Digital Commons Network^™

A Historical Analysis Of The Squatter Settlements (Sukumbasi) In Nepal And The Role Of Smart Settlements, Keshav Bhattarai, Ambika P. Adhikari

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

In Nepal, landless populations can broadly be categorized into two groups: urban squatters and rural landless families. Each group can further be distinguished by its level of political connection and access to power.

Among urban squatters, politically connected groups often occupy open public spaces in cities with some degree of protection or tolerance from political parties. In contrast, less powerful urban squatters usually settle on public land because they cannot afford formal housing. These settlements are commonly located in unsafe or marginal areas, such as riverbanks, flood-prone zones, and unused public spaces. Despite these risks, many remain in urban areas …

Front Matter, Natural Resources Journal Nrj

Natural Resources Journal

No abstract provided.

Comparing Microgrids With Nuclear Energy: Which Is Better To Catapult New York Toward Its Green Energy Future?, Justin R. Ochs

Natural Resources Journal

This Note examines New York’s climate goals under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by comparing two pivotal energy solutions: nuclear energy and microgrids. Microgrids remain notably underexplored in legal scholarship, particularly their potential to achieve compliance with the CLCPA. By analyzing the economic, environmental, regulatory, and public perception challenges associated with nuclear energy and microgrids, this Note argues that microgrids offer a safer, more flexible, and sustainable option for accelerating New York’s path toward its green energy future. This Note evaluates microgrid projects across New York, along with common critiques regarding the scalability and viability of hybrid …

Off-Label Abuse: The Prosecution Of Individuals For Pesticide Crimes Under The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, And Rodenticide Act, Joshua Ozymy, Melissa Jarrell Ozymy

Natural Resources Journal

When individuals commit pesticide crimes involving significant harm or culpable conduct, they may be prosecuted for criminal violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), but we have little knowledge of how individual offenders have been prosecuted historically for such crimes. Using content analysis of 2,728 environmental crime prosecutions resulting from U.S. EPA criminal investigations, 1983 to 2021, we select all cases of individuals prosecuted under FIFRA for our analysis. We find that 100 cases were adjudicated, resulting in 135 years of probation, 75 years of incarceration, and $4.2 million in monetary penalties assessed at sentencing. Of those …

Cobalt's Climate Paradox: Global Ambitions For A Greener Future Rely On Blood-Stained Hands, Ashleigh Wootton

Natural Resources Journal

The global effort to mitigate climate change increasingly relies on widespread electrification, with lithium-ion batteries at its core and the key minerals required for their production concentrated in countries uniquely vulnerable to exploitation. Lithium-ion battery production relies heavily on cobalt, a critical mineral primarily sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which supplies approximately 70 percent of the world’s cobalt. As demand for cobalt is projected to rise sharply, the DRC has become indispensable to the global clean energy transition. Cobalt extraction in the DRC is closely linked to severe human rights abuses, including forced labor, child labor, …

Smart Goals, Better Outcomes: Transforming English Language Learning Through Student Goal-Setting, Nicole Brun-Mercer

Boise State University Publications and Presentations

For decades, educational psychologists have emphasized the importance of setting learning goals, with student goal setting being linked to academic achievement. When students have a declared interest in their academic goals, they are more willing to spend time studying, which is a key factor in academic success (Hudig et al. 2022; Morisano et al. 2010; Schippers et al. 2020).

Hemisphere: Visual Cultures Of The Americas Volume Xvii 2026

Hemisphere: Visual Cultures of the Americas

No abstract provided.

Designing Library Materials And Programming To Enhance Hsc Author Visibility, Will White

HSC Education Days

No abstract provided.

Optimized Hybrid Beamforming For Ris-Assisted Multi-User Mimo In 6g Mmwave Networks: A Low-Complexity Approach To Spectral Efficiency And Interference Mitigation, Safiya Nasser Al-Jaradi, Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Nabeel Al-Qirim, Shayla Islam, Thippa Reddy Gadekallu, Hana Mujlid, Hashim Elshafie, Rashid A. Saeed

All Works

The joint optimization of hybrid beamforming and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) phase shifts in multi-user millimeter-wave (mmWave) MIMO systems is a challenging problem, mainly due to high computational complexity and the lack of adaptive interference management. Existing approaches typically rely on fixed Zero-Forcing (ZF) or Maximum-Ratio Transmission (MRT) designs or require iterative optimization with high overhead, limiting their practical use in dense 6G environments. To overcome these challenges, this research proposes a RIS-Aided Adaptive Zero-Forcing and Maximum-Ratio Transmission Hybrid Precoding (RA-ZMHP) framework for 6G mmWave multi-user MIMO systems. The main novelty of the method lies in an adaptive ZF–MRT mixing …

Rumooz Aljareemah: An Intelligent Search System For Uae Criminal Law With Case Correlation Framework For Forensic Investigators, Rahaf Alnuaimi, Maryam Almarzooqi

All Works

Digital forensic investigations in the UAE encounter dual challenges: effectively correlating data across cases and complying with local legal frameworks. Conventional methods create information silos that hide connections between instances and increase the probability of procedural errors. This paper presents RUMOOZ ALJAREEMAH, a prototype platform for case correlation designed for cybersecurity experts and forensic investigators in the UAE. The approach integrates a correlation engine with a UAE-specific legal compliance framework, using authentication protocols, bilingual assistance, and text-based search algorithms. Our theoretical framework suggests enhancements in investigative efficiency, including reduced case resolution durations, improved identification of cross-case relationships, and a decrease …

Blockchain-Based Nostrification: A Privacy-Preserving Framework For Documents Verification, Mohamad Badra, Rouba Borghol

All Works

Many employers and institutions will not complete a hire until they verify a candidate's foreign qualifications. This nostrification step exists for a simple reason: they need to know that certificates, medical records, financial papers, and other official documents are real and not forged. For years, signatures and stamps were enough. But the shift to online applications changed the game. Today, anyone can upload a polished PDF, and with basic editing tools, fake documents can be created in minutes. The old system no longer protects anyone. On the other hand, the blockchain offers a stronger and more practical solution. Instead of …

Cliffinsight: An Educational Web Application That Visualizes The Calculation Of Effect-Sizes Using Cliff's Delta, Mohamed El-Attar, Ahmed Shuhaiber, Rima Grati, Sarah Kohail

All Works

The purpose of calculating effect sizes in statistics is to quantify the practical significance of observed differences beyond mere statistical significance. While standardized mean difference measures such as Cohen’s d are widely used, they require normally distributed data, an assumption frequently violated in educational and social science research. Non-parametric alternatives such as Cliff’s delta (δ) are more robust under these conditions yet remain underused due to perceived computational complexity and limited accessible resources. Existing web-based tools for Cliff’s delta function primarily as numerical calculators and do not expose the underlying dominance structure that gives the statistic its meaning. This paper …

Facial Expression With Type Of Eye Opening Associates With Multi-Organ Failure: An Observational Prospective Icu Cohort Study, Talal Ibrahim Mostafa Hagag

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Title Facial expression with the type of eye opening associates with multi-organ failure: an Observational prospective ICU cohort study Background Accurate prognostication in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains a challenging task. Conventional severity scores such as the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) quantify physiological derangement but overlook real-time neurological and affective responsiveness. Behavioral indicators—particularly facial expressivity and eye-opening response—may reflect cortical and brainstem integrity, offering a simple, non-invasive adjunct for bedside mortality prediction. Methods In this single-center, prospective observational study, 210 adult patients in the ICU were assessed within 24 hours of admission. Two blinded …

Transcortical Approach For Central Neurocytoma: Efficacy, Safety, And Functional Outcome, Eslam Abozied Kandil

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Central neurocytoma (CN) is a rare intraventricular neuronal tumor that predominantly affects young adults and is frequently associated with obstructive hydrocephalus. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, yet the optimal surgical corridor and predictors of long-term outcome remain debated. Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety, functional outcomes, and oncological control of transcortical microsurgical resection for central neurocytoma at a single neurosurgical center. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing transcortical resection of central neurocytoma between 2017 and 2025. Clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, surgical approach, extent of resection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, postoperative complications, functional outcomes, …

Evaluation Of Left Cardiac Chamber And Cardiac Size With Non Ecg Gated Ct In Cancer Patients And Its Role In Determining Cardiomyopathy, Manal Mohamed Refaat Beshir, Samia Yehia Heikal, Shaimaa Abdalaleem Abdalgeleel, Dalia Ibraheem El Saied, Sarah Mamdouh Osman

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: A number of cardiovascular processes have been linked to cardiac chamber and cardiac size increase as a significant biomarker for predicting morbidity and death. There is no standardized technique for assessing and reporting cardiac chamber and cardiac size, despite the fact that non-electrocardiographically (ECG) gated multidetector CT is a frequently utilized cross-sectional imaging modality to assess numerous cardiothoracic diseases . Patients and Methods :Our study encompassed 106 patients. All patients were diagnosed with primary cancer and underwent computed tomography (CT) for either initial evaluation or subsequent monitoring. Cardiac measurements were obtained in CT and compared to Echocardiographic results done …

The Postoperative Analgesic Effect Of Lumbar Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Pericapsular Nerve Group Block In Patients Undergoing Hip Surgeries, Islam M. El-Desoky, Mohamed Elshafey, Amal Ismail Abdelrahman

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Hip surgery requires effective pain control for proper recovery and decreasing the length of hospital stay. Aims: We aimed to assess the analgesic effect of Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and pericapsular nerve group (PENG) blocks in pain control after hip operations. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 69 ASA I–II patients scheduled for hip surgery were randomly allocated into three groups: PENG block, ESPB, and control groups (23 each). The primary outcome was postoperative pain assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at rest and during movement. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative and 48-hour morphine consumption, time to first …

Role Of New-Onset Qt Prolongation In Ecg In Critically Ill Septic Patients As A Prognostic Tool: An Observational Prospective Cohort Icu Study, Talal Ibrahim Mostafa Hagag, Salwa M.A. Dahesh

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background QT interval prolongation is a common finding among critically ill patients and could be a marker of autonomic nervous dysregulation, instability of metabolism, and/or septic cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, its prognostic role among septic ICU populations remains unclarified. The current aim of this study was to explore its potential role regarding short-term mortality. Methods In this cohort study, 119 septic adults were included in the study within 24 hours of ICU admission. Demographics, clinical variables, lab values, and QTc intervals were measured within 2 hours of ICU admission following exclusion for clinically significant electrolyte imbalances and use of QT-prolonging medications. QTc …

Effect Of Lateral And Backward Walking Training On Balance In Children With Hemiparesis: A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial, Seham M. Abd El-Moghny, Mohamed I. Elsepaee

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Hemiparesis, a common consequence of cerebral palsy (CP), significantly impairs motor function, leading to asymmetrical gait, poor balance, and reduced mobility in affected children. The resulting functional limitations can negatively impact a child's participation in daily activities, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Purpose: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of lateral and backward walking training with mirror visual feedback on standing balance in children with hemiparesis. Methods: Ninety children with hemiparesis, ages five to seven, of both sexes who met the following inclusion criteria were included in the study: They have spasticity at grades 1+ to 2 …

Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein In Early Diagnosis Of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Reem Safwat Mohamad, Asmaa Younis Elsary, Mohamed M. Elbably

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Timely identification of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) plays a vital role in ensuring prompt treatment and better clinical outcomes. Traditional cardiac indicators involving creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) demonstrate reduced diagnostic accuracy through the initial hours after symptom presentation.

Aim: This research aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in comparison with cTnI, CK-MB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) among cases presenting with acute chest pain, with particular focus on its role in early AMI detection.

Methods: A case-control investigation was conducted involving 60 AMI patients from the National Heart Institute …

Early Outcome Of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting In 1,000 Egyptian Patients And Predictors Of Hospital Mortality, Ramdan Ibrahim Mohammed Ouf

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a prevalent therapeutic intervention for the management of coronary artery disease. CABG significantly increases life expectancy. However, it is associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Aim of the study to analyze the clinical and demographic attributes of patients undergoing isolated CABG and determine the early outcomes and the predictors of hospital mortality. Methods This is a retrospective observational study was conducted in National Heart Institute to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of 1,000 Egyptian patients undergoing isolated CABG between January 2021 and January 2024. Results Our study included 1000 patients (mean age …

Evaluating The Accuracy Of Chatgpt In Decision Of Surgical Dose In Cases Of Intermittent Exotropia, Ayman M Elghonemy, Mohamed A Elkady, Mohamed R Abdelbasset

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly been integrated into various aspects of healthcare, revolutionizing diagnostics, patient management, and medical decision-making. AI-powered platforms, particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, have demonstrated potential in supporting clinical expertise by generating relevant, context-aware responses to medical inquiries. In ophthalmology, AI has been widely utilized for diagnosing and monitoring common conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. However, its application in strabismus management, particularly in surgical planning, remains underexplored.

 Objective: to compare the accuracy of responses about surgical plans for strabismus by ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 with the traditional surgical strabismus table of …

Comparison Of Suture Materials In Pfannensteil Incision Closure, Ali Elsayed Khayal, Ahmed Alsayed Kassab

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Surgeons worldwide perform C-sections more often than almost any other procedure, a trend that shows a steady and ongoing increase. Despite its safety profile, postoperative wound complications remain a significant source of maternal morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Optimal skin closure technique following Pfannenstiel incision remains controversial, particularly regarding the choice between absorbable braided and non-absorbable monofilament sutures.

Objective: To compare wound morbidity and surgical outcomes following Pfannenstiel skin closure using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) versus polypropylene (Prolene) in women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial included 200 women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section …

Patient Pathways And Outcomes Following Referral To A Dedicated Clinic For Tavi Program: Insights From The Egyptian National Heart Institute, Ramy Mohamed Omar, Ahmad Hassanen Gaber, Tarek M Abdel Aziz Elkholy

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background

The most common valvular heart disease in elderly populations and with a dismal prognosis in the case of its development is degenerative aortic stenosis. The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has transformed the treatment of the entire surgical risk spectrum, but there is limited real-world data that define the patterns of treatment and post-treatment results in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Objectives

To characterize the pattern of treatment allocation, clinical and procedural outcome, and predictors at the baselines of six months mortality in patients in a row who were referred to a specialist assessment …

Comparison Of Dexmedetomidine And Ketamine Versus Propofol And Ketamine For Procedural Sedation In Children Undergoing Minor Cardiac Procedures In Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Reham Salah, Amr Ahmed Samir

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: The optimal anesthetic approach for the care of pediatric patients facing cardiac catheterization stays undefined. Therefore, this study sought to equivalence the impact of ketamine-propofol and ketamine-dexmedetomidine mixtures on recovery duration and hemodynamic parameters in pediatric patients suffering trivial procedures and cardiac catheterization, while sedated for the treatment of numerous congenital heart diseases.

Materials and Method: One hundred twenty-six pediatric patients, irrespective of sex, scheduled for cardiac catheterization were arbitrarily billed to one of two groups: a propofol-ketamine group (PK) and a dexmedetomidine-ketamine group (DK), every comprising sixty-three patients. Group (DK) established Dexmedetomidine iv infusion 1µg/kg over ten min …

Association Between Red Cell Distribution Width And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Walaa Saad Mohammed Ibrahim

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and associated complications. Red cell distribution width (RDW), an index of the variability in red blood cell size, has emerged as a potential biomarker of inflammation and vascular risk.

Objective:

To assess the association between RDW and T2DM and its relation to glycemic control

Patients and Methods:

The current case-control study enrolled 40 T2DM patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Data collected included fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPP), HbA1c, lipid profile, albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and RDW. Statistical analysis included …

Data And Analysis Code For Agricultural Risk Perceptions And Willingness To Change Farming Practices In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas, Owen Temby, Dongkyu Kim, Anthony R. Lima

Datasets

This dataset supports research on farmers’ perceptions of agricultural risk and their stated willingness to use water-management and conservation practices in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Data were collected in 2024–2025 from farm owners in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties. Mailed invitations directed recipients to a Qualtrics questionnaire, followed by telephone outreach through the UTRGV Center for Survey Research and Policy Analysis. Participants could respond online or answer the questionnaire orally during a telephone interview. The released dataset contains 93 records with recorded consent, including partial responses; 72 records support the core regression analyses. Survey measures cover …

Partisan Local Media And Corporate Voluntary Disclosures: Evidence From Sinclair Acquisitions, Ming Li

Theses and Dissertations

I investigate the impact of local media’s political orientation on firms’ voluntary disclosure, exploiting the acquisitions of local TV stations by Sinclair Broadcast Group, a conservative media conglomerate. Drawing on the media bias theory and implementing a staggered difference‐in‐differences design, I find that the local partisan media affects management earnings forecasts. Specifically, Conservative-leaning CEOs in designated market areas (DMAs) affected by Sinclair’s acquisitions forecast more optimistically, increasing forecast frequency and inflating forecasted earnings. The impact is stronger if the DMAs are more Liberal-leaning before the acquisitions and when firms have weaker corporate governance. I also find that the stock market …

Meeting The Occupational Needs Of Older Adults With Long-Term Conditions: An Exploration Of Occupational Therapy In Primary Care, Sam Wakley

School of Health Professions Theses

This thesis investigated the occupational needs of older adults with long-term conditions to determine how these needs could be met through primary care, acknowledging this as a contemporary area of occupational therapy practice. Combining three studies offered a comprehensive, occupationally centred analysis of a growing area of practice that remains underexplored. Strand One involved conducting a scoping review to map existing models of primary care for adults with long-term conditions. It demonstrated that current approaches largely neglect occupation, favouring biomedical outcomes and fiscally related priorities. However, growing awareness to quality of life and the role of an integrated multidisciplinary team …

Geometric Effects Of Warfighters On Body Armor Fit And Protective Capabilities Against Shock Wave Energy, Melissa Lynn Sutter

Doctoral Dissertations

Body armor is a vital piece of protective equipment for warfighters to defend against threats, necessitating continued development to improve comfort, weight, and protection. However, female warfighters often wear unisex body armor, designed primarily for the male torso. Current research has evaluated the short- and long-term detriments of female warfighters wearing these armors, focusing on comfort and performance. However, these studies do not comprehensively consider how a non-form-fitting armor compromises warfighter safety from battlefield threats. This research examines the geometric effects of female warfighters on armor protection level when defending against shock threats by evaluating the energy distribution on a …

Assessment Of Simulation Software Used For Cubesat Gnc Verification And Validation By University Research Teams, Alexander Taiyo Newett

Masters Theses

As the growth in university satellite teams continues, along with the greater trend in the small satellite market, the need for a guidance, navigation, and control verification and validation pipeline suitable for these young and inexperienced teams becomes evident. Much of the mathematical theory and software implementation of GNC concepts are large hurdles for teams largely composed of undergraduate students.

Many software packages exist that can help these teams achieve GNC verification and validation. If the learning curves of these software packages can be overcome, new satellite teams have the opportunity to better build and test GNC algorithms that are …