2828 research outputs found
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Windows Server Active Directory: Offensive and Defensive Security Strategies
No full textActive Directory (AD) is a critical component in enterprise IT, yet misconfigurations have led to severe real-world breaches through lateral movement, credential theft, and privilege escalation, highlighting the urgent need for improved AD security strategies. This research explores offensive and defensive security approaches within Windows Server AD environments by simulating real-world cyberattacks and evaluating detection capabilities using modern monitoring tools. Unlike prior studies that often isolate theoretical attack techniques or passive defenses, this investigation adopts a practical, lab-based methodology in which offensive tools such as Mimikatz, BloodHound, PowerSploit, and Impacket are executed against deliberately misconfigured AD setups. The proposed defensive approach combines endpoint telemetry from Sysmon with centralized correlation and alerting through the Wazuh SIEM, complemented by Microsoft Defender Antivirus for baseline comparison. All telemetry is mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework for structured analysis. Each attack scenario is assessed for detection effectiveness and latency, revealing that while most attacks are identified within one to four seconds, stealthier techniques such as DCSync evade automated detection and are only observable through manual log inspection. The findings highlight the prevalence of AD misconfigurations—including excessive user privileges, weak service account protections, and inadequate Kerberos hardening—which enable credential theft and lateral movement. The study also emphasizes the importance of tuning detection rules, maintaining comprehensive log visibility, and integrating host-based and SIEM-level analytics to improve organizational preparedness. By addressing key gaps in existing literature—such as the lack of empirical simulations, limited benchmarking of detection latency, and insufficient MITRE ATT&CK alignment—this research offers an integrated framework and evidence-based guidance to strengthen enterprise resilience and inform AD security best practices
The Role of Digital Transformation in Improving Intellectual Capital: The Context of Integrated Reporting
No full textBusiness operations and individual behavior have been transformed by digitalization. Businesses are expected to sustainably create value over time, while also adapting their business models to rapidly changing business environments. In order to demonstrate how knowledge management (KM) systems can direct corporate practices toward digital transformation and the adoption of digital technologies, this study explores whether integrated reporting (IR) supports the dissemination of Intellectual Capital (IC). A systematic review of the literature identified 42 peer-reviewed articles in English-language publications between 2013 and 2023. The results show that researchers have mainly concentrated on value creation, IR and IC; along with how these elements interact, and how digital transformation can potentially act as a tool to improve these existing relationships. The study highlights the importance of digital transformation in implementing IC dissemination models through KM systems, ultimately leading to improved access and utilization of intellectual capital
Waste Management in the Construction Industry in Dubai—UAE
No full textThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) focuses on achieving sustainable development. One of the main factors that has to be taken into consideration is the construction waste management techniques. This study focused on exploring the causes behind waste generation in construction sites and the effective techniques implemented to manage the construction waste at construction sites in the UAE. Also, it addresses the challenges that may face implementing effective strategies. This research focused on qualitative research methods to reach the findings. Initial site visits to Four construction projects were followed by interviews targeting contractors’ viewpoints on waste causes, waste reduction strategies, and their associated challenges. The data have been analysed using NVIVO software as a tool to conduct a thematic analysis approach. The findings highlighted that material waste stems from factors such as limited awareness, excess off-cuts, improper planning and coordination and rework due to changes in the design. Commonly used waste management practices include proper material storage, landfilling, reuse of some materials and just-in-time material delivery. Areas like waste coordinating and planning and segregation require enhanced efficiency to meet waste management and reduction objectives. Additionally, the study revealed that contractors mainly view waste reduction as a financial concern aimed at cost reduction, often overlooking the environmental impacts associated with waste management
Enhancing Thermal Comfort for the Revitalization of Pedestrian-Friendly Shopping Arcades in Dubai, UAE
No full textThe need for globalization in the current world has made it impossible for a slow and steady growth in the world’s population. This rapid growth directly influences the economic, environmental and social aspects within a society. Walkability is the foundation of a sustainable city and can be further improvised with the provision of spaces that promotes walkability among the citizens whilst providing higher comfort level and lower energy consumption.
The study centers on City Walk, a pedestrian-friendly shopping arcade situated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where efforts are made to enhance outdoor environmental conditions by simulating strategies to assess their influence on outdoor thermal comfort. The primary aim of this research is to explore the factors contributing to thermal comfort within a shopping complex and how they encourage pedestrian access to specific sites. The study extensively reviews literature on how the urban setting of the built environment influences walkability.
Using ENVI-met software, simulations are conducted in three stages: urban materials, building facade materials, and vegetation and landscaping, encompassing thirteen different combinations to examine four key aspects: temperature, humidity, wind speed, and PMV value, which significantly affect outdoor thermal comfort. The most favorable cases are selected from each phase, and the final reduction in temperature and PMV values of the optimized case indicates a substantial decrease of 3.76 degrees Celsius in air temperature post-implementation of passive design strategies. The research highlights the considerable impact of green elements and water features on outdoor air temperature and PMV values compared to other passive strategies. The result from simulation studies indicate the potential to increase the distances pedestrians are willing to walk outdoors by enhancing their thermal sensation and comfort.
Guidelines and policies of Built Environment can help shape cities into a walkable and active zone especially in a community where health issues are growing at a rapid rate. This dissertation aims in imparting knowledge on how the built environment can directly affect human activity. It can furthermore help policy makers and urban designers to understand the importance of public spaces incorporated with urban setting and leaves behind an essence that healthy community is the key to a sustainable community.
Keywords: walkability, thermal comfort, built environment, urban heat islan
كيف يؤثر الذكاء الاصطناعي على الصحة النفسية للطلاب والمعلمين
No full textThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education has significantly transformed learning processes, offering tools such as intelligent tutoring systems, automated grading, and AI-driven educational assistants. While these innovations enhance efficiency and learning experiences, concerns about their impact on the mental health of students and teachers have emerged. Students may experience both reduced academic stress through personalized learning and increased anxiety due to AI-driven assessments and social isolation. Similarly, teachers may benefit from reduced administrative workload but face stress, burnout, and job insecurity due to automation. Despite AI's growing presence in education, research on its psychological impact remains limited. This study aims to analyze AI's effects on mental health, identifying both positive and negative consequences. The findings will provide insights for educators and policymakers to implement AI in a way that maximizes benefits while mitigating risks, ensuring a balanced and supportive educational environment.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, mental health, education, students, teachers, AI in educatio
Evaluating the Influence of Social Media Communities on Teachers’ Professional Development
No full textThis study explores the usage of social media by early childhood teachers in public schools in the United Arab Emirates for the purpose of professional development. Despite growing interest in online learning and social media, limited studies have examined how this type of informal learning can enhance teacher skills. This study investigates what platforms teachers use for professional development, how participation and engagement in social media platforms contribute to the professional development of teachers, and what policies are implemented regarding social media use for the professional development of teachers. The study was conducted using a combination of qualitative and quantitative design, and the data collected from 57 participants was through an online survey. The findings indicate that teachers actively use different social media platforms for professional purposes; teachers highlighted that engagement in online communities improved their skills and that there are inconsistencies in institutional policies regarding social media use for professional development. Findings have important implications for policymakers and educational institutes that seek to develop teacher training through social media. The study underscores the need for clearer guidelines and institutional support to ensure that teachers can professionally engage in online learning communities.
Keywords: Teacher professional development, social media, early childhood teacher
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No full textThis study examines the challenges and facilitators of implementing technology-driven pedagogical reform in Abu Dhabi’s educational system, with a focus on leadership and digital integration. The aim is to explore how leadership strategies and professional development can enhance technology integration in teaching and learning. The main research question investigates which leadership strategies and practices effectively support technology integration in Abu Dhabi’s schools. Key related literature includes Mishra and Koehler’s (2006) TPACK framework and Fullan’s (2001) work on educational change. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys with teachers and school administrators. Findings reveal that visionary leadership, strategic planning and collaborative professional development are critical for successful technology integration, while resistance to change and resource limitations pose significant challenges. The implications suggest that policymakers and school leaders should prioritise evidence-based strategies, targeted training and alignment with broader educational goals to sustain technology-driven reforms. A key limitation is the study’s focus on Abu Dhabi, leaving scope for future research to explore regional comparisons and long-term impacts of technology integration. The study concludes that effective leadership and continuous professional development are essential for successful technology integration, offering actionable insights for educational innovation in the region.
Keywords: Technology-driven pedagogy, educational leadership, technology integration, leadership strategies, professional development
Enhancing Heart Rate Variability and Reducing Stress in Education via Biophilic Design Using VR, Smartwatches, and Questionnaires
No full textThis study examines the effect of biophilic interior design on human health and well-being within university learning environments, utilizing immersive Virtual Reality (VR) as a testing platform. A total of 50 participants were exposed to simulated biophilic and non-biophilic interior scenes, during which electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured to assess physiological responses. Psychological feedback was collected through pre- and post-exposure questionnaires. Results showed that 54% of participants exhibited increased EDA and HRV, 14% showed elevated EDA with stable HRV, while 16% experienced lower EDA levels with higher HRV. These patterns suggest that biophilic elements can foster physiological relaxation and emotional balance, markers of reduced stress and increased parasympathetic activation, compared to non-biophilic spaces. Participant feedback supported these findings, with biophilic scenes associated with enhanced perceptions of relaxation, comfort, and attentiveness. Among the biophilic features tested, the spatial layout feature, visually appealing and aesthetically pleasant environment, produced the most favourable outcomes. The findings suggest that biophilic design strategies can effectively mitigate stress and improve user well-being in educational interiors. The study also highlights the utility of VR as a replicable, non-invasive tool for pre-occupancy evaluation of design interventions. These insights build upon limited but emerging research on biophilic design in higher academic settings, supporting additional research for integrating natural elements to improve health and environmental quality, and encouraging wider sample exploration
Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Determinants in Multinational Corporations (MNCs): A Framework For UAE Organisations
No full textThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is focusing extensively on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) targets and ensuring that all sectors are moving towards the country’s climate action consensus announced during the UAE’s Presidency of the 28th Session of The Conference of the Parties (COP28). Multinational Corporations (MNCs) apply strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to ensure alignment with the government vision, yet they seem concerned about enhancing financial performance while achieving competitive advantage, growth, sustainability, and legitimacy gain. The political motives of MNCs for pursuing CSR are under-explored in the UAE. Contextual-based attributes influencing CSR engagement are under-explored, given that such attributes shape MNCs’ strategies for gaining legitimacy, which include understanding the stakeholders’ salience power. This research explores MNCs’ motives for CSR engagement in the UAE, while understanding the significant challenges affecting their CSR behaviour. The study is exploratory–inductive, applying in-depth interviews with senior CSR professionals. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between the understanding of MNCs’ motives for pursuing CSR through applying strategic CSR and integrating corporate diplomacy behaviour as a relationship-building strategy with key societal players, leading to legitimacy gain. The findings provide UAE-specific understanding on how CSR is perceived and managed, and reveal the significant challenges faced by MNCs. The scope of this research is limited in terms of the sample size and research method applied, which limit the generalisability of the findings. Given the contextual understanding of CSR perceptions in the UAE, the research proposes a CSR framework for MNCs operating in the UAE that integrates corporate diplomacy and political-CSR practices. This research provides several practical applications, enhancing the understanding of legitimacy-seeking strategies being adopted by MNCs, while demonstrating the stakeholders’ salience power
Mixed Method Research
No full textFostering a culture of Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation (ICI) for gifted students in the UAE is crucial for the nurture of national talent. This study, using a mixed-method research design, looked at ICI opportunities in mainstream classrooms from the educators' perspective, and mainly focused on understanding ideal versus actual practices and challenges. The Renzulli ICI Index questionnaire was given to 72 teachers, along with semi-structured interviews with 12 educators and leaders across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. The findings revealed a significant gap between the educators' high ideals for ICI-supportive practices and more moderate actual implementation. This discrepancy was primarily attributed to systemic challenges, including insufficient specialised teacher training, curriculum and time constraints, resource limitations, and standardised testing pressures, rather than a lack of value for ICI. Educators' personal commitment, however, was crucial in sustaining current ICI practices. Notably, no statistically significant differences in perceived ICI opportunities were found based on the school type, innovation focus, emirate, grade level, or subject, suggesting widespread challenges. The study underscores the need for targeted professional development, clearer policy implementation, and supportive leadership to bridge this ideal–actual gap. Key recommendations include enhancing teacher training in ICI pedagogies, fostering a creative risk-taking school culture, providing adequate resources and curriculum flexibility, and strengthening school–authority collaboration. Understanding these complexities can help create more effective environments for nurturing gifted students' creative potential, contributing to the UAE's knowledge-based economy. This research adds to the knowledge on gifted education in the UAE, offering practical implications for schools