Between Empire and Diaspora: Identity Poetics in Contemporary Arab-American Women's Poetry

This dissertation aims to contribute to the burgeoning field of Arab-American feminist critique through an exploration of the work of four contemporary Arab-American women poets: Etel Adnan (1925-), a poet and a visual artist and a writer, Naomi Shihab Nye (1952-), poet, a song writer, and a novelist, Mohja Kahf (1967-), a poet, an Islamic feminist critic and author, and Suheir Hammad (1973-), a hip-hop poet and political activist. The study traverses the intersections of stereotypical racial and Orientalist discourses with which these women contend, and which have been further complicated by being shaped against the backdrop of the “War on Terror” and hostility against Arabs, Muslims and Arab-Americans in the post-September 11 era. Hence, the study attempts to examine their poetry as a tool for resistance, and as a space for conciliating the complexities of their hyphenated identities. The last two decades of the twentieth-century saw the rise of a rich body of Arab-American women writing which has elicited increasing academic and critical interest. However, extensive scholarly and critical attention was mainly drawn to novels and non-fiction prose produced by Arab-American women writers as reflected in the huge array of anthologies, journal articles, book reviews and academic studies. Although such efforts aim to research and examine the racial politics that have impacted the community and how it relates to feminist discourses in the United States, they have rarely addressed or researched how the ramifications of these racialised politics and discourses are articulated in Arab-American women’s poetry per se. Informed by a wide range of postcolonial and United States ethnic theory and criticism, feminist discourses of women of colour such Gloria Anzaldúa's borderland theory, and Lisa Lowe's discussions of ethnic cultural formations in addition to transnational feminism, this study seeks to lay the groundwork for a complex analysis of Arab-American feminist poetics, based on both national and transnational literary approaches. The dissertation addresses the following questions: how does the genre of poetry negotiate identity politics and affiliations of belonging in the current polarized and historical moment? How do these women poets challenge the troubling oppressed/exoticised representations of Arab/Muslim women prevalent in the United States mainstream culture? How does each of these poets express their vision of social and political transformation? Emphasising the varying ethnic, religious, national, political, and cultural backgrounds and affiliations of these four poets, this dissertation attempts to defy any notion of the monolithic experience of Arab-American women, and argues for a nuanced understanding of specificity and diversity of Arab-American feminist experiences and articulations. To achieve its aim, the study depicts the historical evolution of Arab women’s poetry in the United States throughout four generations in order to examine the deriving issues and formative elements that contributed to the development of this genre, and also to pinpoint the defining characteristics marking Arab-American women poetry as a cultural production of American women of Arab descent. Through close readings and critical analyses of texts, the dissertation offers an investigation of some of the major themes and issues handled by these Arab-American women to highlight the most persistent tropes that mark this developing literary genre. Eventually, this study shows how literature, and specifically poetry becomes a conduit to investigate Arab-American cultural and sociopolitical conditions. It also offers productive explorations of identities and representations that transcend the rigid essential totalising categorisation of identity, while attempting to forge a new space for cultural translation and social transformation

A three-dimensional transient numerical study and analysis of blood flow dynmaics in renal artery aneurysms.

The kidney is one of the main components of the urinary system. The main function of the kidney is filtering the blood to eliminate unwanted substances and to keep a certain concentration of red blood cells. The kidney, also, produces some of the necessary hormones needed for grouth and daily activities. Aneurysm, in general, is bulge formed in the blood vessels due to the weakening of the vessel's wall. It could happen in many different locations with different sizes and forms. Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is the type of aneurysm that appears on the main renal artery or one of the branches. Certain blood pressure is expected in the renal artery. When the pressure varies, the baroreceptors senses the change and trigger the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAs) to react. There are multiple causes for the pressure change in the renal artery. One of these causes is the existence of an RAA. In this thesis, a 3D model was developed to study and analyze the blood flow in the renal artery network. The simulation was done using a finite element analysis (FEA) software COMSOL Multiphysics© (CMP) The analysis covered several different criteria such as; location, size, and blood flow. The simulation was done to test the pressure drop throughout the network by fixing the pressure at the exit and varying the blood flow at the inlet for a laminar, Newtonian, transient fluid. RAAS is triggered when pressure difference in the renal artery is 10mmHg average or 20mmHg at peak. It was concluded that at the extreme case of renal artery aneurysm (X-RAA), there is enough static pressure drop to trigger RAAS and subsequently causes secondary hypertension

LSE Africa Summit: Entrepreneurship as Africa’s Tool to reclaim power

LSE’s Abdul Abdulrahim lauds the role of entrepreneurship in giving rise to the new caring and sharing innovative elite

Exploration of the Use of New Psychoactive Substances by Individuals in Treatment for Substance Misuse in the UK

Substance misuse services need to meet the growing demand and needs of individuals using new psychoactive substances (NPS). A review of the literature identified a paucity of research regarding NPS use by these individuals and UK guidelines outline the need for locally tailored strategies. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and explore key themes in relation to the use of NPS by individuals receiving community treatment for their substance use. Electronic records identified demographics and semi-structured interviews were undertaken. A thematic analysis of transcripts identified a variety of substance use histories; 50% were prescribed opiate substitutes and 25% used NPS as a primary substance. All were males, age range 26–59 years (SD = 9), who predominantly smoked cannabinoids and snorted/injected stimulant NPS. The type of NPS used was determined by affordability, availability, side-effect profile and desired effects (physical and psychological: 25% reported weight loss as motivation for their use). Poly-pharmacy, supplementation and displacement of other drugs were prevalent. In conclusion, NPS use and associated experiences vary widely among people receiving substance use treatment. Development of effective recovery pathways should be tailored to individuals, and include harm reduction strategies, psychosocial interventions, and effective signposting. Services should be vigilant for NPS use, “on top” use and diversion of prescriptions

Visa and Passport Expiry Reminder System

The University Utara Malaysia aspires to be a management university that is a paragon of efficiency and of world class level. In reaching this goal, UUM has opened its door to welcome a large number of international students, to the date this article is written, there are approximately 2000 international students in UUM. The large number of international students results in problem of the student visa renewal. It is not an easy task for the Unit of International Affairs to manage all the student visa renewal. Thus, this research proposes a development of a system that will remind students on the visa and passport expiry when the date is almost due. By sending SMS and emails, this system can reminder the international students to renew their visa. The development of this system is hoped to enhance the students' visa and passport management by the Unit of International Affairs of UUM

Developing fixed dose combinations for the geriatric population

Background: Successful therapeutic outcomes demand a patient’s adherence to their dosage regimen, yet this is challenging to achieve among elderly people on multidrug therapies (polypharmacy). Therefore, it is the task of formulators to prepare medicines to minimise the burden on patients and maximise the likelihood of a dosage regimen being accurately followed. One route to improve adherence rates is to prepare fixed-dose-combinations (FDCs), in which multiple active ingredients are loaded into a single formulation. This thesis aims to develop different FDCs of multiple drug-polymer composite systems targeting specific conditions for the geriatric population utilising advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing techniques. Methods: Different biocompatible polymers were selected for each formulation based on dissolution behaviour in aqueous media. The polymers were mixed with the selected combination of drugs and then formulated. Initially, fast-dissolving materials based on poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were generated by either film casting (a conventional technique used to prepare orodispersible films), or single-needle electrospinning (to prepare FDCs in the form of nanoscale fibres). Further modification of the electrospinning setup was then undertaken to prepare oral FDCs containing ibuprofen, famotidine, and prednisone. Three polymers (PVP, Eudragit-L100, and Eudragit-RSPO) were used to generate fibres, and sequential and multi-jet electrospinning employed to fabricated FDCs. Finally, core/shell fibres made of Eudragit-RLPO/PVP, as a platform for levodopa and carbidopa both equally loaded in each layer of the core and shell, for biphasic release oral FDCs was performed using coaxial electrospinning. Results: FDC in the form of PVP-based fast-dissolving oral films loaded with amlodipine besylate and valsartan were prepared by film casting between 5-30% w/w and electrospinning between 5-55% w/w. A comparison between the two types of formulations showed that 90% drug release could be achieved from the electrospun fibres within 2 minutes, while the cast film ODFs took 6 minutes. Next oral FDCs prepared from ibuprofen, famotidine, and prednisone proved the ability to generate different FDCs through modification of electrospinning setup by sequential and multi-jet electrospinning. Results from the in vitro drug release studies showed that the desired multi-phasic drug release could be obtained. This began with the immediate release of drug-loaded in the PVP layer instantly within ~1hr of sampling, followed by release from the Eudragit-L100 fibres triggered by the change of pH >6, and finally extended-release from the Eudragit-RSPO fibres to reach >80% after ~16 hours. Last FDC, the core/shell fibres gave similar release profiles for levodopa and carbidopa, with 50% immediate release from the PVP compartment, followed by 50% extended-release from Eudragit-RLPO. Overall the formulation provided the desired biphasic release profile. Conclusions: The appropriate selection of polymer and manufacturing technique, can fabricate effective drug-polymer composite systems for multiple drug delivery via FDCs. Ultimately, it is believed these could be applied to enhance patient adherence

BLENDED LEARNING AMONG ADULTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract The study was carried to determine the effectiveness of blended-learning among adults in higher education. The focus includes distinction between e-learning and traditional learning, features of blended-learning, contribution of technology in blended-learning, blended-learning and educational achievement and the relationship between blended-learning and student satisfaction. Saudi Arabia has not embraced the concept of blended-learning and adults studying in college are unable to successfully finish their studies since they haven\u27t the flexibility that blended-learning offer while they are working or taking care of their families. Blended-learning environments facilitate and support the education system due to efficient and timely feedback compared to conventional approaches. To investigate the topic, this study employed a survey approach and used both qualitative and quantitative methods. Study participants included a college student in the education department of a comprehensive university in the Northwestern United State. According to the findings, the growth and penetration of technology across society have coincided with the desire to provide education to the student using other approaches rather than the traditional approach. In response to this, educational institutes are experiencing a shift in instructional platforms to enrich teaching and learning for a variety of needs and demands. The demand is mostly from employed individuals and those whose family commitment cannot allow them to attend classes or in the daytime hours. The application of the blended-learning approach, which integrates the advantages of traditional teaching with online learning, has drawn considerable attention from language teaching instructors and researchers. Blended-learning approach in the contemporary society is a powerful and useful online based learning platform, which could enable them to get access to solid learning materials, discuss with their peers online, contact with their professors by e-mail and online discussion and self-assess their learning and monitor their progress. The findings of this research show that compared with the traditional face-to-face learning model, many participants in my study preferred the blended-learning model. I found that blended-learning could better stimulate students’ interest, foster their autonomous learning and collaborative learning, and prompt their confidence. Implications for the future of blendedlearning in Saudi Arabian universities are promising because it allows the married students and those who have jobs to complete their studies

Democratization of the United Nations

The United Nations is the only truly universal and global intergovernmental organization created to date. Established 74 years ago, it continues to be the only global international organization and actor that has an agenda encompassing the broadest range of governance issues. As the world’s only truly global organization, it has become the foremost forum to address issues that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone. It is a complex system that serves as the central site for multilateral diplomacy, with the UN’s General Assembly as center stage. Since the end of Cold War, the UN is not only addressing global problems like a democratic supranational body (not exactly emerging as a global government) adopting policies to reduce illiteracy, poverty, gender inequality, protecting environment. The MDGs and SDGs are aimed at the welfare of “We the Peoples of the United Nations”. While the UN is promoting democracy at global level, there are serious demands aired for democratizing the world body itself. This paper aims to discuss (i) the objectives/ purposes, principles and the principal organs of the UN, (ii) the role of the UN in democratizing international relations, and (iii) the democratization of UN System through reforms to better its future prospects

The Path to HRD: An Investigation of Training and Development Practices in the Libyan Manufacturing Sector in 21st Century

The main purpose of this study is to understand the nature and maturity level of HRD activities in Libyan manufacturing companies, and to investigate how far Libya has moved along a continuum comprising traditional T&D to HRD practices. It aims to assess whether the concept of HRD can be applied to activities of these companies. This study aims in particular to deduce empirical evidence through descriptive accounts of HRD and to compare them with standard HRD models. A descriptive methodology has been adopted in this research, and multi-methods (qualitative and quantitative) are used to gather and analyse multi-sources of data that comprise observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, literature, and official documents. Triangulation analysis has been employed, which is appropriate for multi-source data. The findings include: The majority of the investigated companies do not have a formal HRD system. HRD programs are still carried out on a piecemeal basis rather than through a systematic long-term policy. Findings which were common among the majority of the approached companies were: an absence of a systematic organisational training needs analysis; the use of traditional training methods; and a lack of effective procedures for T&D evaluation. All of this shows that Libya has made little progress along the continuum from T&D to HRD, and that this progress is mostly confined to large manufacturing companies. Findings revealed that in order to move to the practice of HRD in the manufacturing sector, Libya is faced with the challenge of enhancing employees' learning and development in the workplace and coping with the demand for knowledge-workers. These challenges and the various deficiencies in the HRD system are observed to have resulted from the lack of professional and intellectual HRD expertise. This has implications for the continuous development of human resources, as well as for the development of knowledge-workers. From this study, models of HRD have been constructed to simplify the complex and multiple realities associated with developing employees in organisations and to provide a framework against which a clearer understanding of the nature of HRD can be conceptualised and theorised. Therefore, this study contributes to research by mapping the extent of HRD development in the manufacturing companies in Libya and forms a basis upon which future research studies may be developed. From the conclusions of the study, various implications were generated for other researchers, management practitioners and policy makers