SACM - United States of America
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9668
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Item Restricted REIMAGINING THE ORIENT: REVISITING THE ONTOLOGICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST IN POST 9/11 AMERICAN LITERATURE(Morgan State University, 2024-11-17) Aljuaid, Sara Saleh; Newson-Horst, AdeleAfter the attacks on September 11, 2001, the Arab and Middle Eastern American communities gained a new social status as hypervisible and hyphenated citizens. Sensationalized stories about the Middle East as a terrorism and violence hub prevail in American television. Hollywood broadcasts films and T.V. shows that exhibit stereotypical representations of the Middle East and Muslim women, mirroring the Orientalist legacy in the colonies dating back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Before 9/11, the American perception of the Middle East was inherited from the European fascination and romanticization of the Orient, causing to reproduce Orientalism aesthetics to contribute to the proliferation of capitalism and the amplification of consumerist culture in America. Since the attacks, a new rhetoric has emerged pertaining to the portrayals of Muslim women in primetime American T.V. The optics of Muslim women as exotic, hypersexualized, and oppressed have been broadcasted to provoke sentiments of sympathy and fear. The dehumanization of the Middle East by adopting the rhetoric of Muslim women’s victimhood has been utilized as a soft weapon to promote the War on Terror and the US expansionist projects in the Middle East. Arab American literature post-9/11 attempts to demystify the vagueness of conflicting identities and the emergence of discourse that focuses on the depiction of Muslim women. Arab American fiction authors internalize the Orientalist discourse, implement the Arabesque narration style, and reproduce dichotomies to create subdivisions within the Orient to appeal to Western sensibilities and to mediate finding common ground with the dominant culture.14 0Item Restricted Optimizing Construction Productivity Through Climate-Specific Heat Stress Management(Purdue University, 2024-12) Alreshoodi, Majed; Hastak, MakarandThis research investigates the combined impact of heat stress and fatigue on construction worker productivity in two climatically distinct regions: a humid coastal area and a dry inland region. Using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as a measure of heat stress and incorporating working hours to account for fatigue, the research employs Monte Carlo simulations to model productivity variations across different work shift configurations and environmental conditions. The research focuses on two high-intensity construction tasks, with baseline productivities established through field observations. Simulation results reveal significant differences in optimal work strategies between the two regions, considering both heat stress and cumulative fatigue effects. In the humid coastal region, shifts starting between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM showed the highest productivity, with the most effective work ban period from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. In contrast, the dry climate allowed for a wider window of productive hours, with the current 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM ban proving most effective. The research also explored the impact of breaks, indoor versus outdoor work, and various shift lengths on productivity, taking into account how fatigue accumulates under different environmental conditions. Model validation against field data demonstrated high accuracy, with mean productivity differences of -4.00% for Jubail and 1.19% for Qassim. The findings highlight the need for climate-specific work strategies and policies that address both heat stress and fatigue to optimize construction productivity while ensuring worker safety. The research provides valuable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers, suggesting that tailored approaches to managing both environmental stress and worker fatigue can significantly improve productivity and well-being in challenging climatic conditions.17 0Item Restricted EFFECTS OF A REPEATED READING INTERVENTION ON IMPROVING ARABIC READING COMPREHENSION AND FLUENCY IN FEMALE FIFTH GRADERS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN SAUDI ARABIA(Duquesne University, 2024-08) Aljuwayhir, Jawaher; Huang, AnnHaving the ability to read is an essential skill for an individual. However, comprehension, the aim of reading, is a complex cognitive process that involves constructing meaning through deliberate thinking. Unfortunately, students with learning disabilities (LD) often struggle with reading, which impairs their comprehension abilities. Repeated Reading (RR) interventions, focusing on fluency and automaticity, have shown promise in enhancing comprehension. Although research supports the effectiveness of RR interventions among students with LD, limited studies have explored their efficacy in improving Arabic comprehension among Saudi fifth-grade students with LD. This dissertation aims to evaluate the potential benefits of RR interventions on Arabic reading comprehension in Saudi fifth-grade students with LD. Utilizing a multiple baseline across participants design, the study involves three participants diagnosed with LD. The intervention consists of RR sessions where students repeatedly read grade-level Arabic passages to enhance their reading fluency and comprehension. The dependent variables measured include oral reading fluency (ORF) and reading comprehension, assessed through words read correct per minute (WCPM) and Maze assessments, respectively. The findings revealed significant improvements in both ORF and reading comprehension among the participants, indicating that RR is an effective intervention for enhancing the academic development of Saudi students with LD. These results provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders, contributing to evidence-based practices aimed at improving educational outcomes and opportunities for success among students with LD in Saudi Arabia3 0Item Restricted Development, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Testing of the Child and Adolescent Activity Card Sort (CA-ACS)-Arabic version of the Adolescent and Young Adult-ACS (AYA-ACS)(University of Wisconsin Madison, 2024-12-16) Alkhamees, Abdullah; Larson, ElizabethOccupational therapy (OT) takes a client-centered approach in which OT practitioners work with clients to create and meet goals; this is a valued approach in the United States (U.S.) However, In Saudi Arabia, children with NDDs are rarely asked to select their therapy goals, likely due to a lack of instruments that support the child's participation in the process. In the U.S., activity card sorts are increasingly being used in pediatrics to include children in goal setting. This dissertation presents three studies focused on developing and validating a school-aged Activity Card Sort (ACS) for Saudi children and adolescents. Study 1 aimed to develop a comprehensive occupation-based, culturally tailored tool adapted from the U.S.-developed Adolescent and Young Adult-Activity Card Sort (AYA-ACS) (Berg et al., 2015). Following Beaton and colleagues’ cultural tailoring and translation process, forty-six percent were retained or modified from the AYA-ACS, and 54% were unique to the Saudi culture. This resulted in an 83-activity card sort, Child Adolescent-Activity Card Sort-Arabic version (CA-ACS). The activity cards were sorted into nine domains, including ADLs, obligatory chores, leisure, social, health and wellness, education and learning, caring for other children, religion, and sports. Study 2 aimed to pilot-test the newly developed CA-ACS-Arabic version and establish its face and content validity. The results showed that parents and children rated the activities of the CA-ACS-Arabic version as frequently culturally appropriate activities. There was good face validity as parents rated the activity cards as clearly demonstrating the captioned activity. Study 3 examined the psychometric testing of the CA-ACS-Arabic version, which showed excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.893). Two analyses were conducted to assess convergent and discriminate validity to establish construct validity. There was a significant positive relationship between the CA-ACS-Arabic version and the Arabic CAPE (r = 0.72, P <0.001), demonstrating good convergent validity. Lastly, there was a significant difference between the NT and NDD groups’ scores on the CA-ACS-Arabic version (P=<0.05), suggesting good discriminative validity. Future research is needed to examine the usefulness of the CA-ACS-Arabic version for NDD populations in developing occupational profiles and identifying goals in Saudi Arabia.7 0Item Restricted EFFECTS OF LASER IRRADIATION OF SELF- ASSEMBLED COMPLEXES OF PHOTOSENSITIZERS WITH GLOBULAR PROTEINS(The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2024-12) Albalawi, Abdullah; Brancaleo, LorenzoPhotosensitization of proteins is a critical phenomenon observed in biological systems and extensively utilized in experimental research. This process involves interactions between photosensitizers light-sensitive molecules and proteins, leading to structural and functional changes. In this study, we aimed to create and analyze artificial photoreceptor protein models using various metalloporphyrins as photosensitizers. Specifically, we investigated complexes formed between zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX), manganese protoporphyrin IX (MnPPIX), magnesium protoporphyrin IX (MgPPIX), protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), and hemin protoporphyrin IX (HeminPPIX) with two globular proteins: bovine beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) and human serum albumin (HSA). These complexes were subjected to laser irradiation to simulate photochemical reactions. We employed UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission, lifetime decay measurements, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to monitor interactions and light-induced modifications. Our results reveal that the type of metalloporphyrin, environmental pH, and specific protein influence the extent and nature of these modifications. Different metalloporphyrins caused varying degrees of structural changes in BLG and HSA, with distinct patterns based on pH conditions. This study highlights the complex interplay between photosensitizers, proteins, and environmental factors in photochemical processes. These findings are valuable for optimizing artificial photoreceptor models for applications in photodynamic therapy, molecular imaging, and fields where controlled light-induced protein modifications are essential.3 0Item Restricted ACCULTURATION AND SEEKING CAMPUS COUNSELING SERVICES AMONG SAUDI INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES: AN INTREPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS(University of Mississippi, 2024-12) Almutairi, Abdullah; Stephanie, LuskThis study adopts a phenomenological qualitative approach to explore and examine the acculturation process of Saudi students living in the United States, particularly in relation to their access to campus counseling services. The findings of this study identify five themes: 1) pre- migration expectations and realities, 2) journey of cultural adaptation, 3) navigating academic adaptations, 4) coping with acculturation and academic pressures, and 5) expectations of services provided by campus counseling experiences. This study highlights that the acculturation journey is a complex experience that affects Saudi students’ psychological well-being, which hinders their access to campus counseling services. The purpose of this is to study addresses the research gap that explores the interplay of acculturation and seeking campus counseling services, which shed light on the challenges and obstacles of this population through their acculturation process. Implications are provided for higher education policy, university counseling centers, and Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.28 0Item Restricted Parametric Analysis and Life Cycle Cost Assessment for Optimizing PCM Application in Exterior Walls in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2024-11) Alamri, Uthman; James, JonesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) aims to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate its environmental impact as part of Vision 2030. The building sector has high energy consumption, particularly due to elevated cooling demands, which make up 70% of residential energy use. This is largely caused by uninsulated thermal mass and subsidized electricity rates. In addition, Vision 2030’s housing projects and labor shortage necessitate alternatives to current housing standards. Modular housing offers a solution to the labor shortage, but its success depends on lighter materials. This study proposes replacing thermal mass with PCM in modular housing and, investigates this using EnergyPlus simulations. The research investigated the optimal placement and thickness of PCM to maximize its thermal performance in SIPs. PCM application reduced the model total site energy by 12.9% to 13.7% with a thickness of 0.5–2.0 cm and significantly reduced the HVAC energy consumption by 37% to 39%. In this study, we developed LCCA models to assess the cost-effectiveness of PCM by establishing a price range per square foot that aligns with the energy savings that are usable in the KSA. This study also identified the maximum PCM production cost based on the LCCA analysis to ensure its investment use in KSA's construction industry.11 0Item Restricted The Red Sea Region and the Belt and Road Initiative of China(New York University, 2024-12) Alomri, Khader; Rama, ShinasiThis thesis looks at the sequential ripple effect of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on Red Sea countries, emphasizing Djibouti, Egypt, and Sudan. In line with the above research questions, the study uses qualitative and quantitative data to establish the impact of the BRI on the economy, geopolitics, and socio-political systems. The study incorporates the big picture of the Red Sea's strategic value; the Red Sea is a critical shipping lane between Europe, Asia, and Africa that is vital for commerce and energy. The study places the BRI in this context, looking at how Chinese investments in ports, railways, and free-trade zones are intended to increase interconnectivity and boost economic activity. The study reveals a strong positive impact on GDP growth rates, the volume of trade, and FDI inflow in the analyzed countries. However, these benefits are accompanied by severe problems, including high debt and economic dependence on China. This thesis explores the political consequences of the BRI and how, through its strategic investment and military foothold in the region, it could shift the power dynamics, threaten Western dominance, and stir tensions about security in the region. First, as indicated in the analysis of crucial BRI investment areas, there is an analytical focus on the economic-development aspect of the BRI. In contrast, there is silence about a second more political aspect of BRI. This is because the BRI represents both an economic-development initiative and a geopolitical power play, indicating China’s desire to alter the global trade map and consolidate its position. This thesis analyzes three countries: Djibouti, Egypt, and Sudan. These case studies of the BRI show both the positive outcomes and the negative outcomes for the nations. These case studies underscore the efficiency of debts, the disclosing of policies, and the cooperation within the region to avoid issues detrimental to the achievement of the goal of sustainable development. The last chapter provides policy implications for rebuilding regional stability and suggestions for future work focusing on using the BRI’s economic opportunities and mitigating the BRI’s geopolitics and socio-economic concerns. The findings of this thesis help to enhance knowledge about the BRI’s impact on the Red Sea region and provide valuable recommendations for various actors.31 0Item Restricted A PUF-based Keyless Authentication Paradigm for Secure IoT Systems(University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2024) Alahmadi, Sara; Bayoumi, MagdyThe Internet of Things (IoT) drives innovation at individual and industrial scales, introducing massive interconnecting devices with varying security requirements. Authenticating these devices has emerged as a critical challenge, especially for constrained devices. In this context, Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) have gained popularity as promising hardware security primitives that offer lightweight and efficient solutions. Despite PUFs’ potential, they are susceptible to modeling attacks, leading researchers to explore new design approaches to increase their resiliency. This research addresses these challenges by developing different Arbiter PUF (APUF) solutions applicable to various applications from constrained devices to those requiring high security and post-quantum protection. First, a taxonomy of consumer IoT ( CIoT) and industrial IoT (IIoT) was presented to identify their distinguishing aspects. Addressing IoT security effectively requires considering the specific needs of different types of IoT applications, mainly consumer and industrial IoT. Second, a detailed analysis of APUF-based designs was conducted, measuring each design’s security scalability. This work evaluates the area and security of studied designs and defines an efficiency metric as security gain per area. Therefore, it showcases how the security of each of the studied design approaches scales in terms of area versus security, providing a guideline and insight for developers and for future improvement. Third, obfuscating techniques were introduced to secure APUF against modeling attacks. The methods implement transformation functions to obscure and safeguard the responses from modeling attacks. The first technique incorporates weak PUFs to fortify strong PUFs. The second technique encodes the challenges into constant weight vectors before generating the response. In addition, Dynamic Feedforward PUF was introduced to enhance the original Feedforward PUF. The method has two levels of configuration and incorporates randomness in the response generation process. Finally, a post-quantum PUF-driven authentication and message exchange framework (McPQ-PUF) was developed. This hybrid authentication and secret message exchange scheme utilizes two security primitives: APUF and McEliece, a post-quantum resilient Public Key Encryption (PKE). The McPQ-PUF framework is resilient against modeling and quantum attacks. This dissertation’s contribution should facilitate PUF-based authentication in an IoT environment. It provides secure and efficient solutions that address IoT ecosystems’ diverse security needs.8 0Item Restricted PARETO OPTIMALITY BASED ZONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES CONSIDERING TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS(University Of Missouri - Kansas City, 2024) Alanazi, Waleed; Goli, PreethamDistributed Energy Resources (DERs) play a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of distribution networks during High-Impact Low-Frequency (HILF) events. Optimal al location of DERs is essential to minimize capital costs while improving the operational performance of the distribution network. This paper introduces a Pareto Optimality Based Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO)approach for the strategic placement of DERs across various zones of a distribution network. We formulate a multi-objective optimization problem within the fuzzy domain, aiming to minimize DER installation costs, reduce power losses and enhance the voltage profile of the network. The proposed optimization algorithm is evaluated using the IEEE 123-bus test system through a co-simulation between MATLAB and OpenDSS. The results illustrate that the proposed approach effectively balances cost and power losses while ensuring the voltage profile remains within the NERC standards.41 0