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Book Review: The Impossible Mission: The Office Of Security Cooperation And The U.S. Forces Drawdown In Iraq, Kate Tietzen-Wisdom

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Robert L. Caslen Jr.

Reviewed by: Dr. Kate Tietzen-Wisdom, US Army Center of Military History

A gripping look at the chaotic final chapter of the Iraq War, revealing how bureaucracy, urgency, and geopolitical pressure collided at the moment the US mission needed clarity most.

Spectrum, Volume 56, Issue 6, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include:  Honorees with Heart: The Pioneer Scholarship Gala -- US - Iran Conflict -- Classrooms Over Seas -- SHU Springs Back To Life -- Singing to the Mountains -- Program History Sends Pioneers to the Championship -- History on the Mat

Nonnative Crayfish In Türkiye: Presence Records, Invasion Pathways, And Ecological Risks, Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The globalization of trade, aquaculture, and the ornamental pet industry has accelerated the transboundary movement of nonnative crayfish species, with significant ecological consequences. Türkiye, a biodiversity-rich country bridging Europe and Asia, has increasingly become a point of concern due to the rising presence of alien crayfish taxa introduced primarily via the aquarium trade and scientific research. This study investigates the presence records of nonnative crayfish species in Türkiye, identifies their likely introduction pathways, and outlines potential future outspread routes across the major freshwater basins of the country. Species such as Procambarus clarkii, Cherax quadricarinatus, C. albertisii, and Cambarellus patzcuarensis have …

Stage-Specific Growth Characteristics Of The Calanoid Copepod Invader Sinodiaptomus Sarsi​, Leonid Svetlichny, Kami̇l Mert Eryalçin, Melek İşi̇ni̇bi̇li̇r Okyar

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The population dynamics of the Asian invasive copepod Sinodiaptomus sarsi were  studied for four years after its introduction into an artificial pond in Kyiv (Ukraine) in  2020. The growth and development parameters of this species were measured under  laboratory conditions. From its first appearance in spring 2020, the abundance  of copepodite stages and adults increased from 3.5–5.2 individuals (ind.)  m–3 to 1057.8 ind. m–3 in June 2024, suggesting the successful establishment  of S. sarsi populations in this region. A characteristic feature of S.  sarsi development in ponds is a male-biased sex ratio in the later copepodite stages.  The sex ratio …

Morphometric And Reproductive Divergence Of Deep-Water Shrimps Plesionika Martia (A. Milne-Edwards, 1883) And P. Heterocarpus (A. Costa, 1871) Along A Depth Gradient In The Eastern Aegean Sea, Murat Özbek, Cengi̇z Koçak, Zafer Tosunoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study provides a comparative analysis of two deep-water pandalid shrimp  species, Plesionika martia and P. heterocarpus, based on monthly samples collected  over one year in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Specimens were obtained from species-specific depth zones (550 m for P. martia and 350 m for P. heterocarpus) to examine  morphometric traits, sexual dimorphism, and reproductive patterns. A total of 4419  individuals were analyzed. Females were significantly larger and more abundant than  males (K–S test, p < 0.05), indicating pronounced sexual dimorphism. Length–weight relationships revealed negative allometric growth in both species, confirmed  by t-tests (p < 0.05). Reproductive activity differed markedly: P. martia showed a short  and distinct spawning period peaking in late autumn, whereas P. heterocarpus  displayed a prolonged, bimodal cycle with peaks in spring and summer. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the proportion of ovigerous females varied  significantly by season and species. A strong positive correlation between carapace  length and gonad weight was found, with a more linear relationship in P. martia and  greater variability in P. heterocarpus. Size at first maturity (L₅₀) was estimated at 22.3  mm CL for P. heterocarpus but could not be reliably determined for P. martia  due to limited small size data, likely reflecting ontogenetic depth segregation. The  consistent bathymetric separation between these species—also reported in the  Western Mediterranean—suggests ecological niche differentiation. Species-specific  management measures, including depth-based fishing restrictions and temporal  closures during reproductive peaks, are recommended to support the sustainable  exploitation of deep sea shrimp stocks in the region.

Frequencies And Roles Of Plants In The Diet Of Three Mesocarnivores (Canis Lupaster, Genetta Genetta, And Herpestes Ichneumon): Implications For Forest Regeneration In A North African Hot Spot (Algeria), Messaoud Bensidhoum, Abdelkrim Limane, Larbi Khifer, Ania Ben Ammar, Lylia Amrouche

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Djurdjura National Park (PND, Algeria) is part of one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hot spots, recognised by the United Nations as a national biosphere  reserve. It contains the Darna primary forest, a key habitat for several mesocarnivore  mammals, including the golden wolf (Canis lupaster), the common genet (Genetta  genetta) and the ichneumon mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Although their diets  are primarily based on animal prey, these carnivores exhibit both qualitative and  quantitative reliance on plants, a pattern that merits thorough documentation. We  analysed 30 scats per species per month over four years (1440 scats per species).  More than 35% …

Species Identification Using Otolith Morphometry Of Four Gurnards (Family: Triglidae) From  Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea), Ahmet Mert Şenbahar, Di̇lek İlhan, Aydin Ünlüoğlu, Sencer Akalin

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Shape and size analyses of otoliths are widely considered appropriate tools for distinguishing between fish species and for assessing populations and stocks.  The present study aims to distinguish four gurnard species collected from Edremit  Bay (Aegean Sea) based on variations in their otolith shape morphology. A total of 60  specimens of Eutrigla gurnardus, 64 of Chelidonichthys lastoviza, 60 of  Chelidonichthys lucerna, and 60 of Lepidotrigla cavillone were analyzed. No  significant intraspecific differences were noted in the morphology of the left and right  otoliths, and so only the left sagittal otoliths were subjected to further analysis. Otolith  shape was quantified using …

Identifying Common Trend Determinants In Panel Data, Yoonseok Lee, Peter C. Phillips, Suyong Song, Donggyu Sul

Center for Policy Research

This paper develops a novel method for identifying observable determinants of latent common trends in nonstationary panel data, which are typically removed or controlled in two-way fixed effects regressions. By examining cross sectional dispersion processes, we assess whether panel series exhibit distributional convergence toward specific observed time series, revealing them as long run determinants of the underlying latent trend. The approach also offers a new perspective on cointegration between time series and panel data, focusing on the relative variation of the panel data with respect to the cointegration error. Applying this method to U.S. state-level crime rates demonstrates that the …

Ninth Circuit Panel Affirms Injunction Against Montana Anti-Drag Law, Arthur S. Leonard

Other Publications

© Gay City News 2026. Schneps Media. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved.

Role Of Plants And Phytochemicals In Promoting Proliferation And Osteogenic Differentiation Of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Review, Hala El-Zahar, Essam Abdel-Sattar, Marwa Yousry Moustafa Issa, Shereen N. Raafat, Noha Swilam

Dentistry

Abstract Objectives Dental mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising source for regenerative medicine due to their accessibility and capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and other lineages. Osteogenic differentiation of dental MSCs is essential for bone formation and is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, cytokines, growth fac‑ tors, and transcription factors. This review aims to summarize the effects of plant-derived extracts and phytochemicals on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental MSCs. Methods In this review, an extensive literature search was conducted covering studies from the past 10 years, using different online databases (SCOPUS, Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, …

Exploring Identity Development Of Therapeutic Boarding School Alumni, Travis Philipsen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research on therapeutic boarding schools (TBS) has largely focused on treatment experiences and immediate adolescent outcomes, with limited attention to identity development after program discharge. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to examine identity development during emerging adulthood in TBS alumni aged 18-24 and to explore how internal strengths and external supports influenced participants’ developmental experiences after leaving TBS. Positive youth development was the guiding theoretical framework, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between a person and the external ecological assets they access. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six alumni, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within a …

Advancing Hope: Clinical Trials In Pediatric Cancer, Michael Smith, Kevin Ginn

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Clinical trials are the backbone of progress in pediatric oncology, offering new pathways to treatment and survival for children facing cancer. In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Ginn, MD, a leading expert in pediatric cancer research, to explore why clinical trials matter, how pediatricians can support families through the process, and what innovations are shaping the future of care. From ethical considerations to practical challenges, Dr. Ginn shares insights that empower pediatricians to guide families with confidence and compassion.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Ear Infections In Pediatrics: Prevention, Treatment And When To Refer, Michael Smith, Laura Neff

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Ear infections are one of the most common conditions seen in pediatrics. In this episode, Laura Neff, MD, pediatric otolaryngologist, shares practical guidance on preventing and treating ear infections in children.

We discuss antibiotic decision‑making, watchful waiting, prevention strategies, and when recurrent infections or hearing concerns should prompt an ENT referral. Pediatricians will leave with clear, evidence‑based takeaways for everyday practice.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Implementing Tech For Wayfinding & Library Services, Lawrence Treadwell Iv, Shelton Richardson

Librarian Presentations

Our speakers implemented a digital kiosk to improve access to services, promotion and outreach, as well as wayfinding inside the building and to external campus locations. This case study traces the identification of need, collaboration with campus partners, concept-to-deployment work, sustainability considerations, and measured impact. Lots of ideas to try in your library or community.

Presented live at Computers in Libraries conference in Arlington, VA, March 18, 2026

Invitation To Fractional Calculus, Lyubomir I. Boyadzhiev

Open Educational Resources

These lecture notes are designed to provide the students who wish to become familiar with the basic concepts and methods of the Fractional Calculus (FC). The following features can be pointed out:  This text is prepared to be easily read and understood by students making their first steps into this topic. The lecture notes do not presume a background beyond standard college calculus curricula. Readers needing extra help will find tools for bringing their mathematical maturity up in the references and companion links;  The writing style is aimed to be direct and pragmatic. Precise mathematical language is used without excessive …

Latest Sightings Of The Striped Hyena In North Africa: Major Threats And Conservation Actions, Abderrazak El Alami, Abderrazzak Fattah, Ilyas El Alami, Ziad El Alami

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However,  numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified  as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North  Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many  areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena  in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in  North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were …

The Bg News March 18, 2026, Bowling Green State University

BG News (Student Newspaper)

The BGSU campus student newspaper. March 18, 2026. Volume 105-Issue 21.

Sustainable Guiding Framework Of The Egyptian Rural Development Initiative (Hayah Karima), Eman Badawy Ahmed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Hayah Karima initiative launches to improve the standard of living for the most needy community groups across the Egyptian countryside, and it also contributes to improving the quality of services provided to the neediest villages. The research aims to propose a guiding framework for sustainability in villages of the Hayah Karima Initiative to achieve Egypt’s Sustainable Vision 2030. To achieve the goal, the research will study the goals, strategies, and principles of the Hayah Karima Initiative, the Egypt Vision 2030, COP 27, the sustainability evaluation criteria, and the Green Villages Initiative. Consequentially, in addition to A questionnaire to measure …

Patient Perceptions And Knowledge Of Corticosteroid Injections: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study, Juliet Chung, Sina Ramtin, Philip Koehler, Stephen Stache, Charles Langman, Bryan Hozack, Asif M. Ilyas

Rothman Institute Papers

INTRODUCTION: Although cortisone injections are commonly used, patient understanding of cortisone is variable and often affected by misconceptions. This study explores patient perspectives, identifies misconceptions, and emphasizes the importance of improved patient education to enhance patient-centered care.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from April to August 2024 among patients aged 18 and older presenting to an orthopedic physicians' office. Patients completed a novel anonymous questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge and perceptions of cortisone injections. A total of 246 patients participated, with responses collected electronically via SurveyMonkey.

RESULTS: Among 246 respondents, individuals with history of prior cortisone infections …

Lindenwood Digest, March 18, 2026, Lindenwood University

Lindenwood Digest

• Primary Figures: Monica Seiter, Manish Bhatt, Dominick Chase, Sarah Schlafly, Ken Lynch, John Clark, and Michelle Vinson. 

• Key Events: The Spring 2026 Educator, Career, and Internship Fair; Brown Bag Basics retirement planning session; Missouri’s Tax Future speaker event; Business Ethics Panel co-hosted with the Rotary Club of St. Charles. 

• Date/Location: Events occur between March 18 and April 23, 2026, primarily at Evans Commons, Harmon Hall’s Dunseth Auditorium, the LARC, and the Lindenwood Learning Academy. 

• Archival Significance: Documentation of the transition to Workday Performance for staff, faculty, and adjuncts through 2027; internal professional development structures including Promotion …

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Explaining Variability In Employee Perceptions Of Hr Practices In Strategic Hrm Research: An Integrative Review And Future Outlook, Jeske Van Beurden, Susanne Beijer, Kaifeng Jiang, Karina Van De Voorde, Anthony Nyberg

Faculty Publications

Employee perceptions of human resource (HR) practices have become a central focus in strategic human resource management(HRM) research due to their impact on individual and organizational outcomes. Recent studies highlight the importance of un-derstanding how these perceptions are formed, what they encompass, and why they vary across employees. This special issue ofHuman Resource Management aims to advance this evolving area of research by focusing on variability in employee perceptionsof HR practices. We review the current literature on employee perceptions of HR practices, including (1) theoretical and concep-tual clarity of the employee perceptions of HR practices construct, (2) antecedents of these …

Assessment Of Residents’ Knowledge, Attitude And Perception Of Climate Change Issues In Ibadan South West Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria, Samson Olanrewaju, Samuel Oyeniyi, Sola Atoyebi, Modupeola Okubena, Chinedu Abazu, Emeka Adibe

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

This study examines residents’ knowledge, attitude, and behavioural responses to the impacts of climate change in Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. It evaluates residents’ awareness of climate change, analyses their behavioural responses to climate change impact, and identifies household characteristics that influence knowledge, attitude, and perception of climate change in the area. The study utilised a mixed-methods research approach, using such instruments as questionnaire administration and interviews. The study employed a multistage sampling technique where a total of seven (7) Enumeration Areas (EAs) were selected, and 206 questionnaires were administered to residents of the area. These …

Faith-Based School Leaders’ Strategies For Addressing Achievement Gaps Since The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jolene Culver

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study is that faith-based school leaders are challenged to support teachers to address student achievement gaps following the COVID-19 pandemic. Grounded in Bass’s transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate strategies veteran faith-based school leaders use to support teachers in addressing student achievement gaps in six Ohio districts that had a minimum of 50 students. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with one faith-based school leader from each of the six Ohio districts. Thematic coding yielded four themes encompassing the strategies that veteran faith-based school …

Recent High School Graduates' Perspectives On The Practice Of Teacher Empathy As An Approach To Engage Learners, Susanna Michelle Post

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed through this study is that recent high school graduates’ perspectives on how teachers practiced empathy as an approach to engage learners have not been explored in an urban school district in a Southern state. Grounded in a conceptual framework that incorporates Kleinfeld’s concept of warm demander pedagogy with Goleman’s emotional intelligence theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore recent high school graduates’ perspectives on how teachers practiced empathy as an approach to engage learners in an urban school district in a Southern state. For this basic qualitative design, semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 …

Cv: Arvie Vitente (Physical Therapy), Arvie Vitente

Rehabilitation Sciences Department Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Culvert Retrofit With Green Filter Media For The Removal Of Phosphorus From Stormwater Runoff, Somdipta Bagchi, Zhiming Zhang, Olayinka Olayiwola, Bharadwaj Mandala, Rupali Datta, Subhasis Giri, Richard Lathrop, Dibyendu Sarkar

Michigan Tech Publications

Phosphorus is a ubiquitous contaminant in urban and agricultural landscapes. A retention basin located in the southern part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, was identified as receiving stormwater runoff with elevated phosphorus concentrations. The basin is surrounded by expanding urban development, contributing to the progressive degradation of water quality in the bay, which is already highly eutrophic. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a culvert retrofit with a green filter media composed of granulated-aluminum-based drinking water-treatment residuals (Al-WTR) and granular carbon (5:1 ratio, w/w) for the removal of phosphorus and suspended sediments from stormwater runoff. The performance of the filter …

Testing Dobbs’S Democracy Premise: Can State Constitutions Be Amended To Reflect Popular Opinion On Abortion?, Isabel Sperber

Duke Law Journal

When the Supreme Court eliminated a federal constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson, it relied in significant part on the notion that abortion is an issue best left to the political process. Abortion has since become a main character in the national political conversation, with state legislatures around the United States embracing a wave of abortion-related legislation. The shifting landscape of abortion rights is not limited to the legislative process; voters are increasingly relying on state constitutional amendments to replace the protections previously provided by the federal Constitution. Political actors point to these amendments, typically enacted through a …

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Discontinuation And Risks Of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Target Trial Emulation, Yan Xie, Taeyoung Choi, Ziyad Al-Aly

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVES: To characterise patterns of use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and assess the associations between various GLP-1RA treatment scenarios and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.

DESIGN: Target trial emulation.

SETTING: Electronic healthcare databases of US Department of Veterans Affairs, 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023. Data obtained from domains in the Veterans Affairs Corporate Data Warehouse.

PARTICIPANTS: Veterans Affairs users with type 2 diabetes who started treatment with GLP-1RAs (n=132 551) or sulfonylureas (n=201 136), followed up for three years. Veterans Affairs users were defined as having at least two visits to Veterans Affairs …

Spartan Daily, March 18, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 24

Encouraging A United Response: A Systematic Review And Mixed-Methods Collaborative Evaluation Of Co-Responder Model Effectiveness In Florida, Kelsey Greenfield

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Even before the deinstitutionalization movement caused the influx of state hospital patients into communities ill-prepared to navigate their needs, law enforcement has been responsible for responding to persons in crisis (PIC) due to mental illness. In response to the high rates of incarceration for persons with mental illness (PMI), a growing number of law enforcement agencies have adopted diversion strategies referred to as police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) models to divert PMI away from the criminal justice system and towards community mental health services. Despite nearly forty years of research, there are still considerable knowledge gaps regarding who benefits from PMHCs …