Digital Commons Network^™

Preliminary Sonification Of Enso Using Traditional Javanese Gamelan Scales, Sandy Hs Herho, Rusmawan Suwarman, Nurjanna J. Trilaksono, Iwan P. Anwar, Faiz R. Fajary

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Sonification—the mapping of data to non-speech audio—offers an underexplored channel for representing complex dynamical systems. We treat El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a canonical example of low-dimensional climate chaos, as a test case for culturally-situated sonification evaluated through complex systems diagnostics. Using parameter-mapping sonification of the Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly index (1870–2024), we encode ENSO variability into two traditional Javanese gamelan pentatonic systems (pelog and slendro) across four composition strategies, then analyze the resulting audio as trajectories in a two- dimensional acoustic phase space. Recurrence-based diagnostics, convex hull ge- ometry, and coupling analysis reveal that the sonification …

Reducing Systemic Bias In Behavioral Targeting Using Explainable Ai: The Harmonia Complex Systems Approach, Ruchira Deokar, Preethi Nanjundan, Jossy P. George, Carlos Gershenson

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Behavioral targeting is a key part of the modern advertising web's algorithmic engine. However, it is unclear whether optimization processes worsen bias, promote unchecked spread in filter bubbles or lower overall users' trust levels. This paper introduces HARMONIA (Holistic Adaptive Regulatory Model for Optimizing Non-transparent Intelligent Advertising), a comprehensive, data-driven Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) framework aimed at transforming behavioral targeting via transparency, interpretability, and adaptive ethical regulation. This paper conducted a comprehensive Explorative Data Analysis (EDA) on the public Criteo Display Advertising Dataset, which contains over 45 million records, to identify patterns in high-dimensional user-ad interaction space. This analysis uncovered …

Entiscum Yrfe Ealdniflunga: Meter And Poetic Style In Tolkien’S Old English Attila, Galen Miller-Atkins

Journal of Tolkien Research

Tolkien famously wrote several poems in Old English and Gothic; however, these remain understudied for their philological and poetic qualities relative to his modern English poetic corpus. In the Old English Poem of Attila Tolkien adapts the Old Norse poem Atlakviða into Old English. This essay analyzes the meter and poetic techniques in Old English Poem of Attila, especially in relation to the closely related, Eddic poem Atlakviða. The Old English Poem of Attila exhibits verse patterns and vocabulary from the Old Norse original, but it is firmly rooted in the Old English poetic tradition. Tolkien deliberately blends …

Relation Between Swelling Potential And Swelling Pressure For Different Types Of Expansive Clay Of New Cairo, Sherouk Hany Mohamed, Amr Radwan, Mohammed Rabie, Hussein Mostafa

HBRC Journal

The purpose of this paper is to present correlations that may help in predicting swelling pressure (P_S) and swelling potential (SP) for expansive clay, which can contribute to solving engineering problems such as cracking, shifting or other structural damage, that may occur, if the behavior of this type of soil is not taken into consideration. Therefore, in this research, five different samples of expansive clay soils were collected from different site locations in New Cairo, Egypt. Then, these samples were dried, pulverized and passed through sieve No. 40 (0.425 mm). The samples were prepared initially at maximum dry …

Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage Versus Wrist Splinting For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Phiyaphon Poonsuk, Sunyarn Niempoog, Jurairat Boonruab, Watchara Damjuti

Journal of Health Research

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy at the wrist that affects palmar function. Court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) is a deep-pressure method that may alleviate nerve compression. However, its efficacy remains inadequately established. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of CTTM and wrist splinting (WS) in CTS patients.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned into two groups and underwent a 4-week. In the first group, patients received CTTM twice a week, while the second group received WS every day at night only. Pain intensity (VAS), symptom severity scale (Thai BCTQ-S), functional status scale …

Balneotherapy For Sleep Improvement And Reducing Depression In Knee Osteoarthritis Patients, Anca Paula Ciurba, Alexandru Bogdan Ilieș, Ionel Haidu, Doriana Ioana Ciobanu, Theodora Ursu, Florin Mihai Marcu, Dorina Ianc

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition and a leading cause of global disability, often associated with pain, depression, and sleep disturbances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of warm mineral water combined with physical therapy on sleep quality, depression and pain intensity in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: The study involved 101 subjects (68.78±6.92 years) who were assigned to  a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG). All subjects benefited from physical therapy and electrotherapy for 10 days. The experimental group additionally benefited from therapy with hot mineral water. …

Away Rotation Participation And Ophthalmology Match Outcomes, Jeremy N. Shapiro, William J. Benjamin, Nicholas R. Lenze, Angela P. Mihalic, Anjali R. Shah, Ariane D. Kaplan

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Recent surveys suggest that a majority of students applying to the ophthalmology residency match participate in rotations that are not at their home institution (away rotations). There is limited information on the relationship between completion of away rotations, residency interview offers and match success rates.

Purpose: To evaluate relationships between away rotation participation and ophthalmology residency interview offers and match success rates.

Methods: The Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (Texas STAR) database compiles responses to the Texas STAR survey, an opt-in, anonymous survey offered to all graduating US MD/DO students to collect data on …

The Association Of Having Physician Parents With Medical Students’ Intention To Pursue Ophthalmology: An Aamc Analysis, Shamila Ladak, Anam Akhlaq, Rahel M. Imru, Laura K. Green, Ambar Faridi, Grace Sun,, Fasika A. Woreta

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Having a physician parent may influence a medical students’ career choices. However, limited data exists regarding the relationship between having a physician parent and medical students’ intention to pursue ophthalmology, which remains a highly competitive specialty.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of physician parents among U.S. medical students intending to pursue ophthalmology and identify associated demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using deidentified data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) administered between 2016 and 2022. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine associations …

The Effect Of Covid-19 On Research Productivity Among Matched Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Applicants, Andre Galenchik-Chan, Thomas Ren, Kelli Jablon, Aleksandra Krajewski

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery (OPRS) is one of the most competitive ophthalmology subspecialities, and scholarly productivity has been regarded as an important criterion for fellowship matching.

Purpose: To calculate changes in research productivity among matched OPRS fellowship candidates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We identified U.S. OPRS fellows who started training from 2020 through 2022 via publicly available fellowship rosters. For each, we extracted gender, training institution, and publication records from PubMed and ResearchGate. We considered peer-reviewed publications before fellowship status. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine correlations between productivity and post-fellowship publication output. …

Development Of The U.S. Academic Ophthalmology Faculty Database (Us-Aofd): A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis, Brenton T. Bicknell, Josephine M. Rudd Zhong Manis, Haley Chishom, Yejin Heo, Lance Dzubinski, Alvina Liang, Taylor L. Aaserud, Shayan Massoumi, Thanushri Srikantha, John Stoffer, Emily Mccourt, Sruthi Arepalli, Beeran Meghpara, Ayan Chatterjee, Basil K. Williams, Janice Law, Steven E. Brooks, Robert Tauscher

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Academic ophthalmology plays a critical role in advancing eye care and training the next generation of ophthalmologists. However, comprehensive data on the U.S. academic ophthalmology workforce remains limited. Existing databases focus on individual subspecialties or specific demographics, without capturing a national, integrated perspective.

Purpose: To develop and analyze the U.S. Academic Ophthalmology Faculty Database (US-AOFD), a comprehensive, national resource that characterizes the demographic composition, academic ranks, leadership roles, and research productivity of ophthalmology faculty at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)–accredited programs in the United States.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study compiled data for 4,028 …

Screening For Food Insecurity In An Outpatient Ophthalmology Clinic: A Health Equity- Quality Improvement Fellowship Project, Christine Coward, Tricia Jacobson, Mahadevan Subramanian, Sharon Ojo, Theresa Green, Neil Seligman, Jan Schriefer

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Various social determinants of health have been implicated in ophthalmic diseases, with food insecurity being particular important, given the link between food and conditions such as diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Although quality improvement initiatives that address food insecurity screening exist, data extending to the ophthalmic clinical setting is limited.

Purpose: We implemented a health equity quality improvement fellowship project to improve screening for food insecurity in an urban ophthalmology outpatient clinic that sees adults and children.

Methods: Several initiatives were implemented in an attempt to reach a goal of 80% of patients screened for food insecurity. …

Impact Of An Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (Okap) Pre-Test: A Pilot Study At Two Institutions, Lindsey S. Fields, Jee Young Moon, Saras Ramanathan, Matthew S. Wieder, Jamie B. Rosenberg

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: A formal assessment of knowledge prior to the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) may help ophthalmology residents identify areas of weakness and organize their study plans.

Purpose: To assess the utility of an OKAP pre-test as a means of helping students prepare for the OKAP.

Methods: A 91-question OKAP pre-test was formulated from the American Academy of Ophthalmology self-assessment study bank and administered in January to 28 residents at two academic institutions. Residents were given the results of their January test scores with a breakdown by subtest before the OKAP. Overall and subtest scores from the …

Editorial Affiliation And Subconscious Bias In High-Impact Ophthalmology Journals, Iden Amiri, Gitanjali M. Fleischman, David Fleischman

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Editorial leadership plays a critical role in shaping the scientific literature. Transitions in editors-in-chief (EICs) may introduce subconscious biases, particularly favoring their home institutions, potentially influencing publication patterns.

Purpose: To evaluate whether editorial transitions are associated with increased institutional publication representation in major ophthalmology journals and to assess the potential for subconscious or reciprocal editorial bias.

Methods: A retrospective bibliometric analysis of four high-impact ophthalmology journals, JAMA Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO), and British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), was conducted over a 15-year period (2010-2024). Institutional affiliation data were extracted …

Impact Of Letter Writers On Ophthalmology Residency Match Success, Simran Ohri, Iden Amiri, Daniel E Rubinstein, Alice Yang Zhang

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Ophthalmology residency applications have surged in recent years, and with USMLE Step 1 now evaluated on a pass/fail basis, program directors increasingly rely on subjective metrics. Letters of recommendation (LOR) offer valuable insight into applicants’ interpersonal skills and are among the most important selection factors. This study investigates how characteristics of LOR writers influence residency match outcomes.

Purpose: To examine how the characteristics of LOR writers affect success in the ophthalmology residency match.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of San Francisco (SF) Match application data for United States allopathic seniors from 2023 and 2024. Reapplicants, international medical graduates, …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Dry Lab Cataract Simulation For Medical Students, Ashley Choi, Andrew Chen, Miel Sundararajan, Karine D. Bojikian, Anthony Chung, Shu Feng

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Cataract surgery is a major component of ophthalmologic surgical training. However, medical students often lack early exposure to intraocular surgery, limiting their ability to assess their interest in the field.

Purpose: To evaluate the educational impact of a cataract surgery dry lab workshop for medical students using the Kitaro Anterior Segment Dry Lab Kit.

Methods: The workshop included a faculty-led presentation on eye anatomy, cataract formation, and cataract surgery, followed by hands-on practice. Pre- and post-workshop questionnaires were conducted to evaluate students’ knowledge in cataract surgery, interest in ophthalmology, interest in microsurgery, and evaluation of the …

Surgical Outcomes Of Resident-Performed Baerveldt-350 Implantation, Christopher Phung, Robin Ji, Nikita Mokhashi, Mary Qiu

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Academic institutions must balance resident training with patient safety. Studies have demonstrated that residents can perform trabeculectomies with no increased risk to patients, but there is limited data for other glaucoma surgeries.

Purpose: To describe the surgical outcomes of resident-performed Baerveldt-350 implantations at a single institution.

Methods: Eyes undergoing Baerveldt-350 implantation at the University of Chicago Medicine between 30 August and 1 November 2023 with an ophthalmology resident as primary surgeon were included. Patients with neovascular glaucoma and/or prior aqueous shunt implantation were excluded. Retrospective chart review was performed from the preoperative visit to postoperative month …

The Use And Perceptions Of Virtual Reality Simulator Training For Ophthalmological Surgical Education, Geoffrey Nguyen, Mackenzie T. Pham, Paul C. Kang

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: The expansion of virtual reality (VR) headsets, haptic technology, and virtual education has provided educational innovators with a high-fidelity alternative to traditional surgical training.

Purpose: To characterize the utilization and perspectives regarding the use of virtual reality simulator training in U.S.-based ophthalmic residency programs for surgical education.

Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire hosted by Qualtrics (Silver Lake, Seattle, WA) was emailed to ophthalmology faculty through the Association of University Professors Ophthalmology (AUPO) listservs. They were asked if virtual reality simulators were used in their program. Participants who answered “yes” were asked questions regarding the specific virtual …

Exploring Gender Bias In Ophthalmology Clerkship Evaluations: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Student And Evaluator Interactions, Anagh Kulkarni, Jullia A. Rosdahl

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Although the proportion of female medical trainees has grown in recent years, disparities related to sex and gender persist, especially among students and physicians in surgical specialties. With clinical evaluations increasingly influencing residency selection, understanding potential gender bias is essential to fostering equity in ophthalmology training.

Purpose: To investigate potential gender bias in ophthalmology clerkship evaluations by examining both quantitative scores and narrative feedback for second- and fourth-year medical students, with attention to the influence of student and evaluator gender.

Methods: This was a retrospective mixed-methods study analyzing 643 ophthalmology clerkship evaluations from the Duke University …

Ergonomics And Injury Prevention Education In Canadian Ophthalmology Residency Programs: A Survey Of Program Directors, Hargun Kaur, Changseok Lee, Jim S. Xie, R. Rishi Gupta, Rookaya Mather

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common among ophthalmologists. WMSDs are particularly associated with microscope use, awkward surgical postures, and nonergonomic equipment design. Symptoms can begin early in residency and may negatively affect trainees’ long-term musculoskeletal health, surgical performance, and career longevity.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all 15 Canadian ophthalmology residency program directors (PDs) was conducted, with follow-up emails sent at 2- and 3-week intervals. The questionnaire was designed to elicit information on program characteristics, existing ergonomics education, instructional methods, barriers to implementation, and perspectives on future curriculum development.

Results: Twelve of 15 program directors (80%) …

Optimism And Its Association With Psychological Stress Among A Sample Of Graduate Students At King Abdulaziz University, Shahad Fawzi Abdulgadoos, Lama Wasel Aloufi, Eradah Omar Hamad, Iman Aly Almohammadi

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

This study aimed to examine the level of optimism and psychological stress among graduate students at King Abdulaziz University (N = 152), and to measure the relationship between these two variables. It also seeks to investigate differences in the mean scores of optimism and psychological stress based on demographic variables (gender, specialization, and academic level). The researchers employed the descriptive correlational approach, utilizing the short version of the Personal and Self-Efficiency Optimism (Gavrilov-Jerković et al., 2014), and the Perceived Psychological Stress Scale (Cohen et al.,1983) translated by Al-Rubkhi (2016). The results showed that participants reported a high level of optimism …

The Level Of Use Of Artificial Intelligence Applications In Teaching Mathematics From The Perspective Of Mathematics Teachers And The Challenges They Face, Yahya Hijab Alhazmi

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

The research aimed to identify the extent to which secondary school mathematics teachers utilize artificial intelligence applications in teaching, and to identify the challenges they may face. Using a descriptive survey methodology and data collected from an electronic questionnaire developed by the researcher (and after verifying its validity and reliability), the questionnaire was administered to a sample of 363 male and female teachers in secondary schools affiliated with the Jazan Education Department. The research found a moderate level of AI use among teachers and identified key challenges affecting both teachers and students. No significant differences related to gender or experience …

School Principals Attitudes Toward Using Generative Artificial Intelligence In Public Education And Being Ready To Implement It, Saad Theeb Ali Alaklabi

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

This study aimed to investigate school directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and to measure their level of readiness for its application. The study employed a descriptive survey methodology and was applied to a comprehensive sample comprising all study population members of school directors in Bisha Governorate, with 110 directors responding. The study relied on a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. Results revealed that directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative AI were at a moderate level, while their application readiness also scored moderately. In contrast, results showed very high agreement regarding the advantages of using generative AI, …

The Impact Of Differentiated Instruction Strategy In Life Skills And Family Education On The Development Of Twenty-First Century Skills Among Sixth-Grade Primary Students, Tahani Khalid Al-Jubair

University of Bisha Journal for Educational Sciences

This study aimed to identify the effect of using the differentiated instruction strategy in the Life Skills and Family Education course on developing 21st-century skills among first-grade intermediate female students. The researcher adopted a quasi-experimental design. The study sample consisted of (50) first-grade intermediate students from Fatimah Al-Zahra Intermediate School, affiliated with the Eastern Province Education Office in the city of Dammam, during the academic year 1446 AH. The sample was equally divided into two groups: an experimental group (25 students) and a control group (25 students). To achieve the study objectives, a 21st-century skills questionnaire was developed, along with …

Disgust Sensitivity And Orderliness, Ari Rad

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This literature review serves as a map for understanding the relation between disgust sensitivity and trait orderliness, with a focus on a cybernetic framework to conceptualize the emotion of disgust as an evolutionary system. It adopts a systematic approach that begins with the evolutionary foundations and basic definitions of disgust as an emotion, trait orderliness, and, lastly, the process by which these traits could be pathologized. The pathologization is explained within the hypothesized cybernetic system (the Cybernetic Disgust-Orderliness Hypothesis) with the goal of demonstrating the interdependency of trait orderliness and the emotion of disgust. The body of research regarding the …

Impact Of One Nucleotide On Organ Enumeration And Phyllotaxy In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Hazel R. Frans, Tara Phelps-Durr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Arabidopsis thaliana is a model organism used by scientists to study plant genetics, development, and physiology. CRISPR-Cas9 is a biotechnology tool adapted from a bacterial defense mechanism to precisely edit DNA using a guide mRNA and a Cas9 protein. This project aims to create CRISPR-CAS9 mutations in the APETALA3 (AP3) gene of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. AP3 is a class B gene critical to the petal and stamen development of Arabidopsis flowers. The AP3 protein contains a MADS domain, which binds directly to DNA and may be responsible for the expression of the CaRG-box genes. AP3 works in conjunction …

Social Media’S Impact On Body Image Perception, Rachel Murino

Honors Theses

This study aims to analyze the relationship between social media use and body image perception, specifically focusing on universal and culturally unique factors. Survey data was collected from participants ages 18-47. By analyzing ethnic differences, this study seeks to identify how culture can shape beauty standards and if social media use and pressure play a role in reinforcing these ideals. The findings were expected to reveal a relationship between perceived social media pressure and negative body image perception, along with cultural trends. Results indicated a significant relationship between social media pressure and body image perception, along with a significant interaction …

Performance Analysis Of A Converted Electric Underbone Motorcycle: A Combined Dynamometer And Road Test Approach, Dhimas Oki Permata Aji, Sigit Suwarto, Yunus Ari Rokhim

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

In developing countries, converting traditional underbone motorcycles to electric vehicles transforms sustainable transportation from a theoretical concept to a practical implementation. This paper describes the design and operational performance evaluation of an electric underbone motorcycle conversion system that integrates a 2.0 kW, 72 V BLDC motor and a 72 V, 20 Ah lithium-ion battery pack. Compared to previous studies, this paper combines, for the first time, both dynamometer and road tests as the basis for a comprehensive performance assessment of low-cost motorcycle conversion. The dynamometer test was conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the test system for torque, power output, …

Bringing Worlds Together: How Social Studies Teachers Make Content Meaningful, Harley A. Payne

Honors College Theses

Secondary educators in social studies classes face the challenge of maintaining the attention of dozens of students during instruction, often on content that seems irrelevant or unimportant. Educators must find ways to emphasize that the content their students are disinterested in is useful and crucial for their development into adults. Research suggests that bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world improves classroom engagement (Cooper, 2014; Tagliaferro, 2012). Students who are engaged and exert more effort in class derive academic benefits, such as placement in advanced pathways and increased test scores (Carbonaro, 2005). Civics education and the inclusion …

Implementation Of An Occupational Therapy-Led, Sensory-Based Intervention In A Secure Children’S Home: A Qualitative Study Of Staff Experiences, Kevin Steede, Alison Warren

School of Health Professions

The Just Right State program (JRSP) is an occupational therapy-based, sensory intervention designed to support self-regulation. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the experiences of five members of staff working in a secure children’s home in training in and implementing the JRSP under the guidance of occupational therapy staff. Using thematic analysis four themes emerged: Sensory regulation training enhanced staff wellbeing, Sensory regulation as a new lens in a unique environment, Embedding theory in practice, and Considerations for the experiential JRSP training. The findings provide insights into effective training and implementation of sensory modulation interventions.

The Effect Of Low And High-Carbohydrate Diets On Memory Performance In College Students, Samia Baugh, Zoe Zajko, Jamie Analuisa, Ivanna Jacome

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for the brain and play an important role in processes related to memory performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet compared to a high-carbohydrate diet on memory performance in college students aged 18–22 years. For the purposes of this study, a low-carbohydrate diet is defined as a diet providing fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates per day, while a high-carbohydrate diet provides approximately 325 grams of carbohydrates. This population is particularly important to study because college students experience high academic demands that require strong memory …