Digital Commons Network^™

Documenting The Ineffable: A Comparative Analysis Of Mystical Representation In Kimiavi’S The Garden Of Stones And Western Sufi Documentary, Hessam Abedini

Journal of Religion & Film

This article examines how documentary film attempts to represent mystical experience through comparative analysis of Parviz Kimiavi's The Garden of Stones (1976) and American documentaries featuring Samuel Lewis, particularly Sunseed (1973). Rather than assuming terms like "sacred" or "authentic," the study grounds its analysis in empirical definitions from William James, historical scholarship by Carl Ernst and Annemarie Schimmel, and literary theory from Fatemeh Keshavarz. Through detailed examination of specific scenes—Darvish Khan hanging stones from dead trees, Lewis leading ecstatic dances—the article demonstrates how different cinematic strategies approach documentary's epistemological limits when confronting ineffable experience.

The analysis corrects historical misunderstandings about …

Delay-Based Forwarder Election For Evpn Multihomed Ethernet Segments, Anonymous

Defensive Publications Series

Techniques are described for selecting which of two or more network nodes attached to a shared access device forwards traffic for that device, using measured delay rather than configuration or addressing. Each node measures the delay of its own attachment circuit to the access device with an active measurement protocol, filters the samples, and advertises the resulting value to the other nodes of the redundancy group in a control plane message scoped to that group. Each node applies a common selection rule to the advertised values, identifies the node reporting the lowest delay, and applies a relative hysteresis test, an …

Stemsyl: A Colour-Stem Phonetic Script For English, With Keyboards For Phones And Watches, Phillip Bryan Larson

Defensive Publications Series

Stemsyl is a phonetic stem, position, and color system for reading, writing, and typing languages by sound. This version is for American English, and variations extend it to other accents and languages. Each syllable is drawn as a short horizontal stem carrying up to three vertical ticks: the consonant before the vowel, the vowel, and the consonant after it. A tick can be above the stem, centered across it, or below it, and its position together with its color names exactly one sound. The 24 consonants form eight color families of three, and the 14 vowels use seven colors in …

The Gift Operation: Forward-Only Transfer (Pay-It-Forward) As A Design Criterion Distinguishing Gift Circulation From Exchange In Peer-To-Peer Reciprocity Systems, Thon Ly

Defensive Publications Series

We disclose a design criterion for peer-to-peer gift, reciprocity and gratitude systems (pay-it-forward schemes, time banks, complementary currencies, peer-recognition ledgers): classify each transfer by where the recipient's next transfer goes. A transfer passed onward to a third party is generalized reciprocity, a gift that circulates; a transfer returned to its source in a return that settles the account is balanced reciprocity, an exchange, to be named as one. The criterion is applied to one institution's mechanisms (an earmarked, forward-only, non-withdrawable money balance; funded time together; tagged physical gratitude artifacts; gift codes; a common pool emptied on a fixed annual date), …

The Song That Is Not His: Attribution, Provenance-Marking And Training-Objective Rules For Generative Voice Models Of Deceased Artists Without Surviving Estates, Thon Ly

Defensive Publications Series

This paper discloses attribution rules, provenance-marking requirements, a training-objective constraint and a model-release restriction for generative voice and style models trained on the recordings of deceased artists whose estates, rights-holders and records of intent do not survive. The worked case is the Cambodian musicians and filmmakers killed under the Khmer Rouge (1975–1979), where consent cannot be obtained, no rights-holding institution survives, and the destruction was aimed at the culture, so that an indistinguishable reconstruction completes the erasure. Generated work is credited to a named living human creator and published for, never by, the deceased artist: a dedicated work, not an …

Clinical Evaluation Of Wound Healing After Following Third Molar Extraction Using Bone Bioactive Liquid And Platelet-Rich Fibrin: A Comparative Study, Zainab H. Alawi, Elham Hazeim Abdulkareem

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

This comparative clinical trial aimed to analyze the postoperative impact of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and bone bioactive liquid (BBL) on wound and bone healing after surgical extraction of third molars. 60 patients aged between 18 and 55 years, including 35 females and 25 males, who qualified for the inclusion criteria were included. Participants had been assigned to one of three groups: Group A control, Group B (PRF), and Group C  (BBL). Evaluation was done at the end of 7 days for suture removal and healing assessment based on the Landry et al. healing score based on the color of the …

Church-Based Qualitative Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

Qualitative research is collecting, analyzing, and interpreting subjective data to answer an important research question. It can be contrasted with quantitative research, which focuses on collecting numerical (relatively objective) data to test specific hypotheses. It is an attractive form of research in church contexts because it does not require training in statistics and can be conducted in almost all ministry settings. It is especially appropriate for topics that are under-researched, poorly understood, or involve concepts that are difficult to measure. Common problems associated with church-based qualitative research include overly broad research questions, weak descriptions of what has been observed, shallow …

When Everything Moves Faster Than The Soul: Spirituality In A Fast-Paced World, Pablo Marzilli

Great Commission Research Journal

This article analyzes one of the main characteristics of the hypermodern era in which we live: social acceleration. We live in an extremely individualistic era that forces us to be highly efficient and productive in everything we do. This social phenomenon leads to a sense of being overwhelmed; our culture demands that we maximize the use of our time, to the point where we feel that we are less productive than we actually are, even though this is objectively impossible. This culture of acceleration, which makes us live at a dizzying pace, also influences the church and reshapes our daily …

My Pilgrimage In The Growth Of The Church, Charles Van Engen

Great Commission Research Journal

I have lived a life invested in the growth of the church and forming leaders who would mobilize the church toward growth. I have sought to pay forward what others did for me. Born of missionary parents, I was raised in the state of Chiapas, in southern Mexico. From 1973 to 1985, my wife, Jean, and I served the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico in Chiapas, Mexico, in leadership formation, training evangelists, pastors, and teachers of rapidly growing churches. In 1981, I received a Ph.D. in missiology under Johannes Verkuyl at the Free University of Amsterdam. I taught Mission Theology …

Dipl 6460 Intelligence, Brendan J. Balestrieri Ph.D.

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course examines the history, institutions, people, and processes of intelligence as a critical element of national and international security. Using case studies, it will also look at some of the key intelligence missions, such as strategic warning, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, counter proliferation, and counterinsurgency. This course will also introduce you to structured analytical techniques (SATS) and examine the reorganization of the intelligence community after 9/11 and how great power rivalry is influencing changes to intelligence.

Dipl 2109 Ab Institutions Of Global Governance, Purnaka L. De Silva Phd

Diplomacy Syllabi

The focus and aim of this Course – DIPL 2109AB: Institutions of Global Governance – is to understand the concept of Global Governance from the vantage point of International Organizations.  Global governance, central to international relations, refers to the loose framework of global regulation – both institutional and normative – that constrains conduct and attempts to maintain order.

When we speak of order, we need to specify order for whom – states, peoples, groups, or individuals.  Order may denote any regular or discernible pattern of relationships that are stable over time or may additionally refer to a condition that …

Dipl 2109 Aa Institutions Of Global Governance, Purnaka L. De Silva Phd

Diplomacy Syllabi

The focus and aim of this Course – DIPL 2109AA: Institutions of Global Governance – is to understand the concept of Global Governance from the vantage point of International Organizations.  Global governance, central to international relations, refers to the loose framework of global regulation – both institutional and normative – that constrains conduct and attempts to maintain order.

When we speak of order, we need to specify order for whom – states, peoples, groups, or individuals.  Order may denote any regular or discernible pattern of relationships that are stable over time or may additionally refer to a condition that …

Little Bighorn Days 2026, Hardin, Montana, Emma Keinath-Lopez

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study was conducted for Little Bighorn Days to provide insight into the characteristics of attendees of the 2026 Little Bighorn Days event hosted in Hardin, Montana. Seventy attendees of the event completed the survey. Results show that the majority of respondents were Montana residents, with 66% residing in Montana and 85% of Montana respondents residing in Big Horn County. Respondents from outside Big Horn County spent an average of five nights in Montana and reported a total spending of $24,994.00, with the highest expenditures occurring in hotel/motel/bed and breakfasts, restaurants/bars, retail goods/services, and gasoline/diesel. Overall, attendees reported high levels …

River City Roots Festival 2026, Missoula, Montana, Emma Keinath-Lopez

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study was conducted to provide insight into the characteristics, spending patterns, and satisfaction levels of attendees at the 2026 River City Roots Festival in Missoula, Montana. A total of 251 attendees completed the survey. Approximately 85% of respondents were Montana residents, including 72% who resided in Missoula County. Among respondents from outside Missoula County, 74% spent at least one night away from home. Visitors spent an average of 3.9 nights in Montana and 2.9 nights in Missoula. Fifty-six respondent groups from outside of Missoula County provided expenditure information, reporting an estimated $44,397.38 in total visitor spending in Missoula. The …

Utilizing The Health Belief Model To Explore Mental Health Help-Seeking In Chaldean Adults, Dali Majeed

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Since the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003, three-fourths of the Chaldean population fled the country, seeking refuge from persecution, resulting in a Chaldean diaspora with hundreds of thousands dispersed outside Iraq. Michigan is home to approximately 160,000 Chaldean people, the highest concentration in the U.S. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are a growing concern, yet are likely underreported due to community stigmas and cultural beliefs, leading to unhealthy coping behavior and delayed mental health treatment. While evidence supports a high incidence of mental health illnesses among the Arab population, literature assessing the Chaldean population remains understudied. …

Eating Disorders In Male Athletes, Robbie-Lynn C. Puspoky

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the risk of eating disorders in male athletes aged 15-36 years old in high performance sports. Whittmore and Knalf’s integrative review method was followed to address this research aim. Two databases (Ovid MEDLINE 1946 to present and CINAHL) were searched between the years of 2000 and 2023. Suitability for inclusion was assessed, and data were extracted and analysed using thematic analysis. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Three themes were identified and reflect the risk of eating disorders in male athletes in high performance sports between the ages …

Bile Acid Metabolites And Carotid Intima Media Thickness In The Chronic Kidney Disease In Children (Ckid) Study., Arthur M. Lee, Mark M. Mitsnefes, Jennifer Roem, Bradley A. Warady, Susan L. Furth, Michelle R. Denburg, Ckid Study Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

I, Too, Am America: Latino Men, American Identity, And Support For Conservative Immigration Policy, Nadia Ratib-Eixarch

Holster Scholar Projects

In the 2024 Presidential election, Donald Trump won 43% of the Latino male vote and 32% of the Latina vote, despite his history of anti-immigration and anti-Latino rhetoric. This 11-point gender gap among Latino voters exceeded the seven-point gender gap among white voters. Although Trump ran on anti-immigration policy, Latino male voters recorded their main concerns as inflation and jobs, suggesting a divergence between Latino male voters’ perceptions of their interests and those of the larger Latino community. Schaffner and Soler (2025) argue that this divergence is because Latino men who support Trump no longer identify primarily as Latino.

This …

Public Rhetoric And Private Strategy: The World Bank's Relationship With Mexico Through The 1980s Debt Crisis, Phillip Purcell

Holster Scholar Projects

This project investigates how the World Bank's relationship with Mexico changed through the 1980s debt crisis and whether the institution's internal assessments differed from its public presentation. Drawing on archival memoranda, correspondence, briefing papers, and publicly available reports, the study compares World Bank deliberations with official statements and publications. It demonstrates that examining these private and public records together provides a clearer understanding of how the Bank formulated policy, exercised influence over Mexico's economic strategy, and responded to the challenges of debt, adjustment, and reform. More broadly, the project contributes to understanding the role of international financial institutions in shaping …

Complete Issue, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Using Demographics And Psychographics To Advance The Great Commission: Lessons From The National Association Of Free Will Baptists, Edward E. Mooody Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

For decades, marketers have used demographics and psychographics to engage different segments of the population. Psychographics refers to the study of people’s activities, interests, opinions, values, attitudes, and lifestyles to better understand and predict behavior beyond what can be learned from demographic characteristics alone (Demby, 1974; Wells & Tigert, 1971). This paper examines whether these strategies can be effectively adapted to advance the Great Commission. The practices of the early church, particularly those of the Apostle Paul, reflect principles that are consistent with contemporary demographic and psychographic analysis. In this paper, the process of using an approach to help churches …

Retention Rates: A Qualitative Study Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives Of Teaching In Northeast Florida, Dawn J. Kell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This qualitative phenomenological study explored workplace experiences and motivational factors influencing teacher retention among Northeast Florida charter school educators. With nearly half a million teachers leaving the classroom annually and approximately 41% leaving within their first five years, understanding why educators remain in the profession is imperative for sustaining student success and educational quality. The purpose of this study was to explore motivational factors that lead teachers to remain in the profession despite current challenges. Using a purposeful sampling method, 12 certified Northeast Florida charter school teachers participated in 30-minute semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Each 30-minute interview was recorded, …

Guided By Innovation: A Phenomenological Study Of Virtual Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Generative Artificial Intelligence Integration, Lisa M. Berry

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of elementary virtual teachers who integrate generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools in their pedagogical practices at a large elementary virtual school. Participants were purposively sampled because those in the specified virtual school program provided relevant, experience-based insights and allowed the researcher practical, feasible access (Creswell & Poth, 2018). The participant sample for this study consisted of virtual elementary teachers who taught students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 teachers. The researcher followed Creswell and Poth’s (2018) data analysis spiral to systematically …

Enrollment Profile Report Fall 2026, Systems Intelligence And Data Analytics, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Enrollment Reports

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Behavior - Fall 2026, Midwest Symposium For Leadership In Behavior Disorders

ReThinking Behavior Magazine

A magazine for professionals serving children and youth with behavioral needs.

Fall 2026, Volume 10, Issue 1

You’Ve Got Junk Mail: Prevalence Of And Factors Related To Sending And Receiving Unsolicited Nudes, Aimee Adam, Brittany Sizemore, Todd Manson

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Unsolicited nudes are common, but most of the research in this area has focused on the motivations of men sending such images and the reactions of women who receive them. In this online study, we attempted to investigate the prevalence of sending and receiving unsolicited sexual images in a broader population, and variables related to this behavior. In our sample of 357 participants, we found few people (less than 20%) acknowledged ever having sent such images, and no difference in whether people had ever sent unsolicited nudes based on gender identity. However, we found that most people (almost 68%) had …

Learning By Doing To Teach Research Skills In Econometrics, Christie Byun

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

This paper examines a revision in an introductory econometrics course at an undergraduate liberal arts college. The instructors have incorporated extensive use of data from the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the Current Population Survey (IPUMS-CPS), with applied examples that demonstrate econometric theory. The key element is a short empirical paper assignment in which all students work on a common research question, but with different data sets. The paper assignment includes a series of scaffolding assignments using IPUMS-CPS data. This approach has several benefits, including ease of implementation into any course that has an empirical paper component, significantly streamlined …

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Lgbtq+ Identity Among Young Adults With Autism, Meg Hoffer-Collins, Mixalis Poulakis, Lauri Hyers

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

Our qualitative study examined the sexual orientation and gender identity experiences of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority identities) identified young adults on the autism spectrum. In one-on-one semi-structured qualitative interviews with thirteen participants (ages 18-33), we explored three questions: (1) How do young adults with ASD characterize their LGBTQ+ identity; (2) How have they navigated the disclosure of their LGBTQ+ identity and coming out to others; and (3) How has their LGBTQ+ identity impacted their relationships. Qualitative coding of interviews revealed that most participants began considering their LGBTQ+ identity before adulthood and settled …

Source & Solidarity, Sari Mazzurco

Michigan Law Review

Trademark law has become the new frontier of unionbusting. Companies like Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and Medieval Times have brought unprecedented suits against their employee unions for trademark infringement in relation to their organizing activities. This sort of litigation puts courts in the difficult position of reconciling trademark protection with unionization rights. Their attempts to apply standard trademark doctrines in this context reveal a deeper problem: Current trademark law is incoherent when applied to labor unions.

This incoherence stems from a disconnect between current trademark law and the original purpose behind its application to labor unions. This Article recovers that basis …