Digital Commons Network^™

The Artistic And Informative Functions Of Facial Painting And Colors In Bridal Attire Across Various Ethnographic Regions, Nexhat Cocaj

International Journal of Business and Technology

The artistic values of figures and colors used in the facial painting of brides and in various parts of women's attire, on one hand, and the informative function of those figures used in facial painting, such as the sun, amulet, and serpent figures, and later their use in certain parts of the clothing, demonstrate the profound understanding of nature by the Albanian people. It shows how deeply they contemplated the future and how they depicted the life they wished for a marital couple through these figures and colors. The figures that were initially used in facial painting, following the onset …

Assessment Of Microbiological And Physicochemical Parameters In Ground Beef From Fast Food Outlets In The Prishtina Region, Diora Kastrati, Veton Haziri, Ibrahim Mehmeti, Violeta Lajqi Makolli, Arianeta Nura, Flutura C. Ajazi

International Journal of Business and Technology

Fast food consumption has significantly increased, particularly in fast-paced cities like Prishtina. Hamburgers, one of the most consumed products in this industry, rely on ground beef, which poses notable food safety risks due to potential contamination and inadequate hygiene practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected microbiological and physicochemical parameters in ground beef from fast food outlets in the Prishtina region. The research involved analyzing 12 samples from various fast-food establishments in Prishtina, collected during June-July 2024. Microbiological analyses focused on total mesophilic aerobic bacteria and Escherichia coli, using standard cultivation methods on Plate Count Agar and …

A Systematic Literature Review: Big Data Maturity Model In The Telecommunication Industry, Fatmir Desku, Adrian Besimi

International Journal of Business and Technology

This paper presents a systematic literature review focused on Big Data Maturity Model, with a specific emphasis on its application within the telecommunications sector. It addresses two primary research questions: the models currently available for assessing Big Data Maturity and the models predominantly used within the telecommunications industry. The review reveals that several models, such as Gartner's Data Maturity Model (GDMM), IBM's Big Data & Analytics Maturity Model, The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI's) Big Data Maturity Model, the Data Management Maturity (DMM) Model, and the Big Data Maturity Model (BDMM), are widely recognized. However, no single model has been predominantly …

Ways Of Acquiring Ownership According To Legislation In The Republic Of Kosovo, Erëza Vladi, Enisa Haliti, Sevdai Morina

International Journal of Business and Technology

The Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo considers the right of ownership as a constitutional category, which means that the Law on Property and Other Property Rights of Kosovo regulates the way of gaining and losing ownership, but in our case we will discuss only the ways of her profit in real estate. According to Article 18, paragraph 1 of the Law on Property and Other Property Rights of Kosovo, property is defined as follows: "Ownership is the complete right to an object. The owner can dispose of the thing according to his wish, especially to possess and use it, …

Applying Lasso Regression For Property Price Prediction In Emerging Markets: An Empirical Study Of Prishtina's Real Estate Sector, Visar Hoxha, Albana Shala, Veli Lecaj, Fuat Pallaska, Hazer Dana

International Journal of Business and Technology

This study employs Lasso Regression (LR) to forecast apartment prices in Prishtina, analyzing a dataset of 1,468 transactions from the Kosovo Department of Property Taxes (2019-2023). Focusing on variables like distance to the central business district and apartment size, LR was selected for its ability to perform feature selection and regularization, applied using Python. The preliminary model included variables such as distance to central business district, distance from main road leading to central business district, size, floor, distance from bus stations, distance from ambulances, distance from schools, distance from green spaces, income status of inhabitants per apartment, and distance from …

Comparative Evaluation Of Microcontrollers For Real-Time Heart Rate Monitoring And Tachycardia/Bradycardia Detection, Arxhend Jetullahu, Luan Mulaku, Saranda Demolli

International Journal of Business and Technology

The growing demand for portable healthcare devices has led to combining microcontrollers with machine learning models to enable real-time health monitoring. It's quite paramount, specifically in the context of identifying irregularities in heart rate, like tachycardia—where the heart races unusually fast—and bradycardia, an instance of a sluggish heartbeat. The neat thing is that this study takes a stab at contrasting the effectiveness among three popular microcontroller types—the ESP32, the Raspberry Pi, and the Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense—in terms of real-time tracking of heartbeats and spotting any oddities (using, of course, a model developed with some machine learning elements). At …

Newspapers Printed In Albanian Language In Kosovo And The News On Cultural Events, Ferid Selimi

International Journal of Business and Technology

Considering the case of Albanian cultural news in Kosovo (Albanians in Kosovo constitute about 97% of the population), this paper discusses the inclusion of cultural news in written journalism. Until 2020, four daily newspapers in the Albanian language were published in Kosovo. As of 2020, no printed newspaper is operating. Therefore, we have considered two printed newspapers: "Koha Ditore" and "Epoka e Re" and we have presented culture-related news as a set of practices through which knowledge is obtained and cultural events are perceived. Empirically, we analyzed media coverage of culture in two newspapers published from 2000 to 2020. The …

“Alla Maria” Of Z. Ballata-Modernism In A Pianistic March, Indira Cipa

International Journal of Business and Technology

The topic titled as Alla marcia of Z. Ballata-modernism in a pianistc march në një marsh pianistic brings the results of a comprehensive analytical approach made on one of Zeqirja Ballata's 14 piano works. Z. Ballata (1943) is an emblematic figure of Kosovar music in general, and of modern and postmodern music in particular. In his creative opus of about 160 works, there are also 14 piano works, of which in Alla Marcia this theme elaborates the means of expression. The research used qualitative method. Acording to the empirical corpus, the study is Case study. The purpose of the research …

Director-Dramaturg And Director-Actor Relationship In Theatre, Fiona Gllavica

International Journal of Business and Technology

The research object in this paper is the symbiotic relationship between the stage director and the playwright, as well as the stage director and the actor in the theater. The genesis of theater, has its roots in religion and ritual. Since the Antiquity, the actresses through their stage appearances, has introduced the world of gods and people, shoëing different dilemmas, but not offering solutions for them. Debates on society, presented through theatrical works, in front of the public, in different periods of time, are still debatable. Theatrical art, stage art, uses the ëord and body language to convey the message …

The Impact Of The War In Ukraine On Conscription Policies In Western Balkan Countries, Alfred Marleku, Elsa Llalloshi

International Journal of Business and Technology

This research paper examines the impact of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine on the transformation of conscription policies in Western Balkan countries. Several Western Balkan governments have considered reinstating military service in response to escalating tensions in the region. The study analyzes the geopolitical pressures stemming from the conflict and assesses how they have prompted these nations to rethink their defense strategies through the lens of conscription. By exploring the causal relationship between heightened regional insecurity and policy shifts, this paper provides insights into the broader implications of the Ukraine war on military readiness and national security in the Western …

The Interplay Of Stress, Health, And Well-Being Among Health Providers In Primary Health Service, Anita Sadikaj, Rinor Berisha

International Journal of Business and Technology

Stress, health, and well-being are intrinsically connected in a complex interplay that has captured the attention of researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to lead healthier lives. The delivery of healthcare services in Primary Health Services relies heavily on the dedication and resilience of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and support staff. These professionals are the backbone of the healthcare system, ensuring that essential medical care is provided to individuals and communities. However, the demanding nature of their work, which often involves long hours, heavy workloads, and complex patient interactions, places them at risk of experiencing high levels of stress. …

Physicochemical And Biological Evaluation Of Aque-Duct Water In Kosovo, Demokrat Nuha, Arbër Bytyçi, Fisnik Laha, Pajtim Bytyçi, Osman Fetoshi

International Journal of Business and Technology

The study analyzes the water quality of aqueducts in Drenas, Prishtina, Lipjan, and Shtime, Kosovo, in June and August 2024. The parameters assessed include physicochemical properties like color, turbidity, pH, free chlorine, chlorides, conductivity, and metal ions (Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Al), alongside biological indicators such as coliform bacteria. The results indicate that most parameters are within acceptable limits, reflecting overall good water quality. However, variations were noted: Prishtina's low chlorine levels may pose microbial risks, and the increased chlorides and conductivity in Lipjan suggest the impact of urban runoff or industrial activities. Seasonal shifts, especially during August, influenced the concentration of …

Bone Ring Technique, Sinan Arllati, Kreshnik Syka

International Journal of Business and Technology

Tooth extraction is accompanied by vertical reduction of the alveolar ridge as a result of the bone atrophy. In cases where we are dealing with the upper jaw, changes in alveolar bone dimensions can also be accompanied by pneumatization of the maxillary sinus. These changes are even more often after the extraction of the maxillary first and second molars, and especially after the extraction of two or more teeth in a row in the distal maxillary region. Different techniques and materials are used to provide adequate bone support for dental implants in these cases. In the presented case, the autogenous …

Determination Of General Parameters, Total Phenols And Total Flavonoids Content For The Assessment Of The General Quality Of Herbs From The Two Sideritis Species (S. Scardica And S. Raeseri), Bujar Qazimi, Shpend Dragusha, Hyrije Koraqi, Gentiana Balaj, Vesel Qazimi

International Journal of Business and Technology

The determination of general parameters (loss on drying test, total ash, and ash insoluble in dilute HCl) as well as the determination of total phenols content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were determined in the aerial part of Sideritis scardica and S. raeseri collected in different localities in North Macedonia and Albania. In the analyzed samples of S. scardica and S. raeseri loss by drying was 6.65-8.01% and 7.08-8.42%, the content of total ash was 4.91-7.41% and 4.72-7.74%, while the content of total ash insoluble in diluted HCl was 0.13-0.27% and 0.05-0.75%, respectively. The amounts of phenolics content and …

Study On The Use Of Mechanized-Fired Clay Bricks As A Supplementary Cementitious Material, Esra Elsheikh

International Journal of Business and Technology

The current global tendency is to replace a portion of the cement in the concrete mix with materials of cementitious properties to mitigate the cement industry’s negative environmental impact. This study explores using finely milled Fired Clay Brick debris to replace cement in the production of mortars partially. The aim is to create a more cost-effective mortar while tackling the problem of disposing of waste bricks. Two samples of it were collected from two factories, pulverized into a powder, and added to the cement mortar mixtures in 10%, 15%, and 20% by cement mass. Mortars were examined for their chemical …

The Picotesla Protocol: Energy-Matched Neuromorphic Brain–Ai Interface With Quantum-Responsive Event, Samuel Church

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure presents a brain–AI interface architecture that operates under a strict sub-50 W system power envelope to reduce electromagnetic and thermal noise to near-brain levels, enabling event-driven coupling between biological neural surprise events and a neuromorphic spiking system. The system comprises: (i) a brain signal receiver (EEG) with alpha/theta-band feature extraction; (ii) an optional quantum-responsive transducer (e.g., NV-center magnetometer or QRNG correlator) for timing-level sensitivity to picotesla-scale field perturbations; and (iii) an energy-matched neuromorphic processor (e.g., Loihi-class SNN or low-power NPU) that converts biological “surprise” events into discrete spikes with < 40 μs latency and learns via STDP. The disclosure includes enabling details: system diagrams, energy budgets, filtering equations, spike-encoding logic, and experimental protocols (including physically isolated, Faraday-caged conditions) to ensure that the design is reproducible and citable as prior art. This publication is intended as a defensive disclosure to dedicate these concepts to the public domain and prevent later patenting of substantially similar systems

System For Llm-Driven Orchestration And Live Migration Of Isolated Software Agents, Johannes Start, John Lunney

Defensive Publications Series

Systems for managing autonomous software agents in distributed environments can be limited by a lack of runtime mobility, rigid communication protocols, and poor observability. An integrated platform for executing software agents can combine isolated agent execution environments for fault containment with a live agent migration module for stateful mobility between host computing devices, such as physical servers or virtual machines. A central communication fabric, which can utilize a large language model (LLM), may mediate inter-agent communication. The LLM can analyze the semantic intent of a request to dynamically generate and execute a multi-step orchestration plan. This approach can support resilient …

Building Enveloperetrofitting Innovation: Recycled Materials Role In Digital Fabrication And 3d Printing, Amr Soliman Elgohary, Haytham M. Elbadrawy, Ahmed Elsamanoudi

HBRC Journal

Traditional construction methods are one of the main causes of resource depletion. This research explores the intersection of digital fabrication methods using recycled materials and eco-friendly construction through retrofitting the building envelope to achieve sustainability. Traditional methods of retrofitting existing building elements consume many resources (materials-energy) and produce a lot of waste. In this context, 3D printing, a modern digital manufacturing method, stands out as a promising alternative, offering innovative ways to reduce material and energy consumption and reduce waste in the building construction process. This technique can be used to produce innovative modules that may improve the environmental performance …

The Hidden Cost Of Metformin: Deficiency Of Vitamin B12 In Iraqi Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Noor Mohammed Obaid, Halla Talib Salih, Mohammed Abdulzahra Hussein, Yousif M. I Al-Mohammed Amin, Mustafa Raheem Oglah

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Metformin remains a cornerstone in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, extended use has been increasingly linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, contributing to neuropathy, anemia, and cognitive impairment.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among Iraqi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving long-term metformin therapy and to identify associated clinical and demographic risk factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 500 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on metformin for ≥18 months. Serum vitamin B12 levels were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Correlations with demographic and clinical variables (including smoking, hemoglobin, and fasting blood sugar were …

Supply Chain Attacks Through Open Source Software: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Npm, Pypi, And Docker Hub Vulnerabilities, Thomas Pham

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

Open-source software ecosystems have become critical infrastructure for modern software development, yet they remain vulnerable to sophisticated supply chain attacks. This paper presents a comprehensive empirical analysis of supply chain attacks targeting npm, PyPI, and Docker Hub, examining 23 documented campaigns affecting over 2.6 billion weekly downloads. Through systematic analysis of attack vectors including typosquatting, dependency confusion, and maintainer account compromise, we identify recurring patterns and structural vulnerabilities across package registries. Our analysis reveals that 86.1% of detected typosquatted packages contained malware, with cryptocurrency theft emerging as the predominant attack objective. We document the September 2025 npm compromise affecting 18 …

"Voices For Change: Global Heroes Battling Educational Inequality", Sadia Binta Shahid

INRW/Coreq Student Showcase

Fall 2025 Student Showcase

Serum Ccr7 As A Diagnostic Biomarker In Acute And Chronic Pyelonephritis In Iraq, Dhafer Rahman Abed Al-Janabi, Ahmed Abduljabbar Jaloob Aljanaby

NJF Biomedicine Journal

Background: Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection primarily caused by E. coli. This study evaluated serum CCR7 levels in patients with acute and chronic pyelonephritis.

Objectives: To assess serum CCR7 concentrations and determine its potential as a diagnostic biomarker.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 30 acute, 30 chronic pyelonephritis patients, and 29 healthy controls. Serum CCR7 was measured using ELISA and analyzed by one-way ANOVA.

Results: CCR7 levels were significantly higher in pyelonephritis patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Chronic cases showed higher CCR7 levels than acute cases, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Elevated CCR7 is associated with pyelonephritis and may serve as a supplementary diagnostic biomarker. Further studies are required …

Impact Of Various Laboratory Techniques Upon Accuracy Of Hemoglobin Measurement, Ali Saleem Abdulridha Aridhee

NJF Biomedicine Journal

Introduction: Hemoglobin is one of the most important biological substances in the body, as it is the primary carrier of oxygen to the body's cells. Without this essential element, cells cannot receive oxygen, nor can they remove carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin has many types, one of which is normal, and many diseases are related to the synthesis and types of hemoglobin. These diseases are called anemia, and there are many types of anemia depending on the abnormal type of hemoglobin. The ideal way to diagnose such diseases is by measuring the hemoglobin concentration in the blood. Over the past decades, various …

Enhancing Sepsis Prevention In Long-Term Care Facilities: Development Of An Infection Prevention Sepsis Toolkit, Emmalyn A. Tuhin

Student Scholarly Projects

Objectives: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to create, validate, and refine an Evidence-Based Sepsis Prevention Toolkit to enhanced early sepsis recognition and interprofessional coordination of care within long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality and preventable transfer to the hospital for the elderly residents within the LTCFs. A significant practice gap persists because sepsis in this population often presents atypically, resulting in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: This project was guided by the following PICOT question: For healthcare professionals caring for patients aged 65 years and older …

Pathways To Possibility: A Multilingual Perspective In Community Colleges, Alex Matson

Master's Projects and Capstones

Community Colleges (CCs) play a vital role within both their local communities and the broader American educational system. This study examines the role of the community college, with particular attention to its English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs, and the structural dynamics of public funding. Despite the recognized significance of community colleges, the allocation of public funding, distinctly for ESOL programs, continues to reflect structural imbalances. Although research demonstrates the significance of community colleges in widening learning opportunities for marginalized students, critical pedagogy reminds us that educational access remains structurally unequal.

Emerging research indicates that the transformation of placement …

Serum Ccr7 As A Diagnostic Marker In Acute And Chronic Pyelonephritis: Findings From A Cross-Sectional Study In Iraq, Dhafer Rahman Abed Al-Janabi, Ahmed Abduljabbar Jaloob Aljanaby

NJF Biomedicine Journal

Background: Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection primarily caused by Gram-negative bacteria, notably Escherichia coli. Understanding the host immune response is essential for developing diagnostic tools. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) in patients with acute and chronic pyelonephritis. Objectives: To assess serum CCR7 concentrations in patients with acute and chronic pyelonephritis, compare them to healthy controls, and determine the potential of CCR7 as a diagnostic biomarker. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Najaf, Iraq, involving 89 participants: 30 with acute pyelonephritis, 30 with chronic pyelonephritis, and 29 healthy …

Gingival Inflammation And Microbial Load In Iraqi Patients Fitted With Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Longitudinal Study, Maryam Aljbouri, Thaer Jaber Al-Khafaji, Nebras N. Al-Dabbagh

NJF Biomedicine Journal

Background: Fixed orthodontic appliances are widely used to correct malocclusions and improve dental aesthetics and function. However, their placement can significantly alter the oral microenvironment, promoting plaque accumulation and microbial colonization, which may lead to gingival inflammation and periodontal complications. In particular, opportunistic pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans have been reported to proliferate in orthodontic patients. Methods: A total of 40 (20 males, 20 females) patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected by passive drooling method (Navazesh, 1993) at three intervals: baseline (T0), two weeks (T1), and four …

National Expenditure On R&D And International Comparison Of Productivity, Aegus Kim

Pennsylvania Economic Review

A higher national expenditure on research and development (R&D) may lead to a higher level of productivity in the national economy because innovations can improve overall efficiency in production by increasing output per worker. Unlike other empirical studies which suggest the positive impact of R&D expenditure on productivity but are often the result from the firm level or the industry level, this paper investigates a positive correlation between R&D spending and productivity using the 2019 national data for the top 25 countries ranked by R&D expenditure. The paper focuses on the relationship between international values of total factor productivity (TFP) …

Neuroadaptive Return On Investment In Education: A Critical Review Of Eeg And Eye-Tracking For Decision Optimization, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article advances a critical synthesis of a proposed neuroadaptive return on investment framework that integrates electroencephalography and eye-tracking into educational decision systems. The analysis situates neuroadaptive ROI within scholarship on neurodiversity, engagement, and adaptive learning, arguing that process-level indicators of attention, cognitive load, and persistence merit inclusion alongside conventional outcome metrics in investment models. Methodological scrutiny examines construct validity for neural and gaze indices, requirements for multimodal fusion, calibration across heterogeneous learner profiles, and threats to internal and external validity in classroom contexts. Evidence from pilot implementations suggests feasibility for real-time pacing, friction-point detection, and targeted resource triage, although …

Daily Eastern News: December 03, 2025, Eastern Illinois University

Daily Eastern News: 2025-2026

No abstract provided.