Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Professional Learning Communities On Teacher Efficacy In North Carolina K–12 Public Schools: A Comparison Of Beginning And Experienced Teachers, Geneva Bell

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher efficacy remains a critical factor in education, particularly within North Carolina K–12 public schools, where beginning and experienced educators encounter distinct professional challenges. Professional learning communities (PLCs) demonstrate potential in enhancing teacher efficacy, yet the differentiated impact across career stages remains understudied. This mixed methods study examined relationships between PLC dimensions and teacher efficacy among beginning and experienced educators. The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and the Professional Learning Communities Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R) were administered to 96 participants to analyze statistical relationships between PLC components and teacher efficacy. Results indicated significant correlations between shared vision, supportive leadership, and collaborative …

Influence Of Sociocultural Aspects And Home Modification On Fall Risks Mitigation Among The Elderly In Thailand, Sumavalee Chindapol

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the impact of sociocultural dimensions on home modifications aimed at mitigating fall risks among elderly individuals residing in community settings. Personal measurements and questionnaire interviews were conducted across five regions in Thailand. Additionally, fall risk assessments were performed on the households of the elderly participants. These assessments incorporated both personal health factors and environmental risks associated with falls, resulting in quantifiable scores. The factors included health conditions, body size, sociocultural factors such as family conditions, physical-cultural aspects of elevated houses, bathroom and bedroom. The research revealed that these factors are significantly associated with fall risk (ρ <0.01), except body dimensions. Differences in body size among elderly individuals in different regions were significantly related to incidences of fall risk (ρ <0.05 in Chiang Mai female, Khonkaen male, Rangsit female, and Songkhla female). The contribution of this research is that different regions have varying body limitations and living culture. It was concluded that elderly females in Chiang Mai are at the highest risk of falling due to body shrinkage, residing in vernacular houses with hazards, and living alone. Overall, universal design may not be directly applicable for home modification in each region.  Consequently, the study suggested that home modifications alone may not offer a comprehensive solution for mitigating fall risks as sociocultural factors related to living conditions also play a significant role in shaping these outcomes.

Restoring Tranquility : Tackling Traffic Noise For Enhanced Comfort In Indonesia Kaya Park, Semarang City, Indonesia, David Suwarno Kusweanto, Natania Nysa Pertiwi N. S., Eldisya Martha Jebatu

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The comfort of a landscape can be seen from the microclimate and traffic noise in the landscape. Traffic noise, including tire and engine noise, is a common disturbance, particularly in cities, and can lead to diseases. Indonesia Kaya Park, located in Mugassari, Semarang City, is an urban park and public space managed by the Djarum Foundation. Despite numerous studies evaluating its accessibility and biophilic elements, the condition of traffic noise nor potential interventions have been considered. The research question aims to understand the traffic noise condition of Indonesia Kaya Park and identify necessary interventions. The study used a mixed methodology, …

The Impact Of Home Environmental Hazards On Subjective Health Among Healthy Elderly Adults In Thailand, Arunya Tuicomepee, Kitti-On Sirisuk, Juthatip Wiwattanapantuwong, Somnuke Gulsatitporn, Trirat Jarutach

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Thailand's aging population includes a growing number of near-centenarians and centenarians living at home. Grounded in Lawton’s Ecological Theory of Aging, this study aimed to examine whether an unsafe home environment (outdoor, indoor, and additional hazards) has an indirect negative effect on subjective health among elderly Thai adults. Participants were 141 elderly (ages 80–112) but healthy adults, most of whom were living in well-maintained, single-story homes. Instruments used in the study included the Self-Rated Health Question, the Social Contact Scale, the Loneliness Question, and the Home Environmental Hazards Checklist. Findings reveal common indoor hazards such …

Contextualizing Tree Defects And Risks In An Urban Tropical Campus, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Sirintra Vanno

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Tree failure poses a risk to property and people; however, there is limited data on tropical tree risk assessment, hindering effective risk management. Chulalongkorn University (CU) is an urban tropical forest campus in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The campus provides essential cultural, social, and ecological services but is subject to structural failure due to extreme weather and climate change that can cause severe consequences for property and public safety. This study aimed to carry out a tree risk assessment at CU using a form based on that of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  Altogether, 4,255 trees representing 256 …

Quantifying The Restorative Effects Of Green–Water–Hardscape Ratios : Evidence From A Simulated Landscape Experiment In Chiang Mai, Hay Thar Htar Ei

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Modern life presents significant stressors that negatively impact mental well-being. While the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, effective stress management strategies are still crucial. This study explores the potential of landscape perception as a natural intervention to enhance proximal restorative outcomes. By investigating the physiological and psychological responses of individuals to diverse landscape stimuli, we aim to understand how specific combinations of landscape elements (e.g., green spaces, water features) can promote psychological restoration. The study design intended to collect psychological and physiological (heart rate and blood pressure) responses, measured before and after stress-inducing tests and landscape exposure. Scores …

Renewing Cells, Enduring Genes, And Metabolic Decline In Murine Liver Aging, John T. Gonzalez

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Aging is associated with physiological and molecular decline and a concurrent increase in dysfunction, chronic disease, and mortality. Despite the fact that aging is the greatest risk factor for many chronic diseases, fundamental aging research has historically lagged behind disease-specific research. This deterioration and it's repercussions has different manifestations in different organs. This dissertation focuses on dynamics of mouse aging with a focus on the liver. The liver's diverse functions are integral to many homeostatic processes, including maintaining metabolic balance, detoxifying harmful substances, supporting immune defense, and regulating blood and endocrine systems. Its impairment can lead to significant health issues. …

Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook: Integrating Facility Dogs Into Professional Chaplaincy Practice, Ann M. Snowberger

Doctor of Ministry

This project's researcher finds that Spiritual Care Facility Dog Teams (dog handlers and their dogs) lack resources and practical guides to advance Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care (CA-SC) in healthcare and facility settings. The Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and sustaining CA-SC programs. It promotes standardized terminology, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By featuring practical tools, case studies, and training plans, the handbook supports the professional development of chaplains. Its holistic framework enhances spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, while emphasizing the well-being of both handlers and their working dogs. The handbook’s focus on program sustainability and real-world …

Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus, traditionally viewed as an extracellular pathogen, is increasingly recognized for its ability to persist intracellularly, particularly within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle is central to osteomyelitis, a chronic bone infection characterized by persistent inflammation, bone destruction, and impaired repair. Within bone, S. aureus exploits macrophage plasticity by driving a shift from pro-inflammatory, bactericidal M1-like states to anti-inflammatory, tissue-reparative M2-like phenotypes. This polarization suppresses immune clearance and promotes an environment conducive to bacterial survival and dissemination. Additional strategies – including biofilm formation, small colony variants, and inhibition of phagolysosomal killing – further enhance persistence and immune evasion. While these …

Abcg5/Abcg8-Independent Mechanisms Fail To Maintain Sterol Balance In Mice Fed A High-Cholesterol Diet, Garrett B. Anspach, Rupinder Kaur, Isha Chauhan, Erika L. Savage, Brittney Poole, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Xiaoming Fu, Zeneng Wang, Clairity Voy, Ryan E. Temel, Scott M. Gordon, Robert N. Helsley, Gregory A. Graf

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

The ABCG5/ABCG8 (G5G8) sterol transporter opposes the accumulation of dietary xenosterols but is also the primary mediator of biliary cholesterol secretion. In humans and in mouse models of disrupted biliary cholesterol secretion, fecal neutral sterols (FNSs) remain constant, indicating the presence of an alternate pathway for cholesterol excretion. Transintestinal cholesterol elimination or excretion (TICE) is thought to compensate for biliary disruptions and G5G8 insufficiency. We sought to measure the compensatory increase in intestinal cholesterol secretion and provide mechanistic insight for how TICE maintains sterol balance in the absence of hepatic G5G8. Differences were not observed in FNSs between control, acute, …

A Mathematical Modeling Approach To Investigate The Impacts Of Post-Infection Mortality And Partial Immunity On Disease Endemicity, Brendan M. Shrader

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A number of infectious diseases cause post-infection conditions or complications, such as COVID- 19, Q fever, and Polio. These conditions result in recovered individuals having a higher mortality rate than susceptibles, and this can impact disease dynamics. An existing mass-action model in the literature that incorporated post-infection mortality was shown to have limit cycles, or persistent oscillations, in the infected population. To better understand what causes these limit cycles, we develop and analyze a new epidemiological model with standard incidence. We show standard results, including the existence, uniqueness, and stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria, and we rule out …

Emotion Processing In Adolescents With Epilepsy And Healthy Controls Using Multi-Modal Neuroimaging, Frances Kathryn E. King

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Epilepsy is increasingly recognized as a disorder not only of seizures but also of widespread network dysfunction, impacting cognitive and emotional processing. One critical cognitive process affected in epilepsy is emotional conflict processing, which relies on the interplay of multiple brain networks. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of emotional conflict processing in epilepsy, particularly in adolescents, have remained poorly understood. This dissertation investigated the neural mechanisms underlying emotional conflict processing in typically developing adolescents and adolescents with epilepsy using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The first study elucidated the spatiotemporal profile of emotional conflict processing in 24 typically developing adolescents using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Cluster-based …

The Association Between Pain Sensitivity And Low Energy Availability, Sleep, Mental Health, And Stress In Female Endurance Athletes, Taylor R. Moler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The disruption of certain physiological functions due to low energy availability (LEA) in female endurance athletes is a prominent concern. This condition resulting from LEA has been described as Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), which can include alterations in metabolism, menstrual function, bone deposition and resorption, mental well-being, and more. The goal of this study was to determine whether pain sensitivity was associated with LEA, sleep, mental health, and stress in female endurance athletes. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), and …

Why Are Children's Health Outcomes Different In Counties Across The United States?, Caylen Pavlicek

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper explores the relationship between family income and health outcomes for children across counties in the United States, focusing on low birth weight as a key indicator. Income disparities among counties often correlate with varying health outcomes for children, particularly those born into lower-income families who lack the resources for adequate healthcare. Utilizing data from 3,113 counties, I examine the impact of income, education, rural versus urban location, healthcare access, and other social determinants on children's health, with a specific focus on birth weight. The findings reveal a strong negative correlation between median household income and low birth weight, …

Role Of Online Health Information Resources In Shaping Self Confidence Of Nursing And Midwifery Students In The Digital Era At Aga Khan University, Tanzania, Getrude Ngowi, Jackline Estomihi Kiwelu

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Digital technologies have transformed the way people learn in the current age. Innovative multimedia online nursing and midwifery information resources have improved nursing education and brought about adaptive, interactive, and collaborative learning. This study aims to find out whether the online nursing information resources provided at Aga Khan University Tanzania are shaping the self-confidence of nurses and midwives in the digital era, to understand gaps and areas for improvement. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research approach were used. The researchers collecting data using online Google Forms, which were analysed thematically through Atlas ti. The results revealed that persistent …

How To Catch A Con: The Rhetorical Strategies Of Fraudulent Political Leaders, Lukas Huntington

CMC Senior Theses

The United States faces persistent challenges in controlling political fraud. Government agencies exhibit the second-highest fraud rate of any industry, and corruption levels have only worsened over the last decade, contributing to declining public trust in national leadership. Current fraud detection efforts generally catch late-stage, large-scale fraud, highlighting the need for earlier-detection mechanisms. One way this could be accomplished involves identifying rhetorical patterns that are commonly used by political frauds in order to flag high-risk individuals. Leaning on the Theory of Planned Behavior, it was hypothesized that political frauds would exhibit more rhetorical appeals to fear, blame, pathos, and self-promotion …

Ai And Positionality:A Guide For Learning Communities, Emese Ilyés

Open Educational Resources

This practical guide helps educators thoughtfully integrate AI tools while preserving what matters most—student voice and agency. Drawing on research with students navigating AI in higher education, it offers concrete activities and frameworks that position technology as an assistant rather than a replacement for authentic expression. Through adaptable classroom strategies and qualitative approaches, educators across disciplines will discover how to create learning environments where students recognize the value of their unique perspectives in an age of artificial intelligence.

Analysis Of Key Lncrna Related To Parkinson’S Disease Based On Gene Co-Expression Weight Networks, Wenwen Liang, Wei Zhao, Binghan Li, Jiaying Luo, Xuemei Li, Weihua Jia

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To identify a key Long chain non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to PD and provide a new perspective on the role of LncRNAs in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathophysiology. Methods: Our study involved analyzing gene chips from the substantia nigra and white blood cells, both normal and PD-inclusive, in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, utilizing a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The technique of WGCNA facilitated the examination of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the substantia nigra and the white blood cells of individuals with PD. When merged with clinical data, gene modules containing crucial clinical details were …

Understanding The Stroke Burden In Saudi Arabia: Trends From 1990 To 2019 And Forecasting Through Time Series Analysis, Ahmed A. Mahfouz, Shaimaa A. Abdelmoneim, Shymaa M. M. Abdu, Hoda A. A. Shiba, Asmaa M. Aboelela, Ramy M. Ghazy, Adel A. Alhazzani

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Objectives: To describe age-standardized incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from 1990 to 2019 and forecast these variables using the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) data over the next years (2020–2030). Methods: Poisson regression models were employed to identify significant changes in incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and DALY rates for different stroke types. For time series models, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing state space (ETS) models were used for forecasting. Results: The study demonstrated an increasing trend …

A Narrative Review Of Clinical Practice Guidelines For The Application Of Physical Therapy And Rehabilitation Procedures In The Management Of Multiple Sclerosis, Abdullah I. Alhusayni

Neurosciences

ABSTRACT Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by neuroinflammation and progressive neurodegeneration, leading to significant physical and cognitive impairments. Rehabilitation, particularly physical therapy, has emerged as a crucial component in managing MS-related disability by improving mobility, reducing fatigue, and enhancing overall quality of life. This narrative review investigates current international guidelines on physical therapy and rehabilitation for MS. Literature search in databases (January 2010 until August 2025) resulted in three guidelines that met the inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that structured aerobic and resistance training programmes, combined with balance and flexibility exercises, contribute significantly to maintaining functional independence. …

Ajwa Date Extract (Phoenix Dactylifera L.): Phytochemical Analysis, Antiviral Activity Against Herpes Simplex Virus-I And Coxsackie B4 Virus, And In Silico Study, Ahmad K. Aljohani, Nader A. Maghrabi, Osama M. Alrehili, Abdulaziz S. Alharbi, Rawad S. Alsihli, Abdulrahman M. Alharthe, Rayan S. Albladi, Khalid A. Alosaimi, Bader M. Albadrani, Samar F. Miski, Hossein M. Elbadawy, Bandar D. Alrehaili, Fahd A. Abdelkarem, Modather F. Hussein

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the phytochemical composition of Ajwa date extract and evaluate its antiviral activity and mechanism of action. Methods: High perfomance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze the phytochemical profile of Ajwa date extract. The antiviral activity was assessed using the MTT colorimetric assay against herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) and coxsackievirus B4 (CVB-4). Assessment of the mechanism of action against HSV-I was carried out using 3 protocols. Molecular docking and quantum chemical calculations were carried out to predict the binding affinities of the identified compounds to viral glycoprotein D. Results: …

Graduate Catalog, Georgia Southern University

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Measles Cases Surge Worldwide, Infecting 10.3 Million People In 2023

Neurosciences

No abstract provided.

Nuclear Deterrence Strategies And The Balance Of Power In Europe, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The beginning of the Cold War era indubitably defines nuclear deterrence strategies in Europe by reinforcing and re-strategizing security dynamics amongst European States. The balance of power in Europe has been geopolitically influenced by NATO and Russia in a quest to avoid any kind of security dilemmas from either side. In order to maintain a strategic deterrence balance posture, this complex security navigation scenario therefore act as stabilizing factor in the region as well as preventing any future conflict on the Europe continent resulting from security imbalances. NATO eastward enlargement has maintained a significant strategic balance of power in the …

Kathy Rutkowski '75-Larry Bazer '85, Kathy Rutkowski, Larry Bazer

Alumni Oral History Project

No abstract provided.

The Bioremediation Of Nutrients And Heavy Metals In Watersheds: The Role Of Floating Treatment Wetlands, Nirmal Kumar, Bhupinder Singh, Yuanze Chen, Abishek Kafle, Ram L. Ray, Sandeep Kumar, Xiaonan Shan, Venkatesh Balan

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are engineered systems that utilize floating platforms planted with aquatic vegetation to treat polluted water such as stormwater, agricultural runoff, and wastewater. FTWs have emerged as promising and environmentally sustainable solutions for water purification. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on FTW design, plant selection, and performance evaluation. It highlights key factors influencing nutrient and heavy metal removal, including the hydraulic retention time, mat thickness, and types of plant species. Recent findings on the roles of root architecture, microbial interactions, and seasonal variability in treatment efficiency are also discussed. Additionally, the review explores advanced analytical methods …

Do Educators Recognize Student Struggles? Mental Health Perceptions And Knowledge In Biology, Kanza Arshad, Stephanie Drendel, Nicole Scheuermann

CURE Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Donald Griffin, Cognitive Ethology, And Animal Life Histories, Walter Veit

Animal Sentience

Carolyn Ristau offers a stellar investigative biography of Donald Redfield Griffin and his influence on the science and philosophy of animal minds. This commentary focuses on his aim to study animal minds through an ethological lens—that is, by examining the evolved, adaptive functions of mental capacities and consciousness in natural environments, rather than confining research to controlled laboratory settings. I argue that, far from being romantic, this approach can be firmly grounded in modern life history theory.

Integrating Human And Animal Health In The Stop Spillover Outbreak Scenarios, Kathleen E. Angell, He Julia Bai, Katherine C. Prager, Janetrix H. Amuguni, Felicia B. Nutter, Jonathan D. Gass Jr, David Brett-Major

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVES: To generate and employ scenarios of sentinel human and animal outbreak cases in local contexts that integrate human and animal health interests and practices and facilitate outbreak risk management readiness.

METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of past outbreaks and the strengths and weaknesses of response efforts in USAID STOP Spillover program countries. This information and iterative query-and-response with country teams and local stakeholders led to curated outbreak scenarios emphasizing One Health human:animal interfaces at sub-national levels.

RESULTS: Two core scenarios were generated adapted to each of 4 countries’ pathogen priorities and workflows in Africa and Asia, anchoring on …

Corporeal Property And The Limits Of Nagpra, M. Alexander Pearl

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.