Digital Commons Network^™

Denise Oliver-Vélez - Part 2, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Denise Oliver-Vélez not only has one of the most remarkable lives to be recorded for both the BHS and Bronx African-American History Project archives, she also possesses a beautiful spirit, simplicity, and generosity in her personality. It would be expected for a person of such prowess to sound the part and be hard to comprehend in all her sophistication. Despite deserving this podium, Oliver-Vélez’s life is a testament to the power that lies in understanding others, rather than acting above them. In finishing an exceptional interview, she makes sure to leave a piece of advice to future communities and those …

Genetically Modified Crops In Africa: Evidence On Adoption, Economic Benefits, Environmental Effects, And Constraints, Aloyce Hepelwa, Innocensia John

Tanzanian Economic Review

Africa faces deep food insecurity with over 300 million undernourished people driven by, low agricultural productivity, and climate shocks. To enhance food production and sustainable development, there is potential seen in genetically modified (GM) crops. To explore the potential of GM crops, this paper examines their production, adoption, economic and environmental impacts, adoption barriers, and policy implications in Africa and globally. This is done using a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, reports, and policy documents (2014–2024) sourced from different databases complemented by stakeholder consultations. The findings show that GM has expanded considerably worldwide driven by high productivity, reduced pesticide …

Ian Colburn, Ian Colburn, Katie Slack

Oral Histories of Farming along the Middle Rio Grande

No abstract provided.

Nonlinear Excitation Control Of Multimachine Systems Via The Invariant-Set Design, Ehab Bayoumi

Mechanical Engineering

Power grids are inherently vulnerable to many uncertainties. All power networks are prone to instability because of the uncertainties inherent in the operation of power systems. Rotor-angle instability is a challenging issue, and if not properly managed, could give rise to cascading failures and even blackouts. This paper addresses the generator excitation system’s state feedback sliding mode control (SMC). The global system is divided into multiple subsystems to achieve decentralized control. A disturbance is defined as the influence of the system as a whole on a specific subsystem. The state-feedback controller is to be designed taking into account the disturbance …

2025-12 December Newsletter, Sammi Williams

NMOER Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among People Who Smoke In Rural Southwest Georgia: Perspectives And Influencing Factors, Shadé Owolabi, Helen Singer, Katherine Reilly, Łucja T. Bundy Ma-Edm, J.K. Veluswamy, Carla Berg, Regine Haardörfer, James Hotz, Ajay Gehlot, Michelle Kegler

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical tool in reducing COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is an ongoing public health challenge, especially in certain geographic areas and sub-populations. This study assessed factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy among individuals who smoke in rural communities in southwest Georgia, one of the first COVID-19 “hot spots” in the U.S.

Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews (n=23) using a semi-structured interview guide, informed by the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM), that assessed vaccine-related behavior, intention to be vaccinated, perceived risk, social norms, attitudes, and environmental barriers and facilitators …

The Relationship Between Agency Understaffing And Administrative Burdens In Snap And Medicaid, Guangli Zhang, Stephen Roll, Mathieu Despard

Center for Social Development Research

For families trying to enroll in public programs to meet essential needs like food and health care, speed and timeliness can be critical. But people face numerous barriers in enrolling in these programs and in maintaining eligibility once enrolled. This research brief uses a new measure of staff workloads in public benefit agencies for every U.S. state and examines the link between these workloads and the experience of administrative burdens among low-wage workers. The analyses draw upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility Survey.

Sorting It Out, Liza Bondurant, Jane M. Wilburne, Dana Pomykal Franz, Jamaal Young

Publications

We describe a card sorting activity called a Q-sort that teachers can use to foster reflection and discussion.

Ananda And The World Brotherhood Communities Movement, Prisha Kirby

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Empowering Students For Success In The Workplace, Amelia Baker, Brian Wooten, Ahmad Ali, Christine Ziegler, Judy Craven, Nicole Phillips, Justin Lawhead

Symposium of Student Scholars

Although a bachelor's degree is commonly viewed as a pathway to career success, many students graduate without the practical skills and real-world knowledge needed to thrive in the workplace (Song, 2025). Employers are placing greater importance on critical thinking and soft skills such as communication and collaboration—areas that traditional academic programs may not always prioritize. In spring 2025, a multi-institutional team developed and completed a research study evaluating the curriculum of a course focused on preparing students for the workforce. Individuals in business, government and/or non-profit communities reviewed the current course curriculum and offered insight for emerging trends needed to …

Defining The European Union’S Top Public Health Priorities: What Can Be Gleaned From Its Multi-State Interdisciplinary Systems?, Mattie Frascella, Thierry Leger

Symposium of Student Scholars

Delineation of the European Union’s (EU) contemporary public health agenda is examined within the evolving architecture of a ‘European Health Union.’ Five interdependent domains are synthesized: climate and planetary health, digital transformation, resilient systems and workforce development, non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, and cross-sectoral and global leadership. Mutual reinforcement is essential for achieving equitable outcomes. The climate pillar reframes environmental disruption as a public health emergency, embedding adaptation, mitigation, and Planetary/One Health approaches across EU initiatives. The digital pillar examines the European Health Data Space and adjacent tools (telemedicine, e-prescribing, mobile health) as infrastructure for secure interoperability, research, and quality improvement. …

Review Of Yearning For The New Age: Laura Holloway-Langford And Late Victorian Spirituality, John L. Crow

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Review Of God's Forever Family: The Jesus People Movement In America, Mark A. Noll

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Being The Change: Food, Nonviolence, And Self-Sufficiency In Contemporary Intentional Communities, A. Whitney Stanford

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

Mummyjum: The Shaker-Pilgrim Encounter Of 1817-1818, Christian Goodwillie

Communal Societies

No abstract provided.

From Storage Closet To Creative Oasis: How To Set Up An Atelier And Outdoor Space For Young Children, Catherine Lynch, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Creating meaningful learning spaces doesn't always require a big budget or new construction—sometimes, all it takes is a storage closet, a bit of imagination, and a deep respect for children’s ideas. In this article, I’ll share how we transformed underutilized spaces at our school into a vibrant atelier and outdoor classroom and offer tips to help you do the same.

Supporting Best Practices In Family Engagement: Our Week Of The Young Child Experience, Michelle Fazio Brunson, Faith S. Birdwell, April Giddens

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Family engagement is a collaborative process where early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive, goal-oriented relationships. Incorporating family engagement into preschool programs is not merely beneficial but essential for promoting holistic child development in programs where children feel safe, cared for, and secure. In this article, we share the benefits of effective family engagement activities for families with young children and describe how we celebrated the National Association for the Education of Young Children's 2025 Week of the Young Child.

Understanding And Supporting Sustained Attention In Young Children: What Research Tells Us About Choice, Play, And Teaching Conditions, Cynthia F. Dicarlo, Carrie L. Ota

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This article examines how sustained attention develops in young children and how different teaching conditions influence engagement during play. Drawing on studies with two-, three-, and four-year-olds, the findings show a developmental progression in which toddlers benefit from limited, adult-guided choices, while preschoolers sustain attention best when given autonomy to select their own materials. The article highlights how play, intentional choice-making, and age-appropriate scaffolding support children’s emerging self-regulation and engagement. Practical strategies are provided to help teachers design environments and interactions that promote deeper focus and independent learning.

Using Food As A Fun And Effective Teaching Tool In Preschool, Kelly Furr, Melani Duffrin, Eugene A. Geist

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Food is one of the most engaging, hands-on materials for preschool classrooms. This article highlights research from the Food FAN Academy (Furr, 2023), which demonstrates how food can be used as a teaching tool across early childhood learning environments. Practical strategies are provided for preschool teachers, including detailed lesson plans that connect to early math, science, literacy, and social development. The article emphasizes the importance of using everyday materials, cultural inclusivity, and active learning methods to promote curiosity, health awareness, and foundational skills in young learners.

Abcs Of Behavior: Strategies To Effectively Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Sarah Matthews

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

This paper explores the application of the ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) model and functional behavior assessments (FBAs) to understand and manage challenging behaviors in early childhood education settings. Grounded in developmental theory and informed by professional experience as an early interventionist, the paper emphasizes the importance of identifying behavioral triggers and using individualized, developmentally appropriate strategies. The role of collaboration among teachers, families, and specialists is highlighted as essential for consistent and effective intervention. Key strategies discussed include coaching caregivers, embedding interventions within natural classroom environments, and using positive, non-punitive approaches to time-out. The paper advocates for proactive, respectful behavioral guidance practices …

Painting The Past: Trauma And Identity In The Best We Could Do, Ellie Heslon

Student Scholar Symposium

Born in Vietnam in 1975, three months after the fall of Saigon and the establishment of the communist regime, Thi Bui experienced her first few years of life in a nation wrought with crisis and confusion. Bui’s graphic memoir, The Best We Could Do, paints an intimate history of her family’s journey as refugees from Vietnam to America. She details a personal record of the traumas of displacement, concretizing a biproduct of war often overgeneralized. Through shape and color, Bui portrays a non-linear narrative of stories that are both connected and disconnected, blending where identity and heritage begin and end. …

The Analysis Of Ellen White’S Writings Regarding Personal Power As Applied To The Hagberg Model Of Leadership And Power, Stanley E. Patterson

Ellen White Issues Symposium

No abstract provided.

Can A Biblical Inspired Writer Use Literary Sources?, Jiří Moskala

Ellen White Issues Symposium

No abstract provided.

D. M. Canright, Ellen White, And Inspiration: A Crisis In The Making, Jud Lake

Ellen White Issues Symposium

No abstract provided.

Full Issue - Excelsior 18.1, Excelsior

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Creating A Decision-Making Curriculum For Students With And Without Disabilities In Grades P-12, Gina Riley, Elizabeth Klein, Alfonso Perez, Imani Irving Perez, Adriana D. Nathan

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Empowering Future Teacher Leaders Through Peer Mentoring, Stephanie M. Banks

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Professional Learning About And Through Schoolwide Co-Teaching: A Path To Develop Adaptive Expertise, Jennifer Sharples Reichenberg

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ Thoughts About Using Ai Technologies In Classroom Lessons, Francine Falk-Ross, Peter Mcdermott

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions Of Online Tutoring As Early Field Experience, Kathryn Alton, Alison Puliatte, Megan Lawless, Yong Yu

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.