Digital Commons Network^™

Ethics, Social Responsibility, Sustainable Developmental Goals, Economic Development Strategies: Need Is Stronger Than Ever, Nikhilesh Dholakia, Zeynep Ozdamar Ertekin, Delphine Godefroit-Winkel

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Professions At Work: Tax Division Activities 1974-75 A Review And Forecast, Joel M. Forster, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants. Federal Tax Division

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Development And Validation Of Instruments To Measure Medication Adherence In Hypertensive Patients (Mahp): The Indonesian Case, Burhannudin Ichsan, Erna Herawati, Sri W. Basuki, Ikhwansyah W. Pramudyatama, Umatul Khoiriyah

Journal of Health Research

Background: Hypertension is a chronic disease that poses a significant public health issue globally. Medication adherence among hypertensive patients remains low, leading to various complications that adversely affect individuals, families, and the broader economy and society. To our knowledge, no specific instrument exists to measure medication adherence in hypertensive patients (MAHP) exclusively. This study aims to develop and validate an instrument to measure medication adherence and adherance-related behaviors among hypertensive patients.

Methods: The research consisted of two methods: (1) scale construction and (2) scale validation. The construction phase included: (1) defining the construct and its domains, (2) item development, …

Factors Influencing Tuberculosis Diagnosis, Treatment And Recovery In Alor, East Nusa Tenggara (Ntt), Indonesia, Abdillah Ahsan, Fitri Kurnia Rahim, Elisabeth Kramer, Indah Suci Widyahening, Maulida Gadis Utami

Journal of Health Research

Background: Indonesia aims to reduce tuberculosis (TB) incidence by 50% in 2025 and 80% in 2030. In Alor, TB case notification has reached only 38%, while contact investigation remains low at 21% (46 of 220 cases), ranking 6^th lowest in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This study explored factors influencing TB diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Method: Focus group discussions were conducted with 32 recovered TB patients at three community health centers (Moru, Alor Kecil, and Kenarilang). In-depth interviews were held with six key local stakeholders, including representatives from the Health Office, the Research and Development Unit, three heads of community …

Association Between Social Isolation And Risk Of Hypertension Among The Middle-Aged And Older: A Propensity Score–Matched Cohort Study, Yiting Kang, Minchao Liu

Journal of Health Research

Background: Social isolation has emerged as a growing public health concern and may be an underrecognized risk factor for hypertension. However, evidence on its longitudinal association with hypertension remains limited and inconsistent.

Methods: The data of the national cohort study were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2020. A total of 3280 participants aged 45 years and older without hypertension at baseline were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance covariates between socially isolated and non-isolated groups. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between social isolation and …

Living Arrangements And Depression Among Elderly Persons In China: A National Cross-Sectional Study, Yue Lyu, Seung Chun Paek, Patreeya Kitcharoen, Thammarat Marohabutr

Journal of Health Research

Background: While the positive effect of living alone on depression among elderly persons has been demonstrated by multiple studies in China, evidence regarding other types of living arrangements, specifically considering family size, is scarce. This study assessed the effect of living arrangements, as measured by family size, on depression among elderly persons.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 6,678 adults aged 60+ from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study was conducted using descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses.

Results: Of the analyzed elderly persons, 35.43% (n=2,366) exhibited depression. Elderly persons living alone exhibited higher levels of depression than those …

Effectiveness Of Self-Management Education On Behavior Improvement Among Stroke Survivors In Indonesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Yurike Septianingrum, Ratna Yunita Sari, Lono Wijayanti, Rizqa Septiana, Andis Yuswanto, Ah Yusuf, Ika Yuni Widyawati, Nor Aziyan Yahaya

Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of stroke self-management education (SSME) on improving self-management behaviors among stroke survivors.

Methods: An individual randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to August 2024 in an educational hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia. Participants were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and then randomly assigned via computer-generated randomization to the intervention and control groups. After 3 weeks of intervention, the self-management behavior of stroke survivors was evaluated using the Stroke Self-Management Behavior Questionnaire (SSMBQ). A per-protocol analysis was used to compare the intervention groups, which included only those patients who completed …

Attitude And Confidence In Managing Pre-Existing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus During Pregnancy Among Thai Women, Ratchanok Phonyiam, Chiao-Hsin Teng, Catherine S. Sullivan, Aunchalee E.L. Palmquist, Eric A. Hodges, Yamnia I. Cortés, Marianne Baernholdt

Journal of Health Research

Background: The trend of rising T2DM prevalence is more pronounced in females and is of particular concern for pregnancy. The rate has jumped from 0.7% to 1.5% of all pregnancies over the past 14 years. Additionally, pregnancies affected by T2DM have higher rates of abortion and perinatal mortality compared to those with type 1 diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus. The objective of the study was to explore the attitudes and confidence in managing T2DM among Thai women during pregnancy.

Methods: This qualitative study was a part of a parent study using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A purposive sampling …

A Hybrid Roberta–Rule-Based Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis Model For Hospital Patient Reviews: Development, Validation, And Case Application In India, Akash Gajanan Prabhune, Karpaga Priya P S, Vinay R Sri Hari, Akhila Rayampalli, Ankur S Thakur, Ebin M Yohannan

Journal of Health Research

Background: Patient Online Reviews (PORs) provide real-time, unsolicited feedback that complements traditional satisfaction surveys. However, existing sentiment analysis tools often handle only monolingual data, broad sentiment categories, or lack review authenticity checks. This study develops a hybrid Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) model combining RoBERTa with a rule-based aspect detection layer to extract fine-grained sentiment insights from Indian hospital reviews.

Methods: We curated and manually annotated 4,862 Google Maps reviews from 25 Indian hospitals across six aspects—Doctor Behavior, Staff Behavior, Cleanliness, Facility Experience, Cost, and Waiting Time. Though the scheme included positive/negative/neutral labels, the final model used binary polarity (positive vs. …

Pm2.5 And Respiratory Symptoms Among Primary Schoolchildren In Bangkok, Thailand: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Monrudee Chokprajakchad, Dongruethai Buadong, Lawan Singhasai, Chayannan Jaide

Journal of Health Research

Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been linked to adverse respiratory health in children. However, limited studies in Bangkok have examined the combined influence of environmental exposure and health perceptions. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between PM2.5 concentrations and respiratory symptoms among primary schoolchildren aged 7—12 years in Bangkok, across districts categorized by differing levels of air pollution.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 388 primary schoolchildren in Bangkok, recruited through cluster sampling from districts classified into three PM2.5 pollution zones based on data from the Pollution Control Department. Respiratory symptoms were …

Prediction Of Lung Vital Capacity Value From Thoracoabdominal Expansion In Young Adults, Aung Myo Htun, Aung Aung Nwe, Chatchaya Jaimanee, Thiwaphon Chatprem, Saowanee Nakmaroeng, Chatchai Phimphasak

Journal of Health Research

Background: Vital capacity (VC) is a fundamental indicator of pulmonary health, but its routine assessment often depends on spirometry devices that may be unavailable (i.e. because of access, cost) in many clinical or community settings. In contrast, lower costal (LC) and upper abdominal (AB) expansions are simple, equipment-free methods commonly used in physiotherapy.

Method: This cross-sectional study was aimed at developing prediction equations for VC using LC or upper AB expansion alongside demographic and anthropometric variables. The study involved 116 healthy nonsmokers (53 male and 63 female individuals) aged 18–39 years. VC was measured via spirometry using a …

Healthy Weight Intervention Effect On Weight Control Intention Among Overweight School-Aged Children, Pornthip Nawajongphun, Jumpee Granger, Dongruethai Buadong, Autchareeya Patoomwan

Journal of Health Research

Background: The incidence of overweight and obese children is rising all over the world. Various factors are involved, and those deficits affect these children's physical and mental health.

Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research study to examine the effectiveness of a Healthy Weight Intervention (HWI) on weight control intention among overweight school-aged children using the theory of planned behavior. Participants were 9-12 years old, and there were 31 participants in each group. The study duration was six weeks for both groups. The data were collected using questionnaires on demographics, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived self-efficacy, and intention toward weight …

Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, And Environmental Factors Associated With Self-Directed Ageism Among Older Thai Adults, Jirawan Wittayanukorn, Piyawat Katewongsa, Yothin Sawangdee, Rossarin Gray, Tawanchai Jirapramukpitak

Journal of Health Research

Background: Self-directed ageism occurs when older adults internalize negative age-related stereotypes, a process that undermines self-esteem, reduces social participation, and leads to poorer health outcomes. Understanding the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors that contribute to self-directed ageism is essential for developing more effective interventions to reduce it.

Method: Data were drawn from the Survey on Conditions of Society, Culture, and Mental Health (Thai Happiness) 2014, a nationally representative survey. Managed by checking for completeness, duplicates, and missingness, 8,998 people (aged 60 years and over) were included. Factors associated with self-directed ageism were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis, taking into …

Association Of Abo Blood Groups With Dengue Fever And Its Severity: A Study In Surabaya, Indonesia, Sulistiawati Sulistiawati, Linda Dewanti, Ronald Pratama Adiwinoto, Raissa Manika Purwaningtias, Bilqis Inayatillah, Jan Nouwen

Journal of Health Research

Background: Indonesia, a dengue-endemic country, has high morbidity and mortality rates. Dengue infection manifestations vary from asymptomatic to mild to severe. One of the risk factors for infection that plays a role in this severity is blood type. A better understanding of the risk factors for dengue infection is required to prevent and control it.

Methods: This analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted at three hospitals in Surabaya from March to May 2013. Consecutive sampling included 95 patients aged >12 years with confirmed dengue infection (IgM/IgG positive) and without comorbid severe illness. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and checklists, …

Absolute Extraction: Utilizing Rural Critical Criminology To Examine Appalachia’S Toxic Dependence On Extractive Industries, Andrew Kennedy

The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice

Brought forth by common rhetoric, Appalachia is often viewed as the closest space to that of an empyrean domain. Separated from the sleepless city, its allure rests in its created identity of a quiet, green escape from the city, which offers serenity on all fronts. Although Appalachia can fulfill this profile, such an ascension ignores the burning yellow grass below. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the destruction of Appalachia through the lens of extractive industries and the region’s designation as a sacrifice zone. Through the application of rural critical criminology, this paper holds that …

Welcome From The Editors: Criminal Justice Systems Helping Communities: Provision Of Resources And Experience For Positive Change, Cassandra B. Whyte Dr., Stephen Young

The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice

No abstract provided.

Reducing Rates Of Child Abuse And Neglect: An Analysis Of Three Potential Solutions, Lauren C. Heil

The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice

Child abuse and neglect are prevalent problems, affecting an estimated one million children worldwide each year. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and analyze three potential solutions to reduce the rates of child abuse and neglect. The three programs that were suggested were: improving overall access to healthcare, therapy and counseling, and other support services for children and families who need them, implementing more Nurse-Family Partnerships across the United States for first time mothers with visits from a registered nurse, and increasing parent’s access to economic resources and improving families overall financial security. These programs were researched extensively, …

The Controlled Substances Act: A Menagerie Of Arbitrary Regulation And Failure Of Purpose, Dylan Andrus

The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is the primary regulatory and criminal legislation surrounding drugs in the United States. Passed in the 1970s, the CSA established the drug classification scheduling system we use today. Despite being over 50 years old today, the CSA has not achieved its goal of eliminating or even significantly reducing drug use and offenses. This paper conducts an analysis of the CSA's legislative intent versus its actual results through reviews of measures such as incarceration rates, inconsistent regulation, and disproportionate racial effects to argue that the Controlled Substances Act has failed in its mission while causing significant …

Bridging The Gap Between Substance Use Treatment Barriers In Rural Areas, Dakota Baker

The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice

The purpose of this paper is to examine the continued concern about substance abuse/misuse and limited access to treatment in rural areas. Rural areas lack the adequate treatment needed to combat substance use disorder (SUD), mainly due to the lack of sufficient providers trained to identify, treat, and support those dealing with SUD. Additional barriers such as the high cost of treatment, stigma surrounding substance use disorders, geographical barriers, and the criminalization of substance abuse are other barriers that will be discussed in this paper (Griffin & Botvin, 2010; Hargons et al., 2023; Khazaee-Pool et al., 2024; National Center for …

Lost In Translation: How Health Literacy Impacts Pharmaceutical Transactions From Healthcare Professionals To Patients, Grace Nwaege

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Health literacy is a core element of public health, involving the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and use information to maintain well-being. In the United States, it aligns with an average reading level of about an eighth grader, which continues to decline over time. As pharmacists serve as the final point of contact in most outpatient settings, their ability to communicate effectively at this literacy level is crucial. This study examines how pharmacies address this challenge using qualitative methods, including health literacy assessments of patient consent forms and stakeholder interviews with pharmacy technicians about resource use. Findings show materials higher …

Resting Autonomic Activity, Emotional Reactivity, And Executive Function In Preschool-Age Children Who Stutter, Dana J. Meyerson

Theses - ALL

Purpose: This study investigated whether preschool-aged children who stutter (CWS) differ from children who do not stutter (CWNS) in autonomic physiological reactivity and regulation during a phrase-repetition task paired with affective image-viewing conditions. Additionally, the study investigated whether individual differences in executive function skills, specifically inhibitory control, predicted variability in physiological responses across participants. Methods: Forty-three preschool-aged children (18 CWS, 25 CWNS) completed three laboratory visits that involved collection of electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings at rest and during a phrase-repetition task paired with visual stimuli of either neutral (fixation cross) or negative (IAPS) emotional valence. Inhibitory control was assessed using the …

Longitudinal Association Between Sleep Disturbance And Disordered Eating In Adolescents: The Mediating Role Of Emotion Dysregulation, Antonia Louise Hamilton

Theses - ALL

Accruing evidence suggests a significant relationship between sleep disturbances and disordered eating. Early adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability for sleep disturbances and disordered eating. However, the longitudinal relationship between sleep disturbance and disordered eating remains unclear in early adolescent samples. The current study aims to examine if sleep disturbance longitudinally predicts disordered eating in early adolescents three years later, how the odds of having clinically significant disordered eating change per each unit increase in sleep disturbance, and if emotion dysregulation mediates these relationships. It is hypothesized that baseline sleep disturbance will predict greater disordered eating at follow-up, and …

Novel Origin Of Sperm Heteromorphism In The Drosophilidae, Karan Bhatt

Theses - ALL

Sperm heteromorphism, the production of two or more discrete sperm types or morphs within a single testis, occurs in diverse taxa. This phenomenon is believed to represent a division of labor by male gametes, with only one morph (the "eusperm") participating in fertilization and the other morph(s) specialized to perform some other (typically unknown) function within the female reproductive tract. One of the most intensively investigated systems is the Drosophila obscura species group, for which sperm heteromorphism evolved once in the common ancestor to the group, with all examined descendent species exhibiting sperm length heteromorphism. The absence of additional sperm …

Association Of Ctgf And Tgf –Ss1 With Glomerulus Fibrosis In Iraqi Diabetic Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, Reham Khuldon Ibrahim, Kadhim K. Ghudhaib, Ali Abdulmajid Dyab Allawi

Baghdad Science Journal

The incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (referred to as diabetes hereafter) is increasing in worldwide. Due to hyperglycemia at long periods and uncontrolled diabetes, complications could occur. Diabetes complications include microvascular and macrovascular complications that target the kidneys, nerves, eyes and heart. Accordingly, the current study aimed to investigate the level of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) and transforming growth factor-B1(TGF-B-) together with some of relevant biochemical factors in patients with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy compared with healthy controls. The study included 120 (male 60and female 60) ranging in age (30-65) years old. Ninety patients with type 2 …

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, And Biological Evaluation Of Mixed Ligands Complexes From Schiff Base And 1,10-Phenanthroline With Multivalent Metal Ions, Maryam H. Abboud, Shaymaa R. Baqer

Baghdad Science Journal

The new Schiff base (L) was synthesized from the condensation reaction of 3-amino-4-(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropane-2-ylamino)-4-oxobutanoic acid (aspartame) with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in 3 drops of glacial acetic acid. This ligand is characterized by techniques: UV-Vis, FT_IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, Mass and C.H.N.O. A series of complexes were prepared with 1,10- phenanthroline as mixed ligands complexes. All mixed ligands complexes of chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium and platin have been characterized by the same ligands techniques. In addition to molar conductivity and magnetic moments, the NMR spectrum and mass spectrum were for ligands only. Results showed through previous techniques that the ligand (L) behaves …

Effect Of Hypochlorous Acid On Physical Properties Of Zinc Oxide -Eugenol Impression Paste, Israa J. Taha, Shorouq M. Abass

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: When dental impression materials come into contact with the patient’s saliva, blood, or plaque, they can become immediately contaminated with potentially harmful germs.This could result in cross-contamination. The spread of infection can be prevented through disinfection of the impression materials. However, the disinfection solution may change the properties of the dental impression materials.

Objective: The goal of this research is to find out how the detail reproduction and linear dimensional stability of zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) impression material change after being immersed in hypochlorous acid (100 ppm, 200 ppm, 400 ppm) and 2% glutaraldehyde for 10 minutes.

Materials and Methods: …

Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant Content And Antibacterial Study Of New Ligand And Its Complexes From Sulfonic Acid And 2-Phthalaldehyde, Mawlood Khalid Mawlood, Wurood Ali Jaafar

Baghdad Science Journal

The research includes preparation of a new Schiff base from the condensation of sulfonic acid with 2-phthalaldehyde by dissolving (0.2 g, 0.346 mmole) of the ligand (L) in (10 ml) of absolute ethanol, then 0.06 g of potassium hydroxide (KOH) dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water added to it and reacting the product with some binary metal salts (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pt, Hg). The biological study was conducted against two types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus. aureus and Escherichia coli, and the fungus Candida albicans was also used. All the prepared complexes showed …

Adsorption Of Cu(Ii) Metal Ions Using Matoa (Pometia Pinnata) Shell Immobilized With Silica Gel, Desy Kurniawati, Popi Patricia, Putri Ramadhani, Rahadian Zainul, Budhi Oktavia, Reka Kartika

Baghdad Science Journal

The Industrial Revolution, along with the rapid increase in population, has significantly contributed to the intensification of environmental challenges, mostly the contamination of aquatic ecosystems by heavy metals. One metal that is dangerous for the environment and human health is copper (Cu). The threshold for Cu(II) allowed in water is 0.2 mg L^–1. One method to overcome this metal ion pollution is by biosorption using biological material adsorbents. Matoa shell, utilized as a biosorbent, has demonstrated its ability to effectively bind heavy metal ions through its functional groups, which facilitate the formation of complexes with these ions. Biosorbent …

Taxonomic Significance Of Anatomical Characters In Some Species Of Apiaceae Family In Iraq, Karzan Omer Qader

Baghdad Science Journal

The study included the anatomical characteristics of nine species belonging to the nine genera of the Apiaceae family: Chaerophyllum macropodum Boiss, Grammosciadium scabridum (Boiss.) B.L. Burtt & P.H. Davis, Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Lisaea strigosa (Banks & Sol.) Eig, Ormosciadium aucheri Boiss, Pimpinella puberula (DC.) Boiss., Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl., Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link and Zosima absinthifolia (Vent.) Link. The results showed that anatomical characteristics were important in the separation of taxa, two types have been recognized in the mesophyll of leaves: dorsiventral (Bifacial) recorded in the Grammosciadium scabridum, Prangos ferulacea, Pimpinella puberula species and isobilateral in the remaining species. Palisade …

Studying The Surface Morphology Of The Precipitate Formed Of Cobalt (Ii) Ion And Copper (Ii) Ion By Using Continuous Flow Injection Analysis/ Nag-4sx3-3d Analyzer-Atomic Force Microscopy, Nagham Shakir Turkey, Bakr Sadiq Mohammed, Issam Mohammad Shakir

Baghdad Science Journal

This work aims to use the home-made NAG-4(sources)x3 with three solar cells (NAG-4SX3-3D analyzer), together with AFM and CFIA, in which the morphology of the surface of the Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions precipitates have been determined by determine the roughness parameters and obtain a sufficient amount of weight (Maronite precipitate of Cu(II) ion and bright green precipitate of Co(II) ion) for the AFM sample via the reaction of both ions with Ca₂[Fe(CN)₆] as a precipitating agent. The ability of the suggested method to calculate the quantity of nanoparticles that can fill the vacant surface …