Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Associations Among Inflammation, White Matter Architecture, And Extracellular Free Water, Amanda L. Rodrigue, Emma M. Knowles, Josephine Mollon, Samuel R. Mathias, Juan M. Peralta, Ana C. Leandro, Peter T. Fox, Peter Kochunov, Rene L. Olvera, Laura Almasy, Joanne E. Curran, John Blangero, David C. Glahn

School of Medicine Publications

Phenotypic and genetic relationships between white matter microstructure (i.e., fractional anisotropy [FA]) and peripheral inflammatory responses (i.e., circulating cytokines) have important implications for health and disease. However, it is unclear whether previously discovered genetic correlations between the two traits are due to tissue‐specific white matter architecture or increased free water in the extracellular space. We applied a two‐compartment model to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data and estimated tissue‐specific white matter microstructure (FAT) and free water volume (FW). We then quantified their heritability and their genetic correlations with two peripherally circulating proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐8 and TNFα), and compared these correlations to …

Measuring Emotion In Education Using Gsr And Hr Data From Wearable Devices, Qian Dong, Qingyun Wang, Rong Miao

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The pivotal role of emotions in education is universally recognized, leading to a surge of interest in emotion recognition. Wearable devices that collect real-time and nuanced subjective physiological data make it possible to delve into the intricate emotional dynamics in education. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research exploring its potential role in tracking the emotional shifts among students of varying levels in response to specific pedagogical strategies in face-to-face chess classroom. By analyzing both objective GSR and HR data from wearable devices and subjective data from students and teachers in chess classrooms, students at different levels had experienced distinct …

An Educational Framework For The Disruptive Technologies And Their Integration In The Un Sdgs Curriculum, Tulsi Pawan Fowdur, Aishani Radhakeesoon

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Disruptive technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, cloud computing, and blockchain are revolutionizing life on our planet and at the same time contributing immensely towards sustainable development and the achievement of the UN SDGs. Nowadays, optimizing the management of resources in various fields such as manufacturing, education, health, transportation etc. in a much more efficient way is possible. This can be achieved by capturing a wealth of real-time data via IoT sensors with the ultra-reliable and low latency connections provided by 5G. Additionally, with cloud computing, blockchain, and AI, these real-time systems can securely transmit, store, and analyze a massive …

Digital Storytelling Across Disciplinary Horizons: A Bibliometric Exploration Through Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, And Social Sciences, Desmin Davis, Manoj Praveen G, Ashna K

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study aims to know the key publication trends and patterns in digital storytelling research and to find the most influential papers, authors, journals, funding sponsors, sources, and countries that contributed to digital storytelling research from 2013 to 2023. This was examined through a systematic bibliometric analysis conducted on 508 documents collected from the Scopus database based on particular inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bibliometric patterns were obtained using the VOS viewer software. The findings indicated that the digital storytelling research field is emerging and shows growing interest in this particular field. The increasing citation trend shows its importance across various …

Online Learning Challenges And Coping Among U.S. College Students During Covid-19 Lockdown And Two Years After, Hayaa Alhazani, Li-Ting Chen

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

There is a lack of research on comparing college students’ learning experiences during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Moreover, little is known about the relationship between student coping and perceived online learning challenges in higher education. The present study aimed to fill in the gap. Online survey responses from 43 U.S. college students were used in this correlational study. Learning environment challenges were rated as the greatest challenges during the lockdown and two years after it. Students who had taken online classes before the lockdown rated higher levels of technological complexity during the lockdown than their counterparts. When comparing coping …

Analyzing Teachers' Perceptions Of Mobile Learning In Senior Secondary Schools: A Frame Model Perspective In Sub-Saharan Africa, Dennis Kealeboga Mabalane Junior

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The paper focuses on a systematic review of existing literature regarding the teachers’ perceptions toward mobile learning (mLearning) in public secondary schools across sub-Saharan Africa. It emphasizes that this research synthesizes previously published work rather than presenting original findings. The review identifies significant challenges and opportunities associated with mLearning implementation, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the adoption of mobile technologies in education. Despite the growing body of literature on mLearning trends in sub-Saharan Africa, there remains a notable lack of systematic reviews specifically addressing stakeholder perceptions. This study aims to fill that gap by …

Analysis Of The Scratch Program For Computational Thinking In Schoolchildren In An Educational Institution In Peru: A Network Analysis, Rolando Oscco Solorzano Dr., Leonor Torres Matos Dr, David Aroni Palomino, Miguel Armando Alcca Huisa, Jeanny Helen Ppuño Huaricachi, Delio Merma Saico

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Abstract: o analyze the relationship between the Scratch program and students’ computational thinking in an educational institution in Peru, relational research guidelines were followed with 384 regular elementary school students aged 6 to 12. The group had a higher percentage of males (52.6%) compared to females (47.4%). Two custom questionnaires were used to measure both variables. The study found that the aesthetic aspects of the Scratch program are the most significant component for developing computational thinking (=3.34; =2.34; =2.47), especially the dimension of computational practices. Limitations include a small sample size for analyzing sociodemographic variables, operationalization of computational thinking dimensions, …

Predictive Perception In Autism, Robert Harlow

School of Psychology Theses

This thesis investigates how predictive perception, motor coordination, and neurotype differences influences social perception in autism. It explores how these mechanisms contribute to social difficulties faced by autistic people, through the lens of the double empathy problem and second-person neuroscience.Chapter 2 examined how spoken intentions and visual evidence guide predictive social perception. Across four experiments, results supported a dual-process model whereby top-down expectations shape early perception but are overridden by visual input once motion begins. This led to the ‘kinematic dominance hypothesis’, suggesting motion cues dominate perception once movement begins due to their higher precision.Chapter 3 used high-resolution active motion …

Navigating The Endemic Era: Understanding The Carry-On Forces That Influence Business Travel Decisions, Cheuk Ki, Eliver Lin

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected global trade, including business travel, despite its importance in promoting economic growth and innovation. This study investigated the factors that motivate companies and organisations to engage in business travel during the pandemic era, using data from 1948 decision-makers in the Asia Pacific region. The results showed that the significance of the trip and the demand of clients were critical influencers of business travel decisions. These findings address the research gap in explaining organisational travel decisions and behaviours and can help stakeholders in the aviation, hospitality, and tourism industries develop effective strategies to attract business …

How Pinduoduo’S E-Commerce Experience Shapes Customer Satisfaction And Loyalty: Leveraging Social Networks, Yingxuan Zhang

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

The study formulated a research model grounded in Expectation Confirmation Theory, specifically examining the role of e-commerce experience in customer satisfaction and loyalty within the context of Pinduoduo. Hypothesized relationships were established between the core dimensions of e-commerce experience and the e-commerce customer engagement triad. To analyze the gathered data and evaluate the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling was employed. The research findings indicate that the core dimensions of e-commerce experience, namely e-commerce user interface quality, information quality, security risk avoidance perception, and privacy perception, exert positive influences on both customer satisfaction and trust. Moreover, the study reveals a positive …

From Learning To Career: How Experiential Learning Shapes Event Management Students’ Well-Being And Inspiration, Man Fung, Stephanie Lee

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

Purpose – This study aims to examine how experiential learning influences event management students’ well-being across positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA) dimensions and their inspiration for a career in the event industry. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a mixed-methods study to evaluate an experiential learning event for final-year event management students in Hong Kong. Quantitative data from pre- and postevent surveys (n 5 30 valid responses) were analyzed via paired-sample t-tests. Qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis to identify themes on industry and psychological readiness. Findings – Quantitative results showed significant well-being improvements, including enhanced engagement, relationships, positive …

A Critical Link Between Principal's Transformational Leadership And Teachers' Digital Engagement: The Moderating Role Of Technology Infrastructure In Malaysia, Jabeen Mozammel, Aida Hanim A. Hamid

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study investigates the relationship between principals’ transformational leadership and teachers’ digital engagement in secondary schools across Malaysia, emphasizing the influence of leadership behaviours on adopting digital technologies. Despite significant advancements in digital infrastructure across the region, disparities in effective integration remain. 114 secondary school teachers and principals in Malaysia were surveyed using a quantitative, non-experimental, correlational research design. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS, with results showing that transformational leadership behaviours, particularly inspirational motivation (β = .943, p < .001) and individualized consideration (β = .224, p = .027), significantly predicted higher levels of teachers’ digital engagement. However, idealized influence (β = -.053, p = .639) and intellectual stimulation (β = -.102, p = .356) did not have a significant effect. The model explained 97% of the variance in teachers’ digital engagement (R² = .970), highlighting the critical role of leadership in fostering digital adoption. The study concludes that empowering school leaders through leadership development programs can significantly enhance teachers’ engagement with digital technologies. Future research should explore longitudinal designs and include a broader sample across different educational contexts to further validate these findings.

Integration Of Design Thinking And Educational Technology Into Science Education: A Conceptual Framework For The Development Of Sustainability Competencies, Ashish Saseendran, Mary Vineetha Thomas

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

This study presents a conceptual framework that integrates Educational Technology (EdTech) and Design Thinking (DT) to develop sustainability competencies among secondary school science students. Grounded in UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), the framework promotes systems thinking, strategic action, collaboration, and critical problem-solving. It blends Design-Based Learning (DBL) principles with the iterative stages of the Design Thinking process—Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—supporting curriculum-aligned, competency-based learning. By incorporating advanced EdTech tools such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), gamification, and learning analytics, the framework enhances student engagement and enables comprehensive assessment practices. …

Insights From The Four-Wave Longitudinal Study Of Youth Identity Status In Hong Kong, Zhengmin, Kelly Peng

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

No abstract provided.

Exploring Hong Kong Public Attitudes And Concerns About Traditional Chinese Medical Treatments: A Study On Discussion Forum Responses, Xiling Cui

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

Purpose – This study aims to analyze online responses to gain insights into public attitudes and concerns regarding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among Hong Kong residents. By addressing gaps in understanding public sentiment, this study contributes to the development of effective healthcare policies. Design/methodology/approach – Responses were collected from Baby-Kingdom.com using Python, gathering 17,568 TCM-related comments from 2016 to 2023. Analysis involved an eight-theme codebook and sentiment and semantic network analyses with DiVoMiner. Findings – Most responses expressed positive sentiments and attitudes toward TCM. The analysis revealed recurring topics related to conditioning and specific diseases, including gynecological problems. Clinic service …

Minimizing Hotel Employees’ Negative Responses To Adverse Change Practices: The Application Of Attribution Theory, Zhengmin, Kelly Peng

Department of Hospitality and Business Management

Hospitality organizations need to make changes from time to time, which usually result in adverse human

resource (HR) practices, such as readjustments to job duties or salary cuts. To reduce negative employee responses to these adverse practices, scholars suggest the important role of change communication. However, it

remains unclear how change communication can alter employees’ cognition to minimize their negative responses. Drawing on the HR attribution theory, we hypothesize that high-quality change communication can

reduce employees’ turnover intentions through well-being attribution. We further argue that this indirect effect

depends on the seriousness of the negative impact on employees. We test …

Ai-Assisted Diffuse Correlation Tomography For Identifying Breast Cancer, Shun Wan Chan

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Significance: Diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) is an emerging technique for the noninvasive measurement of breast microvascular blood flow, whereas its capability to categorize benign and malignant breast lesions has not been extensively validated thus far, due to the difficulties in instrumentation, image reconstruction algorithms, and appropriate approaches for imaging analyses. Aim: This artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted DCT instrumentation was constructed based on a unique source–detector array and image reconstruction algorithm. Approach: The DCT images of breasts were obtained from 61 females, and AI models were utilized to classify breast lesions. During this process, the blood flow images were either extracted as …

Development Of Chinese Medicinal Ointment With Antibacterial Properties From Tripterygium Wilfordii, Ching Tung, Dawn Au

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Background: Chinese medicinal ointment was first recorded in the Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas). Different formulations of Chinese medicinal ointments have been made based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Many TCMs possessed antibacterial properties that were used as microecological regulators to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria, “Escherichia coli.” Purpose: To develop and make an antibacterial ointment by Tripterygium wilfordii (TW) and evaluate its antibacterial function. Materials and Methods: The methodologies included physical (cream selection), chemical [ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD)], and biological (agar assay) experiments for making TW ointment. …

An Overview Of The Current Scientific Evidence On The Biological Properties Of Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench (Okra), Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady’s finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds …

Engineered Bioactive Glass-Chitosan Hybrid For Dual Tissue And Bone Regeneration Multifunctional Healing, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

The treatment of complex wounds, particularly those arising from conditions such as diabetes or trauma, presents a significant clinical challenge. These wounds often necessitate long-term care for soft tissue and bone repair, creating an urgent need for multifunctional wound dressings. This study introduces a chitosan-silica hybrid dressing enhanced with bioactive glass (BG), specifically designed to address this need. The hybrid material achieves molecular bonding through coupling agents, with the organic chitosan component providing swelling and hemostatic effects, while the inorganic silica and BG release ions (Si4+, Ca2+), promoting tissue regeneration and bone healing. With a controlled degradation profile (lasting 3 …

Development Of Iron Oxide Based-Upconversion Nanocomposites For Cancer Therapeutics Treatment, Wai Ching Liu

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Administration of therapeutic strategies alongside magnetic multifunctional nanocomposites has displayed improved cancer prognosis. However, the clinical use of this combination is limited owing to poor bioimaging performance, low biocompatibility, restricted tissue penetration in ultraviolet/visible regions, and low therapeutic efficacy of nanocomposites. To overcome these existing challenges, we designed iron oxide (Fe3O4)-based upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via facile solvothermal method and incorporated into mesoporous silica (mS) layer (Fe3O4@mS). Fe3O4@mS nanoparticles were further decorated onto the surface of the UCNPs as a core material (UCNP-Fe3O4@mS, FMUP). Methotrexate (MTX) an efficient anticancer drug was loaded onto the mesoporous silica to …

Pharmacological Elucidation Of Novel Frug-Leads For The Treatment Of Parkinson's Disease Through Multiple Tergets, Shing Hung Mak

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. PD might cause the dysfunctions of motor neuron in patients. Although the causes of PD still remain to be elucidated, multifactorial pathogenesis have been suggested. Currently available single-targeted drugs only provide symptoms-relieving benefits, but not delay or reverse the progress of PD. Thus, the "one-compound-multi-target ligands" strategy might be a promising strategy for the development of new drug for PD.

Recent studies have also demonstrated that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/ myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) might be important therapeutic targets for treating PD. Here, by …

Combined Use Of Esculetin And Probiotics In Preventing Parkinson’S Disease In Mice, Shun Wan Chan, Meng Zhang, Huan Zhang

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 0.1-0.2% of the population, with a higher prevalence among the elderly [1]. As the disease progresses, its motor symptoms worsen, significantly impairing patients' self-care abilities and quality of life. Due to the lack of definitive early-stage diagnosis and effective treatments to slow neurodegeneration, developing preventive measures is essential to alleviate the social and economic burdens associated with PD. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary components, such as probiotics, can modulate the gut-brain axis to potentially prevent PD development. Previous research has highlighted esculetin, a natural coumarin, for its neuroprotective properties in …

Neuroprotective Effects Of Esculetin And Probiotics In 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Parkinson’S Disease, Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan, Meng Zhang, Huan Zhang, Kam Wah, Daniel Mok

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive impairment of motor and non-motor functions, particularly affecting aging populations. Approximately 0.1-0.2% of the global population is impacted, with the rate significantly higher among the elderly. Currently, an estimated 10 million individuals are living with PD, a number projected to rise to 25 million by 2050 due to aging demographics. The burden is notably greater in males, and prevalence increases with age. As PD progresses, it leads to debilitating motor decline, severely compromising patients' independence and quality of life. These challenges are compounded by the current inability to definitively …

An Overview Of The Current Scientific Evidence On The Biological Properties Of Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench (Okra), Shun Wan Chan, Hei Tung, Lydia Chan, Tsun Ka, Carten Kwok, Yam Fung Ng

Department of Food and Health Sciences

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, commonly known as okra or lady’s finger, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Okra is a native plant in Africa as well as a traditional medicine in Africa and India for treating different diseases and conditions. Today, okra is widely consumed as a vegetable and is increasingly recognized as a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile and potential pharmacological benefits. Research indicates that okra exhibits a range of biological activities, including antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antifatigue, vasoprotective, hepatoprotective, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, research on the active compounds …

Hybrid Quantum-Assisted Deep Learning Model For Early-Stage Alzheimer’S Disease Classification Based On Mri Images, Eman A. Radhi, Mohammed Y. Kamil, Mazin Abed Mohammed

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents significant diagnostic challenges owing to the subtle morphological similarities observed in the early stages, with traditional deep learning approaches often struggling to distinguish between the various stages of disease progression via structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data. Quantum computing offers unique advantages for medical image analysis, leveraging superposition and entanglement capabilities to process high-dimensional feature spaces beyond the limits of classical computation. This study introduces a hybrid quantum-classical neural network architecture (HQC-Net) for accurate four-class Alzheimer's disease classification, which uses quantum processing to detect patterns that are often invisible to classical spatial analysis methods. The proposed …

Shared Generator-Based Serverless Multimodal Federated Learning For Medical Image Analysis, Mohammed Adel Al-Shahe, Ahmed Saihood, Mustafa Asaad Hasan

Mesopotamian Journal of Big Data

Medical image analysis constitutes the foundation of the diagnosis of potential life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer. Nevertheless, AI model construction in this context is hindered by strict privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR), the variability of imaging protocols, and the paucity of large annotated datasets. These barriers constrain centralised machine learning and dampen interdisciplinary research. To overcome such barriers, this paper introduces shared generator-serverless federated learning (SGS-FL), a decentralised multimodal medical imaging framework. By employing a shared generator and multidiscriminator architecture, SGS-FL eliminates centralised dependency via cross-modal synthesis, while the communication burden is reduced by embedding a sharing protocol. By …

Teacher Retention In The Wake Of The Inclusion Movement: A Mixed Methods Study On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy, Tessa Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation studied the problem of the national teacher shortage by considering the impact of the inclusion movement on general education teachers’ self efficacy. This mixed-methods study sought to contribute to the body of literature examining factors responsible for poor teacher retention and factors responsible for low teacher self-efficacy. Nine participants were interviewed and administered the Teacher Effective Inclusion Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, and Attitudes Measure. The researcher conducted coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and six themes emerged. The researcher scored the questionnaires and compared the scores to the responses provided in the interviews.

Themes revealed that the …

Vcu's Yellow Brick Road: Connection, Safety, & Navigation, Karen Bjork, Robert Chisley, Samuel Kessler, Taylor Mackillop, Sarah Midkiff

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Yellow Brick Road is an initiative designed to strengthen the connection between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and downtown Richmond by promoting outdoor activity, sustainable mobility, and shared community experiences. The project aims to enhance the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff through walking meetings and a proposed VCU-branded e-bike fleet, while also deepening VCU’s engagement with the urban community through events such as the UNCOMMON Street Festival. Together, these efforts reflect VCU’s vision as a university fully embedded in the city, guided by the question: How can VCU thrive with Richmond, not apart from it?

Introduction To Hydroponics- 2025-2026 Workshop Handbook, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Hydroponically grown plants grow faster than traditional production systems, with greater productivity, greater palatability, and having optimal visual character. Three principal components of a system include the plant support platform, a nutrient solution reservoir, and an interface for the root-solution. This publication provides in-depth explanation to system design, evaluation of water quality, nutrient formulation, and prototype systems that can be easily constructed for those wanting to explore hydroponics, such as educators, organizational leaders, or home enthusiasts.