Digital Commons Network^™

Have You Done Your Duty? Impact Of Direct Mailing Campaign On Septic System Owners' Maintenance Knowledge And Behaviors In Coastal Texas Watersheds, Audrey Mccrary, T. Allen Berthold

Journal of Extension

As part of a watershed protection plan, the Texas Water Resources Institute and AgriLife Extension Service developed and distributed an educational postcard (``mailer'') about septic system maintenance to mailing addresses outside of public sewer service areas. The mailer was distributed four times within 1 year. The impact of this mailer was evaluated with a retrospective pre/post-test within a mailed survey. Overall, the mailer was effective at increasing knowledge of septic system owners and prompting maintenance action. Mailers can be a cost-effective alternative for educational initiatives where the target audience is not able to or interested in in-person or online programs.

Striking A Balance With Social Media Use On An Uneven Playing Field, Stacey F. Stearns, Jennifer E. Cushman

Journal of Extension

Social media is now an integral part of Extension's communications and marketing strategies; however, it is an uneven playing field. While social media allows greater access to audiences and introduces Extension programs to new audiences, the social media companies also control the platforms and algorithms. The challenge is balancing the need to engage our audiences where they are with the lack of control Extension professionals have over the platform and how audiences access and use our content. This commentary includes a case study of an Extension Facebook page that Meta inadvertently deleted, and the repercussions the organization faced in rebuilding.

Visitor Perceptions Of Lampenflora And Implications For Adaptive Show Cave Management: A Case Study From Ryusen-Do Cave, Japan, Kanato Ando, Kazuhide Nakajima, Shuji Watanabe, Masuo Komukai, Hidesato Kuwahara

International Journal of Speleology

Artificial lighting in show caves promotes lampenflora growth, altering cave ecosystems and posing persistent management challenges. Although various control methods have been proposed, their effectiveness and social acceptance remain context dependent. This study investigated visitors’ perceptions of lampenflora through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews to explore adaptive management strategies. Results indicated that visitors generally held positive impressions of lampenflora, but these impressions became more critical after receiving information about its artificial origin and ecological impacts. At the same time, support for conservation-oriented management, including willingness to contribute financially, tended to increase following information provision. Tourism-related evaluations were more strongly associated …

Why Does God Hate Me? A Theistic And Empirical Review Of Attachment To God, Rachel K. Weber

Student Works

General attachment is based on a person’s perceived ability to receive help from their primary caregiver and their perceived worthiness of such help (Bowlby, 1973). This style is separated into four categories that create a paradigm with which future relationships align (Acevedo et al., 2012; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). These four categories are fearful-avoidant, dismissive-avoidant, secure, and anxious-preoccupied (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). This is biologically based and used to ensure an infant’s survival (Bowlby, 1973). These attachment styles are also applicable to one’s relationship to God (Kirkpatrick & Shaver, 1992). Secure attachment to God is indicative of positive religious coping …

What Does It Mean To Be Entrepreneurial In Extension–And Does It Really Matter?, Julie Fox

Journal of Extension

Awareness of entrepreneurial application in everyday Extension occurrences can improve Extension's impact in a rapidly changing environment. An entrepreneurial spirit remains evident throughout Extension's history, beginning with the Smith–Lever Act of 1914 that created value by cooperatively mobilizing resources of federal, state, and county governments; land-grant universities; and communities. More than 100 years later, entrepreneurial actions continue to demonstrate Extension's commitment to recognizing opportunities, engaging stakeholders, and fostering innovation. With an increasingly diverse constituency, complex funding mix, multifaceted issues, and rapidly evolving technologies, the Cooperative Extension System, like other established organizations, can benefit from proactively advancing individual and organizational entrepreneurship.

Decentralized Renewable Energy And Sustainability By Integrating Solar Ovens Into Urban Living, Nuno Soares Domingues

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Urban households account for a substantial share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with domestic cooking representing an often-overlooked component of residential energy demand. Low-cost solar cooking technologies offer a promising pathway towards urban decarbonization by harnessing renewable solar energy while reducing dependence on grid electricity and promoting circular resource use. This study evaluates the contribution of two experimentally developed low-cost solar box ovens to urban sustainability under Mediterranean climatic conditions in Lisbon, Portugal. A recycled cardboard prototype and a timber-based prototype were assessed through controlled outdoor experiments involving thermal performance, cooking capability, energy savings, and environmental evaluation. …

Improving Market Acceptance Of Agrivoltaic Implementation In Japan, Divya Suresh, Yuxin Qin, Kenichiro Hiramoto, Takuma Otaki, Abhishek Choudhury, Xiao Chen, Rajib Shaw

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Agrivoltaics (AV) enables the simultaneous use of land for solar energy generation and agricultural production. While AV has been widely studied from technical and economic perspectives, limited attention has been paid to market acceptance among farmers, particularly in Japan, where adoption remains constrained despite policy interest in renewable energy and rural revitalization. Existing studies identify regulatory, financial, and technical barriers, but insufficiently explain how farmer-level acceptance is shaped across different agricultural contexts or how project co-benefits can support adoption. This study examines farmers’ market acceptance of AV in Japan through a multi-case analysis of six projects in rice-cultivation areas, mountainous …

Good Governance In The Concept Of Climate Justice: Decarbonisation Policies In Economic Considerations Of Losses And Sacrifices, Daryanti Daryanti, Albertus Sentot Sudarwanto, Erna Dyah Kusumawati, Rosita Candrakirana

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Projections of losses resulting from the impacts of climate change in Indonesia are estimated to reach USD 30.5 million, affecting four key sectors: agriculture, water supply, health, and the maritime sector. This study shows that good governance based on climate justice in the implementation of decarbonization policies is the most important factor in avoiding long-term economic losses caused by the adverse impacts of climate change or investing in climate resilience. This study employed a normative methodology using a statutory approach to examine efforts related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The findings of this research indicate that regulations in Indonesia, …

Climate Change Mitigation And Forest Conservation: A Sdg-Aligned Framework For Malaysia, Hui Nee Au Yong, Chuan Chew Foo, Maryam Kalhoro, Irfan Rashdi

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked global crises that require integrated governance approaches, particularly in biodiversity-rich countries such as Malaysia. This study develops and empirically tests a climate biodiversity sustainable development goal (SDGs) nexus model that integrates forest governance, carbon sequestration, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK), and sustainable practices to explain climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation outcomes. Survey data were collected from 412 respondents across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesised relationships. The analysis examines direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among governance, social, technological, and policy factors. Forest governance …

Are Accountability Courts In Georgia A Cost-Effective Public Health Policy Alternative?, Brian D. Graves, Orion Mowbray, Leaanne Derigne, Holly Lynde, Angel Ellis, Rachel Meyer

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of accountability courts in Georgia, presenting them as a viable alternative in public health policy.

Methods: The research utilized survey data collected from 37 court programs across 40 distinct accountability court programs; it was conducted by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government in collaboration with the Council of Accountability Court Judges. The analysis includes a comparative assessment of cost savings, benefits, and differences among various court types, specifically focusing on drug courts, DUI courts, mental health courts, family treatment courts, and veterans treatment courts.

Results: Results reveal that …

The Importance Of Social Capital And Community Dynamics For Effective Extension Programming, Samuel Ch Mindes, Katherine Dentzman

Journal of Extension

The Iowa Pest Resistance Management Program was formed to encourage community-level pesticide resistance management. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach collaborated with four Iowa stakeholder communities to establish pilot projects. Despite initial momentum, these programs floundered. We investigated the program's challenges in establishing sustained success in the pilot projects using interviews and focus groups with participants. Our analytical approach considered the critical roles of bonding social capital and bridging social capital in creating entrepreneurial social infrastructure. We provide lessons learned for future community coordination efforts.

From Consumers To Makers: A Community-Based Model Of The Diy Food And Beverage Kit Ecosystem, Mark Mitchell, Richard Martin, Sheila Mitchell

Atlantic Marketing Journal

The market for do-it-yourself (DIY) food and beverage kits continues to expand as consumers seek experiences that combine convenience, learning, creativity, and participation. This conceptual paper proposes a four-community ecosystem model consisting of consumers, makers, marketers, and consumption communities. Drawing on value co-creation, prosumption, experiential consumption, and diffusion of innovation theories, the model suggests that participation in DIY production transforms consumers into makers, fosters a maker identity, and encourages engagement in product-category consumption communities. Through sharing experiences and outcomes, participants attract new consumers into the marketplace, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth. The framework extends value co-creation theory by explaining …

Brand Gravity And Instant Adoption: Consumer Visitation, Loyalty, And Trip Chaining Following The Entry Of A New National Coffee Chain, Mark J. Sciuchetti Jr., Jianping Huang

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This study examines how consumers adopt a strong national brand immediately after its entry into a small regional market. Using anonymized mobile location data from the first twenty-nine weeks of a new Starbucks location in Anniston, Alabama, the analysis evaluates weekly visitation, repeat behavior, visitor origin distance, trip chaining, and temporal demand. The store opened above its subsequent steady state, indicating activation of preexisting demand rather than a gradual diffusion process. Repeat visitors generated 82.6% of visits within the observation window, showing rapid movement from trial to habitual use. The entrant also exhibited a flatter distance decay gradient than adjacent …

Where Shoppers Look First: How Navigation Bar Design Shapes Visual Attention Online, James Coyle, Linh Nguyen, Lee Hillman

Atlantic Marketing Journal

Abstract

Despite the crucial role that a website navigation bar can play in affecting consumer behavior, there has been a lack of theory-driven studies to investigate how to most effectively design navigation bars. Grounded in cognitive fit theory and visual attention theory, this study investigates how the effects of navigation bar design and content can influence visual processing of an unfamiliar online retailer’s website. A total of 40 subjects participated in a controlled experiment in which we gathered eye-tracking data. We find that navigation bar placement strongly affects how quickly participants locate the navigation bar: an unexpected placement more than …

Reducing Cognitive Load To Strengthen Customer Engagement: The Strategic Role Of Digital Tools, Neda Mossaei, Maryam Tofighi

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This paper examines how advanced technological interfaces, particularly chatbots and augmented reality, influence customer engagement by reducing the cognitive effort required to interact with firms. As digital tools become increasingly embedded in everyday life, companies are leveraging these technologies to streamline communication, personalize experiences, and foster long-term relational outcomes. Guided by cognitive load theory, this study argues that minimizing mental effort in customer–firm interactions improve engagement by making interactions more seamless and intuitive. At the same time, relationship marketing theory emphasizes that reducing cognitive barriers can cultivate customer engagement, trust, and loyalty over time. Together, these perspectives suggest that implementing …

Oct. 2026 - At The Table: How Mda Advocacy Turns Member Concerns Into Action, Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The cover story provides an in-depth examination of the Michigan Dental Association’s grassroots advocacy framework, highlighting the successful enactment of Senate Bill 105. SB 105 addresses "virtual credit cards" by requiring dental insurers to offer reimbursement options without transaction fees. The article details how MDA staff, legislative leaders, and Political Action Committee (PAC) donors collaborate to identify member priorities, build legislative relationships, and educate policymakers. Emphasizing the essential role of practicing dentists in state capitol discussions, the story illustrates how grassroots participation turns practice challenges into legislative victories.

Oct. 2026 - 5 Clinical Questions. Better Clinical Decisions., Timothy Rath

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature previews the continuing education program presented by Dr. Melissa Seibert at the 2027 Sun, Sand & CE Cruise. Focusing on minimally invasive caries management and evidence-based restorative dentistry, the article outlines five daily clinical challenges faced by practitioners. Topics include determining when to restore versus monitor lesions, evaluating caries risk, selecting therapeutic agents, and translating dental research into practical workflows. The piece emphasizes practical decision-making and peer networking to help clinicians improve patient outcomes and return to practice reenergized.

Oct. 2026 - Mastery Creates Presence, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Written by oral surgeon Dr. Anish Gupta, this reflective essay explores the connection between clinical mastery and patient-centered hospitality in surgical practice. Defining practice core values as "be the best, do the best" and "unreasonable patient-centeredness," the author illustrates how technical expertise frees clinicians to be fully present and empathetic with anxious patients. The article emphasizes that clinical competence should serve to alleviate patient fear, remove practice friction, and elevate the healthcare experience through mindful, compassionate service.

The Role Of Risk-Based Audit Quality In Enhancing Financial Control Efficiency And Mitigating Financial Corruption In Iraqi Banks In Light Of The Ippf 2024 Framework, Nadia Talib Salman

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The study investigates the relationship between risk-based audit quality, financial oversight efficiency and financial corruption reduction in banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange in the years 2008–2025 by applying International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) 2024. A composite risk-based audit quality index was created which included auditor independence, auditor professional qualification, frequency of audit committee meetings, and auditor presence of a formal risk committee. Thirty three hundred annual reports were processed using AI-supported structured extraction with the Gemini API, resulting in an unbalanced final panel of 303 bank-year observations from 20 banks. Random Effects and some robustness and diagnostic tests …

Realities Of Engendering Federalization: Political Commitment To Gender Equality, Resources, And Policy, Christine S. Diaz

Journal of Public Affairs and Development

Amid several initiatives to federalize the Philippines, discourse on engendering federalization remains scarce. This gap forms the basis of this study, which examined the realities of engendering federalization. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and key informant interviews with research participants from various sectors in Davao City. Guided by Caren Levy’s Web of Institutionalization Framework, the study focused on three core dimensions: political commitment to gender equality, resources, and policy. The findings revealed that engendering federalization, particularly political commitment to gender equality, requires advocacy, institutionalization, gender awareness, and gender-sensitivity formation. Institutional mechanisms, policies, and resources are important for advancing gender-responsive …

The Role Of Organizational Passion In Reducing Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Field Study At The College Of Administration And Economics, University Of Fallujah, Mustafa Amjed Ibrahim, Zaid Khawam Mahmood, Wael Ismail Khalaf

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to analyze the role of organizational passion in reducing negative work behavior among employees at the College of Administration and Economics, University of Fallujah. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. For data analysis, the researchers used (Smart PLS v.4) and (SPSS 28 The research community included 127 individuals, but the research sample was made up of 104 college members, and when the questionnaire was distributed the exact number retrieved was 97. The research concluded that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between organizational passion and negative …

The Impact Of Financial Depth Indicators On Economic Growth In Iraq For The Period 2004-2024, Fatima Latif Alwan, Diaa Hussein Saud

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to highlight the impact of financial depth indicators on economic growth in Iraq during the period (2004-2024). It employs a quantitative approach to measure the relationship between the variables under investigation using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study concludes that the increase in the deposit index and broad money supply does not necessarily reflect genuine development in financial intermediation. Rather, it largely stems from increased cash liquidity outside the banking system and weak confidence in the financial system. Furthermore, the expansion of bank credit has not effectively translated into economic growth because a significant portion …

The Impact Of Inclusive Leadership On The Quality Of Banking Services An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Private Bank Employees In Iraq, Kamal Kadhim Al-Hassani, Iltifat Abdullah Touma

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to explore the relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality in the Iraqi private banking sector. The study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to (280) employees working in private banks in Iraq. The questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed using the AMOS program to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships among the study variables. The results showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between inclusive leadership and banking service quality, reflecting the vital role of comprehensive and supportive …

Impact Of Digital Transformation On Earnings Quality: A Sample Of Commercial Banks Listed On The Iraq Stock Exchange (Isx), Ahmed Neamah Abed

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research will examine how digital transformation influences the quality of earnings of the commercial banks in the Iraqi Stock Exchange. The research problem is that there is no clear picture of what constitutes the relationship between investment in digital assets and the quality of earnings and there is debate on whether digital transformation helps in improving the quality of earnings or that it does not have a significant effect, especially in the new banking environment like Iraq.
The importance of the study is the fact that it presents direct quantitative data of this relationship through the quantifiable financial indicators. …

The Virtual Clinical Training Center: New Frontiers In Telemental Health Training, Rodney E. Harris, Loriann S. Stretch, Susan J. Foster, Katie Kesterson

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Telebehavioral health has become an essential competency for counselors, yet counselor education programs often have limited structures for supervised telehealth clinical training. This article describes the Virtual Clinical Training Center (VCTC), a three-tiered model developed within an online counselor education program to prepare counselors in training and doctoral supervisors in training while expanding access to counseling in medically underserved communities. Tier I offers synchronous skills-based live labs and examination review, Tier II provides peer role-play practice, and Tier III places fieldwork students with community partners to deliver supervised telebehavioral counseling. We describe the application and training process, tiered supervision, partnership …

A Historian And A Sociologist Walk Into A Bar: A Data Archive For Social Sciences And Digital Humanities Hosted At A National Archives Institution, Benjamin Peuch, Oliver Lenaerts, Rolande Depoortere, Johan Van Der Eycken, Youssef Ouahalou

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

In October 2020, a new service was launched at the State Archives of Belgium, the Social Sciences and Digital Humanities Archive (SODHA). It is the result of several years of feasibility research into the viability of a data archive for social sciences and digital humanities in the research landscape of Belgium. SODHA acts as a service provider for the Consortium of European Social Science Data Archive (CESSDA ERIC) and takes up the task of preserving and disseminating research data in any of the disciplines that constitute the aforementioned fields.

SODHA is a latecomer compared to other similar organizations in Europe …

Editor's Note, Leandrit Mehmeti

Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies

This issue of the Journal of Peace, Conflict and Security Studies (JPCSS) marks the beginning of the journal’s second volume. Building on the foundations established during our first year of publication, Volume 2, Issue 1 continues our commitment to providing a multidisciplinary platform for scholarship addressing contemporary questions of peace, conflict, security, statehood and international affairs

Adolescents’ Risk Of Long Covid-19 Syndrome Based On Income Level And Food Insecurity, Christopher J. Waskewich

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Limited information is available about the effects of food insecurity on adolescents’ long-term health risks from COVID-19. This quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the effects of food insecurity and family income level on the risk of long COVID-19 syndrome for adolescents (11 to 17 years old). An online survey (n = 298) was conducted with parents of adolescents from New York City, who were recruited from social media online advertisements. The research asked whether there is an association between food insecurity and family income level and the risks of long COVID-19 syndrome. Multivariate logistic regression found a statistically …

Shu World Review- October 5th 2026, Diplolab, Seton Hall University

SHU World Review

No abstract provided.

Do Employer Challenges Drive Unemployment Insurance Benefit Nonpayment?, Marta Lachowska, Stephen A. Woodbury

Upjohn Institute Policy and Research Briefs

No abstract provided.