Digital Commons Network^™

Co-Developing Strategies For Leprosy Management In Malaysia: A Transdisciplinary Research Approach Involving Individuals Affected By Leprosy And Other Stakeholders, Norana Abdul Rahman, Vaikunthan Rajaratnam, Ruth Mh Peters, Marjolein Bm Zweekhorst, Pamela Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Karen Morgan, Mohamed Rusli Abdullah

Publications

Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affected through participatory engagement with both groups. Conducted across three high-burden states in Peninsular Malaysia, the research involved a desk review and stakeholder mapping, followed by 40 in-depth interviews with affected individuals and other stakeholders. These were complemented by a …

Introduction, "Getting Through": Anthropologies Of Crisis, Resistance, And Resilience, Alison Bell

Southern Anthropologist

No abstract provided.

Toward An Orderly And Efficient Post-Disaster Humanitarian Material Donation System: A Case Study Of The ‘9·5’ Luding Earthquake, An Chen

Double Helix Methodology

Purpose – This study aims to assess the orderliness of the humanitarian material donation system (HMDS) following the 2022 “9·5” Luding Earthquake in China, providing insights into improving disaster relief efficiency and promoting postdisaster recovery. Design/methodology/approach – The orderliness of the HMDS is evaluated across three dimensions: donation input, donation output and donation environment. Correlation entropy and running entropy models are used to assess the system’s dynamics and to compare the performance of four donor types: government, enterprises, organizations and individuals. Findings – The early emergency phase (the first 12 days after the earthquake) is characterized by disorder and repeated …

Reimagining Wpa And Writing Center Administration Centering Minority Writers, Saurabh Anand

The Writing Center Journal

This piece explores the discussions surrounding multilingualism, internationalization, and queerness within writing center studies (WCS). As a branch of writing program administration (WPA), this piece situates above-disciplinary conversations in relation to second language studies (SLS) and broader language and literacy education scholarship to identify areas where disciplinary collaboration and attention are still needed, particularly around questions of professional development, administrative strategies, and pedagogies supporting multilingual writers in writing center spaces. This piece begins by reviewing the major trends, contributions, and key terms in existing literature centering on multilingual writers and SLS to identify ways and areas of collaboration and disciplinary …

The Imaginary In Architecture: The Conceptual Structure Of The Imaginary And Its Manifestations In Architectural Text, Noora Ghadir Hlail, Abbas Ali Hamza Al Greiza

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

This study explores the concept of the imaginary as a collective cognitive and cultural structure that shapes symbolic reality through images, myths, and deeply rooted symbols in collective memory. The research applies this concept within the field of architecture, aiming to understand how the imaginary is embodied in architectural texts as symbolic carriers of identity and cultural meaning. Adopting a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study develops a theoretical framework comprising key components—preconditions, mechanisms, and traits of the imaginary—and applies it to two selected case studies: the General Secretariat of the Iraqi Council of Ministers and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. The …

Autistic Adults In-Session Experiences In Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of Helpful And Harmful Factors From First-Person Perspectives, Elizabeth Kilgallon

Graduate Masters Theses

Autistic adults face heightened mental health needs yet encounter significant barriers in psychotherapy. Research on psychotherapy has often emphasized quantitative trials of specific modalities, while little attention has been paid to autistic adults’ own perspectives about in-session therapeutic processes. There is a need for clinical guidance that foregrounds autistic clients’ lived experiences of therapy, with emphasis on identifying what they find helpful or harmful, to inform accessible and affirming practice. In the present study, I conducted a qualitative meta-analysis that investigates autistic adults’ first-person accounts of psychotherapy. Thirty-three studies were included in the analysis. I used critical-constructivist grounded theory to …

The Strange Made Beautiful, The Beautiful Made Strange: Dime Museums, Freak Shows, And The Circassian Beauty In 19th-Century American Popular Culture, Emma P. Lovejoy

Graduate Masters Theses

In the fall of 1864, the infamous showman P. T. Barnum premiered a new human oddity exhibit at his American Museum in New York City. Unlike most of the other freak performers there, there was nothing inherently extraordinary about the body of the woman who he introduced as “Zalumma Agra, the Star of the East.” Instead, she had intentionally teased her hair into a mane of curls unfashionable and uncommon for Caucasian women, and dressed in a costume meant to evoke Turkish or more broadly Near Eastern aesthetics. To explain and elevate her unusual appearance, Barnum (or another of the …

Shifting Views, Shaping Outcomes: Exploring Relations Between Educators’ Neurodiversity-Affirming Perceptions And Their Autistic Students’ School Experiences, Josh Yen-Ho Chou

Graduate Masters Theses

School environments frequently serve as a source of socialization but also stigma and socioemotional distress for autistic students. Against this backdrop, teachers can be crucial sources of neurodiversity-affirming views and support. Teachers’ perceptions of students can also shape the quality of their relationships with students and students’ emotional and behavioral adjustment in school. This study focused on understanding how general education teachers perceive autistic students and how these perceptions shape their students’ school experiences. This study sought to investigate the degree to which teachers endorsed three dimensions of neurodiversity-affirming perceptions of their autistic students: (a) strength/deficit-based, (b) holistic/reductionist, and (c) …

Empowering Youth In A Changing Climate: Design, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Salt Marsh Summer Science Program, Dan Levesque

Graduate Masters Theses

Climate change presents not only environmental challenges but also emotional challenges for today’s youth. This thesis documents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a field-based summer science program aimed at empowering adolescents with coastal salt marsh ecology while addressing climate change emotions and science identity development. The program, based in a Massachusetts salt marsh, was adapted from existing public environmental curricula and guided by place- and experience-based learning principles. Over Spring and Summer 2025, 13 students (ages 13-18) participated in extra-curricular field trips, hands-on research activities, and reflective discussions about the environment and the emotions it brings forth. Pre- and …

Early Childhood Educators' Experiences With Autistic Students: A Qualitative Study Of Challenges And Strategies, Sarah Yang

Graduate Masters Theses

Early childhood education is a vital early learning context for children ages 2-5 years old, encompassing some of their most formative years of life. Autistic children, however, are expelled from early childhood education programs at disproportionately high rates—a troubling trend that points to a broader picture of how early education environments lack the support and structure that young autistic children need to succeed. Early childhood educators (ECEs) are fundamental in shaping these early education environments and autistic children’s experiences within them. However, while most ECEs want to include autistic children in their classrooms, past research indicates they feel like they …

The Homemaker's Guide To Happiness: A Comparison Of Methods Used By Dissatisfied Mid-Twentieth Century American Housewives In Their Pursuit Of Fulfillment, Kristen Thompson

Graduate Masters Theses

In the mid-twentieth century, the United States of America had an unsung problem.The country had emerged from World War II as a superpower and the high of victory was still fresh, but under the surface the nation was desperately searching for stability to cope with the trauma of war. This search saw a cultural push back to traditional values and gender roles and a heavy focus on the nuclear family as the heart of society. As such, a great amount of pressure was placed on the shoulders of the American housewives who were at the center of the home and …

An Entrepreneurial Approach To International Engineering Programs, Mark W. Rectanus

Journal of International Engineering Education

No abstract provided.

Women's Empowerment, Female Genital Mutilation And Domestic Violence In Tanzania: Evidence From The Tanzania Demographic And Health Survey 2022, Monica Sebastian Kauky, Hinju Gabriel

Tanzanian Economic Review

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) remains an important public health and human rights issue in Tanzania. This study uses data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) and applies logit and Tobit models to investigate the relationships between women’s empowerment, FGM/C, and domestic violence. The results indicate that approximately 3 percent of women had undergone FGM/C, while 44 percent had experienced domestic violence. Women’s educational attainment and control over land are also important factors associated with the prevalence of FGM/C. The findings further show a strong relationship between women’s autonomy and their exposure to domestic violence, particularly in relation …

Role Of Primary Healthcare Centers In The Prevention Of Overweight And Obesity, Safanah Ghassan Al-Chalabi, Eman Adnan Al-Kaseer

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: About two-thirds of the population worldwide are obese or overweight, and if the current trajectory continues, 50% of the population will be obese by 2030. Community health centers and primary care providers are leading the charge against this epidemic.

Objectives: To report on sharing primary healthcare centers in the prevention of obesity via the knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary healthcare physicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study, including analytical components was performed, involving a total of 224 primary healthcare physicians for the period 1^st Nov. 2024 to 1^st April 2025. In addition to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and …

“Blessings Or Burdens”: Perceived Values And Disvalues Of Children Among Married Filipino Millennials, Althea Jeanne S. Asuncion, Martin Oliver G. Cabalona, Elijah De Guzman, Randelle Kirsten Hipolito, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Children are perceived to carry meanings that either enrich or burden the lives of their parents, but limited studies have examined the perceived values and disvalues of children in the contemporary Filipino context. To address this gap, a survey was conducted among a hundred married Filipino millennials recruited through various social media platforms. The study investigated whether there were significant differences in child-related values and disvalues based on marital role (husbands or wives), parental status (with or without children), and parenting efficacy (moderate or high). Hotelling’s T2 results revealed no significant differences between husbands and wives in their combined scores …

“Kailan Ka Magkakaanak?” Understanding The Rise Of The Dual Income And No Kids (Dink) Families In The Philippines, Maria Veronica Y. Cervantes, Lucille Beatrice P. Casipit, Stephanie Marie D. Jacob, Sabrina Yunis C. Obispo, Marie_Valen N. Cortez

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle is gaining popularity in the Philippines as couples prioritize financial freedom and personal development. It is recognized that in the Philippines, where family-centered values hold significant importance, living a childfree lifestyle remains a rare choice. However, this choice has recently gained attention, reflecting a growing tension between traditional expectations and modern aspirations. Lack of literature on Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) families in the Philippines created a gap in understanding this phenomenon and failed to present how Filipino couples navigate this choice. The study employed a transcendental phenomenological (TPh) approach, which involves understanding …

“She’S Not A Regular Mom, She’S A Cool Mom”: A Phenomenological Study Of Permissive Maternal Parenting On An Adolescent Daughter’S Interpersonal And Intrapersonal Relationships, Chloe Anne D. Gallardo, Williana Erich R. Balane, Ailesgreis Rinoah C. Lim, Juriel Elpiz B. Lumabi, Anna Margarita E. San Juan

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Within the context of Filipino gender and cultural norms, mothers often navigate both conservative and liberal approaches in raising their daughters. Among these, permissive parenting, which emphasizes freedom and minimal control, shapes adolescent development in unique ways. Therefore, this study explores how adolescent daughters perceive their permissive mothers’ influence on intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. Grounded in the Self-Determination Theory, the study examines how autonomy, relatedness, and competence emerge in their daughters’ lived experiences and mother-daughter relationships. This research addresses the lack of local literature by shedding light on mother-daughter dynamics through an interpretative phenomenological approach. This study explores the lived …

Living Through Adversity: Understanding Discrimination, Resilience, And Psychological Well-Being Among Filipino Transgender Youth, Allaiza Liz M. Sarino, Athena Christine P. Garcia, Kirsten Jada P. Hinto, Stella P. Go

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Transgender youth continue to face systemic discrimination and social marginalization. These barriers can hinder their development and negatively affect their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the specific ways Filipino transgender youth experience discrimination and develop resilience. To address this gap, this study sought to understand the lived experiences of Filipino transgender youth, focusing on the discrimination they face and the resilience factors that contribute to their psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing online in-depth interviews with nine transgender youth aged 17 to 23 from Metro Manila, comprising five female-to-male and four male-to-female individuals, who …

“Vadeng, Ang Bato, Darna!:” The Queering Strategies And Resulting Queer Representation In Sapphic Tiktok Fan Edits Of Darna (2022), Ashley Rian A. Branzuela, Eshe Dafny M. Donato, Ceana Louise L. Llanes, Allyza Rose S. Santiago, Nathaniel Rey D. Ferrer

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The Filipino teleserye, known for its social realism, offers insights into its viewers’ lives but often presents limited and stereotyped portrayals of LGBTQI+ individuals, including queer women, due to heteronormativity. Fanfiction, specifically slash fiction, resists this by reimagining heteronormative narratives from a queer angle. Despite digital media advancements, Philippine research has yet to analyze fan-led queer representation on digital storytelling platforms, such as TikTok. Hence, following similar research by McGorry (2022), this study purposively sampled fifty sapphic TikTok fan edits of the teleserye Darna (2022) to examine how Vadengs, fans of protagonists Narda Custodio (Darna) and Regina Vanguardia (Valentina), reimagined …

Choices, Challenges, And Considerations: Exploring College Application Experiences Of De La Salle University Manila Senior High School Students To The Big Four Universities, Samantha Elise F. Bago, Argie Joseph F. Geronimo, Zenaida Victoria Alejandra M. Ilao, Kimberly Cassandra G. Jose, April Rose C. Gonzales

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Most Filipino students strive to secure successful applications to universities such as the University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Known as the Big Four Universities, they are recognized for their high rankings, strong academic programs, scholarship opportunities, campus resources, strategic locations, alumni networks, and overall prestige. However, applying to these institutions is not without challenges, especially as senior high school (SHS) students balance their academic demands with application requirements. These narratives are often overlooked, overshadowed by the success or failure of the applications. Thus, …

Effects Of Foam Type And Thickness On Impact Resistance, Thermal Insulation, And Cost-Effectiveness Of Medical Containers For Drone Delivery, Josh Henry C. Soriano, Eriel V. Fonte, Lambertsus S. Novera, Nicolai Paolo B. Villarin, Joel B. Jalon, Jr.

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Accessible healthcare remains a challenge for rural communities lacking reliable infrastructure for medical supply delivery. Delivery drones have recently emerged as a viable alternative, dropping medical containers during flight. However, the effectiveness of different foam types and thicknesses combined with corrugated cardboard as shock-absorbing materials in a medical container for delivery drones has yet to be tested. Thus, this study designed cost-effective containers using corrugated cardboard and multiple foam types and thicknesses, aiming to preserve the integrity of the contents, withstand impact, and control temperatures. Four foam types—polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) —were tested at 1 cm, 2 …

Exploring The Concept Of Love-Bombing In Young Adult Filipino Lesbian Relationships, Marcus M. Paredes, Eyre Angelique L. Pasion, Chrisanne Margareth P. Dela Peña, Francois Louis T. Acosta, Chrizelle Villanueva

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The study explores how young adult Filipino lesbians define, experience, and interpret the phenomenon of love-bombing in their romantic relationships. Addressing the scarcity of local scholarly work, the study employed a phenomenological design with ten purposively selected self-identified lesbian key informants, aged 18 to 27, from the Philippines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological approach, which yielded nine themes organized into three overarching domains. The first domain focused on the experience of love-bombing, highlighting patterns of romantic intensification, emotional dependence, and blurred relational boundaries. The second domain surfaced responses to the experience, including emotional …

“Maria! Balbon Mo, Ahitin Mo!”: Ang Karanasan Ng Mga Pilipina Sa Pagtanggal Ng Buhok Sa Katawan Bilang Isang Beauty Standard, Zakiya Clarisse Y. Carabuena, Julianne Krystoff B. De Leon, Rebecca W. Dionisio, Alliah Kristy A. Sato, Deborrah S. Anastacio

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Ang pagtanggal ng buhok sa katawan ng mga kababaihan ay naging isang pamantayan ng kagandahan na may malalim na ugnayan sa mga impluwensyang panlipunan at pangkulturang aspeto. Ang layunin ng pag-aaral na ito ay tuklasin kung bakit at paano nagpapatanggal ng buhok sa katawan ang mga kababaihan sa Pilipinas, pati na rin ang impluwensya ng mga pamantayang ito sa kanilang desisyon at karanasan. Gumamit ang pananaliksik na ito ng kwalitatibong metodolohiya, partikular na ang purposive sampling, upang makapanayam ang pitong (7) kababaihan na nasa edad 18-25 at mayroon nang karanasan sa pagtanggal ng buhok sa katawan. Ang mga panayam …

To Us For Every Decision We Make: A Deleuzian And Guattarian Criticism Of The Films "To Me The One Who Loved You And To Every You I'Ve Loved Before", Elstenn Nicholas Misa, Chino Samuel C. Sta. Ana, Ayed Anthony N. Velasco, Nathaniel Rey D. Ferrer

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Anime has emerged not only as a form of entertainment but also as a cultural and philosophical medium exploring concepts such as identity, decision-making, and existential dilemmas. Despite its growing influence in both global and Filipino contexts, little scholarly attention has been given to how philosophical frameworks like Deleuze and Guattari’s can be applied to analyze such narratives. The study analyzed To Every You I’ve Loved Before (2022) and To Me The One Who Loved You (2022) while applying Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophical approach to understand how decisions, with identity formation and social norms, affect character development. The research applies …

Ang Mga Tinig Sa Herbal Lane Tungo Sa Paglalang Ng Quiapook: Pagbalangkas Sa Karanasan Ng Herbal Medicine Vendors Sa Quiapo, Maynila, Lorraine Antonette A. Bonifacio, Jamie Kelly S. Izon, Stephanie Lois E. Prats, Ma. Jayanne C. Mapugay

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Nananatiling limitado ang sistematikong pag-aaral tungkol sa herbal medicine vendors sa modernong panahon bagaman nananahan na ang mahabang kasaysayan ng tradisyonal na panggagamot sa bansa. Sa Quiapo, madidinig ang taal na mga karanasan ng vendors na matagal nang bumubuhay sa herbal lane ng lugar. Upang maumpisahan ang pagbabalangkas sa mga natatanging karanasang ito, sumanding ang pag-aaral sa deskriptibong penomenolohiya, alinsunod sa Collaizzi’s Method at konseptong Quiapook, na kumikilala sa sistematikong pagpopook ng mga danas sa Quiapo. Gamit ang semi-structured interview sa limang piling vendors, sumuong sa proseso ng pagbaklas (bracketing), pagiging bukas (intuition), pagsusuri (investigate), at paglantad (descriptive) ang pag-aaral. …

Role Of Serum Chemerin In Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk: Correlation With Lipid Profile In Metabolic Syndrome, Goljameen Midhat Abdulla, Ammar Hatem Abdullateef

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Chemerin, is regarded as an adipose-derived hormone regulating insulin sensitivity, lipid homeostasis, adipogenesis and inflammatory responses. It has previously been shown that serum chemerin levels are linked to metabolic syndrome and cardio-metabolic risk. More knowledge of its associations with lipid profile components might improve early cardiometabolic risk stratification.

Objective: To evaluate the association of serum chemerin as a possible biomarker for Cardiometabolic Risk (CMR) and to correlate it with lipidogram parameters in the adult population with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A case-control study with 45 individuals with metabolic syndrome and 45 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Serum chemerin …

Relationship Of Prolonged Exclusive Breastfeeding To Infant Anemia, Maryam M. Ahmed, Aveen S. Shareef, Farhad S. Armishty, Dunya P. Nizar, Ronahi Y. Ibrahim, Lina Y. Mohammed, Snor H. Husain, Berivan R. Rajab, Omar Khatab, Dalal A. Jameel, Amna A. Omar, Iman H. Yaseen, Hevy A. Ahmad

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Anemia can adversely affect cognitive development in infants and children, potentially leading to challenges in cognition, motor control, social interaction, and neurophysiological functioning. Full-term infants do not develop iron deficiency anemia within the first four months of life, as they are born with sufficient iron stores accumulated during their intrauterine life. These stores are usually adequate for four to six months of postnatal life. However, exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months without iron supplementation can increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia, as breast milk does not provide enough iron to meet the growing infant’s demand. The American Academy of …

Factors Contributing To Intestinal Parasitic Infestations In Children Attending Primary Private And Public Schools In Central Benghazi, Asmaa A. Alfarisi, Samira S. Garboui, Fawzeia H. Elmhalli, Maha A. Kattou, Suhaila Elabbar, Hajir A. Alabede, Zahrah A. Alawami

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among school-aged children are a significant public health issue in many parts of the world, with high prevalence rates in many regions. The study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among school children.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected primary school children aged 6 to 9 years in central Benghazi from April to September 2021. Stool samples were collected from 700 schoolchildren and analyzed using the wet-mount technique. Also, questionnaires were distributed, and general information on each child was recorded.

Results: The study revealed a …

Self-Prescription Of Beta-Blockers Among All Healthcare Students In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Duaa M. Bakhshwin, Lama A. Aljialni, Nada M. Bawajeeh, Rimaz T. Alanazi, Duaa M. Alshabani, Marah M. Alsulami, Rahaf A. Alothman, Reem H. Alnayeli, Dina A. Ajaj, Shahad H. Albar, Rowthanh H. Murshid

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Objectives: We investigated the prevalence and implications of inappropriate self-prescription of beta-blockers among healthcare students in Jeddah, primarily driven by anxiety related to academic performance.

Method: An analytical, observational, cross-sectional design was employed, and a self-administered electronic questionnaire was distributed via social media channels after obtaining ethical approval. A total of 1,043 healthcare students were included from June to December 2023. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire that focused on demographics, academic performance (grade point average), beta-blocker usage, and awareness of potential side effects. Results: Among the 175 students who were taking beta blockers, 54.3% self-prescribed beta-blockers, predominantly propranolol, …

Menstrual Changes Following Covid-19 Vaccination Among Outpatient Reproductive-Age Visitors At King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A 2023 Cross-Sectional Study In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman T. Abudawood, Iman M. Wahby, Hala A. Bagabir, Najla M. Almudayni, Alya N. Alkhunaizi, Asma A. Alfarsi, Taghreed F. Alnahari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences

Background: The potential link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual disturbances has raised significant concern. Women who have experienced menstrual changes are apprehensive about receiving booster doses due to concerns about the duration of these side effects.

Objectives: To determine whether COVID-19 vaccines are associated with menstrual disturbances by assessing the vaccine’s impact on various aspects of the menstrual cycle, including cycle length, amount of bleeding, and pain.

Method: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted using an online questionnaire among women of reproductive age (18-35 years) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Participants were recruited between December 2022 and January 2023 and …