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Hermeneutic Nuances of Shoe-related Rhetoric in Iraqi Culture
No full textCulture is complex and sensitive and due to the heterogeneous nature of the modern civilised world we ought to reflect on these differences to understand the other. Thus, what seems to be acceptable in one culture may be perceived as unconventional and very offensive in another. As Raymond Williams once said in his Keywords (1983) cultures 'just don't speak the same language.' Showing the sole of one's shoe to a fellow human is considered offensive in Arab culture. Although the term 'shoe' does not seem to have a wide semantic range in the West, culturally speaking, on the other hand, in the Arab world, it does, and especially in Iraq. Iraqis seem to have unleashed their linguistic creativity in applying a myriad of meanings to the term 'shoe' that vary according to gender, age, status, context and circumstance. Whether in plural or in singular form, it may be used to amplify or exaggerate, or to offend and insult. Iraqis experience the shoe linguistically but also see it as a flying object and as a "weapon of mass-destruction." Perhaps the most notable "pitcher" in this context is Muntazar al-Zaidi, the journalist, who threw his shoes at George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad in 2008 and accompanied that act with a statement saying: 'This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog.' And so, when confronted with a shoe in Iraq, thoughts come to mind, all of which are of negative connotation leading to an incontrovertible conclusion that the sought-after objective is an insult of some kind. This paper attempts to trace the origin of this cultural attitude and the offensive nature of shoes and feet in Iraqi culture. It also seeks to explain the various hermeneutic nuances (literal, moral, allegorical) of such rhetoric in Iraq. The Arabic term qundara ('shoe') is a keyword that symbolically represents a cultural gesture and articulates a linguistic attitude which all Iraqis, and most Arabs, can relate to. Most significantly, this paper aims to deliver a comprehensive record of a cultural keyword as well as a sociolinguistic trend which has yet not been scholarly addressed
Optimizing Resource allocation for Post-Disaster Recovery in Resilient Distribution Networks
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Electrical Engineering by Saif Rashid AlMansoori entitled, “Optimizing Resource allocation for Post-Disaster Recovery in Resilient Distribution Networks”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Ahmed Osman-Ahmed and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Mostafa Shaaban. 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
Applied Theatre for Workplace Conflict Resolution in UAE
No full textA Master of Business Administration (MBA) thesis by Lilas Ryad Mansour entitled, “Applied Theatre for Workplace Conflict Resolution in UAE”, submitted in April 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Omar Belkhouja. 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
Do Auditor Attibutes Affect the Value of Global Diversification?
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Accounting (MSA) by Amina Liya entitled, “Do Auditor Attibutes Affect the Value of Global Diversification?”, submitted in May 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Feras M. Salama. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Approval Signatures, Completion Certificate, and AUS Archives Consent Form).School of Business AdministrationDepartment of AccountingMaster of Science in Accounting (MSA
Digital Twin in the construction industry characteristics, benefits, and challenges
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Construction Management by Noora Sibaa entitled, “Digital Twin in the construction industry characteristics, benefits, and challenges”, submitted in June 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Sameh El-Sayegh. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).This thesis evaluates the current characteristics, benefits, and challenges of Digital Twins in the Construction Industry. The main aim of the thesis is to enhance the understanding of Digital Twins (DT) in construction by identifying, analyzing, and ranking these aspects as presented in the literature review. To achieve this, the research first reviewed relevant literature to extract key characteristics, benefits, and challenges, and then assessed their relevance within the construction industry. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather data for this assessment, with 81 valid responses from professionals of diverse roles and experience levels. Most of the respondents had over 10 years of experience and were involved in large-scale projects. The highest-ranked DT characteristics identified were data integration, data collection, and trusted structured data. The most significant benefit is focused on sustainability, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency. Conversely, the main challenges reported were cybersecurity risks, undefined access rights, and shortage of skilled professionals. Finally, this research aims to support industry professionals and decision-makers in adopting DT with more confidence and clarity, helping bridge the gap between digital ambition and practical implementation.College of EngineeringDepartment of Civil EngineeringMaster of Science in Construction Management (MSCM
Whispers of the Divine: Dreams and their Contested Place in Sunni Islamic Legal Tradition
No full textIslamic law is renowned for its meticulous rules, reliance on material evidence, and detailed procedural standards. Yet, throughout Islamic history, there have been notable cases where dreams and visions, often seen as divinely inspired, have influenced legal decisions. This paper delves into the complex issue of whether and under what circumstances dreams or inspirations can be accepted as legal evidence in Islamic jurisprudence. Through the exploration of classical and contemporary scholarly views, legal texts, and historical precedents, this research aims to provide a nuance understanding of the Sunni Islamic legal perspective on the use of dreams and visions as a basis for legal rulings. The prevailing view in Sunni Islamic jurisprudence largely dismisses dreams as valid legal evidence, interpreting them as symbolic gestures or historical anomalies. However, a minority of scholars advocate for their legal relevance in specific contexts. This study proposes a more refined, intermediate position, suggesting that such experiences may serve as supplementary legal evidence under particular conditions. This study also seeks to analyze the broader theological implications of relying on non-material evidence in a legal system that traditionally values certainty and material proof. While spiritual experiences such as dreams hold great importance in Islamic thought, their place in legal matters remains a topic of debate
Exploring Digital Competitiveness through Bayesian Belief Networks
No full textThis study assesses national digital competitiveness by analyzing interdependencies among key factors influencing overall performance. Unlike conventional ranking models that assume equal weighting of pillars, this study uses Bayesian belief network (BBN) models to capture complex, non-linear relationships, offering a more precise identification of critical determinants. The methodology involves constructing BBN models using data from the IMD Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023 for 64 countries. Three states were assigned to variables—low, medium, and high performance—and the tree augmented naive Bayes (TAN) algorithm was applied to model interdependencies. Thefindings highlight future readiness and knowledge as the most influential pillars, with high-performing countries demonstrating strengths in these areas. Additionally, critical sub-pillars such as adaptive attitudes and regulatory frameworks play pivotal roles. Unlike traditional approaches, this study identifies ripple effects within sub-pillars, demonstrating how targeted improvements in key areas can amplify digital transformation. The results emphasize the importance of a holistic strategy that considers these interconnections rather than isolated improvements. By providing a data-driven prioritization of key factors, this study offers policymakers a novel framework for resource allocation and strategic interventions. It contributes to the literature by challenging traditional schemes, advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of digital competitiveness, and offering guidance for targeted interventions tailored to each country's unique context
Heat Treatment Effects on Chemical Short-Range Ordering and Mechanical Properties of NiV Alloy
No full textA Master of Science thesis in Mechanical Engineering by Omran Radwan Chaker entitled, “Heat Treatment Effects on Chemical Short-Range Ordering and Mechanical Properties of NiV Alloy”, submitted in July 2025. Thesis advisor is Dr. Wael Abuzaid and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Mehmet Egilmez. 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
Enhanced Antimicrobial and Biofilm-Disrupting Properties of Gallium-Doped Carbon Dots
No full textAntibiotic resistance continues to be a global health threat caused by microbial biofilms, yet carbon dots (CDs) offer a promising countermeasure. Doping CDs with metals or nonmetals further enhances their properties while maintaining biocompatibility. This work reports the sonochemical synthesis of gallium–boronic acid carbon dots (Ga-BACDs) under conditions (20 kHz, 2000 W, 60% amplitude, 60 °C, and 60 min), achieving significant gallium incorporation. Ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence analyses reveal characteristic CD absorbance peaks at 286 and 355 nm and strong emission at 397–400 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectral changes on Ga-BACDs suggest successful incorporation of gallium and confirm Ga–H/Ga–O–C (2000–2600 cm⁻¹) and Ga–O/Ga–O–Ga (400–700 cm⁻¹) vibrations. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy data indicate the retention of the amorphous carbon framework with enhanced local ordering. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images demonstrate morphological alterations compared to BACDs with a particle mean diameter of 8.6 ± 4.1 nm. The gallium doping in Ga-BACDs was quantified as 3.66 ppm by using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicated that Ga is chemically integrated inside the carbon dot framework. The zeta potential shifts from −32.5 mV (BACDs) to −23.3 mV (Ga-BACDs), evidencing surface charge modulation. The antimicrobial activity of Ga-BACDs was tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial strains; the presence of gallium contributed to improved bioactivity at 37 °C. HR-SEM images of Ga-BACD-treated bacteria presented significant structural damage, membrane rupture, and surface irregularities. Ga-BACDs inhibited biofilm formation at concentrations as low as 2.5 mg/mL and efficiently eradicated preformed biofilms, highlighting their promise for preventing biofilm-associated infections. MTT assays on normal human brain cells confirm the biocompatibility of Ga-BACD-coated cellulose discs and CD solution (0.1 mg/mL), supporting the safe use of Ga-BACD-modified fibers. Overall, our findings highlight Ga-BACDs as metal-doped carbon nanoparticles, with strong potential for novel antibacterial treatments.American University of Sharja
Towards a Corpus-based Collocations Dictionary of Modern Standard Arabic
No full textThis paper discusses the need to compile a collocational dictionary of modern standard Arabic. It reports a project under way of producing a corpus-based dictionary of Arabic collocations. It outlines the corpus composition, the electronic tools used, and the guidelines followed in the carrying out the project. The paper describes the evolution and progress of the project. It will also discuss other linguistic features of words and their collocations such as number, gender, and syntactic configuration