Digital Commons Network^™

Digital Technologies For Modernizing Coal-Based Power Systems In Kosovo, Agron Bislimi, Arbesa Nikaj

UBT International Conference

Kosovo continues to rely heavily on lignite for its electricity generation, making coal a dominant and unavoidable part of its energy landscape for the foreseeable future. Rather than pursuing an abrupt replacement, this paper advocates for the modernization of existing coal infrastructure through digital technologies that enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve operational transparency. Smart monitoring, predictive maintenance, and real-time control systems are emphasized as cost-effective solutions to improve the performance of current power plants. At the same time, these digital upgrades lay the foundation for the gradual integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, into the power …

Retracted: Analysis Of Energy Sector Co2 Emanations Using Wavelet-Based Numerical Technique, Yeshwanth R., Kumbinarasaiah S.

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

This study aims to present the modified Chebyshev wavelet collocation method (CWCM) to investigate and obtain the numerical approximation of $CO_2$ emissions from the energy sector utilizing the fractional mathematical model. The need for energy rises as the population grows. Burning fossil fuels produces a significant portion of the world's energy, which raises the atmospheric concentration of $CO_2$ and causes global warming. The combination of mathematical modeling studies and numerical simulations allows us to understand the $CO_2$ emissions from the energy sector. Our objective is to build an operational matrix of integration (OMI) based on Chebyshev wavelets and use it …

Evaluation Of Soil Quality Index For Sugar Beet Cultivation Under Neutrosophic Set Framework, Asiye Yilmaz Adkinson

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Evaluation of soil quality index for sugar beet cultivation is a decision-making problem. So, we use the decision-making methods to solve this problem. We use the ARAS method is a decision-making method to rank the alternatives. The average method is used to compute the criteria weights. Evaluation this problem contains uncertainty information. So, the neutrosophic set is used to solve this uncertainty information. This study uses ten criteria and 15 alternatives. The sensitivity analysis is conducted to show the stability of the ranks. We change the criteria weights by ten cases. Then we apply the steps of the proposed approach …

Sustainable Assessing Cross-Border Renewable Energy Alliances Using Neutrosophic Numbers With Long-Term Energy Transition Planning, Kamal Alieyan, Amr A. Abd El-Mageed

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

This paper proposes a decision-making methodology for Sustainable assessing cross-border renewable energy alliances. We used two decision-making methods such as Entropy and MABAC methods. Entropy method is used to compute the criteria weights. The MABAC method is used to rank the alternatives. Two methods are used under the neutrosophic number to solve uncertainty in the decision making. Three stages of the proposed approach are conducted. In the first stage, we compute the criteria weights. In the second stage, we rank the alternatives. In the third stage, we conducted the sensitivity analysis to show the stability of the ranks. The results …

Neutrosophic Decision Making Methodology For Sustainable Diabetic Diet: Balancing Health And Environment, Rayan Hussein

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Sustainable diabetic diet for balancing health and environment is a decision-making problem and contain uncertainty affect negatively in different decisions. So, this paper proposes a decision-making methodology with the neutrosophic set to solve uncertainty in this decision-making problem. We use the MOOSRA method to rank the alternatives. The criteria weights are computed using the average method. Case study with nine criteria and 16 alternatives are proposed for sustainable diabetic diet. The sensitivity analysis is conducted in this case study to show the stability of the ranks. Nine cases are proposed in this study. The results show the ranks of alternatives …

14th International Conference On Business, Technology And Innovation 2025, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

Welcome to IC – UBT 2025

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 …

Capacity Of Microbial Strains And Communities To Degrade Sewerage Fats, Oils, And Grease Clog Deposits, Allondra M. Woods, Catherine J. Pettinger, Catherine Harris, Tanya Soule, Garth Farley, Erica L.-W. Majumder

Biological Engineering Student Research

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) deposits are hardened, sticky, insoluble solids that accumulate in sewage systems globally. These deposits contribute to pipe blockages and sanitary sewer overflows, releasing pathogens and pollutants into the environment, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Current removal methods are labor-intensive and costly, emphasizing the need for alternatives. While biological strategies offer a viable alternative, the microbial breakdown of FOG is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the potential of individual microbial strains and synthetic microbial communities to biodegrade wastewater-derived FOG deposit samples. These biological agents were applied to a range of FOG samples, …

Fuel Adulteration Detection Using Open-Ended Coaxial Line And Circular Waveguide Techniques, Abdulrahman Alofi, Ahmed Shamseldin, Sharif Iqbal M. Sheikh, Hussein Attia

Faculty Publications

Fuel adulteration, the practice of blending lower-quality substances like kerosene with gasoline, poses significant challenges for ensuring fuel quality and safety. This study investigates two electromagnetic-based methods for detecting such adulteration: the open-ended coaxial line method and the circular waveguide method. The results reveal that the open-ended coaxial line technique is particularly effective in detecting kerosene contamination, identifying levels as low as 10% by measuring changes in the dielectric constant of the gasoline-kerosene mixture. Operating in the frequency range of 0.25–1.25 GHz, this method captures subtle changes in permittivity. In contrast, the circular waveguide method evaluates contamination by monitoring shifts …

Graphene Screen-Printed Electrode For Wound-Related Biosensing, Chanyapat Sriviroch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring wound healing is critical for improving patient outcomes, especially for chronic wounds, which often have complications like delayed healing and infections. Current methods for monitoring wound healing are invasive and costly. Also, these methods have a limited ability to provide real-time, continuous data. This study seeks to explore a graphene screen-printed electrode (SPE) electrochemical biosensor that is non-invasive and efficient to constantly monitor wound healing in real time. This research study focuses specifically on the electrochemical detection of the Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) and Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI), which is one of the most abundant neutral proteinases in …

Utilizing Ensemble Learning Techniques To Enhance Corn Price Prediction: A Case Study On South Dakota, Youssef Harrath, Jihene Kaabi, Ethan Price

Research & Publications

Predicting crop prices is a complex challenge that farmers must navigate each year, but machine learning algorithms can provide valuable insights to support more informed decision making. In recent years, agricultural price prediction models have made significant advances, with architectures achieving varying degrees of success. However, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of these models remains an ongoing challenge. This research explores the use of stacking, an ensemble learning technique, to enhance the performance of base models in predicting corn prices in many regions of the state of South Dakota in the USA. We propose a hybrid architecture that combines Long …

Characterization Of Sediment Loads And Size Distribution In Nebraska Roadway Runoff, Pavel Shrestha

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) must manage sediment and pollutant loads from roadway runoff to meet stormwater regulations for discharges into impaired waters. The SAFL Baffle, a hydrodynamic separator used by NDOT, depends on accurate estimates of total suspended solids (TSS) and particle size distribution (PSD). However, existing studies show large variability in these characteristics, limiting their relevance to Nebraska roadways.

This study monitored stormwater runoff for 1.5 years at four NDOT-maintained sites—two in Lincoln and two in Beatrice—that received runoff from areas outside the roadway right-of-way. The SAFL Baffle was evaluated using the SHSAM (Sizing Hydrodynamic Separators and …

Coupling The Parflow Integrated Hydrology Model Within The Nasa Land Information System: A Case Study Over The Upper Colorado River Basin, P.Eyman Abbaszadeh, Fadji Zaouna Maina, Chen Yang, Dan Rosen, Sujay Kumar, Matthew Rodell, Reed Maxwell

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Understanding, observing, and simulating Earth's water cycle is imperative for effective water resource management in the face of a changing climate. While NASA's Land Information System (LIS)/Noah-MP is widely used for land surface modeling, its ability to represent groundwater processes is limited. In contrast, the ParFlow hydrologic model explicitly simulates subsurface water movement. This study explores the effectiveness and usefulness of the newly coupled modeling framework, ParFlow-LIS/Noah-MP (PF-LIS/Noah-MP) over the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). The framework integrates the strengths of both models to provide a physically based representation of surface and subsurface processes and their interactions. Unlike standalone LIS/Noah-MP, …

Formulation And Characterization Of Albumin Nanoparticles For Nsclc Photochemotherapy, Faisal Mohammad Shamim Khan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and is a leading cause of worldwide cancer-related death, which is a strong motivation to develop more efficacious approaches to its treatment. This thesis outlines the construction of folate-targeted bovine serum albumin (FA-BSA) nanoparticles co-loading Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a photodynamic therapy photosensitizer, and Evofosfamide (EVO), a hypoxia-activated prodrug, to enable synergistic photochemotherapy. The 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) is a water-soluble carbodiimide coupling reagent and used for amide bonds between carboxylic acid and amines. FA-BSA nanoparticles were prepared through a desolvation approach and stabilized through crosslinking by the carbodiimide reagent …

Multisource Information Fusion Method For Human Gait Perception, Guiliang Chen, Guowei Liu, Yongchao Li, Chao Cai, Zihao Li, Dong Yang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In response to the insufficient gait perception capability during lower limb exoskeleton assistance, a human lower limb gait phase optimization classification model was proposed. A wireless transmission gait information collection system was designed for collecting the required gait phase feature information. Human joint angles were accurately calculated by fusing acceleration and angular velocity information using extended Kalman filtering. Additionally, kernel principal component analysis was applied to reduce dimensionality in conjunction with plantar pressure data. The LSSVM algorithm was employed to classify gait data, and the PSO algorithm was utilized to find the optimal classification parameters. Experimental results demonstrate that …

10.20.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• OTC Director Candidate Forum
• ORED Small Grants Program RFP

Microsimulation Of Infectious Disease Transmission Considering Virus Release, Transmission, And Action, Zhiming Fang, Shengdong Yuan, Ge Huang, Jingqian Yang, Zhongyi Huang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Existing infection risk assessment methods mostly evaluate infection probability through mathematical models or simulation, but they lack analysis of the relationship between air circulation and individual infection probability. This study proposed a risk prediction model for infectious disease transmission based on indoor air circulation. At the microscopic scale, the space was discretized into grid points. By integrating CFD numerical simulation, the entire process of virus droplet release, transmission, and action was fully simulated. The simulation results show that in an obstacle-free room, the error between the total indoor viral load predicted by the model under windless and low wind …

Experimental Investigation Of 3d Printed Tpu Triboelectric Composites For Biomechanical Energy Conversion In Knee Implants, Osama Abdalla, Milad Azami, Amir Ameli, Emre Salman, Milutin Stanacevic, Ryan Willing, Shahrzad Towfighian

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Scholarship

Although total knee replacements have an insignificant impact on patients’ mobility and quality of life, real-time performance monitoring remains a challenge. Monitoring the load over time can improve surgery outcomes and early detection of mechanical imbalances. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) present a promising approach as a self-powered sensor for load monitoring in TKR. A TENG was fabricated with dielectric layers consisting of Kapton tape and 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix incorporating CNT and BTO fillers, separated by an air gap and sandwiched between two copper electrodes. The sensor performance was optimized by varying the concentrations of BTO and CNT to study …

Development And Validation Of A Composite Digital Balance Score For Spinocerebellar Ataxia: A Prospective Study., James Mcnames, Vrutangkumar V. Shah, Hannah L. Casey, Kristen L. Sowalsky, Mahmoud El-Gohary, Delaram Safarpour, Patricia Carlson-Kuhta, Jeremy D. Schmahmann, Liana S. Rosenthal, Susan Perlman, Multiple Additional Authors

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Clinical trials in spinocerebellar ataxia are currently limited by the large sample sizes required by available clinical endpoints. We aimed to devise a digital composite measure of standing and walking balance using wearable inertial sensors that would require smaller sample sizes. The new score is called the Score of Integrated Balance in Ataxia (SIBA).

Exploring The World Of Medical Exoskeleton Robots: A Classification Guide, Javlonbek Rakhmatillaev, Vytautas Bučinskas

Technical science and innovation

This article describes the classification of exoskeletons. This classification is based on the use of exoskeletons in the medical field, shape, power source, generation, parts related to the human body, structural material, and control forms based on sensor and actuator devices. In addition, examples of each category are given. The main goal is to comprehensively evaluate medical exoskeletons, pay special attention to their functions and goals, conduct scientific research, and further develop these devices. As a result, a completely new type of classification of medical exoskeletons was developed. The developed new type of classification serves as an important guide in …

Improvement Of Ultrasonic-Convective Equipment And Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris L.) Drying Process, Jasur Esirgapovich Safarov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Sultanova, R. M. Najafli

Technical science and innovation

In the world, the air-dried food market is seeing rapid expansion, valued at USD 103.26 billion in 2021, out of which the Asia Pacific region consumed the maximum amount. The freeze-dried vegetable and fruit market is predicted to reach USD 132.7 billion by 2027. Processed vegetables are also exported to a large extent from India. Uzbekistan recorded excellent development in agriculture in 2024, with record harvests, better yields, and use of advanced machinery. Azerbaijan also demonstrated good agriculture growth and export performance. Beetroot has now been identified as a functional food containing bioactive compounds like betaines and dietary fiber that …

Structural And Biological Properties Of Chitosan/Copper Polymetallic Complexes Synthesized From Apis Mellifera-Derved Chitosan, Dilnoza Sohibovna Isomitdinova, Gulnora Akmalovna Ikhtiyarova, Nazira Madusmanovna Kuchkarbayeva, Nafisa Akhrorovna Ergasheva

Technical science and innovation

In this study, a chitosan/copper (Ch/Cu²⁺) polymetallic complex was synthesized from chitosan obtained by the cryogenic method from Apis mellifera bees. The structural and physicochemical properties of the complex were investigated using FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, TGA, and DLS analyses. FTIR spectra showed shifts in absorption bands at 1400-1339 cm⁻¹ and 1640-1550 cm⁻¹, confirming the coordination of Cu²⁺ ions with amino and hydroxyl groups. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks in the 410-540 nm range, while XRD analysis indicated new crystalline peaks at 2θ = 24°, 27°, and 37°. Thermal analysis demonstrated high thermal stability of the complex, and DLS confirmed a …

Measures To Improve The Structure And Operating Principle Of Perovsite Light-Emitting Devices, Latofat Utkir Qizi Shuhratova, Rustam Rashidovich Kabulov, Farrux Anvar Ugli Akbarov, Anvar Akbarovich Alimov

Technical science and innovation

Since the discovery of the unique properties of perovskite materials, these materials have been used as active layers in various optoelectronic devices. In particular, perovskite-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have attracted the attention of many researchers as a highly efficient and versatile technology for lighting and display devices. Perovskite-based LEDs allow for tunable light emission and can be manufactured at low cost and with flexible fabrication technology. These advantages make them suitable for use in devices ranging from modern displays to wearable electronics. Despite their potential, solving problems such as material stability and industrial scale is one of the current challenges …

Scalable Biosynthesis And Recovery Of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Produced From Cotton-Derived Glucose By Cupriavidus Necator, Ashley M. Clark, Lucia E. Gargano, Gabriella M. Fioravanti, Hannah M. Schapiro, Ron G. Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

To combat the growing issue of petroleum plastic waste, alternative bio-based polymers are being developed. Many of these biopolymers are made from bio-derived materials, or are biodegradable, but the most promising polymers fall in both categories. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are one such class of polymers, and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), the most popular PHA, has shown great potential. This study utilized two types of cotton-derived glucose, alongside commercial glucose, as a feedstock for the biosynthesis of P3HB by Cupriavidus necator (also known as Ralstonia eutropha). The fermentation took place in a 2-L bioreactor, showing potential for scale-up. A single-solvent extraction method was …

Tableau Part Ii - October 2025, Rubab Shahzad

Day Family Research Lab Workshop Series

Part Two of Introduction to Tableau. Learn to make cool visualizations using Tableau. A hands-on opportunity where we will go over calculated fields, hierarchies, unions, dashboards, and stories.

Prior experience with Tableau is recommended

Climate Change Projections Through Optimized Machine Learning And Deep Learning Models: A Comprehensive Analysis, Hala H. Youssef, Salma S. Mohammed, Hanan M. Amer, Abeer T. Khalil

Mansoura Engineering Journal

One major worldwide issue that has far-reaching effects on environmental stability and the avoidance of natural disasters is climate change. Developing efficient mitigating strategies depends on precise climate change forecasts. To predict important climate change indicators, including temperature fluctuations, greenhouse gas (CO2, N2O, CH4, and SF6) emissions, population dynamics, sea level changes, Arctic Sea ice extent, and Antarctica mass, this study evaluated the predictive capabilities of several Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques. The set of machine learning algorithms includes Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Random Forest (RF), …

An Integrated Pcb-Based Heating And Auto-Ranging Platform For Volatile Organic Compound (Voc) Detection Using Carbon Nanotube Based Sensors, Thomas Kalach

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development, characterization, and integration of a novel low-cost, high-dynamic-range sensor platform for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leveraging the unique electrical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) thin films. The platform introduces a fully integrated auto-ranging analog front-end circuit capable of real-time resistance measurement spanning over eight orders of magnitude ranging from tens of ohms to hundreds of megaohms, without compromising signal resolution or precision. This was achieved through a digitally controlled, multi-path feedback architecture and controllable current source.

To further enhance sensor performance, the system incorporates a copper trace heater beneath the sensor array, …

10.13.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• ORED Small Grants Program RFP
• Mississippi Impact Grants RFP
• Contest to Promote Lab Practices
• Field Fest
• AAAS Membership for Faculty, Staff, and Students 

Empirical Methods For Support System Design In Deep Serpentinite Excavations: A Critical Evaluation, Anas Driouch, Redouane Oubah, Abdelaziz Lahmili, Latifa Ouadif

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Underground mining excavations in fragile serpentinite rock masses represent a significant challenge today. The complicated features of these rock formations, especially at great depths, make it difficult to classify them using commonly employed methods. This paper focuses on the application of empirical methods for the classification of serpentinite rock masses and the design of support systems in underground mining excavations. Specifically, it concerns an access tunnel excavated entirely in serpentinite at a depth of 460 m. Geomechanical classification systems indicate that the Tunnelling Quality Index (Q-system) and Rock Mass Rating (RMR) evaluate serpentinites as rock masses of exceptionally poor to …

Improved Streamflow Forecasting Through Swe-Augmented Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Networks, Akhila Akkala, Soukaina Filali Boubrahimi, Shah Muhammad Hamdi, Pouya Hosseinzadeh, Ayman Nassar

Computer Science Student Research

Streamflow forecasting in snowmelt-dominated basins is essential for water resource planning, flood mitigation, and ecological sustainability. This study presents a comparative evaluation of statistical, machine learning (Random Forest), and deep learning models (Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), and Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Network (STGNN)) using 30 years of data from 20 monitoring stations across the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). We assess the impact of integrating meteorological variables—particularly, the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)—and spatial dependencies on predictive performance. Among all models, the Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Network (STGNN) achieved the highest accuracy, with a Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.84 …

Evaluation Of An In Situ Forming Composite Hydrogel Based On Gelatin–Sodium Alginate– Polyethylene Oxide For Biomedical Applications: Effect Of Incorporated Sophora Japonica On Hydrogel Performance, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Hydrogels are ideal candidates for biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue engineering, and bone regeneration due to their porosity and similarity to the extracellular matrix of humans. A gelatin/ sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel with the inclusion of polyethylene oxide (PEO) was utilized to achieve enhanced mechanical strength. Hydrogels were prepared at different ratios of polymer solutions to select the hydrogel that exhibited an optimal gelation time. Sophora japonica, a plant leaf extract (SJLE) rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, was added to the hydrogel to enhance tissue repair. The developed hydrogels were extensively characterized for their morphology, porosity, and swelling …