8 research outputs found
Adapting authoritarianism: institutions and co-optation in Egypt and Syria
No full textThis PhD thesis compares Egypt and Syria’s authoritarian political systems. While the tendency in social science political research treats Egypt and Syria as similarly authoritarian, this research emphasizes differences between the two systems with special reference to institutions and co-optation. Rather than reducibly understanding Egypt and Syria as sharing similar histories, institutional arrangements, or ascribing to the oft-repeated convention that “Syria is Egypt but 10 years behind,” this thesis focuses on how events and individual histories shaped each states current institutional strengthens and weaknesses. Specifically, it explains the how varying institutional politicization or de-politicization affects each state’s capabilities for co-opting elite and non-elite individuals.
Beginning with a theoretical framework that considers the limited utility of democratization and transition theoretical approaches, the work underscores the persistence and durability of authoritarianism. Chapter two details the politicized institutional divergence between Egypt and Syria that began in the 1970s. Chapter three and four examines how institutional politicization or de-politicization affects elite and non-elite individual co-optation in Egypt and Syria. Chapter five discusses the study’s general conclusions and theoretical implications.
This thesis’s argument is that Egypt and Syria co-opt elites and non-elites differently because of the varying degrees of institutional politicization in each governance system. Rather than view one country as more politically developed than the other, this work argues that Syria’s political institutions are more politicized than their Egyptian counterparts. Syria’s political arena is, thus, described as politicized-patrimonialism. Syria’s politicized-patrimonial arena produces uneven co-optation of elites and non-elites as they are diffused through competing institutions. Conversely, the Egyptian political arena remains highly personalized as weak institutions and individuals are manipulated and molded according to the president’s ruling clique. This is referred to as personalized-patrimonialism. As a consequence, Egypt’s political establishment demonstrates more flexibility in ad hoc altering and adapting its arena depending on the emergence of crises.
This study’s theoretical implications suggest that, contrary to modernization and democratization theory’s adage that institutions lead to a political development, politicized institutions within a patrimonial order actually hinder regime adaptation because consensus is harder to achieve and maintain. It is within this context that Egypt’s de-politicized institutional framework advantages its top political elite. In this reading of Egyptian and Syrian politics, Egypt’s personalized political arena is more adaptable than Syria’s. These conclusions do not indicate that political reform is a process underway in either state
The Role of Smart Materials in Future Architecture: Self-Healing, Adaptive, and Sustainable Innovation
No full textThe integration of smart materials into architecture is redefining the built environment by introducing innovations that are self-healing, adaptive, and sustainable. (Nicolay et al., 2021a; Wang et al., 2025) These advanced materials react dynamically to external stimuli such as temperature, humidity, and stress, improving resilience, energy efficiency, and user comfort. Among the most significant examples are self-healing concrete and thermochromic glass, which enable buildings to repair minor damage and adapt to changing climate conditions. The implications of these materials extend beyond single structures, influencing urban planning and sustainable development strategies aimed at creating resilient, energy-efficient cities.
Self-healing concrete, developed through bacterial processes at Delft University of Technology, exemplifies how biological mechanisms can extend structural lifespan and reduce maintenance costs. Likewise, thermochromic glass, featured in projects such as The Edge in Amsterdam, regulates light and heat transfer, reducing dependence on artificial systems. These technologies represent the shift from static to dynamic architecture capable of real-time environmental interaction. (Jonkers & Schlangen, 2008; Garshasbi & Santamouris, 2019)
However, the adoption of smart materials faces challenges, including cost, durability verification, and limited awareness in professional education. This paper analyzes key categories of smart materials, case studies of self-healing and adaptive technologies, and their broader implications for sustainable design and urban planning. It also introduces the need for specialized academic coursework integrating materials science and architecture to equip future designers with the knowledge required for sustainable innovation. Ultimately, smart materials pave the way toward cities that are not only efficient but also regenerative and responsive to their environments
The Role of Smart Materials in Future Architecture: Self-Healing, Adaptive, and Sustainable Innovation
No full textThe integration of smart materials into architecture is redefining the built environment by introducing innovations that are self-healing, adaptive, and sustainable. (Nicolay et al., 2021a; Wang et al., 2025) These advanced materials react dynamically to external stimuli such as temperature, humidity, and stress, improving resilience, energy efficiency, and user comfort. Among the most significant examples are self-healing concrete and thermochromic glass, which enable buildings to repair minor damage and adapt to changing climate conditions. The implications of these materials extend beyond single structures, influencing urban planning and sustainable development strategies aimed at creating resilient, energy-efficient cities.
Self-healing concrete, developed through bacterial processes at Delft University of Technology, exemplifies how biological mechanisms can extend structural lifespan and reduce maintenance costs. Likewise, thermochromic glass, featured in projects such as The Edge in Amsterdam, regulates light and heat transfer, reducing dependence on artificial systems. These technologies represent the shift from static to dynamic architecture capable of real-time environmental interaction. (Jonkers & Schlangen, 2008; Garshasbi & Santamouris, 2019)
However, the adoption of smart materials faces challenges, including cost, durability verification, and limited awareness in professional education. This paper analyzes key categories of smart materials, case studies of self-healing and adaptive technologies, and their broader implications for sustainable design and urban planning. It also introduces the need for specialized academic coursework integrating materials science and architecture to equip future designers with the knowledge required for sustainable innovation. Ultimately, smart materials pave the way toward cities that are not only efficient but also regenerative and responsive to their environments
Developing specialized coursework for smart architecture: A focus on emerging and re-emerging technologies
No full textDiscussing smart cities means having an understanding of smart technologies revolving around making the cities more smart, sustainable, economical, and ecological, following that train of thought and understanding those desires and the present problems makes it more important to understand the technologies used in the architecture used around the label that makes cities smart and adhere to the specific characteristics following the change and advancements of the moment. To gain a better understanding of emerging technologies, we need to develop specialized coursework focused on analyzing, comprehending, integrating, and utilizing these advancements in smart architecture. This article will explore how both emerging and re-emerging technologies can be integrated into a smart architectural curriculum. It will highlight the application of each technology, its integration into architectural projects, its role in the development of smart cities, and provide details on the advantages and disadvantages associated with each one. One of the prime examples of re-emerging architectural advancements discussed in this article is Biomimetic Architecture. This approach is inspired by nature, using its designs and resources to solve human problems. While it has faced criticism for creating a perceived distance between humans and nature—suggesting that nature’s solutions are superior to those created by humans—it also represents a blend of natural design and human innovation, Architectural courses will focus on technologies as complex as biomimetic architecture, providing clarity on current advancements
Serum Vitamin D in Children with Hemophilia A and Its Association with Joint Health and Quality of Life
No full textBackground/Objectives: Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive illness produced by a deficiency of coagulation factor VIII. This study aimed to evaluate serum vitamin D in hemophilic pediatric patients and its correlation with joint health and quality of life. Methods: This case-control study was performed on ninety children under the age of 18 years old and separated into two groups: study group of 45 children with hemophilia A and control group of 45 healthy children at an outpatient pediatric hematology clinic at the Beni-Suef University hospitals. Results: Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in hemophilia A patients than in controls (p < 0.001). The level of serum vitamin D was deficient in 38 (84.4%), insufficient in 4 (8.8%) and sufficient in 3 (6.6%) in the study group while deficient in 8 (17.7%), insufficient in 16 (35.5%) and sufficient in 21 (46.6%) in the control group. Total hemophilia joint health score (HJHS) had a significant negative correlation with serum total calcium (R = −0.31, p = 0.038) and serum vitamin D level (R = −0.974, p < 0.001) while also positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase (R = 0.834, p < 0.001). A quality-of-life index that is specific to total hemophilia (Haemo-Qol/Haem-A-QoL) had a significant positive correlation with total hemophilia joint health score (HJHS) (R = 0.934, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with serum vitamin D level (R = −0.924, p-value lower than 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (R = 0.842, p < 0.001), and severity of hemophilia (R = 0.67, p < 0.001). Conclusions: patients with hemophilia A had lower vitamin D levels than healthy controls. The severity of vitamin D deficiency is related positively to (HJHS) hemophilia and quality of life hemophilia cases according to Haemo-QoL
Use of Telemedicine for Post-discharge Assessment of the Surgical Wound: International Cohort Study, and Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
No full textObjective: This study aimed to determine whether remote wound reviews using telemedicine can be safely upscaled, and if standardised assessment tools are needed. Summary background data: Surgical site infection is the most common complication of surgery worldwide, and frequently occurs after hospital discharge. Evidence to support implementation of telemedicine during postoperative recovery will be an essential component of pandemic recovery. Methods: The primary outcome of this study was surgical site infection reported up to 30-days after surgery (SSI), comparing rates reported using telemedicine (telephone and/or video assessment) to those with in-person review. The first part of this study analysed primary data from an international cohort study of adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery who were discharged from hospital before 30-days after surgery. The second part combined this data with the results of a systematic review to perform a meta-analysis of all available data conducted in accordance with PRIMSA guidelines (PROSPERO:192596). Results: The cohort study included 15,358 patients from 66 countries (8069 high, 4448 middle, 1744 low income). Of these, 6907 (45.0%) were followed up using telemedicine. The SSI rate reported using telemedicine was slightly lower than with in-person follow-up (13.4% vs. 11.1%, P<0.001), which persisted after risk adjustment in a mixed-effects model (adjusted odds ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.63-0.84, P<0.001). This association was consistent across sensitivity and subgroup analyses, including a propensity-score matched model. In nine eligible non-randomised studies identified, a pooled mean of 64% of patients underwent telemedicine follow-up. Upon meta-analysis, the SSI rate reported was lower with telemedicine (odds ratio: 0.67, 0.47-0.94) than in-person (reference) follow-up (I2=0.45, P=0.12), although there a high risk of bias in included studies. Conclusions: Use of telemedicine to assess the surgical wound post-discharge is feasible, but risks underreporting of SSI. Standardised tools for remote assessment of SSI must be evaluated and adopted as telemedicine is upscaled globally
Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in children: An international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
No full textSurgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, there is a lack of data available about SSI in children worldwide, especially from low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of SSI in children and associations between SSI and morbidity across human development settings
