Digital Commons Network^™

G-Trac: Graph-Textual Representations Alignment For Cold-Start Recommendations, Li Yang Chang, Yuan Fang, Ming Feng Tsai, Chuan Ju Wang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The cold-start problem remains a significant challenge in recommendation systems, particularly for new users or unseen items with little to no historical data. Existing methods, including graph neural networks, often struggle in such scenarios. Inspired by the success of transformer models in natural language processing, we propose G-TRAC (Graph-Textual Representations Alignment for Cold-start Recommendations), a novel approach that integrates transformer-based textual modeling with graph neural networks. By effectively leveraging both textual and structural information, G-TRAC addresses cold-start challenges more effectively. Extensive experiments demonstrate its ability to enhance recommendation quality and generalize well across diverse scenarios.

February 2026 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Bgen 360.50: International Business, Nader H. Shooshtari

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2026-2030

No abstract provided.

Bgen 341.04: People, Process, And Technology I, Wookje Sung

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2026-2030

No abstract provided.

Ethnic Dissimilarity, Ethnic Status, And Organizational Embeddedness: Climate For Inclusion As Double-Edged Sword, Debjani Ghosh, Jorge A. Gonzalez, Daan Van Knippenberg, Richard A. Rodriguez

Management Faculty Publications

Ethnic dissimilarity to coworkers puts individuals’ social embeddedness at work under pressure. We consider this issue from the perspective of a moderating influence of climate for inclusion in the relationship between ethnic dissimilarity and organizational embeddedness. We argue that, whereas it may seem straightforward that climate for inclusion would be associated with a weaker negative influence between ethnic dissimilarity and organizational embeddedness, team climate for inclusion is a double-edged sword. Taking the status associated with ethnic groups into account, we propose that the status equality implied by climate for inclusion has differential effects for members of high ethnic status and …

Cyber Science Education Meets Healthcare Technology, Angela Spencer

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The research investigates how cyber science education combines with healthcare technology during the digital age to resolve a fundamental research gap in these two advancing areas. A combined approach utilizing extensive surveys and detailed interviews evaluates the functionality of learning platforms as well as cybersecurity measures and potential uses of emerging virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools to improve both educational and clinical environments. The research document describes its methodologies thoroughly while. The research documents multiple quantitative and qualitative results before performing its analysis, which leads to strategy development for digit. The researchers worked to find ways that …

El Leñador, February 2026, El Leñador Staff

El Leñador Newspaper

El Leñador is an English and Spanish newspaper produced by Humboldt State University students. Our staff cover and provide news to Latinx and other diverse communities on campus and in Humboldt County. We are committed to providing relevant news and expanding the representations and stories told about people of color and other marginalized groups. Our work helps create more social, political and cultural diversity in local media.

El Leñador es un periodico en español y inglés producido por estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de Humboldt. Nuestro personal cubre y provee noticias a la comunidad Latinx y otras comunidades diversas en …

“Now That The Baby Is Out, I Can Be Vaccinated”: A Qualitative Study On Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy In Pregnant Women In Kilifi, Kenya, Angela Koech, Onesmus Wanje, Grace Mwashigadi, Geoffrey Katana, Richmond Mdindi, Peter Mwangome, Rachel Craik, Marianne Vidler, Mai-Lei Kinshella, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy, but vaccine hesitancy limits uptake and effectiveness. This study explored COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy in Kilifi, coastal Kenya, to elicit reasons for vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, and to compile misconceptions around vaccination in pregnancy. Twenty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant women, mothers who had given birth in the previous 2 years and health workers (community health promoters, nurses, and supervisors). Data were analyzed using thematic template analysis based on the Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix. Concern about vaccine safety for the unborn baby was a major driver of hesitancy. Many pregnant …

Qualitative Exploration Of Factors Associated With Covid-19 Vaccination Among Pregnant Women In Kenya, Violet Naanyu, Ferdinand Okwaro, Ingrid Gichere, Mandeep Sura, Prachi Singh, Berhaun Fesshaye, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted societies worldwide, and COVID-19 vaccination has been identified as instrumental in the fight against the pandemic. While studies have examined uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, more research is needed to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing pregnant women’s decisions to get vaccinated. In this study, we used a cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy in Kenya. A total of 50 in-depth interviews were conducted between October 2023 to March 2024 with a purposively drawn sample of 25 pregnant and 25 postpartum women during …

When Antitrust Meets Labour: Exemption And Enforcement Under Article 101 Tfeu, Giulia Mangiafico

Yearbook of Antitrust and Regulatory Studies

Labour rights protection has recently emerged as one of the key objectives of antitrust law, alongside sustainability and privacy. The application and enforcement of competition rules differ significantly between the workers’ and employers’ sides of the market, a distinction that is particularly visible in cases concerning remuneration. Wage-setting may fall within the scope of Article 101 TFEU where it results from coordination between undertakings; whether competition law applies therefore depends on how wages are fixed. While employer cartels that suppress pay are treated as restrictive agreements, collective bargaining arrangements are assessed under a markedly different analytical framework. This article examines …

Integration Of One Health Activities Into Professional Student Education: Successes, Challenges, And Considerations, Karen Gruszynski, Mary Beth Babos, Reagan Bishop, Debra Sullivan, Laroy Brandt

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Interprofessional Education (IPE) creates opportunities for multiple disciplines to learn from each other and develop soft skills to improve patient care. One Health similarly emphasizes collaborative and interdisciplinary practice while recognizing the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health. Despite the intersection of IPE and One Health, the meaningful integration of One Health within IPE remains uneven and difficult to operationalize. This perspective synthesizes experiences from multi-college programs implementing One Health-oriented IPE, highlighting successes, challenges, and structural requirements. We argue that for One Health to be successfully integrated into IPE for professional students, it requires extensive logistical planning, coordinated institutional …

The Voices Of Play- Understanding Children’S Perspectives Of Naturalized And Forested Outdoor Play Environments, Kimberly Squires, Kim Barton, Madi Stubbs, Mandy English

IALS Journal

is qualitative participatory study explored young children's perspectives of naturalized and forested outdoor play environments at an early learning laboratory school in Ontario, Canada. Drawing on the Mosaic Approach, photo-elicitation, and the Reggio Emilia concept of the hundred languages of children, researchers invited preschool children to communicate their perspectives through photography, drawing, and discussion. Findings revealed that both naturalized and forested environments supported meaningful connections with nature, although children engaged with each setting in distinct ways. Forested environments encouraged broader and more action-oriented interactions with natural materials, while naturalized environments fostered more diverse and specific connections with environmental features. The …

Officers (Executive Board)

Swiss American Historical Society Review

Thomas Quinn Marabello became President of the Swiss American Historical Society in November 2024. As president, he is focused on increasing membership, organizing engaging and interesting annual meetings, and supporting young historians.

Beth Zurbuchen has been Vice President of the Swiss American Historical Society since November 2024. She served as President of the Swiss Center of North America in New Glarus, Wisconsin from 2009 until retiring in April 2024.

Barbara Müller joined the SAHS in 2013, became Vice President of the SAHS Swiss Chapter in 2016 and is President of our sister organization, Friends of the Swiss American Historical Society …

Secondary School Students' Engagement In Learning Activities: Validation Of A Short Scale, Feliciano Henriques Veiga, Zi Yang Wong, Johnmarshall Reeve, Shane Jimerson, Antonio Leite, Joan Perales, Sonia Valente, Isabel Martinez

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Student engagement is a multidimensional construct strongly associated with learning outcomes and academic success. However, its measurement remains challenging, as existing instruments often conflate engagement in learning activities with engagement in the school community. In addition, brief measures are scarce despite their increasing value, and most available instruments do not incorporate agentic engagement. Assessing student engagement in learning activities is, therefore, crucial for monitoring academic progress, identifying students at risk of dropping out, and predicting academic success. This study aimed to validate the 12-item Secondary School Student Engagement in Learning Activities: Short Scale, adapted from a higher education measure, which …

A Student-Centered Gis Classroom: Second Chances And Real-World Practice Teaching Portfolio For Nres218 Introduction To Geospatial Technologies, Ran Wang

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This course portfolio documents the design, implementation, and reflection of NRES218 Introduction to Geospatial Technologies, an introductory undergraduate geographic information system (GIS) course. This course aims to integrate basic and applied sciences to help students develop spatial thinking and spatial analysis skills for proposing spatial science–oriented solutions. Instructional strategies emphasize experiential learning through structured laboratory exercises and outdoor field activities that connects real-world observation with GIS analysis. To support student learning and persistence, the course also incorporated flexible assessment practices, including second-chance exams. Reflection on student engagement and performance revealed that while these strategies were highly beneficial for some students, …

Utilization Of Evidence-Based Secondary Preventive Therapies Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Heart Registry Cohort Study In Kenya, Anthony Ochola, Jasmit Shah, Jeilan Mohamed, Harun Otieno, Anders Barasa, Felix Barasa, Constantine Akwanalo, Benard Gitura, Mzee Ngunga

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Introduction: cardiovascular disease is a growing concern in Africa, with coronary artery disease emerging as a leading cause of mortality. Despite strong evidence and international guidelines recommending secondary prevention therapy post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-including antiplatelet agents, statins, beta blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors-suboptimal use remains a concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to quantify the use of guideline-recommended secondary prevention medications after ACS in Kenya using the data from the Kenya Heart Registry study.

Methods: a cohort study was conducted using data from the Kenya Heart Registry across three hospitals in Kenya from …

Normative Growth Trajectories Of Fetal Brain Regions Validated By Satisfactory Maturation Of Neurodevelopmental Domains At 2 Years Of Age, Madeleine Wyburd, Stephen Kennedy, Michelle Fernandes, Nicola Dinsdale, Linde Hesse, Robert Gunier, Leila Ismail, Eric Ohuma, Michael Gravett, Maria Carvalho

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

We previously constructed a qualitative, 3D ultrasound derived atlas of the normative spatiotemporal dynamics of fetal brain maturation. Here, using the same healthy multi-national cohort, we applied deep learning methods to 4205 fetal brain scans from 18–27 weeks’ gestation, to produce an extensive, quantitative description of the growth of 16 fetal brain structures associated with satisfactory domain-specific neurodevelopmental scores at 2 years of age. The methodology, which is publicly available, takes less than 10 seconds per scan. We define 28 region-specific, functionally relevant, normative growth trajectories, a ratio between the relative volumes of the insular (rILV) and parietal (rPLV) lobes …

The Use Of A Standardized Checklist For Image Acquisition: An Obstetric Ultrasound Quality Improvement Study, Ingrid Gichere, Nidhi Leekha, Sikolia Wanyonyi

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Introduction A complete anatomical survey during the mid-trimester ultrasound is critical for detecting fetal anomalies. In sub-Saharan Africa, detection rates remain low, contributing to a significant disease burden. This study evaluated whether implementing a standardized electronic checklist, based on existing guidelines, would improve image acquisition.

Methods We carried out a pre- and post-intervention quasi-experimental quality improvement study. An electronic checklist replaced the previous ultrasound report template. A baseline review involved 385 mid-trimester scans conducted between November 2022 and December 2023. Following checklist implementation and targeted sonographer training, 238 scans were reassessed from July to December 2024. The image acquisition rate …

Can Tanzanian Neurosurgeons Access Tanzanian Neurosurgical Literature? A Systematic Review And Survey Of Neurosurgical Publications, Romani R. Sabas, Julie Woodfield, Chibuikem Anthony Ikwuegbuenyi, Magalie Cadieux, Consolata Shayo, Zarina Shabhay, Happiness Rabiel, Beverly Cheserem, Joel Bwemelo, Drew N. Wright

General Surgery, East Africa

Background and Objectives: Free and open access to research data and findings promotes equity in access to healthcare knowledge and equity in patient care and treatment. To benefit the health care of the population studied, research findings must be accessible to clinicians, academics, and policymakers serving those populations. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of published Tanzanian neurosurgical data and its accessibility to those practicing within the country.

Methods: A systematic review of all published neurosurgical studies from Tanzania was conducted. Authorship, funding, and open-access status were recorded. Tanzanian neurosurgeons were surveyed by telephone or in …

Reconceiving Safety Regulation For Ai And Ml Medical Software, Barbara J. Evans, Eric S. Rosenthal, Azra Bihorac

Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law

This article explores the challenges of regulating AI and ML clinical decision support tools intended to assist trained health care professionals in delivering clinical care. Two old, twentieth-century regulatory models have dominated discussions of medical AI policy since 2013. Thinking inside these old regulatory boxes has not produced effective regulatory solutions to address the novel risks AI poses in clinical care. The first regulatory box treats software as a medical device, which tasks medical device regulators with making software safe but neglects the crucial roles physicians, nurses, administrators, medical practice regulators, and other health oversight bodies must also play to …

Leadership Styles And Their Impact On Employee Engagement, Commitment, And Satisfaction In Non-Profit And For-Profit Organizations, Laure-Ann Swaby

JWU Dissertations & Theses

As organizations face challenges in sustaining retention and development, they must analyze and implement strategies to strengthen their workforce (Hassanein & Özgit, 2022). Employees are a company's greatest asset; without them, production would halt, as their knowledge, skills, and abilities drive organizational performance and operations (Chunhui et al., 2004; Gallup, 2023). Sturm and Vera (2011) showed that employees tend to be less committed when factors such as desired leadership styles, engagement, and job satisfaction are negative within an organization. Over the past decade, turnover has increased significantly, imposing financial challenges to organizations across both the non-profit and for-profit sectors (McCrory …

Bispectral Index-Guided Anesthesia For Older Patients Having Noncardiac Surgery: A Randomized Multicenter Trial, Li Zhou, Lin Ding, Hui Yang, Chengyu Li, Zhangsheng Yu, Wei Ma, Qiuyu Chen, Yanzhuo Zhang, Yong Li, Qingxiang Mao, Minghua Cheng, Gu Gong, Enqin Wang, Cunming Liu, Wei Hao, Hong Li, Changlin Chen, Yaling Fan, Zhenbo Su, Xiaoli Cai, Xiaole Zhang, Zhi Li, Bing Zhang, Yi Li, Chunxiu Jiang, Qinqin Yin, Jiali Jiao, Daniel I Sessler, Qian Li, Jin Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Older surgical patients are at risk because of age-related physiologic decline and comorbidities. Some guidelines recommend Bispectral Index (BIS; Medtronic, USA) monitoring to optimize anesthetic depth, but robust evidence supporting improved outcomes is lacking.

Methods: A randomized, multicenter, double-blind trial was conducted across 21 tertiary-care hospitals in China (March 17, 2015, to February 5, 2022). Patients aged 65 yr or older scheduled for elective noncardiac surgery (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] Physical Status I to IV) were randomized 1:1 to BIS-guided or routine anesthetic management. In patients assigned to BIS guidance, hypnotic depth was adjusted to maintain BIS between …

Examination Of Traffic Safety In Neighborhoods Associated With Active Commuting To School In Austin, Texas, Kathryn G Burford, Deborah Salvo, Harold W Kohl, Leigh Ann Ganzar, Cici X Bauer, Eugen Resendiz, Yuzi Zhang, Deanna M Hoelscher

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Only 10% of US children participate in active commuting (walking and bicycling) to school (ACS). Parental concerns related to traffic are a primary barrier to ACS, yet no studies have assessed these concerns together with neighborhood traffic safety-related features. This study examined the associations between traffic safety-related features in neighborhoods and ACS among school-age children in Austin, Texas.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilized pre-COVID-19 baseline data (2019-2020) of parent-child dyads enrolled in the Safe TRavel Environment Evaluation in Texas Schools study. ACS, traffic safety-related features in the neighborhood (sidewalk availability, safe road crossings, traffic safety, traffic speed, and safety …

Research Journal 2026: People And Places, José A. Rivera Ph.D

Faculty Publications

José Rivera narrates his life history from adolescence into college years, university teaching, research career, publications, and ends with post-retirement service as a giving back to community. For most of his term as an academic, his research focus was on community-based organizations that he terms “peoples’ institutions”: acequia associations and mutual help societies. For data, he conducted field work in New Mexico and the American Southwest as well as internationally, primarily in Mexico, Peru, Spain and the Philippines. While at these locations, he interviewed people, collected maps, researched archives, and took photographs as ethnographic evidence of people and places. His …

Volumetric Buccal Bone Alterations At Immediate Implant Sites With Or Without Soft Tissue Augmentation: A 6-Month Assessment, Mary Jung, Duong Tran, Chi-Ching Chang, Sung K Kim, Yosuke Tsukiboshi, Seiko Min, Srinivas Ayilavarapu, Chun-Teh Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: This study is part of a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of soft tissue augmentation (STA) using subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) (immediate implant with subepithelial connective tissue graft [ICT] group) or acellular dermal matrix (ADM) (immediate implant with acellular dermal matrix [IAD] group) versus no STA (control) on the clinical outcomes following immediate implant placement (IIP). This study aimed to investigate volumetric buccal bone dimensional changes at immediate implant sites 6 months after the surgery.

Methods: Forty-five patients requiring extraction of a maxillary anterior tooth or premolar and randomly assigned to one of the three groups were …

Necessary, But Insufficient: School Counselors’ Informal Learning Experiences With Writing Letters Of Recommendations, Mandy Savitz-Romer, Tara Nicola, Julius Dilorenzo, Jen Ha, Amy Desiderio, Sebastian Munoz Galvez, Matthew O'Brien

Journal of College Access

Submission of recommendation letters from high school counselors is a requirement for undergraduate admission at many selective colleges. However, there has been limited research to-date examining these critical application components and the front-line professionals who generate them. This study examines how high school counselors, who are key actors in holistic admission practices, learn how to craft recommendation letters. Given previous research has found that counselors have limited training in college admission counseling, understanding the learning processes that shape their letter writing is a critical first step for improving the quality of letters and their utility for student success in the …

Introduction To Phonology Ling 323, Ibrahim Abu Elrob

Open Educational Resources

The sound system of languages and underlying representation of the sound structure and lexicon. Analysis of data from different languages; investigation of the differences and similarities in the sound systems of different languages. Exploration of language universals.

Are Cities Losing Innovation Advantages? Online Versus Face-To-Face Interactions, Ruben Gaetani, Naqun Huang, Jing Li, Yanmin Yang

Research Collection School Of Economics

How did COVID-19 affect the innovation advantages of dense locations? Using data on the universe of U.S. patent applications, we find that the density premium in the production of novel inventions declined by 18.5%-22.9% in 2020-2021 relative to its pre-pandemic level. Smartphone data on local mobility suggest that the drop in the frequency of local interactions can explain a significant portion of this effect. While COVID-19 resulted in a temporary setback in the innovation advantages of dense locations, the role of urban density in facilitating the exchange and recombination of ideas is unlikely to be persistently replaced by online communication.

The Role Of Global Inflation In Estimation Of Us Output Components In The Post Bretton Woods Era: Evidence From Multivariate Unobserved Components Models, Arabinda Basistha

Economics Faculty Working Papers Series

We study the role of global inflation in estimation of US output components using multivariate unobserved components models. We augment the US inflation equations with global inflation based on strong empirical evidence in past studies. We further allow past global and domestic inflation to influence the output dynamics as a separate output component, beyond the output trend and output gap. The estimation results from the state-space model show a negative association of past inflation with this output component. The role of global inflation is informative in the negative association with the inflation based output component. The long-term fall in inflation …

Endorsed Programs News, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Endorsed news section outlines several financial and operational resources endorsed by the MDA to support dental practices. It highlights practice financing through Bank of America, significant savings on credit card processing with Best Card, and AI-driven marketing trends via ProSites Additionally, the news features the MDA Medicare Educational Seminar and wealth management services offered by DBS Investment Advisers. These programs are designed to enhance practice efficiency and provide professional guidance for dentists at all career stages.