Digital Commons Network^™

Aging In Uxbridge: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin E. Coyle, Katherine Burnes, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Uxbridge. The goals of this project were to investigate the interests, preferences, and opinions of Uxbridge’s residents aged 55 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Council on Aging’s (COA’s) and Senior Center objective to identify and serve the needs of all Uxbridge citizens 55 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Uxbridge, the …

The Feminization Of Deteriorated Labor Force Participation In Egypt: 1990 – 2024, Mennan Gamal Nour El Din

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explain why female labor force participation deteriorated in quantity and in quality despite the recent rise in female educational attainment levels over the past three decades (1990 – 2024). On the one hand, labor participation declined, whereas on the other hand, female informal employment remains high in Egypt. This thesis dissertation utilizes a qualitative research methodology through both secondary data in the form of descriptive statistics on the phenomenon of female labor force participation as well as primary data in the form of six in-depth expert interviews with experts in the fields of …

The U.S. Grand Strategy Toward The Pacific Islands, Angela Vasovic

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The United States has recently placed its relations with the Pacific Islands, fourteen small states far out in the Pacific Ocean, on its high-priority diplomatic agenda. Although it has been interacting with the islands since the 1800s and had heavily relied on their cooperation during World War II, the importance of the islands waned in the eyes of the United States in the late twentieth and the beginning of the twenty first century as the country turned its attention to other regions of the world. However, in recent years, the U.S. has recognized the need to strengthen relations with the …

Improving Individualized Rhabdomyosarcoma Prognosis Predictions Using Somatic Molecular Biomarkers, Mark Zobeck, Javed Khan, Rajkumar Venkatramani, M Fatih Okcu, Michael E Scheurer, Philip J Lupo

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Purpose: Molecular markers increasingly influence risk-stratified treatment selection for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). This study aims to integrate molecular and clinical data to produce individualized prognosis predictions that can further improve treatment selection.

Methods: Clinical variables and somatic mutation data for 20 genes from 641 patients with RMS in the United Kingdom and the United States were used to develop three Cox proportional hazard models for predicting event-free survival (EFS). The Baseline Clinical (BC) model included treatment location, age, fusion status, and risk group. The Gene Enhanced 2 (GE2) model added TP53 and MYOD1 mutations to the BC predictors. The Gene …

Ethical Governance For Genomic Data Science In The Cloud, Vasiliki Rahimzadeh, Sarah C Nelson, Adrian Thorogood, Jonathan Lawson, Stephanie M Fullerton

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Cloud platforms offer distinct advantages, but questions remain about how to ethically and efficiently manage human genomic data in the cloud. Data governance needs to be adapted to ensure transparency and security for research participants, as well as equitable and sustainable access for researchers.

Resilience And Coping: A Qualitative Analysis Of Cognitive And Behavioral Factors In Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Hannah E Cho, Whitney S Shepherd, Gianna M Colombo, Andrew D Wiese, W Conor Rork, Kristin M Kostick, Dianne Nguyen, Members Of The Bbdc, Chaya N Murali, Marie-Eve Robinson, Sophie C Schneider, Justin H Qian, Brendan Lee, V Reid Sutton, Eric A Storch

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate resilience among adults with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).

Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 adults with OI. Transcripts were coded and subsequently abstracted, yielding themes specific to resilience and coping. Interview guides covered broad topics including pain challenges specific to OI, mental health issues related to OI, and priorities for future interventions for individuals with OI.

Results: Participants described resilience in the context of OI as the ability to grow from adversity, adapt to challenges resulting from OI-related injuries, and find identities apart from their condition. Psychological coping …

Figg At 5: An Update On Us Public Perspectives On Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Five Years After Its Introduction To Criminal Investigations, Christi J Guerrini, Jill O Robinson, Mohamed I Elsaid, Whitney Bash Brooks, Ariel Levchenko, Stephanie M Fullerton, Sara Huston, Norah L Crossnohere, John F P Bridges, Jacklyn M Dahlquist, Louiza Kalokairinou, Diana Madden, Cece Moore, Amy L Mcguire

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

In 2018, after law enforcement announced it had used a technique called forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) to identify the Golden State Killer, we conducted a U.S. general population survey and found most respondents supported using FIGG to solve violent crimes. Since then, FIGG has helped close hundreds of criminal cases, but it also has weathered controversies. On FIGG's fifth anniversary, we conducted an expanded, follow-up survey with U.S.-based participants to determine if public opinion had changed and found continued support for FIGG across most applications. The same proportion (91 %) of respondents in the 2018 and 2023 surveys endorsed …

Revisiting What Constitutes A Neglected Tropical Disease?, Paul J Brindley, Peter J Hotez, Shaden Kamhawi

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (PLOS NTDs) publishes research devoted to pathogenesis and other clinical aspects, epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as work relevant to public health policy. We define NTDs as poverty-promoting infectious diseases that can negatively impact the quality of life in rural areas and poor urban areas of low- and middle-income countries but which can also affect specific communities within high-income countries. The poverty-inducing effects of the NTDs operate by impairing child health and development, pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child, worker productivity, and quality of life. The …

Longitudinal Phage-Bacteria Dynamics In The Early Life Gut Microbiome, Michael J Tisza, Richard E Lloyd, Kristi Hoffman, Daniel P Smith, Marian Rewers, Sara J Javornik Cregeen, Joseph F Petrosino

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Microbial colonization of the human gut occurs soon after birth, proceeds through well-studied phases and is affected by lifestyle and other factors. Less is known about phage community dynamics during infant gut colonization due to small study sizes, an inability to leverage large databases and a lack of appropriate bioinformatics tools. Here we reanalysed whole microbial community shotgun sequencing data of 12,262 longitudinal samples from 887 children from four countries across four years of life as part of the The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. We developed an extensive metagenome-assembled genome catalogue using the Marker-MAGu pipeline, …

Incidence And Survival Of Children And Adolescents With Wilms Tumor, United States, 2001-2020, Andres F Espinoza, Ekene Onwuka, David A Siegel, Shifan Dai, Sanjeev A Vasudevan, Michael E Scheurer, Philip J Lupo

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Background: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric malignancy of the kidney. Past studies describing WT incidence and survival used surveillance data with < 30% of the US population. We evaluated differences in WT incidence and survival comparing demographic groups and tumor characteristics.

Methods: We analyzed new cases of WT among patients aged < 20 years at diagnosis by using incidence data from US Cancer Statistics (USCS) for 2003-2020 and 5-year relative survival (RS) data from the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) for 2001-2019. To assess incidence trends, average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated by using joinpoint regression. Relative survival (RS) and all-cause survival were calculated overall and by demographic and clinical variables.

Results: During 2003-2020, 8218 cases of WT were reported in USCS, which represented an age-adjusted incidence rate of 5.7 cases per million. Rates were the highest among females (6.3), children aged 0-4 years (17.2), and non-Hispanic Black patients (7.1). Overall, trends remained stable (AAPC = -0.4, 95% CI: -1.4 to 0.4). Among 7567 cases of WT in NPCR, 5-year RS was 92.6%. Patients with the lowest …

Childhood Sexual Abuse Among Asian American Adults: Prevalence, Cultural Barriers, And Mental Health Implications, Kruti S. Chaliawala, Liliana Rojas-Guyler

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Childhood sexual abuse represents a significant public health concern, particularly within minority populations, where adversities and complications are prevalent but understudied. This study aims to investigate the mental health of Asian American childhood sexual abuse survivors and explore the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among Asian adults. A secondary analysis of the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data was conducted, including a final sample of 1,894 Asian adults (0.16% of the total sample size of N = 401,958). Among these participants, 16.8% (n = 1,894) reported experiencing CSA. The most common forms of abuse were inappropriate touching …

Respuesta A Una Crítica Política Y A Un Ataque Personal Contra Un Informe De Las Naciones Unidas Que Presenta Nueva Evidencia Sobre La Prostitución Como Causa Y Consecuencia De La Violencia Contra Las Mujeres Y Las Niñas, Reem Alsalem

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

Reem Alsalem, Relatora Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre la violencia contra las mujeres y las niñas, sus causas y consecuencias, responde a las acusaciones falsas y infundadas y a los ataques personales sobre su informe sobre Prostitución y Violencia contra la Mujer, presentado ante la 56ª sesión del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra, 2024. Presenté nueva evidencia sobre la relación entre la violencia contra las mujeres y las niñas y la prostitución. Utilizando el derecho de los derechos humanos, el informe describe la prostitución como un sistema de abuso, explotación y violencia contra las …

Understanding The Prevalence Of Mental Health And Behavioral Distress In Transit Assaults And Presenting Targeted Response And Mitigation Methods To Reduce Victimization Trends, Kathleen Moore, Emilie Ellenberg, Melissa Carlson, Jodi Godfrey, Lisa Staes

Mineta Transportation Institute

This research project was performed to better understand the prevalence of mental health and behavioral distress in transit assaults and present corresponding targeted response and mitigation methods to reduce victimization trends. It includes a literature review, a data presentation and overview of reported public transit assault-related events, an examination of the contributing factors to those events, and documentation of 10 transit agency case studies. The literature review discusses some of the misconceptions of mental illness and associated stigmas and discrimination that can occur in response to these misconceptions. It discusses various approaches and strategies that transit agencies have used to …

Analysis Of Access And Egress Mode Choice To High-Speed Railway Stations, Jiaoe Wang, Yongling Li, Junfeng Jiao

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

High-speed railway (HSR) has become a key mode for short- to medium-haul transportation intercity trips in China and has been regarded as a competitor to air transportation. While significant research has explored daily travel mode choices and access/egress modes for other intercity transport hubs, the factors influencing access and egress to HSR stations – particularly those related to the built environment – remain underexamined. This paper analyses access/egress mode choices for intercity travel along the Beijing-Shanghai HSR corridor using 2015 survey data. The findings show that, during the access stage, the number of bus stations at HSR stations reduces car …

Recommender Systems And Reinforcement Learning For Human-Building Interaction And Context Aware Support: A Text Mining-Driven Review Of Scientific Literature, Wenhao Zhang, Matias Quintana, Clayton Miller

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The indoor environment significantly impacts human health and well-being; enhancing health and reducing energy consumption in these settings is a central research focus. With the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), recommendation systems and reinforcement learning (RL) have emerged as promising approaches to induce behavioral changes to improve the indoor environment and energy efficiency of buildings. This study aims to employ text mining and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to thoroughly examine the connections among these approaches in the context of human-building interaction and occupant context-aware support. The study analyzed 27,595 articles from the ScienceDirect database, revealing extensive use …

Drivers And Barriers To Financial Transparency In Georgia’S Local Governments, Min S. Kim

The Guardianship Journal

This study investigates the determinants of financial transparency in local governments, specifically measured by the availability of financial documents on official websites. Hypotheses were developed to examine the relationships between financial transparency and three categories of influencing factors: community environmental characteristics, governance structures, and financial conditions. Using empirical analysis on a sample of 159 counties in Georgia, the findings reveal varying levels of support for the proposed hypotheses. Key determinants of financial transparency include population size, median household income, and the size of the board of commissioners. Conversely, financial condition factors were not found to significantly influence financial transparency. These …

The Determining Factor Of Inconsistencies In French Feminist Foreign Policy In The Field Of Protection Against Women’S Violence, Sheila Salma Az-Zahra, Raden Maisa Yudono, Musa Maliki, Nurmasari Situmeang

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

Stratégie internationale de la France pour l'égalité femmes-hommes (2018-2022) is an international strategy on gender promoted by the French Government. It aims to promote the value of gender equality and women's empowerment, especially in protecting women's rights from any acts of violence in the European Union. Unfortunately, the French Government has shown inconsistencies in the implementation of the feminist foreign policy, which has increased the number of violence from the beginning of this policy until nowadays. This research was conceived by a liberal feminism approach and conceptualized under the feminist foreign policy and patriarchy concepts to prove the determining factor …

Military Digital Diplomacy: A Case Study Of The Japan Self- Defense Force On Youtube Platform, I Dewa Gede Radiantha Wedagama, Susy Ong

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

This study examines the digital diplomacy strategies of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) through its engagement on the YouTube platform. It aims to analyze how the JSDF leverages digital media to reshape its international image, which has remained critically low since World War II, and to strengthen its soft power. Using a qualitative research approach, the study applies the 4D model of country image analysis, categorizing the JSDF’s digital content into functional, normative, aesthetic, and sympathetic dimensions. Data were collected through a comprehensive analysis of videos published on the JSDF's official YouTube channels, focusing on thematic content, user engagement metrics, …

The Readiness For Integrated Primary Health Care (Ilp) At Puskesmas Pamulang In Tangerang Selatan City, Firda Safitri Rachmaningsih, Kurnia Sari

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

. Integrated primary healthcare (ILP) is part of the transformation of primary healthcare aimed at improving access to quality healthcare. This study aims to analyze the readiness of Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat (Puskesmas) and their networks to implement ILP. This research used a qualitative approach, focusing on a case study of a Puskesmas in an urban setting, specifically in the operational area of Puskesmas Pamulang in South Tangerang. Data collection methods include in-depth interviews, observations, and document reviews. This research adopts the conceptual framework of PHC monitoring based on WHO and Weiner's theory of organizational change readiness. The research findings indicate …

Analysis Of Covid-19 Prevention And Control Policy Implementation In Islamic Boarding Schools In Dki Jakarta, Dickha Adi Wibowo, Fajar Ariyanti

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Indonesia, as one of the countries affected by COVID-19, has implemented various efforts to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. One effort that can be implemented is the implementation of COVID-19 prevention protocols. Apart from that, according to the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Islamic boarding schools are locations with high mobility. This research aims to determine the implementation of policies related to the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Islamic boarding schools in the DKI Jakarta Province. This research used descriptive research with a qualitative approach, with the number of respondents being three Islamic boarding school leaders and students. The results …

Contextualizing Policy Adoption: A Case Study Of Tuberculosis Control Policy In Depok City, Tri Auri Putri Ayuningtyas, Adang Bachtiar

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

This study analyzes the formulation and implementation process of Depok Mayor Regulation No. 61 of 2023 on Tuberculosis (TB) Control using Friedman’s legal system theory (1975) and the eight General Principles of Good Governance (Asas Umum Pemerintahan yang Baik – AUPB). The regulation provides a comprehensive framework, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects to support TB control. The legal structure includes the establishment of a cross-sectoral Tuberculosis Control Acceleration Team, involving government agencies and community organizations. Findings reveal that while the regulation has fulfilled several AUPB principles, such as legal certainty, utility, and public interest, there are areas …

The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Self-Management Behavior In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Control, Fatimah Dwi Cahyani, Shrimarti Rukmini Devy

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Diabetes mellitus gestasional (DGM) merupakan kondisi kesehatan yang meningkat dalam kehamilan dan dapat menyebabkan komplikasi serius bagi ibu dan janin. Self-management yang mencakup pemahaman, penerapan, dan pemeliharaan perilaku kesehatan memiliki peran kunci dalam mengelola DGM. Health Belief Model (HBM) digunakan sebagai kerangka kerja teoretis yang membentuk dasar intervensi untuk meningkatkan self-efficacy pada ibu hamil dengan GDM. Studi ini menganalisis hubungan antara efikasi diri dan manajemen diri dalam pengendalian diabetes gestasional pada ibu hamil. Artikel ini adalah tinjauan pustaka dengan menerapkan metode pencarian literatur. Pencarian literatur dilaksanakan melalui tiga basis data yaitu PubMed, Scopus, dan Google Scholar, yang mencakup artikel-artikel yang …

Implementation Of Emr System In Indonesian Health Facilities: Benefits And Constraints – A Case Study Of Two Clinics In Central Java, Rasyid Juliansyah, Bukhori Aqid, Andien Putri Salsabila, Kurnia Nurfiyanti

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

This paper delves into the widespread implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) within healthcare facilities across Indonesia. It addresses the challenges encountered by clinic owners and healthcare providers in transitioning to these digital systems. The study is supported by empirical data collected through a mixed-method approach, combining internal data from Klinik Pintar with qualitative validation from key stakeholders responsible for clinic operations. The research focuses on two case studies: Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (LAPAS) II Purwokerto Clinic and Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) Purbalingga Clinic, where the adoption of EMR is analyzed in terms of efficiency, compliance with regulatory standards set by the …

Assessing Egypt’S Readiness To Introduce Program And Performance-Based Budgeting, Eman Negm

Theses and Dissertations

Program and performance-based budgeting is one of the recent and most controversial developments in the Egyptian budgetary system. As a results-based budgeting methodology, it can potentially support the government's endeavors to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public expenditures and improve the overall levels of transparency and accountability. As per the new Unified Finance Law, Egypt is preparing for the full implementation of the program and performance budgeting reform to start in FY 2027-2028. The main objective of this study is to assess the readiness of Egypt to introduce program and performance-based budgeting based on six main assessment pillars which …

Unveiling The Public Sector Hold: Egyptian Women And Work-Life Balance, Safa Gadelhak

Theses and Dissertations

Educated women in Egypt view the public sector as their preferred employer, irrespective of their educational level or recent efforts towards women empowerment and the rise of digitization. This study attempts to understand the perceptions of working women, through analyzing their reasons whether prominent or underlying to make this career choice. To better understand this behavior, twenty semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions were conducted with a total of thirty women from both public and private sectors. The findings revealed that women gravitate towards the public sector mainly because of five reasons: (a) convenient working conditions, (b) feeling stuck, …

Expectations Versus Reality In New Cairo's Gated Communities: An Interdisciplinary Analysis Of Socio-Spatial Features, Ala'a Marwan

Theses and Dissertations

This research aims to introduce a new framework to identify the disparities between gated community residents’ experiences and real estate developers' visions towards the development. As New Cairo experiences significant growth, many residents are increasingly relocating to gated communities. It has become crucial to assess users’ expectations before moving and their lived experience post-moving to allocate the gaps between their expectations and reality, otherwise, the GC developments will grow apart from users’ updated preferences. The research focuses on the socio-spatial qualities such as accessibility to services and facilities, community interaction, and vast green areas between buildings for privacy, all of …

Determinants Of Physicians' Brain Drain In Egypt, Mennatallah Elbeheiry

Theses and Dissertations

Egypt is enduring a significant shortage of physicians, despite the annual graduation of approximately 10,000 medical students from its 27 medical schools. In 2016, the physician density was alarmingly low, with only one doctor per 12,285 people. This shortage is exacerbated by a physicians’ brain drain, as Egypt is a leading exporter of physicians to countries like the United Kingdom and Australia. As of 2020, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate reported 212,835 registered physicians, yet 56 percent of them work abroad, and only about 62,000 are actively employed in public hospitals, serving a population of over 110 million. The government’s efforts …

Bullets, Bandages, And Fairy Dust: Improving Dmo Health Services Support With Wargaming, Debra D. Buckland-Coffey, Robert P. Gerbracht, Kengo Nishida, William R. Gureck

Joint Force Quarterly

This article argues that health services support remains insufficiently integrated into planning, wargaming, and exercises for distributed maritime operations and expeditionary advanced base operations. The authors describe the common practice of “fairy dusting,” in which planners accept unvalidated assumptions about medical support, casualty movement, logistics, and sustainment in order to keep exercises moving. In a contested Indo-Pacific environment, however, high casualty rates, extended evacuation timelines, dispersed forces, vulnerable supply chains, and limited medical capacity could place severe strain on existing health services systems. Drawing on doctrine, after-action reports, and interviews with Navy, Marine Corps, medical, and logistics leaders, the article …

Adopting A Data-Centric Mindset For Operational Planning, Jeremiah Hurley, Morgan Greene

Joint Force Quarterly

The Department of Defense is investing in advanced technologies to maintain a competitive military advantage, but realizing their full value requires a data-first approach to operational planning. Jeremiah Hurley and Morgan Greene argue that DOD must improve how it collects, organizes, integrates, and uses data so commanders and staffs can understand the operational environment and develop and execute courses of action faster than adversaries. The article critiques current planning processes that rely on static products such as PowerPoint slides, spreadsheets, and email, and recommends incorporating standardized data collection templates, plans, matrices, automated data pipelines, and dynamic visualizations into joint and …

Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 116, 1st Quarter 2025, National Defense University Press

Joint Force Quarterly

Joint Force Quarterly 116 explores key challenges and innovations in military strategy, operations, and global security. The Forum section examines how the U.S. approaches risk in its strategy, the impact of nonstrategic nuclear weapons, and the importance of using data-driven methods in planning military operations.

In JPME Today, articles focus on how joint military campaigns succeed, the role of storytelling and persuasion in operations, and the urgent need to modernize professional military education.

The Commentary section highlights Ireland's strategic role in securing Europe’s western flank and evaluates whether China’s military overestimates the potential of artificial intelligence.

The Features section dives …