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MULTI CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS OF WASTE TO ENERGY SCENARIOS FOR ZAHRAT AL-FINJAN LANDFILL
(An-Najah National University, 2026-02-16) Abu Baker, Nashat
Municipal solid waste management in Palestine faces increasing challenges due to rising waste generation, limited landfill capacity, and a high dependence on imported electricity. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies present a potential solution capable of addressing both waste management and energy supply challenges. This study evaluates suitable WTE options for the Zahrat Al Finjan landfill in the northern West Bank using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework while also assessing the technical feasibility of integrating WTE-generated electricity into the local power network. The analysis employs the Weighted Sum Method (WSM) to compare four scenarios: the current waste management practice (business-as-usual), flaring, landfill gas recovery, and incineration. The evaluation is based on technical, environmental, and socioeconomic criteria, including energy production, greenhouse gas emission reduction, waste reduction, public and occupational health impacts, and economic indicators such as net present value, internal rate of return, levelized cost of electricity, payback period, and job creation. Quantitative data were derived from feasibility studies, LandGEM modeling, and financial analysis, while qualitative criteria were assessed using expert surveys. The results indicate that incineration ranks as the most favorable option among the evaluated alternatives due to its high electricity generation potential exceeding 340 GWh per year, positive economic performance with a net present value greater than USD 114 million, and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through methane mitigation and fossil fuel substitution. Landfill gas recovery represents a technically feasible alternative with moderate environmental benefits but lower financial returns, while flaring provides a low-cost but limited-impact temporary solution. The continuation of existing waste management practices ranked lowest across the evaluated criteria. In addition to the technology selection analysis, a detailed grid impact assessment was conducted to evaluate the integration of a WTE incineration facility into the regional electricity network. Load flow simulations, voltage analysis, short-circuit studies, and power quality assessments were performed to examine the operational impacts of the proposed plant. The results show that the integration of the WTE facility improves voltage profiles, reduces loading on several network components, and enhances overall system stability. However, potential reverse power flow conditions may occur during periods of low demand, highlighting the need for operational coordination and possible demand-side management strategies. Overall, the study demonstrates that WTE implementation at the Zahrat Al Finjan landfill can contribute to both sustainable waste management and improved energy system performance in the northern West Bank.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN THE HEALTH SECTOR: A CASE STUDY OF NABLUS SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
(An-Najah National University, 2026-04-06) Duridi, Romaysa
This study is about finding ways to save energy in a big hospital, in Nablus, Palestine. The hospital uses a lot of energy every day. To see where the hospital can save energy, we did a full energy audit to understand how the hospital uses energy in day-to-day operation and to identify where the main losses and inefficiencies happen. RET Screen Expert was used as the main tool to assess the current situation and to compare improvement options. The study suggests a number of practical measures, including the installation of a solar water heating system, the upgrade of the lighting to more efficient technology, the enhancement of the building's insulation, the enhancement of HVAC efficiency through improved performance tuning and regular maintenance, and the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system above the parking area to generate a portion of the hospital's electricity demand, all of which are based on the audit findings. The environmental, financial, and energy-saving impacts of the proposed actions were examined in this study. The results showed that the implementation of the energy audit measurements could reduce energy consumption by approximately 30%, equivalent to around 379,050 kWh/year. In addition, annual cost savings of about USD 115,921 and a reduction of approximately 102 tons of CO₂ emissions per year could be achieved. The results also indicated that hospital operating costs, pollution levels, and energy consumption could be reduced simultaneously. It should be emphasized that the most effective energy-saving solutions are those that provide both environmental and financial benefits. Therefore, healthcare facility decision-makers may be encouraged to adopt such measures, as they can contribute to improving energy performance while reducing operational costs and environmental impacts.
ENHANCING IN VITRO MICROPROPAGATION AND EXUDATION REGULATION IN STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA × ANANASSA)
(An-Najah National University, 2026-04-04) Dalbah, Hamzeh
Introduction: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is extensively cultivated crop; however, enhanced in vitro micropropagation techniques are required to have disease-free planting material throughout the year. However, the success of micropropagation is limited and depend on phenolic exudation and microbial contamination, which can result in explant browning and mortality. Objectives: The main goal of this study are developing an optimized in vitro propagation protocol for strawberry that treats these issues. Specially, the goals included establishing an effective explant sterilization method to reduce contamination, mitigating oxidative browning via antioxidant treatments, and optimizing shoot proliferation and rooting conditions. Methods: Runner tip explants collected from virus free plants were subjected to sequential experiments in a completely randomized design. Two disinfection treatments (5% sodium hypochlorite vs. 0.1% mercuric chloride) were compared for initial explant sterilization. To control phenolic browning, three antioxidants (ascorbic acid, citric acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone) were tested both as medium supplements and 24-hour presoaks (in a 4×4 factorial including a no-antioxidant control) . For shoot multiplication, explants were cultured on MS media with different cytokinin regimes: (i) 6.0 mg/L BA, (ii) 3.0 mg/L BA, and (iii) 3.0 mg/L BA + 1.0 mg/L thidiazuron (TDZ) . Rooting was evaluated on MS medium with either 0.5 or 1.0 mg/L NAA auxin . Data on contamination, browning, shoot number, and rooting were statistically analyzed. Results: Mercuric chloride sterilization drastically reduced contamination (16% vs 52.5% with bleach, p < 0.001). Adding ascorbic acid (0.03%) to the medium halved the incidence of lethal browning and roughly doubled explant survival (~60% survival vs ~30% without antioxidant) . A combined antioxidant treatment (ascorbic acid presoak + PVP in medium) nearly eliminated browning, yielding ~96% explant survival. In the proliferation stage, a moderate cytokinin level (3 mg/L BA) with or without TDZ produced significantly more shoots per explant (~5–6) than a higher BA dose (~4 shoots) . Both NAA levels yielded high rooting rates (~76% at 0.5 mg/L and ~89% at 1.0 mg/L), with the higher auxin concentration producing longer, more vigorous roots (average ~3.5 cm vs 2.7 cm) . Conclusion: The optimized protocol effectively overcomes contamination and phenolic exudation challenges, resulting in a reliable, high-efficiency micropropagation system for strawberry. Improvements at each stage (disinfection, browning control, multiplication, and rooting) synergistically enabled robust plantlet regeneration. This protocol can be applied to produce healthy, true-to-type strawberry plantlets on a commercial scale, supporting sustainable cultivation programs.
FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HERBAL OIL EXTRACTS LOADED ON NANOTRANSFERSOMES TRANDERMAL DELIVERY SYSTEM
(An-Najah National University, 2026-03-29) Nasassra, Yaqeen Azmi
Background: Skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, burns, and skin cancer are among the most common health issues affecting many people. Efforts have been ongoing to find ways to alleviate and treat these problems, and the use of nanoparticles such as ethosome loaded with active ingredients like luteolin and herbal oils (black seed oil, sesame seed oil, and pomegranate seed oil) is one option. Method:Tranethosome was developed, consisting of the aforementioned herbal oils and luteolin in varying proportions, and several formulations were created. F22 proved to be the best, and numerous tests were conducted to examine its effectiveness, including antioxidant, SPF, pH, morphology, particle size, antimicrobial, cell viability, anticancer, COX inhibitor, FTIR, entrapment efficiency, and stability test. Result: Regarding the results of these tests, F22 possessed a strong antioxidant activity close to that of Trolox, a high SPF of approximately 17, and a pH suitable for dermatological use between 5 and 5.5. It had a spherical shape and a size of 310 nm, exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity, and was the safest for cells even at high concentrations in the cell viability test. It also demonstrated potent anticancer activity and was the most effective COX-2 inhibitor. According to FTIR, the combination of these components was suitable, and the high entrapment efficiency value indicated successful intrathecal loading and controlled release. It remained stable under room storage conditions. Conclusion: Based on the results of previous tests, F22 was a candidate for use in the aforementioned skin problems. Kay words: nanoparticles, herbal oils, ethosome, skin disease and luteolin.
اتجاهات التطوّر والتخطيط الإقليمي لِمنطقة جنوب غرب مدينة نابلس
(جامعة النجاح الوطنية, 2026-03-29) سارة نجار
الملخصخلفية الدراسة وأهدافها: تأتي هذه الدراسة لفحص اتجاهات التطور والتنمية المكانية في منطقة جنوب غرب مدينة نابلس، والتي تضم تجمعات بورين، عراق بورين، مادما، وعصيرة القبلية، بهدف تحليل واقع البناء العمراني والبنية التحتية والخدمات العامة، والكشف عن الفجوات التنموية بين هذه التجمعات، للوصول إلى نموذج تخطيطي إقليمي يساهم في تعزيز التكامل بين هذه المناطق وتحقيق تنمية متوازنة ومستدامة. سعت الدراسة إلى وضع تصور عملي يمكن تطبيقه من قبل الهيئات المحلية لتحسين الخدمات، وتوجيه الامتداد العمراني بما يضمن المحافظة على الموارد ويعزز الاستقرار المجتمعي. قة عامة بالقيود السياسية المرتبطة بالمستوطنات والطرق الالتفافية التي تحدّ من التوسع العمراني. كما تبين أن اعتماد نهج التخطيط الإقليمي التكاملي بين التجمعات الأربع يساهم في تحقيق توزيع عادل للخدمات، وتعزيز الترابط الوظيفي، وتقليل ازدواجية المشاريع، مما يرفع من كفاءة التنمية ويحقق استدامتها. التوصيات: توصي الدراسة بضرورة تبني نموذج التخطيط الإقليمي المشترك بين الهيئات المحليالمنهجية: اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي المدعوم بأدوات التحليل المكاني (GIS)، بالإضافة إلى تحليل الواقع الديموغرافي والاجتماعي والخدمي والاقتصادي لكل تجمع من تجمعات الدراسة. كما تم الاستناد إلى مخطط الإطار التوجيهي للتنمية الإقليمية الفلسطيني لتقييم الوضع القائم وبناء بدائل تنموية مناسبة، مع الاستفادة من المشاهدات الميدانية والخرائط وتحليل الصور الجوية الحديثة. النتائج: أظهرت النتائج وجود اختلالات واضحة في توزيع الخدمات وامتداد شبكات البنية التحتية، حيث تتمتع بعض التجمعات بإمكانيات تنموية أفضل من غيرها، إلى جانب تأثر المن طة، وإنشاء مراكز خدمات مشتركة، وتوجيه التوسع العمراني وفق ضوابط منظمة، وتعزيز الأنشطة الزراعية والاقتصادية المحلية، إلى جانب دمج نظم المعلومات الجغرافية في عمليات اتخاذ القرار التنموي. كما توصي بتطوير سياسات تنموية طويلة المدى تعزز التوازن في النمو بين التجمعات الأربع.