United Arab Emirates University
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Dispute Resolution Mechanisms of Public-Private Partnership (PPPs) in UAE and Comparative Law
Get PDFPublic-private partnerships (PPP) serve as a mechanism for enabling public entities to execute their assigned developmental tasks, aiming to serve the public interest. Thus, they become a crucial tool for achieving the economic and social objectives of the United Arab Emirates. The complex and multi-dimensional nature of these contracts increases the likelihood of disputes arising at various stages of project implementation.This thesis compares the legal frameworks governing administrative public-private partnership (PPP) dispute resolution across the jurisdictions under review, assessing their effectiveness in preventing or resolving these conflicts. It further seeks to evaluate the success of legislators in balancing the conflicting interests of the parties involved, thereby supporting both public and private sector parties in managing such disputes efficiently.Moreover, the study will explore the various dispute resolution mechanisms, including arbitration, mediation & conciliation, technical expertise, negotiation and judicial processes, to identify the most effective strategies for dispute avoidance and resolution.The study concludes with significant findings and recommendations aimed at enhancing the framework for PPPs, ensuring adequate representation and protection of both public and private interests.The research also provides insights into improving the efficiency of managing disputes arising from administrative partnership agreements, offering practical suggestions for public and private sector partners based on the key conclusions
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GNSSAS 6U CUBESAT
Get PDFThis thesis presents the design and simulation of the Attitude Control System (ACS) for the GNSSaS 6U CubeSat, developed by the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at UAE University. The CubeSat\u27s mission is to enhance GNSS signal accuracy, which requires precise attitude control to achieve this objective. The ACS utilizes magnetorquers and reaction wheels for actuation. The primary objective of this thesis is to design an ACS that fulfills the mission’s performance requirements, including maintaining pointing accuracy in both fine and medium pointing modes. To achieve this, a comprehensive disturbance analysis was conducted, leading to the selection of suitable actuators and control strategies. The ACS implements both PID and LQR controllers to achieve stable and accurate pointing in different operational modes. The ACS was modeled and simulated using MATLAB, focusing on various operational modes, including detumbling, medium pointing, and fine pointing, with sub-modes such as nadir pointing, sun pointing, and ground station tracking. The simulation results demonstrate that the GNSSaS CubeSat achieves stable control and meets its pointing accuracy requirements. The LQR controller proved particularly effective in fine pointing mode, enabling precise and stable transitions between sub-modes by balancing precision and energy consumption. Furthermore, LQR\u27s tuning flexibility allowed for smoother and more stable responses, with minimal oscillation. This work contributes to the development of robust ACS designs for CubeSats, addressing key challenges such as managing external disturbances and ensuring reliable control through effective momentum management. The findings confirm that the GNSSaS ACS meets all mission requirements and lays a solid foundation for future CubeSat missions
المسؤولية الجنائية الدولية للقادة
Get PDFThe International Criminal Liability of Leaders
The primary objective of this research is to explore and elucidate the concepts, principles, and legal frameworks pertaining to the international criminal liability of leaders, particularly in instances where they contravene established norms and statutes of international criminal law. This endeavor seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the enforcement mechanisms underpinning such liability, thereby reinforcing respect for international legal standards. The study delves into the evolution of this principle and examines the contemporary acceptance of the idea that leaders and heads of state can be held accountable before a stable and enduring international criminal tribunal. The notion of international criminal responsibility has transcended theoretical abstraction to become a tangible reality in global affairs, as evidenced by landmark trials such as those held in Nuremberg, Tokyo, the Courts of the Former (Yugoslavia, and Rwanda). Furthermore, the establishment of the Permanent Court of Rome and its jurisprudential frameworks, along with associated legal challenges and barriers, underscores the ongoing evolution of international criminal law. Through rigorous inquiry and analysis, this research endeavors to offer viable solutions and insights that may contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of international legal norms and mechanisms
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORK NANOSTRUCTURES AND EVALUATION OF THEIR PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY
Get PDFReticular materials have enlisted tremendous interest from researchers across the globe in the last two decades. This heightened interest stems from the novelty in structure and chemistry that renders them peerless in multiple fields such as medicine, energy, and environment. On the environmental research front these materials have found applications in mitigation of different pollutants such as CO2 which is the most important greenhouse gas through storage and conversion, catalysis of CO2 conversion into useful products. Furthermore, these materials have also proven to be effective sorbent materials for many toxic compounds that find their way into freshwater systems such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other organic compounds. On the other hand, owing to their conductive behavior that is influenced by their narrow band gap properties, reticular materials are excellent photocatalysts in organic synthesis reaction among which polymerization of different monomers into pure polymers stands out. For all these applications to be sustainable and attract adoption by end users, reticular materials must be engineered to limit costs, and ensure value for money in the products used. This ultimately boils down to the stability, efficiency, and ruggedness of these materials. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have suffered some setbacks when used in aprotic solvent environments and thus need to fix their bridges (linkers). Moreover, creating composite materials involving 2-D MOFs and 1-D nanofibers would enable the creation of stable membranes that can be used in remediation applications. In this work we have engineered Metal organic frameworks (MOF-901 into MOF-997) by converting the imine linkages into amide bonds. The two MOFs have been tested for their photocatalytic efficiency in the cycloaddition of CO2 on to different epoxides to yield cyclic carbonates that are highly sought after as industrial materials in the manufacture of different products. Our findings prove that both MOFs are effective photocatalysts with MOF-997 achieving highest yields in mild conditions. Secondly, we have synthesized two COFs (Pyrene-COF and Porphyrin COF) for adsorption and degradation of pesticide residues from water and as photocatalysts in the polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) into Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). Results show high potential for the pyrene COF in the adsorption and degradation of carbamates especially carbosulfan and porphyrin COF effectively catalyzing polymerization process while achieving high molecular weight (150000-25000 g/m) for PMMA with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI)
DURABILITY OF BASALT FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMER BARS IN MOIST GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE
Get PDFThe rapid growth of infrastructure projects in the Gulf region has significantly increased the demand for construction in the urban coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf. This harsh coastal environment accelerates the corrosion of steel reinforcement in structural concrete, which leads to severe safety hazards as well as considerable financial losses. The utilization of non-corrodible materials as reinforcement bars in concrete structures would extend their service life and reduce the operation and maintenance expenditure. Basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars have great potential to replace traditional steel reinforcement and eliminate corrosion-related problems. At the same time, the construction industry is responsible for the excessive consumption of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases to produce cement. The complete replacement of cement with waste-derived geopolymer binders promises to alleviate its environmental burdens. Yet, the effect of moist geopolymer concrete on the performance of BFRP bars has not been evaluated. To fill this research gap, the durability performance of BFRP bars embedded in moist geopolymer concrete has been investigated in an extensive testing program. The test parameters included the conditioning duration (3, 6, and 9 months), the conditioning temperature (20, 40, and 60oC), and the stress level of the sustained load (0, 15, and 25% of the ultimate tensile strength of BFRP bars). The BFRP bars were tested for tensile strength, moisture uptake, and matrix digestion. The pH and leachate in the geopolymer concrete pore solution were examined. Additionally, the microstructure of the BFRP bars was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A durability design model for performance prediction of BFRP bars in moist concrete was developed as well. The results highlighted a progressive deterioration of the BFRP bars under the different environmental conditions, particularly at higher temperatures and sustained loads. After 9 months of conditioning, unloaded BFRP bars retained 50, 34, and 43% of their original tensile strength at 20, 40, and 60°C, respectively. Conversely, the loaded specimens exhibited further reduction after 9 months at 40°C, with tensile strength retention dropping to 33.7% and 18.5% for bars under 15% and 25% sustained load, respectively. The highest moisture uptake (2.7%) and lowest matrix retention (61.7%) were exhibited by the BFRP bars conditioned for 9 months at 40°C under a 25% sustained load. This was associated with an increase of 5.4% in hydroxyl (OH) group absorbance and a decrease of 18.2% in the transition temperature (Tg). In turn, the SEM micrographs confirmed the fiber-matrix interface debonding, hydrolysis reaction, and matrix softening as primary causes of deterioration. The combination of the accelerated aging test data along with the Arrhenius concept was further used to develop a durability design model
GENOMICS INSIGHTS INTO ANTI-PLATELETS THERAPY: UNRAVELING OF VARIANTS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CLOPIDOGREL-GUIDED THERAPY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Get PDFAnti-platelet therapy is a cornerstone in the management of cardiovascular diseases such as Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and stroke. These medications are essential for reducing the risk of thrombotic events by preventing platelet aggregation. However, variations in cardiovascular pharmacogenes can significantly impact the metabolism, efficacy, and safety of anti-platelet therapies, making personalized medicine increasingly important for optimizing treatment outcomes. Pharmacogenomic testing has emerged as a crucial tool in tailoring anti-platelet therapy, particularly for patients with subtherapeutic responses due to genetic factors. While extensive research has been conducted globally to identify and study the effect of the pharmacogenomic variants that influence anti-platelet management, interest in this area within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is relatively new. Studies on pharmacogenomic variants specific to the Emirati population are still in their infancy and remain limited.In this current study, whole exome sequencing data from 298 healthy Emirati individuals were analyzed to investigate the key pharmacogenes, variants, haplotypes, and diplotypes known to affect the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel, which could influence its efficacy. The analysis revealed a high frequency of the 11 actionable variants in several pharamcogenes, including cytochrome P450 (CYP2C19), ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and the purinergic receptor (P2Y12R). These variants are known to impact clopidogrel metabolism and response.Further, in this thesis, I describe the first prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in the UAE to evaluate the impact of pharmacogenomic testing for five actionable CYP2C19 variants in 169 anti-platelet users with acute coronary syndrome. The results demonstrated a 10% improvement in clopidogrel efficacy, reducing the clinical risk of subsequent cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, incorporating pharmacogenomic testing did not significantly mitigate the adverse outcomes of antiplatelet therapy (bleeding outcomes) (p \u3e 0.05). One explanation for this is that ticagrelor, the safer anti-platelet for patients with impaired CYP2C19 metabolism, is known to be associated with a higher risk of bleeding compared to clopidogrel.Additionally, a retrospective cohort study was conducted in this research to examine the association of three ABCB1 variants—rs1045642 (C3435T), rs2032582 (G2677T), and rs1128503 (C123T)—with Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) in 174 ACS patients. Despite the high prevalence of the mutant alleles in the multiethnic UAE population (48.85%, 50%, and 51.03%, respectively), these variants did not significantly affect the risk of thrombotic complications in patients with a history of myocardial infarction (p \u3e 0.05).This research highlights the critical pharmacogenes impacting clopidogrel efficacy, UAE-specific genetic variants, unexplored adverse events and complications, and the potential for broader pharmacogenomic implementation in the UAE healthcare system. These findings open the door for future research opportunities and contribute valuable insights to the local and global scientific communities
Illustrations, comics and graphic novels from the UAE
No full textThis chapter overviews emergent communities of illustrations, comics, and graphic narratives from the United Arab Emirates. The data collected is from ethnographic online and on-site observations and direct interactions with Emirati artists and publishers. It briefly discusses how comics and graphic narratives have evolved in the last 20 years, and it elucidates how these art forms avail social media to gain prominence and recognition. It then introduces a group of 21 Emirati artists, all different in style and concept, who have been chosen to represent a new illustrative trend: Khaleeji comics and illustrations. Their first group exhibition is with the University of Turin, in collaboration with the Lab Anzaar, organised by the Department of Literature and Modern Languages. The works of art discussed in this chapter are those exhibited in Palazzo Aldo Moro, Turin, on the 15th of May 2024. Emirati artists are introduced, and their work is briefly described. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of defining a modern pop-cultural identity within the region.https://scholarworks.uaeu.ac.ae/uaeu_books/1007/thumbnail.jp
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GNSSaS 6U CUBESAT
No full textThis thesis presents the design and simulation of the Attitude Control System (ACS) for the GNSSaS 6U CubeSat, developed by the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at UAE University. The CubeSat\u27s mission is to enhance GNSS signal accuracy, which requires precise attitude control to achieve this objective. The ACS utilizes magnetorquers and reaction wheels for actuation. The primary objective of this thesis is to design an ACS that fulfills the mission’s performance requirements, including maintaining pointing accuracy in both fine and medium pointing modes. To achieve this, a comprehensive disturbance analysis was conducted, leading to the selection of suitable actuators and control strategies. The ACS implements, detumbling control law and B-dot for stabilizing the GNSSaS after separation from the launcher, as well as both PID and LQR controllers to achieve stable and accurate pointing in different operational modes. The ACS was modeled and simulated using MATLAB, focusing on various operational modes, including detumbling, medium pointing, and fine pointing, with sub-modes such as nadir pointing, sun pointing, and ground station tracking. The simulation results demonstrate that the GNSSaS CubeSat achieves stable control and meets its pointing accuracy requirements. The LQR controller proved particularly effective in fine pointing mode, enabling precise and stable transitions between sub-modes by balancing precision and energy consumption. Furthermore, LQR\u27s tuning flexibility allowed for smoother and more stable responses, with minimal oscillation. This work contributes to the development of robust ACS designs for CubeSats, addressing key challenges such as managing external disturbances and ensuring reliable control through effective momentum management. The findings confirm that the GNSSaS ACS meets all mission requirements and lays a solid foundation for future CubeSat missions
AN INTELLIGENT FRAMEWORK TOWARDS FULLY AUTONOMOUS DRIVING FUELED BY SMART ROADS
No full textAutonomous Vehicles (AVs) are transforming next-generation autonomous mobility. These vehicles promise to increase road safety, improve traffic efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and enhance overall mobility. They achieve higher levels of Autonomous Driving (AD) by integrating sensors, communication technologies, computation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Apart from these advancements, significant gaps remain in integrating heterogeneous technologies and disciplines essential for optimizing AD. Therefore, the current solution approaches lack the capability to exploit intelligent road infrastructures and effectively orchestrate perceptual services for complex driving scenarios. The main objective of this dissertation is to address these challenges by proposing a novel end-to-end intelligent framework designed to advance AV operations. It tackles critical issues such as augmenting road infrastructure to support Intelligent Transport System (ITS) services, improving service satisfaction in perception systems of AVs, perceiving diverse objects in urban environments, and enhancing real-time decisionmaking through distributed information systems. The research methodology includes a comprehensive survey of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardizations to identify fundamental components of the proposed intelligent framework. It also encompasses the design of an enhanced Connected Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) infrastructure, the development of an intelligent perception model, the deployment of Deep Learning (DL) models across various devices, and the integration of these components within a hierarchical vehicle-edge-cloud architecture. The key findings and significant contributions of this dissertation include the design and specification of exhaustive sensory technologies and architecture for CCAM, validated through ML algorithms for mobility applications. This facilitated the enhancements of CCAM infrastructure, which is imperative for intelligent road systems and decision making of AVs. Furthermore, an analytical model is designed for selecting the right perception for AVs, which is validated through a custom dataset and DL-based model instances fine-tuned for object detection. This analytical model not only improve AV perception satisfaction but also enables proactive functionalities for AVs in urban environments. It is important to note that the AdamW-based DL model significantly outperforms the SGD-based DL model in class-level performance comparisons, which highlights the practical effectiveness of this sophisticated algorithmic approach. In addition, a computational framework that integrates the perception model with CCAM infrastructure across a hierarchical structure and demonstrates consistent performance metrics and reduced inference times across different devices. The design of this framework smartly stitches together the solution components to facilitate learning across different layers and settings. This dissertation presents a novel approach that combines enhanced infrastructure, an intelligent perception model, and a computational framework to support advanced AD functionalities, thus filling a crucial gap in the current solution approaches for autonomous driving
SHARP INJURIES AND SPLASH EXPOSURES AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
No full textBrief introduction: Occupational injuries, including sharps injuries and splash exposures, pose significant risks to healthcare workers worldwide. These incidents can lead to the transmission of bloodborne infections, resulting in substantial healthcare costs and workforce challenges. Aims: The present study aimed at investigating sharps injuries and splash exposures among healthcare workers in Abu Dhabi government hospitals. To achieve the aim, the study planned to determine the frequency of sharps injuries and splash exposures, and to identify their risk factors, applied preventive measures, and consequent occupational infections. Method: Secondary data from the available records of all sharp injuries and splash exposures reported from Abu Dhabi Emirate government hospitals to Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) between 2012 and 2019 were examined. Further, a questionnaire survey was conducted among healthcare workers employed in the governmental hospitals of Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain City, and Al Dhafra region to collect data on experienced sharps injuries and splash exposures in 2019-2021. Results: Between 2012 and 2019, 1218 incidents were reported, of which 56.1% were splash exposures and 43.8% were sharps injuries. The most frequent sites of occurrence were surgical services (21.4%) and medical-surgical or surgical departments (18.0%), and most incidents were observed in the morning (33.6%). The most affected body parts were the arms and hands (85.9%). The most common severity level was emotional distress (59.5%). Human factors of the healthcare workers were the main contributing factors (N=363, 51.9%). Location (P\u3c 0.001) affected body parts (P=0.002), and severity (P\u3c 0.001) showed significant differences between splash exposures and sharps injuries. Sharps injuries caused temporary harm significantly more likely (P=0.002) and occurred significantly less in other in-patient departments (P=0.024) than splash exposures in adjusted analysis. In the survey, 820 healthcare workers responded to the invitation, and 678 completed the questionnaire. The prevalence rate of sharps injuries and splash exposures among participants during the study period was 14.6% (N=99). The annual rate of incidents per 1000 healthcare workers dropped significantly (P\u3c 0.001) from 118 to 50 per 1000 in the study period. Physicians and PhD holders were the most frequently affected occupational groups. Dealing with uncooperative or restless patients and workplace pressure were the two most frequent contributing factors, and suturing and manipulating needles in patients were the most common circumstances leading to these incidents. Applied preventive measures included infection control training, use of personal protective equipment, and auto-retractable needles. Most healthcare workers said their institutions had rules and standards for the control of sharps injuries and splash exposures, and the supplied personal protective equipment was sufficient. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, HCV, and HBV was reported as a common practice. The most frequently reported infection was COVID-19 (17.9%). 8% of participants attributed their infections to sharp injuries, while 11% attributed them to splash exposures. Sharps injuries and splash exposures suspected by the victims to cause infection were significantly associated with hepatitis B, C, COVID-19, and hepatitis C and HIV infections, respectively. Higher age positively correlated with occupational infections. Significant contribution: This study contributes significantly to scientific knowledge by quantifying the rate of sharps injuries and splash exposures among healthcare workers in Abu Dhabi Emirate, by identifying their risk factors, consequent occupational infections, and applied preventive measures. The findings emphasize the ongoing danger of occupational infections among healthcare workers, raising awareness about the issue and providing a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of future preventive interventions. Preventive measures should include training programs, proper sharps handling and disposal techniques, compliance with the use of personal protective equipment, and promoting the use of safety devices. Gap filled: Before this research, there was limited quantitative data available on the extent, characteristics, risk factors, and especially consequences of sharps injuries and splash exposures in this region. This study addresses a critical gap by examining occupational infections among healthcare workers, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. While previous research had focused on sharps injuries and splash exposures, this study broadened the scope to include infections contracted in the workplace. In addition, our study presents results from two sources that have not been performed yet in the UAE. This expanded focus fills an important knowledge gap, as understanding the full spectrum of occupational health hazards is essential for comprehensive safety planning and resource allocation