United Arab Emirates University
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UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS: A CASE STUDY OF EMIRATI EX-OFFENDERS IN UNITED ARAB
Research on desistance has helped criminologists to better understand how people change their criminal identity and exercise personal choice. Yet in the UAE, these ideas has not often been applied to prisoners serving one or multiple offenses, even though incarceration and reoffending remain important social concerns. Because of this, desistance theory has not been fully used to study how rehabilitation is managed in UAE prisons, which means that some useful lessons may be missed. This study begins to close that gap by looking at the personal stories of 15 Emirati participants that were formerly incarcerated by adapting a qualitative and phenomenological approach. The findings show that many individuals try to change their lives during or after prison, but often in ways that differ from the official focus on risk control and punishment. Instead, their change is strongly influenced by family, cultural values, age, and the specific events that led to their imprisonment. The analysis identified four main types of personal agency: Unaware and fractured individuals, who avoided taking responsibility and often fell back into negative cycles; and corrective and redemptive individuals, who accepted responsibility and worked toward change in different ways. Each group described their crimes, prison life, and rehabilitation experiences differently. Most importantly, the study shows that much of the positive change happened outside formal programs—through family support, self-reflection, spiritual practices, and peer groups. This raises key questions about whether prisons and prisoners in the UAE view rehabilitation in the same way, and whether ignoring these personal and cultural factors weakens the impact of correctional policies
GENOMIC AND METABOLIC NETWORK CHARACTERIZATION OF FUSARIUM SPECIES
Fusarium covers the wide genus of fungi with over 400 species that are key in agricultural and medical practice. The purpose of the current study was to perform a comprehensive genomic profiling of the 19 Fusarium species that were captured in the National Centre of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The study was made to make a comparison of the data, based on the descriptive statistics of every species, with graphical representation images enabling clear demonstration of the numbers. The study indicated that the chromosomal numbers were in the range of 0-15, the gene count was roughly 11000 -19000, while that of the total nucleotide was between 37-60 million base pairs. In relation to taxonomy, it emerged that the GC content of the species averaged at 47%, which indicated that most of them were relatively stable and not evolving. Key findings from this study were the high metabolism rate of the majority of the Fusarium species studied with about 40% of them demonstrating a metabolism rate of between 1550 and 1600. The implications of these findings are that they are suitable for the biotechnological use, and industrial enzyme production. The Fusarium species with a high similarity and closer clusters in the results indicates that those strains had a similar ecological role or came from the same evolutionary origin, while the divergent cluster suggest that these differences in the gene content are due to specialization possibly to aid in the ability to adapt to a wide range of hosts or due to pathogenicity and adaptation requirements. Findings also confirm that Fusarium species studied had a vast range of accessory genes and Accessory chromosomes that are responsible in production of secondary metabolism. Key to note that the three major species F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and F. solani, whose high metabolism rate puts them as a suitable candidate for industrial use. However, it is imperative to note that such highly metabolic and gene metabolic Fusariums tend to evolve and hence creating resistance against drugs and pesticides. Understanding the genomic structure of the Fusarium helps in revealing their virulence or utilization in biotechnology
THE FEDERAL SUPREME COURT\u27S JURISDICTION TO INTERPRET INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND AGREEMENTS
This thesis examines and analyzes the interpretation of international treaties and agreements in the legal system of the United Arab Emirates, focusing in particular on the jurisdiction granted to the Federal Supreme Court in this area. It aims to clarify the legal nature of interpretation claims, the procedures related to them, and the impact of the rulings issued in this regard, in light of the UAE Constitution and recent legislative developments, particularly Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2022.The study concludes that the UAE legislator has granted the Federal Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction to interpret international treaties, and that this interpretation is achieved through an independent, substantive lawsuit, not based on a traditional dispute between parties, but rather aimed at clarifying ambiguity surrounding international texts. The letter also explained that the lawsuit is subject to special procedures, which may arise at the request of a competent authority or upon referral from the trial courts. The Federal Supreme Court relies on international rules in its interpretation, particularly those stipulated in the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.The letter also explained that the Federal Supreme Court\u27s decisions in this regard enjoy absolute authoritativeness and comprehensive binding force for all authorities and individuals in the state, making their interpretation a fundamental pillar for achieving harmony between domestic legislation and international obligations. The study also addressed the relationship between international law and national law in the UAE system, concluding that the UAE adopts the principle of dualism, whereby international treaties do not acquire the force of law until they are ratified and officially published.In light of these findings, the study recommended a number of legislative and procedural proposals, including: amending the constitutional texts to explicitly state the jurisdiction of the Federal Supreme Court, regulating the procedures for interpretation lawsuits through executive regulations, and defining the status of treaties within the national legislative system to avoid any potential future contradictions
DURABILITY OF BASALT FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER BARS IN MOIST CONCRETE UNDER SUSTAINED LOAD
This thesis is concerned with the long-term durability of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars embedded in moist concrete. The study focuses on the combined effects of exposure duration, elevated temperature, and sustained tensile stress, which together influence the mechanical and chemical stability of BFRP reinforcement in aggressive environments. The main objective is to evaluate the degradation mechanisms of BFRP bars subjected to coupled hygrothermal and mechanical conditions and to develop a predictive durability model capable of estimating service life under realistic climate scenarios. Concrete-encased BFRP bars were conditioned at three temperatures (20, 40, and 60°C), three durations (3, 6, and 9 months), and under sustained loads of 15% and 25% of ultimate tensile strength. Tensile tests, moisture uptake, matrix digestion, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. An Arrhenius-based durability model was further developed using experimentally derived degradation rates and applied to climatic data from Dubai and Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Experimental findings revealed progressive tensile strength loss, reaching 38% after 9 months at 60°C under 25% load. Moisture uptake, hydroxyl group formation, and reduction in glass transition temperature confirmed hydrolysis as the dominant deterioration mechanism, while SEM showed matrix disintegration and fiber debonding. The Arrhenius model generated service-life master curves, demonstrating faster degradation in Al Ain compared to Dubai due to higher climatic temperatures. The thesis establishes a direct link between environmental exposure, sustained load, and chemical degradation, while providing a predictive service-life model. By incorporating both sustained stress and real climate data, this study bridges the gap between laboratory durability testing and field-relevant service life prediction of BFRP-reinforced structures
MICROSTRIP ANTENNA DESIGN BASED ON AI AND MACHINE LEARNING
Microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) rely on precise impedance matching for efficient power transfer between the antenna and feed line. This is often achieved using a number of different techniques, one of which is the quarter-wavelength transformer (QWT). However, optimizing the width of the QWT presents significant computational and analytical challenges due to the unknown antenna impedance and the absence of explicit design relationships. This thesis aims to overcome these limitations by developing and comparatively evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) models for QWT width optimization. Methods involved Random Forest (RF) and a novel Probabilistic Deep Neural Network (PDNN) on a custom dataset of approximately 20,000 antenna designs simulated in CST Microwave Studio. Results indicate the PDNN excelled at bandwidth prediction (R² ≈ 0.70) and achieved moderate accuracy for QWT width (R² ≈ 0.35), though it struggled with frequency prediction (negative R²). RF analysis provided crucial feature importances, validating physical insights, such as patch length influencing frequency and patch width affecting bandwidth. This work significantly contributes by demonstrating AI\u27s ability to augment traditional design workflows and provide interpretive insights into complex parameter interdependencies, thereby filling the gap in direct, comparative AI optimization for specific matching network component
ASSESSING TEACHERS’ PRACTICES IN SUPPORTING GIFTED/TALENTED AND TWICE-EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS AND CENTERS IN ABU DHABI
Gifted/talented and twice-exceptional (2e) students, especially those whose needs are often overlooked in mainstream classrooms, are more likely to benefit from consistently implemented Differentiated Instructional Practices (DIPs). This study aimed to examine implelemntation of DIPs for gifted/talented and 2e students and to compare the practices implemented between of Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers and General Education teachers in schools and centers within Abu Dhabi. This research used a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design to collect data from eighty-six teachers from Abu Dhabi. A questionnaire was designed to rate teachers’ self-reported implementation of DIPs across the four domains of content, process, product, and learning environment. Results indicated that while teachers reported a moderate to high level of overall implementation of DIPs in their schools, a gap exists between teacher groups, SEN teachers reported consistently higher levels of implementation across all domains compared to their general education colleagues. The greatest difference was observed in the modification of content, where general education teachers scored very low, indicating a specific area for urgent focus. Therefore, the results of this study can inform school leaders, professional development providers, and policymakers at ADEK and the MOE to identify the key levers for effective changes and advance the inclusive and gifted education in UAE schools
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF HIP IMPLANTS FOR LONGEVITY THROUGH INTEGRATING ADVANCED GROOVE STRUCTURES AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
This doctoral research concerns the design and optimization of hip implants (HIs) to enhance performance, durability, and improve patient outcomes by addressing the key issues of wear, deformation, and stress distribution. Innovative surface groove designs have been introduced to both a solid and a hollow femoral head with the aim of reducing friction and wear. The addition of grooves, with both a hemispherical and rectangular cross-section, onto the femoral head reduced friction, as debris produced by the inner liner was trapped within the grooves, significantly reducing adhesive wear. A numerical simulation study compared the effects of surface modifications both grooves and dimples on wear reduction under static loading. The simulations showed that incorporating grooves on the femoral head led to a 10% reduction in wear rate, and the addition of dimples contributed a 3% improvement.A comprehensive optimization of femoral head design was conducted using full factorial design methods and Finite Element Analysis to assess stress distribution and deformation. Three groove configurations were evaluated: no grooves, horizontal grooves, and vertical grooves. The results revealed that vertical grooves provided the best performance in terms of stress distribution and wear resistance. Hollow femoral heads with wall thickness 0.1 mm and vertical grooves demonstrated superior load-bearing capacity, reduced weight, and enhanced structural integrity. Additive Manufacture was used to fabricate models heads to demonstrate custom designed femoral heads of complex geometry composed of high-strength, biocompatible Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V).The successful implementation of these designs could position them as a commercially viable solution, offering both improved patient outcomes and cost-effective manufacturing processes. This patented design comprising a grooved femoral head, inner liner, and outer acetabular cup is considered to present a breakthrough in reducing friction and wear during total hip arthroplasty
تحول سياسات العقاب والإصلاح للأحداث في دولة الإمارات: دراسة مقارنة لقانون اتحادي رقم 9 لسنة 1976 بشأن الاحداث الجانحين والمشردين وقانون اتحادي رقم 6 لسنة 2022 بشأن الاحداث الجانحين والمعرضين للجنوح
The Transformation of Juvenile Punishment and Reform Policies in the United Arab Emirates: A Comparative Study of a Federal Law No. 9 of 1976 Regarding Juvenile Delinquents and Vagrants, and Federal Law No. 6 of 2022 Regarding Juvenile Delinquents and those at Risk of Delinquency This study explores the concept of juvenile criminal responsibility under Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 in the United Arab Emirates, which restructured the legal framework for dealing with juvenile offenders and those at risk of delinquency in line with social developments and international standards. The research focused on analyzing the legal foundations of juvenile responsibility, comparing the new law with the previous Federal Law No. (9) of 1976, and examining the legal implications of raising the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years. The study also addressed the categorization of juvenile measures introduced by the new law into judicial, disciplinary, and administrative measures, highlighting the significant role played by the Child Protection Specialist, whose involvement is now essential throughout the stages of investigation, trial, and enforcement.
Additionally, the research tackled the challenges related to aligning national legislation with international standards and examined the degree of compatibility between the new law and the principles of Islamic Sharia, identifying both strengths and potential gaps in the legal framework. The study concluded with a set of findings and recommendations aimed at enhancing the reformative approach toward juveniles, balancing the child’s best interests with the protection of society, through fair and flexible legal policies
INVESTIGATION OF INNOVATIVE HEAT PIPES / FINS SYSTEM FOR DIESEL ENGINE COOLING
Engine cooling is considered one of the most important factors that affect their efficiency and therefore their performance, so a new cooling method is proposed using both heat pipes and fins to improve the cooling quality of internal combustion engines and shall be examined theoretically and experimentally. A test rig has been designed and built using a specimen material with similar properties to the real engine materials with similar dimensions as the engine cylinder head / liner thickness. In order to make the effectiveness of this research, a comparison between the cooling by fins alone and cooling the engine by fins built-in heat pipes (heat pipe manufactured inside the fins) shall be carried out. The heat pipes are filled by proper liquid – depends on selected thermal property- so that when it evaporates (evaporator section), then moves away to the condenser section as it condenses so that it removes the heat from the engine to the surrounding air. The objective is to increase the heat flux that the specimen (or the engine cylinder head) can undertake without being over heated. This will enable the engine to produce more power without material-thermal failure. Measurements included the surface and internal temperatures of specimen material, cooling air temperatures and the heat flux from the engine specimen. Numerical simulation by ANSYS software to correlate between cooling flow conditions, geometry of fins and heat flux have been estimated. The possibility and feasibility of using the heat pipes to cool the engine have examined and presented