Digital Commons Network^™

The Law Of The Protection Of Personal Data: A Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis, Endrine Rafuna

Theses

This study’s main topic is Kosovo’s Law on the Protection of Personal Data. It aims to prove that the Law is incomplete and needs to add more articles regarding the protection of digitalized computer data, and that the enforcing institution of this Law, so the National Agency for Personal Data Protection has not been able to inform the citizens of Kosovo about it.

The study has tried to prove this by doing a comparative analysis of Kosovo and Albania’s Law on the Protection of Personal Data to find out the differences and see if there are any places that Kosovo …

A Cost Benefit Analysis Of Establishing A Prishtina Aquatic Therapy Center, Berna Visoka

Theses

This project has addressed the problem of the city of Prishtina not having an aquatic therapy center and not offering its citizens basic recreational activities all major cities in the region possess. The project confirmed earlier assumptions suggesting people are not satisfied with the recreational activities supplied in the city of Prishtina. The idea behind this venture was to have a center which may be used for health purposes and for pleasure.

The Effectiveness Of Kosovo's Regulation On Public Sector Salaries, Albiona Peci

Theses

A very important economic contributor to the well-being of every country is its public sector. In Kosovo, it is even more important since the public sector is the main employer in the country. However, it is a sector characterized by many organizational and structural problems. One of the most important problems regarding this sector is the way salaries are set in different institutions of it. As such, the focus of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of Kosovo’s regulation in setting public sector salaries. Specifically, the goal of this project was to provide an analysis of the current state …

Implementing A Patient Information System In Public Hospitals In Kosovo, Adriana Sejfia

Theses

The conditions in Kosovo’s hospital reflect the need for an urgent solution that leads to an efficient management of the patients. A suitable solution would be implementing a Patient Information System. In line with this, the primary goal of this capstone project was to establish the main functionalities that would enhance the efficiency of hospitals. Another goal was to evaluate Kosovo’s Health Information Strategy, especially the patient-related fields, against the findings of this capstone project and suggest changes that might be needed.

Factors Influencing Gender Gap Participation Among The Private And Public Sectors Of Kosovo, Anyla Beqa

Theses

This project investigates problem of gender equality in Kosovo’s labor market, in terms of analyzing the differences of women labor participation gap among public and private sector. The study will be focusing on the factors that influence women to choose working on the public over private sector. The main drive for this study comes from the long time critics towards the Law No.03/ L-212 on Labor (2011) as well as the data statistics of low capital owned by women. As a result, the project explores among others, whether this law and the lack of capital is the main driving component …

Adding Internet Safety And Financial Education For Children As New Courses In Elementary School Curriculum, Gresa Statovci

Theses

Internet Safety and Financial Education for children are the new necessary courses to be added in the school curriculum given the importance of these two topics in today’s society. Children face detrimental online risks while using the internet and there is lack of proper information provided to them upon cyber security. The same scenario is with Financial Education – children barely have access to any kind of educative materials in regards to finances while they are at school. Considering the necessity of having online and financial knowledge, children should be provided with this information through their teachers in primary schools. …

Specialized Color Targets For Spectral Reflectance Reconstruction Of Magnified Images, Jennifer D. T. Kruschwitz

Theses

Digital images are used almost exclusively instead of film to capture visual information across many scientific fields. The colorimetric color representation within these digital images can be relayed from the digital counts produced by the camera with the use of a known color target. In image capture of magnified images, there is currently no reliable color target that can be used at multiple magnifications and give the user a solid understanding of the color ground truth within those images. The first part of this dissertation included the design, fabrication, and testing of a color target produced with optical interference coated …

Access To Antenatal Health Services Among Roma, Ashkali, And Egyptian (Rae) Women In Kosovo, Jete Aliu

Theses

The purpose of this project was to investigate the issue of the lack of access of RAE women in Kosovo to antenatal health care services. The study which included 30 research participants from RAE community in Fushe Kosova and Prizren and interviews with Ministry of Helath, two NGOs, and a gynecologist from Universal Clinical Center in Kosovo, has examined the reasons of the problem and the work done so far by relevant stakeholders regarding the lack of access to antenatal health care among RAE women. Some of the main findings suggest that the factors that cause this problem are multiple …

Fostering Economic Growth: The Establishment Of The Free Economic Zone In Gjakova, Bleta Polloshka

Theses

Kosova is a developing country which has a huge trade imbalance. In order to decrease the trade imbalance of Kosova, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has decided to establish free economic zones in the cities of Gjakova, Mitrovica and later Prizren. These economic zones were established under the Law Nr. 04/L-159 – on economic zones. This project will be specifically focused on the free economic zone of Gjakova.

Gjakova is a city in south-west of Kosovo with a very rich history in industrialization in the times of ex-Yugoslavia. Its previous industrialization and its geographical position have made it possible …

How To Make The Pediatric Department In The Regional Hospital Of Mitrovica The Best Health Care Provider In Kosovo, Nderim Gerguri

Theses

This project takes a deeper look into the problems around the health care system in Kosovo and especially in the Pediatric Department in the Regional Hospital of Mitrovica.

Main goals of this project are to describe the problems that patients and doctors face in the pediatric department of the Regional Hospital in Mitrovica and suggest means how these problems can be resolved. This project offers comparative local and international data, statistical data, and creative solutions to specific problems.

After conducting surveys with the local doctors and patients numerous approaches to solve major difficulties were suggested. Accordingly, the ways to improve …

Kosovo's Forensic Psychiatric Institution: Challenges On Management, Procedures Of Treatment, And Finances, Margarita Gjocaj

Theses

Kosovo opened its first Forensic Psychiatric institution in September 2014. This project addressed the difficulties KFPI is facing being a new establishment in the country which include: a) the areas of management, b) procedure of treatment and c) budget.

The main goal of this project was to identify the potential difficulties or drawbacks that KFPI and its staff are facing. This goal included the process of identifying the actors and institutions behind those problems. The project’s subsequent goal was to propose solutions to stakeholders which impact the communication process within and outside the institution for the procedure of treatment of …

Collection And Transportation Of Municipal Solid Waste In Prishtina Municipality, Linda Shuku

Theses

After many years of efforts Prishtina municipality for improving the waste collection, there are still many problems associated with it. Uncontrolled dumping has resulted in spread of diseases, flooding, and unpleasant smells. The lack of financial resources for improving the waste collection services is part of the problem. Considering this situation, the goal of this project was to identify and analyze the waste collection and transportation process. The city planning and service fees were identified as important aspects for ensuring a well maintained and clean environment.

The research showed that with only 63% of overall collection of the fees, the …

Gender And Selection Of Undergraduate Programs: Factors Affecting Career Aspirations Of Females In Prishtina District, Fjolla Kancaniku

Theses

This Honors Project assesses the problem of student carrier development in Kosovo nowadays. It involves assessment of females and the emerging issues and challenges in Prishtine District. The study targeted 120 students from which 60 of them were high school students, 30 males and 30 females, while 60 were University students, 30 males and 30 females, in Prishtina area. The data was analyzed with these numbers.

Cancer Risk Prediction With Next Generation Sequencing Data Using Machine Learning, Nihir Patel

Theses

The use of computational biology for next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis is rapidly increasing in genomics research. However, the effectiveness of NGS data to predict disease abundance is yet unclear. This research investigates the problem in the whole exome NGS data of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) available at dbGaP. Initially, raw reads from samples are aligned to the human reference genome using burrows wheeler aligner. From the samples, structural variants, namely, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and Insertion Deletion (INDEL) are identified and are filtered using SAMtools as well as with Genome Analyzer Tool Kit (GATK). Subsequently, the variants are …

Visualeyes 2020: A Software Suite To Integrate Instrumentation To Study The Near Triad Of Vergence, Stephen J. Lestrange

Theses

A complete instrumentation suite has been constructed for use in a randomized clinical trial to be funded from the National Institute of Health and study the underlying potential mechanism(s) of vision therapy. This suite is designed to track rotation of each eye (vergence) as well as measure the lens power of the eye's lens (accommodation). The system is designed to dissect the near triad which is composed of the pupil constriction, vergence and accommodation. The visual targets are programmed to be shown on two sets of computer screens which allowed vergence, accommodation and proximal vergence cues to be presented in …

An Electrospinning Apparatus For The Production Of Heterogeneous Scaffolds And Their Application In Cartilage Regeneration, Andrew Ryan Hollingsworth

Theses

The human body contains a vast array of soft and hard tissues, each with their own unique set of physical, chemical, mechanical, and electrical properties. It is the combination of these tissues that allows the human body to function as it does. However, these tissues are subject to wear, fatigue, and injury and thus can potentially limit the functions of the body. Therefore, tissue engineering has sought various natural and synthetic materials that can be used for fabrication of cellular scaffolds that have the ability to promote cellular attachment, proliferation, differentiation, and eventual whole tissue formation for replacement and repair …

Self-Care Practices Among Undergraduate University Students, Jennifer Irene Jackson

Theses

Although many factors affect an individual's health status, self-care is paramount. Further investigation of factors that influence self-care practices is key to enhancing illness and injury prevention and health promotion. The purpose of this study was threefold: to explore the self-care practices of undergraduate university students, to identify variables that influence such practices, and to compare the self-care practices of students in health-related programs to students in mainstream programs. A descriptive correlational survey design was used.

Modeling Atmospheric Emissions And Calculating Mortality Rates Associated With High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Transportation, Alyssa Mathews

Theses

Emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels are a growing pollution concern throughout the global community, as they have been linked to numerous health issues. The freight transportation sector is a large source of these emissions and is expected to continue growing as globalization persists. Within the US, the expanding development of the natural gas industry is helping to support many industries and leading to increased transportation. The process of High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (HVHF) is one of the newer advanced extraction techniques that is increasing natural gas and oil reserves dramatically within the US, however the technique is very …

Effect Of Oat Bran On Physicochemical Properties Of Alaska Pollock (Theragra Chalcograma) Surimi Seafood, Fatimah Q. Alakhrash

Theses

Oat bran is a gluten-free dietary fiber that may reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Most Americans consume less than half the recommended daily amount of fiber. Surimi seafood, which is also called “imitation crabmeat”, is not currently produced with fiber, nor has the effect of fiber on the physicochemical properties of surimi gels been thoroughly studied. The addition of fiber to surimi seafood would allow manufacturers to market added nutritional benefits. The purpose of this study was to determine the physicochemical properties (proximate composition, pH, texture, color properties, water holding capacity, and cooking loss) of Alaska pollock …

Ex Vivo Effects Of Water Extracts Of Sericea Lespedeza On Cow, Sheep And Goat Blood, Emmanuel K. Asiamah

Theses

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a water extract of Sericea Lespedeza (SL), the lipid raft inhibitor NYS and known pathogen associated molecular patterns (LPS and PGN) on gene activation in ruminant (cow, sheep and goat) blood. Sericea Lespedeza, a high tannin containing legume has been shown to be a useful component of feed for control of gastro intestinal nematodes in ruminants. Blood was collected from four adult female Holstein Friesian cows (N=4), Spanish x Boer goats (N=4) and St Croix sheep (N=4) and incubated with 100 ng /mL-1 of SL in the presence and absence of …

Graphical Database Architecture For Clinical Trials, Aiman G. Baset

Theses

The general area of the research is Health Informatics. The research focuses on creating an innovative and novel solution to manage and analyze clinical trials data. It constructs a Graphical Database Architecture (GDA) for Clinical Trials (CT) using New Technology for Java (Neo4j) as a robust, a scalable and a high-performance database. The purpose of the research project is to develop concepts and techniques based on architecture to accelerate the processing time of clinical data navigation at lower cost. The research design uses a positivist approach to empirical research. The research is significant because it proposes a new approach of …

Effect Of Bay (Laurus Nobilis) Essential Oil On Physicochemical Properties Of Alaska Pollock (Theragra Chalgoramma) Surimi Nutrified With Salmon And Flaxseed Oils Under Refrigerated Storage, Ugochukwu C. Anyanwu

Theses

Surimi seafood products are widely accepted and consumed in the U.S. and other parts of the world. In recent time, there has been increased demand for surimi seafood products nutrified with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as a result of their reported health benefits, but this may have a negative effect on the storage time of the product due to lipid oxidation of fatty acids (FA). Bay (Laurus nobilis) essential oil (BEO) which has demonstrated antioxidant properties was incorporated to the surimi seafood to reduce lipid oxidation thereby extending storage time. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate …

A Comparative Study Of Indoor And Outdoor Scaled World Models In Residential Roofing, Tahmina Akter

Theses

Falls from roofs are a serious problem in construction sectors. A significant number of workers experience fatal falls from residential structures while performing roofing tasks each year. According to a relatively new OSHA ruling for residential construction, fall protection equipment is mandatory when working at heights of six feet or more. However, lack of ease in using equipment, workers' attitude towards safety equipment and sometimes discomfort in usage of the equipment create obstacles in facilitating the use of fall protection equipment. The difficulty in adopting fall protection equipment has been studied by using scaled models to simulate the actual work …

Functional Nano/Microcapsules: Synthesis And Characterization, Gbewonyo Spero

Theses

Microencapsulation is a technique by which solid, liquid or gaseous active ingredients are enclosed within a shell material for the purpose of shielding the active ingredient from surrounding environment. The product therefrom is valuable as an active ingredient carrier and controlled release vehicle. In this research, polymer micro/nanocapsules with enclosed aqueous solution were synthesized through O/W emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Specifically a commercial textile dye was encapsulated in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) micro/nanocapsules for an innovation of textile dyeing. A variety of synthesis parameters were studied including concentration of polymer, amount of dye, amount of surfactant, volume of surfactant aqueous solution, …

The Effect Of A Mushroom (Coriolus Versicolor) Based Probiotic On Innate Immunity In Goats Naturally Infected With Gastrointestinal Parasites, Kingsley Ekwemalor

Theses

Gastrointestinal parasites such as the nematode Haemonchus contortus and protozoa Coccidia pose a serious threat to the global goat industry due to resistance of parasites to anthelmintic drugs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts of CorPet biomass, a mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) on gastrointestinal parasite infection and innate immunity in goats. Fifteen female SpanishXBoer goats were drenched with 10 ml of either a hot extract of CorPet (N=5), a cold extract (N=5), or with sterile water (control N=5) for eight weeks. Treatment groups were reversed after four weeks. Body weight, body condition and FAMACHA scores, …

Project Spraoi : An Evaluation Of A School Based Intervention To Improve Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity And Decrease The Prevalence Of Overweight / Obesity Among School Children Attending A Deis Urban Band One Primary School In Cork City, John Paul Neville

Theses

Introduction: School-based interventions aimed at reducing levels of overweight/ obesity among primary school children are inconclusive. There is a death of research which specifically targets children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The purpose of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition and physical activity intervention 'Project Spraoi' on children attending a DEIS urban band one primary-school (lower socio-economic status) in Cork city, Ireland.

Methods: A health promotion intervention developed in collaboration with Project Energize, New Zealand was implemented and evaluated during the 2013/14 academic school year. One control and one intervention DEIS urban band one primary school …

Comparison Between Hear Rate Based Training, Perceived Effort, And Power Based Training In Competitive Elite Cyclists, Joshua Allen Carter

Theses

There are many different philosophies on how cyclist should train and about the different training modes available to them. It is important to know how to use these different modes of training to maximize the efforts. Training with power, heart rate, and perceived effort all have several advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to compare these different modes of training over an 8 week period to see if there is a difference between them. The participants were tested before and after the training period to show if there was any significant differences between them.

The study consisted …

Identification Of The Molecular Mechanisms Governing The Osmotolerance Of The Emerging Gastrointestinal Pathogen Cronobacter Sakazakii, Audrey Feeney

Theses

Cronobacter sakazakii is an organism which has been associated with severe life- threatening diseases in infants and neonates. Mortality rates of up to 80% have been recorded in infants infected with Cronobacter sakazakii. Infants often suffer from septicaemia, necrotising enterocolitis and meningitis as a result of infection. A characteristic feature of the opportunistic foodborne pathogen Cronobacter sakazakii is its ability to survive in extremely arid environments such as powdered infant formula, making it a dangerous opportunistic pathogen of neonates. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the pathogen; clinical manifestations, environmental reservoirs and our current understanding of stress response mechanisms …

Suitable Financing: A High-Tech Semiconductor (Photonics) Start-Up Context, Sarkar Mahbub Akhter

Theses

This research investigates the financing options available to a "High-Tech Start-up" when a technical person seeks to start a business from innovations emerging from his or her daily work. In seeking to understand the different factors which might influence the choice of a particular type of financial source, firstly a thorough literature survey has been performed. In the main part of the study, a qualitative research approach was considered to be the most appropriate one and as part of it, a number of interviews with entrepreneurs, CEOs and CTOs have been conducted. Findings from these people with financial experiences are …

Phytochemical Analysis Of Antileishmanial Plants : A Drug Discovery Approach, Samon Shrestha

Theses

Phytochemical analysis of three antileishmanial plants from Monteverde, Costa Rica and Abaco Island, Bahamas, has been carried out by use of column chromatography for phytoseparation, and NMR and IR spectroscopy for structural elucidation. Ruyschia phylladenia contained betulinic acid as major component, with significant amount of lupeol. Eugenia monteverdensis contained beta-Sitosterol, betulinic acid and barbinervic acid. Tabebuia bahamensis contained large amount of ursolic acid. Betulinic acid inhibited promastigotes of L. amazonensis significantly but was also toxic to mouse macrophages. Lupeol and betulinic acid did not show antimicrobial activity while beta-Sitosterol inhibited Aspergillus niger strongly. Barbinervic acid expressed good inhibition of Bacillus …