Digital Commons Network^™

Neighborhood Connectedness Through Physical-Spatial Dimensions : A Case Study Of Communities Near Eastern Industrial Estates In Thailand, Tipsuda Janjamlah, Peeradorn Kaewlai

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Neighborhood connectedness is a key dimension of community well-being and resilience, yet prior research has focused largely on social ties while under examining the role of physical–spatial environments. Drawing on place attachment theory, this study investigates how spatial features shape neighborhood connectedness in the context of urban transformation near a major industrial estate in eastern Thailand. Data were collected from 411 residents across four neighborhoods, categorized as long-established “old” communities and recently developed “new” ones. A second-order confirmatory factor analysis was employed to develop and validate a multidimensional model of connectedness, comprising proximal facilities, pedestrian friendliness, vibrancy, pleasantness, road network, …

Policy Mapping For Direction On Green Vertical Housing Development In Indonesia, Dewi Larasati, Furry Andini Wilis, Dewi Nurhayati, Roiswahid Dimas Pangestu, Allis Nurdini, Arnott Ferels

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Indonesia’s rapid urbanization has accelerated the construction of vertical public housing as a state-led response to growing urban housing needs. Compared to the general housing sector, these projects hold strategic importance due to their large scale, policy alignment, and reliance on public financing. However, this expansion intensifies resource consumption and environmental degradation, particularly in the absence of mandatory green building (GB) standards. Although GB initiatives have been introduced across multiple sectors, their fragmented implementation and weak enforcement diminish their overall effectiveness. Vertical public housing, therefore, presents a key opportunity for policy innovation, where governmental authority can effectively institutionalize sustainability practices. …

Dwelling With The Fault : Cultural Landscape And Spatial Formation In Kampung Batu Lonceng, Indonesia, Widjaja Martokusumo, Rr. Diah Asih Purwaningrum, Medria Shekar Rani, M. Zaini Dahlan, Budi Faisal, Izazaya Binta, Irwan Meilano, Hirohide Kobayashi

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Since UNESCO formalized the concept of cultural landscapes in 1992, heritage discourse has shifted from monument-centric approaches toward values-based perspectives that foreground the dynamic interplay among people, place, and ecology. Within this framework, cultural landscapes offer a critical lens for understanding rural settlements not only as spatial configurations but also as embodiments of intangible knowledge and ecological adaptation.  This study investigates Kampung Batu Lonceng, a vernacular settlement situated along the active Lembang Fault in West Java, Indonesia. With historical traces dating back to the Neolithic period, the kampung exemplifies how spatial formation is shaped simultaneously by geomorphological vulnerabilities and long-standing …

Contextualizing Tree Defects And Risks In An Urban Tropical Campus, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Sirintra Vanno

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Tree failure poses a risk to property and people; however, there is limited data on tropical tree risk assessment, hindering effective risk management. Chulalongkorn University (CU) is an urban tropical forest campus in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The campus provides essential cultural, social, and ecological services but is subject to structural failure due to extreme weather and climate change that can cause severe consequences for property and public safety. This study aimed to carry out a tree risk assessment at CU using a form based on that of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  Altogether, 4,255 trees representing 256 …

Automating Dynamic Scaffolding Construction Progress Tracking Using Deep Learning-Based Semantic Image Segmentation, Natthapol Saovana, Chavanont Khosakitchalert

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Scaffolding plays a critical role in construction by providing safe access to elevated work areas, yet it is often overlooked in progress monitoring and omitted from reports and building information models (BIM) due to its temporary and dynamic nature. This study presents a deep learning–based semantic segmentation system for tracking scaffolding installation progress, distinguishing between scaffolding with and without safety sheets. A custom dataset of annotated site images was used to train the model, and performance was evaluated on both validation and test sets. The system achieved real-time processing speeds of 33.81 Frame Per Second (FPS) (validation) and 31.28 FPS …

Fiction Of Form : Beaux-Arts As Projective Grammar In Yang Tingbao’S Architecture (1930–1981), Tengzhou Feng

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article proposes “fiction of form” to examine how architectural form mediates ideological pressures from institutional mandates, state imperatives, and professional discourse while sustaining cultural resonance in China (1930–1981). Through a comparative reading of plans, elevations, and spatial sequences, the article traces how Yang’s Beaux-Arts–inspired design principles were adapted across three Chinese political regimes, as evidenced by Tsinghua University Library Extension (1930), Peace Hotel (Beijing, 1951), and Wuyi Hotel (Fujian, 1981). Respectively, these cases demonstrate institutional legibility achieved through axial order and hierarchical sequencing in the Republican Period (1912–1949); functional alignment via compositional neutrality and façade discipline under early PRC …

Quantifying The Restorative Effects Of Green–Water–Hardscape Ratios : Evidence From A Simulated Landscape Experiment In Chiang Mai, Hay Thar Htar Ei

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Modern life presents significant stressors that negatively impact mental well-being. While the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, effective stress management strategies are still crucial. This study explores the potential of landscape perception as a natural intervention to enhance proximal restorative outcomes. By investigating the physiological and psychological responses of individuals to diverse landscape stimuli, we aim to understand how specific combinations of landscape elements (e.g., green spaces, water features) can promote psychological restoration. The study design intended to collect psychological and physiological (heart rate and blood pressure) responses, measured before and after stress-inducing tests and landscape exposure. Scores …

“Para-Para Api” : Vernacular Architecture Of Nutmeg Farmers’ Settlements In The Banda Islands, Maluku, Indonesia, Joko Adianto, Rizki Hermawan, Hendrajaya Isnaeni, Christina Leigh Geros, Salsa Muafiroh, Muhamad Iko Kersapati, Nurachman Iriyanto, Mohamad Atqa

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article examines the Para-Para Api (PPA), a modest yet enduring form of vernacular architecture developed by nutmeg-farming households in the Banda Islands, Maluku. While spice-route scholarship has largely focused on palaces, forts, and trading ports, little attention has been given to the everyday structures that sustain nutmeg production. The study investigates the architectural characteristics and socio-cultural roles of the PPA, particularly how vernacular building practices adapted influences from colonial-era smokehouses within a household-scale context. Using qualitative methods that combine field surveys, architectural documentation, and semi-structured interviews with nutmeg farmers across several Bandanese settlements, the research analyzes construction techniques, spatial …

The Radiation Oncology Department : Design Guidelines, Implementation Challenges, And Lessons Learned In Thai Public Hospitals, Kullathida Sangnin, Traiwat Viryasiri, Vikrom Laovisutthichai, Noramon Panjapiyakul, Sasipa Onthong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The radiation oncology department (ROD) is a specialized healthcare unit utilizing advanced radiation technologies to deliver precise cancer treatment, which demand complex coordination of space, safety, and multidisciplinary workflows. Although several ROD design guidelines exist, they are tailored to developed economies, remain piecemeal, and lack comprehensive feedback from practitioners in other socio-cultural conditions regarding their implementation process, difficulties, and outcomes. This research thus (1) synthesizes ROD design guidelines, (2) investigates the implementation challenges, and (3) collects insights and experiences from healthcare professionals involved in ROD operations. A mixed-method approach is employed, incorporating literature review, construction drawing analysis, site visits, and …

The Felt City : Sensory–Cognitive Mapping Of Urban Atmospheres In Izmir, Turkey, Çağla Duygu Üstün, Fatma Ipek Ek

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the multi-sensory atmospheric qualities of two pedestrian corridors in İzmir, Turkey—Kıbrıs Şehitleri Avenue and Bornova Street—and examines how sensory input interacts with emotional and cognitive processes in shaping urban experience. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines an online questionnaire (n = 120) for case selection with in-situ aesthetic fieldwork based on guided walks and semi-structured elicitation (n = 20). The analytical framework is based on Böhme’s concept of atmosphere generators and is further extended through the notion of moodmosphere to capture cognitive–affective interpretations such as memory, attachment, and personal associations. Within this framework, the felt city …

Interchangeable Sensorial Encounters With Nature In Older Adults’ Domestic Space In Indonesia, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Ruth Kartika Purnasasmita, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Yandi Andri Yatmo, Demet Dincer

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates how older individuals encounter nature through sensorial contact in their domestic settings. It argues that nature should be integrated into the older adults’ domestic spaces to foster connections with nature that promote active living and improve their well-being. Such interactions with nature are captured by understanding the relationships between the degrees of connection with nature: viewing nature, being in nature, and doing in nature. This study was conducted through field observations and interviews with 24 older adults with varying physical capacities and levels of independence across 15 households in Jakarta and West Java. It further maps the …

Integrating Bangkok’S Western Canals For Micro-Mobility And Last-Mile Connectivity : A Spatial Analysis Of Man-Powered Paddle-Boat Movement, Sasima Chaichulee, Puntra Amphan, Parthorn Satitanon, Pasinee Jongraktanakit, Patiphol Yodsurang

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study presents an intentionally extreme analytical scenario to expose gaps in urban mobility planning by evaluating the potential of Bangkok’s western canal system to function as vernacular micro-mobility infrastructure for last-mile connectivity. The research provides the first empirical survey of canal-based mobility conducted using self-owned, man-powered paddle boats operated by local residents, generating primary data on everyday waterborne movement. Using geotagged field surveys and GIS-based spatial analysis, the study maps boat activity, access landings, navigability constraints, and connectivity to public transport. The results reveal concentrated corridors of active vernacular mobility alongside extensive segments constrained by sedimentation, fragmented hydrology, and …

Understanding Human-Agent Teaming: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Perceptions And Interactions, Valerie Robbins-Roth, Kendall Carmody, Bella Deloach, Meredith Carroll, Amanda Thayer, Jessica Wildman

Aeronautics Faculty Publications

While quantitative research on trust in HATs is well-established, there is a significant gap in understanding individuals’ subjective experiences during trust violations and repair. This study explores how people perceive and respond to these events, guided by three key questions: (1) How do participants describe emotional and behavioral responses to trust violations and repair? (2) How do personality traits influence reactions? (3) What qualitative themes emerge in the dissolution of trust? Using a mixed-methods approach, participants engaged in a 1-hour simulated search-and-rescue mission with four autonomous agents. During the task, one agent committed two trust violations, followed by repair attempts …

Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook: Integrating Facility Dogs Into Professional Chaplaincy Practice, Ann M. Snowberger

Doctor of Ministry

This project's researcher finds that Spiritual Care Facility Dog Teams (dog handlers and their dogs) lack resources and practical guides to advance Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care (CA-SC) in healthcare and facility settings. The Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and sustaining CA-SC programs. It promotes standardized terminology, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By featuring practical tools, case studies, and training plans, the handbook supports the professional development of chaplains. Its holistic framework enhances spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, while emphasizing the well-being of both handlers and their working dogs. The handbook’s focus on program sustainability and real-world …

Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus, traditionally viewed as an extracellular pathogen, is increasingly recognized for its ability to persist intracellularly, particularly within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle is central to osteomyelitis, a chronic bone infection characterized by persistent inflammation, bone destruction, and impaired repair. Within bone, S. aureus exploits macrophage plasticity by driving a shift from pro-inflammatory, bactericidal M1-like states to anti-inflammatory, tissue-reparative M2-like phenotypes. This polarization suppresses immune clearance and promotes an environment conducive to bacterial survival and dissemination. Additional strategies – including biofilm formation, small colony variants, and inhibition of phagolysosomal killing – further enhance persistence and immune evasion. While these …

Abcg5/Abcg8-Independent Mechanisms Fail To Maintain Sterol Balance In Mice Fed A High-Cholesterol Diet, Garrett B. Anspach, Rupinder Kaur, Isha Chauhan, Erika L. Savage, Brittney Poole, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Xiaoming Fu, Zeneng Wang, Clairity Voy, Ryan E. Temel, Scott M. Gordon, Robert N. Helsley, Gregory A. Graf

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

The ABCG5/ABCG8 (G5G8) sterol transporter opposes the accumulation of dietary xenosterols but is also the primary mediator of biliary cholesterol secretion. In humans and in mouse models of disrupted biliary cholesterol secretion, fecal neutral sterols (FNSs) remain constant, indicating the presence of an alternate pathway for cholesterol excretion. Transintestinal cholesterol elimination or excretion (TICE) is thought to compensate for biliary disruptions and G5G8 insufficiency. We sought to measure the compensatory increase in intestinal cholesterol secretion and provide mechanistic insight for how TICE maintains sterol balance in the absence of hepatic G5G8. Differences were not observed in FNSs between control, acute, …

Emotion Processing In Adolescents With Epilepsy And Healthy Controls Using Multi-Modal Neuroimaging, Frances Kathryn E. King

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Epilepsy is increasingly recognized as a disorder not only of seizures but also of widespread network dysfunction, impacting cognitive and emotional processing. One critical cognitive process affected in epilepsy is emotional conflict processing, which relies on the interplay of multiple brain networks. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of emotional conflict processing in epilepsy, particularly in adolescents, have remained poorly understood. This dissertation investigated the neural mechanisms underlying emotional conflict processing in typically developing adolescents and adolescents with epilepsy using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The first study elucidated the spatiotemporal profile of emotional conflict processing in 24 typically developing adolescents using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Cluster-based …

Neurovascular Coupling Impairments In Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: An Eeg-Nirs Analysis, Zachary Armstrong

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of neurological impairment, often leading to variable recovery and uncertain prognosis in the neurocritical care setting. There is a pressing clinical need for robust, physiologically grounded biomarkers to inform prognosis and therapeutic decision-making in acute TBI. This thesis investigates neurovascular coupling (NVC), the physiological coordination between neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow, as a candidate biomarker for brain function and recovery after injury.

A prospective cohort study was performed using simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) recordings in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI and healthy controls. Wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis was …

Sexual And Reproductive Health Access Among Racial/Ethnic Minority College Students, Srithanvi Pasunuri

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is critical for individual well-being, yet significant disparities in access persist among racial and ethnic minority college students in the United States. These inequities, driven by systemic barriers such as financial constraints, cultural stigmas, and inadequate campus resources, contribute to higher rates of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and poor health outcomes within these populations. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize existing literature on the barriers to SRH access for racial and ethnic minority college students, explore how cultural, social, and institutional factors influence service utilization, and assess interventions proven effective in …

Factors Involved On The Attribution Of Consciousness To Generative Artificial Intelligence And Its Impact On Trust, Sophia Fernanda Sakakibara Olgini Capello

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the cognitive factors influencing the perception of mind in generative artificial intelligence systems, focusing on the role of prior experiences with them, theory of mind (ToM), and the tendency to anthropomorphize. The research examined how these factors predict perceived consciousness in ChatGPT and impact users' trust in this system, specifically exploring: (1) how ToM and anthropomorphism contribute to AI consciousness perception, (2) how prior AI experiences influence consciousness attribution, (3) the relationship between consciousness attribution and trust in AI, and (4) how perceptions of AI consciousness relate to mind perception in other entities. Undergraduates (N= 220) completed …

Reentry Realities: Examining The Role Of Aftercare Programs In Supporting Justice-Involved Youth, Lynda Girven

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The current study examined if aftercare and reentry programs helped to reduce recidivism among youth who have been involved in the juvenile system, and specifically, youth released from residential placement facilities. Different components of aftercare programs were also examined, such as the inclusion of mentoring or family support, how many services were offered, and if the program followed the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model. Through completing a systematic review of studies published since 2008, five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All five studies found that the youth who received services through aftercare programs were less likely to reoffend than youth …

Examining The Impact Of Resilience And Sense Of Community On Mental Health And Academic Performance, Samara B. Coleman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Within the United States, a third of college-aged young adults are diagnosed with at least one psychological disorder. Resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, has been shown to help mitigate the adverse effects of burnout and stress, and support academic performance in some cases. Additionally, a sense of community has also been shown to be crucial in buffering the negative consequences of adversity. The following research questions guide this study: 1) How significant a role does the community play in resilience and mental health? 2) How does resiliency relate to the academic performance of students experiencing varying levels …

The Evolution Of Surveillance And The Decline Of Privacy, Alan J. Geyer

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study directly examines how surveillance law and technology have evolved in the United States and how privacy rights have declined correspondingly. The study specifically focuses on how advancements in surveillance technology have overstepped the boundaries of Fourth Amendment protections and analyzes whether these provisions are adequate for protecting citizens in the modern technological era. The study explores newly employed methods of technological surveillance, such as facial recognition, data collection, and automated license plate readers. It focuses on how government surveillance programs have reshaped legal and ethical understandings of privacy. The changes in surveillance and technology have been analyzed by …

Why Are Children's Health Outcomes Different In Counties Across The United States?, Caylen Pavlicek

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper explores the relationship between family income and health outcomes for children across counties in the United States, focusing on low birth weight as a key indicator. Income disparities among counties often correlate with varying health outcomes for children, particularly those born into lower-income families who lack the resources for adequate healthcare. Utilizing data from 3,113 counties, I examine the impact of income, education, rural versus urban location, healthcare access, and other social determinants on children's health, with a specific focus on birth weight. The findings reveal a strong negative correlation between median household income and low birth weight, …

Palm Oil Expansion: Carrying On The Legacy Of Colonial Exploitation In Indonesia, Melinda Burgin

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Today, plantation agriculture in Indonesia is dominated by palm oil expansion. While the palm oil industry has frequently been touted as an economic boon for Indonesia, the environmental and social consequences have been dire, particularly for Indigenous peoples. Oil palm cultivation has been a part of Indonesian agriculture since its introduction by Dutch traders in the mid 19th century, but palm oil production in Indonesia really exploded in the 1990s, as seen in Figure 1. Since then, palm oil production has been a leading cause of deforestation (Austin, 2019) and caused devastation to indigenous communities as they lose swathes of …

How Much Does America Hate Black Women?, Franchesca Smith

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper explores the relationship between sociocultural factors and intersectionality by way of economic inequalities. Intersectionality is a phenomenon that receives little to no examination especially in regards to Black women. The following research uses the theories of intersectionality, human capital, and institutional to examine which has the most significant effect on the wages of Black women compared to other demographics. Findings suggest that the intersectionality of Black women does have a substantial wage gap, but the correlation is positive, which is not true for the variables Black and women when separated. Additionally, the research suggests that the human capital …

Navigating The Intersections: Immigration, Diversity Of The Workforce, Precarious Work, And Vulnerabilities In Occupational Safety And Health, Daniel Côté, Jessica Dubé

Éditoriaux, lettres à l'éditeur

Dans un contexte de mondialisation croissante, la migration est une réalité incontournable qui expose les travailleurs migrants et autochtones à des conditions précaires et à des vulnérabilités accrues en matière de santé et sécurité du travail (SST). Les formes d’emploi précaires – contrats temporaires, travail à temps partiel ou informel – touchent de manière disproportionnée ces travailleurs, limitant leur accès aux droits et protections. Les travailleurs autochtones, particulièrement en milieu rural et dans des secteurs à risque, font face à des défis similaires en raison de marginalisations historiques et structurelles.

Ce texte présente les cinq articles de la section spéciale …

Role Of Online Health Information Resources In Shaping Self Confidence Of Nursing And Midwifery Students In The Digital Era At Aga Khan University, Tanzania, Getrude Ngowi, Jackline Estomihi Kiwelu

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Digital technologies have transformed the way people learn in the current age. Innovative multimedia online nursing and midwifery information resources have improved nursing education and brought about adaptive, interactive, and collaborative learning. This study aims to find out whether the online nursing information resources provided at Aga Khan University Tanzania are shaping the self-confidence of nurses and midwives in the digital era, to understand gaps and areas for improvement. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research approach were used. The researchers collecting data using online Google Forms, which were analysed thematically through Atlas ti. The results revealed that persistent …

Benedict's Gospel Vision: Chapters 36 And 53 Of The Rule Of St Benedict, Barbara Marincel

Obsculta

This is a comparison exegesis of the Rule of Benedict’s Chapters 36 and 53 with Chapters 69-70 and 79 in the Rule of the Master. Chapters 36, “The Sick Brothers,” and 53, “The Reception of Guests,” demonstrate how the central themes of caritas, service, and hospitality are present in the RB, as the sick person and the guest are to be treated and received as if they are Christ. The kindness and compassion with which the vulnerable person is to be tended exemplifies Benedict’s vision of the Gospel as seen throughout his rule and greatly contrasts with the Rule of …

The Mystery Of Faith In Dialogue With The History Of God And Human Beings, Melissa Tovar-Guerrero

Obsculta

The mysteries of God are unfathomable, and for this reason theology uses analogies to express its meanings. The purpose of this paper is to develop some reflections on how I understand theology. To begin, I would like to make an analogy to highlight the importance of dialogue, stories, and their contexts in theology: we are made of stories, we are the stories we build with words, our contexts are determined by the way we dialogue, and stories shape the cosmogony that gives meaning to our lives. In the construction of stories, dialogues and contexts are fundamental because they connect the …