Digital Commons Network^™

Ecological Health Risk Assessment Of Some Heavy Metals In Dust From Some Nursery And Primary Schools Of Al-Kut City, Iraq, Wisam Thamer Al-Mayah, Zahraa Zahraw Al-Janabi, Isam Hani Hameed

Baghdad Science Journal

Heavy metals in dust are considered one of the most important environmental consequences of human activities. The objectives of this study are to investigate the ecological risk of heavy metals on human health in the dust of schools in Kut City, Iraq. The dust samples were collected from 25 primary schools and kindergartens. The pH, EC, TDS, and concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, Zn, Co, Mn) were measured. The heavy metals were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF), and pollution load index (PLI) were calculated. The results showed that the …

Land Cover Changes And Distribution Of Carbon Stocks In The Tembawang Agroforestry Area, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Rafdinal Rafdinal, Riza Linda, Adityo Raynaldo, Eko Subrata

Baghdad Science Journal

Tembawang agroforestry represents a traditional forest management system practiced by Dayak communities in Kalimantan and is recognized for its ecological and livelihood functions. This study examines land cover changes and carbon stock distribution in Tembawang agroforestry in Cipta Karya Village, West Kalimantan. The research applied a combination of field surveys and remote sensing using Sentinel satellite imagery from 2019 and 2023. Vegetation data were collected through observation plots to assess species composition, density, and biomass for carbon estimation using allometric equations. A total of 17 tree species were identified across Tembawang and rubber forest areas. Four species showed the highest …

Antagonistic Activities Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Exoproducts Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Sirwan M. Muhammed Ameen

Baghdad Science Journal

The rise of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a serious global health threat and reduces the efficacy of current treatments. The present study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of exoproducts from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against MRSA. The confirmation of the identities of P.aeruginosa and S.aureus was achieved through the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Using the agar diffusion assay, the cell-free supernatants (PA-CFS) derived from both the extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa strain and the reference strain ATCC 27853 demonstrated notable antibacterial activity against MRSA, exhibiting inhibition zones ranging from 28.67 ± 0.33 to 33.33 ± 0.33 mm and …

Qoe Enhancement For Video Streaming Based On Attention U-Net Model, Iman Kadhum Abbood, Doaa Ayed Mohammed, Israa Hadi Ali, Sarah Abdul-Ridha Abed

Baghdad Science Journal

Video streaming services, including YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon, account for a large portion of global internet traffic. Therefore, the maintenance of high visual quality is very important to user satisfaction and overall Quality of Experience (QoE) for these users. However, fluctuating bandwidth often causes frame drops and motion discontinuities, resulting in visual artifacts and degraded QoE. Although existing video frame interpolation methods attempt to address these challenges, most remain limited in their ability to sustain performance under bandwidth-constrained environments. To overcome these limitations, IncepU-Net has been introduced. IncepU-Net is proposed as an enhanced U-Net architecture that integrates multi-scale inception modules …

God’S Design For Human Nature: Paul’S Biblical-Theological Use Of Creation Theology In Romans 1:18–32, Eunsoo (Daniel) Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The world in which the Apostle Paul ministered was not a theological vacuum, but a sophisticated marketplace of competing worldviews and diverse moral frameworks. Within the specific milieu of first-century Rome, the cultural forces of Stoic philosophy, Roman imperial ideology, and pagan polytheism created an environment where complex expressions of human nature and sexuality emerged. Dominant Roman social stratifications often celebrated or normalized same-sex relations and blurred the distinctions of the created order. Paul found himself proclaiming a message of a Sovereign Creator in a society that had been conditioned for centuries to view the human nature through the lens …

The Kirk Of The Covenant: A Comparative Analysis Of Covenanter Doctrine And Practice In Periods Of Ascendancy And Persecution, 1638–1688, Isaac James Nesbit

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Scottish Covenanter period is frequently treated as a monolith – a singular entity spanning a particularly contentious fifty years of Scottish history. While historians covering the work have inherently recognized two different waves of the group, this bifurcation of the period has not been made explicitly clear, merely suggested. Through comparative analysis of primary sources, this work delineates commonalities and differences between these two groups, termed “ascendant” and “persecuted” Covenanters, with the ascendant period spanning 1638–1651, and the persecuted wave spanning 1660–1688. The two are bisected by the abolition of the monarchy and the Commonwealth under Cromwell.

The ascendant …

From Frames To Strains: Analytically Modeling Inelastic Deformation Under Mapped Single-Site Impacts From High-Speed Footage To Internal State Variable Codes, Joby Milo Anthony

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This work adds insight to the physical phenomena of microstructural and stress strengthening of metal components by the inelastic deformation from Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT). Impact behaviors observed by high-speed footage of a Crank-Slider Mechanism (CSM) are examined in the context of analytically moving rigid bodies in spacetime and resolving kinematics upon impact until restitution via Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A Coupled Discrete-Finite Element Model (CDFEM) leverages Bammann plasticity, Horstemeyer damage and void nucleation, growth, and coalescence and Cho recrystallization Internal State Variable (ISV) models to show the localization of plastic strain and onset of recrystallization under any single …

Crisis Of Command: Shaef, Strategy, And The War In Northwest Europe, Fall 1944, Josh Glover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the strategic debates among the Supreme Allied Commander, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his subordinate commanders, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and U.S. Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton, in the fall of 1944. Most historians have focused specifically on the military campaigns throughout the fall of 1944, the commanders who executed them, and the missed opportunities and failures that occurred. The question left unanswered is why the Allies missed the opportunity to end the war in 1944. To answer this, I analyzed the numerous strategic debates among these four commanders and many others that took …

Education Journey: A Phenomenological Investigation Of The Lived College Experiences For Black Women Ages 20–39, Marsha Natalie Tucker-Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study focused on the lived college experiences of Black female students aged 20-39 in the New York Metropolitan area, drawing on Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory to examine how cultural context, social interaction, and community expectations shaped their academic engagement and development. Using in-depth interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts with ten participants from local communities and churches, the study found that race and social expectations exerted a more profound influence on participants’ academic journeys than gender or age. Their narratives affirmed the value of hermeneutic phenomenology and intersectionality in understanding Black women’s experiences in higher education, particularly as they …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Teachers At A Charter Classical School In Central Texas With A Ban On Student Personal Smart Devices: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Choueang Khantiya Etheridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of teachers managing instruction and classical educational principles in an environment that bans students’ personal smart devices. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) guided this study as it examined how teachers perceived and responded to technology restrictions through four key constructs: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. The central research question asked: What are teachers’ lived experiences in a chartered classical school in central Texas as they manage instruction and maintain classical educational principles in an environment that bans students’ …

Barriers To Physical Activity Among Community College Students, Erica Keels

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceived barriers, motivators, and student-identified strategies related to physical activity among students enrolled at a community college located in Northwest Florida. Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), Self-Determination Theory (SDT), Health Belief Model (HBM), and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study employed a qualitative descriptive design to examine students’ lived experiences and perceptions that influence their physical activity behaviors. Data were collected through an online open-ended survey administered to students aged 18 years and older. A total of 134 students initially accessed the survey, and 126 eligible participants …

The Challenges Of Employee Selection, Cayward L. Wiggins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative single case study examined the challenges associated with employee selection and the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in improving hiring practices within public sector organizations. The general problem addressed was the failure to consistently utilize EI testing resources, which may result in the selection of less qualified employees. The specific problem focused on the inconsistent integration of EI tools during recruitment and interview processes. Guided by a post-positivism paradigm, the study explored how human resource (HR) managers and personnel understood and applied EI in candidate evaluation. Data was collected from 30 HR professionals using interviews and surveys to …

Women In Ministry Leadership: Balancing Work, Personal Life, And Family Responsibilities, Coretta Shawn Thompson Siler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Women in ministry leadership experience specific difficulties managing professional ministry, personal health, and family obligations (Frederick, T. V., Dunbar, S. B., & Hargrove, D. S., 2023). This paper focused on the specific struggles of women in ministry leadership, despite the numerous challenges women face across various fields. Its purpose was to examine the obstacles, interactions, and repercussions of these issues in faith-based groups and church leadership. The Dissertation-in-Praxis addressed these difficulties and offered a one-day workshop as a real-world solution. It aimed to educate women in leadership on biblical concepts, leadership styles, and methods for juggling their obligations. With servant …

Resilience In The Age Of Covid-19: A Phenomenological Study Of Survivors 65 And Older, Kwajulyn Onothia Rucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Few studies have examined resilience among those aged 65+ during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research fills that gap, offering data to guide policies and treatments for future pandemics. The pandemic revealed factors influencing psychological resilience, with stressors linked to health issues becoming chronic worldwide. Older adults faced heightened stress, and 95.5% of COVID-19 deaths occurred in those 50 and older. Lockdowns increased isolation and depression, yet many showed resilience by drawing on strengths, social networks, and circumstances. Key themes from this study included faith, engagement, adaptability, and adversity. Most (80%) adapted well, feeling 'fine' or 'okay' and finding hope through …

Grace Within The Holiness Code, Michael B. Bowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leviticus introduces the concept of God’s holiness—his unique, innate, and ontological otherness—and calls his people to reflect that holiness in their own lives. While scholarship has traditionally focused on Israel’s sacrificial cult practices, it has often neglected the theological trajectory of holiness within the broader canonical framework of the Torah. This dissertation seeks to reframe the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17–26) not merely as a set of ritual prescriptions, but as a theological narrative that exposes the limits of human effort and invites reflection on divine grace.

Chapter 1 surveys the history of interpretation and critiques the limitations of historical-critical and …

James Wilson And His Republic Of Happiness, Seth Ryan Hodges

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines the political and moral philosophy of James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Framers’ theorist whose synthesis of natural law, theology, and Enlightenment moral philosophy grounded what he referred to as the “Republic of Happiness.” It argues that Wilson’s concept of happiness was not rhetorical, but the structural foundation of his legal and constitutional thought. Drawing on Wilson’s Lectures on Law, revolutionary pamphlets, and convention debates, the study demonstrates that for Wilson, happiness meant moral excellence rather than pleasure or material satisfaction. The pursuit of happiness represented both a divine command and …

Social Networking Influences In The Challenges Of West African Immigrant College Students In Kentucky – A Hermeneutical Qualitative Study, Martin Chukwusolum Akwari

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological study is to explore how social network groups modulate the lived experiences of West African immigrant students in colleges and universities in Kentucky. Grounded in Bourdieu’s social capital theory and informed by a social constructivist interpretive framework, this study explored how shared experiences within social network groups influence how West African immigrant students interpret their academic and social environments during college years. The study is anchored on a central research question: How does social interaction with others influence how immigrant students of West African origin interpret their lived experiences in higher education institutions …

Genesis 1:1-11:9 Shows That Humanity Is The Object Of God's Love: A Dissertation, Donna R. Dilworth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Most scholars turn to the New Testament when exploring the concept of divine love, citing passages such as John 3:16 and 1 John 4:8 to illustrate God’s sacrificial love through Christ. However, this dissertation reexamines the Primeval History of Genesis 1:1–11:9 as a foundational witness to divine love, arguing that these early chapters reveal humanity as the object of God’s enduring affection, even in the absence of the Hebrew term ʾāhāḇ (“love”). Rather than focusing solely on the term “love,” it is crucial to consider the nature of God himself. Scholars widely agree that the assertion “God is love” (1 …

Assessing Non-Performance Based Standards Of The National Core Arts Standards In Georgia Public Middle And High Schools, Richard Brian Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing a well-rounded musician must be the goal of every music teacher. In today’s modern educational system, assessment is a tool used to help shape the curriculum of all subjects. Music assessment must be no different. The National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) utilize anchor standards for assessment in four categories: creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Standards that fall within performing are quickly evaluated in formal and informal assessments, but other standards, such as creation, responding, and connecting, often need exploration. One needs to craft assessments to determine student understanding of performance and non-performance standards and explore development in those areas. …

The Relationship Between Mentorship And Career Longevity For New Clinicians In Emergency Medical Services, Katherine Elizabeth Contreras

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to understand how mentorship assisted a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) clinician in navigating the challenges of the first year at an EMS agency in Central Texas. Guiding the study was Lev Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism, which focuses on knowledge gained through human activities, social interactions, and behavior modeling. Twelve study participants completed one-on-one interviews, two participants completed a single focus group interview, and the researcher conducted naturalistic observations, during which the participants shared personal, firsthand experiences that answered the study’s central research question: How does mentorship help new EMS …

Repurposing Semaglutide As An Adjunctive Treatment For Cocaine Use Disorder: Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial, Luba Yammine, Francesco Versace, Charles E Green, Heather E Webber, Jin Ho Yoon, Absalon D Gutierrez, Samuel J Leonard, Michael F Weaver, Joy Schmitz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a significant public health concern in the USA, with considerable prevalence and mortality and no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies. Recent advances in addiction science emphasise the need for novel, mechanism-based treatments. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, have shown promise in modulating reward-related behaviours and may offer therapeutic benefits for CUD. We present a study protocol evaluating semaglutide, as an adjunct to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as a novel approach for treating CUD.

Methods and analysis: This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling 75 treatment-seeking adults with CUD. Participants will …

2026-05-20 Sullivan Scholarship Returns With Narrow Scope, Tristan Scott

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

2026-05-20 Is Hantavirus Worth Freaking Out Over?, Maya Deguzman

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

2026-05-20 [Incoherent Screaming As I Login To Linkedin], Kaitlyn Delfs

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Beyond Stabilization: Biological Healing, Structural Exclusion, And The Recovery Gap After Border-Fall Trauma At The U.S.-Mexico Border, Julia Robinson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis examines the biochemical, ethical, and public health consequences of insufficient post-operative follow-up care for undocumented immigrants injured in border falls. Discussing pathways of inflammation resolution, wound healing, and bone remodeling, this thesis argues that recovery depends on tightly regulated molecular and cellular processes that are highly vulnerable to disruption without continued monitoring and rehabilitation (Loi et al., 2016; Maruyama et al., 2020). When follow-up care is absent, these processes can be predicted to derail, leading to infection, impaired healing, and permanent disability (Chung & Sohn, 2025; Howard et al., 2020; Kruidenier et al., 2018). Framed through principles …

Who Gets To Be Taken Seriously? Three Atypical Scholars Navigate Doctoral Education At The Intersections Of Race, Neurodivergence, And Veteran Identity, Sr. Richard De La Garza

Dissertations

As a first-generation, neurodivergent, Mexican American/Chicano veteran, I entered the University of San Diego's doctoral program having had experiences that most institutional intake processes would label as risk factors. The Findings chapter of this dissertation begins by describing those experiences—not as a confession, but as the foundation for a systematic inquiry into how doctoral legitimacy is produced, withheld, and defended. The description of my life experiences is followed by a discussion of the doctoral journeys of two other study participants who also were atypical doctoral candidates.

The central argument being advanced is this: What higher education calls "fit," "rigor," and …

The Impact Of Dispatch Weight Restrictions On Derivative Aircraft Propulsion Technology Evaluation, Timothy T. Takahashi

Faculty Publications

This paper arises from an ARPA-E-sponsored project seeking design opportunities to retrofit existing aircraft with hybrid electric propulsion systems. Engineers typically configure aircraft to fly a given payload over a long range, which is subject to field performance constraints. In practice, operators fly transport aircraft (civilian and military) in a manner where dispatch consciously trades payload and/or range to enable safe operations to and from short runways. This work describes a simple yet novel analytical process suitable for inclusion in conceptual design or technology portfolio trade study evaluations to assess the impacts of weight-restricted dispatch upon usable payloads. We find …

Heart Initiative January 2025-December 2025, Gabriela Murza, Ashley Yaugher

All Current Publications

This report reviews the Health, Extension, Advocacy, Research, Teaching (HEART) Initiative programming and impacts for 2025. This USU Extension initiative transitioned from a programmatic initiative addressing the opioid epidemic in the most affected counties to a statewide prevention and workforce development model, with programs focused on prevention and education, stigma and harm reduction, strengthening community ties, and resilience building. The programs and resources expand access to evidence-based health and wellness resources, promote community engagement, and support statewide education efforts.

A Behaviourally Segmented Assessment Of The Environmental, Nutritional, And Economic Impacts Of Household Food Waste In The Republic Of Ireland, Courage Y. Krah, Paul Hynds, Anushree Priyadarshini

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Household food waste represents a multifaceted sustainability challenge with environmental, nutritional, and economic repercussions. However, no integrated multidimensional assessment has examined how impacts vary across different household food waste behaviours, representing a critical knowledge gap. This study presents the first nationally representative, behaviourally segmented assessment of household food waste in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), integrating life cycle assessment (LCA), nutrient composition, and economic assessment. Data from 966 households were used to quantify food waste volumes across twelve food categories and four behavioural clusters. Environmental impacts were estimated using the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method, while nutrient and monetary losses …

Do Universities Underpay Professors? Yes, Especially Women, Zhanhan Yu, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes

Upjohn Institute Policy and Research Briefs

No abstract provided.