Digital Commons Network^™

Participatory Exhibitions As An Awareness-Raising Platform For Bird Window Collisions, Janina Carla Castro, Jelaine Gan, Nancy Longnecker

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Bird window strikes pose a significant threat to avian populations in urban settings. Understanding public attitudes toward this issue is vital for communicating the problem and possible interventions, such as applying window stickers. Bird Window Strike Philippines, a citizen science initiative, has promoted awareness through online engagement and a public pop-up exhibition designed to leave a lasting impression and gather visitor feedback. The exhibition introduced Filipino audiences to bird-window collisions through educational and participatory elements, including interpretive panels, taxidermied bird specimens, and window models demonstrating prevention techniques. Its central message was: “Bird window strikes are a problem, and we can …

Profiling Of Physical Activity Usage In Selected Urban Green Spaces In Marikina City, Trizsa Jasmin C. Ty, Alberto L. Dimarucut, Camille B. Castro, Danielle Naomi L. Uy

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) play an important role in providing opportunities for physical activity in urbanized cities. This observational cross-sectional study aims to profile two selected UGS, namely Marikina River Park and Marikina Heights Park Complex, in Marikina City, in the context of their use for physical activity and recreation. Interviews with two government officials were conducted to collect data on the historical background of the selected parks. Systematic observation, using the System for Observation of Play and Recreation in Communities tool, was conducted to observe park visitors and their physical activity for four days in each park. Each park’s …

Agricultural Extension In An Urban Informal Settlement During Covid-19: The Effectiveness Of The “Tanimang Bayan” Initiative In Sitio San Roque, North Triangle, Quezon City, Patrice Bianca R. Yapjoco

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequalities in food access, particularly in urban informal settlements. This study examines the effectiveness of the “Tanimang Bayan” initiative, an urban agriculture project implemented in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City, as a form of agricultural extension during the pandemic. The research adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on data from key informant interviews, participant observation, and secondary sources. Findings indicate that the initiative provided a localized response to food insecurity by enhancing access to fresh produce and promoting community-led production. It also supported collective action and self-organization among residents, strengthening their autonomy in navigating structural limitations. …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session Thursday June 26, 2025, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda
Approval of the Minutes (April 17, 2025 and April 23, 2025)
Remarks by the Chair of the Board
Remarks by the President
Updates by the Faculty Senate President
Updates by the Western Student Association President
Updates by the Graduate Student Association President
Western Michigan University Employee Graduates
Montgomery Essential Needs Program Presentation
Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

• Academic Tenure and Promotion
• Student Housing and Meal Rates 2025/26
• Fall 2025 Differential Tuition Rates
• Fall 2025 Tuition and Required Fee Rates
• General Fund Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget
• President Emeritus Status for Edward Montgomery

Consent Items …

Emergence Of Caenocoris Neri (Germar, 1847) On Fig Trees In The Oases Of Southeastern Algeria, Nacima Diab, Tesnim Deghiche, Khalila Bengouga, Vasily Vladimirovich Verkhoturov

Journal of Bioresource Management

The article considers materials related to current areas of fundamental research in the field of agricultural entomology in Algeria. The most important issues of agricultural entomology in Algeria include identifying patterns of general trends in the dynamics of geographic ranges of phyto-entomophagous under the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors, as well as studying the adaptation of insects to new habitats and food supply. In a notable discovery during insect sampling conducted in the oasis ecosystem during the summer of 2019, researchers recorded and identified individuals of the species Caenocoris nerii (Germar, 1847) for the first time. These insects were …

Front Matter, Arthit Jiamrattanyoo

Journal of Letters

No abstract provided.

Keynote 1: Sacred Landscapes And Pilgrimages: The Spatial Manifestation Of Religious Beliefs, Darius Liutikas

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

This presentation explores the intricate relationship between religious practices and sacred landscapes, emphasizing how beliefs, rituals, and pilgrimage shape and transform these spaces. It examines the spatial expressions of faith and their impact on cultural landscapes, revealing the dynamic interplay between religion and the physical environment. Sacred spaces, including houses for worship and pilgrimage sites, serve as focal points for worship, contemplation, and communal rituals, linking the spiritual and material worlds.

The study highlights the existential cycle of sacred spaces, comprising five stages: creation, affirmation, preservation, reuse, and destruction. These phases demonstrate the evolving nature of sacred landscapes, reflecting shifts …

Behavioral Change Towards Meat Consumption To Address Climate Change, Mario A. Giraldo, Jad Aljersh

CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change

Although there is consensus in the need to address the causes of climate change, very little attention has been done to implementing large scale strategies to produce behavioral change in the community to reduce greenhouse emissions. We conducted a study among college students, to evaluate their behavioral change towards a plant based diet after reflecting in the environmental effect in greenhouse emissions of animal protein consumption. During a two weeks’ period participants were required to keep a diary of the food items and meat servings they consumed, and to calculate the carbon footprint of their diet. On the second week …

Analyzing Waste Flows On A College Campus: A Waste Characterization Study At California State University San Marcos, Caitlin R. Hansen

CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change

The foundation of sustainability and improving a system is to first understand its components. Waste management is a vastly complex issue, with an increasing number of material types and ever-changing regulations. Sorting and processing refuse is a fundamental aspect of society that often goes unmeasured due to its complex nature. To grow sustainably, it is imperative to classify, categorize, and quantify the waste we create daily. This study builds upon existing on-campus large-scale waste audits conducted by EDCO, the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) waste hauler, which quantifies the amount and types of waste removed from campus. However, this …

The Role Of Social Media In Philippine Disaster Management: A Systematic Literature Review, Maxim Alexandrite V. Inoferio, Henry Joshua A. Hernandez, Rich Angelo P. Santos

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Despite the Philippines being one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, research on the role of social media in its disaster risk management remains limited. This study addresses that gap through a systematic review of existing literature on social media use in Philippine disaster risk management. Results show that social media is primarily employed in response to typhoons and earthquakes, while its application to other hazards such as COVID-19, floods, and vegetation fires remains underexplored. Usage is concentrated in the response and recovery phases, with minimal attention to prevention and no studies focused on mitigation. Notable best practices include real-time …

Video: A Media Revolution?

Communication Research Trends

Revolutions connected with technical inventions have been proclaimed, rightly and wrongly, so often in the recent past that it would seem appropriate to look for another expression just to avoid the danger of trivialization. But all the evidence says that this time we are in the presence of a real revolution and that we should call it by its name.

As a true revolution, the emergence of video has been like an explosion, full of energy and even passion, provoking divisions, inflicting wounds, destroying, upsetting and, also, raising hopes and promising new riches in the so-called "television wasteland". It will …

Iah-Net (Informative Air Quality And Heat Index Network): Drone-Assisted System For Real-Time Air Quality And Heat Index Monitoring, Brent Breo B. Magbanua

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Air pollution and rising temperatures threaten public health and safety, necessitating advanced monitoring solutions. This study developed a drone-assisted system for autonomous air quality and heat index monitoring, ensuring real-time alerts even without human presence. By integrating the K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) machine learning algorithm, the system provides an innovative and cost-effective approach to identifying environmental risks and raising awareness. The system consists of a Drone system, ESP32, MQ-135 gas sensor, and DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor for data acquisition. Software development includes implementing the K-NN algorithm and calibrating sensors to enhance classification accuracy. The system categorizes air quality as SAFE, …

A Vector Autoregressive (Var) Model For The Hourly Forecasting Of Climatological Data In General Santos City, Jezzu Morrisen C. Quimosing, Feevol S. Into, Ayeesha Kate N. Castro, Criss Allyn C. Hongoy, Bai Ashfahana A. Abdullah, Ma. Sofia Franchesca P. Dizor, Leo James M. Podador, Joshua Caleb G. Pagalan

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Through multivariate time series exploration, the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model was developed to predict marked climatological data for General Santos City, Philippines. The dataset, which covered the period from January 01, 2001, until June 30, 2024, was obtained from the NASA POWER API and included crucial variables: surface pressure, specific humidity, wind speed, air temperature, precipitation, and UV irradiance. The study recorded significant diurnal and seasonal trends, which could be observed in the surface pressure, specific humidity, air temperature, and UV irradiance that displayed the predictable cycles. Precipitation demonstrated limited seasonality, as it represented the localized tropical rain patterns. The …

Dr. John Olthoff Reflects On 36 Years At Dordt, Sarah Moss

The Voice

No abstract provided.

Exploring Culturally Informed Approaches To Book Read-Aloud With Young Children, Raquel Plotka

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

Early childhood is a critical period for language and literacy development. One-way adults introduce children to the world of books is through picture books read-aloud. Adults from different cultural background engage in this activity differently, and to date, the early childhood field has emphasized a constructivist approach to book reading typical in individualistic cultures. Other approaches to reading books that are common in collectivist cultures have not been explored. The present study investigated the reading styles teachers (n = 40) use in naturalistic settings and compared the advantages of using individualistic versus collectivist styles related to children participation and …

Centering Black Girl Love: Unearthing Black Girls’ Truths In A Predominantly White, Loveless Elementary School, Tyana R. Velazquez-Smith

The Language and Literacy Spectrum

This study examines the transformative power of literacy as a tool for healing, resistance, and revolutionary love in the lives of BLACK girls navigating predominantly white elementary school spaces. Revolutionary love is conceptualized as practices of care, affirmation, and joy that challenge systemic oppression while fostering belonging and possibility. Conducted in an elementary school in upstate New York, this research follows eleven participants from kindergarten through fourth grade, exploring their lived experiences and literacy practices during English Language Arts (ELA) instruction.

Drawing on Brian Street’s (1984) assertion that literacy is a social practice shaped by cultural and power dynamics, this …

Renewable Energy Federalism 2.0, Danielle Stokes

Minnesota Law Review Vols. 106:2 onward (2021-present)

Much like climate change, the clean energy transition presents a “super wicked” problem that is further complicated by prioritizing justice. History has taught us that government regulation, industry innovation, and community engagement are the catalysts of effective transitions. Similarly, the just energy transition requires the support of these interconnected networks. This Essay offers sustainable collaborative governance as a theoretical framework through which decision-makers may filter their assessments, industry can model its metrics, and community can develop language to articulate its needs. Sustainable collaborative governance is also a means of navigating the complexities of renewable energy siting and regulation while fostering …

Catching Nutients In A Net: Collective Action, Institutional Impediments, And The Mississippi River Watershed, Jonathan Rosenbloom

Minnesota Law Review Vols. 106:2 onward (2021-present)

Thousands of local governments in the Mississippi River watershed possess regulatory land use authority. From a narrow law and economics standpoint, when these entities extract from, add to, or pollute the watershed, it may appear as a classic tragedy of the commons problem. The tragedy sounds something like this: local governments act “rationally” to avoid regulating in a way that reduces pollution in the waterway because such regulation would increase costs. Further, local governments avoid paying the costs associated with treating or reducing the level of contaminants in the water before ushering them downstream. While this analysis might partially explain …

Our Lady Of Peace: John Joseph Lynch’S Pilgrimage To Niagara Falls, Amelia Gallagher

Vincentian Studies

This article relates how John Joseph Lynch established Niagara Falls as a pilgrimage site, which he envisioned as being the first such site in the United States. In the nineteenth century, Niagara was viewed as such a spectacular natural wonder that it frequently inspired religious devotion, a history that Lynch encouraged and continued. The evolution of nineteenth- and twentieth-century views of Niagara and of pilgrimage in general are discussed. Niagara's role in American history is also explored.

An Exploratory Study On University Students’ Perceptions Of Flagship Species: Implications For Sustainable Tourism, Tairan Huang, Chuan Hu, Minzhi Xia, Ziyu Liu, Weishan Zhou, Robert Charles Capistrano

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

This research explores the perceptions of university students in relation to flagship species in Hainan, China, and its implications for sustainable tourism. The province has an enormous wealth of biodiversity with great development potential and value for tourism. However, there is little or no empirical evidence about Chinese students’ interest in flagship species, their conservation, or their contribution to sustainable tourism in general. The study utilized a mixed method approach through an explanatory sequential design, beginning with a self-administered survey among university students in Hainan, recruiting 531 participants, followed by individual interviews with 14 students. The results have implications for …

Dynamics Of Development Of The Main Areas Of Cooperation Between Kazakhstan And Japan: Comparative Analysis And Assessment Of Prospects, Laila Nurseitova, Zhanar Ashinova, Shioya Akifumi, Aliya Rymbekova

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

The importance of the study is defined by the need for a complete assessment of the existing situation and the potential for further growth of major sectors of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the context of increasing global instability. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state and outline prospects for further intensification of political dialogue, trade, economic ties, and humanitarian contacts, considering the national interests of the parties. Historical-genetic and comparative-historical methods, methods of typologisation, analysis, and comparative and statistical analysis are used to assess the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations. The steady …

Media Education: Growth And Controversy

Communication Research Trends

Media education has come a long way since 1977 when UNESCO made the first international survey. In industrialised countries of the West, media education is increasingly accepted as part of primary and secondary school education. In Australia and Britain, for example, it is now offered as an optional course, and in other countries it is taught as part of social studies, art or language/literature curricula. In regions such as Latin America there are programmes for working-class women in poor neighbourhoods or for rural families. There has been a boom in textbooks, teaching packs and audiovisual materials. Teacher training has long …

Full Issue: Volume 6, Issue 2, Editorial Board

Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal

The second issue in the sixth volume of the Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal.

Korean Pioneers: The History, Identity, And Legacy Of The First Korean Americans, Evan Gravdahl

Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal

In examining Korean American history, the starting date for their arrival is conventionally recognized as 1903, when roughly 7,000 laborers migrated to Hawaii. This first wave consisted primarily of young men, many of whom didn’t plan to stay in the US. However, as their stays continued and other Koreans continued migrating, they began developing a unique cultural identity within the United States. This paper aims to determine the unique identities that developed during this first wave of immigration between 1903 and 1945, how they assimilated, and how they interacted with other ethnic minorities and later waves of Korean immigrants.

The …

The Evolution Of Global Gold And Copper Trade Networks, Oleksandr Hulianskyi

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Gold and copper have emerged as two of the most vital commodities in global trade. Despite serving distinct purposes, their international trade networks reveal interconnected patterns, critical to understanding the dynamics of global economics. This paper studies these attributes and their evolution during the last 36 years for both metals and finds correlations between them. The first part of the research is focused on the sustainability of networks through efficiency and robustness indexes; the second part is dedicated to interconnectedness – the Louvain and Bayesian SBM algorithms, partition, and modularity instruments are used. Community detection algorithms provide valuable insights into …

Quality Improvement Project Educating Family Of Patients Dealing With Substance Use Disorder, Emmanuella Edekobi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) creates significant hardships for individuals and their families. Although families play a vital role in recovery, they may not know how to provide effective support. To address this, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project introduced a structured educational program for non-professional caregivers at an outpatient psychiatric clinic. The goal was to enhance caregivers' confidence and readiness to support their loved ones during recovery (Filiz & Polat, 2022). Participants completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in confidence (t(9) = -26.00, p < .001, Cohen's d = 8.22), supported by the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test (z = -2.88, p = .004) (Rezaie et al., 2022). The project was grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, using observational learning, reinforcement, and real-life examples. Caregivers gained practical strategies, emotional support, and a clearer understanding of their role (Mardani et al., 2023). Initial uncertainty gave way to increased comfort through group support. These findings suggest that even low-cost, brief interventions can strengthen caregiver self-efficacy. Incorporating family education into addiction treatment may improve outcomes in outpatient mental health settings (Kellar & Kelvin, 2020).

Perception Of Florida Political Actions By Higher Education, Matt Vanover Vanover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This qualitative dissertation examines the impact of recent political actions in Florida on higher education, specifically exploring how these developments have influenced tenured, public university professors' teaching practices, student interactions, and research agendas. Guided by the theoretical framework of social constructionism and employing narrative inquiry as the methodological approach, the study captures the lived experiences of six tenured faculty members at public universities across the state. The findings indicate that Florida’s political actions of Governor Ron DeSantis and a Republican-led legislature may have led to changes in the academic landscape. Professors report self-censorship in the classroom, limited discussions of controversial …

Voices From The Highlands: Advocacy Efforts Of Cordilleran Indigenous People Activists Against Large-Scale Mining, Ashley Margarette R. Soliba, Laarnie M. Tininggal, Shifra Yumi C. Peralta, Jodelyn B. Thomas, Angeli Veniss N. Montano

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

Abstract: While much attention has been given to the effects of development projects on Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the Cordillera region, limited research focuses specifically on large-scale mining and the advocacy efforts of IP activists resisting these destructive operations. This study addresses this gap by examining the motivations, methods of advocacy, and impacts of IP activism against large-scale mining in the Cordillera. The research aims to understand the factors surrounding IP activism against large-scale mining, including environmental, health, economic, and cultural concerns. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews with IP activists and analyzed thematically. The study …

Beyond The Swipe: Understanding Observers’ Perceptions Of The Motivations And Behaviors Of Online Dating Users, Sarah Maxine A. Lucero, Maria Nicole C. Moreno, Calvine Felice T. Santiago, Ma. Liezl R. Astudillo

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress

This study explores how observers—individuals who observe but do not engage in online dating—perceive the motivations and behaviors of dating app users. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), it captures how observers construct meaning around online relationships within the Philippine cultural context. Interviews with young adults elicited that observers generally perceive online dating as convenience-driven and less genuine than conventional relationships. Notably, participants compared app-based connections to culturally established rituals such as panliligaw, linking the former with less effort, fleeting intentions, and weaker commitment. Media depiction and secondhand accounts also figured in such perceptions, tending to reinforce stigmas of superficiality …

Geo-Historical Analysis Of Earthquakes In Palestine: Spatial Distribution And Risk Exploration To Enhance Contribution To Decision-Making, Yacoub Al-Qasasfeh

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

This study examines the historical evolution of earthquakes in Palestine from 760 BCE to 2023 CE. The aim is to comprehend and provide insights for decision-makers regarding the seismic nature of the region. The study traces the movement of tectonic plates across various geological eras, analyzing the resulting changes in the geology of Palestine and their role in shaping its current morphology. Using a descriptive, historical, and analytical approach, the study relies on relevant reports and studies. The seismic movements, including medium, strong, and violent earthquakes, were tracked over an extended period. The study calculated the periodic average for each …