Digital Commons Network^™

From Perspectival Myopia To Professional Transformation: An Autoethnographic Retrospection Of A High School Principal From Nepal, Shankar Dhakal, Geoffrey W. Lummis, Andrew Jones

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents a re-storied account of my (lead author) decade-long (2007–2017) professional journey as a high school principal in diverse educational settings in Nepal. Using an autoethnographic approach, I have theorized my leadership transformation approaches through professional storytelling, employing critical reflexivity to trace intimate leadership experiences where authoritarian approaches to leadership, disparities, and inequalities in schools run rampant. My perspectival myopia, professional vulnerabilities, and the discrepancies between my leadership ideals and behaviors resulted in issues such as perceptions of disengagement, underperformance, and dissatisfaction on the receiving end, prompting me to contemplate professional transformation. While outlining several significant steps and …

Laws Of Mechanics And Stationary Black Holes, Asma Iqbal

Master of Science in Mathematics

The aim of this thesis is to study laws of mechanics of Black Holes in the context of General Relativity. Important tools of General Relativity have been covered including concept of curvature and causal structure of spacetime. It then explore some characteristics of Schwarzschild and Kerr Black Holes and derived global quantities of them. These global quantities which are defined on Event Horizon of Black Hole makes analogy with the thermodynamics of physics. It then presents the Black Hole analogue of the zeroth, first, second and third laws of classical mecanics in General Relativity.

Approximation Of Solution Of Certain Nonlinear Problems With Applications, Faisal Aijaz

Master of Science in Mathematics

In the thesis, we established the strong convergence of inertial iterative scheme designed to approximate the common solutions of the equilibrium and the fixed-point problem for non-expansive mappings in Hilbert spaces. Through extensive numerical analysis, we analyze the efficiency of the algorithm and demonstrate that the incorporation of the inertial technique yields a significantly faster convergence rate than existing comparable schemes. Furthermore, we examine the effect of initial value on the convergence dynamics, offering visual and comparative assessments against classical methods. To highlight the practical utility and versatility of our framework, we apply the algorithm to signal restoration problems, and …

Metric And Dominant Metric Dimension Of Weakly Zero-Divisor Graphs, Adnan Hussain

Master of Science in Mathematics

This thesis investigates the metric dimension and dominant metric dimension of weakly zero-divisor graphs associated with commutative rings. The study focuses on determining resolving sets and dominating resolving sets for several classes of Γ(Z𝑛) graphs. These results establish connections between algebraic properties of rings and combinatorial characteristics of their associated graphs.

Embodying Policy Work: An Exploration Of Contexts, Actions And Meanings Towards New Possibilities For Physical Education Teacher Education (Pete), Victoria Evans, David Aldous, Dawn Penney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This theoretical paper presents a heuristic framework that is directed towards transformative thinking and practices in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). The research focus and direction, embodying policy work, applies and extends Bernstein’s concepts of the pedagogic and corporeal device to offer new directions for inquiry and explore the considerations these raise for PETE professionals and their practices. The paper affirms the importance of policy work in PETE, while recognising a need for more nuanced and critical understandings of the complex interrelationships between contexts and actions, and the potential meanings generated and ascribed to different forms of policy work and …

Nation, Nature And Childhood In Five Curricula: Towards Earthly Education, Zsuzsa Millei, Katarzyna Gawlicz, Lucy Hopkins, Camilla Eline Andersen, Danielle Ekman Ladru

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article explores the relations between nation, nature and childhood in five early childhood education curricula in the Nordic, post-socialist and settler-colonial states with the focus on the role education plays in the face of the climate crisis. The authors identify three interconnecting themes in which nation, nature and childhood are entangled in these curricula: 1) national nature as an object of learning; 2) nature and home/birth land and Country; and 3) stewardship for national nature. Exploring these themes from the perspective of alternative pedagogies developed to address the child–nature relations during the Anthropocene, the authors argue that these notions …

Deep Learning And Computer Vision-Based Modeling For A Real-Time Traffic Congestion Monitoring Framework, Neil Dustin Benedict A. Agner, Angelo B. Dela Cruz, Aster Benedict A. Mangabat, Raphael B. Alampay, Patricia Angela R. Abu

Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments

As intelligent traffic systems evolve to manage complex urban mobility, conventional congestion estimation techniques, such as the time-windowed Volume-to-Capacity (V/C) ratio, fail to capture capture the real-time traffic situation. Because these methods rely on vehicles crossing a specific point, they often fail to register stopped cars, creating a ‘zero flow’ paradox where complete gridlock is incorrectly categorized as an empty, free-flowing road. To address these limitations, this study proposes an end-to-end computer vision framework utilizing the Real-Time DEtection TRansformer (RT-DETR) model to quantify vehicle volume and immediately classify a roadway’s Level of Service (LOS) through spatial density. In processing video …

Modulation Of Ccr2/Ccl2 Molecular Axis In The Expansion And Rupture Of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Ryan Wahidi, Santiago Elizondo-Benedetto, Ryan Catlett, Bera Koklu, Mohamed A Zayed

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The CCR2/CCL2 molecular axis is a critical mediator of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis. It has been demonstrated to drive chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and vascular remodeling through the recruitment and activation of monocytes/macrophages and other immune cell types. Pre-clinical studies demonstrate that CCR2 inhibition reduces AAA formation, expansion, and progression in animal models. Emerging imaging techniques have validated CCR2 as a biomarker for AAA instability in humans. Although clinical trials targeting CCR2 are currently limited in number, ongoing translational studies highlight that CCR2 blockade is a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate AAA expansion and the risk of rupture. …

Developmental Themes Associated With Religious Activity After Early Return From A Latter-Day Saint Mission, Samuel E. Hancock, Sam A. Hardy, Michael Goodman, Camron Angell, Jenae M. Nelson

Faculty Publications

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, qualified young men are expected (and young women are given the option) to complete extended missionary service during the transition to adulthood. Some youth end their missionary service short of the anticipated duration, which is associated with markedly lower rates of religious activity post-return. This study is a qualitative inquiry into the developmental themes associated with early returned missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who chose to remain active (be consistently involved with the church), sampling from areas with high rates of Latter-day Saint activity, where stigmatization …

Eligibility For Anti-Amyloid Treatment In A Multiethnic Community-Based Study, Lydia Trudel, Joseph Therriault, Arthur C Macedo, Karin L Meeker, Meredith N Braskie, Arthur W Toga, Serge Gauthier, Paolo Vitali, Suzanne E Schindler, Sid E O'Bryant, Pedro Rosa-Neto

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The approval of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including lecanemab and donanemab, represents a significant advance in disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for early Alzheimer's disease (AD). While appropriate use recommendations (AURs) have been established to guide clinical decision-making, the proportion of individuals with cognitive impairment in real-world, multiethnic populations meeting eligibility criteria remains unknown, as do potential differences in treatment-related risks across ethnic groups.

METHODS: We included 513 cognitively impaired individuals from the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities study, a multiethnic community-based cohort. Eligibility for lecanemab and donanemab was determined using published AUR criteria. Counts of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities were …

Ex Vivo Assessment Of Keratinocytic Carcinomas Using A Fast Mid-Infrared Probe., Maria G Vazquez De Vasquez, Rebecca C Bradley, Charles L Hitchcock, Angela S Casey, Austin Cusick, James V Coe, Ronald Siegle

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

A fast mid-infrared spectral probe was used to record infrared (IR) spectra of fresh skin tissue removed from patients with biopsy-proven keratinocytic cancer (KC) during Mohs surgery. A 150-patient library of IR spectral data was obtained to see if KC on the epidermal side (outside) of tissue samples can be differentiated from adjacent nonmalignant tissue and normal skin. A linear support vector machine model minimized overtraining predicting the contributions to decisions at each step in the spectrum. Training with an equal cost for KC and nontumor cases samples demonstrated a KC sensitivity of 93% ± 5% and specificity 82% ± …

Hey, Siri: How Companionate Ai Usage Affects Social Satisfaction And Personal Intelligence, Ryan E. Moran, Marley Ireland

Honors Theses and Capstones

Artificial intelligence is a field that is growing and changing faster than humanity can keep up. While part of the population is benefiting from its unmatched diagnostic power, increased productivity in school and in work, and even its surgical and therapeutic contributions, others are filing lawsuits based on claims that an AI chatbot was a key factor in the mental health crisis of someone they loved. Research has found that reliance on these AI-generated conversational agents can lead to social withdrawal, unrealistic relationship expectations, addictive tendencies, and, in the worst cases, increased or encouraged suicidal ideations, especially in vulnerable populations. …

The Paradox Of Matriliny: Cultural Authority And The Political Marginalization Of Women In Meghalaya, Kasturi Bharadwaj

Journal of International Women's Studies

The global discourse on gender equality gained momentum after the 1975 United Nations World Conference on Women. It continued through a series of international initiatives and culminated in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which emphasized women’s rights and their participation in political, social, and economic life. Despite these normative commitments at the international level, women’s political participation and representation within administrative and decision-making structures continue to be uneven, limited, and structurally constrained across many societies. In this context, the study investigates the political participation and representation of women in Meghalaya, a tribal state in Northeast India characterized by …

Submicron Diamond-Assisted Irrigation Enhances Apical Biofilm Removal Under Sonic And Ultrasonic Activation: An Ex Vivo Study, Yung-Szu Hsu, Nai-Chia Teng, Sin-Yu Chen, Huan-Cheng Chang, Haw-Ming Huang, Sung-Chih Hsieh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose:

Residual apical biofilm often persists despite sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation with sonic or ultrasonic activation. Submicron diamond particles (SMD) have shown promise as a particle-assisted adjunct for root canal cleaning, but their effects on mature intracanal biofilm remain unclear. This study evaluated whether 500-nm SMD particles (10 mg/mL) improve the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of saline or NaOCl irrigation against mature Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilms.

Materials and methods:

One hundred single-rooted human premolars infected with E. faecalis for 21 days were randomly allocated to ten irrigation protocols (n = 10). Antibacterial efficacy was assessed by …

Exosomes Derived From Bone Substitute-Induced Gingival Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Angiogenesis, Chongyu Shen, Zheng Guan, Rui Chu, Zhengyin Li, Jiangting Lu, Liangkun Xie

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: In certain clinical bone grafting scenarios, bone substitutes frequently interface with the adjacent soft tissues. This study aimed to investigate whether deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) and coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) induce paracrine responses in human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), thereby altering the pro-angiogenic capacity of their derived exosomes, and to profile specific cargo alterations.

Materials and methods: Exosomes were isolated from GMSCs co-cultured with DBBM (DBBM-G-EXO) or CHA (CHA-G-EXO), while native GMSCs-derived exosomes (G-EXO) were collected as controls. The angiogenic effects of these exosomes on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were evaluated via cell proliferation, scratch wound …

Oral Health Knowledge Across Cultural Boundaries: A Physiology And Hygiene Textbook From The Tamsui Middle School During The Japanese Colonial Period, Hung-Lun Pan, Feng-Chou Cheng, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

A Scientometric Study On Research Trends And Characteristics Of Lymph Node Metastasis In Oral Cancer, Linjian Huang, Xiaocui Tong, Wei Liu, Xinyu Zhang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most critical prognostic factor in oral cancer (OC) patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of LNM in OC.

Materials and methods: All the papers on LNM in OC were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database. The years of publication were divided into before 2016 and after 2016 in the analysis of research trends.

Results: There were 946 papers on LNM in OC, with total citations of 21,154 and the h index of 70. The trend of clinical aspect including lymph …

The Evolution Of Artificial Intelligence And Deep Learning In Removable Partial Denture Design, Fu-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Hua Chou, Takashi Saito, Wei-Chun Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Virtual Patient Technology Enabled The Reconstruction Of Craniofacial Hard And Soft Tissues Through The Integration And Superimposition Of Multimodal Dental Imaging Datasets, Hsin-Hua Chou, Kuo‑Ning Ho, Takashi Saito, Wei-Chun Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Roles And Functions Of The Dental Division At The National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Feng-Chou Cheng, Yu-Jie Shen, Shu-Yu Liu, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of End-Of-Life Crystal Silicon Photovoltaic Panels: Recovery Methods And Extended Life In Agricultural Application, Patima Chaichana, Vacharaporn Soonsin, Nattapong Tuntiwiwattanapun

Applied Environmental Research

The increasing deployment of crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) panels has raised concerns about their waste management. This study evaluated management strategies for discarded c-Si PV panels in Thailand, integrating environmental and economic analyses. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) were applied. The LCA can be divided into 2 parts: (1) secured landfill vs decentralized recycling by existing facilities vs centralized full recovery and (2) reusing PV panels in agricultural applications. The results revealed that secured landfills were the most environmentally burdensome (34.43 Pt), whereas centralized recycling achieved net benefits (-211.93 Pt) through emission reductions and recovery of …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Co2-To-Methanol: Comparative Evaluation Of Direct And Alcohol-Assisted Hydrogenation Routes, Chayet Worathitanon, Naphat Chansonthi, Pawat Pinthong, Kritsana Suwanamad, Viganda Varabuntoonvit

Applied Environmental Research

The increasing severity of global warming, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions, underscores the urgent need for CO2 reduction and utilization strategies. Converting CO2 into methanol presents a promising approach, as methanol serves both as a fuel and a feedstock in various industries. This study evaluates the life cycle environmental impacts of three methanol production routes: (1) direct CO2 hydrogenation, (2) ethanol-assisted CO2 hydrogenation, and (3) propanol-assisted CO2 hydrogenation. Two energy scenarios are considered: conventional energy and wind power. Process simulations were performed using Aspen Plus V.14, and inventories were analyzed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using the ReCiPe 2016 …

Unveiling Microplastic Removal And Characteristics In Wastewater From Two Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities In Indonesia, Nurul Setiadewi, Prayatni Soewondo, Cynthia Henny

Applied Environmental Research

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered an entrance pathways for microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic environments. This study reveals the removal and characteristics of MPs in wastewater from two municipal WWTPs in Indonesia. The influent contained 17.1 ± 5.65 particles L-1 (WWTP A) and 15.45 ± 4.31 particles L-1 (WWTP B), whereas the effluent contained 1.41 ± 0.01 and 1.5 ± 0.16 particles L-1. The removal efficiency was 91.75% for WWTP A and 90.32% for WWTP B, with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). WWTP A employed advanced treatment units, whereas WWTP B used a conventional pond-based system. MPs were …

Assessment Of The Influence Of Human Activities On The Occurrence Of Forest Fires In Thailand Via Multiple Linear Regression (Mlr), Sittipong Ruktamatakul, Jirarat Insuk, Benjaporn Pinwongpet, Sarisa Ruktametakul, Pornpis Yimprayoon

Applied Environmental Research

Forest fires represent one of the most critical environmental challenges in Thailand, with impacts varying depending on forest type, fuel characteristics, terrain conditions, fire intensity, and the frequency of fire occurrence on the same landscape. While forest fires can contribute to ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources, such effects are not uniformly severe across all forest ecosystems. Understanding the human-induced factors contributing to forest fire occurrence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and promoting sustainable forest management. This study aimed to identify the anthropogenic factors influencing forest fire areas in Thailand via multiple linear regression …

Effect Of Chromium Doping On The Uv- And Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Performance Of Srtio3, Ro’Ikhatul Jannah, Dianisa Khoirum Sandi, Fahru Nurosyid, Risa Suryana, Didier Fasquelle, Yofentina Iriani

Applied Environmental Research

Chromium (Cr)-doped strontium titanate (SrTiO3, STO) photocatalysts with compositions of SrTi1-xCrxO3 (x = 0, 5, and 10%) were prepared via the coprecipitation method. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cr doping on structural, morphological, and optical properties. Furthermore, this work aimed to examine the photocatalytic performance of pure and Cr-doped STO against methylene blue (MB) degradation under ultraviolet (UV) and sunlight exposure. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of the cubic STO phase and the insertion of the Cr dopant in the STO structures. Furthermore, Cr doping reduced the lattice constant, crystallite size, and average particle size and narrowed …

Fabrication Of Acid-Modified Corn Plant By-Product-Based Biochar For Efficient Adsorption Of Sulfamethoxazole From Aqueous Solutions, Thi An Hang Nguyen, Thi Duyen Le, Thi Hang Bui

Applied Environmental Research

Antibiotic pollution is of great interest owing to growing concerns about antibiotic resistance worldwide. This study aims to fabricate acid-modified biochar (CBM-A) from corn plant byproducts (CRs) for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) adsorption in aqueous solutions. CBM-A was synthesized via pyrolysis at 700 °C and modified with 14% H3PO4. Kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were investigated in combination with material characterization to elucidate the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms. The results showed that pyrolysis and acid modification effectively enhanced SMX adsorption by CR because of the increased number of binding groups, specific surface area, and porosity. SMX adsorption on CBM-A was optimized at a …

Blue Carbon Stock Assessment And Climate Resilience Potential Of Mangrove Forest In Hung Thang Commune, Vietnam, Hla Phong Ko, Pham Hong Tinh, Nguyen Thuy Duong

Applied Environmental Research

Mangrove forests are vital blue carbon sinks that contribute to climate change mitigation and coastal resilience. This study assessed the carbon stock and spatial‒temporal dynamics of a mangrove forest in Hung Thang commune, Hai Phong Province, Vietnam, via a combination of field measurements, soil organic carbon (SOC) analysis, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-based remote sensing models. The results revealed that mangroves in the Hung Thang community store an average of 87.42 tC ha-1, with SOC accounting for approximately 19% of the total carbon. A generalized additive model (GAM) analysis revealed a consistent increase in carbon stocks between 1996 and …

Fabrication Of Urea With Amorphous Silica To Increase Rice Growth In Saline Soils, Thi Ha Chi Nguyen, Thi Hang Thuc Ha, Minh Phuong Nguyen, Ngoc Chuc Pham, Quang Bac Nguyen, Nguyen Huy Tuan Do, Ngoc Nhiem Dao, Trung Kien Nguyen

Applied Environmental Research

In recent decades, the decrease in rice cultivation areas in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong River Delta, caused by climate change and soil salinization, has posed serious challenges for sustainable development. In addition to irrigation and agronomic practices, fertilizers that sustain rice growth under saline conditions play a crucial role in improving crop productivity. Amorphous silica has been reported to increase plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress. In this study, nanosilica-coated urea (UCS) fertilizers were synthesized by coating urea granules with 1–5 wt% amorphous silica. The products were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, TG‒DSC, and EDX to …

Heavy Metals And Organic Carbon In Sediments Of Seagrass Sediments Of Trang Province, Thailand, Siriporn Pradit, Pornthep Wirachwong, Thongchai Nitiratsuwan, Sujaree Bureekul, Supraewpan Lohalaksanadech, Thawanrat Kobkeatthawin, Monticha Jirajaras, Prakrit Noppradit, Sanya Sirivithayapakorn

Applied Environmental Research

In this study, the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb) in water, suspended sediments, sediments, and seagrass in Kalase Bay, Trang Province, Thailand, during the 2024 dry season was investigated. These findings indicate that the enrichment factor (EF) for all the metals was less than 1, suggesting that anthropogenic contamination is not a significant concern in the area. The translocation factor (TF) values were less than 1 for all the metals except Cu, whose TF was greater than 1; however, these values were not statistically significant, indicating limited phytoextraction capacity. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for …

Spatial Modeling Of Natural Disaster Risk By Integrating Hazard, Vulnerability, And Exposure Factors Using Geospatial Techniques : Evidence From Mueang Tak District, Thailand, Suphatphong Ruthamnong

Applied Environmental Research

This study presents a comprehensive multihazard risk assessment for Mueang Tak District, Thailand, that integrates hazard, vulnerability, and exposure (H-V-E) dimensions. By utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to prioritize critical risk factors. GIS analysis integrated multisource spatial data, including Landsat 9 and Sentinel-2 imagery, CHIRPS precipitation, and SRTM-derived topography, while AHP weights were established on the basis of expert judgment and socioeconomic indices such as the relative wealth index (RWI) and population statistics. The results delineate distinct spatial risk clusters: high landslide potential is concentrated in the steep terrain of …