American University of Sharjah

Ibn-Mohammed T., Mustapha K.B., Godsell J., Adamu Z., Babatunde K.A., Akintade D.D., Acquaye A., Fujii H., Ndiaye M.M., Yamoah F.A., Koh S.C.

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020, but the world is still reeling from its aftermath. Originating from China, cases quickly spread across the globe, prompting the implementation of stringent measures by world governments in efforts to isolate cases and limit the transmission rate of the virus. These measures have however shattered the core sustaining pillars of the modern world economies as global trade and cooperation succumbed to nationalist focus and competition for scarce supplies. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a critical review of the catalogue of negative and positive impacts of the pandemic and proffers perspectives on how it can be leveraged to steer towards a better, more resilient low-carbon economy. The paper diagnosed the danger of relying on pandemic-driven benefits to achieving sustainable development goals and emphasizes a need for a decisive, fundamental structural change to the dynamics of how we live. It argues for a rethink of the present global economic growth model, shaped by a linear economy system and sustained by profiteering and energy-gulping manufacturing processes, in favour of a more sustainable model recalibrated on circular economy (CE) framework. Building on evidence in support of CE as a vehicle for balancing the complex equation of accomplishing profit with minimal environmental harms, the paper outlines concrete sector-specific recommendations on CE-related solutions as a catalyst for the global economic growth and development in a resilient post-COVID-19 world.

MacIntyre P.D., Gregersen T., Mercer S.

Teaching often is listed as one of the most stressful professions and being a language teacher triggers its own unique challenges. Responses to the Covid-19 pandemic have created a long list of new stressors for teachers to deal with, including problems caused by the emergency conversion to online language teaching. This article examines the stress and coping responses of an international sample of over 600 language teachers who responded to an online survey in April 2020. The survey measured stressors and 14 coping strategies grouped into two types, approach and avoidant. Substantial levels of stress were reported by teachers. Correlations show that positive psychological outcomes (wellbeing, health, happiness, resilience, and growth during trauma) correlated positively with approach coping and negatively with avoidant coping. Avoidant coping, however, consistently correlated (rs between 0.42 and 0.54) only with the negative outcomes (stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, and loneliness). In addition, ANOVA showed that although approach coping was consistently used across stress groups, avoidant coping increased as stress increased suggesting that there may be a cost to using avoidant coping strategies. Stepwise regression analyses using the 14 specific coping strategies showed a complex pattern of coping. Suggestions for avoiding avoidance coping strategies are offered.

Naser A.Z., Deiab I., Darras B.M.

In spite of the fact that petroleum-based plastics are convenient in terms of fulfilling the performance requirements of many applications, they contribute significantly to a number of ecological and environmental problems. Recently, the public awareness of the negative effects of petroleum-based plastics on the environment has increased. The present utilization of natural resources cannot be sustained forever. Furthermore, oil is often subjected to price fluctuations and will eventually be depleted. The increase in the level of carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fossil fuel is causing global warming. Concerns about preservation of natural resources and climate change are considered worldwide motivations for academic and industrial researchers to reduce the consumption and dependence on fossil fuel. Therefore, bio-based polymers are moving towards becoming the favorable option to be utilized in polymer manufacturing, food packaging, and medical applications. This paper represents an overview of the feasibility of both Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as alternative materials that can replace petroleum-based polymers in a wide range of industrial applications. Physical, thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of both polymers as well as their permeability and migration properties have been reviewed. Moreover, PLA's recyclability, sustainability, and environmental assessment have been also discussed. Finally, applications in which both polymers can replace petroleum-based plastics have been explored and provided.

Tawalbeh M., Al-Othman A., Kafiah F., Abdelsalam E., Almomani F., Alkasrawi M.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are regarded as clean and sustainable sources of energy. Although the operation of PV systems exhibits minimal pollution during their lifetime, the probable environmental impacts of such systems from manufacturing until disposal cannot be ignored. The production of hazardous contaminates, water resources pollution, and emissions of air pollutants during the manufacturing process as well as the impact of PV installations on land use are important environmental factors to consider. The present study aims at developing a comprehensive analysis of all possible environmental challenges as well as presenting novel design proposals to mitigate and solve the aforementioned environmental problems. The emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) from various PV systems were also explored and compared with fossil fuel energy resources. The results revealed that the negative environmental impacts of PV systems could be substantially mitigated using optimized design, development of novel materials, minimize the use of hazardous materials, recycling whenever possible, and careful site selection. Such mitigation actions will reduce the emissions of GHG to the environment, decrease the accumulation of solid wastes, and preserve valuable water resources. The carbon footprint emission from PV systems was found to be in the range of 14–73 g CO 2 -eq/kWh, which is 10 to 53 orders of magnitude lower than emission reported from the burning of oil (742 g CO 2 -eq/kWh from oil). It was concluded that the carbon footprint of the PV system could be decreased further by one order of magnitude using novel manufacturing materials. Recycling solar cell materials can also contribute up to a 42% reduction in GHG emissions. The present study offers a valuable management strategy that can be used to improve the sustainability of PV manufacturing processes, improve its economic value, and mitigate its negative impacts on the environment. • PV systems cannot be regarded as completely eco-friendly systems with zero-emissions. • The adverse environmental impacts of PV systems include land, water, pollution, Hazardous materials, noise, and visual. • Future design trends of PV systems focus on improved design, sustainability, and recycling. • Incentives and research to close the gaps can offer a great platform for future legislations.

Karimi-Maleh H., Orooji Y., Karimi F., Alizadeh M., Baghayeri M., Rouhi J., Tajik S., Beitollahi H., Agarwal S., Gupta V.K., Rajendran S., Ayati A., Fu L., Sanati A.L., Tanhaei B., et. al.

Potentiometric-based biosensors have the potential to advance the detection of several biological compounds and help in early diagnosis of various diseases. They belong to the portable analytical class of biosensors for monitoring biomarkers in the human body. They contain ion-sensitive membranes sensors can be used to determine potassium, sodium, and chloride ions activity while being used as a biomarker to gauge human health. The potentiometric based ion-sensitive membrane systems can be coupled with various techniques to create a sensitive tool for the fast and early detection of cancer biomarkers and other critical biological compounds. This paper discusses the application of potentiometric-based biosensors and classifies them into four major categories: photoelectrochemical potentiometric biomarkers, potentiometric biosensors amplified with molecular imprinted polymer systems, wearable potentiometric biomarkers and light-addressable potentiometric biosensors. This review demonstrated the development of several innovative biosensor-based techniques that could potentially provide reliable tools to test biomarkers. Some challenges however remain, but these can be removed by coupling techniques to maximize the testing sensitivity. • Potentiometric based systems for the sensing of biomarkers. • Pharmaceutical and biological specimens sensing. • Simple strategies for bio-sensing of biomarkers.

Fayyad J., Jaradat M.A., Gruyer D., Najjaran H.

Autonomous vehicles (AV) are expected to improve, reshape, and revolutionize the future of ground transportation. It is anticipated that ordinary vehicles will one day be replaced with smart vehicles that are able to make decisions and perform driving tasks on their own. In order to achieve this objective, self-driving vehicles are equipped with sensors that are used to sense and perceive both their surroundings and the faraway environment, using further advances in communication technologies, such as 5G. In the meantime, local perception, as with human beings, will continue to be an effective means for controlling the vehicle at short range. In the other hand, extended perception allows for anticipation of distant events and produces smarter behavior to guide the vehicle to its destination while respecting a set of criteria (safety, energy management, traffic optimization, comfort). In spite of the remarkable advancements of sensor technologies in terms of their effectiveness and applicability for AV systems in recent years, sensors can still fail because of noise, ambient conditions, or manufacturing defects, among other factors; hence, it is not advisable to rely on a single sensor for any of the autonomous driving tasks. The practical solution is to incorporate multiple competitive and complementary sensors that work synergistically to overcome their individual shortcomings. This article provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art methods utilized to improve the performance of AV systems in short-range or local vehicle environments. Specifically, it focuses on recent studies that use deep learning sensor fusion algorithms for perception, localization, and mapping. The article concludes by highlighting some of the current trends and possible future research directions.

Malekloo A., Ozer E., AlHamaydeh M., Girolami M.

Conventional damage detection techniques are gradually being replaced by state-of-the-art smart monitoring and decision-making solutions. Near real-time and online damage assessment in structural health monitoring (SHM) systems is a promising transition toward bridging the gaps between the past’s applicative inefficiencies and the emerging technologies of the future. In the age of the smart city, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics, the complex nature of data-driven civil infrastructures monitoring frameworks has not been fully matured. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are thus providing the necessary tools to augment the capabilities of SHM systems and provide intelligent solutions for the challenges of the past. This article aims to clarify and review the ML frontiers involved in modern SHM systems. A detailed analysis of the ML pipelines is provided, and the in-demand methods and algorithms are summarized in augmentative tables and figures. Connecting the ubiquitous sensing and big data processing of critical information in infrastructures through the IoT paradigm is the future of SHM systems. In line with these digital advancements, considering the next-generation SHM and ML combinations, recent breakthroughs in (1) mobile device-assisted, (2) unmanned aerial vehicles, (3) virtual/augmented reality, and (4) digital twins are discussed at length. Finally, the current and future challenges and open research issues in SHM-ML conjunction are examined. The roadmap of utilizing emerging technologies within ML-engaged SHM is still in its infancy; thus, the article offers an outlook on the future of monitoring systems in assessing civil infrastructure integrity.

Maheshwari P., Haider M.B., Yusuf M., Klemeš J.J., Bokhari A., Beg M., Al-Othman A., Kumar R., Jaiswal A.K.

The rising world population and its corresponding energy demands pose a considerable burden on natural energy sources. The exploitation of fossil fuels at such an alarming rate blurs the goals of sustainable development and controlling global warming as pledged during the Paris Agreement. Due to the detrimental effects of exhausts from conventional diesel fuel on the environment, biodiesel has earned significant importance during the last decade. Biodiesel is produced from different feedstocks such as neem oil, palm oil, waste frying oil, vegetable oil, animal fat, microbial oil, etc. These feedstocks react with acidic, alkaline, enzymic, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and hybrid Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) catalysts, along with monohydric alcohol via transesterification reaction. The flexibility in its feedstock and the type of catalysts used, production cost, biodegradable and renewable nature makes it a promising alternative fuel than conventional diesel. The selection of apt feedstock and catalyst is the challenging task and governing factor of economic biodiesel production. Green solvents such as DES have high thermal stability and low volatility and can address the economic and green production issues significantly as compared to conventional alkali and acid catalysts. This review bridges the gap between the selection of feedstock and optimal catalyst for the respective feedstock. The exploration of DES fills the gap by attributing to 3Rs (i.e., recyclability, recovery, and reusability). This review highlights the contemporary trends and prospects in the selection of the feedstocks, synthesis routes, and catalysts for the transesterification reactions for biodiesel production. • The article highlights the feedstocks' role, synthesis routes, and catalysts for biodiesel production. • The various factors which affect biodiesel production have been discussed. • The role of green solvents (DESs) as a catalyst for biodiesel production has been reviewed. • Results have shown that DESs have a great potential to produce cleaner biodiesel. • The article suggests cleaner pathways for various catalysts and feedstock for biodiesel production.

Cheraghi S., Taher M.A., Karimi-Maleh H., Karimi F., Shabani-Nooshabadi M., Alizadeh M., Al-Othman A., Erk N., Yegya Raman P.K., Karaman C.

In this work, we report a novel enzymatic biosensor based on glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), graphene oxide (GO) and nafion for the electrochemical sensing of glutathione (GSH) in body fluids. GSH-Px was immobilized covalently via 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) onto modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) decorated with GO and nafion and successfully used for sensing of GSH in the presence of H 2 O 2 as catalyst with Michaelis-Menten constant about 0.131 mmol/L. The active surface are of GCE improve from 0.183 cm 2 to 0.225 cm 2 after modification with GO. The introduced biosensor (GSH-Px/GO/nafion/GCE) was used for monitoring of GSH over the range 0.003–370.0 μM, with a detection limit of 1.5 nM using differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method. The GSH-Px/GO/nafion/GCE was successfully applied to the determination of GSH in real samples. • First nanostructure enzymatic biosensor for determination of glutathione. • Pharmaceutical and biological glutathione sensing. • Simple and selective strategies for bio-sensing of glutathione.

Al Sharabati M., Abokwiek R., Al-Othman A., Tawalbeh M., Karaman C., Orooji Y., Karimi F.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) target the endocrine system by interfering with the natural hormones in the body leading to adverse effects on human and animal health. These chemicals have been identified as major polluting agents in wastewater effluents. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial compounds, pesticides, dyes, and heavy metals are examples of substances that could be considered endocrine active chemicals. In humans, these chemicals could cause obesity, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, autism, reproductive abnormalities, and thyroid problems. While in wildlife, dysfunctional gene expression could lead to the feminization of some aquatic organisms, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular risk, and problems in the reproductive system as well as its levels of hatchability and vitellogenin. EDCs could be effectively removed from wastewater using advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis , membrane treatment, ozonation , advanced oxidation , filtration, and biodegradation. However, adsorption has been proposed as a more promising and sustainable method for water treatment than any other reported technique. Increased attention has been paid to biodegradable polymers and their nano-composites as promising adsorbents for the removal of EDCs from wastewater. These polymers could be either natural, synthetic, or a combination of both. This review presents a summary of the most relevant cases where natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers have been used for the successful removal of EDCs from wastewater. It demonstrates the effectiveness of these polymers as favorable adsorbents for novel wastewater treatment technologies. Hitherto, very limited work has been published on the use of both natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers to remove EDCs from wastewater, as most of the studies focused on the utilization of only one type, either natural or synthetic. Therefore, this review could pave the way for future exploration of biodegradable polymers as promising and sustainable adsorbents for the removal of various types of pollutants from wastewater. • Biodegradable polymers are proposed for the removal of various types of EDCs from wastewater. • Biodegradable polymers exhibited exceptional adsorptive properties for various pollutants. • Process scaling up is still one of the major challenges in operation.