Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy On Perioperative Outcomes In Rectal Cancer Patients Following Stoma Reversal-A Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Mary Junak, Rosemarie Turk, Mohammad Afaque Alam, Eli Thompson, David Schaub, Joseph Gunderson, Anesu S. Masango, Srikar Kollipara, Andrea Moreno, Daniom Tecle, Valentine N. Nfonsam

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leak after reversal of an ostomy is a significant complication in rectal cancer patients. The effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) on outcomes following stoma reversal are not well established. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of NCRT on outcomes in rectal cancer patients following stoma reversal. METHODS: We performed a [2005-2012] retrospective cohort analysis of the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), including adult (≥18 years) rectal cancer patients who had elective stoma reversal. Patients were stratified into those who received NCRT and those who did not. Primary outcomes were anastomotic …

Gut Microbiome Metagenomics In Clinical Practice: Bridging The Gap Between Research And Precision Medicine, Henok Ayalew Tegegne, Tor C Savidge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Gut microbiome metagenomics is emerging as a cornerstone of precision medicine, offering exceptional opportunities for improved diagnostics, risk stratification, and therapeutic development. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have uncovered robust microbial signatures linked to infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases. Clinical applications now include pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance profiling, microbiota-based therapies, and enterotype-guided patient stratification. However, translation into routine care is hindered by significant barriers including methodological variability, limited functional annotation, lack of bioinformatics standardization, and underrepresentation of global populations. This review synthesizes current translational strategies, emphasizing the need for hypothesis-driven designs, multi-omic integration, longitudinal and multi-center cohorts, and mechanistic validation. …

The Non-Reciprocity Of Cultural-Ecological Resilience In Eastern Sumba, B. Retang Wohangara

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Resilience is one key concept of culture and ecology. It highlights a particular system's adaptive and thriving capacities in facing various challenges. This research-based article investigates the reciprocity of cultural-ecological resilience in three traditional communities in Eastern Sumba. It starts with the examination of cultural resilience and ecological resilience using five and seven qualitative indicators, respectively. The last part of the discussion analyzes how culture and ecology reciprocate in the given communities. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data are collected by conducting mini-ethnographic field research for interviews, documentation, and focus group discussions. Using the five and seven indicators …

From Chinese Folk Religion To Tridharma: The Trajectory Of Chinese Religion In Indonesia, Refan Aditya

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article explores the trajectory of Chinese folk religion and the institution of klenteng (Chinese temple) within the broader discourse of Chinese religion in Indonesia, spanning from the colonial period to the post-reform era. Employing a historical and anthropological approach, this study examines Chinese religious discourse through Chinese-peranakan publications from the colonial era. It presents contemporary practices of Chinese folk religion and temple life as part of that evolving discourse. Historically and anthropologically, Chinese folk religion has been deeply embedded in the religious life of Chinese communities. However, its resonance has gradually degraded under the dominating religious narratives, particularly due …

Untouchable Beauty Of Everyday Aesthetics In Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days, Nindya Galuh Fatmawati, Agni Saraswati

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Wim Wenders, in his latest film Perfect Days (2023), presents an everyday aesthetic experience conveyed through a visually striking aesthetic characterized by a "peaceful" gaze. This study aims to explore the everyday aesthetics depicted in Perfect Days, which align with traditional Japanese aesthetics, specifically wabi-sabi. The analysis is framed using Todd McGowan's Cinema of Desire theory. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method to examine the subject and utilizes a Psychoanalytic approach for analysis. The findings reveal that object ‘a’ in Perfect Days is highlighted through mise-en-scène and music, as these two cinematic elements facilitate a moment of …

Roblox As Open Text: Identity, Meaning, And Ideology Through Eco’S Semiotics, Yuyus Rustandi, Nanang Sutisna

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This study examines Roblox as a digital cultural space that constructs and represents adolescent identity through Umberto Eco's semiotic approach. Roblox functions not only as a game platform but also as an open text comprising visual signs, social symbols, and complex narratives. This studi is based on a literature review from nine prior empirical studies, this research analyzes how avatars, virtual environments, Robux economy, and user communities shape diverse systems of meaning. Findings show that Roblox serves as a site for identity construction, simulation of social values, and reproduction of dominant discourses such as capitalism and gender performance. The study …

Gamesmanship In Civil Litigation, Edith Beerdsen

Georgia Law Review

In civil litigation, strategy is everywhere. Some of it is explicitly envisioned by rules of procedure, but other forms of strategy rely more on clever exploitation of gaps in the rules, sometimes through trickery, surprise, or psychological mind games. The role strategy plays in civil litigation is underexamined, which raises two concerns: first, this lack of attention entrenches strategy by default as a procedural value in competition with accuracy, efficiency, and other procedural values. Second, it amplifies the disadvantages experienced by unrepresented litigants. This Article builds on earlier work to examine how courts shape the space that litigants have for …

Gravitational Property Theory, Monika U. Ehrman

Georgia Law Review

Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein defined and redefined the field of physics. Their theoretical work on gravity is still considered a monumental discovery of their respective times. Although born centuries apart, the theory of gravity each advanced is still essential. Newton’s theory is applied on Earth and throughout much of the solar system, while Einstein’s theory is used in special environments, such as near black holes. Neither theory is discarded, but instead used where appropriate. Likewise, gravitational property theory proposes that simple property theory—the ad coelum doctrine—is still appropriate for simple property, like stationary or vertical objects. And complex property …

Studying The Properties Of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized By Laser Slow Burning Method In Liquid To Remove Heavy Metals, Mohammad R. Hantehzadeh, Elham Darabi, Hossein Algharghouli

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Water contamination with toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) poses serious risks to human health, plants, and ecosystems, making their effective removal a global challenge. Conventional treatment methods often exhibit limited efficiency; therefore, nanotechnology-based approaches are increasingly being explored. In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticless were synthesized via electrospinning, a simple and cost-effective technique that eliminates the need for harmful chemical reagents. The nanocomposite was characterized using SEM, TEM, EDX, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and TGA analyses. The results demonstrated uniform nanoparticles morphology …

Nanomaterial Strategies For High-Performance Solid-State Batteries Beyond Lithium-Ion, Mahmoud Gharbavi, Salim Albukhaty

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

This is a comprehensive review of nanomaterial strategies for developing solid-state batteries in the future beyond lithium-ion technology. It discusses key challenges such as ionic conductivity, interfacial stability, and scalable manufacturing. Nanomaterials provide the ultimate means to control electrochemical processes at atomic scales, enabling solid-state systems with energy densities above 500 Wh/kg, enhanced safety from non-flammable electrolytes, and longer cycle life.

The review offers an in-depth analysis of advanced manufacturing methods, including suspension plasma spray (SPS), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and nano-level 3D printing for fabricating nanostructured components. Sulfide solid-state electrolytes demonstrate remarkable ionic conductivities of up to 10^{-2 …}

Rapid Detection Of Sheep-Specific Clostridium Perfringens Igg Using Silver Nanoparticle-Boosted Dot-Blot Assays, Ahmed Salam Jawad

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Dot-blot immunoassay is a quick, simple, and low-cost technique for identifying target analytes in food, clinical diagnostics, and the environment with a visual inspection. For this purpose, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a sodium borohydride compound. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vs spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ZP) tests. After that, SNPs were conjugated with anti-CLD N4-C. perfringens IgG. At the same time, the positive and negative C. perfringens samples have been determined using ELISA. Furthermore, PCR test was used for verification of C. perfringens. Consequently, dot-blot …

Utilization Of Biochar From Date Palm For Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Mini-Review, Atheel Alwash, Emad Yousif, Salam Mohammed

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

Recently, recycling agricultural waste has gained great importance in the field of the biochar industry, as it is a sustainable and inexpensive material that can be used to get rid of environmentally polluting materials. Dates are one of the major agricultural wastes in Iraq and the Gulf countries, which include fronds, seeds, and trunks. The challenge of obtaining a green and clean environment is represented by the safe disposal of these residues. These wastes are promising materials for producing biochar products as efficient adsorbents with improved characteristic properties. The present article revises the synthesis of biochar derived from date palm …

Titanium Carbide-Enhanced Bioroot Sealer: A Novel Approach To Improve Root Fracture Resistance And Calcium Ion Release, Inaam Baghdadi, Belal J. Abutarboush, Mirvat Zakhour, Ziad Salameh

The Journal of Engineering Research

This in vitro study evaluated a novel endodontic sealer composed of BioRoot RCS modified with 1 wt.% titanium carbide (TC), sintered at 600°C. The investigation focused on calcium ion release and fracture resistance of treated teeth—two parameters critical for long-term success. Thirty extracted human mandibular premolars were assigned to three groups: control (unfilled), BioRoot RCS, and BioRoot RCS with TC. Following canal preparation and obturation, specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and subjected to vertical compressive load testing. Calcium ion release was quantified using inductively coupled plasma analysis at intervals up to 30 days. The BioRoot/TC group showed significantly higher …

Enhancing Adolescents' Self-Esteem Through Rational Emotive Behavior Counseling: A Pre-Experimental Study In Junior High School Students, Wikan Galuh Widyarto, M Ramli, Muchammad Saiful Machfud, P. V. I. Pratiwi Mramra

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The aim of this study is to find out the level of self-esteem of students and how effective rational emotive behavioral counselling is to increase self-esteem. Quantitative research using pre-experiment, one group pretest posttest design. The study involved 32 students as a population, with 5 students who had low self-esteem as a sample. Purposive sampling method is used to obtain samples. The results show the self-esteem level of State Middle School 1 students Sumbergempol is in the lowest category of 10 (31%), medium 16 (50%), and high 6 (19%). There was a significant difference between the results before and after …

Student Perceptions Of Talent And Interest Mapping Learning Media Based On Riasec, Desni Yuniarni, Amallia Putri

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The main purpose of this study is to find out how students perceive the learning media provided during lectures. Learning media is one of the most important tools in learning. Less interesting learning media will make students not interested in learning. This research takes the form of a qualitative case study using face-to-face interviews and administering questionnaires with participants, as data collection tools. The subjects of the research are 67 students in semesters V and VII in the Guidance and Counseling Study Program. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The results of the study show that students' perception of …

The Correlation Between Emotional Maturity And Career Decision Making Among Twelfth Grade Students, Dwi Indah Yulianti, Nurhayani Nurhayani

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Indicators of emotional maturity that can influence career decision-making among 12th-grade students include stress management ability, the ability to delay gratification, self-control, and emotional stability. The higher students' score on these indicators indicates their greater opportunity to make appropriate career decisions. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between emotional maturity and career decision-making among 12th-grade students at State Senior High School 1 Pulau Rakyat Tua. This research employed a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. The findings of this study indicate a correlation between emotional maturity and career decision-making in 12th-grade students at State Senior High …

"Who Am I?" Learning Media In The Form Of Augment Reality For Mapping Student’S Talent And Interest, Amallia Putri, Desni Yuniarni

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The guidance and counseling media occupy a crucial position in achieving service goals. The existence of media can enhance accessibility to services and facilitate the dissemination of information to students and counseling teachers. The long-term goal in the development of Learning Media in the Form of Augment Reality "Who Am I?" for the material of mapping talents and interests of Guidance and Counseling Study Program Students, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Science, UNTAN, is to facilitate the integration of the media into the curriculum for guidance and counseling study program students during their teaching practice at school. The method …

Pengembangan "Perasaan Kita" Sebagai Upaya Internalisasi Empati Pada Siswa Smp, Nanda Widya Muharammah, Arbin Janu Setiyowati, Elia Flurentin

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

One of the factors that cause cases of aggression that occur among adolescents is the low level of individual empathy. This research and development aim to develop the "Perasaan Kita" media as a student tool in the internalization of empathy. "Perasaan Kita" is a media in interactive books by utilizing the QR code feature in its use. A guidebook for school counselors also accompanies this media to provide essential services in schools. The research method used is research and development using the Borg and Gall model, adapted according to the situation and field conditions. Test material experts, media experts, and …

Evaluation Of Chicken Serum And Chicken Egg Yolk As Novel Supplements For The In Vitro Cultivation Of Mycoplasma Hyorhinis, Yi-Chia Li, Sin-Hang Ma, Wei-Hao Lin, Chao-Nan Lin, Ming-Tang Chiou

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a significant pathogen in swine, yet its fastidious nutritional requirements present challenges for in vitro cultivation. Conventional supplements like horse serum (HS) often suffer from batch variability and potential inhibitors. This study aimed to evaluate chicken serum (CS) and chicken egg yolk (CY) as novel alternatives to develop a reliable cultivation method for M. hyorhinis. Five clinical isolates were cultured for 10 days in a basal medium supplemented with CS or CY at 10%, 20%, or 30%, with 30% HS as the control. Growth was quantified daily using a Color Changing Unit (CCU) assay. CS supported …

Feasibility Of Computed Tomography For Differentiating Calcium Oxalate And Struvite Calculi Using Mean Hounsfield Unit And Hounsfield Density, Somchin Sutthigran, Phasamon Saisawart, Vachira Hunprasit, Nan Choisunirachon, Kiatpichet Komin

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Accurate preoperative prediction of cystic calculi composition is essential for effective treatment planning in dogs. This prospective study aims to investigate the utility of non-contrast multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in differentiating calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite calculi based on mean Hounsfield unit (HU) and HU density values. Nineteen client-owned dogs with confirmed cystic calculi underwent non-contrast MDCT imaging at 80 and 120 kilovoltage peak (kVp) settings prior to surgical removal. Calculi composition was determined via laboratory analysis. Mean HU and HU density were measured and compared between calculi types. The results showed CaOx calculi demonstrated significantly higher mean HU (1317.53 …

A Unique Historical Water Lifting System In Southern Palestine, Avraham (Avi) Sasson

'Atiqot

The high water-level of the aquifer in the southern coastal plain of Palestine sets the stage for many private wells in villages. Various researchers mentioned a unique method of drawing water in this region, the “self-emptying bucket,” which entailed attaching a rope rolled on a drum to a container and an animal that would pull it by walking away from the well. Once the container reached the surface, the water poured into a small collection pool. In order to ease the burden, the animal was guided downslope. This method was only useful for irrigating small areas, but since groundwater was …

A Spring Tunnel, Aqueducts And Water-Powered Flour Mills Along Naḥal Qeni: A History Of Water Exploitation, Yotam Tepper

'Atiqot

Naḥal Qeni (Wadi el-Lajjun) is a perennial stream that flows east of Ramat Menashe to Naḥal Qishon, passing south of Kibbutz Megiddo. Along this stream, the remains of aqueducts and flour mills were recorded, reflecting its long-standing importance. From the Roman period onward, the area was settled by a Jewish village (Kefar ‘Othnay), a Roman legionary base (Legio) and a city, Maximianopolis, continuing through the Byzantine period, following as Lajjun (el-Lajjun) during the Islamic, Crusader, Mamluk and Ottoman periods. This paper examines the water sources, aqueducts and mills of Naḥal Qeni, based on historical accounts and modern surveys. It is …

Strategic Water Management In The Fortified Monasteries Of Western Samaria As A Tool For Controlling An Agricultural Region, Yair Elmakayes, David Ben-Shlomo, Naomi Hadad, Amos Frumkin

'Atiqot

Toward the end of the Roman and the beginning of the Byzantine periods, similar, impressive, fortified structures were built in Western Samaria. During the latter period, these structures began to function as fortified monasteries of martial character, all possessing highly sophisticated water systems that share a common construction plan. This article reviews the water systems of four sites—Deir Sam‘an, Deir Qal‘a, Deir Daqle and Deir el-‘Arab—as part of a renewed survey of water reservoirs in the area. The study revealed that their water storage capacities exceeded their inferred populations’ needs. Thus, it is concluded that the monasteries’ water infrastructure had …

Exploring The Wall Graffiti In The Raqafot Reservoir, Be’Er Sheva‘, Davida Eisenberg-Degen, Deborah Cvikel

'Atiqot

Graffiti depicting ships, animals and human/anthropomorphic figures were incised into the late Byzantine plaster layer of an Early Roman period rock-cut reservoir, located c. 4 km north of ancient Be’er Sheva‘, Israel. Although the reservoir was in use over the centuries, and as late as World War I, the latest plaster layer was applied in the late Byzantine period. The ship graffiti, seemingly incised with a sharp thin-edged tool shortly after the plaster was applied, depict the outlines of the hulls and rigging elements, and the ships are depicted as square-rigged merchantmen, typical of the period. The knowhow displayed in …

The Naḥal ‘Avedat Reservoirs: A Unique Road Site In The Negev Highlands, Tali Erickson-Gini, Ofer Sion

'Atiqot

Multiple water reservoirs and structures on a bend of Naḥal ‘Avedat, south of Oboda (‘Avedat), have attracted the attention of researchers for some 70 years. The resercoirs lay along a road suggested to be the biblical Way of the Spies (Derekh Ha-Atarim, דרך האתרים), leading through the dry streambeds of Naḥal Niẓẓana, Naḥal La‘ana and Naḥal ‘Avedat, connecting ancient Qadesh Barneʻa to the central and northern Negev. This site includes a tenth-century BCE Israelite structure, a Nabataean fort (Meẓad Naḥal ‘Avedat), a small Byzantine-period hamlet and other structures, all built in the close vicinity of the reservoirs cut into the …

Revisiting The ‘Aujah Aqueducts: New Insights And Discoveries, Yevgeny Aharonovich, Hananya Hizmi, Tal Orenshtein, Haim Shkolnik

'Atiqot

The spring of ‘Ein el-‘Aujah emerges from the seam between the ‘Aujah Valley and the Samaria Hills. Being the most abundant of the Jordan Valley springs, a complex water conveyance system was established there under Hasmonean rule, further developing under King Herod and his family, when water was conveyed from ‘Ein el-‘Aujah to the king’s palace complex in Jericho and to Archelais. This article presents the results of excavations conducted in recent years in two different sections of the main ‘Aujah aqueduct and in a survey that incorporated new measuring techniques. The findings indicated that the ‘Ein el-‘Aujah aqueduct from …

Enhanced Antimicrobial Potential Of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) And Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) Extracts Against Pathogenic Microorganisms, Nidal Mohammed Zabermawi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Piper nigrum (black pepper) have long been integral to traditional medicine, known for their potential antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of these spices against two pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and one pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Twelve aqueous extracts of turmeric (TE) and black pepper (BPE) were prepared at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30% and tested using the agar well diffusion method. Turmeric extracts at all concentrations demonstrated significant antibacterial and antifungal effects against all the tested isolates. In contrast, black pepper extracts at 20% and 30% showed …

Seven County Infrastructure Coalition V. Eagle County, Craig A. Rigdon

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is a landmark in United States environmental law. For more than half a century, under its authority, all federal agencies contemplating proposed actions that pose significant environmental impacts have incorporated an analysis of those impacts into their decisions. These analyses provided an avenue for opponents to challenge an agency’s final decision in federal court. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued a “course correction” to rein in the disparate approaches that the lower courts had applied to cases challenging federal agency decisions on NEPA grounds. The unambiguous guidance the Court lays out for …

Enhancing Seed Germination In Ceratonia Siliqua L.: Comparative Effects Of Scarification, Chemical, And Hormonal Pre-Treatment, Adel Sultan Alhjami, U. A. Humaid

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture

This study investigated effective methods to overcome seed dormancy in Yemeni carob through comparative analysis of 14 pre-sowing treatments, including chemical scarification with sulfuric acid, hot water soaking, and GA3 priming in addition to mechanical scarification. The experiment followed a completely randomized design and was analysed using ANOVA and LSD tests (p ≤ 0.05). The 20-minute sulfuric acid treatment (T5) was optimal, achieving 100% germination, the shortest germination time (4.0 days), the highest vigor index (13.3), and the longest seedling length (13.4 cm). The 10-minute acid treatment (T4) also performed well, resulting in 83.3% germination and a high vigor …

Engagement Of Teachers Community In Strengthening Pedagogical Competence Through Technology-Integrated Contextual Teaching And Learning, Wati Susilawati, Wildatus Sholihah

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

This study examines the engagement process of mathematics teachers in improving their pedagogical competence by integrating technology into contextual learning. The integration of technology into the contextual teaching and learning (CTL) approach offers significant opportunities to enhance teacher professionalism. Studies of CTL have shown that such an approach enriches pedagogical competence, strengthens content mastery, and encourages teachers to adapt to digital innovations, develop reflective and analytical practices, and pursue continuous improvement in mathematics teaching. However, many teachers still experience gaps in this technology, particularly in digital literacy, resistance to change, and limited access to adequate facilities and training. This study …