ARAB YOUTH OCCIDENTALISMS: IMAGES OF THE WEST AND THE NEGOTIATION OF GENDER RELATIONS IN SYRIA AND JORDAN

Based on ethnographic fieldwork and interviews conducted in pre-civil war Syria and present day Jordan, I discuss the imageries of the West which young adults in these countries deploy in articulating their views and positions on gender relations. I suggest that Occidentalist images of Western gender relations are evoked both to justify local norms that limit gender interaction and regulate dating, as well as to negotiate them. On one hand, the segment of the youth who emphasize their Muslim identity are re-inventing ‘authentic’ Islamic traditions by evoking contrasting images of the West as promiscuous and excessively individualistic. On the other hand, those who position themselves as ‘open-minded’ contest local gender segregation practices by deploying imageries of an idealized Western freedom and modernity. The article contributes to the current discussions on modern Middle Eastern subjectivities by pointing out the Occidentalist imageries that play a role in the local definitions of modernity and tradition which are deployed in subjectivity formation

Fabrication and characterization of semiconductor based photo-catalysis for light-Driven water splitting

The straightforward, low-priced and hence extensive conversion of sun light utilizing photocatalysis in a water splitting process is the main source to provide a clean and renwable hydrogen supply. Principally, photocatalysts are semiconductor materials with a suitable band gap that can absorb incident photons to produce photogeneated charges which consequently initiate the water splitting reaction to generate oxygen and hydrogen. The process itself is typically influenced by the material properties of the semiconductor (band gap, redox potentials and crystallinity) thus, altering the band structure of the semiconductor would help build up a photocatalyst that is appropriate for susbtaintial hydrogen generation. This thesis exemplifies a detailed study of high performance yet affordable photo-electrodes for solar-driven hydrogen production using Titanium (II) oxide (TiO2). TiO2 is considered to be a favorable photocatalyst that can be used as a photoanode in the photoelectrochemical cell due to its unique properties. In particular it\u27s high physical and chemical stability, high oxidizing power of the photogenerated holes, low-cost and non-toxicity. However, TiO2 is ideal for water splitting only under ultraviolet (UV) light due to its band gap that reaches 3.2 eV which makes its photocatalytic activity only restricted to the UV range that comprises only about 3% of the whole solar spectrum. In this study, two titania based photoanode systems were investigated in an effort to optimize the trade-off between the low external bias needed (electrical energy input) and the high photocurrent spectral response (H2 output). In the first part, Na-modified TiO2 nanostructured electrodes were studied. Varying the Na content showed a noticeable impact on the optical as well as the photoelectrochemical characteristics. The morphological characterization affirmed the presence of a discontinuous layer adsorbed over the surface of the TiO2 nanotubes where the tublar structure is kept preserved after treatment. Chemical analysis revealed no significant change in the structural properties of TiO2 upon modification which proves that the alkali ions were just dispersed within the TiO2 network. Optical properties illustrate the inclusion of conduction band tail states attributed to the disordered structure where the absorption edge is slightly shifted towards higher wavelength regions. The modified electrodes maintained nearly 81 % enhancement in the photoconductivity (0.9928 mA cm-2) in comparison with that of bare TiO2 (0.1821 mA cm-2) under AM 1.5G illumination (100 mW cm-2, 0.05 M Ba (OH) 2). Also, improved carriers\u27 separation and mobility has been accomplished which was asserted by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy that revealed less charge transfer resistance as well as space charge capacitance for the surface modified electrodes. Further, the Mott-Schottky analysis affirmed the observed Voc enhancement by demonstrating a negative shift in the flat band potential for all the Na+-modified electrodes with respect to that of the pristine TiO2 implying less band bending requirements. Finally, DFT calculations were implemented to add further details on the electronic structure of the disordered titania confirming the empirical findings obtained upon surface modification. In the second part of this work, hybrid PEDOT/TiO2 photoelectrodes were analyzed. The development of such nanocomposites was accomplished by controlled electrochemical anodization of Ti foil, followed by a simple and fast spin coating of PEDOT. The heterojunctions maintained superior optical sensitivity where the absorption band edge reaches nearly 694 nm with respect to that of the unsensitized (TiO2 382 nm). This clearly indicates the ability to promote water splitting under visible irradiation. Likewise, superior photoelectrochemical performance concerning the photoconductivity, and the charge transfer kinetics were recognized mainly due to the fact that the highest occupied molecular orbit (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbit (LUMO) of PEDOT are more negative than the conduction band (CB) and the valence band (VB) of TiO2. This in return, not only narrows down the band gap but also facilitates the separation of photo-induced charges and accordingly improves the photocatalytic activity

Justice denied: how the Egyptian legal system perpetuates impunity

Retribution to the martyrs of the Revolution is one of the core demands of Egypt\u27s 2011 Revolution. Almost three years later, this demand is yet to be fulfilled. The purpose of this paper is not to prove the existence of impunity in Egypt but rather to propose an analytical framework that can show how the Egyptian legal system perpetuates impunity. I examine two case studies: the Maspero massacre and Ramlat Boulaq protests. I argue that impunity is multi-dimensional, and accordingly I define two dimensions for analysis of the cases: strategic and structural dimensions of impunity. Strategic impunity is defined as ad-hoc measures taken by the authorities to derail processes of accountability or demands for truth and justice, and structural impunity is defined as inherent, structural traits of the legal system that prevent successful prosecutions of human rights violations. In the final chapter, I examine some measures taken by the authorities\u27 for legislative and security sector reforms. Through this examination, I highlight their lack of political will to break the cycle of impunity. In contrast, I analyze a proposal made by the “Police for Egypt” initiative for security sector reform and transitional justice. I conclude that maintaining the Egyptian legal system as it is will continue to result in impunity for human rights violations

ABSENCE OF KERATIN 8 IS ASSOCIATED WITH MARKED COLON MAST CELL INFILTRATION

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased numbers of numbers of intestinal mast cells (MCs). Chymases and tryptases are mast-cell-specific proteases (MCPs) that are reliable indicators of MC degranulation. The role of MCs in the pathophysiology of IBD is poorly understood, and it is unclear whether MCs play a role in patients or in experimental models of IBD. Furthermore, MCs have been characterized only in chemically induced models of colitis. In this study, we characterize MCs in inflamed colons of keratin 8 knock-out mice (K8-/-), a spontaneous model of colitis with primarily an epithelial cell defect. We used histologic, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot analysis to quantify the increase in MCs and MCPs. Using chloroacetate esterase (CAE) tissue staining, we showed a statistically significant increase (p\u3c0.05) in MCs in the colon of K8-/- mice as compared to their wildtype littermates, 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-treated, and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated mice colons. K8-/- colons showed an increase in all MCPs tested (MCP-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, and -7). In addition, at the protein level, both chymase and tryptase were over-expressed in K8-/- colons. In conclusion, absence of K8 was associated with a chronic colitis and with marked MC infiltration. Consistent with the increase in MCs, increased expression of MCPs were noted at the mRNA and protein levels. K8-deficient mice provide a model for studying the role of MCs in IBD