Digital Commons Network^™

The Hunger Games: Food As A Right, Not A Privilege, Camesha F. Little

FIU Law Review

Despite the United Nations' explicit declaration that all humans have a right to food, food insecurity and hunger remain persistent problems in the United States and around the globe. The dystopian landscapes depicted in novels such as The Hunger Games and Parable of the Sower—societies crippled by poverty, oppression, and pervasive starvation—resonate with sobering contemporary realities. This Article examines existing food laws, food rights, and the current protections safeguarding the United States food supply from a humanitarian perspective. Ultimately, this Article argues that the human right to food must expand to encompass a right to healthy or natural food, and …

A Bridge Too Low, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article "A bridge too low" in the Physics Teacher journal discusses a low bridge near the River Greta in Keswick, England, with an arch shaped like a semiellipse. It presents questions about the maximum height a person of a certain height can walk under the bridge without hitting their head, the cross-sectional area of the arch, its eccentricity, and perimeter. The article also mentions the approximation by Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan for the perimeter of an ellipse and invites readers to find the answers online.

‘Like A 6-Year-Old Dropped On Mars Without Parents’: Faculty Members’ Intercultural Competence And Cultural Adaptation In The Uae, Mustafa Aydogan, Esra İzmir, Hana Shahin

All Works

This study examines the intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation of international faculty members (IFMs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a highly multicultural educational setting. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores IFMs’ adaptation experiences and the impact of multicultural teaching training. Quantitative analysis of 167 IFMs revealed a significant relationship between intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation, with training enhancing both. Participants from Muslim or Arab backgrounds adapted better, emphasizing the role of cultural familiarity with the host culture. Qualitative findings from 14 interviews identified five key themes: (a) UAE’s diverse environment, (b) cultural distance, (c) language and communication challenges, …

Examining The Role Of Prompt Engineering In Utilizing Generative Ai Tools For Lesson Planning: Insights From Teachers’ Experiences And Perceptions, Areej Elsayary, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Zeina Hojeij

All Works

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of prompt engineering in utilizing GenAI tools like EduAid, Magic School, and ChatGPT to enhance lesson planning efficiency and content relevance. Additionally, it highlights the need for AI literacy and continuous professional development to align AI outputs with diverse student needs. A qualitative case study was used to collect data from 17 high school teachers from private and governmental schools. Document analysis, written reflections, and focus group talks were used as data sources to get detailed information about how the teachers used and thought about GenAI tools. The results show …

On The Validity Of Traditional Vulnerability Scoring Systems For Adversarial Attacks Against Llms, Atmane Ayoub Mansour Bahar, Ahmad Samer Wazan

All Works

This research investigates the effectiveness of established vulnerability metrics, such as the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), in evaluating attacks on Large Language Models (LLMs), with a focus on Adversarial Attacks (AAs). The study explores the influence of different metric factors in determining vulnerability scores, providing new perspectives on potential enhancements to these metrics. Approach - This study adopts a quantitative approach, calculating and comparing the coefficient of variation of vulnerability scores across 56 adversarial attacks on LLMs. The attacks, sourced from various research papers, and obtained through online databases, were evaluated using multiple vulnerability metrics. Scores were determined by …

Intrinsic Motivation, Future Orientation, And Financial Stress: A Student-Centered Model Of Metaverse Classroom Adoption In Low-Income Contexts, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Omar Alfandi, Saed Alrabaee

All Works

The rapid rise of immersive technologies has placed metaverse-based classrooms at the center of higher education innovation. Yet, little is known about how students in low-income contexts perceive and adopt these platforms, particularly when motivation, career goals, and financial pressures intersect. This study develops and tests a student-focused model that integrates intrinsic motivation, future time perspective, career relevance, and financial stress to explain behavioral intention toward metaverse adoption. A survey of 292 university students in Jordan—a lower-income national setting—was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed all hypothesized paths were significant. Future time perspective and career …

Deep Learning Models Based On Cnn, Rnn, And Lstm For Rainfall Forecasting: Jordan As A Case Study, La'aly A. Al-Samrraie, Ayman M. Abdalla, Khalideh Al Bkoor Alrawashdeh, Abeer Al Bsoul, Mohammad Abu Awad, Kamel Alzboon, Ahmed A. Al-Taani

All Works

This study is the first to compare deep learning models for rainfall prediction across several Jordanian cities representing diverse climates using 11 years of recorded climate data, something that previous studies have not addressed in the Jordanian context. The climate records for four Jordanian cities (Amman, Irbid, Karak, and Ajloun) were recorded hourly. The data was divided into training sets (80%) and test sets (20%), with and without the application of correlation analysis, feature selection, and data standardization steps applied. Three neural network models, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Network-Recurrent Neural Network (CNN-RNN) were …

Accurately Constituting Robust Interfaces For High-Performance High-Energy Lithium Metal Batteries, Kevin V. Carballo, Meetesh Singh, Xiangbo Meng

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

High-energy lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have received ever-increasing interest. Among them, coupling lithium metal (Li) with nickel-rich material, LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂ (NMCs, x ≥ 0.6, x + y + z = 1), is promising because Li anodes enable an extremely high capacity (∼3860 mA h g⁻¹) and the lowest redox potential (−3.04 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode), while NMCs can achieve a much higher capacity of ∼200 mA h g⁻¹ and lower cost than those of LiCoO₂. However, the resultant Li‖NMC cells have been hindered from commercialization due to a …

Reflections On Crafting A Framework Companion Document For And By Science And Technology Librarians, Dawn Cannon-Rech, Allison B. Brungard, Rachel Hamelers, Rebecca Kuglitsch, Rebecca Renirie

University Libraries: Faculty Publications

Abstract unavailable.

The B3 Scholar Seal: Designing And Implementing An Alternative To The Sobl At A Hispanic-Serving Institution In South Texas, Katherine Christoffersen, Dania López García

Writing and Language Studies Faculty Publications

This chapter describes how the Bilingualism, Biculturalism, and Biliteracy (B3) Institute at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) developed the B3 Scholar Seal. Since its founding, UTRGV has provided a rare example of dual language education at the university level, offering courses taught bilingually or in Spanish across diverse disciplines. However, the language of these courses was not formally recognized upon graduation. The B3 Institute developed the B3 Scholar Seal to acknowledge students who successfully complete five courses, including at least three courses taught in Spanish or bilingually and at least one course, including culturally sustaining pedagogy. In …

Funkcjonowanie Doręczeń Elektronicznych W Ujęciu Technicznym, Michał Tabor

internetowy Kwartalnik Antymonopolowy i Regulacyjny (internet Quarterly on Antitrust and Regulation)

The article provides a legal-technical and market analysis of electronic delivery in Poland, concluding that while the system complies with the basic requirements of the eIDAS Regulation, it needs significant organizational and technical improvements. The author reviews the National Electronic Delivery System, the role of the designated operator and qualified trust service providers, and highlights issues with interoperability, address registration and portability, delivery mailboxes, and the hybrid delivery service. Recommended legal reforms include granting the public delivery service qualified status, enabling multiple delivery addresses for public and complex organizations, partly opening the market to commercial qualified providers, and moving supervision …

Comparing Social Media Platforms For Recruiting Special Education Teachers In A High-Need Area, Eric Landers, Caitlin Criss, Kathryn L. Haughney, Cynthia C. Massey, Stephanie Devine, Karin Fisher

Georgia Educational Researcher

New pathways are needed to recruit high-quality special education graduates to meet the urgent teacher shortage. As a result, the researchers were awarded a grant from the CEEDAR Technical Assistance Center at the University of Florida to conduct a pilot study on special education teacher recruitment. The pilot study examined the correlation of geofencing social media targeting with applications received for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in the Southeastern U.S. Three groups were targeted (a) likely to have a bachelor’s degree, (b) likely to be associated with a targeted postal code, or (c) teacher candidates with a …

2025 Georgia Southern University Football Roster, Georgia Southern University

Men's Football Records

No abstract provided.

Rsif CôTe D'Ivoire Country Report 2025 - English, Regional Scholarship And Innovation Fund (Rsif)

Rsif Country Progress Reports

Côte d’Ivoire is on a positive economic trajectory, with annual GDP growth at about 6%. Investing in human capital to develop a skilled workforce is one of the ways to sustain this impressive growth. Côte d’Ivoire is one of nine African countries investing in the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), since 2019. Its initial contribution of USD 1 million is used to train Ivorian PhD students in selected African host universities and collaborating international partner institutions. Through PASET-Rsif, Côte d’Ivoire will build strong institutions and future science …

Graduate Catalog, Georgia Southern University

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Hydrogen-Enriched Lng As A Mid-Term Solution To Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Shipping, Kang-Ki Lee

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

In light of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ambitious Initial GHG Strategy, the rise in international shipping’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2 percent in 2022 compared to 2019 poses a formidable challenge. This increase underscores the pressing need to address the limited availability of green hydrogen, prompting the exploration of mid-term solutions to bridge this critical gap. The IMO’s 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships attempted to tackle this challenge head-on, recognizing the urgency of reducing the industry’s substantial carbon footprint. While hydrogen offers a simple solution as a zero-carbon fuel, LNG remains the most widespread alternative …

Charting A Sustainable Course Beyond Carbon : A Critical Carbon-Water-Energy Assessment Of Net-Zero Shipping Scenarios With Synthetic Fuels And Ghc Offsetting, Alexandre Bellot

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

This thesis extends the scope of IMO maritime decarbonization studies by incorporating cradle-to-grave approaches. This study advocates for an approach incorporating cradle-to-grave resource efficiency and carbon neutrality, assessing cumulative energy demand and net freshwater withdrawal as key sustainability metrics. The thesis specifically addresses the question of the sustainability of decarbonization strategies centred on substituting fossil fuels with synthetic alternatives and offsetting the remaining carbon footprint. Advanced ship energy modelling: The thesis first introduces a ship energy model capable of evaluating ships’ fuel consumption with various propulsion and energy generation options. The model simulates energy transfers across a concept ship’s systems, …

A Discourse Analysis Of The Development Of Institutional Compliance Mechanisms At The International Maritime Organization, Rebecca Pskowski

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) plays a pivotal and essential role in international maritime governance, providing a forum for nation states to develop and agree to international standards for maritime safety and security and the protection of the marine environment. IMO is widely perceived to be one of the most successful universal international organizations (IOS), because of the high technical quality of the conventions and other legal instruments it develops, and the near-universal acceptance of most of those instruments. IMO could be seen as an exemplar of the "technical" specialized United Nations agency, where nation-states set aside politics to agree …

Safety And Sustainability In The Domestic Ferry Sector : A Pci Framework For Esg-Aligned Maritime Governance, Mirza Zeeshan Baig

World Maritime University Ph.D. Dissertations

The domestic ferry sector is a significant component of maritime transportation. It strengthens social ties, supports economic growth and connects communities. Despites its importance, this industry faces ongoing challenges. These include fragmented governance, operational adequacies, safety risks and environmental concerns. The study deals with these issues by combining a systems-based approach with governance and change management theories. It examines the interplay between human, technical and organizational aspects. The study integrates the rule-based and rights-based maritime governance along with the Lewin’s three stage change management model (Unfreeze, Change, and Refreeze).

At the core of the study is the development of a …

Enhanced Wound Healing With Flaxseed Extract-Loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibrous Scaffolds: Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, And Antimicrobial Properties, Ahmed G. Abdelaziz, Hassan Nageh, Mohga S. Abdalla, Sara M. Abdo, Asmaa A. Amer, Samah A. Loutfy, Ali Alsalme, David Cornu, Mikhael Bechelany, Ahmed Barhoum

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This study aimed to develop and optimize composite nanofibrous scaffolds for enhanced wound healing and antimicrobial applications. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with ethanolic flaxseed extract were fabricated via solution electrospinning. The methodology focused on optimizing key parameters, including polymer-to-extract ratio, swelling ratio, hydrolytic degradation, and nanofiber mean diameter, to achieve superior scaffold properties. The optimized scaffold, with a PVA-to-flaxseed extract weight ratio of 70:30 (PV70:FS30), exhibited bead-free morphology and a mean fiber diameter of 319 nm (compared to 175 nm for pure PVA fibers). PV70:FS30 scaffolds demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, effectively inhibiting both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial growth. Moreover, …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effect Of The Velocity Ratio On The Flow And Wall Heat Transfer Characteristics Of A Wall-Bounded Dual Jet, Paula J. Murphy, Sajad Alimohammadi, Séamus M. O'Shaughnessy

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

A wall-bounded dual jet, consisting of a wall jet and a co-flowing offset jet, possesses a complex flow structure that has proved advantageous across many industrial applications. Despite this, dual jets remain relatively unexplored through experimentation and their flow phenomena are largely misunderstood. This investigation is the first to examine the effect of varying the velocity ratio (V_r) on the flow and heat transfer behaviour of a dual jet through experimental means. A velocity ratio range of 0.5≤V_r≤2 is achieved by varying each jet Reynolds number (Re_w/o) in the range 5500≤Re_w/o≤12,000. Infrared …

Hydrothermal Behavior Of A Novel Conical Twisted Strip Turbulator In A Heated Tube: A Numerical Analysis, Azher M. Abed, Bhavesh Kanabar, T. Ramachandran, Aman Shankhyan, Jasgurpreet Singh Chohan, A. Karthikeyan, Deepak Gupta, Bashir Salah, Waqas Saleem

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The increasing use of heated pipes and heat exchangers has created a pressing need to enhance thermal efficiency. This research introduces a novel turbulator design known as the conical twisted strip turbulator. The turbulator design resembles a cone and is composed of several twisted strip tentacles. This unique configuration is expected to generate strong rotational and radial flow patterns, leading to enhanced heat transfer. A numerical analysis was conducted using the RNG k-epsilon model to investigate various geometric parameters of the turbulator. The study examined the twisted angle, which varied from 60 to 270°, the number of twisted strip tentacles, …

Aspen Plus Modelling Of The Milena Dual Fluidised Bed Biomass Gasifier Technology, Mohadeseh Naderi, Hamid Rashidi, Anthony Reynolds, Wayne Doherty

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The Energy Research Centre of The Netherlands is developing MILENA gasification technology to convert biomass fuels into high-value gaseous and liquid products. MILENA is a steam-blown dual fluidised bed (DFB) gasification process with separate gasification and combustion zones. This DFB gasifier produces high-quality gas with low N₂ content suitable for vehicle fuel or natural gas grid injection. This study presents a semi-kinetic Aspen Plus model for MILENA gasification, including stages like drying, rapid pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, and tar cracking and reforming. Pyrolysis as a key step, was modelled using experimental data for the rapid pyrolysis of wood to calculate …

Tailoring Innovative Silver Nanoparticles For Modern Medicine: The Importance Of Size And Shape Control And Functional Modifications, Ibtissam Laib, Noura Gheraissa, Abir Benaissa, Latra Benkhira, Manel Azzi, Yousef Benaissa, Ahmed G. Abdelaziz, Furong Tian, Maureen Walsh, Mikhael Bechelany, Ahmed Barhoum

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) play a significant role in modern medicine, with their size, shape, and surface chemistry strongly influencing their biological performance. Smaller nanoparticles (1–100 nm) can penetrate cells more easily, while different shapes such as spheres, rods, cubes, triangles, wires, and stars impact their antimicrobial activity and drug delivery efficiency. This review highlights the importance of precise control over these properties during synthesis to optimize their therapeutic potential. Green synthesis methods, including plant-based and microbial approaches, are presented as safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical processes. The review also discusses surface functionalization strategies such …

Smartphone Authentication Based On 3d Touch Sensor And Finger Locations On Touchscreens Via Decision-Making Techniques, Moceheb Lazam Shuwandy, Rawan Adel Fawzi Alsharida, Maytham M. Hammood

Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity

Smartphone authentication systems must balance security and user convenience, which is a persistent challenge in the digital realm. Traditional biometrics, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, face vulnerabilities to spoofing and environmental conditions, limiting reliability. This study introduces a novel approach by integrating three-dimensional (3D) touch sensors with finger location data for authentication. The goal is to develop a system that improves accuracy while minimizing false positives and negatives, leveraging touch pressure and spatial interaction as unique biometric identifiers. Data from 20 participants, including pressure levels, spatial coordinates, and timestamps, were analysed using Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting …

Between Belief Belonging: Filipino Atheists’ Lived Experiences Of Cultural Negotiation, Prince Kennex R. Aldama

Journal Article

This study explores the lived experiences of Filipino atheists and how they negotiate traditional Filipino values in a predominantly religious society. Using a phenomenological thematic analysis, it draws on in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven self-identified Filipino atheists. The study examines how participants interpret and navigate values such as pakikisama (smooth interpersonal relations), utang na loob (debt of gratitude), hiya (propriety or shame), and kapwa (shared identity). Findings show that Filipino atheists do not reject these values outright but reinterpret them through secular moral frameworks grounded in empathy, responsibility, and relational care. Participants maintain social belonging through selective disclosure, pragmatic accommodation, …

Game-Based Recruitment Assessment, Hafsa Nasir, Maira Munir, Zara Mahroyan Kashif, Abdul Rafay, Zarlish Mohtasham

BSCS Final Year Projects

The primary objective of our project is to develop a game-based recruitment system that modernizes traditional personality assessments by making them more engaging, adaptive, and relevant by incorporating real scenarios. We began by examining established models such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Big Five personality traits. While these tools provide meaningful psychological insights, their formats are too lengthy, and repetitive. To address this, we selected approximately 20 questions most relevant to workplace behavior and hiring decisions and imitated the scoring process of the MBTI questionnaires. This not only shortens the assessment process but also improves candidate engagement. …

Etl/Elt Pipeline – Dataflow, Huzaifa Bin Tariq, Sameed Khatri, Hazim Ghulam Farooq, Ammar Lokhandwala, Kunal Kumar

BSCS Final Year Projects

Today’s organizations deal with huge amounts of data every day, and they need efficient systems to move, clean, and organize that data for analysis. But in many cases, the data pipelines in place are rigid and overloaded with manual coding and scripting. This not only makes the process slow and tedious but also leaves room for inefficiencies and delays. Our project introduces a Hybrid ETL/ELT Data Processing Pipeline that provides manual control with intelligent recommendations. The system analyzes metadata such as data size, structure, and transformation complexity to recommend the best strategy (ETL or ELT), while users retain full control …

The Right Of Big Tech Companies To Issue Money In The Opinion Of Consumers From France And Germany, Robert Huterski

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

With a vast customer base and the acquisition of information about their customers and their preferences in connection with their services, Big Tech companies are also becoming essential players in the financial sphere. Payment solutions offered by Big Tech companies, such as Google Pay or Alipay, familiarise consumers with the presence of such companies in the monetary sphere. The issuance of private money has the most excellent chance in a form regulated by public authorities and with a value stabilized to the national currency, regardless of whether it would be similar to narrow banking, synthetic CBDC or another, related form. …

Personal Characteristics And Retirement Intentions (Empirical Evidence From Poland), Patrycja Kowalczyk-Rólczyńska, Madgalena Swacha-Lech, Łukasz Jurek

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

Retirement intentions depend on a number of different factors. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of personal characteristics on the willingness to retire as soon as possible among older workers in Poland. The data were collected through a CAWI survey conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of workers aged 50 and over. Statistical analysis was based on logit model. Identified predictors are: age, education, fear about the financial situation in retirement, the use of free time after retirement, and lack time to pursue passions due to work. Those results provide suggestions for strengthening active ageing …