Digital Commons Network^™

Khirbat Khuwweikha (Kafr Kanna): Hiding Complexes From The Roman And Early Byzantine Periods In The Jewish Galilee, Yinon Shivtiel, Dror Barshad, Dina Avshalom-Gorni, Nili Ahipaz, Ruthy Lewis-Bloom, Yonatan Adler, Ram Bouchnick, Yarden Pagelson, Uri Berger

Qadum: Journal of Excavation Reports from Israel

Decades of research on Roman-period hiding complexes in the Galilee have identified 85 such complexes to date. Like the hiding complexes found in Judea, they were used as places of refuge during periods of distress under Roman rule in the country. Extensive archaeological excavations conducted in the hiding complex at Khirbat Khuwweikha, near Kafr Kanna and northwest of Nazareth, have yielded impressive finds, including pottery, glassware, metal items, coins, an ostracon and bones. Such a large quantity of diagnostic finds is rare in Galilean hiding complexes, and the assemblage attests to the use of the complex by Jews during three …

Environment-Based Constructivism Learning To Increase Elementary School Students' Awareness Of Social Change, Dina Diana

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

Social and natural science learning in primary schools should enable students to understand social change as a phenomenon closely connected to their daily lives. However, teacher-centered classroom practices often limit students’ ability to relate social concepts to their local environment. This study aims to describe the implementation of environment-based constructivist learning to improve fourth-grade students’ awareness of social change, analyze its success indicators, and identify supporting and inhibiting factors. A descriptive qualitative design was employed involving 20 fourth-grade students at SDN 2 Karang Jati. Data were collected through oral questioning, classroom observation, simple community interviews, documentation, observer notes, and student …

Policing Course, Adrian Bordoni

Open Educational Resources

Policng course divided in 8 modules: includes readings, videos, interactive assignments, discussion boards Final ppaer and presentation to support topics

Did The Year 2025 Force African Journalism To Confront Its Future? A Review Of Scholarship And Practice, Gregory Gondwe

Communication Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Experimentation, Adaptability, And Ingenuity In The Community Art Studio, Louisa Mary Drab

Expressive Therapies Theses

To examine the question, “How can community art making in an open studio embolden women through creative adaptability, ingenuity, and experimentation?” a mosaic project was conducted over four sessions with women attending an art studio at a day shelter. Current literature illustrates the scope of success open studio has had in promoting community connectivity through the communion of individuality. The expressive therapies continuum, open studio approach, trauma-informed care, and the therapeutic alliance are the pillars that informed this exploration. This community engagement project melded together structural components of mosaic-making with the tenets of open studio, where guiding and sharing are …

Improving Nursing Compliance With Pressure Injury Prevention In Postoperative Patients In The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Chingyi Lam

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Pressure injuries acquired in the hospital continue to be a major concern in patient safety among critically ill populations. The purpose of the quality improvement project was to improve nursing compliance with pressure injury prevention strategies among postoperative patients in a cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU). Patients who undergo cardiovascular surgery are at a high risk of developing pressure injuries due to immobility, sedation, vasopressors, and prolonged positioning on their backs. The quality improvement project was carried out in a 37-bed CVICU using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement and Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles. Data on nursing repositioning …

Spatial Extent And Vertical Structure Of Marine Heatwaves In Chesapeake Bay, Nathan P. Shunk, Piero L. F. Mazzini, Ryan K. Walter, Kyle E. Hinson, Pierre St-Laurent, Marjorie A. M. Friedrichs

Physics

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) adversely impact marine ecosystems globally, yet data scarcity limits our understanding of their subsurface extent, particularly in estuaries. Using a high-resolution regional ocean model, we characterized the horizontal extent and subsurface structure of MHWs across the Chesapeake Bay (CB). Additionally, we developed a supplementary definition for local climatology-identified MHWs, “Vertical MHWs,” which quantifies their water column presence, and developed a new MHW vertical classification scheme. Surface MHWs were generally shorter, more frequent and intense, and impacted ∼5% of the CB surface area, while the deepest MHWs were generally longer, less frequent and intense, and regularly occupied >50% …

Influence Of Polyvinyl Alcohol Content On Starch-Based Bioplastic Reinforced With Chitosan And Microcrystalline Cellulose, Bagus Kharisma Putra, Andoko Andoko, Mochamad Viky Afandy, Muhammad Faizullah Pasha, Riduwan Prasetya

Chimica et Natura Acta

Starch-based bioplastics are promising sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics; however, their limited mechanical strength and stability restrict broader packaging applications. This study investigates the influence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) content on the structural and functional properties of starch-based bioplastic films reinforced with chitosan and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Films prepared by solution casting with varying PVA compositions were characterized in terms of density, mechanical properties, thermal stability, biodegradation behavior, antibacterial activity, and structural features. Increasing PVA content produced denser film structures with improved tensile strength and thermal stability, while elongation at break reached its maximum at the intermediate formulation, indicating a …

Clustering And Switching As A Scoring System In Indonesian Three Word Fluency Tests, Heni Gerda Pesau, Gilles Van Luijtelaar

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

The number of correctly produced words is the primary output variable n most verbal fluency tests. The examination of the number of clusters and cluster size achieves a more in-depth analyses of cognitive aspects and processes. We propose a scoring system for phonemic, semantic, and emotion word fluency tests in the Indonesian context. This study aimed to determine the underlying cognitive constructs of the participants, including the clustering and switching indices, using principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 150 participants were included, and the tests were administered online following a previously validated protocol. The three fluency tests loaded different …

Effects Of Warming On Growth And Leaf Colonization By Litter Mat-Forming Fungi In A Wet Tropical Forest In Puerto Rico, Ari E. Puentes, D. Jean Lodge, Deyaneira A. Ortiz-Iglesias, Tatiana Barreto-Vélez, Laura C. Rubio-Lebrón, Hieu Chu, Christine S. O'Connell, Sasha C. Reed, Tana E. Wood

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Wet tropical forests are experiencing rising temperatures and increased frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, such as cyclones, which can increase rates of soil erosion and surface runoff. Fungal litter mats, formed by agaric decomposer fungi, play a crucial role in stabilizing slopes, preventing erosion, and aiding nutrient cycling; however, little is known about how warming affects litter mat growth and function. We investigated two litter mat-forming fungi, Gymnopus johnstonii and Marasmius aff. crinis-equi, in warmed (+4°C above ambient) and control plots in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. Growth and time-to-leaf colonization were monitored over 6 weeks …

Brain Age Prediction In Generalized Anxiety Disorder Using A Convolutional Neural Network, Corey Richier, André Zugman, Anita Harrewijn, Elise M Cardinale, Parmis Khosravi, Moji Aghajani, Willem B Bruin, Kevin Hilbert, Narcis Cardoner, Daniel Porta-Casteràs, Marta Cano, Savannah Gosnell, Ramiro Salas, Andrea P Jackowski, Pedro M Pan, Giovanni A Salum, Karina S Blair, James R Blair, Mohammed R Milad, Katie L Burkhouse, K Luan Phan, Heidi K Schroeder, Jeffrey R Strawn, Katja Beesdo-Baum, Neda Jahanshad, Sophia I Thomopoulos, Jared A Nielsen, Jordan W Smoller, Jair C Soares, Benson Mwangi, Mon-Ju Wu, Giovana B Zunta-Soares, Michal Assaf, Gretchen J Diefenbach, Paolo Brambilla, Eleonora Maggioni, David Hofmann, Thomas Straube, Carmen Andreescu, Rebecca B Price, Gisele G Manfro, Federica Agosta, Elisa Canu, Camilla Cividini, Massimo Filippi, Milutin Kostić, Ana Munjiza Jovanovic, Brenda Benson, Gabrielle F Freitag, Ellen Leibenluft, Grace V Ringlein, Kathryn Werwath, Hannah Zwiebel, Hans J Grabe, Sandra Van Der Auwera, Katharina Wittfeld, Henry Völzke, Robin Bülow, Nicholas L Balderston, Monique Ernst, Lilianne R Mujica-Parodi, Helena Van Nieuwenhuizen, Hugo D Critchley, Elena Makovac, Matteo Mancini, Frances Meeten, Cristina Ottaviani, Gregory A Fonzo, Martin P Paulus, Murray B Stein, Raquel E Gur, Ruben C Gur, Antonia N Kaczkurkin, Bart Larsen, Theodore D Satterthwaite, Jennifer Harper, Michael T Perino, Chad M Sylvester, Qiongru Yu, Patrick Mcclure, Francisco Pereira, Ulrike Lueken, Dick J Veltman, Paul M Thompson, Nynke A Groenewold, Janna Marie Bas-Hoogendam, Dan J Stein, Nic J A Van Der Wee, Anderson M Winkler, Daniel S Pine, Chelsea K Sawyers

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Higher predicted brain age difference has been associated with several psychiatric disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with markers of accelerated aging. In this study, we determined brain predicted age difference (PAD) in individuals with GAD and healthy controls (HC) as well as group differences in PAD variability using voxel-wise structural MRI. The training dataset included 3511 controls, and the testing dataset included 1595 individuals with GAD and 4552 HC from the ENIGMA-Anxiety GAD Working Group. A convolutional neural network model using four input modalities per subject and a model ensemble approach was used to predict brain age. The …

Development Of A Seudati Culture Fusion-Based Digital Flipbook To Strengthen Cultural Literacy And Humanities Learning Outcomes Of Grade V Students, Ainal Mardiah, Lili Kasmini, Siti Mayang Sari, Muhammad Zulhairi Zubairi

Jurnal Pendidikan Humaniora

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a Seudati Culture Fusion-based digital flipbook designed to strengthen cultural literacy and humanities learning outcomes among Grade V elementary school students. The study employed a Research and Development (R&D) design using the ADDIE model, consisting of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation stages. The development process was grounded in the need to provide culturally responsive digital teaching materials that connect classroom learning with local identity, social practices, and students’ lived experiences. The study involved Grade V students, classroom teachers, and expert validators consisting of content, media, and language experts. Data were collected through …

The Role Of Media In Enhancing The Awareness Of Jordanian University Students About The Risks Of Energy Drinks, Rasha Salameh, R. Abuhasirah

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This article aimed to explore the role of media in enhancing the awareness of Jordanian university students regarding the health risks associated with energy drink consumption. The article employed a media audience survey method, applied to a Quota sample of 300 students from diverse academic disciplines (humanities, health sciences, and natural sciences) at Yarmouk University (public) and Middle East University (private). Data were collected between March 10 and April 15, 2025. The results indicated that energy drink consumption was higher among Middle East University students (55.4%) compared to Yarmouk University students (44.6%). Furthermore, students in the humanities reported higher consumption …

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Developing Science Journalism Strategies And Enhancing Political Awareness, Enad Akif Al-Jallad

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study aimed to analyze the role of artificial intelligence in developing science journalism strategies and enhancing its capacity to raise political awareness. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical methodology through a review of relevant literature and an analysis of scientific content related to artificial intelligence technologies and their media applications. It also relied on a set of applied experiences in science journalism, including The Guardian’s coverage of climate issues and Al Jazeera Net’s reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and its connection to health policies.

The findings revealed that science journalism serves as a fundamental tool for transferring knowledge to the …

The Reality Of Digital Journalism In Jordan's Treatment Of Mental Illness After The Coronavirus Pandemic (An Analytical Study), Sura Mohammad Shatnawi

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study aims to analyze how the Jordanian digital press addresses mental illness in the post-Coronavirus pandemic, in light of the growing need for professional media coverage that promotes community awareness of mental health. The study relied on content analysis as one of the appropriate methods to examine media messages and extract the semantic patterns inherent in the texts. A content analysis questionnaire and screener were used to categorize journalistic materials according to a number of professional and content indicators. The study sample included Al-Rai and Ammon news websites as two of the most prominent digital news platforms in Jordan, …

The Use Of Social Media By Jordanian Science Journalists And Its Implications For The Accuracy Of Journalistic Content, Farah Yahya Zaatreh

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study aimed to explore the use of social media by Jordanian science journalists and its implications for the accuracy of journalistic content. The descriptive-analytical method was adopted, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary research tool. The study sample consisted of 178 journalists, all members of the Jordanian Press Association who use social media in covering scientific issues. The results revealed that the majority of journalists primarily rely on social media to gather scientific information, with Facebook being the most preferred platform (61.8%). Furthermore, the spread of unverified scientific news was identified as a significant threat to journalistic credibility, with …

Jordanian Digital Media Organizations Rely On Artificial Intelligence To Produce Scientific Content, Baraa Kamal Abdul Latif Abu Humam

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

The research aims to identify the extent to which workers in Jordanian digital media organizations rely on artificial intelligence in the production of scientific content, by knowing the extent of Jordanian digital media's coverage of scientific content, and the most prominent types of scientific content that rely on artificial intelligence techniques in its production, what are the most prominent roles that artificial intelligence plays during the production of scientific content, and what are the most prominent artificial intelligence techniques used in the production of scientific content, and the  study belongs to descriptive research, and relies on the field survey method, …

Media And Climate Change: Responsibilities And Tasks, Kamel Khurshid Murad, Najm A. Alhatimi, Muhammed Kamel Al-Quran

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

The study aimed to examine the role of the media in enhancing public awareness of climate change and to assess how media framing of content influences individuals’ beliefs, responses to climate-related messages, and subsequent behaviors. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. A survey was conducted with 142 academics and university students to evaluate the media’s role in covering climate change issues and to determine their level of trust in the presented content. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five experts specializing in journalism and media, including professionals in media management and program hosting. The findings …

Breaking Barriers: A Literature Review On The Experiences Of Black Male Librarians In Urban Academic Libraries, Quintis Pinder

Urban Library Journal

This literature review examines the underrepresentation of Black male librarians in academic libraries, focusing on systemic barriers that they face, such as stereotype threat, microaggressions, and lack of mentorship. It explores the challenges to their career advancement and leadership opportunities, highlighting the influence of racial and gender biases in the workplace. The review also discusses the strategies Black male librarians use to navigate these obstacles, including personal coping mechanisms, mentorship, and support from professional organizations like the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, advocating for …

Stoker-Fired Laboratory Boiler As A Tool For Optimising The Solid Fuel Combustion Process, Przemysław Rompalski, Justyna Guzy-Proc, Mariusz Kieczek

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This paper presents the results of quality testing performed on a stoker-fired laboratory boiler to present the technical potential of the boiler as a tool for optimising the combustion process of prepared solid fuels (granulate, energy blend) in the context of current demands related to the decarbonisation policy. The comprehensive testing of such fuels at a laboratory scale makes it possible to gain deep insights into the quality parameters of the fuel, flue gas and combustion waste, as well as to determine the combustion process parameters before the fuel is introduced for combustion in broader power engineering and household boilers. …

Stronger Together Program: Justice For Latino Youth Involved In The Juvenile Justice System, Leyla Feize, Marisa Ugalde, John M. Gonzalez, Tamer Oraby

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Adolescents are vulnerable to delinquent behaviors during their period of cognitive and emotional development. Latino adolescents are often more vulnerable to delinquency behaviors and are over-involved in the juvenile system. Ten Latino youths and 15 parents/guardians participated in a culturally adapted Functional Family Therapy (FFT) intervention program. The behavioral change of the youths was measured using pre- and post-test scores on the Sorensen Self-Esteem test questionnaire and the Low Self-Control Measure. The parents/guardians’ behavioral change was measured using pre- and post-test scores from the Family Interpersonal Relationship Questionnaire. The results indicated that the youths’ self-esteem increased. The change in self-control …

Justice On Autopilot: Comparing Predictive Litigation And Data Justice In Bay Area Municipal Governments, Darris M. Thomas

Master's Projects and Capstones

This Capstone project examines how Bay Area municipal governments, specifically the City and County of San Francisco, Alameda County, San Mateo County, and Santa Clara County, are adopting and governing predictive litigation technologies, and what these practices reveal about the possibilities and limitations of data justice in advancing racial equity, transparency, and public accountability. Drawing on a qualitative, comparative case study methodology analyzing procurement contracts, AI governance policies, California Public Records Act (CPRA) disclosures, and semi-structured interviews gathered across fifteen municipal legal institutions, the research applies an interdisciplinary theoretical framework synthesizing John Rawls’s distributive fairness, Nancy Fraser’s recognition justice, Tom …

Evaluation Of Spontaneous Awakening And Breathing Trials Prior To Mechanical Ventilator Extubation To Enhance Intensive Care Unit Liberation, Shelby Taranto

Doctoral Projects

Spontaneous Awakening and Breathing Trials (SAT/SBT) might be central to early extubation by decreasing total ventilator time and reducing the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Unfortunately, these trials often have not been conducted consistently in the ICU. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the frequency of SAT/SBT performed prior to mechanical ventilator extubation on total ventilator time in hours and LOS. Quality improvement aims were: (1) to ascertain if an extubation readiness tool could be easily followed and documented, and (2) to evaluate if an extubation readiness tool would add value in clinical practice. A …

What Complexity Costs: Growth, Productive Capability, And The Vulnerability Of Interconnectedness, Pete Mcniff

Master's Theses

Growth depends on the sophistication of what an economy can produce, but economies that have specialized more deeply depend on the market access that sustains it. I test whether this dependence makes complex economies more vulnerable when access is disrupted, computing the Economic Complexity Index (ECI) from firm-level records in the U.S. Census of Manufactures (1850--1880) and using the Panic of 1873 as a natural experiment to measure county-level market access shocks from railroad bond defaults following Dutta (2024) and Donaldson and Hornbeck (2016). ECI predicts production and employment growth across all three decade windows, with the association strengthening as …

The Impact Of Sovereign Wealth Funds On Emerging Markets: A Behavioral Analysis Of Investment Decisions And Market Reactions, Grant A. Mosshart

Senior Honors Theses

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) are increasingly influential in emerging markets, yet the behavioral drivers behind their investments remain underexplored. In this paper, an analysis of SWF capital’s impact on economic development and the psychological factors, such as optimism bias and herding, that shape these decisions is examined. Utilizing a mixed-methods comparative study, the research analyzes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings. Event study analysis reveals a divergent impact: the PIF’s high-profile developmental commitment to India generated a positive 5-day Cumulative Abnormal Return of +2.05%, confirming a macro-level “seal of approval” signaling effect. By contrast, Temasek’s commercially …

Associations Between Neighborhood Disadvantage, Cannabis Use, And Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Patients With Cancer, Brittney Greene, Shilpa Ghosh, Craig Colder, Salimah Meghani, Brooke Worster, Rebecca Ashare

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis use is proliferating among oncological populations. However, research is limited on whether cannabis routes and sources are associated with neighborhood disadvantage and whether it moderates the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This analysis evaluates the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and cannabis source and route, and their association with PROs.

METHODS: Analyses included 106 patients with cancer from varying levels of neighborhood disadvantage. Logistic regressions tested the association of neighborhood disadvantage with cannabis source (i.e., regulated vs. unregulated) and route (i.e., inhaled vs. consumed/other formulations). Multilevel regressions tested the association of neighborhood disadvantage with PROs (e.g., …

How Fe(Ii)/2-Oxoglutarate Oxygenase Chooses Chlorination Over Hydroxylation: Electric Field-Driven Ligand Exchange Governs C-Cl Formation, Simahudeen Bathir Jaber Sathik Rifayee, Midhun George Thomas, Anandhu Krishnan, Kritika Gupta, Carter Davis, Tatyana Karabencheva-Christova, Christo Z. Christov

Michigan Tech Publications

Non-heme Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent halogenases catalyze highly selective C-H halogenation. BesD is a non-heme Fe(II)/2OG halogenase that performs regio- and stereoselective chlorination of the l-lysine (l-Lys) substrate. Understanding the mechanism by which halogenation is favored over canonical hydroxylation is essential for guiding enzyme engineering efforts aimed at converting hydroxylases into halogenases. Here, we combine molecular dynamics (MD) and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations to elucidate the origin of chlorination selectivity in BesD and variants derived from a homologous hydroxylase. Our results indicate that, although the initial inline Cl-Fe(III)-OH intermediate is inherently predisposed toward hydroxylation, it undergoes a two-step isomerization in …

Field Monitoring And Geometric Representation Of A Uhpc-Repaired Bridge Structure, Robert Lawler

Honors Scholar Theses

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) has shown promise in bridge rehabilitation broadly, but its application to steel gusset plate repair represents a novel use case with limited prior research. Therefore, when the Commodore Isaac Hull Bridge in Derby, Connecticut, was issued an emergency declaration due to gusset plate section loss, a UHPC repair was implemented. This project represented the first known field implementation of this type of UHPC gusset plate repair, marking a significant advancement in the rehabilitation of deteriorated steel bridge components. To support long-term performance assessment and ensure the success of the repair, field monitoring efforts were also incorporated …

Increasing Students’ Self-Efficacy In Consuming, Conducting, And Disseminating Neuroimaging Research: Experiences From Teaching Edps 991: Social And Affective Neuroscience, Isabella Starling Alves

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Social and emotional factors are critical for learning, being core aspects of the educational  psychology curricula. Recently, neuroimaging has emerged as a powerful tool to  comprehend the neurobiological factors underlying these factors. Yet, many educational  psychologists have low familiarity with neuroscience research. The course EDPS 991:  Social and Affective Neuroscience, from the Department of Educational Psychology at the  University of Nebraska-Lincoln, emerges in this context, training educational psychology  graduate students to consume, conduct, and disseminate findings about how the brain  relates to socioemotional processes. One challenge related to the course is that many  students feel anxious about learning the neuroimaging …

Effectiveness Of Wastewater Treatment Technologies For Pharmaceutical Removal In Bogotá, Colombia, Lady Palomino

Master's Projects and Capstones

Pharmaceutical compounds are increasingly detected in urban water systems worldwide, posing significant ecological and public health risks in cities where wastewater treatment infrastructure is insufficient to remove them. This study evaluates the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in Bogotá's wastewater systems, the effectiveness of current treatment technologies for their removal, and the regulatory and monitoring gaps that hinder their management as emerging contaminants of concern. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in municipal and hospital wastewater, as well as in effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and receiving surface waters in Colombia, with particular focus …