Digital Commons Network^™

Gut Microbiome Metagenomics In Clinical Practice: Bridging The Gap Between Research And Precision Medicine, Henok Ayalew Tegegne, Tor C Savidge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Gut microbiome metagenomics is emerging as a cornerstone of precision medicine, offering exceptional opportunities for improved diagnostics, risk stratification, and therapeutic development. Advances in high-throughput sequencing have uncovered robust microbial signatures linked to infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and neoplastic diseases. Clinical applications now include pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance profiling, microbiota-based therapies, and enterotype-guided patient stratification. However, translation into routine care is hindered by significant barriers including methodological variability, limited functional annotation, lack of bioinformatics standardization, and underrepresentation of global populations. This review synthesizes current translational strategies, emphasizing the need for hypothesis-driven designs, multi-omic integration, longitudinal and multi-center cohorts, and mechanistic validation. …

The Non-Reciprocity Of Cultural-Ecological Resilience In Eastern Sumba, B. Retang Wohangara

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Resilience is one key concept of culture and ecology. It highlights a particular system's adaptive and thriving capacities in facing various challenges. This research-based article investigates the reciprocity of cultural-ecological resilience in three traditional communities in Eastern Sumba. It starts with the examination of cultural resilience and ecological resilience using five and seven qualitative indicators, respectively. The last part of the discussion analyzes how culture and ecology reciprocate in the given communities. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method. Data are collected by conducting mini-ethnographic field research for interviews, documentation, and focus group discussions. Using the five and seven indicators …

Gender Differences In Japanese Elderly Learning Motivation, Yesy Tri Cahyani, Kurniawaty Iskandar, I Ketut Surajaya, Kosuke Mizuno, Jumanto Jumanto, Emila Ligia

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Ageing is likely to become a 'gender issue' with a big number of women surviving into very old age in almost all the countries of the world. Japanese women have longer longevity than Japanese men. What is the secret behind the higher lifespan of Japanese women compared to Japanese men? Is it related to their ikigai? In this qualitative approach research, we chose the subjects as elderly men and women who participated in Easy English Conversation Courses in Kitakyushu Nenchousha Daigakkou (Kitakyushu Elder University). We assumed that to participate in Easy English Conversation Courses may change their life and …

Exploring Hrm Practices In Academia: Comparative Insights From The Employees Of Polish, Maltese, And Finnish Universities, Sylwia Przytuła, Łukasz Sułkowski, Colin Borg

European Management Studies

Purpose: The aim of this article is threefold: to gain detailed insights into academic employees’ experiences and perceptions of human resource (HR) practices; to identify the challenges and opportunities perceived by academic actors in these practices; and to provide recommendations for further research.

Design/methodology/approach: The study involved 17 key informants from Polish (8), Maltese (5), and Finnish (4) universities. Data were analysed using semantic thematic analysis, resulting in a rich and nuanced understanding of the experiences shared by participants.

Findings: Findings reveal that respondents are primarily motivated to pursue academic careers due to institutional reputation, professional development …

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 38 – Sister Dump Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated September 30, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-20 Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 24, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-13 Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 22, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Haptic Feedback Devices In Reducing Pain Perception During Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injections In Rural Guatemala And Kenya – A Randomized Controlled Trial, Tyler Perleberg, Alfeil Felipe, Carmen Tong, Jordan Konstanty, Gautam Desai

Student Publications

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide and a leading cause of disability, affecting most individuals by age 65 due to cartilage degradation, eburnation, osteophyte formation, and inflammation. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections (IACIs) are widely used for moderate to severe OA and are especially beneficial in low-resource areas where long-term medications and physical therapy may be inaccessible. However, IACIs can induce substantial pain and anxiety, particularly when anesthetics or imaging guidance are unavailable. Haptic feedback, such as tactile stimulation through handheld vibration devices, has demonstrated the ability to modulate pain perception in clinical settings. As a simple, low-cost method, …

Gamesmanship In Civil Litigation, Edith Beerdsen

Georgia Law Review

In civil litigation, strategy is everywhere. Some of it is explicitly envisioned by rules of procedure, but other forms of strategy rely more on clever exploitation of gaps in the rules, sometimes through trickery, surprise, or psychological mind games. The role strategy plays in civil litigation is underexamined, which raises two concerns: first, this lack of attention entrenches strategy by default as a procedural value in competition with accuracy, efficiency, and other procedural values. Second, it amplifies the disadvantages experienced by unrepresented litigants. This Article builds on earlier work to examine how courts shape the space that litigants have for …

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Key Insights For Pediatricians, Michael Smith, Pezad Doctor

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Join Pezad Doctor, MD for a focused discussion on hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Learn what pediatricians need to know about early detection, surgical stages, interstage monitoring, and supporting families through this complex journey. Practical tips and emerging updates will help you feel confident in managing HLHS in your practice.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

The Impact Of Pasifikas In Medicine On Pacific Islander Medical Student Experiences, Devon Hori Harvey, Micah Ngatuvai, Siale Vaitohi, Paige E. Faasuamalie, Maegan Tupinio, Lisa H. Smith

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Pacific Islanders experience significant health disparities. One contributing aspect to these disparities is the lack of racial concordance as Pacific Islanders are underrepresented in the U.S. physician work force. Several factors contribute to this underrepresentation including lack of support systems for Pacific Islander premed and medical students. Pasifikas in Medicine (PiM) is a recently established national student organization founded to provide support for Pacific Islander premed students, medical students, residents, fellows and attending physicians. This study seeks to understand the impact of PiM on medical student experiences.

METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to the PiM listserv and to …

A Study Of Perceptions, Readiness, Benefits, And Barriers Related To Exoskeleton Adoption In New Jersey’S Warehousing Sector, Terry Asante

Theses

The warehousing industry in New Jersey remains a vital component of the region's logistics network, employing more than 200,000 workers who routinely engage in lifting, bending, overhead reaching, and other physically demanding activities. These exposures contribute to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) rates that exceed national averages, particularly affecting the low back and shoulders. Nationally, MSDs account for an estimated $420 billion in combined direct and indirect costs each year, underscoring the need for interventions that can effectively reduce biomechanical strain. Industrial exoskeletons have emerged as a potential solution, with prior research demonstrating reductions in muscle activation, perceived exertion, and fatigue during …

Cost Of Illness Analysis In Total Knee Replacement At Public Hospital Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Lampung, Indonesia, Dina Fatma Alia, Dwi Endarti, Tri Murti Andayani

Jurnal Ekonomi Kesehatan Indonesia

Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most economical and frequently successful orthopedic procedures. Cost-of-illness studies of TKR in Indonesia are scarce and lack an analysis of the relationship between characteristics and costs. This study aims to examine the cost-of-illness of TKR from a social perspective and explore the relationship between the characteristics and the cost of TKR. This is an observational cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent TKR from 1st January 2022-31 st December 2023. The characteristics were collected from the medical records. Cost of illness was conducted from a social perspective with a bottom-up approach. Hospital …

Evaluating Stormwater & Carbon Benefits Of Urban Street Trees, Anthony J. Rodriguez Diaz

Theses

Urban areas experience a multitude of environmental challenges, including flooding and air pollution. In response to these pressures, urban forests have emerged as an essential nature-based strategy to enhance resilience and reduce climate-related risks. The implementation and expansion of urban street trees further contribute to this effort by mitigating stormwater runoff and reducing atmospheric carbon emissions.

Fortunately, advances in environmental modeling have made it increasingly possible to quantify these ecosystem services using specialized software. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's i-Tree suite exemplifies this progress. The software provides a comprehensive set of tools designed to quantify environmental …

Diagnostic Significance Of Aspartate Transaminase And Alanine Transaminase In Hepatitis C Patients, Mohammed N. Fenjan, Ahmed Abdulhadi Jabbar

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Background: Hepatitis C infection is spreading worldwide at an alarming rate. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus and can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if left untreated. The virus is usually spread through contact with infected blood, such as through sharing needles or receiving a blood transfusion, antiviral medications can be used to treat the infection. AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) are enzymes that are primarily found in liver cells. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between liver enzymes aspartate …

Effects Of Different Chitosan Coated Tio2 Nanoparticles Concentrations On The Antibacterial Activities, Ali M. Ghazi, Murtadha H. Hashem, Hyder K. Abbood

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

This study aimed to determine how the composition and antibacterial properties of chitosan-based coating solution when treated with varying amounts of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the modified TiO2 NPs were evenly distributed throughout the chitosan matrix. UV-V_spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses demonstrated that the chitosan interacted with TiO2 NPs and possessed good compatibility. When tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the chitosan-TiO2 nanocomposite proved to be an effective growth inhibitor. The inhibition zone for the antibacterial activity of the chitosan-TiO2 nanocomposites was (19.86 …

Studying The Properties Of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized By Laser Slow Burning Method In Liquid To Remove Heavy Metals, Mohammad R. Hantehzadeh, Elham Darabi, Hossein Algharghouli

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Water contamination with toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) poses serious risks to human health, plants, and ecosystems, making their effective removal a global challenge. Conventional treatment methods often exhibit limited efficiency; therefore, nanotechnology-based approaches are increasingly being explored. In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticless were synthesized via electrospinning, a simple and cost-effective technique that eliminates the need for harmful chemical reagents. The nanocomposite was characterized using SEM, TEM, EDX, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and TGA analyses. The results demonstrated uniform nanoparticles morphology …

Nanotechnology-Based Non-Vaccine Prevention And Therapeutics: Advances In Antimicrobial Nanomaterials And Targeted Drug Delivery Systems, Yasmina Khane, Salim Albukhaty

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Infectious diseases represent a massive one-health issue that needs concerted efforts. One of the most important of these efforts involves investing in nanotechnology and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanomaterials to contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. Non-vaccine nanotechnology approaches can enhance conventional methods by blocking infection pathways and bolstering the immune system. This review emphasizes two main aspects: nanomaterials with a natural capability to kill microorganisms—focusing on antimicrobial and antiviral actions—and nano-carrier systems for controlled drug delivery, immune modulation, and inflammation management. It details the functioning of these nanomaterials and their applications, before …

Rapid Detection Of Sheep-Specific Clostridium Perfringens Igg Using Silver Nanoparticle-Boosted Dot-Blot Assays, Ahmed Salam Jawad

AUIQ Conference Proceedings

Dot-blot immunoassay is a quick, simple, and low-cost technique for identifying target analytes in food, clinical diagnostics, and the environment with a visual inspection. For this purpose, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a sodium borohydride compound. Synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vs spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ZP) tests. After that, SNPs were conjugated with anti-CLD N4-C. perfringens IgG. At the same time, the positive and negative C. perfringens samples have been determined using ELISA. Furthermore, PCR test was used for verification of C. perfringens. Consequently, dot-blot …

Utilization Of Biochar From Date Palm For Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Mini-Review, Atheel Alwash, Emad Yousif, Salam Mohammed

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

Recently, recycling agricultural waste has gained great importance in the field of the biochar industry, as it is a sustainable and inexpensive material that can be used to get rid of environmentally polluting materials. Dates are one of the major agricultural wastes in Iraq and the Gulf countries, which include fronds, seeds, and trunks. The challenge of obtaining a green and clean environment is represented by the safe disposal of these residues. These wastes are promising materials for producing biochar products as efficient adsorbents with improved characteristic properties. The present article revises the synthesis of biochar derived from date palm …

The Converging Frontiers: 3d Printing Of Polyvinyl Chloride (Pvc) For Environmental Remediation, Hazim F. Abbas, Salam Mohammed, Amamer M. Redwan

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

The global demand for effective environmental cleanup drives the need for innovative materials and techniques. 3D printing, which can produce complex and customized structures, offers promising solutions. PVC, a common, affordable, and durable polymer resistant to chemicals, is increasingly used for environmental applications. This report reviews recent advances in 3D-printed PVC for water purification, air filtration, and waste management. PVC’s strong properties, combined with the flexibility of 3D printing, enable the development of tailored, efficient components such as membranes, adsorbents, and catalytic supports. Technology also encourages a circular economy by recycling PVC waste into new feedstocks and on-demand, eco-friendly infrastructure. …

Smart Universities And Digital Transformation Based On Artificial Intelligence: A Case Of Al-Mustaqbal University, Ahmed Rasol Hasson

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

Artificial Intelligence (A.I) is a key facilitator of universities procedures. Although the performance of AI has stretch out superior levels in developed countries, it is remain in its insufficiency in a lot of the developing nations. In this state, there is an imperative need to determine the important of adopting AI everywhere on Iraqi universities, due to the continuous utilize of a management old-fashioned systems. This research sight to explore applications that may influence the acceptance and adoption of AI in the Iraqi universities. This is achieved based on a qualitative approach of thematic analysis. The AI applications that were …

Clinical Pathway Sebagai Solusi Keberlanjutan Jkn Di Indonesia: Systematic Review, Septiana Septiana, Siti Soekiswati, Burhannudin Ichsan

Jurnal Ekonomi Kesehatan Indonesia

The National Health Insurance (JKN) program is threatened with a deficit and potential default in 2026 due to inefficiency and the risk of fraud in healthcare facilities. In the context of JKN, which uses a package system (INA-CBG), Clinical Pathway (CP) is a strategic instrument within the JKN system that has dual benefits for both Payers (BPJS Kesehatan) and Providers (Hospitals). For BPJS Kesehatan, CP primarily functions to ensure service quality and prevent undertreatment fraud, the practice of reducing services to benefit hospitals. This prevention ultimately achieves cost efficiency in the JKN program by avoiding payment of complication claims and …

Educating The Teachings Of Kh Ahmad Dahlan With Cinema: A Promising Strategy To Increase Student Peace, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra, Faturrahman Faturrahman

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cinema-based education inspired by KH Ahmad Dahlan's teachings in fostering peace among students. The research was conducted at Muhammadiyah Vocational High School 2 Yogyakarta, Indonesia using a quasi-experimental design, specifically a Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design. The study involved 14 students divided into two groups: an experimental group (7 students) that received the cinema-based education intervention and a control group (7 students) that did not receive any intervention. The peace scale that has a good level of reliability is used to measure the level of peace. The peace scale consists of 26 statement …

Five Decade Of Religious Family Counseling: Past, Present, And Future Direction, Dody Hartanto, Rohmadheny Prima Suci, Edy Purwanta, Mufied Fauziah

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Integrating religion and spirituality into therapy raises ethical concerns like respecting client beliefs, setting boundaries, and addressing value conflicts. Research on religious family therapy can inform ethical guidelines and best practices. However, despite extensive research on religious family therapy in Indonesia, these studies are not visible in the Scopus database. The aim of this study was to identify research trends, hot topics, and new areas in the field of religious family therapy. This study used bibliometric analysis in the Scopus database. The keywords used are “religious family therapy” or “spiritual family therapy”. Articles to be analyzed were previously identified and …

Enhancing Adolescents' Self-Esteem Through Rational Emotive Behavior Counseling: A Pre-Experimental Study In Junior High School Students, Wikan Galuh Widyarto, M Ramli, Muchammad Saiful Machfud, P. V. I. Pratiwi Mramra

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The aim of this study is to find out the level of self-esteem of students and how effective rational emotive behavioral counselling is to increase self-esteem. Quantitative research using pre-experiment, one group pretest posttest design. The study involved 32 students as a population, with 5 students who had low self-esteem as a sample. Purposive sampling method is used to obtain samples. The results show the self-esteem level of State Middle School 1 students Sumbergempol is in the lowest category of 10 (31%), medium 16 (50%), and high 6 (19%). There was a significant difference between the results before and after …

Implementation Of Group Counseling Self-Management Techniques To Reduce Student Gadget Addiction, Muya Barida, Aprilia Puspita Sari

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Gadget addiction as a behavior of attachment or dependence on smartphones may become a social problem such as withdrawal, and difficulties in performing daily activities or as a disorder of impulse control against oneself. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of self-management technique group counseling to reduce students' gadget addiction. The type of research used is an experiment using the one group pretest posttest design model. Subject determination by purposive sampling. The subjects of this study were students of class VIII-C at Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Middle School, namely 5 students. Data collected in quantitative form (numbers) …

A Self-Efficacy Intervention To Improve Social Skills Of Junior High School Students: A Systematic Review Of 1 Decade, Taufik Agung Pranowo, Al Halik

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Social skills are an important aspect of the development of junior high school students, which are often hampered by low self-efficacy, affecting communication skills, social interaction, and conflict resolution. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of self-efficacy-based interventions in improving the social skills of junior high school students over the past decade (2013–2023). This study used a systematic review method with PRISMA guidance, including 28 studies that met the inclusion criteria, such as quasi-experimental research designs, valid and reliable instruments, and the population of junior high school students. Data were analyzed using narrative synthesis and meta-analysis to calculate the …

Deconstructing Generation Z'S Self-Awareness Through Problem-Solving Techniques In Group Guidance, Edigius Paulus Banu, Henny Indreswari, Khairul Bariyyah, Mark Kasa, Jaed Brian L. Cantiga

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Self-awareness is an individual's ability to recognize their emotions, values, and thought patterns, as well as to understand factors that influence their actions and social interactions. Generation Z, growing up in the digital and information era, faces unique challenges due to their low awareness of mental health, leading to increased cases of anxiety, depression, and burnout resulting from social and academic pressures. Consequently, they are often trapped in self-unawareness and identity crises caused by contradictions between personal values and social expectations. This article aims to determine the extent of the use of problem-solving techniques in group guidance services over the …

‘Rapid Counseling’ With Single-Session Music Therapy: A Modern Approach To Boosting The Academic Self-Efficacy Of Today’S Generation, Lara Lara, Aloysius Selo Aryobimo Oentarto, Dominikus David Biondi Situmorang

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

As a new student, it is a big challenge for everyone. As an individual, it is very important to have high academic self-efficacy, to optimize the educational process being undertaken. Academic self-efficacy is an individual's belief in tasks and achieving academic achievement. 'Rapid counseling' is the provision of assistance with rapid counseling, and can be combined well with art. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of 'rapid counseling' with single-session music therapy (RC-SSMT) to increase academic self-efficacy in three students. This study is a quantitative experimental study with a one-group pre-test and post-test design. The subjects …