Digital Commons Network^™

Review Essay: The New Misogyny And The Rise Of Violent Extremism, Shannon Smith

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Essay: Nonviolent Civilian Protection During Conflict, John Ashworth

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Uganda’S Two Tyrants, Helen Epstein

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Essay: The Original Sin Of Humanity, John Sniegocki

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Essay: The Persistence Of Community In Our Transactional Age, Bill Droel

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Rights Of Religious Minorities In Sudan: A Case Study Of Armenians, Jon Armajani

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay examines the constitutions of the Republic of Sudan and minority rights, with a focus on Armenians in that country.  It provides (1) the demographics of Sudan; (2) an overview of the Armenians of Sudan; (3) a history of Sudan’s constitutions; (4) an analysis of their provisions and related laws on minority rights, citizenship, naturalization, and inheritance; (5) an overview of Sudan’s civil war, which began on April 15, 2023, and (6) a concluding section which analyzes risks to Armenians and other religious and ethnic minorities in Sudan.

Riyadh Charter On Artificial Intelligence For The Islamic World, - Islamic World Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organization (Icesco), - Saudi Data And Artificial Intelligence Authority (Sdaia)

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence for the Islamic World was launched by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in September 2024, in collaboration with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, during the third Global AI Summit (GAIN Summit) in Riyadh.

The Charter has been widely recognized and endorsed by Islamic scholars and policymakers. During the 26th Session of the Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, it was highlighted as a moral and strategic compass for AI technologies, addressing the limitations of existing international …

Preliminary Report - Evidence-Based Assessment Of Opportunities, Risks And Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence, - United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel On Ai

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

A Catalyst For Change: The Extraordinary Anaka Women’S Collective During The June 2026 Belfast Pogrom, Dianne Kirby

The Journal of Social Encounters

Prompted by the pogrom that erupted in Belfast in June this year, this article explores how a women’s collective, Anaka, established by female asylum seekers, refugees and migrants (ASRMs) less than a decade previously, took the lead in ensuring the safety and welfare of the city’s migrant communities in a context where they were horrifically failed by police and politicians, by the state and the institutions meant to protect them. Anaka began as a small-scale endeavour to mitigate the difficulties confronting women struggling to navigate a harsh asylum system. It became a widely respected advocacy and campaigning group for ASRMs. …

Operation Metro Surge In Central Minnesota: A Personal Perspective, Pedro A. G. Dos Santos

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay provides a personal account, grounded in social science intellectual traditions and methods, of Operation Metro Surge and its aftermath in Central Minnesota. Emphasizing the differences between what happened in Central Minnesota (and other rural areas in the state) and what happened in the Twin Cities Metro area, this essay focuses on two events to contextualize the ways in which Operation Metro Surge disrupted the lives of immigrants and of the Minnesotans trying to protect their neighbors.

Patterns Of Age At First Birth And Child Spacing Behaviour Among Women In Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria, Ismaila O. Orire

The Journal of Social Encounters

Age at first birth influences the length of a woman's reproductive years and affects fertility behavior including choices of child spacing which have profound influence on future population structure and dynamics. This study examines women’s demographic and social characteristics; identified their ages at first birth and relationship with status of marriage; their child spacing behavior; contraceptive usage; and duration of breastfeeding after child birth. Primary source of data was questionnaire administered to women of reproductive age representing three age cohorts whose ages range between 35-44, 25-34 and 15-24 years respectively. Systematic random sampling technique was adopted to ensure representativeness and …

Rethinking Women, Peace And Security In Southern Africa: Patriarchy, Policies, And Perspectives, Kgomotso Komane

The Journal of Social Encounters

Southern Africa is a relatively peaceful region, however, it has witnessed a range of diverse, multiple and ongoing conflicts that have prompted various peace interventions from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), neighbouring countries and international actors. An astounding pattern is revealed when observing the involvements of all the actors in the peace interventions. What is revealed is that, till present day, women remain marginalised in peace processes despite existing structures and policies that reaffirm their rightful participation in these processes. Rethinking women’s role in peace and security is necessary because existing approaches to peace are shaped by patriarchal norms. …

Un-African Union Cooperation In Darfur: Multilevel Governance In Action And The Future Of International-Regional Peace Operations, Philip Mutio

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper will explore the changing dynamics between global and regional governance frameworks using the example of the UN partnership with regional and sub-regional organizations in the management of intricate peace and security issues. The analysis is anchored on the case of African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), an example of layered governance, to examine the effect of coordination problems, operational difficulties, and joint mission performance in the areas of peace talks, post-conflict reconstruction, and civilian protection. Along with persistent issues including scarce resources, political instability, and disjointed command structures, the report acknowledges significant advancements such as increased …

Preventive Interventions Targeting Social Determinants Of Health: Implications For Healthcare Utilization And Cost, Audrey Wrinkle

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Preventive interventions targeting social determinants of health could reduce avoidable healthcare utilization and positively impact long-term cost outcomes within healthcare systems. Evidence indicates that financial and social barriers to preventive care lead to delayed treatment and increased use of high-cost healthcare services in the long term. Preventive interventions focusing on upstream social factors, like home-based care and digital health programs, could improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable service utilization. Also, incorporating social needs data into policy creation could promote better allocation of healthcare resources. This research highlights the role of prevention-focused strategies in promoting cost-effective, sustainable healthcare delivery.

Le Défi Mondial : Panorama Comparatif Des Soins Néonatals Au Maroc Et Aux États‑Unis, Manasi Joshi

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Cette étude comparative examine les soins néonatals au Maroc et aux États-Unis après un stage dans une clinique privée à Rabat. Bien que les pratiques médicales principales soient universelles, leur application varie dans différents pays selon les circonstances socio-économiques et culturelles. Basée sur des observations directes, des entretiens avec des professionnels de soins néonatals marocains et une analyse de la littérature sur ce sujet dans ces deux pays, cette recherche discute de quatre différences principales : la disponibilité des ressources, l’accès aux soins de qualité, l’influence culturelle et les obstacles financiers. Malgré la pénurie évidente de personnel dans les hôpitaux, …

Hierarchical Context Caching Using Data Segmentation And Predictive Aggregation, Sarita A. Joshi, Leo J. Gustas, Blane C. Clark

Defensive Publications Series

Standard context caching for large language models can be inefficient in workflows with large, multi-part contexts, such as clinical documentation, where streaming data can invalidate static records and individual records may not meet caching thresholds. A computer-implemented system and method for optimizing context caching are described. The system may utilize a hierarchical structure that segments input context into static, semi-static, and dynamic layers based on update frequency. The system may also proactively aggregate historical records from multiple patients into a single cache prefix to meet service provider token minimums. This approach of hierarchical segmentation and predictive aggregation can reduce cache …

Forecasting Demand At Physical Facilities Using Diverse Heterogeneous Real-World Data, Kapil Parakh, Daniel Klein

Defensive Publications Series

Unpredictable fluctuations in customer demand at physical facilities can have substantial operational impacts. Current demand forecasting approaches tend to be simplistic and reactive as they rely primarily on internal historical data, which provides inadequate accuracy to support future resource allocation. This disclosure describes techniques to provide accurate medium-term demand forecasts for physical operational facilities by synthesizing a diverse set of relevant real-world factors obtained from a fusion of numerous heterogeneous data sources related to human practices and needs. The factors can be continually aggregated and input to a suitably trained machine learning model trained to generate specific actionable output designed …

Cable Coiling Detection Using Coupling-Based Sensing, Hp Inc

Defensive Publications Series

A smart cable monitoring system detects cable coiling conditions before cable degradation occurs. The system utilizes dedicated sensing conductors integrated within the cable to monitor changes in coupling characteristics caused by cable geometry variations. By comparing the measured sensing signature against a baseline condition, the system can identify prolonged coiled states and provide user feedback or preventive actions. Thermal sensing may also be incorporated to improve detection robustness and support cable health assessment.

Cultivating Civility: A Multicomponent Approach To Reducing Workplace Incivility In An Assisted Living Facility, Sanam Bral, Kaylyn Chang, Catherine Dinh, Sanjil Kumar, Truc Mai Moon

Master's Projects and Capstones

Workplace incivility remains a common challenge in healthcare, negatively affecting communication, staff well-being, and the quality and safety of resident care. Baseline survey findings from a faith-based assisted living facility in Southern California identified concerns related to workplace incivility, psychological safety, and gaps in staff knowledge of available reporting resources. This project aimed to reduce workplace incivility by improving staff knowledge and recognition of uncivil behaviors, with a target of at least 90% staff training attendance among nursing, assistive nursing, and medical technicians, and 80% attendee-reported high confidence level (agree or strongly agree) in recognizing incivility and understanding reporting options. …

Fireready Oc: Developing A Public Health Protocol For Wildland-Urban Interface (Wui) Fire Events In Orange County, Christian Andre O. Gequillo, Allyson Hayakawa, Selin Erdogan, Natalie Albarran

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective/Problem: Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) fires expose communities to a greater number of hazardous pollutants than traditional wildfires and can pose significant health risks; however, Orange County does not have a standardized public health protocol to address WUI fires. A review of the literature identified the need for standardized WUI fire guidance that is focused on improved preparedness and response. Aim: The FireReady OC quality improvement project aimed to develop an evidence-based public health protocol to improve Orange County’s public health preparedness and response for WUI fire events from 0% to 10% during the 12-week period from May 27, 2026, to …

Improving Nursing Adherence To Chg Bathing And Pivc Maintenance Practices To Reduce Hospital-Onset Bacteremia In An Adult Medical-Surgical Unit, Mohabat Barikzai, Dinazar Altamirano, Edward Rivas, Sarah Trilles

Master's Projects and Capstones

Preventing hospital-onset bacteremia (HOB) is a healthcare priority given its association with increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and healthcare costs. Literature identifies inconsistent adherence to evidence-based practices for chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing and peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) maintenance as a modifiable risk factor for HOB. This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated whether implementing standardized nurse education, routine compliance audits, and performance feedback would improve adherence to evidence-based CHG bathing and PIVC maintenance practices. The project aimed to achieve at least 90% nursing compliance with HOB prevention practices over an intended 8-week implementation period. A pre-post quality improvement design was implemented …

Food For Thought: Building Confidence In Healthy Food Choices Among Seniors In A Residential Facility Through Nutrition Education, Amy Rodríguez

Master's Projects and Capstones

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of a 10-week nutrition education program designed to improve nutrition knowledge and confidence among independently living older adults residing in a low-income senior housing community. Aim By August 10, 2026, this project aimed to increase average nutrition knowledge and confidence scores related to selecting nutritious foods and preparing healthy meals by 20% among senior housing facility residents. Methods A microsystem assessment, literature review, SWOT analysis, fishbone diagram, and GANTT chart were completed to guide project development and implementation. Weekly nutrition education workshops were conducted over a 10-week period and included presentations, group discussions, …

In The Loop: Delivering Consistent, Compassionate Communication At Every Step Of The Ed Journey, Karina Basilio

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Nearly 70% of patients in the emergency department (ED) at Hospital X are never roomed and instead wait in the main waiting area for evaluation, results, or disposition. Frequently, without structured updates on their plan of care, expected wait time, or next steps. This communication gap leaves patients feeling forgotten and disengaged from their own care. It is associated nationally with lower satisfaction, increased anxiety, and higher rates of patients leaving without being seen. Context: Hospital X is a mid-sized, community-based acute-care hospital in the Bay Area, California, serving a diverse patient population, with an ED that …

Breaking The Silence: Standardizing Routine Intimate Partner Violence Screening At A Community Clinic Serving The Latinx Community, Victoria M. Hall

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects the Latinx population disproportionately due to socioeconomic status, cultural stigma, and language barriers. However, routine screening remains inconsistent and unstandardized at a local community clinic in San Francisco’s Mission District, despite evidence-based practices recommending it. The gap in IPV screenings across the Adult, Teens, and Women’s clinics resulted in only 1.6% of patients being screened in July 2025 and 4.1% in June 2026. This quality improvement project aimed to address low screening rates by standardizing IPV screening through a printed bilingual screener, a 60-minute staff in-service on IPV and the new screening protocol, and by …

Beyond The Tremor: Building Interdisciplinary Confidence In Parkinson's Disease Management Through Structured Education, Roya Oreo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is commonly seen in skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Gaps in knowledge among clinical staff regarding PD-specific care have resulted in negative outcomes such as delayed medication administration, unmet activities of daily living (ADL) needs, restricted mobility, and dissatisfaction with care from residents and family members. At a 55-bed SNF in Northern California, clinical staff self-reported 60% confidence in their ability to care for and manage residents with PD. This reflects a need for structured, evidence-based education, specific to Parkinson’s Disease. Aim: This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to increase the …

Nourishing Confidence: Empowering Seniors To Make Healthy Food Choices, Ina Patricia Bangawan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective This quality improvement (QI) project evaluated the effectiveness of a 10-week nutrition education program designed to improve nutrition knowledge and confidence in making healthy nutritional choices among independent older adults living in a low-income senior housing community. Aim By August 10, 2026 the goal of this project was to increase average nutrition knowledge and confidence scores related to selecting nutritious foods and preparing healthier meals by 20% among senior housing facility residents. Methods A microsystem assessment and gap analysis, literature review, SWOT analysis, fishbone diagram, and GANTT chart were completed to guide the project development and implementation. Weekly nutrition …

Steady Steps: Building Confidence In Parkinson’S Disease Care, Jerlyn T. Nicdao

Master's Projects and Capstones

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that greatly impacts one’s quality of life due to its worsening progression and impact on cognitive and physical functions. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to strengthen staff confidence and competence in caring for residents with Parkinson’s disease (PD) living in a skilled nursing facility. Aim: Clinical nurse leader (CNL) students aim to increase staff confidence and competence in PD care from 60% to 75% over a six-week period, from June 18, 2026, to July 30, 2026. Method: A total of thirteen interdisciplinary staff members (e.g. registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, …

Standardizing Gestational Diabetes Group Education In An Outpatient Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Nina Prieto

Master's Projects and Capstones

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) requires timely and consistent education to support effective self-management and reduce maternal and fetal complications. Baseline assessment of an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic identified variation in educational materials, teaching approaches, referral processes, scheduling, and workflows across English- and Spanish-language GDM group visits. This quality improvement project aimed to standardize the group visit process and increase staff compliance with standardized materials and workflows from 0% to 50% over a 12-week period. Data were collected through direct observation of group and individual education sessions, stakeholder feedback, review of existing materials, referral and attendance patterns, and workflow analysis. These …

Improving Sleep Assessment Compliance On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Cassandra Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Poor sleep in the hospital is linked to more pain, more opioid use, delirium, slower healing, and longer hospital stays. A required Enhanced Recovery Medicine (ERM) sleep assessment is meant to help, but it is not always documented. On a 25-bed medical-surgical unit in a large integrated health system in northern California, only 75.8% of eligible days had this assessment documented before noon at baseline (March 30 to April 28, 2026). The plan has three parts: bedside sleep champions on the day and night shift, staff education during shift huddles supported by an education flyer, and weekly audits through the …

“Now Serving… Not Quite Yet”: Improving Waiting Room Experience Through Consistent Communication In The Emergency Department, Juan Carlos Serrato

Master's Projects and Capstones

Context: The quality improvement project was implemented in the front-end microsystem of a 36-bed emergency department (ED) in a non-profit, Magnet-designated California hospital. Problem: Communication with non-roomed patients at Hospital X was inconsistent, contributing to dissatisfaction. In June 2026, Press Ganey reported that 61.4% of patients felt they were informed about delays. Baseline observation identified gaps in staff explanations of estimated wait times, next steps in care, and opportunities to ask questions. Intervention: A 30-day pilot provided staff education on the AIDET communication framework through formal in-service education and daily huddles. Patient-facing materials explained the ED process …