Digital Commons Network^™

Regenerative And Wellness Medicine: A Boon Or Barrier To Surgical Innovation In Degenerative Spine Care?, Álvaro Dowling, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, Morgan P. Lorio, Óscar L. Alves, Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli, Sergio Luis Schmidt, Hansen A. Yuan, Alexander R. Vaccaro

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Regenerative and wellness medicine is rapidly reshaping health care, particularly in the management of degenerative spine conditions. Noninvasive or minimally invasive options such as stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and holistic wellness programs are increasingly selected by patients who wish to avoid the risks, costs, and prolonged recovery associated with elective spine surgery.

PURPOSE: This perspective article examines whether regenerative and wellness approaches function primarily as a boon or a barrier to innovation in spine surgery and explores their impact on traditional, insurance-based surgical care models.

METHODS: Using a narrative, opinion-based framework, this article synthesizes current trends …

Radiographic Assessment Of Anterior Maxillary Sites Prior To Immediate Implant Placement: A Retrospective Study On Cbct, Elissa El Alam, Abdallah Menhall, Nabil Ghosn, Pierre Lahoud

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective radiographic study was to measure alveolar bone width at the alveolar crest, intraosseous root length, apical bucco-palatal bone thickness and apical bone height at the anterior maxillary teeth prior to immediate implant placement. Dehiscence and fenestration at these sites were also reported.

Methods: 50 CBCTs were included in this study. Measurements were taken on the right and left sides of the central incisor, lateral incisor, and canine using a 3d slicer program. Frequency of fenestration and dehiscence at these sites were also reported.

Results: Mean bone width at the alveolar crest of the central …

The Assessment Of Ageism In Dental Hygiene Students And Dental Hygienists: A Cross-Sectional Study, Paolo Boffano, Elena Canciani, Valeria Nikolovska, Francesca Santeusanio, Andrea Melle

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: Ageism is a common type of discrimination and prejudice that consists in the stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age.The purpose of this study was to assess dental hygienists and dental hygiene students’ attitudes toward geriatric patients, the perceptions of curriculum suitability, and their confidence in treating geriatric patients, together with an assessment of ageism in the study population.

Methods: A survey was conducted among dental hygienists and dental hygiene students. The first part of the questionnaire contained questions related to demographics, and regarding their opinion on treatment in the geriatric population. The …

Synergizing Digital And Print: Leveraging Spine Surgeons' Social Media To Transform Publishing And Society Interaction, Benedikt W. Burkhardt, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, Choll W. Kim, Morgan P Lorio, Oscar L. Alves, Rossano Kepler Alvim Fiorelli, Sergio Luis Schmidt, Hansen A. Yuan, Alex R. Vaccaro

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Social media has fundamentally altered how information is created, disseminated, and consumed, with growing impact on spine surgeons and professional societies. Traditional academic publishing remains the standard for research validation, but digital platforms now shape much of the real-time dialogue in spine care.

OBJECTIVE: To explore strategies for integrating spine surgeons' social media presence with traditional publishing channels to enhance knowledge dissemination, support clinical innovation, and improve member engagement within spine societies.

METHODS: This perspective reviews current patterns of social media use among spine surgeons, focusing on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. It analyzes benefits …

From Plague To Cholera: The Prevention And Treatments Of Cholera In Thailand, 1820–1959, Suwasadee Photpun

Journal of Letters

This article aims to explore the history of cholera in Thailand from 1820 to 1959, focusing on disease prevention and the evolving treatment methods for cholera patients across different historical periods. The article argues that knowledge about pathogens and the discovery of Vibrio cholerae as the cause of cholera did not lead to significant changes in cholera prevention and treatment methods before the mid-20th century. Methods like maintaining hygiene, implementing quarantine, and treating the disease with Western medicine and intravenous saline infusions were already known and utilized before the acceptance of germ theory and before the discovery of bacteria as …

The Impact Of Parents’ School Choices Towards Schools And Students: A Case Study Of Secondary Schools In Inner Bangkok, Krittin Klaimee, Petchpilai Lattanan

Journal of Letters

Parents typically select the most suitable school for their children based on socioeconomic factors and geographic factors which impact on the ease of travel. With the decline in the student-age population and ongoing urban changes, schools have been significantly impacted, prompting them to adapt to the increasing competition. These impacts not only affect the schools themselves but also the students. This study aims to examine the impact of parental school choice decisions on secondary schools and students in inner Bangkok through in-depth interviews with teachers and focus group discussions with students. The findings reveal that schools with different service areas …

Beyond Charisma: A Critical Theory Perspective On Populist Leadership In A Post-Covid Age Of Crisis, Samuel Fianko-Ofori, Stephen Apolima

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

This paper argues that the digital communication environment has qualitatively transformed the dynamics of populist leadership, moving it beyond a reliance on personal charisma. While the affective bonds between leaders and followers—explored by classical theorists like Weber, Freud, and Adorno—are not new, their operation within the platformed public sphere marks a distinct shift. We introduce the concept of Affective Populist Leadership (APL) to conceptualize this shift. APL is a mode of leadership sustained through the strategic cultivation and digital amplification of collective emotions. It operates through three mutually reinforcing mechanisms: (1) the perpetual theatrical framing of politics as crisis, (2) …

The Perception Of Leader Identity: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Interfaith Hospital Chaplains, Zachary C. Wooten, Jocelyn R. Brown

Interdisciplinary Journal of Leadership Studies

This article showcases the results of one research question in a multi-question study, specifically, “How do interfaith hospital chaplains perceive themselves leaders or part of the leadership process?” To answer this question, researchers interviewed ten interfaith hospital chaplains and employed interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). The analysis revealed the participants’ views that interfaith hospital chaplains are part of the leadership processes in hospital systems. A significant opportunity exists for chaplains and the healthcare system at large to engage in a more expansive, interdisciplinary understanding of leadership with the work of healthcare chaplaincy at the center of such discourse. This understanding moves …

Comprehensive Mechatronic Design Methodology For 6-Dof Stationary Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robot With Safety-Integrated Control Architecture, Javlonbek Rakhmatillaev Mr., Nodirbek Kimsanboyev Mr., Umidjon Takabaev Mr., Zafar Juraev3 Dr.

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This paper presents the mechatronic design of a proposed six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) stationary lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton (SLLRE) robot, developed through a comprehensive mechatronic design methodology that includes mechanical design, actuator and sensor selection, and the development of a control structure based on a safety-oriented control approach. The proposed 6-DOF SLLRE mechanical design introduces a comprehensive mechanical structure comprising bilateral hip, knee, and ankle joints, degrees of freedom, joint ranges of motion, human parameters for rehabilitation training, as well as the frames and structural elements of the proposed system. Furthermore, the selection of appropriate sensors, actuators, and control architecture for the …

Improving Self-Diagnostic Methods Of Flow Measurement Systems Based On Artificial Intelligence, Elbek Ortikov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The article examines methods for improving self-diagnostics of consumption measurement systems based on artificial intelligence in the context of industry digitalization and the development of cyber-physical systems. It has been shown that traditional flow meters used to measure the flow rate of liquids and gases are subject to mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, and hidden failures, which reduce the accuracy and reliability of measurements. A justification for the need to transition from classical maintenance methods to intelligent self-control methods that ensure the detection of anomalies and hidden malfunctions in real time is presented. A multi-level architecture of intelligent self-diagnosis is proposed, including …

Effectiveness Of Different Home Bleaching Treatments On Color Change And Tooth Sensitivity: A Split-Mouth Design, Tarek Hanbali, Rim Bourgi, Carlos Enrique Cuevas-Suárez, Monika Lukomska-Szymanska, Walter Devoto, Nicolas Nassar, Naji Kharouf, Louis Hardan

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: Dental at-home bleaching is a widely recognized and effective treatment for improving the shade of anterior teeth. However, the impact of varying application times of carbamide peroxide (CP) concentrations on whitening efficacy and tooth sensitivity (TS) remains unclear.

Methods: In this split-mouth, randomized clinical trial, 80 participants were divided into two groups (n = 40 each) to receive either 10% or 16% CP gel for home bleaching. Different application times were tested. Tooth color was measured using the Optishade colorimeter, and TS was evaluated via a five-point analog numerical rating scale. The Friedman test with post hoc Tukey test …

Artificial Intelligence, An Aid In Teledentistry: A Review, Kavery Ittira Kuttappa, Mamatha Shetty, Upasana Reddy, Srilakshmi Mahadevan

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

The central question is whether teledentistry can effectively access and provide treatment to dental patients. This review seeks to examine how teledentistry improves oral health services through the use of various enabling technologies. This explores the integration of artificial intelligence in teledentistry in modern oral healthcare. Teledentistry expands its access to dental services, especially in remote and undeserved communities through synchronous, asynchronous and remote patient monitoring while reducing costs, logistical barriers and chairside time. It shifts its dynamic from a curative model to a proactive preventive one which focuses on patient centered care. Artificial Intelligence (AI) includes machine learning, deep …

Feeding Difficulties And Survival Outcomes In Advanced Dementia: A Multicentre Retrospective Study From Oman, Fatma Al-Shamsi, Ahmed Al-Darmaki, Said A Al-Busafi, Hamed Al-Sinawi, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Athba Al-Ajmi, Abdullah Mohammed Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Feeding problems are among the most common in patients with advanced dementia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of feeding problems and evaluate survival outcomes following the onset of feeding problems in patients with advanced dementia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adults with advanced dementia identified from the electronic patient record using diagnostic codes and keyword searches was conducted. This multicentre study took place at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman and the Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from January 2010 to December 2023. Results: A total of 202 patients were included. The median age was 78.5 …

Seemingly Unrelated Exponetiated Exponential Geometric Regression Model, Oluwaseun Michael Famoni, Bamidele Mustapha Oseni

Al-Bahir

In the class of seemingly unrelated regression models, the dispersion nature of the dependent variable can greatly impact the efficiency and reliability of the parameter estimates for the model. Despite this, the seemingly unrelated Poisson regression model and seemingly unrelated negative binomial model are two most commonly used count data models for these class of regression models. This study introduces the seemingly unrelated exponentiated exponential geometric regression (SUEEGR) for modelling count data which might be equi-, under, or over-dispersed. Parameters estimation for the model was carried out using the method of maximum likelihood. A simulation study was carried out to …

Virtual Process Modeling Of Metal Additive Manufacturing Basedon Direct Energy Deposition In-Situ Failure, Jachin J. Ramirez

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This study builds a mesoscale finite element simulation to examine how internal stresses form during additive metal manufacturing using directed energy deposition. The goal is to track how heat and stress develop layer by layer and determine where a failure criterion could appear during the print. The model uses temperature-dependent material properties for Inconel 718 and a moving heat source defined with custom G-code.

Thermal results are mapped into a mechanical simulation to watch stress accumulate as new layers are added. Different scan paths were tested to determine whether varying heat exposure could reduce the extent of a region exceeding …

'Desplante Flamenco:’ A Study To Better Understand Its Meaning In Flamenco Dance, Chita Espino-Bravo Ph.D.

Modern Languages Faculty Publications

There are different definitions of the term ‘Desplante’ in relation to flamenco dance. In this study, we will delve deeper into this concept to understand its meaning in dance and to better interpret it. We will also explore its origins, which will lead us to reflect on what flamenco dance truly is and what influences it has received.

Mortality, Temperature, And Public Adaptation Policy: Evidence From Italy, Filippo Pavanello, Giulia Valenti

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

In 2004, Italy introduced a national program to address heat-related health risks, combining public awareness campaigns, heat-wave warning systems, and hospital protocols. Leveraging administrative mortality data and high-frequency temperature variation, we show that the program reduced heat-related mortality by more than 57% on days at or above 30°C. To identify the mechanisms, we exploit the staggered introduction of heat-wave warning systems across provinces and show that treated areas experienced substantially larger reductions in heat-related mortality. We further document that information disclosure plays a key role in driving these reductions. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of public adaptation policies that …

Happily Ever After?: Romantic Ideas And Gender Roles In Disney Media, Madelyn J. Winfrey

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This research aims to study a sample of animated Disney movies to examine the gender roles and romantic relationships displayed. With Disney's wide reach in the media realm, they have gained popularity across the globe for the movies they produce; however, the genre they are most well-known for is romance and fairytales. This study will utilize content analysis to examine the behaviors and stereotypes displayed in each movie in the sample as well as common themes that are present.

Is It Rape Or Consent? College Men Just Don’T Know, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera, Eva S. S. Goldfarb, Amanda S. Birnbaum, Lisa D. Lieberman

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Introduction: Women and LGBTQ+ undergraduates face higher rates of sexual assault and rape compared to cisgender male peers—the overwhelming majority of perpetrators. Federal policies have aimed to curb campus sexual violence, yet questions remain about the efficacy of consent education, particularly among cisgender heterosexual men. Methods: This study surveyed 1567 undergraduate students at a large Northeastern public university in 2017 and 2022. Responses to a nine-item consent scale were analyzed by gender, sexuality, and demographic factors. Results: Cisgender heterosexual (cis-het) men had poorer understanding of consent compared to women and LGBTQ+ students, both in 2017 and 2022. Cis-het men’s consent …

Standardizing Assessment Of Clinical Performance In Physical Therapy: From Good Intentions To Shared Standards, Arvie Vitente, Carmina Rafael, Rolando Lazaro

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Clinical education is the crucible in which physical therapy students integrate knowledge, skills, and professional judgment into safe, ethical, and person-centered practice. Yet globally, the assessment of clinical performance remains highly variable, shaped by disparate tools, rubrics, and levels of assessor preparation. While several countries have adopted nationally standardized approaches to clinical assessment, many contexts—including the Philippines—continue to rely on locally developed or institution-specific systems, resulting in inconsistent expectations, inequitable student experiences, and limited capacity for benchmarking, research, and quality improvement. This editorial argues that good intentions alone are insufficient and that the profession must move toward shared, trustworthy standards …

Precision Education In Health Sciences Education: A Call-To-Action For Developing An Interprofessional Strategy, Arvie Vitente, Jennifer Bosworth, Robert Sweet, Rebecca Cozzi, Christopher Galloway, Piotr Szczurek, Melanie Obispo-Young, Eron Bozec, Erica Brkovic, Tina Bobo, Jennifer Lubinski

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction. Growing learner diversity, expanding biomedical knowledge, and rapid clinical digitization have exposed the limits of on-size-fits-all health sciences training. Competency-Based Education (CBE) has sharpened the focus on outcomes, yet many programs still move learners through fixed sequences, infrequent assessments, and retrospective remediation. Precision Education (PE) offers a complementary, data-enabled approach that uses learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous feedback loops. Embedded within CBE, PE converts competencies from static milestones into dynamic trajectories that can be measured, visualized, and adjusted in real time across the curriculum. This abstract highlights the need for an interprofessional strategy to design, fund, and …

Folding Architecture “Origami Art-Inspired” Applicability To Sustainable Architecture- Biomuseo As A Case Study, Vitta A. Ibrahim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The growing need for sustainable architectural solutions in the contemporary era underscores the necessity for interactive architectural applications that can adapt to changing requirements. In architecture, folding systems refer to three-dimensional, foldable structural forms that create unique spatial configurations and possess a wide range of capabilities. Drawing inspiration from origami techniques, this study emphasizes the role of folding systems in generating innovative spatial designs. The research problem arises from the fact that the built environment is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, necessitating the implementation of smart solutions. The goal of this study is to identify …

Conflicted Assumptions: India's Medical Value Travel Marketing Messages, Irving Stackpole

Visions in Leisure and Business

The chronology of the Indian government’s marketing communications rhetoric about medical services exports (commonly referred to as “medical tourism”) from 1990 to 2024 reveals a clear evolution from basic economic liberalization to global leadership positioning. These marketing messages have progressed through distinct phases, consistently emphasizing cost advantages, quality claims, and international competitiveness. It has also become increasingly sophisticated in its use of branding, digital platforms, and systematic promotional frameworks. The evolution from simple "cost advantage" claims to comprehensive "medical hub of the world" positioning demonstrates an evolving promotional narrative, growing ambition, and overestimation of value and demand. This article reviews …

Challenges And Opportunities For India As Well As Wellness Destinations, Michael Wallace

Visions in Leisure and Business

India has emerged as a globally recognized wellness destination, grounded in 5,000 years of traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Naturopathy. Supported by rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a reputation for spiritual authenticity, India continues to attract international wellness travellers seeking holistic, transformative experiences. This article examines the opportunities that strengthen India’s competitive position—such as government-backed initiatives (including the AYUSH Visa), expansion of high-end wellness resorts, and rising global interest in sustainability and authentic cultural immersion—as well as the challenges that threaten its long-term leadership in the global wellness economy.

Drawing on generational analysis, the …

Developing And Implementing A Primary Source Literacy Case Scenario For The Undergraduate Business Classroom, Annette Bochenek, Megan Troyer

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

This article discusses the development and implementation of a case-based learning scenario activity intended to enhance primary source literacy among undergraduate business students. The activity was delivered in the context of a large Midwestern university’s undergraduate business course. This case is based on the ACRL RBMS-SAA Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy and gives students an opportunity to use digitized primary archival sources as part of the research process in connection with a modern business-related scenario in which they can apply primary source literacy skills. This guided activity also explores affective experiences as they occurred in student responses to this activity …

Factors Influencing The Success Of Student Veterans In Higher Education

Faculty Publications and Presentations

A case study was conducted at a private institution of higher education to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that support student veterans, a nontraditional student demographic in a private institution of higher education. The article explains the interplay and relationship between what nontraditional students bring to the academic experience, the role of educators, and factors contributing to or detracting from their success in higher education. Analysis of key issues related to combat student veterans in higher education revealed common themes and contextual information from which the lessons learned were developed. The results of the study indicate that the …

Intrusion Detection System For Iot/Cloud Networks Using Federated Learning And Lightweight Cryptography, Ayad Al-Adhami, Rajaa K. Hasoun, Sanaa Ali Jabber, Soukaena H. Hashem

Baghdad Science Journal

This study presents a secure solution that utilizes lightweight cryptography (LWC) and intrusion detection systems (IDS) to safeguard cloud networks and Internet of Things (IoT) from cyberattacks. Federated Learning (FL) is suggested for identifying zero-attacks to guarantee the security of different local IoT networks connected to global server of cloud. The proposed federated learning utilizing data from all local IoT network devices to create a generalized Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Local IoT networks consist of clients that communicate updates to their parameters with a central server located in the global cloud. This server integrates these changes and deploys an improved …

Enhanced Network Anomaly Detection Using Hybrid Deep Learning Network Based On Interactive Threshold, Maythem S. Derweesh, Sundos A. Hameed Alazawi, Anwar H. Al-Saleh

Baghdad Science Journal

In recent years, the growing use of the internet by both governments and private companies has led to a major increase in individual online activity. This expand lead to make the systems more effected to the threats and cyber attacks, and need more strong solutions to cyber security. Recently, deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) have become powerful tools in the cybersecurity field, especially for tasks such as detecting malware and filtering spam. This study present new multi layer method to detect the abnormal activities by busing advanced deep learning techniques. The proposed system work in tow main steps. …

Optimizing Runtime Memory Size Of Smith-Waterman Algorithm For Long Sequences Alignment, Imad Qasim Habeeb, Zeyad Qasim Habeeb, Hanan Najm Abdulkhudhur

Baghdad Science Journal

Sequence alignment is used to help researchers see areas of similarity between two sequences. Hence, it is a key component of many applications, such as DNA matching, plagiarism detection, and spelling correction. The Smith-Waterman algorithm (SWA) is widely used to calculate the sequence alignment because it is guaranteed to find an optimal solution. This algorithm creates a matrix of the size n * m where the symbols n, m refers to the lengths of two sequences needed to be aligned. Therefore, it requires impersonal hardware with a large amount of main memory at runtime to align long sequences. Furthermore, it …

Loss Of The Maternal Effect Gene Nlrp2 Impairs Embryonic And Extra-Embryonic Development, Revealing A Novel Genetic Cause Of Congenital Anomalies†, Momal Sharif, Zahra Anvar, Imen Chakchouk, Sara H El-Dessouky, Roni Zemet, Eric C Kao, Wessam E Sharaf-Eldin, Ying-Wooi Wan, Zhandong Liu, Pengfei Liu, Michael Jochum, Ignatia B Van Den Veyver

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

Maternal-effect genes (MEGs) play a crucial role in early mammalian development, and their dysfunction can lead to severe embryonic and extra-embryonic abnormalities. NLRP2, a MEG that encodes a subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) protein, has been implicated in preimplantation development, but its role after implantation remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the developmental consequences of maternal Nlrp2 loss-of-function in a maternal knockout (KO) mouse model at embryonic day 11.5. Embryos derived from Nlrp2-KO females have abnormal yolk sac vasculature, increased embryonic resorption, craniofacial abnormalities, neural tube defects, and congenital heart defects. Placental architecture is disrupted with an altered junctional zone …