Digital Commons Network^™

Guru Shishya Parampara: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Character Development Through Immersion, Shilpan Sheth

Dissertations

Processes that support the intentional effort to manifest virtue remain an under-described and poorly understood area of education research. In the literature, it is identified that immersion - a state of deep affective or cognitive engagement with one’s environment - holds implications for character development. Exploring the guru shishya parampara ((गुरुिश� पर�रा), a pedagogical tradition with roots in Vedic culture, through the lived experiences of an expert musician, this study relates immersive experiences to personal transformation. Data from interviews, lectures, and articles were analyzed. From the data, immersive experiences of the guru shishya tradition are understood to be embodied, intrinsic, …

Understanding The Impact Of Transfer Orientation Leadership: Student Leader Perspectives At A Mid-Sized California University, Kaci Taylor Turpin

Dissertations

Community college transfer students represent a vital source of diversity for public four-year institutions; at the same time, declining enrollments heighten the need for stronger, more functional transfer pathways between community colleges and four-year universities, especially given the significant vertical transfer gap and the unique barriers transfer students face in student leadership roles. This semi-structured interview study explored the experiential knowledge of 14 first-generation transfer student orientation leaders to understand how they navigate institutional barriers in their on-campus employment. Findings reveal that these leaders navigated institutional barriers by relying on peer networks and drawing heavily on their navigational capital. Furthermore, …

A Closer Look At The Relationship Between Workplace Harassment And Negative Workplace Behavior: The Mediating Role Of Revenge Cognitions And The Moderating Role Of Fear Of Internal Threat, Keely L. Sinclair Smith

Master's Theses

The purpose of the current study was to provide a closer look at the relationship between workplace harassment and negative workplace behavior by investigating the mediating role of revenge cognitions and the moderating role of fear of internal threat, a novel construct that included both formal and informal organizational sanctions. A sample of 103 employees from a variety of occupational backgrounds participated in the study by completing an online survey. Results of the simple mediation analysis showed that workplace harassment was positively related to negative workplace behavior, and revenge cognitions fully mediated this relationship. In other words, employees who experienced …

Perceptions Of Speech-Language Therapy Among Generations Of One Mexican-American Family, Sabrina A. Macias

Master's Theses

This research is a modified replication of Salas-Provance et al. (2002) and analyzes the perceptions of speech-language therapy among one Mexican-American family. It investigates opinions about causes of speech-language disorders, for whom speech therapy can be helpful, characteristics and stereotypes about people with hearing and speech disorders, and the influence of education level on such opinions. With the assistance of three family members and two cultural informants, an online survey was developed consisting of demographic factors, Mexican folk and medical beliefs, and potential stereotypes of people with speech, language, and hearing disabilities. Twenty-three family members (response rate = 76.7%) completed …

Health Literacy, Health Information Seeking Behavior, And Vocal Hygiene Amongst Video Game Voice Actors In The United States, Wendy Lau

Master's Theses

Video game voice actors (VGVAs) perform vocally demanding tasks to bring video game characters to life, and are at high risk for voice disorders. This exploratory study aims to characterize vocal health in VGVAs by investigating the relationships between health literacy, health information seeking behavior, and vocal hygiene practices. Thirty-one VGVAs completed an anonymous online survey. Data were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach: quantitative health literacy scores were calculated, and qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis in NVivo. Results show that VGVAs are highly proactive with their vocal health due to their desire for career longevity and their professional vocal …

The Contemporary Tax Journal Volume 15, No. 1 – Summer 2026

The Contemporary Tax Journal

No abstract provided.

Visual-Motor Coordination In Automated Driving: Effects Of Temporal Urgency And Motor Demand On Intervention Behavior, Kailin Cui, Jonathan Chiu, Pranav Meda, Gaojian Huang, Yue Luo

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Occupational Applications: This study shows that time-critical automation intervention requests increase drivers’ visual-motor demands, reflected in measurable changes in driving performance and posture (i.e., limb engagement and trunk positioning) during transitions of control. These responses indicate that maneuver urgency and takeover timing can place elevated biomechanical and coordination demands on drivers, particularly in work-based automated driving. For ergonomics and human factors practice, the findings underscore the need to design automated transportation systems (e.g., ridesharing services) that align request timing with operators’ physical and perceptual capabilities. In occupational settings such as automated shuttles and fleet-supervised vehicles, intervention requests should provide adequate …

Lost Spirits: An Interactive Encounter With A Fractured Soul, Angela Wu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Lost Spirits is a game prototype developed in the Godot engine, utilizing Gemini Pro, a Large Language Model (LLM) for rapid code generation and a local Small Language Model (SLM), Gemma 3 4B, to power AI-driven NPCs (non-player characters). The study investigates whether LLMs can democratize game development for non-technical artists and if real-time AI-driven character interaction can sustain a meaningful narrative arc without traditional branching scripts. Preliminary results suggest that AI significantly accelerates the technical pipeline—enabling the development of a functional 3D prototype within a two-month window—and facilitates rich, responsive character interactions.

Knowledge And Application Of Solar Energy As Alternative Power Source To Ict Facilities: A Case Study Of Minhaj University Lahore, Dr.Shahid Mehmood Dr., , Muhammad Faisal Mr., Ahmad Nawaz, Dr Allah Ditta Nawaz, Dr. Muhammad Aamir Hameed

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper is an exploration of the knowledge and utilization of solar energy to support ICT infrastructure at Minhaj University Lahore. In Pakistan, library operations and digital services can be disrupted due to power outages. In the survey, 87 scholars, students and library workers were surveyed about their awareness, experience and attitudes towards solar energy. The level of knowledge on solar energy was high as 100% of the respondents indicated that they are well informed about solar energy, 93.1 percent indicating that they can use it in the ICT sector. Nonetheless, large start-up costs, lack of equipment, and institutional barriers …

Advancing Data-Driven Health Research From The All Of Us Data Training And Engagement Program, Kristi Sadowski, Debran Tarver, Jennifer Burnette, Allissa Dillman, Regina Renfro, Lafrancis Gibson, Kelli Bursey, Laura Bartlett, Nadine Bonds-Bishop, Lisa Connor, Efraín Flores-Rivera, Sarah Joseph, Yuqi He, Margaret Henderson, Savannah L. Kelley, Maletta Payne, Brett Porter, Kimberly Prosper, Melissa Rethlefsen, For Full Author List, See Comments Below

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Fulfilling a recognized need in data skills training for academic librarians, the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program collaborated to enhance academic library workers’ skills in biomedical and public health data, as well as their library's research capacity, through the awareness and use of the All of Us Researcher Workbench. Case Presentation: The All of Us Data Training and Engagement Program for Academic Libraries (ALP) blended professional development training, hands-on learning, and peer-to-peer networking that focused on increasing knowledge of the All of Us Researcher Workbench. Activities were designed to …

Fostering Collaboration Through Learning Communities: A Case Report On Engaging With All Of Us Data Among Library Professionals, Faculty, And Students, Zachary Mcniece, Dawn Hackman, Nick Szydlowski, Yuqi He

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Research data services (RDS) have expanded in academic libraries but can be challenging to develop, particularly in teaching-intensive and less-resourced institutions. Learning communities offer a promising model for building skills, fostering collaboration, and aligning services with local needs. Case Presentation: This case report describes the development and implementation of three learning communities—a library group, a faculty group, and a student group—at a teaching-focused institution. These communities brought together library professionals, faculty, and students from diverse disciplines—including health sciences, education, data science, and engineering—to collaboratively explore the All of Us dataset. By working with the same dataset, participants were able …

Application Of Assistive Technologies And Rendering Assistive Services To Students With Special Needs By Federal University Libraries: A Survey, Emmanuel Chidiadi Onwubiko

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The world as of today, is being said to be witnessing what one may tagged a technological revolution as never before and is transforming for the better, the future of global education in which case, every learner is considered. These newly created technological tools and plans did place librarians as information managers and digital literacy drivers in better position to come up with environments that are inclusive for all learners to achieve their desired goals. The study therefore is a survey on the application of assistive technologies and rendering assistive services to students with special needs by federal universities libraries …

From Literacy To Behavioral Intention: A Survey Of Soon-To-Graduate Students’ Intention To Use Generative Ai For Job Search Through The Technology Acceptance Model, Huai Yu Chen, Yu Chi

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This study examines the factors associated with soon-to-graduate college students’ intention to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the context of job searching, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). An online survey of US undergraduates expected to graduate within 12 months ( N = 300) showed that GenAI literacy significantly predicted perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Findings from PROCESS Model 6 indicated an indirect association between GenAI literacy and intention to use through perceived usefulness. Relative weight analysis revealed creative application as the strongest contributor to intention to use and perceived usefulness, while communication proficiency most strongly …

Artificial Intelligence And Challenges Of Sustainable Library Services For Children And Young Adults In Nigeria, Ishioma Nwanapayi Iwegbue, Chigozie Blessing Mba

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

No abstract provided.

The Coupled Hydrology–Human Activity Information (Chhai) Dataset: A Global Benchmark Dataset For Model Comparison And Evaluation, Azara Boschee, Aneseh Alborzi, Augustina Clara Alexander, Berit Arheimer, Salsebil Bel Hadj Ali, Günter Blöschl, Andrea Castelletti, Xi Chen, Aniya Dogra, Erhu Du, Jesse Duku, Aldo Fiori, Margaret Garcia, Salvatore Grimaldi, Naota Hanasaki, Yeonjoo Kim, Heidi Kreibich, Chenyuan Li, Ali Mehran, For Full Author List, See Comments Below

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

To enhance hydrologic modeling, the hydrology community has developed benchmark datasets (e.g. Model Parameter Estimation Experiment, MOPEX), providing standardized data for model evaluation and parameter estimation. However, these datasets primarily focus on modeling natural hydrologic processes, leaving a critical gap in understanding the role of human influences. Here, we introduce the Coupled Hydrology-Human Activity Information (CHHAI) dataset, a benchmark dataset that integrates coupled human–water data from regions across all continents, excluding Antarctica. CHHAI incorporates data from 25 regions that cover various human impacts such as reservoir management, flood protection, river management policies, land use changes, and water use. Each basin …

Research Competence, Technology Skills As Correlates For Job Satisfaction Among Librarians In Universities In Delta State, Oghuvbu Blessing

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Librarians perform academic and professional functions in universities, which require them to have job satisfaction for effective job performance. This study worked at the intersection of research competencies, technological skills and job satisfaction among librarians in universities in Delta State, Nigeria. The population of the study was the entire 81 librarians in universities in the state. A total population sampling was adopted. Data collected using a structured questionnaire was analysed using mean and standard deviation. The study found a high level of research competence, technology skills, and job satisfaction among the librarians in the universities. Conclusion the study found that …

Websites Of Pharmacy Colleges: A Webometric Analysis, Yashwant S. Chaudhari Mr., Hemant S. Bhoye

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In the digital era, institutional websites act as the primary gateway for disseminating academic information, services, and research output. Webometric analysis is a quantitative method used to evaluate the performance, visibility, and impact of websites based on web-based indicators such as hyperlinks, web pages, and parts of web pages.  This study examines 17 pharmacy colleges in Nashik district, out of a total of 63 pharmacy colleges affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. The study examines domain extensions, number of web pages, internal and external links, and availability of library webpages. It also evaluates content features such as academic information, …

Sjsu Erfa News, Summer 2026, San Jose State University, Emeritus And Retired Faculty Association

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Association (ERFA) Newsletter

Volume 39, No 39

Smart-Twin: Systematic Modeling And Real-Time Transportation With Digital Twins, Hovannes Kulhandjian

Mineta Transportation Institute

Urban transportation networks are increasingly affected by everyday congestion, non-recurring disruptions, and limited real-time visibility into what is happening on the road. Transportation agencies require advanced tools that support faster, proactive management and data-driven infrastructure decisions rather than passive monitoring. This report presents SMART-TWIN, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)–driven Digital Twin framework designed for real-time traffic operations, disruption detection, and performance-based decision-making support. The SMART-TWIN architecture integrates microscopic traffic simulation (detailed traffic modeling), long-horizon synthetic demand generation simulating real travel patterns, supervised machine learning, and performance analysis within a unified and reproducible workflow. A corridor-scale Digital Twin was developed for the …

Preparing Today’S Workforce For Tomorrow’S Autonomous Transportation: Bridging Electrical And Civil Engineering Disciplines, Masoud Ghodrat Abadi, Rohollah Moghadam

Mineta Transportation Institute

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are expected to transform transportation systems and reshape workforce needs across engineering and related fields. Although existing AV workforce development efforts often emphasize electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering, transportation engineering remains underrepresented despite its importance to infrastructure, traffic operations, safety, and mobility integration. This study addresses that gap through the development, implementation, and evaluation of an interdisciplinary certificate program, Workforce for Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (WAVE), at California State University, Sacramento. The program was designed to bridge transportation engineering and electrical engineering through a two-step curriculum model consisting of theoretical educational modules and hands-on laboratory activities. …

Evolution, Structuration Theory, And New Research On Free Will, James Lull

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Classic structuration theory explains how social actors use their personal and collective agency to contend with the structural forces they encounter in everyday life. The antonimous interface between structure and agency is analyzed from an evolutionary communication perspective as it applies to structuration theory generally and to media audiences specifically. The explanatory power of structuration theory is then reconsidered in light of new research on an eternally profound question: Is the power of human agency restricted, if not entirely eliminated, by a lack of free will that can be exercised in human endeavors? Although the nature of structural influence is …

Video Games As An Advertising Media: A Comparative Analysis Between Portuguese And Spanish University Students, Alejandro Tapia-Frade, Gema Bonales-Daimiel, Belén Moreno-Albarracín

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Changes in leisure consumption are causing transformations in the relationships between young people and brands. A reflection of this is found in video games, whose predominant user profile is that of young people between 18 and 30 years old. They invest more and more time in digital universes: they play, socialize and even buy, and income from the video game sector has increased year after year in Spain and in the world, surpassing those generated jointly by cinema and music. A review of previous literature indicates the relevance as an object of study of video games that are used as …

From Deficit To Dialogue: Reassessing The Role Of Institutional Data In Library Resource Deployment, Rebecca Bryant Penrose, Geoff Walton, Kirsty Fife, Mary K. Bolin

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Universities increasingly foreground institutional research (IR) dashboards to steer ‘student success’ agendas, yet much of the library’s contribution operates through relationships that IR cannot readily capture. As a result, the library’s engagement with IR efforts remains underexplored in library and information science scholarship. Drawing on descriptive survey data from 66 academic librarians and library administrators, together with nine semi-structured interviews conducted across the California State University system, this study examines how library resources are allocated at course level and whether IR data inform those decisions. Findings indicate that librarians rely far more on local relationships, timing within the academic calendar …

Exploring The Experiences And Challenges Of Librarians In Cataloguing Academic Resources In Public University Libraries In The Volta Region Of Ghana, Hawa Osman Dr, Joana Dango Mrs., Hannatu Abue Kugblenu-Mahama Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of librarians involved in cataloguing academic resources and examined the challenges they face in public university libraries in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Methods: A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain in-depth insights into librarians’ lived experiences. The study was conducted at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Library and Ho Technical University (HTU) Library. A total of 30 participants were selected using purposive sampling, guided by Yamane’s formula for sample size determination. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis with NVivo software. Ethical standards, including …

An Analysis Of Public Library Services For The Tribal Community In Rayalaseema Region With A Special Reference To Healthcare And Hygiene, P Ramu Naik, V. K. Dhanyasree

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Public libraries have long been recognised as critical societal institutions, serving as information, education, and community engagement centres. In the context of tribal communities, their role in disseminating health information is particularly significant. Tribal populations often face unique health challenges and disparities, making access to accurate and reliable health information vital to their well-being. This study examines the pivotal role that public libraries play in disseminating health information to tribal people. The study is conducted among 13 branch libraries in the tribal areas of Rayalaseema region. A structured questionnaire was used for the survey. The results show that even though …

Different Dimensions Of Social Support On Social Media And Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intentions Among Chinese College Students Applying The Theory Of Planned Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ni Zhang, Carolyn Madison Chang, Yu Zhang, Lu Guo, Qizhi Xu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background:

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) participation among Chinese college students remains insufficient despite growing public health concerns regarding sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Social media platforms have increasingly become important channels for delivering social support related to physical activity (PA); however, different dimensions of social support on social media may exert distinct psychological influences on exercise intentions.

Objective:

Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships between different dimensions of social support on social media and Chinese college students’ intentions to engage in LTPA.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among …

System Branding In Three Public Libraries: Live Oak Public Libraries, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, And Richland Library, Patrick Roughen

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article examines library catalogs as brand artifacts in the context of two ancient libraries: the Library of Alexandria and the library of the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital and brand theory, this research argues that the catalogs of these two institutions functioned as early branding instruments. The Pinakes, the catalog of the Library of Alexandria, projected a brand of universal knowledge and intellectual prestige, and the inscribed wall catalog at Edfu reflected a brand focused on sacred authority and the sustaining of cosmic order (Ma'at).  Together, they illustrate two opposing …

An Unsolved Theft, Tim Pyatt

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article explores the mysterious theft of Civil War narratives from the libraries of the University of North Carolina and Duke University in the late 1970s while the author was an undergraduate at Duke. Using records preserved in the Duke University Archives and personal accounts, the author pieces together how the theft was discovered and the investigation was conducted. Potential suspects included the notorious thieves James Shinn and Stephen Blumberg as well as individuals identified during the investigation. The secrecy around the investigation as well as the effort to protect institutional reputation may have ultimately led to the theft never …

Assessing The Effect Of Chromolaena Odorata On Maize (Zea Mays L.) Growth And Yield In The Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone Of Côte D’Ivoire, Roger Bayala, Lisette Zeh Tokpa, Firmin Kouamé Konan, Kouamé Emile Ange Brou, Ambroise Casimir Laopé Siene, Pauline Amanko Ndouba, Nathanael A. Bogie, Sabas Sadaiou Yao Barima

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Chromolaena odorata is a dominant pioneer species in the successional vegetation following deforestation in humid and sub-humid tropical regions. Despite its prevalence, the specific interactions between C. odorata and subsequent food crops remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of C. odorata on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under varying nutrient regimes. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design to assess the interaction between shrub presence (present vs. absent) and fertilization (0 or 1× the recommended N–P–K rate). The results indicated that the presence of C. odorata significantly increased maize height, stem …

Disaster Preparedness, Prevention And Management In Lagos State University Library, Mausi A. Bokoh, Sophia V. Adeyeye Dr, Oluwaseun Adeola Abiodun-Asanre, Mrs

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Disasters pose significant threats to human lives, infrastructure, and national socioeconomic development. Effective disaster preparedness, prevention, and management are therefore vital for mitigating their impact and ensuring continuity of operations. This study examined disaster preparedness, prevention, and management practices at Lagos State University Library. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering key aspects of disaster management. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviations were used to analyze data.  The findings revealed that the library employs basic preventive strategies such as turning off electricity after work hours and ensuring timely evacuation during emergencies. …