Digital Commons Network^™

The Layered Knowledge Profile, Harendra A. Alwis Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The Open Knowledge Format (OKF) gives the world a portable, vendor-neutral envelope for knowledge — markdown files with YAML frontmatter, cross-linked into a graph — and, by deliberate design, declines to specify how the knowledge inside that envelope should be organised, requiring only a single type field and defining the interoperability surface rather than the content model. The Layered Knowledge Profile (LKP) supplies the content model that OKF leaves open. It encodes, as machine-readable structure expressed entirely within OKF's own conventions, the asymmetric ontological dependency among the four realms of reality described by Alwis (2026), so that a body of …

Author Biographies, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

"They Will Put You Out Of The Synagogues”: An Exegesis Of John 16:1-4a And Its Application To The Persecuted Christians In Northern Nigeria, Chiemeka Iwuagwu

Obsculta

This paper offers an exegesis of John 16:1-4a, a pivotal passage in Jesus' Farewell Discourse that warns the disciples of impending persecution, including expulsion from synagogues. Situating the text within the historical and literary context of the Johannine community, it explores how this forewarning reframes suffering as an integral aspect of faithful witness rather than divine abandonment. Drawing on key scholarly works, the analysis engages literary structure, historical reconstruction of community experiences, and theological motifs such as dualism and Christology. The paper then applies these insights to the plight of Christians in northern Nigeria, a region marked by violent persecution, …

Developing Robust Human Formation For Ministerial Training, Mary L. Parks

Obsculta

The Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis recognizes that effective ministerial formation is holistic, attending to all aspects of a minister’s being. The document therefore outlines four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. In Co-Workers In the Vineyard of the Lord, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) extends the same four pillars of formation to the development of lay ecclesial ministers. The USCCB also applies these pillars to diaconal formation in The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America.

The Incomprehensible God Who Wants To Reveal: Exodus 40 And Sirach 24, Gilbert Perez

Obsculta

God's transcendence above everything is present in many theological traditions, who recognize and answer in a diverse number of ways the question of how to approach the incomprehensible. Using the Historical Critical Method of exegesis with examples from the works of the recently deceased Walter Brueggemann, two completely different contexts in the Old Testament: Exodus 40 and Sirach 24, are presented to show how scripture itself often responded to the question of how God is made comprehensible.

I Cry At Night Before You: Theologies Of Depression In The Psalms, Travis Spillum Osb

Obsculta

This work looks to the Psalms to discover theologies that resonate with experiences of depression. If one struggling with depression feels as if God is angry with them, that their condition is oppressing them, that loved ones have abandoned them, or that God's love for them is wavering, they can utilize the psalmist's words to voice their feelings and express their anguish in prayer to a God who is seemingly deaf to their groaning.

Experiences Of Black Francophone Students Entering The United States For Higher Education, Anu Nifemi Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Navigating Mental Health After Purity Culture: Women’S Voices From The Southern United States, Abby Frazee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Can We Add A New Language Of Love? Freedom…, Essraa Nawar

Library Articles and Research

"

More than thirty years later, the Five Love Languages remain part of our everyday vocabulary. We ask spouses, friends, and family members, 'What’s your love language?' We have learned that people experience love differently and that meaningful relationships require understanding how others feel seen, valued, and appreciated.

The framework has helped millions.

Yet I wonder whether the conversation is incomplete.

Can we add a new language of love?

I believe we can. I believe there is a sixth language.

Its name is Freedom."

Continuing Medical Education As A Workforce Learning System For Artificial Intelligence In Clinical Practice, Tim Murphy, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in clinical decision support, documentation, imaging, predictive analytics, and workflow management. However, the educational systems responsible for preparing practicing physicians to use AI have not fully addressed the interpretive, ethical, and organizational demands of AI-supported care. This qualitative case study examined how continuing medical education (CME) shapes physicians’ readiness to integrate AI into clinical practice. Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and human resource development (HRD), the study analyzed semi-structured interviews with 14 physicians from diverse specialties within a large academic health system. Organizational artifacts, including CME announcements, …

Strengthening Ecological Literacy Through Forest-Themed National Literature: Conservation-Oriented Awareness In Rural Malaysia, Nurul Haniza Samsudin, Nurul Asmaa' Akmal Md Din, Awang Azman Awang Pawi, Mardian Shah Omar, Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali, Nur Azimah Mohd Bukhari, Akhmad Mansur

Forest and Society

This study examines how Malaysian national literature with forest themes may strengthen ecological literacy, conservation ethics, and restoration-oriented consciousness in rural education. Responding to the ecological orientation of Forest and Society, the article shifts the emphasis from literacy restoration as an educational outcome to ecological literacy as a cultural and pedagogical pathway for cultivating environmental awareness, stewardship, and responsibility toward forest environments. Using a descriptive qualitative design and an ecologically oriented literary text analysis approach, the study analyses two Malaysian novels, Seorang Tua di Kaki Gunung by Azizi Haji Abdullah and Kudup Hijau Tropika by Husna Nazri. These texts were …

Board-Certified Behavior Analysts Experiences In Providing Health Insurance Resources To Parents Of Children With Autism, Martins Acha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Navigating Multiple Roles: Communication Strategies Of Indonesian Postgraduate Women In A Patriarchal Collectivist Culture, Shela Kusumaningtyas, Wawan Hadinata, Nur Iman, Yunati Alinda, Adinda Aulia Nurhaliza, Leoni Nindyasari

JURNAL KOMUNIKASI INDONESIA

This study examines how Indonesian postgraduate women negotiate simultaneous roles as wives, mothers, workers, and students within a patriarchal collectivist culture. Using a qualitative case study with a constructivist orientation, the research focuses on six postgraduate students at the University of Indonesia who were selected through purposive criteria because they simultaneously managed family, work, and academic responsibilities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, limited contextual observation, and supporting documents, and were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding procedures. The findings show that role conflict is experienced not merely as a matter of time management, but as a layered burden …

Canada’S Contributions To International Legal Discourse: Gender, Genocide, And Neocolonial Investments (2015–2025), Heidi Matthews

Articles & Book Chapters

This chapter critically evaluates Canada’s major points of engagement with international law in the period between 2015 and 2025. In partnership with European and Commonwealth allies, Canada has been an active participant in several contentious cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including against Myanmar, Syria, and Afghanistan. Canada has taken progressive legal positions in this litigation with respect to the interpretation and application of international law as it relates to sexual and gender-based crimes, as well as abuses committed against children. However, the past decade also reveals that Canada’s policy responses to its genocide and other crimes against …

Human Freedom And God’S Image In Undocumented People, An Nguyen

Obsculta

This article explores the relationship of human freedom in the theological perspective and undocumented immigrants in the United States: how immigrants embody the divine image, Imago Dei, despite legal and social constraints. I will begin with the theological foundation—freedom as a distinguishing characteristic of God’s image in humanity—and analyze the complex nature of freedom as both a divine gift and a human responsibility. Additionally, I will demonstrate that the Church has a special responsibility to recognize and affirm the inherent dignity of undocumented people by drawing from Catholic social teaching, migration studies, and theological anthropology, ultimately calling for pastoral practices …

Reflections On Inclusive Qualitative Research With Autistic Emerging Adults: Lessons Learned And Practical Recommendations, Acadia W. Buro, Heidi Rishel Brakey, Monica F. Asencio Pimentel, Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez

Population Health Research and Scholarship

We explored inclusive qualitative data collection strategies for autistic emerging adults (ages 18–25) to identify nutrition-related resource needs and inform intervention development. We conducted Zoom interviews with autistic emerging adults, their caregivers, and service providers. We co-developed recruitment materials with a community advisory board of autistic advocates and offered and adapted interview accommodations in real time to align with participants’ preferences. Common accommodations included receiving questions in advance and in the chat, having a caregiver present, and simplifying questions. Some techniques used with neurotypical participants translated well to our participants, such as reflective listening, a conversational tone, and allowing pauses; …

Effects Of Anchor Scheme On Torque And Neuromuscular Responses During And Following Fatiguing Isokinetic Forearm Flexion Tasks: Insights From High-Density Electromyography And Wavelet Analysis, Dolores Guadalupe Ortega

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This study examined the effects of anchor scheme on torque and neuromuscular responses during and following fatiguing isokinetic forearm flexion tasks. Thirteen men (mean ± SD; age: 22.0 ± 1.9 yr; height: 183.0 ± 6.4 cm; body mass: 90.2 ± 18.1 kg) completed pretest and posttest maximal, concentric, isokinetic forearm flexion muscle actions at 30°∙s-1 before and after continual, concentric, isokinetic forearm flexion tasks at 30°∙s-1 at an RPE of 6 (RPE6T) and the torque (TRQ6T) produced during the first repetition of the RPE6T. Monopolar electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from the biceps brachii using a high-density EMG sensor. A …

Critical Care Nurses’ Self-Efficacy In Responding To Emergency Code Situations, Nesheemah Sabree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Needs Of A Church’S Older Adults To Promote Their Flourishing, Royston Terrell Booker Iii

DMin Project Theses

The purpose of this project was to lay the groundwork for creating a holistic Senior Adult Ministry to support the flourishing of older adults through the activities of God’s people, the church. This approach to help older adults’ well-being is best accomplished through holistic support to enhance well-being, but many churches have not considered a holistic approach or developed a supportive capability. To create a holistic Senior Adult Ministry, I assessed the needs of senior adults in the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ (BHCC) in Nashville, Tennessee, within the United States. The findings and conclusions of this dissertation provide a …

Staff Education On Stress Management And Coping Strategies For Psychiatric Nurses, Chidinma Uwakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

The Relationships Between Perceived Quality Of Sexual Educational Experiences From Multiple Sources And Sexual Wellbeing Outcomes In A Sample Of U.S. College Women, Alex Diede

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sexual education comes from many sources and is important for sexual wellbeing. Much of the research on relationships between sexual education and sexual wellbeing has examined specific sources (e.g., schools or parents) and outcomes related to sexual risk-reduction, such as contraceptive use (e.g., Lameiras-Fernández et al., 2021; Widman et al., 2016). Less is known about the relationships between sexual education and positive sexual wellbeing outcomes. This study used a sample of college women to examine the relationships between the perceived quality of sexual education before college from four sources (i.e., caregivers, school, peers, self) and sexual wellbeing outcomes, including ego-focused …

The Roots Of Sexual Violence In Utah: A Framework For Understanding Harm, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Sexual violence in Utah is not an anomaly, a private tragedy, or the result of individual deviance. It is a patterned, predictable outcome of cultural norms, social systems, and power structures that shape how people understand gender, authority, and worth. Despite Utah’s reputation for strong families, close‑knit communities, and deep religious commitment, the state continues to report higher‑than‑national‑average rates of rape, child sexual abuse, and other forms of gender‑based harm. These realities demand a deeper understanding of why violence persists—and what can be done to prevent it.

This white paper synthesizes decades of national and international research, Utah‑specific data, and …

Hierarchical Bayesian Evidence On Cbdc Adoption: The Case Of Indonesia’S Digital Rupiah, Akbar Syahid Rabbani, Jongsu Lee

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This study analyzed accessibility, privacy, transferability, and interest rates related to the adoption of Digital Rupiah, Indonesia’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), among rural and urban consumers. Findings from a hierarchical Bayesian model show that mobile applications are the main acquisition channel, and enhanced transferability with bank accounts and electronic money boosts consumer utility. However, there are concerns about fully anonymous transactions, differentiated by socio-demographic profiles (age, income, education, and knowledge). Scenario analysis suggests the potential CBDC adoption rate in Indonesia could range from 38% to 55%, influenced by privacy levels and the central bank’s interest rates.

Different Dimensions Of Social Support On Social Media And Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intentions Among Chinese College Students Applying The Theory Of Planned Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ni Zhang, Carolyn Madison Chang, Yu Zhang, Lu Guo, Qizhi Xu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background:

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) participation among Chinese college students remains insufficient despite growing public health concerns regarding sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Social media platforms have increasingly become important channels for delivering social support related to physical activity (PA); however, different dimensions of social support on social media may exert distinct psychological influences on exercise intentions.

Objective:

Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships between different dimensions of social support on social media and Chinese college students’ intentions to engage in LTPA.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among …

Self-Compassion And Meaningful Work: Examining The Role Of Personal Resources In Veterinary Medicine Student Burnout Through A Jd-R Framework, Swathi Prabhu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Rates of burnout are known to be markedly high among veterinary professionals but less is known about burnout among U.S. veterinary students. The Job Demands-Resource (JD-R) Theory provides a framework through which veterinary students’ experiences can be investigated in a way that centers supportive organizational and personal resources, instead of focusing on the detrimental aspects of training that have dominated the literature. Using a sample of 469 students enrolled in U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine, the current study examined if two personal resources (self-compassion and work as meaning) mediated the relationship between two sources of support (student peer support and …

The Empathetic-Perverse: A Contemporary Exploration Of The Grotesque In Southern Gothic Literature, Halle Elizabeth Griggs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Contemporary scholars and critics alike can agree that much of our understanding of Southern Gothic literature and its relation to the grotesque comes from Flannery O’Connor. O’Connor often portrays a transformation within that of grotesque characters (characters with moral flaws and/or physical disabilities). These transformations, depicted through use of pain, violence, and outlandish behavior, help to bring these grotesque characters closer to God, experiencing a sort of divine grace or redemption. Yet, often these grotesque characters are depicted in a way void of compassion. Despite describing fiction from the middle of the last century, most critics still rely on the …

Adhd And Third-Level Education In Ireland: Student Experiences And Suggested Improvements., James O'Rourke, Ciara Douglas, Marcin Szczerbinski

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

The number of third-level Irish students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing. Yet there is limited research documenting the lived experience of ADHD students in Ireland. This article aims to document the student voice of Irish third-level students diagnosed with ADHD and to explore their ADHD-related difficulties, as well as their suggestions for more supportive and inclusive university practices. The research used a two-stage qualitative design involving seven individual semi-structured online interviews, followed by one member checking via group online interview. There were seven participants, aged 19–28, from six different higher education institutions in Ireland, including two …

From Fly On The Wall To Future Colleagues: Best Practice Recommendations For Medical Student Shadowing Programs, Molly Estes, Danielle Matonis, Mckenna Knych, Brian Barbas, Ronnie Ren, William Dixon, Michael Pasirstein, Xiao C. Zhang, Kaitlin Bowers, Ravi R. Chauhan, Laryssa A. Patti

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Physician shadowing is a common component of early medical education and frequently represents students' first exposure to clinical practice. Despite its prevalence, existing guidance primarily targets learners rather than physicians supervising shadowing experiences. This gap is especially relevant in the emergency department (ED), where high patient acuity, workflow demands, and complex clinical environments create challenges for providing safe and meaningful observational learning. We sought to develop consensus-based best practice recommendations for ED faculty supervising medical student shadowing.

METHODS: We conducted a modified Delphi study using an online survey platform to achieve panelist consensus. Ten emergency medicine educators with a …

Intersection Of Pediatric Hypertension And Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Disease, Jessica O'Keeffe, Christina Kingshill, Jack Tompson, Andrew M. South, Carissa M. Baker-Smith

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe the intersection between pediatric hypertension and advancing stages of cardiovascular, kidney metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.

RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the pediatric population. The onset of CKM in childhood is influenced by the presence of antenatal risk factors such as maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Advancing stages of CKM in children and adolescents are strongly influenced by food insecurity and social determinants of health that impact the risk for childhood obesity. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a key mediator in the relationship between …

The Effects Of Wearable Fitness Trackers And Fitness Education On Physical Activity Participation, Physical Competence, And General Self-Efficacy In Inactive And Sedentary College Students, Tiffany Lough

Doctorate in Kinesiology

This study examined the combined effects of wearable fitness trackers and structured fitness education on physical activity participation, perceived physical competence, and general self-efficacy among inactive and sedentary college students. A six-week randomized pretest-posttest design was used. Undergraduate students aged 18–24 who were not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines were recruited from a private liberal arts university and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Participants in the experimental group received a wearable fitness tracker along with fitness education sessions integrating Social Cognitive Theory based behavior change techniques including self-monitoring, observational learning, mastery experiences, and goal …