Digital Commons Network^™

The Use Of Local Materials For The Interior Quality Of Swahili Building Design In Tanzania, Luiana Makundi, Jacob Lutta

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Swahili architecture in Tanzania is recognized by spatial capacity to adapt environmental changes. This research explores the role of locally available materials in shaping the interior quality by focusing on functional, aesthetic appeal and supporting sustainable environment. A mixed-methods approach was applied which, involves field surveys, case study and interviews with different local professionals in building industry. Dar-es-Salaam was used as a case study area that was critically analysed to identify construction practices and applications of local materials in building interior spaces. A particular focus was placed on materials durability, aesthetic, ecological, environmental balance and thermal efficiency which seems to …

Real-Time Likelihood Map Generation To Localize Short-Duration Gamma-Ray Transients, Jeremy Buhler, Marion Sudvarg

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

High-energy transient astrophysical phenomena, such as supernovae and binary neutron star mergers, benefit from a multi-wavelength investigation in which a space- or balloon-based omnidirectional telescope detects and localizes early high-energy emissions (such as a gamma-ray burst), then alerts a narrow-field follow-up instrument to observe the source. The high-energy telescope must provide a map that assigns to each sky location a likelihood that the source appears there. To issue prompt alerts despite limits on communication bandwidth and latency, it is desirable to compute this map aboard the high-energy telescope, but doing so requires rapid response while computing under stringent size, weight, …

Diversity Of Pollen Grains And Their Allergenic Potential At The Roshn Waterfront, Jeddah Corniche, Saudi Arabia, Amal Aldhebiani, Raghad Alzahrani, Lama Alzahrani, Lama Al-Zubaidi, Athari Jarrah, Samaher Sharahili

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

Jeddah, a prominent coastal city along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, has experienced significant urban growth, particularly around the Roshn Waterfront, a vital area for recreation and green spaces. Urban green spaces are known to boost biodiversity and enhance public health, but they may also pose allergenic risks due to the presence of airborne pollen. This study explores the variety of ornamental plants found at the Roshn Waterfront and examines the allergenic properties associated with their pollen. We identified 23 different plant species from 14 families along a 4-kilometre stretch from AlNawras Square to Atallah Happy Land Park. Each …

Low Utilization Of Intracavernosal Injection And Penile Doppler Ultrasound In The Evaluation Of Erectile Dysfunction And Peyronie's Disease, Joon Yau Leong, Tyler Gaines, Zachary J. Prebay, David Ebbott, Paul H. Chung

Department of Urology Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Despite the diagnostic value of intracavernosal injections (ICI) and penile Doppler ultrasound (PDUS), there remain barriers to widespread clinical adaptation of these methods. The study aimed to evaluate the practice patterns of utilization of ICI and PDUS in the assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's disease (PD).

METHODS: Using the TriNetX database (Cambridge, MA, USA), adult (≥18 years) male patients with a diagnosis of ED on oral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors were identified. Current Procedural Terminology codes were utilized to identify patients who underwent further evaluation with ICI or PDUS, as well as penile prosthesis placement after PDUS. A …

Using The Practice Based Coaching Model For Professional Development In Head Start Programs, Julia Cuevas Guerra

Human Development and School Services Faculty Publications

A mixed-methods descriptive single-case research design explored the effects of implementing the Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) model at a South Texas Early Head Start Center. Three bilingual coaches used the Practiced-Based Coaching model to provide professional development on emergent biliteracy instruction for three bilingual teachers of 2- to 3-year-olds. Coaches and teachers used reflexive journals, focus groups, pre- and post-observation checklists, and surveys to share their views and experiences with the Practice-Based Coaching model. Results showed the Practice Based Coaching model is effective teacher and coach training. The model’s ripple effect fostered a coach-teacher collaboration via social learning, boosting teachers’ emergent …

Implementing The Practice Based Coaching Model For Inclusion In Early Childhood Education, Julia Cuevas Guerra

Human Development and School Services Faculty Publications

This mixed method descriptive single case research explored the effects of implementing the Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) model at an Early Head Start Center in South Texas. The Practice-Based Coaching model provided professional development by three bilingual coaches to three bilingual teachers of young children ages 2-3 about emergent biliteracy instruction. Data was collected from coaches and teachers through reflexive journals, focus group interview, pre and post observation checklists and surveys to get their perceptions and experiences with the Practice-Based Coaching model. The findings showed the Practice Based Coaching model is an effective learning practice for teachers and coaches. The model …

Integrative And Contextual Instructional Models For Strengthening Scientific Literacy In Primary And Secondary Education (2020–2025): A Systematic Literature And Bibliometric Review, Jihan Salsabillah Misel, Eko Handoyo, Ellianawati Ellianawati, Bambang Subali

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Improving students’ science literacy remains a persistent challenge in schools. Although studies since 2020 examine strategies to enhance science literacy, no synthesis has compared integrative models across levels. This review addresses that gap through a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review of 1,518 records, with 24 studies included and supported by VOSviewer mapping. Findings show that Problem-Based Learning, STEM-based learning, and the RADEC model are the most effective approaches, while Differentiated Instruction, Flipped Classroom, and Project-Based Learning strengthen reasoning and scientific attitudes. These results offer guidance for classroom implementation and inform policy on teacher training and curriculum design within the Merdeka Curriculum.

Integration Of Islamic Values In Mathematics Learning, Ai Mulya, Surya Faradiba

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to identify the integration of Islamic values in mathematics learning and its contribution to student character development. The method used is a systematic literature study by reviewing relevant accredited scientific articles. The results of the study indicate that the integration of Islamic values is carried out through the preparation of Islamic-context-based mathematics problems, linking concepts to verses of the Qur'an and hadith, the application of ethnomathematics with Islamic cultural nuances, and the introduction of Islamic economic concepts. The dominant values that emerge include honesty, responsibility, discipline, justice, and piety. These findings indicate that the integration of Islamic …

A Survey Of Student Opinions About A Haiku Writing Assignment, Manish Rami

Communication Sciences & Disorders Faculty Publications

This study examined the instructional value of a haiku writing assignment (HWA) from the graduate students’ perspective via a survey of their opinions. Fifty-eight students wrote and submitted haiku over the course of a semester. A 10-item survey instrument was used to elicit students’ opinions about the assignment. The probability of responses to each of the items on the survey was compared to chance occurrence. Chi-Square tests found that students enjoyed the assignment and the example haiku; they believed that the assignment helped them grasp concepts and be more engaged with the course content; and recommended the use of such …

The Well-Being Of International Doctoral Students—What Does It Look Like, What Affects It, And How Can We Support It?, Sean Nicholas, Pinjia Chan, Ivana Chan

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

There are multiple reviews on the well-being of international students and doctoral students, but to our knowledge, none on the well-being of international doctoral students. We undertook a scoping review to understand the state of well-being of international doctoral students, the factors that affect it, and the strategies that support it. We searched PsycInfo, EBSCO, Scopus, and ERIC for full-text, peer-reviewed articles published in English from 2003–2023. Fourteen studies were included in our scoping review. These studies suggest that international doctoral students report relatively low well-being in terms of negative emotions, attitudes toward the self, and social relationships. Their well-being …

Navigating Uncertainty: A Fulbright Scholar’S Journey, Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This critical autoethnography provides insights to a Fulbright U.S. Scholar’s experience amid financial and geopolitical uncertainty. It addresses being abroad as an academic ambassador while also navigating feelings of frustration and uncertainty in managing one’s living expenses and research protocol while trying to preserve research partnerships despite U.S. political rhetoric.

Investigating The Connection Between Liberal Arts And Sciences Education And Democracy: Representing Marginal Groups, Hamdi Echkaou, Jaouad Elbakili

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This study investigates the role of liberal arts and sciences (LAS) education in fostering democratization through the representation of Morocco’s Amazigh community. Drawing on interviews and focus groups with Amazigh students at Al Akhawayn University (AUI), the research employs a qualitative framework to explore themes of linguistic identity, curriculum inclusivity, and institutional support. Findings reveal gaps in cultural representation despite AUI’s commitment to global citizenship, highlighting the need for representative curriculum, cultural programming, and faculty representing that community. The study contributes to comparative higher education by underscoring LAS institutions’ potential to advance democracy through equitable representation of marginalized groups. Recommendations …

A Proposed Urban Branding Strategy As Sustainable Urban Regeneration Policy, A Case Study Of Burj-Al Burullus City, Dalia S. Shebl, Kariman A. Shawky

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study examines the importance of a branding strategy that can be applied in Burj Al-Burullus city to promote and catalyze cultural heritage branding and invest in these facilities for economic and tourism purposes. By measuring the indicators of how urban branding may be achieved. Burj Al-Burullus city is empirically examined using Identity-Based Approach. Based on profound theoretical and analytical studies, the branding concept was studied and analyzed composing a list of indicators for tangible and intangible elements that illustrate the urban branding value of cities. Followed by an analysis of Burj Al-Burullus city using GIS and city data base …

Assessing Community Extension Initiative In Developing Culture-Based Iped For Teachers And Learners In Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, Ramil M. Arciosa, Lovelyn C. Llanillo, Anneril R. Lorio, Mary Grace Gallego, Leizel Meriales, Armando Dardo, Dennis Valdez, Jonalyn Perfecio, Noriana Aguil

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

One of the tenets of higher education is the extension of the community that responds to the social and cultural surroundings, including the Indigenous Peoples (IP) and their rights to education. A supportive and relevant education with respect to cultural identity becomes important. This study aims to assess a community extension initiative at its preliminary stage in developing IPEd in the Philippines based on the teachers’ and learners’ awareness level of such programs. The study was conducted in two IPEd schools, Manirub Integrated School and Ugis Elementary School, at Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. The study examined the teachers’ and learners’ awareness …

The Architecture Of Encounter: Intercultural Communication, Collaboration, And Community Immersion As Pedagogical Space, Yonghyun Yu, Caecilia Srikanti Wijayaputri, Yenny Gunawan, Franseno Pujianto, Yonav Partana

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Being community responsive in such a multicultural context requires an intercultural approach to bridge the mutual understanding and collaboration. There is a surge to introduce intercultural learning to students within their role as a global community. This study analyzes the 2023 International Architecture Workshop (IAW) taking place in Bali, a collaboration among the University of Ulsan, Universitas Gunadarma, and Parahyangan Catholic University, through the lens of intercultural learning. Due to an increasing demand for intercultural competence, transnational collaboration, and community-responsive design literacy, this workshop provides important capacities in architectural education. This workshop shows how a situated pedagogy can reconfigure students’ …

Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods In The Organisations' Maturity Assessment: Prisma And Delphi Techniques Perspectives, Jailos Mrisho Mzumile, Victoria Mahabi, Ismail W. R. Taifa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Researchers often find it challenging to identify the appropriate Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods (MCDM) to employ in various research areas that involve prioritising conflicting alternatives or criteria. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA technique to determine the most frequently and commonly employed MCDM methods in assessing organisational maturity across its functional areas. A total of 120 articles were identified for review, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted to map the relationships within the identified articles using VOSviewer 1.6.20 software. Moreover, frequent content analysis was performed to determine the most frequently employed MCDM methods in assessing an organisation’s …

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 …

Psoriasis Treatments In The Stabilization Of Atherosclerosis: A Systematic Review, Lixin Ji, Sowmya Ravi, Laura Wright, Vi Nguyen, Jose Wiley, Milena Vukelic, Sangkyu Kim

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

This systematic review explores the relationship between achieving minimal disease activity in psoriasis and the progression of atherosclerosis. It investigates how biologic therapies and other treatments impact atherosclerosis markers, offering insights into therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted from January 1, 2000, to April 1, 2023, using terms such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atherosclerosis, biologic therapy, vascular stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Eligible studies were those involving human subjects over 18, written in English, that provided quantitative atherosclerosis markers, including CIMT, CCTA, arterial pulse wave velocity …

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 …

Book Review: Water, Whiskey, And Vodka: A Story Of Slavic Languages., Ronald I. Kim

Russian Language Journal

There are more speakers of Slavic languages in Europe today than of the continent’s two other major Indo-European branches, Romance and Germanic. Yet over a generation after the end of the Cold War, despite economic growth, tourism, and steadily increasing cultural exchange, ignorance among North Americans and Western Europeans about the basic facts of the Slavic languages remains sadly widespread. Even from speakers of Slavic languages themselves one continues to hear all sorts of linguistic myths, such as that all Slavic languages sound essentially identical to Russian or, at the other extreme, nationalistic claims that Polish and Ukrainian are nothing …

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.

Applying A Neo-Bakhtinesque Concept Of Dialogue In The Elementary Russian Classroom, James M. Curtis

Russian Language Journal

This forum piece invites readers to consider how Bakhtin’s concept of dialogue can reshape the teaching of elementary Russian. Instead of treating beginners as passive recipients of rules and forms, a neo-Bakhtinian, constructivist approach views them as active co-creators of meaning whose prior experiences, beliefs, and anxieties matter for learning. The author argues that engaging students in genuine dialogue—about their assumptions, about English–Russian contrasts, and about how grammar is named and presented—can reduce intimidation, increase confidence, and make Russian feel more accessible. In this way, Bakhtin’s ideas move beyond literary theory into the practical realities of the introductory language classroom.

The Role Of Working Memory In The Acquisition Of L2 Russian Case, Natalia V. Parker

Russian Language Journal

With the development of cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics, the view of individual differences has been evolving and now includes concepts such as cognitive processing and Working Memory (WM) (e.g., Doughty, 2019; Jackson, 2020; McConnell, 2023; Wen & Teng, 2023). The present study contributes to this line of research by investigating the relationship between WM capacity and the accuracy of L2 Russian case inflection production by complete beginners in instructional settings, which is an under-researched area. The data are part of a larger study, which involved a 20-week teaching intervention with English-speaking volunteers (n=27), who were taught two Russian cases (Prepositional …

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 …

Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Surveillance: A Delphi Panel Consensus, Juan Alban, R. Christopher Bowen, David A. Reichstein, Meredith Mckean, Jose Lutzky, Ezekiel Weis, Richard D. Carvajal, Susan Dulka, Brian G. Morse, Marcus O. Butler, Suthee Rapisuwon, Kevin B. Kim, Sanjay Chandrasekaran, Allison Betof Warner, Jonathan S. Zager, Bartosz Chmielowski, Sapna P. Patel, Leonel Fernando Hernandez-Aya, Zelia M. Correa, Leslie A. Fecher, Yana G. Najjar, Kamaneh Montazeri, Alexander N. Shoushtari, Asad Javed, Dan S. Gombos, April K. S. Salama, Katy Tsai, Frank H. Miller, Nikhil Khushalani, Rino S. Seedor, Evan J. Lipson, Sunil A. Reddy, Elizabeth Buchbinder, Shailender Bhatia, Anna Pavlick, Inderjit Mehmi, Thomas Aaberg, Alexandra P. Ikeguchi, Ivana K. Kim, Scott D. Walter, Arun D. Singh, Ryan J. Sullivan, Jacob S. Choi, Basil K. Williams, Marlana Orloff, Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, Megan D. Schollenberger, Namita Gandhi, J. William Harbour, Sunandana Chandra

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Uveal melanoma is a rare but aggressive intraocular malignancy that metastasizes in up to half of patients, most commonly to the liver, despite effective local treatment. In the absence of robust evidence, there are no standardized guidelines for post-treatment surveillance, resulting in wide variation in imaging modalities, frequency, and duration across physicians and institutions. This study aimed to develop expert consensus recommendations for surveillance strategies in patients with uveal melanoma.

METHODS: A modified Delphi method was conducted across three iterative survey rounds between September 2024 and February 2025 using an online platform. Panelists included medical oncologists, ocular oncologists, radiologists, …

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 …

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 …