBA
Nonlinear Multimode Vibration Attenuation Using Passive Circuits
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Mechanical Engineering by Khaled Kadri entitled, “Nonlinear Multimode Vibration Attenuation Using Passive Circuits”, submitted in December 2024. Thesis advisor is Dr. Samir Emam. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).The reduction of the mass of a structure lead to many engineering benefits such as reducing the material used, increasing efficiency, and increasing effectiveness. However, the decrease in mass results in a structure that is more subjected to the effects of vibration. Vibration absorbers have been used to supress vibration from structures. Piezoelectric materials connected to shunted circuits are being utilized as vibration absorbers to attenuate the excess vibration of a structure. The piezoelectric material, in most cases a patch, is connected to the structure that is to be controlled. The use of shunted circuits provides a more convenient way of implementation than the typical spring mass damper absorbers, known as the vibration absorber, as they are easier to design and less likely to detune. Linear single-mode attenuation, nonlinear single-mode attenuation, and linear multimode attenuation using shunted circuits have been well developed and studied in the literature. The aim of this thesis is to develop a system for nonlinear multimode vibration attenuation. A mathematical model is developed to simulate the vibration response of a cantilever beam. Different force amplitudes will be simulated in order to observe the nonlinearity in the system. The nonlinearity in the cantilever beam is of cubic nature. A MATLAB optimization function is used for finding the optimal shunted circuit component values. Two different criteria for optimization were used: minimize the area under the frequency response plot and minimize the peak of the frequency response plot. Furthermore, optimal placement of the piezoelectric patch is also explored. The model is able to match the performance of current tuning methods used for linear and nonlinear single mode systems. Current Blocking technique is used for multimode vibration attenuation. A comparison is made between using linear and nonlinear circuit elements for nonlinear attenuation.College of EngineeringDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringMaster of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME