Digital Commons Network^™

Chimes: September 22, 2025, Calvin University

Chimes

Parking prices increase: How are students feeling? by Addy Offutt & Ian Tjoelker

"Famous last words": Calvin Theatre Company's latest 24-hour theatre by McKenna Wilkilson

Student Senate's bright hopes for a new year by Jorie Cho

Dining in looks different this year: Ex-ploring dining hall changes by Evangeline Anga

Constitution Day celebration sparks dialogue on campus by Ella Vanden Berg

To cut language is to cut identity: A call to Calvin's conscience by Sarah Sparling

Retracted: Idea Density And Grammatical Complexity As Neurocognitive Markers, Diego Iacono, Gloria Feltis

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Language, a uniquely human cognitive faculty, is fundamentally characterized by its capacity for complex thoughts and structured expressions. This review examines two critical measures of linguistic performance: idea density (ID) and grammatical complexity (GC). ID quantifies the richness of information conveyed per unit of language, reflecting semantic efficiency and conceptual processing. GC, conversely, measures the structural sophistication of syntax, indicative of hierarchical organization and rule-based operations. We explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these measures, identifying key brain regions and white matter pathways involved in their generation and comprehension. This includes linking ID to a distributed network of semantic hubs, like …

Neurofilament Light (Nfl) Chain Levels Predict Clinical Decline In Alzheimer’S Disease: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kim Thomas, Paul Spin, Nikita Sir, Kevin Hou, Nicholas J. Ashton, Henrik Zetterberg, Sonya Miller, Carol Pringle, Richard G. Stefanacci, Claude M. Wischik, Serge Gauthier

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Regulatory approval of new investigational Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapies could be accelerated if reasonably likely surrogate endpoints could be used. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has potential utility as a prognostic biomarker of neurodegeneration in AD.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize available evidence on the relationship between baseline NfL levels and longitudinal clinical decline.

METHODS: A systematic literature review identified 19 eligible studies, contributing 37 longitudinal statistical models evaluating the association between baseline NfL (plasma or cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) with subsequent clinical decline based on validated clinical scales including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, and Clinical Dementia Rating. …

Enhancing Students’ Self-Confidence From Disharmonious Families Through Group Guidance With Sociodrama Technique, Drajat Edy Kurniawan, Almadia Qosita Janah Saputri

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Adolescence is a developmental phase full of challenges, particularly for students from disharmonious family backgrounds who are vulnerable to low self-confidence. This study aims to enhance students’ self-confidence through group guidance services using the sociodrama technique at a public junior high school in Yogyakarta. The research employed a quantitative approach with a one-group pretest–posttest design. The subjects consisted of six eighth-grade students identified as coming from disharmonious families and having low self-confidence. The instrument used was a self-confidence scale that included indicators of belief in one’s abilities, courage to express opinions, and ability to face challenges. Data were analyzed using …

Review Of: Justice After War: Jus Post Bellum In The 21st Century, Jacaranda Turvey Tait

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of: Deep Transformations: A Theory Of Degrowth, Daina Cheyenne Harvey

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of: With The Best Of Intentions: Interreligious Missteps And Mistakes, William Skudlarek Osb

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Review Of: Spreading Hate: The Global Rise Of White Supremacist Terrorism, Sachal Jacob

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Sudan: A War Of Atrocities Report Of The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission For The Sudan, - Annual Report Of The United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights And Reports Of The Office Of The High Commissioner And The Secretary-General

The Journal of Social Encounters

This report documents attacks on civilians and objects essential for their survival in Sudan. It concludes that both parties to the conflict violated international human rights and humanitarian law, with most violations amounting to war crimes. The Rapid Support Forces’ conduct may also constitute crimes against humanity, including persecution and extermination. The report calls for accountability and sets out a roadmap for justice.

Enhancing Peacebuilding For Integral Human Development: Caritas Good Practices And Lessons Learnt, - Caritas Internationalis

The Journal of Social Encounters

Today’s geopolitical context, with big powers choosing bilateralism over multilateralism, is fostering a proliferation of conflicts and violence throughout the globe. The Caritas Confederation has been working actively for peacebuilding for decades, especially since the Rwanda genocide in 1994. Indeed, there is a growing consensus within the Confederation supporting the urgent need to enhance peacebuilding efforts globally. This document explores best practices and lessons learnt, with a strategic focus on the importance of involving women in peacebuilding. Each best practice is illustrated by one or two projects implemented by Caritas Member Organisations.

Hezbollah's Military Setback: From Strategic Strength To Political Dilemma—A Comprehensive Analysis, Habib Albadawi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This study examines the unprecedented military transformation of Hezbollah from 2024 to 2025, analyzing how technological superiority and strategic constraints have fundamentally altered the effectiveness of irregular warfare organizations. Through extensive analysis of organizational adaptation, technological disruption, and external dependencies, this research investigates the paradox of how advanced military capabilities, when constrained by external dependencies, can become operational liabilities rather than strategic assets. The study employs multiple theoretical frameworks to understand this transformation and its implications for future irregular warfare.

Dalit Poetry On The Eve Of Indian Independence: Gurram Jashuva And The Quest For Critical Consciousness And Collective Remembering, Chris Conway

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Dalit Literary movement irrupted on the scene in the early 1970s in the state of Maharashtra, India. Unblinking in its criticism of casteism and unnerving in its depiction of Dalit oppression, the movement sought to concretize the political aims of B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) through cultivating a critical Dalit consciousness liberated from caste identity and history. The movement enjoyed success in uniting Dalit groups across the country under this new name. However, fifty years later a new generation of Dalit and Dalit-supporting thinkers have begun to critically examine the implications of Dalit identity focusing particularly on its rootedness in suffering …

Schism And Dialogue In Antioch: Melkite-Orthodox Relations, 1724 – Present, Berge Traboulsi

The Journal of Social Encounters

More than three centuries after the emergence of Uniatism and the 1724 Antiochian schism, deep divisions persist between the Melkite Greek Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. Despite ecumenical milestones and the official condemnation of Uniatism, full ecclesiastical union remains elusive. Efforts to heal the 1054 schism between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy likewise continue to encounter significant obstacles. This study examines traditional Melkite–Orthodox relations, academic initiatives, and dialogue efforts within the Antiochian context. It advocates bold, reform-oriented approaches to coexistence and collaboration—grounded in human rights and fraternity—moving beyond polemics toward mutual understanding, reconciliation, and trust.

Gateway To Business Analytics With Microsoft Excel, Humberto Barreto

Economics and Management Faculty publications

Business analytics is a new, expanding subfield with fuzzy edges that overlap into a variety of other established disciplines, including economics, econometrics, computer science, data science, finance, statistics, mathematics, and even psychology. Business analytics includes such traditional techniques as regression and data visualization, but also newer methods such as web scraping, big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Its key distinguishing feature is using data to make and communicate business decisions. This textbook utilizes Microsoft Excel to present a mix of topics appropriate to an undergraduate level introduction to business analytics course with an engaging delivery style.

Mediating Role Of Defense Mechanisms Between Parenting Styles And The Development Of Pathological Narcissism, Jared C. Cordero

Student Theses

The present study examines the relationship between perceived parental styles, grandiose narcissism, vulnerable narcissism, and defense mechanisms with the aim of replicating the Imamgolu & Batigun (2020) research findings. A cross-sectional design was used. Covariates such as sex, age, parental dynamics in youth, and household dynamics in youth. To do this, 150 participants between the ages of 18-65 and residing in the United States were recruited via Prolific. Regarding sex, 66.7% of the participants were female, 32.7% were male, and 0.7% were intersex. Upon recruitment, participants completed a battery consisting of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory, Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, Perceived Parental …

The Role Of Emotional Stability And Social Confidence In Leading With Vulnerability Moderated By Perceived Trust In The Leader, Perceived Trust In The Team, And Psychological Safety, Adam N. Smith

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

AKTiVe leadership is a foundational cultural model that has been adopted at Florida Health Science Center (Tampa General Hospital). The premise of the model is that treating each other with Authenticity, Kindness, Transparency, and Vulnerability (AKTiVe Model) will lead to cultural change that enhances trust, engagement, and psychological safety, which will in turn drive performance improvement for the organization. It takes years to change the culture of an organization, which highlights the need to focus on sustainability and resilience in the culture. This research aims to understand the personality traits that predict leading with vulnerability.

I focused on vulnerability because …

Quality Improvement Project Optimizing Opioid Screening: The Impact Of Staff Education In A Pain Management Clinic., Khairunnisa Khan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Chronic pain is a complex condition that often requires long-term opioid therapy, creating challenges for safe prescribing and patient monitoring. Inadequate screening for opioid misuse risk can contribute to unsafe practices, regulatory noncompliance, and patient harm. Validated instruments such as the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) are available to guide risk assessment, yet their use in everyday practice remains inconsistent. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate whether targeted staff education improved compliance with opioid risk assessment documentation in a rural pain management clinic. A pre-/post-intervention design was …

Prevalence Of Helmet Use In Skateboarders: A Systematic Review And Narrative Synthesis, Katherine Hunzinger, Ricker Adkins, Stevie Chen, Thomas Li, Lujie Chen

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Introduction: Helmet adoption remains low among skateboarders, but the specific prevalence remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to summarize available evidence on helmet-use prevalence among skateboarders. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted using the search terms: skateboard, skateboarding, protective gear, protective equipment, pads, or helmet. Articles were included if they were in English with specific data on helmet use among skateboarders. Articles excluded were those representing reviews or conference abstracts/presentations; or if helmet use prevalence for skateboarders could not be ascertained. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, …

Imsa 2025 Profile, Office Of College And Academic Counseling

IMSA Profile

The nationally-ranked Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students in its tuition-free residential Academy for grades 10-12. Students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum designed to develop them into problem solvers and critical thinkers. Notable IMSA alumni include YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen, PayPal Co-Creator Yu Pan, Yelp Co-Founder Russell Simmons, SparkNotes and OkCupid Co-Founder Sam Yagan, and Hearsay Social Founder, Clara Shih.

When The Eyes Break The (Naturalistic) Scene: Investigation On The Eye-Gaze Following Mechanisms In Complex Scenarios, Bianca Monachesi, Anna Pecchinenda, Gustav Kuhn

School of Psychology

Processing eye-gaze and aligning one’s own attention with the gaze direction of others (gaze following) is a crucial ability and it underpins several cognitive and affective mechanisms. However, we know little about how this gaze following operates in realistic scenarios in adults. The present study addresses this gap by presenting naturalistic scenes, in which models were portrayed centrally or peripherally (7°), with their eye gaze directed straight ahead, averted towards an object (valid cue) or away from it (invalid cue), while maintaining a straight head position. Eye movements were recorded while participants (N = 60) performed two tasks: a free …

Problem Videogame Playing Scale: A Preliminary Study Of Measurement Invariance Between English And Malay, Jia Yuin Fam, Rumaya Juhari, Zainal Madon, Mohd Najmi Daud

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Purpose: Distinguishing between problematic and non-problematic gamers is a priority concern. Although the Problem Videogame Playing (PVP) Scale might be useful as a screening tool of IGD, there is little evidence to support the measurement invariance of the PVP scale. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the English and Malay versions of the PVP scale. Methods: A total of 646 secondary school students aged between 12 and 18 years were recruited to participate in this study. Results: The unidimensional structure of the PVP scale was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The PVP scale correlates well with other …

Religiosity And Attitudes Toward Suicide Among Filipinos, Marc Eric S. Reyes, Therese Angelie C. Daluping, Omar Joseph Sj. Dela Cruz, Sigmund Gabriel A. Estremadura, Jonah Emmanuel D. Gavino, Elaine G. Villanueva, Alvin L. Jacob Iii

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Religiosity is generally negatively associated with attitudes toward suicide. Religious individuals typically have more negative attitudes toward suicide than individuals with lower levels of religiosity. This is partly due to the belief that suicide goes against many religious teachings that revere life as a sacred gift from God. Hence, using a cross-sectional, predictive design, we aimed to investigate the link between religiosity and suicide attitudes and how much religiosity predicts different suicide attitudes. Using non-probability convenience sampling, 1148 Filipino participants aged 18–65 completed an online test battery: Centrality of Religiosity Scale Interreligious form-20 and Attitudes Toward Suicide Scale. Results revealed …

An Open Trial For Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy For Primary Care (Tbt-Pc) In Veterans With Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety, Daniel F Gros, Stephanie Hart, Michelle Pompei, Ron Acierno

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Transdiagnostic psychotherapies were developed to address multiple diagnostic presentations via a single, easier-to-implement protocol. However, despite advances, these protocols are largely limited to longer formats designed for mental health settings. The present study investigated a version of Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy (TBT-PC) that was adapted for primary care settings. Forty-one participants with emotional disorders received 6 sessions of TBT-PC, with symptoms of depression and anxiety assessed at baseline, immediate post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. Medium treatment effects for symptoms of depression and anxiety were evidenced at post-treatment and sustained at follow-up. Treatment feasibility was supported by excellent attendance, treatment completion, and …

The Role And Influence Of Media Coverage And Social Media On Suicides: A Scoping Review, Kevin Miko Buac, Janine Trixia Austria, Claro Emmanuel Monsanto, Ma. Jamaica Monique Ponce, Arnold Christopher Soriano, Mystie Suzuki, Marc Eric S. Reyes

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Numerous factors contribute to suicide ideation; recent studies highlight that the media’s presentation of suicide plays a significant role in influencing suicide ideation and attempts among their audience. This study aims to evaluate the extent of the literature on traditional media reporting and social media in the context of suicide ideation and attempts, considering social media as a distinct yet relevant domain with its widespread reach and user-driven nature. The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews was employed to retrieve relevant studies and address the following questions: (1) What potential factors …

Willingness To Pay For A Restored And Protected Watershed: Evidence From The Countryside, Sherrie Ann Cananua-Labid, Julie Ann M. Quilatan, Lovely Rose A. Bolante

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Climate change and human activity have severely degraded watersheds, jeopardizing their sustainability. The willingness of residents to pay for watershed management is essential for developing sustainable environmental protection efforts. This study determined the respondents' willingness to pay (WTP) for the restoration and protection (RP) of the Ulot Watershed of Samar Island Natural Park using a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach. The researchers used the Kish grid method to draw respondents from 150 households. The study revealed that families with an average annual income of approximately $2746.70 were ready to contribute $0.78 per month, or $9.36 annually, to the watershed …

Effects Of Exercise Type And Frequency On Fear Of Falling And Quality Of Life In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease, Abigail Gray

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Introduction: Exercise is a well-established tool for managing the symptoms and progression of Parkinson's Disease. Although the importance of exercise is known, existing guidelines lack specificity regarding exercise type, setting, and frequency. This study explores the role of group versus independent exercise and exercise frequency on fear of falling (FoF) and quality of life (QoL). Additionally, the relationship between QoL and FoF is explored. Methods: This cross-sectional, observational, mixed-methods study included 41 participants who completed three questionnaires: the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8), and an Exercise Habits questionnaire created by the primary researcher. Results: A statistically …

Effect Of A Culturally Focused Parenting Program On Korean Parents And Children: A Pilot Study, Gloria Park, Theresa Garcia

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Traditional Korean parenting practices, heavily grounded in Confucianism which emphasizes educational success, family obligations, and repressed emotionality¹, may be related to children’s mental health issues². The Ottuki Korean Parenting Program (OKPP)³, integrated Korean culture and values, was recently developed for Korean American parents to improve the parent-child relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the OKPP on Korean American parenting practices, parental confidence, and child mental health.

Method: Participants were assigned to either the Intervention group or the Control group. The intervention group received a 3-hour parenting class weekly …

Innovative Solutions To Retain Nurses: Expanding Leadnursingforward.Org Via Statewide Collaboration, Kaynabess Freda, Elizabeth A. Seldomridge, Abigail Johnson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The global nursing shortage is urgent, with Maryland (MD), USA, experiencing heightened demand across settings (Maryland Hospital Association, 2022). Pandemic-related burnout, stress, and health issues have led many nurses to consider leaving the profession (American Nurses Foundation, 2022; International Council of Nurses, 2022). To mitigate these challenges, a statewide collaboration led to an expansion of LeadNursingForward.org, providing targeted information and tools to retain nursing professionals. The “Be a Maryland Nurse” page offers interactive dashboards with regional data on nursing demographics, employment projections, and compensation. It features nursing narratives and workplace initiatives with positive impact, aligning with findings that workforce …

Theoretically Guided Strategies For Teaching Quantitative Methods For Dnp Scholarship, Randall Stennett, Stephan R. Smith, Joann D. Long, Emilia Garcia, Vanessa Bolyard

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs continue to increase across the nation (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN]). Graduates are charged to be practice scholars and leaders who work well in multi-disciplinary teams to improve healthcare metrics (AACN, 2024). Yet, wide variation across programs, and lack of curricular consistency contributes to confusion among students, faculty, and organizations who hire DNP prepared nurses regarding expected outcomes (Wright, et al., 2022). Acquiring the skills needed to use quantitative methods with scientific rigor in DNP practice projects remains a notable challenge (Sowan & Chinman, 2024). Evidence-based methods to support teaching and curricular …

Haitian Nurses’ Perception About Disaster Preparedness And Disaster Nursing, Jacqueline Cassagnol

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Purpose: Disasters happen worldwide. They devastate infrastructure, livelihoods, and often result in mass casualties. The increased occurrence of disasters means that disaster preparedness training is essential. Studies have shown that nurses make up the largest number of healthcare providers and are often the first point of contact for disaster survivors. The International Council of Nursing calls for nurses to be involved in all aspects of disaster preparedness, from risk assessment to multidisciplinary management. Nurses and nursing associations are urged to take leadership roles in preparing their countries for disasters. In a country such as Haiti that is prone to natural …