Digital Commons Network^™

Numerical Modeling And Experimental Validation Of A High-Temperature Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System Using Metallic Phase Change Materials For Concentrated Solar Power Applications, Fouad Hashim Sharhan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

To ensure reliable performance for the power-block of CSP plants, high power density and near-isothermal discharge must be achieved. A robust means of achieving this is through thermal energy storage (TES). High temperature latent heat storage (LHS) with phase change materials (PCMs) can serve these purposes, however the conventional salts used in PCMs typically suffer from low thermal conductivity that limits power density and increases energy storage charging/discharging times. This manuscript investigates ways to address these limitations using high temperature metallic phase change materials (MPCMs) while also developing a validated numerical framework to aid in their design. To this end, …

Thermal Performance Evaluation Of Solar Cooling Systems For Educational Facilities In Baghdad, Yasser Alawi Mohammed Attia Al-Jubouri

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Schools in Baghdad also suffer from poor thermal comfort, which is a common problem in high-temperature and low-humidity arid climates such as that of the city, where using cooling devices leads to a large energy demand and overloads on the national power grid. Such study offers a thorough assessment of the thermal performance of solar-based cooling systems in an efficient manner to be suitable for educational buildings in Baghdad. The analysis is centred on a solar thermal cooling system with absorption as the heat interaction medium, and an experimental characterisation and mathematical simulation itself are performed. A pilot installation, consisting …

Construction And Data-Driven Analysis Of A Stochastic, Individual-Based Opioid Epidemiology Network Model, Leigh Bennett Pearcy, Owen Queen, Vincent Jodoin, Suzanne Lenhart, Christopher Strickland

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

While substance use epidemiology has been an active area of mathematical research in recent years, the social and mental processes that are involved in the development of substance use disorders have presented challenges to advancing the epidemiological theory and how they differ from the contraction of pathogenic disease. Such distinction is especially pertinent in the context of the current United States opioid epidemic and its intersection with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as both prescription drugs and social influence play major roles in the development of opioid use disorder. In this paper, we construct a stochastic network model capturing how individual …

On The Intersectionality Of Second Language Writing Research And Writing Center Practice: Facing Today’S Diverse Linguistic Landscape, Ghada Gherwash, Hadi Banat

The Writing Center Journal

Guest editors' introduction for The Writing Center Journal 43:3 (2025).

From “Contact Zone” To “Collaborative Zone”: Multilingual Writers’ Tensions And Opportunities In The Writing Center, Qianqian Zhang-Wu, Isabelle M. Lundin, Neal Lerner

The Writing Center Journal

Writing center scholars have adopted Pratt’s (1991) “contact zone” metaphor to describe the diversity of consultants and students in writing centers, but this literature has largely overlooked the perspectives of multilingual students. Through surveys, interviews, and session data, we found that while multilingual students described rich linguistic identities, they also experienced tension and instability as language users. Students often framed their considerable language assets as deficiencies in academic writing contexts. They faced additional tension between instructor expectations and their own understanding of assignment goals. Students frequently sought native-like language competency from consultants and expected them to serve as informants about …

Autistic Adults In-Session Experiences In Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of Helpful And Harmful Factors From First-Person Perspectives, Elizabeth Kilgallon

Graduate Masters Theses

Autistic adults face heightened mental health needs yet encounter significant barriers in psychotherapy. Research on psychotherapy has often emphasized quantitative trials of specific modalities, while little attention has been paid to autistic adults’ own perspectives about in-session therapeutic processes. There is a need for clinical guidance that foregrounds autistic clients’ lived experiences of therapy, with emphasis on identifying what they find helpful or harmful, to inform accessible and affirming practice. In the present study, I conducted a qualitative meta-analysis that investigates autistic adults’ first-person accounts of psychotherapy. Thirty-three studies were included in the analysis. I used critical-constructivist grounded theory to …

Information Processing In Quantum Thermodynamic Systems, Shou-I Tang

Graduate Masters Theses

This thesis extends the classical autonomous Hamiltonian framework of information thermodynamics to the quantum regime. In this formulation, a composite system consisting of a principal system, a heat bath, a memory, and a work source is described by fully quantum, time-independent Hamiltonian dynamics. By introducing the quantum speed limit (QSL) for the system and memory subsystems, referred to as the Quantum Thermodynamic Speed Limit (QTSL), I establish a connection between the QTSL and Landauer’s principle. This relationship reveals the fundamental constraints on quantum information processing in terms of dynamics and energy costs during the evolution. Furthermore, I present an interpretation …

How What We Feel Is Associated With What We Hear Early In Development: The Role Of Vision In Audio-Tactile Association, Shibo Cao

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Sound-shape correspondences, also known as bouba-kiki effect, is the preferential mapping of nonsense sound like “baluma” to rounded abstract shapes while mapping nonsense sound like “takete” to spiky abstract shapes. Such association was seen for auditory and visual stimuli (AV), and auditory and tactile stimuli, which are touched but not seen (AT). Literature comparing typically-developing and early-blind adults showed AT association differ as a function of level of visual experience, and similar finding was also found comparing typically-developing adult and children. Specifically, typically-developing younger children benefited from prior AV experience of abstract shapes and nonsense sounds. While these findings suggest …

Empowering Youth In A Changing Climate: Design, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Salt Marsh Summer Science Program, Dan Levesque

Graduate Masters Theses

Climate change presents not only environmental challenges but also emotional challenges for today’s youth. This thesis documents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a field-based summer science program aimed at empowering adolescents with coastal salt marsh ecology while addressing climate change emotions and science identity development. The program, based in a Massachusetts salt marsh, was adapted from existing public environmental curricula and guided by place- and experience-based learning principles. Over Spring and Summer 2025, 13 students (ages 13-18) participated in extra-curricular field trips, hands-on research activities, and reflective discussions about the environment and the emotions it brings forth. Pre- and …

External Debt And Economic Growth In Sub-Saharan African Hipcs: Linear And Nonlinear Dynamics, Swaliki Kisige Isabirye, John Mutenyo, Oryema John Bosco

Tanzanian Economic Review

Abstract

Economic growth in Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) in Sub-Saharan Africa remains heavily influenced by external financing conditions, making the role of external public debt a critical empirical and policy issue. Governments in the region depend on external borrowing to supplement limited domestic resources, yet the extent to which such debt supports or constrains economic growth is still contested. This study therefore examines the linear and nonlinear impact of external public debt on economic growth using a panel of 20 HIPCs covering the period 2000-2024. Employing the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator within a dynamic ARDL framework, the analysis …

Dual-Interface Wifi Packet Sniffer System Using Esp32-Cam With Real-Time Pcap Generation For Iot Network Analysis, Boy Setiawan Boy, Maghfiroh Maulani, Zico Pratama Putra, Muhammad Senoyodha Brennaf

Makara Journal of Technology

This study focuses on designing and implementing a cost-effective and energy-efficient WiFi packet sniffer system using the ESP32. The ESP32-CAM module, which combines WiFi, Bluetooth, and microSD support, is used to capture IEEE 802.11 frames in real-time via promiscuous mode. Packets are stored in packet capture format, which is compatible with tools such as Wireshark and Scapy. Developed using the official ESP-IDF, it offers low-level control and high performance. Two user interfaces were implemented: a UART-based text menu and a web-based HTTPS menu hosted on the ESP32 itself. Functional and performance evaluations were conducted with a focus on capturing broadcast …

Digital Twinning To Advance Effluent Water Treatment For Pulp And Paper Mills: A Data-Driven Approach For Process Optimization, Fatima Iqbal, Fatemeh Naeijian, Christopher Page, George Fu, Francisco Cubas-Suazo, Stetson Rowles

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

The pulp and paper industry is the third largest freshwater consumer and faces pressure to minimize water usage and environmental impact. Aerated stabilization basins (ASBs) play a crucial role in treating their wastewater, yet existing open-source models often fail to accurately predict treatment efficiency across varying conditions. This study addresses this gap by advancing ASB modeling for ultimate oxygen demand prediction. Specifically, we improved accuracy with variable temperature corrections and incorporating uncertainty to capture the variability in outputs. The models demonstrated strong predictive performance for ultimate oxygen demand (mainly carbonaceous and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand) with R2 values ranging from …

“Kailan Ka Magkakaanak?” Understanding The Rise Of The Dual Income And No Kids (Dink) Families In The Philippines, Maria Veronica Y. Cervantes, Lucille Beatrice P. Casipit, Stephanie Marie D. Jacob, Sabrina Yunis C. Obispo, Marie_Valen N. Cortez

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle is gaining popularity in the Philippines as couples prioritize financial freedom and personal development. It is recognized that in the Philippines, where family-centered values hold significant importance, living a childfree lifestyle remains a rare choice. However, this choice has recently gained attention, reflecting a growing tension between traditional expectations and modern aspirations. Lack of literature on Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) families in the Philippines created a gap in understanding this phenomenon and failed to present how Filipino couples navigate this choice. The study employed a transcendental phenomenological (TPh) approach, which involves understanding …

Living Through Adversity: Understanding Discrimination, Resilience, And Psychological Well-Being Among Filipino Transgender Youth, Allaiza Liz M. Sarino, Athena Christine P. Garcia, Kirsten Jada P. Hinto, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Transgender youth continue to face systemic discrimination and social marginalization. These barriers can hinder their development and negatively affect their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the specific ways Filipino transgender youth experience discrimination and develop resilience. To address this gap, this study sought to understand the lived experiences of Filipino transgender youth, focusing on the discrimination they face and the resilience factors that contribute to their psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing online in-depth interviews with nine transgender youth aged 17 to 23 from Metro Manila, comprising five female-to-male and four male-to-female individuals, who …

Health Workers’ Perspectives On Family Medicine And Family Physicians In Karbala City, Iraq, Haneen Nadhim Jawad, Ali Abdulridha Abutiheen, Hasan Alwan Baiee, Salam Sahib Obiad

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The opinions and experiences of health workers can provide valuable insights into the current state of family medicine and its potential to improve healthcare services in any country, including Iraq.

Objectives: To identify health workers’ perceptions in Karbala Governorate regarding the role of family medicine and family physicians, and to explore their opinions on the performance of primary health care centers.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from March through May 2024, involving health professionals from various health service settings in Karbala Governorate, Iraq. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered validated questionnaire covering demographic …

Clinical Correlation Between Preoperative Hypocalcemia And Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia In Patients With Goiter, Dauda Bawa, Saleem Khan, Yasser M. Khalifa, Chinedu M. Mbalisigwe

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Many patients undergoing thyroidectomy present with subclinical hypocalcemia preoperatively, the prevalence and significance of which remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and impact of preoperative hypocalcemia in goiter patients undergoing thyroid surgery, a complication often encountered postoperatively. Out of the 255 patients examined, the study found a preoperative hypocalcemia rate of 20.4%, which rose to 26.1% following thyroidectomy, specifically peaking at 21.1% in instances of total thyroidectomy. Postoperative symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 8.9% with a mean serum calcium level of 1.87 mmol/L. In the linear regression analysis, a negative correlation was observed between thyroid procedures and overall …

Factors Contributing To Intestinal Parasitic Infestations In Children Attending Primary Private And Public Schools In Central Benghazi, Asmaa A. Alfarisi, Samira S. Garboui, Fawzeia H. Elmhalli, Maha A. Kattou, Suhaila Elabbar, Hajir A. Alabede, Zahrah A. Alawami

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among school-aged children are a significant public health issue in many parts of the world, with high prevalence rates in many regions. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among school children.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected primary school children aged 6 to 9 years in central Benghazi from April to September 2021. Stool samples were collected from 700 schoolchildren and analyzed using the wet-mount technique. Also, questionnaires were distributed, and general information on each child was recorded.

Results: The study revealed a …

Positive Fetal Outcome Following Severe Early Onset Fgr With Abnormal Flow Pattern In The Ductus Venosus, Nedaa M. Bahkali, Felipe M. Moretti

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Growth restriction of the fetus (FGR) is a major cause of perinatal death and, if present, has many perinatal complications at enhanced risk. Early FGR, in particular, presents staggering clinical challenges for management, as there are no uniform diagnostic criteria or best-practice procedures. The lack of data from clinical trials also makes it difficult to provide uniform management recommendations, leading to substantial variation in practice and outcomes. Case: This case report describes a healthy 30-year-old woman in her third pregnancy, who was diagnosed with severe early-onset FGR at 25 weeks after abnormal Doppler results, such as reversed a wave …

From Companionship To Grief: Lived Experiences Of Adolescent Dog Owners At De La Salle University, Dave Edrich Lao, Oel Bes, Zachariah Moscardon, Renzy Sabandal, Noel Bedia

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Pets have long been part of people’s lives, but today, they are often viewed as family, especially by adolescents who rely on them for comfort, support, and companionship. For many, the bond with a pet runs deep, making their loss emotionally devastating. However, the emotional and psychological impact of this grief, particularly among adolescents, remains largely overlooked in academic research despite growing recognition of the human-animal bond. This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of seven adolescent dog owners (ages 18–23) from De La Salle University Manila, focusing on understanding how they form attachments to pets, navigate caregiving responsibilities, and …

Awareness And Misconceptions About Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Related Behaviors Among Medical Students And Interns In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Waad S. Alhumaidi, Abdullah M. Alagha, Mariyam A. Aljadani, Faisal A. Almahyawi, Shahad S. Balubaid, Abdelrahman M. Attia, Shimaa M. Yousof

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, making awareness of its risk factors and the adoption of healthy behaviors critical, especially among future healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess awareness of CVD risk factors, misconceptions, and health-related behaviors, in addition to the relationship between academic year and CVD awareness among medical students and interns at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah City.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 381 medical students and interns. Participants answered questions about CVD risk factors, health behaviors, and the sources of information. A linear regression analysis was performed to explore …

Cesium-137 Accumulation In Marine Fish And Associated Dose Exposure: A Global Review, N.A.A. Kamarulzaman, M.S.M. Sanusi, H.N. Idris

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Establishing baseline data for natural radiation exposure and radioactivity levels is essential for radiological health and safety programs, particularly during the implementation and development of nuclear power initiatives. This review evaluates gamma radiation exposure and anthropogenic cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) levels in the world’s oceans and marine fish, analyzing their radioecological impact. Data from 30 peer-reviewed publications indicate that ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in seawater range from 0.07 Bq kg^–1 to 6.4 kBq kg^–1, with fish values between 0.01–3.50 kBq kg^–1. Regression models developed from these studies predict the correlation between ¹³⁷Cs levels in …

Molecular Docking And Antibacterial Activity Of Sesterterpenoids From Hyrtios Erectus, Hajer S. Alorfi, Nawal A. Albalawi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The search for new antibiotics remains urgent due to the continuous evolution of microbes and their resistance to currently available antibiotics. The organic extract of a specimen of the Red Sea sponge Hyrtios erectus collected off Jeddah coast was subjected to sequential chromatographic fractionation. Three sesterterpenoids (1–3) along with an indole alkaloid (4) were isolated from H. erectus. Structure elucidation of the isolated was accomplished using NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopy along with MS spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of the isolated sesterterpenoids (1–3) was assessed against a set of Gram-positive and negative …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Sustainable Ports Strategies And Initiatives In The Arabian Gulf Ports – Lessons For Saudi Arabia And Uae, Osayd Helal, Jane Haider, Jean-Paul Skeete, Sehwa Lim

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability strategies in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on the interplay between technological advancements, green initiatives, and regulatory challenges. While Industry 4.0 technologies—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and electrification—have been integrated to enhance operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the extent to which these innovations align with regional policy frameworks and geopolitical constraints remains insufficiently analysed.

To address this gap, this review synthesises insights from 25 peer-reviewed studies, employing a comparative framework to assess the adoption of sustainability practices in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on their approaches toward sustainable port development. It is …

Causal Functional Mediation Analysis With An Application To Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data, Yi Zhao, Xi Luo, Michael E Sobel, Martin A Lindquist, Brian S Caffo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

A primary goal of task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies is to quantify the effective connectivity between brain regions when stimuli are presented. Assessing the dynamics of effective connectivity has attracted increasing attention. Causal mediation analysis serves as a widely implemented tool aiming to delineate the mechanism between task stimuli and brain activations. However, the case, where the treatment, mediator, and outcome are continuous functions, has not been studied. Causal mediation analysis for functional data is considered. Semiparametric functional linear structural equation models are introduced and causal assumptions are discussed. The proposed models allow for the estimation of individual …

Opening Paths: Subjective And Professional Trajectories In Psychosocial Intervention For Victims Of The Armed Conflict In Colombia, Edwin Alexander Hernandez Zapata, Diana Vanessa Vivares Porras, Juan David Soto-Fadul

The Qualitative Report

In this study, we analyzed the affective experiences and labor subjectivation processes of community psychologists working in intervention programs implemented by state institutions in Colombia for victims of the armed conflict, a conflict that remains ongoing in various regions of the country. By labor subjectivation processes, we refer (drawing on Foucault) to the ways in which individuals come to relate to themselves and to others through the norms, discourses, and practices that shape their roles within a given historical and institutional context—in this case, the field of psychosocial labor. To conduct this research, we used discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews …

Use Of Generative Ai In Academia: Collaborative Autoethnographic Perspectives From Nnes And Nes Scholars, Tianshi Hao, Ziyue Guo, Jade Winn, Paul Sparks

The Qualitative Report

The advancement of Generative AI (GenAI) has shaped the ways people learn, teach, and perform research in the field of academia. However, there is a lack of studies that explore how GenAI makes differences on both Native English Speaking (NES) and Non-Native English-Speaking (NNES) scholars' academic work and experiences. This study aims to examine the experiences and perceptions of two Asian NNES Ph.D. students and two American NES professors regarding the use of GenAI tools in their academic work, through a Collaborative Autoethnography (CAE) approach. Data were collected through individual and group reflections, analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). …

Methodological Aspects In The Construction Of The Protocol In Semi-Structured Interviews, Eli Malvaceda-Espinoza, Gianpiero Flores-Pereyra

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this study is to identify the methodological aspects in the construction of the semi-structured interview protocol. The development of the protocol implies the methodological articulation (i.e. the coherence between question, objective, research object, design, scenario, participants, and the technique to be used). Regarding the construction of the semi-structured interview protocol, four specific phases are considered: (1) the identification of the research topics, (2) the construction of the interview script, (3) the external evaluation of the protocol, and (4) the piloting and fine-tuning of the protocol. Each of these phases guarantee greater rigor in the qualitative research under …

Future Teachers’ Views On Their Science Teachers: A Case Of Turkey, Mehmet Karakaş

The Qualitative Report

Here future elementary and middle school teachers reflect on their experiences with science teachers encountered throughout their education and highlight their characteristics. The aim of the study was to create a program where teachers were given the explicit opportunity to reflect on their experiences through journaling that promoted reflective thought. Participants were 173 non-science and 120 science major prospective teachers enrolled in a small university in northeastern Turkey. Data were collected using document analysis. Findings show that effective science teachers do experiments, use teaching materials, and show special interest in students; also, their positive personality affected students’ positive attitude towards …

Disruption Of Protein-Protein Interaction Hotspots In The C-Terminal Domain Of Mlh1 Confers Mismatch Repair Deficiency, Keri M. Fishwick, Diego Gomez Vieito, Giada Greco, Giulio Collotta, Marco Gatti, Anastasija A. Kulik, Raphaël Guérois, Ivan Corbeski, Ashutosh S. Phadte, Issam Senoussi, Petr Cejka, Anna Pluciennik, Antonio Porro, Alessandro A. Sartori

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

MutLα, a heterodimer of MLH1 and PMS2, plays a key role in DNA mismatch repair (MMR), which maintains genomic stability by correcting replication errors. Loss of MLH1 function causes MMR deficiency (MMRd), leading to elevated mutation rates and increased cancer susceptibility. However, MMRd can offer a therapeutic advantage, as high tumour mutational burden enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition. MMR also drives somatic expansion of CAG repeats linked to Huntington’s disease (HD) pathogenesis. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of MLH1 contains at least two distinct protein–protein interaction (PPI) sites. The S1 site supports heterodimerization with the PMS2 endonuclease, whereas the …

Patterns Of Llm Weaponization: A Comparative Analysis Of Exploitation Incidents Across Commercial Ai Systems, George Antoniou

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This comparative study examines patterns of Large Language Model (LLM) weaponization through systematic analysis of four major exploitation incidents spanning from 2023-2025. While existing research focuses on isolated incidents or theoretical vulnerabilities, this study provides one of the first comprehensive comparative frameworks analyzing exploitation patterns across state-sponsored cyber-espionage (Anthropic Claude incident), academic security research (GPT- 4 autonomous privilege escalation), social engineering platforms (SpearBot phishing framework), and underground criminal commoditization (WormGPT/FraudGPT ecosystem). Through comparative analysis across eight dimensions: Adversary sophistication, target selection, exploitation techniques, autonomy levels, detection evasion, attribution challenges, defensive gaps, and capability democratization, this research identifies critical cross-case patterns …