MONITORING SAND MIGRATION IN AL AIN CITY UTILIZING REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES

Sand migration significantly impacts urban development, infrastructure, and ecosystems in arid regions such as Al Ain city, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study employs advanced remote sensing techniques to monitor and predict sand dune migration across the Sieh Al Hama dune field, a critical area west of Al Ain. The research objectives include quantifying dune migration rates over three years (2018–2020) using monthly Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, identifying distinct dune fields, and analyzing the textural and mineralogical properties of dune sediments to infer their provenance. Field sampling from four dunes (Large Sabra Dune, Dune 1, Dune 2, and Dune 3) was coupled with laboratory analyses, including grain size distribution, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The COSI-Corr software facilitated precise measurement of dune displacement, revealing well-sorted fine to medium sand dominated by quartz (up to 89.67%) and carbonates (up to 14.25%), with minor heavy minerals indicating mixed local (Oman Mountains, Jabal Hafit) and distant sources. The results demonstrate significant interannual variability, with the rate of migration peaking in 2019 (average 3.32 m) and changing seasonally, influenced by wind patterns. These findings indicate the effectiveness of remote sensing in tracking sand dynamics, providing important insights for urban development and environmental management in desert areas

CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS MOSQUITOES IN THE ABU DHABI EMIRATE: ASSESSING DELTAMETHRIN INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE AND ASSOCIATED MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

This study investigates the Culex quinquefasciatus is a major vector of West Nile virus, lymphatic filariasis, and arboviruses, which represent public health risk. Widespread application of pyrethroid insecticides has increased resistance in mosquito populations threatening the effectiveness of control strategies. This study aims to (1) assess deltamethrin resistance in Culex quinquefasciatus populations across the Abu Dhabi Emirate, (2) characterize the microbial communities associated with these mosquitoes. Mosquitoes from sites around the Abu Dhabi Emirate were collected and genomic DNA extracted for molecular analysis. PCR and allele-specific primers were used to detect knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the sodium channel gene, classifying mosquitoes as susceptible (SS), heterozygous resistant (RS), or homozygous resistant (RR). Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to analyze bacterial communities, with a focus on pathogenic taxa. The results revealed a high kdr mutation rate, confirming widespread deltamethrin resistance in Culex quinquefasciatus populations. The bacterial community analysis identified potentially harmful bacterial taxa that may affect mosquito fitness and pathogen transmission. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of deltamethrin resistance and mosquito microbiota in the UAE, providing important insights into vector resistance management. Such findings call for alternate control strategies and continuous surveillance to limit the impact of insecticide resistance on existing and future vector control programs in the region

INVESTIGATING TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE PRACTICES OF PUBLIC-SCHOOL INSPECTIONS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

This research paper investigates public school teachers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of school inspections in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Additionally, it examines the impact of teachers’ demographic factors on these perceptions. Data were collected using an online, structured, five-point Likert-scale survey distributed via email to teachers in UAE public schools by the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE). A total of 218 teachers across the UAE participated in this study. The research focused on four key domains within the School Inspection Perception Framework (SIPF): Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspections (PESI), Perceived Effectiveness of School Inspection Training (PESIT), Perceived Credibility of School Inspections (PCSI), and Perceived Usefulness of School Inspection Feedback (PUSIF). The collected data were analyzed using various statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, normality tests, independent-samples t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc tests. Findings indicate that teachers perceive the school inspection process as effective, credible, and beneficial for enhancing educational quality and professional development. However, the study found that gender and location significantly influence teachers’ perceptions of the school inspection framework. Specifically, female teachers and teachers in the emirate of Abu Dhabi reported more positive perceptions, particularly regarding the usefulness of inspection feedback and the credibility of inspectors. Other demographic factors, such as teachers’ qualifications, teaching positions, and years of teaching experience, did not significantly affect perceptions in the examined domains. Finally, the study identifies areas for improvement, including enhancing the clarity of school inspection criteria and increasing accessibility to school inspection training for teachers

KNEE-THIGH-HIP IMPACT IN CHILDREN: EFFECTS OF AGE AND IMPACT VELOCITY

Brief introduction: This thesis examined the crash impact injury outcomes of the knee-thigh-hip complex (KTH) in children based on age and impact velocity using computational modelling. Child occupant (3YO, 6YO, 10YO) Total Human Body Model for Safety (THUMS) models developed by Toyota were used to evaluate the effects of age and impact velocity on pediatric KTH crash impact response. Aims: The main objectives of this thesis are to analyze the effect of child age and impact velocity on KTH crash impact response. Methods: The knee impact simulations were performed based on different impact velocities (1.2, 3.5, 7.2, and 11.1 m/s). The knee was impacted at the middle of the knee joint, with the impactor hitting both the femur and tibia at the patella for all the three models. Simulation results were analyzed to evaluate the loading characteristics at the femur, tibia, knee, and ligaments across the 3 models. These characteristics include the peak force, absorbed energy, and peak stress. KTH loading characteristics were then evaluated for trends between the 3 different models at varying impact velocities. Results: The results of the simulations demonstrate that the child knee joint’s response to impact forces varied significantly based on the impact velocity and the age of the child model. The force-displacement diagrams provided valuable insights into how the child knee joint reacts under different impact velocities, showcasing a clear trend of increased force with higher impact velocities. These diagrams also highlighted that the child knee joint’s ability to absorb impact energy decreased with higher impact speeds which is critical for understanding injury mechanisms in real-world crash impact scenarios. The variations in force-displacement characteristics, energy absorption, and stress distributions across the three child models underscores the importance of accounting for age when evaluating knee crash impact injury risks in children. Significant contributions: This is the first study to evaluate the effects of age and impact velocity on pediatric KTH response. The findings of this study revealed that age-based intrinsic factors affect the impact response of the KTH complex in children. An understanding of child KTH crash impact injury mechanisms is important to reduce the burden of these injuries in children. Gap filled: The thesis demonstrates the importance of numerical simulations in evaluating pediatric knee joint biomechanical tolerance under crash impact conditions. The combination of various impact velocities, model age, and the analyses of key biomechanical variables provide a deeper understanding of how the child knee joint behaves under crash impact conditions thereby enhancing the assessment of KTH injuries sustained by children in vehicle crashes and their associated risk factors. These findings can be instrumental in improving vehicle safety standards and in designing vehicle crash protective systems for children

TOWARDS AN EMIRATI LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE RECOGNITION OF LEGAL PERSONHOOD FOR ROBOTS

with the significant advancements in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics, these technologies have had a direct impact on various aspects of daily life. Intelligent robots, which have the ability to self-learn and make decisions, are no longer just technological tools; they have become entities playing vital roles in many sectors such as healthcare, industry, security, and government services. As the reliance on these technologies increases, complex legal and ethical questions have arisen, including: How can the relationship between humans and robots be regulated? Can robots be granted legal personhood to hold them accountable for their actions? The United Arab Emirates is considered a global example in adopting modern technology, as it has developed a comprehensive strategy for artificial intelligence aimed at enhancing innovation and achieving sustainable development. However, integrating these technologies requires the establishment of legal frameworks that align with their complexities, especially since robots are evolving into independent entities capable of making decisions that may have positive or negative effects on society. In this context, the concept of legal personhood for robots is considered an innovative solution to address a range of issues such as civil liability, intellectual property rights, and data protection. This study focuses on examining the suitability of applying this concept within the legal framework in the UAE, reviewing international experiences, technical and ethical challenges, and existing legislation, while offering practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the UAE\u27s position as a global leader in regulating artificial intelligence and robotics. The aim of this study is to explore the various aspects of this topic comprehensively, with a focus on how to strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring the sustainability of social and legal values that contribute to protecting individuals and society as a whole

دور نظام إدارة الدعوى في تحقيق العدالة الناجزة في الدعوى الإدارية ( وفقاً لقانون الإجراءات المدنية الاتحادي الإماراتي )

Abstract This study discusses the case management system’s role in achieving prompt justice in the administrative case according to the UAE Federal Civil Procedure Law, by dividing the study into two topics: In the first topic, we discussed the legal system of the case management office and its scope of work, and it was further divided into two subjects; in the first subject we discussed the nature of case management system and its legal composition; while the second subject was assigned to describe the scope of work in the case management office in the courts. As for as the second topic is concerned, we clarified therein the nature of the prompt justice and the role and procedures of the case management office in achieving it in the administrative case by dividing it into three subjects. In the first subject, we discussed the nature of prompt justice and the case management’s office role in achieving justice in the administrative case and assigned the second subject for the procedures that contributed to achieving the prompt justice in the management case, while the third subject was assigned to evaluate the work of the case management office. The research was concluded with a set of findings and recommendations that we hope to contribute to the development of the work of this office. ملخص البحث تناولت هذه الدراسة موضوع دور نظام إدارة الدعوى في تحقيق العدالة الناجزة في الدعوى الإدارية وفقاً لقانون الإجراءات المدنية الاتحادي الإماراتي، وذلك من خلال تقسيم الدراسة إلى مبحثين: تناولنا في المبحث الأول النظام القانوني لمكتب إدارة الدعوى ونطاق عمله، وتمّ تقسيمه إلى مطلبين: تطرّقنا في المطلب الأول إلى ماهية نظام إدارة الدعوى وتكوينه القانوني، أمّا المطلب الثاني فتمّ تخصيصه لبيان نطاق العمل في مكتب إدارة الدعوى في المحاكم. أمّا المبحث الثاني فقد بيَنا فيه ماهية العدالة الناجزة ودور وإجراءات مكتب إدارة الدعوى في تحقيقها في الدعوى الإدارية من خلال تقسيمه إلى ثلاث مطالب. تحدّثنا في المطلب الأول عن ماهية العدالة الناجزة ودور مكتب إدارة الدعوى في تحقيقها في الدعوى الإدارية، وقد خصّصنا المطلب الثاني للإجراءات التي ساهمت في تحقيق العدالة الناجزة في الدعوى الإدارية، أمّا المطلب الثالث فخصّص لتقييم العمل بمكتب إدارة الدعوى. واختتم البحث بمجموعة من النتائج والتوصيات التي نتمنى أن تساهم في تطوير العمل في هذا المكتب

Methodological Quality of Grounded Theory in Mathematics Education Researches: A Systematic Review

This study aimed to provide a systematic review by evaluating the accuracy and quality of mathematics education research that employed the grounded theory methodology. A systematic search was conducted in the databases (EBSCO), (SAGE Journals), (Google Scholar), (Springer), and (Eric) to identify studies in the field of mathematics education that mentioned the use of grounded theory methodology and/or methods in the title, abstract, or methodology. The descriptive characteristics and methodological quality of eligible studies were examined using evaluation guidelines developed by (Hutchison et al., 2011). The review included eighteen research papers conducted between 2010 and 2023. The results showed that the grounded theory methodology is increasingly being used by researchers. Five studies (33%) provided a good understanding and appropriate application of grounded theory methodology through their adherence to the six principles. The rates of application of the principles of grounded theory were variable, although most studies did not adhere to the principles of grounded theory and its capabilities were not exploited well, such as memos, theoretical sampling, use of charts and tables, theoretical saturation, and integration of theory with the literature, which was reflected in the opportunities for theoretical innovation. Keywords: grounded theory, methodological quality of grounded theory, mathematics education research

GENOMIC AND METABOLIC NETWORK PROPERTIES IN THERMOPHILES AND PSYCHROPHILES COMPARED TO MESOPHILES

Thermophiles and psychrophiles are extremophilic microorganisms that thrive in harsh conditions. Thermophiles are mostly located in hot springs, prosper in high temperatures. Psychrophiles thrive in extremely cold environments, including polar regions and deep-sea habitats. Although they play a crucial role in biotechnology and environmental research, their mechanisms of adaptation are still not well understood. The main objective of this thesis is to understand the genomic characteristics and metabolic network features in thermophiles and psychrophiles compared to mesophiles. The genomes of 59 species among thermophiles, psychrophiles, and mesophiles were collected from the NCBI database. These genomes were used to analyze their key features such as genome length, CDS counts, and G+C content at both whole-genome and codon-specific levels. Codon usage and amino acid abundance were analyzed, and genome-scale metabolic models were constructed using the ModelSEED platform. Additional analysis included model simulation, evaluation of metabolite production rates, pathway enrichment analysis of unique active reactions, and the generating of a metabolic network for all species. The study suggests that psychrophiles have larger genomes, more genes, larger metabolic networks, less metabolite exchange, and greater growth rates compared to thermophiles. Both groups have specific codon and amino acid preferences where thermophiles favor GC-rich codons, and psychrophiles prefer AT-rich codons. These bioinformatic analysis gives us deeper understanding of thermophiles and psychrophiles adaptation mechanisms, which enables their advanced application in biotechnology for industrial processes that requires stability in either extremely high or low temperatures. They also support biofuel production by leveraging their efficient metabolic networks and offer advanced applications in environmental industries

Training Parents to Implement Communication Intervention Package in Naturalistic Context Via Telehealth

This study evaluated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) in training parents to implement communication intervention packages in naturalistic contexts via telehealth. Three parent-child dyads participated in the study. All participants were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their age ranged between four and six years. Parents were trained to teach their children augmented and non-augmented requesting skills in a natural context via internet-based service delivery. The findings of the study revealed that parents were successful in implementing communication intervention packages in teaching communication skills to their children with ASD during snack time. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Behavior Skills Training (BST), Telehealth, Naturalistic Contex