Digital Commons Network^™

International Conference On Journalism, Media And Communication, 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 …

International Conference On Modern Music, Digital Production And Management, 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 …

International Conference On Psychology, 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 …

International Conference On Education And Development, 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 …

Dimensional Stability And Hydric Behavior Of Lime-Slag Stabilized Compressed Earth Blocks, Ines Bouteldja, Khaled Grine, Said Kenai

UBT International Conference

This study investigates the dimensional behavior of compressed earth blocks stabilized with 4% lime and varying amounts of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). Four formulations containing 0, 4, 8, and 12% slag were tested to evaluate linear shrinkage, swelling, and capillary absorption. The results show that increasing slag content leads to a consistent reduction in both shrinkage and swelling, indicating improved dimensional stability. For the mixture containing 12% slag, shrinkage and swelling decreased by about 27% compared to the reference, while capillary absorption dropped by nearly 70%. These improvements are attributed to matrix densification and reduced capillarity resulting from …

The Impact Of Water On Concrete Quality, Ibush Luzha, Bujar Aliu, Teodor Zguro

UBT International Conference

Water is vital to concrete, and it has a dual role. This paper will examine the impact of the quantity (water/cement ratio - W/C) and water quality on concrete. W/C directly affects workability, mechanical strength, porosity, and durability. A low W/C gives stronger concrete but with difficult workability; a high W/C improves workability but weakens mechanical properties and durability. Water quality is also critical; impurities such as chlorides, sulfates, and organic substances can negatively affect cement bonding and strength, cause corrosion of reinforcement, and degradation. Water is also essential for curing, which maximizes strength and durability. Therefore, strict control of …

Continuous Integration And Continuous Deployment (Ci/Cd) In Modern Software Engineering: A Comparative Study Of Jenkins And Github Actions, Zana Sadiku, Lavdim Beqiri

UBT International Conference

The rapid evolution of software delivery models has shifted the focus from manual releases toward fully automated pipelines. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) have become central pillars of modern software engineering, enabling faster iterations, early defect detection, and consistent delivery across environments. Among the most widely adopted tools for implementing CI/CD are Jenkins, an open-source automation server known for its extensibility, and GitHub Actions, a cloud-native CI/CD platform tightly integrated with GitHub repositories. This paper provides a comparative analysis of Jenkins and GitHub Actions in the context of DevOps practices, focusing on setup complexity, scalability, customization, integration flexibility, and …

Friends Recommendation In Dynamic Social Networks Using Breadth-First Search Algorithm, Rigon Pira, Jeta Domi, Besnik Qehaja, Edmond Hajrizi

UBT International Conference

Social networks are constantly evolving, and recommending new con- nections is essential for improving user engagement. This paper proposes a friend recommendation system using the Breadth-First Search (BFS) algorithm on dy- namic graphs, offering a simple, scalable, and efficient solution. The network is modeled as an undirected graph, where users are vertices and friendships are edges. BFS explores the graph level by level, identifying potential friends through mutual connections while excluding existing friends. An adjacency list representation ensures memory efficiency and supports real-time updates. Can- didate friends are ranked by the number of shared mutual connections, with higher counts indicating …

The Impact Of Short-Form Videos On Preschool Children’S English Language Acquisition- A Small Scale Research Study In Kamenica, Donjete Latifaj, Arta Bytyqi

UBT International Conference

This study explores the influence of short-form video content (e.g., YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels) on preschool children’s English language acquisition in Kosovo. With the increasing use of digital media by young children, understanding its role in language development is crucial. The study aims to identify whether exposure to short-form videos contributes positively or negatively to children’s vocabulary, pronunciation, and motivation in learning English. Data will be collected through a questionnaire distributed to 30 parents of preschool children in Kamenica. The findings will provide insights into the educational potential and risks of digital media in early childhood language development.

Anxiety Among Adolescents Aged 15-18 In The City Of Prizren, Besarta Sadriu, Kosovare Hamiti

UBT International Conference

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health concerns among adolescents, significantly impacting their well-being and daily functioning. This study explores the level of anxiety among adolescents aged 15-18 in the city of Prizren, focusing on differences by gender, age groups, and type of school (public vs. private). The methodology employs a quantitative approach, with data collected using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), a well-known instrument for measuring anxiety symptoms. The study included 60 students from two high schools, one public and one private, comprising 31 girls and 29 boys. The findings aim to shed light on how demographic …

Self-Efficacy And Academic Performance Of Students, Denis Celcima, Diana Sejdiu Shala, Malsore Hetemi

UBT International Conference

This study examines the relationship between self-efficacy and academic performance in students, analyzing differences according to socio-demographic factors such as gender and residence. Participants (N = 115) of this study are students from different university programs in Kosovo. A quantitative method was used, with two instruments: the General SelfEfficacy Scale (GSE) and the Academic Performance Scale. The results show a positive and significant correlation between self-efficacy and academic performance. Furthermore, based on the results, males have higher self-efficacy, while students from rural areas have shown higher levels in both variables. The findings suggest the development of programs that strengthen selfefficacy …

International Conference On Pharmaceutical And Natural Sciences, 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 …

International Conference On Food Science, Nutrition And Agriculture, 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 …

“Tell Your Papa”: Aesthetics Of Confrontation And Visual Witnessing In Nigerian Protest Music, Omotayo Jemiluyi

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This study analyzes the music video “Tell Your Papa” (2025), a politically charged protest song by Nigerian artiste Eedris Abdulkareem, as an exemplary case of aesthetics of confrontation, here conceptualized as a multimodal strategy in which direct address, anti-spectacle visual style, literalism, and discomfort converge to confront political power. Focusing on the song’s explicit critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his son Seyi Tinubu, and other prominent political figures, the analysis demonstrates how Abdulkareem renders indistinct the line between music and political discourse through a visual-sonic language that is accusatory, documentary-stylized, and unflinchingly courageous. While building on the lineage …

Witnessing Healing Through Fantasy: Trauma, Community, And Art In A Court Of Thorns And Roses, Alexandria A. Remm

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

Drawing on theorists such as Bruno Bettelheim, Lucy Bonds, Stef Craps, Dominick LaCapra, and Laura Loumeau-May, this paper explores the role of trauma and healing in Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series by examining protagonist Feyre Archeron’s journey. Specifically, Feyre’s journey with trauma and how she heals throughout the series. The analysis highlights how Feyre’s recovery is deeply tied to empathy, her acts of artistic creation, and her evolving relationships with others, especially with those who have also endured their own trauma. In addition to textual analysis, the paper incorporates reader and fan responses—particularly fanart …

The Roddey Mcmillan Record - October 25, 2025, Winthrop University

The RMR 2020-2029

The Roddey McMillan Record (RMR) is Winthrop’s monthly multicultural student publication. The RMR has been a significant voice of the minority population of the Winthrop community since its creation by Gail Harris in April 1986. It promotes awareness and understanding of issues concerning minorities for the prosperity of the entire Winthrop community. The purpose of the RMR is to shine light on the many diverse cultures at Winthrop, focusing on issues, concerns and happenings of those who represent the multicultural community on campus. The Roddey McMillan Record is named after Dr. Cynthia Roddey and Atty, Sheila McMillan. Cynthia Roddey was …

Managing Cubesat Payloads Using Lego®, Stefan Brandle, Joshua Brown, Evan Smith

Computer Science & Engineering Student Projects

Taylor University Computer Science & Engineering, in collaboration with NearSpace Education, is initiating a broad-participation, multi-year effort to enhance space-awareness and offer students career-impacting opportunities to build and fly satellites that have a LEGO®-robotics-based payload.

We built a prototype "flat sat" to test and demonstrate our LEGO satellite concept. The satellite uses NearSpace Launch’s Dream Big 1/2U bus to manage power, radio communications, and any other non-payload activity such as attitude control. Using the Dream Big bus makes building the satellite technically and financially feasible for a small team without significant satellite experience.

The payload consists of the LEGO robotics …

Unshrouding Narratives, Beliefs, And Practices Related To The Aye-Aye (Daubentonia Madagascariensis) In Eastern Madagascar, Alessio Anania, Fiona Besnard, Delaid C. Rasamisoa, Erito Andriantsitoherina, Jean Fidele Mosa, Marco Campera, Megan Phelps, Dean Gibson, Timothy M. Eppley, Giuseppe Donati

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ethnoprimatology emphasizes the complex sociocultural dimensions of human-alloprimate interactions, often overlooked in conservation practices and narratives shaped by ecological perspectives alone. In Madagascar, lemurs are deeply embedded in local traditions structured around taboos, legends, and kinship beliefs. Among them, the aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis ) is frequently subject to a narrative portraying it as an evil animal, an omen, or a harbinger of misfortune. Yet, cultural representations of the aye-aye across Madagascar are far more diverse. While some reports describe ritual killings, others recount respectful mortuary practices bestowed upon these primates. We explored the beliefs, narratives, and practices associated with …

An Experimental Study On The Breakthrough Pressure Of Different Co2 Phases Against Cap Rocks For Carbon Storage In Saline Aquifers, Dan Wendong, Li Yi, Wang Fugang, Hu Zhikai, Diao Yujie, Ma Xin, Liu Ting

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective CO₂ breakthrough pressure, a core parameter for characterizing the sealing performance of saline aquifers as cap rocks, holds important scientific significance and application value for ensuring the safety of CO₂ geological storage engineering and assessing its storage potential. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the variation patterns and mechanisms of breakthrough pressure under different occurrence phases of CO₂ (supercritical, liquid, and gaseous) currently. Accordingly, universal and reliable conclusions are yet to be reached. Methods This study conducted experiments on a natural low-permeability unsaturated sandstone core. Using the step-by-step method, 13 groups of breakthrough …

An Introduction To Ecofeminist Thought For International Relations Students, Vivian Ike

International Relations - All Scholarship

This article introduces students of International Relations (IR) to ecofeminism, its diverse approaches, and critiques. Ecofeminism emerged in the 1970’s following the history of the intersection between the transnational women’s movement and the global environmental movement (Kelleher 2019).

The Impact Of Social Media Use On Creativity, Mandy L. Wadsworth

Student Works

It can be noted that levels of creativity among society have declined in modern days, perhaps with no clear reason as to why. Therefore, a need exists to explore the effects of increased social media use in the modern world on creativity as a whole and its role in the rapid creativity decline. First, the factor of time displacement is examined, as passive social media use has become the replacement for creative pursuits. Free time once dedicated by individuals to generate new ideas and further improve their artistic abilities is now being used to scroll online. A second important factor …

Numerical Simulations Of The Influence Of Vegetation Configuration On Dust Migration In Open-Pit Coal Mines, Han Li, Li Renjie, Bi Yinli

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Dust pollution emerges as a major environmental challenge in the open-pit mining of coal mines. Ecological restoration has found widespread applications in mining areas as a crucial measure. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the role of vegetation configuration in dust migration. Methods Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method for numerical simulation, this study constructed a comprehensive simulation framework incorporating wind field reconstruction, dust migration, and the dust retention capacity of vegetation. By setting different particle sizes and wind speeds, this study systematically analyzed dust migration patterns. Furthermore, vegetation configuration was introduced into the simulation …

Mechanisms Underlying The Impacts Of Reservoir Pore Structures On Near-Well Salt Precipitation In Co2 Geological Storage, Deng Chenguang, Sun Xiaolong, Liu Keyu, An Senyou, Yuan Guanghui, Wang Yuxiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method High CO₂ injectivity in reservoirs is essential for high-quality sites of CO₂ geological storage (CGS). Salt precipitation in the vicinity of injection wells due to brine dissolution in CO₂ emerges as a critical factor impairing CO₂ injectivity. To explore the differences in the mechanisms behind salt precipitation and damage degree across various reservoirs, this study conducted salt precipitation simulation experiments on sandstone samples with distinct pore structures using a high-temperature and high-pressure fluid displacement system. By combining methods such as cast thin section observations, scanning electron microscopy and resulting spectra, micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) …

Predicting Intravitreal Treatment Response Using Ultrawide-Field Angiographic Biomarkers In Diabetic Retinopathy, Karthik Reddy, Callie Deng, Boonkit Purt, Yue Liang, Nikhil Bommakanti, Gina Yu, Julie Rosenthal, Yannis M. Paulus

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a sight-threatening retinal disease with pathological mediation by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are commonly used to manage DR. Ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) can assess DR severity and characterize the amount of non-perfused retina (non-perfusion area, NP), neovascularization (neovascular area, NV), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ). However, the association between anti-VEGF treatment and NP, NV, and FAZ characterized by UWF-FA is not well established.

METHODS: A retrospective, single-center cohort study involved eyes of patients with Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus with at least one UWF-FA image. The area of the FAZ, …

Newspapers And Schooling: A Comparative Field Analysis Of England And Germany, Christian Herzog, Peter Kelly

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This study establishes a field analytic approach for investigating and comaparing the influence of the print news media on educational politics in England and Germany. We identify cases from each country where national, regional and local newspapers act as intermediaries between actors engaged in discussions about schools and then subject these to field analyses focused on the form and content of press coverage. This allows us to identify in each country the role of newspapers as sites of political debate, as political actors and as shapers of public opinion.

Enumerating Environmental Exemptions In Section 501(C)(3), Samuel D. Brunson

Pace Environmental Law Review

Tens of thousands environmental charities operate with the United States. These charities operate to “preserve, protect, and improve the environment.” Roughly half of the revenue of environmental charities is sourced directly from the public. These public donations depend, at least in part, on the organizations’ tax-exempt status, which allows donors to deduct their donations for tax purposes. Because donors take into account the after-tax cost of their donations, an environmental charity’s tax exemption encourages donors to donate more than they would if the charity lacked a tax exemption. However, an environmental organization’s tax-exempt status is tenuous and contingent on agency …

Air Source And Ground Source Heat Pumps: A Comparison And Analysis Of The Effects Of U.S. Federal And New York Tax Incentives In The Adoption Of Both Systems, Samuel F. De Carvalho

Pace Environmental Law Review

Air-source and ground-source heat pumps have proven to be a valuable mechanism in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems in residences and buildings. This study offers an analysis of the potential impact of federal and state tax incentives on the adoption of ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) and air-source heat pumps (ASHP) for residential heating and cooling purposes, aiming to determine their effectiveness as climate change policy measures. This paper suggests that despite a considerable reduction in the cost of GSHPs compared to ASHPs after the application of the tax incentives, the installation of …

Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions Of Preparedness: Collaboration With Diverse Families Of Children With Disabilities, Guofeng Shen, Sandy Bowen

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

Collaboration between educators and families is a critical issue in the field of education. This topic becomes even more salient when working with culturally, linguistically, or economically diverse families of children with disabilities. Both research and practice have shown that many educators enter the profession without adequate preparation for this aspect of their role. This study examined pre-service teachers' attitudes, comfort level and perceived preparedness to collaborate with diverse families of children with disabilities while completing their university teacher preparation programs. A total of 159 pre-service teachers representing 40 institutions completed an online survey addressing this topic. Results indicated a) …

An Out-Of-The-Block Solution For Modern Ip Law: How Pairing Generative Ai With Blockchain Could Resolve Copyright Conflicts, Emma Wozniak

University of Cincinnati Law Review

No abstract provided.

Rewriting The Monopoly Playbook: Implications Of U.S. V. Google For Antitrust Jurisprudence, Amilcar Torres

University of Cincinnati Law Review

No abstract provided.