Digital Commons Network^™

Contrasting Utopias: A Comparative Analysis Of Societal Ideals In Sir Thomas More's Utopia And Nizami Ganjavi's Iskandarname, Turkan Elbayiyeva

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The notion of an ideal society has long been a central theme in literature across diverse cultures and epochs. Originating in Plato's Republic in the fourth century B.C., the concept evolved through various literary genres and styles. Notable contributions emerged from both Western and Eastern traditions, exemplified respectively by Sir Thomas More's Utopia (1516) and Nizami Ganjavi's Iskandarname (12th century). This article undertakes a comparative analysis of these works, examining their portrayals of individual life, economy, religion, governance, and justice. Both Utopia and Iskandarname underscore the importance of nature, animals, and human relationships, emphasizing harmony and peace in society. They …

Previous Soil Environment Impacts Biomass Yield Of Winter Rye And Triticale, Monica Bennion, Christopher W. Rogers, Joy Barsotti, David L. Bjorneberg, Pramod Acharya, Jared Spackman

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Idaho is one of the top dairy-producing states, requiring forage systems that balance on-farm needs with environmental priorities. Introduction of new winter cereal forage rotations [i.e., hybrid rye (Secale cereale)] may improve nutrient use efficiency, protect soil, and utilize winter precipitation to provide spring forage. Research was conducted to assess the potential of hybrid rye compared to a commonly grown forage, [triticale (× Triticosecale)], across four historical nutrient-management treatments at two harvest stages. Biomass was calculated on a dry matter basis and converted to kg/ha. Hybrid rye biomass production did not differ from that of triticale under previous management …

Spatial Analysis Of Regional Economic Composition On Freshwater Usage In The Us Counties, Ashok Bahadur Deuba, Karl Geisler

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

The paper analyzes regional freshwater usage on the basis of industry across the US counties. While numerous studies have examined the relationships between industry and water usage, little information is available on regional economic composition of freshwater usage. The study uses water data from the USGS and industry data from the US Census Bureau for the contiguous US to explore the question using multiple spatial econometrics techniques. The preliminary results indicate Agriculture, Mining, Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing , Wholesale Trade, Transportation and Warehouse, Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Management of Companies and …

Atp-Based Monitoring To Indicate Microbial Performance In Wastewater Treatment Plants, Lydia Smith, Gregor Posadas, Roy Henson, Sondra Miller

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Wastewater treatment plants use complex operational systems to clean wastewater, with microorganisms being a core component of transforming polluted water into clean water. This study is based on a newly researched technology that infuses high concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) into return activated sludge, which enhances microbial activity and improves nutrient removal processes. The DO infusion system was installed and tested in a wastewater treatment facility in Greenleaf, Idaho. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was monitored as a biohealth indicator to assess the performance of the DO infusion system in terms of supporting microbial activity in biological wastewater treatment. Findings show that …

Experiences Of Reproductive Health Care Practitioners In North Carolina After The Dobbs Decision, Arwyn Lapella

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since the Supreme Court of the United States made the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, providing access to reproductive health care in the state of North Carolina has been a challenge for medical professionals. Findings from existing literature indicate that a lack of access to reproductive health care can have a negative impact on society from socioeconomics, food and home inequality, and other health care complications. The purpose of this study was to focus on the impacts that health care providers faced when providing care for those who live in the state of North Carolina since the Supreme Court’s …

Community Health Workers’ Experiences Distributing Harm Reduction Supplies During Covid-19 In The Barren River Area Development District, Angel Nichole Shoemake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community health workers (CHWs) distributing sterile injecting equipment help reduce infectious disease transmission among people who inject drugs; however, limited research exists regarding their experiences delivering harm reduction services during public health emergencies in rural areas. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore CHWs’ experiences and perceptions of health risks, operational barriers, and social influences affecting harm reduction service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Barren River Area Development District. The health belief model guided this study, emphasizing perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy. Data were collected through semistructured Zoom interviews with eight purposively sampled CHWs …

The Effect Of Retention Threat On Student Learning Gains: Evidence From Ohio, Sarah Souders, Robert Bifulco

Center for Policy Research

Grade retention policies create incentives for students to make adequate progress ahead of evaluation. The threat of retention thus has the potential to affect all students’ academic outcomes, increasing achievement especially among students with test scores near the retention policy’s threshold. By using unique data from Ohio which allows us to implement a regression discontinuity design, we find that students exposed to the threat of retention in Grade 3 experience larger learning gains than students who are not under retention threat. Gains in Grade 3 English Language Arts (ELA) are 0.077 SD and although effects partially fade over time, positive …

From Box To Browser: The John P. Mcgovern, M.D. Papers Are Now Online, Tara Sims

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

After nearly three years of archival work, one of the McGovern Historical Center's most significant collections is now fully processed and searchable online, making it easier than ever for researchers around the world to discover Dr. McGovern's legacy. 

Read the full story on the McGovern Historical Center blog:
From Box to Browser: The John P. McGovern, M.D. Papers Are Now Fully Discoverable Online/

Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship In Pediatric Acute Otitis Media Management In Urgent Care Settings, Madison Haines, Gina Crudden

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Problem: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a leading cause of pediatric antibiotic prescribing in urgent care (UC) settings. Despite guidelines recommending watchful waiting, inappropriate prescribing persists, contributing to increased antimicrobial resistance and healthcare costs. This quality improvement project aimed to enhance antimicrobial stewardship through provider education and clinical decision-making support tools.

Intervention: Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the 30-day intervention was implemented across Midwestern UC centers. The intervention involved asynchronous provider education focused on evidence-based prescribing, watchful waiting strategies, and caregiver communication.

Measures: Primary outcomes included provider confidence in implementing watchful waiting and perceived adherence to clinical guidelines, measured via pre- …

Increasing Patient Education On Obesity, Claire Maddux, Linda Hughes

Group: Nebraska Methodist College

Obesity is a prevalent and undertreated chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, yet patient education and engagement in treatment remain limited in primary care. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, theory-driven educational handout in improving patient knowledge, self-awareness, and readiness to engage in obesity-related care. The intervention was implemented in a Midwestern primary care clinic and targeted adult patients with a body mass index of 30 or greater. Participants were provided with an educational handout and completed pre- and post-handout tests assessing knowledge of obesity etiology, risks, and treatment options, as well …

The Use Of Breathing Meditation With Bipoc Trauma Survivors, Keerthi Sundaramurthy

Doctoral Dissertations

There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of mindfulness-based practices to reduce psychological distress. Although interest in mindfulness-based care is growing, studies investigating virtual interventions for BIPOC trauma survivors remain limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a breathing meditation intervention on mental health outcomes in a sample of trauma-exposed BIPOC adults, using a randomized post-test only design. Participants in the intervention group were asked to complete a 10-minute box breathing meditation daily for four weeks. Quantitative analyses revealed that those in the intervention group reported significantly lower symptoms of anxiety and …

Neuroactive Metabolite Assessment Of Gaba-Producing Probiotics For Healthy Aging, Sanaly Nava, Dishant Aggarwal, Samjhana Pradhan, Ken Aho, Cynthia Blanton, Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Kavita Sharma

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Aging is a gradual process of weakening bodily function that leads to decline in physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities. Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is produced by both neurons and gut bacteria, and plays a crucial role in numerous physiological functions. Notably, aging is associated with a decline in GABA production and alterations in gut microbiota. Therefore, restoring GABA production by correcting dysbiosis presents a potential strategy for managing age-related functional decline. To better understand how to support healthy aging, our study investigates the gut-brain axis and the potential of genetically modified GABA-producing …

Food Systems Transformation Would Reshape Global Agriculture, Matthew Gibson, Marina Sundiang, Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Thais Diniz Oliveira, Felicitas Beier, Lauren Benavidez-Brouk, Astrid Bos, Maksym Chepeliev, Jonathan Doelman, Shahnila Dunston, Shinichiro Fujimori, Tomoko Hasegawa, Petr Havlik, Jordan Hristov, Jonas Jägermeyr, Marta Kozicka, Marijke Kuiper, Page Kyle, Thijs De Lange, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Hermann Lotze-Campen, Hermen Luchtenbelt, David Meng-Chuen Chen, Abhijeet Mishra, Christoph Müller, Gerald Nelson, Amanda Palazzo, Ignacio Perez Dominguez, Alexander Popp, Ronald Sands, Marco Springman, Elke Stehfest, Timothy B. Sulser, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Gianmaria Tassinari, Ferike Thom, Philip Thornton, Kazuaki Tsuchiya, Willem-Jan Van Zeist, Hans Van Meijl, Dominique Van Der Mensbrugghe, Detlef Van Vuuren, Hannah H.E. Van Zanten, Isabelle Weindl, Keith Wiebe, Xin Zhao, Mario Herrero

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Food systems are a major contributor to exceeding planetary boundaries1,2,3 and poor quality diets are a key mortality risk globally4. Projected population and income growth could exacerbate these challenges5. In response, there are calls for transformation towards healthy and sustainable food systems6,7,8. However, the scale and distribution of the impacts of this transformation on agriculture are underexplored. Here we show that, by 2050, the transformation of food systems towards healthy diets (adoption of the EAT–Lancet reference diet), improved productivity and halving of food waste results in a fundamental restructuring of global agriculture, aspects of which break with historical trends. Scenario …

Case Study: Feasibility Of Creating A Simulated Mobile Data Center For Cross-Disciplinary Academic Programs, Stanley Mierzwa, Christoper J. Schultz, Iassen Christov, Michael Fagioli, Thomas Ikeda, Reinaldo Jaramillo, Giolian Sanagustin

Center for Cybersecurity

This case study examines the potential to envision, create, and deploy a simulated mobile micro data center solution that can be easily replicated and transported between locations and educational settings. The coined term for this solution is the Mobile AI-Centered Data Center (Mobile ACDC), which provides students with a platform to construct, in a hands-on fashion, such a solution and navigate the product to gain greater competencies and understanding of the components found in a data center. Instructor and student feedback assessments from the pilot classroom modules and laboratory experiential learning activities indicate that such a solution helps to improve …

Comparative Evaluation Of Radioisotope Accumulation In Stems And Leaves Of Wild Flora In Nineveh Governorate For Environmental Pollution Indicator, Amina Q. Al-Bakri, Ayman Albanna, Mazin N. Fadhel

BioMed Visions Journal

It is a comparative assessment of natural deposition of radioisotopes in wild plants' stems and leaves from 11 sites of Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Levels of ^226Ra, ^232Th, and ^40K activities were determined using high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and radiological equivalent indices—Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), Absorbed Dose Rate (D), Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE), Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE), Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), and hazard indices (Hex, Hin, Iγ) were determined. All results indicated invariably greater radionuclide accumulation in leaves than in stems at every station. Mean Raeq in leaves was 63,473 Bq/kg and in stems 60,854 Bq/kg, and the highest …

Physicians' Perspective Regarding The Prevention Of Antibiotics Resistance, Wathah Zuhair Mohammed Siddiq, Nadia Hazem Saied

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Antibiotics' resistance is one of the global health problems. The misapplication and misuse of antibiotics ultimately result in antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic prescription is a complex processes that affected by many factors; these factors are mutually reliant and related to physicians' knowledge, healthcare providers' participation, healthcare system itself, patients and the general public. Aim of the study: To identify physicians' perspective concerning antibiotics resistance. Methodology: A cross sectional study was used to find physicians' view about antibiotics resistance. The sample consist of 300 physicians who working in different governmental health institutions in Mosul City. Data was collected from study population …

The Incidence Of Some Intestinal Protozoa: Entamoeba Histolytica, Blastocystis Hominis And Giardia Lamblia Among Iraqi Individuals At Baghdad Province, Amani M. Jasim, Rabia A. Aboud, Mohamed Q. Al-Aybi

BioMed Visions Journal

This study investigates incidence of Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia at Baghdad province during during the months of 2024. Samples were collected from patients admitted Baghdad hospitals during a period of January to the end of December 2024 and examine by Macroscopic Examination by direct wet mounts and Concentration Methods using formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation or zinc sulfate flotation to concentrate ova/cysts analyzed .The findings indicate that no significant differences among study groups individuals infected with Entamoeba histolytica out of 222,133 individulas infected with Entamoeba histolytica (32%) females most frequently infected than males (27%).Giardia lambilia according to gender …

Ethical, Regulatory, And Equity Challenges Of Ai In Pharmaceutical Advertising, Samer Imad Mohammed, Fadia Thamir Ahmed

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots are significantly altering pharmaceutical advertising by facilitating personalized patient engagement and enhancing treatment optimization. Their adoption presents substantial ethical, regulatory, and equity challenges that require thorough analysis. Objectives: The objectives of this review are to analyze: (1) the implementation of AI technologies, such as chatbots and predictive analytics, in pharmaceutical advertising; (2) ethical risks, including algorithmic bias and misinformation; (3) deficiencies in global regulatory frameworks, specifically those of the FDA and EMA; and (4) effects on health equity, with a focus on vulnerable populations. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using several databases with …

Clinical, Hormonal, And Metabolic Characteristics Of Kurdish Women With Pcos In Duhok, Iraq: Influence Of Body Mass Index, Suzan Omer Rasool, Zana Sabri Qasim

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive problems, and obesity exacerbates these symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive profiles of women with PCOS, as well as to investigate how body mass index (BMI) influences these variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 PCOS-diagnosed women at Azadi Teaching Hospital's Gynaecology Department in Duhok, Iraq. Clinical, biochemical, and hormonal data were gathered, and individuals were divided into two groups depending on their BMI: normal and elevated. Results: Elevated prolactin (>23.4 ng/mL) was observed in 38.9% …

Cytotoxicity Of Dimethyl Sulphoxide On Viability Of Peripheral Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Rana Nidhamaldeen Al-Nuri, Francesco Ipsevich, Lazim Subhi Sheet

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are cells that can differentiate according to the tissue they are lying in. The transplantation of such cells is either autologous or allogeneic. Autologous storage is required until the patient finishes his intensive chemotherapy. Whilst allogenic storage is required until finding the suitable matched recipient for this cellular therapy. Storage is in deep frozen state (–80° C) with cryoprotectant compound. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) has been used as cryoprotectant due to its electrophilic property that makes H-bond between DMSO and H₂O, which is 2.6 times stronger than the H bond between two water molecules. …

Evaluation The Attitudes Toward Prevention Of Communicable Diseases On Health Care Workers At Al-Sadr Hospital In Iraq's Najaf Governorate, Ahmed Ali Mohammed Alshamarti, Wisam Abdul Ameer Ali Farid, Atheer Kadhim Ibadi, Sabreen Ali Hassoni

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: Communicable diseases are responsible for a heavy burden on human health. Health workers were the front line in preventing these diseases. Wrong or positive attitudes of health workers can reflect negatively or positively on infection control efforts. The primary objective of study evaluating attitudes levels between health care workers towards transferable diseases. The secondary objective, assessing association with social-demographic characteristics of health workers. Materials and Methods: The data from Al-Sadr Hospital, by use a frequency study started from the 1^st of December 2021 to the 30^th of May in 2022. The sample from 384 health care workers …

Grated Green Apple And Its Therapeutic Role In Gastrointestinal Disorders: An Analytical Study Of The Effect Of Pectin In Alleviating Diarrhea, Hamza A Saadallah, Mohammed. Ahb. Al-Krdoshi, Noor M Sultan, Farah Y Gaddawi, Marwa R. S Al Shaaban, Abd Al-Bar Al-Farha, Safa M Salim

BioMed Visions Journal

Gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhea, represent a significant global health burden, necessitating the exploration of effective and accessible therapeutic strategies. Dietary interventions, particularly those containing soluble fibers such as pectin, have emerged as promising solutions due to their profound impact on gut health and its microbiota. This meta-analysis systematically reviews the current scientific understanding of the multifaceted role of pectin in alleviating diarrhea, with a particular focus on the unique contribution of grated green apple. The analysis delves into pectin's physicochemical properties and mechanisms of action—including water binding, modulation of the gut microbiota, production of short-chain fatty acids, and support of …

Evaluation Of Antifungal Properties Of Shiitake And The Effects Of Its Extracts On Some Pathogenic Fungi, Asal Faiz Hameed Aldabbgh, Abdalkarim S. Hasan Alnuaimi, Inaam Jasim Mohamad

BioMed Visions Journal

The present study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of shiitake mushrooms on some common fungi found in the soil of Mosul City. The fungal extract from Shiitake was prepared using ethanol or water. Different concentrations of the extract were prepared to analyze the antifungal properties of the mushroom by first making a stock solution and then adding specific amounts to the plates containing (Potato Dextrose Agar) PDA medium to achieve the desired concentrations. The active components found in Shiitake were pinpointed through the use of HPLC. The findings revealed how the aqueous extract of Shiitake affected Trichoderma sp. Penicillium …

Pharmacy Students' Perceptions And Attitudes Toward Online Learning: Insights From A Cross-Sectional Study In Iraq, Heba M. Attash, Luma M. Al-Obaidy, Harith Kh. Al-Qazaz, Fahad Saleem

BioMed Visions Journal

Background: The rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic has reshaped pharmacy education in Iraq, yet student perceptions remain underexplored. This study examines how pharmacy students view online and hybrid models, with attention to gender, location, and access to technology. Method: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October 2024 and January 2025 with 386 fourth- and fifth-year pharmacy students from differrent universities across Iraq. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated tools, assessing demographics, learning preferences, and attitudes toward digital education. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Most participants were …

Enhanced Mobilenet With Multi-Scale Feature Fusion For Automated Breast Cancer Histopathology Classification, Amany M. Abdo Prof.

Information Systems

Accurate and efficient diagnosis of breast cancer from histopathological images remains a major challenge in clinical practice due to subjective interpretation, inter-observer variability, and labor-intensive manual examination. To address these limitations, this work introduces a transfer learning–based framework for automated breast cancer classification using the Breast Cancer Histology Images (BACH) dataset. Several pre-trained deep architectures—including MobileNet, ResNet variants, EfficientNet, and Vision Transformers—were evaluated and extended with a Multi-Scale Feature Fusion (MSFF) module to capture morphological heterogeneity across spatial resolutions. Among these, the Enhanced MobileNet (E‑MobileNet) with MSFF outperforming recent state‑of‑the‑art models and achieving a classification accuracy of 95%, precision of …

Premature Ventricular Contractions As A Result Of Subacute Myocarditis In A Professional Football Player, Charlotte Pirquet, Daniel Underberg, Brian Osler, Derek Schwabe-Warf, David Shipon

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Return-to-play (RTP) decisions for professional athletes with arrhythmias are challenging, particularly when the diagnosis is uncertain.

CASE SUMMARY: A 33-year-old professional football player presented for RTP evaluation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and atypical chest pain. Work-up was significant for fragmented R waves and PVCs on electrocardiogram as well as late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Positron emission tomography scan was normal. These findings suggested possible subacute myocarditis. He elected to rest for 2 to 3 months and was treated with guideline-directed medical therapy. Risk stratification highlighted increased risks associated with late gadolinium enhancement and incomplete genetic …

Deciphering The Association Of Fasting Blood Glucose With Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase And Uric Acid: A Cross-Sectional Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital In South India, Anbalagan Anithasri, Rajagambeeram Reeta, Velmurugan Hasini

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Fasting hyperglycaemia (FHG) in insulin resistance is due to oxidative stress wherein gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and uric acid (UA) are known to impair insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells due to their pro-oxidant action and their role in metabolism of antioxidant glutathione. This study aims to determine the association of GGT and UA with FHG and its role in predicting the onset of prediabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Villupuram Medical College, Villupuram, India, from July to December 2023. Individuals in the age range of 25–65 years attending the master health check-up clinic were included. …

Targeted Temperature Management: Controversy Surrounding Post-Cardiac Arrest Care, Ishan Abdullah, Shawn Reginauld, Ramesh Mazhari

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Exercise Training Prior To And During Cancer In Mice Preserves Muscle Mass, Reduces Tumour Weight And Suppresses Molecular Mediators Of Cachexia, Stavroula Tsitkanou, Pieter J. Koopmans, Ana Regina Cabrera, Nathan Serrano, Calvin S. Peterson, Ruqaiza Muhyudin, Zain B. Malik, Micah Goeke, Eleanor R. Schrems, Francielly Morena, Yuan Wen, Tyrone A. Washington, Kevin A. Murach, Nicholas P. Greene

Physiology Faculty Publications

Abstract: We investigated the prophylactic effects of exercise before and during cancer cachexia (CC) using a model designed to mimic endurance and resistance (i.e., concurrent) adaptations. Male and female Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to exercise or control groups whereby exercise groups were subjected to an 8-week voluntary progressive weighted wheel running (PoWeR) programme of habitual loading-mediated physical activity beginning at 8 weeks of age. At 16 weeks of age, mice were injected bilaterally with colon-26 adenocarcinoma (C26) cells or phosphate-buffered saline, and exercise training was maintained throughout disease progression. Twenty-five days post-tumour induction, we assessed whole-body and muscle phenotype, …

Fixing What You Cannot Xray: Mental Health Crisis In The Pediatric Emergency Department, Juliana Castaneda, Miriam Hancock, Ashlyn Holt, Nina Petersen, Jillian Vo

2025

No abstract provided.