Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership In Action: Building A Research Community Of Practice Through The Np-Clinician Scientist, Sarah Jayne Colgan, Breanna Lloy, Melanie Dunlop

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose Statement: To describe the formation of an Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Research Community of Practice (CoP) led by an NP Clinician Scientist, aimed at fostering research capacity, partnerships, mentorship, scholarly engagement, and knowledge translation among NPs and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in two provincial healthcare organizations.

Background: The Nova Scotia Health (NSH) NP Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPP&L) team observed ongoing challenges with NP recruitment and retention highlighted by feelings of undervaluation among NPs in clinical practice. Concurrently, changes to NP entry-level competencies and increasing NP inquiries regarding research, demonstrated a growing appetite for scholarly engagement.

Methods: Through innovation …

How To Promote Community Engaged Research (In Less Than 7 Minutes…), Karen T. D'Alonzo, Shailja Mathur, Maya E. Joseph, Anju Wadhawan

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The phrase “community-engaged research” (CER) has become popularized over the past decade to describe attempts to promote community involvement in the research process.¹ Historically, the term CER referred to scientific researchers and community members who work together to develop community academic partnerships (CAPs), improve research, and create better outcomes in communities, particularly for marginalized populations.² The aim of CER is for the people most directly impacted by the research topic to become active participants in the research process.³ Many forms of CER are guided by the formation of CAPs.⁴ But this process can be daunting, due …

The Rbaam-6 Matrix: A Modular, Acoustically Suspended, Self-Healing Dual-Shell Habitat Architecture For High-Survivability In-Situ Mars Colonization, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional extraterrestrial architectural paradigms rely on heavy, brute-force physical materials shipped from Earth to withstand the massive atmospheric pressure differentials and environmental hazards of Mars. This paper introduces the Reactive Bio-Acoustic Armor Matrix (RBAAM-6), a novel, 6-layer defense-in-depth habitat architecture. By separating internal tension loads (atmospheric containment) from external compression loads (environmental shielding), the RBAAM-6 utilizes an intermediate, submarine-style 'sally port' buffer zone regulated by interlocking harmonic standing waves. The structure integrates self-healing biological matrices, active kinetic impact countermeasures, a completely modular, snap-tile interior for rapid component replacement, and nitrogen-suppressed utility channels featuring non-energy transparent visual verification zones. This architecture …

Three-Strip Intercropping System For Heat Stress Reduction In Field Corn: A Complete Research & Implementation Protocol, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol describes a three-strip intercropping system combining field corn, forage sorghum shade strips, and perennial wildflower predator habitat strips. The system provides simultaneous heat stress reduction (2–8°F leaf cooling), windbreak protection (5–15% yield increase), and conservation biological control (16–40% pest reduction) for dryland corn in the US Corn Belt. The pest control benefit is specifically activated by the intercrop configuration, and predator populations are sustained through heat events by the wildflower strip. The system requires no new hardware, no irrigation, and no proprietary technology. It can be implemented with existing combine, planter, and sprayer equipment. (This is a Large …

Bounded-Risk Agility Architecture (Braa), Volodymyr Kotegov

Defensive Publications Series

BRAA is an engineering and cyber-safety framework for autonomous intelligent systems operating under residual risk. Absolute determinism in stochastic Cognitive Cores is mathematically and empirically unattainable. The objective of BRAA is to keep residual operational risk bounded, measurable, observable, and economically controllable — not to promise its complete elimination.

The architecture is strictly Cognitive-Core-agnostic and infrastructure-agnostic. It treats the underlying inference engines (LLMs, VLMs, agentic loops) as untrusted, replaceable, and volatile components. It places all critical invariants, safety boundaries, and transition rules into a deterministic, immutable runtime environment (the Immutable Core) executed completely outside any prompt space or learned representation. …

Newsclipping, A Mother Who Adds Glory To Mothers Of All

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding Mrs. A. E. Barrow being awarded "Mother of the Year" by the Oklahoma American Mothers' Committee, Golden Rule Foundation. Undated.

Newsclipping, Article Fragment

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article fragment that mentions Dr. George Washington Carver of Tuskegee, Dr. Robert R Moton, president of Tuskegee, Dr. J. R. E. Lee, head of the Florida A. & M. College at Tallahassee, Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee. The article also mentions Bethune-Cookman at Daytona Beach. Undated.

[Cross] John S. Cross Brief Historical Background

Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

An Introduction To The History Of Medicine In Medical Education, Mary E. Horton Mph, Ma, Phd

History of Medicine Seminar

No abstract provided.

Proposed Protocol To Evaluate The Interaction Of Genetic Modifiers And Metabolic Comorbidities On Cognitive Decline In Huntington’S Disease, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Elena Dike, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the HTT gene. While CAG repeat length is the primary determinant of disease onset, substantial variability exists in the rate of disease progression and cognitive decline. This variability is influenced by both cis and trans genetic modifiers, including DNA repair genes such as MLH1, MSH3, PMS2, and FAN1. Emerging evidence also suggests that systemic metabolic comorbidities—including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension—may exacerbate neuronal vulnerability and accelerate neurodegeneration.

Methods: We propose a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study utilizing existing HD datasets containing genetic, metabolic, and …

Lipid Profiles In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Case Series With Longitudinal Comparison To Controls, Maria Camila Gonzalez Tovar, Stephen Michael Garcia, Irum Rahman, Juan Lopez Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing problem among the elderly and has several risk factors. The Rio Grande Valley has specific demographic and socioeconomic factors that may influence the likelihood of developing this neurodegenerative disease. Elevated cholesterol is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s; however, this correlation has not been fully explored in the population within the Rio Grande Valley. This area of study is important due to the rapidly aging population within the RGV, as well as the high prevalence of comorbidities such as elevated lipid profiles.

Methods: This study analyzed a case series of 6 …

Leveraging A Model Of Intergroup Competencies: A Reflexive Tool For Developing Diversity Leadership In Higher Education, Arig Al Shaibah

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Despite, or perhaps precisely because of, the current partisan pushback against equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts in Western higher education institutions, universities may be well served to renovate their approaches to leadership diversity development to build greater capacity for advancing mission-critical inclusion excellence priorities. This article describes a promising educational intervention that has broad applicability to more meaningfully develop leadership proficiencies that better enable the advancement of EDI goals in higher education. While individual diversity leadership development programming is a micro-level intervention, it could prove beneficial—though insufficient on its own—as a prerequisite for macro-level equity and inclusion policymaking and …

Newsclipping, Why Don't More Negroes Become Lawyers?

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News Clipping: Partial article references data given to the reporter by the acting dean of Howard University School of Law, William W. Taylor. Undated.

Plasma Vgf As A Predictive Biomarker For Early Acute Kidney Injury In Critically Ill Elderly Patients: A Combined Clinical And Mendelian Randomization Study, Xianyang Guo, Yu Hao, Rujie Chenn, Benji Wang, Shengwei Jin

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess whether VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) can serve as a reliable predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) among patients requiring intensive care.
Methods: We first conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the potential causal link between plasma VGF levels and AKI risk. Subsequently, 128 critically ill individuals admitted to our intensive care unit were prospectively enrolled. Within 24 hours of either hospital admission or clinical decline, both blood and urine specimens were obtained. We measured VGF concentrations in plasma and urine, along with plasma cystatin C (pCysC), plasma and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), …

Knowledge, Practice And Perceived Barriers Of Healthcare Provider Adherence To The Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (Ndss) In Government Hospitals And Primary Healthcare Centers In Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Moatasem F. Hakmi, Alaa Mathkour, Yousef Zahrani, Rayan I. Binduhayyim, Saad S. Alqahtani, Muhammad Z. Iqbal

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To assess and compare healthcare providers' understanding of the Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NDSS), alongside reported and perceived challenges, across public hospitals and primary healthcare centers in Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 10 January 2025 and 30 December 2025 among health care providers at Jazan hospitals and primary healthcare centers (PHCs) (n = 420). Data were collected via structured self-administered questionnaire that included the following sections: demographic data, knowledge of the NDSS, reporting practices, competency of the Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN) and perceived barriers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to …

Cranial Mri In Girls With Central Precocious Puberty: Clinical Characteristics And Predictors Of Abnormal Findings, Fahad N. Al Juraibah, Mashael M. Alharbi, Reem D. Alharbi, Joud S. Albaraki, Sarah S. Aldharman, Hala A. Alghamdi, Nagarajkumar Yenugadhati, Abdullah I. Alhammad, Angham N. Almutair, Ibrahim A. Al Alwan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile of girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) and determine the factors associated with abnormal cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
Methods: This retrospective study included girls aged 8 years or younger with a diagnosis of CPP who received care at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between 2015 and 2023. Data on clinical presentation, biochemical results, imaging findings, and treatment were obtained from medical records. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine variables associated with MRI utilization and the occurrence of abnormal MRI findings.
Results: The cohort comprised 70 …

Thrombosis Rate And Risk Factors In Pediatric Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, Ahmed A. Alabdulkarim, Abdullah I. Almojali, Tharaa S. Alhowaish, Dena S. Alsuhaibani, Norah I. Alshafi, Amin I. Alzahrani, Mohammed O. Alotaibi, Yousef A. Alghamdi, Hamad A. Alkhalaf

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To determine symptomatic thrombosis incidence in pediatric patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and identify associated patient and procedure-related risk factors in a tertiary pediatric center in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including patients aged 0–14 years who underwent PICC insertion in the Interventional Radiology department between January 2019 and June 2023. Data on demographics, comorbidities, procedural details, and outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record system (BestCare). Symptomatic thrombosis was defined as Doppler-confirmed thrombosis with clinical signs. Associations were tested using …

Advancing Impact: A National Approach To Knowledge Translation In Saudi Arabia-The Saudi National Institute Of Health Experience, Maha M. Aleid, Manar A. Alharbi, Amal N. Almadouj, Ahmad I. Alrawaji, Lamia A. Alhaqbani, Fars K. Alanazi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To present a reproducible national model for translating research findings into evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
Methods: The Saudi National Institute of Health launched the initiative titled ``Transforming the Outcomes of Published Health Research into Medical Guidelines that Enhance Medical Practices to Improve the Quality of Human Health'' on February 3, 2025. The initiative aimed to identify and assess research outcomes published between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024 across 6 predefined thematic tracks relevant to the Saudi population. Eligible publications were collected within one month after the submission portal opened. Following closure of portal, all submissions were evaluated …

Estimating Radiation Dose And Proposing Institutional Diagnostic Reference Levels For Paediatric Fluoroscopy Of Micturating Cystourethrogram: Age- And Weight - Specific Comparisons, Khalid M. Aloufi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To compare age- and weight-specific methods used to estimate radiation doses and to propose institutional diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for paediatric fluoroscopy of micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG).
Methods: In this retrospective study, MCUG fluoroscopy parameters were gathered for 100 paediatric patients from July 2025 to January 2026. The data included the MCUG paediatric procedures for patients aged 0–15 years. The data were categorized into paediatric weight- and age-specific groups. Paediatric weight-specific groups were ≤ 5, 5 < – 10, 10 < – 20, and >20 kg, and paediatric age-specific groups were ≤ 1, 1 < – 5, 5 < – 10, and < 10 – 15 years old.
Results: Differences were observed in dose area product (DAP) and DRL results for age- …

Potential Drug–Drug Interactions In Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Retrospective Observational Study, Buthainah B. Al-Ammash, Fawaz A. Alharbi, Omar D. Al-Hejaili, Mansour A. Mahmoud, Mazin A. A. Abdelaziz, Alaa I. Alrais, Shahad A. Albakri, Ibrahim F. Alharbi, Sara A. Felemban, Abdullah H. Almatrafi, Salman A. Alabdali, Yaser M. Alahmadi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs) among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) at a tertiary care hospital in Al-Madinah Al-Monawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: Data for this retrospective observational study were extracted from the electronic medical records of adult patients (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with ESRD and receiving hemodialysis (HD) between October 2022 and March 2023. The pDDIs were identified and classified using Lexicomp® (Wolters Kluwer, Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands). Descriptive statistics summarized patient characteristics and pDDIs, and univariate logistic regression was implemented to investigate the determinants …

Drooling In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review Of The Current Management Landscape, Kamel A. Alenazi

Saudi Medical Journal

Children with developmental or neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, present with impaired motor function, resulting in impaired swallowing, feeding, and drooling. The prevalence of chronic drooling radically changes from 0.5% in children >4 years to 60% in children with neurological ailments. Drooling can have a serious impact on the quality of life of affected children, which can create a sense of isolation and refusal by peers. In addition, drooling results in not only financial but also considerable emotional turmoil for caregivers of affected children, who are frequently confronted with difficulty managing the underlying neurological impairment of their child. In …

Scoping Review Of Mental Health Outcomes Of Cosmetic Procedures Among The Saudi Population, Hessah Alzahrani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To comprehensively examine the mental health outcomes associated with cosmetic procedures among the Saudi population, with a particular focus on psychological well-being, self-esteem, anxiety, body image, and quality of life.
Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A structured search was performed across international databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, in addition to national Arabic databases. Studies investigating the psychological outcomes of both surgical (rhinoplasty and body contouring) and …

Quality, Patient Experience, And Service Gaps In Home Healthcare In Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review Aligned With Vision 2030, Eman Alawad, Rasha M. Mahrous, Lubna A. Elshaib

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the quality of home healthcare (HHC) services, patient experience, and existing service gaps in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between January 2011 and January 2025. Eligible studies included observational, qualitative, mixed-methods, and interventional studies conducted in Saudi Arabia that examined home healthcare quality, patient or caregiver experience, or service delivery gaps. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality …

Implementing Diagnosis-Related Groups For Value-Based Healthcare In Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review Of Evidence On Barriers And Facilitators, Racha M. Naim, Michelle A. Badore, Justin J. Needle

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To examine the barriers and facilitators to implementing Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to identify actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to advance value-based healthcare (VBHC) adoption effectively.
Methods: A systematic search of bibliographic databases and relevant grey literature was conducted. Data were synthesized using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to categorize barriers and facilitators across 5 domains.
Results: A total of 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. Key facilitators included the adoption of patient classification systems, standardized data sets, government policy support, and the availability of advanced health information systems. Barriers included …

From Bench To Bedside: Evolving Definitions Of Translational Research, Hana A. Alhumud, Fars K. Alanazi, Edward B. Devol

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To synthesize current evidence on the evolution, frameworks, and methodological approaches used to define and operationalize translational research, which serves as a bridge between scientific discovery and its application in clinical medicine, public health, and policy.
Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published up to 2023. Search terms combined translational research–related keywords (such as ``bench-to-bedside,'' ``implementation science,'' ``precision medicine'') and relevant MeSH terms. Eligible studies focused on conceptual models, frameworks, or methodological approaches related to translational research and were published in English. After duplicate removal and PRISMA-guided screening, 33 publications were included. …

Benchmarking Two Saudi Ba English Programs: Accreditation Alignment, Exit Points, And Cefr Proficiency Targets, Abdullah Ali Altamimi

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

The Bachelor of Arts in English degree program at the University of Tabuk was benchmarked against both national accreditation requirements and those of a similar institution within the country: Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University. Through a comparative analysis of the curricula and degree requirements of both universities, including two degree plans and 38 course specifications across five dimensions, the alignment between the two universities’ English department requirements was determined. The alignment of each degree plan was calculated through the use of a 25-point rubric, and each alignment category was summarized within the report. Results indicated that the two-degree programs …

Chimes: September 14, 2026, Calvin University

Chimes

French Film Festival running through October 7 by Ava Roush

International students to face new DHS rule, starting Tuesday by Ian Tjoelker

Calvin Soccer “kicks off” season the with 6-0 shutout at home by Alex Parker

Intentionality in small numbers: 2026 IMPACT retreat for students of color by Jorie Cho

Journaling as an act of resistance by Maia Peterson

What is green space and why does it matter? by Lucas Phelps

Recent Advances In Bioethanol Production From Water Hyacinth: A Critical Review, Umuamina A. Matola, Mahir Mohammed Said, Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi, Abraham K. Temu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Water hyacinth (WH) is a highly invasive tropical aquatic weed with high holocellulose and low lignin content, making it a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production. Producing bioethanol from WH offers a sustainable approach to simultaneously managing invasive biomass and producing renewable energy. This review critically evaluates recent advancements in bioethanol production from WH by examining pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation technologies reported between 2014 and 2024. A PRISMA-guided literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and fifty-nine original research articles were selected for analysis. The reviewed studies were comparatively assessed based on pretreatment strategies, …

A Lament For Readers (Of Landscape), Howard Schaap

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Maybe what I lament is the lack of readers of the landscape, that as we drive through the countryside, we so often fail to get out of our cars to actually see “the beguiling nooks and crannies” of the world."

Posting about appreciating nature from In All Things, an online hub that offers insight into maintaining and faithful and orthodox Reformed Christian worldview while fearlessly engaging in every aspect of contemporary life – until all is made new.

A Lament for Readers (of Landscape)

Reducing Nurse Burnout Within A Pediatric Specialty Unit At A Midwest Hospital By Incorporating A Peer Mentor Program, Amanda Ortmeier, Gina Crudden

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Burnout among nurses continues to negatively impact staff well-being, patient safety, and job satisfaction. Pediatric specialty units face unique stressors related to high patient acuity, emotional demands, complex interdisciplinary collaboration, and family interactions. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate a structured peer mentorship program aimed at reducing nurse burnout within a pediatric specialty unit at a Midwestern hospital and to provide mentor education designed to improve mentor self-efficacy and preparedness.

Intervention: Maslach’s Burnout Theory served as the guiding framework for this project, which implemented a 45-day structured peer mentorship program in which experienced …