United Arab Emirates University
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THE IMPACT OF RUBRIC-BASED FEEDBACK ON EFL WRITING PROFICIENCY: EXPLORING REVISION SKILLS, LEARNING TRANSFER, AND COGNITIVE OVERLOAD
Full text linkThis 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 evaluate key areas of writing, such as grammar, sentence structure, cohesion and coherence, content relevance, and clarity of expression. To gain a fuller understanding, the study combined quantitative analysis (paired t-tests and regression analysis) with qualitative examination of students\u27 writing and feedbackresponses.The findings showed that while students made noticeable improvements in their revisions, the progress varied across different aspects of writing. Feedback related to cohesion and coherence seemed to have a more lasting impact, while grammar-related feedback often led to immediate corrections but less evidence of long-term retention. The study also found that students sometimes struggled with cognitive overload, especially when presented with too much feedback at once.Moreover, the qualitative analysis uncovered traces of first-language (L1) influence, particularly in sentence structuring and transitions, which reflects the unique challenges Arabic-speaking learners encounter when writing in English. Drawing on these insights, the study offers practical recommendations for classroom practice, emphasizing the need to balance the amount and type of feedback provided, while also being mindful of students\u27 cognitive capacity and linguistic background
EXPLORING THE CONCEPTUALIZATION, IDENTIFICATION, ENRICHMENT PROCEDURES, AND ASSOCIATED NEEDS OF CREATIVELY GIFTED STUDENTS IN CYCLE-3 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AJMAN AND UMM QUWAIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Full text linkThis study explores creative giftedness as perceived and conceptualized by teachers, school leaders, and nominated gifted students within Cycle-3 public schools in the northern Emirates of Ajman and Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. The research investigates how giftedness and creative giftedness are defined, identified, and supported through enrichment programs, while also examining the internal and external enablers and challenges as perceived by both educators and creatively gifted students. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design and using Renzulli’s (2012) Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness and Ziegler’s (2005) Actiotope Model of Giftedness as guiding frameworks, data were collected from 153 educators through questionnaires, followed by semi-structured interviews with 24 teachers and school leaders. Focus group interviews were likewise conducted with 14 teacher-nominated creatively gifted students, using photo elicitation to enrich the focused group interviews. Quantitative findings highlighted a limited but emerging awareness of creative giftedness especially from teachers, while qualitative data revealed a more nuanced conception. Furthermore, the study discovered inconsistencies in identification procedures, limited institutional support, and sociocultural constraints as articulated by the respondents. However, it also uncovered strong internal drivers, such as resilience, intrinsic motivation, and spiritual reflection, as well as the critical role of teacher and family support and environmental stimuli in enhancing creative giftedness. These findings underscore the need for clearer definitions, more structured and systematic identification practices and enrichment programs to support creatively gifted students in the UAE, while highlighting the importance of acknowledging student voice in shaping gifted education policy and practice
Developing a Model for Utilizing Generative Artificial Intelligence in Project-Based Learning within Teacher Preparation Programs and its Impact on Innovative Outputs and Passion
Full text linkThis study aimed to develop a model for integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into project-based learning for pre-service teachers and examine its impact on their innovative outputs and passion for AI. The sample consisted of 86 third-year pre-service teachers enrolled in the Teaching Science in English programs at the Faculty of Women, Ain Shams University. The experimental group included 51 physics pre-service teachers who engaged with the proposed AI-based model within the Educational Technology course, while the control group comprised 35 chemistry pre-service teachers who received traditional instruction. Both groups produced an educational project based on the course requirements. A descriptive approach was employed to develop the model, while a quasi-experimental design assessed its impact on innovative outputs and passion for AI, measured in both harmonious and obsessive dimensions. Three measurement tools were created by the researcher: an innovative output assessment scale, an observation checklist for presentation skills, and a scale to assess passion for AI. The results indicated that the proposed model significantly enhanced the innovative outputs of pre-service teachers and increased their passion and enthusiasm for using AI and incorporating AI into their future teaching and learning contexts.
Keywords: Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI), Project-Based Learning, Innovative Outputs, Passion for Artificial Intelligence, Teacher Preparation Programs
The Effectiveness of an Electronic Training Program in Developing the Teaching Skills and Strategies of Student Teachers Specializing in Islamic Studies and their Attitudes towards it
Full text linkThis research aimed to identify the effectiveness of an electronic training program in developing the teaching skills and strategies of student teachers specializing in Islamic studies and their attitudes towards it. The semi-experimental approach was used. The study was applied to a sample of (39) student teachers in the academic year 2022-2023. There were (19) student teachers in the experimental group, and (20) student teachers in the control group. An electronic training program was prepared and available in the engine of the E-Learning Center of Kuwait University. The two tools were used for the study were: an achievement test in lesson implementation strategies, and a questionnaire of attitudes towards the teaching profession. The results showed there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in favor of the experimental group. This confirms the effectiveness of the electronic training program for the student teacher, for implementing the lesson in developing teaching skills and attitudes. The study recommended the development of training courses related to teaching strategies and skills for students’ teachers, encouragement of faculty members to student teachers to benefit from electronic training courses in developing teaching skills and and developing the attitude toward the teaching profession.
Keywords: An electronic training program - lesson implementation strategies - teaching skills - attitude towards the teaching profession - the student teacher specializing in Islamic studies
رقابة المحكمة الدستورية العليا الفلسطينية على الأنظمة - دراسة مقارنة
Full text linkAbstract
This study aims to identify the role of the Palestinian Supreme Constitutional Court in overseeing the constitutionality of regulations, in accordance with the provisions of the amended Basic Law of 2003, which established it as a guardian of its provisions. The court enjoys several powers, including the observance of the constitutionality of laws and regulations, and it falls outside the hierarchical structure of the regular courts. Despite the issuance of the Court Law No. (3) of 2006, its work was not activated until 2016, and that was done under Presidential Decree No. (57) of 2016, which appointed its members.
This study used the comparative analytical approach to highlight that the boundaries and scope of the court\u27s observance for the constitutionality of regulations, are unclear in its legal system. For this reason, the study focused on defining the controls and standards for subjecting the regulations to constitutional observance and the extent of its application.
The study concluded that the court did not clearly define constitutional and legal boundaries for the regulations that must be constitutionally monitored. Hence, it recommended the need to explicitly define these boundaries to ensure the effectiveness of the court\u27s role.
ملخص البحث
تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد دور المحكمة الدستورية العليا الفلسطينية في الرقابة على دستورية الأنظمة، وذلك وفقاً لأحكام القانون الأساسي المعدّل لعام 2003، الذي أسّسها كحارسة لأحكامه. وهي تتمتع بعدة صلاحيات، منها الرقابة على دستورية القوانين والأنظمة، وتقع خارج الهيكل الهرمي للمحاكم النظامية. وبالرغم من صدور قانون المحكمة رقم (٣) لسنة ٢٠٠٦، إلا أنّه لم يتمّ تفعيل عملها إلا في عام ٢٠١٦، بموجب قرار رئاسي رقم (٥٧) لسنة ٢٠١٦، الذي عيّن أعضائها. وقد استخدمت هذه الدراسة المنهج التحليلي المقارن لإظهار أنّ حدود رقابة المحكمة على دستورية الأنظمة ونطاقها غير واضحة في نظامها القانوني. ولهذا السبب؛ ركزت الدراسة على تحديد ضوابط ومعايير إخضاع الأنظمة للرقابة الدستورية ومدى تطبيقها. وخلصت إلى أنّ المحكمة لم تحدد حدوداً دستورية وقانونية واضحة للأنظمة التي يجب مراقبتها دستورياً، ومن هنا، أوصت الدراسة بضرورة تحديد هذه الحدود بشكل صريح لضمان فعالية دور المحكمة
الإطار القانوني لمختبرات التقنية المالية – فنتك - دراسة مقارنة
Full text linkAbstract
The significant and unprecedented advancements in the FinTech sector have posed several legislative and regulatory challenges to the regulating bodies in overseeing this emerging and unique industry. Balancing the promotion of innovation and creativity on one hand while safeguarding consumers on the other hand, have often been conflicting objectives that legislators and regulatory bodies strive to achieve. To address this, many countries around the world have recently adopted organized regulations for the FinTech sector.
This research aims to introduce the Arab reader and researcher to the financial technology - FinTech - sector, which has become a component of the global financial landscape. The research provides an overview of the historical development of this important sector, its regulatory and legal philosophy, and the practices adopted by Arab and comparative countries. The ultimate goal is to enhance the current discussion in the Arab world, particularly among regulatory bodies such as financial market authorities and central banks.
Using a comparative analytical methodology with a focus on English law and Arab laws, this research examines the emergence and regulatory philosophy of the FinTech sector, as well as the legal framework for the FinTech sandboxes.
The research has led to several conclusions, the most important is the necessity for legislators in Arab countries to adopt legislative amendments that allow regulatory bodies to establish sandbox environments to fortify and legitimize their initiatives. It is crucial to strike a balance between supporting and providing appropriate regulatory and legislative environments and preventing exploitation of this flexibility by some companies.
ملخص البحث
فرض التطور الكبير وغير المسبوق في قطاع التقنية المالية عددًا من التحدّيات التشريعية والتنظيمية على الهيئات الرقابية في تنظيم هذا القطاع الناشئ ذي الطبيعة الخاصة. فالموازنة بين تحفيز الإبداع والابتكار وحماية المتعاملين من جانب آخر، عادة ما تكون أهدافًا متعارضة، كان وما زال يسعى المشرّعون والجهات الرقابية لتحقيقها. ولمعالجة ذلك، العديد من الدول حول العالم قد تبّنت تشريعات منظّمة لقطاع التقنية المالية مؤخرًا.
يهدف هذا البحث إلى تعريف القارئ والباحث العربي بقطاع التقنية المالية – فنتك - الذي أصبح جزءًا من الواقع المالي العالمي، مع استعراض للتطور التاريخي لهذا القطاع الهام، والفلسفة التنظيمية والقانونية لهذا القطاع، والممارسات التي تبنّتها الدول العربية والدول المقارنة؛ وذلك بغية إنضاج النقاش الحالي في عالمنا العربي، خاصة على مستوى الجهات الرقابية مثل هيئات أسواق المال والبنوك المركزية.
ولقد استعرض البحث نشأة وفلسفة تنظيم قطاع التقنية المالية والإطار القانوني لمختبرات التقنية المالية، من خلال اعتماد المنهج التحليلي المقارن مع التركيز على القانون الإنجليزي والقوانين العربية.
ولقد توصّل البحث إلى عدة نتائج، أبرزها ضرورة تبنّي المشرّعين في الدول العربية لتعديلات تشريعية تتيح للجهات الرقابية الحقّ في إنشاء مختبرات تجريبية بهدف تحصين وتأصيل مشروعيتها، مع ضرورة الوصول لنقطة توازن بين دعم وتوفير البيئة التنظيمية والتشريعية المناسبة، وبين منع استغلال هذه المرونة من قبل بعض الشركات
SIMULATION AND MOLECULAR DESIGN OF ANTIMONENE-BASED MATERIALS WITH HIGH OPTOELECTRONIC PERFORMANCE.
Full text linkTwo-dimensional materials have undergone a rapid development toward many applications since the discovery of graphene. Then, 2D binary compounds such as transition-metal chalcogenides emerged as complementary materials for graphene due to their sizable bandgap and moderate electrical properties. Silicene, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, phosphorene and germanene et al have received increasing attention owing to their unique properties and promising applications. Recently, research interests have turned to monoelemental 2D materials. A new ultrathin 2D semiconductor material in group-V, namely, antimonene (Sb). Since its discovery in 2015, antimonene, as an emerging 2D material, has rapidly gained popularity due to its unique optical and electronic properties. Antimonene has some very interesting electronic and optical properties when compared with graphene and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Graphene uses have been limited as it does not have a band gap. By contrast, band gaps for TMDCs range between 1.5 and 2.5eV, making them too large for certain optoelectronic applications. However, the predicted electronic properties of antimonene are around 1.2eV, making them ideal for optoelectronics. The only monolayer material with similar electronic properties is phosphorene, but phosphorene is derived from black phosphorus, which is highly hygroscopic and reactive. Antimonene, however, is very stable and can be immersed in water. Antimonene has been noticed, owing to its high stability and some other outstanding properties such as high carrier mobility, excellent thermal conductivity, strain-induced band transition, and broadband absorption. Although monolayer antimonene is a semiconductor with a large indirect band gap of 2.28 eV, the band gap can theoretically decrease to zero with the increase of the number of layers, thus expanding its available absorption band for the mid-infrared spectral region.In this research, extensive theoretical efforts will be made to deal with these challenges and problems, so as to design antimonene-based materials with high thermoelectric performance
ENCAPSULATION OF LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI DSM 17938 IN W/O/W EMULSION: INFLUENCE OF OIL TYPE ON VIABILITY AND OXIDATIVE STABILITY
Full text linkProbiotics, known for its wide range of health benefits, have been gaining recognition on its effect on the gut-brain axis. This axis, operated via various pathways, can be modulated by the type and functions of probiotics found in the gut microflora. Lactobacillus are probiotics commonly found residing in the gut and have been extensively used in food for its health benefits. However, probiotics face several stress factors before reaching the gut which hinders it from being functional. The main objective of this thesis is to construct a stable double-emulsion-based delivery system for the probiotic, which will act as a barrier against the harsh conditions of the digestive system. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was loaded in a water-in-oil-in-water Pickering double emulsion system, using sunflower seed oil and pistachio oil. The emulsion particle size, stability during storage, encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability, and the viability during storage and after simulated gastrointestinal digestion were examined. The results showed significant stability of emulsions during storage with no phase separation. Both oils presented high oxidative stability, with sunflower being more stable. The encapsulation efficiency of both oils was similar, 78.4% for pistachio oil emulsion and 77.6% for sunflower seed oil emulsion. Furthermore, L. reuteri encapsulated in pistachio oil emulsions proved higher viability throughout the study. Both double emulsions were able to successfully protect the probiotic during simulated gastrointestinal digestion and the variability was maintained between the desired concentration, 106 – 107 CFU/g, where sunflower seed oil emulsions achieved 6.89 CFU/mL while pistachio oil emulsions achieved 6.49 CFU/mL by the end of the digestion. Overall, double emulsions were proven to be an excellent method of probiotic delivery system. With some enhancement in the method of construction, as additional source of nutrient for the probiotic, the viability of probiotic-loaded double emulsions is expected to increase
ADVANCING ACADEMIC ADVISING WITH KNOWLEDGE GRAPHS: INTEGRATING MACHINE LEARNING AND LLMS FOR PERSONALIZED COURSE PLANNING
Full text linkAcademic advising plays a critical role in helping students make informed decisions, improve academic performance, and successfully navigate their university journey. However, with increasing university enrollment, traditional advising methods often struggle to scale, leading to student frustration and overburdened advisors. Additionally, designing course offerings that match student demand is a complex and error-prone process involving multiple stakeholders. To address these challenges, this thesis proposes an automated, data-driven system for generating personalized academic plans for students. The primary aim of this thesis is to develop a system that reduces students\u27 dependency on advisors while simultaneously providing accurate estimates of course demand to assist in academic planning for upcoming semesters. The proposed system operates in two phases. In the first phase, Knowledge Graphs (KGs) are used to model relationships between courses, prerequisites, and student progress. In the second phase, Machine Learning (ML) techniques and Large Language Models (LLMs) are integrated to further personalize course recommendations. The system is designed to ensure logical course progression while adhering to university-specific academic policies, with a case study conducted at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). The generated academic plans demonstrate up to 70\% similarity when compared to the generic degree plans provided by the university and show an average of 80\% similarity when compared to actual plans followed by graduated students. This work introduces a hybrid system combining Knowledge Graph modeling with Machine Learning personalization for academic advising, offering a scalable and interpretable solution that aligns course planning with student needs and institutional constraints. This thesis addresses the scarcity of research applying Knowledge Graphs for personalized academic planning in universities, bridging the gap between traditional advising practices and automated, data-driven recommendation systems tailored to individual student backgrounds
THE ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF NOVEL CHROMENE DERIVATIVES AGAINST COLORECTAL CANCER CELLS
Full text linkColorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the third most common cancer globally, accounting for nearly 10% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. In the UAE, CRC was ranked as the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy, and the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in 2023. Standard CRC treatment strategies include surgical resection, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of all, depending on the cancer stage and molecular profile. Despite these interventions, disease recurrence is experienced by a considerable number of cancer patients. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop novel alternative treatments to overcome poor prognosis. Recently, cancer research has revealed the therapeutic potential of synthetic molecules, especially those that structurally mimic natural products. Among these, chromenes have demonstrated anticancer properties alongside a spectrum of other pharmacological activities. In the present study, human CRC cell lines, HCT-116, HT-29, and Caco-2, were used to assess the anticancer potential of a new synthetic chromene derivative (C4) in vitro. C4 demonstrated a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of CRC cells. All subsequent mechanistic investigations were performed on the HCT-116 cell line, as it exhibited the highest sensitivity to the drug. C4 inhibited the formation and growth of HCT-116 colonies. Further, microscopic examination following treatment with C4 demonstrated cell multinucleation, a sign of possible mitotic catastrophe. Additionally, C4 caused a G2/M arrest in HCT-116 cells, accompanied by an increase in the levels of H3pSer10. C4 also led to the accumulation of γH2AX as a result of DNA damage induction. Moreover, senescence was observed as marked by positive senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining and the upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p16. Furthermore, C4 triggered apoptosis by modulating both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Overall, these findings confirm that our novel synthetic chromene derivative has a potent anti-CRC activity and therefore holds a promising therapeutic value for treating CRC