Digital Commons Network^™

Life Cycle Of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Systems Enable Carbon Capture, Utilization, And Storage: A Review, Nabeel Al-Qirim, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Hussam Al Hamadi, Akm Ahasan Habib, Shayla Islam

All Works

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) is the primary component of electric vehicles (EVs), and its environmental consequences are significant for the eventual widespread adoption of EVs. Recycling used LIBs protects the environment and allows for the reuse of valuable materials. To achieve the goal of a circular economy, LIB recycling processes that conserve environmentally friendly resources and maintain sustainability need to be developed. The critical technology for achieving global climate goals is carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), which makes it possible to significantly lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across power and industrial systems. The LIB recycling and CCUS are becoming …

Worldview-Bench: A Benchmark For Evaluating Global Cultural Perspectives In Large Language Models, Abdullah Mushtaq, Imran Taj, Rafay Naeem, Ibrahim Ghaznavi, Junaid Qadir

All Works

Background: Large Language Models (LLMs) are predominantly trained and aligned in ways that reinforce Westerncentric epistemologies and socio-cultural norms, leading to cultural homogenization and limiting their ability to reflect global civilizational plurality. Existing benchmarking frameworks fail to adequately capture this bias, as they rely on rigid, closed-form assessments that overlook the complexity of cultural inclusivity. Objectives: To address this cultural bias problem, we introduce WorldView-Bench, a benchmark designed to evaluate Global Cultural Inclusivity (GCI) in LLMs by analyzing their ability to accommodate diverse worldviews. Methods: Our approach is grounded in the Multiplex Worldview proposed by Senturk et al., which distinguishes …

The Intricate Dance Of Emotions And Psychophysiology: Unveiling The Secrets Of Microexpressions, Jaiteg Singh, Deepika Sharma, Babar Shah, Sukhjit Singh Sehra, Farman Ali, Irfan Hussain

All Works

Background: Emotion recognition plays a pivotal role in behavioral analysis, mental health assessment, and human-computer interaction. Micro-expressions, which are brief and involuntary facial movements, offer valuable insights into concealed emotions. However, validating micro-expressions remains a challenge due to their subtlety and short duration. This study aims to enhance the validation and classification of micro-expressions by integrating electromyogram (EMG) signals with facial action units (AUs). Methods: EMG data was collected using the EMG Muscle Sensor Module V3.0, interfaced with an Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller. To ensure signal clarity, various data filtration techniques were applied to eliminate noise, motion artifacts, and baseline …

Joseph Cordero, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

The Social And Cultural Challenges Experienced By Children With Send Through Quasi-Inclusion Practices In Two Mainstream Primary Schools In Postcolonial Guyana, Lidon Lashley, Clevelon Gordon

IALS Journal

This ethnographic study investigates the sociocultural experiences of 36 children with SEND and two non-SEND peers in two rural mainstream primary schools in Guyana. Through interviews, observations, and situational analysis, the study explores how ableism, colonial legacies, prejudice, poverty, linguistic barriers, and inadequate educational support shape the experiences of children with SEND. Findings reveal persistent stigmatization, discrimination, marginalization, exclusion, and "fated failure" discourses that negatively affect learning, participation, agency, and wellbeing. The study concludes that teachers require greater support, training, and specialist resources to foster genuine inclusion within Guyana's mainstream schools.

Identification Of A Rural Black Community-Based Mental Health Intervention Via Cbpr, Kirsten Mengell

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Poor mental health in the US has increased since 2011 (Mental Health America, 2022). Rural communities face disparities in mental health shortages (Andrilla et al., 2018). African Americans face additional barriers, including a historical underutilization of mental health and high mental health stigma. This is significant given the higher rates of mental distress and discrimination among rural African Americans compared to Whites (James et al., 2017), and a recent increase in suicide among Black Americans (Stone et al., 2023). Illustrating a need for options within rural Black communities that can overcome professional shortages and cultural barriers to improve mental health …

Fear Of Hunger (Foh) Survey Data, 2024: Multi-Country Telephone Survey On Food Security And Migration In The Sahel And Central America, Domenico Parisi, Shrinidhi Ambinakudige, Christian Kelly Scott, Arif Husain, Jessica Harmer, Ève Chalifour

Research Data

This database underpins the analysis of the Fear of Hunger (FOH) Hypothesis, based on a large-scale telephone survey conducted between April and August 2024 across eight countries—Burkina Faso, Chad, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. The dataset includes 12,000 nationally representative adult respondents (1,500 per country) aged 18 and above. The survey instrument, translated into multiple local languages, collected detailed demographic, socioeconomic, and attitudinal information related to food security and migration. Core variables encompass WillMove (migration intention), MovePlace (international vs. internal migration), Score1–Score5 (five FOH levels from minimal to extreme), Age, Gender, Marital Status, Education …

Data Set For Determining Causality Between Civic Engagement And Civic Agriculture, Dongkyu Kim, Mi-Son Kim, Allison Kaika

Datasets

This dataset includes opinion data from a phone and online survey for the Rio Grande Valley and an online survey.

How Can Policy Balance The Goals Of Transition Acceleration And Justice? Permitting Reform, Large-Scale Renewable Energy, And Host Communities In The United States, J. B. Ruhl, David J. Hess

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Implementing energy-transition policies requires building new infrastructure, but the result is often opposition from host communities and associated actors. An important research and policy problem emerges over how to balance two goals that can be in tension: rapidly implementing energy-transition policies and addressing the needs and concerns of local communities, including diverse justice-related issues. This study adopts the perspective that the analysis of this problem benefits from opening the black box of permitting policy reform. The research contributes to the literature on siting conflicts by shifting the focus from explaining conflicts or suggesting targeted policy reforms such as improved engagement …

Europe–Africa Collaboration: Working Together To Strengthen Health Research, Implementation, And Equitable Systems, Lara Pandya, Irene Norstedt, Martin Seychell, Emer Cooke, Isabel De La Mata Barranco, Niklas Blomberg, Marleen Temmerman, Michael Makanga

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

In September 2024, key representatives from European Union (EU) directorates and agencies convened to enhance collaboration with Africa in strengthening health research, innovation, and implementation. The meeting focused on bolstering joint efforts to improve health outcomes and support wellbeing across all ages in Africa. Despite progress in addressing infectious diseases, the continent faces a dual burden with the rise of non-communicable diseases and emerging threats such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, falsified medicines, and pandemic risks. These challenges are exacerbated by fragile health systems, rapid population growth, urbanisation, and limited access to affordable medical interventions.

To address these issues, the …

Fieldnote 24: Who Is Sharpening Your Iron?, Venus Evans-Winters, Mildred Boveda, Erica Mccray

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

In this episode, Dr. Venus Evans-Winters and Dr. Mildred Boveda (Youtube @mboveda) sit down with Dr. Erica McCray—educator, researcher, and leader—to discuss the powerful roles of mothering and daughtering in shaping our work and wellness in academic spaces. Together, they explore how intergenerational care and personal identity influence educational leadership, equity-focused research, and the pursuit of balance in high-pressure environments. Dr. McCray reflects on her lived experiences and shares how she integrates care, legacy, and advocacy into her scholarship and professional life. This is a rich, intimate conversation for anyone invested in justice, healing, and the ways Black women lead …

Sociology And Anthropology, University Of Mississippi. Department Of Sociology And Anthropology

University Website Migration from WordPress

No abstract provided.

“It's Easier To Deal With The Vaccines You Know Than The Ones You Don't Know”: A Qualitative Study On Healthcare Workers' Vaccine Confidence In Nigeria, Ayobami A. Bakare, Elisa Gobbo, Kofoworola O. Akinsola, Carina King, Julius Salako, Damola Bakare, Halima Usman, Claudia Hanson, Adegoke G. Falade, Sibylle Herzig Van Wees

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Vaccination is a cost-effective public health intervention that has saved many lives and improved well-being [1]. Between 2011 and 2020, over 20 million deaths were believed to have been averted due to vaccinations in GAVI supported countries [2]. Moreover, globally, Carter et al. estimated additional 51 million deaths are expected to be prevented from vaccines between 2021 and 2030 [3]. Yet, despite the importance of vaccines, there have been concerns about low uptake of vaccines globally [4,5]. This concern was accentuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waning vaccine confidence has been recognized as a leading threat to global health [[6], [4], …

Understanding Adolescent Perinatal Wellbeing In Rural Parts Of Kenya: A Qualitative Study, Evaline Chepchirchir Langat, Marleen Temmerman, Margrette Hanselmann, Kethakie Lamahewa, Violet Naanyu, Mellan Lilumbi, Tatiana Taylor Salisbury

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Introduction: Despite global efforts to reduce adolescent birth rates, the problem persists in low- and middleincome countries. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates (97.9 births per 1000 women). In Kenya, more than 15 % of adolescent girls become pregnant. Forty-three percent of these develop depression. This study investigated adolescent pregnancy in rural Kenya to understand the challenges and context-specific factors that can help adolescents maintain good mental health during pregnancy and the motherhood.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Kilifi County between October and November 2021. A total of 73 participants consented to participate in the …

Fieldnote 20: Writing On Purpose What Is My Purpose, Venus Evans-Winters Dr.

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

Welcome to the podcast, where we explore the intersection of writing, mental health, and well-being through the lens of education and spirituality. In today's episode, Dr. Venus Evans-Winters discusses how to identify your purpose in life and the role of mindfulness in this process. Identifying your purpose in life is a journey, not a destination. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery and growth. By reflecting on your values, passions, and strengths and incorporating mindfulness practices, you can uncover your unique purpose and live a true life. Grab your reflection journals!

Fieldnote 25: Black Men’S Health & Healing In The Academy | Dr. Raymond Adams On Prostate Cancer, Wellness, And Social Work, Venus Evans-Winters Dr.

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

In this episode of Writing What I Like: Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar, Dr. Mildred Boveda (YouTube: @mboveda) and I are joined by Dr. Raymond Adams, a Black male social work professor whose research sheds critical light on prostate cancer and the health experiences of Black men. Dr. Adams brings a powerful voice to the intersection of public health, wellness, and academic life—unpacking the ways that systemic inequities shape Black men’s access to care, and how his scholarship is both a personal and political act of resistance. Together, we explore how Black men navigate wellness in the context of …

Evaluations Of Digital Public Health Interventions In The Who Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Literature Review, Nachiket Gudi, Elstin Anbu Raj, Beate Jahn, Uwe Siebert

Open Access archive

Introduction Digital health technologies have been enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers and, thereby, the delivery of targeted health services. The Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) has invested in strengthening digital public health. Many digital health interventions have been implemented in public health settings but are rarely assessed using the holistic health technology assessment (HTA) approach. Methods A systematic literature review was performed to provide an overview of evaluations of digital public health interventions in the World Health Organization (WHO) SEAR. Searches were conducted on four electronic databases. Screening title abstracts and full texts was independently conducted by two reviewers, followed …

Accessibility Of National Parks And Other Natural Protected Areas For People With Disabilities: A Scoping Review Of The Academic Literature, Mark Weiler, Alison Whiting, Waqas Sajid, Neha Dewan, Tilak Dutta

Library Publications

National parks and protected wilderness areas provide benefits through leisure activities to many. Yet, many people with disabilities are unable to experience these benefits because of barriers. Therefore, it is important to understand how to improve access to these spaces for people with disabilities. The objective of this study is to identify barriers and facilitators to accessibility in national parks and protected natural areas. Using a scoping review methodology, we searched eighteen academic databases and found 44 sources meeting our eligibility criteria. Our findings include tables that map the literature by publication year, types of disabilities, specific national parks, park …

Antibiogram Pattern Of Enterococcus Species Among Urinary Tract-Infected Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Hospital In Karnataka, India, Sujatha Bhat, Dushan Uvindu Gunawardana, Delisha Kaur Boparai, Tharinya Kasundie Bamunusinghe

Open Access archive

Background: During the past several decades, enterococci are emerging as an important cause of healthcare-associated infections. They have developed resistance to various antimicrobials previously used for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Enterococcus species among urinary tract-infected patients in a tertiary care hospital, in Karnataka, India. Material and Methods: We have analyzed 4341 culture-positive urine samples received by microbiology laboratory during the year 2021. The bacterial identification was done by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The antibiotic sensitivity was tested by automated VITEK-2® COMPACT (bioMérieux) system. Results: …

Is The Population Of The Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Declining In Namdapha Tiger Reserve, India?, Rohan K. Menzies, Kulbhushansingh R. Surya Wanshi, Rohit Naniwadekar

Open Access archive

The Critically Endangered white-bellied heron Ardea insignis is a large-bodied, range-restricted, piscivorous bird of the Himalayan mountains. With fewer than 60 individuals remaining globally, regular monitoring is required for this rare species. We present the results of surveys during 2017 and 2023-2024 in Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The encounter rate of white-bellied herons in 2017 was 0.55 individuals per km of river, but we did not detect the bird during intensive surveys in the same location during 2023-2024. The surveyed area within the Reserve was once a stronghold for the species, but its population appears to be declining. …

Exploring The Contribution Of Cancer Palliative Care Development Toward Alleviating The Human Crisis Of Suffering In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Framework Synthesis Protocol, Shrikant Atreya, Arathi Rao, Vijay Shree Dhyani, Mebin Mathew

Open Access archive

Objectives. Inadequate access to cancer care, high mortality, and out-of-pocket expenditure contribute to health-related suffering in low- and middle-income countries, making palliative care a relevant option. How palliative care development has alleviated suffering is not systematically studied, necessitating this review’s conduct. The objective of this systematic review with a framework synthesis approach is to identify and map the dimensions and indicators of cancer palliative care development and the components of integration between cancer and palliative care in LMICs. Methods. Uni- and multi-disciplinary databases like Cochrane, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO will be systematically searched for eligible studies exploring …

Role Of Absolute Versus Relative Voice Rest In Post-Operative Management Of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions, Mihika Sinha, Suresh Pillai, Shama Shetty, Usha Devadas

Open Access archive

Objective Most otolaryngologists advocate absolute voice rest after laryngeal surgery, which proves difficult for patients, so we decided to evaluate the role of absolute voice rest versus relative voice rest in the post-operative management of benign lesions. Methods Forty patients were recruited and divided in two groups: absolute voice rest and relative voice rest. Pre- and post-operative voice analysis (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, voice handicap index, voice-related quality-of-life scale scores and compliance) were noted at one week and one month. Results Voice analysis parameters including jitter (p = 0.035), shimmer (p = 0.020), voice handicap index (p < 0.001) and compliance (p < 0.001) were better in the relative voice-rest group. Frequency, number of voice breaks and voice-related quality of life showed no statistically significant results. Conclusion There was no significant benefit of absolute voice rest on post-operative outcomes as determined by acoustic variables. Compliance and quality-of-life scores were low in the strict voice-rest group. Therefore, we should reconsider post-surgical voice-rest protocol.

“It’S Not A One-Person Show” E-Learning Course In Neuropalliative Care: A Qualitative Analysis Of Participants’ Educational Gains And Self-Reported Outcomes, Sarah K. Bublitz, Mara Lugassy, Roop Gursahani, Winnie Lau

Open Access archive

Objectives. Patients with progressive neurologic illness still lack access to quality palliative care services. Barriers to the comprehensive provision of neuropalliative care include gaps in palliative care education. To address this barrier, a novel international model of neuropalliative care education e-learning program was launched in 2022. Methods. This is a qualitative study on the self-reported learning outcomes and educational gains of participants of a neuropalliative care e-learning course. Results. Thematic analysis shows changes in the participants’ perceptions of neuropalliative care and several specific educational gains. After attending the course, participants recognized neuropalliative care as a multiprofessional and interdisciplinary effort requiring …

Fieldnote 19: Intersection Of Mindfulness And Writing, Venus Evans-Winters Dr.

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

Recently, in our culture, there has been an overemphasis on writing for public consumption and profit. Academic writing privileges content that addresses "somebody else's problem" instead of writing for personal growth and imagination. This trend can overshadow the profoundly transformative potential of writing when it's approached as a tool for personal healing and authentic relationship building. Mindfulness awareness allows us to write from a place of authenticity and presence. As we observe our thoughts and emotions, we gain insights into our true selves, much like how staying present in the moment helps us navigate life's complexities. Dr. Venus Evans-Winters shares …

Sentimental Empiricism: Politics, Philosophy, And Criticism In Postwar France, Davide Panagia

Politics

Sentimental Empiricism reconsiders the legacy of eighteenth and nineteenth century empiricism and moral sentimentalism for the intellectual formation of the generation of postwar French thinkers whose work came to dominate Anglophone conversations across the humanities under the guise of “French theory.” Panagia’s book first shows what was missed in the reception of this literature in the Anglophone academy by attending to how France’s pedagogical milieu plays out church and state relations in the form of educational debates around reading practices, the aesthetics of mimesis, French imperialism, and republican universalism. Panagia then shows how such thinkers as Jean Wahl, Simone de …

Soc Proseminar - New Grad Students (Library Module), Usu Libraries

All E-Learning Resources

Attention: As of 2026 updated versions of this module will no longer be available on Digital Commons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

This library module contains a few pages to help you get to know what library resources you have access to and strategies for using them:

• Sociology research resources
• Accessing materials
• Demography and data resources
• Organizing materials
• And more!

Texas School Board And Ambition Replication Data, Kelly Bergstrand

Sociology & Anthropology Datasets - Archive

This data contains information on the demographics of Texas school board members and their ambition levels. (2024-06-20)

From Corruption And State Capture To A Populist Backlash: The Challenges For Democracy In Eastern Europe, Georgi Georgiev

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Employing different research methods in each chapter, this dissertation aimed to shed light on past and present challenges to democracy in Eastern Europe. More specifically: 1) What underlying conditions and factors cause the failure to develop a well-functioning democracy? 2)What is the role of governance on social and economic outcomes for citizens in the former communist countries of what was known as the Eastern Bloc? 3)To assess the extent of the decline of democracy among the Eastern European EU member states, what component of democracy has deteriorated the most, and identify what drives democratic backsliding.I discovered that the failure to …

Seeking The Unspoken: Examining Queer Subtext In Storytelling, Morgan Stevens-Reidy

Postgraduate

This exegesis aims to examine the techniques of subtext that are used to determine creative decisions in narrative structures on various forms of fictional screen media with a specific focus on storytelling in an animation context and the creative mediums used to form it. The major focus of subtextual storytelling that is investigated during this exegesis is the themes and narratives used throughout the LGBTQ+ community and the diversity of its influences upon hidden signs within stories, which was studied through the process of creating the foundation of a short film with the use of methodological approaches such as practice-led …

Welcoming The Stranger: Abrahamic Hospitality And Its Contemporary Implications, Ori Z. Soltes, Rachel Stern, Endy Moraes

Religion

Embracing hospitality and inclusion in Abrahamic traditions

One of the signal moments in the narrative of the biblical Abraham is his insistent and enthusiastic reception of three strangers, a starting point of inspiration for all three Abrahamic traditions as they evolve and develop the details of their respective teachings. On the one hand, welcoming the stranger by remembering “that you were strangers in the land of Egypt” is enjoined upon the ancient Israelites, and on the other, oppressing the stranger is condemned by their prophets throughout the Hebrew Bible.

These sentiments are repeated in the New Testament and the Qur’an …