Digital Commons Network^™

The Content Validity Of The Functional Cognition Index In Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (Fci-Iadl) As A Screening Tool For Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) In Older Adults In Singapore, Namrata P. Sadarangani, Phyllis Simon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a syndrome that is considered a transition phase between healthy cognitive aging and dementia. The person may have subjective memory complaints, substantiated by family or caregiver and/or impaired executive function, that lead to difficulties performing complex Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Our objective was to develop a tool to assess functional cognition in IADLs as a screen for MCI in older adults.

Method: A Qualtrics survey questionnaire was rated by 15 content experts on the relevance of the 22 test item questions to the cognitive domains being measured using a 4-point …

Reframing Occupational Therapy In A Reactive Health System Through Prevention And Caregiver Training, Rosanne Dizazzo-Miller

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article explores the expanding role of occupational therapy in chronic disease management, prevention, and caregiver supported care. Occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to support health promotion and caregiver training but remains underused in prevention-focused health care models. Current literature from the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy highlights the importance of caregiver training, the systemic barriers limiting occupational therapy's role in chronic disease management, and the need for the profession to embrace a broader role within this area of practice.

Self-Reported Confidence Of Dpt Students In Assessing And Treating Different Body Regions Within Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice, Scott W. Lowe, Jennifer Wiley

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Introduction

This study examined Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) students' self-reported confidence in assessing and treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions based on body regions. We hypothesized that there would be identifiable differences in self-perceived confidence across the different body regions. Most literature assessing DPT students' readiness for clinical practice has come from the perspective of educators and clinicians, whereas student perspectives have not been reported.

Methods:

The study is a descriptive, observational online survey.  Participants were final-year DPT students in the United States. Participants rated their comfort level in assessing and treating patients with MSK complaints, both in general and specifically …

A Mixed-Methods Pilot Investigation Of Act Workshops In Integrated Primary Care, Katherine Buckheit, Kyle Possemato, Mara Sindoni, Luke Mitzel, Niranjala Yogaratnam, Allyson Smith, Lilian Dindo

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Mental health symptoms are prevalent and associated with considerable disease burden. However, most individuals who would benefit from mental health treatment do not receive appropriate care. Barriers such as logistical challenges and stigma often prevent access to traditional services. Alternative delivery modalities and settings may reduce these barriers. This pilot study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of single day Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) workshops delivered in a non-traditional setting, integrated primary care. Acceptability was operationalized as  treatment engagement and treatment satisfaction. Preliminary effectiveness was operationalized as within-condition change in mental health symptoms. Participants were 32 Veterans Affairs (VA) …

Plant And Process For Methanol Production Using High-Pressure Electrically Heated Reforming, Martin Baumgaertl, Gianluca Pauletto

Defensive Publications Series

The present technical disclosure relates to a plant and to a corresponding process for the conversion of a feedstock comprising methane and/or other hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide into methanol. The plant and process integrate an electrically heated reforming reactor within a methanol synthesis loop. The electrically heated reforming reactor is configured to discharge the syngas stream at a pressure equal to or higher than an operating pressure of the methanol synthesis reactor, and the main syngas flow path is free of an intermediate synthesis-gas compressor configured to raise the syngas stream to the operating pressure of the methanol synthesis reactor.

Cybersecurity Governance And Bank Performance In Tunisia: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Iso/Iec 27001 Certification, Asma Redissi

Arab Economic and Business Journal

This study contributes novel difference-in-differences evidence on ISO/IEC 27001 certification and bank performance in an emerging market. Using a sequential mixed-methods design combining CISO interviews and panel data from twelve Tunisian banks (2016-2023), we document a cybersecurity performance paradox: certification is operationally indispensable yet financially invisible in the short run. The DiD coefficient is non-significant for profitability (ROE: β = +0.0046, p = 0.827), while a significant delayed revenue effect emerges post-certification (NBI: β = +0.123, p = 0.036). Institutional voids and low stakeholder cyber-literacy may weaken the signaling mechanism, suggesting mandatory certification frameworks in emerging banking markets.

Tau Seeds Induce Neurofibrillary Tangle Formation Across Brain Regions Via Individual-Specific Connectivity, Audrey J Weber, Bernard Ng, Kelsey M Greathouse, David A Bennett, Shinya Tasaki, Chris Gaiteri, Jeremy H Herskowitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The spread of tau pathology across the cerebral cortex is closely tied to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To investigate mechanisms underlying tau spread, we measured bioactivity of tau seeds from inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and superior frontal gyrus (SFG) synaptosomes in 128 individuals and demonstrated that tau seed bioactivity associates with tau phosphorylation, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and cognitive impairment. Incorporating genotype data from the same individuals within a Mendelian randomization framework showed that tau seeds in ITG induce NFTs locally as well as drive tau seeds and NFTs in SFG. Integrating antemortem functional magnetic resonance imaging data from …

Language Proficiency And Moves In Turkish And English Research Abstracts, Engin Evrim Önem

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The primary function of the abstract within a research article is to convince readers of the study's significance, encapsulating specific details such as its purpose, methodology, results, and discussions and/or conclusions. Notably, scholarly attention has been directed towards the rhetorical structures employed in abstracts found in scientific journals, as authors are believed to employ diverse structures to present their articles in an engaging manner that captures readers' interest. The varied rhetorical structures used in research article abstracts are often referred to as ``moves''. This study investigated the impact of language proficiency and translation on these moves. Six Ph.D. students from …

Enhancing Student Evaluation: A Study Of Formative And Summative Assessment Practices In Primary Schools, Niman Dreshaj, Isa Spahiu, Zarije Nuredini Spahiu, Suzana Ejupi

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This article explores assessment in the Kosovo primary education system, focusing on the content to be assessed and the methods used to measure student learning. The study seeks to characterize typical assessment methods, including assessment models, to determine the extent to which they contribute to the quality of teaching and to students' learning. The study focuses in particular on formative and summative assessment, exploring their use in practice and the teacher attributes within this context. Initial results indicate that the predominant use of summative assessment is sensitive to demographic characteristics, such as teacher age and level of professional training. Older …

Negotiating Laughter: Power, Gender, And Classroom Discourse In Pakistani University Settings, Maheen Zahra, Rahat Bashir, Kanwal Zahra

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The aim of this study is to explore how laughter is used as an interactional and socially situated discourse in Pakistani university classrooms at different academic levels. A total of 29 episodes of laughter, out of 32 observed classrooms, were documented through detailed field notes, analyzing how the laughter was initiated, processed, and regulated within the classroom. The findings revealed that laughter is not only an expression of amusement, but it is also a complicated communicative discourse, which is used as a pedagogical tool to maintain power hierarchies and relations as per socio-cultural norms. At the undergraduate level, laughter usually …

The Interrelation Between Technology And Art In ``Brave New World'' And ``Never Let Me Go'', Nubar Aghalarova

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines the role of technology and art in dystopian literature and their interrelation in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go (2005). Both dystopian novels depict the societies where technological advancements profoundly influence and control human life, creativity, and individuality. In Brave New World, technology is used to control and dehumanize individuals and to achieve social stability. Art is limited to suppress humans' emotions and self-expression as the world controllers want to do everything that they can erase the past. In Never Let Me Go, technology plays an important role in …

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 …

Exploring Chatgpt's Role In Developing Productive Language Skills: A Systematic Review, Milana Abbasova, Eljan Salimli

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Although the interactive features of ChatGPT offer substantial benefits for language education, its integration presents complex pedagogical and ethical challenges. This systematic review critically evaluates the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT in enhancing expressive language capabilities, specifically speaking and writing. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a rigorous search of the ERIC database and a forward snowballing technique via Google Scholar yielded an initial pool of 1,124 records, culminating in the final selection of 22 empirical studies for in-depth analysis. Grounded in Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and the SAMR integration model, the findings conceptualize ChatGPT as a virtual ``More Knowledgeable Other'' that provides …

Exploring University Students' Acceptance Of Generative Ai For Writing: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model (Tam 3) Perspective, Ikram Ullah, Huma Batool, Sadia Irshad

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Generative AI presents significant potential for improving students' writing, and its acceptance is influenced by varied factors. The present study aims at exploring the factors by examining six vital constructs of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) 3 (Venkatesh & Bala, 2008)—academic relevance, output quality, self-efficacy, playfulness, anxiety, and perceived enjoyment—and their impact on perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention of students. Using a quantitative research approach, a sample size of 345 university students from Computer Science, Management Science, and Arts and Humanities voluntarily participated in an online cross-sectional survey questionnaire. The data was analyzed by SPSS 23.0 and …

Analyzing Atmospheric Vortices On The Martian Surface, Francis Quinn, Noah Hoblet, Rachel Clark, Racine D. Cleveland, Brian Jackson

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

For this project, we are estimating the frequency of dust devils on Mars using data from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. Dust devils are rotating columns of air that form when uneven surface heating, caused by solar insolation, creates localized instability. The resulting vortex produces a characteristic dip in atmospheric pressure. To detect these dips in atmospheric pressure, we have analyzed data collected by the MEDA (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer) sensor suite aboard the Perseverance rover. Using Python-based tools, we tailor code to visualize the meteorological data (e.g, pressure and temperature) to find dips in pressure that may correspond to …

Precious Pattern: The Dotted-Diamond Motif In Indigenous American Textiles, Explorations In Mesoamerica, The American Southwest, And The Andes, Billie J. A. Follensbee, Lois Martin

Zea E-Books Collection

No abstract provided.

How Grades Changed Before, During And After Covid-19 In A Business College, Douglas R. Moodie, Alison Keefe, Robin Cheramie

International Journal for Business Education

Purpose: This study examines how undergraduate business student grades changed before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using a large institutional dataset from a business college in a US university between 2015 and 2024.

Method: The analysis includes over 390,000 student-course observations and incorporates instructional modality, student demographics, course characteristics, and prior academic performance.

Results: Results show a substantial increase in mean course grades during the COVID-19 period, followed by a partial reversion post-pandemic to levels that remain above pre-pandemic trends. These patterns are consistent across modalities, demographics, and departments.

Implications: The findings raise important questions regarding the interpretation of …

Using Handwriting Text Recognition (Htr) Technology To Create A Language Learning Model (Llm) For Blythe Owen’S Handwriting, Aiko J. Ayala Rios, Marianne Y. Kordas

Journal of Adventist Libraries and Archives

Handwriting Recognition Technology (HTR) has proven to be a valuable support for the fields of digital humanities and archival resources, as more scholars strive to make documents machine-readable and accessible. With this in mind, the newest phase of the Blythe Owen letter transcription project commenced in the summer of 2025, utilizing Transkribus, a software that aids in transcription and the creation of Language Learning Models (LLMs) tailored to specific writing styles. This report outlines the progress made in learning to use the program, the various issues that arose, and provides suggestions for the project's future as well as for similar …

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 …

More Than Companionship: How Dogs May Improve Human Well-Being, Andrew Rowan

WellBeing News

Dogs enrich our lives in countless ways, but studies indicate that dog ownership is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and longer survival after major heart events. Explore what the science says in this article.

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

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Jcihe Special Issue 18(4a), Louise Michelle Vital, Jing Yu, Benjamin Denga

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

This introduction frames the special issue, “Examining Race, Racism, and Racialization in the Internationalization of Higher Education from Global Perspectives,” by arguing that race is foundational, rather than peripheral, to the internationalization of higher education. Emerging from an unprecedented response to the call for proposals, and from an editorial decision to expand the project into two special issues in light of the urgency of the topic and the broader geopolitical climate, this introduction is organized around five interconnected themes: (1) positioning race as foundational to internationalization; (2) framing internationalization as a set of power relations; (3) examining the …

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, …

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% …