Digital Commons Network^™

Multidimensional Biomarker Profiling For Differentiating Rheumatoid Arthritis And Osteoarthritis In Postmenopausal Women, Kareem Salim Abod, Salma Abdulredha Abbas

Baghdad Science Journal

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common, but pathophysiologically distinct disorders that disproportionately affect postmenopausal women. Conventional biomarkers remain limited, particularly in seronegative RA and early OA. This study evaluated a multidimensional biomarker panel covering inflammatory, oxidative, hormonal, and extracellular matrix (ECM) markers to define disease-related patterns and discriminatory potential. A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on 90 postmenopausal women classified into RA, OA, and healthy control groups (n=30 each). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), interleukin-33 (IL-33), interleukin-36 (IL-36), estradiol (E2), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and aggrecan were measured by ELISA. Oxidative stress was assessed using malondialdehyde …

Skeletal Abnormalities In Two Freshwater Fishes From Iraq, Fatema Ali Al Fatle, Sura Abdul Munaff Abdul Wahab, Hind Dyia Hadi, Laith A. Jawad

Baghdad Science Journal

This research addresses skeletal deformities in two freshwater fish species, namely the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and Leuciscus vorax (also known as the Tigris asp), sampled from two Iraqi sites: The Euphrates River, Lake Al-Tharthar, and the Tigris River near Al-Zubaydiyah City. High-resolution digital radiography was used to detect skeletal deformities in 40 specimens (20 specimens per species). Five different types of deformities were observed in C. carpio: abdominal rib deformity (13.6% of the deformed specimens), ankylosis (18.8%), caudal fin ray deformity (4.6%), kyphosis (4.6%), and vertebral deformity (4.6%). In L. vorax, three categories were observed: caudal …

The Dinner Table: No Vacancy, Lily Wright

Fresh Voices: Composition at Cal Poly

No abstract provided.

Data-Driven Risk Mapping For Safer Roads: Unincorporated Dekalb County, Georgia, Getachew B. Demisse, Stacy C. Grear, Araya D. Araya, Shimelis Gebru, Solomon Negash, Leo Ladefian, Carlo Frate

The Geographical Bulletin

This study presents a decade-long spatiotemporal analysis of more than 206,000 traffic accidents recorded between 2015 and 2024 in unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia. The primary goal of the study is to identify critical patterns of roadway risk and inform data‑driven safety interventions. Using crash records from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) AASHTOWare Safety platform and standardized crash‑rate calculations, the analysis revealed strong temporal regularities, including elevated crash frequencies during afternoon peak hours, Fridays, and seasonal transition periods such as October. Spatial analyses further demonstrate that crashes are highly concentrated along a limited subset of corridors, consistent with High Injury …

Study Of Primer Efficiency And Relative Genetic Band Abundance In Different Genotypes, Mundher Kh. Jabbar

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

This experiment was aimed to find some indicators related to primers and genetic variations. Six bread wheat genotypes were selected as the dataset. The RAPD marker technique was used with oligonucleotide primers as marker of study. The goal was to identify factors used for the relationship between primers and their ability to elicit DNA fragments through different genotypes, as well as the relative genetic band abundance among genotypes. After the designed factors, key findings emerged: in relative primer amplification rate, C1 genotype exhibited a higher relative primer amplification rate (RPAR) of fragments from OP-H01 but did not differ from OP-V19 …

Moral Ecology In Shakespeare's Tragedies: Nature, Animals, And Conscience As Ethical Agents In Hamlet, Macbeth, And King Lear, Md. Abu Bakkar

Journal of Language, Literature, and Arts

Shakespeare's tragedies repeatedly dramatize a universe in which moral transgression produces consequences that extend beyond individual psychology to affect society, nature, and the non-human world. This study examines how Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear construct a system of moral ecology, understood as a framework of ethical causality in which human actions generate interconnected consequences across psychological, social, and natural orders. Using qualitative close reading informed by moral criticism, ecocriticism, animal studies, and early modern cosmology, the study analyzes selected passages representing natural disturbance, animal imagery, and conscience as forms of ethical response. The findings show that the three …

Colorado Mental Health Professionals’ Personal And Professional Perspectives Of Nutrition: A Phenomenological Study, Tanya M. Tyrrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Growing evidence supports the relationship between nutrition and mental health. However, little is known about how mental health professionals (MHPs) experience nutrition, perceive its role in relation to mental health, or integrate nutrition into psychotherapy. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore Colorado MHPs’ lived experiences with nutrition and examine how those experiences informed their professional perspectives of nutrition. Guided by constructivist epistemology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 MHPs practicing in Colorado, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis generated eight themes. Findings revealed that 1) MHPs experienced nutrition as a lifelong developmental process …

Harmonies Of Healing: A Secondary Data Analysis On Music Engagement And Quality Of Life In Older Adults, Theophilus Eben Nartey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional secondary data analysis was to examine the relationship between music engagement and self-reported quality of life among adults aged 60 years and older, using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Guided by the Biopsychosocial-Spiritual (BPSS) framework, the study explored whether music engagement significantly predicted perceived well-being in later adulthood while accounting for chronic health conditions. Secondary data from the HRS public-use dataset were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 29. The final analytical sample consisted of 1,582 adults aged 60 years or older with complete data on all variables included in the …

Nutritional Fingerprints: The Future Of Personalized Nutrition And Disease Prevention, Mataz J. Jamai, Mohammed Mahdi Sami, Tamara Ahmed Abd Alkareem

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

A unique methodology in nutrition research, nutritional fingerprints amalgamate metabolomics, gut microbiota characterization, and nutritional markers to ascertain individual responses to various diets. This inquiry focuses on the scientific foundations, therapeutic applications, and integration with pharmacological treatments, challenges, and future possibilities of nutritional fingerprints. Nutritional fingerprints provide individualized dietary recommendations that enhance health outcomes, transcending conventional ``one-size-fits-all'' legislation. Metabolomics clarifies the comprehensive physiological impacts of food, whereas nutritional biomarkers provide definitive evidence of dietary intake. Nutritional fingerprints may enhance personalized meal planning, diabetes and obesity therapy, and nutritional pharmacology. Besides their nutritional advantages, they may also aid in the prevention …

Methodological Variations In Environmental Justice Screening Tools And Their Impact On Disadvantaged Community Designations, Thomas Robbins, Qingran Li, Stephen Bird

Faculty Publications

Government agencies in the United States have developed environmental justice screening tools (EJSTs) and designations to promote equitable distribution of benefits from environmental policies to disadvantaged communities (DACs). However, the methodological choices embedded in these tools, including the selection, weighting, and aggregation of environmental justice indicators, vary across EJSTs, and their implications for DAC designation outcomes are poorly understood. Here we systematically compare four EJSTs at the federal and state levels and show that these tools produce substantial variation in the DAC census tracts, with some tools emphasizing socioeconomic burdens while others prioritize environmental risks. Using quantitative regression models, we …

Spartan Daily, September 17, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 167, Issue 12

Exploring Lived Experiences Of Undergraduate College Students As They Develop Life Skills While At School: A Phenomenological Study, John Makemo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences related to life skills development among undergraduate students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at AUX University in Tanzania, East Africa. The central research question for the study asked: What lived experiences do undergraduate college students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at AUX University in Tanzania go through as they develop life skills? A purposive sampling methodology was used to select participants who met the study's criteria. Data were collected using individual interviews, journal prompts, and focus groups. Multiple techniques were used to reduce errors and enable triangulation. …

The Exploration Of Nutrition And Mental Health Among Retired Female Sergeant Majors, Renee Michelle Mcmillan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigated the nutrition and mental health of seven retired female United States Army Command Sergeant Majors (CSM) and four retired United States Army Sergeant Majors (SGMs). Transcendental phenomenology was used in this study along with George Engel’s Biopsychosocial Theory (BPST). The study examined how dietary food choices converged with cognitive behavior, body image, restrictive eating, and the stress accompanied with transitioning from military to civilian life. Four themes and 11 subthemes emerged from this study. The findings indicated an integration with nutritional interventions, mental health services, family-focus education, and faith-based programs. These findings may help retired female …

Barriers And Facilitators To Health Literacy Among Black Americans With Overweight And Obesity In South Carolina: A Mini-Ethnographic Study, Shelly Campbell-Timmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative mini ethnography adapted from traditional ethnography with limited time and scope, was to explore and understand perceptions of barriers and facilitators to health literacy among Black Americans with overweight and obesity in three South Carolina counties. Population data showed that approximately 40.3% of U.S. adults are obese. Moreover, Non-Hispanic Black communities are disproportionately affected by overweight and obesity despite efforts to combat the weight-related health risk. Still, limited health literacy should be the focus of public health strategies like teach-back and plain language communication, to address overweight and obesity prevalence and disparities. The study was …

Premolar Extraction, Upper Airway Changes, And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk: A Narrative Review, I-Ta Lee

Articles in Press

No abstract provided.

Zoonotic Fish Parasites That Pose Risks To Human Health In Türkiye, Ahmet Özer

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Fish-borne zoonotic diseases have been documented as the causative agents of considerable problems for humans on a global scale. This paper, for the first time, reveals the current zoonotic parasites of fish from wild and cultured hosts in marine, freshwater, and aquarium environments, as well as in native, endemic, and introduced hosts across different geographical areas and seas in Türkiye, based on published data to date. According to the latest global reports, zoonotic fish parasites in Türkiye are dominated by nematodes (17 species), trematodes (11 species), and cestodes (four species), followed by acanthocephalans (two species) and myxozoans (two species). The …

Otolith Morphological Variations Reveal Intraspecific Diversity In Two-Spot Barb, Pethia Ticto (Hamilton, 1822), Inhabiting The Riverine Ecosystem, Insha Hassan, Lubna Yasmeen, Mohd Sadiq, Ameer Hamza, Mohammad Afzal Khan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The intraspecific variation in otolith wavelet coefficients, contours, and morphometric variables (six size and nine shape indices) was analyzed to discriminate stock variation in Pethia ticto collected from four selected sites along the River Ganga (Narora, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Bhagalpur). The wavelet coefficients extracted revealed symmetrical yet site-specific contour variations, particularly along the rostral, dorsal, and posterior margins, with the fourth-level wavelet explaining 98% of the cumulative accuracy and being selected for contour analysis. Permutational analysis of multivariate dispersion (PERMDISP) (F = 6.11, p = 0.002) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) (F = 8.42, R2 = 0.179, p …

Prevalence Of Tooth Loss Among Older Adults With Oral Frailty: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Wei-Chun Lin

Articles in Press

No abstract provided.

Towards Textile Templating In Mycofabrication: Knitted Structures As Substrate And Scaffold, Romy Kaiser, Elise Elsacker, Martyn Robertson, Ben Bridgens, Jane Scott

Textile Intersections Conference Series

This study investigates the potential of knitted textiles as both substrate and three-dimensional scaffold for mycofabrication, contributing to the development of textile templating approaches in biofabrication. While textiles are commonly used as reinforcement in mycelium-based composites, their role as active, designable interfaces for growth remains underexplored. Two experimental approaches using Ganoderma lucidum were conducted: seeding-based inoculation and liquid-state fermentation. The first evaluated fibre substrates (namely acrylic, wool, cotton, and linen) on mycelial colonisation. Cellulosic fibres, particularly cotton and linen, supported more integrated and extensive growth, while wool enabled limited surface expansion and acrylic showed minimal colonisation. Overall, low biomass shows …

Empowering Generations: The Role Of Family And Consumer Sciences In Advancing Financial Literacy And Resilience, Stephen Molchan

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

In this article, I explore the critical role of family and consumer sciences (FCS) in advancing financial literacy and resilience across generations. By addressing systemic financial challenges and integrating financial education into its curriculum, FCS empowers individuals and families to make informed decisions and build secure futures. The article highlights strategies such as early intervention, culturally relevant programs, and community outreach, emphasizing how FCS equips individuals with practical skills in budgeting, saving, debt management, and risk assessment. I discuss the importance of advocacy for financial inclusion and consumer protection as a means to create equitable opportunities for financial well-being, underscoring …

Low-Income, Minority-Serving Public Schools In Southern California Have Disproportionately High Surface Temperatures, Joaquin Murillo, Gabriella R. Dauber, Joshua B. Fisher, Gregory R. Goldsmith

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Extensive evidence demonstrates that people from minority backgrounds often face unequal exposure to extreme heat and have less access to green space that can provide cooling relief. What is less clear is whether these inequities extend to students on school playgrounds, where high temperatures can affect physical health, social and emotional well-being, and learning. We paired high resolution, satellite remote sensing surface temperature data for all 615 of the public schools in Orange County, California (serving ca. 450,000 students) with data on neighborhood household income, race/ethnicity of school enrollment, distance from the coast, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as a …

A Mixed Methods Study Of Inpatients’ Experiences, Priorities, And Health-Related Quality Of Life During High- Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy, Cintamani H. Ellsworth, Rebecca S. Bartlett

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery method with numerous benefits for severely ill patients. There is a paucity of research focused on the perspectives of patients receiving HFNC oxygen therapy. This study aimed to engage with patients to gain a clearer understanding of their experiences, priorities, and health-related quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study was completed with 10 adult inpatients who had received HFNC oxygen therapy during their hospital admission. Semi-structured interviews and the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health Scale were used to identify participant perceptions of their physical and …

Under Pressure And Underrecognized: The Role Of Social Workers And Case Managers In Screening For Social Determinants Of Health In The United States, Melissa L. Habrat, Lindsay D. Nelson, David A. Nelson

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Social determinants of health (SDOH) screening is increasingly embedded in clinical care, yet the work of asking, documenting, and responding to social needs often falls to social workers and nurses or professional case managers who operate under significant time, staffing, and system constraints. We conducted a narrative review to examine how SDOH influence outcomes, identify systemic and emotional barriers to effective screening, and synthesize evidence-informed strategies that support implementation. Across included sources, findings clustered into three domains: challenges in integrating screening (policy and accreditation pressure, staffing and resource constraints, EHR documentation and interoperability limits, closed-loop referral and cross-sector partnership gaps, …

Abstracts From The 2026 Health Care Systems Research Network (Hcsrn) Annual Conference, Dallas, Texas, Health Care Systems Research Network

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) comprises 18 learning health systems with integrated care delivery and embedded research units. The network’s annual conference serves as a forum for research teams from member institutions to disseminate project findings, explore scientific collaborations, and share insights about population-based research practices that can measurably improve health and health care for all. The theme of this year’s conference was “Scaling Learning Health Systems: Data-Driven Pathways to Better Outcomes.” Abstracts presented at HCSRN 2026 are published in this issue supplement of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the journal of record for HCSRN’s annual …

Three-Strip Intercropping System For Heat Stress Reduction In Field Corn: (Version 2) Complete Research & Implementation Protocol, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol describes a three-strip intercropping system combining field corn, sorghum-sudangrass shade strips (12–15 ft), and perennial wildflower predator habitat strips with white reflective mulch. The system provides simultaneous heat stress reduction (6–10°F leaf cooling on border rows), windbreak protection (5–15% yield increase across the entire corn strip), and conservation biological control (16–40% pest reduction) for dryland corn in the US Corn Belt. The pest control benefit is specifically activated by the intercrop configuration, and predator populations are sustained through heat events by the wildflower strip. The system requires no new hardware, no irrigation (though minimal irrigation during heat events …

Three-Strip Intercropping System For Heat Stress Reduction In Field Corn: A Complete Research & Implementation Protocol, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol describes a three-strip intercropping system combining field corn, forage sorghum shade strips, and perennial wildflower predator habitat strips. The system provides simultaneous heat stress reduction (2–8°F leaf cooling), windbreak protection (5–15% yield increase), and conservation biological control (16–40% pest reduction) for dryland corn in the US Corn Belt. The pest control benefit is specifically activated by the intercrop configuration, and predator populations are sustained through heat events by the wildflower strip. The system requires no new hardware, no irrigation, and no proprietary technology. It can be implemented with existing combine, planter, and sprayer equipment. (This is a Large …

Thrombosis Rate And Risk Factors In Pediatric Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, Ahmed A. Alabdulkarim, Abdullah I. Almojali, Tharaa S. Alhowaish, Dena S. Alsuhaibani, Norah I. Alshafi, Amin I. Alzahrani, Mohammed O. Alotaibi, Yousef A. Alghamdi, Hamad A. Alkhalaf

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To determine symptomatic thrombosis incidence in pediatric patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and identify associated patient and procedure-related risk factors in a tertiary pediatric center in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including patients aged 0–14 years who underwent PICC insertion in the Interventional Radiology department between January 2019 and June 2023. Data on demographics, comorbidities, procedural details, and outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record system (BestCare). Symptomatic thrombosis was defined as Doppler-confirmed thrombosis with clinical signs. Associations were tested using …

Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome In Oman: A 20-Year Single-Centre Experience, Muzna Al Hashmi, Anisa Al Maskari, Sulaiman Al Saidi, Badria Al Ghaithi, Mohammed Al Riyami, Naifain Al Kalbani

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is a rare, severe disease presenting within the first three months of life, with limited prevalence data from Oman and the Gulf region. This study aimed to report 20 years' experience of congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) in a single centre in Oman. Methods: This retrospective study including children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome in first 3 months of life, from January 2000 to December 2020 at Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Results: A total of 26 patients were included in the study, with no gender predominance. Consanguinity was noted in 61.5% of patients and a …

Dive In! Oceanographic Engineering, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

Through inquiry-based explorations, students will engineer solutions to aquatic challenges. Engaging in island construction, growing crops through aquaculture, and examining ocean “ownership” will afford learners the opportunity to participate in various aspects of the engineering design cycle.

Medieval Stem, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

This curriculum is an exploration of science, math and technology that was developed, altered or utilized by civilization during medieval times. This time period helped lay the foundation for modern science and mathematics. Technological advances abounded. This curriculum focuses on agriculture, society and epidemiology, engineering, chemistry and textiles, and technological developments that lead civilization into the Renaissance.