Digital Commons Network^™

Decarbonization Of The Fishing Fleet In The Galapagos Islands : Governance Challenges And Opportunities For Implementing Renewable Energy Sources, Byron Eduardo Robles Romero

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Strengthening Thailand’S Ship-Sourced Oil Spill Management : A Comparative Analysis Of Legal And Response Frameworks In Thailand, The United States, And Singapore, Supranee Wattanapongsakul

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Advancing Transportation Decarbonization Through Electrification: Insights From Transit And Rideshare Scenarios, Ajay Ghimire

Theses (2016-Present)

The transportation sector remains a major source of criteria pollutants globally, with passenger vehicles contributing significantly to energy demand. While electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising path toward energy efficiency, few studies have evaluated their impact at the metropolitan scale using integrated, high-fidelity modeling frameworks. This study investigates the energy implications of rideshare electrification in the Houston metropolitan area using a multi-stage simulation workflow. Travel demand is modeled using POLARIS, an agent-based, activity-based framework; vehicle trajectories are translated into second-by-second speed profiles using SVTrip; and energy consumption and criteria pollutant emissions are estimated using the Autonomie vehicle simulation platform. The …

Towards Automated And Explainable Insider Threat Response In Electronic Health Records: A Role-Aware Machine Learning Framework, Luca Lippi Ornstil

Master's Theses

Healthcare remains a prime target for cyberattacks, with insider misuse and credential compromise posing major risks to Electronic Health Records (EHRs). This thesis introduces a role-aware, explainable anomaly detection and response framework integrated with OpenEMR to address post-authentication threats. Four models—Local Outlier Factor (LOF), Isolation Forest, Autoencoder, and Graph Neural Network (GNN)—detect behavioral deviations across temporal, device, and role-based features, with LOF serving as the primary runtime detector. A configurable policy engine maps anomaly severity to proportional actions, from email alerts to read-only restrictions or account suspension, all reversible and auditable. Evaluation on real EHR logs shows the system’s operational …

Comparative Fire Hazards Of Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistries: Linking Thermal Behavior, Gas Toxicity, And State-Of-Charge To Composite Risk Profiles, Aamir Iqbal, Ashish Kakoria, Syed Talha Riaz, Jingmin Xu, Robert Illango Pushparaj, Guang Xu

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs) for their high energy density. However, their fire safety causes concerns because of the toxic gases emission and the challenge to extinguish. The type and quantity of toxic gases released during battery fires remain among the least studied hazards, with limited data available despite their serious health risks. This study examines the thermal and gaseous emission behavior of LIB cells after thermal runaway (TR). Five cell types, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium Titanate (LTO), and three Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt oxide (NMC). The three NMC variants share the same base …

Harnessing The Power Of Amphoterically Modified Chitosan Coagulants For Enhanced Polyester Microplastic Fibre Removal From Water, Nimesha Thathsarani, Mohadeseh Najafi, Mehdi Khiadani, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Microplastic fibre (MPF) is the dominant type of microplastic present in water treatment plants’ influent. Coagulation–flocculation followed by sedimentation effectively removes microplastics during pre-treatment; however, conventional inorganic coagulants produce high sludge volume, causing secondary pollution. Chitosan offers a greener alternative but is limited by poor solubility and low molecular weight. In this study, two amphoteric modifications were successfully incorporated into Chitosan, including CMC-CTA, synthesised by modifying carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMC) with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTA); and CMC-g-PDMC, synthesised by grafting poly[(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride] (PDMC) onto CMC. Their coagulation performance for MPF removal was assessed by turbidity measurement. The effects …

Groundwater Quality And Health Risk Assessment In The Fujairah Region Using Hydrogeochemical, Statistical, And Spatial Approaches, Mohammed Khaled Alawlaqi

Theses

Groundwater is a valuable resource in the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates, where growing population, agricultural, and industrial activities are putting increasing pressure on the limited groundwater reserves. This work investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Fujairah region to assess water quality and potential health risks. A total of 64 groundwater samples were collected from the Eastern Shallow Aquifer (ESA) and the Ophiolite aquifer in the study area and were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, and trace metals. Hydrogeochemical methods such as Piper, Gibbs, Chadha, and Schoeller diagrams were used to identify water types and …

Characterization And Antibacterial Properties Of Centrifugally Spun Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Copper(Ii) Acetate Composite Fibers, Batool Ibrahim, Roberto Curiel, Sara Ibrahim, Luis A. Materon, Oleg Ermolinsky, Helia Magali Morales, Jason Parsons, Mataz Alcoutlabi

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

The demand for effective antibacterial materials is growing rapidly in today’s world. Both metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles have been widely used as antibacterial agents against various bacterial species due to their unique mechanisms of destroying bacterial membrane cells. The current study explores the antibacterial activity of centrifugally spun fibers prepared from copper acetate polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) ethanol precursor solutions against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. During the synthesis of the composite fibers, the physical and chemical conditions were optimized. The structure and morphology of the PVP/Cu-Ac fibers were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy …

Possibilities Of Digitizing And Applying Artificial Intelligence To National Occupational Classification (Noc-2025) In Uzbekistan, Shohrux Nurali O‘G‘Li Narzullayev

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article examines the process of digitizing National Occupational Classification (NOC-2025) in Uzbekistan, developed on the basis of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08), and the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence technologies to it. Although this classification exists today in a national form, and its digitization and the introduction of artificial intelligence elements to it based on modern technologies remain a pressing issue. In order to digitize the classification, international systems such as the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08, ILO), European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO), Occupational Information Network (O*NET, USA) and National Occupational Classification (NOC, Canada) …

Stress-Relaxation And Failure Properties Of Spinal Ligaments In Pigs With And Without Scoliosis-Like Deformity, Christian D'Andrea, Mattan Orbach, Dogerno Norceide, Madeline Boyes, Axel Moore, Jacob Jordan, Thomas Schaer, Anita Singh, Patrick Cahill, Edward Vresilovic, Brian Snyder, Sriram Balasubramanian

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

This study addresses the need for accurate tissue material properties in computational models of the spine. Fundamental to functional spinal unit (FSU) biomechanics are the stress-relaxation and failure properties of the interspinous and intertransverse ligaments (ISL and ITL, respectively). These were measured and compared in normative and scoliotic spines using a Yorkshire pig model. Skeletally immature female pig spines were posterolaterally tethered to induce scoliosis. 23 ISLs and 17 ITLs excised from normative and scoliotic spine segments underwent stress-relaxation and failure tests. Group comparisons tested the effects of scoliosis (magnitude, convexity versus concavity), spinal level (thoracic, lumbar), and pig age. …

Integrating Environmental Impact Assessment Into International Shipping Governance : A Bbnj-Pssa Synergy Framework, Thi Thuy Linh Pham

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making And Uncertainty Analyses Of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems For An Island Community, Dibyendu Roy, Hadi Taghavifar, Kumar Vijayalakshmi Shivaprasad, Yaodong Wang, Barun K. Das, Anthony Paul Roskilly

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines advanced hybrid renewable energy system configurations designed for a remote island community. The configurations integrate multiple technologies, including wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, diesel generators, batteries, converters, electrolyzers, and hydrogen storage tanks, enabling a synergetic approach to energy generation, storage, and management. Excess electricity produced from the systems is utilized for battery charging and green hydrogen production, enhancing system flexibility and resilience. A detailed techno-economic and environmental assessment of the configurations was performed. Furthermore, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution based multicriteria decision-making framework was employed to identify the optimal configuration. …

Analyzing Surface Spectral Signature Shifts In Fire-Affected Areas Of Elko County Nevada, Ibtihaj Ahmad, Haroon Stephen

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

This study investigates post-fire vegetation transitions and spectral responses in the Snowstorm Fire (2017) and South Sugarloaf Fire (2018) in Nevada using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) surface reflectance imagery and unsupervised ISODATA classification. By comparing pre-fire and post-fire conditions, we have assessed changes in vegetation composition, spectral signatures, and the emergence of novel land cover types. The results revealed widespread conversion of shrubland and conifer-dominated systems to herbaceous cover with significant reductions in near-infrared reflectance and elevated shortwave infrared responses, indicative of vegetation loss and surface alteration. In the South Sugarloaf Fire, three new spectral classes emerged post-fire, …

A Green Manufacturing Model: Joint Optimization Of Maintenance, Scheduling, And Sustainability, Ahmed Attia, Mohamed Darghouth, Ahmed Ghaithan, Awsan Mohamed, Noha Mostafa

Mechanical Engineering

This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable manufacturing that jointly optimizes production scheduling, maintenance planning, and carbon-conscious energy management. A Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model is developed to minimize makespan while maintaining machine reliability and ensuring compliance with greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits. The model incorporates speed scaling as a decision variable, capturing the trade-off between processing time, energy consumption, and machine degradation. Preventive maintenance (PM) and minimal repair (MR) strategies are explicitly modeled using a Weibull-based failure distribution, and a carbon cap constraint is introduced to bound total emissions. A case study demonstrates the model's practical relevance, and …

A Gas-Tight Bonding/Sealing Of Different Bulk Ceramics For Robust Oxygen Separation At Ultra-High Temperatures, Guoan Wang, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

Oxygen transport membrane (OTM) is an economic technology for oxygen separation and high-purity oxygen production. To mitigate various issues induced by high temperatures, intermediate temperature OTM technology has been pursued in recent years. However, in certain circumstances, high operating temperatures are unavoidable, such as in situ oxygen production using OTMs for direct oxy-combustion. Nevertheless, the lack of reliable high temperature gas-tight sealing imposes great challenges on OTM technology for such applications. Herein, a novel sealing strategy is developed to obtain a gas-tight bonding/sealing of two different bulk ceramics using ceramic slurry in combination with phase inversion process. The sealing strategy …

Comparison Of Road-Side Emissions Measurements From Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles To Moves5, Amber L. Gurecki Allen, Emma Reeves, Darrell Sonntag

FEAT Publications

No abstract provided.

Mosquito Classification And Explainability From Image Data Via Deep Learning Techniques, Farhat Binte Azam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on Earth, responsible for more human deaths annually than any other species. Mosquito-borne illnesses continue to pose severe risks to global health. In 2015 alone, there were an estimated 214 million malaria cases worldwide. Similarly, a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that Puerto Rico’s Department of Health received over 62,500 suspected cases of Zika, with 29,345 confirmed positive cases. In 2019, Southeast Asia experienced its worst dengue outbreak in recorded history. Of the approximately 4,500 mosquito species distributed across 34 genera, …

Development Trends And Priority Research Fields Of Electrochemical Discipline In The 15th Five Year Plan Period, Lin Zhuang, Wen-Bin Cai, Heng-Xing Ji, Qing Li, Gong-Wei Wang, Sen Xin, Qing Zhao, Fang-Yi Cheng, Yu-Guo Guo, Lan-Qun Mao, Yang Tian, Fei Wu, Li-Min Zhang, Yan Xiang, Jin-Song Hu, Rui Cao, Li Xiao, Hua-Bing Tao, Wei Xing, Dong-Ping Zhan, Hong-Gang Liao, Mei-Ling Xiao, Bin Ren, Zhang-Quan Peng, Rui Wen, Xiang Wang, Yue-Feng Song, Hou-Fu Lv, Bao-Yu Xia, Guo-Xiong Wang, Jun Cheng, Zhi-Pan Liu, Min Zhou, Bing Huang, Cun-Pu Li, Yu-Qin Zou, Shuang-Yin Wang, Hai-Bo Lin, Zi-Dong Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

In fulfillment of the national science-and-technology development agenda, the Department of Chemical Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) convened the Strategic Symposium on the Fifteenth Five-Year (2026–2030) Development Plan for Electrochemistry held in Xiamen on 29 August, 2025—the culminating year of the Fourteenth Five-Year (2021–2025) Development Plan. More than forty leading experts in the field of electrochemistry participated with spanning nine thematic fronts: Interfacial Electrocatalysis, Interfacial Electrochemistry for Energy Storage, Bioelectrochemistry, Electrochemistry of Hydrogen Energy, Electrochemical Micro-/Nano-Manufacturing, Operando Electrochemical Characterization, Electro-Thermal Coupling Catalysis, Theoretical and Computational Electrochemistry, and Electrochemical Synthesis. The forum assembled China’s foremost electrochemical …

10.27.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

ORED Field Fest

OTC Director Candidates

Development Of A Mesothelin-Binding Engineered Scaffold Protein As A Theranostic For Pleural Mesothelioma, Roberto Silvestri, Margherita Piccardi, Alessia Laurenza, Filomena Rea, Allison R. Sirois, Martina Lari, Francesco Bartoli, Giovanni Signore, Lorena Tedeschi, Elisabetta Ferraro, Paola Anna Erba, Roberto Giovannoni, Stefano Landi, Federica Gemignani, Sarah J. Moore

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Mesothelin (MSLN) is a tumor biomarker expressed at high levels on the surface of numerous cancers with extremely limited expression in healthy tissues. MSLN-targeting agents developed for diagnosis and therapy could have a significant impact on the management of MSLN-expressing cancers. Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a deadly cancer that arises from mesothelial cells lining the pleura and is predominantly linked to asbestos exposure. There are currently no effective treatments, and diagnosis occurs in late stages of disease due to the lack of clinical symptoms in the early stages. Recent efforts to diagnose and treat PM have focused on identifying and …

Sustainable Robotic Construction: A Computational Particle Packing Approach For The Development Of Sustainable, Low-Cement 3d Printable Materials, Aranya Aumit Paul

LSU Master's Theses

Construction 3D Printing (C3DP) holds great potential for automated construction but faces key challenges, including the high Portland cement content of its printing materials. The high cement content raises material costs, causes shrinkage and thermal cracking, and increases its carbon footprint. This study introduces a novel hybrid computational pipeline that combines image based automated gradation analysis with 2D stochastic particle packing simulation, to design low-cement printable materials with minimal experimental testing. The image-based gradation system achieved a mean absolute error under 3.64% across six fine and coarse aggregate types. The particle packing simulation demonstrated an average error of less than …

International Conference On Civil Engineering And Infrastructure, University For Business And Technology (Ubt) In Kosovo

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …

Data Science Against Human Trafficking: Evidence From North Macedonia, Krenar Mehmeti, Shkurte Luma Osmani, Florinda Imeri, Agon Memeti

UBT International Conference

Human trafficking is a severe yet often underreported crime in North Macedonia. With the rapid growth of technology and communication platforms, traffickers have shifted recruitment and exploitation strategies online. This project explores the patterns and trends of human trafficking in Republic of North Macedonia through and through the lens of using Data Mining and Different visual analytics. By using a structured dataset containing Victim demographics, the types of exploitation, recruitment methods and other different attributes, the analysis is Focused on identifying vulnerable groups, especially the individuals of age 18-25 and underage minors. Advanced visualizations have revealed the distribution of trafficking …

The Challenges Of The Digital Transformation Of A Hospital According To The Trends Of Innovative Technological Development, Vehebi Sofiu, Faton Kabashi, Lamir Shkurti, Mirlinda Reqica, Mirlinda Selimaj, Greta Ahma

UBT International Conference

This research discusses the process of managing and digitally transforming a hospital by integrating advanced technologies. The focus of this transformation is patient care and the protection of institutional data through the implementation of Block chain technology to enhance security measures. The goal of this topic is to take preventive measures against information security breaches and cyber threats. The transformation model addresses institutional deficiencies in managing healthcare information and patient records through electronic records. Additionally, it advances technological development to align the use of artificial intelligence with medical care infrastructure. This technology enables training for staff involved in hospital communication, …

Exploring Patterns And Growth In Motor Vehicle Registrations Through Data Visualization, Ensar Krasniqi, Shkurte Luma Osmani, Florim Idrizi, Ermira Memeti

UBT International Conference

This research examines the patterns and trends of motor vehicle registrations in North Macedonia's municipalities between 2012 and 2023. The analysis, which breaks down vehicle types by year, includes motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, and freight vehicles. Every year, the data is arranged into blocks of nine columns, each of which includes comprehensive information for each town. Finding significant insights, such as growth patterns, changes in the popularity of particular vehicle types, and geographical variations, is the aim of this investigation. The project provides a thorough understanding of the evolution of automobile registrations in the nation over time by processing and …

Digital Technologies For Modernizing Coal-Based Power Systems In Kosovo, Avni Alidemaj, Arbnor Lekaj

UBT International Conference

Proper management of electrical energy and its efficient use have gained increasing importance in recent decades due to the growing demand for energy and the need for environmental sustainability. In this context, the development of modern technologies for building automation and energy management has become an essential part of the technological transformations within the energy and construction sectors. This approach not only aims to reduce energy consumption but also contributes to creating a greener and more sustainable environment, while simultaneously enhancing safety, comfort, and control for users. This paper addresses the design and implementation of an intelligent system for energy …

The Role Of Coal In The Implementation Of The Green Transition Agenda In Kosovo, Nexhmi Krasniqi, Armend Ymeri

UBT International Conference

The recent global energy crisis—fueled by geopolitical tensions, increased energy demand, and persistent dependence on fossil fuels—has highlighted the fragility of current energy systems and the urgent need for a sustainable transformation. High and inefficient energy consumption, closely linked to industrial growth and urban development, continues to undermine ecological balance and accelerate climate change. While technological progress has improved access to renewable sources and advanced energy systems, it has not yet reached the scale or pace required to fully counteract the environmental consequences of unsustainable practices. In response, the European Union has placed the Green Transition and full Decarbonization at …

International Conference On Computer Science And Communication Engineering, University For Business And Technology (Ubt) In Kosovo

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …

Role Of Transport Management In Workforce Wellbeing In A Time Of Green And Digital Transition, Neli Lalkovska

UBT International Conference

In the time of green and digital transition and AI invasion, human resource management needs to be transformed. New technologies optimize processes but also pose challenges as risks associated with remote work, social isolation, lack of communication, increased stress, and the need for continuous learning. This paper explores the level of awareness of rail, auto, logistics, and aviation transport management in Bulgaria to provide conditions for digital wellbeing - the physical and mental health of HR. For the study, 72 managers answered a questionnaire. A link is made between human and planetary health, climate change, and the level of green …

The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Medicine: Benefits And Risks, Aurela Gashi, Faton Kabashi, Vehebi Sofiu, Mirlinda Selimaj, Laura Gjikokaj

UBT International Conference

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming the field of medicine by enabling rapid and precise diagnosis, personalized therapies, and advanced data management. From interpreting complex medical images to predicting chronic disease risks and tailoring treatments for individual patients, AI demonstrates unprecedented potential to enhance healthcare outcomes. However, alongside these opportunities emerge critical challenges and risks. Biased training datasets may lead to inaccurate diagnoses, while concerns over data privacy and ethical responsibility raise fundamental questions about the limits of automation in healthcare. This paper emphasizes that the integration of AI should not aim to replace physicians but rather to support them, …