Digital Commons Network^™

Towards Computational Methods In Medical Data Analysis: From Speech And Text To Imaging, Kristin Qi

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Early detection of cognitive decline and efficient medical image analysis remain critical challenges in healthcare. Traditional clinical assessments are infrequent and resource-intensive, while everyday speech data and unlabeled medical images remain largely unexploited. This dissertation develops computational methods integrating machine learning and artificial intelligence across speech, text, and imaging modalities to address challenges in medical data processing. For cognitive monitoring, this work first introduces methods using voice assistant systems to collect longitudinal speech data in home environments, demonstrating that incorporating historical session patterns significantly enhances detection of mild cognitive impairment. Building on this foundation, a framework combining large language model-driven …

The “Four Concentric Circles Of Russian”: Toward A Model, Timothy G. Reagan

Russian Language Journal

Braj Kachru suggested that one way of understanding the role and use of English around the world was to distinguish among three concentric “circles”: the inner circle, the outer circle, and the expanding circle. In this article, I will use Kachru’s model as the foundation for the development a similar model for positioning the Russian language in the contemporary world. The historical differences in Anglo-American linguistic expansion and Russian linguistic expansion lead to somewhat different divisions among speakers of the respective languages. The model proposed here has four concentric circles: an inner circle (consisting of the Russian …

Spotlight: Resources For Ukrainian, Margaret Godwin-Jones

Russian Language Journal

The Digital Resources Corner (DRC) offers reviews of new digital resources that could be beneficial in the teaching and/or learning of Slavic languages. It is intended for instructors looking for or evaluating different materials to use in the classroom.

Teaching Russian Verbs Of Motion Through Russian-Language Cinema: A Cognitive Perspective, Sergei Motov

Russian Language Journal

The practice of foreign language teaching is paradoxical in nature. On the one hand, such teaching is communicative; on the other hand, it often continues to rely on structuralist linguistic theory, which contradicts its communicative nature. In the case of teaching Russian verbs of motion to second-language learners, the dynamic nature of these verbs is often considered not dynamically, but statically—in the form of abstract textual examples or static images—which is also paradoxical. Such an abstract treatment of verbs of motion contradicts a number of postulates of modern cognitive science and certain areas of cognitive linguistics. From the perspective of …

Perspectives Of Russian Language Educators On Meeting The Needs Of Heritage And L2 Learners In Mixed Classes, Maria Goebert

Russian Language Journal

In less commonly taught languages, such as Russian, heritage and non-heritage learners often share the same classes. Teachers in these settings must differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students. Online teaching adds an additional layer of complexity that instructors must address in their course design. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of 12 Russian language educators, working across various educational settings, on the language learning needs of heritage and non-heritage learners in mixed classes. It examines how these teachers adapt their instruction to support their students and meet the demands of different teaching modalities. The study also …

Dynamic And Stable Motivation Patterns In Intensive Second Language Learning: Insights From A Russian Summer Immersion Program, Dmitrii Pastushenkov

Russian Language Journal

Understanding what shapes student motivation is essential to improving second language (L2) programs. While motivation is among the widely studied individual differences (IDs) in second language acquisition (SLA), research has largely focused on commonly taught languages, limiting broader applicability. This mixed-methods study, grounded in Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), explores the motivational development of learners studying a less commonly taught language (LCTL), Russian, during an eight-week summer immersion program. Data were collected from 52 students across four instructional levels. Motivation was assessed through two brief online surveys, developed based on research by Gardner, Dörnyei, Lanvers, Thompson, and others, and administered during …

Why Russian? Language Choice And Enrollment In U.S. Universities, Emma Calderwood, Teresa R. Bell, Jennifer Bown, Grant H. Lundberg

Russian Language Journal

Russian language enrollments at U.S. universities have declined steadily since 2009 (MLA, 2023), yet little research has examined current student motivations for studying Russian, particularly after the 2022 escalation of the Russo–Ukrainian War. This study surveyed two groups: (a) students enrolled in any 101-level language course at University X and (b) students in Russian courses at six U.S. universities. Results show that motivations for studying Russian are primarily integrative—general interest in the language, desire to converse with Russian speakers, aspirations to travel to Russian-speaking countries, and previous Russian knowledge—rather than instrumental. Students who considered but did not choose Russian most …

Variability Of Individual Learner Trajectories In A Transformative Language Program, Victoria Hasko, Anastasiya Smith

Russian Language Journal

This qualitative multiple case study investigates how individual learner differences manifest and evolve within a transformative, proficiency-oriented undergraduate Russian language program. Drawing on complexity theory and transformative approaches to language education, the study explores how learners’ motivations, identities, and professional aspirations develop in a curriculum that integrates advanced language learning with long-term career planning. Three focal participants were followed longitudinally across their undergraduate trajectories, using a combination of standardized proficiency assessments and in-depth reflective interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes shaping learner development: evolving orientations toward language learning, the curriculum as a transformative scaffold, emerging professional identities, and growing …

The Mediating Role Of Positive Psychology: Mindfulness And Learner Beliefs In The Russian Language Classroom, Kelly Knickmeier Cummings

Russian Language Journal

Language learning is an inherently emotional process, shaped by both positive and negative experiences that influence the individual difference of learner beliefs. This article explores the mediating role of positive psychology (PP) in second language acquisition (SLA), with a particular focus on mindfulness and its potential to reshape learner beliefs in the Russian language classroom. Drawing on theories such as Seligman’s PERMA model and Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory, as well as evidence-based interventions, the article argues that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) provide practical tools for cultivating positive learner beliefs and inclusive, growth-oriented classroom environments. Examples of MBIs—including practices of noticing, savoring, exploring …

International Education And Spiritual Emptiness A Reflection From Europe, Nitya N. Timsina

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This essay is a revolt against a biased understanding called “internationalization” in education which grounds all historical, geographical, philosophical, ecological, and cultural distinctions in the world into a Platonic absolute. The key to this problem, this essay argues, lies in the drive to ontological, conceptual, or theoretical understanding in our approach to knowledge with its primacy in the Western thought. This essay calls into question this absolute sphere of influence, power and mastery enjoyed by the Western sciences, and a sense of space and authority it enjoys to make others impossible in the world. It does so by bringing different …

Mental Health And Beliefs About Abortion Access Following Changes To Reproductive Healthcare Laws In 2022: Findings From Oklahoma, Munjireen Sifat, Laili K. Boozary, Tina N. Le, Julia Mcquoid, Brittany Zaring-Hinkle, Sarah Tonkin, Lizbeth Benson, Bingjing Mao, Motolani Ogunsanya, Ruosi Shao, Amy M. Cohn, Allyson Shortle, Darla E. Kendzor

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was conducted to characterize beliefs about abortion access in Oklahoma, measure stress associated with the overturn of Roe vs. Wade (2022), and evaluate the potential relationship between post-Roe stress (PR stress) and mental health.

METHODS: From August through September 2022, adult Oklahomans (N = 1793) were surveyed about their sociodemographic characteristics, beliefs about abortion access, frequency of past-month stress related to the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, and mental health. Beliefs about abortion access were characterized overall and within sociodemographic groups. The relationship between PR stress and mental health was evaluated, and …

Knowledge Of Cpr And Code Status Discussions In Traumatically Injured Older Adults: Does Health Literacy Matter, Mokunfayo O Fajemisin, Ashna S Karpe, Stephanie Martinez Ugarte, Gabrielle E Hatton, Krislynn Mueck, Lillian S Kao, Martin L Blakely, Gina H Khraish, Aanand Naik, Shreyans Sanghvi, Jessica L Lee, Thaddeus J Puzio

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Code Status Discussions (CSDs), CPR understanding, and health literacy is understudied in traumatically injured older adults. We hypothesized that traumatically injured older adults and their families would have limited understanding of CPR and code status, and that lower health literacy would be associated with reduced advance care planning knowledge. We surveyed injured adults ≥65 or their surrogates to assess baseline code status, health literacy, and CPR discussions. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. Among 201 respondents 55% had low health literacy. Only 38% had discussions about CPR, and 21% were asked about code status during admission. Surrogates similarly overestimated CPR …

My Research Journey Into Family Domestic Work: Methodological Reflections Of Conducting Research With Sister-Maids And Sister-Madams In Limpopo, Percyval Bayane

The Qualitative Report

Research has been conducted on domestic work in South Africa with studies focusing on domestic workers’ conditions during Apartheid and examining the little to no changes post-Apartheid. Domestic work in post-Apartheid South Africa involves the hiring of family and friends as domestic workers, and this is an under-researched area. As a young black man researching family domestic work, I was confronted with methodological challenges relating to negotiating access and conducting interviews with older black women hiring relatives and those working for family members as domestic workers. This reflexive paper reflects on my personal journey and experiences of conducting qualitative research …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Captive Solar Power Systems For Tanzania’S Manufacturing Sector: Barriers, Opportunities, And Feasibility, Edson Uhale, Sarah P. Ayeng'o

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of the barriers, opportunities, and feasibility of adopting captive solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Tanzania’s industrial manufacturing sector. Despite Tanzania’s high solar irradiation potential, averaging 4.5 to 7.0 kWh/m²/day, the uptake of captive solar systems remains minimal, with only 2.3 percent of surveyed firms currently using solar energy, primarily for non-productive uses such as security lighting. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 43 manufacturing firms in the Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions through structured questionnaires, supported by PVSyst simulations and financial modelling to assess two system configurations: grid-connected PV systems …

A Comparison Of Social, Economics, And Communication Factors Between Adopting And Non-Adopting Conservation Agriculture Wheat Farmers In Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, Mahmood Khalaf Wasmi Alkhulaifi, Abid Ali Hasan Al-Doski

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

The research aimed to examine and compare the key socioeconomic and communication factors influencing wheat farmers’ adoption and non-adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) techniques in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, during the 2023–2024 agricultural season. A total of 450 respondents were selected for the study—225 adopters (representing the entire group of CA adopters) and 225 non-adopters—drawn from a total farming population of 1,061 within the same adoption areas of Nineveh Governorate.

A combination of descriptive and quantitative analyses was employed to process the data, utilizing both t-tests and z-tests. The significance analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between CA adoption and several socioeconomic …

Molecular Profiling Of Fungi Using Specific Primers, Faten A. S. Alsulaimany

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

Accurate information about fungal identification is very important in various fields, such as medical, agronomic, environmental, and industrial. Traditional morphological and biochemical-based assays can be time-consuming, nonspecific, and fail to detect cryptic or uncultured species. Conversely, molecular profiling based particularly on the use of specific primers in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods offers a highly efficient alternative, as it is sensitive, highly specific, and relatively fast. This paper presents general aspects of fungal molecular profiling, the main genetic regions commonly employed: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), Large Subunit (LSU), and Beta-tubulin(β-tubulin), and how to use specific primers for varied …

Exploring U.S. Sports Marketing Strategies For Maximizing A Fluid Fan Base, Dylan Houseworth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Fluid fandom, characterized by consumers’ shifting allegiances across players, teams, and organizations, has become increasingly prevalent within the U.S. sports marketplace. Many U.S. sports marketing managers lack clearly defined, evidence-based strategies for effectively engaging fluid fans, creating uncertainty around how to maintain brand loyalty, competitive positioning, and long-term organizational viability. Grounded in Stryker’s identity theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies U.S. sports marketing managers use to engage and maximize a fluid fan base. A purposeful sampling of six sports marketing professionals from U.S.-based organizations was selected, with each participant required to have a …

Strategies To Mitigate Supply Chain Disruptions In Small Restaurant Business, Aminu Hassan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain disruptions can impact the operational capability of small restaurant businesses, thereby affecting their financial health. Some small restaurant supply chain managers lack effective strategies to manage supply chain disruptions. Grounded in Oliver and Webber’s supply chain management theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies small restaurant supply chain managers use to manage supply chain disruptions. The participants were 10 small restaurant supply chain managers located in Baltimore who effectively mitigated the effects of at least one significant supply chain disruption. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and publicly available documents and reports. Through …

Information Technology Managers’ Strategies For Securing Organizational Networks From Cyberattacks, Damilola O. Jibowu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cyberattacks increasingly threaten enterprise networks, creating significant risks to sensitive data and business operations. The purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore the strategies Information Technology (IT) managers use to secure organizational networks from cyberattacks. Participants consisted of seven experienced IT managers with a minimum of 5 years of network security management experience, purposefully selected through LinkedIn. The study was grounded in integrated systems theory, which emphasizes the interdependence of technology, processes, and risk management within organizations. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and document analysis to examine practical approaches to securing networks. Thematic analysis identified eight core …

Cetrimide Vs Sodium Chloride: Postoperative Wound Cleansing Practice, A Clinical Audit Project Proposal, Andrei Niga

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Invasive Candidiasis In Critically Ill Patients: Fundamental Concepts And Future Directions, María Alejandra Pérez, Wesley J Hoffmann, J Christian Pérez, Max W Adelman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Topic importance: Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a common complication in patients in ICUs. IC can be divided into bloodstream infections (candidemia) and deep-seated infections. Candida infections are associated with high mortality and longer hospital stays. Moreover, the emergence of Candida auris and other species prone to cause ICU outbreaks highlights the importance of this pathogen.

Review findings: Candidemia represents about 20% of bloodstream infections in ICU patients, whereas intraabdominal candidiasis, the most common form of deep-seated infection, predominantly affects surgical ICU patients. Regarding species distribution, Candida albicans is the most common species; however, non-albicans species have become more prevalent in …

Development Of A Therapy-Led Follow Up Model For Patients With Long-Term Neurological Conditions Seen In A Rural Spasticity Clinic, Angela Gibbon

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Impact Of A Language Translation Standard Operating Procedure For The Multi-Professional Team Working In A Maternity Care Service, Fiona Howard

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Neuroprotection Of Patients After An Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Clinical Audit Project Proposal, Rebecca Russell

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Nurses’ Knowledge And Practice For The Management Of Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity: A Service Evaluation Project Proposal, Adeola Adebisi

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Pixar Service Evaluation – Patient And Public Involvement On The Isles Of Scilly: Informing Research Through Lived Experience, Samuel Huczmann

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Theatre Staff Knowledge And Practice In The Use Of Surgical Robotics: A Service Evaluation Project Proposal, Sandhya Rani Sudhakar Puli

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Understanding And Knowledge Of Theatre Staff About Surgical Positioning: A Service Evaluation Project Proposal, Naila Janifer

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Women’S Hormonal Mental Health Assessment In Home Treatment Services: A Service Evaluation Project Proposal, Carolyn Broom

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.

Advanced Practitioner’S Skills In Communicating Bad News To Patients: A Service Evaluation Project Proposal, Olga Richardt

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.